Vol 2. Issue 6

ISSUE 6

FREE FREE/ /APR MAY2018 2018

PREFACE

let t er from t he

I

EDITOR

have been dreading this sentence all year: welcome to the final issue of “The Chariot.”

This issue is focused on the one topic that we high schoolers love more than anything in the world: ourselves. We wanted this issue to be a tribute to Generation Z and how we as a generation wish to leave our mark on the world.

Managing editor Jamie Miller and staff writer Sam Beagle have written a cover story that documents how Generation Z defines ourselves, not the stereotypes placed on us.

Also included in this issue is an article by staff writer Maren Stephens finally answering the age old question: which boxed macaroni and cheese is best?

In the news section, news editor Maura McLynn predicts the future of Generation Z in the workforce while in the features section design editor Caroline Kwon and staff writer Hannah Frazer discuss the dark side of the Disney.

Though issue six of “The Chariot” is focused on the future, right now I want to acknowledge the past.

Thank you to our staff for the hard work they put in this year. I cannot forget to shoutout Caroline Kwon and Brian Sui for going way beyond the scope of their responsibilities for us and never failing to create perfect work.

I want to raise a glass to Todd Hedden who allowed us to do what we love, tolerated the messes we made in his classroom and perfected the “less is more” technique as our advisor.

Photographer and visionary, David Kim and his signature style made this magazine what it is. I want to thank him for surviving every one of Rachael’s and my bizarre photo requests and embodying the role of team player.

This year, there were two angels on staff, our right hand girls: Jamie Miller and Neha Bhatia. I can feel the care and attention they put into the magazine every time I touch it. Neha and Jamie were by our side for every send-off, every picture and every technology error. Sticking to us through good page and bad, Rachael and I would have been lost without them.

I had the greatest honor of being co-editors-inchief with Rachael Jones. Rachael, you never failed to impress me with your talent, motivate me to think outside the box and push me to be a better editor-in-chief. Thank you for all the laughs.

Watching you work helped me understand how truly special you are and how far you’ll go in life.

Rachael and I are so excited to pass the helm to the 2018-2019 editors-in-chief Maura McLynn and Rohan Lalla. We want to wish them the best of luck for the next year and are so excited to see which direction they steer “The Chariot.”

Most importantly, I want to thank the students of Johns Creek from our loyal fans who collected every issue to the people who were only there for the crossword.

For the last time as editor-in-chief, I hope you enjoy issue six of “The Chariot: Generation Z.”

NIKITA DANI

edit or-in-chief

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contents 04. n ews 4. ROUNDUP 6. STUDENT ACTIVISM 8. FACEBOOK FALLOUT 9. GEN Z IN THE WORKFORCE

10. sport s

SOPHIA HAYNES Following a national surge in student activism against gun laws, business editor Morayo Ogunbayo covers the efforts Johns Creek students have made toward change. Page 6

10. SPECIAL OLYMPICS 12. BOYS VOLLEYBALL 13. COMMUNITY COACHES

14. fe ature s 14. COVER STORY: GENERATION Z 20. PYSCHOLOGY IN DISNEY 21. UNPLUGGED

DAVID KIM Sports editor Nathan Gauthreaux highlights the success of one of Johns Creek’s lesser-known sports teams, boy’s volleyball. Page 10

22. TRENDS OF THE GENERATION 24. MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

26. opinion 26. FACE-OFF: THE INTERNET & HUMAN RIGHTS 28. MAC AND CHEESE 29. HIP HOP OVER THE YEARS 30. CELEBS IN OFFICE

DAVID KIM Features editor Sophie Brandeis shares her journey of spending seven days disconnected from all social medias. Page 22

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NEWS

taking a stand MORAYO OGUNBAYO, business editor

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mma Menardi and Krithi Kothari are regular Johns Creek High School students. They go to class, study hard for their excessive amounts of tests, and complain about all these things often.

However, they in some ways differ from their JC peers. Like many high schoolers around the country, they have been mobilized by recent events and created an organization within school to fight back. Menardi and Kothari created Johns Creek Youth Advocates, or JCYA, to combat unjust parts of society as they see fit.

“We wanted a way to mobilize students to demand actual concrete change over a more extended time period since marches and walkouts aren’t enough for actual stuff to change,” Menardi said.

Youth activism has become more common as of late, and JCYA is just a small component of the forthcoming movement. Most synonymous with youth advocacy have become the students of Stoneman Douglas High School, or as they are colloquially known, The Parkland Teens.

After the large scale mass shooting at their suburban Florida high school, they partnered with gun control activists to lobby for gun reform.

Their efforts have been largely covered, with just as much resistance as there is support.

Most recently, their efforts have sparked the March For Our Lives, a nationwide march with more than one million participants, including JCYA. The march called for tighter gun control in the United States.

A march on this scale for gun control has never been accomplished, which has caused many to wonder the true scope of student activism.

Throughout history, the mobilization of youth has been in the forefront of America’s largest reforms. Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, is largely seen as one of the major players in the civil rights movement, and coordinated the first widespread sit-ins.

6 | SOPHIA HAYNES

This is also not the first time student activism has taken over the country. Quite famously, during the 1970’s, students led the charge against the Vietnam War and the corrupt power structures that had their place during that time.

Even during the Apartheid protests in South Africa during the late 70s, young people were on the front lines. During all of these movements, the strength of youth mobilization was overlooked until it was hard not to see.

Despite the March for Our Lives record attendance, many are abhorred by the wave of student activism taking place. During the nationwide student walkout for gun reform, the main argument against it was that it took away from the school day.

Another counter-argument is that a person should be able to vote before they call for legislative reform. Without looking very deep into Twitter, one can find numerous attacks on the Parkland Teens that encompasses everything from their knowledge on the subjects they are speaking about to their hairstyles and sexualities.

The American public is focused in on this topic, and it does not look as though they will let up any time soon.

JCYA is a target of this fascination, but they have clear goals of what they would like to accomplish.

“We wanted to raise awareness about the importance of mobilization in politics, especially because we felt that awareness and drive is lacking in the Johns Creek community, and we really wanted to show that anyone can get involved in politics regardless of their background or association,” Kothari said.

Student activism is not new, and probably not getting old, but as America goes through the newest cycle of youth mobilization, many wonder how far this one will reach.

THE CHARIOT | 7

NEWS

UNITED STATES

The United States has come up with a new proposal for NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico) to alter requirements on automobile imports. The treaty was originally established to facilitate friendly trade across North America however, recently, creating deals that all three nations agree on has been a challenge. Politicians are concerned that the new proposal will be ineffective because the most recent one took months to even be considered by the other two countries.

FRANCE

French president Emmanuel Macron, who recently took office last year on May 14, traveled to the United States for President Trump’s first state dinner. Leaders from around the world came to formally meet and discuss issues with the president. Macron has intentions of convincing Trump to stay in the Iranian Nuclear Deal.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

BRAZIL

Federal prosecutors in Brazil asked a court to force Microsoft to change its default installation process for Windows 10. They claimed it violated several local laws by collecting the user data without their “express consent”.

