Women In Politics Magazine: Hearts on Fire

Women In Politics Magazine HEARTS ON FIRE

2nd Issue

July 2020

CONTENTS

01 Living history: The Women Behind the Revolution

09 Voter Suppression Paints a Less Peachy Picture of Georgia

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The Earn It Act: The Good, The Bad, and The Unconstitutional

24 “My Leadership Cannot be Challenged”- The Life and Legacy of Elaine Brown

05 Taking Action on Black Lives Matter

13 Gun Violence Intersections with the Black Lives Matter Movement

21 The Healthcare System vs.

Black Women

26 Gerrymandering and Political Pandering: the Basics of Election Inequality

CONT...

32 Women in the Bureau: a Gender Study of the FBI

42 Muriel Bowser: a Powerful Mayor for Washington D.C.

49 Investigative Journalism: Women who Pioneered Freedom of the Press

57 The Humanitarian Crisis You Probably Haven’t Heard of, and What You Can Do to Help

37 Indian-American Privilege: An Unpayable Debt

46 A Look Forward: How Generation Z is Changing the World

54 Pride: Past, Present, and Future

60 Meet the Creators

A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER COVID-19 has taken a huge hit on all of us.

Most of us have not seen family or friends for around 3 months, yet through this tragic time we have come together to fight for the injustices that are happening.

We have heard time and time again that we are the future, however we are not only becoming the future, but we are changing it for the better.

“On June 1st, 2020 I went to my first protest.”

In my hometown amongst hundreds of other people, we were protesting for George Floyd’s wrongful murder.

Sheryl Sandberg said “to fight for change tomorrow we need to have resilience today”. When we grow our capacity for strength in the toughest times, we are able to fight for change no matter the obstacles. With every effort we make to

Standing in the midst of all these people I felt a surge of hope for true equality. No matter who you were or where you came from we were there together, fighting for

fight for equality in our town, county, community, and state we win another battle because when we stand up together surrender is not an option.

change. In the crowd of people, I felt the strength radiating from every step we took and every collective shout for justice that filled the air. Each and every person made me feel welcome. This gave me comfort in the fact that through this unprecedented time we stood united.

As a teen I am proud to see that our voice has not faltered through this time.

Women In Politics will stand for every black person, who is violated; every LGBTQ+ person, who is not given adequate rights; and every minority, who is scared to speak up for fear of being silenced.

I urge everyone, all around the world, to never turn a blind eye for any injustice.

Rebecca Joseph

LIVING HISTORY: THE WOMEN BEHIND THE REVOLUTION

BY ANDREA MONTENEGRO

“Is this really happening ?”

The resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in response to the recent death of George Floyd is a pivotal moment in America history, on which we get to witness first-hand. This revolution was started

After the acquittal of Teryvon Martin’s murderer in 2013, Garza, Cullors, and Tometi decided enough was enough.

by three strong-willed, independent,

The trend of excessive police force and passionate African-American

disproportionately affecting Afrowomen. Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi have not only put a name to the biggest movement this

Americans was steadily increasing, and the justice system seemed to ignore it.

Thus, the BLM movement was born.

generation has ever witnessed, but have also helped normalize the

Thousands gathered in the streets to protest

presence of women in politics and activism. We are starting a new

the injustices Black Americans face as a

chapter in the story of the United

result of our country’s

States, but this time women are

long history of

writing it.

systematic racism.

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But, as some may remember, the inception of BLM did not mark the end of racism in America. In fact, BLM, at its inception, did not have the cultural impact it has now.Initially, the death of Martin enraged many, including the creators of BLM.

This hashtag

How could it be that the man who

resonated with black

murdered a 17 year-old boy could walk

communities and allies,

free for days before his arrest? Worse,

and it’s virality pushed Tometi to

how could it be that he was acquitted

create social media platforms, a

a year later?

website, and organized chapters around the globe for this new

This news inspired Garza to go on

movement.Suddenly, there were

Facebook and express her concern.

bigger conversations about civil rights

Her post, which read, “Black people. I

and police brutality which never

love you. I love us. Our lives matter,

existed before.

Black Lives Matter,� was the start of something bigger than herself. Cullors

But, who were these women before

replied to this post with a tweet of her

they began the movement? Before

own, choosing to use the hashtag:

BLM, Garza was an activist in her own

#BlackLivesMatter.

career as the Special Projects Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a position she currently holds. As the director, she

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works to give voices to domestic workers in the U.S.

he creation of BLM has given Garza a

been recognized internationally for

larger platform than ever before,

their message of racial justice in

allowing her to voice her unfiltered

immigration.

opinions on a wide-scale. She has been able to pursue projects as an

Tometi, as the strategist and founder

organizer, public speaker, and writer,

of BLM’s social media sites, has gone

receiving awards like:The Roots 2016

on to win many awards, receiving an

List of 100 African American achievers

honorary doctorates degree (along

and Influencers, the 2016 Glamour

with her fellow co-founders),

Women of the Year Award, the 2016

recognition as one of the world’s fifty

Marie Claire New Guard Award, and

greatest leaders by POLITICO and

Community Change Agent at the 2016

Fortune magazines, the “New Civil

BET’s Black Girls Rock Awards.Finally,

Rights Leader” in 2015 by the Los

being a queer black woman, Garza

Angeles Times Magazine and 2014 by

hopes to push the idea the Black men

ESSENCE magazine, and the Social

are not the only ones affected by

Movement of the Year Award at the

police violence, rather, the movement

Webbys. She will also be featured in

encompasses all genders, orientations,

the Smithsonian’s National Museum for

and identities.

African American History and Culture to honor her contributions.

Like Garza, Tometi was an activist before BLM, fighting for human and

Cullors has been involved in activism

migrant rights. She worked as the Co-

for many years. Before BLM, she was

Director and Communication Director

working for criminal justice reforms in

at the Black Alliance for Just

prisons.

Immigration (BAJI).

This organization, successful and unprecedented in its own right, has

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Due to a personal experience with police brutality, Cullors formed the Coalition to End Sheriff Violence in 2011, two years before the start of BLM.She, along with others, worked with inmates to receive a clearer picture of the violence inmates face while incarcerated.

This organization would later evolve to be Dignity and Power Now, which works to restore the dignity and power of incarcerated individuals.As an artist, organizer, and freedom fighter, she has become a New York Times bestseller, Sydney Peace Prize recipient, Black Woman of the Year in

These three women, each accomplished and well-versed in activism, sparked the larger movement we know now. When reading their successes, one wonders how young girls, like myself, can lead from their example. For one, Garza, Tomeli, and Cullors never stopped fighting for what they believed in. The fact that they were Black Women in a country where both race and gender can yield an advantage or disadvantage never stopped them.

2015, ESSENCE magazine’s first ever Woke award recipient, named the Los Angeles Times’ Civil Rights Leader for the 21st Century, and a Fulbright scholar.

In fact, they used the weaknesses created by racism and misogyny in America to unite subcultures under one common cause. They have redefined what it means to be an activist in the

She is continuing her joint ventures in

modern era, holding iconic female

both BLM and DIgnity and Power Now,

historical positions nexts to the likes of

using her platform to spread her art to

Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Angela

Afro-American communities.

Davis, setting a precedent for the next

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generation of freedom fighters and proving that female activism is strong activism.

UNDERSTANDING THE BLACK LIVES MATTER What are ways you can get involved MOVEMENT : and help invoke change?

BY LAUREN ORIE

The BLM movement does not mean black lives matter more than any other

In fact, legal slavery was technically

race, but more simply that black lives

only fully abolished in 2013, when

matter in general.

Mississppi finally submitted the required documentation to ratify the

With the recent killings of Ahmaud

13th amendment into their state

Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna

constitution. Furthermore, many

Taylor, it overwhelmingly seems that

people are unable to understand a

black lives are deemed to be worth

concept that goes hand-in-hand

less than other lives in America. The

with historical oppression of people

movement is crucial in bringing

of color: white privilege. It is,

attention to the oppression and

however, a truly simple concept.

discrimination that black people face

White privilege doesn’t mean that if

in America. Speaking as a person of

you’re not a person of color, your life

color, uncomfortable experiences,

can’t be hard. It means that if you’re

government policies, and simple biases

not a person of color, your skin is not

instilled in the hearts of people across the nation put me at a disadvantage to

one of the things that makes your life hard.

my white counterparts. From a historical perspective, AfricanAmericans were not able to hold political power or safely voice their opinions until around 1965.

