February 11th, 2014 Volume XVII Issue II
Vol. XVII, Issue 2
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 The self-directed women’s choir Page 3 The effects of 70/30 grading Page 4 Music, book and movie reviews Page 5 The effects of Russia’s anti-gay policies Page 6 Two guest writers discuss their views on the Affordable Care Act Page 7 LGBT visibility in the media Page 8 Why feminism is important
Northwest School of the Arts, 1415 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216
February 11, 2014
Auditorium Bond Passes
CMS strategic plan outlines renovations for Northwest auditorium Erin Reed Editor-in-Chief
As part of CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison’s Strategic Plan 2018 for CMS: For a Better Tomorrow, Northwest will be receiving a facelift worth 12.42 million dollars. Thanks to the voters who helped pass a school-specific bond for NWSA, the school will receive a much needed renovation to its entire facilities. The improvements include a complete renovation of the main D-building and a state-of-the art auditorium, in addition to parking improvements. In an email, Morrison commented on the school’s age in comparison with the talent within, “Although the arts program is top-flight, the physical buildings are not. The school dates to 1937. The multi-story classroom building was constructed in 1969 – more than 40 years ago,” he said, “A lot has changed since 1969 in lighting, sound and other aspects of arts performances. There’s a
lot of new technology out there that has been applied to the performing arts. We want our talented students at Northwest to have a modern learning environment.” When asked , “Why Northwest?” Morrison said, “Learning about the arts is important for the same reason that math, science and languages are important – it gives you a perspective on the world that is unique and comprehensive. A solid understanding of the arts will enrich and enhance your life not just while you’re in school but throughout your adulthood as well.” Theatre teacher Bonnie Fraker agrees that Northwest is in need of this renovation. “We are a school of artists, and artists need a place to perform. It’s insane that North Carolina’s best artists have an antiquated auditorium,” she said.
The renovation plans are outlined in A Closer Look at the CMS Bond Request: “This project includes a complete renovation of the multi-story 1969 classroom building, a new state-of-the-art auditorium to support the acclaimed arts program and site improvements to address parking.”
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In theatre news... Congratulations to the cast of The Rimers of Eldritch for advancing to the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, Alabama. Good luck! Also, congratulations to senior Eva Noblezada for being cast as the lead in London’s West End production of Miss Saigon! Northwest School of the Arts 1415 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216
Renovation diagrams from A Closer Look at the CMS Bond Request, available at http://www.cms.k12. nc.us/cmsbondinfo/Documents
intermission 2012-2013 staff Editor-in-Chief Erin Reed
Media Editor Evan Hess
Business Managers Damara Garcia-Garcia Amaranth Weiss
Online Editor Thomas Greenough
Copy Editors Emma Gardiner-Parks Crystal Clemente Layout Editor Kati Shultz
Illustration by Damara Garcia-Garcia Edited by Erin Reed
Photographers Emma Hertel Abby Johnston Staff Writers Jasmine Madjlessi Nia Moore
Contributors Mclain Rose Arrietta van der Voort Advisor Barbara Wesselman
Send any story suggestions or submissions to intermission. nwsa@cms.k12. nc.us
In compliance with federal law, CharlotteMecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability. The opinions expressed in Intermission do not necessarily represent those of the school’s faculty or administration, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board or its administration. Intermission is a public forum for student expression.
Feature
2
Feb. 11, 2014
Girls run the world
Sophomores Aricka Bennett and Noni Malloy rehearse for Women’s Chamber Choir.