Brazilian prosecutors requested that the company stop within fifteen days. This however is not the first time the company has dealt with this issue -- Microsoft has previously faced criticism around the world about the installation of the program. Therefore, the prosecutors claim, it will be an “unpleasant lawsuit” if the company refuses to fix the issue within the requested fifteen days.

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MYANMAR

Myanmar, a small country in southeast Asia, is home to several local minorities including an ethnic group called the Rohingyas. The national government has been violently pushing out the Rohingyas, in what many are calling a genocide. There were an estimated 1 million of them living in Myanmar a year ago before the crisis.

Now, thousands are killed daily as the government attempts to eliminate the ethnic population through a mass murdering.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CBN NEWS

NIGERIA

A gunman opened fire in a Nigerian church during a morning mass on Tuesday April 24. Nineteen people, two of which were priests, were killed. The attackers were thought to be Fulani herdsmen -- semi nomadic herdsmen who are located in west Africa and are known to engage of random acts of movement of cattle and occasional violent outrages. They set over 50 houses on fire and destroyed the PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIAN TODAY entire community.

ROUNDUP DANI BLANK, staff writer

THE CHARIOT | 5

NEWS

facebook fallout BRIAN SUI, copy editor

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n March 16, Facebook cut ties with UK-based data consulting firm Cambridge Analytica after transgressively harvesting personal data from 50 million Facebook users in an attempt to influence recent major political outcomes, particularly those following the 2016 presidential election.

Cambridge Analytica crawled into the American political domain during the 2016 election through two primary links: former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and Republican donor and hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer. With the support of Mercer’s hefty funds, Bannon, who served as the firm’s vice president, was responsible for reeling in and latching onto the Trump campaign team.

The principal role gradually transferred from Bannon to a Russian American researcher at Cambridge University, Aleksandr Kogan, who designed a quiz app on Facebook in 2014 by the name of “thisisyourdigitallife” and became the firm’s prime information source. Though ostensibly benign, the app requested that Facebook users agree to offer their data before taking the quiz.

With massive aggregates of personal data, Cambridge Analytica curated profiles for all users, mapping them along five lines of personality based on their digital activity, such as pages liked and products purchased.

The goal was to construct bots that analyze each profile, digest the information and display user-specific ads

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to emotionally provoke or reinforce beliefs, swaying voters during an especially turbulent political season.

At large, the greatest concern that emerges from this controversy is the lack of data safety and protection Facebook and other digital giants, such as Twitter, offer to their clients.

Facebook, permits external parties, exclusively app creators and academics, to access friends’ data, but Kogan clearly violated this policy when he sold data to Cambridge Analytica. Facebook knew of Kogan’s transgression and removed his app, but they failed to take active measures.

“I think it’s far overdue that Facebook, Twitter and even Google testify to their data security measures.

These breaches in security also highlight facets of our democracy that are broken. Instead of discussing ideas at large, politicians have become increasingly able to misinform their audience. Social media has only abetted this effort by creating tools that can filter through groups of people to target certain individuals,” said senior Mili Jha. The ramifications for Facebook are catastrophic as the company witnessed its share value plunge $40 billion in the week following the media release. To exacerbate the issue, many companies, including Sonos, Commerzbank and Mozilla, already pulled ads off Facebook, and it is expected many others will follow suit, shrouding the once dominant social media leader’s fate in a hazy cloud of uncertainty.

The Evolving Workforce

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obotic automation will eliminate as many as 800 million jobs by 2030, according to BBC News. As time nears this date, Generation Z grows closer to the time in which it becomes the primary contributors to this diminishing workforce. While Baby Boomers presently control most supervisory positions in this technology-driven world, many entry-level positions are becoming more readily available to the youngest generation.

Millennials have held certain professions for the past 10 years as the majority of occupations including statisticians, web developers and financial analysts. But it is highly unlikely that Generation Z will have the same jobs available. Antiquated blue collar and service-based positions will be replaced by automation, leaving only jobs that cannot be done by a robot like human services.

In 1998, the average worker used a Macintosh desktop computer - if they used a computer at all. In just 20 years technology has advanced at an incredible rate, transforming

society into a virus no longer capable of functioning without its host, or in this case, its iPhone. The world in which the iGeneration makes its living from will differ from today’s, both technologically and morally, with focus on the environmental impact of companies and coworker interaction.

The most influential individuals in Generation Z are students using social media to promote their causes. As thousands of students walked out of class on March 14 in honor of the 17 killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and in protest for stricter gun control, the world got its first glimpse of the true capabilities of Gen Z. The Center for Generational Kinetics reported that 72 percent of Generation Z members believe it is important to make a positive impact in the world, almost 10 percent more than those of the Baby Boomer generation. As a generation full of compassion and respect, one can assume that these feelings of empathy and appreciation will translate into the workplace, hopefully addressing the issues of sexual harassment and discrimination in professional settings.

“People always talk about how compared to Millennials, Gen Z has very little loyalty to brands. I think we tend to choose the product most appealing to us, regardless of its name, which will show in the work we choose as well. We don’t feel the need to work for any big companies or any obligation to purchase from them. This makes us more independent in future job choices. We will want to work for the people willing to make the biggest positive impact more so than those who pay the most, which definitely sets us apart from other generations,” said junior Melanie Bellamy.

It is impossible to predict the exact working environment Generation Z will inherit. Jobs adapt to the needs of consumers, so as some become obsolete, those pertaining to technology will become more prevalent.

While the exact future for Gen Z workers is unknown, it can be said that this group of young individuals will utilize both their technological savvy and strong moral compasses to turn the modern workplace into one of tolerance and productivity.

THE CHARIOT | 9

DAVID KIM

MAURA MCLYNN, news editor

SPORTS

B Y’S

VOLLEYBALL NATHAN GAUTHREAX, sports editor

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ohns Creek has a large quantity of successful sports programs; One program that is often overlooked is the Johns Creek men’s volleyball team. Coming off their first state championship in 2017, the Gladiators are looking to repeat as state champions in 2018.

While the prog r a m has only existed for three years, the teams has quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the state.

Senior Brendan Lydic said the most exciting t h i ng about t h i s season is “be-

10 | DAVID KIM

ing able to return to the state tournament and defend our title.” Johns Creek has battled with cross town rival Chattahoochee for the top spot in the state for the past two years.

A couple players on the team have also expressed interest in playing volleyball at the collegiate level.

Junior Andrew Jones has played volleyball for the past 6 years and hopes to find a college where he can play after next season.

Jones said “Volleyball opens up a lot of doors and opportunities that I couldn’t normally access without sports”. Jones has been a crucial member of the team since his freshman year, bringing both experience and leadership to the team.

Finally Lydic expressed his hopes that “men’s volleyball will become a sanctioned sport in Georgia and continue to grow in popularity at Johns Creek”. Boys Volleyball is not yet a varsity sport in Georgia, but with the growing popularity will likely become one in the next several years.

Lahoti explained that the team “has good junior and sophomore players who will carry on [their] winning tradition.” The Seniors on the team have established a strong winning tradition and will leave behind a memorable legacy.

