Volume 111 No. 4 October 30, 2020 stuyspec.com SPOOKTATOR SPOOKTATOR This Class Does Not Exist The Nightmare Before Christmas is Not a Halloween Movie Junior Logan Ruzzier issues an urgent message to all Stuyves- ant students: “Feeling confused? Concerned? Anomalous? Learn Contemplating which movie to watch on Hallows Eve? Asa Mu- more about SCP-345. Secure. Contain. Protect.” hammad has the answer for you, and it is surely not The Night- see page 2 mare Before Christmas. see page 27 CoronaVirus Update: Vampire Edition SPOOKYBEAT By NORA MILLER any more sallow, we’d be mistaking doing this for the good of soci- cyanide in there, and congratula- you for a ghost, not a vampire. But ety. Take them out for dinner, and tions! You’ve just reduced the city All SAT testing centers Look, we all know that this before you start asking me about make sure you pile on the garlic— population by at least 10 percent. in New York City for the last month has been terrible. Wait, the eyes, let me be clear: if your you want to make sure your garlic Alternatively, you can use the November date have been no, this last year. Actually, come to red-eyed friend calls breath is actually deadly. blood as bait. Why do anything im- closed. All students are sug- think of it, this last decade. But— themself dead from Method 2. If mediately when you can do it later? gested to venture farther out. and I know you guys are all super an all-nighter, for you’ve never looked If you’re the kind of perfectly nor- Ohio is recommended. excited—we’ve discovered yet an- your own sake, at a sallow, mal person (or vampire) who enjoys other global problem that has the believe them. red-eyed constructing elaborate fake people potential to ruin our lives! That’s That’s what ghoul and human-sized mouse traps, then right, vampires. Despite what all they all say. and your art skills just might save society. I take it back. The Novem- of those well-meaning public How- felt Method 3. In some rare cases, ber and December SATs health officials have been saying, ever, your a little sunshine might be enough. have been canceled entirely we here at The Spectator know believe heart If you’ve ever walked outside in across the country. Try to the truth, and it’s not COVID-19 it or flut- the last few months and been like, find a spot in March I guess? you need to be worrying about. not, the fact that every- ter, “AAHHHHHH!!!!” you have a Still not convinced? Well, one you know is probably sense of how it feels to be a vam- while we’re all whining about our trying to suck you dry is pire. With just a few strategically Stuyvesant AP students are masks like a bunch of suckers, not a cause for concern. placed mirrors, you can ensure that found to have been given the real suckers are hiding, pass- That’s right, we have others always have the same 12 hours of homework in- ing themselves off as upstand- three foolproof ways opportunities that you did. stead of one. ing citizens. I’m telling you, never of vanquishing vam- Method 4. Despite all of trust anyone if you can’t see their pires in cold blood. Eleanor Chin / The Spectator your efforts, you may still be canines—how do you really know Method 1. Ask tormented by vampires. But Stuyvesant has a whopping I didn’t just die and come back them out! There’s that’s not a super big prob- to haunt you during quarantine? nothing vampires love more than a that’s lem—after all, there’s always zero National Merit Semi- Okay, fine, so no looking for good night out: stale air, dark skies, alright too. We sug- g e s t the nuclear option. Sacrifice your- finalists. fangs. What about the skin? Given and truly delectable necks. As the holding a midnight blood drive— self, and you will die an honorable that the general consensus among great Sanguia Hemophagio said, why catch one vampire at a time death. So many of us spend our lives Stuyvesant students during this “You can’t face danger unless you when you can catch them all? Just trying to serve society—really, what Boograms are scheduled to time has been that sun exposure court with it.” And really, what’s bribe your local Red Cross chap- more direct a method is there? We’ll be delivered through carrier kills, how do you know that isn’t ac- the worst that can happen? Do you ter and try not to gloat too much remember you fondly (we promise!) pigeons. Be sure to keep tually true? Well, sadly, judging peo- really need all that excess blood? at the idea of sucking people’s and hopefully, the vampires will go your windows open through- ple’s skin color won’t work either. I If you and your new ghoulish blood, and all of New York will away eventually. That is, I will. I out the day. mean, look at yourself! If you were friend hit it off, be proud! You’re show up. At the end, slip a little don’t know about the rest of you.

Single Pumpkin Looking Which Spooky Something Are You? to Date Again By KRISTA PROTEASA Howdy, folks! You may or may not have noticed, but it is officially spooky season! You know what that means? By OLIVER STEWART all the stops, Steven had difficulty It means it’s time to embrace all things spooky. getting texts back no matter what If you have ever found yourself at a crossroads between which of these gloriously pumpkin-themed trinkets Citing the rapidly approaching he tried. Playing it cool and drop- or snacks you’d be, fear not, for I present you with a solution. With this mathematically sound formula, I shall put Halloween season and the struggles ping a “hey” didn’t yield any suc- your racing thoughts to rest. The formula states that the adjective attached to your zodiac sign + the connector of being alone, Steven The Single cess, and neither did pickup lines, attached to the first letter of your name + the noun attached to your height range will produce the result of which Pumpkin confirmed on Thursday, including hard-hitters such as “Hal- fall-themed object you’d be if you were one. Now, get excited for the knowledge you’re about to uncover! October 15, that he was looking to loween is coming up… you should Drumroll, please. get back out there and start dating go as my girlfriend” and “Are you You are a(n)… again. Though Steven hasn’t been a jack-o’-lantern? Because you’re on the market since his saucy fling lighting up the room.” He even Zodiac sign: + First Letter of your name: + Your height: with a pumpkin scoop ended mess- started a conversation with a cute First Letter of Your Name ily early last November, he feels that skeleton by saying “Heyy… do you Zodiac Signs A: yet cinnamon-y Height now is the time to put himself back have a bone number?” The skeleton Aquarius: Ghastly B: and orange <5’0”: Haunted windowsill out there and give the apps a try. could not be reached for comment Pisces: Brooding C: but dusty 5’1”-5’3”: Pumpkin spiced scam Anonymous sources confirmed by either Steven or The Spectator. Aries: Sinister D: in the name of spookiness 5’4”-5’6”: Purposefully forgotten that Steven created accounts and Discouraged by the lack of Taurus: Gory E: yet riddled with cobwebs bat-shaped gummy set up profiles on several apps— success he found on the apps and Gemini: Wicked F: and zombie-like 5’7”-5’9”: Crusty apple cider do- Tinder, OkCupid, and Match.com demoralized by Halloween night’s Cancer: Spooky G: as ever nut among them—in the hopes of at- rapid approach, Steven began to Leo: Deadly H: and crispy 5’10”-6’0”: Bag of stale candy tracting a pumpkin, gourd, cobweb, accept the possibility of attend- Virgo: Undead I: but disappointing corn and lies spider, skeleton, or witch looking ing Halloween parties alone and Libra: Menacing J: yet somehow surprisingly suspicious >6’1”: Rotting jack-o’-lantern for a long-term relationship. When sitting on a windowsill by himself Scorpio: Masked K: with a hint of malicious intent questioned as to what he specifi- for the duration of the month of Sagittarius: Bloodcurdling L: and unfortunately burnt cally looked for in a partner, Ste- October. “I admit, the carved smile Capricorn: Fiendish M: (and obnoxiously so) ven had difficulty explaining and is definitely feeling a little forced at N: and carved repeatedly said that the appearance this point,” he said, seeming mel- O: but somehow on fire And voilà! There you have it, of a “spark” was vital in a relation- ancholy. “I think it would be really P: and cold folks! Now you can go back to ship. “I don’t know,” he went on. nice to have the option of letting Q: along with fellow spooky peers finishing the lab you’ve been put- “Something special. I need some- my emotions out, y’know? Un- R: and covered with a strange mold ting off for a week. Don’t worry, body who has that something spe- fortunately, I have no choice but S: contrary to popular belief this was written while I was in the cial.” When pressed further, Steven to grin all day, every day, and my T: while rifling through spell books same boat :”{ But at least now I was unable to identify what exactly carver didn’t even have the decency U: (as a result of one particularly event- know I’m a wicked, with a hint that something special entailed. to give me a full mouth of teeth.” ful Halloween) of malicious intent, crusty apple While Steven matched with an When Halloween night finally V: but delicious cider donut! I hope you find your array of people and swiped right W: yet still not in a spooky mood Spooky Something as wonderful X: with a spooky purpose for many more, he struggled to continued on page 2 as you are! Stay spooky folks~ elicit responses. Despite pulling out / The Spectator Sophie Poget Y: and on a broomstick Z: and over-spiced Page 2 The Spectator• October 30, 2020 The Spooktator! This Class Does Not Exist By LOGAN RUZZIER of each year. When class sched- high levels of performance anxiety them that Mr. Braun does not ex- their schedule, but before the agent ules are released for the new year, and completing assignments on a ist. It is at this point that instances can have a look at it, it reverts from Item #: SCP-345 approximately 30 of them will, downright neurotic basis. They will of SCP-345-A undergo their most SCP-345-B to a normal schedule. Object Class: Euclid for an unknown reason, become take part in all usual activities asso- trying experience. Initially, they will Addendum A: Another means Special Containment Pro- spontaneously irregular. These ciated with attending high school, become increasingly agitated that of discovering instances of SCP- cedures: Due to SCP-345’s posi- schedules, distributed to students including participating in class, do- they’ve been misinformed and try 345-A has been found. Once the tion within an active and renowned in their homerooms, are designat- ing homework, and socializing with to convince the agent that they are school year has concluded, the school, in the midst of ███ ed SCP-345-B and contain a class peers, but with one notable excep- wrong. Once they are convinced highest performing students at ████, ██, proper containment that does not exist. This mysteri- tion. Once they are scheduled to of the truth, however, they will ██████████ High School are is all but impossible. The sheer ous class is always written with the attend Mr. Braun’s class, they will be overcome with immense grief. taken in for questioning. Some of amount of witnesses that would instructor name “BRAUN,” as all make their way to what should be They mimic the symptoms of one these students boast an unbeliev- require amnesticization following ██████████ High School the physical location of the room processing the loss of a loved one. ably high grade for their regents a theoretical attempt at SCP-345’s schedules include only the class number described on their sched- Then, the agent will either welcome or AP exams, which is a sign that containment would be well beyond teacher’s surnames in all caps. The ule. Once the student reaches that the student to the SCP Founda- they have attended Mr. Braun’s the scope of the SCP Foundation’s room numbers included in instanc- spot, presumably a dead end or an tion or administer Class C class (though reasons for this cor- abilities. Further research related to es of SCP-345-B have empty stretch of hallway, they will amnestics, which relation are currently unknown). In the capture of SCP-345 is ongoing 10 variations, disappear. They will then reap- will clear the stu- these cases, students are often not and is headed by Dr. Narom of Site one for each pear in the same spot about 45 dent’s memory informed that Mr. Braun does not ██, which is located in the ware- of the minutes later and continue with of their experi- exist, for they have completed their house on ███ Street and █████ school’s their school day, completely un- ence. tenure of his class with no adverse █████ in ███. Until superior floors. aware of the strange event that There are effects and would only be hurt by means can be established, the fol- The room had befallen them. Interestingly, many simi- the knowledge of the loss of their lowing conditions will be sustained: number this disappearance cannot be larities between favorite teacher. One undercover SCP Founda- denotes a perceived by those nearby at the the separate Addendum B: Numerous at- tion agent is to be stationed within physical room time, which indicates that SCP- accounts of tempts to uncover SCP-345 by oth- ██████████ High School at that does 345 has psychic effects. SCP-345-A. er means have failed. Instances of all times (while instruction is ongo- not actual- Instances of SCP-345-A will They will SCP-345-B have escaped all tries of ing at the school). They will serve ly exist, not become self-aware unaided. de- interception by homeroom teach- as a member of the school’s staff usu- They will never bring up the ex- ers. Though grades of students whom the school nurse can contact al- istence of Mr. Braun or his taking Mr. Braun’s class are record- at any moment in case a student’s class to any other student ed, no associated documents with condition becomes suspect. They unprompted, unless the them exist, and they are automati- are also to track instances of SCP- other student is also cally submitted online under a dif- 345-A by whatever means neces- an instance of SCP- ferent teacher’s name. Members of sary (e.g. through the institution’s 345-A, which they the 05 council have debated over built-in security cameras or in per- can innately sense whether a widespread survey of son if possible) should they appear by unknown means. ██████████ students relat- or act in a manner that is new to If another ing to SCP-345 would be worth the the research Dr. Narom has thus normal pupil resulting attention to the phenom- far undertaken. asks them enon, especially because a news If an instance of SCP-345-A about their outlet, ███ ████ Post, favors is recovered, they are to immedi- Aries Ho / The Spectator classes, how- ██████████ High School ately be taken into custody and sent ever, they will scribe Mr. for content. But, the deliberations to Site ██ for treatment by Dr. divulge their Braun as a very tall, are still ongoing. Narom. They will be debriefed on ly being one above the highest attendance of Mr. Braun’s class, older, Caucasian man with a slight Addendum C: Dr. Narom is their current situation and either existing room number for a given which, of course, they will not find paunch, bald head, and impres- developing a new perspective on administered Class C amnestics or floor. Upon receiving an instance strange in any way. If the other stu- sive mustache. Every time, they the true nature of SCP-345, one sent to Foundation educational fa- of SCP-345-B, a student will make dent insists that the teacher does will describe his accent as very odd that states that Mr. Braun is in fact cilities, depending on the subject’s one of two decisions: they will re- not exist, SCP-345’s illusion will be but are unable to offer any com- an existing entity. If this were the reaction to the new information. mark to themselves that they’ve broken. They will feel incredibly parison to other known accents, case, Mr. Braun could be deemed Students from ██████████ never heard of a “BRAUN” in disoriented, and the next time they such as a British or German one. a Keter class being, possessing ex- High School who became instances their school before and call their seek Mr. Braun’s class, they will be They always find Mr. Braun to be traordinary dimensional and reali- of SCP-345-A have been known classmates’ attention to it in person unable to find it. These students incredibly likable and captivating ty-warping abilities. Since the entity to prosper under Foundation in- or online, or they will not notice it will typically look for a teacher’s as- and often describe him as their has been consistently described to struction and eventually become and proceed with their instruction sistance, who will refer them to the favorite teacher. The class Mr. have a sunny disposition, it might Foundation researchers or agents as normal. If the student makes nurse after judging them to be un- Braun teaches, however, depends not be adverse to collaboration themselves. the former choice, the instance of well. This is when most instances on the floor of the room number with the SCP Foundation. Further Description: SCP-345 is a high- SCP-345-B will immediately trans- of SCP-345-A are discovered by instances of SCP-345-A are given experiments have been devised to ly anomalous phenomenon that has form into an ordinary class sched- the Foundation’s undercover agent on their schedules.2 These students gather more information about been occurring on the premises of ule. If the student, however, takes and are open for study. often try to prove Mr. Braun’s ex- SCP-345, such as creating nonexis- ██████████ High School at the latter path, they will become an The agent will thoroughly in- istence, either by attempting to tent subjects at ██████████ ███ ████████ Street, ███ instance of SCP-345-A. terrogate the student regarding Mr. proffer assignments he has as- High School for Mr. Braun to ████, ██ since the school’s re- Instances of SCP-345-A will Braun’s class, using queries given signed, which they cannot find, or teach or attempting to have an SCP location to the building in 199█. behave in a similar fashion to other to them by Dr. Narom. After they asking other students they’ve seen Foundation personnel enroll in his The event begins anew once the students of ██████████ have attained all the data they re- in his class, who have never heard class. school year starts in September High School, possessing incredibly quire, they will break the news to of him.3 They may try to produce

