2020 Retrospective

Hello & Welcome

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ur journalism class is largely student-led and project-oriented.

We began the year diving into the basics: intaking media and writing lots and lots of articles. Then, we transitioned into creating a magazine. Our 2020 Retrospective is a collection of articles written during the summer of 2020 through the new year. It is not solely composed of articles written by journalism students; in order to incorporate a variety of perspectives, we welcomed the contributions of an assortment of different community members. Formatting the magazine was a daunting task; given that nobody in our class has any real experience with graphic design, we have certainly encountered some bumps along the road. But, after lots of trial and error, we managed to pull through and are proud of the magazine that we have produced. We hope that you enjoy our 2020 Retrospective! It’s been a crazy year — there is plenty to look back on, and (hopefully) even more to look forward to.

Mia Ogle Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS Defunding the Police: Is Reform Really Enough? ...................................... 1 Student Activism: Planning the Protest in Encinitas ................................ 3 Your 2020 San Diego Padres ............................................................................. 5 The Television Evolution: Worldwide Pandemic Edition ......................... 7 In Defense of Anger ............................................................................................. 9 The Swamp Monster and the Covid Boogieman ....................................... 11 Waterpolo Wesley vs the Covid Boogeyman .............................................. 13 Am I an Antiracist .................................................................................................. 16 In Response to Police Brutality ......................................................................... 17 Life From a Different Angle ................................................................................ 20 High School Sports in 2021 ............................................................................... 21 On the Morality of Gastronomic Theriocide................................................. 23 Dear Pacific Ridge: What Happened and Why We Need to Change .. 27 A Year in Review ..................................................................................................... 29 Texas Radio and the Big Beat ............................................................................ 31 What Is This Hollow Feeling? ............................................................................. 34 Unboxed Summer Discussions and PRS' Performative Activism ......... 35 History Repeats Itself: Lakers 2020 Champions ......................................... 37

2020 RETROSPECTIVE

DEFUNDING THE POLICE: IS REFORM REALLY ENOUGH? BY: SAR AH WALDMAN

Above: How much is budgeted to carry out San Diego’s General Fund Department Programs and Services in 2021. Photo courtesy of The City of San Diego.

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n 2019, the City of San Diego allocated $480 million of the city’s budget to the San Diego Police Department. In 2020, the police budget increased to $539 million, which is 34% of the city’s $1.6 billion budget. On Monday, June 8, San Diego received over 400 phone calls and 4,000 emails demanding that the city reduce funding for the police. After 12 hours of speakers and debate, San Diego’s city council made an 8-1 (nearly unanimous) decision: to do the opposite.

police reform, but believes that a constrained budget would result in the “demise of community-oriented policing in San Diego and a return to the military-style, search-anddestroy approach.” Faulconer strongly supports Councilwoman Monica Montgomery’s proposed Office on Race and Equity, believing that the office will be a step in the direction of systemic change. Montgomery stated that the mission of the new office will be “healing race relations in our city” and will include “economic and Mayor Kevin Faulconer proposed a $27 million justice components.” Councilman Chris Ward, increase, bumping the police department the lone city council member who voted against budget up to $568 million for fiscal year 2021. funding the police, wanted to allocate more Councilwoman Barbara Bry is an advocate of

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funds toward small business assistance and that “Police should not be the jack-of-alltowards rent relief for low-income residents. trades of societal aid — there need to be specialized, dedicated teams for different Although the new Office of Race and Equity types of responses to emergency calls.” plans to help minorities, many residents of San Diego believe that deep cuts to The growing call to defund the police police funding are essential to helping not only stems from the need to fund communities of color.

Resident Adam other resources, or from police being Woodnut stated, “The police do not need over-relied upon, but also from the racial more funding. These funds should instead bias in the United States’ police systems. be reallocated to addressing issues such Some say that reform is not enough as poverty, homelessness, mental health to combat institutionalized racism in and the well-being of our communities of police departments. “De-fund this citycolor.” Most proponents of defunding the sanctioned militia that is terrorizing police also advocate redirecting police funds black people,” said resident Breana Clark. to health care, mass transit, community “We need resources in our communities, organizations, and high-speed internet for not these thugs wearing a badge.” low-income residents. Defunding the police Christopher Rice-Wilson, associate director would mean an investment in housing, at Alliance San Diego, a nonprofit, also mental-health care and other community commented on the increase of police resources. And, it would mean decreasing budgets. “Police budgets keep going up,” our community’s reliance on policing. he said. “It’s a reflection of folks in power Time and time again, residents of the thinking that more money in policing equals United States have called the police for more safety.” Although San Diego has plans emergencies and non-emergencies alike. for police reform measures, it is uncertain Police have been given the power to whether they will be enough — or if they criminalize mental illnesses, homelessness, are a step in the wrong direction altogether. and poverty. Resident Olivia Benice said Sources: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2020-06-08/thousands-lobby san-diego-city-council-to-reduce-police-funding-boost-programs-for-minorities https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2020-06-14/rising-police-s heriffs-budgets-eating-into-other-public-services https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/iba/pdf/bpguide.pdf https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/07/defund-police-heres-what-thatrea lly-means/

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S T U D E NT AC TIVISM: PLA NNIN G T HE P R OTEST IN ENCIN I TAS

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planned as if there would be 100 to 200 people in attendance. Up until the last 24 hours before our protest, we were oblivious to the magnitude of our following, and later, we were even concerned about too many people showing up.

Nothing could have prepared us for the love and support from the nearly 400 people present.

lanning the protest was definitely a group effort amongst the ten or so students involved. It was an protesting experience incredible for the Black Lives Matter movement and alongside fellow high school #8cantwait students and community members. It really took every ounce of effort within our collective group of student organizers to pull it off.

At the actual protest, I will admit that it was awkward for the first 20 or so minutes; people from across the county showed up and everyone just kind of hung around waiting for something to happen, while we, the organizers, wanted to wait for more people to show up. Once we began marching, I did not have that initial awkward feeling, but rather, I felt as if everyone present was united for our common cause.

Throughout the planning phase, there were a variety of responsibilities and needs within the group, such as getting the word out through social media, making and managing an Instagram, organizing meetings, painting signs, and other tasks. Personally, my responsibilities were to create a marching route and a schedule for the protest (which we loosely stuck to). With the marching route, I had to consider many factors such as safety, accessibility, and the areas we wanted to target. I created multiple route options for our march, all taking into account one of the most important aspects of the march: protesting with our signs and chanting at a busy intersection in order to draw the attention of the people in the area and the cars passing by.

Being at the protest was surreal for me. The organizers did not plan on changing our route until the very last minute while we wanted to leave the intersection. Looking back, I had to scramble to look for an alternative route that would take us back to Moonlight Beach because we wanted to extend our route. With about 400 people following my lead, it was without a doubt a nerve-racking experience.

I will never forget the image of the ongoing crowd of protesters pouring back into Moonlight through the small ramp. Once we settled back into our location on the beach, hearing the speeches from members from the black community was extremely powerful and impactful for me. Hearing the black voices definitely furthered my desire to take action and be an anti-racist in all aspects of my life.

For me, that includes calling out family and extended family in order to combat antiblackness in the Asian American community.

