“The Pulse of the Student Body” The SpectatorThe Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

Volume 111 No. 11 March 2, 2021 stuyspec.com SCIENCE HUMOR You’re Not Alone: Zoom Fatigue Is Real Frog and Toad: Where are They Now?

Science writer Riona Anvekar explains the scientific basis Humor writer Krista Proteasa catches up with classic chil- behind “Zoom Fatigue,” and the complex calculations that dren’s book characters Frog and Toad, and reveals what our brains make every day in a remote setting. they’ve been up to since their time in the limelight.

see page 11 see page 20 The Show Must Go On(line) By SAKURA YAMANAKA, there are tryouts, learning days, given point deductions if rules or live audition. “It is the people day after school. However, virtu- MAGGIE SANSONE, and practices. Because of the later are broken. “The biggest COV- who would be hired in a normal ally, we don’t have this luxury, and JAMES KANG, timeline, current crew rosters are ID-19 guideline we have in place SING! season that possess the we’d like to accommodate the al- and EZRA LEE being finalized through February. is that SING! members cannot skill set to not only run an effi- tered schedules of many SING! All meetings and SING! events physically meet up to rehearse cient crew but also adapt to the members,” Kronman said. “This In light of the COVID-19 are scheduled to be completely or record for SING!. With re- new format and the new circum- has proved quite challenging, as pandemic, SING! will be hosted online, and platforms such as hearsals, recordings, and writing stances that we have to deal with Slate has to manage the many, virtually this year. Due to the un- Zoom and Flipgrid will be used. done at home, we’ve been able to to ensure that the production is different-paced schedules of certainty of the spring semester, In addition, all participants circumvent having an extensive just as good as any other year, if crews.” SING! will be operating on a In light of the changes, co- later timeline compared to that ordinators hope to preserve the of previous years. Though the SING! atmosphere while still three show dates are tradition- upholding safety. While they are ally in mid-March, the virtual preserving the majority of artistic performances will be later in the or production-specific elements, year. With the recording process there will be an editing crew to starting in April, the anticipated each SING! production. Other livestream date will be in June crews, such as Tech and Lights & to accommodate the logistics of Sound, will be modified by merg-

the large production. There will Liam Kronman of Courtesy ing with other crews to adapt to also be no dues or ticket fees col- the virtual setting. “The most im- lected. portant thing about maintaining SING! is an annual school- the feel of a normal SING! sea- wide student-run musical compe- son is that sense of community tition in which each grade com- and unity. The reason that people petes against the others (with the keep coming back to SING! year exception of freshmen and soph- after year is that this is what intro- omores, who compete together as Courtesy of Lianne Ohayon duced them to so many of their SophFrosh SING!). The crux of Courtesy of Alec Shafran closest friends,” Shafran said. SING! preparation is similar to will be held accountable to the policy for how meet-ups will oc- not better,” Shafran said in an e- This year, there will be no that of past years, but with modi- COVID-19 guidelines set by Co- cur,” Kronman said in an e-mail mail interview. Rehearsals will be dues collected. Instead, all mon- fications. In an in-person school ordinator of Student Affairs Mat- interview. conducted over Zoom or other ey will be raised through exter- year, SING! preparation starts in thew Polazzo and coordinators Drawing on their ability to video-streaming platforms. nal fundraising. In addition to a mid-January, and coordinators, Lianne Ohayon, Alec Shafran, adapt to the virtual setting, crew However, this flexibility is also slate producers, scriptwriters, and Liam Kronman of Soph- directors will have the freedom a challenge in regards to schedul- songwriters, crew directors, and Frosh SING!, Junior SING!, and to decide the audition process ing. “At school, SING! members crew members are all often cho- Senior SING!, respectively. The for their respective crews, be it would claim whole floors, and continued on page 2 sen by late January. From there, respective SING! team(s) will be through a Google Form/Flipgrid rehearsals would happen every NEWSBEAT StuySquad Hosts Annual Performance Virtually Senior will be By JESS ZHANG, SARAH some uncertainties about how we we [...] [used] Edpuzzle video show, directors were required to Katerina Corr wanted to proceed with the show submissions for all members to edit their respective crew’s vid- the New York representa- HUYNH, JANNA WANG, and JAMES KANG this year,” senior and StuySquad make sure they were on track and eos. Senior and StuySquad Direc- tive at the virtual U.S. Sen- Co-President Elizabeth Tang having all crews edit their vid- tor of Logistics Athena Lam and ate Youth Conference. StuySquad, Stuyvesant’s larg- said. “Originally we were plan- eos.” Sophia Lin then assembled each est annual dance showcase, was ning on having people film in a In addition to teaching and crew’s video to produce the show. hosted virtually for the first time studio so everyone could film it dancing over Zoom, there was a “There was a big learning curve on February 1 and streamed live together, but that didn’t pan out.” major shift to video editing this figuring out the best ways to Seniors Ian Saint-Germain on YouTube. This year, practices teach over Zoom and edit,” Lam and Isabella Lee participat- were conducted over Zoom, said. “It was a fun learning pro- ed in the Songwriters Hall evaluations were conducted over cess because it took a lot of trial of Fame Master Session. Flipgrid, and there were no mem- and error trying to think of a new ber dues. Currently, the streamed solution to figure out a problem show is available for viewing on and how to approach it. It was a StuySquad’s YouTube channel. really nice learning experience to Stuyvesant’s Ethics Team StuySquad consisted of 13 figure things out as a group.” ranked third out of 40 teams dance crews: Co-ed K-Pop, Belly, Adjusting to the new envi- Tap, Boys Hip-Hop, Bollywood, ronment, video editing also pre-

in the Long Island High Spectator Sasha Socolow / The Flow, Girls Hip-Hop, Latin, sented new challenges. “It was School Ethics Bowl. C-Pop, Contemporary, Step, really time-consuming to sync all and Girls K-Pop. Traditionally, the members to the music and StuySquad auditions, learning required a lot of brainpower to days, practices, rehearsals, and incorporate formations in a vir- Sophomore Yihan Bao performances are all held in-per- tual setting,” Xinlei Lin said in an placed second in the annual son. The StuySquad presidents e-mail interview. Nengajo Contest hosted by select board members and crew Though communication be- the American Association directors through an interview came more difficult, it remained of Teachers of Japanese. process; directors would then a priority for members. “Some hold learning days, during which To monitor the progress of year. “Video editing was a re- challenges I faced in preparation they teach the audition dance to dancers learning choreography ally big problem because a lot of for the show were making sure recruit members for their respec- through Zoom, directors used people have never edited videos that everyone was communicat- Huge Ma (’07), a software tive crews. The members would multiple platforms for check- before and [senior and video edi- ing and on top of their respon- engineer at Airbnb, launched then choose their dance pieces ins. “Dance is a very fluid action tor] Sophia [Lin] helped anyone sibilities, which was especially and directors would teach the and in order for me to teach and who didn’t have any video edit- important when we couldn’t see TurboVax, a free website monitor my crew’s progress, I’d ing experience. Overall, working each other in person and our that compiles choreography to the dancers. vaccine avail- The StuySquad Board de- need to see them in person and with the new environment was only way of communicating be- ability from three main city cided to make the show virtual in how they use the space around really difficult for us,” junior and and state systems in New light of the COVID-19 pandem- them,” senior and StuySquad Co- StuySquad president-in-training York and sends updated in- ic. “There was a very big learn- President Roshni Patel said. “To Melody Lin said. continued on page 2 formation to Twitter. ing curve when we started and get through [...] these challenges, In piecing together the virtual Page 2 The Spectator • March 2, 2021 News

The Show Must Go On(line) eryone can participate in,” senior adapt SING! to a virtual setting. continued from page 1 and Student Union President Ju- “The essential elements of SING! lian Giordiano said. are basically still the same,” Pola- predetermined budget from the Compared to last year, this zzo said. Judging, which consists Student Union (SU) and a dona- year’s SING! will require less of 30 alumni judges, will remain. tion from the Parent Association of an administrative role from Despite the virtual setting, (PA), individual SING! donations teachers and staff members. “To many are hopeful for the con- a certain degree, there is less of tinual engagement in SING! “It will be done through the PA’s Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and NASA Giving Tree website. All fund- an administrative role because a can be easy to undermine a per- raised money will be distributed lot of what administrators need formance that’s completely vir- among the three SING! teams to do with SING! was over-per- tual, but it’s really important to WORLDBEAT evenly. ceived with the logistics of actu- recognize that this is going to be The SU, which historically ally holding physical rehearsals a really historical SING!, and we plays a large role in the SING! and performance in the physi- want students to recognize that The Biden Administration formally offered to restore the Iran cal states of Stuy,” Polazzo said. and get excited for the produc- production, will be preparing nuclear deal, which was abandoned by the Trump administra- for livestream services instead “Making sure that the kids were tion that we’re hoping to create,” of planning for ticket distribu- reporting themselves properly junior and SU Vice President tion. tion. Tickets this year will also and not spilling out of their as- Shivali Korgaonkar said. be free of charge. “[SING!] goes signed rooms and getting security Coordinators themselves are into a lot of the funding that we to watch over the hallways—the optimistic about the final prod- provide for clubs and events we fact that everything is happening uct. “I’m a little concerned about host. This year we want to be es- in the students’ homes reduces the uncertainty surrounding Democratic lawmakers sought to strip New York Governor pecially aware of the situations the need for a lot of administra- some aspects of the production, Andrew Cuomo of emergency powers granted during the that students and families are go- tive stuff.” but that has been the case with all pandemic after he underreported the number of deaths in nurs- Additionally, there have been productions I’ve been involved ing through and we want to make ing homes. SING! a cost-free thing. We want no changes to the SING! charter with at Stuy. It always works out,” this tradition to be something ev- other than the ones needed to Ohayon said.

Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” StuySquad Hosts Annual Guzmán, was arrested and charged with helping run the Performance Virtually Sinaloa drug trafficking empire. ence of doing solo-dancing due culture,” she said in an e-mail continued from page 1 to the virtual setting as a refresh- interview. “I wasn’t exactly sure ing change. “Performance-wise, how to wear [the dupatta] [...] but ’s accountants handed over came heavily dependent on the Former President Donald Trump I had a great time doing solo my directors [taught] me how to his financial records to New York prosecutors. internet,” senior and Director of choreo. Normally we would wear and pin it to the rest of my Coed K-Pop Xinlei Lin said. be doing partner work in real costume.” Many also expressed the chal- life, but because we’re virtual The StuySquad virtual show- lenge of teaching choreography we couldn’t do that and instead case received a positive response online and additional technologi- turned to dancing by ourselves,” from the broader community. The unemployment rate in January 2021, which is 6.7 percent, cal difficulties. “Zoom lag was a she said. “It gave me a chance “There were a lot of support- really big issue because the direc- to dance independently and not ive comments from fellow is about double that of February 2020. tors couldn’t tell if the dancers be hindered by my partner. I was StuySquad crew members, alum- actually didn’t know the steps, able to get direct feedback on my ni, and people from outside the didn’t know the timing, or Zoom dancing and grow as a dancer school. It’s very nice to see that was just messing it up for them. overall.” even though we’re so distant, the Plus, teaching counts is [already] Junior William Mo, who was support and community [are] still Nine members of Oath Keepers, a right-wing militia group, extremely difficult in real life, in the Boys Hip-hop and Co-ed very much alive,” Melody Lin were charged for their plot to storm the Capitol. so virtually, it was even harder,” K-Pop crew agreed: “While I miss said. sophomore Isabella Chow said. being able to actually be with the However, some viewers ex- “However, eventually we, as a people I was dancing with, it was pressed that a virtually-streamed crew, were able to get it down.” still great seeing everyone have show could not replicate the “My favorite part of the show school that allowed me to explore Senior Zi Liu performed fun on my laptop screen,” Mo sense of community felt during was seeing it all together. I’m re- different types of dance and get in both the virtual SOS dance said. “StuySquad kinda felt more an in-person show. “While the ally proud of how it all looked in out of my comfort zone [...] I’d show last year and the virtual serious since there was less fool- dance and choreography [are] the end, and the editing, I know definitely do this again next year StuySquad show and found the ing around over Zoom practices great both in-person and remote, it was really hard, but seeing ev- and try out for more crews,” Li two experiences to be similar. than during in-person practices.” I think that watching in-person erything come together was really said. “The performance/practice pro- For freshman Lorraine Li, a shows allowed it to feel like a worth it,” sophomore Anjini Ka- Tang echoed this sentiment. cess was more or less anticipated highlight of her first StuySquad community. I think the cheer- tari said. “Despite the challenges, “Everyone who does StuySquad since we had the same virtual experience was unique costumes ing from the audience added ex- I had a lot of fun learning, per- has a passion for dance or at least experience doing SOS last year. used for her Bollywood crew. tra spice to the show, and when forming, and getting to know the a very strong interest in dance However, I definitely do think “My favorite aspect [of the [the show] is through a computer others.” and I feel like that hasn’t changed that StuySquad was much more show] were the costumes we had. screen, that extra spice is miss- Though there were major just because we’re on a different organized and that the crew was Lehengas and dupattas [popular ing,” sophomore Ruby Lin said adjustments made to implement platform. Everyone who showed able to better plan out logistics forms of Indian ethnic cloth- in an e-mail interview. a virtual show, many viewed up to tryouts and auditions [was] with each member,” Liu said in ing] were a part of our costume Despite this, many dance StuySquad as a positive experi- there because they understood an e-mail interview. and I had never worn them be- crew performers found the vir- ence. “[StuySquad was a] very that StuySquad is a community Chow found the new experi- fore since it’s not a part of my tual product to be rewarding. enjoyable experience outside of and a close-knit family,” she said.

Students Share Thoughts on CR Option By THE NEWS and FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

“CR [...] is kinda dishonest to who- “I CR’d my computer science grade this past semester. “The system does have [its] benefits though and ever is viewing the grades. [...] I person- I did it because I didn’t do as well as I wanted in the sub- I hope that it’ll help students who have extenuating ally haven’t CRed yet because I have to ject, and it would seriously bring down my average even circumstances due to COVID-19 and need the extra be honest with myself and see if I have though it was a class I did not intend to continue. Were boost from CRing their grades. Hopefully, colleges will improved or not. I want to be honest to it a core class, I would not have CR’d it. I know that I be understanding of the current circumstances and my parents and my colleges, so that’s why, have been worried that colleges would take a CR as an they’ll be willing to give students a break and not look even if I have a bad grade, I wouldn’t CR automatic 65, which is why even though I didn’t love my too harshly at students that CR some grades.” —Josh- that.” —Manhai Liu, freshman math grade, I left it alone.” —Maya Brosnick, sophomore ua Yagupsky, junior

“I used the CR option once “The CR system is necessary, but an attached “I, personally, even though I’m not super happy for a grade below 90 in the 2020 note explaining personal circumstances is prob- with my grades, have not chosen to use CR, just be- spring semester because I had ably more important [...] It’s necessary as long as cause I think I’d rather try to explain this to colleges a lot of difficulties studying for we have remote learning, but once we’re all back than just not have it count toward my grade [...] I don’t continued on that subject as we transitioned in school full time it should be done away with [...] want to completely not have a class grade just to have page 4 to online learning and the grade It takes some of the pressure off, but at the same my average be slightly higher, so that’s just person- would’ve impacted my GPA a time, that might lead students to miss their own ally for me, but if students need to use it, then that’s lot.” —Anonymous, senior expectations.” —Maximillian Farrell, senior definitely fine for them.” —Olivia Zheng, sophomore The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Page 3 Features Family, Food, and Festivities: Lunar New Year Despite a Pandemic By SABRINA LI, SOOBIN we just watch,” he said. “We eat she said. “I would go to church this year we just made dump- she explained. “But I enjoy cel- CHOI and ZIFEI ZHAO nián gāo and eggs––a lot of and we’d have this whole little lings and fā gāo [a type of muf- ebrating it and that’s all that re- eggs, boiled eggs.” festival, a little celebration. And fin],” she explained. “It was ally matters. And I look forward Firecrackers pop in the dis- Similar to Chinese New they had dancing dragons and a very small gathering [at my to more.” tance as happy voices trail from Year, due to their large Chinese whatnot. I would get scared that home but] I don’t think that Zhang also enthusiastically the dinner table. The TV is blar- community, Malaysia and Sin- the dragon would bite my hand really degraded my experience added that she would still cele- ing songs and flashing dances. gapore celebrate Lunar New off,” she said. She also recalls for Chinese New Year. I think brate Lunar New Year for years And the smell of delicious food Year with overlapping tradi- the bag of colorful chips she the feeling still stayed the same to come. “I don’t want to be drifts through the house, creat- tions. In the streets of Malaysia, received from her grandmother even if it wasn’t a lot of peo- whitewashed. [...] I don’t want ing a bubbly atmosphere that there are often dragon dances as a child. “I don’t know what ple,” Jia continued. She went to be so American,” she said. salutes the arrival of spring and and big feasts with traditional they are, what they’re called, on to reminisce her favorite Zhang’s Asian identity is a large the New Year. Chinese foods; in Singapore, but I remembered I had [a] spe- memory from a typical Lunar reason why she wants to con- Lunar New Year as we know there is hóng bāo, or red en- cific bias toward the green and New Year gathering: “[When] tinue the tradition. “I’m Asian, it today was created based on velopes, decorating the streets the pink one. [...] It just sucks my parents and relatives were I want to be proud of being the Lunar Chinese calendar, as with fortune. the living daylight out of your all done playing mahjong and Asian. And that is one good well as the appearance of the Tibet also celebrates Lu- tongue,” she said. the pieces were all messed up, step toward it. And I don’t want full moon between January and nar New Year with a different Sophomore Ryan Lee shared my cousins [and I] would just to teach my [future] kids like, February. But beyond being just name: the Losar Festival. Two a similar experience. In an e- go and pretend we were playing ‘oh, Chinese New Year is [only] a way for people to tell the time, days before the actual New mail interview, Lee wrote: “My the game, such as stacking the all about hóng bāo,’” she added. Lunar New Year has become a Year, Tibetans eat Guthuk, family always has this tradition mahjong piece, even though we Zheng also feels strongly holiday for celebrating family which would be filled with of having a large dinner with didn’t know what we were do- about continuing to celebrate and traditions and has spread wool, coal, or any number of tons of extended family, with so ing and just pretending to play.” Lunar New Year: “My parents to many countries throughout things. many amazing dishes you’d get Beyond just food and festiv- aren’t really religious [and] we Asia. This year, February 12 don’t celebrate Christmas or marked the beginning of Lunar anything, but we still celebrate New Year. It is a day that many Chinese New Year like it’s a re- Asian Americans at Stuyvesant ligion.” He added that he would use to celebrate their heritage continue to celebrate. “Of with family, food, and festivities. course, I’ll definitely make my A large number of Asian future generations do the same Americans have either rarely, or stuff that we do now,” he said. never visited their home coun- Alternatively, Lee feels that try, a pattern that is only exac- Lunar New Year helps him ex- erbated by the pandemic. Junior plore his identity. Lee comes Alyssa Choi detailed what cel- from a third-generation immi- ebrating was like in quarantine: grant family and at times feels “This year I didn’t really have a incredibly Americanized; the celebration because all my fam- holiday is a way to reconnect ily, like my grandparents, are in with his heritage. “I can speak Korea,” she said. However, in Alyssa Choi of Courtesy Chinese and eat the dishes the past, the celebration was my grandma makes me, but it grand. “My oldest memory [of doesn’t really substitute all that celebrating] is in kindergarten, well,” he said. “When the New because I used to live in Korea Year comes, that’s when I really when I was in kindergarten. Ev- get to see a lot of my heritage. I ery Lunar New Year we would Courtesy of Alyssa Choi get immersed in these traditions just have this really big cel- In Vietnam, the celebration to eat once a year.” Lee espe- ities, Lunar New Year is a way and get to know myself and my ebration with all the traditional is known as Tet, and it can’t be cially loves how each dish rep- for Asian Americans to connect identity to its fullest extent.” foods, and then my cousins and celebrated without the essential resented different attributes of back to their roots. Many Asian Lee also expressed a similar I would dress up in hanbok, and chung cakes. These are made luck for the coming year. Pén American students often feel interest in sharing this holiday then we would bow down to my out of sticky rice, green beans, cài, a Chinese casserole mixed disconnected from their heri- with future generations: “I want grandparents, and they would and pork, in a shape that sym- with abalone, shrimp, and pig’s tage, but Lunar New Year pro- to see my future kids have the give us money and stuff,” she bolizes the Earth and are used feet, represents unity and team- vides a way for many students same joy that I have and had. said. to show gratitude to their an- work, while yī miàn, or longev- to embrace both sides of the This holiday is extremely im- The Korean Lunar New cestors and homeland. ity noodles, is said to bring long story by celebrating their Asian portant to me because it’s a way Year morning starts off with a Yet many normal festivities life. ancestry in America. I can see family and friends and savory scent filling the air. The this year were canceled due to In addition to food, Lee also Choi lived in Korea for a few have a good time while also ex- table is not set yet, and there is COVID-19. “We usually watch celebrates the holiday with a years as a child, butand she still ploring and celebrating my heri- a huge pot filled with Tteok- the dragon dance in Flushing praying ritual to connect with misses being fully immersed in tage.” guk prepared the night before. or Chinatown, but this year we his ancestors and spirits. “We Korean culture. “In some ways Beyond identity, Jia sees Tteokguk, a rice cake soup didn’t go,” Zheng said. “I defi- would pray to pictures of them my culture kind of diminished, the Lunar New Year as a way eaten with egg garnish, is an es- nitely got less money this year with a table filled with food for and I miss being able to live in to connect and honor her an- sential food to the Korean tra- because not as many people the spirits to eat, and after that, Korea and be surrounded by cestors. “Recently, my grandpa dition. To Choi, it’s what makes could visit.” we would get a large pot and my family,” she said. “In the passed away and it definitely the New Year special in the first Similar to Zheng, freshman start burning fake money and end, I don’t feel less Korean, helps with remembering him place. “[Lunar New Year] is Unique Zhang didn’t partici- other ceremonial items as a way but I still wish I was closer to better. And ever since I was definitely special, especially in pate in the normal festivities. to wish us and the spirits of our my culture and family.” While young, it was a holiday I looked Korean tradition [...] because in “I don’t want to say that it lost ancestors good fortune,” he ex- Choi does feel nervous to take forward to because my relatives Korea it means you turn a year its meaning, but it certainly has plained. on the pressure of continuing are always working and every- older,” she said. a different feel. I didn’t go to Lee also faced differences in a tradition, she wholeheartedly thing and it was just a chance Meanwhile, Chinese Lunar church and see the big dragon his celebration due to the pan- still wants to. “I don’t know if for us to come together and just New Year celebrations typically dance and whatnot,” she said. demic. “Usually we’d have over I could hold a whole tradition. enjoy each other’s embrace,” last a little over a week, but on But though this year’s celebra- 30 people over with hundreds But when I become an adult, she said. For Jia, the holiday is a Lunar New Year Eve, families tion wasn’t quite what she ex- and if not a couple thousand if I have kids, I definitely want living memory. get together and have a huge pected, Zhang just appreciates dollars worth of food for ev- to pass down this tradition and Especially in the pandemic, feast. Some might even watch spending time with her loved eryone, but this year it was just celebrate with my mom when and with the recent surge in special performances to start ones. “[Lunar New Year] is just eating takeout,” Lee said. “In she becomes my kids’ grand- Anti-Asian violence, the Lunar the new year off in a positive for me to be with my family addition, the rituals we’d usu- parent and celebrate with my New Year not only provides way. Sophomore Gil Zheng honestly, cause I don’t really ex- ally perform just didn’t happen, whole family and relatives.” solace to Asian tradition, but would usually celebrate with pect many hóng bāo anymore, and we weren’t able to go to the Similar to Choi, Zhang felt also celebrates the existence many relatives and eat lots of so it’s okay. I don’t mind,” she temple because they had closed that she could strive to bet- of Asians and their culture in different foods. “I usually in- explained. because of the coronavirus.” ter understand her Lunar New America. As a considerable vite some relatives over and we But Zhang also reminisced Still, despite the pandemic, Year culture. “I don’t know number of students at Stuyves- eat hot pot or rice with a lot of about her prior celebrations sophomore Isabella Jia felt really the actual tradition, all I ant are Asian, Lunar New Year other side dishes. And we watch that were full of festivities. “I that she still had a meaningful know is that I get hóng bāo and is a meaningful and important TV afterward, something called remember distinctly waking up time with her family. “Usually I I get dragons dancing, [and] holiday for family, food, and the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and [hearing] the chatter from would visit our relatives’ house I get to see my family, but I festivities—all despite the pan- where there’s a conference or downstairs or from another and make barbeque pork called don’t really understand the true demic. festival that occurs in China that room and it [felt] like a dream,” chā shāo and all that stuff but meaning of Lunar New Year,” A Gaze On Stuy’s Virtual Grades By MILLIE BELL, significant changes in their dents are forced to reevaluate exhausting having Zoom six A significant increase in the OLIVIA WOO, JUNI GPAs. Whether they have had their relationship with school- hours a day and having a lot of amount of at-home work giv- PARK, ANDREW OH more time to study due to the work. homework after. I’ve talked to en at Stuyvesant this year was and EUGENE YOO elimination of commutes and For many, the pressures of a lot of friends and everyone’s also a contributing factor to shorter schedules, or else have online learning have become been mentioning how it feels the decline of some students’ The continuation of re- found it difficult to focus in a burdensome to students’ GPAs. like after a whole day of school grades. Many teachers placed a mote learning through the fall home environment, some stu- Senior Chloe Terestchenko de- online on a computer, we have large emphasis on homework, and winter of the 2020-2021 dents’ grades have been heav- scribed the effect of online all our homework again on a and students observed that this school year has caused many ily impacted by the COVID-19 learning fatigue on declining computer, and I think that’s Stuyvesant students to notice pandemic. Consequently, stu- grades: “I think it’s been really where it gets really exhausting.” continued on page 5 Page 4 The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Features SETSS up for Success: Learning Differences During Remote Learning By DALIA LEVANON, mous student couldn’t help but not just those with learning dif- fact that autism is a huge spec- complete their work. CATHERINE CHING, miss in-person SETSS class: ferences, experienced this year. trum, and that he can’t speak Fortunately, there are also ISABELLE YAREMENKO “By far the most useful aspect Many ninth graders did not to anybody’s experience but his some teachers who are sup- and ELLEN PEHLIVANIAN of SETSS inside the school was know anyone when they entered own. “Each person with autism portive and accommodating. access to a room in which stu- Stuyvesant, leading to intense will react differently to a situa- Among them is Michael Wax- Remote learning has been dents could work quietly and isolation. Although the Student tion, including the one we are man, the teacher of the SETSS challenging for all Stuyvesant productively, and unsurpris- Union and Big Sibs have made all in right now,” he explained. class. Waxman strives to assist students, but dealing with a ingly, we no longer had access tremendous efforts to increase “So while I am doing well with his students as much as pos- learning difference on top of to that room when Stuyvesant socialization by hosting “speed- remote learning, another per- sible, and finds it rewarding other pandemic pains can make closed,” they explained. friending nights” and “home- son with autism in Stuy may be to see their progress over the COVID-19 schooling even Another anonymous stu- room mix and matches,” mak- having a really bad time.” years. One girl, whom he had more taxing. However, despite dent, Student B, admitted that ing friends on Zoom is simply In this vein, an anony- taught for the past four years, the extenuating circumstances, their remote learning expe- not the same as meeting people mous junior with a learning dif- recently asked him for a rec- these students have made the rience has been more of a in person. ference reported that she was ommendation letter. “When I best out of their situation, and challenge, underscoring the Benjamin Ho, a junior on facing immense difficulties in asked her why she asked me, continue to remain hopeful and difference in signals and com- the autism spectrum, also men- the virtual classroom. She de- for example, she alluded to the optimistic about pandemic-era munication from in-person to tioned how his relationships scribed how, during in-school fact that I know her best since I learning. remote environments. In regu- evolved due to remote learn- lessons, she was able to stay have continuously worked with One student, who wished lar classes, students might be ing. Since he was rarely able concentrated and interested in her throughout her high school to remain anonymous, explains able to give their teachers non- to see his friends outside of her classes because she took years,” Waxman said. “Just one that their learning differences verbal cues, like a cough when school during in-person classes, medication in the mornings. example. There are many oth- haven’t made much of an im- the teacher is going too fast. Ho didn’t feel that there was However, getting homework ers.” pact on their remote learning However, in Zoom classes it is much of a difference when he done after school was always a Many students with learn- experience, and the only real nearly impossible to judge these switched to quarantine. How- struggle. And now that so much ing difficulties are fortunately difference lies in their experi- same cues from students. More- ever, he found that he has been of school is homework––work seeking out the good in remote ence in remote Special Educa- over, Student B explained, “It’s redefining some of his friend- done at home––learning has learning, and continuing to take tion Teacher Support Services also harder to have the same ships during quarantine, say- become a struggle. She ex- steps to better their learning ex- (SETSS) class in comparison to ‘flow’ of discussion as you can ing in an email interview that plained, “Without structure, I periences. However, it is equally pre-pandemic SETSS classes. in real life.” “Some have been really sup- have a hard time getting things important to acknowledge the “Class periods [pre-pandemic] It is not only the flow of portive during these hard times, done. I always do well while I’m challenges of going through were normally spent on laid- discussions that has been inter- while others have revealed in class. I pay attention, I par- the COVID-19 pandemic with back conversations about what rupted. There has also been a themselves to be ‘fair-weather ticipate, I enjoy working, but a learning difference, and help was going on in the world and disruption to social flow. Stu- friends.’” Ho explained that his I have struggled with home- other students and teachers be- in our lives,” they explained. dent C, a freshman, described remote learning experience has work.” In addition to the diffi- come aware of these struggles. The student further excitedly in an email interview that one generally been positive because culties of staying motivated and One can never be sure if a peer recounted that they even got of the greatest challenges of re- of the support and understand- on top of the assigned work, a has an added challenge, so it is to leave their spring session mote learning has been the cul- ing that he receives from his few of her teachers have been imperative to support everyone of SETSS with a new guitar tivation of friendships. “Prob- teachers and guidance counsel- less than understanding about in the Stuyvesant community. hobby. However, in a remote ably the worst part of remote or. In addition, Ho has found her learning differences, claim- As Waxman reminds us, assist- setting, the class has become learning is the lack of meet- that he doesn’t have a difficult ing that she shouldn’t get ac- ing students with learning dif- more structured, with planned ing new people, so only your time concentrating on his work commodations, such as getting ferences may not only change lessons, videos, and discussion friends from middle school are regardless of the fact that he extra time for tests, because the their lives, but also be incredibly questions in place of free flow- reachable,” they said. This is an has to sit in front of a computer teachers believe that they give rewarding for the supporter. ing conversation. The anony- issue that countless freshmen, all day long. Ho reinforced the enough time for all students to Students Share Thoughts on CR Option “Neither good or bad feelings; I “The CR option is really helpful because it takes all of our situations into ac- “People are afraid to CR in the first place know I will never use it since I’m count. We can’t learn as much [...] by looking at a computer screen compared to [...] Most people aren’t abusing the sys- positive I’ll keep all my class aver- being in a classroom so we might receive grades that we think are low and unsat- tem. There’s a general fear that colleges ages above 85s, but I guess it’s a isfactory. CRing grades allow us to hide grades that don’t show our full capabil- might look at it negatively, so people good option for people who do ity, which prevents our overall GPA from going down.” aren’t trying to abuse.” want to use it.” ––Jasmine Shek, sophomore —Mahin Shahrier, junior ––Freda Dong, freshman