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The Black Lives Matter movement is

In no way should violence be

really just an expression that attempts

condoned, but when looking at it

to spread awareness about the issues,

objectively you have to take what the

educate people, and prompt change

media shows you with a grain of salt.

across the nation. To be a bystander to

The news and media have an agenda.

the movement while witnessing injustice,

They are not going to show hours of

or to remain neutral, makes the

footage of peaceful protest; they are

bystander part of the problem.

going to show you what fits their

Remaining neutral and choosing not to

agenda, and what will satisfy their

educate oneself does nothing to help

viewers. Finally, many people will ask

reform the issues at hand, but instead

what the objective is of the Black

puts you on the side of the oppressor.

Lives Matter Protests. The protests are

Just because someone is privileged

to help bring equality and education

enough to ignore the issue doesn’t

into all sectors of life, not just police

mean they should. The Black Lives

brutality. Legal, social, economic, and

Matter movement gives the people a

cultural reform are all huge sectors

voice. We the people enact the most

that are being targeted, but those are

change. Another misunderstanding

not the only areas looking to be

about the movement is that it’s based

changed. Black Lives Matter is not just

on violence.

about the Black american. The hope is that the movement can shed light into every black person's life all across the world, to shed light into the lives of all people truly. Ultimately, the movement is a testament to the desire for

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fairness, justice, and equality for all.

What are ways you can get involved help Petitions invoke change?

Donations Many people underestimate the power of a donation. A Lot of protestors are being wrongfully arrested, and large legal fees come with their arrest.

Additionally, donating to funds for families who have lost their children to police brutality, and need help with funerals, memorials, or supporting their families and children after the loss of their family member. Lastly, there are funds that help those who are

Petitions are extremely important and efficient. Petitions help to spread awareness quickly and are easy to sign and a great way to participate in activism without very much effort.

Petitions help to show public support for the movement and a particular case or issue which helps to translate into legal action as well.

wrongfully incarcerated pay for legal fees as well.

Self Education

Self education is extremely important. The more you learn about the history, experiences, and injustices that happen everyday to black america it helps you to have a deeper understanding of the movement and allows you to also be able to have conversations with others about why black lives matter, and to help correct those who are incorrect and to

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address your own biases and inadequacies. Additionally, do not be afraid to have difficult conversations and call out those who are disrespectful.

Social Media Social media is a powerful tool that has helped to propel the movement to where it is today. By posting and showing your support for the movement it helps to reinforce how large of a movement BLM is and helps to spread awareness, and information about the movement as well. The importance of continuing to post helps to keep pushing the large issues BLM is trying to address to the forefront. Additionally, be sure to not fall into performance activism such as black out. When you post make sure you are posting because you genuinely believe in the movement, and truly want to see change.

This is a time to spread love.

Research is love.

Advocacy is love.

Having hard conversations is love.

Listening to those who have been in pain, systematically oppressed, and saying

I hear you.

I believe in you.

I may never understand but I stand with you

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And I will fight for you no matter what it takes.

That is spreading love¨- Julia Roth

Voter Suppression Paints a Less Peachy Picture of Georgia

by Ella Stillion Southard

"On June 9th we saw the future of America. " Unfortunately it was not a sustainable and equal America, but rather a nation plagued with voter suppression. The country watched as Georgia’s primary election became the prime example of how even our voting system is not free from systemic racism and could largely affect the

Georgia were Black.

This time around in 2020, the voter suppression took on a more forthright face, by attacking the system rather than the voters themselves.

general election in November. The

They did not hide voting machines,

leaders in charge didn’t even try to

instead the outdated machines just

hide it like they did in 2018 during the

shut down. They didn’t purge as

gubernatorial election in Georgia,

many voters, instead they just

where they hid the voting machines

underfunded voting locations in

and justified the purging of thousands

primarily Black communities and shut

of registered voters by stating they

down voting locations altogether.

did not vote in past elections or they

This caused people to stand in line

broke the Exact Match Law. That

for hours, polling locations were

reasoning, although somewhat

open past midnight, and worst of all,

particular, seems justifiable until you

a lot of people just didn’t vote.

find out 80% of the 1.4 million purged voters in the last eight years in

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All of this poses two questions: How do

LaTosha Brown’s Black Voters Matter,

we prevent large scale voter

continuously support voter security

suppression from happening on

nationwide. Stacey Abrams herself is a

election day in November? What are

direct product of voter suppression.

we left to do as a people if we can not

Many say that if Brian Kemp, current

even vote because of the

Governor but then Secretary of State

incompetence of our leaders as well

and gubernatorial candidate, would

as the deeply rooted racism that is

not have purged so many Black voters

engraved in all the systems in the

that Stacey Abrams would be the

United States?

Governor. Her determination to maintain the fight for voters’ rights even

Nobody knows what Election Day is going to look like, as it is never fully predictable, especially in this highstakes election. As seen in Georgia’s primary, it is apparent what certain legislators and leaders will do in order to secure their victory. Although seemingly bleak, there are steps being taken by resilient leaders all over the country. In Georgia specifically, 2018 Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and her initiative “Fair Fight,” as well as an activist and

and encouraging to every person who wants fair elections. Unfortunately, November is so close that there isn’t much an average citizen can do to prevent large-scale voter suppression in November. The best way to do your part to ensure our democracy is to get as many voters out there on Election Day as well as staying persistent like Abrams and Brown. Those interested in this pressing issue can support Fair Fight and Black Voters Matter by donating and volunteering to

singer

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after she lost the race is inspirational

phonebank for voter registration.

Besides that, we have to hope that the

fair fight

American people will take their civic duty seriously and vote!

With the continued exposure of systemic

known needs to be extremely

racism by the Black Lives Matter

reformed or torn down altogether,

movement, the process of voting has

why not add voting to that list too?

never been more crucial. The very idea that the system the American people rely on to use their voice for change could be corrupt too, is the most terrifying conclusion. Protesting works and is essential for the process of change and raising awareness. But, voting is where the people take their activism from the streets and put it into action.

Seeing the blatant racism exposed within Georgia’s primary election, only demonstrates the absolute need for reimagining every system built hundreds of years ago during a time where racism wasn’t entrenched in the system, it was the system.More people than ever are listening to Black voices that have been telling us for decades that the prison system, property ownership, public education, law enforcement, and healthcare is built off of racism. Now that many Americans are grasping the concept that everything that they have ever

Some will believe it is radical and crazy to want to reform voting in the United States simply because America prides itself in our democratic country that’s for the people. No one will ever want to criticize the message of liberty and freedom that this nation possesses.

However, not every American does get to vote because the system allows for individual leaders to insert their biased personal interests and

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beliefs into a system that is supposed to be non-partisan.

If not everyone gets a voice in this

There is no denying that what

country, purely because of the color

happened in Georgia’s primary

of their skin, then real change is

election wasn’t alarming. Many

needed. The nation should follow in

Americans, no matter their party

Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Utah,

affiliation, are terrified of the division

and Hawaii’s steps by converting to

our country faces every day. In the

an universal vote by mail system in

past, when Americans were scared

order to prevent further corruption in

they voted. In 2020, we have to do

our democracy.

more than that. We have to speak up about the very systems that we trust

A report from Pantheon Analytics

and question if they are good

shows that in the 2018 election in

enough. We as a people need to

Utah the voter turnout increased by

fight to ensure our democracy so we

12.5% because for the first time the

can remain an international example

state offered an increase in vote by

of free and fair elections. It starts

mail opportunities. In Oregon, the

with us.

citizens have been exclusively voting by mail since 1998, and they continue to have to have one of the highest turnout rates in the country. It is true that no system is perfect, but if we want to move forward as a country and get rid of racism, rethinking all of our political systems is a valuable first step.

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Gun Violence Intersections with the Black Lives Matter Movement

BY GABRIELLE SCOTT

about the intersections between gun

Starting with the Parkland shooting in

violence and the Black Lives Matter

2018, the organization March for Our

movement currently happening.