As a group, we collaborated on nearly every aspect of the protest and made sure that everyone was heard. One thing we noticed was that our group of organizers was mostly made up of non-black people of color, so in our protest, we dedicated time for speakers from the crowd to amplify the black voices in our local community. All of these aspects were a part of our vision for this protest, but everything is simply an idea until it happens in person. So many factors were dependent on the number of people who showed up. Our group started out hoping for even 100 people to show up, so we

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BY: S COT T V U

Martha Contreras leading a group of protesters at the student-led protest in Encinitas. Photo courtesy of The San Diego Union Tribune.

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YOUR 2020 SAN DIEGO PADRES BY: ANDRES JAIME-MENDEZ

Photo courtesy of News AKMI.

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tar players and chemistry make contract. That wasn’t all. In February of a historic San Diego Padres team 2019, the Padres signed third baseman in a time the city needs it most. Manny Machado to a ten-year, $300 million contract. At the time, this was the These are not your father’s Padres. largest free-agent contract in American After fourteen years of a disappointing sports history. Initially, the Friar Faithful track record, the San Diego Padres are (Padres fans) were skeptical of these playing extremely well and are considered huge contracts, with Myers, Hosmer, and serious contenders for the World Series Machado not living up to the hype in the title. What has changed to make the Padres first years of their contracts. As a result, Ron a winning team? A talented squad, unique Fowler, executive chairman of the Padres, chemistry, and a supportive community. announced that if the Padres did not find Talent is not cheap, especially in baseball. success in 2020, “heads would roll.” Then, The San Diego Padres had to heavily invest second-year player Fernando Tatis Jr. put to attract difference-makers. After a great himself in MVP contention with his fantastic 2016 campaign that earned outfielder 2020 season. No one anticipated that, Wil Myers a spot in the All-Star Game, the right now, the Friars would be World Series Padres signed Myers to a six-year, $83 championship contenders with Myers, Tatis, million extension. Two years later in 2018, Hosmer, and Machado playing top baseball. the Friars signed free-agent first baseman The Padres’ success is not just because Eric Hosmer to an eight-year, $144 million 5

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four good players found their stride in a season shortened by COVID-19. This year’s success is a result of a greater concept of team chemistry and community. The team has good individual players, but the most important thing is the roster’s makeup.

The team looked for energetic, fun, and passionate players to complement the already electric Tatis. A.J. Preller, the Padres general manager, not only brought in quality players but guys who would fit in well and create a fantastic clubhouse dynamic. The 2020 Padres team is full of energy that makes them fun to watch. Good chemistry and supporting relationships are fundamental to creating success in any facet of life.

sense of community and hope for all in San Diego. The team winning on a consistent basis has brightened people’s days during the tough times we are experiencing. It gives all San Diegans a chance to come together and celebrate America’s pastime.

Recently, the Padres were chosen by Mayor Kevin Faulconer to develop the East Village site known as Tailgate Lot. The Friars’ plans include holding community events and markets to build a sense of community. A parking lot will become a neighborhood and transform the downtown area into an even more vibrant place. The Padres are truly having a special impact in San Diego.

Soon, America’s Finest City could have America’s Finest Baseball Team. Go Padres!

What a joy it was to watch the Padres this past season! The Padres have created a

Photo courtesy of NBC San Diego.

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TH E T E LE VISION E VOLUTION ( W ORLDWI DE PANDEMIC EDITION) BY: MIA OGLE

Joe Exotic from ‘Tiger King.’ Photo courtesy of The New York Times

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ithin the past six months the demand for online entertainment has increased exponentially. Stuck at home and bored out of their minds, people have turned to television, the primary source of external amusement. Streaming services, of course, are the obvious answer; with access to hoards of preloaded television shows, consumers can acquire seemingly unlimited content, whenever they want.

According to a new survey by Leichtman Research Group, 55% of U.S. households now have more than one streaming service, up from 43% in 2018 and 20% in 2015.

King and Outerbanks, that practically sustained us throughout the beginnings of the pandemic, were created well before coronavirus even existed. Now, according to Ampere Analysis, the pandemic has delayed at least 60% of scripted television programming worldwide, including at least half of the programming originally scheduled to air in the second half of 2020.

We’re on the verge of a television rut. Having exhausted the majority of novel content created before pandemic restrictions kicked in, there is no sure way to know when new shows will be available. According to Variety, “Television development has slowed considerably across broadcast, cable and streaming in recent months.

The reason: With production still largely

Perfect, right? It certainly appears that way. But, streaming service content isn’t limitless. Popular shows, such as Tiger

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Photo courtesy of Seventeen Magazine.

shut down, why would networks and studios buy more projects to develop when they’re unable to produce the shows they are already working on?”

of abolishing the typical pilot model, and ordering more straight-to-series packages.

But the most intelligent networks have set their sights on a genre of television largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic: animation. Fox, for example, is currently developing several animated shows. “It’s no secret that we’re growing our animation business,” Michael Thorn, the president of entertainment for Fox Entertainment, says. “Our goal is to own our own animation. Obviously, we bought [animation studio] Bento Box, and we made a deal with Dan Harmon, and there are a few more direct deals to come there.”

In 2007, 12,000 film and television writers went on strike, effectively shutting down the writers' room.

This writer’s strike, a historic crisis for the entertainment industry, exacted systematic change; more unscripted shows were ordered by networks, with most coming from the reality genre.

The coronavirus will likely force a similar shift within the coming months.

Pandemic confusion, as well as reorganization within certain major media companies such as NBCUniversal and WarnerMedia, have accelerated plans to move out of scripted programming altogether, as in 2007. However, with the indefinite postponing of popular reality television shows such as Survivor, and the complete termination of others (Keeping Up With the Kardashians, for example, is set to air its final season during early 2021), it is doubtful that reality television will be the answer.

We are yet to find out whether Fox’s investment in animation will pay off.

The pandemic has provided many networks with a valuable resource they so often lack: time. As a result, studios are commissioning writers to get ahead on projects, so that when production resumes they will be ahead of schedule.

If restrictions are lifted shortly, this strategy is likely to work. However, if the pandemic continues to seep its way into our reality, animation just may be the best course of action if we want to keep the near future of television up and running.

Many networks have toyed with the idea

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

IN DE FE NSE OF ANGER

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ately, there’s been a lot of talk about the angry people of the world. We look at the “angry” looters, the “angry” protestors, the “angry” politicians and the “angry” rhetoric surrounding police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. We look at the “angry” in the world, and say, there should be peace. Let’s be civil, we say. Let’s solve it the way that Martin Luther King Jr. solved it, the way that Ghandi solved it.

Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery didn’t start these protests. We have been led here today from the moment the first slave ships docked in American ports in 1619. It has been 400 years, and in that time there have been countless atrocities committed against enslaved people and the black population, much of which has not been recorded, watched, and listened to. People of color have been tired and angry. People of color have been shouting from the rooftops for a very long time, But didn’t we shoot Dr. King? Didn’t we and it is only now, in this wave of intense beat and arrest 80,000 peaceful Salt and burning anger, that the people on March participants? Didn’t we resist the street below are starting to notice. the change in status quo, time and time again in history, with violence? Now, in the wake of a pandemic that has failed black and brown communities and The thing is, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, exposed the rotten core of America’s racist 9

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healthcare system, the people are angry.

When 21% of COVID-19 deaths are black folks, while only making up 13% of the population, and when the Navajo Nation has the highest infection rate per capita than any other state in the nation, people start to notice, and people start to care.

