MANHATTAN GLOBE

Volume 5, Issue 6 manhattanglobe.net NYIT’s Independent Student May 2021 Voice Volume 5, Issue 4 A Guide www.manhattanglobe.net to Adulthood February 2021

By Karibay Angeles Staff-Writer Lorem ipsum

Aside from the fact that it is a COVID-19 world and we had an intense presidential race, I’ve been dreading the most challenging chapter of my life. Throughout the year, all I could think about was my “adulthood.” What comes next? After graduation, I need a steady job and with that will come inde- pendence and newfound freedom. I’m terrified of having to make big life decisions. Everyone ensures us that without the right tools it can be incredibly tough for us. The concept Photo: New York Institute of Technology seems overwhelming. After an en- need to take it to begin adulthood. big investment, your credit score is tire life living carefree it all comes to Investing in Yourself Financially assessed, and you are either ap- an end. Everything I’ve done should Starting a savings will ensure fi- proved or rejected depending on it. have prepared me for this moment. nancial stability long term. It’s the Some simple advice I will give you I’ve sat down several times to write most straightforward way to begin is to never use your credit card if this article, and every time I start investing in the future. Emer- you aren’t completely sure you will typing, I feel unprepared. It’s clear gencies are inevitable, therefore be able to pay it off. I normally use this time. I feel like I’ve done ev- keeping a safety net ready would my credit card to buy anything I erything I possibly can. I’ve asked be favorable. Some people begin need, and as soon as I have enough all the right people and in the by prioritizing what they truly money, I pay off my balance. This process answered all my questions. need. Budgeting is an excellent demonstrates that I am financially My uncertainty has diminished, way to save a small sum of money responsible and dependable with leaving only a flicker of doubt. I’ve per month while still guaranteeing money. organized my finances and begun that you do not overspend, which searching for housing, and I’ve can contribute to the debt. If you Learn How to Take Care of Your gained enough job experience to be are already in debt, whether it be Mental and Physical Health. eligible for jobs. This new chapter in credit card debt or a loan, make Learn to take time for yourself my life is clearer and full of poten- sure you have a straightforward when you need it. Your well-being tial, which was not the case a few plan in place to pay off any debt. comes first. Even if it means taking months ago. You must be wonder- If you already have a credit card, some time off, do it. It’s important to ing how that changed? I’ll tell you learn how to use it wisely. Keep an be true to yourself and your val- everything that helped me navigate eye on your credit score because ues, as well as to stay close to your through it all. Here are five, you it reflects you. When making a origins. Also, develop positive habits Continued on Page 2 Page 2 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 that allow you to have healthier to keep a conversation going and ing for affordable housing based on relationships with yourself and always remember to give a firm your financial situation. When you others. Avoid getting getting caught handshake. first move out, you should per- up in the external drama, even if it haps split the rent with a few other means excluding toxic people from File Your Taxes individuals. If you’ve determined your life, do so. It can be difficult to When I grew older and watched how much you can afford, consider recognize toxic factors at times, but my father file his taxes, I wondered neighborhoods, transit convenience, it is absolutely important to do so. why we don’t learn how to do so and components of a residence. in school. I recommend that you Here are some of my must-haves: Learn Successfully Represent read carefully if you don’t want to central heating and cooling systems Yourself and Network. go to jail for tax evasion. Gather modern appliances, and on-site You need to land incredible your tax records, such as your W-2 parking. employment that will enable you to or some other record that reflects I wish you all the best when you balance your work and life. One of your finances. Enlist the services of begin your adult life. I hope this my college professors once told me an accountant to better assess the fi- list has provided you with several “there are two type of individuals in nancial condition. Your accountant resources that you will find useful in this world: people that work to live will take you through the steps and the future. If you can master these and people that live to work, who meet with you if required before qualities, you’ll be well on the way are you?”. If you have answered that and during the taxing process. Re- to becoming a full-fledged adult. question effectively you will need member to file your taxes as needed Wisdom is admitting that you don’t to learn how to network. Based on according to your type of employ- know anything, and adulting is will- your character the next part will be ment. ing to learn new things. straightforward or difficult. Build Begin Looking for Housing your confidence and learn how If you haven’t already, start search- To Whom It May Concern By Sedona Young right wrong. And I know, you as the I can understand the lack of Editor-in-Chief reader may think that I am exagger- admissions and the economic loss. ating. This program is a rare gem, Although the way this was decided You may not know me and this an unusual commodity filled with and the lack of transparency for may mean nothing to you, except I priceless creativity. It is something both faculty and students, has left am asking for help. Not just for me, I wish everyone could experience. many struggling and discouraged. my colleagues, my professors, my Back in 2020, the administration Without hearing or speaking to the friends, but also for the people that decided to hire consultants to look president of the University, Hank I don’t even know that are deserv- back at the department and find Foley, we do not have clarity of what ing of the same education I have faults. The evaluation concluded is going on and why. There wasn’t received. that we were in good standing. an opportunity to even discuss with I am a Junior at the Manhat- It was news to everyone that faculty or students and it creates a tan campus of New York Tech. I the department will be deactivated distasteful idea that priorities are study Communications and Media and will no longer accept any new focused only on finances rather than Production and the administra- students. This was sent in an email. education. tion has decided to phase out my The students that are a part of the Although we have always been department. While Covid-19 has department will be following the a smaller department, we have had such a hard hit on our school “teach-out” policy which allows ev- been overlooked. Instead of ending and our students, the idea of this ery student to be taught until they programs, the admin should think destruction from admins is out- have graduated. about ways to rework the program. Continued on Page 3 Page 3 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021