Lives shot full speed into combating gun violence across America. Since then, the movement has continued, and activists such as myself regularly fight for gun safety laws to be passed through the American government and provide safety for schools, nightclubs, churches, and other at-risk establishments.

Jackson Schulte Chapter Lead of the West Michigan March for Our Lives and Students Demand Action Join Chapter

The Black Lives Matter movement has lately been gaining a lot of traction,

Gabby: "Hi Jackson! My first question is regarding how you got involved in activism?”

and because of the overlap between police brutality and gun regulation, I decided to interview an active member of March for Our Lives and Students Demand Action to tell me more about the issues.

Jackson: “Hi! So after Parkland, I was inspired to do something. I planned a school-wide sit-in commemorating the lives lost in that particular shooting, and informing the school’s students about how relevant this

I had the privilege of speaking with Jackson Schulte, Chapter Lead of the West Michigan March for Our Lives and Students Demand Action Joint Chapter,

cause is to school environments, in

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particular. I then was asked to join March for Our Lives, and have since

accepted an internship with the House of Representatives in New

The Black Lives Matter organization, in

York."

particular, works with March for Our

Gabby: “So, what exactly is the March for Our Lives PEACE Plan?”

Jackson: “The plan highlights commonsense gun legislation-- a collection of ideas and policies the organization would like to see put in place in order to lead to less violence. These include

Lives to elevate Black voices, as they are most directly impacted by gun violence. Sometimes the media fails to represent Black shootings in the news, however, the risk of being shot as a Black man is 2.5x higher than that of a caucasian male.”

gun reform, education reform, mental health support, etc., all intersecting to prevent gun violence by a goal of 50% in the next few years.”

Gabby: “How do you feel like gun

March for our Lives and Students demand Action Logo

violence intersects with the idea of

Gabby: “What does your specific

police brutality and the Black Lives

chapter of March for Our Lives and

Matter movement?”

Students Demand Action do?”

Jackson: “Police violence is gun

Jackson: “We work to provide a better

violence when it comes down to it.

understanding of what gun violence is

Police using firearms is no better than

and gather support for common-sense

anyone else using firearms, murder is

legislation in a fairly conservative

murder and violence is violence. The

area. We have attended lobby days,

shootings of Ahmaud Arbery and

worked with organizations and

Breonna Taylor were both done by

schools, helped with voter education

firearms.

and registration, and tried to inform

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the public more about what we are fighting for.”male."

Gabby: “How do you suggest others get involved?”

Gabby: “What are some good resources to educate and get more involved?”

Jackson: “Reach out. Look for chapters

Jackson: “I would recommend

and people in your community and

checking out websites and events such

contact them to see how you can get involved. It varies based on your area, but if you see someone involved in the

as: Not My Generation, March for Our Lives, Students Demand Action and Everytown, Johns Hopkins Summer Institute, Giffords, and more. I would

movement, reaching out and finding

also urge you to check out the March

others who are also interested is the

for Our Lives PEACE plan, and register

best way to start.”

to vote for the upcoming election!”

Gabby: “Do you have any advice for aspiring activists in this field?”

Jackson: “This is a very slow and steady movement, and it takes a lot of time for bills to get through.

peace

Nonetheless, it is very important and directly impacts people. There is little immediate gratification in this area, yet, it is very important work, you meet a lot of great people, and get to work hands-on with the cause.”

safety

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THE EARN IT ACT: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

BY ANNA PABST

With the advancement of technology

Should an ICSP choose not to adopt

comes new ways for children to be

the Commission’s recommendations, it

exploited. The Eliminating Abusive

would lose protections from civil

and Rampant Neglect of Interactive

liability for user-generated content.

Technologies Act, also referred to as

These protections were previously

the EARN IT Act, was first introduced

guaranteed by Section 230 of the

in March 2020. The EARN IT Act aims

Communications Decency Act.

to combat online child exploitation by creating the National Commission on

The Commission would be comprised

Online Child Sexual Exploitation

of 19 people. Of these 19 people,

Prevention. The Commission’s purpose

three would be federal officials: The

consists of developing “recommended

Attorney General, the Secretary of

best practices” for providers of

Homeland Security, and the Chairman

interactive computer services to

of the Federal Trade Commission. The

implement. Interactive Computer

remaining 16 would be appointed by

Service Providers (ICSP’s) range from

the Senate and House of

social media sites, such as Facebook

Representatives.

and Instagram, to online marketplaces, like Ebay.

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In this group of 16 appointees, two are

While the intentions of this bill are

to be survivors of online child

commendable, this bill itself is more

exploitation along with two

tailored towards allowing the federal

professionals who provide services to

government to regulate how ICSP’s

victims . This provides a great

operate their platforms. ICSPs have

opportunity for survivors to be a part of

the options as follows: adopt the

the legal conversation. In addition,

recommended best practices or lose

politicians are unified for this bill,

section 230 protections and be held

which is rare during an election year.

liable for user-generated content.

Without Section 230’s protection,

In Senator Graham’s opening

companies could be held liable in

statement, he stresses how, with the

civil court for up to $150,000 per

advancement of the internet, reports of

case. The crimes in these cases could

online child exploitation have grown

range from hate speech to the

immensely. He highlights how Section

distribution of child pornography. This

230 has failed to incentivise

loss of protection will highly

companies to combat online child

incentivise online platforms to adopt

exploitation. The blanket immunity

the policies created by the

provided by Section 230 lets

Commision.

companies off the hook when they fail to properly police their platforms. The intentions of this bill, he explains, are to protect children by developing recommendations for companies to follow.

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The ambiguity of whether or not forcing companies to choose between adopting government-formulated policies or losing legal protections is actually. the government forcing companies to adopt their policies has raised concerns over the 1st amendment. If the recommended policies were to be considered as forced on the ICSPs, the government's actions would go against a Supreme Court Ruling, Miami Herald Pub. Co. v.

Tornillo. This ruling upholds that companies have editorial freedom protected under the 1st amendment.

Editorial freedom affirms that companies have control of how they operate their platforms.

The document expresses that none of its content would force ICSPs to perform searches through user data, stating, “nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to require a provider of an interactive computer service to search, screen, or scan for instances of online child sexual exploitation.” Despite this promise, human rights advocacy groups speculate that the “best practices” will likely include something of the sort. Since the bill does not explicitly require all companies to adopt the Commission's recommendations, it could be said that companies will not be “required” to perform any actions outlined within the developed policies. Instead, it could be considered the company's choice to search through user data.

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Currently, ICSPs are required to report

United States v. Miller determined

any findings of child exploitation to the

that the “two critical factors in the

National Center for Missing & Exploited

‘instrument or agent’ analysis are: (1)

Children (NCMEC). ICSPs come across

whether the government knew of and

these findings in a variety of ways, all

acquiesced in the intrusive conduct,

of which are disclosed in the terms of

and (2) whether the party performing

service. When you agree to the terms of

the search intended to assist law

service, you agree to the corporation

enforcement efforts or to further his

possibly going through, storing, and

own ends.” In these “best practices,”

providing other corporations with your

the government created the policies

data and metadata. These searches

companies will be urged to follow,

are not subject to the 4th amendment’s

and carrying out these policies will be

protections, since the user has

done for the benefit of the

consented and they are considered

government. Since appellate courts

private searches. Yet the proposed

have upheld this definition, it opens

“best practices” will be created by a

the possibility for any offender

government entity, for the gain of a

apprehended and charged with

government entity, making them subject

evidence acquired under these “best

to the 4th amendment. Private

practices” to appeal and have the

companies following government

evidence against them dismissed. If

orders to search through user data then

the EARN IT Act fails to abide by the

provide the government with that data

4th amendment, it could prevent the

essentially makes these private

bill from achieving its goal.

companies agents of the government.

This definition for agents of the government has been upheld by appellate courts, being first set forth in the case United States v. Miller.