That’s what this anger is fundamentally about -- caring. White people, for much of their lives, have not cared. Now, allies and accomplices are out marching alongside their black friends and family, supporting and uplifting voices that have been drowned out by people saying that they are “pulling the race card,” or “dragging up old history.” Is this not history in the making, this moment right now? Is this not what we are taught to love, an uprising against the unjust and corrupt systems that have been proven over and over and over again to discriminate against black and brown bodies? Is it not American to want equality, freedom, and justice for all?

We have seen the non-violent protests that have done nothing for the Black Lives Matter movement and stopping

the spread of racism. Colin Kaepernick, kneeling in peace, was slandered and shunned for his acts of peace and calm.

It’s time for white people and people of color to come together in a movement of unity and stand against these horrible acts of violence towards black people, and it’s time for everybody to get angry.

It is not time to loot the small businesses, nor is it time for white folks to get their anarchist riot itch scratched. In the words of Killer Mike, we need to “Plot, plan, organize, strategize, and mobilize.” And the only way that we can plot and plan is to get angry, get educated, and unite under the idea that yes, racism is alive and kicking, and yes, people are going to continue to be mad and fighting for a very long time after the media coverage dies down. If you do not believe that systemic and personal racism is a problem, you certainly have not been paying attention, or you own a great deal of privilege. The resources are out there. Read good books.

Read people’s social media posts. Watch movies. Listen to black voices. Stay angry.

By Anti Racist Group. email cchang21@pacificridge.org or lrikkers@pacificridge.org for questions and feedback.

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TH E SWAM P MO NS TE R A ND TH E CO VI D B OO G I E MA N BY: WESLE Y H UGGE T T

watching the sunset from their cars. Outside of California, governors also imposed harsh restrictions; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who mandated a set of strange and bizarre rules, which included not being able to fish in a boat with 25 or more horsepower and not allowing “essential businesses” to sell products like paint and garden supplies.

Gavin Newsom’s COVID rules arbitrarily restrict people’s freedoms. To allow the readers to fully understand how overthe-line our state regulations are, I will be listing all of the requirements to have a state-approved gathering.

You cannot gather with three or more households, even if they are members of the same family; the host must then collect all mendment 1: Congress shall attendees’ names and contact information. make no law respecting an All gatherings must be held outside, establishment of religion, or however people are allowed inside to use the prohibiting the free exercise bathroom. When it’s time for dinner, Gavin thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, and his goons require that people be seated or of the press, or the right of the people 6 feet away from anybody else, and food peaceably to assemble, and to petition the must be served in single-serve containers.

Government for a redress of grievances. According to the state health department website, there can be no singing or playing When the Novel Coronavirus first made its of wind instruments. Your gathering must way to America, people panicked, holed up be shorter than two hours and end by 10 in their homes. California Governor Gavin pm because we all know, the COVID Boogie Newsom became the first governor to Man only attacks in the dead of night. institute a lockdown order while reassuring everyone that “I don’t believe the people These guidelines probably seem hard to of California need to be told through law follow. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; even enforcement that they need to home isolate.” the person who made the guidelines has But two weeks later, the San Diego County had trouble following them. On November Swine Farm was writing tickets to people 6th, a photo surfaced that seemed to show Governor Newsom. Photo courtesy of CalMatters.

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Governor Newsom eating inside the French Laundry, shoulder to shoulder with a group of healthcare lobbyists. Newsom also encouraged the Black Lives Matter rallies, which drew millions of people into the streets for his political cause, showing he has little to no respect for the people he serves.

I’m going to say something controversial: you are in complete control of whether you get COVID or not. It’s simple; if you don’t want to get the disease, go hide in your basement and have your groceries and other necessities delivered. People ought to be free to weigh the risks and decide whether or not they want to expose themselves to the disease. For example, my grandparents live in Northern Wisconsin, an area that had the highest amount of per capita COVID cases in America a month ago. They look out for themselves by going to a smaller town to get groceries and only shopping in the early morning. Personal responsibility

is what should be prioritized, instead of the government putting everyone on house arrest with a gun to their head.

If Walmart and Target are allowed to celebrate Black Friday by packing 1,000 people into their stores, why can’t I celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving with my family?

If Gavin Newsom is allowed to go out to dinner with his lobbyist buddies, why can’t I? If a strip club is allowed to be open indoors, why can't a church or a school?

These are the questions that we have to ask ourselves when we let politicians turn us into wet robots.

Unfortunately for Gavin Newsom and the other politicians with a misplaced sense of self-righteousness, we live in a free country that respects the rights of the individual and a person’s ability to make choices for themselves.

Gavin Newsom and other government officials at a Napa dinner party. Photo courtesy of Fox11.

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Lockdown protestors outside the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge. Photo courtesy of Chris Graythen/Getty Images

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WAT E RPOLO WES LE Y VS. T HE COVID BOOGI EMA N

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by mid-March that it would delegate the majority of the responsibility to states and their governors rather than act as an example of how the country should deal with Covid-19.

he Covid-19 pandemic is unlike anything else we’ve seen before.

In modern history, it is only the second pandemic after the 1918 flu pandemic. Covid-19 has surprised us, tested us, fully impacted our way of life.

With this new challenge comes unforeseen problems that have caused great anguish and damage to people around the world.

Governors were almost exclusively responsible to set measures and mandates for their respective states. In the early stages of the pandemic, 43 out of 50 states issued stayat-home, or lockdown orders. Not long after these orders were issued, 32 of these states had lockdown protests. President Trump and his supporters, along with people on his advisory boards, organized and supported some of these first protests in Michigan and Minnesota. The anti-masks, anti-lock down mentality quickly grew and inspired further protests in other states in the following weeks.

The vast majority of countries have struggled with containing the coronavirus at some point in time. However, as described in a New York Times article, it is a “unique U.S. failure to control the virus.” This country is supposed to be the United States. However, amid the novel coronavirus, the United States has become increasingly more a version of the “Divided States”. Politics and poorly informed individuals have trumped science, creating division, and resulting in massive cases.

The people attending and partaking in these protests have a right to protest; they don’t, however, have a right to break the rules by not social distancing and/or wearing masks. They do not have the right to ignore a serious health threat and endanger others. In addition, some of the protesters were business owners and employees directly impacted by the shutdown.

Their motive was clear, but it was not as clear why others who were not business owners or employees but rather customers joined.

At the core of the issue is the lack of a national strategy when it comes to the containment of the virus. During a meeting with state governors, Vice President Mike Pence “commended the governors” and added that they were “responding with great professionalism”, promising that the White House would be “supporting those that were directly impacted.” Keep in mind this meeting was on March 19, when the spread of COVID was only prevalent in California, New York, and Washington. As the top tier in our system, the federal government had already decided

Protesters were interviewed by many news outlets and their explanation for participating in the protests was bizarre. “Lockdowns are unconstitutional”, they said. The

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most interesting part of all is that no one could seem to point to the part of the Constitution that specifically stated issuing an order meant to protect public health and safety should not be allowed. It goes without saying that a Founding Document written in the 18th century typically doesn’t talk about a pandemic in the 21st century.