What if the administration worked you find your authentic self. make them reality, because he with the department on creating ad- My professors all have had shows you anything can become vertisements and worked with our such different backgrounds and reality. To Professor Jaffee who specialties? What if we created mar- although they do like to teach the would get famous authors and cre- keting campaigns and found ways to curriculum they also teach what atives to come into class and allow tie together the whole campus? We it means to be human. While my us to interview them, and push us could document the sciences and professors have taught me adver- to feel that we are just as capable document the technologies. There tising skills and media techniques, as we set our hearts and minds is this unlimited potential from the writing techniques, and even the to be. To Youjeong Kim, who has department and it is cut without studies of society, they motivated personally advocated and helped thinking of the possibilities. This me to be curious. So as students in me go to a design conference in department is more than education; this department, although we are South Korea and has taught us it’s the true expression of creativity. all so different, and we may not all to let loose and stop worrying Imagine, wherever you are in all be singing kumbaya together, I about the what if but about the your age or life going back to the believe that we can truly say that just go do it. To professor Su- first day of college. You walk in with this experience is priceless. san Landgraf, who motivated us false confidence and curiosity and Some people believe that col- to question everything, and to are met with a room of people from lege is just a title. They say that the remember how powerful we are as all over the world, with different experience is great so go. Others human beings. To Robert Sherwin backgrounds. They tell you to create believe in the education. But the who cares about every single one together, not just working on their Communication Arts department of us, uses his expertise daily, and own take in the project, they ask at NYIT has not just a strong edu- inspires us to shoot for the stars. you to understand each other and cation but embraces this experien- I am not giving up. I do not find the strength in one another. tial model. It is also taught by real believe that no is the only solution The professors give you these tools humans. We can all attest. here. So here is me screaming at and perspectives, they care about From Alexander Shundi’s pho- anyone who has read this. The you, they support you, they remem- tographic memory and his push first step is knowing. I will use my ber you, they give you the power for you to examine what we see voice and this is only the begining. to not just innovate but to power day to day and understand where This is not just for me, this is for yourself to hold your innovation. it comes from and where it could the future. This is not just teaching and being possibly go. To Paul Demonte who taught. This is a program that helps pushes you to take your ideas and

Together we can create change. We can use our voices. We will not give up. Manhattan Globe www.manhattanglobe.net

Continued on Page 3 Page 4 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021

NYIT’s Independent Student Voice VolumeEditor-in-Chief 5, Issue 4 www.manhattanglobe.net February 2021

Eric Adams Response to NYC Sedona Young Lorem ipsum College Students Production Editor Gaby Pinewood