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The “best practices” open-ended

The EARN IT Act’s vague plan to fight

nature also raises concerns about

online child exploitation leaves room

encryption. Encryption is a vital tool in

for the federal government to acquire

the protection of online free speech

surplus power over corporations. The

and protection against surveillance.

lack of specifics within its

Some ICSPs provide end-to-end

composition allows for the 1st and 4th

encryption for their users. Thus, making

Amendments to be undermined.

it so that only the sender and receiver

Protections for children in the digital

can view the contents of a message,

age are absolutely necessary, but to

not the ICSP or the federal

come at

government. Asking ICSPs to more

the expense

closely monitor their user’s

of the 1st

communications could mean the end

and 4th

of easily accessible encryption. Used

amendments

by a myriad of different people, from

could be

tech-inclined middle schoolers to

disastrous

journalists, encryption provides privacy for all; not just wrongdoers.

for what the bill is trying to accomplish.

The constitution and laws against child exploitation must live in harmony for either to be effective.

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THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM VS. BLACK WOMEN

BY DAHLIA GUMAA

Racial disparities are a problem

Dating back to the earliest 1700s, it

amongst black women in unfortunate

was a social norm for white doctors

ways. However, nobody deserves to

and slave masters to conduct painful

be disregarded simply due to the color

experimentation on slaves for

of their skin, especially in the medical

medical research. Throughout the

field. Sadly, the healthcare system has

centuries, this created the notion that

failed black women for centuries.

black people experience higher pain

“Social determinants of health

tolerance than other races, as taught

including education, health care, and

in the Pearson Educational publisher.

the criminal justice system are fueled

Although this myth has been proven a

by racism,” Davis Anthony said. “All the

lie, studies show that black people

data indicates Black lives have not

are less likely to be treated for pain

mattered.”

than white people.

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STATISTICS: A recent study from the NCHS (National Vital Statistics System, 2015) shows that the infant mortality

5.7% of US physicians are African American, compared to the

rate amongst black infants is 12 deaths for every 1,000 infants.

US population of black people (13%).

Meanwhile, the infant mortality rate

In California alone,

for white infants is 5 deaths for every

black women only

1,000 infants.

make up for 5% of the population but account for 21% of pregnancy-related deaths.

In 2013, the CDC reported the maternal

Fortunately, these numbers are slowly

mortality rates among black and white

declining every year, and although

mothers for every 100,000 live births.

not all black women have had bad

While the reported deaths for white

experiences with health-related

women was only 12, it was 44 amongst

problems, for many others, it can be

black women, meaning black women

tragic. In 2011, Arteisha Betts and

are four times more likely to die of

Travis Ammonette sued their doctors

complications with pregnancy or birth

for attempting to cover up the death

than white women. Black women are

of their newborn son. A 10-count

also more likely to experience

complaint was filed after the claims

preventable maternal death as

that doctors Gilbert Webb and Susan

compared to white women.

Moore horrifically botched their son

22

during labor, which led to his death.

It isn’t just bad for mothers either.

According to Ramya Kumar, she was working at the front desk at a hospital one evening, when a black woman walked in. She was hunched over complaining of abdominal pain when the nurses told her to sit and wait, despite her being the only patient in the waiting room.

As time began to pass, Ramya noticed three other patients, all white, coming into the ER after her and was seen by medical staff immediately. “Your skin color shouldn’t affect the quality of care you’re given,” Ramy told Northeastern news, “That was really angering to see her treated that way.” She was hunched over complaining of abdominal pain when the nurses told her to sit and wait, despite her being the only patient in the waiting room.

As time began to pass, Ramya noticed three other patients, all white, coming into the ER after her and was seen by medical staff immediately. “Your skin color shouldn’t affect the quality of care you’re given,” Ramy told Northeastern

23

news, “That was really angering to see her treated that way.”

MY LEADERSHIP CANNOT BE CHALLENGED

BY ROLLAND GRADY

Elaine Brown was the first and only

Black Panthers had about 2,000

woman to lead the Blank Panther

members.

Party. In August 1974, Huey Newton chose Brown to lead the Black

The Black Panthers outlined their

Panthers. The Black Panther Party

beliefs in the Ten-Point Program. The

gathered as Brown stated, “I have all

Ten-Point Program called for an end

the guns and money. I can withstand a

to police brutality, employment for

challenge from without and within.”

African Americans, education, and

From the very beginning of Elaine

adequate housing. The Black

Brown’s tenure as chair of the party,

Panthers were a part of the Black

she was forced to prove her strength

Power movement, which called for

and show her ability to lead.

black pride and unification for civil rights. One of the Black Panther's

The Black Panther Party was started in

goals was to get more black

1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale

Americans in office, which proved to

to fight against police brutality, a

be unsuccessful. They were

problem that still plagues America

successful in starting free breakfast

today. The Black Panthers began after

programs for children in school and

the assassination of Malcolm X and

free health clinics.

the killing of Matthew Johnson, an unarmed black teenager, by the

24

Famous Quote "Reflected here is life as I lived

San Francisco police. By 1968, the

it, my thoughts and feelings as I remember them."

Brown struggled leading the male-dominated organization as she had to fight to be taken seriously by her comrades. She wrote about these struggles in her memoir A Taste of Power. She was the most outspoken about the sexism in the Black Panther Party. However, many of the men of the party ended up being arrested or exiled, which left the women in charge of the party and the community programs.Â

ELAINE BROWN BLACK PANTHER

Now, Elaine Brown is the CEO of Oakland & the World Enterprises Inc., which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated people launch and sustain businesses.

She also founded Field of Flowers Inc. in 1996, to establish an education center to educate and serve the basic needs of poor, black children in Atlanta. She continues to fight for reform of the criminal justice system and to help formerly incarcerated people integrate back into society.

Famous Quote "A women in the Black Power movement was considered, at best, irrelevant. A woman asserting herself was a pariah."

25

GERRYMANDERING AND POLITICAL PANDERING: THE BASIS OF ELECTION INEQUALITY

BY ANNA CERNICH

The

intended

effect

of

this

plan

is

The State Election Board of Kentucky

clear:

recently announced that they would be

employ

cutting the number of polling stations for

vote,

the June 23rd primary from the usual

travel across the county to the polling

3,700 to just 200 statewide. If the

station,

intention was to prevent COVID-19 from

primary amidst hundreds of their fellow

spreading during the voting process, it

Jefferson

would be legitimate. But underneath the

running the risk of contracting COVID-

guise of health and safety lies a corrupt,

19.

if

African-Americans their

they

constitutional

must

and

take

cast

County

time

their

to

right

to

off

vote

residents,

want

work,

for

all

the

while

unethical strategy: quiet the constitutional voices of the marginalized

Alternatively, they could choose not to

and diminish the value of their vote.

vote at all, which would effectively give

600,000 registered voters live in

Kentucky’s white majority more power

Jefferson County, the most populous

in the primary. This case is obviously

county in Kentucky, which happens to

unfair, but it is not an isolated incident.

contain over half of the state’s total

Every election, desperate politicians on

African-American population. Not so

both sides of the aisle use political

coincidentally, there is just one polling

loopholes to ensure victory, ignoring

station for the entire region this year.

the basic license of democracy and

26

blinding themselves from the needs of the people they are supposed to represent.

The beauty of democracy is being

of the opposing political party. This

shoved aside to fuel a broken system,

reduces the amount of power that

evidencing a dire need for major

the party has in other districts,

reform in the Land of Opportunity. The

concentrating all of their support in

most notable form of cheating an

one area and creating political

election is gerrymandering, a

monopolies for the opposing party in

complicated process of rezoning voting

the surrounding voting districts.

districts in an effort to keep certain regions loyal to a single party or candidate.

The term stems from 1812 Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry, who rezoned a district in the Boston area to benefit his party. A political cartoon printed in the Boston Gazette depicted the newly formed district in the shape of a salamander, combining it with the governor’s name to create the phrase “gerrymander.”

Although its etymological origins are amusing, the effects of gerrymandering are anything but.

