Spring Magazine 2021

THE

ANTLERETTE VOLUME 95 // ISSUE 2

the antlerette // spring 2021

TA B LE OF

C ONTENT S

2 3 7 9 11

Letter From the Editor Top Ten EGHS Ode to Pre-Covid Days: College Student Edition

College Athletes should Get Paid Gen Z Isn’t As Spectacular As We Say We Are

EDITORIAL ADVISOR // MICHELLE HAMILTON

COVER IMAGE //

PHOTO ADVISOR // KENT PICKERING

EVELYN FERNANDEZ-BARRAGAN

DESIGN ADVISOR // MARGARET SOULIERE

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS //

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF // JORDAN RITCHIE

MIKAYLA BRYANT, MANDIE DOAN,

CONTENT EDITOR // BENJAMIN CARRILLO

BREANNA DUONG, COOPER ELLER,

COPY EDITOR // RYAN O’SULLIVAN

OLIVIA HERMANN, ALLISON KELEHER,

FACT CHECKER // ETHAN MAIURO

JESSICA NGUYEN, CRISTIANA SOLOMON, VERONICA WATKINS, BETHANY XIONG

13 15 17 19 21 23

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The Good Place Is

Criminally Underrated

Seeing Through The Haze The 80s Are Slightly Overrated Double Standards, Gender Roles, Misandry, and Misogyny in the Music Industry

Vinyl Records Are Better

Than Streaming Services

I Pour Milk Before My Cereal So Bite Me

senior edition < 2

JORDAN RITCHIE // EDITOR IN CHIEF

LET TER F R O M

T H E

EDITOR

E

ntering 2021 was not an event widely celebrated. Not many jumped for joy at the prospect of a new year since that only meant dealing with the aftermath of the damage caused in the previous one. The cataclysm of 2020 was too great to not bring the negative feelings that surfaced from it with us into the new year. From varying opinions on how we should be handling the COVID-19 crisis to the confusion surrounding the 2020 election, it was only logical that The Antlerette’s previous magazine focused on the division of our nation. For this publication, the theme we chose was Unpopular Opinions. For living in a country working towards unity, it seems a bit counterproductive to center our focus on even more divisive thoughts. That being said, we are not a homogeneous society. We can progress towards unity while still maintaining our sense of diversity. Sharing our unpopular opinions can open up conversations that give us new perspectives and foster mutual understanding. The Antlerette staff went outside of the box this year in an effort to bring forward their own unpopular opinions and understated perspectives, whether they be about controversial truths society is yet to accept or simply in defense of their sitcom preferences. Maybe you’ll agree with some of these viewpoints…or maybe not. Either way, no matter if we agree or disagree with each other, it’s important for us to share our points of view so we can have those necessary discussions and find a common ground.

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3 > the antlerette // spring 2021

EG H S / T O P S C H O L A R S / 2 0 2 1

1

AILIE

A D AME NK O Would you say high school was easy for you?

It wasn’t. I’ve taken a lot of challenging classes that were straining on my mental health and were just generally really hard to understand. I’ve come out of it stronger, but it was by no means easy.

How did you balance school & extracurriculars?

I really didn’t. I grew up being told that grades were most important (which kind of made sense because a lot has changed since my mom’s experiences in school). As a result of what I was told, I never put the time I needed, both for college and for my well being, into my extracurriculars. I only snapped out of this mindset halfway through my junior year when I realized that only doing school stuff was making me miserable, and even then I didn’t get the chance to find a balance or try very many new things because the pandemic hit.

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

My teachers have helped me a ton. I personally have a very strong drive to do well in school, but my teachers helped fuel the actual desire to learn. The teachers that put in effort to make their lessons engaging and fun made me look forward to school have helped me be more positive and ultimately successful. The teachers that took the time to actually help improve my writing, my math skills, my knowledge of history, have made me a better student.

Who is your role model in life? Why? I’d say Jenna Marbles. Seeing her grow into a person who does what she wants while being respectful and responsible has helped me become a more confident person. She’d always make me laugh while also subtly teaching me how to become a better person through her actions. It’s through her that I’m able to find my own confidence, what kind of person I want to be, and helps me think about my personal moral code.

2

IVA N

B ENEDYC HU K Declined to be interviewed.

senior edition < 4

HERD PRIDE/2021

3

ANGEL IN A

TRAN

Would you say high school was easy for you?

I wouldn’t say it was easy, but I also don’t think it was too hard. A lot of it was a trade-off between my physical health or a grade point average and would you take a guess on which one I chose… But I feel like university life would be more painful, so I can’t even gauge if high school was terrible or not. Answering this question kind of gives me feelings of imposter syndrome as well because I feel like I should have struggled more to earn what I have achieved.

How have you persevered through any struggles you faced over the past year?

I cried about it and also tried to change the way I talk about myself. Instead of putting myself down when I do something wrong I would just brush it off and say something stupid like “Hot people make mistakes, but at least they’re hot.” If you say it enough, it seriously works.

Who is your role model in life? Why? I seriously don’t know any celebrities nor do I look up to anyone at all for inspiration because the only thing I wish to be is a better version of myself, but the first name that popped into my head was Cate Blanchett. I think she was in Thor: Ragnarok? I have no desire to be Cate Blanchett, but she’s certainly an icon. (If you are going to edit this answer please do not write that I idolize Cate Blanchett. I would cry.)

4

BR E A N N A

DU ONG

Would you say high school was easy for you?

Honestly, no not really. Although regular classes were relatively easy for me, AP classes have drained me throughout the years and it was hard to stay motivated and keep up with the material.

How did you balance school & extracurriculars?

I tried to participate in extracurriculars that I genuinely enjoy, like key club and mentoring students for TDA, because they were more of a getaway from the rigor of academics and acted as a break from schoolwork that I could feel good about taking. Breaks are a need!

...