1 Agent █████ is currently serving as school nurse at ██████████ High School in order to funnel SCP-related information to the numerous other SCP Foundation personnel under- cover at the school. Each of these agents have been specialized to deal with a specific SCP entity, and they follow a strict protocol specific to each specimen. Due to the increase of abnormal activity at ██████████ High School and the surrounding ███████ area, Dr. Narom has requested more researchers to join him at Site ██. 2 For example, all classrooms on the school’s eighth floor are physics labs, so it is there that Mr. Braun teaches physics. Mr. Braun has been recorded teaching every class that is offered at ██████████ High School, including Forensics, Optics, AP Calculus, and Weightlifting. When a subject is discontinued at the school, Mr. Braun is no longer reported to teach it. One instance of SCP-345-A reported that he wept when Mr. Braun informed him that he would no longer be teaching Italian after his class. 3 Every classmate referenced by an instance of SCP-345-A has been proven to not be another instance of SCP-345-A. When two instances of SCP-345-A discuss Mr. Braun’s class with each other, they will not consider his unusual characteristics, such as teaching diverse subjects, to be strange, and will forget the exchange immediately afterward. It is for this reason that SCP-345-A will not divulge other instances of themselves, so information about other instances can only be gleaned from intense scrutiny of camera data. Single Pumpkin Looking to Date Again continued from page 1 get-together. No flashing lights or opportunity to rub his nose in it. for the stones. “I mean, who does I meant… wait, let me try again. pounding music to contend with. After making the necessary in- that?” he grumbled to himself. Okay.” He breathed in deeply. “Your came, Steven found himself staring Straightening his pumpkin cap, troductions, Steven drifted around, At least, he thought he was name is Autumn? Makes sense, be- out the window as merry trick-or- Steven rushed out the door, re- picking up a few bites to eat and grumbling to himself; a disembod- cause I think I’m falling for you.” treaters passed by his house in full entering when he realized he had eventually settling in a corner ied voice came from somewhere to She laughed. “You’re Autumn costume. He had RSVPed to sev- forgotten to put in his best candle where he gave the room a quick his right and said, “I know! Who for me? I’ve never heard that one eral parties taking place at different before rushing out once more and once-over before focusing his at- does that?” Beyond shocked to before.” Steven blushed and looked times that night, but he just didn’t heading toward Marlene’s place. tention on his plate of food. Stab- receive a response, Steven looked at his olives. “Seriously,” Au- have the energy to put on his little Marlene’s party was, as prom- bing away at some green olives he up, startled. There, standing by tumn said, “I can’t believe there’s pumpkin lid, let alone make the ised, an intimate event, which Ste- had gotten from a bowl labeled the door, was the most beautiful no pit bowl.” He looked up and trek to a bustling party across town. ven found himself both grateful “eyeballs,” Ste- ven forgot candy corn Steven had laughed nervously. “This ‘party’ Instead, he sat on his windowsill for and dreading as he hung his lid his sor- ever seen. Steven kinda sucks,” she went on. “What watching ghosts, werewolves, Spi- up by the doorway. The quiet was rows stammered, lost do you say we take these olives dermen, and cats file past, laugh- nice—he was certainly in no mood and for words, and she and go back to my place? I have ing and eating candy. A single drop for dancing, but there was nowhere in- filled the space a bowl we can use for the pits.” of pumpkin juice slid down his for him to hide—no way for him he left. “I’m Au- Without waiting for an answer, smooth orange exterior as a sexy to melt into the crowd and for- tumn,” the candy Autumn grabbed his hand and nurse walked by hand-in-hand get about his desperate pumpkin corn said. “What’s pulled him toward the door. She with a flannel-clad lumberjack. solitude among a thousand other your name?” picked up the bowl labeled “eye- At 11:30 p.m., Steven rose, tell- seeking souls. Rather, there were “I’m Steven,” he said. “Your balls.” The door slammed behind ing himself that it would be rude about 20 souls in the vicinity, and name is Fall? Because it seems like them, and they ran down the stairs, of him not to make an appearance almost none of them seemed to be Stewart/ The Spectator Oliver stead I’m Autumn for you.” She stared laughing as they went. The street at his friend Marlene’s party which seeking. In fact, around half were focused his ire on at him blankly. The little pumpkin outside was cold, but as they stepped had started half an hour prior. At in couples’ costumes, a fact which the fact that Marlene would serve cogs in Steven’s head whirred and out into the night air, holding least, he thought to himself, Mar- Steven felt was really nothing olives with the pits still in and not he realized, to his embarrassment, hands, Steven felt his candle burn lene’s “party” will be more of a more than the universe taking the provide a designated receptacle what he had just said. “Wait! No. a little warmer and a little brighter. “The Pulse of the Student The Spectator Body” The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

Volume 111 No. 4 October 30, 2020 stuyspec.com

OPINIONS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Please Talk to Strangers The Bittersweet Universe of Joji’s “Nectar”

Basing her argument on personal experience, Opinions writer Anson Guan and Morris Raskin review comedian-turned- Elena Hlamenko claims that, as both people and students, we musician Joji’s third studio album “Nectar.” need to reclaim our connection to others that has been lost over the past few months. see page 16 see page 19

What “Voting” as High School Students Looks Like NEWSBEAT By ISABELLA JIA, ANA-MA- They are holding training sessions especially since it’s in a swing state.” tics and beyond. “I’ve been feeling Stuyvesant will not be host- RIA SKARICIC, and JANNA every Wednesday to equip volun- Likewise, juniors and Stuyves- like there’s nothing I can do about ing the SAT in December WANG teers with phone banking scripts ant Save the Children Co-Presidents the upcoming election, and I want- but will be hosting the PSAT and strategies. “The organizations Maya Dunayer and Rhea Balakrish- ed to create a way for myself to get for juniors only on January As the November 3 election I’ve worked with encourage talking nan have organized a schoolwide more involved. Even though I can’t 26, 2021. approaches, students are partici- to people [who] aren’t already vot- webinar to combat voter apathy. vote, my voice still has power, and pating in various initiatives to raise ing for Trump,” junior and Coali- During the webinar, a panel con- I think that this webinar is a great voter awareness and education. Clubs such as Students for Biden, Coalition Z, and Young Demo- The only option for stu- crats have collaborated to organize dents to opt into blended phone banking sessions scheduled learning for the rest of the for every Friday until election day. school year will be between Senior and Students for Biden November 2 and 15. President John Grossman is a phone banking captain who has been conducting phone banking sessions under the National Demo- cratic Training Committee’s Get Biology teacher Marianne Out the Vote program. “Combined Prabhu completed the vir- with other high schools in New tual TCS New York City York, we are sending out tons of Marathon on October 25. calls each week, and it’s super excit- ing that we are truly making a dif- ference in this election even though most of us can’t vote yet,” Gross- man said in an e-mail interview. Senior Catherine Dell’Olio Student phone bankers like performed in a virtual choir Grossman have been reaching out performance of “Bridge to voters in swing states and can- Over Troubled Water” in vassing voters for the Biden-Harris the Manhattan Borough Arts campaign. “When you are on the Festival. phones, you get to see how this election connects to families all over the country. While I consider myself to be educated on policy, at Senior , under the end of the day I am a 17-year- To better understand the student body’s political spectrum, The News Department conducted a survey to which 157 students Max Stuart old kid from New York,” Grossman responded: 25.5 percent were freshmen; 36.9 percent were sophomores; 21.7 percent were juniors; and 15.9 percent were seniors. stage name “YS Montana,” said. “Getting to speak with people An overwhelming 91.1 percent of Stuyvesant students support Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, with 61.1 percent performed “Guacamole” in Wisconsin, Ohio, or Florida ex- affiliating themselves with the Democratic Party. While students are slightly more polarized regarding the issues they care about as part of a Songwriters poses me to other points of view, the most, the majority cite the COVID-19 pandemic, which 39.3 percent of respondents found the most important, considering Hall of Fame Master Ses- and it shows me how this election its ongoing urgency. sion that featured producer affects people on so many levels.” Needlz. Partnered with swing coalition programs and a political activism tion Z Co-President Anika Amin sisting of New York City Repre- way to use my voice,” Dunayer said said in an e-mail interview. “It’s sentatives Ben Kallos, Brad Lander, in an e-mail interview. The presen- pre-register to vote while ineligible organization called Blue Future, participants wrote letters encour- Coalition Z has also been phone more about reminding those that and Carlina Rivera spoke about civ- tations were followed by an inter- banking to swing states such as would vote to vote, as well as getting ic duty and using one’s voice to sim- active session in which participants Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. those crucial undecided votes in, ulate change in New York City poli- 16 or 17 years of age were able to continued on page 6 Stuyvesant Reduces Number of Blended Cohorts By LEXI CHEN, maintaining all safety measures. “Factors including the change to a lot of space between students, of socializing with people rather NADA HAMEED, This allows the students who are colder temperatures, the increase/ and I think [two cohorts are] than being there by yourself, as and JANNA WANG coming in the blended model, who decrease in positivity rates across safe,” she said. Even with fewer long as it’s safe and [socially] dis- want to be in the building for a NYC, [and] the constant adjust- rooms for students, Brosnick still tanced and everyone [is] wear- Starting on October 19, variety of reasons, to be in more ments that need to be considered thinks students will be able to ef- ing their mask,” Tsfasman said. Stuyvesant reduced the number of often,” Assistant Principal of Pu- when students and/or staff might fectively maintain social distancing. In order to combat the lack of blended cohorts from four to two. pil Personnel Services Casey Pe- be impacted or exposed to CO- Senior Michelle Tsfasman enters student interaction, the administra- Initially, students were placed into drick said in an e-mail interview. VID are all considerations we have the school building by the Hudson tion is looking into creating oppor- four blended cohorts that took Students in blended learning to anticipate,” Principal Seung Yu River, which leads directly to her tunities where students can engage turns going to school for two days attend their classes—conducted said in an e-mail interview. “We’ll current designated spot in Lecture with more of the building and one every eight days. Positive respons- through Zoom and Google Meet— need to review thoroughly and Hall A. She has found that Stuyves- another. “Grouping students and es from these students and more from designated areas throughout make sure families are aware of ant’s original structure was sparse finding ways for authentic interac- students opting for fully remote the building. Originally, freshmen the implications of having one enough to allow for more students, tions are difficult, but we’re work- learning prompted the administra- were assigned to the sixth floor opportunity in November to opt- thus having two cohorts would not ing on it. Right now, our team is tion to convert the four cohorts gym, while sophomores were placed in for blended this school year.” be problematic. “There were like setting up brief tours for our fresh- into two, thus granting blended in the fifth floor cafeteria, juniors in In planning the new model, the two people in my lecture hall, maybe men who are in person to see the learners the opportunity to physi- the third floor gym, and seniors in administration also had to consider three maximum. It was three maxi- building. We’re finding open peri- cally go into school more often. the Murray Kahn theater. “There student reactions. “We thought the mum and then it was me, but I was ods where we can have small stu- After Cohort B finished up in- are fewer than 100 students in on frequency of more days would help the only one on Friday,” she said. dent groups interact, move around, person learning on October 19, any given day, so very few changes build routine and possibly help Some students have noted and meet one another,” Yu said. Cohorts C and D returned to the needed to be made. We took the build community for students who that the earlier plan of four stu- The administration is optimistic building together on October 20, sixth floor gym off as a location, chose blended. The challenge is that dent cohorts wasn’t very success- about shifting into blended learn- thus collapsing the number of co- so students are in the cafeteria, the not every student feels comfortable ful in terms of social interaction. ing with two cohorts while main- horts. To ensure a smoother tran- third floor gym, or the theater,” Pe- coming into the building more fre- “They had a community-building taining a safe environment and is sition into blended learning with drick said. Students previously in quently at this point, and they are exercise early on, but it wasn’t excited to offer blended students the reduced groups, the adminis- the sixth floor gym were moved to still evaluating whether blended much social interaction, so go- access to the building more fre- tration has modified the model so the other locations. The administra- is productive for them,” he said. ing into school more would be quently. “We absolutely love hav- that each cohort attends in-person tion is also considering removing Sophomore Maya Brosnick, better for that,” Brosnick said. ing the students here. My favorite schooling for four consecutive days, the theater from the list of designat- however, plans to continue at- With two cohorts, however, part of the day is the time I spend and returns to remote learning for ed areas depending on how things tending blended learning and feels there will be more opportunity for at the bridge, welcoming students the following four. “Once we had proceed in the following weeks. that Stuyvesant is safe enough to students to safely interact with each to the building, offering them experience with all four groups The administration does an- carry out the new plan. “Stuyves- other and not through a screen. PPE [personal protective equip- (A,B,C,D), we felt we could com- ticipate a few challenges associ- ant is a large school, and there are “The whole point of actually go- ment] and breakfast, and sharing bine into two groups, while still ated with this new blended model. three different rooms. There is ing to school is for like a little bit a quick connection,” Pedrick said. Page 4 The Spectator• October 30, 2020 News Talk Circle Around Race Discusses Allyship and Accompliceship By FAHIMA MIAJEE “actor,” “ally,” and “accomplice.” people speaking were on differ- Participants discussed why accom- ent conversations, but no one was The Black Students League pliceship is favorable to allyship, being ignored while they shared, (BSL) and ASPIRA hosted a vir- what being an accomplice means so I think it was alright,” Fuen- tual Stuyvesant Unity Talk Circle to the individual, and whether al- tes said in an e-mail interview. Around Race (TCAR) on Ally- lyship still carries relevance today. Within the Talk Circle, a few ship versus Accompliceship with Students also shared their views attendees voiced controversial the Stuyvesant Muslim Students on recent actions taken by people opinions, which sparked discus- Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and NASA Association (MSA), South Asian around the world against injustice, sions of their own. “[There was a] Youth Association (SAYA), and social media activism, and stigma big argument toward the end when WORLDBEAT Stuyvesant Asian Coalition (SAC) around accompliceship in society. someone tried to make the claim on October 20. The event was Senior and ASPIRA co-Pres- that white privilege isn’t all that moderated by leaders of BSL and ident Veronica Fuentes then led prevalent or all that important and ASPIRA along with Assistant Prin- the second segment, which high- that racial bias isn’t the issue, but Justice Amy Coney Barett was confirmed to the Supreme cipal of Pupil Personnel Services lighted the importance of not be- class,” an anonymous student said Court, pushing the court further to the right. Casey Pedrick and SPARK Fac- ing a bystander, correcting friends in an e-mail interview. “Despite the ulty Advisor Angel Colon, while and families on beliefs that are rac- fact that there were dissenters and the conversation was facilitated by ist or inconsistent with their values, despite the fact that they didn’t to- senior and BSL co-President Sa- and the significance of privilege in tally seem to listen at times, I think The United States reported 85,000 COVID cases on October rai Pridgen. TCAR is a series that relation to accompliceship. In addi- just the fact that they bothered to began last year, which included tion, junior and ASPIRA co-Vice show up is definitely a huge step.” 23, the most cases reported in a day. a virtual event discussing COV- President Elio Torres highlighted Fuentes emphasized the im- ID-19 and police brutality last June. accompliceship across minority portance of respectful conversa- The two-hour session started groups with an introduction of the tion regarding these topics. “While with an introduction to Allyship Jewish philosopher and Civil Rights there were some disagreements versus Accompliceship toward activist Abraham Joshua Heschel. during this past TCAR, and while NASA has confirmed that there is water on the moon’s sunlit Black, Indigenous groups, People Finally, senior and BSL co-Pres- I personally don’t agree with what side, which can be used in deep space exploration. of Color, and other minority com- ident Falina Ongus introduced the some of our participants believed, munities. The rest of the session controversy around non-Person of I’d say that I am fairly happy with was split into several parts that Color (POC) artists who highlight this month’s TCAR,” she said. “We consisted of an introduction by a POC issues and direct attention to just ask that all discussions remain moderator, followed by a discus- themselves rather than those af- respectful and that people come in sion of a series of questions in fected by such issues. “Within the willing to hear each other out and Keith Raniere, leader of the sex cult NXIVM, has been sen- breakout rooms, and ending with last few months, restrictions on be mindful of what they share.” tenced to 120 years in prison. a share-out in the main session. activism capabilities have led to a Various participation regard- Though not every club mod- surge in other mediums of activ- ing other relevant topics from erated, all the Stuy Unity Clubs ism, such as social media,” Lawal attendees helped to create an in- were heavily involved in prepar- said. “We wanted people to re- sightful and engaging discussion. ing the event. “MSA, SAYA, and evaluate their role within activ- “My favorite part of TCAR was, Three people were stabbed and killed in a basilica in Nice, ism as well as challenge the per- hands down, the rapid-fire expli- SAC played a huge role in plan- which was less than two weeks after French school ning and organizing the TCAR,” formative activism that may be cation given by [senior] Jonathan France, senior and BSL co-Vice President seen across several platforms.” Schneiderman about the history teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded in Paris, France. Tolulope Lawal said in an e-mail The chat box, as with the last of Jewish oppression and migra- interview. “From gathering at- virtual Talk Circle, was used to fur- tion,” Lawal said. “I know very the participants were able to gain a to justify self-righteousness when tendees to helping draft the TCAR ther the conversation in the main little about Judaism and [its] his- new perspective from hearing the being an activist, but I believe that agenda, Stuy Unity often works session, share book recommen- tory, so I was happy to learn more thoughts and opinions of other it’s more important to be able to lis- together to build every TCAR.” dations, and highlight important about it and grateful for Schneider- students during this TCAR. “I hope ten and learn from others in order The first segment, introduced social media platforms. “There man’s [very] thorough anecdote.” that everyone walked away with a to be more open to making change by Lawal, focused on the terms were times [when] the chat and the Overall, the hosts hoped that pensive mind,” Lawal said. “It’s easy for the betterment of others.” Updated Policy Allows More Teachers to Work Remotely By SUBYETA CHOWDHURY, policy] affected me a lot because I subway you’re taking risks, or if to bring home,” Shamazov said. be happy to be back in the building MICHELLE LU, and have children at home—they’re nine you’re on a bike, actually. And I “At school, I have a piano, a room working together with our blend- CATHERINE DELL’OLIO and 12—so they could be home un- didn’t really feel that safe in the where I can sing and play comfort- ed learners this fall, and I’m very supervised, but it’s better if some- building; I didn’t know if all of ably, a vast choral library, and nec- happy to be working with them.” Just one month into the school body is home. When this new policy the safety protocols were followed essary teaching materials I rely on Though not a major concern year, the Stuyvesant administration was announced, I was very happy as much as I’d want them to be.” daily. When I make recordings or for Stuyvesant administrators, the has expanded the school’s policy because I could teach from home, For the teachers who have cho- demonstrate vocal technique, I can distinction in policy between the on teachers working from home, and I could also keep an eye on my sen to continue working in the school do so comfortably without disturb- CSA and UFT has been a point allowing teachers with familial ob- children,” Math teacher Gary Ru- building, however, the administra- ing family members or neighbors.” of contention. “While I have the ligations and responsibilities that binstein said in an e-mail interview. tion has made sure to take proper Working at home, Hender- circumstances that allow me to be do not require them to stay within Henderson has also found the measures to ensure everyone’s safe- son noted, has blurred the line here every day, it is causing hard- the building to work remotely. The new change to be beneficial. “My ty. “We are complying with all health between his personal and profes- ship and disuniting conditions for Department of Education (DOE) sons are in middle school, but one is and safety protocols from the DOH sional lives. “I find it much more many in schools throughout the previously outlined that only teach- particularly in need of my help once [Department of Health] and DOE difficult focusing on work when city that may not and who can- ers over 65 or with medical accom- or twice a week. I was hoping for and have plenty of PPE [Personal I’m at home. My wife and sons are not benefit from UFT agreements. modations could apply to work more flexibility than the initial plan Protective Equipment] provided by at home, [and] we are constantly Those inequities shouldn’t ex- from home. Due to overwhelming had, and the administration quickly the DOE. Our custodial staff works distracting each other just by being ist within an organization like the concerns of teachers across the city, amended the plan to allow teachers nonstop and keeps our building im- around,” he said in an e-mail inter- DOE,” Ingram said. “Whether or however, the United Federation of to choose [when they would like to] maculate in complying with health view. “[At school,] I’m much more not the strength of the UFT or its Teachers (UFT) pushed the DOE come into the building, so long as and safety regulations for clean- in a work-only mindset […] I have numbers are greater or more in- to alter this policy with a new Mem- [they] notified [Assistant Principal ing and sanitizing,” Ingram said. a dedicated space for my work, [and fluential should not impact an em- orandum of Agreement (MOA). of Organization] Dr. [Gary] Haber These protocols have alleviated there is] very little to distract me.” ployer’s responsibility to treat every Administrators and teachers ini- the Friday beforehand,” Hender- concerns, with teachers reporting The policy, however, does not one of their employees equitably.” tially found the new remote qualifi- son said in an e-mail interview. that they feel comfortable working give the administration the option to Nonetheless, the Stuyvesant ad- cations vague. “The UFT negotiated Despite the increase in the within the building. “I feel pretty work at home. “The administrative ministration is working toward im- [with the DOE] to make it so that number of teachers working re- safe being in the school building. APs are part of the CSA [Council proving their response to blended teachers who did not have specific motely, the administration has en- It’s clean, not crowded; everyone of School Supervisors and Admin- learning and the pandemic, using duties that required them in the sured that there are enough staff is wearing a mask; temperature istrators] Union and do not have the feedback from teachers to combat school building did not have to be in members in the building to ac- gets taken at the door; and there agreement that the UFT have under the lack of information given to the school building,” English teach- commodate the students coming is plenty of hand sanitizer,” cho- the MOA. They may, however, ap- them by the DOE. “I feel the school er Mark Henderson said. “[They in for blended learning. “Supervis- rus teacher Liliya Shamazov said. ply for a medical accommodation to has been very successful so far. The announced this] agreement be- ing of the pods is being handled Along the same lines, Yu said, work remotely as can DC37 employ- DOE performed their first COV- tween the UFT and the DOE, […] by the school aides as well as sub- “Fortunately, we have a commu- ees (school aides, lunch workers and ID testing at Stuyvesant, and there but the DOE didn’t make a system stitute per diem teachers. We have nity that recognizes and prioritizes other DC37 like me),” Ingram said. were zero positive cases at Stuyves- for deciding who needs to be here enough staff members in the build- safety. Both the students and the “The APs I’ve spoken to seem to ant of those tested,” Ingram said. and who doesn’t […] some people ing every day, and Dr. Haber’s of- adults have been diligent about need to be here since we have stu- fice is on top of this daily,” Direc- wearing their masks and follow- dents in the building, [but there tor of Family Engagement Dina ing physical distancing. [It is im- DOE Announces 2020-2021 was no plan for] how to determine Ingram said in an e-mail interview. portant, however,] to continue to which teachers need to be here.” Working from home, teachers remind one another of following Grading Policy The administration had to make can avoid the risks of commuting to protocols and to hold each other accommodations under short no- and spending time inside the build- accountable for doing so if we In an update sent to families on October 26, Department of Educa- tice. “Principal [Seung] Yu was ing. “My experience of working at want to ensure everyone’s safety.” tion Chancellor Richard Carranza announced the grading policy for the under a lot of pressure to figure home is similar to the experience Some teachers who have chosen 2020-2021 school year. Just like the policy last spring, students cannot this out and received no real guid- many students have. I like that I can to work from school have expressed receive failing grades and will instead receive “course in progress” ance from above. I’m glad he made sleep in a bit longer because I don’t that they feel more productive in the (NX). Students who receive an NX will be able to fulfill the course the decision that makes sense have to commute, and I don’t have building. “Teaching at home is more requirements after the school year ends. Families will also have the for our school,” Henderson said. any fears that I’m exposing myself difficult because I don’t have all the opportunity to change any passing grade to “credit received” (CR), With the introduction of this or my family to sickness,” Hen- props and can’t bring too much meaning that while the student will earn credit for the course, it will new update, many teachers have now derson said in an e-mail interview. home with me. The needs of my not impact their GPA. Attendance will not be factored into a student’s opted to work remotely. “[The new Rubinstein added, “It’s risky classes always change; our projects grade, though students must attend their remote and blended classes. to come in, whether you’re on the evolve, so it’s hard to plan for what The Spectator• October 30, 2020 Page 5