“It’s a great option for students whose grades are not consis- “It seems pretty good to me, but everyone’s saying how col- “It’s a nice option for those tent with their performance pre-COVID. I think colleges will leges will assume the worst about the grade that you kept off who wish to use it.” show sympathy for those students since everyone has different your transcript.” —Edward Wu, junior circumstances, especially during this difficult time.” —Sasha Burshteyn, junior —Marilyn Shi, sophomore

“CRing a grade is a good thing [in] these “Changing grades to a CR are up to the person “It’s a good way of compensating for hardships that students challenging times. I personally would not and their standards, but I personally wouldn’t do are going through that might reflect on their grades, but there use a CR unless I have below an 80.” it, especially if my grades aren’t close to failing.” should be more clarification from counselors about how col- ––Ariel Fuchs, Sophomore ––Kaitlin Tan, freshman leges view CR because while some people are scared to use it in case colleges assume they got a 65 in the class, others are using CR for grades which are perfectly fine, just not up to “I’ve never CR’d a grade but I think it’s “I don’t know much about it and I have never used their high standards.” nice that people have to choice to do so if it, but I always appreciate that the option is there.” ––Riona Anvekar, junior they want to.” ––Yarza Aung, freshman ––Vicky Liu, Junior

“For the people unfortunate enough to have to balance school and familial “CR is cool, but I’m confused as to how they’re gonna determine GPAs [for issues, the CR option is a good way for them to not worry about seeming like those who CR]. What if one kid CR’d everything but his 100s and then be- they’re slacking in school because their grades are dropping, especially if they’re comes valedictorian––what do you do then?” still trying their best.” ––Anonymous, Junior —Sydney Lau, sophomore

“The CR option is really helpful because it takes all of our situations “It is good that Stuyvesant gives students the into account. We can’t learn as much [...] by looking at a computer “CR is a really good option for option to choose to CR a grade. There are pros screen compared to being in a classroom so we might receive grades people who need it and I think it’s and cons to CRing, and it honestly comes down that we think are low and unsatisfactory. CRing grades allow us to not fair to judge other people who to the person on whether or not they think it is hide grades that don’t show our full capability, which prevents our might really need that option.” right for them. But overall, overall GPA from going down.” ––Bella Rosen, freshman I am glad that it is there” ––Jasmine Shek, sophomore ––Jason Wang, junior The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Page 5 Features Food for Thought By ARIANA DEVITO variety in vegetarian meals at Lauren Lee, alongside Olivia prices on these food items are nitrogen that gets released into and ISABELLA JIA restaurants. “When I’m on a Zheng, Sarah Huynh, and Ziy- affordable for a larger percent- the water supply from all the road trip and there are fast food ing Jian, has chartered her own age of the population. “When wastes from the animals, the Individuals around the restaurants, I’d rather get more club called Green Garnish, af- those of us can become vegan methane that gets released from world are converting to plant- choices,” she noted. filiated with Stuy FFAC. Green [or vegetarian], we are helping the cows, and the cost of fuel based eating at unprecedented While Shah and Patel were Garnish is a student-operated, plant-based industries be able and oil to ship and deliver all rates, but why exactly are peo- influenced by religion and nur- bi-monthly vegan cookbook. to make more cheap products, of this food and all of this meat ple revamping their diets? Some ture, the environmental aspect Through their recipes, the team and this is going to benefit across the country,” Choubara- simply seek longevity and bet- is one of the leading reasons strives to create a more just and those who maybe aren’t in the lian explained. ter health. Others advocate for why so many young people are sustainable food system. Pas- financial situation to do so be The meat industry is plagu- sustainability and ethics. The making the switch to plant- sionate about the ecosystem able to transition,” Zheng ex- ing Earth’s natural landscape many benefits behind a plant- based diets. Stuyvesant’s Fac- and climate mitigation alike, plained. In other words, if the through the air and water, but based diet are gaining momen- tory Farming Awareness Club the club founders have found demand for plant-based prod- it is taking a particular toll on tum, with Gen Z championing (Stuy FFAC) promotes a veg- that vegetarian eating aligned ucts increases, the government rainforests, which are expected what it means to be meat-free. etarian or vegan lifestyle by better with their morals. “Ani- may subsidize these products, to vanish completely within the Vegetarianism and veganism raising awareness of the issues mals use a lot of resources to widening the sector of the pop- next century. Plant-based eat- have expanded from just a diet brought about by factory farm- grow and then [go] to slaugh- ulation who can sustain a meat- ing could help rescue rainfor- plan into an outright protest ing. The club encourages people ter. Animals like cows produce free lifestyle. ests and the animals that inhab- against the growing factory to choose healthier alternatives a lot of methane, and that’s As they further their re- it them from their impending farm industry. Regardless of by having a plant-based diet in really worsening our climate search, many of Stuy FFAC’s extinction, and it is ultimately their reasons, people are mak- order to mitigate the detrimen- change crisis,” co-president Ol- members have made the deci- the variety of ecological advan- ing an impact on society and tal effects of the consumption ivia Zheng said. The demand sion to go vegetarian. While tages that inspire Choubaralian the world from their dinner of meat. Stuy FFAC founder for animal products pressures some are new to vegetarian- to continue his current diet, plates. and co-president sophomore the meat and dairy industries ism, physical education teach- even if that means sacrificing For senior Roshni Patel, veg- Lauren Lee was a protege of into factory farming, a system er Vasken Choubaralian has taste. However, concerns about etarianism has been a lifestyle FFAC last fall when she learned that confines copious numbers maintained a vegan lifestyle for taste are minor inconveniences adopted since birth due to her about the effects of factory of animals to generate over a decade. His journey be- for Choubaralian compared to Hindu background. Though farming and its connection to profit. gan 12 years ago after watching possible social drawbacks. “It’s her faith permits the consump- other issues, such as labor Factory a documentary titled “Earth- a social thing, I think. Mostly tion of non-cow-derived meats, exploitation. One key lings” (2005), which exposes you are out with friends, and Patel and her parents have ab- point she learned is the food, entertainment, and maybe your friends start judg- stained from animal consump- that factory farms are medical industries for their un- ing you perhaps […] you are tion entirely. “I grew up a veg- usually located in low- ethical practices with animals. very limited where you can etarian, so it was the easiest income neighborhoods, His motives behind becoming a eat with your friends,” Chou- thing for me to continue do- populated by minorities. vegan are multi- baralian added. Despite these ing,” Patel explained. While Pa- The few employment fold, com- setbacks, Choubaralian still tel has diligently stayed true to opportunities avail- bining supports his vegetarian lifestyle, her words, restaurants are not able to these minority knowing the benefits outweigh always accommodating. She groups are often trau- the inconveniences. reports having to frequently matizing—much of However, he also under- preview a restaurant’s menu in the job entails constant stands why others may be re- advance for vegetarian options. slaughter. Additionally, luctant to adopt a vegetarian However, Patel does recognize wages are low, making their lifestyle, considering the growing inclusivity in the work easy to exploit. The impli- that most people food industry. “I think since cations of factory farming mo- Spectator Mandy Li / The have been eating veganism and vegetarianism tivated Lee to change her meat since they were have been more popularized by dietary habits to make a young. “Coming from the media and celebrities espe- difference, along with that lifestyle where I ate meat cially, it has changed,” she said. founding the FFAC and enjoyed it, I understand Sophomore Shivani Shah chapter at Stuyves- why people would want to eat has also been a vegetarian since ant. For advice to oth- meat, and it tastes good, I’m a relatively young age. Her veg- ers who may be interested farming not going to deny it,” Chou- etarian lifestyle started when in starting a plant-based diet, also devastates baralian explained. “It’s some- she was five years old after her Lee recommends taking baby habitats and the thing we’ve been exposed to mom influenced her to be- steps. “It’s okay to not com- organisms that live from a young age. It becomes come one. Religion also con- pletely go vegan, but just try to in them. “There is a health, difficult when we get older to tributed to Shah’s decision, but eat less meat incrementally, and lot of carbon put into envi- ronmental, shed that because it’s been in- the change was mainly due to be compassionate with your- this process […] the environ- and ethi- cal factors. grained in us, within our iden- her mother also being vegetar- self, knowing that it’s hard,” mental impacts that we have Choubaralian cited biomagni- tity. A lot of people continue to ian. “My mom saw me eat 15 Lee suggested. Additionally, on our world, and also for the fication, the accumulation of hold that conviction that they chicken nuggets in one round her secret tip to motivate oth- people that live near the factory toxins higher up the food chain, cannot see themselves not eat- when I was five, and she was ers to become vegetarian is to farms […] that was absolutely as one of the leading health rea- ing meat.” startled and was like ‘let me watch the “Dominion” (2018) horrible, and that’s a big part sons. “It reduces the toxins that The plant-based movement just make Shivani vegetarian,’” documentary on YouTube. The of why I don’t support it,” Stuy come into our body from all of is catching on as people take Shah described. Shah also finds documentary captures the real- FFAC Vice President Sarah the pesticides, antibiotics, and charge of their own health and that being vegetarian helps ity of factory farming and al- Huynh affirmed. from the stress hormones re- environment. Vegetarianism her indecisiveness with food lows viewers to catch a glimpse With all of these issues, it leased by these animals before and veganism may not be pos- choices. “I’ve grown used to of the brutality that factory becomes evident that a transi- they are killed. […] I didn’t sible for everyone, but for those the fact that when I go to the animals experience. An animal tion toward a meat-free soci- want to take this negativity looking to transition, Chou- restaurant I have two to three, abuse trigger warning should ety is better for the biosphere into my body,” he articulated. baralian offers a word of advice: or sometimes one choice on the be acknowledged before you as a whole, for humans and Additionally, Choubaralian “Do things gradually. Don’t try menu, which is good for me be- decide to watch the documen- other animals alike. Though shared similar sentiments with to just quit everything at once. cause I’m indecisive,” Shah ex- tary. “If you watch Dominion vegetarian and vegan diets are the founders of Green Garnish Start slowly limiting the quan- plained. However, despite this, Academy on YouTube, you’ll not always accessible and bud- regarding the environmental tities, limiting the type of meat, she would still like to see more immediately go vegan,” she get-friendly to the masses, it is complications created by facto- and work your way up to being claimed. only a matter of time before ry farming. “These include the a full vegetarian or vegan.” A Gaze On Stuy’s Virtual Grades continued from page 3 the new learning environment trying to keep it consistent with this mental health issue in the Learning from earlier mark- that she has gotten accustomed my work and homework and all hopes that students will start ing periods to ascertain which was fundamentally less effec- to. “They’ve stayed pretty con- of that stuff. So it’s definitely to regulate their grades in less courses require the most atten- tive than in-person instruction. stant,” Islam said when asked required effort.” harmful ways. tion is a surefire way to show Lack of engaging lesson plans about her grades. “The classes Effort to maintain high One way that freshman Re- significant progress over the ultimately leads to burnout and are as I would expect, I mean grades can often come at the becca Bao maintains a healthy course of a school year. declining GPAs. all the classmates are different, cost of students’ mental health. relationship with schoolwork is Stuyvesant’s emphasis on Despite their disheartening but as for the learning experi- Terestchenko observed that by altering her work ethic and grades has become even more experience with remote learn- ence itself, nothing is out of she saw an increased amount time management plans. In an noticeable during remote learn- ing, some students’ grades re- the ordinary.” of unhealthy idealization of email interview, Bao offers sol- ing. Some students have found main unchanged, and others Freshman Maksim Iofinov overworked or burnt-out stu- ace to students struggling with the shortened class schedules even saw improvement. One has had similar experiences to dents at Stuyvesant. “Stuyves- remote-learning: “For the first to be a relief when trying to student who noticed little to Islam, finding that most of his ant has always had a problem two marking periods, I was still maintain good grades, while no change in his grades agrees classes were of a similar diffi- with the ‘Stuy mentality’ from getting used to the workload, others are exhausted from that a large factor in his success culty level to in-person school, both faculty and students, tests, and which study meth- looking at screens for hours. is due to the newly shortened and thus experiencing similar where there’s the idea of be- ods would be the most effec- In the end, regardless of stu- schedules in remote learning. “I grades. He expressed that, de- ing really competitive, like ‘how tive for me. However, in the dents’ individual experiences can proportion what I want to spite the comparable difficulty little sleep can you get?’” she third marking period, I have with remote learning, most stu- do and I can focus more on one of most classes, maintaining said. “There’s a negative aspect established and gotten used to dents agree that, especially in subject in one day,” freshman his grades has required effort: of that, and I think over quar- learning habits and time man- remote-learning, it is incredibly Zareen Islam said. She men- “It has required a lot of work, antine people have started to agement skills [...] I saw a sig- important to nurture a healthy tioned that her GPA never saw but then again, some classes realize that.” Terestchenko as- nificant increase in my GPA at school/life balance. a drastic change, mostly due to more than others. I’ve been pires to bring more attention to the end of the first semester.” Page 6 The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Editorials