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

I think the great teachers in my life played a pretty big role in getting me to where I am. I wouldn’t have been able to learn without them.

Who is your role model in life? Why?

My role model is my best friend because she always finds a way to stay positive, is passionate and determined to achieve her big dreams, and will do anything for the people she cares about.

5 > the antlerette // spring 2021

TOP TEN/2021

5

MY-T IEN

T R AN

How did you balance school & extracurriculars?

The time I spent not cheering or in clubs, I spent studying and doing homework. I did homework at lunch and after school before practices, and it would carry late at night. I’ve learned not to procrastinate, so I was always on top of my work and fit it into my schedule.

How have you persevered through any struggles you faced over the past year?

This past year has been difficult because I live with my mother who is diagnosed with CKD stage 4 and my grandmother. Having to be socially isolated due to COVID-19 was very stressful. I cannot downplay the loss of friends and family members I cared about and yet having to continue with my education everyday. I could say this is perseverance but I imagine others having it worse who live with essential workers, are without broadband access, and other difficulties.

Would you say high school was easy for you?

No, I definitely wouldn’t say high school was easy. This isn’t just referring to academic-wise. I had a lot of experiences that allowed me to grow as a person and learn a lot about life in general. In the long run, I think I’ll look back and be grateful that I was able to experience so much, even if right now, it feels difficult.

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

Having teachers that were able to make the subject interesting and interactive while keeping the class fun was always what motivated me to do my best in those classes (shoutout to Mr. Nevin, Mr. Hughes, and Ms. Scidmohr for being some of my best teachers :)).

Obviously, it would be really hard to do well in a class if you don’t have a teacher that is willing to help you on an individual level, so they’ve helped a lot in that way..

Who is your role model in life? Why? I’ve always struggled with answering this question because I don’t look up to any one person in particular. However, I admire those who have empathy for others struggling and fight to help those in need even though others make it a difficult thing to do. I hope that one day I can be one of those people.

Who is your role model in life? Why? My role model is my mother. She immigrated to the US 24 years ago and since then has independently created her own business as a single mother to me and my 3 brothers. She is educated and is one to push me past my limits, encourage me, and support me. The main thing she has instilled in me is her work ethic because if she did it, so can I.

...

6

ZAREEN

SH AIKH

7

A S H P RE E T

KLER

Would you say high school was easy for you?

For one: school didn’t come easy to me and I struggled a lot through high school. There were many times I wanted to drop out of AP classes because it was a lot of work. I wasn’t a strong writer or great at math, so I had to spend a lot of time outside of class and school studying and getting better.

How did you balance school and extracurriculars?

Balancing school and extracurriculars was challenging at times since their schedules sometimes overlapped. My main extracurricular activity was track and field which I participated in for all four years of high school year round.

Over time I learned that I had to use any free time to complete homework, so that I wouldn’t have as much later or have to stress about it on the day of a meet. Sometimes I would have to stay up at night, but being in track taught me time management.

How have you persevered through any struggles you faced over the past year?

I persevered through any struggles because of track and field. Being in track motivated me to keep going and keep my grades up so I can keep competing and [get a] scholarship. Track and field, for me, was where I could de-stress and enjoy some time with my friends. Also, learning to be positive when everything is not going.

...

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HERD PRIDE/2021

8

ALLI SO N

K E LE HER

How did you balance school & extracurriculars?

Sheer will and determination. I spent many of my lunches studying, going into teacher’s classes, going to clubs, or doing homework.

How have you persevered through any struggles you faced over the past year?

The main struggle that I have faced over the past year has been mental health. Social isolation is tough, especially since I wasn’t all that social to begin with. On the bright side, I weirdly feel like I’m starting to understand myself much more due to all this social isolation.

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

Overall, I think the effort that I put into my education was greater than the efforts from my teachers. However, I must acknowledge that most EGHS teachers were always willing to help and answer questions.

How have you persevered through any struggles you faced over the past year?

This past year has had many struggles, the biggest one being COVID-19. I am very grateful that I haven’t lost anyone close to COVID, [but] I still feel some of the ramifications. It sometimes is very difficult to stay focused on my goals, but keeping myself in the company of those who support me has helped to maintain that focus. My girlfriend, Breanna, and I have been able to keep each other on the right path throughout this pandemic.

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

My teachers played a big role in my academic success. I think that good elementary teachers taught me the right ways to behave in school, and then middle school and high school teachers were there for me to teach the material in a very good way and to help support me throughout the process.

Who is your role model in life? Why? Anybody who knows me knows that I love LeBron James. He was able to overcome a rough childhood and become the greatest basketball player of all time. Although my childhood wasn’t exactly like his, the great father and role model that he has turned out to be inspires me to strive for greatness in whatever I do with my life.

HALEY

10 QUAR ESMA

Would you say high school was easy for you?

Definitely not. I struggled a lot especially in AP classes and had to constantly work hard to get good grades.

How did you balance school & extracurriculars?

I wasn’t always the best at balancing school and extracurriculars but I alway tried to force myself not to procrastinate and just get the work done.

To what extent did your teachers assist you to get you to where you are now academically?

As a member of the Ag program, the teachers I have had these past four years have encouraged me to step outside of my comfort, motivating me to work hard in everything I do.

Who is your role model in life? Why? I would definitely say my mom because with all the things she’s gone through in life, she continues to be so positive and reminds me to do the same when I’m feeling down.

Who is your role model in life? Why? Honestly, I don’t have a specific role model. There are many people that I look up to, like my parents and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The way I see it, I’m going to become a patchwork of my many role models.

SIMON

9 R O GENMOSER

7 > the antlerette // spring 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // LAUREN WILLIAMS

senior edition < 8

O H A NNAH FAIT H VIL L AR E A L / / ALUMN I G UEST W RITE R

PRECOVID D AY S C O L L E G E S T U D E N T E D I T I O N *Disclaimer: This article contains personal observations and are to be taken with a grain of salt as each person’s experience differs*

nce COVID reached the point when students had to be sent home from their various universities, those of us who evacuated began to realize that this pandemic would bring many other troubling factors.