The other tactic, cracking, does just the opposite. It spreads the support for the opposing party across a vast area to ensure that their vote is diluted within each district. Although obviously different from each other, both of these tactics guarantee one crucial concept: whatever party draws the voting district lines essentially determines the outcome of the election. To quote the director of George Mason University’s public policy program, “that’s not the voters

The two main principles used to gerrymander are known as packing and cracking. Packing is used to skew the districts’ majority by changing district boundaries to include many members

choosing their representatives, it’s

27

the representatives choosing the voters.” Gerrymandering has been used throughout

all of American history to manipulate the constraints of democracy, and this

party in the surrounding voting districts.

manipulation often affects minority populations at disproportionately high rates. It wasn’t until 1995 court case Miller v. Johnson that the Supreme Court made racial gerrymandering a constitutional violation, meaning up until that point it was perfectly legal to discount the voices of ethnic minorities to rig an election.

However, partisan gerrymandering is still allowed under the constitution.

The Supreme Court’s majority opinion in 2019 case Rucho v. Common Cause upheld that “partisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts.” So it goes back to the states; back into the hands of the elected

The two main principles used to gerrymander are known as packing and cracking. Packing is used to skew the districts’ majority by changing district boundaries to include many members of the opposing political party. This reduces the amount of power that the party has in other districts, concentrating all of their support in one area and creating political monopolies for the opposing

officials that rely on the very concept of gerrymandering to stay in office. It is a vicious cycle, but one that is somehow legal under constitutional law. Meanwhile, representatives spend thousands of dollars and countless hours attempting to prove their credibility and pander to specific audiences. Most of the time, these audiences are marginalized groups that rely on political change to even have a chance of living the American Dream. Ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+

28

community, and those on welfare all depend on their elected representatives to achieve equal representation in American society.

Legislators know this, and they tend to follow the exact parameters of their party when trying to win votes instead of voicing their actual opinions on topics that affect these groups .

Campaigning on behalf of the marginalized is common; acting on those campaign promises is not. If elected representatives truly want to improve the lives of the people they

Perfect democracy cannot be

represent, authenticity must not be

attained until every vote is equally

perceived as a pleasant characteristic,

cast and every voice is heard. The

but rather a vital trait in today’s

system is broken and will continue to

political atmosphere. The situation in

break until elected leaders bring

Kentucky is temporary, but it speaks to

about fundamental change at every

the ongoing issue of imbalanced

level. America, the Land of

democratic representation in America.

Opportunity, must recognize and

From partisan gerrymandering to false

condemn the loopholes that

campaign promises, political

consistently deny minorities and

representation is slowly inching away

marginalized citizens equal

from equality and toward corruption.

opportunity under the law. The vision

"Perfect democracy cannot be attained until every vote is equally cast and every voice is heard. "

for equal representation in America must be a testament to the foundational principles of democracy itself: of the people, for the people, and- most importantly- by the people.

29

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31

WOMEN IN THE BUREAU: A GENDER STUDY OF THE FBI LEAD BY STELLA KLIENMAN

special agents from the Department of Justice, appointed

Hiking boots

by Theodore Roosevelt’s Attorney

Cargo Pants

General Charles Bonaparte. The

Bulletproof vest

bureau’s original purpose was to

Gun in concealed holster

investigate threats to national security and its motto, devised in 1935, is “Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity.”

Hiking boots? Check. Cargo pants?

Check. Sunglasses? Check.

Ponytail? Check. Bulletproof vest?

For the first 14 years after its

Check. Gun in concealed holster?

establishment, the FBI only called

Check. Confidence, strength, and

upon men to

passion? Check, check, and check.

uphold

Here’s to another emblematic day

these values.

of work as an American special

Its reach

agent.

expanded dramatically

The Federal Bureau of Investigation throughout the

was founded on July 26, 1908. It

32

first decade,

ALASK P. DAVIDSON 10/11/1922

evolved from a task force of and in 1922, only two years after women obtained the right to vote,

the bureau reluctantly welcomed

This discrepancy is not due to

its first female special agent. A

women's lack of interest in the

woman of courage and mystery,

historically male-dominated field.

Alaska P. began her work for the

In May 2019, 16 female FBI recruits

bureau at its field office in

sued the bureau, accusing its

Washington, DC for a starting

training academy for discriminating

salary of $7 a day. However, after

against women. They reported a

two years in the profession,

hostile work environment, sexual

Davidson’s supervisor claimed that

harassment, and both racist and

he “had no particular work for a

sexist jokes. Women were kicked

woman agent” and pressured her

out of the academy at much higher

to resign. The bureau only hired

rates than men, furthering the

three female agents during the

profession’s gender inequality.

1920s and none from 1929 and

Even the female criminal

1972.

investigators who were able to

While women have made

avoid removal

incredible strides to acquire highranking government positions, they remain inordinately underrepresented. Studies show that in October 2018, only about 20% of special agents were female and very few held upper echelons.

Mission:

Stop gender discrimination in the FBI

Location: 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20535

Date: 6/1908- Present

33

from training academies frequently reported ongoing discrimination in their offices and agencies.

Historically, FBI training was developed for men. Since women tend to be shorter and have less muscle mass than their male

Until women are treated equal to men in the workforce we will not have an equal society

counterparts, they often struggled with physical tests such as boxing, running, push-ups, and wrestling.

However, not even biology could

academy. On her first night at the

stand in the way of the bureau’s

academy, Gore recalls a male

most memorable female special

recruit warning her and her three

agents. The FBI reasoned that

female classmates that one of

criminals would not suspect women

them was bound to flunk out.

to be undercover agents so many were thrown into the most

Rather than succumbing to

dangerous cases.

intimidation, Gore took his sexist comment as a challenge and

One of the most preeminent

motivated the women in her class

female agents of the 1970s was

to throw their hearts into training

special agent Natalie Sabin Gore,

and prove him wrong. She and her

Washington state’s first female

fellow trainees even installed a bar

agent and one of the first

in their dorm room at the academy

graduates of the FBI training

to practice pull-ups.

34

Thanks to Gore and her strong will, all the women in her class passed!

as a special agent in Sacramento, California.

Throughout her successful FBI career, Gore responded to bomb threats, investigated robberies, and assumed an undercover role in myriad crimes.

Following her successes with violent crime cases and robberies, Pasenelli emerged as the first female special agent in command of a bureau office and the FBI’s

Another revolutionary woman in the

first woman assistant director.

bureau was former police officer Burdena Pasenelli. A hard worker,

“Everybody has to prove

Pasenelli graduated from

themselves,” Pasenelli stated in an

Washington State University with a

FBI interview. “Every time you get a

degree in political science and

case, you have to get results… I got

administration. She was recruited

cases. I made cases. I went on

to the bureau in 1973 and began

arrests.” During her three years as

work

a special agent in charge, Pasenelli investigated threats and combatted white supremacist

Burdena Pasenelli “Every time Statement: you get a case, you have to get results …

I got cases.

I made cases.

I went on arrests.”

groups such as the Phineas Priesthood. She led groundbreaking work against domestic terrorism and earned the respect of every man she worked with during her 26-year career.

35

Becoming an FBI agent is a staggeringly difficult process. To be eligible for the special agent position, one must be between the ages of 23 and 36, hold a

FBI

bachelor’s degree, have two years of full-time professional work experience, meet physical fitness standards, pass field office testing, and undergo rigorous training.

Even after all the criteria are met, only about 5% of special agent applicants are accepted into the bureau today, and the process is exceedingly more difficult for

To all the young girls envisioning a career in the government or Department of Justice, you are more than capable of rising to the top of a male-dominated field.

women.

However, monumental agents like Alaska Davidson, Natalie Sabin Gore, and Burdena Pasenelli have proven that women have what it takes to serve their country in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.umed an undercover

36

role in myriad crimes.

stand together

INDIAN PRIVILEGE: AN UNPAYABLE DEBT

BY MANYA KODALI

George Floyd’s brutal death is

As small as the numbers are, South

amongst the most recent in a

Asians have a long history in America,

perverse string of racially-motivated

dating back to the 1800s when they

murders at the hands of police

came bearing goods to trade.During

officers, the supposed champions of

this time period, Indians were already

safety and protectors of the people;

at a disadvantage in a country where

his murder has lit a fire under the

the white man ruled. They were

Black Lives Matter movement -

turned away from restaurants, hotels,

unifying people of all across the

and white neighborhoods.

globe in an incredible, largely

Systematic racism in the form of

peaceful, show of solidarity for our

legislation further exacerbated the

Black brothers and sisters. However, in

antipathy they faced. In 1923, the

this critical time, Indian Americans

Supreme Court ruled that Indian

seem to not be doing enough.

were ineligible for citizenship in U.S.