ARTS & Student-Teacher Relationships: The Spectator ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper Suah Chung Virtually Impossible? Kenisha Mahajan** Some facts about your teacher: side of a rigid class structure brings may have viewed teachers as mere “The Pulse Gavin McGinley 1. Lives indoors. a sense of motivation to come to grading machines and recommen- of the Dexter Wells 2. Lives somewhere with at least class, participate, and enjoy learn- dation writers prior to remote learn- Student one wall and sits in front of it ing. Despite this, the shift to online ing, online learning has blurred this Body” PHOTOGRAPHY while on Zoom each day. learning has posed a great challenge image, making it highly difficult for EDITORS 3. Owns multiple shirts. to the development of these bonds. even the enthusiastic to distinguish EDITORS IN CHIEF Francesca Nemati 4. Jackhammering means residing Students are no longer able to bump themselves meaningfully. Addition- Morris Raskin* Sasha Socolow near a construction site. Yelp- into their teachers in the hallway or ally, those who are more reserved Karen Zhang* ing/barking/screaming means have a short one-on-one conversa- in the classroom setting find it even ART DIRECTORS Afra Mahmud** residing with children and/or tion with them, aside from Zoom- more difficult to foster a relation- NEWS EDITORS Adrianna Peng dogs. mediated office hours. Throughout ship in the remote setting. Jenny Liu* Momoca Mairaj Sophie Poget 5. Knows as little about you as this school year, students and teach- For students, the best way you know about them. ers alike have likely just seen each of mitigating the difficulties of FEATURES EDITORS LAYOUT EDITORS To know somebody on Zoom other’s heads and shoulders. strengthening a student-teacher Angela Cai Ezra Lee is to know them inside of a box. Regardless, we live in a world in relationship is to take advantage Christina Pan Amy Lin Specifically, it is to know them in- which the tangible results of these of the available methods of com- Clara Shapiro* Susie McKnight side of a rectangular box with an relationships are still expected. Giv- munication. Participating in classes often inaccurate name tag in the en the ways in which the pandemic makes it easier for teachers to rec- OPINIONS EDITORS COPY EDITORS left-hand corner that the DOE does has affected students, holistic evalu- ognize that a student is engaged and Maya Nelson Nora Miller not trust you to change. It is within ation—the consideration of fac- thinking critically. Emailing teach- Aaron Visser* Tashfia Noor** Shreyasi Saha these boxes that students and teach- tors other than grades—becomes ers about a lesson that day or with Ruiwen Tang ers must attempt to get to know more important, intensifying the articles or book recommendations SCIENCE EDITORS Gerard Lin Raymond Yang** one another. Though we strive to need for strong student-teacher re- can provide necessary clarification Sonya Sasson** conceptualize each other beyond lationships. Yet these relationships, and communicate a genuine inter- BUSINESS MANAGERS our tiny camera-bound frames of particularly in junior year, are com- est in the subject. Office hours are SPORTS EDITORS Jared Moser** reference, this effort has proven plicated, as students may be acting another often underutilized op- Krish Gupta Tina Nguyen difficult. Many of the old teacher- opportunistically in the hopes of portunity to further flesh out one’s Sam Levine student moves do not transfer well securing a good recommendation understanding of the material while Matt Melucci WEB EDITORS to Zoom. There is no hallway greet- letter, by staying after class to ask strengthening bonds. David Chen** ing holler because there is no hall- questions or obsessively completing On the flip side, teachers can HUMOR EDITORS Alyssa Choi way. There is no doorway dallying extra credit opportunities. Though build a relationship with students Logan Ruzzier** Andrey Sokolov because there is no doorway. And this attitude among students is by allocating some time at the be- Kelly Yip* there is no high-fiving your teacher hardly exclusive to our present on- ginning of class for less academic * Managing Board FACULTY ADVISER because nobody can or wants to line model, distance-learning com- and more personal conversations ** Editors-in-Training Kerry Garfinkel touch each other. plicates the dynamic regardless. to learn more about their students. Please address all letters to: We reserve the right to edit letters These bonds that students cre- There is no clear understanding of Some teachers have been holding 345 Chambers Street for clarity and length. ate with their teachers are integral to whether students should go out of optional meetings outside of class New York, NY 10282 © 2018 The Spectator (212) 312-4800 ext. 2601 All rights reserved by the creators. the Stuyvesant experience. Often, their ways to perform and to appear to get to know students better in a [email protected] the best memories students have of enthusiastic, or if it is even possible relaxed setting. Additionally, waiting teacher relationships, especially in relationships this year, it is a step in a class are not of individual lessons to allow enthusiasm and academic until all students have left before remote-learning, are inevitably shal- the right direction. Students should or projects. Rather, it is the time they excellence to emerge naturally, so ending a Zoom session could serve low and transactional. However, keep trying to form better connec- stayed a few minutes after the bell that their letters of recommenda- as the online equivalent of asking students must remember that teach- tions with teachers to bring back a to ask a question or the small talk tion accurately reflect that. Fur- questions after class. ers are people too and that students sense of community and normalcy they had with their teachers when thermore, online learning restricts It is important to recognize should treat them as such. Whether and regard them as human beings, they arrived to class before the start these relationships to mainly just that it is often impossible to fully they are in class on Zoom or learn- rather than for the sole purpose of bell. Seeing teachers as three-di- academics. However, the strain of replicate anything remotely, and ing in-person, treating teachers with recommendations. With mutual re- mensional figures, rather than wells remote learning makes it tougher student-teacher relationships are respect and showing compassion spect as a baseline, we will be able of knowledge or arbiters of grades, for teachers to thoroughly assess not an exception. Given the contin- for their circumstances is non-ne- to further address the issues that is necessary to foster comfort and students and for students to dem- ued necessity of letters of recom- gotiable. come with online learning and start interest in a classroom; for students, onstrate both their personal and mendation, it can be easy to resign While empathy cannot entirely reclaiming a bit of the traditional getting to know their teachers out- academic qualities. Though some ourselves to the idea that student- solve the issue of student-teacher Stuyvesant experience. A People Abandoned By AYA ALRYYES blockade installation in 2007. Un- sonal protective equipment. With Palestinian, and international hu- Moreover, international law der the blockade, which covers the high population density, social man rights organizations have trumps Oslo. As United Nations The Israeli government has land, air, and sea, no one and noth- distancing is nearly impossible. As done the same in a joint statement. human rights experts point out, received much praise across media ing enters or leaves Gaza without Palestinians are in dire need of re- Beyond the legal aspect, the “The Oslo Accords must be in- outlets for its COVID-19 vaccina- Israeli permission. Nearly two mil- lief, the vaccine gives them hope. Israeli government has a moral ob- terpreted and applied consistent tion campaign; with 90 percent of lion Palestinians have been locked However, Israel will distribute the ligation to vaccinate Palestinians as with international law, and cannot elders and 44 percent of the gen- in Gaza for years. The United vaccines in the West Bank, but it does Israelis. As Dana Moss, the derogate from its broad protec- eral population having received at Nations, various human rights only to Jewish settlers (who are International Advocacy Officer at tions. The ultimate responsibility least one dose, Israel has the high- groups, and a large part of the largely considered by the interna- one of the organizations under- for health services remains with est vaccination rate of any coun- international community consider tional community to be residing signed on the joint statement, puts the occupying power.” Israel does try. Yet most ignore the millions Israel to be occupying Gaza, re- there illegally), while the Palestin- it, “It’s simply ethically unconscio- not have to deem itself an occu- of unvaccinated Palestinians living gardless of what the government ians living around them are left to nable that a healthy 22-year-old pying power for it to be one; its on occupied land toward whom claims. wait and suffer. living in a West Bank settlement activity in Gaza speaks for itself. Israel is abandoning its responsi- Healthcare access in Israeli- International law mandates will receive a vaccine, whereas an Nothing justifies Israel’s contin- bility toward. occupied land was a major issue that Israel provide vaccine access 80-year-old Palestinian with diabe- ued occupation, regardless of the Following the 1967 Six-Day even before the pandemic. Israel’s to Palestinians in Gaza and Area C tes will not.” way the Israeli Government styles War fought between Israel and blockade on Gaza impeded ac- of the West Bank. Article 56 in the In defense ofagainst such criti- it. The situation being what it is, its neighboring Arab states, Israel cess to medical treatment, Gazan 1949 Geneva Convention states cism, Israeli officials refer to the however, Israel must fulfill its legal seized the West Bank and Gaza hospitals lacked funding and re- that “the occupying power has the 1993 Oslo Accords, which place and moral obligation. Strip. These territories remained sources, and permits required to duty of ensuring and maintaining, the responsibility for providing In recent days, Israel has agreed under direct occupation until the travel into Israel for proper treat- with the cooperation of national healthcare in the West Bank on to provide 5,000 vaccine doses to Israeli government and the Pal- ment were routinely denied. High and local authorities, […] public the Palestinian Authority. Accord- Palestinian frontline healthcare estinian Liberation Organization population density, a depressed health and hygiene in the occupied ing to Deputy Health Minister workers. Rights groups, including signed the 1995 Oslo II Accord, economy, and lack of access to territory, with particular reference Yoav Kish, “Our responsibility is Human Rights Watch, have cor- splitting the land into Palestinian- drinking water—where 97 percent to the adoption and application of to vaccinate our own population.” rectly called this action “wholly administrated Area A, jointly con- of freshwater in the Gaza Strip is the prophylactic and preventive However, examining this argu- inadequate,” as 5,000 doses are trolled Area B, and Israeli-con- polluted or otherwise unsuitable measures necessary to combat the ment reveals its fragility. For one, nothing compared to the five mil- trolled Area C. for human consumption—have spread of contagious diseases and Israel regularly violates the Oslo lion doses that Israelis have re- While Gaza, which is desig- worsened the crisis. epidemics.” Accords with its regular demoli- ceived and the amount needed for nated Area A, has not been under Since the pandemic, Gazans The Office of the United Na- tion of Palestinian homes and its the two million Palestinians living occupation since the 2005 dis- and Palestinians in the West Bank tions High Commissioner for Hu- recently planned annexation of on occupied land. As said Human mantling of Israeli settlements in have suffered immensely. Many man Rights has called on Israel parts of the West Bank. Israel can- Rights Watch Director Omar Sha- Gazathere and the removal of the cannot afford the loss of income to “ensure equal access to CO- not cite Oslo to use as a bailout kir, “After 50 years of occupation Israeli military, it has been under that would come with self-quar- VID-19 vaccines for Palestinians,” when it is convenient and ignore it with no end in sight, Israel’s duties de facto occupation since Israel’s antining or even the cost of per- citing the Convention. Ten Israeli, the rest of the time. go beyond offering spare doses.” The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Page 7 Opinions Rent: Legal Theft By JACKY CHEN labor to live on a property, ing homeless. In a study exam- charge rent than to sell proper- Mexico and Russia, which have landlords spend an average of ining landlord incomes in Mil- ties. Moreover, houses become fought against serfdom or land During the pandemic, a just a measly three to 10 hours a waukee, Wisconsin, researchers more valuable and expensive monopolies. Transforming pri- collapsing economy and mass month managing the property. found that landlords made ap- over time as the population vate residential properties into unemployment has left many The lease between landlord proximately $151 in profit each grows. This situation is com- housing collectives removes the people unable to pay their rent, and tenant is not mutually ben- month from a single unit in pounded by the fact that about landlord class and pools funds provoking the question ofs eficial. The landlord makes eq- a low-income neighborhood, half of New York renters are for improvements or repairs. about the ethicalitys of the cur- uity off of the tenant’s labor. compared to $21 in an affluent rent-burdened and have a hard The jobs of small landown- rent rental system. Many land- When the tenant terminates a one. time building up equity to make ers and groundskeepers could lord associations cahave come lease, the landlord still owns the The tenant’s interest, then, these investments. be transformed into laborers out with provisions for land- home and can find new renters. is to keep as much money as It’s important to remem- cleaning the property rather owners. However, when think- However, the stakes are much possible without being evicted. ber that not all landlords are than just landlord duties. In the ing of the tenants, they are the higher for the tenant. With the This goal proves difficult to ac- greedy, money-stealing mon- past, landlords have been elimi- ones in the arrangement with- revoke of a lease, the tenant be- complish when a landlord holds sters. There is a spectrum from nated. For instance, Mexican out any property or fallbacks. A comes homeless, losing a fun- leverage over a renter’s head a small-time landowner renting revolutionary Emiliano Zapata landlord has assets to rely on or damental necessity. The system through the threat of eviction, to make ends meet while be- fought the hacienda plantation sell under difficult circumstanc- is overwhelmingly favorable to which makes discussions be- ing cooperative with tenants system that took over peasant es. When things go downhill, one side. tween landlords and renters to a large institutional landlord farmer life in 1910 and returned the tenant is left with nothing. With this unbalanced power tricky. Landlords have more disconnected from residents. the haciendas to the peasants. So what do landlords actu- dynamic, the interests of one money on their side, as seen However, the rent institution as Between 1910 and the 1940s, ally do? One thing they don’t group overwhelm the other. when renters in the US paid a a whole is morally wrong. Many when the land reform move- do is pay for mortgage or re- A landlord’s goal is to extract total of $535 billion for resi- landlords take part in an extor- ment regressed, Mexico fought pair bills. The tenant pays for as much money from tenants dential rents in 2015. Addition- tion system, working together against plantations. Even with- both while their rent money as legally possible to generate ally, large Republican lobbyists to protect their interests. Small out revolutionary measures, is siphoned by the landlord. revenue. One way is by being a criticized a bill that prevented landlords work toward the in- renters can still gain some Additionally, apartments with slumlord, in which leaseholders evictions against unemployed terest of big corporations when power through unions and utilities covered lump bill costs exploit the lower class by pur- tenants during the pandemic they have to fight tenant protec- moratoriums, such as the cur- with the rent, making the tenant chasing less valuable buildings in New York, claiming that the tion laws to make profits. rent moratorium on New York pay for those expenses anyway. in low-income neighborhoods inability for landlords to evict Because renting is so in- evictions. Though some landlords may for a lower mortgage. These gave tenants too much power. grained in our society, it is dif- It will be hard to make a take responsibility for repairs, leaseholders then raise rent out Though renting is a struggle ficult to imagine an alternative new system of housing without they also set arbitrary rules on of fear that tenants will not for tenants, owning property as the concept of landlords significant reforms. Despite this the property such as no drilling pay and with the knowledge is also difficult for the average dates as far back as feudalism. difficulty, housing never should or repainting the walls. While that low-income renters must person. It is more profitable However, land reform has also have been turned into an ex- tenants have to perform wage choose between paying or go- for global investment firms to been found in countries like ploitative system. The Traditions of Death By LAUREN CHIN as food for my aunt to eat. nal grandparents’ house with eat food.” are encouraged to respect and My paternal family, who im- my cousins. It was the day of “Okay,” my cousin said, re- honor the dead whom we once Twice a year, my mother’s migrated from Canton, China, a Chinese festival, so my grand- turning back to her toys and knew and loved, we still cor- family travels about an hour’s practices similar traditions parents were setting up the cus- seeming unaffected by my an- rupt or demonize the memories drive upstate to a Buddhist when honoring our dead rela- tomary offerings to our ances- swer. Nevertheless, that mo- of others, portraying them as temple. There, many families, tives. My grandfather stokes a tors. As we waited for dinner ment was the first time I con- frightening ghosts. I soon re- including our own, pay respect small fire in his kitchen, igniting to be served, I was tasked with sidered that communicating alized why this duality was the to their late loved ones. Our stacks of paper money in the entertaining two of my younger with our late ancestors could case: in both instances, the dead family goes to visit my late aunt. flames. Meanwhile, my grand- cousins. The younger of the be seen as scary. After all, I are forgotten and unidentifi- Together, we bow three mother sets a table entirely for two, who was about three at the had been doing it since I was able. My younger cousin could times to statues of the Buddha the dead, allowing them to eat time, asked me why we had to my cousin’s age, and there had not understand how the ghosts and other Chinese deities and before the living members of wait to eat dinner when the never been a reason for me were still our family. I wonder, hold sticks of incense in our the family. One by one, we bow food was clearly already to be afraid. Over time, at what point do our ancestors hands. My mother and grand- three times before these plates prepared. I attempted however, I began to and traditions simply become mother clean the small black of food. Rather than sticks of to explain that our realize that there ghost stories? plaque with my aunt’s name incense, we hold small cups of ancestors had to eat was an obvious The concept of death on it to ensure its protection alcohol, which are then given to first. fear of the dead has always been extremely in- against time and the elements. the deceased. When we visit our “Does that mean in Asian culture. teresting to me. It’s something Most importantly, my family ancestors, who are buried in a there are ghosts Like many other that no one, not even the smart- brings various offerings to burn graveyard about a half-hour’s in the house?” cultures, we have est scientists or wisest philoso- at a fire pit. My uncles bring drive away, we bring even more my cousin asked. ghost stories and phers, truly understands. Yet, at fake paper money, while my offerings of food. Though it seemed fables that make the end of our lives, we all share grandparents bring thin pieces Many other cultures have she was asking out us fear the dead. a desire to be remembered and of paper imprinted with silver similar views on honoring one’s of curiosity, I These fearful honored by those we love. With or gold squares. Once we burn ancestors. Across the world, was still wor- superstitions that in mind, we should not fear them, my aunt will supposedly families throw festivals or hold ried about directly the dead just because we can’t be able to use these gifts as real ceremonies to show their ap- scaring her. contradict remember them. Regardless of currency. My sisters and I write preciation and love for those After all, the Rin Fukuoka / The Spectator the tradi- whether or not you believe in letters, updating our aunt about they have lost. However, de- word “ghost” is gen- tions that an afterlife, the very least you our lives, and throw them into spite the prevalence of tradi- erally associated with hor- place heavy empha- can do is respect the wishes of the pit to burn as well. Before tions that honor the dead, much ror. A ghost is something to be sis on respecting those the deceased to be loved and re- returning home, we leave be- of humanity shares an aversion scared of. who have passed away. It’s membered. It won’t be long be- hind small snacks, fruits, and and fear of death. “They’re good ghosts,” I re- strange to think that our tradi- fore their stories are lost in time flowers that serve as both do- When I was around nine sponded. “They’re our family. tions could have such contrast- forever. nations toward the temple and years old, I visited my pater- They’re just here to say hi and ing ideas about death. While we Just Send the Checks By JACOB STEINBERG Donald Trump supported a The relief bill likely to be signed the Democratic party. For the the $2,000 checks. A full stimu- $2,000 check, the Republicans, into law includes $1,400 stimu- Democrats to fail on their most lus would cover either the en- Historically Republican led by Mitch McConnell, pre- lus checks, with the Democrats emphasized policy would be an tire rent for a one-bedroom Georgia elected Democrats ferred no stimulus check but arguing that since $600 checks embarrassing start to the par- apartment, three months of Raphael Warnock and Jon Os- were willing to reach a higher were sent out in a previous re- ty’s first period of total control groceries for a family of four, soff in their respective run-off number. With the debate rag- lief bill, $1,400 checks bring the in 10 years. Unfortunately, the or the healthcare premium for elections to the United States ing on, the Democrats capi- total money received to $2,000. passage of a relief bill is not as a family of four. Checks for Senate on January 5. Though talized on the easy policy of Though it may sound like a simple as the standard 50-50 $1,400 would either barely cov- a multitude of factors affect- $2,000 into the pockets of reasonable deliverance, it sim- vote, and Democrat Senator er those expenses or not at all. ed the race, the promise of qualified Americans and used ply does not fulfill the promise Joe Manchin has wavered with With the economy destroying $2,000 stimulus checks may it as their closer. President Joe the Democrats made. President regards to $2,000 checks. How- small businesses and drastically have pushed Democrats over Biden claimed that the checks Biden communicated in no un- ever, the rules of the Senate de- increasing unemployment, the the top. The Democrats placed would be passed and delivered certain terms, saying, “[War- mand the bill to be passed using more help provided, the better. the thrust of their campaign on “immediately” and that the big nock and Ossoff ’s] election budget reconciliation, a con- However, the humanitar- the sending of $2,000 stimulus difference between Democratic will put an end to the block in gressional rule that eliminates ian aspect of the aid is not the checks, repeating the promise and Republican control was Washington—that $2,000 stim- the use of the filibuster for bills sole factor. Indeed, the Demo- in speeches, debates, and cam- the delivery of these checks. ulus check—that money would regarding spending and deficits. crats also need to fulfill their paign advertisements. Now, And yet, this strong promise go out the door immediately, If the stimulus bill were subject campaign promises. To strike they must deliver. has failed to materialize nearly to help people who are in real to the filibuster, compromise out on $2,000 checks would The Senate battled over a month into the Biden admin- trouble.” As of now, the checks here would be permissible, but be a political disaster, as it providing COVID-19 relief to istration. will almost certainly stick at a simple majority is needed. would immediately undermine the American people through- In fact, if or when the $1,400. The Democrats have no legis- out December 2020. Though checks do arrive, they will be in This inability to uphold a lative excuse. Democrats and then-President a different form than promised. promise is unacceptable for The American people need continued on page 8 Page 8 The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Opinions Ageism: Discrimination That’s Considered Acceptable By ALEX CHO climate change. Another rea- their mental capacities might be of younger people. In contrast, ple have struggled to find full- son is the perceived harmless- questioned. cultures that emphasize collec- time employment with benefits At 78 years old, Joe Biden ness of ageist comments. Data, Many of us are not aware of tive cooperation, such as those and are much more likely to be became the oldest president in however, shows the opposite: the harms of ageism, because it found in China and Japan, are involved in part-time work and the United States to take the ageism has serious effects on is woven into our everyday at- more likely to respect older the gig economy. For this rea- oath of office on January 20. global well-being, so much so titudes, similar to the way casual people. Rather than being seen son, wages for younger Ameri- Cue granddad joke here. Or, that it could be seen as a public sexism, racism, and homopho- as out of touch, older people cans (ages 16-24) have dropped take a moment to reconsider. health crisis. bia are prevalent in our daily are traditionally seen as bearers in the last decade while those Whether or not one politically According to a systematic experiences. For instance, no of wisdom who help bind the of older Americans (55 and up) supports Biden, among the out- review of over 13 thousand one thinks twice about compli- community together and cre- have stayed flat—in part due to comes of the end of the Trump papers published in PLOS menting people of a certain age ate continuity between different wage seniority, Social Security, administration will hopefully ONE, ageism caused a major about how young they look or generations. This connection and Medicare. be the close of an era of divi- decline in health in older peo- act. No one finds it strange that suggests a possible benefit of As a potentially economi- sion and casual prejudice—led ple in 95.5 percent of its stud- older people feel embarrassed eliminating ageism: it may make cally disadvantaged group, by a president who mocked the ies. Moreover, data published to say how old they are on their us more cohesive in general and Stuyvesant students should disabled and thrived on stoking by the World Health Organi- birthday or dye their hair to more community-minded. Pro- stand up against prejudice di- xenophobic sentiment. And of zation shows that one in six conceal that it is turning gray. ductive interactions between rected at us. Comments like course, most people know that people over the age of 60 has These might seem like trivial older and younger people help “you’re too young to under- bigotry against those of differ- suffered from abuse from those examples, but these everyday tie society together and create stand” or “young people these ent ethnicities, sexual orienta- near them. According to the microaggressions and unthink- links between the old and the days are so lazy and obsessed tions, abilities, gender identi- report, elder abuse “can lead ing perceptions help contribute new. with video games” should be ties, or cultural backgrounds is to serious physical injuries and to an environment where age Of course, the burden met with a polite but firm re- unacceptable in 2021. However, long-term psychological con- is devalued, which ultimately to achieve this environment sponse that the other party one area where many of us still sequences.” In an example of creates a risk for more serious should not be solely on the should not be so quick to ste- blithely trade in stereotypes is an all too frequent occurrence abuses. young. While ageism is often reotype an entire generation. age. Ranging from “OK boom- reported by the National Com- Instead, we might just as understood exclusively in terms However, resentment should er” memes to open dialogue mittee for the Prevention of easily see it as a point of pride of discrimination against older not make us target an older questioning the mental fitness Elder Abuse, an 84-year-old to have survived and thrived for people, younger people face generation, which faces its own of older people, including por- woman named Elaine was im- a certain number of years and discrimination as well. Many hardship. We should be mindful trayals of the elderly in cartoons prisoned in her own bedroom see gray hairs as a mark of ex- older people have questioned of when bias is being expressed and sitcoms as out of touch and and verbally abused by her yard perience and insight. One place the work ethic and values of the against older people and call it unstable, ageism is largely pres- worker, who took control of to look for solutions might be millennial generation and Gen out, just like we would with rac- ent in our society. her finances under the pretense in the attitudes toward age in Z; however, two recessions in ist, transphobic, and other toxic Ageism seems to be the of helping her domestically. In certain countries. Studies have a row have made the situation speech. Attitudes shift quickly last holdout of acceptable dis- similar cases, many of the elder- found that ageism is linked to tougher than ever for younger when it is not socially accept- crimination, even among liber- ly have reported that they have the “individualism” of a coun- people just entering the job mar- able to express bigotry. Ulti- als. Part of the reason for this been sexually assaulted as well. try; the more a culture prizes in- ket. In fact, young adults who mately, better intergenerational maintained presence may be Much of this physical and sexu- dependence and “forging one’s went through 2008’s “Great Re- understanding would bring the resentment among the younger al abuse stems from the notion own path,” the more ageist it is cession” were loaded with debt same benefits that come along generations who have strug- that elderly people are easier likely to be. In an individualistic, and faced less job security than with other forms of diversity: gled economically and feel that targets due to their age. Often, competitive society, older peo- older Americans. Recessions different viewpoints and ex- older generations had an easier older people are afraid to report ple may just be seen as stand- have caused hiring managers to periences joining together and time. Additionally, the younger cases of serious abuse, because ing in the way. Their seniority cut back on staff and unlikely to benefiting from one another, generations tend to blame past they have developed a reliance rights, for instance, could pose consider less experienced em- rather than unfair judgment or generations for issues such as on their caregivers and feel that an obstacle to the advancement ployees. As a result, young peo- exclusion. The Reflexive “She’s Lying” By ANISHA SINGHAL of discrediting survivors and two to eight percent. Though al- tims are often manipulated into officers who often ask skeptical their experiences is not new. It most every rape victim is telling silence either by authorities, like questions, such as “What were In an Instagram livestream is heavily perpetuated by rape the truth, the police, our sup- Michigan State or the police, or you wearing?”; “Do you have a recounting her experience dur- culture, the normalization and posed protectors, refuse to be- by the perpetrator themselves. boyfriend and feel bad that you ing the Capitol riots, Con- excuse of rape. Over one in five lieve them. Brock Turner, a swimmer cheated?”; “Are you sexually ac- gresswoman Alexandria Oc- women and one out of 38 men Most sexual predators are at Stanford University with tive?”; and the occasional, “So asio-Cortez opened up about are survivors of sexual assault, serial offenders. If a predator Olympic-level aspirations, used why are you trying to ruin his another trauma she had expe- yet only 23 percent of survivors commits the crime once and is the “nice guy” excuse. He was life?” The trauma of a victim rienced: sexual assault. “I’m not punished, there is nothing caught raping Emily Doe (a who steps forward is torn apart a survivor of sexual assault. I to stop a repeat incident. Rapists pseudonym), who was blackout in pursuit of a sign of consent haven’t told many people that in also know that people of mar- drunk, by two witnesses. During never given in order to excuse my life. But when we go through ginalized communities are less his trial, Turner declared him- the acts of a perpetrator. trauma, trauma compounds on likely to be believed and often self a victim of party culture, Rape is not the victims’ fault each other,” she said. After shar- choose their victims accordingly. which fueled his despicable ac- and should not go unpunished. ing it with the world, critics im- Native American women are tions and ultimately cost him To combat rape culture, move- mediately pushed back and dis- sexually assaulted twice as often his career and life. To some, it ments like #MeToo and #Time- credited her experiences. They as white women, people with was a tragedy that 20 years of sUp are providing a platform for claimed that she was not even disabilities are sexually assaulted hard work were shattered by “20 victims to share their stories and in the Capitol at the time of the three times as often as people minutes of action.” Emily Doe are slowly giving power back to riots—though she made it very Spectator Sophia Li / The without disabilities, and 50 per- was unable to sleep at night out victims by exposing offenders. clear that she was in one of the cent of transgender people are of fear of waking up to being These movements have bro- Capitol building offices—and sexually assaulted at some point touched and was deeply trau- ken the silence, and if enough that she was only talking about in their lives. matized. Victims of rape often people start listening to and her sexual assault for publicity. Moreover, sexual offenders experience insomnia, anxiety, believing victims, we can rea- People pounced on her for are master manipulators. Gas- depression, and self-isolation sonably aspire toward attaining speaking up and were determined lighting and facades of being after the assault. To Turner and justice. Speaking up is frighten- to tear down the credibility of come forward to the police due “nice guys” are common tactics his family, friends, and support- ing for most victims, but they do her traumas. Journalist Michael to shame, self-blame, and an to avoid imprisonment. Dr. Lar- ers, however, an Olympic career so in an attempt to prevent as- Tracy responded to her com- attempt to suppress the experi- ry Nassar, a USA Gymnastics was more important. Without sault from happening to others. ing out as a victim of assault by ence. The most common rea- doctor at Michigan State Uni- those two witnesses, Turner’s When Ocasio-Cortez told the tweeting, “This is a masterclass son, however, is the fear of not versity, used his profession as an case would have been dismissed. world about her sexual assault in emotional manipulation— being believed. excuse to inappropriately touch Unfortunately, for every Brock trauma, our society responded a genuine political/rhetorical In a study by the National In- over 150 women. Michigan State Turner who gets convicted, by trying to poke holes in her skill.” The hashtag #Alexandria- stitute of Justice, police officers overlooked countless accusa- there are 200 who get away. story and discrediting her pain. OcasioSmollett started trending were asked what percentage of tions and told victims that they Of the cases that are re- If we support and validate vic- as people claimed that her story rape victims they believed were did not understand the differ- ported, only 19 percent lead to tims for speaking up instead of was less believable than that of lying. The study found that one- ence between sexual assault and an arrest, and even fewer result slamming their credibility, we Jussie Smollett, an actor who third of the officers thought 40 a medical procedure, because in a conviction. Therefore, it is will draw out more voices, mak- paid two brothers to beat him to 80 percent of the accusations they refused to acknowledge that understandable why victims are ing our communities safer and up as a publicity stunt. were false, while the actual rate a well-respected doctor could frightened to come forward and bringing closure to those who Unfortunately, this response of false rape reports is between commit such heinous acts. Vic- recount their traumas to police have already suffered. Just Send the Checks continued from page 7 Politics has a quick turnaround, for Democrats is extremely ure. the people set to receive their and the 2022 midterm elections tenuous and worsened by the The Democrats made their aid as well as the Democratic the faith of the country in the are in under two years. Demo- historical trend of opposition bed over the Georgia run-off electoral chances. The passage Democrats’ ability to execute crats lost footing in the House success in the first midterm campaign, and now they must of the bill is not simple, but the on their pledges, which in turn in 2020, and further Republican of a president’s service. If lie in it. For the Democrats to Democrats are led by career may reduce the number of gerrymandering may only serve the Democrats fail to pass the strip the American people of politicians who have long been Democratic voters who swung to close the slim seat deficit. $2,000 bill, they may be setting a considerable amount of aid trained to secure core tenets of the 2020 election in their favor. The favorable 2022 Senate map themselves up for electoral fail- would be punishing to both legislation. The choice is sim- The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Page 9 Opinions Cancel Culture: The Toxicity Behind The New Justice System Cancel Culture By ERICA LI career and avoiding the conse- people are fearful of getting can- By GULAM MONAWARAH conservative posts on Twitter. quences of their actions. celed, they are finally starting to She was swiftly fired from the Every couple of weeks, A well-known example educate themselves on equality. Ostracization has always television series “The Mandalo- strangers around the world band of this celebrity status is Bill For example, Brandy Melville’s been an uncomfortable part of rian” and received widespread together on social media to Cosby. Though sexual assault “One Size Fits All” clothing human nature. We set up social harassment from mostly liberal lower an individual’s reputation allegations surrounding Cosby only fits people who wear sizes norms and taboos and punish Twitter users. As Democratic and social status. Cancel culture popped up around the 2000s, zero to two and have a 24-25 those who break them. In “The views slowly gain more popu- holds people accountable when he always denied them, and inch waist, communicating that Scarlet Letter,” Hester Prynne larity, conservative opinions are the justice system refuses to. cases were settled outside of non “skinny” girls are out of and her daughter are publicly becoming less accepted online. While cancel culture existed court. While the witnesses told the norm. This sizing, coupled shunned for committing adul- Those who fear cancelation be- in various forms in the past, their stories to the media in sub- with viral TikToks and You- tery. Prynne’s breast is marked come angry at society, finding social media has expanded and sequent years, the accusations Tube videos posted by former with the letter A by a court of solace in anyone vaguely sup- democratized the process. The were not mainstreamed until employees detailing the terrible law, and she is ostracized by the porting their ideas, like for- marginalized are finally able to Andrea Constand reopened her working environment, caused community. While we as read- mer President Donald Trump seek retribution against their civil case in 2015 and again in many customers to boycott the ers understand that Prynne is and Senator Josh Hawley. This wrongdoers. Many victims, spe- 2018 for the retrial. In response, brand. People are now starting innocent, the society that pun- transition is a problem for all cifically women and minorities, the public ostracized Cosby, to shop at Black/People of Col- ishes her does so in the name Americans as we may live in a were unable to receive closure causing him to lose most of his or-owned small businesses that of righteousness, believing that bleak, mundane world in the due to the failures of the justice television deals. Even among have better ethics than Brandy their beliefs outweigh due pro- future where freedom of speech system but have now found a the ones he managed to keep, Melville. Additionally, Brandy cess and Prynne’s future. In the is constantly hampered. community where they are sup- modern day, ostracization has Many believe that cancel ported and can take power into reached a new level on the In- culture holds criminals, such as their own hands. For example, ternet called cancel culture. sexual offenders, accountable. at LaGuardia High School in Cancel culture is the pub- However, legal cases should 2019, a teacher harassed a Mus- lic’s deliberate effort to destroy instead be taken to court with lim student, Duha Elkhouli, by one’s career and livelihood. proper authorities to better ex- calling her a terrorist. Elkhouli While many justify cancelation amine evidence. In the times was not the first to face the rac- as it holds people accountable when the judicial system fails, ist remarks of that particular and magnifies marginalized people still manage to find re- teacher, yet when she filed a voices, cancel culture is too storative justice through con- complaint to the Department toxic to bring positive change. versation, rather than retribu- of Education, she received little Its methods, such as resurfac- to no response. She kept quiet tive justice through cancelation. ing old statements and private until recently, when she post- For example, Bayan Zehlif, a matters, lead to online bul- ed a viral video with over 200 high school student, spoke out lying. Furthermore, cancel thousand views on Instagram Spectator Christina Jiang / The in 2016 after her school year- that detailed the incident, her culture breeds intolerance for book printed her name as “Isis feelings, and the actions of the non-mainstream ideas, which Phillips.” Instead of attacking people around her. can backfire in the form of re- the school and authors of the Her story is not unique; sistance or fear. yearbook, she went straight many people have gone through Efforts to cancel someone to the Council on American- similar encounters, myself in- are online bullying. Many ar- Islamic Relations to share her cluded. The judicial and school the audience heckled him when Melville’s cancelation began an guments for canceling someone story. In this case, there was no systems do not have a protocol he went on stage. Cosby, the honest conversation of body are purely personal but are used one to cancel; if she canceled in place to deal with cases of face of American pop culture positivity among young women wrongfully to bully innocent a student, she could have ef- microaggressions. Journalism for almost half a century, fell a and opened people’s eyes to the people. For example, in the fectively ended that student’s rarely broadcasts about them far way from the height of his extensive history of Eurocentric James Charles and Tati West- school prospects and potential either, aside from a few stories career. beauty standards. brook scandal, Charles was ac- professional careers. Because of that are out of the norm. This This type of ostracization On the other hand, any cused of deliberately sabotaging her actions, the school made a lack of coverage is where cancel leaves no room for meaningless form of social system is never Westbrook’s products and forc- full recall of all distributed year- culture steps in. Once Elkhouli apologies. Public figures, such completely accurate, and cancel ing men into sexual acts. As a books, rewrote, and reprinted. shared her story, others started as YouTubers, can no longer culture is not so different from result, Charles lost a large por- If we speak out the way Zehlif to share their own experiences brush past their scandals with our own justice system on this tion of his followers and was did rather than cancel, then we in the comments section and hollow apology videos or state- front. Being canceled under harassed by multiple fanbases, will find more honest and ma- even started a student-led move- ments. YouTubers are forced to false pretenses can ruin an indi- pushing him to release a video ture ways to combat problem- ment to fight racism in schools. confront the repercussions of vidual’s life, especially individu- addressing Westbrook’s accu- atic actions. Many argue that cancel cul- posting something illegal, in- als who do not have money and sations. This series of events As a society, we have to ture is simply a form of bullying appropriate, or outright disre- power protecting them. Cancel prompted Charles and West- punish those who commit aw- and that it rarely brings about spectful. For example, Sam Pep- culture certainly did do so for brook’s fans to cancel each oth- ful acts, but we must not go real consequences. However, per’s questionable videos, such Natasha Tynes, who was can- er over a petty fight on a per- too far. Cancel culture is far cancel culture merely strives to as “Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank” celed after tweeting about an sonal level. During the scandal, more extreme than simply call- bring attention to and hold the and the “Killing Best Friend MTA employee eating on the hundreds of people were hurt, ing out a person’s behavior. If canceled person accountable for Prank,” drew an overwhelming train. She was then accused of confused, and ashamed by the someone is a victim of a crime, offensive actions. It reflects our amount of protest, demanding being “anti-black,” “elitist,” and situation. I know teenagers there are many ways to handle society’s refusal to just accept YouTube to ban him. By that “narcissistic” and even got her who were bullied for owning the situation. One can quietly things the way they are. Cancel point, the public was sick of his book that she had been working James Charles’s merchandise or extend their support to the vic- culture is a form of boycott, a apology videos and had given on for four years canceled. shamed for attempting to sup- tim, present potential evidence long-standing tactic in the civil up on seeing an active change in While cancel culture has its port any makeup artist involved to the authorities, or person- rights movement, and a push for his character. downsides, it is a required force in the scandal. Charles and ally avoid problematic prod- social change. It is used mostly Anyone and anything can for social change. Though it has many of his fans were wrongly ucts without harassing others. by people who do not have the be canceled, leading to a wide- its faults, it gives the marginal- abused on the Internet, proving If someone is behaving prob- social, professional, or political spread cultural shift. The power ized a voice—a necessity in our that cancel culture should not lematically on a personal level, status to combat their tormen- of social movements, such as society. Victims are gaining the always be trusted with the final people should engage in con- tors. When people band togeth- the #MeToo, the LGBTQ+, or courage to open up about their say as it creates an environment ventional conflict resolution er, their words and actions mean the Black Lives Matter move- experiences, and their oppres- fraught with fear. techniques. We can advance something, which is especially ments, increased through the sors, no matter their social sta- Cancel culture also breeds social change and personal ac- influential when the oppressors cancelation of problematic indi- tuses, are finally facing the con- political intolerance for op- countability without engag- are celebrities who have power viduals on social media. Cancel sequences. Cancel culture is a posing opinions. For example, ing in the messy and harmful and pay “hush money” to media culture may sound like a type needed movement on the jour- actress Gina Carano was re- methods of cancel culture. outlets or witnesses, saving their of “mob justice,” but because ney to reform the justice system. cently canceled over multiple Page 10 The Spectator • March 2, 2021 Advertisement