Hundreds of college students were forced to move out of dorms, apartments, and return to their families. And with that, an unprecedented phenomenon of having to undergo a complete cultural reset slowly, but surely became evident.

There were differences that students knew but didn’t truly feel while living independently during college, versus having to have online courses while sharing a roof with siblings, parents, grandparents, etc. During the pre-COVID days, we were legally and situationally “the adults”. Parents were not there to prevent you from stress-relieving midnight boba runs or midnight theater visits with your roommates and/or best friends. No one would judge you for ordering McDonald’s at 3 am because it’s finals week, and McDonald’s is open 24 hours, at least near my university. The freedom to leave as you wish and to have that spontaneous fun with friends to de-stress becomes sorely missed.

I began to miss those 3 am fire alarms, taking the stairs instead of the elevator to class, studying at midnight in our campus library with fellow exhausted classmates; some of us even brought pillows or a plushie equivalent. Entering new classes of a new semester and conversing with people, I admit I don’t even recall the names of, hits different when it is in person. I even missed the glum feeling of only hearing the Disneyland fireworks and not seeing them, despite being less than 30 minutes away from the “happiest place on Earth”.

Of course, college’s social and living aspects aren’t the only things that were changed. An obvious one, which I am sure many students can relate to, is that in-person classes meant you could focus on your learning rather than trying in vain to drown out family members who refuse or forget to be quiet during class hours. Professors may be strict about keeping cameras and/or audio on, but the difference here is that your home is a private place, unlike the campus classroom. In-person classes meant you had to be away from home, and now that you were home, for some reason, professors and family alike seemed to think you had more free time on your hands. Study groups are more difficult to conduct online, especially for math-based courses, since not everyone has access to a device that can be used as a whiteboard substitute. A quiet space and a stable internet connection is not always guaranteed with everyone learning online.

Some students who relied upon on-campus wifi and devices had to find a new internet source somehow and/or try to purchase a laptop with a working camera and microphone. And to top it all off, unmoved and inconsiderate professors make a needed class all the more unbearable.

There are a few positive aspects that high school did not have that I can mention since they still remain. Those who are working students have more time flexibility as it is possible to avoid certain class times and days. There is a higher chance that your peers will be more socially mature people, or at least more education-driven people than drama-driven people because surprise, we have to pay for this education.

The majority of people don’t have the time to do all of that “he said, she said” trash talk when the real priorities are midterms and lab reports. Unlike high school, you will not be forced to be stuck with the same people for multiple years because people have individual majors and make personal schedules each semester, so you can more or less choose who you want to stick with.

My condolences to those of you who did not even get to try the preCOVID college experience, may you be comforted. And to my comrades who were torn away from a life of stressful college bliss, may you also be comforted. For is there really a path that is worse? Not being able to understand the experience of what away-for-college means? Or being torn from it all?

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // LILY ANGELES

9 > the antlerette // spring 2021

GR E G SAN T OS / / D E S I GN E DI T O R

C OL L EG E AT H L ET E S

SHOULD G E T PA I D

S

hould college athletes get paid? This question has surfaced all over the internet and has resulted in quite the amount of controversy. Countless news networks, talk shows, and social media platforms have thoroughly analyzed and debated this critical issue. For over a century, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has limited the amount of compensation an individual receives within their program, meaning they may not receive any form of money. However, Governor Gavin Newsom of California has recently allowed players to accept endorsement deals they acquire. Although this is a step in the right direction, college athletes who generate this revenue do not nearly obtain the value that they bring to their schools and deserve the right to be paid.

The NCAA makes an absurd amount of money. In 2017, the corporation made approximately $1.1 billion dollars in annual revenue. A huge chunk of this money is gained from the use of players’ names and their images. A profound example of this is Zion Williamson. This young man was an absolute phenom coming out of high school, with a vertical jump of 45 inches at 6’6, 280 pounds. Throughout his college career at Duke University, his jersey was sold 3,294 times, racking up $156,283.99 in revenue.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // CLAIRE O’SULLIVAN

...

senior edition < 10

CAN YOU GUESS... how much of that money he got? That’s right, absolutely none of the acquired revenue. Additionally, when Duke played their rival school, University of North Carolina, ticket sales broke a record for the most expensive ticket ever at $10,652. That statistic alone for a college game is unreal, but I find it more interesting how all

To put it in perspective, the majority of people in the NFL come from a poverty-stricken environment, as well as a high-crime environment.

While these players are balling out in college, their families are not getting paid, nor getting any compensation from the success of their child, regardless of if the child desires to send money

The talent of these young individuals should undeniably inherit some of the profits made by the NCAA. of the players that people paid good money to witness, got no profit whatsoever. The NCAA makes millions of dollars off people who enjoy watching these collegiate athletes compete, and it is delusional how the ones that are competing are not getting a single share of the profit.

Furthermore, the long process of a student-athlete making a college team roster is no joke. If you desire to do great things for your team in high school and college, you simply will not have a normal life as a teenager. Instead of sleeping in often, staying up late, and partying all week… a star athlete must wake up early, attend mandatory workouts, incorporate some individual training, while still being expected to succeed in school and be held accountable for responsibilities back at home. These players genuinely sacrifice tons of time from their childhood, dedicated strictly to their sport.

A recent lawsuit against the University of North Carolina and the NCAA concluded that Collegiate athletes spend 40+ hours a week practicing, which leaves much less time for studying and other academic commitments throughout the week. This calculated amount of time is as much time as a full-time job! This also means they have no time to work other jobs.

Student athletes are compelled to master how to successfully time-manage their schedule at a very young age to develop into a college athlete.

Although most of these athletes get a free ride at school, they deserve much more. For many competitors, it is not enough to support their families through their financial struggles.