By Lola Rivera Managing Editor Managing Editor Lola Rivera

With less than 10 weeks left until News Editor the New York City Mayoral Primary Ioannis Ioakimidis Election, New Yorkers are dealt with the task of becoming familiar with the Web Editors candidates. Currently, over 40 New Sedona Young Yorkers have filed the paperwork to be Karibay Angeles Richelle Greenidge in the running for NYC Mayor. Aron Aung As college students in NYC, this Philmore Parkes upcoming election can change many things that affect our daily lives. While Digital Creatives college students continue to be a tool Gaby Pinewood in the campaign promises shed, it is Caitlin Collan important to us to find out if these Cybrieme Hargrove candidates will actually take action for Ioannis Ioakimidis us. Aida Mwizerwa Eric Adams, the current Brooklyn Borough President, is among some of Music Reviewer Cyrbrieme Hargrove the top contenders for the job of May- or of New York. Picture By Andrew Neel Copy Editors Approached via Zoom Q&A, Eric Emily Peacock Adams responded to growing con- dryers and allow access to showers. Many Gaby Pinewood cerns of the New York City Higher people that attend CUNY don’t have Education students. access to meals, some because they do Photo Editor not have access to clean clothing or other Yimli Longkum Q: With the continuous rising basic toiletries. They sometimes don’t go student debt amongst the half a mil- to class. People don’t look at the impact Social Media Manager Madie Roth-Wadsworth lion New York City higher education of that. students that are living and commut- Then we should look at a reduced ing within the city, is there anything fare metro-card expansion for all of our Staff-Writers you or your administration will do to students. Karibay Angeles help relieve the overall financial bur- We need to have access for those to Richelle Greenidge den that students occur. Such as living be allowed real student loan deferment Arong Aung expenses, transportation or even meal or loan forgiveness. If you go into some Philmore Parkes costs. form of civil service or education and Caitlin Collan A: The last part, meals, is really give us two or three years in a non-profit, Aida Mwizerwa the important part. I was endorsed we will give you a loan forgiveness. Sedona Young by Andrew Gounardes, who has been We have so much that needs to be Mohnish Ramkhalawon Yimli Longkum pushing a bill to make CUNY free. done. Having students fill in that gap of Angelina Young Not only free, but we should make what needs to be done as a way to ensure sure that on CUNY campus, we have that we can keep down the cost of college Faculty Advisor food pantries, we have washers and in the process. Larry Jaffee Page 5 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 The Golden Land By Aron Aung Staff-Writer known as “The City of 10,000 Pagodas”. I’m not kidding when As a child, all the memories I say 10,000 pagodas because I made were filled with family, there are numbers posted in friends, amazing food, and gold. front of them just to keep track, “Gold?” you might ask. Well, I’ll and I have personally seen explain. Most people will be able them. As a fun fact, my dear to relate when I say family, friends, late grandfather was actually and food. But, I can say for a fact the person to claim and rebuild that the one memory I have that the 1000th pagoda! So, on my might be different from yours, is trip with my family, we got seeing these bright and golden to visit his pagoda to pay our mountains in almost every di- respects there and give him rection I face. Those shimmering blessings for his afterlife. After mountains are called “pagodas”, doing this, I felt my trip was and they are located in my home complete because it was all I country, Myanmar. have been wanting to do since I Myanmar is a Buddhist majority was not able to make it back to country with 79% of the popula- his funeral last year during my Photo: Aung Aung tion being Buddhists. This explains finals week. My grandmother was the reason why there are so many especially delighted, and we ar- needed someone to drive her) and temples and pagodas to be seen, rived back to Yangon, which is the spend the day there praying and especially in the city called Bagan commercial capital of the country donating for the monks and the where I visited during my winter and a place I call home. old. We would do so, finish walk- break. It was amazing to be back Even with the busy streets filled ing around the entire pagoda and home because I hadn’t seen my with people and the irritating end the day with manicures and a parents or family since I left for honkings of cars, there is one place restaurant of my choosing. It was college two and a half years ago. I find peace called “Shwedagon our little ritual that I grew to love With only had three weeks to Pagoda” located right in the heart and cherish. see them, we did everything that of the city. Imagine a 360 feet tall These are the memories that I I wanted to do, which included mountain covered and dripping in will hold very dear to my heart. going back to one of my favorite gold, because that’s exactly what And now you know why Myanmar places in the world. it looks like. As soon as you enter is called “The Golden Land”, and Bagan is an ancient city which the vicinity, you hear the beautiful how I said my childhood was filled UNESCO has recently declared a sounds of birds, prayers, and little with gold. Not because we just “World Heritage Site”. It was the chimes swaying in the wind. It was had bars of gold lying around, but capital of Myanmar from the 9th a tradition for my mother and I go because I was surrounded by these to the 13th centuries, and is also there every Saturday (she just beautiful pagodas.

A community of curious humans. To read more check out www.manhattanglobe.net Page 6 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 The Crypto Frenzy – The good, The Bad and The ….. By Mohnish Ramkhalawon Staff Writer crypto train, from Wall Street to chain and Cryptocurrencies have The pandemic has been disas- influencers to the average joe with a trickled down into enthusiasm trous to almost everyone except Coinbase account, it is fundamental among new retail investors for any cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The for people to understand what is kind of coins with little regard to price of Bitcoins skyrocketed causing this boom. There is no one the value of the technology em- from around $8,000 to $55,000 specific reason causing the surge in bedded into these new altcoins. during the pandemic, creating a the price of cryptocurrencies, but Social Media influencers are in- new wave of enthusiasm that is several events unfolding at the same directly running something resem- fueling the adoption of blockchain time. The main reason that triggered bling a pump and dump scheme technology into new fields and an the surge in price of Bitcoin and and they don’t even know it. interest in cryptocurrency by the Ethereum (The two main crypto Everybody started chasing that public. Coinbase became the first traded on the market) to all-time get rich fast high, after they saw cryptocurrency company to list highs was Wall Street finally adding people on social media that invest- on a stock exchange and was well these two crypto currencies among ed in bitcoin earlier than others received by investors as the compa- their assets under management. buy new “toys”, and social media ny was stamped with an $86 billion During the pandemic, Wall Street influencers and celebrities are not valuation by Wall Street on its IPO. came to value the potential of Ethe- helping. People started dump- There is also a new ray of hope reum’s Blockchain Technology and ing part of their savings or their within the artists/content creators’ Bitcoin’s ability to be a better stor- stimulus check as early as possible community through the new craze age of value than gold. This means into every new cryptocurrency or surrounding Non-Fungible Tokens that institutional firms have started blockchain token getting attention more commonly known as NFTs investing in large amounts in these on the market without any re- which uses Blockchain technology two assets, propelling the demand gards towards their true potential. (Ethereum’s mostly) to trade an of these assets/currencies to lengths Meanwhile, influencers started to original price of artwork. Although unseen before while simultaneously be more vocal about Crypto and some people are still skeptical as endorsing the technology which contributed significantly to this most digital artwork traded using convinced some naysayers to hop on Craze. The value of these coins is NFTs can be accessed and appre- board. At the same time more and based solely on its demand and ciated for free online, artists are more companies such as Tesla, Mi- supply, a surge in their demand finally finding ways to be able to be crosoft and Starbucks have started will always lead to a surge in their recognized for their work through accepting Bitcoins as a medium of price – as long as no one starts fair and well-deserved monetary exchange for their products adding selling. Influencers telling their compensation. Importantly they more fuel to the endorsement of the followers to buy and hold some can finally own, store and sell their technology. This general acceptance token they bought into so that artwork themselves. has been long sought after from they could all push the price to What really happened? the first investors in Bitcoin, but it new heights sounds awfully like a Cryptocurrency has been here also triggered a frenzy for any new pump and dump scheme. Where for a long time now and it has been cryptocurrency/blockchain token those that buy in early will make gaining momentum every year. In out there due to the recent high re- a ton money as opposed to those 2021, Crypto has reached all-time turns on investment that was caused that those that buy in late, before highs on the number of different by the extra demand from institu- the price starts to fall as people cryptos being traded daily and the tional investors endorsing Bitcoin starts to cash out, will lose most value of those crypto being traded. and Ethereum. Wall Street’s and Big of their money. Most people that As everyone gets on board of the corporations’ interests in the Block- Continued on Page 7 Page 7 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021