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Mary’s Room: The Clash Between SCIENCEBEAT NASA’s Perseverance rov- Psychoanalysis And Neuroscience er successfully touched down on Mars on February By RANIA ZAKI the brain received the status of the different degrees. For example, in pick the red apple if contrasted by 18 and is now searching for mind. A split in Freudian theory the question proposed by neuro- a pure gray apple, much like a col- Mary lives in the Twilight arose: reductionism, a new mirage scientist Lawrence Marks, “Which orblind patient with synesthesia. In signs of life. Zone. In an achromatic room, of psychiatry that reduced the is lighter: a sneeze or a cough?,” this case, Mary did not learn some- this imagined neuroscientist learns distinction between the mind and roughly 95 percent said that a thing about reddish hues because about the physical entities of color, body, made them identical. sneeze was perceived with brighter though her qualia could not solely The arrival of the polar vor- such as their physics and biologi- In turn, the Mary’s Room ex- intensity. Yet, how did individu- distinguish between different color tex in Texas has led to wide- cal basis, but has yet to perceive it periment was used to argue against als with different subjective con- hues, her physical brain could. If spread power outages and with her own eyes. This thought the reductive basis by claiming that sciousness perceive a similar con- she possessed her qualia, the dif- food and water shortages, experiment provokes a question: if identical states must have the same clusion? ference would be physical, except as power equipment, water Mary steps outside and sees a red properties, supporting the idea It is because certain properties on a scale that arguably would not lines, and gas pipelines froze apple, will she have learned any- that the mind and body were not of our senses, like color intensity, be within Mary’s initial scope of thing more? one. Reductionism equated mental do not only rely on our percep- awareness. in record low temperatures. Initially, the thought experi- states, like consciousness and be- tion. In one test, Ramachandran To understand why, consider ment, proposed by philosopher havior, with brain states, such as and Hubbard folded a white card artificial intelligence (AI). If you Frank Jackson, affirmed that she empirical evidence of brain activity with a gray number on each side. wire up AI to compute the same The United Kingdom ap- would. In doing so, it concluded and hormones. One way to under- One side was brightly lit while the kinds of information that Mary proved the world’s first that there is a quality of color di- stand the connection is to see how other was in a shadow. Though can, you assume that it has Mary’s COVID-19 human chal- vision beyond its physical descrip- our perception and consciousness the physical luminance was radi- capabilities. If this AI resided in lenge trial, where volun- tion. That missing quality was her argue against this dualism. cally different on the two sloping a body cloned from Mary, even teers will be infected with qualia, or her subjective personal Our senses are one of the best sides of the card, their perceived Mary herself could not assert a the virus to see the amount experience, when she ventured understood physical perceptions. reflectance was identical because difference, unless the environment outside. Though the perception of sight the brain took account of this di- changed. Suddenly a physical pro- needed to cause the illness. Qualia dominated the psychiat- is subjective, as you cannot see minished luminance and subtract- cess, like color perception (which ric field through psychoanalysis, a through the eyes of another, there ed the intensity of the brighter-lit was not possible in the black-and- theory that focuses on the uncon- is an objective medical basis for the right. However, the color satura- white world), appears miraculous- The COVID-19 death toll scious in mental disorders. Philos- processing of visual input, which tion looked grossly different due ly. However, if the scenario was in the U.S. surpassed 500,000 opher Sigmund Freud developed a goes through the retina cones to the difference in actual physical changed and the AI was subjected on February 22, exceeding theory of the human psyche, where down to the optical nerve that contrast, not perceived contrast. to color while Mary wasn’t, the va- the number of Americans he proposed that the unconscious transmits information into color. Thus, a dependence on physical lidity of what defines Mary would killed in World War II, the mind is the sole driver of all cog- Even if the same stimuli are trans- contrast, not the perceived con- be debatable. No matter which Korean War and the Viet- nitive processes, including that of mitted to the brain however, our trast, is also important in the vivid- case you consider, both the clone consciousness. Family structure, mind comprehends them in differ- ness of color. and Mary learn something new nam War combined. past traumas, or forgotten abuse ent ways, sometimes by invoking In many ways, this simple test when they observe color, but not became the unforeseen determi- a different sensory process to an speaks depths to the nature of through consciousness. Rather, it is nant of the stable mind, thus disre- unparalleled sensory input. This is qualia and how it is also not out similar to the difference between a basic neuroscience as well as how garding most biological causes of known as synesthesia, or the inter- of grasp to the physical brain state. dead wire and the same wire juiced it can relate the mind of the reader mental disorders. Dating back to mixing of communication in the Our brain neurons can create de- with electricity. with the hand they are holding the Descartes’s axiom “I think, there- brain between the senses. Stimula- grees of experiences that depend Similar to how Mary’s room book with. As reductionist phi- fore I am,” the mind and the body tion of one sense leads to an invol- both on perception and physical delves into the extent to which losophy is the dominant form, the (or brain) were seen with different untary and automatic experience quality, suggesting that qualia has knowledge can enable perception, lack of discussion on the integra- states. To Descartes, both were dis- in another sense, where some feel a probable objective basis. A likely many have attempted to revisit tion of objective accounts of real- tinct, as he could doubt his body what they smell or see what they prediction is that the apple would the argument that consciousness ity to subjective one may very well but not his mind. However, phar- hear, for instance. seem gray to Mary due to being in can be thoroughly studied through be ignoring the red apple Mary maceuticals began to treat mental Though it seems supernatural, the room for too long. Even with- physical sciences. More psycho- saw for a monochrome answer in illness by the end of the 1980s, and we all experience synesthesia to out subjective qualia, Mary would analysts have begun to investigate a dark room. You’re Not Alone: Zoom Fatigue Is Real By RIONA ANVEKAR alertness, energy, and motivation. what is being conveyed and what less trustworthy because they’re ner that causes fatigue rather than Social interactions are very much response is needed. A short inhale harder to understand. These delays alertness. As we approach our one-year associated with reward circuits and before someone begins to speak, create feelings of uncertainty and However, using Zoom has been “quarantine-versary” of the pan- oxytocin, the hormone involved in crossing of the legs, and fidget- unfamiliarity, decreasing the reward helpful for some people with devel- demic, many students at Stuyves- social bonding which regulates the ing of the hands are examples of perceived. opmental disabilities, like autism. ant and across the country are ex- dopaminergic pathway. Further- small but important gestures in in- Over Zoom, most people are While some autistic people find it periencing the detrimental effects more, the manner in which social terpreting social interactions. How- framed from the shoulders up, pre- difficult to determine when to talk of using Zoom and other video- interaction occurs is vital to the ever, over Zoom, the brain rarely venting others from viewing body during in-person conversations, the calling interfaces for extended pe- process of the rewards circuit. For receives the social cues it needs to language or hand gestures. Poor lag on Zoom may make it easier riods of time. After five hours of example, MRI data reveals that live be comfortable in a social inter- video quality can impair the com- for them to gauge this. Moreover, online classes a day, many students face-to-face interaction activates action. Even without technology prehension of minute facial ex- Zoom’s inability to host parallel find themselves ready to take a nap areas of the brain associated with or internet issues, the brain’s in- pressions. This leaves users depen- conversations in one room makes and call it a day. Commonly known rewards more than viewing record- terpretation of social interactions dent on eye contact and attention the environment more comfort- as “Zoom fatigue,” this mental ex- to words to interact with others. able for those who are easily over- haustion describes the tiredness, Evidence shows that eye contact is whelmed by multiple people talk- burnout, or worry associated with vital to improving the connection ing. Yet, since there is a spectrum overusing virtual platforms of between two people, resulting in of autistic issues, some may report communication, attributed not to faster responses, improved memo- struggles with video chatting as it students being lazy but to the way rization of faces, and increased can overwhelm them with sensory the brain processes social interac- likeability. However, eye contact triggers like loud noise and bright tions. on Zoom is often compromised lights. Mental fatigue can be explained because people tend to look at the Nonetheless, there are activities through the rewards-cost tradeoff center of their screen rather than that people can do to relieve some that occurs in the brain. Before the camera. Speaker view is another of this fatigue. Avoid multitasking engaging in any activity, a tradeoff issue because it deprives one of the while on Zoom. Switching between is made between the predicted re- ability to see and recognize the be- tasks tires out the brain and costs wards and costs of participating havior of others, which is what the you 40 percent of what could have in the activity. Even the decision peripheral vision would take care been productive time. Reduce on- to open your laptop to begin your Spectator Cadence Li / The of in person. On the other hand, screen stimuli by hiding your face day is made on the basis of these gallery view causes its own issues from view. People tend to frequent- unconscious estimates to maximize as it overwhelms the brain with ly look at themselves during Zoom, rewards and minimize costs. The multiple people and sources of in- whether it's to make sure they look dopaminergic pathway, essential to formation to decode, leaving it un- engaged or to check if others can translate a high-rewards low-cost able to process information prop- see that pimple on their chin, but situation, is activated. Specifically, erly. The extended split in attention doing this becomes taxing on the the mesolimbic dopamine pathway creates a peculiar sense of feeling brain. Take a break from screen begins at the ventral tegmental area drained while having accomplished time when possible. You can do this (VTA), a dopamine-rich area cover- nothing. The brain is simultane- during class simply by looking away ing part of the midbrain that proj- ings. Thus, more active social inter- is significantly impaired by more ously overwhelmed by unfamiliar from your screen for a few seconds ects dopaminergic action potentials action is associated with perceived than a 100 milliseconds delay; un- excess stimuli and hyperfocused on occasionally or by making time for to another area of the brain called rewards, activating the neurological fortunately, Zoom aims for a lag searching for nonverbal cues. breaks between classes. Try talking the nucleus accumbens (NAc). It is pathways modulating feelings of of 150 milliseconds. These audio Unable to recognize clear social to someone in your household for in the NAc where dopamine pri- alertness rather than fatigue. delays are subconsciously inter- cues, the brain has to compensate a couple of minutes. Even fighting marily mediates feelings of pleasure That’s where the problem lies preted by the user as the speaker’s with extra cognitive and emotional with your sibling over who gets to and reward. Whenever a person with Zoom and other video-calling inability to quickly form affirmative effort, leaving Zoom with a low- use the bathroom works. Practice encounters rewarding or pleasur- interfaces. The social interaction and confident thoughts. Moreover, reward, high-cost analysis. This mindfulness, meditation, and yoga able stimuli, dopamine is released is not active enough to trigger the a human’s primitive psychology interpretation results in a failure to to re-energize your body. Exploring and sends signals from the VTA to dopaminergic pathway because nurtures the idea that the simpler release the oxytocin necessary to alternative ways to psychologically the NAc, creating positive feelings much of communication is actu- something is to understand, the trigger the dopaminergic pathway improve your perceived reward can that reinforce that behavior. Over- ally unconscious and nonverbal. easier it is to believe. Therefore, and other neurological pathways be a therapeutic approach towards all, the activation of the dopami- The brain uses various social cues those with technological issues that associated with reward, which in Zoom fatigue and can improve nergic pathways triggers subjective in an interaction to understand impair their audio are identified as turn regulates pathways in a man- your pandemic lifestyle as a whole. Page 12 The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Science Have You Heard About Sonochemistry? By OSCAR WANG medical and biotechnical fields. times larger than the molecules range of frequencies that create ultrasound applicators outside the MFM-300(Al), an MOF that traps themselves. Currently, this tech- unique interactions between a body to cause small movements The honk of a car horn, the toxic gas molecules, and Fe-BTC, nique is only verified to work with variety of materials: ultrasound- in the body that bring the cancer- tone of an AMBER alert, and the an MOF that removes metals like iron and copper-based materials; driven chemistry involving “low” ous tissue closer for removal by beep of a heart rate monitor are lead and mercury from water, are nonetheless, it serves as a proof frequencies between 10 kHz to heat. This alternative is both safe all auditory sensations that can just two of the 80,000+ varieties that MOFs can be manufactured 3 MHz to not only help raise the and effective, and serves as a new spell the difference between life of MOFs. temperature of a solution but hope for patients, especially those and death. Yet sound does not MOFs are manufactured also help guide molecules whose bodies are still recovering always need to be heard to save through a resource-intensive along a wave-like from treatments like surgery. Like- lives. Ultrasound describes sounds process. First, the organic formation. This wise, a team from the University with frequencies higher than that and inorganic molecules must discovery opens of Michigan used an ultrasound of the human hearing range, of be assembled in a the doors to a method, called histotripsy, to re- 20 Hz to 20 kHz. While acoustic high surface tension host of new, move tumors in the prostate. This technologies have existed in the solvent which non-invasive, method works by creating micro- medical field since the early 19th allows them and painless sized bubbles within the tumor, century, ultrasonic applications to stay in methods of which disrupts cellular functions like ultrasound imaging emerged place. drug deliv- and breaks down tumor cells. Ad- in the 1950s. In the 1980s how- Then, in ery, as large ditionally, scientists at Duke Uni- ever, a field called sonochemistry, a process molecules versity are experimenting with a which explores the application of called ac- like vac- technique called virtual palpation, ultrasound to cause chemical reac- tivation, cine an- which uses the ultrasound’s ability tions, was invented. While instru- the MOF- tibod- to permeate through molecules to ments like stethoscopes will stay solvent ies can scan tissues and analyze their stiff- relevant for many more decades, complex is be in- ness. This technique has primarily sonochemistry and many other heated for serted in been used to detect irregularities applications of ultrasound are be- hours in MOFs to be in heart, liver, and breast tissues. coming the first choice for many the delivered. Though it has existed for doctors. Because these minimally sol- Addi- over 30 years, the field of sono- invasive instruments allow for im- vent tional- chemistry is still in its early stages mediate and precise results, they with ly, ex- of development. Despite being may replace many of the technol- a low isting overshadowed by recent advance- ogies and practices we use today. boiling nebu- ments in artificial intelligence and Whether by creating nanotech- tempera- liz- space travel, the lesser known field nologies that can transport and re- ture until the ers—ma- of sonochemistry can still lend lease virtually anything or causing solvents inside Emily Tan / The Spectator chines that itself to great scientific progress chemical reactions directly within and outside the MOF are administer liquid medicine as in the years to come. MOFs are the body, sonochemistry is a field exchanged. Finally, the product is in mere minutes. gases—can be made more effi- powerful tools, but they are only that will continue to evolve. put in a vacuum, leaving the in- The same group of research- cient and accurate with the abil- one example of how sonochem- In a recent study, researchers side empty and ready for use. In ers also proved that sonochem- ity to create a finer suspension. istry propels multiple areas of re- at RMIT University in Australia contrast, the new technique de- istry can also be used for drug Despite being an emerging tech- search. Perhaps the future could utilized sonochemistry to reach veloped by RMIT scientists uses delivery and vaccinations. Using nology, these techniques are rela- see devices that use ultrasound to a breakthrough in nanotechnol- high-frequency sound waves de- ultrasound’s ability to move mol- tively cheap to administer, making manipulate the molecules in our ogy. They devised a way to pro- livered from a special microchip ecules once again, the research- it possible to scale up production atmosphere to reduce the effects duce metal-organic frameworks that precisely alters the frequency ers manipulated molecules found and create large trials before they of global warming. Additionally, (MOFs)—highly permeable poly- of the sound, to meticulously in vaccines using high-frequency are officially released. patients can expect to see vaccina- mers composed of a metal ion order and move the molecules sound waves, thereby restructur- RMIT University is not the tions as a pill guided by ultrasound center and additionally linked or- forming the MOFs. This method ing them. While MOFs can cre- only institution advancing the rather than an injection. Though ganic molecules—with great effi- allows scientists to relocate the ate nanoparticles that house vac- applications of sonochemistry. sonochemistry is not the first sci- ciency. MOFs are highly versatile molecules while also removing cines, the team also guided the The French National Institute entific field that people ordinar- as they can be used in any applica- the solvent without the use of contained vaccine to its destina- for Health and Medical Research ily think of, it still contributes to tion that requires the transport of activation. Because the frequen- tion in the body. Lead researcher also uses sound to treat cancer many of the scientific advance- substances on a microscopic scale, cy of the ultrasound is so high, Leslie Yeo at RMIT explains without the need of surgery. The ments of the 21st century—albeit making them highly valuable in the sound wave is over 100,000 that his team has established a treatment involves administering silently. To Be Or Not To Be… Bald? By SATHIRTHA MONDAL hair loss is primarily caused by ment and is applied to slow thin- works by increasing testosterone stitute based in Japan. They dis- stress, which is correlated with ning hair and hair loss. It is a va- levels in the body, it has several covered that stem cells—cells that You’re in the shower, rins- three specific types of hair loss: sodilator, meaning it widens blood side effects, including impo- have yet to differentiate—could ing your hair and singing to your telogen effluvium, alopecia areata vessels to improve blood flow to tence, weakness, headaches, and be used to develop hair follicles. heart’s delight when you look (AA), and trichotillomania. Telo- the regions in which it is applied. swelling. There are other treat- These hair follicles are unique be- down to find clumps of hair have gen effluvium results from a body However, it requires constant ments, such as hair transplants, cause they can regrow hair when it fallen out. You shake it off, only change, such as weight loss, that usage, as halting the treatment laser treatment, and, for those falls out, ensuring that every fallen to find that even more strands causes hairs to be in the telogen, who fancy the aesthetic of hair, strand is replaced by a new one. have abandoned your scalp as you or resting, phase. The hair then microblading. While those treat- They grew the cells in a NFFSE comb your hair. Worry begins to sheds and becomes thin. Howev- ments are time-consuming and medium, a type of growth me- set in. The next morning, that er, this hair loss is reversible and expensive, there are also cheaper dium that includes collagen, and worry escalates to fear as you see may grow back normally within alternatives or home remedies, found that this yielded the high- your pillowcase covered with even six months. AA is an autoimmune such as drinking green tea, taking est stem cell amplification rate, or more loose strands. disorder that is triggered by stress biotin supplements, and using regenerative success. In the study, Baldness is among one of the and causes several isolated patch- different types of oils, such as they found that 80 percent of fol- worst annoyances in our society as es on the scalp. Trichotillomania, peppermint, rosemary, coconut, licles were able to regenerate in a mankind has long been pestered also referred to as “hair-pulling castor, or olive oil. However, cyclical fashion, suggesting that by alopecia areata, or male/female disorder,” involves compulsive these remedies lack proven ef- hair regeneration is an imminent pattern progressive hair loss. In hair pulling. The commonal- fectiveness. reality. Though this method must the U.S., approximately 35 mil- ity among hair losses caused by Recently, there have been also pass clinical trials before it lion men and 21 million women stress is that they are temporary: two breakthroughs in the can be approved, its results so far suffer from hair loss, equating to since the hair follicles are not treatment of hair loss. The first have been more than promising. hair loss in over one in every five permanently damaged, hair can was the discovery of Avicennia Mankind may soon be able Americans. However, hair loss regrow. To encourage hair re- marina, an extract derived from to overcome one of its greatest shows minimal signs of slowing, growth, healthy practices, such as mangrove trees that contains inconveniences. Though it is one with few existing cures and many managing your stress, eating a bal- Avicequinon-C, a chemical that thing to choose a clean-shaven ways to aggravate the problem, anced diet that supplies halts hair loss and promotes head or shed a few hairs a day, which becomes distressing to vic- vitamins essential growth by inhibiting it is an entirely different story tims of this nuisance. to hair growth the release of an- to be a victim of excessive hair Shedding hair does not im- (Vitamins drogens that loss. Thankfully, this affliction mediately indicate alopecia areata, C, B, and cause hair may soon see a permanent end as as males and females with healthy E), and loss. The new remedies become commer- hair may shed up to 80 and 100 remain- Yume Igarashi / The Spectator sub- cially available, replacing current strands a day, respectively. Though ing hy- stance methods that have questionable it is frightening when you find a drated can w a s efficacy or serious side effects. few loose strands, don’t freak out help your hair return to its normal Yume Igarashi / The Spectator tested on 50 participants who While hair loss is generally not a just yet. However, once you lose growth rate. suffer from alopecia areata, and concern until later in one’s life, it more than 100 strands a day and While there has yet to be a will resume and exacerbate hair results indicated that it success- never hurts to take preventative your hair begins to feel thin, it may certified remedy to replant hair on loss. Finasteride is a prescription fully stopped hair loss and pro- measures early. So, perhaps take indicate an underlying issue for a bald head, there are many treat- medication and is claimed by the moted hair regrowth. However, up some healthy practices, such abnormal hair loss. ments to mitigate hair loss. The American Hair Loss Association this extract must be tested more as regular hair washing or eating Anyone is susceptible to hair FDA approved two treatments to have stopped hair loss from frequently before it can be ap- a healthy diet, and stop stressing loss as it can result from medical for male pattern baldness: Minox- progressing in 86 percent of treat- proved as a drug. The second about that exam or project you conditions, genetics, hormonal idil and Finasteride. Minoxidil is ed men and increased hair growth breakthrough was achieved by may have. Give yourself and your imbalances, or aging. However, an over-the-counter (OTC) treat- in 65 percent. However, since it scientists at Riken, a research in- hair a break. The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Page 13 Science Musk’s SpaceX vs. Bezos’s Blue Origin: The Billionaire Space Race By ARYANA SINGH rockets into space. for deep space travel, such as to Heavy, which consists of three compared to the current four As a student, Bezos dreamed the Moon or even Mars. For now, Falcon 9 cores, became the most that are sent to the ISS at a time. In the first week of 2021, of building huge space colonies Blue Origin’s main focus is a fully powerful rocket in the world and Starship could also be used for a founder and CEO of Tesla and and specifically had an interest in reusable rocket system named could carry more than twice the manned mission to the Moon in SpaceX Elon Musk surpassed physicist Gerard O'Neill’s space New Shepard, which has success- amount of the next biggest rock- 2023 to prove its ability to make Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as colony concepts. In O’Neill’s con- fully landed on the ground mul- et. In fact, a Falcon Heavy rocket deep space trips. Musk also men- the richest man in the world at a cepts, colonies were made out of tiple times. However, unlike the equipped with previously used tioned that, since the Starship net worth of $185 billion. Since materials almost exclusively found proposed New Armstrong, New boosters once sent a Tesla Road- is reusable, the round-trip ticket then, the top spot has fluctuated in space. The cylindrical space Shepard is only designed for sub- ster heading towards Mars. After could cost around $100,000 to between the two. colonies would rotate to create the orbital flight and, therefore, does the car was on its way, the boost- $500,000, allowing average citi- Coincidentally enough, Bezos feeling of gravity and Earth-like not have the power to achieve ers safely landed back on Earth, zens to pack their bags and move abruptly stepped down as CEO conditions. In Bezos’s high school orbit around Earth. Additionally, proving Falcon Heavy’s ability to to Mars. The company expects to of Amazon on February 2. In valedictorian speech, the Miami Blue Origin plans to help develop send heavy payloads. Additionally, start creating a city on Mars in the a letter to Amazon employees, Herald recapped, “[Bezos] wants a lunar lander for NASA’s upcom- the company is working to create 2050s and Musk even hopes to Bezos stated that as a result of his to build space hotels, amusement ing Artemis mission that aims to a fully reusable rocket— Starship terraform Mars using greenhouse decision, “[I will] have the time parks, yachts, and colonies for get humans back on the moon by SN9—and fuel will be the only gases in the 2100s to make it more and energy I need to focus on two or three million people or- 2024. significant cost. Unfortunately, in Earth-like. […] my other passions.” Similar biting around the earth […] The Considering how much the the past couple of months, two Both billionaires share the to Musk, Bezos has his own space whole idea is to preserve the earth company still has to accomplish, it test launches ended in explosions same wish: to make space travel company, Blue Origin. It seems as […] the final objective is to get is no wonder that Bezos adjusted upon landing, inciting criticism cheaper and more accessible to if Bezos, after seeing his oppo- all people off the earth and see it his devotion. It is clear that Bezos that the company is moving too the general public—but in differ- nent’s success, wishes to challenge turned into a huge national park.” has not put much effort into Blue fast. ent ways. Both companies have Musk’s ability by turning his at- With this desire in mind, Bezos Origin, considering the company’s Musk also has large aspira- focused on creating reusable tention to Blue Origin. Assessing founded Blue Origin and sought few launches thus far. In the last tions. Unlike Bezos, Musk wants rockets that will drastically lower each company’s goals in the up- to reduce the cost of space travel. two years, SpaceX had 21 launch- to establish a self-sustaining city the cost of each launch, as NASA coming years shows that the two Blue Origin is currently work- es and became the first private on Mars, stating, "When you'd currently spends an average of billionaires are ready to engage in ing on a rocket set to debut in company to successfully launch a land [on Mars], you hydrate the $152 million per launch because a space race. 2021 called New Glenn that will rocket into space, while Blue Ori- [dry nutrient] gel [with seeds] a new rocket has to be assembled Though it is not discussed as have reusable boosters to lower gin had far fewer launches, most and you have a little greenhouse each time. Soon, we will all live in much as SpaceX, Blue Origin has the cost of launches. The boost- of which were suborbital flights. on Mars." SpaceX’s current plan a reality where riding rockets to its own stark ambitions. Bezos ers, which help propel a spacecraft SpaceX had contracts with NASA for a Mars mission is to launch space is just as common as riding founded Blue Origin in 2000, into space, would ideally return to far before Blue Origin did, such a manned Starship into orbit. A planes, and we’ll have companies two years before Musk founded Earth for reuse. Blue Origin is also as the manned Dragon mission few “tanker” Starships would also like SpaceX and Blue Origin to SpaceX. Though not many people planning to create a rocket called to the International Space Station launch and meet the manned Star- thank for our progress. The on- have heard about it, Blue Origin New Armstrong that would be (ISS) in the summer of 2020. ship in orbit to refill its fuel tanks. going battle between the two is has signed several contracts with completely reusable, meaning the As for their private ventures, Afterward, the tankers would re- a tight one. Perhaps the competi- NASA allowing them new launch entire rocket system could be sal- SpaceX developed the first -re turn to Earth as the manned Star- tion, resembling a space race, will permits. Having stepped down vaged and used again. It has been used rocket, called Falcon 9, that ship begins its voyage to Mars. encourage companies alike to seek from Amazon, Bezos now has the speculated that the New Arm- had reusable boosters, saving mil- Musk hopes that the Starship will new ideas for the greater of hu- time to focus on launching new strong rocket will be designed lions of dollars per launch. Falcon carry at most 100 people at a time, mankind. Only time will tell. What Would Happen if the Earth Spun in the Opposite Direction? By DONGNI (HELLEN) said. However, let’s say we take by Florian Ziemen conducted a tems. An excessive number of cy- carbon dioxide emissions—one LUO a remote controller and magi- simulation at the Max Planck In- anobacterial blooms could use up of the main greenhouse gases— cally reverse the rotation without stitute for Meteorology in Ham- even more oxygen and block out are undoubtedly the foremost Approximately 4.5 billion experiencing dramatic calamity. burg, Germany to model the ef- sunlight for organisms that reside contributing factor to accelerating years ago, a molecular cloud of What exactly would happen if the fects of the Earth below the water surface, causing global warming. Since plants use disturbed gas and dust began to Earth began to spin in the oppo- spinning backward a major environmental problem carbon dioxide as one of their re- collapse inward as the force of site direction? by fast-forwarding that would disrupt the balance of actants to produce carbohydrates gravity pulled everything together, One of the most consequen- the virtual calendar aquatic life. through photosynthesis, more forming the solar nebula. At the tial effects of the of the model up to Besides the Coriolis effect and plants would absorb more carbon center of this huge rotating disk, Earth’s axial rota- 7,000 years in the fu- biological activities, the nor- dioxide from the atmosphere. particles of gas and dust accreted tion is the Corio- ture. They found that mal rotation of the Earth Therefore, if the Earth were to into a dense ball of gas—the pre- lis effect, which is the dissolved oxy- plays an important role in spin backwards, the effects of cli- stellar core of the Sun. When the largely responsible gen levels distributing the mate change and global warming core gradually reached a tempera- for the deflecting pat- in the location would decrease as terrestrial eco- ture of 10 million Kelvin and was tern of wind motion and systems would now allow more hot enough to generate energy air circulation to the right in plant life to emerge. through nuclear fusion, the Sun the Northern Hemisphere and to In that case, the reversed spin contracted until it arrived at a state the left in the Southern Hemi- of our planet may not be as cata- of hydrostatic equilibrium and of- sphere. If the Earth were to strophic as it sounds. Research ficially became a main-sequence spin backward, the pattern studies on our planet’s rotational star. Consequently, leftover par- of the Coriolis effect would direction have provoked a con- ticles in the outer rings began to be upended such that the siderable number of debates and clump up into larger particles, in entire climate system of discussions on whether a back- which solar winds blew away the our planet would be Spectator Seng Soo / The Ka ward-spinning Earth would be a lighter materials and left only the disturbed. BBC better place to live than our pres- heavy, rocky ones to transform meteorologist Pe- ent Earth. Though studies have into smaller terrestrial planets, ter Gibbs explains, shown that a backward-spinning namely Earth. Ever since, our “The Coriolis ef- Earth will be less affected by earth has been rotating on its axis fect transfers the global warming, we should avoid in the same prograde direction as spin of the Earth relying on these hypothetical phe- the Sun, from west to east, com- into the circular motion of dif- nomena unless they result from a pleting a full rotation every 23.9 of winds around a weather ferent much more costly and disastrous hours at a speed of 1,670 kilome- system. [...] Reverse the ro- biomes, event; instead, we should search ters (1,040 miles) an hour. tation of the Earth and you like des- for solutions that are within the Venus is the only planet in the put the storms into reverse erts, for- range of our abilities and develop solar system that rotates back- too.” ests, and plans accordingly to resolve the wards, though Uranus rotates at The reverse in the spin of the swamps, on climate change crisis. an extreme angle of 98 degrees. Earth would indicate a reverse the planet. Ac- Nevertheless, a non-rotating Scientists hypothesize that Ura- in the directions of trade winds cording to Ziemen’s Earth would actually cause severe nus’s unusual rotation is due to a such that the ones normally blow- north- team’s model, the Sahara and undesirable consequences. massive collision with another ce- ing from the northeast will now ern Indian desert would surprisingly dis- Earth’s spin is responsible for lestial object, such as an asteroid, come from the northwest. With Ocean would dramatically de- appear and the Middle East would generating the magnetic field that disturbed its original rotation. reversed directions, westbound crease as the depth of the water receive sufficient precipitation that surrounds our planet, which Meanwhile, other scientists be- flights would suddenly be much column increases. This unusual to support plant growth. On the provides us protection against lieve that instead of a single col- shorter than eastbound flights. phenomenon is mainly caused by other hand, deserts would move the harmful ultraviolet radiation lision, the sideways spin is likely This change could also reverse the interplay of circulation and to the southeastern regions of the from the sun. Without the mag- to be caused by several smaller the direction of natural disasters, high biological production in that United States and large parts of netic field, organisms would be crashes that knocked the planet including typhoons and hurri- specific region, forcing many spe- Brazil and Argentina, which could bombarded with radiation and on its side. Regardless, it would canes. For instance, a cyclonic cies of microorganisms to con- potentially displace the habitats the atmosphere would be blown also most likely require a signifi- rotation would no longer spin sume nitrates instead of oxygen. of species and reverse economic away by solar winds. As long as cant asteroid impact or a num- counterclockwise in the North- Cyanobacteria, however, do not development in those areas. the Earth does not stop rotating, ber of mini-bumps for Earth to ern Hemisphere or clockwise in necessarily need nitrates for sur- In fact, Earth would become a the prospect of a backward-spin- start rotating in the opposite di- the Southern Hemisphere, caus- vival, allowing them to thrive in greener planet if its rotation were ning Earth allows scientists to ex- rection. “That event itself would ing the location of storms and af- areas with low levels of nitrate. in the opposite retrograde direc- plore the different aspects of our [be] disastrous,” astronomy and fected areas to change on a global As a result, cyanobacteria would tion. Deserts would shrink from planet’s potential and reach a new astrophysics professor from Penn scale. become the dominant biological 42 million square kilometers to 31 level of understanding of Earth State University Kevin Luhman A group of scientists led producers in many marine ecosys- million kilometers. Additionally, as a whole. Page 14 The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Arts and Entertainment Music Making Rainbows Out of Something Painful By ADELE BOIS already garnered critical acclaim, would do anything to get you out tiful can easily sour. “Caroline is timately what make this album with her music receiving shout- your room.” In “Hurt” (2020), an exercise in people-watching meaningful. Through catchy, For Arlo Parks, music is about outs from Billie Eilish, Michelle she recounts the tale of a mys- and seeing situations unfold confident references to pop cul- finding hope in dismal places— Obama, and Phoebe Bridgers, terious “Charlie,” who “drank without context,” Parks said of ture and verses of acceptance, both the ups and downs that among many others. ’til his eyes burned…with pain the despairing tune. Songs like “Collapsed in Sunbeams” is a come with love, pain, and de- Her willingness to confront built into his body…” and reas- “Caroline” highlight Parks’s tal- warm blanket of friendship and pression. “I think conversations topics such as mental health and sures him that “it won’t hurt so ent in storytelling, recounting welcome. are opening…the fact that it’s addiction is apparent in her pre- much forever.” Sometimes, ado- personal anecdotes with passion Throughout the album, Parks becoming easier to speak one’s vious singles like “Black Dog” lescence can be difficult, and in and emotion. also covers songs by popular art- truth is really comforting and (2020), where she tries to sup- “Super Sad Generation” (2019), Parks got her start as a poet ists, like “Ivy” by Frank Ocean, positive to me,” she discussed port a friend with depression. Parks speaks for all of us when and a writer; as a teen, she would “Moon Song” by Phoebe Bridg- with NPR. At just 20, the Lon- “Let’s go to the corner store and she admits that “we’re just a su- create fantasy worlds because she ers, “Bags” by Clairo, and “Baby don-based poet and singer has buy some fruit,” she pleads. “I per sad generation, killing time struggled with shyness and iden- Blue” by King Krule. Her take and losing our paychecks.” No tity in her real one. “I’m a Black on these favorites, what she calls matter the issue, Parks feels like kid who can’t dance for [EXPLE- a “lo-fi lounge,” feels like she’s a friend, bringing you fruit, sup- TIVE], listens to emo music, and singing in her room, a private port, and unconditional love. currently has a crush on some performance for millions of This pattern is followed in her girl in my Spanish class,” she said listeners, but also only for you. most recent album, “Collapsed in of her teen years. Now “Col- And Parks does this so well. Ev- Sunbeams,” which was released lapsed in Sunbeams” is Parks’s erything she posts about on Ins- on January 29. With songs titled metamorphosis, an evolution tagram, tweets, or says in an in- “Hope” and “Too Good,” listen- from her reserved adolescence to terview feels so personalized it’s ers are sure to feel Parks’s famil- a bold new sense of self within almost like she knows each and iar yet somehow universal mes- her songwriting and storytelling. every fan. During a time like this, sage of optimism. “Collapsed in Though “Collapsed” is flaw- intimacy feels strange, but some- Sunbeams” is a journal—a por- less in its lyricism and depth, it how it’s easy to be swept up in trait of adulthood, romance, and can occasionally feel monoto- her bubble. isolation, told through spoken nous. The beats are light and Like Parks sings in “Portra words and soft, neo-soul beats. cheery, with floaty keyboards 400,” she is constantly “mak- What makes Parks’s album and methodic drum cracks. Still, ing rainbows out of something stand out is her intimacy. Though each phrase Parks delivers hints painful.” Whether it’s through she sings with the perspective of at a possibility of something less her omniscient storytelling or the an outsider on tracks like “Caro- sweet, something to match the way she approaches taboo topics line,” which is about a couple she topic of her singing. Each track with grace and prose, Arlo Parks saw while waiting for the bus, it eventually finds itself somewhat is certainly writing for the pres- still feels like we are caught up glacial, continuing this album’s ent, and creating a world where in their story. Parks touches on sentiment of observing from we celebrate every moment of these strangers’ relationship and afar. Despite the sweetness of life and feel comfortable ap- how, suddenly, what seems beau- Parks’s sounds, the lyrics are ul- proaching pain. Cindy Yang / The Spectator Cindy Yang