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Due to current remote circumstances, performing art clubs at Stuyvesant are adapting to ensure the safety of students as they start developing their shows. Many have opted to have fully remote practices, while others are meeting in small groups. Here’s how some performing clubs are changing their procedures:

Stuyvesant Theater Community StuySquad StuySquad plans to continue holding a showcase for performers this year as they traditionally have. The Stuyvesant Theater Community (STC) is planning to hold all Dance crews will hold rehearsals virtually, and the season will conclude with an online showcase. of their shows virtually and create new remote opportunities for STC This year’s StuySquad show will be modified to accommodate viewers and performers during the members and the school community as a whole. pandemic through a webinar that will feature videos of each dance crew performing in late January. “We’re During a typical school year, there are three STC shows held hoping for the final show to be a webinar where people can pop in, watch their friends perform, […] and in November, January, and May or June. This year, Slate, the executive still be able to support them in the chat,” junior and StuySquad President-in-Training Alec Shafran said. board of STC, is planning a virtual show in December called the wau- Most directors will be using Zoom for virtual rehearsals, but some are hoping to hold occasional tumn (winter/autumn) musical, as well as two more shows toward the in-person meetings due to the highly interactive and collaborative nature of StuySquad. “A lot of [direc- end of the school year. STC will primarily use Zoom for rehearsals, with tors] are planning on having occasional rehearsals in the park so that it’s a big open space where they can STC members asynchronously pre-recording the entire musical from remain social distance and have their mask on while having that feeling of community that StuySquad is their homes and the editing crew assembling them together. Afterward, so well known for,” Shafran said. the final recording will be live-streamed through ShowShare, which Junior and StuySquad Flow Dawn Director Isabelle Lam is hoping to hold in-person meetings, since interested viewers will pay a fee to watch. finding substitutions for specific light-up equipment needed for flow can be difficult, and teaching certain The wautumn musical will be presented differently from previous moves virtually is not as effective. “Since I’m leading whipping [the prop she specializes in teaching], it’s years, since it will not be performed in-person. “It’ll be […] less of a much harder to substitute for a whip so for [rehearsals], it’ll probably be in-person.” performance in the moment on a particular night and more of a whole In addition, StuySquad hopes that dance crews will be able to record their performances at dance production coming together over the course of a couple of weeks and studios as they start to open up in New York City, while also accommodating those who cannot meet then us sharing the final product,” senior and Executive Producer Clara in-person. “We’re planning on having the crews […] record [at the studio] for everyone who is comfort- Yuste Golob said. able enough or whose parents are comfortable letting them come into the studio, and recording everyone In addition to offering opportunities to work with different plat- there, and having people who don’t feel the safest […] send in videos and have that be edited together,” forms, the virtual setting of the wautumn musical has created new ways Shafran said. for crews to be involved. This year, Slate established the editing crew, To piece together the webinar, StuySquad is considering establishing an editing team, opening up op- which will put together footage and audio in a multi-step process. “The portunity for more students to get involved. “A lot of people at Stuy who are super talented […] don’t get band will edit together all of the band audio […] and then, [we’ll] edit the chance to get involved in these kinds of extracurriculars. Having them be involved and the StuySquad together the cast vocal recordings and chorus recordings into that. And community this year could be an awesome way to be a part of it,” Shafran said. we’ll mix the vocals together, and then we’ll send that off to the video The virtual format of StuySquad, however, has proved to be an obstacle in recruiting members. “One editors, who will then match that up with a lip-synced recording of the of the biggest challenges was outreach because [though] this year’s a perfect chance to try out whatever vocals,” senior and STC editing and cast director Alexander Lake said. new crews that someone might be interested in, at the same time, people don’t really want to do it because “It’s almost going to be like producing a movie, and I think that’s a re- it’s over Zoom, and it’s obviously not going to be the same,” Shafran said. “You don’t get a chance to do ally cool thing that we don’t usually get the opportunity to do.” that, so many people were turned off [by] the new format that StuySquad is taking, so we’re trying to [get] In addition, the art crew will also be adjusting to the remote setting. through that this year is really the best year to try out whatever you want.” “The art is going to be taking on a more digital role […] making Zoom In addition, though many are excited to practice and perform, some are worried about cultivating a backgrounds and then also working on animations, which is a really fun, sense of community virtually. “One of my favorite parts of StuySquad is bonding with the people in my new thing that STC hasn’t gotten to work with yet,” Yuste Golob said. crew which might not work so well virtually. Also, the thrill of performing in front of a live audience will Junior and STC Art Director Cadence Li added, “Usually, for art be missing as well,” sophomore Isabella Chow said in an e-mail interview. crew during a typical year, we would be painting really large swathes Though the performance will be recorded this year, StuySquad hopes to preserve the spirit of the of paint for a fairly simple background compared to what this year is showcase by attempting to emulate the format and style of previous StuySquad showcases. “We’re still probably going to demand […] it probably will have to be more detailed going to have the emcee, which is one of the staples of StuySquad,” Shafran said. “We’re still going to try because you’ll be seeing it up close on a screen instead of in the back- to keep the show as it would be normally as possible, just over an online format and prerecorded so it can ground while the cast is acting.” be the best show possible.” With communication and work being conducted remotely, the art Despite being unable to perform in front of a live audience, StuySquad is grateful for being able to crew directors are anticipating challenges in collaborating with the continue to be active and stay connected with their club. “Despite what technological issues may come our members of their crew. “Since everyone is going to be working on way, the Board and I are so excited. I also know it’s the last year for seniors like me to be in StuySquad, so things separately, it will be sort of difficult for the art to look consistent I want this to be just as special for us,” senior and StuySquad President Roshni Patel said. between everything,” Li said. To overcome the lack of physical interaction, some directors are holding bonding sessions. “I think, in terms of teamwork, it might be less, just because […] normally we would have this one big thing that we Stuy Legacy would need to get done,” senior and STC Art Director Emily Chen said. “So, to compensate […] we have all these team bonding meetings [with] Zoom calls [and] skribbl.io.” Similar to the other performing clubs, Stuy Legacy is adjusting to the pandemic by prioritizing the While the dance crew is adjusting to the new opportunities given safety of members as they continue to practice and refine their dancing virtually. through a pre-recorded musical, it is also facing its own set of chal- Currently, there are no upcoming competitions for the fall season, and it is uncertain whether events lenges. “We’re definitely still going to be dancing as much as we usually will take place during the spring. “Since we don’t have a competition to work for, we don’t have to create would […] but because everything is done over camera or over video, […] a performance set or anything,” senior and Stuy Legacy leader Min Sun Yu said. “This season, we are we’re going to try to definitely experiment a lot more with camera angles still having regular meetings three times a week, and we’re focusing more on just the skills that we need to and some positioning,” junior and dance director Christine Lin said. practice […] as dancers, and just having […] a good, creative, fun time with each other.” “[Sophomore and dance director Christina Shen] and I […] were trying Meetings are primarily conducted through Zoom to avoid risking the safety of those participating, to figure out application choreography […] it just made me realize how which remains a priority for Stuy Legacy. “Though we’re a high school team, we’re pretty involved in the much more difficult it is to be communicating movements online […] dance community […] basically, what we do is kind of reflective of the community, and [in] the dance for example, we’d both be trying to play the music, and it would glitch, community, like every other social group, we’re all just trying to get through this situation together,” Yu [and] the video’s inverted.” said. “It would have been wrong to kind of promote our own dancing and do in-person things, and that STC has also hosted a movie night and is planning to hold more vir- would be so ignorant of the situation when everyone’s just trying to be safe.” tual community-building initiatives where non-STC members can also Interacting virtually has brought its share of challenges for the dance team. “Dance is […] almost 100 become involved. For example, they are preparing a Battle of the Bands percent a social activity […] of course you can excel in that on your own and improve your skills, but it’s Tiny Desk Concert event. “[We hope to give] an opportunity for kids a really different experience together. The fact that we’re a team, but we’re having to be separate—it feels throughout Stuy [who] are interested in music […] to come together,” so different,” Yu said. “Dancing in a studio and being in that supportive environment where everyone is Yuste Golob said. “We’re hoping through STC, [freshmen and] students just cheering each other on, just having fun […] a lot of that is lost in a Zoom call […] we’re literally just of all grades will be able to come together again and get to work on looking at our faces, and the timing doesn’t even match, and we can’t even tell if we’re doing everything something that they really love [and] enjoy.” synchronized, so it’s just really, really frustrating.” With the experience and knowledge gained from hosting events and Additionally, Stuy Legacy has decided not to recruit new members for the fall season due to the dif- activities in the virtual setting, STC hopes to incorporate more remote ficulties of a virtual audition process. “We decided to keep it exclusive to only members from the last sea- events in the future. “Just by being curious and trying […] these differ- son just because we thought that doing auditions virtually for the fall season would be a little messy,” Yu ent formats online out, we’ll really be able to build some kind of foun- said. “We [also] wanted to focus on […] the creative aspect.” New members, however, will likely be able to dation for what Stuy and what Stuy activities look like remotely,” Yuste join in the spring season since the group is planning on holding auditions then. Golob said. “Though this is kind of new for everyone, it’ll be a really Despite the transition Stuy Legacy has had to make this season, they are continuing to dance and great opportunity, […] so at least we know that we have a plan and that improve as a team. “Overall, I’d say that [in] Stuy Legacy, we’re all just trying our best like everyone else is Stuy doesn’t just disappear when we’re remote.” during this pandemic, but a lot has changed for sure,” Yu said.

What “Voting” as High School Students Looks Like importance of voting, but this we- election is and the differing sides,” Hamel has also been phone bank- ally rewarding experience for me.” continued from page 3 binar made me realize how much junior and Co-President of the ing to constituents, during which Many students are civically more important voting actually is.” Stuyvesant Young Democrats Ben he has encountered a variety of engaged in the upcoming elec- aging registered voters to vote. The Stuyvesant Young Demo- Hamel said in an e-mail interview. experiences. “I’ve been calling tion, and they recognize the im- Sophomore Melody Lew rec- crats are taking a different approach Hamel is also a board mem- about 20 to 30 homes a week. portance of continuing their ini- ognized the importance of voting in working on fighting voter apathy ber for the Jewish High School There are many calls that are not tiatives in the future. “There is so after participating in the webinar. “I through debates with other clubs Students for Joe Biden, in which answered, and it is rather frustrat- much at stake in this election, and learned about more reasons why we of different political opinions.“We he works to raise awareness about ing,” he said. “One time, I called an as young people, we could end up should vote—not just for the sake have done some things as a club how to vote during the pandemic. older woman [who] I thought was being worse off than our parents of voting. Voting can help close eq- as we have arranged a debate with “We started spreading informa- a swing voter, leaning Biden, and if we keep going in the wrong di- uity gaps because the more people the Young Patriots Club to voice tion about the way mail-in voting explained to her how Biden’s plans rection. Being young gives me a that vote, the more representation our opinions, and we want to share would work, targeting old voters, would lead us out of this crisis and sense of urgency on all these is- [there is]. Voting also shows which this debate in the larger Facebook as it’s [safest] for them to either do would keep her safer […] I ulti- sues, and I think it makes me more issues the candidates should focus groups and have everyone listen, mail-in or drop off voting,” he said. mately got her to say she was vot- committed to using my voice to on,” she said. “I already knew the so they can see how important this Through his involvement, ing for Biden, […] and it was a re- fight for change,” Grossman said. The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Page 7 Features What Scares You? Halloween has come rolling around again; ghosts and monsters are back in season. What makes Stuyvesant students shiver in fear?