THE CHARIOT | 11 THE CHARIOT | 11

SPORTS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MATT PRESS, staff writer

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very two years, athletes from over one hundred and seventy two countries with intellectual disabilities gather for the Special Olympics. The event started small in 1968 with only one thousand participants, but it has grown exponentially, with almost five million people participating in the recent games.

The founder of the program is Eunice Kennedy Shriver; Shriver was inspired to start this movement by her sister Rosemary, who suffered from an intellectual disability. At the time, people with intellectual disabilities were not accepted in society, and Shriver created the Special Olympics to eliminate that stigma. Due to the help of thousands of volunteers over the years, the small initial gathering evolved into the massive international movement people know today.

As for the sports, the athletes only played hockey, ran track and field, and swam at the first games.

However, at the 2015 games in Los Angeles, the athletes participated in basketball, bowling, powerlifting, skiing, figure skating, and just about every sport imaginable.

Regarding local athletes, many Georgians have been quite prominent in the Special Olympics. In team sports such as basketball or soccer, the games consist of “unified teams”, which are made up of both people with and without intellectual disabilities. A unified soccer team in Johns Creek known as the “Special K’s” is just one of the thousands of unified teams around the world. The team includes multiple Johns Creek High School students in senior Senator Greene, and senior Annabelle Erb. Coached by Marty Jelleme, the Special K’s will attempt to continue their impressive run as they are representing Georgia in the National Olympics in Seattle, Washington, where they will compete for the coveted Olympic 12 | ALL PHOTOS: DAVID KIM

bid for the 2019 Special Olympics.

“My greatest accomplishment while playing for this team was being chosen to be one of the players that will represent the State of Georgia at the Special Olympic Summer Games. I’ve also learned that with a lot of practice, help, and teamwork, soccer is not too challenging for me... it is easier than I originally thought. Being a part of this team has taught me that everyone can play sports, even if you have mental or physical disabilities. There are always incredible people willing to help you and teach you,” said senior Senator Greene, who lives with cerebral palsy and autism.

For millions of people with intellectual disabilities around the world, the Special Olympics have provided an outlet for to them showcase their athletic ability.

With the continuous help of volunteers around the world and the perseverance from people like Senator, the Special Olympics will both continue growing and put an end to the negative connotation surrounding people with intellectual disabilities while also honoring the lifelong dream of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

COMMUNITY COACHES NATHAN GOGGANS, staff writer

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any Johns Creek coaches are praised for their contribution to the school, but the ones most often left out are those who volunteer their time as community coaches for simply the love of the sport they coach. Coaches from the boys lacrosse team and boy basketball team have built their programs and helped achieve winning seasons while sacrifici=ng their time for wages of less than a dollar an hour.

Varsity boys lacrosse coach Mike Ryan has put four years of coaching into the Johns Creek program. In 2016, he was inducted into the High School Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He has been coaching lacrosse (High School and Collegiate) for 40 years now and has no intention of stopping soon. His favorite part about being a community coach is building relationships with young men and teaching them lessons on the field that they can use in the real world for the rest of their lives.

“It is fun to teach the game and watch players develop as young men while being part of that journey,” said Ryan.

Varsity boys lacrosse coach Jimmy Harkin has also contributed a great deal of time to the Johns creek lacrosse program as well. He has spent the last 20 years coaching lacrosse off and on, taking time off to raise his three kids. His love for lacrosse began as a child. In high school he was selected as an All-American and he went on to play division one lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University. Harkin once had

dreams of coaching at a higher level, but now claims that ship sailed a long time ago, and he is happy coaching high schoolers for now.

“If as a high school coach you can change and or effect the life of a young man for the better, then that is what makes coaching so special,” said Harkin.

Varsity boys basketball coach Scott Samach is another community coach who loves what he does. With ten years of coaching experience, he has helped the basketball team in finishing many winning seasons. Along with being a community coach, Samach works a day job and referees travel basketball. His commitment to the sport is almost that of a coach employed by the school. Samach has thought about coaching collegiately, but for right now he is happy with coaching and making an impact on high schoolers.

“Getting to see kids grow up and develop not only as basketball players but as boys to men from the time they get to us at Johns Creek until they graduate is my favorite part about coaching high school basketball,” says Samach.

All of these coaches sacrifice time at their jobs and with their families for the love of their sports. Many community coaches spend multiple hours per day coaching with almost no pay in return. Their commitment to young athletes is selfless and contributes more than just knowledge on the sports. These coaches are life coaches that will be remembered by their athletes forever.

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COVER

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JAMIE MILLER, managing editor and SAM BEAGLE, staff writer For Generation Z, life began in 1995: Michael getting jobs to getting into college, to be more comJordan returned to the NBA, the United States petitive for young Gen Zs entering the real world. launched the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Grateful The difference in lifestyle is also seen beyond edDead announced their break up. This generation ucation and population statistics. Generation Z’s developed throughout the 90s and into the ear- pop-culture trends have evolved into a face that rely 2000s: Google was founded, the world lost a flects the innovative technological world of which legend – Michael Jackson – and Disney released they are living. Digital soundtracks, streaming sites High School Musical I. Among all these pivotal and forms of mobile music have replaced the more points in history, Generation Z was shaped into vintage forms of music, such as CDs and tangible the youth who are now transisoundtracks. This is evident tioning into adulthood, ready in statistics between the to conquer the competitive years of 2016 and 2015 when environment of the future. audio stream sales went up This competitive environ76.4 percent, and CD sales ment began with the popudropped by 16.3 percent.

Among all these pivotol points in lation jump currently taking The music world is different history, Generation Z was shaped place in communities all over for more reasons than solely into the youth who are now tranthe United States. The poputhe platforms listeners use. sitioning into adulthood, ready to lation of urban suburbs has inGenres have taken a drastic conquer the competitive environcreased exponentially, includturn from the popularity of ment of the future. ing in places like Johns Creek 80s and 90s rock, to record where the population has breaking sales of pop and rap. grown approximately 135 perMusic has grown to include cent in the last 10 years. Natvulgar language and lyrics that urally, the increase in inhabiconfront risky topics that pretants has caused inflation within the competitive viously were silenced. The altered nature of music has world surrounding Generation Z. Jobs, internships created pop-culture icons who are worshiped through and programs have more applicants than ever be- platforms of music streaming and social media. fore, making the fight for the few spots that are Gen Z’s current trends also have a taste for putting available more aggressive than in generations past. a new spin on retro classics within the music indusThe effects of population growth can even be seen try and the fashion world. Although sales in digital through the competition of getting into college lev- streaming have increased, vinyl is growing in popuel educational institutions. The qualifications of the larity as well. Between the years of 2015 and 2016, “picture perfect student” have a hard time standing vinyl albums sales went up 10 percent. Ironically, the test of the admissions process due to the in- vintage styles from as far back as the 1920s appear crease in population, which has further led to the in fashion-forward magazines. It is not uncommon increase of college applicants. The population spike to see Gen Z high school students sporting 70s Bohas forced the nature of virtually everything, from hemian style skirts or 80’s vintage button-ups from

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COVER

trendy stores like Top Shop and Urban Outfitters.