Film “The White Tiger”: A Rags-to-Riches Reality Check By KENISHA MAHAJAN rative perpetuated by other suc- elements of “The White Tiger” romanticization of poverty—a a powerful, yet easy-to-root-for cess stories: the harder you work, is one of the most remarkable pitfall many filmmakers fall prey character, “The White Tiger” is Legendary cartoonist Matt the more success will come to aspects of the film, and charac- to. able to dive into the harsh truths GGrowing up, many of us are you. Just as Balram says, “for the teristic of its director and writer In front of the cameras, one of the caste system. surrounded by unrealistic rags- poor, there are only two ways Ramin Bahrani. Bahrani con- of the reasons “The White Ti- Rao’s performance as the to-riches stories that aim to in- to get to the top, crime or poli- sistently explores the torturous ger” works so well is because Stork’s son introduces audiences still in us the all-American values tics.” “The White Tiger” uses paradox that is the “American of Gourav’s phenomenal act- to a modern view of the caste of hard work, individualism, and one story to highlight issues with system. Ashok disapproves of self-sufficiency. However, the capitalism, the caste system, eco- the way Balram is treated, insist- “American Dream” sold by these nomic mobility, wealth inequal- ing that Balram not call him “sir” tales is seldom in line with reality. ity, privilege, and more. Through and think of him as a friend, not Netflix’s adaptation of Aravind this cuttingly critical narrative, a master. However, Ashok is still Adiga’s award-winning novel the film achieves a kind of gen- accepting of his family’s corrupt “The White Tiger” explores a eral applicability seen in simi- practices and expects the quiet kind of success story rarely told lar nuanced and class-focused obedience of Balram that others in our culture. works like “Parasite” (2019) and do. Pinky, on the other hand, is When the audience first “Knives Out” (2019). sincerely kind to Balram. Raised meets Balram Halwai (Adarsh The organization and narra- and educated in America, Pinky Gourav), he’s a promising young tion of the film accomplish an fails to understand Balram’s de- student. One day, a teacher tells almost intentional familiarity, sire to serve a family that treats him that he is a “white tiger,” a which is necessary to establish him with no dignity. She not once-in-a-generation phenom- the aforementioned sense of only rejects Balram’s servitude, enon. But Balram knows that universality in such a societally but does so publicly, and gives isn’t likely. Comparing the caste specific story. The flashback- Balram hope that he is destined system to a rooster coop, Balram style narration of the film is quite for something greater. Rao and narrates that every person knows elementary, but an experimental Chopra’s performances prove their fate, yet doesn’t rebel, as storytelling format would have why passive support and silent they not only accept, but em- risked leaving audiences without rejection of these flawed insti- brace their destiny. the historic and cultural context tutions are not enough. While Balram’s innocent charm to fully understand its conflict. many people oppose the Indian lands him his dream job with a The writing helps bridge the gap caste system—or, more gener- wealthy village owner known as between the complex subject ally, rigid class divides—merely “The Stork” (Mahesh Manjrek- matter and unfamiliar viewers. shaking your head at these estab- ar), and he quickly wins the favor However, since the film is aimed lishments accomplishes nothing. of his son, Ashok (Rajkummar at Western audiences, the narra- While neither Ashok nor Pinky Rao). Ashok was educated in the tion can come off as patronizing are exemplary agents of change, U.S. where he met his vivacious at times. Regardless, the writing their characters and the reper- New York-raised wife, Pinky builds the characters—especially cussions of their actions prove (Priyanka Chopra). They reject the main three—efficiently while why taking action is necessary to the way others treat Balram and advancing the story at a comfort- fight injustice. form a close friendship with him. able pace. The film is split into Throughout the film, Balram However, when Ashok’s security two halves: the heavy character Ismath Maksura / The Spectator talks about the two sides of In- is threatened, Balram quickly be- development in the first half of Dream,” delivering provocative ing as Balram Halwai. Though dia, claiming that “India is two comes the family’s scapegoat. the film enables the story in the messages with every one of his it’s Gourav’s debut as a leading countries in one, an India of Betrayed by his employers, Bal- second to progress more quickly films. “The White Tiger” is a per- man, he does a wonderful job light and an India of darkness.” ram’s staunch loyalty erupts into without feeling rushed or incom- fect fit for Bahrani, as it echoes depicting Balram’s two-sided “The White Tiger” accurately de- rage, and this hatred for the rich plete. The writing and pacing of the ideas he has been examining nature and his internal conflict picts this darkness, resulting in a paves the way for his success. the film allow for the beautiful his whole career and adds a new throughout the film, caused by powerful, grimy, and sometimes “The White Tiger” explores yet troubled world built in its in- dimension to his exploration of the contrast between his inno- unnerving tale of class struggle. India’s caste system—and, more troduction to easily surrender to class struggle: further than the cent servility and his hunger for The film demonstrates that this generally, class struggle—by de- building doom-and-gloom as the “what” and “why” behind pov- success. As the movie continues, “darkness” is not limited to one picting one man’s vicious rags- plot progresses. erty, Bahrani aims to redefine au- Balram’s willing, wide-eyed servi- system in one country, rather it to-riches story. The film works The dichotomy between the diences’ perception of success. tude gives way to a darker, more transcends borders and seeps to counteract the unrealistic nar- more light-hearted and darker Importantly, Bahrani avoids the subversive narrative. By creating into our everyday lives. The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Page 15 Arts and Entertainment Celebrating 50 Years of These Music Playlist Groundbreaking Rock Albums By JAEIN KU to Heaven,” an eight minute song the Grave,” “Into the Void,” and costumes, makeup, and hairstyles. with mystical lyrics, catchy guitar “Lord of This World” were tuned David Bowie’s transition did not Curled The 1970s was an era of in- riffs, and a breathtaking build-up. down three semitones, creating go unnoticed, as it prompted a novation and experimentation The song introduced elements the album’s atmosphere of de- widespread shift from hard rock within music, with an explosion into music that were previously pressive dread. Furthermore, the and metal to glitter rock that influ- Up, Fully of creativity that enabled soul, unheard, such as a transition from most obvious precursor for the enced groups such as Buzzcocks, R&B, disco, punk, country rock, acoustic to electric instrumenta- stoner metal genre comes from Sex Pistols, Clash, Devo, and and electric rock to carve their tion as the song progressed. From “Sweet Leaf,” which is started more. Clothed in places in the music world. During the album’s explosive opening by Iommi’s cough, the result of the first half of the decade, rock track “Black Dog” to sludge- a joint handed to him by Ozzy “Killer” by Alice Cooper bands such as Led Zeppelin and filled “When the Levee Breaks,” Osbourne in the midst of record- With the album “Killer,” Al- a Freezing Black Sabbath were at the height “Led Zeppelin IV” does not fail ing. This accidental stumble into ice Cooper became one of the of their international fame as to remain a prominent landmark new music territory inspired many world’s top rock bands and con- they released their most popular in rock. modern bands and artists of rock cert attractions. Full of irresistible Cold Shower and influential albums. This year and metal such as Metallica, Elec- pop melodies and punchy hard marks the 50th anniversary of “Master of Reality” tric Wizard, and Matt Pike, who rock, singles “Under My Wheels” several of these classic rock al- by Black Sabbath now attribute their sound and and “Be My Lover” both landed By THE ARTS & bums, and their impact on history Through their third studio al- popularity to this album. on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. ENTERTAINMENT and music is undeniable. bum, “Master of Reality,” Black Each song has a unique feel, yet DEPARTMENT Sabbath released the band’s most “Hunky Dory” is united under a cohesive theme: “Led Zeppelin IV” vital work by creating stoner rock by David Bowie nearly every song is about a killer. You know the feeling! It’s 4:00 by Led Zeppelin and doom metal. Doom “Hunky Dory” is widely re- “Under My Wheels” is about a a.m., the boiler won’t work, Led Zeppelin’s untitled garded as one of David Bowie’s man who fantasizes about run- and it’s just too much work to fourth album is arguably finest achievements for its vast ning over his nagging girlfriend get undressed, take a shower, the greatest rock album array of musical styles tied with a car, while “Halo of Flies” is get reclothed, and then go to ever made, reshaping the under a theme of ambiguous dedicated to Jim Morrison, a sing- bed. Here are some songs for band’s sound and legacy sexuality. With the release of er in the rock band L.A. Woman when you just wanna curl up on forever with its phenom- “Hunky Dory,” Bowie took a who died four months prior to the enal genre fusion. The radical change from his pre- album’s release but also tells the that weird, grippy shower mat album impeccably vious hard rock and metal story of a serial killer in the Wild and freeze yourself halfway to defined the style of style to challenge tradition West era. “Killer” is about a killer death. ‘70s hard rock while and reinvent himself with asking to be granted justice, and incorporating heavy a coy blend of folk, pop, “Dead Babies” is an anti-parental metal, folk, pure and rock. Some of his abuse warning in which parents rock & roll, and the most timeless works such kill their child through their own blues throughout its as “Life on Mars?” and neglect. In “Dead Babies,” for ex- Little Dark Age eight tracks. To spite “Changes” are found in ample, the band’s theatrics heav- MGMT critics questioning the Joanna Meng / The Spectator this album, making “Hunky ily dealt with macabre, with baby Electronic Alternative Indie legitimacy of the band, the cover metal, the extreme Dory” a true rock classic. Fur- dolls being stabbed and tortured art does not feature an official title subgenre of heavy metal, was thermore, this album marked the repeatedly. The grating subject or the band’s name. Yet, the album the byproduct of Tony Iommi, beginning of Bowie’s role as a compelled some grown-ups to worldstar money (interlude) is undoubtedly their most popular, who tuned his guitar down so preeminent glitter rock performer. despise the album and the band Joji selling over 35 million copies. The that it would be easier for him to Glitter rock is more energetic and itself, but the group’s heavy rock R&B most notable track in this timeless play with injured fingers. As a re- playful than other rock subgenres, style both inspired and astonished album is the ubiquitous “Stairway sult, tracks such as “Children of and its musicians wear outrageous many teens throughout the years. No Surprises Radiohead Film “Ma Rainey’s” Enduring Impact Alternative Rock By YASMINE CHOKRANE musicians and white producers. artistic mediums—namely music, want is my voice.” Iris The Black musicians struggle to literature, and the fine arts—Wil- But the real standout in this Goo Goo Dolls Last year, Chadwick Bose- receive the respect and compen- son has come to be known as the film is Boseman, who unflinch- Rock man’s death cut deep into the col- sation they rightfully deserve for “theater’s poet of Black America.” ingly thrusts himself into the lective consciousness. Many ce- their music, while the white pro- “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is role of Green. From the way he lebrities pass away each year—and ducers fail to confront their own one of his 10 critically-acclaimed fidgets, to the smirk he carries, to Reptile each one is certainly a tragedy— prejudices. plays, which have been collectively the way he screams—leaving his The Church but his death was felt profoundly In “Ma Rainey,” we watch called “The Pittsburgh Cycle.” soul on the basement floor—we Psychedelic Rock on an enormous scale. On the day these different dynamics come The series chronicles the Black ex- get an image of a man who’s not of his passing, Instagram stories to a cymbal-crashing, trumpet- perience throughout the twentieth only looking to hum along to the and news channels were flooded tweeting climax in their sweaty century, with each play being set in tune of 1920s America but com- Polarbear! with images of mourning, articu- and sombre recording session. a distinct decade. The other factor pose it too. He tries to combat the lations of grief, and a deep appre- The confined space allows for an uniting them is the setting, with difficulties of being a Black man Strawberry Milk Cult ciation for his cultural resonance. intense interrogation of the char- each play taking place in Wilson’s in the music industry with a reck- Indie Boseman was known for acters’ motivations. When Rainey home city of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- lessness marred by tragedy. And films in which he played vener- demands a Coca Cola from her vania—with the exception of “Ma even though Green is fictional, ated Black figures: the first Black producer Sturdyvant, we begin to Rainey’s Black Bottom.” his narrative resembles those of Self Control Major League Baseball player understand why she is unwilling to Beyond a few establishing so many other real and talented Frank Ocean Jackie Robinson in “42” (2013), compromise with the producers shots, however, it’d be incredibly Black musicians who were abused, Alternative R&B the first Black Supreme Court Jus- about her accommodations during difficult to guess where the story exploited, and abandoned by the tice Thurgood Marshall in “Mar- the recording session. Listening to takes place, as the film circulates music industry they helped define. shall” (2017), and the “godfather Toledo (Glynn Turman) and Cut- two main indoor spaces. The And he grasps the harsh real- Creator, Destroyer of soul” James Brown in “Get on ler (Colman Domingo)—two of sparse number of sets gives some ity of his struggle, as he describes Angel Olsen Up” (2014). And while the effort Rainey’s jazz players—write off indication that the movie is adapt- his situation to Cutler: “I ain’t had Neo-folk and effect of all of his works are Green’s ambition, we get an inter- ed from the theater. There are nothing but bad luck all my life. undeniable, there is no role he is nalized understanding of the lack three sets to be exact: the record- Couldn’t get no worse. What the better known for than the cel- of social mobility they share. And ing studio, the basement, and the [EXPLETIVE] I care about some ebrated Black Panther within the when we endure Green’s mono- surrounding Chicago—images of bad luck?” Falling Marvel Cinematic Universe. logue in which he curses God, we which are mostly used to create a It’s, of course, not bad luck Harry Styles “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” empathize with the hopelessness sense of setting. The majority of Green is a victim of, but the con- Pop (2020) is the last film he ever and desperation he feels. the drama happens within the first sequences of systemic racism and worked on, but its reverberat- It’s no surprise that many two rooms, and the lack of reli- prejudice. It is through the realities ing impact is in-line with the rest critics were taken by the conver- ance on the surrounding allows of these individual characters— Space Song of Boseman’s work. The film, sations between the characters. the dialogue to intensify, disengag- Rainey, Green, and Toledo—that Beach House produced by Denzel Washing- Wilson is known for his musi- ing the senses of the audience and we’re able to construct a larger Alternative Indie ton, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf, cal dialogue, with some calling it giving the actors a chance to shine. image of the repercussions of this is adapted from the play of the poetry. As Bob Mondello reports Every one of Wilson’s words system. And it’s the intimacy that’s same name by playwright August in an episode of NPR, Wilson’s is made impactful by the actors fostered in these snapshots that Rainbow Connection Wilson. Set in 1927 Chicago, “Ma “characters speak their stories who speak them. Davis is a known contributes to an empathy the au- Rainey’s Black Bottom” tells the in lyrical, eloquent, bluesy riffs.” powerhouse, and in this film she dience carries with them—wheth- Kermit the Frog story of two blues musicians, the Wilson achieved this quality in proves no different. In the con- er it’s after they close the Netflix Country real mother of blues herself, Ma his dialogue through his musi- fident disposition she adopts and tab or leave the physical theater. Rainey (Viola Davis), and fictional cal influences, the greatest being the disdain she holds in her eyes, However the story comes to Levee Green (Chadwick Bose- the “four Bs” as he describes in the audience gets the impression you, the importance of Wilson’s Bad News man), an impetuous trumpet play- a 1999 interview with The Paris of Rainey, a woman who is jaded narratives is underscored: by rais- Kanye West er with unrivaled ambition. Review—“the primary one being by the lifetime of disrespect she’s ing questions of identity, racial Electronic Hip-hop But conflict pervades the film, the blues, then Borges, Baraka, received. and otherwise, he articulates an as beyond Green and Rainey, there and Bearden.” “They don’t care nothing inherited cultural legacy, crafting is the strain between the Black By drawing from a variety of about me,” she asserts. “All they his own along the way. Page 16 The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Arts and Entertainment Fashion STUYLE CORNER: Cottagecore