...

back home. Recently, in 2019, a Georgia Tech football recruit unfortunately passed away from an apparent suicide. Shortly after, his mother released a video that included a summary of the very last conversation she had with her son. She explains how it was tough for him because as he was at his big university on a full scholarship, he was only thinking about the wellness of his family, as they remained homeless. It saddens me to hear this story because if he potentially got paid instead, he could’ve taken care of his family financially. And who knows, maybe he would not have committed suicide from the happiness of knowing his family is safe. But nonetheless, the NCAA should most definitely take into consideration how other athlete’s family situations are at home, and how one scholarship won’t always make them financially safe.

The NCAA has exploited these hard working athletes. The talent of these young individuals should undeniably inherit some of the profits made by the NCAA. The amount of dedication and perseverance that a player has to possess to succeed against great competition is exceptional, to say the least. The NCCA would not come close to making billions of dollars in revenue without these athletes’ contributions and overlooked sacrifices for their sport. Athletes who work extremely hard to get where they are in college cannot get a job and cannot send money back home to family all because they do not get one single cent from the corporation who makes billions of dollars off of them.

11 > the antlerette // spring 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // MACEE MASCIOVECCHIO

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GEN Z ISN’T AS S P E C TA C U L A R A S W E S AY W E A R E SHAY NA HAW K / / STAF F

W

ith a rise of younger people taking a stand on social justice issues, especially Black Lives Matter, which gained major traction back in late May of 2020, it’s fascinating that young people are taking an increasing interest in politics and human rights. However, Gen Z (people born from 1997-2010) act as though we are somehow more spectacular than the generations before us when it comes to global issues, especially compared to Baby Boomers. Gen Z really has the potential to do really great things and is a strong generation because we grew up in a new era of information. This has greatly influenced Gen Z and the way “Zoomers” think. Nevertheless, we are not at the point where we are significantly better than any other generation before us. Gen Z still has a lot of learning and growing up to do before we receive all this undeserved praise that we are getting.

Recently, Gen Z kids have pat themselves on the back for being knowledgeable on certain social issues, even if their knowledge is too biased or otherwise flawed. Teens and young adults, regardless of generation, tend to think that we know everything and it makes us prone to recklessness.

For example, a TikTok trend emerged where kids decided it would be a great idea to get “an official Gen Z tattoo” as a “sign of rebellion” as if we are from a dystopian fantasy novel, which were notably very popular when we were kids.

That already sounds reckless, but on top of that, the “Gen Z tattoo” accidentally turned out to be a Nazi symbol called a Wolfsangel! The TikTok user that came up with the tattoo idea hadn’t done proper research about the idea beforehand.

Instead of apologizing for a hurtful mistake, the teens and young adults thought it would be a better idea to ignore the symbols history entirely. In turn, many Jewish people and people of color became upset. How are these the same people who constantly praise themselves for being “woke” activists who help out minorities? Of course, the person who came up with the idea in the first place later decided to try to find a different symbol. Regardless, this exemplifies the immature tendencies of our generation.

In addition, Gen Z also takes a lot of the rights we have now in the USA for granted. A lot of us grew up with a black president, saw same sex marriage legalized throughout the US at a relatively young age, and grew up with women having the right to vote and the right to a good education. None of this would have been possible without the generations before us. The way many Gen Z kids act as if we are the first generation to fight for equality and fight for certain political issues is insulting to the generations before us. Baby Boomers (people born from 1946-1964) were known for being dedicated to changing the world, especially in the 60s and 70s.

Baby Boomers and many people from the generations before them were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, fought for LGBTQ and women’s rights, were against the Vietnam War, and so much more. Regardless, Gen Z kids treat being a boomer as an insult, as if they are all backwards, when so many of them do actually support us. There are significant strides to accomplish for minorities in the USA, and Gen Z can and will accomplish great things politically and socially.

We aren’t extraordinary for simply continuing this legacy.

Gen Z is lucky to have amazing role models such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai. We will be very influential in the coming years, with many of us becoming new voters and new activists and eventually Gen Z kids will be able to become politicians, entrepreneurs, innovators, and more. But occasionally, Gen Z needs to cut it out with giving ourselves heightened praise while also insulting other generations who have conquered struggle as well and give credit where credit is due. To have this level of self praise while bringing others down is selfish. Let’s continue the legacy of the important historical figures who fought for us.

13 > the antlerette // spring 2021

THE GOOD PLACE IS CRIM BENJ AM IN CA R R IL L O // CO N TE N T E D ITO R

T

he Office co-creator Michael

Schur is regarded as one of

and jokes feel so seamless, and

Good Place isn’t the only main

the smartest comedic writers

The characters’ attentive writing

taking place really in Pawnee, The

despite watching it three times every

environment shown throughout the

in modern comedy. With shows like

time I’ve noticed new and spectacular

duration of the series. It’s a genius

Parks and Recreation, The Office, and

things upon each rewatch. And

way of world building on arguably the

Brooklyn 99 under his belt, it’s clear

without spoilers, after knowing the

most mysterious subject that’s known

how his creative talent has appealed

reveal at the end of Season One

to us: the concept of death.

to audiences of the modern era.