Daily life consists of pop-culture trends that reach beyond the scope of the music industry to include social media apps – from Twitter to Snapchat. Life occurrences are condensed into a single caption, picture or tweet. Memes are not only a form of humor, but an essential part of Gen Z linguistics. News travel through social media platforms at lightning speed, allowing this younger generation to receive information the moment it occurs. For Gen Z, a fraction of their life has evolved into a virtual reality that allows them to stay connected through the simple click of a button. Senior Stephanie Zhang offered her opinions on the ways technology sets Gen Z apart from previous generations.

“Our phones and ability to stay connected with the outside world is what makes our generation so unique. We have an abundance of information and the ability to process it so much faster than these older generations did before and that is what makes our generation so significant. We have the power to access the world through the internet and through technology and that is what contributes to making us so innovative,” said Zhang

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Despite the many characteristics that make Gen Zs unique, older generations tend to look down upon them. These unfounded stereotypes are supported by twisted opinions behind the facts.

Gen Zs are thought to be glued to electronics, presumably stuck in a virtual world where texting all day and playing video games take precedence over everything else.

These common misconceptions stem from the ease at which internet is accessible for the younger generation. Many members of elder generations see Gen Z as youth who merely stare aimlessly at virtual screens, and, according to recent statistics, they have reason to believe it. Two-thirds of Gen Zs in the United States have iPhones (hence the nickname “iGen”), and their electronic usage causes a loss of about six hours of leisure time daily. Along with this, Forbes claims that about half of high schoolers are connected online for nearly 10 hours a day.

Common descriptions of this generation assert that due to the inexperience of a world without technology, Gen Zs are too reliant on the Internet and other easily accessible technological resources. Elder generations claim that the world of technology has cre-

ated a youth that lacks the ability to create tech-savvy world and made a living from the original works and come up with individual constant introduction to new technology. Acideas, but according to statistics, the opposite cording to Forbes, 72 percent of high school is true. Despite many statistics and polls say- students want to start their own businesses. ing otherwise, what Gen Zs do on their phones Another source claims that 77 percent of Gen is not unproductive Zs already earn money screen-staring, but rathfor themselves in some er Gen Zs use phones way. These numbers disas an outlet for harplay a great example of nessing their creativity.

Gen Z’s ambition and Staying connected drive, as well as a desire We have the power to access the world through social media and for financial success. through the internet and through texting may look bad to technology and that is what contribOther critics of Gen Z other generations, but claim its members have utes to making us so innovative freshman Rishi Gowno work ethic. Older da offered a different generations say that opinion on the matter.

Gen Z is full of avid pro“[Older generations] crastinators: they nevdon’t realize that the way er do what is expected Generation Z treats social of them and that they platforms, like Instagram, in way that has nev- cannot even do their homework. This arguer been done before. The innovative way that ment derives from the previously mentioned we connect and have relationships with one stereotype, Gen Z’s addiction to screens. another through the internet is one of the most The assumption that Gen Z has the inabilcreative things we could ever do,” said Gowda. ity to work and work hard is completely unThese youth are also using their devices to founded by generational views on education. become young entrepreneurs. These young The United States’ high school graduation rate business owners have taken advantage of the .

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COVER

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Whether you are a Gen Z who is a senior in highschool, about to enter the real world, or a freshmen just realizing their potential, now is the time to exploit every talent and passion.

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he assumption that Gen Z has the inability to work (and work hard at that), is completely unfounded by generational views on education. The United State’s high school graduation rate has constantly risen since the turn of the century, supporting the notion that Gen Zs work hard for their education. 85 percent of Gen Z claims that getting good grades is an important part of their life, and another 79 percent agree that going to college is equally important. For being so young, our generation has already accomplished so much.

As high schoolers, this generation has staged a school-wide walk out in order to support fellow Americans at Marjory-Stoneman High school. They have led movements to support those in the LGBTQ community. What we do doesn’t just affect us, for our openness constantly finds our elders, scaring them into stereotyping us because we think in a new way.

Despite what elders may think, this generation is hardworking, passionate, driven and knows their purpose. 74 percent of Generation Z rank purpose ahead of paycheck; nearly 50 percent of the Gen Zs that have been interviewed upon entering the workforce said they want to start their own business – a statistic that is 10 percent higher than any other generation in the workforce.

These statistics alone shed light on how Generation Z will contribute to the growth of the economy all around the world, not to mention that these businesses will bring fresh ideas to advance everything from healthcare to charity programs.

Generation Z has created a world where people are accepted for who they are. These youth are striving to create a more inclusive environment

for everyone to be exactly who they want to be and believe exactly what they want to believe. In a sense, this generation has steered away from blindly following a popularity contest. Each individual is not only encouraged to have their own point of view, but encouraged to share it. Although this generation is often pinned for being “liberal” or “overly sensitive,” if one were to talk to individuals who are fair representations of the common majority, it is evident that each Gen Z individual has unique opinions and passions that cannot be pinned down to simply one stereotype.

The reality of this generation lies within its innovative thinking and activism. This is the generation that will change the world. Its activism, potential and motivation is what set it apart from previous generations. The ironic doubts that older generations have about Gen Zs should be their motivation. Although roughly 77 percent of Generation Z is still in school, what they have accomplished politically, technologically and socially is beyond the scope of anything elder generations have done thus far, but this cannot stop now.

“Our generation needs to step it up in terms of going out into the world and being activists because now is the time that our voices need to be heard.

Now is the time that we have the energy, motivation and power. If not now then never,” said Zhang.

Whether you are a Gen Z who is a senior in highschool, about to enter the real world, or freshmen just realizing their potential, now is the time to exploit every talent and passion. Gen Zs are the groundbreakers, dreamers and innovators. Together, this generation can and will change the world.

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FEATURES

not-so-happily ever after

HANNAH FRAZER, staff writer

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any young children idolize Disney Princesses and dream about growing up to be like them, but behind the glitz and glam of fairytale animation, many people have found that the princesses aren’t as virtuous as Disney as has made them out to be. Even the most popular princesses are believed to have a dark side that is often overlooked.

“Sleeping Beauty” is a classic Disney movie about Princess Aurora and her 100-year sleep, a curse that can only be broken by true love’s kiss. Despite the romantic sound of the phrase “true love’s kiss” and the happily ever after offered at the film’s end, many viewers have voiced their concerns over the scene where Prince Philip kisses the sleeping princess. For instance, Sarah Hall, a mother, criticized “Sleeping Beauty” for its romanticized display of “sexual behavior and consent.” Many parents seem to agree with Sarah Hall about the film’s demonstration of unendurable sexual behavior for young children to view.