By JULIA PANAS older time periods and make- terns, and features details such as mantic. The ribbons around the skirt in a floral pattern, and white believe worlds. Other styles in eyelet lace and embroidery. bodice can also be used to adjust lace socks. Many believed that quaran- this category include a gothic It’s impossible to talk about the waist, so the garment creates You can even alter your own tine would kill the fashion in- aesthetic inspired by vampires, a Cottagecore without mention- an attractive hourglass silhouette clothes to fit the aesthetic. For dustry, yet young people modern bohemian take ing one of the most famous on every body type. Finally, since example, try embroidering flow- are proving that time on woodland fairies, garments of the trend: the the sizing is inclusive (available in ers onto a simple blouse or tying in isolation can fos- and—with the recent Strawberry Midi Dress by Lirika XS to XXXL), anyone can adopt a ribbon around the waist of a ter a period of self- popularity of the Net- Matoshi. You may remember this the Strawberry Dress fantasy. free-flowing dress to create a growth—and closet flix series “Bridgerton” dress popping up on your Insta- The Strawberry Dress is both large bow in the back. growth. As people ex- (2020)—an opulent gram feed last summer; to say a perfect example of the cot- Finally, remember that shoes plore their identities away style reminiscent of medi- the least, it took the social media tagecore aesthetic as well as an and accessories can make a big from the prying eyes of eval royalty. world by storm, populating the influential garment that further impact on the look. Soft brown social norms, they begin The aesthetic of Cot- homepages of influencers, Tik- proliferated the trend. But there leather boots, Mary Janes, and to explore different aes- tagecore is best repre- Tok videos, Pinterest inspiration are many other ways to imple- espadrilles all work with cot- thetics and post their sented by the backdrop boards, and the “shop” tab on ment cottagecore into your daily tagecore. For the accessories, fashion inspirations of a forest or meadow Instagram. The reason it became wear other than ordering this ex- pair your outfits with basket- online, leading to in a quaint home and so popular is precisely because pensive gown. To start, look for weave bags and style your hair the rise of many a lifestyle where you of the already well-established pieces with romantic details like with fresh flowers or scarves tied popular trends, garden, craft, go on popularity of Cottagecore. The babydoll waistlines, large puffed as headbands to achieve that ro- namely Cot- picnics, and pick midi length, lightweight tulle sleeves, ribbons, ruffles, delicate mantic picnic feel. tagecore. flowers. It em- fabric, and full skirt make it ideal prints, and natural materials like Cottagecore proves that no Cot- phasizes a con- for running in a field of flowers, linen and cotton. For the color matter what’s going on in the tagecore is nection with while the kitsch glittery straw- palette, shop for soft pastels world around you, fashion can part of a group nature and mod- berry pattern and pale pink color (pale pink, blue, and yellow) as always be your means of escape. of fantasy-based Mandy Li / The Spectator els the old English embody a fun-loving innocence. well as earthy tones (tan, brown, So go ahead and drink tea in flo- styles which emerged in 2020. countryside look, with elements The puffed sleeves can’t help but and dark green). Some specific ral teacups, buy one too many As people were forced to stay in- inspired by Hans Christian An- remind the wearer of pre-war items you can start off with are plants, bake your own bread, and doors during quarantine, fashion dersen fairy tales. The clothing is European countryside aesthetics, a baby-doll dress, a top with a dry flowers you picked yourself. trends became increasingly es- flowing and easy-to-wear, made and the V-neck is a perfect bal- fitted bodice and large sleeves, Live your fantasy. capist, drawing inspiration from with pale colors and delicate pat- ance of innocent, flirty, and ro- a below-the-knee flowing midi Film The Black Panthers’ Last Supper By ASA MUHAMMAD especially with the story of Bill belief with almost no words at performance is both powerful id night shots with stunning visi- O’Neal. O’Neal is given a fairly all. His struggle is also that of and subdued enough to serve bility (where intended) and deep Highly anticipated and well cliche “deep cover” plotline, a leader, needing to balance the the purposes of the story while colors, contrasted with brightly worth the wait, “Judas and the with a harrowing origin story, needs of the people with the being accurate enough to please lit sets that very directly set the Black Messiah” has finally -ar violent interrogations on his needs of himself and his family. the real Deborah Johnson (now tone. He also develops visual rived. The story is as education- loyalty, and lavish and discreet He’s able to convey tenderness Akua Njeri). motifs for characters and affili- al as it is entertaining, providing rendezvous with his handler. in interactions with his family, In regard to accuracy, direc- ations using color, surrounding insights into the Black Panthers While seeing LaKeith Stanfield but his actions are always con- tor Shaka King and screenwrit- the Panthers with green and and why they failed. dodge knives through the roof ceived with the movement in ers Kenny and Keith Lucas went government officials with cold The Black Panther Party was of a car and be interrogated mind. During his time in prison, to great lengths to ensure the lighting and brown tones. An- a political party founded in 1966 with his own gun is fun, such he shows worry for how his majority of the film was as his- other consideration was setting in Oakland, California. The par- moments also detract from the friends and family are coping, torical as possible while main- the time period, and Bobbitt ty focused on Black pride and plausibility of the story, which is but upon his release, his objec- taining its dramatic effect. One does a great job of recreating liberation, alongside its com- a problem when retelling such a tive is to get straight to work, of the main ways they achieve the angles of archival footage to munist influences. With one of tragic event. even traveling directly from the this accuracy is by portraying the help cement the historic nature the prime tenets of the Black All three of O’Neal’s more jailhouse to an office he thought Panthers in a realistic light rather of the film. Panthers’ platform being Black “cinematic” moments, while had burned down. Hampton’s than as paragons of virtue or a While these angles are used armament and their open sup- dramatized, function to develop return evokes a sentimentality grassroots terrorist organiza- in the film, they’re also intercut port for Marxism in Cold War his character. Lakeith Stanfield within himself whilst reinvigo- tion. The film depicts both the with actual re-shot archival foot- era United States, the party was brings great depth to Bill O’Neal, rating his resolve. Kaluuya’s eyes good and the bad of the Pan- age at pivotal moments of the the subject of government scru- using the subtleties of his own perfectly express his love and thers, and the conflicts they en- story, often referring to Lakeith tiny from their inception. body to convey the nuances of the relief of knowing everything dured with police and with each Stanfield’s recreation of William This scrutiny led to malfea- O’Neal’s character. He is able to was all right in his absence. other. Two missions of the Pan- O’Neal’s “Eyes on the Prize 2” sance in the form of J. Edgar capture the joy in O’Neal’s face Hampton’s authority is only thers highlighted in the film are interview or Daniel Kaluuya’s Hoover’s counterintelligence as he picks Hampton up from as strong as his supports, and their “Free Breakfast for School recreated speeches as a way program. The program resulted prison, the admiration he has his main support is Deborah Children” program and the de- to transition between scenes. in numerous cases of unlawful for FBI agent Roy Mitchell, and Johnson, played by Dominique velopment of their community These cuts help frame the film surveillance, funding domestic the conviction he holds during Fishback. Johnson is Hampton’s healthcare clinic. The inclusion as a piece of history rather than paramilitary organizations, en- Hampton’s speeches. With all speech-writer turned lover, and of these community organiza- a work of fiction, something es- gineering smear campaigns, and, of O’Neal’s emotions, there’s her support for the cause is just tions is juxtaposed with multiple pecially important considering most relevantly, performing as- another hiding just below the as strong as her love for her fam- shootouts and the tense retelling how easy it is to detach a film sassinations. One of their most surface. In his pride lies guilt, ily. While being deeply involved of the kidnapping and torture as engaging as “Judas” from its infamous assassinations was that in his anger hides desperation, with the Panthers, her pregnancy of Alex Rackley. The inclusion source material: reality. of Fred Hampton, the subject and in his fear lies exhilaration. acts as a constraint on her rela- of these stories not only serves In addition to cinematogra- of this Home Box Office hit. Stanfield does an excellent job tionship with Hampton. For ev- to accurately portray the com- phy, the world of 1960s Chicago “Judas” follows William conveying the toll his double life ery emblazoned speech he gives plex nature of the organization, is brought to life by music. To O’Neal (played by LaKeith is taking, but also the excitement on how his body belongs to the but also develops the internal supplement the original score, Stanfield), an initially reluctant O’Neal experiences when he’s revolution, every call to arms, conflict within Bill O’Neal, so scenes are often set to soulful FBI informant tasked with dis- doing his “spy” work. One mo- Johnson is forced to consider the audience can understand his hits like Roland Kirk’s “The In- banding the Chicago chapter of ment, in particular, stands out: the possibility of Hampton dy- actions. flated Tear” and The Jhamels’ the Black Panther Party after be- O’Neal is faced with the story ing “a revolutionary death” and While the story is brought to “I’ve Cried.” The music sets ing caught stealing a cherry red of what happened to another her child growing up without a life by its actors, it’s told through not only the time period but the convertible. Opposite O’Neal undercover officer, and just as father. Fishback is able to con- the lens of the camera, and “Ju- perspective of the film, creat- is Fred Hampton (Daniel soon as the dread sets into his vey support and pride, but also das and the Black Messiah” is ing a cultural revolution using Kaluuya), the chairman of the face, it’s replaced with intrigue, organically incorporate the wor- beautifully shot. Cinematogra- the voices of that culture. The Chicago chapter. As the film then the embellished bravado of ry that can overtake both. The pher Sean Bobbitt captures viv- music, while setting the tone for progresses, O’Neal is able to see a police informant, and finally, a scene, contributes to the aes- the good that the Panthers are relief and astonishment at his thetic of the movie as a whole. capable of, but not without also own performance. The film ends with pictures experiencing the violent con- Daniel Kaluuya’s perfor- of Akua Njeri and her—now flict between the Panthers and mance as Hampton, while adult—child. These images re- the government. O’Neal grows similarly impressive, is very dif- mind us that this story, while more conflicted as his ties to the ferent. Hampton’s character is historic, is not over. These im- Panthers deepen, and begins to that of an earnest leader and is ages aren’t a call to arms but question whether he’s really on portrayed to be as charismatic when juxtaposed with the origi- justice’s side. as O’Neal, though without the nal Eyes on the Prize interview, Being a historical drama, surrounding suspicion. Kaluuya they do raise the question: When “Judas” is bound to have at least is able to deliver impassioned your needs are against those of a few historical inaccuracies. speeches with locomotive lo- the many, will you be proud of The majority come from the cution while also capturing the the choice you’ve made? film’s penchant for the dramatic, same intensity of resolve and Susannah Ahn / The Spectator The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Page 17 Arts and Entertainment Music Daft Punk’s 28 Years of Doin’ It Right By DEXTER WELLS of “The New Wave” (with the views, due to seemingly hasty final studio album, “Random distinctly digital from their debut, title changed to “Alive”). “Home- recording, and is arguably the Access Memories.” The album but they have since succeeded Electronic music duo Daft work” was characterized by the least memorable studio album is a showcase of their skills and in redefining the genre. As their Punk has innovated and influ- popular European electronic mu- produced by the duo. Still, hits musical range—they aren’t just activity in the world of music enced for nearly three decades. sic style of big beat and produced like “Robot Rock” and “Techno- music for European clubs, and comes to an end, we should cel- Its two members, Guy-Manuel using such hardware as drum ma- logic” charted and are examples never have been. They are elec- ebrate their discography and all de Homem-Christo and Thomas chines and synthesized bass. The of Daft Punk’s best work to date. tronic, orchestral, pop, disco, the gems they’ve left us—truly Bangalter, met at their Parisian most successful single from the Additionally, “Human After All” heartbreaking, inspiring, and so, a lifetime’s worth of dance and secondary school in 1987. The album was “Around The World,” led to the live album (performed so danceable. The duo dedicates groove. Their retirement, an- friendship was music-centric an infectious tune of pumping in Paris) “Alive 2007,” which won a track to an inspiration of their nounced the morning of Febru- from its beginning, as they re- synths, a four-on-the-floor drum the 2009 Grammy Award for own, Italian record producer ary 22, 2021, saddened fans and corded tracks together, and in beat, and a three-word hook (the Best Electronic/Dance Album. and composer Giorgio Moroder, the general music-loving public 1992, formed a trio called “Dar- song’s title) chanted repeatedly, “Alive” is superbly energetic—a who is regarded as the pioneer alike. A YouTube video titled lin’” with an additional guitarist. with vocals processed through a live album at its best—featuring of European electronic dance “Epilogue” concluded the final A critic for a British music maga- vocoder. talented mixing, on-stage synths and disco music. The album’s chapter of their story, featuring zine dismissed a performance by The second studio album re- and effects, and undeniable biggest hit, “Get Lucky” (featur- repurposed footage from their Darlin’ as a “daft punky thrash,” leased by Daft Punk, “Discov- groove from start to finish. ing Pharrell Williams), broke into 2006 science-fiction film “Elec- and the remark became the name ery” (2001), saw even greater Daft Punk didn’t release any mainstream pop radio after its troma,” and music from their of the duo formed in 1993 by success and featured the hit sure studio albums between 2005 and release and became quadruple- song “Touch.” The 2013 track, Bangalter and Homem-Christo to be recognized by anyone with 2013, but they did compose the platinum certified in the United balladic and moving, may have once Darlin’ disbanded. a pulse: “Harder, Better, Faster, score for “Tron: Legacy” (2010). States. The single also won Best been the perfect soundtrack to After giving a label executive a Stronger.” “Face to Face” and The soundtrack is a dramatic Record as well as Best Pop Duo/ their retirement video. The com- demo tape at a 1993 rave, the duo “Digital Love” also charted in the medley of classical and electronic Group Performance at the 2014 position of synth, strings, and vo- released their debut single “The U.K. and the U.S., but Daft Punk’s music tailored perfectly for the Grammy Awards. cals produces a powerful, seam- New Wave” (1994), followed by lasting legacy is represented best film it accompanied. It was ac- From its inception, Daft less masterpiece, demonstrative “Da Funk” (1995), which gave by “Harder,” a song which has claimed by music lovers despite Punk has carved out for itself of Daft Punk’s unparalleled art- the group their first taste of com- aged magnificently, and was even the film’s lukewarm reception and nothing short of an iconic legacy istry. An emotional swelling of mercial success. In 1997, Daft sampled by Kanye West on his al- even received a Grammy nomina- from their singular innovation strings complements the choral Punk released their debut album, bum “Graduation” (2007). tion. within electronic music to their refrain that closes out the video: “Homework,” featuring both Their 2005 album “Human In 2013, Daft Punk released unmistakable robot helmets and “Hold on, if love is the answer, “Da Funk” and the final mix After All” received mixed re- what would be their fourth and vocoded vocals. Daft Punk was you’re home.” Television The Best Super Bowl LV Commercials By AGATHA EDWARDS perfectly. Seeing Chalamet trans- mercial, Mahomes, Rodgers, and Kunis constantly eating Cheetos form from a sad, lonely freak to Jake are introduced to Rudd and The… Not So Good in various rooms of her home. Even if you don’t know much a licensed driver is heartwarming Drake in a store. The variety of 1. Michael B. Jordan is Alexa by Her husband, Ashton Kutcher, about football, there are plenty of yet comedic. celebrities makes this commercial Amazon suspects that she is the culprit, reasons to watch the Super Bowl: 2. Doordash delivers everywhere, special, especially when Drake This commercial features Mi- but Kunis takes Shaggy’s advice the halftime show, spending time including Sesame Street attempts to rap the State Farm chael B. Jordan as Amazon’s vir- to deny his claims. While Shaggy’s with family, the food, and, most This unique ad features singer motto. This commercial will sure- tual assistant Alexa for a day. A silky purple costume looks great importantly, the commercials. Ev- Daveed Diggs traveling around ly put a smile on your face, but try swooning woman is awed by Jor- and the Cheetos themselves look ery year, the Super Bowl features Sesame Street with Big Bird and not to cringe when Rudd attempts dan’s presence while her jealous flavorful and crunchy, the whole some strange commercial breaks visiting several local eateries to to throw a football. husband doesn’t approve. Instead skit just isn’t very funny. Not only between the action, and this year promote the food delivery ser- 4. Toyota: See 13-time Paralympic of being funny, the ad comes off is the ad annoyingly unrealistic, it’s was no different. A large range of vice Doordash. In addition to the gold medalist Jessica Long’s story as cringy and at times creepy. also ineffective. Unless you’re al- topics was covered this year, from impressive graphics and diverse A little different from other Jordan’s artificially blue eyes and ready a fan of Cheetos, you won’t cars to food to insurance and so selection of restaurants featured, commercials, Toyota’s advertise- obedient voice are off-putting want to grab a bag after watching much more! However, were they this commercial will take you ment tells the story of Paralympic rather than soothing. this ad. all worth the multi-million dollar back to childhood and get you gold medal-winning swimmer It is also hard to not 3. Oatly is like milk, but made for investment? humming along to its infectious Jessica Long and her journey pity the husband, to humans tune. The wide range of sets, like to success. Her story is ac- whom the woman There’s not much to say The Good a burger stand, corner store, noo- cented with clips of a girl pays no attention, about this commercial. It’s just 1. All-electric Cadillac’s hands- dle kitchen, and empanada booth, growing older and swim- defeating the whole a 16-second song sung by the free is perfect for Timothée Chal- paired with the vibrant palette ming to mimic Long’s premise of the com- CEO of Oatly, a plant-based milk amet’s “Edgar Scissorhands” of Sesame Street, create a smile- journey. It is heartwarm- mercial. Though the idea company, while sitting in a bar- In this commercial, a boy inducing visual experience. ing, inspiring, and tear-jerking. behind the ad seems hilari- ren field. The singing is off-key, played by Timothée Chalamet is 3. Statefarm finds stand-ins for Despite not having legs, Long ous, the execution fell flat. the lyrics are too simple (just the ridiculed for his sharp, scissor-like Rodgers and Mahomes was able to find so much joy, 2. Mila Kunis takes Shag- words “wow, wow, no cow”), and fingers but is finally able to drive Even if you’re not well-versed success, and hope in a sport gy’s advice on hiding the setting is slightly comedic at thanks to Cadillac’s hands-free in football, you’ve probably heard she loves. Though the com- Cheetos from Ashton best. The commercial doesn’t say car. It is hilarious to see Chalamet the names Aaron Rodgers and mercial was for Toyota (the Kutcher anything about the nutritional attempt things like football, cook- Patrick Mahomes. It was a delight partner of Team USA for Another slew of ce- benefits or even if the milk tastes ing, and school with his scissor to see the iconic players featured the Paralympics) lebrity cam- good. After seeing this commer- hands. The acting is on point, and in this commercial alongside Paul the brand came eos, this cial, the only people who’ll want the costume design resembles the Rudd, Drake, and the legendary second to the ad centers to buy this milk are hard-core classic Edward Scissorhands look Jake from StateFarm. In this com- story it told. Yaqi Zeng / The Spectator around Mila vegans. Film We’ll Miss You Lara Jean. Always and Forever.

By LIANNE OHAYON spring break abroad to one of love. The best thing about this first movie and hearing the same not present in the more dramatic the most stressful times in a high film is how it relates to and works song (“I Like Me Better” by Lauv) storylines of the previous mov- About a year ago, audiences schooler’s life: college acceptance with the themes and plotlines of play when the grade took a senior ies in the series. Dealing with re- were underwhelmed by “To All season. Having already planned its predecessors. The first movie trip to New York City that was jection and making difficult but the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You.” out a future with her boyfriend, took us through the first steps in played in “To All the Boys I’ve important choices are things ev- Though the movie gave us rea- Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship, Loved Before” on a ski trip was eryone has to face, and it’s these sons to smile and believe in love she assumed that they would be after Lara Jean’s sister, Kitty (Anna an instant connection between the more relatable moments that this again, it also fell flat in many ways, the high school couple that lasts Carthart), sent out the private love past and present. The small details film highlights. Having uncom- with rushed romantic arcs and through college. But Lara Jean letters she wrote to five guys (in- were integrated well throughout fortable conversations is what it inconsistency across the board. quickly learns that most things cluding Peter) to give her a shot at the film, and having callbacks to means to grow up, and “Always Still, fans were optimistic about do not go according to plan. love. The second brought us back appeal to emotion brought a lev- and Forever” does a spectacular the third chapter in the series, Throughout the movie, she dis- to those letters Kitty sent, as one el of nostalgia, despite the new job incorporating those themes “To All the Boys: Always and covers her true passions and deals recipient came back to town, John themes incorporated in the plot. into its previously over-the-top Forever,” which hoped to revive with the sometimes unwelcome Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fish- “Always and Forever” also depiction of high school life. No some of the series’s initial success. inevitability of growing up. er). One year after the release of tackles many lessons that come more glorified “second love inter- Thankfully, “Always and Forever” The movie is the closing chap- the second movie in this trilogy, in with growing up and involves sig- est comes into the picture” trope, was able to deliver on continuity, ter to Covey and Kavinsky’s sweet a world that is so alien, viewers are nificantly more realistic situations fake relationships, or overly toxic relatability, and romance, despite story, and it does a great job of yearning for familiarity. than those in the previous films. peers. Grounded conflict makes it having some painfully awkward providing a satisfying conclusion Those original emotions that Conversations about both parties more immersive for the audience scenes and occasionally clichéd to the trilogy as a whole. Many of made us swoon over Peter and not rushing to lose their virgin- and allows them to resonate with dialogue. the scenes in the movie circle back resonate with Lara Jean flood ity, respecting boundaries, lack of the film. “Always and Forever” brings to the first movie in the series, “To back as soon as the play button is communication, and encourag- In the cultural sphere, it is us back to pre-COVID-19 times, All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” clicked. Watching Lara Jean give ing one another to go after their after now-senior Lara Jean Covey (2018), returning to its roots of Peter the box that contained the goals throughout college and be- continued on page 18 (Lana Condor) returns from her self discovery and finding true original letters that she sent in the yond added a level of relatability Page 18 The Spectator ● March 2, 2020 Arts and Entertainment Film We’ll Miss You Lara Jean. Always and Forever. is probably in the way colleges egon—which alters the percep- alterations to the plot do make and embarrassing to watch. This continued from page 17 were looked at, mostly due to the tion of how close Peter and Lara sense conceptually. The threat of is also apparent in some actions setting of the movie—the book Jean have to be to maintain their the young couple being so far away taken by the characters; though important to note how ground- from each other is the core of the most of the central plot points breaking the “To All the Boys” plot and the source of conflict in were realistic, others were jarring series was as the first romantic many scenes. Also, for a fleeting and deviated from the characters comedy with an Asian-American moment, Peter’s relationship with original traits. Regardless, both lead. With so much anti-Asian his father is revisited, contrary to Centineo and Condor proved to sentiment apparent especially to- the book. A welcome change to the world that they’ve still got it day, the series provides hope for the plot, it showed Peter’s ma- as their chemistry maintained its advancements in diversity within turity and growth as a character. strength throughout the film. the film industry. Lara Jean’s Ko- So, though viewers who read the “To All the Boys: Always and rean background is more preva- books would prefer no cuts to be Forever” gives viewers, who have lent in this movie than the ones made, there was a clear reason for waited years to see where Lara prior, but still doesn’t go very them. Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky’s much in depth about her heritage Alas, nostalgia alone can’t relationship will go, a satisfying and history. Though it was not the cover up the flaws in this movie. and thorough ending, especially point of the film, it was still re- The biggest fault in both “Always for a romantic comedy. After three freshing to see a bit more of Lara and Forever” and “P.S. I Still Love movies, you’d think that audiences Jean’s culture come in throughout You” were the overly mushy in- would be tired of this blossom- the movie. teractions. Some moments were ing relationship, but the opposite All three films are adapted incredibly predictable and over- has proven true. Being encapsu- from Jenny Han’s books by the done. Yes, in a rom-com, clichés lated in this story makes the pub- same names, giving both the di- are bound to happen, but there lic want to know so much more, rector, Michael Fimognari, and were some lines that were far too and the biggest question is: what’s the screenwriter, Katie Lovejoy, a mushy, especially compared to the next? Where does our couple that structure and plot details already more subtle dialogue that showed we’ve watched and thought about

laid out to follow. As is common Chloe Huang / The Spectator the emotional development of for so long go from here? There when creating a film from a book both protagonists. Certain scenes are no more books to write off of, series, many details were revised takes place in Virginia while the relationship. Thinking through had eloquent, believable conver- no more stories to tell. So from or omitted. The largest change movies take place in Portland, Or- a rom-com lens, some of these sation, while others were awkward now on, that is up to us. Music Super Bowl LV Halftime: A Break from Tradition By KENISHA MAHAJAN mond James Stadium, the set split fireworks. After his synth-heavy performance. Even though the like he said during his NFL press in two, and The Weeknd walked “Save Your Tears” (2021) per- Weeknd abandoned the elaborate conference, “It’s a very cohesive This year’s Super Bowl was on stage. formance, the tone shifted as he choreography of most Halftime story I’ve been telling throughout unorthodox, to say the least, but Backed by a gospel-meets- moved back in front of the choir shows, his superb delivery of the this era and throughout this year.” unorthodoxy is nothing new to terminator style choir, The Week- to perform his Grammy-winning song made for a dynamic and en- His performance stayed true to The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). nd kicked the show off with his ballad from the “Fifty Shades of gaging performance. The last line this promise. For an artist that built a ca- 2016 smash hit “Starboy” (featur- Grey” franchise, “Earned It.” of the song was met with a roar Another way The Weeknd reer off the mysterious allure of ing Daft Punk) followed by “The The performance fully deliv- of cheers from the audience as he strayed from the norms of a his persona, the dazzle and glam- Hills,” a deeper, moodier cut. He ered the seductive charm audi- stretched his arms out to bask in Halftime show was the absence our of the concept of a halftime then disappeared into a maze of ences have come to expect of the applause. of a guest performer. From his show could not be more dif- mirrors and lights reminiscent of the artist. The bright spotlight After a year filled with worry longtime collaborator Daft Punk, ferent from The Weeknd (Abel the “Heartless” music video. Sur- focused the audience’s atten- and tragedy perpetrated by the to his “Love Me Harder” (2014) Tesfaye)’s brand of dark, raw rounded by a crowd of dancers tion on The Weeknd while the coronavirus, the Weeknd offered duet partner Ariana Grande, R&B. It’s likely that for this very with face bandages, The Weeknd dramatic instrumentals comple- us a few minutes of escape at there were a lot of great picks for reason, The Weeknd took his per- burst into his poppy, chart-top- mented his vocals. At the end of home. From his bejeweled red possible guests. It’s undeniable formance in a different direction ping “Can’t Feel My Face” (2015). the performance, he made his blazer to the Diana Ross-inspired that The Weeknd is an accom- from his predecessors. Stepping While the maze was a bit disori- way down to the field playing his spectator shoes, the attention to plished and talented artist, but away from the excess and extrav- enting for viewers at home, it uti- throwback hit “House of Bal- detail was present in every aspect bringing on another performer agance of most halftime shows, lized the backstage of the perfor- loons” (2012). Just as seamless of the show. What set this show would have allowed for a more The Weeknd took his 13 minutes mance space in a way audiences as his transition to superstardom, apart, aside from the peculiar con- lively dynamic. in the limelight to tell an intricate, hadn’t seen before. As he ascend- the music quickly shifted to the ditions surrounding it, was that it At this year’s Super Bowl, The vulnerable story. ed to the top of the bleachers, all too familiar tune of “Blinding was undeniably The Weeknd’s do- Weeknd broke from the tradition- The show opened with a another iconic collaboration with Lights” (2021), the biggest chart ing. Halftime shows can easily get al expectations of the Halftime Las Vegas-inspired neon set— Daft Punk, “I Feel It Coming” hit of the century. Surrounded repetitive, giving audiences the Show. While restricted by CO- an homage to his latest album (2016) played in the background. by an army of dancers dressed same overplayed pop songs and VID safety protocol, he managed “After Hours.” As the camera Arguably the most memorable vi- in costumes identical to his, the generic dance moves. Not only to put on a great performance panned out from the extravagant sual from the show, The Weeknd Weeknd maintained eye contact did the Weeknd’s halftime show with stunning visuals, wonderful cityscape he had constructed and stood atop the stands, backed by with the camera amidst the chaos stand out in terms of produc- vocals, and—most uniquely—a down to the stands of the Ray- the vast stadium and an array of of a well-deserved climax in the tion and genre, but it told a story: remarkable story. Film “Malcolm & Marie”: What Went Wrong? By ROXY PERAZZO tive, which was intentional, but difference. Malcolm spends the couple, fueled by their toxicity to its uniqueness; having just one ineffective in producing a com- argument speaking without re- and age difference, but it feels un- setting furthers the trapped feel- With beautiful shots, a great pelling story. They argue, come ally thinking, often taking it too natural on screen. ing of the couple’s relationship. soundtrack, a talented cast, and a to an agreement, get affectionate, far, while Marie reserves her en- It was disappointing seeing The cinematic choices of direc- unique concept, Sam Levinson’s begin arguing again, and the cycle ergy for points that have a big im- “Malcolm & Marie” lose its direc- tor Sam Levinson and director of “Malcolm & Marie” was on track repeats. “Malcolm & Marie” felt pact on him. By giving Malcolm tion over and over again. There photography, Marcell Rév—both to be one of the best movies of very close to being something seemingly many more lines than were many heart-wrenching mo- of whom worked on “Eupho- 2021. So, what happened? great, but the dialogue wasn’t en- Marie, the film feels unbalanced ments where the characters dig ria”—are wonderful, delivering a “Malcolm & Marie” begins gaging enough to achieve that. and makes Marie feel like a less into each other’s flaws, saying visually stunning film. The close with Marie Jones (Zendaya) and There simply aren’t enough top- valuable character. Their attitudes horrible things they didn’t actually shots on each character’s face as Malcolm Elliott (John David ics for them to argue about, and definitely play into the power mean. Those moments are strong they speak feel personal, and the Washington) returning home the long speeches Malcolm and dynamic of the and could have made “Malcolm moving shots give the film -mo from the premiere of Malcolm’s Marie deliver throughout the film & Marie” a masterpiece, but so tion in such a small set. The cin- film “Imani.” As Malcolm talks were difficult to get through. This much of the movie doesn’t evoke ematography is the main reason about the people at the premiere trend continues right up until these emotions and instead felt to keep watching “Malcolm & and the film’s reception, it quickly the end of the film. There were lazy and underwritten. Much of Marie,” but it doesn’t compensate becomes apparent that Marie is several points where the movie the characters’ rhetoric felt overly for the flawed storyline. upset about something. Her apa- meets a natural stopping point, scripted and insincere, especially While “Malcolm & Marie” is thetic responses to his conversa- only for another drawn out when compared to the most pow- definitely not a favorite, it’s still a tion lead to the original premise scene to follow. The story is erful scenes in the film. bearable watch. The aesthetics of of their fight: Malcolm didn’t well thought out and the argu- That’s not to say that the film are pleasing and, though thank her during his speech. ments feel real, but the sheer it can’t be looked back on the story has its problems, it’s still From there, the situation devolves length of the characters’ fondly. “Malcolm & Ma- an emotional piece with some raw and their argument morphs into a speeches dilutes any meaning rie” is definitely unlike moments that are sadly bogged battle over addiction, ungrateful- that could have driven either other movies from the down by layers of melodrama and ness, movies, and more. of their points home. past few years. The movie played out writing. “Malcolm & While “Malcolm & Marie” was Another shortcoming of is shot on black-and-white Marie” is definitely a great movie definitely a film I wanted to enjoy, the film lies in the actors’ perfor- film, and the cinematogra- for cinematography nerds out I found myself needing to watch mances. Washington comes off phy stands out. Though the there but not if you’re looking for it in multiple sittings. Several parts as very passionate, while Zendaya film’s minimalism was a- by a remarkable story. of the fight seemed very repeti- switches between passion and in- Sabrina Chen / The Spectator product of the pandemic, it adds The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Page 19 Humor

These articles are works of fiction. All quotes are libel and slander.

An Open Valentine’s Day Reflection to My Sweetheart

By AARON WANG morning lips, and hunched back left corner that read stuywriting- amazing how such a short and It’s really ruining our bonding. I and KELLY YIP when you turned around to yell at [email protected]. So, I sent a simple phrase could evoke such also found your parents on Face- your siblings to get out (I wish I hundred love letters disguised as profound emotions. I didn’t know book. Aw, you look just like them! Hello, were them). You were…perfect. essays to the writing center, with you considered me family! You have your father’s eyes! I was From the moment we Remember when we annotat- the hope that one of them would Anyhow, I took this as a sign scrolling through their profiles, were put into a breakout room, I ed the same paragraph on Perus- be edited by you. Sure enough, that you reciprocated the same and I found so many family pic- knew that we were destined to be all? I was your first upvote by the you, the diamond in the rough feelings I had toward you. I replied tures. The thought of joining such together. You turned on your cam- way. Oh, and also the time where of all the other insignificant writ- back to you through the platform a loving family was so heartwarm- era for attendance, and that’s when I purposely misspelled “ay lov yu” ing center editors, finally edited with my contact information and ing to me that I took the liberty of I noticed your sparkling eyes, ac- on Jamboard just so I could watch my 99th essay. You commented, a prompt for your address so that photoshopping myself into your centuated by the deep, dark bags you type “I love you” back to me. “Overall, I don’t understand what I may visit you. But weeks have group photo at the beach. that hung below them. I felt my Sometimes I raise my hand during your piece is about because you passed since Valentine’s, and I Ultimately, I respect your heart rate quicken—either as a re- class right after you raise yours, not didn’t attach a prompt. Frankly, have yet to receive your response. bowndries, bodries, and bowanor- sult of your beautiful face or the to participate but rather to imag- I’m quite confused by your para- Are you in danger, my love? ees? I don’t know what that word three cups of coffee I chugged ine I’m holding your hand in mine. graph structure, and you had many Wherefore art thou? Unless, this is means but I’ve heard people in down prior to class. I would like to Mind you, my participation grade grammatical errors too.” Thirty a test of my will to love, in which serious relationships use it. That think the former. has dropped a whole 10 points words I shall treasure for the rest case I shall persevere like an eter- being said, it’s been almost three Perhaps you’ve noticed me be- for doing this, but in the end, it is of my life. nal flame dancing on the wick of a weeks since you’ve last contacted fore? We were in a breakout room all worth it in the name of love. And then, on Valentine’s Day, candle (that is my love). me, and I am beginning to feel together that one Tuesday morn- And just a few weeks ago, when I received an e-mail notification In the meantime, I’ve been fol- very lonely :(. I’m starting to won- ing. I think we were discussing we signed up for that extra credit from [email protected] say- lowing all your siblings and rela- der if you really consider me fam- chemistry, but all I had in mind opportunity on Google Sheets, my ing I received a love letter. It said, tives on social media, as per my ily? Only you can mend my broken was the chemistry between us. You name was right below yours! “Love you fam!” I could only pre- position in your family. I found heart. and I remained for the final 60 sec- Don’t forget that one time sume that this was from you, my your sister Beatrice on Instagram, onds of the call, pretending to be when you screen-shared during one and only. Oh, how I had been and I sent her a few messages say- Eagerly anticipating your re- productive. But to be honest, I just the breakout room. I noticed you waiting for this joyous day! Your ing she was my sister-in-law. Could sponse, stared at your face, neck, parched had left an e-mail tab in the upper diction made my heart flutter. It’s you tell her to unblock me, please? Your beloved <3

Is This Coronavirus Thing Getting Old? By ETHAN LAM to trends and media coverage,” ably be subpar sequels and spin- it was cool, and now 110 million unveiled the first human cases of resident Spectator commentator offs made to capitalize on a trend. people are following it, just be- the H5N8 bird flu, and many are Since its worldwide debut in Journeyman Barnacle says. “It’s a This is not indicative of a return cause it’s mainstream? It’s disgust- claiming that it will be the next big December 2019, one viral Chinese fad that I’m frankly tired of. It’s to the heights of popularity it was ing how people will bandwagon thing, while others have criticized sensation has become a hot topic been done to death, so honestly, once at.” just about anything.” it for its unoriginality. internationally, especially in the can we just get over it already?” However, some people are The popularity of the coro- “I see at least one article about U.S. However, as it becomes more However, the new U.K. strain happy that the hype is dying navirus has certainly had a major it every day in my newsfeed,” Bar- and more talked about, many have has seemed to revitalize pub- down. “I’m glad because I’ve impact on the cultural scene as a nacle lamented. “I don’t know grown fatigued by the thousands lic interest in the coronavirus, at been following the coronavirus whole, sparking numerous imita- why people are still so obsessed of discussions and Buzzfeed ar- least for the time being. But this since it came out,” states Jaman- tors hoping to cash in on the suc- with it. Ultimately, it’s a trend that ticles regarding the subject. may just be a false sign of a re- dtoast Butterbread, a random per- cess of the original. Last year, needs to die.” “Really, it was cool at first, surgence, says January Brickhead, son who hangs around the Hu- hantavirus was announced but Up next: Is the new South Af- but it was obvious that there was another one of the Spectator’s mor department to talk about his failed to create the same wide- rican strain of coronavirus finally pretty much no long-term appeal unpaid commentators. “This al- opinion, despite the fact that no spread impact as did the coro- the one that will give you sick su- to it. It was mainly popular due ways happens. There will invari- one cares. “I knew about it before navirus. More recently, Russia perpowers?