Photo by Amaranth Weiss
Women’s Chamber Choir student-led in director Madsen’s absence Amaranth Weiss
en’s Chamber Choir is Co-Business Manager self-directing its rehearsals. Self-directed rehearsals present opportunities t the sound of the 10:45 for enhanced leadership and bell, 16 young women pour musicianship. into the choir room and “If you want a career promptly assemble around in [music] you need to the piano. Junior Stephane know notes, rhythms, and Buck leads the group in pitches, but also skills like vocal warm-ups, playing leadership,” said Freshman ascending chords as voices Liana Storch. Without Ms. sing in unison. Ten minutes Madsen, the women are later, the ensemble is enresponsible for leading vothralled in a syncopated arrangement of Deck the Halls cal and physical warm ups, choosing music to rehearse, as Junior Me’Lisia Brown and conducting the ensemkeeps time on the edge of a ble. “We know what each music stand. person does, each person’s In the absence of work ethic, and how much choral director Stephanie Madsen, currently on mater- each person can handle,” explained Sophomore Karley nity leave, NWSA’s WomKornegay. Choir members
A
lead in different areas, creating a balanced team dynamic. “We work together well,” Kornegay said. The choir breaks into sections to practice their individual parts. Sopranos sit in a circle to sing, raising their hands to suggest changes. “Our class is full of leaders, which makes us great listeners,” says Freshman Maria Guild. The choir members have become each other’s teachers, creating an environment of mutual respect hard to find in many classrooms. This is one of many benefits choir members have reaped from self-directed rehearsal. “It gives [students] a different viewpoint … [we]
understand what the director does on a daily basis,” observes Maria Guild. Says Freshman Stephenie Santilli, “I want to lead my own choir one day … trying to get a base down now will help me in the future.” Santilli sees students learning not only how a group works together, but also how different voice parts work together. The choir’s underclassman majority represents NWSA’s next generation of leaders. “I have been really impressed with the leadership in Women’s Chamber Choir … it shows that you don’t have to be an upperclassman to take leadership,” says substitute teacher Ka’Shara Davis. “It takes a
lot of discipline to lead in a group, and I think [the choir] is doing an excellent job of that.” “When we first found out we were working on our own, I think most of us were pretty nervous,” says Karley Kornegay. But the choir agrees that they have prepared themselves and each other for their winter concert. Says Kornegay, “We’ve been working really hard, we’ve come really far, and I’m excited to show what we’ve been doing!”
ANorthwest’s newown venue for learning outdoor classroom is on the horizon
Emma Hertel rooms are becoming Staff Photographer
Outdoor class-
the latest education craze throughout CMS. Baily Middle School, Alexander Middle School, JV Washam Elementary, and Hough High School were some of the first to be outfitted with this new classroom style. According to Stanford, not only is nature helpful for children suffering from various mental disorders like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Depression, and even Autism, but the fresh air is good for children physically too. It’s well known that outdoor activity and fresh air help childhood development, and according to Novant Health, can help extreme illnesses such as lung cancer. Northwest has received two grants to build its own outdoor classroom. The idea had been floating around Northwest for years, but became a more set plan last year. The current proposed location for the outdoor classroom is behind the gym, but Teacher Andy Lawler says they are “still in the process of designing and trying to raise more funds for the outdoor classroom.” Intermission asked Junior Katherine Gauthier what ideas she might have for the new space, “I think we should design it a lot like an amphitheater, that way we can use it as an outdoor performance space too.” Although logistically there are still several roadblocks, students can expect to see the classroom sometime in the near future.
World History teacher Andy Lawler in the proposed area for the outdoor classroom. Photo By: Abby Johnston
Feature 3
Feb 11, 2014
A shift in weight
The change in grading percentages affects arts and academic classes alike Nia Moore Staff Writer This is the first year that CMS will use a 70-30 grading scale. In this grading scale, formal grades such as tests and projects are weighted 70% and informal grades such as classwork and homework are weighted 30% of the students’ final grade. Before this year, CMS used a 45-45-10 grading scale: 45% of final grades were tests and projects, 45% were classwork, and 10% were homework. This year, CMS high school students had to adjust to the effects of the new grading policies. First, CMS’s 70-30 grading scale creates a unbalanced emphasis on test scores and test grades. This neglects other grades: homework and class participation. As a result, teachers are forced to put more emphasis on the test grades than the classroom experience. Test scores, which used to account for less than half of a students’ grade, now have the potential to drag down a student’s final grade, especially those of students who don’t test well. However, the new system may benefit those who test well. The Dance Department has taken direct action in order to adjust to the effects of the 70-30 grading scale. Before this year, the Dance Department had required each dancer have a grade of 90 or higher in each of their dance classes in order to participate in dance concerts, but this year the Dance Department lowered the requirement to a grade of 85.