“Beauty and the Beast” is another Disney movie often accused of promoting inappropriate behavior. When inside Belle’s house, Gaston, the misogynistic antagonist, repeatedly invades Belle’s personal space. He goes as far as trapping her up against a door as he attempts to kiss her. As summarized by “Teen Vogue,” “he has no connection to Belle or her father, Maurice, and wants to marry her for a simple, reductive reason: He thinks she’s the prettiest girl in town.” Gaston also says offensive remarks about women when talking to Belle. In a scene when Gaston and Belle are walking together, Gaston states that “it’s not right for a woman to read! Soon she starts getting ideas, thinking.” Gaston isn’t the only character indicating poor conduct. In another controversy, the theory that Belle has Stockholm Syndrome generated many online debates, both lighthearted and not. Stockholm Syndrome is when a victim falls in love over time with his or her kidnapper. The connection between the condition and the film attracted so much attention that the controversy even reached Emma Watson who played the character in question in the 2017 live-action film. Watson countered the internet diagnosis,

20 | ALL PHOTOS: DAVID KIM

responding that even though Belle eventually feels deep affection towards the Beast, she still has control over her own opinions. Watson told “E! news”, “She has none of the characteristics of someone with Stockholm syndrome because she keeps her independence; she keeps that freedom of thought.”

The movie “Aladdin” attracted more controversy for Disney for its racist remarks and stereotypes. As soon as the movie was released, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee scheduled a meeting with Disney regarding a lyric in the opening song that described the fictional city of Agrabah as a place “where they cut off your ear/ If they don’t like your face/ It’s barbaric, but hey, it’s home.” The media raged about the lyrics and demanded it to be changed. The song was eventually edited to say, “Where it’s flat and immense/ And the heat is intense/ It’s barbaric, but hey, it’s home.” By altering the line, the audience was more welcoming of the song, but the original line made an impact regardless. More recently, Disney met public backlash when they announced the main character audition for the future live-action of the film. “The Outline” claims “for the eponymous role, they need someone who can sing, dance, act, and, most perhaps most importantly, pass in the U.S. as Middle Eastern.” After months of searching for someone, Disney has still not found a pair to fill the roles. The extended auditions prompted many angry reactions. Many followers have noted that “the fact no one can fan cast actual arabs for aladdin speaks volumes on how little arab rep there is in hollywood.”

While Disney Princess movies have impacted and will continue to impact people of all ages, this impact may not always be positive and innocent. With the modern push for political correctness and equal representation, any underlying problems in the tropes and romances of fairytales past are increasingly in danger of Internet backlash and exposure. But despite the less-than-happily ever afters of these classic films, the generated discussions and Disney’s responses to them indicate a definite change in the way society views and reacts to issues in this era of mass media.

unplugged ONE CHARIOT MEMBER’S JOURNEY THROUGH A SOCIAL MEDIA-FREE WEEK SOPHIE BRANDEIS, features editor

T

here is no denying that in this day and age, social media, including Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and Youtube, take over the lives of millions of young adults. The obsession around portraying the “perfect life” with pictures and posts creates a new environment that no other generation has had to face.

With a Snapchat score of 177,011 and an Instagram follower count of 1,101, I decided to investigate arguably the most relevant aspect of Generation Z: social media. For my investigation, the Chariot staff challenged me to take on the daunting task of going one week without any form of social media.

The first day of my social media cleanse was a Monday. I woke up at seven a.m. groggy and tired as usual. I rolled over to turn off the alarm on my phone and my thumbs went straight to the spot on my phone where the Instagram app used to be. The first thing I usually do in the mornings is check Instagram and send a snap to keep my streaks. With my morning routine slightly altered, I began my first day without social media.

I ran into my first issue in first period calculus. We had a substitute teacher that day and I finished my work pretty early. Naturally I took out my phone with the intent of going on Snapchat and snapping some friends. When I realized I couldn’t do that, I settled for a few games of 2048 before the bell rang.

In literature class everyone was on their phones. As glanced around the room, I couldn’t help but feel left out.

This feeling of exclusion continued throughout the day. The worst, however, was lunch time. I kept reaching down into my backpack to turn on my phone, and every time there were no notifications aside from a text from my mom.

Having nothing to respond to or check

on my phone made me feel exposed because I did not have anything to occupy myself with while we were having our usual lunch-time conversations.

The rest of the mornings went the same way: I would roll out of bed and try to check Instagram and Snapchat. However, while the mornings were repetitive, my day-to-day life at school began to change. The less I was on my phone, the more aware I became. As I looked around in the hallways between classes, I saw nothing but hunched over backs and a sea of heads staring down at glaring screens. An upside to this experience was that I started to pay more attention in all of my classes, and at lunchtime I was involved in every conversation. At the end of each day when I got home, it was hard not to go up to my room and Snapchat my friends at night; instead I actually did all of my homework spent time with my brother.

By the end of the week, I was used to not having social media on my phone, and in a way I really liked it. It took away a lot of stress and pressure of my teenage life, as well as relieved me from any sort of drama. After the week ended, I found myself hesitant to redownload my social media apps, but I realized that social media is too big of a presence to avoid. Instead I want myself and all of the Chariot readers to learn from my refreshing week without social media.

I hope that the next time I’m walking down the JC hallways I see more people with their heads up and phones off.

THE CHARIOT | 21

FEATURES

self-expression NIKITA DANI and RACHAEL JONES, editors-in-chief

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STYLE: ATHLEISURE MODELED BY: JUSTIN KIM DESCRIPTION: I LIKE TO BE COMFORTABLE IN WHATEVER I WEAR. BETWEEN WORKOUTS AND PRACTICE AND SCHOOL, I DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME TO CHANGE SO MY STYLE REFLECTS MY SCHEDULE. I LIKE TO IMPRESS MY FRIENDS WITH WHAT I WEAR.

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STYLE: BOHEMIAN MODELED BY: SAVANAH VOSS DESCRIPTION: MY STYLE IS BOHEMIAN. I LIKE TO WEAR OUTFITS THAT ARE ORIGINAL AND OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. FASHION TO ME IS A WAY TO EXPRESS MYSELF; IT MAKES ME FEEL UNIQUE.

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STYLE: NINETIES GRUNGE MODELED BY: ROHAN LALLA DESCRIPTION: I REALLY HATE GOING TO THE MALL SO I EITHER STEAL MY DAD’S OLD CLOTHES OR JUST GO TO THRIFT STORES. I MAINLY JUST FOCUS ON THE COLOR SCHEMES OF MY OUTFIT AND TRY TO NOT LOOK TOO THREADBARE OR TACKY.

22| DAVID KIM

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STYLE: RETRO MODELED BY: INDY TANNER DESCRIPTION: FOR MY STYLE I TAKE A LOT OF INSPIRATION FROM KATE MOSS IN THE NINTIES AS WELL AS KENDALL JENNER NOW. BOTH OF THEIR STYLES REALLY CORRELATE WITH WHAT I THINK IS STYLISH.

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STYLE: HYPEBEAST MODELED BY: FIYIN DESCRIPTION: I WOULD DESCRIBE MY STYLE AS A MODERN HYPEBEAST AS SOMEONE WHO IS OBSESSED WITH OBTAINING HYPE CLOTHES AND THAT IS WHAT MY STYLE DEPICTS.

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STYLE: “MAKE EVERY OUTFIT COUNT” MODELED BY: GABBY BORGESS DESCRIPTION: THE CLOTHES I WEAR ARE THE CLOTHES I FEEL THE MOST ME IN. IT’S A LOT OF EXPERIMENTATION WITH COLORS, PATTERNS AND TEXTURES. MANY PEOPLE SEE FASHION AS JUST AN AMATEUR INDUSTRY BUT IT REALLY IS AN ART FORM. IT CHANGES YOUR MOOD AND YOUR CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF. THE CHARIOT | 23

FEATURES

entertainment &

Fried Tilapia This last playlist arranged by photographer David Kim is a tribute to this year's Chariot staff. This mix celebrates the memories that the next two months of freedom will bring.