According to the Indian American

v Bhagat Singh Thind.

Impact Fund, many people of South Asian descent have been “complicit for too long” in the ongoing racial tensions in our country.

Among America’s millions of nonBlack minorities, Indian Americans currently only account for roughly 1% of the U.S. population.

37

The Immigration Act of 1917 led to an

Even after the ratification of the 13th

Asiatic barred zone and the

amendment, Southern states

deportation of hundreds of Indians;

implemented black codes and Jim

the 1920s utilized a multitude of racial

Crow laws, stripping Africans of

quota laws that favored Europeans to

basic rights.

further limit non-white immigrants.

American media was overtaken by

The treatment of Blacks became

fears of a Hindu invasion and a

increasingly violent as supremacist

“Turban Tide.� Indians were imprisoned

views and groups like the KKK

for attempting to marry whites and

became more popular. Many Blacks

white mobs attacked Indian

faced horrific brutality at the hands

neighborhoods-

of whites mobs who lynched them.

all for their crime of being brown.

Countless other atrocities were committed against Africans, along

The suffering of Indian Americans is

with systemic disenfranchisement

irrefutable, but it pales in comparison

that has had lasting repercussions.

to that of Black Americans. After first

After centuries of suffering under a

surviving centuries of slavery and

racist system and dealing with

being treated as goods rather than

casual racism in their everyday lives,

humans, tens of thousands of Africans

Black Americans rose up, and the

risked everything and survived

civil rights movement swept across

treacherous journeys North to join the

America.

abolitionist movement. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers died during the civil war in the hopes of getting true equality.

38

Revolutionaries like Martin Luther King

Millions of citizens joined the

Jr., Malcolm X, and A. Philip Randolph

marches, but the vast majority of

won the centuries-long fight for equal

suffering was felt by Blacks who were

rights.The movement - bolstered by

bombed, ridiculed, and attacked by

the memory of millions of dead slaves

racist whites; however, the benefits of

and the ongoing abuse from whites-

the legislation and cultural change

resulted in huge leaps towards

were felt by all minorities. Thus,

equality with huge cultural changes

Indians, along with all other minorities

and legislation like the Fair Housing

who currently live in the United States,

Act of 1968 and Voting Rights Act of

owe much to the Blacks who

1965. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was

sacrificed everything for the civil

another major piece of legislation

rights movement.Today, Indian

which guaranteed desegregation and

Americans typically enjoy a level of

outlawed discrimination by

privilege not afforded to Black

employers. Â

Americans. Social networks and educational legacies have allowed South Asian immigrants to establish themselves in high-paying, respected careers; Asian immigrants typically face less discrimination in terms of housing, allowing them to build more wealth in the form of underwriting college loans and tax deductions.

39

Conversely, since World War II, Black

According to Claire Jean Kim, a

Americans have generally been

professor at the University of

unable to do the same due to

California - Irvine, Indian Americans

systemically racist policies such as

have “faced various forms of

redlining, zoning laws, and poorly-

discrimination, but never the

funded education systems. Racial

systematic dehumanization that Black

profiling, stop and frisk laws, and the

people have faced during slavery and

‘War on Drugs’ further contributed to

continue to face today.”This unspoken

the modern disenfranchisement of

debt of advantages, both modern and

Black Americans.Their privilege

historical, have culminated in the

doesn’t discount the racism Indians

model minority myth - a topic that is

feel in their everyday lives, but

especially prevalent today, as our

instead allows them safety from the

country undergoes another era of

entrenched, brutal racism Black

justice for racial inequities.

Americans have faced.

40

A point being frequently brought up (many times by Asians themselves) is the so-called model minority myth the idea that Asian American success in the U.S. disproves racism felt by other racial minorities. The effect of this serves to drive a wedge between the Asian and Black communities while simultaneously diminishing the role racism plays in the struggles of all minorities. As our country continues to grapple with it’s age-old injustices, it’s necessary to acknowledge the differences in the racism felt by various minorities.

As pianist Vijay Iyer has said, “to For Indian Americans this means succeed in America is, somehow, to acknowledging that much of our be complicit with the idea of success has been derived from the America—which means that at some suffering of Black Americans.Black level you’ve made peace with its suffering has built a platform for rather ugly past...with all of its South Asian success in America. It’s structural inequalities, its patterns of time Indians use that platform, domination, and its ghastly reciprocate the centuries of Black histories of slavery activism, and unreservedly join the and violence.”

Black Lives Matter movement.

41

MURIEL BOWSER: A POWERFUL MAYOR FOR WASHINGTON D.C.

BY SARAH KEEGAN As residents of Washington D.C. woke

Bowser strongly

up on the morning of June 5, 2020,

believes in the

their city looked a little different. Two

Black Lives

blocks of 16th street, leading straight

Matter

to the White House, had “Black Lives

movement,

Matter” painted in giant yellow letters

often

across both lanes. That area was also

abbreviated to

renamed to “Black Lives Matter Plaza”.

BLM, and the

Many wondered who was behind this

need for change in law enforcement.

direct response to President Trump using the National Guard to attack

She truly felt that Black Americans -

peaceful protesters for a photo

male, female, adult, teen, or child

opportunity. As the work of art

should be able to live their lives

became top news, the world learned

without worry. In addition, she

that it was commissioned by Muriel

wanted to send a message to the

Bowser, the mayor of Washington D.C.

President. As she told the reporters

Local artists along with the

on the morning of June 5th: "as

Washington D.C. Department of Public

Washingtonians — we simply all want

Works created and painted the mural.

to be here together in peace to demonstrate that in America — you

42

can peacefully assemble, you can bring grievances to your government, and you can demand change.

"Bowser, born on August 2, 1972, is a

She unveiled a plan of about 77

black woman, who spent her entire

different actions to slow the

life in the city of Washington D.C.

changing climate, like increasing

She officially took office as mayor in

the durability of transportation and

2015, without much prior experience

energy systems. By raising

in politics. Working for her

awareness about the severity of

Washington's Ward 4 community and

climate change, Bowser and the

government made her realize that

city of Washington D.C. earned the

this career path was the fastest way

Leadership in Energy and

to make change.

Environmental Design (LEED) for

Her main focus during her campaign

Cities Platinum leadership

as mayor was to delve deep into the

certification. The District became

concerns of safety, inclusivity, and

the first city on the planet to earn

health of the citizens of Washington

this award. In addition, staying true

D.C. One of the first initiatives she

to her promise of inclusivity, Muriel

undertook was instituting new

Bowser has been committed to

homeless shelters throughout the

keeping Washington D.C. a

city, attempting to combat the city's

sanctuary city, in which a city limits

increasing homelessness rate. After

its cooperation with federal

the Trump Administration withdrew

immigration agents in order to

from the Paris Climate Agreement,

protect immigrants from

Bowser became even more

deportation (except for those who

determined to work towards

have committed serious crimes).

the goal of reducing harmful gases and pollution.

43

She has established a legal fund to

Drawing from her first-hand

help people apply for asylum, visas,

experience of life as a mother,

work permits, and so on. She also is

Bowser instituted a multitude of

a co-chair of the Mayors Against

organizations and regulations that

LGBTQ Discrimination coalition,

aid families who are struggling to

which supports non-discrimination

make ends meet. One of the many

against people based on their

policies she instituted was raising

sexual orientation and gender

the minimum wage to 15 dollars an

identity. Bowser supported a number

hour, in order to make it possible

of ordinances to protect D.C.

for employees to support their

citizens, long before the Supreme

families.

Court's ruling about protections for LGBTQ employees. Not only is Bowser aware of her residents and their struggles, but she can also personally relate. In early 2018, the usually private mayor revealed that she adopted a newborn baby girl, Miranda Elizabeth.

Bowser understands the amount of responsibility a parent holds, and has supported D.C. parents with policies and initiatives, including 10 family success centers, that can help them when times are difficult.After the powerful “Black Lives Matter� mural had been painted on the newly named Black

Despite her intense and stressful job, Bowser continues to make time for her daughter, and tries to maintain a balance between her duties as a mayor and single mother.