Wesley Huggett, a fellow journalist (page11), believes that people should have the right to choose what they do during a time like this. While that’s great and all, his views have no relevance when it comes to discussing what is constitutional and what is not. If someone is to make a claim based on a legal document, then they must ensure that the document supports and explicitly states their viewpoint. In the case of a lockdown, there is nothing written in the Constitution that would prohibit such a mandate to be issued. On the contrary, governors and legislators regularly adopt measures to protect citizens and their public health, such as wearing a seatbelt while driving or flying, setting acceptable alcohol levels while driving, mandating sanitary guidelines for restaurants to operate, to name a few. These actions are broad and applied to safeguard citizens without being argued to be unconstitutional.

I fully understand why some people were and still are upset with the prospect of a stay-at-home order. It is an extremely difficult time for everyone, and those whose business and employment have been threatened as a result should be heard. But as a society, we cannot allow unfounded claims about the Constitution to act as the cornerstone for reckless behavior that endangers the lives of fellow citizens.

I am an originalist when it comes to the Constitution, meaning I believe the language within it should be interpreted as having its original meaning BY: A N D RE S JAI M E- MENDEZ

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rather than attempting to interpret its meaning through today’s language.

I also believe in applying precedent, an example meant to act as a guide, in situations where the constitutionality of something is being challenged.

In 1905, the Supreme Court in Jacobson v.

Massachusetts ruled that a vaccine mandate was constitutional. The difference between 1905 and 2020 is that there actually was enforcement of the vaccine mandate, with those who refused vaccination subject to criminal action. In contrast, 2020's lockdown enforcement has been nonexistent, as you can be in violation of these rules and not face any fine or jail time. As recently as 2014, when Ebola reached the States, federal courts ruled that cries of unconstitutionality relating to mandates issued to contain the spread of this extremely deadly disease were invalid.

So far businesses that have sued to reopen because of a supposed infringement upon their constitutional rights have been unsuccessful in both Michigan and Pennsylvania. There is nothing in the Constitution that would make lockdowns issued by governors illegal.

Individually and as a nation we face one of the most challenging times in modern history, and I understand how impactful lockdowns are for the economy and for the mental and physical health of our citizens. Criticize and protest against the lockdowns, exercise your first amendment rights, but if you’re going to say lockdowns are unconstitutional, at least educate yourself and have facts and jurisprudence that back the unconstitutionality claim of stay-at-home-orders. In the absence of such evidence, don’t be a delusional and ignorant buffoon who struts around waving the Constitution without merit.

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AM I AN ANTI-R ACIST? BY: ANONYM OU S

Black Lives Matter protestors along Pennsylvania Avenue. Photo courtesy of NBC News.

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always thought I was doing enough. I never made racist comments. I always called out offensive jokes. I was always more than happy to say that “I’m antiracist.” And to an extent, I guess I was. Yet somehow, despite all the things I’d preach about needing to “call out racism,” a Black man being murdered “all the way” in Minnesota, just seemed out of my jurisdiction. What was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to feel? I felt so far removed from the situation that I grew complacent in my efforts to truly be anti-racist. The first time the name George Floyd was ever discussed with my friends was when it came to looting and rioting.

No one, not even I, had bothered to bring it up previously, all in the name of “avoiding politics” and avoiding handling things “out

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of my control.” As our conversation honed in on the stores being trashed over the vile police brutality, something clicked: I had to do something about this; I couldn’t just let us continue to completely disregard the terrible flaws in our justice system, no matter how far removed I felt. It was a very deep and sudden realization that even if things felt beyond me, I needed to shoulder some responsibility and be anti-racist in all aspects, not just when racism stares me right in the face in the form of a blatant comment or joke.

No matter how far or how extreme, as long as racism exists you have to fight it. Being truly anti-racist is a life-long battle against many different forms of bigotry or microaggressions, and it isn’t enough to simply “not be racist.”

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I N R E SPO N S E TO POL IC E B RU TA L IT Y Photo courtesy of News AKMI. Photo courtesy of The New York Times

BY: E RI C K MAG AN DA

Photo courtesy of The New York Times 17

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n response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, there have been major protests throughout the nation against the police.

However, these three assassinations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to police killings and racist hate crimes.

affluent neighborhood. If they were to do that, it would be insanely controversial — a national tragedy. Whereas, shooting civilians in a poor community is just another day.

The police and the power structures they serve constantly shift the blame and label anything a minority does as “gang violence.”

The police in America have continually gone too far and haven't stopped terrorising minorities, especially the black community.

Historically, there has been an ever-present abuse of power in police departments, but officers are still treated as if they are above the law. They can get away with murder, often only getting dismissed from their job with no jail time or transferred to another precinct. These killers are let loose with no consequences besides a slap on the wrist.

These murderers need to be punished the same way everyone else is. The police have proven to be nothing but oppressive since the beginning. They try to seem like they're there for the people but are still a part of an institutionally racist system. The only good cops are the cops that have resigned. They feed us propaganda by kneeling at protests pretending to mourn with the protestors but still release tear gas and unleash showers of rubber bullets afterwards.

If you don’t acknowledge the intersectionality between race, class, and gender, there’s still a lot more to be informed about. All of these things play a major role in the brutality in black and brown communities, and cops are the medium for this brutality. They dutifully serve the majority white upper class, and dutifully terrorize the lower class which is made up of a higher concentration of people of color. When they see a black or brown person, they target them. Just take the incident that recently happened with the New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie.

He was peacefully protesting in Brooklyn and was pepper sprayed by police. Police see a black man and automatically assume that he is of no importance, and that it will be of no consequence to commit violence against him. Again, if this were a white state senator, everyone would be furious.

Stop siding with the oppressors; they aren’t here for you. They are here to keep minorities at the bottom of an unjustified hierarchy.

They tell us that the world would turn chaotic without them, but that's also nothing but a lie. We would be a lot safer without their presence. Crime is just a symptom of a rotten capitalist system that values private property and profit over lives. The only reason it seems like there is more crime in black and brown communities is due to the number of patrols that are always present.

Cops have nothing better to do than to wait for a person of color to commit a minor mistake. While that's happening, people in wealthy areas have police as their servants; they know that cops wouldn’t dare to shoot rounds of bullets towards someone in an

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More and more people are finally realizing and are taking to the streets, letting people in power know that we aren’t staying silent any longer. Enough is enough. We are tired of being treated like second-class citizens. If you only focus on the rioting, it’s obvious you’re sitting in a place of privilege.

Don’t try to minimize the anger felt in marginalized communities by focusing on violence coming from “outside agitators.”

We are mad and tired of a system that won’t change -- a system that makes sure to keep minorities at the bottom but still has people thinking that there are a few good cops.

Stop lending support to the oppressors.

Don’t ever forget that Black lives matter.

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Sources: https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/06/03/detroit-police-kneeledfor-th e-cameras-minutes-after-arresting-about-100-peaceful-protesters https://thegrio.com/2020/06/04/cops-kneeling-protest-pr-stunt/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/opinions/systemic-racism-police-eviden ce-criminal-justice-system/#Policing https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/06/us-senator-zellnor-myrie-pepper-spraye d-at-protest-says-police-target-african-americans-for-being-black.html https://9now.nine.com.au/today/george-floyd-protests-state-senator-pepper-sprayedin-ne w-york-said-he-became-a-victim-of-police-brutality/16362751-0739-49d7-a0154979af07cc09

Photo courtesy of The Hill.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

L IFE FR O M A D I F F E R E NT A NG L E BY: E VAN W I LLS M O R E

Photo courtesy of ABC News.