there for the short- to around $0.40 and on 4/20 it run and are trying to started falling significantly as a make as much as they portion of investors started to sell can. They will eventu- to cash out. Those that joined the ally sell their position rally in the beginning of those two as soon as the price weeks made a significant amount reaches a level they of money while those that brought like. This has been closer to 4/20 must have sadly lost observed during the a portion of their money. recent DogeCoin rally The Irony is that this kind of for 4/20 that start- insane speculative behavior is the ed on social media main reason why cryptocurrency A tweet from an influencer (@Aman- two week before the and token are finding it hard to daCerny) Hyping up the price of the coin 20th of April where people and get endorsed by regulators, which during the Dogecoin 4/20 rally. “influencers’ ‘ alike were hyp- prevents the technology from ing DogeCoin to reach $0.69 on really booming. Dogecoin even join a stock or Crypto rally that 4/20. During these two weeks the retweeted a post asking people not originated on social media are price went from around $0.06 to gamble all their money. Representation in The Marvel Cinematic Universe

By Lola Rivera Managing Editor * Warning: Spoilers Ahead* Since the release of Wan- daVision, Marvel fans have continued to tune into Dis- ney+ every week excited about what is to come. As Marvel entered Phase 4, the release of shows like WandaVision and The ant stories and topics throughout introduction into the MCU will be Falcon and the Winter Soldier to the series, dealing with race and one of the first Hispanic superhe- Disney’s streaming platform, has what it really would mean for roes within the universe as of yet. grabbed the attention of Marvel Sam to take on this role. Putting Entering into Phase 4 and 5, fans everywhere. Extending the a heavy and necessary focus on fans can expect to see much more Marvel Cinematic Universe to the race and stories of mistreatment representation on the big and small screen has been no short of a such as the story of Isaiah Bradley small screens. It is no doubt that success for Marvel and Disney. helped to further signify the im- the Marvel Cinematic Universe Fans were excited to finally gain portance of Sam’s role as Captain has lacked in this department confirmation in the finale of The America moving forward. through the earlier phases. With Falcon and the Winter Soldier In Episode 5 of The Falcon and the expansion of content being that Sam Wilson will be taking the the Winter Soldier, many fans brought to Disney+, there have mantle as Captain America. As the were excited to see a nod toward been many exciting projects an- show had taken on many import- Joaquin Torres’ Falcon. Torres’s nounced and in the works. Continued on Page 7 Continued on Page 7 Page 8 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021

Although many Marvel release vel which features Kamala Khan, to release by 2022. Following Don dates had been affected by Covid-19, a 16-year-old Muslim Pakistani, Cheadle’s character Rhodey also the list of projects fans can expect American girl from Jersey City known as War Machine, Armor to receive by 2022 is substantial. Re- is expected to be released in late Wars is expected to follow his quest leasing in theaters on September 3, 2021. to prevent possible theft of Stark 2021, is Shang-Chi and the Legend IronHeart will follow the story technology. of the Ten Rings. This will introduce of Riri Williams, a 15-year-old Disney has also announced a Shang-Chi, the master of Kung Fu, teen prodigy who creates her suit series set in Wakanda is under into the MCU. after reverse-engineering from development with Black Panther Shows announced at D23 to be Tony Stark’s suit. Continuing in the writer-director Ryan Coogler. arriving to Disney+ include many realm of Ironman and Stark tech- long-awaited fan favorites. Ms. Mar- nologies, Armor Wars is expected Will Microsoft Buy Discord?