44

Lives Matter Plaza, Mayor Bowser spoke openly about her disgust with the Trump administration's treatment of peaceful protesters, believing no one should be punished for speaking up for what is right.

“Bowser continues to work on bettering the District and its people, focusing on making Washington D.C. a place of remarkability and strength. Bowser, since the day she joined office, has been a leading The destination of the artwork was political voice in fighting injustice purposefully placed, directly where and promoting equality for all. As Trump had walked from the White one of only seven black female House to the St. John’s Church. mayors in the United States, faced “There are people who are craving to

with a global pandemic and an

be heard and to be seen,” Bowser

antiracism movement following the

said at a news conference, “and to

killing of George Floyd, she is paving

have their humanity recognized, and

the way and inspiring others to take

we had the opportunity to send that

a stance and speak their mind. As

message loud and clear on a very

Glynda Carr, president of Higher

important street in our city.” The

Heights for America (a political

Mayor's support for the protesters and

action committee that helps black

their fight is crystal clear. Her stance

women get elected for political

on the movement towards equality for

positions), wrote on Twitter:

all is unwavering, even in the face of

“{Bowser} showed the world that she

ridicule and insults from the most

leads, unbought and unbossed.”

well-known resident of her city, President Trump. Bowser was unfazed by the bullying, and remarked about his behavior stating: “It’s laughable. If you’re fighting with a mayor and you’re the President of the United States, you’re losing.”

45

GEN

Who They Are & Z: Who They Stand For

BY MARY COREY

Millennials, the generation of Harry

generation to date, contributing to

Potter and Avocado toast, are

their open mindedness and desire for

becoming adults, and in their place a

social change. On the theme of

new generation is on the rise:

diversity, Gen Z has by far the most

Generation Z. Classified by the Pew

progressive beliefs about gender and

Research Center as anyone born after

gender identity of any generation ever

1996 and before 2013, this group is

recorded. Among both Democrats and

coming of age during difficult times.

Republicans, members of Gen Z are

From a tense and deeply divided

the most likely of anyone to know

political climate to a global pandemic

someone who uses gender neutral

and the social movement of the

pronouns and wish that forms offer

century, Gen Z had a lot to deal with

other options in addition to “man” and

as they too move towards adulthood.

“woman” are available. Gen Z is also

As Gen Zers mature, what does that

expected to be the most educated

mean for the future of the world?

generation yet, far less likely to drop out of high school and more likely to

Gen Z is expected to be one of the most exceptional generations yet.

They are on track to be the most racially and ethnically diverse

enroll in college than their older counterparts (Parker and Igielnik, 2020). This is a result of many things, including the high number of Gen Zers with college educated parents and

46

their decreased likelihood to have a job as a teen, leaving more time for school (Parker and Igielnik, 2020).

Although different from Millennials,

Gen Zers are becoming actors,

Gen Z also finds many similarities

activists, and everything in between.

with this group. Both generations

As more and more members of this

hold similar beliefs in regards to

group rise to fame, it is becoming

climate change, race relations, and

increasingly difficult to ignore their

other hot button topics in the country

calls for change. Perhaps one of the

right now. These two generations are

most well known Gen Z activists is

the least partisan yet, with record

Greta Thunberg. Thunberg, a 17-year-

numbers choosing not to affiliate

old Swedish girl, has addressed the

themselves with a specific political

United Nations multiple times in

party (Young, 2019). Although

regards to the climate crisis and has

Generation Z and Millennials have

struck a chord with young people

many differences, they find more

everywhere who admire her

similarities with each other than

willingness to call out the leaders in

older generations.This comradery

our world.

allows for both generations to work together and make a bigger impact politically.

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Some other Gen Z activists include Amanda Stenberg, Yara Shahidi, and Zendaya. Not only do they hold power in big names, but also in their mass. They wield this power through petitions and large shows of support both online and offline. In light of recent events, the Black Lives Matter movement has seen a surge of support from members of Gen Z. As they attend protests and use social media to spread their message, many Gen Zers are experiencing the power of democracy for the first time and are hungry for more. They are here to fight for increased rights and will take it to the polls as 10% of eligible voters in November of 2020 will be from Gen Z (Cilluffo and Fry, 2019). As more and more Gen Zers become politically involved, they are done waiting for change.

Watch out world,

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HERE THEY COME

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: WOMEN WHO PIONEER FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

BY LILY VEITS

In the digitized world of the twenty-

of the most powerful expressions of

first century, avid media

dissatisfaction in a nation.

consumption allows for an ease of

Sensational stories of political

access to information that is

corruption and accounts of corporate

historically unprecedented. Time and

abuse proved a powerful political

time again, investigative journalism

tool and legislative guide; Ida B.

has been used as an effective

Wells, an African-American journalist

weapon to uncover unjust and

and suffragette, influenced the civil

inhumane practices. All too often,

rights movement with her 1892

we can trace a country’s

publication of Southern Horrors:

government by how much it restricts

Lynch Law in all its Phases, a documentation of racial lynchings.

a flow of information about national affairs. Investigative journalists are watchdogs for the general public; Lindsay Beyerstein is quoted as describing this particular occupation as “part of the immune system of democracy.”

One of the most influential muckrakers, Ida Tarbell, is remembered for her report The History of the Standard Oil Company, which depicted the unfair practices utilized by John D. Rockefeller. Both of

With its roots tracing back to the muckrakers of the Progressive Era, investigative journalism is one

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these women were among the first Americans to initiate what the modern world recognizes as

investigative journalism.

In the first two weeks of June, the

The idea of intricate political

Trump administration sent a cease

workings being readily available to

and desist message to Jeff Zucker,

the American public has long been

president of CNN. According to

a cause of woe for state officials. In

Heather Cox Richardson, historian

today’s political climate,

and writer, the demands were

accusations of ‘fake news’ are

simple; CNN would retract and

thrown around constantly and without much thought.These accusations are not necessarily an attack on the integrity of a reporting outlet, but a catch-all for any story that doesn't fit a wildly specific partisan rendering. Unprecedented polarization and White House officials who continually discredit media that interrupts their own narrative makes for a precarious situation in cases where freedom of the press is concerned.

apologize for publishing a poll that showed Trump 14 points behind Joe Biden. The letter’s reasoning is that the poll was “designed to mislead American voters through a biased questionnaire and skewed sampling.”

The interesting thing here in this particular example is the media’s response. CNN’s lawyer promptly stated that not only was this the first time in history that CNN had been legally threatened over a poll, but the first from a country unlike "Venezuela, where there is little or no respect for a free and independent media." Evidently, countries that claim to exhibit

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freedoms of speech and the press are not far from countries that have no such protections for their citizens.

Increasingly, the gulf in democratic

the weight felt by investigative

countries between the

journalists repressed by tyrannical

establishment and free journalism

regimes. One of the simplest ways

continues to grow wider. Reporters

to educate yourself and show

Without Borders recently reported

support for the risk journalists take

on a rather disturbing development:

daily is by consuming the articles

“In an unprecedented move, the

that cover unsavory issues.

heads of Middle East Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the Open Technology Fund were all abruptly dismissed from their positions.”

Sanne Terlingen works for Argos VPRO, which airs on public radio in the Netherlands; the stories they primarily share are all too often

International journalists seem to stand in alarmed solidarity that thisand the subsequent hiring of four political allies-is indicative of subtle attacks on global news outlets.

Editorial independence (or lack

Freedom of the Press

thereof) is especially detrimental for nations without a free, reliable press; nations that the aforementioned organizations catered to.

With all this being said, it’s worth it

untold chronicles of human

to take a step back and examine

trafficking and child sexual abuse.

what exactly citizens-of any nation-

She’s been criticized by male

can do to ease

colleagues for the amount of

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empathy and heartfelt connection that goes into her coverage of stories involving sexual abuse.