I’ve noticed new perspectives on

While all of these series are good,

some jokes that I didn’t notice the

plays with death is smart. Without

none of them seem to even be on

first time.

making it too dark we see the

the level of Schur’s masterwork, that

deaths of the four main

of course being the 2016 show The

setting, the way these characters

characters who are humans,

Good Place. The genius plot, dynam-

interact with this story is what sets it

and their deaths perfectly

ic relationships, and superb char-

apart from other sitcoms of the

suit the zaniness of

acters bring this show from Schur’s

modern era. While most sitcoms

each character. In-

other works (being a 9/10) to an easy

might have a story that can end or

stead of toying too

10/10 series.

begin at any time, this one

much on their

While The Good Place isn’t

specifically has things that happen

past life

my favorite show I’ve ever seen, its

every episode that will come back

(unless the

appealing story kept me incredibly

either later in the episode or even in

episode

entertained from the very beginning.

another season.

or

Without any spoilers, the show covers

the misadventures of a group of six in

from other pieces of Schur’s collec-

the afterlife. Local Good Place creator

tion is the overarching plot that hasn’t

Michael (Ted Danson) has attempted

been seen in many sitcoms. The show

to make a safe haven for those who

decides to approach a different take,

were good enough people to make it

featuring a background, a story, and

into the good place with the help of

episodes that have a purpose that

his vessel of knowledge Janet (Darcy

will carry on once the episode

Carden). The main character is

ends. Unlike my personal

Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell)--

favorite, Parks and

someone who doesn’t belong in The

Recreation, there’s a

Good Place and is desperately trying

plotline that will update

to earn her place with the help of

and change

previous ethics professor Chidi

throughout the

Anagonye (William Jackson Harper),

duration of the

all the while the posh neighborhood

season. Unlike

party planner Tahani Al-Jamil

Parks and

(Jameela Jamil) is clueless to every-

Recre-

thing, and trying to break through

ation,

to her husband and quiet Buddhist

only

monk Jianyu (Manny Jancinto). The dynamic between these 6 characters is what really sells the show, with each different pairing having an equally interesting and noteworthy interaction pattern that feels so organic and intelligent to watch.

But more on the story and

What separates this show apart

The way that The Good Place

senior edition < 14

I N A L LY U N D E R R A T E D

plotline calls for it), the past

Tahani offers Eleanor a plant as a

life is instead

sort of peace offering. But if Eleanor

used as a starting

was mean behind Tahani’s back, the

point for the character to jump up

plant would wilt. This leads to an ethical dilemma that eventually ends

and realize where they

in Eleanor realizing that she should

have to improve as a per-

be nicer to Tahani, and their bond

son. This subverts normal

grows better and Eleanor reflects on

expectations of death itself,

her life when she was a backstabber

different pieces of modern

on earth. This causes her to feel

media that deal with death like

regret but also understands that she’s

Coco and Beetlejuice had different

improving. The show repeatedly does

approaches to death, but didn’t

this without being in your face about

necessarily have the same genius

it; displaying us the improvement of

approach that The Good Place had.

not only Eleanor, but the

In the show death is just one part of

improvement of all six of the main

the bigger picture--the characters are

characters! Showing us genuine

still human, even in the afterlife; they

improvement without being in your

want to enjoy the time they have, but

face about it. Their ethical dilemmas

also understand that their time on

are all different forms of comedy

planet earth is over. But instead they

that subverts the average morally

persevere.

questionable endeavors that some

shows go on.

Their interactions and reflections

of their time on Earth leads to ethical

dilemmas constantly where they

watch for anyone who’s ever had an

realize that they had fundamental

appreciation for other sitcoms made

flaws while still alive. The ethical

by Michael Schur, or really any sitcom

dilemmas presented (mostly shown

that’s more modern, like New Girl

throughout the interactions of Chidi

or Schitt’s Creek! The Good Place

and Eleanor, but all the characters

is the magnum opus of the Michael

dive into the ethical codes

Schur library of series, and is a show

constantly) leads to interesting humor

that should be recognized for years

that has been shown in a modern day

to come.

show. For example, in a scene where PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // ISELLA NEPOMUCENO

Eleanor and Tahani don’t get along,

The Good Place is a must

15 > the antlerette // spring 2021

SEEING THROUGH THE HAZE E M MA T HO G MA R T I N // S TA F F

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // REIGYNA MARTIN

senior edition < 16

N

ostalgia: the happy feeling of wistfulness associated with past events. What I mean by this is the concept of nostalgia blindness, which is when something is looked at through a nostalgic lens, making it difficult to accurately judge something. This is especially prevalent in Western culture when speaking about older TV shows and movies. Now normally, this wouldn’t be much of a problem, but with all things, many people take it too far. At best, it’s annoying, at worst, it perpetuates harmful ideas and damaging narratives.

As consumers of media, it’s important to criticize what you’re consuming. However, the younger you are, the harder that is to do, which is why nostalgia blindness is so widespread. Something you may enjoy as a child may not hold up to others expectations if they were to watch it as an adult. On a lighter note, this can be just a tad annoying. The best example of this is whenever I mention that I don’t enjoy High School Musical, many of my peers yell at me and tell me that I’m wrong because of how much they enjoyed it when they were younger and how it was a staple of their childhood, instead of listening to my logical criticisms of the movie’s plot. Now, this isn’t very serious at all, however if there are larger problems with the show or movies, it can become an issue.

Now, you may be wondering how nostalgia blindness can become a serious issue and it’s because of how it prevents a person from critically thinking about the media they’re consuming. Not thinking critically about the media they’re consuming becomes problematic when the show or movie has elements and themes that can be considered racist, homophobic, anti-semitic, etc. It’s not that people shouldn’t enjoy these movies, it’s that people shouldn’t try to defend their problematic

“Nostalgia is a great feeling, but it should never prevent you from criticizing and critiquing media that deserves to be criticized.”

elements. Some of these films are older Disney movies; Disney has a history of queer-coding villains which indirectly associates the idea of villains and the concept of evil with traits commonly associated with being LGBT. One of the biggest examples of a queer-coded villain in Disney history is Ursula, who was openly admitted to be based off a famous drag queen named Divine. Some of the traits that show Ursula being queer-coded is how she is designed to be masculine, but still sexual. How her defining trait as a villain is how she steals the beauty and traits of other mermaids and mermen. How she isn’t supposed to be beautiful, instead she’s marked as deceitful. How she tricks Prince Eric into thinking she’s beautiful much like how people view drag queens and kings or trans individuals. Disney is not the only offender here, as a variety of films also do this with not just queer-coding; there is also race coding. The idea of race and queer-coding isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when it’s tied to the idea of being a villain or portrayed as having negative traits, it indirectly tells the viewer that people of that community are inherently bad. If the viewer does not critically think about these issues because they allow nostalgia to blind them, they may internalize these harmful themes and narratives.