“The 70/30 scale
seemingly values test scores over the classroom learningexperience
”
Dance teacher Amelia Binford stressed to her students, who were celebrating the change, that the change was not made “as a favor” and that she could not stress enough how much the new grading scale could hurt dance students’ grades. Dance and other arts areas could suffer in particular from the changes because the classes are designed to focus primarily on class participation in those arts areas (daily participation grades, etc.) and usually only give a handful of tests. With 70-30 grading scale, those handful of tests will now count for more than half of the students’ grade. The arts departments will not be the only ones to see changes. For example, in a Spanish class a student’s grade will reflect their test scores mTTTore than their in class participation. At first this may seem entirely logical, until you consider what is equally important in the longrun— class participation. When learning Spanish, not only good test scores will make you a better Spanish-speaker, participating in class discussions and practicing out loud will, too. The 70-30 grading scale seemingly values test scores over the classroom learning experience. This system will benefit those who test will but may make academic achievement harder for those who struggle with testing. Across the board, students and teachers will have to experiment with and adjust to CMS’ brand new grading policy.
NWSA Scholastic Winners The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards gives young visual artists the opportunity to submit their art work for evaluation, selection, and exhibition in New York City. Winning students earn oportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarships.
Gold Keys:
Brandi Kinard Brandon Brooks Sage Royal Felicia Sutton Katelyn Higgins Annabela Cockrell Cameron John Alana Edwards Jonah Jackson Sarah Jewels-plesset Zoe Zander Sally Ruckterstuhl April Newkirk Sydney Walsh
Silver Keys:
Brandi Kinard Felicia Sutton Makennah Bristow
Honorable Mention: Brandi Kinard Brandon Brooks Emma Calicoat Holly Melton Sage Royal Felicia Sutton Katelyn Higgins Jessea Whitley
Reviews
4
Written in diary format, “Letting Ana Go” by Anonymous, tells the story of one girl’s descent into anorexia nervosa. The story is one of three in the series which includes “Go Ask Alice”, and “Lucy in the Sky”. The books are fictional accounts presented as testimonials about real issues teens face. “Go Ask Ana” did not include what a recovery process for an eating disorder is like. The book was set up more to scare teens than to show how eating disorders are a complex disease and that those with an eating disorder can recover and go on to live a relatively normal and healthy life. “Go Ask Ana” did not give an accurate portrayal of life with an eating disorder. The book begins with the coach of the protagonist’s high school cross country team assigning the girls on the team to keep food diaries, to make sure they’re not using the sport to hide eating disorders. However, the guys on the team are not assigned to keep a journal with the logic that guys don't get eating disorders. The book never touches on this assumption being false. The girl’s best friend, Jill, is also keeping a food diary so she can lose ten pounds to play Clara in the ballet “The Nutcracker”. Anonymous's father criticizes her mother constantly for not losing weight and leaves her because of it. That, combined with the pressure
Kati Shultz Layout Editor
of Jill and her mom convinces Anonymous to start restricting her food intake. Jill and Anonymous restrict their calories heavily and over-exercise until Anonymous is hospitalized and Jill is sent away to treatment. At this point there's the illusion that Anonymous will go to treatment and get better but that’s shattered when Jill returns and pulls Anonymous back down into the disease with her. This book is accurate in portraying how teenage girls, especially those involved in sports in which weight is a factor, can struggle with weight issues and eating disorders. The book also accurately depicts the effects eating disorders have on loved ones and its effects on the body. The book’s inclusion of the girls using a calorie counting app could be helpful to parents as a warning sign of an issue. However, the book was so cliche it made it difficult for me to enjoy. The main character fits the common stereotype of an anorexic: teenage athlete, straight, white girl with family issues. The book also takes the attitude that boys don't struggle with eating disorders, a harmful myth. The main character’s thought process is also too close to a typical anorexia voice. Anonymous attacks others for their weight and considers herself superior because of her restriction. While that is a very real thought process in the throes of anorexia, statements like "I look better than all those other Fatty McFattersons. I am thin and gorgeous", are an over exaggeration and ignore that one of the key parts