Terlingen has noted that in the past, she’s been accused of actually empathizing too much-to the point where she can no longer think critically about her work.This is a complaint reflective of women who choose to devote themselves to the field; no matter their intelligence or talent, the pervasive idea that somehow empathy and emotional openness are a detriment sketches a question mark over a journalist’s ability to be objective. Depending on what a reporter is aiming to expose, investigative journalism is not an inherently safe profession, but threats of sexual violence directed at women in an attempt to silence them is an added concern.

Despite the many obstacles, bureaucratic loopholes, and

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sometimes threat of physical violence, female investigative

journalists globally continue to be a beacon for resilience and perseverance. Time and time again, these women put their safety on the line for a cause worth fighting for.

Countless efforts to silence the most bold are routinely made by governments hoping to halt flow of information; from the arrest of Sudanese Amira Osman to Mexico’s Anabel Hernández, political might utilizes the military and unjust laws to keep a lid on human rights violations and national affairs. But the world is watching, and those who bring citizens the information have yet to be silenced by fear.

PRIDE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

BY SARAH MAMMEN

Pride month is a time in which

riot” gets thrown around constantly,

members of the LGBTQ+ community

but do we really know where it

are able to truly celebrate their

comes from? Early in the morning on

whole self. This time allows us to

June 28th, 1969, eight officers from

reflect on the change for all members

the New York City Public Morals

of the community and what is still in

Division ( a unit of police that

need of addressing. Forcing us to

enforced laws for vice and

take a step back and appreciate

gambling, including prostitution,

rights, freedoms, and aspects of our

narcotics, and homosexuality) raided

lives, pioneered by those who came

the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in

before us. Freeing us to step out of

NYC’s Greenwich Village. This

some of the shame that we feel for

wasn’t an unusual occurrence as at

being who we are and appreciate

this time, as cops had the authority

what makes us, us. But in order for us

to arrest or even force the

to move forward as a community, we

hospitalization of gay people. On

must understand where our

this fateful evening, however, the

movement began.

patrons of the bar decide to fight back.

When we talk about the beginning of Pride, the phrase “Stonewall was a

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It all started when gay liberation

Eventually, things calmed down, but

activist and self-identified drag queen,

once word got out about the riots,

Marsha P. Johnson, cried “I got my civil

thousands of people returned the

rights” and hurled a shot glass into a

next night to continue the protest,

mirror. She could not have known, but

which lasted for six days. Stonewall

that shot glass, now known as "The

may not have been the start of the

Shot Glass that was Heard Around the

LGBTQ movement, but the rage,

World", would light the spark of an

fervor, and passion caused by the

entire movement. More people joined

Stonewall riots helped ramp it up to a

in on the fight, people at Stonewall

new level. The first marches drew only

and even neighboring bars began to

a few hundred people, but the Pride

riot. Hundreds of people resisted arrest

Parades of today include hundreds of

and fought against the oppression of

thousands. The community has come

the police. Windows were smashed,

a long way from the brutality and

cars were lit ablaze and three police

stigmatization of the ’70s, and the

officers were injured in the struggle. In

AIDS crisis of the ’80s and ’90s. And

the end, the police barricaded

while we’ve come through so much

themselves into the Inn. New York

hardship, we still have a long way to

City’s Tactical Patrol Force was called

go.

to intervene but even they were driven out of the neighborhood by rioters.

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In 28 states you can still be legally fired for being LGBT. Recent legislation has also shown how far we still have to go, from the recent rollback on LGBT patient protections, to the ban on transgender service members in the military in 2018. The fight for equality has been raging for

Just remember if you’re struggling,

centuries and we won’t be able to fix

you are not alone, you are not

it all at once. But the lessons and

unlovable, and pride month isn’t only

experiences of the past will help us

a ‘one-month out of the year’ affair.

take each moment as it comes and

The spirit of Pride resides within us

help us try to slowly tackle issues as

all.

they present themselves.

Be as out, proud, and as “you” as you want to be, every single day, not just in June.

Never let anyone take away from your identity or make you feel less than.

Because you are supported and valued and valid every day of the year.

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THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T HEARD OF AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

BY GRACE MCPADDEN

Yemen is in the midst of one of the

The civil war is one of the main

largest humanitarian crises in human

reasons for this crisis. It started back in

history. They are at the center of a

2011 after the Authoritarian President

Civil war which has lasted over half a

Ali Abdullah Saleh was overthrown

decade, a famine affecting over 20

and power was transferred to his

million people, and outbreaks of

deputy Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Cholera and Coronavirus their health

However, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadis

system cannot handle. Thousands are

government was weakened by

dying of preventable causes, and

corruption, food insecurity, and the

there is a serious lack of an

Separatist movements starting in

international effort needed to help in

Southern Yemen. As the government

this crisis. Additionally, the problem is

started to weaken, the Houthi

only being exacerbated by airstrikes

Movement began to emerge. Between

by Saudi Arabia, The United States,

2014 and 2015, the Houthis spread and

and The UK.

took over the capital city. By March of 2015, the Houthis had taken over the entire country and pushed Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to leave the country.

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There are two main groups of Islamthe Shia and the Sunni. Because the Houthi were a Shia group, other Sunni Arab states- such as Saudi Arabia- got involved to reinstate Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s Sunni Gov. These airstrikes were supported by the US, France, and the UK. These airstrikes destroyed the country- and groups such as AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) and rival IS (Islamic State) have taken advantage of the chaos and

Prices for food are soaring, and it is nearly impossible to find a job because the country is in the middle of a civil war. Additionally, 90% of food is imported- and the ports are closed. As a result, over 85,000 children have died of malnutrition between 2015-2018, and over 24,000,000 people are in need of protection. 20 million are considered ‘one step away from famine’ by the UN. (BBC, June 19 2020 https://bbc.in/3g4vhx7)

contributed to even more deadly attacks. The airstrikes by Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US have taken the lives of 7,700 - 12,000 people. However, the biggest loss of life has come from the famine that ensued as a result of the civil war.

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Additionally, poor sanitation as a result of the conflict has contributed to a Cholera outbreak that has infected over two million people. Half of the hospitals have been closed, and the health system is failing. The hospitals are overcrowded, and thousands are dying of preventable illnesses.

Furthermore, the Coronavirus is only adding to the problem.What happens in Yemen is only increasing tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the Shia and the Sunni groups. The chaos and failing government has led to reestablishment of AQAP. Furthermore, the consistent airstrikes by Saudi Arabia, Sunni Middle-East countries, and even the US and UK has only exacerbated the problem. This is a problem that affects everyone- and it will require an international effort to fix.

As of right now, there is not enough being done. However, right now there are a few ways that you can help.

First off, there is currently a lack of media coverage about this issue- and sharing information via social media is an easy way to get started bringing attention to the issue. Secondly, there are many petitions that you could sign to continue to raise awareness.

Donations to organizations like UNICEF or the World Food Programme which provides yemen with food, clean water, sanitation, and education are also imperative.

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MEET THE CREATORS Executive Director Katherine Bronov

My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been interested in politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye.

WIP is a very special organization and quite interestingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization and work alongside girls that are just as passionate about politics as I am, who recognize the shortage of women in this important field.

Philadelphia, PA | 16 years old

Please enjoy this issue!

Writing Leader Writers

Ella Stillion Southard

Lily Viets

Katherine Bronov

Grace McPadden

Stella Kleinman

Manya Kodali

Sara Keegan

Sarah Mammen

Gabby Scott Athens, GA | 16 years old

Writing Leader Anna Cernich

Roland Grady

Anna Pabst

Dahlia Gumaa Andrea MontenegroPolanco

Mary Corey

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Kansas City, MI | 16 years old

Writers

Lauren Orrie

MEET THE CREATORS CONTINUED

Editor Leader Lily Sun

Justine Simons

Madeleine Katz

Sophia Laraki

Victoria Lu

Amber Campbell

Editors

Diana Sakander

San Ramon, CA | 16 years old

Editor Leader Annie Akbar

Anya Knop

Gurmehar Kaur

Aryana Mohammadi

Kiah Holmstrom

Julia Patterson

Editors

Melina Rafferty

Aarushi Brute Lancaster, PA | 16 years old

Mag-Design Leader Isabella Pang

Designers

Katherine Bronov Sara Keegan Rebecca Joseph Long Island, NY | 16 years old

Kashish Singh

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