01.

BERRY STREETS | CHON 02.

LET IT BURN | JAZMINE SULLIVAN 03. CAN'T HIDE LOVE | EARTH, WIND, & FIRE 04. SON OF A PREACHER MAN | DUSTY SPRINGFIELD 05.

EASY | MAC AYRES 06.

VELVET LIGHT | JAKOB OGAWA 07.

INFATUATION | BROCKHAMPTON 08. ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET | DIZZY GILLESPIE 09. LOST IN JAPAN | SHAWN MENDES 10. ROLL ONE UP, HOMIE | ROB ARAUJO 11.

ALL YOURS | TENNYSON 12.

SWEET DREAMS | BĂ˜RNS 13.

ELECTRIC | ALINA BARAZ 14.

PORTLANT | ZOOLOGY 15. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER | ZAC EFRON

PHOTO COURTESY OF FORBES

24 |

Avengers: Infinity War JAKE PELJOVICH, staff writer

A

pril 27, 2018.

Avengers: Infinity War is going to be released to the world in one of the most anticipated movie premiers in recent memory. Along with the current Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye), other members of the Marvel Universe are going to be making their big screen debuts as part of the Avengers including.

The Avengers series has all led up to this third installment, with main antagonist, Thanos, threatening the fate of the planet with his pursuit of the six Infinity Stones. These ancient stones are immensely powerful by themselves, but if brought together and used as one combined force, their capabilities would truly be infinite.

The team of superheroes will have to band forces and find any way to stop Thanos from destroying the universe Along with a thrilling plot, Avengers: Infinity War is creating hype surrounding the number of other characters in the Marvel cinematic universe making appearances.

Many stand-alone Marvel

characters, including Dr. Strange, Ant-man, Spiderman, and beloved Black Panther, are set to meet up in the film for the first time. As teased in the recently released trailers, even the Guardians of the Galaxy are supposed to cross path with the Avengers and other members of the Marvel Cinematic universe. The expansion of Marvel characters is not supposed to end with this Avengers movie however; plans have already been made to release Avengers movies in 2018 and 2019 along with several other stand-alone movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ant-man and the Wasp, Spiderman Homecoming 2, and Captain Marvel throughout 2018.

So many questions are arising as the release date for Avengers: Infinity War approaches. Will Thanos collect all six Infinity stones and command the galaxy, or will the collective efforts of the Avengers and other Marvel characters be enough to stop him? With the Avengers facing their biggest test yet, fans can only wait to uncover all the answers.

MUSIC Unique Rapper on the Rise JOHN POSA, staff writer

“

recent rappers gaining fandom. Certain songs in SYRE discuss thoughts about himself from his point of view and from others. In the song “Ninety,” he raps, “I told ya I'm more than the kid with a chauffeur,” which addresses the claims about his pompous demeanor. Many of his critics believe money has gotten to his head, while he claims that he is more than the money and has stayed humble. Throughout the song and other parts of the album, he mentions his character and opinions in an attempt to send a message to whomever will listen to his words.

On the track “Hope,” Jaden says the lines “Business is business I get it/I'm just wishing all these prisons/Was not independent/ Lobbyists are in the senate/Lobbying to make it obvious/Innocent people are prosecuted for a living.” He uses this song to talk about prisons run by private sectors. This is an issue that has not been in the media for some time, showing us that Jaden has real opinions on important topics. He makes a statement that these prisons are run in order to gain a profit and usually use unfair tactics to keep private prisons filled to the maximum capacity.

For such a young artist, Jaden uses his following to stir up conversation about problems that he sees in today’s society.

Although the newest generation has produced artists who seem to ignore important matters and write lyrics about the generic themes, certain artists have emerged with true substance in their music and Jaden Smith has joined this elite group of people using their talents to make a change.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YOUTUBE

J

aden’s life has been in the spotlight ever since he took on his first movie role in "The Pursuit of Happyness" at just eight years old. It is impossible to stop the media from knowing his everyday life when his father is Will Smith, one of the most successful actors of his generation. With the constant limelight and his world-renowned family, Jaden Smith had to deal with problems such as excessive criticism and judgment at such a young age.

Throughout the developing years of his adolescence, Jaden did not live the normal life of an American teen, but that is what makes his music so interesting to listen to. All of his experiences, heartaches and achievements are expressed through his lyrics to give his audience peak inside the life of a kid pushed into stardom. The up-andcoming rapper's debut album, SYRE, has manifested into a collection of teenage emotions and thoughts on society.

Smith admitted this project took around over three years to create and it has come back to pay high dividends. His album peaked at 24th on the US Billboard 200 after the release of it in the November of 2017. The song “Icon” in particular caught the most attention, getting up to 79th on the Billboard top 100. The music video associated with the song has over 68 million views, and his father did a parody of the video, mimicking and mocking his son’s actions, resulting in almost three million views.

The lyrics in this piece of work take on a different purpose compared to most

For such a young artist, Jaden uses his following to stir up conversation about problems that he sees in today’s society.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOUTUBE THE CHARIOT | 25

OPINION

face of f

Is internet access a human right?

26 |

yes RACHEL GROSSWALD, opinion editor

A

person can survive up to three days without water.

They can live for two weeks without food. But, most people have not stopped to consider how long they can live without the internet. Sure, nobody can eat or drink the internet to stay alive, but these days it is hard to do anything without using the internet.

It is hard to remember a time before the internet, when everyone did not have the world at their fingertips. The internet has consumed almost every aspect of life and is essential to the way people communicate and how businesses are run. According to a Pew Research Poll done in 2018, one in four Americans are on the internet constantly, and 77 percent of Americans go online daily. With statistics like this it may seem impossible that about 60 percent of the world’s population does not have

no

access to the internet. Americans are so absorbed in the world wide web that they take for granted their unlimited access to the internet. With its explosive growth, access to the internet has become a human right, yet most people are unable to recognize that it is a right because it is so abundant in their lives.

Even though the internet is not necessary to maintain human life, organizations like UNICEF must add the implementation of internet access to their list of relief services. The internet is the backbone of many thriving nations including America. Without it, impoverished countries will be trapped in the past, unable to give their citizens the quality of life they deserve.

Major technology companies like Facebook and Google utilize providing internet access as an avenue for technological innovations and new business

opportunities. Another organization, The Alliance for Affordable Internet, focuses on providing affordable internet for as many people as they possibly can. These organizations are ahead of the curve, and it is time people recognize that they are providing an important human right to those in need.