“Personally I find small rooms scary, so I guess I’m a bit “Bugs are pretty scary. I’ve had night- “In most instances, I’m scared of heights. claustrophobic because if I’m running from a scary monster, mares of bugs taking over the whole I’m [also] occasionally scared of the dark being cornered and unable to do anything would probably world.” if my eyes can’t adjust.” be worse than anything else.” —Rohan Saha, senior —Nikki Chen, sophomore —Nicholas Zhong, senior

“Something that scares me is my family restaurant. Since I was 10, I have to help out “The SAT.” in the restaurant every Saturday and on the holidays for the entire day (11 a.m. - 12 —Jennifer Ji, junior “I think the college a.m.). The restaurant didn’t start out as my fear, per se, but as a child, every time I application process is did something wrong, the punishment was to work more in the restaurant (so like if I pretty scary. have 5 days off from school, I might need to spend all 5 days there or just 1 day there, So unexpected.” depending on my behavior. Or, my parents planned to give me a break for a week, but “Skinny Trump.” —Sean Fung, senior I messed up, so the break was taken away). Like how some kids are grounded in their —Tiffany Wu, senior room, I’m grounded in the restaurant. So, the fear of the restaurant kind of grew onto me. Another reason is that the family restaurant is located in a pretty shady neighbor- hood. One time a dude rushed into the restaurant and started shooting one of the “I think death is really high up there.” customers. Thank god no one died, but it wasn’t a pretty scene either.” —Cassie Fenwick, sophomore —Leeker Lin, senior

“Well, there’s this Spotify ad right now about an asylum, and I really “Ah, my future. I’m afraid of disappointing my parents. They worked so don’t appreciate it playing when I’m this sleep deprived. Have they hard to get where we are now, and if I don’t live up to their expectations turned to scaring people into getting Spotify Prime? I think I’ll stick to I’m just afraid of their disappointment. I wanna be able to buy them the singing along to Hello Expedia. Seriously though, it’s 3 a.m., and I only things they never had, as they truly deserve it. If I do not get to do that in have my lamp on. From my computer’s camera, you just see my face and my future, and they die without having what they wanted in their lives, a pitch black background. The ad goes ‘eEeeEeeEeheaheahea’ right when I’m going to be very sad and disappointed in myself as well.” I turn on Photo Booth to check on my eye bags. I need sleep.” —Sabrina Chen, junior —Xiaoshen Ma, junior

“I’m scared of myself.” “I’m scared of the “The fact that one day, I may end up with —Anonymous, dark.” my parents’ biggest flaws. Was this supposed junior —Viana Lin, junior to be a light-hearted question?” —Anonymous, sophomore

“I’m concerned about the future, or should I say, our lack of one, if we don’t do anything “Being a disappoint- “I am scared of men- about climate change.” ment to my parents.” tal degradation.” —Sasha Socolow, junior —Naya Mukool, —Victor Veytsman, junior junior Lauren Chin / The Spectator Lauren Chin / The

“Getting eaten alive “Failure.” by bugs.” “Dolls. Especially those that fall under —Sharon Liu, —Michelle Chen, the uncanny valley.” sophomore senior —Daisy Lin, junior

“If we are talking about superficial fears, I really hate “What scares me the most is the fear of going out all “The little man, Maurice, bugs. I think they are really gross, and if you look at alone and something bad happening. I’ve been watching who lives under my bed.” them up close, they literally look like they don’t belong a lot of [‘Criminal Minds’ (2005-2020)] lately.” —Ian Graham, junior on planet Earth.” —Hepzibah Srithas, sophomore —Sejuti Mannan, senior

“I, for real, hate ghosts so much. I don’t “What scares me is being lonely. I don’t like losing people, “I’m scared of Trump winning the election.” know if they’re real or not, but whenever especially my friends and family. I hate ending calls, and —Nafisa Ishra, junior it’s dark, I run up the stairs so fast. It’s I am terrified of drifting away from my friends. I am also embarrassing.” really scared of insects, rodents, and clowns.” “Heights. Just heights.” —Aidan Look, junior —Lauren Lee, sophomore —Angie Gyrzbowski, junior

“I’m so deathly terrified of needles to the point that when I enter the “I was very scared of the dark when I was doctor’s waiting room I turn pale and start to tremble. My hearing goes “Thinking I’m muted on a younger, but now things like horror movies, kind of fuzzy, and I feel cold everywhere, and I can vaguely hear my Zoom call when I’m actu- ghost stories, and ouija board games scare mom telling the doctor that I’m scared of shots, so he needs to do it re- ally not.” me. I am also pretty scared of wild animals ally fast, and the doc laughs like he always does, and I know he’ll try to —Serena Chan, senior like snakes and sharks. Murderers and serial do it fast, but he never does it fast enough. ‘Just a little pinch,’ he always killers are super real and scary in our society says, but it feels like he’s driving a bulldozer into my arm. The slight as well as electronic baby dolls, which are prickle when the needle hits is alright, but when he presses down on the just terrifying. To be honest, though, the “Myself.” plunger, I find myself thinking I’d rather be plowed down by a truck.” scariest thing of all is deadlines.” —Nate Kim, sophomore —Sunny Bok, senior —Jahan Kavi, senior Page 8 The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Features Voices Halloween Fever By ANISA GAO my bedroom door, nervously jack-o’-lanterns, gravestones, steely gym door handle, I crept soaked in sweat and my floors counting the days until my a giant moving cat, and hun- in late. The scene I stumbled covered in Maynards wrap- As Halloween season dawns troop’s costume party. dreds of spiderwebs sprawled upon was full of ghosts, zom- pers, I sank into my mattress upon the Western Hemisphere, There was a pile of pump- over shrubs. Awe turned into bies, princesses, fairies, and se- and stared up at the ceiling. the winds grow colder, and kin guts and seeds sitting in my fondness, which turned into a rial killers, all gathered around Through the window shone a there’s a certain chill in the air stomach, reminding me to find twisted worry that no one was a stack of guide books, chant- bright white light, and I smiled, you can’t find during the spring- a costume so I wouldn’t make going to stop by my house— ing their Girl Guide Promise: happy to skip a day of school. time. One can almost hear the a fool of myself in front of my gated, tall, and hard to get “I promise I will do my best to Thinking there must have been gentle whistle from the north- friends. Unfortunately, my into—to trick-or-treat. Though be true to myself, my beliefs, something watching over me, I ern winds, rushing through the parents weren’t awfully keen it resembled a haunted house at and Canada; I will take action asked my bedroom ceiling for a aging trees. As the winds die on buying me a new costume night, most kids skipped over it, for a better world and respect new costume and my health to out in the bustling metropolis, that I’d only wear once, thinking we were either asleep the Brownie Law.” I shivered, go out again on the next frigid there will be a mortician some- convinced or out for flesh. This not knowing if my chills were Hallows Eve. The evil spirit in where preparing to receive I would thought from the blasting air condition- the air listened and granted me the possible bodies of racist out- made me ing or the creepy air that sur- four new cavities and a high Halloween costumes—hope- won- rounded our troop as we all fever the next Halloween, leav- fully—toilet papered houses, rose up and dispersed into our ing me in my pajamas to hand and fresh food posing as surro- grow it own ritual circles. out Sour Patch Kids to my gate-wrapped candy. Without a or throw it away Sitting in the Elves group, schoolmates from my house. shadow of a doubt, Halloween before the follow- I absentmindedly listened to Something inside me danced as has always been an evolving ing year. Being a my group leader and stared I watched more and more kids holiday since its more morbid smaller-than-av- as they handed out lollipops stop by with their garbage bags beginnings. But after the tu- erage first-grader, and themed playing cards. It and baskets, choking that dying multuous start to 2020, Hal- everything from seemed as if no one else noticed excitement to wear my flimsy loween will surely never be the my preschool the shuttered blinds, opened red witch dress. same. On these frigid and dry years fit me, in- back door, and spilled fruit As an eighth-grader, I sat days, I like to reflect on my past cluding a flimsy punch as they exchanged their in the middle of my home- with this haunting celebration red dress with Smarties and Kit Kats. Were room, smiling at the sight of and wonder if I’ll miss trading a spider-webbed they all hypnotized by a soul- a classmate with glued-on fur lollipops or painting whiskers tulle overskirt and sucking enchantress, or had and fangs. She giggled with on my face. black velvety an- their brains been gobbled up? I her plainly dressed friends as Back in 2012, I was just an- gel sleeves, an wasn’t sure, but I knew that if the boys snickered behind her; other girl guide—a Canadian old costume I stuck out, something was the next period, I couldn’t help Girl Scout—swept up on the my mother going to come out to get but stare at her as the Hallow- wave of Halloween spirit. As bought for me, the conscious head een fever took over her bones, I sat in a group circle holding my second in a sea of mindless- overwhelming the will to finish my guide book, Leader Snowy Halloween in ness. Sighing as some- her math worksheet. I won- Owl clapped her hands as she school. It must one asked what I dered where that old dress was asked what everyone was wear- have been part of a was, I accidentally after my father dropped off all ing to the costume party. Like costume set, but I couldn’t find told them I was my past costumes at Value Vil- drunken college students, my any of the other garments or a witch. As lage back in Canada. My hands troop went nuts, cheering and accessories. My mind assumed Leader Brown couldn’t help but sketch out screaming the princesses they it was a vampire dress at the Owl came a layered, velvet black formal wanted to be or if they were time, but I never ended up fig- Rachel Chuong / The Spectator around with dress with a giant cape during allowed to bring an axe to the uring out what that dress was der if the giant, sparkly spider a box of chip bags, I looked social studies as I let my mind party. Though I was not pre- supposed to be. and neon purple webs were behind to see nothing peek- daydream my perfect, imagi- pared nor looking forward to As I sat in the car, pressing enough to draw people in. As ing out of the gym divider and nary Halloween costume. Un- this instance, I smiled brightly, my face against the ice-cold we pulled over to my school, grabbed some Doritos. fortunately, the dream was cut nodding to my patrol as they window, I looked at all the I unbuckled my seat belt and I woke up the next morn- short when my teacher called boasted about their seamstress whimsical decorations dotting hopped out of the car, stepping ing, dizzy and confused about on me, asking me to pay atten- mothers. That night, I stared my neighbors’ front yards. This over the wrapper of a Rocket. what happened the night tion to the 19th-century prohi- at the magnetic calendar on distraction was full of bright Hand clutched against the before. With my pillowcase bition.

Taking the SAT: A Remix By RACHEL VILDMAN date is a common occurrence, the location because almost ev- students, the test administra- Yu’s testing center. Though and JENNIFER JI especially with recent surges ery location in NY was full, but tion was similar. Li, who had Yu’s center at Holy Cross High of coronavirus cases in the tri- I went to the list and manually taken the SAT before, shared, School is located in New York Along with the many un- state area. While students aren’t looked through each school. “It wasn’t that much different, City, which continues to have wanted surprises from the year allowed to take the test in the [I]t turned out that Bellmore besides the fact that they had a high number of coronavirus 2020, far too many Stuyvesant event of a test center shutdown, was only 30 minutes away, and you wear a mask and checked cases, it surprisingly had fewer students have received the noti- according to the College Board, it had minimal spots left,” Li your temperature as you walked precaution measures than other fication from the College Board they would receive a refund of Ivy Jiang / The Spectator in.” centers outside New York, such reading “Important Informa- the SAT test fee with the Amin recounted as Khoury’s school in Connecti- tion About Your SAT.” When option to select another her experience simi- cut. Yu shared, “I definitely opening the e-mail, they are school or take the test on larly, saying, “We had feel that [the administrators met with the frustrating news another day. to stand in line outside at Holy Cross High School] that their SAT has been can- While many testing the school, and as we should’ve done temperature celed. With over hundreds of centers in NYC have filed in they checked checks and required stricter SAT testing centers closing all been closed, many re- our temperature and social distancing.” Yu was also around the world, only a small main open in areas with did other precautions concerned about the number portion of students were able fewer COVID-19 cases. against corona.” of people in the testing room: to take the SAT since the start When choosing her test- However, the new “They could have had [fewer] of the coronavirus outbreak. ing center, junior Anika safety precautions students placed in the room While the format of the test Amin took this into “didn’t feel like a bur- because there were quite a lot remained identical to previous consideration and chose den of any sort” ac- of people in our room, and the years, the same could not be a location where there cording to Khoury, and desks weren’t spaced out a lot,” said about the overall experi- tended to be fewer can- made most students she explained. ence of taking the exam. celations. “I looked up feel safe while taking Ultimately, this testing pro- Junior Andrea Khoury was the closest available SAT the SAT. “I definitely cess is new for all parties in- one of the lucky ones who was centers to me outside of felt safe. Everyone sat volved and both the College able to take the exam during New York state on [the] so far apart. The nec- Board as well as Stuyvesant the pandemic. Still, she can re- College Board [website] and se- shared. essary precautions were taken. students are still trying to fig- late to the despair felt by many lected the first one that showed Junior Alicia Yu had a vastly The new rules were totally fair ure out new ways to adapt. For others when receiving a cancel- up,” she recalled. “I knew from different experience from Li. and acceptable,” Khoury said. some students, that may mean ation email. “I took my SAT friends that if I chose a school in Yu took the SAT at Holy Cross Amin shared that view, say- taking on a strategy similar to at Saint Joseph’s High School Manhattan, it would have been High School located in Flush- ing, “I felt pretty safe, and I Li’s—booking a test last-min- in Trumbull, Connecticut,” canceled.” ing, Queens. She shared, “I think [SAT administrators] ute—and for others it might, Khoury shared. “I had signed Senior Geoffrey Li took signed up around three months took all the necessary precau- unfortunately, mean opening a up to take it both in Brooklyn a slightly different approach in advance, and I chose the lo- tions.” test cancelation e-mail. Looking and New Jersey [before], but when signing up for his SAT. Li cation because it was simply While both Amin and ahead, though, hopefully more they got canceled due to site waited until mid-August to sign closest to where I live.” Khoury’s testing locations took Stuyvesant students will have an closures.” Re-signing up for dif- up for his September 26 SAT in While the registration pro- all crucial precautions, the opportunity to take a test in a ferent test centers on the same Bellmore, Long Island. “I chose cess was very different for most same could not be said about safe environment. The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Page 9 Features Does Your Workout Work Out? By ISABEL CHING without finding an excuse to since stopped because Wang a college soccer player] alone out may seem daunting, but spend at least an hour out each simply no longer has time in requires a certain level of com- it’s fine when you actually do In a world filled with so day…Being stuck at home is her schedule. She doesn’t miss mitment to both fitness and it. I struggled in the beginning much movement, excitement, extremely tough both mentally it, though. “Not working out skill, which is a lot of work since I wasn’t used to it, but by and change, it’s difficult to and physically. I feel like if I doesn’t have a negative effect… that can feel unrewarding at staying consistent, you’ll get imagine a place without physi- didn’t do this my body would because there are things I pri- times,” she said. “However, used to it.” cal activity. Think of TikToks deteriorate.” oritize more. I think that what as I continue to invest time Jamil echoed Jia’s thoughts of teens waking up at 5:00 in Hamzah’s thoughts were stopped me from continuing into it, I can see improvement on the importance of con- the morning to go on a two- echoed by sophomore Isabella was just the fact that I don’t in the bigger picture, which sistency and even provided a mile run before school and Jia. “I’m motivated to work necessarily enjoy it enough to is gratifying.” Bryce’s work- helpful tip for when it comes then going to swim practice. out because I want to stay go out of my way to make time out requires commitment. to staying focused. “I recom- Think of YouTube videos of ce- fit and healthy. I also did ab for it,” she explained. She plays soccer for around mend listening to music while lebrities training for hours on workouts consistently last year Friends are not the only an hour every day, which she you work out. It helps me fo- end with trainers to make sure on the soccer team at Stuy, and place inspiration can be found, supplements with ab workouts cus and takes my mind off of they stay fit for the runway I didn’t want to slack on work- though. Physical education and running on days when she other things. It gets me into and of the twice-weekly gym ing out, so I decided to contin- teacher Rebeca Morel-Wer- doesn’t have a scheduled soccer the moment.” classes at school not too long ue doing some form of the ab nham has found motivation in practice with her club team. Bryce has a more cautious ago that have been replaced workouts to maintain a sense her family: “My father is going By her own estimations, she approach to working out. A with none other than the be- of normalcy,” she wrote in an to be 87 soon and still manag- runs about three to four miles seasoned athlete, she finds loved Zoom. From running e-mail interview. es to take long walks, do push every week and spends that there are pros and cons to playing a sport to going to But the desire to maintain a up and dips at home, and upwards of 12 hours a to constantly exercising. “In the gym to hanging out with sense of balance and normalcy even some shadow box- week playing soccer. quarantine, I think it’s great to friends, exercise is everywhere, is not the only thing that has ing.” She elaborated on Bryce finds this stay healthy, and working out whether we like it or not. driven students to work out. the positive effects she rigorous work- can be a great use of your time. But the coronavirus has Other people have been in- has seen firsthand: “It out regime However, I would be really changed that prevalence. Gone spired by the fit folks around is so important to him overwhelming careful. There have definitely are the days of in-person work- them. In the case of freshman to work out, and I at times. “At been times during quarantine out sessions and meetups— Aareeb Jamil, it is a bet he has see how that has been first, it felt like that I’ve found myself work- health regulations make it made with his friend that mo- such a positive impact way too much ing out for the wrong reasons, nearly impossible to continue tivates his workouts: “I have to on his life and longev- time to be or working myself too hard,” exercising like before. School get abs by December 5 or he ity. Seeing the impact sacrificing she explained. “Working out gym class has been reduced to gets to practice his Muay Thai on his quality of just for shouldn’t be the focus of your Zoom calls and yoga stretches. strikes on me. It’s made me a life motivates me athlet- day, or your top priority, in my Parks only recently opened. So, lot more consistent with the ab to do the same.” ics, but opinion. It’s really easy to be- most of us, as expected, have workouts.” He elaborated on Even though she you get come obsessed with the wrong remained cooped up in our the effect of his changing body has a toddler, accus- parts of it, instead of just fo- homes, awaiting the day when on his morale: “Abs are more Morel-Wernham tomed cusing on being healthy.” we finally find the courage to aesthetic than functional, but I has continued to to the Not all of us are as dedi- crawl out from under our cov- think that if I can manage to do yoga, running, routine, cated as Bryce, however. Quar- ers and go for a run or hit the attain a six-pack, it’ll motivate walks, and some and now antine has been difficult to gym. But, alas, not all Stuyves- me to be more consistent over- obstacle courses it’s just a navigate, and many of us have ant students are the norm— all.” from her home part of grown accustomed to routines the dedicated have braved the Like Jamil, sophomore and has that barely involve leaving formidable pandemic condi- Janna Wang has also found found the house. So, for those of us tions to work out. inspiration in a fellow class- that struggling to find the motiva- For senior Mohammad mate. “I exercised regularly com- tion to get up and get out, Mo- Hamzah, these workouts with a friend at the beginning pleting Christina Jiang / The Spectator m y rel-Wernham offers her take: take the form of calisthenics of quarantine. We would fol- workouts has left her day. “My advice to students is to strength and cardio workouts. low workout routine videos feeling “accomplished” and Working out really helps me be safe, take advantage of your Hamzah, who has remained together, but personally, it with a “renewed sense of en- clear my head,” she explained. resources and work out during committed to his routine served more as a consistent ergy.” “It’s almost like hitting a reset this pandemic. We are lucky throughout the quarantine way to socialize and do an ac- For others, however, work- button on my day.” to live in a city with so many (no small feat considering tivity with a friend rather than ing out is about more than just But not everybody is as mo- bike lanes, waterfront trails, this quarantine has stretched being a way to stay healthy,” staying healthy and fit. In the tivated as Bryce or Hamzah. beautiful parks, and even exer- almost eight months), finds Wang said. She found that case of junior Lucinda Bryce, For those who may be strug- cise parks that are free for us to that these daily workouts are her time working out with her the top scorer for the Stuyves- gling to get into a quarantine utilize.” She continued: “You very positive for him and have friend was “pretty positive,” ant girls’ soccer team last sea- workout routine, Jia offers will feel so accomplished after been an amazing outlet dur- because it helped her main- son, it is her ambition to be- words of wisdom: “I think ev- finishing a good workout, less ing these uncertain times. He tain a routine and spend time come a college soccer player eryone should definitely try to stressed, and ready to take on explained, “There’s no way to with her friends in the pro- that fuels her desire to work work out, even if it’s 10 min- more.” stay sane during the pandemic cess. But these workouts have out. “That dream [to become utes each day. I know working “You’re Still on Mute” By ELLEN PEHLIVANIAN thought I was sharing the Del- experience as a funny one. She A senior who wishes to the perfect precursor to Hal- taMath tab. [T]urns out I end- jokingly added, “Honestly, I remain anonymous got the loween. After just two years of teac ed up sharing my Instagram was considering dropping out fright of a lifetime after his Freshman Unique Zhang One might think that partici- feed,” Proteasa said. “So the in that one singular moment. teacher’s vocal malfunc- experienced multiple Zoom pating in class from the com- remainder of the three people I was re-evaluating all my life tion during an online class. failures over the course of this fort of our own homes would “[Economics teacher Ellen] year. “One time in Art Appre- inspire increased confidence Schweitzer was speaking, and ciation, [...] we were talking and participation. After all, her voice suddenly became de- about this one specific picture talking through a screen and monic and echoey. It lasted for someone took of a statue. Be- clicking a blue button instead “I [realized] that I really suck at technol- five seconds the first time, but hind it, it had brass rods, and of raising your physical hand ogy. It took me a couple of Zoom classes to it scared the living daylights I made a comment saying yield nothing to lose. Howev- out of some people,” he said. that it looked like spaghetti. er, embarrassment can be en- understand the mute buttons. Like, I would He continued on, explaining [M]y mic was unmuted, and countered anywhere, regard- have myself unmuted and have all of my Schweitzer’s second attempt [the teacher] asked me if it less of physical proximity. And to speak. “The second time was thick or thin. It was kind many students have learned classmates hearing my sister screaming.” it happened, she stared at the of embarrassing for me,” she that the hard way. —Debolina Sen Kunda, junior camera with a look of defeat expressed. “Another thing Junior Krista Proteasa while we were all laughing, that happened during band shared a humiliating moment and she reached for a pair of was that one girl speeded im- that happened during math headphones, which cut out mensely and was out of speed teacher Gary Rubenstein’s her audio completely,” he said on everything, but she played pre-calculus office hours. “I that were in there just saw a choices.” Proteasa also learned jokingly. He concluded on a all the notes right.” Zhang was asking a question about bowl of oatmeal. There was no a couple things from the en- heartwarming yet unsettling then empathetically recalled one of the DeltaMath assign- context to this bowl of oatmeal counter, reflecting: “Now I’m note: “We [love] Ms. Sch- the teacher’s reaction, stating, ments, [...] and the only way on my feed, but I was so con- definitely going to be careful weitzer, but I’d give anything “He was like, ‘Nope, you’re that I could get him to see the fident [that I was sharing the with double-checking and tri- in the world to hear her de- switching to French [h]orn,’ question was if he made me question tab].” Proteasa felt ple-checking whatever screen mon voice again.” At least the and that poor girl said, ‘I don’t co-host to share my screen. exposed and embarrassed, but I’m sharing because I do not moment had some value other So he made me co-host and I also couldn’t help but view the need that again.” than being horrifying, as it was continued on page 10 Page 10 The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Features Spooky Season: Stuyvesant Edition Halloween season is right around the corner, and it’s that time of year when fake ghosts, creepy sculptures, and other spooky trinkets decorate homes and businesses. Despite the quarantine, Halloween festivities are still in sight, ranging from socially distanced trick-or-treating to online events. To add some excitement to this well- known “spooky season,” we’ve interviewed Stuyvesant students about their spooky experiences and beliefs, ranging from supernatural experiences to paranormal events.