Disney Is Baloney for Hiding the Truth By SANJANA YASNA will discourage you teenagers vealed and exposed to the open, clicked. nessmen,” says the prince from from eloping and marrying with- a seagull pooped on it. Devas- his seat at the head of a long Love starts slithering behind out proper consideration. tated, Ariel let out an ear-grating Ricky of Tuft: table with his finger pointed to a you like a huge mamba snake. It scream. So many seagulls flopped It turns out that it wasn’t map with India at its center, “the first encircles your knees to trip Cinderella: down into the sea that the land- through magic that the princess British East India Company is you with the sensation of “fall- The prince married Cinder- bound onlookers thought it was saw Ricky as the most handsome impinging on the already fragile ing in love,” and then it wraps ella for her superficial beauty, snowing and un- man in the world, but rather trading relations we established your whole body and leaps in so when Cinderella ages and no knowingly cheered through the hallucinogenic mush- with India’s textile industry. The for a vicious bite. The pain of longer fits into her at the picturesque rooms Ricky constantly sneaked Puerto Ricans aren’t much of a the bite and the first wave of pa- tight-laced corsets and sight. Ariel and into his spouse’s food. However, concern—” ralysis leave you in a feverish and ball gowns, her self- the prince had the the truth gets out once they give “Ooh, ‘rica’ means rich in electrified state analogous to the esteem vanishes. The world’s fastest di- birth to a hideous son. Ricky’s Spanish! Let’s get to know each anxiety-inducing nature of begin- worst blow comes vorce. However, wife doesn’t file a divorce, but her other. I’m actually named after a ning a relationship. Eventually, when the prince Ariel did manage disappointment in her son makes cabbage,” beams an overly-enthu- the peripheries of your vision suggests to Cinder- to find her true even Confucian missionaries vis- siastic Rapunzel. blacken and cloud up as you place ella that she become a love after the iting their kingdom concerned. Having lived all her life in everything in your life but your maid again so that the a secluded castle, Rapunzel is a loved one on the blotched side- chores would make her Beauty and the Beast: rather uneducated princess. The lines. Finally, you’ll suffer a state lose weight. Ever since, Cin- The Beast, after prince has to constantly remind of severe lethargy, if not a coma, derella refuses to talk to her turning back to his his guests of this fact to explain because marriage sucks your en- husband and calls her- prince form, is sad- her inappropriate behavior. ergy faster than does your crip- self “thick” instead of ly unable to change pling depression. “fat,” a “new kind of some of his beastly There. It’s undeniable that After all, if Disney princesses beauty.” She renames habits. He ran- Disney is misleading millions of have “matches made in heaven,” herself “Thickerella,” domly howls in his kids with the notion that love has why does Disney exclude the ten- obviously ignoring her sleep, which often “happily-ever-after” endings, and uous conditions after marriage? husband’s pleas not to. wakes up Belle. Af- that’s a problem because what Well, Disney has been cheating Props to Thickerella, the ter much cajoling we learn as kids subconsciously kids out of the harsh realities mother of modern beau- from Beauty, he sticks with us for a long time. these princess couples face after ty standards that enable finally attempts What if Disney’s responsible for they get over their cloud nine. My us to justify junk food shaving his fa- alarmingly high teenage preg- underfunded research team (Pa- debauchery. cial hair for the first time in nancy rates? What if it’s respon- treon link below the article!) and I decades. Unfortunately, he sible for child-trafficking because have consulted a witch who gave The Little holds the razor at too lofty of it suspiciously shows themes of us a magical mirror that lets us Mermaid: an angle and sheds his skin like a marriage and captivity to a young peer into the lives of these prin- If you true beast of the wild. Belle plays audience? Regardless, Disney has cesses, after or during their mar- can sing Emily Young-Squire / The Spectator solitary piano while lamenting hidden the upsetting side of love riage, and luckily at the price of beautifully, you unsuc- about the idiot she married. that you’re now aware of. Don’t our college admissions chances can also sing horrifically. Ariel’s cessful wedding: a sperm whale take love lightly, be chaste, and instead of gold. We messengers wedding took place on a boat, responded with sonar echolo- Rapunzel: only commit if you’re an adult or of truth hope these outcomes but as soon as the cake was re- cation, and they immediately “As you can see, fellow busi- a veteran of life’s struggles. Page 20 The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Humor

Frog and Toad: Where are They Now? By KRISTA PROTEASA suggested. “Oh, absolutely. You’re so “Answer the question, Toad.” Frog opened the door to “Of course. Your cookies al- right, Toad.” “Me…” Toad mumbled. nothing but a note. It read, “I Iconic children’s book charac- ways set me straight.” “Frog!” “I’m sorry, what did you say?” want cookies.” ters Frog and Toad were once up “But we’re not strai—” Frog threw the bowl of pop- “ME! AH!” Toad practically Frog returned to Toad in their to an endless number of shenani- “Toad, what do you need for corn he was eating from in the air screeched. Frog threw the bowl bed. gans, but whatever happened to the cookies? Flour? Eggs?” Frog in fright. of popcorn up in the air once “Toad, what kind of baloney them? Have they simply stopped interrupted. “What?!” again. are you pulling?” going on wild adventures and do- The pair then made a batch “Why are you looking at Ker- “That’s better. Now let us “Frog, that note is clearly re- ing perfectly trivial things togeth- of the most scrumptious cookies mit like that?” continue where we left off.” Frog ferring to cookies, not baloney. er? Well, they’ve both agreed to they both have ever eaten. “Like what?” knew deep down in his heart Gosh, you can’t even read.” let me observe their current daily “Toad, I’m sorry.” “Like… t h a t.” Toad would never be Kermit, but “Toad, I am asking you once happenings from the comfort of “For what, Frog?” “Toad, I have no idea what one could certainly again. What is the meaning be- their own couch, so these ques- “Threatening to leave you you are referring to. I am simply dream. hind this tomfoolery?” tions can be put to rest. Let’s see when I had no intention of doing enjoying the cinematic genius “Now why should I tell you?” what they’re up to. so. That was pretty cold of me to “No clue, but this note is “Frog, I want to go outside,” do.” making me want cookies. Let’s Toad said. “You’re right. Thank you,” go get some.” “Then go outside,” Frog said. Toad accepted the apology. Toad turned and smiled. He “But I don’t want to go out- had to text his acquaintance a side unless you do.” The next morning, Toad very heartfelt thank you later. “Toad, I swear, you always do woke up with a fright. “That’s just what I was think- this.” “Frog, would you ing!” Toad exclaimed. He only re- “Do what?” ever really leave?” joiced on the inside. Of course, “You know exactly what. “Of course not, he couldn’t let Frog know that he, You guilt-trip me to walk half- Toad. Who else would in fact, was behind the baloney way around the block until you I plant seeds in the and tomfoolery. get too tired and decide you just ground with?” And so the pair went to their want to stare at a pigeon instead. “Thank you, cabinet to rummage through the I tell you Toad, I’m honestly tired Frog.” plethora of baked goods lining of it.” “Toad, would you their shelves. They munched and “Frog, you’re scaring me.” like to watch a movie munched and began to ponder “Good. I am sick of being on Disney+ with me?” Nelli Rojas-Cessa Spectator / The the many ponderings one pon- pulled every which way just be- “I would love that, ders when one is pondering. cause you make me. I’m done.” Frog. How about Nation- “Frog, what do you think the Frog started to fold his clothes al Geographic?” purpose of life is?” and place them in a suitcase. “Do you just want “I get you cookies and you “Frog, where are you going?” to see what Kermit and still have questions? You ask too “Anywhere but here.” Miss Piggy have been much of me.” Frog stormed out of their doing after that?” The two chuckled and made quaint New York City apartment “You know me so their way to bed. Huh, so that’s and slammed the door. Toad be- well, Frog.” of puppets with what they’ve been up to? The gan to cry. The two began to enjoy the personalities.” same routine as when I last kept Two hours passed before Frog film until Toad got a little suspi- “Frog, you know Kermit That evening, while the pair up with them? Mundane tasks came running through the very cious at how intently Frog was makes me insecure. He’s taller was sleeping, trouble ensued in and the occasional fight? Oh, door he practically just slammed. paying attention to Kermit spe- than me, slimmer than me, and the amphibian household. Frog and Toad. Some things Toad stopped crying. cifically. He decided to test his funnier than me. Why are you Frog heard a knock at the never change. On the next epi- “Frog!” Toad exclaimed. theory. looking at him like he’s Lady door. sode of “Frog and Toad: Where “Why did you come back?” “Frog?” Gaga at the Super Bowl?” “Toad, is that you knocking are They Now?” I’ll give you an- “Mm?” Frog mumbled. “Toad, you know I just really on the door?” swers to your burning question: “We don’t own umbrellas, “Would you ever rob a bank enjoy this particular movie. No “Frog, use your Cheeto-sized will they ever do anything else? and it’s raining. I got my pants with me?” need to get jealous. Look at it this brain. I am literally right next to Until next time, I’m an unnamed soaked.” Frog admitted. “Oh yeah sure, of course.” way. Who am I sitting next to, you you. How would I be knocking at reporter, and you’re watching this “Fair enough. Want to bake Frog managed to say. or Kermit?” the door?” unnamed news channel. Now, cookies with me? I know how “What about our neighbors? “I bet you wish I were Ker- “Jeez, all right, Toad. I’ll go sports. much we both enjoy them,” Toad Would you ever rob them?” mit…” see who it is.”

The Torturous Nature of Online Physical Education

By ARSHIA MAZUMDER graduate. Almost in tears, they *McJohnkins gasps.* have an exclusive interview with the ruckus I’ve been making. It’s must jump around like chick- I know, the horror. The hor- Sherryl Rin. humiliating. My lifestyle is sitting In the COVID-19 era, gym ens, panting, while they count: ror! You must all be gaping at *McJohnkins walks into the on the couch and binge-watch- teachers across the country and “One, two, three, four…” When your television sets by now. Oh living room of 4R. Sherryl is sit- ing “WandaVision,” not doing at our own Stuyvesant High they are finished, flushed and wait…you guys don’t watch ting on the couch, sweating from planks! I’m a gelatinous blob, not School had to quickly come up sweaty, the pain isn’t over. They cable, right? What is this on? the exercises, six feet away from Usain Bolt. Let me be a gelati- with an educational and engag- must repeat this multiple times Hulu? Whatever. People, real McJohnkins, as he sits down on nous blob! ing way to do physical educa- and watch their peers follow the adult people, actually thought a chair.* *Sherryl wipes a tear.* tion virtually. The fact of the same fate. This continues for that jumping around in front McJOHNKINS: Welcome McJOHNKINS: I under- matter is, they failed. Journalist over half an hour every single of a camera and squinting at a back to “Donate to Whatever stand, Sherryl. The pain you have John McJohnkins discussed the week. Hi. I’m John McJohnkins, screen to read the screen-shared We Tell You To!” to go through once every four embarrassing nature of remote and I’m here to tell you about workout could replace happy *Applause* school days must be terrible. gym on the popular television this horrible routine that stu- kids running around a gymna- McJOHNKINS: As we said *Sherryl nods, then looks show “Donate to Whatever We dents are forced into every day. sium. News flash: it doesn’t. This when we left off talking to Ms. away.* Tell You” including an interview They’re already struggling during is legitimate torture. I am now at Rin, this episode is about how McJOHNKINS: Viewers, with Stuyvesant student Sherryl remote learning, having to learn the apartment door of a student online gym is literally just tor- as you can see, these children Rin. The following text is an ex- and exert their knowledge with at Stuyvesant High School. Her ture. I’m here with Sherryl, who must suffer through this terrify- cerpt from a transcript of that the parts of their brains that name is Sherryl Rin, and she is seems to be having a mental ing thing called exercise. If you episode. aren’t fried. They are required to one of the victims of remote breakdown on the couch. donate to our “Free the Chil- memorize obscure facts that like- high school PE. SHERRYL (scratching her dren” charity, you can help these *A reporter, John Mc- ly won’t help them in the future. *McJohnkins opens the door eyeballs): Make it stop. Make it poor kids. I mean, this practically Johnkins, stands in front of an They must stay up until sunrise and enters the apartment.* stop! falls under cruel and unusual apartment building and knocks chanting, like summoning a de- Hello, Ms. Rin. You are Sher- McJOHNKINS: Make what punishment for…existing? For on the door.* mon, until these facts are drilled ryl’s mother, correct? stop, Sherryl? just $5 a day, we will do glorious McJOHNKINS: Let me into their minds. And after all of MS. RIN: Yes, yes, but SHERRYL: Every B 6-10 things to fight this atrocity, such paint you a picture. Children and this, you’d think these kids would please be quiet! Sherryl’s in her day I have to do push-ups, jump- as begging on our knees for the teenagers all across New York get a break, but no. They must gym class now. ing jacks, and squats! Sixty-seven DOE to do something (looking City are forced to turn on their sweat in their homes, while their McJOHNKINS: Aha! We squats! And I mean, how am I at you, chancellor), and for the devices. They log in to some pro- uncles stare at them judgingly. are now going to witness for expected to awkwardly punch love of God, STOP MAKING gram, Zoom or Room or what- When the teacher calls on them, our very own eyes what happens forward in an imaginary box- THE STUDENTS COUNT! ever, which turns their comput- the students have to glance awk- during PE. ing ring while trying to keep Please. We need your help to ers into security cameras. They wardly at their family members MS. RIN: No, no, you can’t! my head in frame so my teacher take a stand against forced child are watched, like hawks, by their and implore them to stop chat- She’s…she’s…counting, and if I doesn’t mark me absent? I have labor. This is a serious issue rav- peers and by an adult who is ting. What is this torture, you make a noise, she’ll be forced to to get down real low! And ev- aging our country. There have to pulled into this charade. The stu- ask? Well, adults, parents, and banish herself from this dimen- eryone knows that my thighs be better ways to exercise than… dents are “encouraged” to par- dragons, listen closely, as this sion due to embarrassment! can’t handle that! Sometimes than this! Thank you for your ticipate, and by that, I mean if will shock you. It is remote high McJOHNKINS (whisper- my neighbors from below come time, and thank you for saving they don’t participate, they won’t school physical education. ing): When we come back, we’ll upstairs and complain about all children from the torture of PE. The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Page 21 Sports Sports Editorial Should Championships Define Greatness? By TAEE CHI AND scored over 150 times by the age tory. And of course, there will man” because he always deliv- from other NBA greats. In such SHAFIUL HAQUE of only 27. He has won the Pre- always be players on a team who ered in the post, were two of the a close and hotly disputed argu- mier League Golden Boot award play a minor role in the actual most dominant power-forwards ment, every factor should be The Kansas City Chiefs faced twice, and he was the top scorer game but get the trophy none- to ever play the game. Together, taken into consideration, cham- the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. theless. In Ferguson’s reign, there their combined accomplish- pionships included. However, Super Bowl LV, one of the larg- Despite all of his personal acco- were multiple players who won ments include three MVPs, 25 this attention doesn’t necessarily est sports events in recent histo- lades, Kane has yet to win a tro- trophies with the club but failed All-Star appearances, 16 All- mean that championship records ry, attracting 96.4 million viewers phy for England or Tottenham. to receive the same recognition NBA first team selections, and should be the number one crite- on February 7, 2021. But why do Another player with a simi- as the star players of the squad, a mind-boggling 60,685 points ria in this case; individual acco- the finals gather so much atten- lar story is Belgian striker Rom- as they simply didn’t contribute combined throughout their ca- lades and the overall impact these tion compared to regular season elu Lukaku. The 27-year-old has as much. reers. two players had on the game are matches? This idea isn’t exclusive played for many clubs in his ca- This distribution of attention Given all these accomplish- more important considerations. to football. The NBA Finals and reer, displaying his goal-scoring doesn’t mean that star players in ments, it’s foolish to think that A great player is still a the FIFA World Cup Final are ability for each. He has 300 ca- a squad who lack titles are bet- these players failed to reach the great player even if they don’t also the most watched matches reer goals to his name, many of ter than athletes who play minor status of NBA legends because have any rings. Statistics, MVP in their respective tournaments. them coming from the Premier roles for a title-winning team. they don’t have any champi- awards, All-Star selections, All- Likely, such viewership is due to League and Serie A. Lukaku The amount of trophies won onship rings on their fingers. NBA selections, and Hall-of- the anticipation behind which also has many personal awards, should be a component in eval- Most people would rank Nash Fame elections cannot be de- team will emerge victorious including his appearance in the uating whether or not a player higher on the all-time point nied when measuring a player’s over the other and be declared 2016-2017 Premier League Team is great, but it shouldn’t be the guard list over players like Jason greatness. However, to see such the best of the season. For de- of the Year, but surprisingly, he main factor. People tend to com- Kidd and Walt Frazier, despite accomplished players like Nash, cades, most fans have believed has no trophies with any of his pare players based on their stats, these two players having mul- Malone, and Barkley retire with- that titles determine a player’s clubs. All avid soccer fans know such as goals, assists, passes, and tiple championships under their out ever getting to hold a cham- greatness. They ignore the losing that both Kane and Lukaku are unfortunately, trophies. How- belts. Similarly, very few NBA pionship trophy in their arms is side, believing that players who exceptional players, even with ever, the most important factor fans would take Pau Gasol and truly a shame. Likewise, it would won the trophy are greater than empty trophy cabinets. in deciding the legacy of a player Kevin McHale over Barkley and be a shame to see the Bucks’ those who haven’t. Is this really People often wonder why is the impact made on the sport Malone, despite the former pair Giannis Antetokounmpo finish the case? great players choose to stay on and team. Sure, a player can rack boasting a combined total of five his career without ever winning teams where they will win few to up titles while sitting on the rings compared to Barkley and a championship. The same goes Soccer no trophies. Whether it be due to bench almost every game, but Malone’s zero. for Russell Westbrook, Chris Since Barcelona FC’s 4-1 de- the squad’s team chemistry, hap- does that really make a distin- The reason why champion- Paul, and Derrick Rose. In the feat to Paris Saint-Germain in piness with their playing time, or guished soccer player? ships don’t matter as much as end, no one will deny their great- the Champions League Round adjustment to a city, most soccer personal accolades in many cases ness, but one can only hope that of 16, fans have drawn com- athletes focus on doing the best Basketball is that not every championship is a ring will accompany their Hall parisons between soccer legend they can with a club rather than Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, equal. The quality of teammates, of Fame resumes. Lionel Messi and young star Kyl- joining another one just for the and Karl Malone are just three the level of competition faced, ian Mbappé. Though Messi has sake of trophies. of many former NBA players each player’s role on the team, At the end of the day, cham- played far longer than Mbappé, On the other hand, some who retired without ever win- and the ability of the team’s pionships are only one part of some people believe that the lat- players who have won many tro- ning a ring. Because they never coach to adjust and make game- an athlete’s legacy. They may be ter’s World Cup trophy, an award phies for their clubs don’t play won a championship, the lega- winning strategies are just some the pinnacle of a player’s career, that Messi has yet to earn, speaks an important role on their team. cies of these players should not of the factors that make the play- but plenty of other factors weigh for itself. However, comparing They are either used as backup be compared to those of cham- ing field uneven for NBA - play more heavily than champion- trophies between two players players for the main squad or pions like Bill Russell, Kobe Bry- ers. Given the varying levels of ships when measuring a player’s is not a good way to determine as fringe players in the circum- ant, or Michael Jordan, right? adversity different players face success. The arguments posed who is superior, as they do not stances of an injury. An impor- Well, not exactly. Though it’s when trying to win a champion- are not restricted to soccer and necessarily define a player’s suc- tant era of soccer that displays true that some basketball experts ship, it’s unfair to rely solely on basketball. The same is true for cess. There are numerous players this type of squad hierarchy is and spectators view the lega- the number of rings to compare most other sports leagues, in- who are all time greats without Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Man- cies of the mentioned players as the players’ legacies. cluding the NFL, MLB, and the having won many––or any–– chester United from 1986 to “tarnished” due to the absence But is this claim the case NHL. It is important to note, trophies for their teams. They 2013. During his 26-year career of a ring, no one can deny their when comparing the greatest however, that the case is dif- showcase their abilities through at Manchester, Ferguson won 38 greatness, much less consider players of all time? One of the ferent for more individualized their performances each match, trophies, including 13 Premier their careers failures. Nash was most common arguments that al- sports such as tennis and box- displaying immaculate skill and League titles, two Champions a two-time league MVP and an ways seems to arise in the classic ing. Whatever the case may be, achieving the best result that League titles, and five FA Cups. eight-time All-Star, and he re- Jordan vs. LeBron James debate instead of comparing players they can for their teams. Ferguson achieved his success tired as one of the greatest pass- is that Jordan is 6-0 in the NBA with one another, we should sit Tottenham Hotspur FC play- by nurturing young players into ers in NBA history. Barkley, of- finals while James is just 4-6. back and enjoy watching a new er Harry Kane is a prime exam- world-class athletes. Like most ten called “the Round Mound of Given that Jordan and James generation of athletes dominate ple of such greatness. Kane is an squads nowadays, to win tro- Rebound” due to his extraordi- are undoubtedly the two great- the sports so many people love established player at the interna- phies, the best players should nary ability to gather boards, and est players of all time, they around the globe. tional level for England and has play for the best chance at vic- Malone, nicknamed “the Mail- should be regarded separately Football The Real MVP(s) of Super Bowl LV By YOONAH CHANG three playoff games in a row, all with an injured toe and a deplet- down to tight-end and familiar score a touchdown. on the road. After beating the ed offensive line due to injuries. face Rob Gronkowski. A couple But while the Bucs’ de- As Patrick Mahomes rolled Washington Football Team in However, the Chiefs were still significant Chiefs’ flags later, fense was certainly the story of out of the pocket on fourth the Wild Card Round, the Bucs the favorites, in large part due Brady found Gronkowski again the game, there’s a reason why down early in the fourth quar- handled business against Drew to their fire-powered offense in the endzone for a 17-yard Brady was named MVP. Com- ter, fans couldn’t help but think Brees and the Saints, winning which hadn’t been held to under touchdown with six minutes left ing into the Super Bowl as the that it must be déjà vu, seeing 30-20. In the NFC Champion- 17 points once all season. The to go in the first half. After the underdog, the tenured quar- Mahomes scrambling for his life ship, Brady used a couple of Chiefs came into the playoffs Chiefs drove down the field and terback’s age-defying perfor- again. For what seemed like the well-timed touchdowns to take having lost just one game (not kicked a field goal, Brady got mance was simply classic Brady. umpteenth time that game, Ma- down Aaron Rodgers and the counting week 17 when they the ball back and promptly exe- Despite throwing fewer total homes once again escaped mag- Green Bay Packers to reach his rested all their starters), includ- cuted a two-minute drill, finding yards than Mahomes, Brady was ically and after being tripped up, 10th Super Bowl. ing a 27-24 victory over Tampa Brown for another touchdown, much more efficient and played threw a pass while literally paral- As the number one seed Bay in week 12. which gave the Buccaneers a a mostly flawless game that left lel to the ground, only for it to in the AFC, the Kansas City Kansas City started out hot, comfortable 15-point lead by little hope for Mahomes and his hit his receiver Darrel Williams Chiefs had a first round bye and scoring the first points of the the time The Weeknd took the Chiefs. Brady’s performance in in the face mask. For the dura- took care of business against game on a Harrison Butker field stage. the Super Bowl, as well as dur- tion of the game, Mahomes did the Cleveland Browns in the di- goal. But field goals would be The second half was more ing most of the season, also as much as he could but received visional round despite a late in- all this high powered offense of the same for both Tampa ended a pre-Super Bowl debate little help from his teammates. jury scare involving Mahomes. would get for the entire game, and the Chiefs. Tampa Bay’s among some who wondered The highly anticipated matchup In the AFC Championship, as the real MVPs turned out defense continued getting to who was more important in the between Mahomes and six-time the Chiefs shut down one of to be the Buccaneers’ defense, Mahomes, pressuring the quar- New England Patriots’ prior six Super Bowl champ Tom Brady the hottest offenses in football which had Mahomes constantly terback 29 times by the end of Super Bowl victories: the head ended up being quite lopsided, in the Buffalo Bills and routed scrambling for his life. Buc- the game and forcing Mahomes coach Bill Belichick or the star with Brady’s Tampa Bay Bucca- them en route to their second caneers running back Leonard to run around an astonishing quarterback Brady. After lead- neers coming out on top 31-9. straight Super Bowl. Fournette and wide receiver 497 yards in escape of the Bucs ing a team that had only one The Buccaneers arrived at Mahomes, who was looking Antonio Brown capitalized on pass rush. The multitude of winning season in the prior nine the Super Bowl the hard way. As for his second consecutive title multiple flags by the Chiefs in four-man rushes disrupted the years, to victory in the Super the wild card, they had to win in his already illustrious young the first half, giving Brady the Chiefs’ previously unstoppable Bowl, that particular debate has career, entered Sunday’s game chance to throw the first touch- offense, and they didn’t even been put to bed. Page 22 The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Sports X Games Getting X-Treme at the Winter X Games Another notable story was on the snowboard superpipe night, every athlete who ranked securing the gold medal in the continued from page 24 Chloe Kim’s return to compe- unfortunately did not happen, in the top five had landed at men’s ski superpipe. In men’s ski strongly throughout the compe- tition. After taking time off to as White was kept out with a least one 1800 jump. Sven Thor- big air, Andri Ragettli won the tition. Anderson came out on focus on her freshman year at knee injury. With White out of gren and Mons Røisland, silver event after managing to land an top in the women’s snowboard Princeton, Kim’s return to com- the picture, James took home and bronze medalists, respec- unprecedented triple cork 1980. slopestyle, throwing down a cab petition was highly anticipated. the silver medal while Japan’s tively, both landed 1800s they In the same event, bronze med- double 9 right off the bat, and It’s safe to say that she lived up Yuto Totsuka claimed the first had never tried in competition alist Alex Hall performed re- secured her seventh career gold to the hype. Taking home gold gold medal of his career. before. Chris Corning landed markably well with several 1800 medal in the event. She won her in the women’s snowboard half- One of the most impressive his first quad cork 1800, as well jumps. first gold medal in the wom- pipe, Kim received her fifth As- events of the X Games was the as another flat spin 1800. Most Though the pandemic en’s snowboard big air event pen title in the event since her X men’s snowboard big air, the notably, Tareku Otsuka landed did affect the overall atmosphere as well, which featured every Games debut when she was only highest-scoring big air compe- the world’s first-ever front quad of the competition, the compet- 2018 Olympic medalist. Ander- 14 years old. Kim now has eight tition ever. Marcus Kleveland cork 1800, en route to placing ing athletes still went above and son was also the first woman X Games medals to her name. took home the gold with a com- fifth in the event. beyond, delivering trick after to ever compete in the snow- This year’s X Games were posite score of 96/100 after Several athletes across the trick. Overall, while maintaining board Knuckle Huck event. She also supposed to mark White’s executing two nearly-flawless X Games executed similarly as- COVID guidelines, this year’s now holds 19 career Winter X return to competitive snow- 1800 jumps, both the four-in- tonishing jumps. In the women’s X Games kicked off the win- Games medals, leaving her one boarding for the first time since version, five-rotation quad cork ski big air event, gold medalist ter season smoothly, showcas- away from tying Mark McMor- the 2018 Pyeongchang Olym- 1800 with an Indy grab and a Mathilde Gremaud landed the ing many fan-favorite athletes ris’s record of 20 total X Games pics. The expected showdown frontside switch 1800 spin. If first 1440 jump ever in women’s and highlighting major breakout medals. between White and Scotty this execution wasn’t surpris- competition. Nico Porteous stars who will surely make noise James, both Olympic medalists, ing enough, by the end of the landed two 1620s back-to-back, in the seasons to come. Sports Editorial Brady vs. James, Off the Field By MAX SCHNEIDER football. Later that year, James has made massive donations roughly $1.2 million in grants. which is small for the namesake moved again, this time to the to the Boys and Girls Club of From this sum, $300 thousand foundation of a major athlete. The world marveled as Tom home of Frank Walker, his lo- America, After-School All-Stars, was given to the JBV Charitable Brady also drives other ef- Brady won his seventh Super cal basketball coach. Walker en- the Children’s Defense Fund, fund, $100 thousand was given forts. He has donated to his Bowl on February 7, 2021, a rolled him in school, made sure and ONEXONE as well. His to Hurricane Harvey Relief, and teammates’ charities over the mind-boggling 10th appearance he went every day, and started dedication to helping children $100 thousand was given to the years and has partnered with in the big game. His dominance facilitating his love for basket- reach their full potential is clear TB12 foundation. Additionally, Wheels Up to give over 750 is unparalleled in modern foot- ball. This structure gave him the and has spanned his whole ca- a total of about $160 thousand thousand meals to the city of ball, and it has become clear that discipline to not only become reer. His biggest donation was was given to Brady’s private alma Tampa. However, his biggest he is the greatest ever to play the an NBA superstar, but also turn a $2.5 million donation to the mater high school, Junipero effort is put into Best Buddies. game. into the savvy businessman that National Museum of African Serra, and his children’s private According to Best Buddies, his The next night, LeBron he has become. American History to fund an ex- schools. The rest of the money support has raised tens of mil- James logged a triple-double Today, James’s foundation hibit on Muhammad Ali. “Mu- is made up of donations to oth- lions of dollars, which deserves in an overtime win against the works with 1,500 kids ages eight hammad Ali is such a corner- er charities, usually in the range to be applauded. However, it is Oklahoma City Thunder. It to 18. Its efforts all start with stone of me as an athlete because of $10 thousand to $50 thou- not truly his money, which is the moved James’s Lakers to 19-6, his I Promise School, which has of what he represented not only sand. On the surface, this range concerning part of Brady’s char- second in the Western Confer- long hours and works to create in the ring as a champion but may seem like a large amount ity work. Brady has a net worth ence of the NBA. The Lakers well-rounded children with the more outside the ring—what of money for Brady to donate. of $200 million, and his wife, are the Las Vegas favorites not tools to succeed. Additionally, he stood for, what he spoke for, However, Brady has only actu- supermodel Gisele Bündchen, only to reach the NBA Finals, the foundation has implemented his demeanor,” James told USA ally given $490 thousand to the is worth $400 million. It seems but also to win them. If they do, a support system to ensure that TODAY Sports. The Ali exhibit trust. The vast majority of the odd that Brady donates so little it would be James’s fifth win in all students have stable home aims to educate America about trust, upwards of 80 percent, to both his foundation and oth- 11 appearances. It would also environments. The crown jewel Ali’s legacy not only in the ring, comes from Best Buddies In- ers given his massive net worth. crown him as one of, if not, the of this structure is the I Prom- but also with his extensive work ternational, for which Brady is a James on his own is worth greatest basketball players to ise Village. The village gives for social justice. volunteer. Their donations have $500 million. He has stood up ever grace the court. homes to students’ families fac- Regarding his own relation- totaled $7.5 million, and they to this figure, donating millions It is no question that Brady ing homelessness, domestic vio- ship with social justice, James’s plan on donating an additional of dollars and lots of time. Ac- and James are some of the lence, and other circumstances. effort is immense, as he is a huge $500 thousand annually. cording to his foundation’s 2018 most dominant athletes of our It also helps families create a advocate for the Black Lives Mat- This relationship is bizarre, tax filing, he still puts five hours time. They have garnered in- recovery plan, and most impor- ter movement. His support came to say the least. While it is not un- a week into his foundation. He sane amounts of influence and tantly, keeps children in school. to the forefront after the murder usual for charities to give money also uses his opportunities to money throughout their careers. During COVID-19, the founda- of George Floyd by Minneapolis to each other, this arrangement is support others. His production Such success begs the big ques- tion’s work has expanded. It has police officers. When the NBA special. Not only does Best Bud- company, Springhill Entertain- tion: what have they done for started providing food to fami- wanted to resume the season, dies make up more of Brady’s ment, tells the stories of activ- their community, and could they lies in the program, ensuring James, along with several others, funding than anyone, but their ists and underrepresented indi- be doing more? that the students can still thrive ensured the focus remained on donation of $500 thousand is viduals. He has truly dedicated despite their circumstances. social equality both by putting also more than their donations himself to making the world a LeBron James Lastly, the program has worked social justice slogans on jerseys to any other foundation. For ex- better place. Soon after he was originally with Akron University and Kent and the court and kneeling be- ample, their 2015 donation was Brady can learn a lot from drafted, James started the LeB- State University to provide the fore games. James also focused a staggering 2.5 times larger than James. The latter has a very fo- ron James Family Foundation, students with full scholarships his interviews on social justice their second biggest donation, cused effort, and not only does which remains the pinnacle of that will allow them to get edu- and has continued to ensure the which was to the ill-fated Kevin he work hard, but he also truly his charitable efforts. Accord- cated, get good jobs, and raise conversation moves forward. He Spacey Foundation. The Change cares. He is helping others. Ad- ing to their website, “The LeB- children to do the same. James has also tried to make a differ- the World Foundation does a lot ditionally, his activism for social ron James Family Foundation wants to leave his hometown in ence politically, campaigning in of good work, but it is unclear justice and dedication to moti- invests its time, resources, and better shape than he found it, support of candidates he sup- how much of it should really be vating people to vote can truly passion into creating genera- and he is certainly delivering. ported in the last four presiden- attributed to Brady. make a difference in communi- tional change for the kids and The foundation has also left tial elections and encouraging Brady’s other major ven- ties. families of James’s hometown in its mark through grants to differ- his supporters to vote through ture is the TB12 foundation. On the other hand, Brady Akron, Ohio through a focus on ent programs, including several his organization More Than a According to its website, “The has always tried to stay clear of education and co-curricular edu- that are very important to James. Vote. TB12 Foundation is a nonprofit politics, and when asked about cational initiatives.” According to the foundation’s organization […] Its mission his support of former president This initiative is a reflection 990 forms (required tax forms Tom Brady is to help educate and inspire Donald Trump, he has said they of James’s own childhood. Born that show how non-profits al- Brady has two main charity athletes to excel in both sports are “just friends.” He is not uti- in Akron to a 16-year-old single lotted their money), from 2015 efforts, the Change the World and life by providing access to lizing his voice or time, and it is mother, he grew up without to 2018 (latest available), he has Foundation Trust and the TB12 innovative health and wellness a true shame that Brady doesn’t much stability at home. They given over $400 thousand to foundation. Founded in 2006, resources that support prepara- try to do more than fostering moved up to six times when his alma mater, St. Vincent–St. the Change the World Foun- tion, performance and recovery. the exchange of money between James was in fourth grade, and Mary High School. He has also dation Trust makes grants to It empowers those at-risk to charities. It is clear Brady is try- he missed almost 100 days of given over $1 million to Akron other organizations, primarily overcome economic or health- ing to put in effort to make a school that same year. This public schools, provided fund- ones important to Brady. Simi- related obstacles to reach their difference, but he can do so situation changed when he met ing for a recreational basketball lar to James’s 990 forms, the performance goals.” While this much more. He has plenty of Bruce Kelker, the local foot- league, and made several other trust’s 990s indicate how much charity has a good mission, it is money and influence. If he can ball coach, who let James and grants. and to where they have donat- still small. In their most recent utilize his success as an athlete his mother move in with him James has also tried to make ed. From 2015 to 2018 (latest 990 forms from 2018, the pro- like James does, he can truly be and taught James how to play an impact on a larger scale. He available), the fund has made gram only spent $322 thousand, great. The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 Page 23 Sports Football A Tale of Two Quarterbacks By KRISH GUPTA the Chargers. Nonetheless, then early on (granted, the Giants lost he never reached the peak for It’s called the Hall of Fame, Chargers General Manager A.J. 23-0, and Eli Manning tossed the third time, Eli Manning con- not the Hall of Talent for a rea- After 17 seasons and 240 Smith still elected to select Eli three interceptions). tinued to be a stalwart starter in son. The Hall of Fame is about consecutive starts, longtime Manning with the first pick, say- While Eli Manning was mak- the NFL. He earned four Pro achieving greatness. So what if Chargers quarterback Philip ing that it was best for the fran- ing a name for himself in the Bowl nods, holds Giants fran- Rivers had more accurate throws Rivers has retired from the chise. league from the jump, Rivers chise records in virtually ev- and a better deep ball? Eli Man- NFL, joining fellow 2004 draft- Three picks after Eli Man- didn’t assume the starting job in ery passing category (including ning won the Super Bowl twice ee Eli Manning. Both had stellar ning was selected, the Giants San Diego until his third season interceptions, to be fair), and and is one of just five other careers and were rare pictures chose NC State’s Rivers, who in 2006. Rivers saw flashes of ranks in the top 10 in all-time players to be named Super Bowl of durability and longevity in looked like a kid in a candy playing time in 2004 and 2005, NFL passing yards and touch- MVP two times. The other four? a league in which most players store. Little did he know that the but he finally got his chance to downs. The legendary quarter- Joe Montana, Brady, Bart Starr, don’t even last three seasons. day was far from over. lead the Chargers in the 2006 back finished his career with the and Terry Bradshaw, three Hall Before Eli Manning and Rivers would never suit up campaign after the departure of most Eli Manning record ever, of Famers and one G.O.A.T. Rivers even took an NFL snap, for the Giants, and Eli Man- Brees, and he made the most of 117-117. Eli Manning is one of the their legacies were destined to ning would never suit up for the it. Rivers led the Chargers to a While Eli Manning expe- most clutch players in NFL his- be intertwined forever. Not Chargers. The Chargers traded 14-2 regular season record and rienced the highest highs and tory and should be ultimately only were they both selected in Eli Manning to the New York earned his first Pro Bowl nod. lowest lows in his career, Rivers voted into the Hall of Fame as the top five picks of the 2004 Giants for Rivers, in addition to Despite the dominant regular played at a dependably high level such. Though Rivers certainly NFL Draft, but they were also a bundle of later round picks. season record, the Chargers fell throughout his career. He was should be inducted as well, if members of arguably the most Eli Manning and Rivers went to the Patriots in the Divisional named to eight Pro Bowls and someone had to choose between famous, and controversial, draft on to be two of the greatest Round. Eli Manning’s Giants made the playoffs seven times the two, Eli Manning would be trade in league history. quarterbacks in recent history, also made the playoffs that sea- (one with the Colts in his last the right choice. As Eli Manning in addition to Ben Roethlisberg- son but fell in the Wild Card season). However, he had a 5-7 himself once iconically said, The Draft Day Saga er, who was selected later in the round again (not something Eli postseason record, only making “With the game on the line, I “With the first choice in the first round. The 2004 draft class Manning would make a habit of it to the AFC Championship want the ball in my hands.” 2004 NFL Draft, the San Diego is often considered one of the doing, though). once. The only knock on him is While fanatics continue to Chargers select Eli Manning, best quarterback classes in NFL Eli Manning did the un- his lack of a Super Bowl appear- argue about the Rivers vs. Eli quarterback, Mississippi.” And history, combining for four Su- thinkable in the 2007-2008 sea- ance. He is fifth on the all-time Manning debate, both play- so it began. per Bowl wins and 18 Pro Bowl son. Coming into the playoffs passing yards and touchdowns ers are looking to enjoy retire- Eli Manning walked up to selections. with the number five seed in list and won the hearts of NFL ment life. Eli Manning spent a the stage, clearly disappointed the NFC, he guided the Giants fans around the country with his year away from football, instead with the move. He reluctantly Career Comparisons to the Super Bowl, where they signature trash talking, includ- spending time with his family, held up the Chargers jersey and Both Eli Manning and Riv- faced the undefeated New Eng- ing his signature “dadgummit.” playing golf, and, most notably, sulked back off. Leading up to ers entered their rookie seasons land Patriots, looking to make He also has become the butt of getting a Twitter account with the draft, the Manning fam- in talented quarterback rooms, history. The Pats were favored many jokes for having nine kids, his signature dry humor. In fact, ily made it known that they with the Chargers starting young by double digits over the G- quite literally his biggest legacy. it was on Twitter that he an- weren’t going to let Eli Man- Drew Brees and Doug Flutie men, but Eli Manning didn’t nounced his first throw in seven ning play in San Diego. Enter- ahead of Rivers and the Giants back down, leading the Giants The Hall of Fame months after retirement with ing the 2004 season, the Char- switching between Eli Manning with a signature fourth quarter Conversation his old friend Larry Fitzgerald. gers boasted only four winning and Kurt Warner. comeback highlighted by the Eli Manning and Rivers both “When you retire, you are al- seasons since 1983. Given his As a rookie, Eli Manning famed Helmet Catch. The rest had tremendous careers. Rivers lowed to workout in khakis,” he own experiences, Father Archie got a significant snap count of Eli Manning’s career is his- was the picture of consistency wrote. Needless to say, Eli Man- Manning didn’t want his son to but was inconsistent, starting tory. After winning Super Bowl in the NFL, looking like the ning is thriving in retirement. have to slog through his career seven games. He topped 1,000 MVP, he did it again four years best quarterback in the league Recently, rumors have grown surrounded by a weak team. yards passing while tossing six later in 2011 against, you guessed for several seasons. However, he that he would like to work with The elder Archie Manning was touchdown passes and nine in- it, Tom Brady and the Pats. The was never able to fully achieve the Giants in some capacity. the starting quarterback for the terceptions. In his second year, Giants entered the playoffs with greatness. Eli Manning, on the Rivers is set to coach high New Orleans Saints for 11 sea- though, Warner left the team, the lowest seed in the NFC, but other hand, led the league in school football at St. Michael’s sons, but his team was never handing Eli Manning the reigns no matter. Eli Manning, under- interceptions three times and school in Alabama, hoping to able to put together a winning of the G-men. Eli Manning had dog at heart, comeback kid, and was benched twice toward the eventually coach his son. season, much less make the play- a breakout season, leading the younger brother, swiftly brought end of his career, but also won Rivers and Eli Manning, two offs and Super Bowl. The Gi- third highest scoring offense the Giants their fourth world two Super Bowl MVPs. Both of polar opposite personalities, fi- ants, at the time, were the team and ranking in the top five in championship. these quarterbacks should be nally retired after two polar op- in a better position to contend passing yards and touchdown After 2011, Eli Manning shoo-ins to the Hall of Fame posite NFL careers, both with a right away. Eli Manning went passes. The Giants clinched continued to lead the Giants un- given all their accomplishments, place forever in the NFL history as far as to say that he’d rather the NFC East title, giving him til 2019, when they selected his but the question then becomes, books. go to law school than play for invaluable playoff experience successor, Daniel Jones. Though who deserves it more?