Now I’m not saying that people should never enjoy the feeling of nostalgia. Rather, that before they fall too deeply into the idea that their favorite childhood shows and movies are the peaks of cinema that they take a step back and think about media through a harsher viewpoint. Nostalgia is a great feeling, but it should never prevent you from criticizing and critiquing media that deserves to be criticized. So try to think about that the next time you watch an old show or movie that you love.

17 > the antlerette // spring 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // LILY TRUONG

senior edition < 18

T H E 8 0 s A R E S L I G H T LY O V E R R AT E D RYAN O ’SUL L IVAN / / CO P Y E DI T O R

A

pop culture turn of the century.

of an artist while listening to a song you

as well. Tensions were as high as ever

A time of unique clothing, mu-

know very well. It may lead you to do

between America and the USSR. A

sic, and film production. Yes,

a double-take.

deep recession harmed the American

the 80s are a topic of much interest

economy as we witnessed countless

for adults who lived through them. Ask

the 80s were also not perfect. It fea-

businesses turn up bankrupt in rates

anyone what their favorite decade was.

tured historical presidents such as Jim-

that were previously unseen. Farmers

The dominant answer? The 80s. Stars

my Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George

suffered as crops rose in price. Inter-

such as Michael Jackson, Elton John,

Bush. However, we were losing many

est-rates also hit nearly an all-time high.

and Madonna are just a few household

battles on the American fronts. The

names that came from this time. We

war on drugs and the AIDS epidemic

was extremely hit-or-miss. With mov-

often overlook the negatives that came

leave a dark stain on the legacy of the

ies such as Dead Poets Society, Ferris

with the 80s, however. While I am by no

80s. An anxiety was directed towards

Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club,

means calling the 80s a bad decade, I

homosexuals and word-of-mouth led

and Karate Kid, the pop culture influ-

wanted to highlight some of the trou-

to the spread of common misconcep-

ence the 80s had on film creation is

bles the 80s had brought on.

tions. One of these misconceptions

undeniable. There were good shows

The first issue I have with the de-

From a more political standpoint,

Lastly, film production in the 80s

was that only homosexual people could

like Magnum PI, Dallas, and Alf, good

cade is that the success of music was

contract the AIDS virus. This idea was

shows were uncommon and 80s TV

blown out of proportion. The 80s had

put to a screeching halt when NBA

resembled a lot of what trash TV is

many timeless songs come out of them,

legend Magic Johnson contracted the

today. The expansion of channels and

but believe it or not, there are just as

virus. Many basketball players refused

cable TV gave up-and-coming TV

many bad songs and bands as there are

to play against Magic Johnson in fear

shows a more profitable platform.

good ones. Death metal bands such as

that they would contract the virus by

Similar to music, there were just as

Metallica and Led Zeppelin are both

just touching him. The drug war was

many unenjoyable TV shows as there

bands that will have their names etched

a separate and just as deadly issue.

were enjoyable and successful ones.

in history, but the birth of death metal

Addiction to cocaine and other hyper-

Besides Late Night with David Letter-

during the mid -1980s brought on many

active drugs spread through countless

man, tonight shows were extremely for-

struggling bands trying to make a name

American households. The government

gettable and were similar to the tonight

for themselves. Everyone remembers

scrambled in a messy attempt to put an

show clones we have today. The 80s

Metallica, but few actually have listened

end to what Nixon coined, “The War on

were a cultural renaissance and moth-

to the music produced by them and can

Drugs”. Drug arrests rose 126% during

ered much of the culture that we see

recite songs word-for-word. Not saying

this time and a wide caution befell the

today. I am in no way discounting the

that these people do not exist, but

American people. A wide-range of

influence the 80s had on pop culture,

they are few and far between. Second,

drug sellers and abusers were put in

I just wanted to shed light on the

the 80s are also regarded by many as

jail where they would serve a sentence

events of the 80s that are often over-

the “one-hit wonder” generation. And

much longer than one would get for

looked due to their “glory”.

while this isn’t necessarily negative, it is

possession in this day. Lastly, the Cold

quite shocking to see the actual name

War was still going on during this time

19 > the antlerette // spring 2021

M AIYA L OP EZ / / S TA F F

DOUBL E STA N DA RDS , GENDE R ROL ES, M I S AN DRY, AN D MI SO GYNY I N T HE MUS IC I N DUST RY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // PAIGELYNN QUESINBERRY

senior edition < 20

E

ver since the start of the music industry, there has always been a consistent double standard between the people of the community, heavy gender roles, and misogyny. Many people tend to overlook these serious issues and sweep it under the rug. This is because it’s too “controversial” and “problematic” to discuss, when in reality it should be examined by critics and consumers of music, so we as a society could move on from being fused to gender “norms’’. It’s important to confront unpopular opinions so you discover other people who agree and realize that some thoughts might not be as much of an unpopular opinion as you may have thought, and truly diversify our society.

Though there are several issues with sexism in the music industry, by far the most controversial, lately, is the double standard of sexualization between men and women.

To set an example, when Eminem raps, “Sl*t you think I won’t choke no wh*re/Till the vocal cords in her throat don’t work no more?!” or when The Weeknd sings, “I’m not a fool I just love that you’re dead inside… I know I should leave you and learn to mistreat you cause you belong to the world”, they’re icons. But when female artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Lana del Rey, or Doja Cat rap or sing about their own bodies and experiences they are vulgar, obscene, and tasteless to some people. That’s a double standard.