I

get up out of bed every morning with minimal expectations for the day ahead, as the world changes more frequently than I can fathom. Many months ago I had questions, but those questions still remain unanswered. The more I think, the more I become confused. It has been a long few months, months I could have never prepared for even in my wildest dreams. The world has become a different place in front of my eyes, and it has all happened so quickly. From our country, to my state, to my community, down to my neighborhood, little is familiar.

Although I have learned to adapt in this changing world, I can almost never take my mind off the problems that are all so obvious.

There are many people who refuse to listen, and I now see how diverse some opinions can be. When you take a deep breath and look at it all, you start to realize that everything is just an opinion. What we know and what we think are all just beliefs that society has taken and put in one place or another. We believe

in certain things and will learn based on personal experiences, and that is what makes us humans unique. In a sense, however, it is almost frightening. Everything you experience can be called into question, and there is a ridiculous number of factors that goes into each of these experiences. When something like a global pandemic is added to the mix, those factors only increase. While the world is a beautiful place, there are always some things we may never understand. Answers to all of my questions may never be found.

Our planet and the people on it hold many secrets. That’s where I stop thinking and start to relax. Yes, times are different and things are changing rapidly. However, you as an individual are only in control of so much. Once you narrow things down, tasks become easier to complete. The mind finally has a moment to breathe. I prepare for times of discomfort and uncertainty, but know that there is still a brighter horizon. I maintain inner peace as my journey through the highway of life continues.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

H IG H S C H O O L S P O R TS I N 2021 BY: C ALLUM B UR GE S S

A

s the chaotic year of 2020 comes to a close, the ambiguity of the following year has come into question. This year can be considered as a loss in regards to the typical high school student values.

Senior years and celebrations were put on hold along with co-curriculars and athletics. Schools were shut down as friends and family were forced to isolate.

With this in mind, the pandemic continues to rage forward into the foreseeable future. The Center of Disease Control has warned that this winter may be the “most dangerous time in U.S. public health history.” On Wednesday December 2, the U.S. recorded its single highest COVID death toll since the beginning of the pandemic - over 2,760 reported dead in a single day. Although vaccination advancements steadily increase, the return

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to normalcy is still far off into the horizon.

The eluded normalcy we might see in 2021 is all dependent on our situation.

That being said, priorities must be set in order. The average San Diegan high schooler has yet to return to in-class learning. Pacific Ridge students have the luxury of being a part of a private school system, which allows greater flexibility in regards to hybrid and in-person learning.

California Interscholastic Federation, CIF, is the governing body for all high school sports in the state of California. Its jurisdiction ranges over both public and private high schools, making its athletic decisions vital for Pacific Ridge students.

“To help slow the spread of COVID-19, California’s stay-at-home order issued on March 19, 2020, effectively suspended all youth sports, including school-based, club,

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and recreational youth sports. Beginning July 30, the California Department of Public Health is allowing youth sports training, conditioning, and physical education under specific circumstances.” This may seem like good news for hopeful athletes but at its core it is not. The arbitrary date of July 30 is likely to change, as it has done before. Prior to CIF’s latest announcement, the date was originally set for December 12. Joe Heinz, the CIF San Diego Section Commissioner, stated the following. “After last week when things were continuing to go the wrong direction and we were getting closer to the December 12 date, we met as a group of commissioners and decided we can’t keep our schools in limbo here waiting for something to drop.”

activities should take place outside to the maximum extent practiced.” As for sports that are unable to follow these restrictions, they are currently not permitted.

The silver lining of this all is that our situation is tied to our covid climate. If COVID cases increase then regulations will grow stricture, but if they drop then more leniency will be allowed. “Putting dates out there and getting people’s hopes up then not doing that seems wrong and unfair to our student athletes,” Heinze stated in a press conference last week.

“So, we’ve just got to stay positive that we’re going to hear some good news.

We’re just doing everything we can to be prepared so when the state does give us the green light and says hey, sports On top of this, July 30 does not represent can begin again, we’re ready to go.” a reset date, but rather a return to CIF does have a full season scheduled organized physical activity. CIF states in the event of further delays. California the following, “As suggested by the CDC, has already canceled the plan of state youth sports and physical education are run playoffs and tournaments, and it only permitted when the following can is seaming very likely that they might be maintained: (1) physical distancing of ditch all postseasons as well. CIF’s official at least six feet between participants, (2) statement on the matter is as follows: a stable cohort, such as a class, that limits “The goal right now is to simply give high the risk of transmission (as stated by CDC school student-athletes, especially the Guidance on Schools and Cohorting), (3) senior classes, a chance to play again.”

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

ON THE MOR ALIT Y OF GASTR ONOMIC THERIOCIDE Photo courtesy of Scientific American.

AN INTER VIE W WITH LOÏC T YR AN

Photo courtesy of Food Network.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

A

cclaimed as the founder and Chef de Cuisine at Le Dératiseur— where or two decades, he worked tirelessly to redefine French cuisine over and over again, Loïc Tyran is perhaps the most important chef in France (and by extension, the entire world). Now, the infamously reclusive 65-year-old is the subject of much debate and criticism after a report revealing the practice of animal brutality in the Le Dératiseur kitchen was published in the Sunday Times. I reached out to Tyran in hopes of getting his testimony and opinion on the controversy, and he agreed to sit down with me for an exclusive interview. Due to his reputation as one of the world’s best and cruelest chefs, my stomach was swathed with butterflies as I sat in the Le Dératiseur dining room awaiting Tyran’s arrival; however, when he (accessorized in a towering toque) entered the room and sat down across from me, my nerves calmed— as I could feel I was no longer the only one present with insects crawling around their innards.

(The following is a direct transcription of our conversation) Langston: Hello, it’s so nice to finally meet in person.

Tyran: Indeed it is. Do you like my restaurant?

Langston: Well, I haven’t had the privilege of dining here yet, but I like the ambiance very much. I feel as though we are right in the center of the gardens at Versailles.

Tyran: That is intentional, of course. I wanted to channel the beauty and spirit of the French garden into my restaurant design and menu. Considering the abundance of topiaries, I think I was successful.

Langston: Your three stars are a good indication of success too.

Tyran: Yes, but who's counting?

Langston: How have these last few days since the Sunday Times report been for you?

Tyran: I will not lie, very upsetting.

Langston: How so?

Tyran: As an animal lover, it’s hard to be accused of animal brutality.

Langston: You think you’re an animal lover? I did not get that impression from the Sunday Times.

Tyran: Of course not. That report in the Times was utterly ludicrous. Every good chef (and I mean real chef, who cooks animals in addition to plants) is an animal lover. If you don’t love the animal, the food won’t be delicious. I have always made delicious food, thus I have always been an animal lover.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

Langston: I see. Could you go into more detail on the absurdity of the Times report?

Tyran: I’ll start by saying that the phrase “animal brutality” is rather inappropriate in regard to my practices.

Langston: And what practices are those?

Tyran: I am the premiere French chef, which means I make the best escargot. That means I season my snails better than any other. What is the secret? Season them while they’re alive, and add the salt last to finish them off.

Langston: To clarify, you don’t kill your escargot the conventional way— by submerging them in boiling water? You salt them?