Damara Garcia-Garcia Business Manager Imagine sitting on the school bus heading to school, chatting with your friends, when the bus comes to a halt. A stranger jumps inside the bus and comes towards you, points a gun to your face, and shoots. This is the story of Malala, a girl who was the target of attempted assassination by the Taliban for her public advocacy of women’s rights throughout Pakistan. If you thought advocating for women’s rights was a difficult task in today’s modern media culture, imagine advocating in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where in some regions women cannot receive an education by law. Malala shares her powerful journey of activism in “I Am Mala”. Malala tells about her childhood memories of growing up in a middleclass household in Swat Valley, Pakistan. Her father, an important role in Malala’s life, as it was he who
Jasmine Madjlessi This year the Staff Writer interna-
tionally acclaimed story of ““The Book Thief”” was adapted into a dramatic movie. “The Book Thief” is a story about the stealer of books, Liesel Meminger, her cigaretterolling foster father, Hans Hubermann, her foul-mouthed foster mother, Rosa, the lemon haired neighbor Rudy Steiner, and the fistfighter Max Vandenburg. The story takes place in Nazi Germany and is extraordinarily narrated by Death. “The Book Thief” was originally written as a novel by Markus Zusak in 2006 and this year, director Brian Percival released the two hour film adaptation and received stellar reviews. Although at first I was skeptical, the film was brilliantly cast. One might say that Sophie Nélisse was too beautiful to play the dirt-covered Liesel, but Nélisse portrayed the perfect Aryan girl and brought the
Campy and full of synth beats, Lady GaGa’s ARTPOP is far more electronica than pop. The pulsing beats and club background work for songs like "Sexxx Dreams" and GaGa’s vocals shine on the stripped down track "Dope". Overall the album is a fun listen, but with silly
of anorexia is the sufferer never believes they are thin or gorgeous. The book gets one part right that anyone who has had an eating disorder can connect with. When discussing her eating disorder, Anonymous says "I feel like I am my best friend. When I'm able to get through a meal without eating too much, there's this thing I feel inside of me-this strength. It's like a place of power, and when I don't eat too much, or when I exercise too much, it makes me feel invincible. It keeps me company." This statement perfectly sums up how an eating disorder takes over your life and why it's so hard to recover from an eating disorder. “Letting Ana Go” is not a book I would suggest to someone who has an eating disorder, because of the triggering material, but it could help parents or friends looking to understand an eating disorder a little better. It is by no means a perfect representation, but it can open a necessary conversation on the effects of an eating disorder.
supported her in her social, political, and educational endeavors, owned a school for girls. Malala feared for her father’s safety because of his stance on women’s education. Her father, Ziauddin, influenced his daughter and nurtured her to become the outspoken leader she is. Malala’s memoir is balanced with reflections of her childhood adventures, family tales, and cultural traditions with Pakistan’s cultural and political turmoil that affected her everyday life. Malala adapts the voice of a historian as she describes the history of Pakistan and its current circumstances to paint the big picture on where the war on women began. The Taliban, dangerous extremists, are the reason she moved to England away from her home, yet Malala knows she now must abandon home to take on a new role as an activist for change. She began blogging for BBC at the age of eleven about her life and that is where she became a public figure. Malala used writing as a tool to spread messages about
dull book afar ah version of Liesel to life in her film performance by capturing Liesel’s innocence and enhancing her courage. Geoffrey Rush played my favorite character in the story, Hans Hubermann, and I couldn’t imagine a better actor for the role. He conveyed Hans’s gentle humility and showed his true strength of character. Rush portrayed a character so beautiful, so rich, and so easy to love that you might never forget his perfect interpretation of the tall, silver-eyed Hans Hubermann. Rudy Steiner was represented by the actor Nico Liersch who completely captured the playful, mischievous Rudy even down to his smile. The only character portrayal that made no sense to me was the narrator, Death. He hardly appeared in the movie and the only time you could really understand who he was is when they listed him in the credits. The narrator is such a brilliant addition to the story, but it felt as if the director didn’t know what to do with Death, whether or not to keep him or remove him.
Kati Shultz Layout Editor
Feb. 11, 2014
her fears and worries in living under Taliban rule. At the time, little did she know that was just the beginning of greater chances to use her writing and voice. Though such activism put her in ultimate danger, Malala was not defeated. “’I Am Malala’ is a book for everyone to read, as it is not only a memoir about a courageous, amazing girl who fought for her education, but also a book that reminds us of the simple things in life that are often taken for granted. Malala understands the concepts of human rights, not just for girls, but for everyone in the world.