Fans of some misogynistic male artists make excuses left and right for their choice of lyrics and why the female rapper’s lyrics are the more objectifying of the two, just because they

can’t accept the fact that their favorite rapper/ singer is problematic and shouldn’t have a platform. Furthermore, artists in the industry like Cardi B, cupcakKe and Doja Cat continually fight this double standard by releasing more and more music, empowering themselves and others and trying to normalize being confident with yourself and your sexuality, and not to be ashamed of who you are or what you’ve done just because someone who is misogynistic told you it’s “shameful”.

Misogynistic people can make women feel they aren’t even allowed to be vulnerable, emotional, or empowering in their own music or can’t even stand up for themselves without being criticized in some way. Women are expected to put on a happy face and be quiet, but when they put out meaningful, vulnerable art or stand up for themselves and what they are, they are criticized in a way to silence them. In a trending speech by rapper Nicki Minaj speaking on sexism in the industry, she does a wonderful job explaining this. She stated, “When I am assertive, I’m a b*itch. When a man is assertive, he’s a boss. He bossed up! No negative connotation behind being ‘bossed up’. But lots of negative connotation behind being a b*tch...When you’re a girl you have to be like...everything… You have to be dope at what you do, but you have to be super sweet, and you have to be sexy… it’s like I can’t be all those things at once. I’m a human being.” Nicki illustrates what it’s really like behind the scenes and elaborates on what’s expected of women. On the other hand, male artists can make a song about anything and everything, treat people

any way they want, and people still choose to go after the female artists.

Not only women, but also men struggle with gender norms and misandry in the industry. A perfect present-day example could be Harry Styles, a man who by wearing makeup in magazine shoots, wearing skirts/dresses and painting his nails, is made to be thought of as “girly” by society, has embraced his femininity and is breaking gender roles and has changed the way the world is starting to see “masculinity” and “femininity”. Though he’s the example used by many, he’s not the first. For instance, David Bowie, Prince, and Kurt Cobain are music icons of the past who have also embraced femininity and shown men it’s okay to go against gender norms. Although there’s been a lot of love for these people and their bravery to go against the grain, people like Candace Ownes, who after seeing a picture of singer Harry Styles wearing a dress on the cover of VOGUE Magazine, said that we need to “Bring back manly men” when that is just not the case. When men embrace their sexuality and feminine side, it is a beautiful thing and is a sign of us progressing as a society and diversifying ourselves.

It has been no secret that this is the truth behind the music industry and society as a whole. However, if we confront this head on, and normalize people expressing themselves how they want, in a healthy way, of course, we will come to a point where people won’t be afraid to show who they really are, put themselves down or put a censor on how they feel.

21 > the antlerette // spring 2021

CA LEB CA STLE

VIN BET STRE M

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // JAYDEN ROESER

usic. You know it, it. How could you n it’s played everywh cars to coffee shops, and with genres and styles there’s so for everyone to love. There a ways to listen to music, all w advantages and disadvanta none compare to vinyl reco cords are becoming popul in the US, with millennials b driving force behind their res and I’m all for it. Vinyl recor listening to music an activity, meant to be, rather than ju ground noise.

First, it is important to k we got from records to musi ing in the first place. The sound recorded on a phonog Thomas Edison reciting part Had a Little Lamb” in 1877. nograph was the first machin record and playback sound.

Emile Berliner invented a de could record and playback so led to the creation of the re cord technology advanced un when it reached its peak in improvement. Since then, mu nology has evolved through cassettes, eventually reaching have today: music streaming.

Services like Spotify an Music have taken over, and pure functionality standpoint best ways to listen to music. S services are instant, affordabl used anywhere, and allow c freedom over what songs you

senior edition < 22

E B ERRY // STA FF

NYL RECORDS ARE TTER THAN MUSIC EAMING SERVICES

you love not when here from h so many omething are many with their ages, but ords. Relar again being the surgence, rds make , as it was ust back-

know how ic streamfirst ever graph was of “Mary The phone to both In 1887, evice that ound. This ecord. Rentil 1970, terms of usic techCDs and g what we . nd Apple d from a t, are the Streaming le, can be complete u want to

hear in the moment. They are perfectly suited for a world where everybody wants everything exactly the way they want it, as fast as possible. They allow for all of this while providing superior sound quality to any other form of listening to music. These things are the reason that music has become a huge part of everybody’s lives, which is amazing and shouldn’t change, but it is also the reason that people don’t appreciate music like they used to.

Vinyl records are better than music streaming services. When streaming music has so many benefits, why do I choose to collect and listen to vinyl records? The answer can be said in two words: the experience. Records slow down the entire process of playing music. First, you have to look and decide which album you want to listen to. Shuffle through the feelings that guide your fingers along each and every album finding the perfect match for today’s mood. Slowly, you pull the record out of its sleeve, being cautious with the grooves. The album artwork provides a glimpse into the auditory world you choose to immerse yourself in. “Perfect,” you may mutter to yourself. Slowly, mindful of the delicate stylus and easy-to-scratch grooves, you turn on your player and listen in anticipation, hearing the gradual static and pops, as if it’s warming up. Now, you can experience the music, instead of just hearing it. It sounds almost romantic, doesn’t it?

The first notes and lyrics always manage to give me goosebumps, no

matter the song or album, or how many times I’ve heard it before.

You listen to the music as you study the notes for each song that line the inside of the album jacket. The fact that you put in work to listen to the record helps to show you how much work must have gone into making the music and record in the first place, and you appreciate it while you listen.

When one side finishes, you have to flip it to the other side. You do it quickly, but carefully, eager for the experience to resume. Soon you will realize that flipping the record is just another part of the experience, and you can do it knowing that the songs on the other side will bring you the same sense of euphoria that the first side did.

When the final song ends and the static and pops slowly fade into silence, you smile as you think about every emotion and thought you just experienced. You look at the artwork one more time as you carefully put the record back into its sleeve. It’s almost bittersweet, you want the experience to continue, but you are happy to know that you will experience it again, and it never truly gets old. Every time is just as magical as the first, and the emotions you feel while listening will stay with you long after you put the record away.