Religious Ties to the Supernatural

Paranormal and supernatural ideas have been integrated into the human experience for centuries, but each person often has a different opinion about what consti- tutes these phenomena. Some believe that people’s perception of certain phenomena arises from the need to explain the unknown. Senior Fahima Miajee described her views of these events, noting that “paranormal phenomena are things that can’t be explained and therefore, are turned into thrilling stories.” In her experience, unex- plainable events often have, to some extent, rational explanations. In terms of her personal beliefs, Miajee mentioned her religious belief in certain supernatural beings such as jinn, which are creatures of fire known for making deals with humans, and angels made of light. “Aside from belief in the supernatural based on my faith, I have zero belief in other supernatural beings, whether in my own Bengali culture or western society,” Miajee stated. Senior Bushra Islam similarly touched upon these religious values, as she mentioned her experiences and upbringing surrounding the existence of Islamic entities and creatures. In fact, “religion and the supernatural often go hand in hand,” she explained. “From a young age, I’ve heard stories about jinns, Dajjal, and other crea- tures that encompass the capability to possess humans or animals, that have contributed to my fear and belief in the supernatural.”

Influences From Multiculturalism

Cultural folklore often makes its way into childhood in the form of tales and stories. In South Asian culture, especially from the Bengal region, specific stories often have themes of “black magic, tantric arts, witches, roaming spirits with malicious intents, and demons,” Islam recount- ed. When asked to give a specific example, Islam referred to the scariest story she ever heard. Her grandmother told her about “the lady with long hair [who] sits in trees and in the sunset, attacks those that come under it.” This superstitious story has stuck to Islam, who heard it at age six, as she is still scared of going under large trees and avoids them when she can. Though students’ paranormal beliefs are often shaped by their personal origins, Miajee stressed that her personal perspective is influenced by a combination of international cultures. To start, her interactions with Western culture have combined with her Bengali one. Growing up, she heard stories of Rakkhosh (man-eating giants) in the woods as much as she read and watched tales of the Brothers Grimm, Walt Disney, and Hans Christian Andersen. In addition, Mia- jee learned about both pujas in Hinduism and Santa Claus during Christmas. She believes it’s impossible to talk about the paranormal strictly in terms of a single culture and the local myths that it carries. “Globalization has made our supernatural beliefs immensely multicultural,” she concluded.

The Culture of Horror Filmmaking

Cinematic culture has had one of the largest influences on students, instill- ing fear around topics that otherwise would not hold the same meaning. Haunted

houses are classic examples of this impact. One of Islam’s favorite movies is “The Christina Jiang / The Spectator Conjuring,” which is about a haunted farmhouse that is taken over by a supernatu- ral entity. Part of why the movie is so terrifyingly terrific is its believable nature and Present and Lurking Fears connections to reality. Islam found herself personally concerned about the wellbeing of the characters. In terms of supernatural or paranormal fears, Zhong mentioned his Unknown entities and the bloody destruction they create aren’t the only categori- specific aversion to possession or losing control of his body. “You can’t cally paranormal topics that horror filmmakers use. Miajee cites the film “Brim- control yourself—you’re not ‘you’ anymore—and the feeling of some- stone” as the scariest movie she’s watched, recalling that it was hard for her to fall thing—ghosts, spirits, anything—crawling under my skin is not some- asleep at night after watching it. It’s about a vindictive preacher who hunts a wrong- thing I’m a big fan of,” he explained. In more everyday terms, however, ly accused woman turned fugitive. Brimstone plays on the loss of human emotion Zhong described his more common fear, stating, “The creepiest thing and exposes a dark, hidden side to human nature. for me right now, though, is when I think I see something in the corner of my eye, and there’s nothing there. It’s probably irrational but still a little disturbing.” Frightening Stories From Our Students Miajee smiliarily described her present fear of jinn, noting, “I have heard a lot about jinn activities and seen some evidence of them, which Outside the screen, students have experienced some spook in their day-to-day lives as is why I constantly mumble prayers to repel evil at times. Jinn activities well through unexplained, possibly supernatural experiences. Islam recounted the “abso- look a lot like ghost activities, so that’s the only paranormal thing that lute scariest, most frightening, [and] unforgettable night” in her life. She was in Bangla- might scare me.” desh in 2017 staying at a house that already seemed scary because of its enormous, haunt- Though the true existence of the paranormal or supernatural is met ed house-like size. Islam slept with her sister that night after everyone locked their rooms with differing opinions, the influence that they extend on cultures and and settled in. The clock had just struck 3:00 a.m. when Islam’s sister awoke to perform humanity itself is undeniable. As Miajee stated: “A lot of human experi- the morning Fajr prayer. Instead of carrying on with the prayer, Islam’s sister whispered ence is grounded in tales and accounts of paranormal activities, and her name and nudged her awake before turning her face and panicking about another they are the basis of primal human fears, cultural superstitions, and spir- presence in the room. In the faint light, Islam recalled seeing “a long black shadow” that itual beliefs … Scientific discoveries have somewhat extinguished some lasted for a moment before disappearing. Though she dismissed the shadow as a mere of the irrational fears that human beings live with, but I feel like people deception of the eye, she felt restless thinking of the possibility that it was actually there. like that fear. Fear makes people feel alive, and no matter how ‘ratio- Senior Nicholas Zhong recalled a recent encounter during an outdoor walk in which nal’ society becomes, people still seek fear and make up unexplained he felt on-edge because of an unhuman presence. “There was this one time when I […] phenomena that can produce fear.” This search for fear, in fact, could came across some abandoned train tracks. It was in the late afternoon, right before nighttime, and I noticed three figures following me in the distance,” Zhong narrated. “I be what makes horror movies and horror-based genres so popular. And couldn’t really tell, but they were kind of unnerving—it was something about those three while quarantine may hinder traditional Halloween activities, it may be guys in the distance that was just creepy,” he concluded. festive to indulge in some fear, whether through paranormal films or su- Miajee also mentioned a similarly unnerving experience in her own childhood memo- pernatural stories. Miajee echoed this sentiment and described how her ries in a remote location. “One time when my father was back from New York, we took a own fear has influenced her. “In my world, I live with the knowledge trip as a family to my dad’s childhood village [...] [W]e were on a dirt road with no street that there are forces beyond my control and which scientists still can’t lights,” Miajee remembered. “I could tell that we were also right next to a graveyard, [...] explain,” Miajee explained. “While sometimes that produces fear in me, and for some reason, the car was stalling. I think I held my breath the entire time and it also can be reassuring to know that the human race is not alone in prayed until the car left the dirt road and we could see streetlights again.” this universe, that our existence has a deeper meaning and this world has a hidden side.” The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Page 11 Features Final Thoughts on the 2020 Election By CHRISTINA PAN of 2020, nominating him tory reflects strongly on their the opposition (to the point that profited off the backs was a big fiasco on the GOP’s potential incumbency. “There where he thinks they should of enslaved people, fought a 2020 is a year for the his- part,” they wrote. “Unless the is no doubt we should be set- be dead.) He’s rolled back en- bloody war just to see them tory books. current White House finds an tling for Biden this current vironmental regulations and endure years and years of sys- From a deadly pandemic to alternative to what it’s been election because just to simply tried to attack parts of our de- temic opression, [...] and did a global justice movement for doing, I don’t think it’s a good put it, Trump doesn’t give a mocracy in almost every sense not let people marry who they Black lives and all things in be- idea. America is as stable as an [EXPLETIVE] about anyone of the world.” love (you don’t decide to be tween, this year has catapulted earthquake right now, and se- besides himself and his green As sophomore Sayeb Khan gay!) up until five years ago.” the U.S.A. into an unprec- lecting a new face to represent dollar bills.” said, “The state of democracy The final straw, in Student edented era. Over 220,000 it is extremely risky.” Others believe that Trump’s and its inherent flaws have C’s view, was electing Trump. Americans have died from the Other students feel more presidency represents the out- never been put on display so “We voted for [Trump], who coronavirus; millions across hopeful about the impact of claimed climate change was the globe have united under a new presidency on Amer- a hoax, sat idly while white a cry for overdue social jus- ica’s current status quo. For police officers [continued]to tice. With each passing day, it senior Student B, electing a murder Black people and get seems almost as if the magni- new person in office will -re away with it, and trie[d] to tude of the world’s problems is flect the state of America’s control what women [choose] so great that events that would current social unrest and need to do with their bodies,” they have made front pages in or- for change. “I’m generally op- said. dinary times take to the side- timistic about the future of Yet for many, it’s not just lines. Even in our own neigh- America. Trump is a bit of a the Trump administration that borhoods, the way we carry dumpster fire, but he’s very reflects a broken system and out our lives has been funda- likely to be out soon,” Student history. It’s also some Trump mentally altered; it’s almost as B said. “Biden isn’t the great- supporters who continue to if every individual needs to be est president. On race issues give the administration pow- a Titan, or an Atlas, each car- he’s sparse on concrete action, er. “[Trump supporters] act rying a piece of the world on [and] on foreign policy he’s a like fanatics,” Adeishvili said. their shoulders. bit hawkish, but I think he’ll “They treat [Trump] like a god 2020 has essentially rede- move the ball forward. I’m op- and they raise him onto this fined global politics and histo- timistic because we’re finally pedestal. Trump promises to ry. It is a year that, by scholarly rounding a corner on climate bring us back to a former glo- standards, is so notable that its change, social awareness of ry. What former glory? What events could be formed into race issues, and new economic glory did America have when the document-based questions schools of thought surround- it spent most of its history de- of future history curriculums. ing stimulus and government stabilizing democracies, sup- Yet it seems that future spending.” porting fascists, and destabiliz- history students will have to For others, however, the ing communities even on their sit through one final chapter. 2020 election—and its can- own land?” With November 3, 2020 fast didates—is just one part of The final word goes to both approaching, there are ever- a larger puzzle. “Honestly, Adeishvili and Student C. “We increasing tensions within I’ve been numb to the ills of are living in a political night- and between all parties. Junior America for a long time, so I mare,” Adeishvili declared. Student A, who was one of find it difficult to get angry,” “Trump isn’t a virus amongst the many students who chose sophomore Levi Simon said. a usually perfect system. He is to retain anonymity due to “I’m just tired when the other the symptom of the diseases the confidential nature of po- option is also a bigoted hack, Anna Ast/ The Spectator that have been plaguing this litical opinions, wrote about just less so, which is why I’m puts of an intrinsi- explicitly.” country for years. Some radi- their political opinions in an not exactly spending my time cally broken political system. Much like Adeishivili, cal change needs to be made, e-mail interview. “At Stuyves- phone banking or writing “The fact that we somehow freshman Student C strongly or else again our democracy ant, most people automati- postcards. I want the DNC managed to vote [Trump] believes that the Trump ad- will be under threat by people cally think it’s a given that you and America to do better in into office should be an indi- ministration has helped per- like Trump.” hate [Trump], or you’re just the future. Hopefully, [when] cator of how this system is a petuate a standard that reflects Student C, drawing from really leftist. I personally think Biden is elected they’ll realize mess,” sophomore Luca Ad- America’s own contentious or- the popular TV series “Ava- that the first couple of years of what the solution to this coun- eishvili said. “[Trump] has igins. “Why don’t more people tar: The Last Airbender,” had Trump’s time in [office] [were] try’s problems are and move refused to condemn white su- realize how disgusting Ameri- one final insight: “In the wise just fine. I wouldn’t say I ever past neoliberalism.” premacist groups, made a lot ca is?” Student C asked. “We words of Avatar Kyoshi, ‘only supported or didn’t support Much like Simon, fresh- of his rhetoric targeted against stole this land from indig- justice will bring peace.’” [Trump], but with knowledge man Jennifer Ye believes that certain marginalized groups enous people and tossed them each candidate’s personal his- (Muslims, immigrants) and to aside, established an economy “You’re Still on Mute” Dead Art continued from page 9 Junior Debolina Sen Like, I would have myself “Due to the pandemic, the PSAL has Kunda, contrary to Zhang unmuted and have all of my think my parents will allow and Proteas, shared a Zoom classmates hearing my sister launched a new sport for students to partici- it.’ He said it wasn’t her par- failure that was a moment of screaming,” she said. Similar ents’ or her decision. [I]t was epiphany as much as it was to Proteasa, Kunda used the pate in: foosball.” his decision [...] [I]t was so one of humiliation. “When experience to reflect and learn terrible and intimidating.” my teachers would ask us to from, concluding, “This hap- An anonymous junior had raise our hands to answer a pened so many times already a humiliating run-in with her question for extra credit, I that whenever I talk, I stop in sister—to the front row view never got called on for any the middle just to see if I am of her entire class. “During extra credit and thought that unmuted.” Spanish class, our teacher all of my teachers hated me. I It seems like Zoom can be asked us [a question]. No one practically had this idea until just as embarrassing as a class- was going to answer, so my today during my last period room. Otherwise unnoticeable teacher was looking for people when I mistakenly clicked ‘[P] mistakes in class are ampli- to call on, and my six-year-old articipants’ and saw the ‘[R] fied, and the awkward silence sister walked in with her un- aise [H]and’ feature,” she de- that follows these moments Ivy Jiang / The Spectator derwear on,” she mused. “Out scribed. Upon seeing the func- is equally uncomfortable. of coincidence, I was called on tion, though, Kunda realized Whereas normally, a couple of to answer the question,” she that she had been unaware of people would let out a laugh mortifyingly recalled, leaving how to raise her hand in the and the class would move on, the rest to the imagination of virtual environment. Strug- students can’t exactly unmute the reader. She clearly endured gling with the raise hand but- and then mute themselves to other memorable moments ton was not Kunda’s only diffi- laugh, thus making those awk- during remote learning, re- culty: “I [realized] that I really ward experiences even more signedly adding, “Man, this suck at technology. It took me memorable. stuff probably won’t ever end a couple of Zoom classes to for me.” understand the mute buttons. Page 12 The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Features Better Watch Out! Stuyloween Rises From the Dead By ANGELA CAI and JENNIFER JI Halloween is right around the corner! In the midst of quarantine loneliness, students may feel that celebrating Stuyloween is the last thing on their minds. To bring back the spooky spirit, here are some of the most iconic costumes students and teachers have to offer and a look at what’s to come this Halloween.