Overall “The Book Thief” was riveting. The whole film was just as brilliantly captivating as the entire book. The friendship between Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse was stunning and the chemistry between Nélisse and Nico Liersch was beautiful. Although the film was short, it captured not only the essence of the book but also of the people in time where hate and evil lived as if they were everyday, household objects. This story inspires the knowledge of how easy it is to harm and to take away, but also how love can flower during some of the worst years in human history. This story inspires humility. I hope that you will not only watch, or read, “The Book Thief”, but that you will remember it. As The New Yorker acclaimed, “The Book Thief” is a story that could be life changing.
lyrics such as “love me love me, please retweet,” it’s not very memorable. “Donatella” could have been a positive body image anthem, but instead the satirical tone falls flat and it ends up coming off bitter and angry. ”Gypsy “ is a slur for the Romani people and its inclusion is disappointing from an artist who promotes equality.“Do What U Want” has a great beat and a catchy hook but the inclusion of R.Kelly, an accused pedo-
phile, adds a factor of creepiness that makes it hard to listen to. It’s a good pop album, but it holds none of the deeper meaning that would make it art.
opinion 5
Feb. 11, 2014
Citizens in Russia protest anti-gay laws
Photograph: Evgeny Feldman/AP
Female athletes kiss
Photograph: Grigory Dukor
Russian Policies Endanger Gay Athletes
Evan Hess Media Editor
The Winter Olympics is
an event held every four years in a different country that tests the world’s best athletes at winter competitions such as snowboarding, skiing, and speed skating. However, there is concern about hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, as they have strict anti-gay laws. Now that athletes are feeling more comfortable coming out, there is debate on whether or not
to ban hosting the games in the Russian city of Sochi. There are concerns that the new anti-gay laws may put some athletes in danger. The anti-gay law states that there will be no “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations and imposes fines on those holding gay pride rallies”. The british actor and writer Stephen Fry said a ban on the 2014 Winter Olympics being staged in Russia is “simply essential” because of their discriminatory new antigay laws. Fry even goes as
far to compare the situation in Russia to to the decision to have the 1936 Olympics in Nazi-occupied Germany. Meanwhile president Barack Obama cancelled his plans to have a meeting in Moscow with Edward Snowden because of how their views on gay rights differed so much. Obama having also said in a television interview hours earlier, “I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to
them.” In response to the media attention this issue has gotten, Russian sports minister Vitali Mutko said, “They do guarantee citizens a private life and the ban is not intended to deprive their citizens of religion, race, or sexual orientation, but to stop the promotion of non-traditional relations among the younger generation.” In order to protect the athletes rights, however, they would have to respect Sochi’s laws. A statement from the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) said it respected Fry’s view and that “sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation”. “The IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.” The final agreement states that the athletes rights will be protected if they respect their laws.
LGBT Definitions Allies Heterosexual, cisgender person who supports people regardless of sexual or gender identity. Aromantic A person who has little to no romantic attraction. Asexual A person who has few to no sexual feelings or desires Bisexual A person attracted to both men and women Cisgender A person whose birth sex and gender correspond with their sexual and gender identity Gay Slang for men attracted to other men, or occasionally anyone one not heterosexual
Gender Male or female based on how the person identifies emotionally and mentally. Gender Identity A person’s private sense and subjective experience of their own gender. Genderqueer A person who does not identify as part of the gender binary, as exclusively male or female) Heterosexual A person who is attracted to the opposite gender Homosexual A person attracted to the others of the same gender Intersex A person who is neither definitively physically male or female
Lesbian A woman who is attracted to other women Pansexual A person attracted to people regardless of gender Questioning Someone who is unsure about their sexual preference or gender identity Sex Male or female based on indentification through genitelia. Transgender A person who expresses a gender identity differing from the one corresponding to their birth sex. Transexual A person who has their sex changed through a medical procedure.
opinion 6
Feb.11 2014
Head to Head
Guest writers defend their positions on the Affordable Care Act Mclain Rose
Before PresiGuest Writer dent Barack Obama was elected, most Americans agreed on one thing: our country’s healthcare system was not working as it should have been. As Obama campaigned in 2008, he promised health insurance to people who otherwise, would not have access to it. After he was elected, everything spiraled out of control, but he still got a second term in 2012, even as America suffered from trillions of dollars in debt. At the edge of this “fiscal cliff,” another hot-button issue teetered precariously: The Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Even though the list of negative aspects of this law is endless, I am highlighting three key points: Obama’s infamous lie, the individual mandate, and the catastrophic effects that this law could have on our country’s future. President Obama has promised America that “if you like your healthcare plan, you can keep your healthcare plan—period,” at least 23 times, according to a New York Post article by This promise “ended up ‘not being accurate.” Roughly 4.8 million individual insurance plans were cancelled as of the week of November 17th, 2013. This was because these plans did not provide contraceptives, maternity care, or alcohol rehabilitation. Another 5 million people are expected to lose their coverage. The sudden cancellation of all of these plans is nothing if not premeditated. Obama is so hell-bent on establishing a national healthcare law that he has blatantly and repeatedly lied to the people that he is
supposed to protect, serve, and represent. Obamacare’s individual mandate requires that all Americans purchase health insurance. I believe that this requirement violates our constitutional rights to limited government and individual freedom. In the words of 11th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals Judge Stanley Marcus, “If they [the federal government] could compel this, what purchase could they not compel?” (Schwarz 1.) The thought of the power that our government could exert upon us terrifies me. Our great nation was, as previously mentioned, founded upon the principles of limited government and individual freedom. Obamacare goes against these principles by causing people to lose their non-government-issued healthcare plans and forcing them to choose between two equally bad options: no health insurance, or an insurance plan that may not cover their specific needs. In other words, a terminally ill cancer patient who signed up for Obamacare may not have access to the preferred treatment that may save his or her life. Scary, isn’t it? Is this really the “hope and change” that Obama so ardently promised us?