By Katie Collan Staff Writer

For the past few weeks, the news of Microsoft offering more than $10 billion in the potential private auction for the social media platform Discord. Other companies like Amazon and Epic Games have previously reached out to consider in the middle of the To put it in simpler terms, this is to Discord, but now it is confirmed pandemic. Microsoft’s chance to rival compa- that Microsoft is officially running The Verge describes the benefits nies like Google, Amazon, and Ap- as a possible buyer. of Discord as “a great mix of Slack ple, who own YouTube, Twitch, and If you have never heard of this messaging and Zoom video, com- the mobile industry, respectively. platform before, Discord de- bined together with a unique ability Discord takes all of these commu- scribes itself as the “#1 chat app for to just drop into audio calls freely.” nities: YouTubers, streamers, and gamers” that has more or less been When Microsoft looks at Discord, mobile users, merging them into the successor to older platforms they see this versatility and the 150 one platform where they can freely like Skype. It gives the user options million monthly active users that communicate with each other de- to add their friends into a private log on. As Trusted Reviews pointed spite their different interests. call or create a server and invite out in their article reviewing the Whether the deal goes through over hundreds of members. deal, many user data resides in the or not will determine the future of What makes Discord so unique application that Microsoft can use Discord. With the potential merge, is that its versatility can apply to to target their gaming products. On Microsoft has the power to gain gamers and school clubs, classes, top of this, Microsoft may consider a sense of absolute control of the businesses, or even virtual perfor- elevating Discord’s Nitro subscrip- gaming industry and change the mances. Especially now, because tion (a monthly premium that way that Discord users will use Zoom does not have the same unlocks emojis and server perks for their go-to chatting app forever. stability in connection or quality in users) by combining it with Micro- Xbox-centric or not, Microsoft will video, Discord is a great alternative soft services. alter the platform permanently. Page 9 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 Microsoft is Winning. Media Opponent: Sony By Ioannis Ioakimidis News Editor Six months have passed since the release of the next-generation of consoles, and since then there has continued to be an ongoing debate on which side offers the most fea- tures for their player base, Micro- soft or Sony. Aside from talking about their upcoming releases, Sony has been relatively quiet on any upcoming features or services for the newly released PlayStation 5. However, Microsoft on the other hand has been using this time to continue to promote and expand their list of features to help draw in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special game at the cost of the service, new consumers. With announce- Edition. This acquisition is part of PlayStation customers will have to ments such as the Bethesda acqui- Microsoft’s continued efforts to help pay $70 in order to play. As Game sition, new additions to Game Pass, grow their first part offering, as well Pass continues to grow in popular- and optimizations for backwards as their list of titles on Game Pass. ity, it becomes even clearer to us compatibility titles, Microsoft has While Microsoft continues to how important this service is to the been working hard to keep them- push the Series X and Series S success of Microsoft. selves prominent in the news cycle consoles, their main focus this gen- As we continue to look to the that was previously dominated by eration is Game Pass. Game Pass next-generation of consoles, one Sony. is a subscription service that gives concern many consumers have is As of March 2021, Bethesda and consumers access to 100+ games the preservation of past-generation Microsoft finally completed the for as low as $9.99/mo, and all of titles. While Microsoft has con- long-awaited acquisition that we Microsoft’s exclusive titles on Day tinued to make this a priority for first heard about in September, clos- 1 of their release. They continue to themselves, Sony has continued ing the deal for $7.5 billion dollars. show their commitment to this ser- to struggle in this regard when it While Microsoft has promised to vice, especially with their two most comes to their own digital titles. continue the contractual obligations recent announcements. The first of Sony announced in April that they of PlayStation timed-exclusive titles these is the reveal that Square Enix’s would be shutting down the Play- Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo, next anticipated looter-shooter, Station Store for PS3, PS Vita, and they also announced that moving Outriders, will be launching Day PSP. By the end of this year, all titles forward new Bethesda titles, such as 1 on Game Pass. Shortly after this on these platforms will no longer Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI, will announcement, it was also revealed be purchasable digitally, leaving be exclusive to Game Pass support- that MLB The Show 21, will also be consumers frustrated by Sony’s ed platforms. They also followed the releasing Day 1 on the service. This lack of care for previous genera- announcement with the reveal that came as a major surprise to fans, as tion games. Meanwhile, Microsoft 20 of Bethesda’s greatest hits would the franchise is a first party PlaySta- has made strides in making sure be hitting Game Pass that same tion title. Also notable, is that while their older titles are not only play- day, including Doom: Eternal and Game Pass subscribers receive the Continued on Page 10 Page 10 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 able on current systems, but play supported titles. While the focus of ing hard to establish trust within the even better thanks to the upgraded Sony is to move forward and leave gaming industry. Through services hardware. They have released up- the previous generation behind, like Game Pass and backwards dates to all backwards compatible Microsoft continues to embrace compatibility, as well as new reports titles to include Auto-HDR, which their past titles through the help of suggesting their involvement with helps improve the overall look of backwards compatibility. Kojima and his next title, Microsoft the game. Some titles even include a As Sony continues to re- is showing their commitment to patch to support FPS Boost, which main silent aside from their upcom- preserving their past history, and greatly increases the performance of ing titles, Microsoft has been work- making Xbox the best place to play The Royals: Hidden Behind Smoke Screens?