Computer Science Teacher Samuel Konstantinovich

If you’ve ever seen the Stuyvesant computer science department on Halloween, you know they always aim to impress. Computer science teacher Samuel Konstantinovich is no exception. As a Stuyvesant alum, he credits his commitment to dressing up for Halloween to his past Stuyvesant teac ers who would put on a costume every year. “I would like to follow their lead for as long as I am able,” Konstantinovich explained. As for his plans this Halloween…that shall remain top secret.

Konstantinovich and Dyrland-Weaver as Sith/Jedi

Konstantinovich as Professor K-OS, an office supply villain.

Computer Science Department as Star Trek characters

Junior Emma Wong in Sophomore Juniors Ellie Yu and Melody Lin as Bubble Tea Year as a Hotdog Since their freshman year, dressing up in matching Halloween costumes has been a tradition between There are certain students that stand out juniors Melody Lin and Ellie Yu. In their freshman year, Lin dressed up as a bear, and Yu dressed up as a in a crowd, and junior Emma Wong is defi- reindeer. “We thought it was super cute and comfy,” Yu said. nitely one of them! Known for extravagant, During their sophomore year, Lin and Yu decided to opt for a costume that would resonate more with full-suit Halloween costumes, Wong dressed them and the rest of Stuyvesant: bubble tea. With cylindrical protrusions sticking out of their headbands up as a clown freshman year and a hotdog and fuzzy black circles attached to their shirts, Lin and Yu made quite the bubble tea duo. sophomore year. She finds joy in dressing up Part of the reason Lin and Yu chose this costume was that the materials needed to create the costume for Halloween from her peers’ funny reac- were easily accessible. “We just attached a toilet paper roll onto a headband and cut out and glued the tions. “It’s really fun to get into the spirit of store-bought felt onto our shirts,” Yu explained. the holiday, and it’s cool when people are The only trouble they encountered was in the makings of the costumes. Each individual circle had to be entertained by my costumes,” she said. cut out individually and hot glue-gunned onto their shirts. “The process was very tedious,” Lin said. “But it was necessary because we wanted to make sure it didn’t fall off.” Additionally, due to the wide variety of milk tea flavors ranging from taro milk tea to melon milk tea, choosing a bubble tea flavor or shirt color was a difficult choice. Ultimately, Lin wore a purple shirt to represent taro milk tea and Yu wore an orange shirt to represent Thai milk tea. The Spectator • October 30, 2020 Page 13 Features Better Watch Out! Stuyloween Rises From the Dead

Mathematics Teacher Gary Rubinstein Decked out in a rainbow duct-taped costume and rolling around a cart full of assorted candy, mathemat- ics teacher Gary Rubinstein was a bizarre sight standing in line at Whole Foods last Halloween. That wasn’t the first time Rubinstein created buzz with his costumes, though. After dressing up for the past 16 years, Rubinstein is famous for his over-the-top and creative Halloween costumes, which range from a Citi Bike to a college rejection letter. However, Rubinstein hasn’t always been crafting up the elaborate costumes he’s known for today. When he first started teaching at Stuyvesant in 2003, Rubinstein simply dressed up as physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein. It was only after seeing former computer science coordinator and “king of teacher costumes” Mike Zamansky paint his body green for his costume as the Hulk that Rubinstein decided to step up his game. The following year, Rubinstein dressed up as the fictional character Ali G, played and created by actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who was on the popular show “Da Ali G Show” at the time. “Students really reacted to this costume, and this [response] started my string of 16 years of Halloween costumes,” Rubinstein said in an e-mail interview. Rubinstein’s favorite costume was last year’s, when he dressed up as the Whole Foods screen that tells customers where to line up at the register. Since all of his costumes are handmade, it took Rubinstein consid- erable effort to construct the costume, and the process included programming an iPad app to stimulate the changing of numbers. “I also threw in some math concepts like ‘register Pi,’” he said. Though Rubinstein’s costume was well-received among the staff and students, customers at Whole Foods were less impressed. “I was covered head to toe in rainbow duct tape and had an iPad screen on my chest, and not one person there batted an eye,” he described. From an artistic standpoint, another one of Rubinstein’s favorite costumes would be a Citi Bike. Ru- Rubinstein as Ali G binstein went through several iterations of the design, which consisted of wheels and a toy character on the bike. “I’m really proud of that one,” he said. “It was instantly recognizable and something that nobody else thought to go as.” Additionally, since Rubinstein is a mathematics teacher, he strives to incorporate aspects of mathematics into his costumes. Rubinstein dressed up as the math concept FOIL in 2010, a mnemonic for the standard method of multiplying two binomials. “The costume was tough because if people can’t figure it out, then it isn’t considered a good costume,” he explained. “But it has to be hard enough so that people feel satisfaction when they do figure it out, and that one went over very well.” Despite the coming Halloween season being remote, Rubinstein is determined to preserve his 16-year tradition of dressing up for Halloween. So far, he’s decided on three options. The second runner-up for this year’s Halloween costume was dressing up as a COVID-19 vaccine and creating a syringe costume. “I thought about it, but I feel like other people might be doing that also,” he said. Similarly, the first runner-up costume idea was dressing up as comedian Sarah Cooper, who is famous on the short-video app TikTok for lip-synching President Donald Trump. “I was going to dress up as her and have a speaker play Trump’s voice, and I would be lip-synching,” he said. “The only challenging part of the costume would be having to memorize some of Trump’s interviews.” As for the winner among the three options, “I’m going to leave it as a surprise what I actually go as,” he said. “I hope I don’t let everyone down. It is a lot of pressure I put on myself, and I’ve set up some high ex- pectations and now I’ve got to live up to them. But when a costume gets a good reaction—like, for instance, the Whole Foods costume last year, that makes it all worth it.” Halloween is a magical holiday. Teachers become Star Trek characters for the day, students become street snacks, and teachers and students are brought together through the shared celebration of dressing up for Halloween. While Halloween this year will no doubt look a little different, it seems the spirit of Stuyloween will continue to live on. What costumes will Stuyvesant be brewing up next? Rubinstein as FOIL

Rubinstein as a Citi Bike, Whole Foods screen, and safety school rejection letter

Halloween is a magical holiday. Teachers become Star Trek characters for the day, students become street snacks, and teachers and students are brought together through the shared celebration of dressing up for Halloween. While Halloween this year will no doubt look a little different, it seems the spirit of Stuyloween will con- tinue to live on. What costumes will Stuyvesant be brewing up next? Page 14 The Spectator• October 30, 2020 Editorials