In 2016, the United Nations made an addition to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declaring that disconnecting people from the internet violates a basic human right and is against international law. In this declaration, the UN formally addresses access to the internet as a human right, justifying the need for internet access worldwide. If taking away people’s internet violates their basic human rights, then it is imperative that the basic human right of access to the internet is provided for those who do not have it.

to be able to connect with others, entertain and educate themselves, but this disregards the fact the first step in solving the famine and brutality in third-world countries is to administer the basic human necessities; food, water, education, shelter and better living conditions. Before charities like UNICEF decide internet should be funded, they should think of the issues already present and how to solve them before moving on to providing internet access to those it won’t benefit.

The internet is not a top priority for these people in third world countries, the primary concern should be pulling these people out of poverty, war-torn countries and dangerous conditions. Imagine that little boy in Tanzania, is it more important to give him access to the internet, to look at pointless memes, fake news and celebrity retweets or to give him an ed-

ucation to get paid, food to satisfy his hunger, water to end his thirst?

If we lived in an idealist world, the internet could be offered to all people. Although the internet could help people in these countries educate themselves with modern technology, the current issues which they are facing would be blatantly ignored. The privileges of having the internet will not make up for all the human rights people all around the world are already deprived of. Hence, the internet is a right, but is not as significant as a human right.

The internet will not be able to fix the inequality in our world today; it will not help the children in factories, women being assaulted, people being disadvantage because the color of their skin. The focus should not be on internet access, but to restore the real human rights which all people in this world deserve.

BROOKE HALAK, staff writer

I

magine living in constant hunger, thirst and desperation, wishing for the bare minimum of necessities.

Imagine that somewhere in the dry desert terrain of Tanzania a boy is longing not for his phone or access to a new meme, but simply for food, water, shelter and education. Then why should he receive internet access before receiving all he longs for and needs to survive?

The internet gives a world full of opportunities, to explore, create, connect and therefore time is invested in it constantly.

With the click of a button the height of Mt. Everest can be obtained or the latest celebrity gossip can be read, but all of this is insignificant when coming head-on with the abundant disasters in less developed countries. Technology is applauded for its numerous possibilities whilst people ignore the suffering all over the world endure. Yes, people should have access to the internet,

THE CHARIOT | 27

OPINION

battle of the macaroni MAREN STEPHENS, staff writer

W

ith the new trends of truffle oil, lobster, and gourmet macaroni, the world’s favorite comfort food is becoming a little less comfortable. To protect both our memories, and our wallets, we need to go back to our roots: boaxed macaroni and cheese. Unless you were raised vegan or dairy free, there is a 99 percent chance that you hold a certain brand on a pedestal. But disregarding my personal favorite, I took it upon myself to find the true victor.

To begin with, I polled a couple of friends, resulting in a general consensus of the four top boxes. Our childhood heroes, though in no particular order, go as follows: Velveeta Shells and Cheese, Kraft Original, Kraft Spongebob Shapes and Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese. After we had chosen the contenders, we began the competition.

The day in question, four boxes were devoured, scored, and given rankings. Considering the importance of this decision, we had to adopt a very precise and specific method. After donning blindfolds, we rated the box in three categories: cheesiness, creaminess, and the smile factor.

Essentially, we wanted the tastiest, cheesiest and most happiness inducing macaroni possible. In order to protect the losing brands’ reputations, their scores and rankings will remain confidential, but the final winner may come as a surprise.

The winner was no one’s initial favorite, and had no lasting nostalgia or associated memories. But despite the barriers in its path, the test brought out a clear winner: Velveeta. With nearly a perfect score, it emerged as the creamiest, the most delicious and by far the closest to Liquid Gold.

28 | DAVID ALL PHOTOS: KIM DAVID KIM

When brought to the attention of fellow pasta enthusiasts, many were shocked, some even angered.

Mac and Cheese is on another level in comparison to other foods, given its cultlike following, its vast merchandise line and its ability to cross demographic barriers.

Due to of its uniqueness and heavy holding on the lives of nearly all children, whether in life or at heart, the cheese loving community will likely never come to a consensus on the true victor.

The cause of failed diets and happy stomachs, comfort food is as universal as what it describes. Boxed macaroni and cheese, at the heart of this group, holds a cultural weight on every generation since 1937.

With this wide and diverse a group, finding one common decision is impossible. In reality, the idea that a group of even four could agree is nearly unheard of. Macaroni is a staple of worldwide culture, and to this girl, Velveeta reigns supreme. There is an insanity in the fact that in my life of Kraft boxes and Easy-Mac, Velveeta has been a fleeting thought, but given the right circumstances, it can win.

I must admit, trying a larger sample would likely be more accurate. Looking back, a larger range would represent more macaroni brands and types, and give me and my friends an opportunity to continue gorging ourselves.But even with this oversight in mind, it is important to remember a fact that holds the world together: even though there may be disagreements on which is the best, there is simply no argument here: there is nothing better than boxed.

evolution of hip-hop ROHAN LALLA, staff writer

Y

ouTube comments, the twittersphere today’s generation, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, a collective of bodacious rappers from Atlanta, and hip-hop purists erupted in flames illustrate the duality and appeal of the modern most notably Migos. A more cultivated sound is when 19 year old rap star Lil Yachty form of hip hop music. The former keeps the also seeing a renaissance of sorts, jazz-inspired glibly proclaimed that he could not name five genre boundary-pushing and at the forefront hip hop music that takes clear influence from songs by neither Tupac nor Biggie, two prolific of politically conscious art, best exemplified in the G-funk sounds of 90’s California and the rappers who many consider all-time greats. The what is widely considered the magnum opus of boom-bap scene in New York around the same flippant declaration exposed a deep fissure be- contemporary hip hop, Lamar’s To Pimp a But- time, as well as historically black genres like tween today’s new age of rap, typified by woo- terfly, a nearly hour and half long album that is funk, soul and R&B. This music serves as the zy, trap beats behind the self-assured voice of a critical of the prison industrial complex, police perfect backdrop for politically conscious rubumptious teenager, and older, seemingly more brutality and other instruments of modern-day minations on the state of race relations, gender refined rap that comes from what many deem racial oppression. The latter blends pop influenc- discrimination and more, another trend in hip the “golden age” of hip hop music, the 90s. es and mainstream customs to allow the genre to hop music today that holds influence in the age before it. Without even mentioning It has all opened up a heated and conToday’s age of hip hop has progressed to be a vast array of musical stylings that tentious debate: which one is better? rap circumscribes today, it is undeniTo define the hip hop music that more dynamic, diverse and pigeonholed able that there are more seats at the comes from either era in a few words than the generation that preceded it, most- table of hip hop music today than does a disservice to artists deviating from the mainstream in either gen- ly as a byproduct of technological advances there was previously, making the eration and is subversive to the com- that facilitate more accessibility to the genre genre more winsome to a wider audience than it ever has been before. plexity and compartmentalization of and its surge into the mainstream today.

The chief difference that is most the genre during both time periods. easily identifiable is that in the 90s, However, clearly-definable trends of either side can be identified and genre-de- appeal to wide audiences, as seen by his recent rap spent less time in the mainstream spotlight. fining artists exist in both time periods, mak- hit “God’s Plan,” an infectious track clearly in- Yes, there was a myriad of iconic artists origiing influences clear, yet also exposing those spired by sounds in the mainstream pop world. nating from this period who are indubitably imBoth top charts are reasons why rap is the most mensely artistically influential, cutting-edge and who diverge from long-held conventions of the genre.