Tyran: Yes, and is that really any crueler than the boiling water? I don’t think so. Besides, the product is divine. I am widely considered to make the most beautifully fresh and flavored snails in the world.

Langston: I want to focus on the freshness of your escargot, as I think that might clarify why the salting is found to be crueler than the boiling water. On many occasions, there have been reports of your snails being too fresh, am I right?

Tyran: Is there such a thing?

Langston: I am referring to snails slinking off your plates and onto guests, served alive.

Tyran: That’s not too fresh. The tastiest escargots slide themselves down into your stomach.

Delicious and easy to eat!

At this point, I had visibly blanched, which Tyran then interpreted to mean interest in further explanation of the similar practices he employs in his establishment. It seemed now that instead of butterflies, an escargatoire of very fresh snails was slipping around in my intestines.

The longer I looked into the increasingly animalistic eyes of this lauded culinary star, the more I understood how deeply his faith and identity as a devout Buddhist plays into his delectable dishes and cutting-edge concoctions.

Langston: You’ve been very vocal about your discovery of Buddhism and the way that your life has been influenced by the concept of respecting life and animals. How does that translate into your cooking with creatures such as live snails?

Tyran: Well my beliefs inform so much of how I approach cooking. I only pick the freshest, most lively animals for my dishes. As I was taught in my time at L'Union Bouddhiste de France, life as we know it is nothing more than a temporary timeline in the grander cycle of life between all organisms. By choosing the animals in their prime, or even some of the precocious young snails and cows, I am giving them the head start they need to continue onto their new, better incarnations.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

Langston: I’m not sure I entirely understand. Are you not just cutting these animals’ lives shorter? What does L'Union Bouddhiste de France say about killing and what some would consider, torture?

Tyran: Is life itself not torture? Every day, there is something new to be disappointed about. The new season of Eurovision that only lets Swedish nuns win. The smell of the metro, and by extension the stench of human piss. Boring interviews. By the Buddha, woman! I am suffering right now! What makes a little invigorating pain right before sweet release so bad? In fact, I am sure that I am helping France’s declining birth rate. All my snails are sure to have comported themselves well, and thus they shall become the next generation of French vitality.

Langston: Ah, right. Well, um, speaking of French vitality-- many have commended you for the recent reanimation of the nouveau and experimental cooking scene, escargot and all… What does it mean to you to be on the forefront of French cuisine and have such an impact on modern French culture?

Tyran: It’s always good to be a forward thinker. I’d rather advance the new ways we consume animals than participate in whatever France thinks is the society of the future. Consuming live animals is just one of the ways in which we can challenge the antiquated ideas of “brutality” and “cruelty.” This kind of revolution is much preferable to whatever the socialists are up to these days… universal healthcare and all that filth.

Langston: Lovely. So safe to say that we will be looking forward to more animal abuse in our meals at Le Dératiseur?

Tyran: Clearly. I love the idea of expanding to mammals. We often have the notion that killing mammals, because of their warm bloodedness and furry little skins, is more evil.

But if you argue for a cat’s life, why not the ant you have just ground to bits with your heel? I’m currently in the process of recipe testing a traditional flamiche with cardamom, sultanas, and sumac for a twist, served in the body cavity of a calf that was salted and dried live. Of course, the eggs will be ripped from live chickens as to preserve their integrity. ...

I’ll leave the readers with that scrumptious thought, and the news that since the time of this interview, Le Dératiseur has officially put “réunion des animaux de ferme” on its menu for the general public to enjoy. Cruel or not, Loïc Tyran continues to amaze France with his innovative cooking and unapologetic public persona. If the Sunday Times is looking to send Tyran running, tail tucked, they’ll have to expose more than live escargot. And while some have raised concerns as to his kitchen’s “servitude sous contrat” policy for workers, it is in my personal opinion that focusing efforts on swaying the public opinion with creatures of the less human type will be more effective and efficient.

BY: L IS A L AN G STON

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

DEAR PACIF IC RIDG E: W HAT H APPEN ED A N D W HY W E N E E D TO CHAN GE

O

n May 25, 2020, George Floyd was brutally murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin in the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The country raised an uproar, with grief, sadness, and anger. Amidst the pandemic, millions of people around the country took to the streets to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

2 was a planned social media blackout day, where individuals were encouraged to post black photos, with the hashtag “#blackouttuesday”. The purpose of blackout Tuesday was to not only stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, but to share resources on how to get involved with fighting racial injustice. A whole week after Mr. Floyd’s murder, the school neglected to make any statement On June 2, the Pacific Ridge School about the current climate on racial injustice Instagram page posted an update on the and the Black Lives Matter movement. A new innovation center developments. June school that preaches diversity and inclusion

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

remained silent on a day dedicated to raising awareness about racial injustice. Instead of using the Instagram page as a platform to raise awareness amongst the impressionable youth that attends Pacific Ridge, it was used to promote the school’s personal development.

In response, a group of Pacific Ridge alumni started the slogan, “as an alumni/student, I see your silence”. It was a slogan to be commented on the post made by Pacific Ridge on June 2nd, to raise awareness about the school’s lack of a response to the current climate about racial injustice. In a panic, Pacific Ridge posted a statement regarding its students being encouraged to step up against injustice in our community. However, the statement did not have any mention of the Black Lives Matter movement and remained fairly ambiguous.

Yet again, current students and alumni were not satisfied with the school’s efforts in raising awareness about Black Lives Matter. Students, alumni, and parents took to the comment section of the post, to call out the school on its poor efforts to battle racial injustice, not only within the small community but on a bigger scale. In 7th-grade SOCCOM class, Pacific Ridge students are taught about racial injustice, injustices involving the LGBTQ+ community, and how to be an ally. Unfortunately, the

conversation does not continue after that.

On another Pacific Ridge platform, “The Flock” Instagram page, a post with the caption “Anti-racism is fly. Who will flock with us?” was released. This statement insinuated anti-racism is a trend and using the “school spirit” flock terminology was widely received as insensitive. In response to Pacific Ridge School’s lack of immediate response to racial injustice, an anonymous student created an Instagram page called “dearprs." The purpose of this page is to raise awareness about racism and injustice students experience on campus, through anonymously sharing personal accounts of instances. The student-run page became a platform for current students and alumni. Stories of racial injustice, religious injustice, and sexual harassment have been shared. The students of Pacific Ridge School are slowly becoming aware of the injustice students face on campus. The brutal murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, shocked Americans all over the country, and began a conversation about injustice in small communities, including Pacific Ridge School.

The uproar created by police brutality and injustice will resonate through the Pacific Ridge community for many years to come.

BY: NE E K A MA J IDI S HA D

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

A YEAR I N R E V I E W

TH E LO SS O F A LE GE ND

Photo courtesy of People.

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

Photo courtesy of BBC.

Photo courtesy of WBUR.

T H E LO SS O F J U S TI C E GI NS B U R G A HI S TOR I C E LE C T I O N

Photo courtesy of NBC news.

Photo courtesy of The New Yorker.

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Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

CO VID -19 S W E E P S THE GLOB E

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

B L AC K L IVE S MAT T E R P R OTE S TS AC R O SS T H E COU NTRY

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

Photo courtesy of Financial Times.

A LASTING G LI M M ER O F HO P E: T HE F I R S T PAT I EN T TO E V ER R EC EI V E A CO V I D-19 VACC I N E Photo courtesy of BBC.