The 24 Mandates of Remote Learning ARTS & The Spectator ENTERTAINMENT Though the Hallway Code of Conduct no longer applies, remote learning must carry on with strict The Stuyvesant High EDITORS law and supervision. Straight from Chancellor Richard Carranza’s desk, read the most important School Newspaper Suah Chung Miranda Lepri mandates that everybody must abide by, effective immediately: “The Pulse Morris Raskin of the Jiahe Wang 1. Teachers must eat and sleep in the school building and go to their houses every morning to teach Student their classes. PHOTOGRAPHY 2. If a teacher accidentally leaves a Zoom call and a student becomes the host, it is that student’s Body” EDITORS duty to continue teaching the class. That is what the spirit of Stuyvesant has chosen. Carry on Zoe Oppenheimer* accordingly. EDITORS IN CHIEF Francesca Nemati** 3. If a student is made a co-host, he or she is now entitled to the salary and benefits of a Depart- Talia Kahan* Sasha Socolow** ment of Education (DOE) employee. Contact School Chancellor Richard Carranza for more Erin Lee* details. ART DIRECTORS 4. Teachers must now give at least a five second warning before visiting breakout rooms to give stu- NEWS EDITORS Michael Hu dents time to strike up a fake insightful conversation. Ideally, teachers might even send a group Maddy Andersen* Andrea Huang text to the room members, letting them know of their impending arrival. Jenny Liu** Adrianna Peng 5. Students must stay in the breakout rooms for the full remaining minute so the teacher can tell Momoca Mairaj** Sophie Poget** that the group is having some highly tasteful discussions that must go on until the very end. Karen Zhang LAYOUT EDITORS 6. Cameras must be turned on at all times, especially in breakout rooms, so students can live with Allison Ho the shame of not uttering a word to any of their other discussion partners. FEATURES EDITORS Ezra Lee Hayeon Ok 7. Simply unmuting without being called on during discussion is banned. Students must raise their Amy Lin Zoe Oppenheimer* blue hand before talking like a civilized Zoomer. Michelle Thaung 8. When raising a hand, students must make use of all three options: their physical hand, the blue Clara Shapiro raise-hand button in the participants window, and the thumbs-up icon. If all else fails, students COPY EDITORS OPINIONS EDITORS Irene Hao may raise their left leg. Kristin Cheng 9. Virtual physical education (PE) class must now be done in the PE uniform. If a student is physi- Haley Huh Jonathan Schneiderman* Shreyasi Saha** cally in school that day, the sawed-off upper half of a Hazmat suit must be worn. Aaron Visser** Raven Tang** 10. A DOE study has determined that students don’t exercise sufficiently during online PE. There- Brian Zhang fore all teachers must now conduct *completely standard* PE classes over Zoom, leading SCIENCE EDITORS online running sessions and online basketball games. Remote boxing should consist of students Claire Shin BUSINESS MANAGERS beating the crap out of their laptops. Kristoff Misquitta Rachel Joh 11. For all chorus and orchestra classes, students must unmute themselves and sing or play at the Gerard Lin** Tina Nguyen** same time to emulate the musical environment. It is imperative that students keep their earbuds in at max volume during these class periods. SPORTS EDITORS WEB EDITORS Krish Gupta** Cynthia Or 12. Students must remain completely silent when a teacher shares their screen incorrectly or fails to Victor Siu do so, but are permitted to chuckle audibly as long they remain muted. Caroline Ji Sam Levine 13. Zoom must add a react feature to comments (c’mon, catch up with Facebook Messenger). All FACULTY ADVISER participants must react to a chat that has not been replied to, lest the commenter face the embar- Matt Melucci Kerry Garfinkel rassment of being left on read by 30 people. HUMOR EDITORS 14. Instead of “Your Internet Connection is Unstable,” the Zoom message must now read, “Be Chrisabella Javier prepared to hear the sped-up version of this conversation in the next five seconds. Or nothing Olly Stewart* * Managing Board at all.” Kelly Yip **Editors-in-Training 15. Google Meet: just don’t go. Alternatively, students may engage in a fun session of continuously changing the number of visible participants on their screens. 16. If a student is eating in class, he or she must angle the camera down to ensure that the class Please address all letters to: We reserve the right to edit letters 345 Chambers Street for clarity and length. knows the contents of the meal and is sufficiently jealous of their delicious food. New York, NY 10282 © 2020 The Spectator (212) 312-4800 ext. 2601 All rights reserved by the creators. 17. For underclassmen, teachers must host an “icebreaker” session to ensure breakout rooms are [email protected] as awkward as humanly possible. Whichever group can sustain the longest period of awkward silence gets a hug from Principal Seung Yu. 18. When testing on Zoom, students must ask their questions out loud (and mumble it so that the FOR THE RECORD teacher must ask them to repeat) rather than using the private message chat. 19. If students are not admitted by teachers into classes within 15 minutes of the period starting, students are legally allowed to leave. In the class of 2024 freshman survey, we reported 20. Students who schedule makeout Zoom sessions with their significant others must do so in Zoom rooms named “The Hudson.” incorrect statistics for the responses to the 21. Don’t be the student who asks a complex question with one minute left in class. Not even the question “I would sacrifice a good grade to preserve teacher likes it, Schneiderman. my academic honesty.” The correct statistics are: 22. Also, do not be the person who condescendingly teaches a clearly advanced yet unrelated topic in the chat section. Robert Bork can wait. 28.2 percent strongly agreed, 41.4 percent agreed, 23. Teachers must begin class with a healthy dose of chill Lofi music to relieve any Zoom fatigue. 19.4 percent, were neutral, 7.0 disagreed, and 4.0 Phoebe Buffay put it best: “my eyes, MY EYES!!” 24. To become better acquainted with teachers, all students must schedule at least one hour long percent strongly disagreed. Zoom dinner per marking period with teachers in which students and teachers watch one an- other eat in total silence. Civility in Politics and the Presidential Debates By MAYA NELSON I was watching two siblings justify it. Insults and interrup- cal environment. Aside from I found myself lost during argue over who gets the last tion should not be allowed in a the occasional snarky com- the first presidential debate “Are you seeing this right cookie, not a presidential de- presidential debate, no matter ment or interruption, which because of the constant inter- now?” my friend texted me on bate. Even if President Donald the circumstance. was to be expected, the debate ruption and deviation from the the night of the first presiden- Trump was more unprofes- As much as people try to was actually civilized. The two original topic. Now, one might tial debate. “This can’t be real.” sional with his constant inter- point out the humor in the vice presidential candidates argue that civility can distract Across social media and the ruptions, Former Vice Presi- situation, I find it depressing listened to each other and re- from the seriousness or danger Internet, thousands of people dent Joe Biden shouldn’t be that America has come to this: spected one another’s time. of what the candidates say. Is were outraged by the sheer calling the president a “clown” two grown white men throw- They didn’t insult each other rudely saying something con- chaos occurring on the debate or telling him “Shut up, man” ing schoolyard insults and con- and weren’t constantly shout- troversial worse than politely stage. People were making on live television. Trump’s be- stantly interrupting one anoth- ing. The two debates were so saying it? I’d say yes. Politeness memes, having arguments over havior was also inexcusable: er. It’s disappointing that we violently different from each should be expected in a de- who won, and coming to the he shouldn’t have brought have to pick the “lesser of two other that it surprised me. bate, and though rudely saying general consensus that this be- up controversies surround- evils,” rather than pick a candi- Both Kamala Harris and Mike something might garner more havior shouldn’t be allowed in ing Biden’s son, and he needs date who accurately reflects our Pence showed professionalism attention, it has just as much politics. Many people, includ- to learn that a debate involves political views. Ultimately, we during the debate, and I re- of an impact. ing myself, were shocked that both parties having a chance to are the ones who got ourselves spect them for that. Even if the Even though politics is a one of these men was to be the speak, not just him. However, into this situation. We chose to price paid for civility meant game of deflection, lying, and leader of the United States of even if this might reasonably vote for these candidates in the that the most interesting thing persuasion, the one thing we’re America. If they couldn’t re- provoke Biden into insulting primaries and now we’re pay- that happened during the de- supposed to be able to expect frain from insulting each other Trump, fighting fire with fire ing the price. As a country, we bate was the fly that landed on from politicians is profession- every two minutes, how can we does nothing. The American need to elect better leaders if Pence’s head, at least I could alism. In the case of Biden expect them to run a country? people deserve to have both we want to see actual progress understand the political views and Trump, neither of them Though one might claim candidates cooperating and and change. of the two candidates. Another showed that. Hopefully, by the “Oh, Trump was way more being civil to best understand However, the vice presi- example of political civility is fourth debate, both candidates unprofessional!” or “Biden was each of their political views. dential debate proved to be the Supreme Court hearings; will have learned their lesson definitely worse,” both candi- Biden’s response to Trump’s a stark contrast to the presi- they may be extremely boring, so that the American people dates did and said things that uncooperative behavior is un- dential debate, showing how but at least you can understand can finally hear what they have were uncalled for. It felt like derstandable, but that does not people should act in a politi- what is going on. In contrast, to say. The Spectator• October 31, 2020 Page 15 Editorials Why The Spectator is Endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States In almost any election in focused largely on Secretary ought to do so. tinuation of the first but with number of policies that aided the past, a candidate whose of State Hillary Clinton’s al- And then, of course, there a democracy more battered, the United States overseas main pitch is a return to de- leged crimes, a list of offenses is the coronavirus. Stuyves- a man less restrained, and a greatly; for instance, he built cency and normalcy would that included a botched expla- ant students are acutely aware country closer to collapse. upon his expertise in nuclear be a weak candidate. But the nation of a terrorist attack that of how he has handled that: antiproliferation to be instru- 2020 election is not a stan- killed four American officials downplaying the virus, deny- JOE BIDEN mental in effecting the New dard election, and normalcy is in Benghazi, Libya and a host ing its importance, and using Joe Biden is the antith- START treaty between the exactly what America needs. of vague but severe charges “personal liberty” as an ex- esis of Trump. Anyone who’s U.S. and Russia for arms re- The Spectator is endorsing surrounding Clinton’s use of cuse not to promote mask- close to him will describe him duction. Given the centrality Vice President Joe Biden for a private e-mail server. With wearing, well after the Cen- as “good” and “decent.” No of the presidency to foreign president because this elec- these accusations serving as ters for Disease Control said stranger to tragedy and hard- policy and vice-versa, having tion is about the man current- fuel, his Republican National mask-wearing should be a ship, “Joe” dedicated his life as much policymaking experi- ly in the Oval Office. Over Convention was host to glee- ubiquitous public health mea- to improving prospects for ence, not to mention friends the last four years, President ful chants of “Lock her up.” sure. Even if one believes the those even less fortunate than on the international stage, as Donald Trump’s policies, po- His presidency has gone government ought not force himself. Unlike Trump, who Joe Biden is a significant asset litical rhetoric, and personal fairly predictably. On the one people to wear masks, there is received hundreds of millions in a President. conduct have disqualified him hand, he has pursued fairly no question as to whether the of dollars in wealth from his In addition to foreign for another term. The COV- standard Republican policy. president ought to encourage father, Biden grew up in a policy, Biden has been a vo- ID-19 pandemic has continu- He pulled the U.S. out of the it, and he has not. The proof working class family in Scran- cal supporter of stricter gun ally demonstrated his inability Paris Agreement, which had of Trump’s failure is in the ton, Pennsylvania. He over- control laws, but his other ef- to govern in a crisis, and the been a major step toward in- pudding of the dispropor- came his stutter and went on forts to combat violence have recent mass protests have ternational cooperation on tionate number of Americans to become one of the most been less successful. His 1994 highlighted the extent of his tackling climate change. On the virus has killed: despite influential people in politics crime bill became a major willingness to pour gasoline the other hand, he has mixed making up five percent of the today. driver of mass incarceration. on the embers of partisan this standard Republican- world’s population, the U.S. After earning his B.A. However, violent crime was a conflict. America has reached ism with uniquely Trumpian accounts for over 20 percent from the University of Dela- bigger problem in the 1990s a historical crossroads for de- quirks, such as persistently of its COVID deaths. When ware (he would be the first than it is now, and the bill had mocracy and unity. Joe Biden pushing for the arrest of his Trump’s utter irresponsibil- president since Jimmy Carter significant support within the promises to govern all of political opponents; being ity led to his contracting the to hold a degree from a public Black communities it would America and to unify rather friendly with dictators while virus, some hoped it would university and the first since end up hurting the most. And than to foment hate and di- alienating liberal, democratic make him more vigilant about Gerald Ford to hold a degree Biden has done the right thing vision. His commitment to allies—an especially disturb- it and that it would cause him from a state university) and since: recognized his error, this basic tenet of the Ameri- ing trend in a world that to reveal how serious it was. working in law for several apologized, and tried to do can system and a progressive seems increasingly divided Instead, he has used the fact years, he ran for the United better in the future. He also governing agenda make him between authoritarian and that he, with access to the States Senate in 1972, defeat- has significant experience in the clear and crucial choice liberal countries; and roll- world’s best medical care, ing the highly favored Repub- working across the aisle; for over his opponent, who has ing back Obama’s efforts recovered as a reason that lican incumbent to become instance, he averted an eco- demonstrated over his entire to provide a path to citizen- Americans should be cavalier one of the youngest senators nomic crisis in 2013 by ne- career a commitment to the ship for undocumented im- about the disease. in the history of the nation. gotiating a bipartisan tax deal opposite of both. migrants while turning what If Americans re-elect When everything seemed to with Republicans and Mitch was the sometime practice Trump, they will endorse his be going right for Biden, his McConnell. DONALD TRUMP under Obama of separating policy and personality, em- daughter and wife were tragi- If elected, Biden would The political career that families into administration powering an erratic man no cally killed in a car crash, and likely be one of the most brought Trump to where he is policy. As his presidency has longer constrained by offi- his two sons were severely in- liberal presidents ever. He today began during the 2008 progressed, the line between cials around him. Trump will jured. Despite the unimagina- would almost certainly crack presidential election, when he him and his party has increas- continue to appoint conser- ble pain of his losses, Biden down with more coronavirus made his entrance into right- ingly blurred, and this year’s vative judges, roll back envi- still fulfilled, and excelled at, restrictions, likely a federal wing politics as a prominent Republican platform merely ronmental regulation, push his duty as Delaware’s sena- mask mandate, something proponent of the conspiracy endorsed “the President’s for more tax cuts, and resist tor. In order to spend as much that President Trump has theory that Barack Obama, America-first agenda.” efforts to help people hurt time with his sons as possible, mocked. Biden would also the most major Black candi- Perhaps scariest is how he by the coronavirus-induced he commuted to Washington implement a radical climate date for president to date, was has culled violence. His push- recession. He will continue and back to their home in policy and reenter the Paris actually born in Kenya, thus ing of a conspiracy theory from the Oval Office to cheer Wilmington, Delaware daily Climate Accord to help the making him ineligible for the in the lead-up to the 2018 on conspiracy theories, attack via Amtrak train. nation slow the impact of cli- presidency, an idea with no midterm elections that Jew- the media as “the enemy of While in the Senate, Biden mate change. Biden has pro- basis in reality and no purpose ish billionaire George Soros the people,” and insert him- became prominent for his gressive views on other issues but to undermine a prominent was funding a migrant cara- self into every controversy in foreign policy expertise. He as well. He advocates for rais- Black politician’s legitimacy to van in an “invasion” of the the culture war. Trump’s re- championed policies such ing the minimum wage to $15 hold power. Over the next U.S. inspired the deadliest election would be a final repu- as expanding NATO while an hour as a true fighter for eight years, he became known anti-Semitic terrorist attack diation of any expectation of opposing the genocide in the working class—a group as a regular caller-in to Fox in U.S. history, and under his decency from political lead- Darfur, eventually earning that Biden correctly sees as News and for his bombas- administration, hate crimes in ers. Any candidate who lacks himself the chairmanship of including not only White fac- tic and often outright coun- general have soared. After a morality or acts misogynistic the Committee on Foreign tory workers in the Midwest terfactual Twitter account. fervent supporter of his sent can point to the man in the Relations. In addition, he be- but also Black mailroom Then, in 2015, he announced pipe bombs to prominent Oval Office and look saintly came a leader in nuclear arms workers in New York City. He a bid for the Republican pres- politicians and journalists, he by comparison. In other ar- control, heading a committee will increase taxes on the rich, idential nomination with a swiftly condemned the vio- eas, a second term would not in talks over arms limitation but won’t increase taxes for speech in which he infamous- lence—and then immediately only be a continuation but an with Kremlin officials. He households earning less than ly said, “When Mexico sends went back to the rhetoric escalation. Trump is now free had his missteps—most no- $400,000 annually. its people, they’re not sending that had prompted it, send- of members of his own ad- tably, he, along with the vast One Biden stance that the their best … They’re bringing ing a clear message to any ministration who acted as a majority of elected officials, Stuyvesant community may drugs, they’re bringing crime, similarly-minded support- check on his anti-democratic supported the Iraq War—but feel resonates with them most their rapists—and some, I as- ers. He has expressed fervent overreaches or reckless ac- his overall record was long is education: Biden supports sume, are good people.” His support for police brutality in tions. A second term Trump and sturdy. lowering the cost of college, campaign quickly descended dealing with protestors, and administration, therefore, After an unsuccess- ensuring that two years of further when he called for a during the summer sent un- would be filled completely ful presidential bid in 1987, public college are free for ev- “a total and complete shut- marked and militarized fed- with corrupt and under-qual- which he had to drop when eryone, and other initiatives down of Muslims entering eral agents into Portland. Just ified sycophants. In our sys- past incident of plagiarism to ensure that high quality the United States”—a goal he this month, during the first tem, one man has the power surfaced, Biden continued education is accessible to all. would later try to effect—in presidential debate, he was to go to war and to use civi- to serve in the Senate until From his humble roots in December. By March, when asked to condemn the Proud lization ending weapons. Not 2008, when, after another fiz- Scranton to the highest office he was far and away the likeli- Boys, a particularly vicious only is Trump mentally er- zled presidential run, he was in the land, one thing is for est candidate to win the nom- and gleefully violent White ratic and obviously not cogni- selected by Senator Barack certain: Joe Biden will work ination, he had already built supremacist group. Instead, zant of the humbling power Obama as his running mate every day to make life better up a rich record of calling for he told them to “stand back he wields, he will have no one for that year’s election. While for all Americans—not just violence against protestors at and stand by” and said that around him to help check his vice president, Biden cement- the rich and powerful. And his rallies. someone had to deal with the worse tendencies. The second ed his legacy as a foreign pol- he’ll do it all without tear-gas- In the general election, he radical left, implying that they Trump term would be a con- icy virtuoso, implementing a sing a single protestor. Page 16 The Spectator• October 30, 2020 Opinions The Capitalist Case for Eating the Rich By JOSHUA GINDIS last 50 years, can we blame them concentrated in a society has its ting regulations, and allowing the middle class, allow them to thrive. for losing faith in the system that own negative effects. When one rich to remain rich creates jobs The market has lifted millions Jean Jacques Rousseau once refused them the pursuit of hap- has obtained this much money, and stimulates economic growth. upon millions from squalor and said: “When the people shall have piness? Left-wing economic sys- they cannot spend it all. Most However, these policies are im- has proved itself to be our most no more to eat, they will eat the tems, even if ineffective, provide of it ends up invested in forms perfect, and the compulsive ad- effective tool in fighting poverty. rich.” Though this sentiment was the allure of security and equity of capital such as real estate or herence to this framework creates The economic liberalization of popularized during the French that is so sorely lacking in our so- stocks, not circulating through a myriad of negative externalities. China turned a destitute com- Revolution, Rousseau’s words live ciety today. the local economy and enriching For example, fans of supply- munist country into one of the on today. People are out in the Wealth inequality is inevitable only its owner. While this capital side economics support low taxes largest and fastest growing econ- streets chanting “Eat the Rich!” in any free society and often oc- could stimulate some growth, the because the more money individ- omies on the face of the Earth. and I’m starting to worry they’re curs in a pattern known as the investment tends to go to larger uals have in their bank accounts, However, a surge in inequality ac- not kidding. “Eat the Rich” has Pareto Distribution, where the corporations and in many cases the more they can invest in their companied this economic boom. come to be a mantra of leftists square root of the number of in- moves offshore. Additionally, business, which in turn creates This disparity is acceptable so upset by socio-economic inequity, dividuals in a system are respon- extreme wealth inequality con- jobs and gives back to the commu- long as it remains under control, with the implication of a coming sible for half of the productivity centrates political influence in the nity in a far more efficient manner lest it tear the social fabric apart. revolution. Ominously, income of that system, or 20 percent of hands of the few, silencing the than any government spending Total income equality, or even any inequality is more prevalent in these individuals are responsible voices of those who need repre- ever could. However, the wealthy semblance of it, shouldn’t be any- modern America than it ever was for 80 percent of the system’s sentation most. An individual can are the most capable of creating one’s goal, as it is unworkable and in pre-Revolutionary France. productivity. This distribution is amass such an immense amount jobs, and so this idea taken to its leads to countless other negative Fiscal conservatives and one of the primary reasons why of wealth that they can exert sub- logical extreme calls for the rich consequences. Rather, a stable boomer-types have long written communism fails wherever it is stantial control over the govern- to keep as much of their money and prosperous nation must en- off such complaints as the ravings tried: people are different and ment without ever having been as possible. This provides the ide- sure high levels of social mobility. of uneducated children. “Just wait have varying capabilities, thereby voted into office, becoming a ological backing for the immense Supply-side economics create the until they get to the real world,” producing different outcomes. threat to the representative gov- corporate bailouts and tax breaks vibrant economy necessary for they’ve said. “Then they’ll see.” However, American wealth in- ernment itself. for the rich for which the govern- such a society to exist, but they However, they did go out into the equality has long since exceeded Our economy, our govern- ment has become notorious. fail to address existing income real world, and they did not see. the Pareto Distribution: in 2016, ment, and our society are deeply The obvious solution to all of disparities, often perpetuating dif- Young people understand the per- 77 percent of the country’s wealth diseased, and most conservatives these issues is a wealth tax, which ferences in wealth and leaving be- nicious effects that come with ex- was held by the top 10 percent don’t want to admit it. American would increase taxes on those that hind those who are less fortunate. cessive wealth inequality, a reality alone. capitalists have fallen victim to make more than a certain amount We have to be willing to sacrifice that conservatives have for years The widening gap between the same trap as their left-wing of money. Libertarians will tell some of our tax dollars to ensure ignored. If we continue to ignore the rich and the poor has had and counterparts: they have become you that wealth taxes drive the that every member of society is these issues, they will only grow continues to have adverse soci- too ideologically possessed to wealthy from their homes, doing provided for and that they are worse, and those who defend the etal impacts. For example, sim- recognize the shortcomings of little but lessening the nation’s tax capable of making their way up excesses of capitalism will be to ple poverty can cause property their economic ideals, the symp- base. However, this is partially the ladder of success. After all, if blame for whatever ensues. crimes and theft. However, rela- toms of which are abundantly untrue. The wealthy are very of- one is in dire need of welfare or I cannot say that the rise in tive poverty, not absolute poverty, evident. Just as leftists are quick ten willing to tolerate higher taxes healthcare, one cannot reasonably support for socialism and com- can also be responsible for a great to scapegoat the wealthy for all of in exchange for higher quality of have an equal chance of succeed- munism, both of which I hold to bulk of violent crime. Disparities their problems, rightwingers cope life or simply to avoid the dif- ing in society as someone who be deeply evil ideologies, is un- in income among neighborhoods with the unfortunate reality of the ficulties of moving. Many states, already had access to them. If warranted or undeserved. When create food deserts, which them- modern American economy by such as Florida or Texas, have no we wish to call ourselves a meri- young people whose parents or selves create disparities in health blaming everything on high taxes. income tax, instead having higher tocracy, we must provide at least grandparents grew up in the most which correlate with income, ex- Supply-side economics is funda- consumption and property taxes. the most basic of social services prosperous and vibrant economy emplified by obesity rates among mentally sound, and its philoso- These systems indirectly target to ensure that everyone has a shot in recorded history are subjected different socio-economic groups. phy is one we should carry with us those who are wealthier, and by at achieving the American Dream. to the relative stagnation of the On the flip side, the wealth highly to the future. Lowering taxes, cut- lessening taxes on the poor and Please Talk to Strangers By ELENA HLAMENKO observation was heightened by the ments a conversation he has with up staircases without exchang- that: a sea of strangers. As I sulk diminishing cultural scene, which strangers each day. Though quit- ing more than a strained smile in my COVID-19 loneliness, Despite my hectic schedule as was being drowned out and trad- ting your job in favor of pursuing or a superficial greeting with our I’m haunted by one thought ev- a senior in the midst of college ap- ed for government buildings, law social connection may sound ex- friends, who have also prioritized ery day: I’ll form new memories plications, I do my best to main- firms, and other establishments treme, Harris’s decision is remark- their next class, task, and personal with my friends, and I’ll maintain tain some of the habits I’ve picked with a suit-and-tie uniform. Har- able and one that we should fol- agenda. Instead of being carbon online communication with my up over the past few months dur- ris describes how one evening, as low to a scaled-down extent. copies of suit-and-tie working favorite teachers, but I will never ing quarantine: reading the New he stood in a grocery aisle with his As I listened to Harris’s de- professionals, we are similarly form new relationships or learn York Times morning briefing, head buried in his phone and his spair over the obsession everyone sleep-deprived, academically-driv- the stories of the people who have dabbling in podcasts, and watch- walked the same hallways as me ing an occasional TED Talk. On for three years. one Sunday afternoon, as I did I’ve realized this too late, and my best to “relax” and distract my if it weren’t for quarantine loneli- mind from upcoming deadlines, I ness, perhaps I wouldn’t have rec- stumbled upon a particularly in- ognized this phenomenon within teresting TED Talk that described Stuyvesant in the first place. And much of what I was feeling as a while it’s easy to blame others for teenager stuck in the confines of the lack of widespread commu- remote learning. nity and interconnection, I too That feeling was solitude. De- am at fault. I didn’t follow up on spite doing my best to maintain the budding semester-long friend- communication with my friends ships I formed in classes or ask the over late-night FaceTime calls and students who had sat next to me socially-distanced hangouts, my for entire school years about what daily routine easily became gruel- their weekend plans were. Asking ing. I spend six hours a day behind standard questions and truly car- my computer attending online ing about the people on the fringe of your life shouldn’t be such a