Guest Writer The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” is an important part of President Barack Obama’s campaign and plan for the future of the country since his initial election in 2008. So why after two consecutive elections of President Obama, is it still causing so much controversy? Most recently, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) caused a big enough stir to shut down the federal government for 16 days. I believe that this controversy stems not from genuine dislike or distrust of the ACA itself, but from a strong anti-Obama sentiment among the Republican members of Congress. Let’s start with the facts. The ACA is a health insurance plan aimed at providing health coverage for Americans who cannot afford it. It was signed into law by President Obama in March of 2010. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists 2014’s goal as “All Americans have access to affordable health insurance options.” According to the Congressional Budget Office, the act will save or make slightly more than it will spend (approximately $1 trillion). Some specific features of the law as listed on its website, hhs.gov/healthcare, include keeping young adults covered on their parents’ health insurance plan, ending pre-existing condition exclusions for children, and covering some preventative health services for free. So what’s the problem? One argument against the ACA is that it requires individuals to pay for services that they don’t need, as noted by WashArrietta van der Voort
ington post columnist Charles Krauthammer. He pointed out that “…A teetotaler must buy substance-abuse treatment. And a healthy 28-year-old with perfectly appropriate catastrophic insurance must pay for bells and whistles for which he has no use.” However, nobody buys car insurance planning to get into an accident, and nobody buys healthcare because they’re anticipating severe medical issues. A healthy 28-year-old is paying for arthritis medication to be covered. But, when that 28-year-old is 78, she might be glad that she paid for that coverage. Another argument made by Republicans in Congress is that the ACA will destroy the private insurance industry, or will remove insurance plans that are perfectly functioning . However, the ACA works on a system of exchanges, which aims to not only improve the existing private health care system, but to make insurance easier to buy and more affordable. The ACA people to stay on their current health care plan. It simply aims to cut out problems such as being denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. It also provides tax credits and subsidies to make insurance cheaper for those who can’t afford it. The ACA is an attempt by the Obama administration to improve our country’s healthcare system. Republicans’ die-hard ambition to take down this act is based on arguments that are largely invalid, and in the end, their strict anti-Obama policies will hurt the country much more than they will help it.
opinion7
Feb. 11, 2014
The Televised Revolution Kati Shultz
LGBT representation in the media on the rise
Layout Editor On my TV screen, a young man in a yellow suit gets down on one knee to propose to the love of his life with a heartfelt speech. As rose petals flutter from the ceiling and the couple’s friends and family cheer, the couple kisses passionately. It’s a plot that’s been used on TV shows several times before, but this time the couple is comprised of two men. “Glee” characters, Kurt and Blaine, are two of the 42 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) characters currently on cable television. While The cast of Orange Is the New Black, a show that chronicles life in a women’s prison. this number is not social change,audiences woman.A transgender very large, it is up by seven are becoming more accept- woman is a person whose from 2012’s 35. ing of LGBT characters. gender identity is female While the percent- Not counted in the survey, but their sex assigned age of LGBT characters “Orange is the New Black” at birth is male. Burset, has decreased from last holds the title for the most played by trans actress year, the amount of LGBT LGBT characters in a TV Laverne Cox, is a rich and characters on television show. A Netflix original complex character who has increased overall series about a women’s is portrayed in a respectaccording to the Where prison,“Orange is the New ful and non stereotypical We Are on TV report by Black” has several lesbian manner. Burset is shown the Gay & Lesbian Allicharacters, and also tells as a person, not simply as a ance Against Defamation the story of Sophia Burtrans female. There should (GLAAD). It is a sign of set, a black transgender be more characters like her
on television, LGBT characters should not solely consist of white males behaving in an over the top and stereotypical manner. The visibility of LGBT characters in the media is important in the battle for LGBT rights. Having “out” and visible characters the audience can connect to makes LGBT people real and human for those who have
never met a gay or trans person. Studies done by GLAAD have shown that depictions of gay characters on TV decrease prejudices among viewers of the program, important in a time when gay rights is an increasingly important issue during elections and a highly debated topic all over the world. The inclusion of LGBT characters can also help youth who are struggling with their sexuality. Coming to terms with a sexuality different from heterosexual and a gender identity other than cisgender, a person whose sex matches their gender identity. can be a confusing and scary process in the heteronormative society present in America. LGBT characters allow youth someone they can identify with and makes them feel less alone in a society that can be less than accepting.