By Aida Mwierwa the race is a big no for them. As they did not hesitate on conquering Staff Writer Meghan and Harry stated in the the land as they did with every oth- interview “You are not allowed to er. That’s what they do! They come have your own life once you are a offering goods, then they conquer Oprah interviewed Meghan paid royal.” Not only was Princess all and call it their own. Markle in which she alluded to the Diana defying the strict lifestyle Till today in parts of Africa, the royals as being racists. Several were that comes with the royals, but she British still own land, and no one, astounded and even outraged that was also loved by the people and not even Africans can buy their she alleged so. How can we be sur- she had influence. That’s the thing land back. Well, what happened to prised that the royals are racist as Influence! the African Independence? In the she points to her trauma in wanting Meghan’s influence pertains to the 1960’s most of Africa was gaining to take her own life? What the Roy- most important thing to the royal much of its independence from al family did with Princess Diana family, that is how they keep their colonialism settlements. Howev- leaves me wondering how one can relevance in the world. They must er, they never truly left. The -Af continue to be blind to their per- portray an image of modesty, high rican economy is still being run fect facade, wich they present to education, and generosity, to be as by colonials and even their land, the world in the media? Behind the perfect human beings in their eyes. and resources are still owned by scenes, they may not be so generous However, The British are not to be their colonialists. Without all these and modest as they appear. called anything near perfect when countries there wouldn’t be enough On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana they have colonized the whole riches for these so-called empires was pronounced dead following a world. to stay alive. All these charities car accident. The world was out- The British Empire began to take and nonprofit organizations that raged by this news. Even more so, shape during the early 17th cen- the British have in their country of the royals were devastated, or so tury with the English settlement previous settlements are odd. they seemed to be? Was it all for the of North America and the smaller Every move they make serves a media and the people? Well after islands of the Caribbean and the purpose, and all of their move- long research there are many claims establishment of joint-stock com- ments are carefully monitored. The and proof that the car accident was panies, most notably the East India royals are not as perfect and modest not just an accident. Everyone was Company, to administer colonies as they want us to believe. They aware of Diana’s side relationship and overseas trade. They then pro- work for the biggest organization with a foreign man who was of Ara- ceeded to colonize Africa approx- of thieves in the world. Despite the bic origins. This was seen as disre- imately in the 1870s. When they claims Meghan Markle has made, spect towards the royals and as we heard of all the valuable resources history shows us to stop praising all know marrying or dating outside such as gold, ivory, salt, and more, and acclaiming the royals. They are Page 11 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 Changing The Narrative on Drugs without stopping to think if what In the 1930s, people across Amer- they are saying is objectively true. ica were met with the film Reefer Many who’ve had opinions on the Madness. This film is a culmination By Philmore Parkes substances have never actually had of all the negative views adopted by Staff Writer an experience, encounter, or even Americans at the time combined a deep understanding about the with the ill intention of a media chemical make-up of the substance mogul. This film suggested that The legalization of cannabis in or even its history. People just say evil marijuana dealers were every- New York just came about recently whatever little information about where, preying on your children and this event is monumental for it that seeps into them. For exam- and women and turning them to a many reasons. It was already legal ple cannabis, otherwise known as life of degeneracy. The film is a true in many other places recreational marijuana (which some consider a propaganda film that played on the and medicinally and here in NY it racist term), has a long deep history fears of American parents at the is legal for recreational use. With that has affected the lives of every- time. The film was made along with the legalization of cannabis, this body in the world. the anti-marijuana campaign start- once believed super harmful drug Many ancient cultures used ed by Harry Anslinger, an employee (harmful enough to still be sched- cannabis as herbal medicine as for the government trying to make uled as a class 1 drug federally by well as recreationally. The earli- a name for himself after the prohi- our government even though we est known use of cannabis can be bition. This campaign vilified mar- recognize its benefits worldwide), traced around 500 BCE which was ijuana as a dangerous drug, playing more questions are being raised. around 2,500 years ago. The history off the racist attitudes of white Cannabis has always been sub- of cannabis in America started with Americans. Anslinger used racist ject to harsh propaganda over the the early colonists that grew hemp accusations linking marijuana to all years and it’s interesting that while for textiles and rope. The fast grow- sorts of terrifying outcomes with cannabis is legal now, what does ing plants had many uses besides minorities together. that mean about all the years it’s being used to get high. It was truly William Randolph Hearst was a been illegal. That means to me that an environmentally friendly way of media mogul and businessman at many other drugs are given the producing textiles. However, polit- the time who built up the nation’s same treatment for various reasons. ical and racial factors in the 20th largest newspaper chain. If you We understand now that society century led to the criminalization ever heard of Citizen Kane, Orsen is beginning to change its views of marijuanma in the United states. Welles based the titular charac- over the psychedelic drug. Howev- Immigrants from Mexico came ter on William Randolph Hearst. er, what does this mean about the to America during the Mexican Citizen Kane is one of the most other drugs that have been propa- revolution and introduced the rec- critically acclaimed films in history gandized? I argue along with many reational use of cannabis for smok- but, at the time was nearly banned others that the drugs themselves ing. Unemployment and social because the real life Hearst didn’t are not the problem but rather the unrest during the Great Depression like his portrayal in the movie even people or a potential problematic led to Mexican immigrants being though it was a loose adaptation. relationship with the drugs. used as a scapegoat for America’s Hearst was known for having a Drugs have been at the scruitity problems. Prohibition was in effect disdain against minorities and used of propaganda for a very long time at the time so as a result of the his influences to increase tensions and it’s that propaganda still infects views of “intoxicants,” the major- between races. the minds of modern day society. ity of states in America outlawed When asked about a drug, whether cannabis leading to the Marijuanna it be cannabis, MDMA, LSD, we all This Article is continued on Tax Act. This regulates the impor- have a certain script. It pops into our website. tation, cultivation, possession, and our head, ready to spew whatever www.manhattanglobe.net distribution of cannabis. knowledge we have heard about it Page 12 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 The Legalization of Marijuana In New York City regards to the job sector concerned. most and lose the most during this By Aida Mwierwa Employers shall not demand any intense period. One of the funda- form of marijuana drug test prior mental reasons for the legalization On June 7th, 2018, New Jersey to employment or during employ- of marijuana is its means to gen- passed the Marijuana Legaliza- ment. erate income in order to rebuild tion Act to legalize, regulate and the destroyed communities which tax marijuana for recreational Why now? have been impacted the most. “My purposes. This act was expected Sure many are happy this bill has goal in carrying this legislation to generate thousands of jobs and been passed, but we must under- has always been to end the racially over $120 million in profits a year. stand why this bill has been passed disparate enforcement of marijua- Not only was the passing of this now. New York is one of the top na prohibition that has taken such bill successful, but in 2021, New marijuana consumers out of all 50 a toll on communities of colour York followed suit. On Thursday, states. Many have been incarcerated across