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

BY: NEE K A MA J ID I S H AD 30

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TEXAS R ADIO AND THE BIG BEAT BY: WESLE Y HUG G E T T

The Waco Siege. Photo courtesy of ABCNews.

I

n 1993, a religious cult in Waco, Texas, was investigated by the ATF. The Branch Davidians, and their leader David Koresh, were suspected of illegally modifying firearms without purchasing a state-approved permit. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) decided to storm the compound in a surprise raid; however, the plan backfired when the Davidians fired back at the agents. What ensued was a 45-minute Shootout between the Davidians and the ATF, which led to the death of four ATF agents and six Davidians. The FBI soon took control of the situation, and after 51 days of the Davidians refusing to leave, the FBI shot over 400 canisters of teargas into the compound.

After two hours, fire was spotted inside the building, as teargas is highly flammable; within a matter of minutes, the entire compound was engulfed in flames. Once the fire was extinguished, and the deaths were tallied, 82 of the Branch Davidians were killed.

that if they understand nothing else,” said Mike Vanderbough of the Sons of Liberty Militia in a 2015 New York Times article.

The Waco Siege was significant because it showed the lengths the government would go to to get their way. A religious group was essentially taken hostage in their own home for the simple act of not purchasing a $25.00 permit. People saw the government’s actions as tyrannical and feared that severe government overreach was on the horizon. This accident inevitably kicked off the militia movement; consequently, conservatives began to stock up on weapons and ammunition in preparation for civil war and the looming threat of government tyranny. Within two years of the Waco siege, citizen militias exploded in popularity; according to the New York Times, over 450 citizen militia groups were assembled by the year 1995. While the times have changed and whether we see it or not, this anti“There will be no more free Waco’s, whoever government sentiment lives on in America. starts down this road should understand 31

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April 19, 1995, exactly two years after Waco, Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building in Oklahoma City as a direct, retaliatory attack for the fire at Waco. Photo courtesy of History. com.

“I remember talking to ranking law enforcement officials, who said all that is needed for a real carnage to happen out there is another Waco, a spark that will light the movement on fire, and bring it back in the same way that it came to life in the 1990s.”

-Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center.

With the election a day away, the race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is being framed as the “Battle for the Soul of the Nation.” With America amid a pandemic, struggling from divisive racial turmoil, and the confirmation of a supreme court justice a week away from the election, there is a lot at stake in the coming days. Perhaps the most damning characteristic of this election is how politically divisive the country has become.

According to FiveThirtyEight, 60-70 percent of Americans consider the opposing political party to be a “serious threat to the country.”

In the age of social media, information has become oversaturated. Everybody can now live in their own political bubbles and not hear anything from the other side. Both Democrats and Republicans see each other as a threat to the wellbeing of the nation.

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There have already been signs that America could be moving full force toward severe unrest after the election and the possibility of a looming civil war. Starting this week, Walmart has removed all firearms and ammunition from its store shelves, fearing the election’s aftermath. Accompanying this decision, businesses across the country have boarded up windows and storefronts.

Americans as a whole also lack faith in peace following the election. According to a Suffolk University poll, 74% of Americans fear violence after the election. Similarly, a poll in the Morning Consultant states that 39% of Republicans don’t think that Trump should guarantee a peaceful transfer of power before the election.

In the case of Donald Trump winning the election, I think it’s safe to say that there will be protests and violence. The most reasonable justification for left-wing violence and unrest will be if Biden wins the popular vote and loses the electoral college. The violence would be similar to the George Floyd protests that rocked the nation in the summer. I think that it’s safe to say that none of these demonstrations would lead to any

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sort of national conflict because the left wing doesn’t have the means or the motivation to wage war against the establishment.

However, if Trump loses the election, the situation immediately gets more complicated.

Because Republicans will vote in person more than Democrats, Trump will likely have an early lead; however, as the mail-in ballots are tallied, Biden will likely appear to win the election. Trump and the rest of the Republican party have spent the better part of 2020 criticizing mail-in ballots claiming they are “substantially fraudulent.” Given that this is the most likely scenario for how Trump will lose, the right wing will most likely call fraud and say that Biden is an illegitimate president.

won’t concede the election. On September 23, a journalist asked Trump whether or not he could commit to a peaceful transfer of power; Trump responded by saying, “We’re going to have to see what happens...the ballots are a disaster.” Trump may very well hold true to this statement and call upon his supporters to help him defend the presidency. In that case, it could easily escalate to conflict between left and right over who the legitimate president is.

The second scenario for right-wing opposition is where Biden is inaugurated but does something radical early in his presidency that convinces conservatives they’re living under an oppressive regime. I think the idea of packing the court, a federal lockdown, I brought up the history of the Militia or mandatory vaccinations are all things movement and the Waco Siege to shed that could light the fuse of a side that light on the fact that a right-wing militaristic already believes the president is illegitimate. opposition is entirely possible. All that In George Washington’s farewell address, is needed for a conservative rebellion he told the country to view each other is for them to believe that they live in a as Americans, not left wing, right wing, tyrannical government. In that case, we’re Republican, or Democrat. We are all going to have a real mess on our hands.

Americans, and we all want what is best While I personally think the likelihood of the for the country. By walling ourselves off election resulting in a civil war is unlikely, from listening to others and assuming we should recognize that this is a significant that everyone on the other side wants possibility. According to Google Trends, to see the death of America, we become the search term “How to join a militia” closer and closer to an outcome has been searched 4x more this month and a reality that none of us want. than the entire rolling average for 2020.

If the election plays out as expected, with Biden winning due to a late tally of mail-in ballots, I think war could start in 1 of 2 ways: President Trump calls for his supporters to take up arms against the government and protect him as the rightful president, or the Biden administration does something radical that will set the right on fire.

Perhaps the most likely scenario includes President Trump refusing to concede the election on the basis that the mail-in ballots were fraudulent. While this might sound absurd, the president has alluded that he Photo courtesy of AP Archives.

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2020 RETROSPECTIVE

WH AT IS TH IS HOL LO W F E E L I N G? BY: HANS RIC HTER

T

here must be a single word for it in German or in Yiddish, but I do not know it and cannot find it online. What I do know is that I felt a “something is missing but I am not sure what it is” when I visited campus this summer. Sure, students were missing, and teachers were missing, and staff was down to a minimum few, but I expected all that, and I expected the bustle around the construction of the new Innovation Center and Library.

“What is it?” I asked myself as I picked up a few things from my desk and headed to Dr. Ogle’s office for an outdoor meeting.

“What is it?” I and the next

asked day

myself at and the

home next.

Then, it hit me. An “it” wasn’t missing. A “who” was missing, and that who was Tom. Tom. For the past several years Tom has been the first face I see in the morning and the last face in the afternoon. Tom, who seemed to be in his signature cart 75% of the time, was everywhere. He put the flag up in the morning and took it down in the afternoon. Between those two symbolic openings and closings,

Tom directed traffic, greeted everyone, stopped in the kitchen for a coffee, monitored recess, moved cones about, and weaved his way through the campus several times a day.

Tom did his job and did it well: Tom kept us moving; Tom kept us organized; Tom kept us safe.

Tom did way more than his job: he offered a wide smile under his thick mustache; he greeted everyone and lent a hand before you could ask; he did countless little things that I now notice and thus miss him even more.