Today’s age of hip hop has pro- ascendent genre of today’s music scene. Howev- innovative, but it is indisputable that the genre of gressed to be more dynamic, diverse and pi- er, delving deeper into contemporary hip hop rap was ousted from the mainstream in favor of geonholed than the generation that preceded music reveals multiplicity of sounds, personal- alternative rock and britpop. Right now, hip hop it, mostly as a byproduct of technological ad- ities, deliveries and stylistic variances, the most is the zeitgeist, the most dominant and potent vances that facilitate more accessibility to the iconic and infamous being the recent mania over force in the musical sphere, and it holds more genre and its surge into the mainstream today. trap rap, characterized by tinny, rattling hi hats stature and influence than it ever has before.

Two of the most influential rappers and artists of and deep, floor-shaking bass, emanating from

THE CHARIOT | 29

OPINION

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM: THE PATH TO POLITICS LAUREN GREENFIELD, staff writer

C

elebrities running for office seems to be the com- Although Kanye West does not demonmon theme in modern United States politics. strate convincing activism, the recent growth Whether it be getting involved with campaigns of celebrity involvement in politics has introor even using their voice to sway people on political duced more qualified candidates to the ballot. issues, the relevance of these public figures has turned Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon has announced her politics into something more comical than diplomatic. candidacy for governor of New York; Nixon’s crediIn this day and age, everyone is granted the ability bility is established due to her experience in politics, to not only voice their own opinions, but have access not the public’s eye. Her previous work on Bill de Blato a platform through which to sio’s campaign and her active do so. It appears that this creinvolvement with LGBTQ rallys ates an equal playing field for allow her to create a platform anyone who wants to speak out that she can stand firmly on. in favor of their belief system; Celebrities like Nixon show however, social media and telethat a celebrity can belong in vised events give celebrities an Just because celebrities can office, however, not solely beadvantage, strengthening the cause they are a public figure. successfully project their volume of their voices because Just because celebrities can sucideas to a mass media does cessfully project their ideas to a of their immense audiences.

Some celebrities including not give them the credibility mass media does not give them Oprah, Meryl Streep and Chris- to successfully run a country. the credibility to run a counsy Teigen are taking advantage of try. Not to say any public figure their fan base and are using evisincapable of holding a political ery chance they can get to speak position, but experience builds about their political opinions. the portfolio for a The most ridiculous part- the successful fans are responding, some leader. even rallying for celebrities to run for office. Since when was just being a public figure enough to be in office? Where is the credibility?

Ideas of campaigns such as Kanye 2020 have surfaced. Kanye West’s accomplishments thus far merley prove that he has the qualifications to run the country.

I guess marrying a Kardashian is an essential component to the resume of our country’s next leader.

“ ”

KANYE WEST 2020

30 |

masthead

PUBLICATION

DESIGN EDITOR

STAFF WRITERS

“The Chariot” is a student-run publication printed for and distributed to the Johns Creek community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Johns Creek High School, its students, faculty, staff or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors, in collaboration with the staff adviser and the administration. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and the invasion of privacy.

Caroline Kwon

Sam Beagle Brooke Halak Dani Blank Hannah Frazer Jake Peljovich John Posa Matt Press Lauren Greenfield Maren Stephens Nathan Goggans Rohan Lalla

COPY EDITOR Brian Sui

NEWS EDITOR Maura McLynn

SPORTS EDITOR Nathan Gauthreaux

FEATURES EDITOR Sophie Brandeis

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OPINION EDITOR

“The Chariot” publishes ads with signed contracts provided that they are deemed appropriate by the staff for the intended audience.

For more information about advertising with “The Chariot,” please contact the staff e-mail.

Rachel Grosswald

CONTACT US 470-254-2138 jchschariotmagazine@gmail.com 5575 State Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30022

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Nikita Dani Rachael Jones

MANAGING EDITOR Jamie Miller

PRODUCTION EDITOR Neha Bhatia

BUSINESS EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHER David Kim

ADVISER Todd Hedden

Morayo Ogunbayo

GR A DUA T I ON S N L E XO P H I L E BUO TL E S AMO R OU S S A Z I NC S S A CUTE E X E A T U ND E R MS NE I GHBOR AG E S O MA NU B E CHOA O I L S DOC T O R L A F I T RA I N O R E GON MG I P Y S WE E T F RE R OL L E E I J APAN D A NA P THE CHARIOT | 31

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1. Cover with a shiny coating or finish 2. Hard fat used in cooking, taken from around the kidneys of sheep 16 5 6 and cows 3. Central stand of a cilium or flagellum 27 8 7 9 4. Description found in a book jacket 10 11 21 5. Band who released No Pleasantries 6. Life-threatening disease caused 13 12 17 18 by uncontrolled activation of the complement system 7. Groups of cells that act togeth14 20 16 17 15 er 8. Abbr. for “the Praire State” 20 18 30 22 9. Federal bureau that focuses on issues relating to the world’s oceans, science and technology 23 22 23 21 and health 10. Recombine audio tracks to produce a modified recording 25 24 24 11. Facial feature used for smelling 26 25 27 26 28 12. Tabitha’s Greek name in The Bible 13. Last name of actor known for 29 19 The Krone Experiment 14. Space between chest and pelvis 31 32 15. Utensil resembling a spoon with a long handle and deep bowl 16. Province of Indonesia with capital Banda Aceh 17. Connected to the internet 18. Red coating that forms on 1. Ceremony where diploma is received 18. Element with atomic number 4 Iron 2. Element symbol for Tin 19. To roll again 19. Egyptian sun god 3. A lover of words, especially in word games 20. Liquid derived frm petroleum; plural 20. The peach state 4. Anchored float serving as a mark, minus “y” 21. Qualified practitioner of medicine 21. Abbr. for the motion picture 5. Inclined or disposed to love 22. Common abbr. for city home to Hollywood industry labor union 6. Period when items are less expensive; plural 23. Suitable to meet a required purpose 22. Last name of singer known 7. Chemical element with atomic number 30 24. State with capital Salem for I Remember You (1941) 8. Agency that administers social insurance 25. Atmospheric moisture that falls in drops 23. Deliberately setting fire to 9. Attractive, especially in a dainty way 26. Abbr. for measurement equal to 1/1000 of a property 10.Formal leave of absence from a boarding gram 24. Pointed tool used for piercing school 27. Type of address that identifies a computer holes 11. Directly below 28. Not salty, sour or bitter 25. Informal spelling of “yes” 12. Title for women regardless or marital status 29. Children’s programming that incorporates ed- 26. Hot drink made from tea 13. A person living next door ucational content; regulated by Children’s Televi- leaves 14. The length of time a person has lived sion Act 27. Living creature such as a dog, 15. For this reason; therefore 30. Acronym for Atlanta-based pediatric hospital lion, rabbit or human 16. Abbr. for state home to The Red Sox 31. Short sleep during the day 28.Thank God It’s Friday!

17. 13th letter of the Greek alphabet 32. Known as “Land of the Rising Sun” 3

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*answers on page 31