our state, and to use the March 31st, New York became the for possession of or use of marijua- economic windfall of legalization 16th state to pass the bill to legal- na and have faced long and harsh to help heal and repair those same ize recreational marijuana from sentences right here in New York. communities,” said New York a 49-10 Senate vote. After long These laws have destroyed lives, Senator Liz Krueger in an inter- debates on how this bill would families, communities and heighten view with AP News. This act is not ensure success, profitability, and crime rates. With the passing of this only for the city to make a profit also reduce crime, it was agreed bill, there is the hope that crime but also to better our city in many upon that in New York it should will reduce by at least 5% in its first ways possible. Through employ- be legalized. However, the passing year in action. This will already be a ment, taxations, regulations and, of this bill came with many regu- major step in reducing crime within of course, monitoring. lations which must be followed in the city. Another reason for this bill The legalization act of marijua- order to be in compliance with the to have gone into effect is due to the na was made in effect immediately law and to ensure its success. revenues and profits it will bring to on March 31 2021, thus we are the state. It was predicted at least currently a legal state and free to Laws on recreational marijua- $350 million annually will be made. use marijuana respective to the na in New York: This bill will provide a huge num- laws and regulations concerned. It is legal for individuals age 21 ber of jobs. About 300,000-600,000 For more information click the and above to possess and purchase jobs should be expected, which is link below to know your laws, reg- up to three ounces of marijuana. currently needed to beat the un- ulations, how to protect yourself, At their place of residence, indi- employment rate in New York. As and how to benefit from this new viduals are allowed to possess up of February 9, the Bureau of Labor opportunity that is right before to five pounds of marijuana and reported this rate to be at 8.9%. our eyes. are also allowed to grow six plants of their own. It is now legal to Why 40% taxes? sell marijuana after purchasing a A 40% tax is a large amount, licence which comes with a 40% however, it holds a reason. The war taxation fee. Employees, depend- on drugs has helped many commu- ing on jobs, should not be denied nities across America but we cannot work due to their use of marijua- forget that the war on drugs has na. Employers are not allowed also destroyed many minority com- to use marijuana as a factor as to munities across America. Minorities why one cannot be employed in have been the ones to suffer the Page 13 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 The Road to that Flowing Hope for another haircut. In the days of remembered that. My whole look being in college, I would cut it short. and attitude had to be severe, and By Gaby Pinewood When the lockdown was announced, I never realized how much my hair Production Editor my mom advised me to cut it but I was reflected in that. If it wasn’t The year 2020 was completely didn’t and I’m not sure why. A month in that bun, it was straight and in and entirely unexpected. In the later, I had been entirely engulfed in place. That was a reflection of how first few months, which were my fears and the new fears brought much I could not escape the mold the remainder of the then spring on by the pandemic. Once, I had I was so cleverly put into. Even semester, I repeatedly told my- watched a lengthy breakdown of the though it had been years, and had self that this would be over very virus and the effect on the world. I I entered college, I still held on to soon. I was hoping by last May. was genuinely terrified and was run- that habit of continually cutting my Slowly, I realized this wish would ning my fingers through my hair. By hair and trying to keep it in order. not happen. The reality was that I the end of that hour, I realized from Throughout 2020, I practically ig- was now separated from everyone all the strands next to me that I just nored my hair, usually just throw- and everything that ing it in a ponytail and forgetting made me happy, about it. All I un- and I had to fig- derstood was that ure out this new my hair was going chapter. I spent to be thin from the too much time stress. I didn’t have in solitude in my the strength to care room, and I hated about it since the it so much. Life problems in front was in such a great of me were what I routine for me and had to fight. I spent that all dissolved. nearly the whole I wondered how year forgetting I could function about my hair and without those goals the rest of skincare I put for my future and such. I didn’t and those daily have the strength to tasks that honestly go back to routine masked all the hurt that I uncon- lost a clump of hair. The stress was so because I felt there was no point. sciously hid. The most challenging great that my hair had been affected. My family once asked me why I part of the year was realizing how I couldn’t believe that this was hap- couldn’t fix my hair or dress nice, much of my trauma I had sup- pening once more. I was instantly and I said no would even see me pressed that re-experiencing those and constantly reminded of when I anyways. I’m at home, and it didn’t moments in dreams and such was a young teenager. For over three matter. That was my attitude in were terrifying. There were a few years, my hair would fall out so much frustration and constant sadness. months that I was just too scared that it had become so thin. Strands By the time October hit, I had been to sleep. I then became terrified of would also turn white from the so broken. It was then I realized everything. Every single soul told amount of distress I was put in. That, that my muscles had wasted away me to smile and be positive, but as along with flattening my hair every and I could not bear the thought much as I tried to smile, there was day, caused damage to my hair. It was of not being physically strong for always that tether that just held a manifestation of the quiet hurt in- the first time. How could I be both me down. I wondered where true side. At the time, my mom would call mentally and physically weak? Why happiness would come from now. the professional low bun that I would was this year taking so much from Before the pandemic, I was due usually wear very “severe.” I always Continued on Page 14 Page 14 Volume 5, Issue 6 May 2021 me? While looking at myself in the braid my hair again. A braid is but releasing every remnant of it is mirror, I put my mess of hair in a important in my culture, and I was always a joyful moment. ponytail and I realized something finally able to embrace that truth. When I was a high school senior, was different. I took a brush and If my hair is not in a braid, I let it I told my mom I was annoyed at brushed through my hair till it was loose, and the feeling of it on my the middle stage of hair growth. free of knots and in two smooth arms is still so strange but brings I wished it could immediately be parts. I looked for so long at my- me joy. This was the unexpected long and she told me I needed to self. For the first time in six years, road to healing. I never would’ve wait. In retrospect, I see how much my hair had grown so long. I was believed that my hair would bring that reflected on my life. We can’t immediately hit with a wave of me happiness. I started to care for go from trauma to immediate emotions, tearing up and full of joy. my hair and the rest of myself. It’s normalcy. There is this period of I couldn’t believe how long it had now been several months since that healing that’s needed and it is chal- become that I ran to show my mom occasion and my hair has become lenging. However, it is that process, in complete excitement. She was healthier and thicker. I’m still in that middle stage, that will bring also shocked and happy, but I don’t disbelief at times at the fact that it the healing. I know for me, those think she or anyone can understand has grown so long. This isn’t to say scars will always be on my heart. the extreme joy I had at that mo- that all my problems had dissolved However, the process for me is to ment. The first thing I did was put because it hasn’t but, I found a way let go and sever all those forced my hair in one long braid, some- to find moments of joy even when tethers that still hold me. It took thing I had not done in such a long I wasn’t looking. Besides that, I had me four years to get rid of that time. I remember being 12 or 13 finally severed another tie I had to need to keep my hair perfect. It’s refusing to wear a braid. However, that traumatic moment in my life. small steps like these that probably in those years I was hurt, I wished It’s been years since that event, and seem insignificant to others. Heal- so sincerely in my heart that I could the process of healing is slow going ing takes time, but it is the road to