Once he wrapped my motorcycle in caution tape. It was so funny and cute. I can’t get that image out of my mind or the deep laugh we shared together when he drove his cart by to help me unwrap the mess. Of course he helped.

Tom helped us all in myriad ways, and each year when his face appears on the big screen for graduation, the house roars. TOM! Tom, I hear you are working elsewhere in Carlsbad. I hear it is a great, full-time job, and you are doing well. That’s wonderful, but still I miss you. We miss you. Hope you visit soon.

“It’s so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.”

John Steinbeck

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UN B OX ED S U M M E R DI S C U S S I ON S A ND P R S’ P E RFO RMAT I VE AC T I VI S M

T

BY: AYDIN ABUDAWAS

he Unboxed Summer Discussions that took place during the summer of 2020 were held to allow for non-anonymous, organized discussions among PRS students, faculty, alumni, and others within our community.

These discussions were officially run by Ms. Woods, the Director of Community & Inclusion at Pacific Ridge School (PRS), though, in practice, the discussions were often led by those participating. In total we enjoyed nine unboxed discussions between the months of June and August.

The process of a discussion occurred completely online over Zoom. It often began with Ms. Woods giving the participants, usually a group of twenty, a rundown of the rules of discussion. Below are the “norms” we agreed to before each meeting: •

Be challenged (not confronted)

•

Experience awkwardness

•

Allow others to learn what you already know

•

Show respect to one another

•

Take the stories but leave the names

•

Take care of yourself

topics predominantly pertaining to race and politics in America. Around three of the topvoted topics would be put into breakout rooms on Zoom, allowing participants to select their discussion topic and/or jump from one topic to another if they wished.

The first topics were very specific, often speaking about Black Lives Matter (BLM) movements and their effect on the U.S. We later began to speak about PRS in particular and how we think our school could change to be more active in anti-racism. Students and alumni were unanimous in saying that the school's activism felt performative and academic; instead of actually striving for change, Pacific Ridge seemed to be contextualizing change, discussing change, and applauding change. There were teachers that also shared this thought. Personally, I believe that PRS is extremely performative but survives because of its exceptionally well educated faculty. PRS would like to be considered an anti-racist school, and perhaps even believes that it is an anti-racist school, but PRS has yet to push for many actual policy changes and was late to support antiracist organizations/movements such as BLM.

The summer discussions helped to initiate a healing process and a new start. It seems The primary and overarching norm was as though the purpose of these discussions that we must be respectful of one another. was to try to allow PRS to grow and change.

Once we reviewed the norms, we used Slido The sessions were very civilized and allowed to crowd-source and up-vote discussion for a safe space between students and 35

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teachers alike. In fact, teachers were asked to be called by their first name, to get rid of any social hierarchy. We would touch on even controversial subjects with a level of maturity, such as a topic I proposed: “Where do we draw the line between Conservative and Racist?” This topic was received well by some and was criticized by others, which is understandable in this contentious election year, of course. Thankfully, we abided by the norms, and never during the process did I feel as though someone was purposefully

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trying to offend or attack someone else.

Ms. Woods stated that, “The goal was to provide a forum for students, faculty, parents etc. to exchange ideas and gain a broader understanding of the issues that mattered to them.” In this case, the goal was achieved. I believe everyone who participated gained new perspectives, and as a collective the school gained ground. For these reasons I have high hopes for the future of Pacific Ridge School.

2020 RETROSPECTIVE

H I S TO RY REP EATS I TSEL F: LA K E RS 2020 CH AMP I ONS BY: VANS H GU P TA

Photo courtesy of nba2k.

T

en years ago, Kobe Bryant held up the NBA championship trophy after winning his fifth and final title with the Los Angeles Lakers. After a hard-fought battle against the Boston Celtics, the series ended in a suspenseful Game 7 matchup, coming down to the very final seconds. Not only was it an unforgettable moment for Lakers fans everywhere, but it cemented Bryant as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

and multiple line-ups. Nothing seemed to work until the current season of 20192020, in which superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis led them to a dominating regular season and an impressive playoff run.

It’s no secret, however, that 2020 has definitely not been all good news. On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, died in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The devastating accident shook up not just the In the nine years that followed, the Lakers whole NBA community but the entire world. struggled to play to their potential, and ended Kobe was so much more than a player; he up entering a long stretch of rebuilding, was a loving husband, a caring father, an idol experimenting with several different coaches looked up to by millions, and the list goes on.

Impact of Bryant on Current Lakers: With a lot riding on their season, the Lakers have been fueled by the tragic events of Kobe Bryant, and are playing in honor of him and how much he means to them. The team often wears their “Mamba” jerseys resembling a color pattern of the Black Mamba (Bryant’s nickname), as well as

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the number 2 (Gianna’s jersey number) in the corner with a heart around it.

One thing about Kobe Bryant was that he prioritized loyalty over anything else, and this is reflected by the current Laker team and how close they have become as a group. Bryant bled purple and gold,

2020 RETROSPECTIVE

as one of only two players to ever play Kobe Bryant has on the team: twenty full seasons with one franchise; “I think not just me, but the entire team he is joined only by Dirk Nowitzki who thinks about him all the time. I mean, did the same with the Dallas Mavericks. we say ‘Mamba on three’ after every The players are inspired by the well known timeout, every huddle, knowing that “Mamba Mentality” attitude that Kobe he’s with us and knowing that we’re Bryant possessed. He was the first one in not only playing for our organization, the gym for practice every night and the but playing for him.” - Anthony Davis last to leave; anyone who has played with “He’s still with us. We have always wanted or against him knew that he was going to embody what he stood for, and even to work harder than anyone else on the more so now with what happened, we want floor, so beating him never came easily. The to honor his memory.” - Coach Frank Vogel lessons that Bryant has passed down to the Los Angeles organization have proven to be “A day doesn’t go by when I don’t highly significant to the success of the team. think about him. He’s a legend. The impact that he made both on the floor Some members of the Laker family and off the floor, being able to inspire commented on the influence people, it’s amazing.” - LeBron James

2020 Los Angeles Lakers: Right off the bat, this 2020 Laker team has come out swinging. After ending its regular season with an outstanding record of 52-19, Los Angeles clinched the one seed in the west and looked ahead to a promising postseason. With the innumerable events that took place over the year, they knew they were playing for something more; it was not a normal season, but they knew what they had to do to win.

unbelievable three-point shooting ability of the Rockets, the Lakers were able to close out the series in five games, moving on to the western conference finals.

The Lakers went head-to-head with the Denver Nuggets, who had come back from 3-1 deficits in both of their prior playoff series. With great players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray on the opposing side, the Lakers had their work Playing the Portland Trailblazers in the first cut out for them but were ready for the round, the Lakers finished the series at 4-1, challenge. The Lakers once again emerged as they advanced to the next round. While victorious and were now, for the first time the Blazers are a talented squad with all stars since 2010, heading to the NBA finals. such as Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, On September 30, they tipped off to the strength of the Lakers took over and commence the NBA finals against the helped them jump over their first hurdle.

Miami Heat in a best-of-seven series to In the second round, they faced James crown the 2020 NBA champions. After six Harden and the Houston Rockets who unbelievable games, the Lakers came out on were filled with momentum, coming top with a 4-2 win to repeat history and win off of a Game seven victory over the a championship for the first time in ten years.

Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the 38

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