Teri Polo and Sherri Saum play a lesbian couple on ABC’sThe Fosters
Chris Colfer and Darren Chris make out on Glee
opinion 8
Junior Thomas Greenough
Junior Cameron Harbold
Feb. 11, 2014
Social Studies Teacher K Winter
Senior Arrietta van der Voort
Senior Shavoree Buffington
Social Studies Teacher Andy Lawler
Social Studies Teacher Tommy Phillips
Junior Patrick Cole
Junior Kati Shultz
Senior Andrew Berenfeld
Excerpt: Feminism is for Everybody by Bell Hooks
The Importance of Feminism Warning: Some content may not be suitable for younger readers Attendance Officer Susan Lefko
Staff Editorial “Feminist: a person who believes in the social, economic and political equality of the sexes,” said Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in a Ted Talk that was quoted in Beyonce’s latest album. While the definition of feminism is different for everyone, this is the general goal: equality. Yet, while 82% of respondents to a 2013 Huffington Post survey said they believe that men and women should be social, political, and economic equals, only 20% identify as feminist. Considering feminism’s general definition, these statistics don’t make sense. Why the disparity? Feminists are often stereotyped as “misandrists,” or man-haters. They are often pictured as women who refuse to wear makeup, opting instead to burn their
bras. What those poll respondents might not understand is that while some feminists use forceful tactics, or dislike men, or opt not to wear makeup, there are others who are activists in less obvious ways, who love men, and who enjoy wearing lipstick and six inch heels. Anyone can choose to be either way and still be a feminist, because no one feminist is better than another. Men can be feminists. Genderqueer individuals can be feminists. There are asexual feminists and feminists who enjoy sex immensely. Feminists are of every race and sexual orientation and socioeconomic status and gender identity, because feminism is important for everyone. The first wave of feminism in America began in the early 20th century, inspired by 19th century movements, such as
the anti-slavery movement. The first wave’s goal was voting rights for women after the passing of the 15th amendment, which granted rights to all men. This wave focused mainly on middle and upper class white women and issues such as suffrage and political equality and is considered to have ended after the Nineteenth Amendment passed, giving women the right to vote. The second wave of feminism began in the early 1960s due to the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement and women’s dissatisfaction with domestic restrictions and sexism in the workplace, and continued into the late 1980s. Second-wave feminism covered a wider range of issues than the first wave, focusing on: sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, and official legal inequalities.The passage of
the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is considered the major victory of this wave.The second wave is considered to have ended in the late 1980s after arguments within the feminist community over issues such as sexuality and pornography, which led to the third-wave of feminism beginning in the 1990s and continuing through today. Third-wave feminism seeks to represent all women, not just heterosexual cisgender upper-class white women. Despite the accomplishments made by the first two waves, feminism is important today because a woman who is raped is blamed for her victimization, based on her amount of clothing or her level of intoxication, yet her rapist’s actions are written off because of alcohol and ‘uncontrollable’ urges. Femi-
Senior Brandon Brooks
nism is important because men are congratulated for their promiscuity and applauded as ‘players,’ while women are labeled as ‘sluts’. We need feminism because, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2012, women make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes, while women and men of color and transgender individuals make even less. Feminism is important because in television, standup comedy, and social media, women are often the punchline of the joke. After all the accomplishments made by feminism, these social and economic inequalities are unacceptable. As British suffragist and journalist Rebecca West once said, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” Photos by Emma Hertel and Abby Johnston