that personal happiness. Community Flowing Hope By Gaby Pinewood It was normal, Production Editor Those carefree days before stormy There was nothing wrong with this- days. I was 14; Until it was- New life arose in my soul I cut my hair Distorted reality I still saw myself For my hair brought the healing I didn’t In distorted reality And I cut my hair to remain notice; To fit the mold they forced me into- Proper, professional, perfectly in place, Unexpected, bringing so much joy- Proper, professional, in pain- Yet now the strands wanted to be free Free, flowing one day and finally in the There was nothing wrong with this... But I didn’t know how. braid the next- It’s flowing hope make the marred shards My hair was short, Slowly I tried, slowly I succeeded; Of broken reality clear and new for the first My hair was flat by the damaging iron- Then the days of blank nothingness Neat, proper, perfectly in place- came time! Flat one day, in severe low bun the next; And all the terror and fear and new Perfectly in place, quietly in pain. darkness I am 20; It was all normal as the strands of white Made strands of brown fall everywhere. I cut another hold of the past Appeared more and more, and more I was reminded of my past- In fighting, freeing spirit Brown hair fell with every The stress wasn’t normal; it couldn’t be! To release from the mold so cleverly Vicious hurt to my heart.. forced- . Every day is the same now, Free, away, towards new days- In the same room There is nothing wrong with this… Yet in this year of fear, My hair grew quietly and long. I was reminded of my days of youth Like a calming wave of peace;

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