Vinyl records allow for you to truly experience music, instead of just hearing it in the background.

You know that even if you can’t change the music as easily as with streaming, you enjoy every song you’re about to hear, because you wouldn’t have bought the record if you didn’t. When you aren’t near a record player, you can use streaming services to fill your day, but you’ll always have something that others don’t have. You’ll have the memories of all the times a record has allowed you to truly experience music as it was meant to be heard, and the happiness that comes from knowing you will get to experience it again.

23 > the antlerette // spring 2021

I

have been publicly shunned and shamed for choosing this lifestyle. I’ve been stared at, ridiculed, tormented, and been called names that I will not repeat, for they do not belong in a respectable publication such as this. For years, I’ve tried to ignore it – the cruel remarks and accusations of breakfast blasphemy.

I’ve considered a change of lifestyle, putting a stop to eating in public, even going as far as to publish this piece anonymously, but I will no longer be silenced.

I am not the only victim of this heinous ostracism and I must speak out for those who are too afraid to come out of the shadows. And so, I disclose my unholy confession: I pour my milk first before my cereal.

I took a poll of my cereal-eating peers and 87% of them admitted to pouring their cereal before their milk. Up until this year, I had never tried this method which most of the general populace considers “normal” – which is one of the most common counter-arguments I get when bringing up this debate.

“You pour cereal in first because that’s how you normally do it.”

We’ve learned time and again that what is normal isn’t always the best or most effective. Reader, I ask you this. Have you never deviated from the traditional, or normal, way of eating a certain food, and opted for a different method that you find easier or better? Eaten messy finger food with a fork? Put the bottom of your cupcake over the frosting to create a sandwich? Or maybe you like living on the edge and bite into your Kit Kat bar or string cheese. I guarantee that most people have strayed from the traditional way of eating for at least one food, so what makes pouring one’s milk first so deserving of the walk of shame?

Never in my 18 years of life have I encountered any issues or obstacles in pouring my milk before my cereal. In the few days I experimented in pouring my cereal first, I encountered many. To me, there are 2 critical components of cerealeating. One, the cereal must be wet, but still remain fairly crunchy without getting soggy too fast. Two, there must be enough of both cereal and milk to appease your appetite without going through the hassle of going back to the fridge to refill your milk. I experimented with a few different types of cereal to pour in first before my milk and these were my findings: I found that when pouring cereal first, your intake is limited by the size of the bowl. Unless you dine with obnoxiously large dinnerware, the amount of cereal that the bowl can hold is simply not enough to satisfy one’s appetite. Cerealfirsters would say to this, “This is the only exception in which milk goes in the bowl first – when getting a milk refill.” But how bothersome is it to have to go back to the fridge to refill your bowl – not to mention, time-consuming. I don’t like my eating time to be interrupted by anything, even if it’s something as trivial as getting up to get a refill. When you pour your milk first, you put in enough milk so that you won’t have to refill later. The counter-argument to this is that the

JO R D AN R I TCH I E / / E D I TO R -IN - CHIEF

I POUR MY M BEFORE MY C

senior edition < 24

MILK CEREAL SO BITE ME milk-cereal ratio is off, leaving too much milk for not enough cereal. That’s why, instead of refilling milk, the cereal is what you refill. Being that cereal is dry, it doesn’t have to be refrigerated, so while eating, keep the box handy next to you and add more cereal in as you eat until the milk runs out. Being that between the two – cereal and milk – cereal is the main component of the meal, so adding milk first allows you to consume as much cereal as you want.

My other issue with pouring cereal first is that it gets soggy way too fast.

Instead of taking the time to enjoy my cereal, I’m in a race to speed-eat before the milk makes it soggy. Not to mention, by pouring cereal first, it absorbs the milk much too fast, not only making it lose its crunch, but making it awkward for your spoon to maneuver through the bowl. By pouring the cereal over the milk, then swishing it around in your bowl for a second, you get the enjoyment of having your cereal coated in milk, allowing it to soften, but not so much that it loses its crunch. One person I involved in my research, Caleb Castleberry – selfproclaimed cereal aficionado – brought up another rebuttal, one which I hadn’t heard before. He argued that pouring cereal after the milk, “...makes a mess if you pour the cereal too violently. I don’t have time to sit there and pour my cereal carefully. I prefer to throw caution to the wind and pour without fear of repercussion, and pouring cereal first allows me to do that.” Now this was an issue I did not have a solution prepared for. I am by no means a neat eater. In fact, I’m known to be rather sloppy. I could not recall many – if any – incidents in which I had made a mess by pouring my cereal last, so I conducted another experiment.

I filled my bowl with milk and poured my cereal aggressively sans caution. Result: no mess. I even ditched the box and took a large handful of cereal which I threw into my bowl. That being said, launching any solid object into a decent amount of liquid is bound to cause spillage. However, when hurling my cereal into my bowl of milk, the damage was minimal – gone with the swipe of a single napkin. In fact, the same mess could have been made by haphazardly pouring milk over cereal.

So unless you pour your cereal with the force of a catapult, pouring milk first, then cereal should leave you with a mess-free eating experience.

Now, it’s come to my attention that I am not the only cereal sinner out there.

BTS band member, Jungkook, has admitted to pouring milk first, as well. Gene Simmons of Kiss adds ice cubes to his cereal. Some people even choose to substitute milk for other liquids in their cereal such as water, juice, soda, and even alcohol. And personally, my stomach is offended by some – actually, all – of those alternatives. But who am I to yuck someone’s yum? Who am I to judge a person’s eating habits, or more than that, their lifestyle? Eating is sacred. It’s a necessity, but also an activity that should be enjoyed by a person without fear of judgment or alienation. As it states in the Declaration of Independence, I have an inalienable right to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” and you can bet that includes the right to eat my cereal however I please.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // LAUREN WILLIAMS

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