NBA The NBA’s Best Backcourt? By AIDAN FINGERET defensive rating (among players he shot an abysmal 28 percent when he scored 33 points on the who is an automatic bucket for who play at least 10 minutes per from three, but this year, he is Clippers in the preseason. One his team and the opposition. To answer the question in game) and third best defensive shooting 44 percent, which puts of his teammates and locker The Jazz’s duo is led by Sixth the title, no, Alex Caruso and rating in the NBA (among play- him amongst the NBA’s elite room leaders, Jared Dudley, real- Man of the Year frontrunner Talen Horton-Tucker (THT) ers who have played at least 15 shooters. ly believes in THT, going so far Jordan Clarkson, who is doing are not the best backcourt in games). When Caruso is on the THT may not contribute to as to say on an episode of Inside his best Williams impersonation the NBA. But, they have a good court, the Lakers’ league-best winning games as much as Ca- the Green Room, “I know he by providing simple points and case for the best bench back- defense becomes an all-time ruso does right now, but he has may have just turned 20, and I’ll not much else. The last bench court. While they may not be great defensive lineup. On top a much higher ceiling given his be shocked if he’s not starting backcourt that even sniffs THT the fanciest duo, their prowess of providing outstanding de- scoring ability. THT has both next year.” Although it may take and Caruso is the Mavericks’ goes beyond basic stats. Only fense, Caruso has an insanely the longest wingspan and the some time for THT to become a backcourt of Trey Burke and the power of advanced statis- high basketball IQ, always mak- heaviest weight for any player force of nature offensively, he is Tim Hardaway Jr., who both tics can fully communicate how ing the right passes on offense at his height (6’4”) in the NBA. still earning his playing time by provide a scoring punch and great THT and Caruso truly and the right rotations on de- This combination, along with his being one on the defensive end. spacing but do not do the Mav- are. But first, a basic rundown fense. LeBron James, arguably agility with and without the ball, THT’s per 36 minutes stats in- ericks’ bottom five defense any of the important advanced sta- the greatest basketball mind allows THT to manipulate and clude two steals and one block, good. Their astounding defen- tistics: offensive rating is how ever, described Caruso in an bully defenders while attacking which is only matched by six sive work and contributions to many points a player or lineup interview with The Wall Street the hoop, which has already paid other players in the league. the Lakers winning games make produces every 100 possessions, Journal: “We’re one and the dividends. In the Lakers’ most There is no better back- THT and Caruso far and away defensive rating is how many same when it comes to winning recent game against the Clip- court coming off the bench in the NBA’s best bench back- points a player or lineup allows basketball, to see our chemistry pers, he scored on Kawhi Leon- the NBA than THT and Caruso court. As long as Jeanie Buss every 100 possessions, and net together [...] I think it comes ard, one of the NBA’s premier right now, and the only ones that is willing to go over the luxury rating is the difference between with our minds.” These traits perimeter defenders, by pushing can compete provide very little tax to retain the current roster offensive and defensive ratings. alone would be a great asset for him off his spot, leading to an defensive value, relying primar- quality, the Lakers should keep Caruso is exactly what you any championship team, but on easy layup, something not many ily on shooting and scoring to on competing for champion- want from your first guard off top of his high level defense and people can do, especially against make an impact. The Clippers’ ships for the foreseeable future the bench. He is one of the best basketball IQ, Caruso’s recently Leonard. THT has shown bench duo is led by multiple as Caruso and THT continue to defensive guards in the league drastically improved his three- glimpses of his full potential time Sixth Man of the Year blossom. as evidenced by his Lakers’ best pointer. In the playoffs last year, as he grows as a player, as seen award winner Lou Williams, Page 24 The Spectator ● March 2, 2021 THE SPECTATOR SPORTS Soccer A Historic Day for Indian Soccer By SOHAM MUKHERJEE they began practicing regularly and in the semifinals, they tied das Bhaduri, who captained the Bagan down 1-0, hope was dis- in a nearby urban park, the Kol- against the military team, first team. Finally, Ghosh played as appearing fast. It’s quiet around the stadium kata Maidan. At the same time, Middlesex Regiment. In the the muscular and clinical striker However, Mohun Bagan as the score is tied 1-1 in the a few financially solvent Calcut- event of a tie, matches in the leading the line at the front. didn’t give up after coming this 86th minute, and tension lingers tans convened in the nearby IFA Shield would be replayed The day of the final was a far. They started playing much in the atmosphere. All of a sud- Basu Villa, and the Basus decid- the next day to determine the special and hectic morning as more aggressively and tactically den, Mohun Bagan striker Abh- ed, along with the neighboring victor. In the second match, everyone hurried toward Kol- while attacking. Soon, the equal- ilash Ghosh fires a terrific shot families of the Mitras and the Mohun Bagan returned and kata Stadium. The East Indian izing goal came from the skip- into the top right corner of the Sens, to form the Mohun Bagan convincingly won 3-0. Railway Company had to ar- per himself, Shibdas Bhaduri, opposition’s net! Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, named after the It was a historic moment range special trains to the sta- and the game had turned on has just made history and be- Mohun Bagan Villa. It was and an opportunity for the first dium to accommodate for all of its head. The match was almost come a nationalist symbol in the the birth of an all-Indian club Indian team to win a premier the passengers. Other steamer coming to an end, and it was Indian freedom struggle against which would soon be a symbol soccer tournament in British services were introduced to looking more and more like a British imperialism. that represented all of India in India. The Indian side felt ready carry rural supporters to the draw. In the 86th minute, Shib- Mohun Bagan’s win in the the freedom struggle and fight to take on the East Yorkshire match. Upon arrival, most of das Bhaduri released a fantastic IFA Shield Final against East against the British. Regiment after months of prep- Mohun Bagan’s supporters did pass for Ghosh, who scored the Yorkshire Regiment in 1911 At first, the Mariners only aration and hard work, and they not get good seats to watch the deciding goal to seal the match. was not only one of the great- played in small, local tourna- were looking to make history. match, so they came up with an- Mohun Bagan had won the 1911 est achievements in Indian ments against minor clubs like The green and maroon Mohun other way of communicating to IFA Shield and made history by sports history, but was also an nearby college teams. The team Bagan were coached by Sailen each other. Green and maroon becoming the first Indian team essential stepping stone toward was mainly made of Bengali Basu, a former soldier in the kites were flown with the score to win the premier soccer tour- independence from British rule. middle class gentry who played British Indian Army. The strict, written on them to let the sup- nament in British India. It all started when the British without any equipment, not disciplinarian methods which porters know what was going This win meant a lot more first landed in Surat, India on even shoes, and with no train- Basu learned from his army on. than just showing the prowess August 24, 1608. Using foreign ing whatsoever. Mohun Bagan training helped put the team into The match kicked off with and ability of the Mohun Bagan goods that could be sold effi- initially lost most tournaments good shape. Mohun Bagan used both sides trying to gain an team. This victory earned the ciently without tariffs or duties in the first few rounds, but the 2-3-5 formation throughout early advantage. The Indian squad the nickname “The Im- and the division of India into over time, the team became the tournament, a very com- side played barefoot without mortal 11,” and they became separate territories ruled by dif- more experienced, and the play- mon lineup at the time, and any shoes or shin guards against a nationalist symbol in India’s ferent princes, the British quick- ers learned and adapted to the planned on maintaining it for the British, who were wearing freedom struggle for indepen- ly took over the economy and modern style of play. In 1911, the final. The two wing-backs, cleats. The first half went by dence. Mohun Bagan’s win was formed strong alliances with lo- Mohun Bagan entered the IFA Bhuti Sukul and Sudhir Chat- cautiously as both teams were one of India’s key victories cal rulers. Thus began the Brit- Shield competition, which has terjee, valiantly protected their playing carefully, making sure against British imperialism and ish “control” over India, which existed since 1893, making it trustworthy goalkeeper Hira- they were always safe while at- served as a beacon of hope for lasted from 1858 to India’s inde- the fourth oldest soccer com- lal Mukherjee. In the middle tacking. Halftime came, and the those who had lost faith. This pendence in 1947. petition in history. It was named of the field, Nilmadhab Bhat- score was still tied at 0-0. win fanned the flames of the When the British first came after and hosted by the Indian tacharya, an amazing passer, The game picked up right freedom struggle as there were to Kolkata, also known as Cal- Football Association, which is and Manmohan Mukherjee, a where it left off as the sec- already smaller organizations cutta, the capital of West Ben- the oldest soccer association in great defensive midfielder, both ond half kicked off with both looking to fight against Brit- gal, they brought a novel sport India. flanked star center defender Ra- teams going for similar angles ish imperialism. Now everyone with them: soccer. At the time, At the time, the tournament jen Sengupta, who was remark- and maintaining their cautious could follow Mohun Bagan’s mostly higher-ranked British was mostly played by British ably the youngest player in the strategies. However, the game example and challenge the Brit- army officials played the sport. regiment teams who were well squad. The attack consisted of opened up in the 75th min- ish through fair, justified means However, it quickly became equipped, experienced, and versatile Srishchandra “Habul” ute when a harmless challenge rather than violent ones. This very popular, and the common properly trained. In the first few Sarkar and blazingly quick Jatin- from Sengupta awarded York- win gave India hope and confi- people picked it up. rounds, Mohun Bagan defeated dranath “Kanu” Roy darting shire with a free kick, which led dence in a time when both were A group of Bengali middle St. Xavier 3-0 and beat the Cal- down the right side. The left to the first goal of the game foreign, and it is remembered to class men decided to hone their cutta Rangers 2-1. In the third flank was occupied by the oldest coming from Yorkshire captain this day as one of the greatest skills in hopes of beating the round, Mohun Bagan overcame of the squad, Bijaydas Bhaduri, Sergeant Jackson. With only 15 achievements in the history of British at their own game, so the Rifle Brigade in a 1-0 win, and his younger brother Shib- minutes remaining and Mohun Indian sports. X Games Getting X-Treme at the Winter X Games By LEAH D’SILVA over the course of the event, the the X Games continued to suc- year, the first woman to earn made their mark over the X Games, like every major com- cessfully showcase both famous three medals in her rookie year, course of the competition as In a world that seems to be petition, was forced to adapt and rising athletes as they took and the first athlete from China well. Jamie Anderson, a two- constantly changing, it is nice to in the face of the COVID-19 on the Aspen slopes. to ever win a gold medal. In the time Olympic gold medalist in know that some things do stay pandemic. In stark contrast to One of the more shocking past 26 years that athletes repre- women’s snowboard slopestyle the same. Marking its 20th year previous years’ live concerts breakout stories of the Games senting China have competed in and the most decorated woman in Aspen, Colorado, the 2021 and fan interactions, this year’s involved rookie Dusty Hen- the X Games, they have won a in X Games history, performed Winter X Games slid in with yet competition was closed to all ricksen. At only 17 years old, total of three medals. Gu single spectators and consisted of a Henricksen competed in three handedly doubled that number another jaw-dropping competi- continued on page 22 tion, filled with gravity-defying slimmed-down roster, making events, taking home two gold in one weekend. tricks and historic talent. Straight for an oddly quiet weekend. In medals by the end of the week- Of course, many big names from Buttermilk Mountain, just addition, all motocross events end. In the men’s snowboard under 100 of the world’s most were cut, leaving only skiing slopestyle, Henricksen coasted skilled winter athletes competed and snowboarding. Without any down the course in a short- in the first international snow- fans cheering, the silence on the sleeved t-shirt, picking up a gold SPORTSBEAT board and freeski event of the slope was broken only by the medal and edging out Olympic season. scrape of skis and snowboards. champion Red Gerard. As such, Golfing legend Tiger Woods sustained serious injuries in a car ac- The X Games, well known Several big names, including Henricksen became the first cident on February 23 in Los Angeles, California. His injuries were non for being one of the biggest Mark McMorris, the most deco- American since Shaun White life-threatening, and he is in stable condition. snow-sport events of the year, rated X Games contestant of all in 2009 to win this contest. In was held over the course of time, also had to sit out due to the men’s snowboard Knuckle three days with 14 action-filled testing positive for COVID-19. Huck, Henricksen continued his MLB Spring Training started last week with a limited amount of Mark McMorris had previously strong form, securing yet anoth- fans allowed to attend. The season is set to start in about a month with disciplines, including men and Opening Day showcasing all 30 teams in action on April 1. women’s big air, superpipe, half- never missed a competition er gold medal. pipe, slopestyle, and Knuckle since his debut in 2011. Another name to remember Huck for both skiing and snow- Among other pandemic-re- from the weekend is China’s Ei- Tennis champions Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic both won boarding. This year’s compe- lated adjustments, the X Games leen Gu, a 17-year-old rookie Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open. It is Djokovic’s tition took on a jam-session incorporated an interactive, im- who crushed the competition. ninth Australian title and Osaka’s 21st entry in her running winning format for every event, mean- mersive virtual media hub to In her X Games debut, Gu won streak, which has stretched since last season. ing that athletes had a set time bring the event to fans at home. gold in both the women’s ski su- frame to complete as many runs Live-telecast announcers Craig perpipe and women’s ski slope- The NBA 2021 All Star starters and reserves were voted on by fans as they could, with each athlete’s McMorris, Brandon Graham, style, also placing third in the and selected. The Western Conference starters include Luka Dončić, best run’s score being ranked. Jimmy Coleman, and Tom Wal- women’s ski big air. In doing so, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, and captain LeBron While the same incredible lisch provided engaging analysis she broke several records. She James. The Eastern side will feature Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Giannis jumps and tricks were present and raw reactions for virtual became the first woman to win Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and captain Kevin Durant. viewers. With these adaptations, two gold medals in her rookie