school, breaking only for lunch, Spectator Liu / The Angel then spending the rest of the eve- rarity. If everyone makes the first ning doing homework, college step, I’m sure that Stuyvesant can applications, and the occasional look radically different in only a aforementioned call. I’m not com- few months. plaining: everyone has it tough, As I anticipate the end of col- stuck in unideal work environ- lege application season, the “sec- ments produced by a global pan- ond term senior” status, and the demic. But after romanticizing my college chapter of my life, I know senior year of high school for most hand feeling overpriced produce, has with their own problems and en students who seldom pierce that this behavior toward others of my childhood, weeks without he looked up and saw dozens of the personal bubbles we live in, their personal bubbles. is what I want to change. I think face-to-face interaction wasn’t ex- versions of him doing the same I thought of Stuyvesant. With a That’s not necessarily all bad. back to Harris and how much actly what I had expected. thing—all wearing suits, all in student population of over 3,000, The drive of Stuyvesant students more meaningful his life has be- In the TED Talk filmed dur- their bubbles without ever striking we aren’t as large as D.C. or any is remarkable, and I will never come when he stopped to learn ing pre-COVID times, this phe- a conversation with each other. sizable city, and yet we experi- stop bragging about the incredible others’ stories and maintained nomenon is described in a slightly This feeling of resembling ev- ence the same problems Harris people I’ve met at this school. But connections beyond typical work different manner: sure, people ery other worker—of merely be- describes. I once joked that I only in that process, we too have lost friendships. To get to that point, may experience face-to-face in- ing a single, disposable employee know a sliver of the 900 students the spirit and soul a school should I’ve realized that it’s as simple as teraction under normal circum- in an endless sea of cubicles—is in my grade without thinking have. We have lost the connec- asking the neighbors you run into stances, but the solitude associated a dystopian image of capitalist much of it. But everyone was in a tion to each other, using stereo- every morning how they’re doing with a lack of human connection America. But for Harris, this mo- similar position, sticking to their types of “nerdy STEM students” or asking your classmates about remains. The speaker, Danny Har- ment was less a moment of despair confined circle of friends and fa- and “the quiet kids” as excuses to their lunch plans. It doesn’t matter ris, recalls how he worked a “stan- and more of a spark of inspiration. miliar faces in the classroom. All avoid starting conversations with if these conversation starters get dard job, in a standard city”— just Feeling helpless and utterly dis- of us chase after a GPA, a number strangers. brushed off. People crave human another man in a suit among a sea connected from the world around of Advanced Placement classes, I’ve been at Stuyvesant for connection—it’s in our DNA— of similarly-clad working profes- him, he quit his job and began a and an extracurricular that takes more than three years, and yet and I vow to begin taking the first sionals. In Washington, D.C., this project through which he docu- one hour of sleep away. We sprint the majority of my grade is just step. The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 17 Science

SCIENCEBEAT The Exercise Pill NASA’s SOFIA Observa- By SONYA SASSON mice of varying ages and levels mystery molecule in the plasma (UCSF), GPLD1 could poten- tory has confirmed that of vitality. In a study featured in of the healthy mice magically tially provide a key to under- there is water spread across Imagine a pill that, when “Science Magazine,” research- rejuvenated the older mice by standing age-related cognitive the soil on the surface of the consumed, mimics the meta- ers took the blood plasma from tricking their brain into thinking declines and neurodegenerative Moon. bolic effects of exercise on the healthy, active mice and injected they had just exercised. disorders, as daily exercise is of- brain: brain tissue receives more it into older, lethargic mice. The These results support a the- ten unavailable to older adults oxygen due to an increased heart results were astounding: the ory endorsed by several scien- due to physical limitations or dis- 1551 million tonnes (8.8%) rate, which then promotes brain older mice showed signs of in- tists regarding the presence of abilities. It was these researchers less carbon dioxide was plasticity (the neurological ability creased brain activity similar to a liver protein in blood plasma at UCSF who believe that the emitted worldwide in the of the brain to change, grow, and the effects present after the ac- called GPLD1. GPLD1 is an en- production of an “exercise pill” first half of 2020 compared adapt). Exercise can even stimu- tive mice did exercise. The mice zyme that targets cells by releas- (including GPLD1 in its con- to the first half of 2019 ow- late the growth and development that received the injection expe- ing proteins on their surface to tents) which imitates the benefits ing to the COVID-19 pan- of new brain cells, which can rienced increased levels of fit- complete biological jobs usually of exercise on the brain will be lead to improvements in mem- ness and memory retention and associated with metabolism. In available for consumption soon. demic. ory and cognitive function. By even new neuronal growth in fact, this liver enzyme circulates In a broader scope, these simply ingesting this intriguing the hippocampus. It in the blood soon after exercise observations of liver-to-brain “exercise pill,” one could cease was almost but lacks prevalence in the blood communication emphasize the The same team that created to engage in physical activity al- as if of inactive elders (older people startling levels of interconnect- the plastic-digesting enzyme together. More importantly, some tend to exercise less frequently edness our organs possess. By PETase has created a “su- however, consolidating the and thus have less GPLD1 circu- attempting to understand the per-enzyme” that can di- brain benefits of exercise into lating in their blood). As a result, various processes GPLD1 un- gest plastic up to six times a drug available to older adults it would make sense that pro- dergoes, a therapeutic break- faster. could play a significant role in teins within the plasma of through is on the horizon. The combating age-related cognitive healthy mice were able to tar- fact that a singular protein pro- declines by protecting the brain get cells in the sedentary mice duced in the liver can generate NASA’s Osiris-REx space- directly through the simulation and mimic the brain benefits astonishing effects on the overall craft landed on the asteroid of daily exercise. of exercise. health of the brain has inspired Bennu and has acquired 60 The contents of such a pill According to another study scientists to search for ways to grams of its rocks and dust were researched thoroughly conducted by the University seamlessly connect the two or- for return to Earth by 2023. during multiple experiments on Yume Igarashi / The Spectator of California—San Francisco gans in future developments. Sweet Dreams The Science of Gossip By OSCAR WANG dreaming tend to be disjointed and vious difference was the magnitude that negative gossip alters the way confusing. of life stress and anxiety. While By JENNA MACKENROTH we see physical features. A team Sleep is every Stuyvesant stu- Dreams distort our sense of more stressed and anxious indi- of scientists brought in a group of dent’s favorite subject: we either reality by presenting us with visual viduals experienced sleep paralysis, Growing up, I was frequently volunteers and had them look at a find joy in having had a good thoughts in an intangible environ- relaxation and calmness were seen reminded that gossip was one of set of individual photographs of night’s rest or compete for the ment. This is further complicated more frequently in lucid dreamers. greatest sleep deficit. But how- by the phenomena of lucid dream- Thus, one important distinc- the greatest social sins. My parents faces. As the volunteers observed ever we choose to sleep, there’s ing and sleep paralysis. Most peo- tion is that while sleep paralysis is warned me against backbiting and each person, the team would at- one thing we all have in common: ple think of lucid dreaming as an the result of poor sleep quality and told me that partaking in the de- tach gossip about each person. dreams. Though the act of dream- unconscious state in which one is improper stress management, lucid vious deed would eventually catch For example, one volunteer would ing may seem pointless on paper, aware of their dreams and has the dreaming is, surprisingly, the result up to me. The shows I saw on tele- learn that one person threw a chair dreams often reveal specific details ability to freely control the events of mental training and consistent vision were filled with sappy tales at his classmate, while another about one’s habits, both awake and that occur, creating highly realistic daydreaming. This trend is seen in of gossip and ruined friendships, would learn that the person had asleep. For example, one’s experi- fantasies. Meanwhile, sleep paraly- the positive correlation between complete with teary hugs and snif- helped an elderly woman with her ence of recurring dreams or rec- sis is generally perceived as the op- daydreaming and dissociative hal- fles at the end. The moral of the groceries. ollection of a recent dream may posite: an experience that occurs lucinations. While one may expect story was always the same: gossip After this, the team observed reveal specifics about their current while sleeping or waking during these phenomena to represent two hurts the people around you, and how each volunteer’s brain re- thoughts and emotions. Some even which individuals are unable to sides of the same coin, their main your safest option is to avoid it at sponded to seeing the faces of the relate their unusual dream experi- move their body and sometimes underlying causes are unrelated. all costs. Yet, despite the best ef- people they had gossiped about. ences to superstitions. While ev- perceive vividly terrifying halluci- Therefore, this distinction also forts of both my parents and the They did so by showing unrelated eryone’s able to recall a few dreams nations. According to a study from proves that it is possible to expe- television shows, I still found my- images to the left and right eyes of they’ve had, fewer people experi- the International Journal of Ap- rience both events in one night; self continuing to sneak a little each volunteer. For instance, one ence either of two sleep phenom- plied and Basic Medical Research, the increased imaginative capacity whisper about some social situa- volunteer would look at a photo ena known as lucid dreaming and only eight percent of people suf- stemming from lucid dreaming can tion or another. It led me to won- of flowers with his right eye while sleep paralysis. fer from sleep paralysis. Another cause more terrifying hallucina- der why gossip is so irresistibly looking at individual photographs To begin to understand the study showed that more than 50 tions during sleep paralysis. commonplace if it’s so bad. of the faces with his left eye. This neurology behind lucid dreaming percent of people experience lucid While lucid dreaming rarely By definition, gossip is the act caused what is known as binocu- and sleep paralysis, one must first dreaming at least once in their life. leads to dangerous side effects, ex- of spreading information with de- lar rivalry, a visual phenomenon understand the scientific definition Yet, these distinct events still share periencing frequent sleep paralysis tails that are not necessarily true. caused by our brain’s inability to of a dream. A generally accepted similarities in terms of the neuro- is a sign of underlying sleep issues. When anyone mentions the word focus on two images at the same denotation is that dreams encapsu- logical factors behind them. Though sleep paralysis is fairly easy “gossip,” a clear image comes time. The researchers found that late all unconscious thoughts, emo- A study published by the Jour- to diagnose and treat, it manifests to mind of dirty secrets being the volunteers focused more on tions, or perceptions. Neurologi- nal of Sleep Research aims to quan- several adverse neurological ef- swapped via whispers and shifty the faces that they had gossiped cally, dreams occur due to sporadic tify the factors linked to both lucid fects, including increased anxiety glances. Though it has maintained about negatively, implying that nerve activity in the brain’s sensory dreaming and sleep paralysis. The and heart complications in severe its salacious reputation, even in- they found them more interest- cortexes. While there are many the- scientists outlined a set of distinc- cases. The risk factors of sleep pa- spiring well-known shows such as ing than those they had gossiped ories explaining the reasons behind tions between the two and tested ralysis are also increased by social “Gossip Girl,” one of the largest about either neutrally or positively. unconscious nerve activity, some for the variables that dictated both distancing and remote learning. misconceptions about gossip is Frank McAndrew, professor leading hypotheses are that dreams events. For example, they noted Studies indicate that prolonged that it is primarily malicious. In of psychology at Knox College, serve as simulations for threaten- that sleep paralysis involves return- exposure to these conditions may fact, a meta-analysis published in said that this study points to gos- ing situations and that they contain ing to full wakefulness, whereas increase stress and worsen one’s “Social Psychological and Person- sip as a means of cultural evolu- memories and sensory information lucid dreaming occurs entirely un- mood, making it more likely for ality Science” showed that most tion: “For years, people like me to dictate one’s mood. According consciously. Another question they sleep paralysis to occur. As an al- gossip is related to neutral topics have been saying that our intense to the founder of psychoanaly- sought to answer was why lucid ternative, one could try document- rather than the expected malicious interest in gossip is not really a sis Sigmund Freud, dreams are a dreaming sometimes led to sleep ing their unconscious experiences ones. Malicious gossip focuses on character flaw,” he said. “It is part reflection of one’s unconscious paralysis in some, but not in oth- to practice mindfulness as a means criticizing people, while neutral of who we are. It is almost a bio- thoughts and desires accumulated ers. The predictors they analyzed of avoiding negative REM experi- gossip focuses on more mundane logical event, and it exists for good while awake. Freud argued that the in their 1928 participants included ences. themes. For example, neutral gos- evolutionary reasons.” content of dreams could be sepa- sleep quality, well-being, waking ex- Understanding the factors be- sip would involve briefly men- Similarly, many psychologists rated into two categories: manifest, periences, and personal beliefs. The hind both lucid dreaming and sleep tioning a coworker’s achievement, and anthropologists argue that which is what an individual remem- researchers hypothesized that per- paralysis gives psychologists a bet- whereas malicious gossip would gossip plays a large role in social bers, and latent, the deeper mean- sonal beliefs in the paranormal and ter understanding of their patients’ involve mentioning the same development. Robin Dunbar, a ing behind the dream. Regardless, conspiracy theories would contrib- experiences by describing them achievement and accrediting it to British anthropologist, supports dreams are the result of combin- ute to subconscious paranoia, lead- beyond the labels of “good” and negative or dishonest behavior. the theory that gossip was an ele- ing memories with erratic thoughts ing to different dream experiences. “bad.” While many psychologists Positive gossip includes congrat- ment of survival in ancient homi- and sensory information. They then compared the results currently practice dream analysis, ulatory themes. Approximately nids. Dunbar argues that gossip Rapid eye movement (REM) of the experimental data with the it is mainly used in psychoanaly- 15 percent of the conversations largely stems from an evolutionary sleep also plays a role in determin- frequency of sleep paralysis and sis. This is partly because dreams analyzed were categorized as ma- need to steer clear of harmful situ- ing the content of one’s dreams. lucid dreaming in the participants. are still heavily under-researched licious gossip, while nine percent ations. By quietly sharing informa- While non-REM dreams are After analyzing their results, the re- due to their intangible nature, leav- of all conversations rang up as tion with one another, early homi- shorter and more cohesive, REM searchers noticed that traits of cu- ing words as their only descrip- positive gossip. The rest was idle nids were able to identify harmful dreams are typically more com- riosity, sensitivity, and daydreaming tors. However, neuroscience has chatter. situations, regardless of whether plex and fragmented. While the had positive correlations with lucid advanced several steps in the past This study might make most they were internal or external. He hippocampus—the site of mem- dreaming frequency. Meanwhile, century, namely with neurotech- of our gossip seem benign and extends this idea to modern-day ory formation learning—and the believers of conspiracy theories nology and understanding the in- useless. However, there is a neuro- socializing, where social groups neocortex—the sensory part of were more likely to experience ner workings of the brain. Perhaps logical reason behind our tendency may spread information that helps the brain—are both highly active sleep paralysis than lucid dreaming. the next treatment for certain neu- to falsely think of gossip as pri- individuals avoid other potentially during REM sleep, they are not in Paranormal beliefs, on the other rological disorders, then, will not marily negative. A 2011 study pub- harmful individuals. communication with each other. hand, were not clear predictors of be a medication but rather an elic- lished in “Science” titled “The Vi- Hence, memories formed while either phenomenon. The most ob- ited dream. sual Impact of Gossip” suggested continued on page 18 Page 18 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Science Craving Halloween Candy? Here’s Why By SHRIYA ANAND that plays a role in how we feel of the aforementioned drugs. you feel sleepy a few minutes af- bars. Protein essentially reverses pleasure. It is also the hormone Of course, the fact that they are ter consuming treats with high the effects sugar has on orexin, With Halloween right around that is related to the addiction even mildly addictive is a sign that amounts of sugar. This feeling energizing you and keeping you the corner, I am sure that we have to opiates, alcohol, nicotine, am- sweets should be consumed in of sleepiness may also be coupled awake. Homemade gummies, gra- already started to crave sweets. phetamines, and cocaine. Unsur- reasonable portions. with a sluggish attitude or mood, nola bars, and healthy trail mixes Some of us may have even dipped prisingly, a Princeton University As much as candies and other and while some believe that it is are also a great option. Sugar-free into the Christmas season, start- study found that rats given a con- sweets give us a temporary boost simply because we are descending candies, such as some mints, are ing each day with hot cocoa and siderable amount of sugar in their in mood, there is no denying that from a high, there may be a big- another great alternative. Howev- ending on a candy cane. What is diet became sugar-dependent and we feel sluggish after ger explanation. Refined sugars er, they should be taken in mod- it that makes us so addicted to showed signs of anxiety when eating too many. This are often linked with depression eration, considering that a popular sweets? The answer is simple: their diets reverted back to nor- is because sugar is also because not only do they fail to sweetener—maltitol—does act as hormones. mal. But do not fear! a sedative whose after- provide the body any nutrients, a laxative. Unfortunately, other You may notice that eating a Dopamine is a effects are consider- but they also consume vitamins non-laxative sweeteners are not bar of chocolate or a bag of Skit- significant part ably stronger than such as vitamin B, the “mood- naturally derived, and the body tles gives you a temporary feel- of the brain’s re- the little “kick” it enhancing” vitamin. has trouble detoxifying itself of ing of happiness. This is because ward system, and initially triggers. Other health issues come with these substances. candy contains a processed sugar even the simple When you not controlling sugar intake, such Regardless, we all deserve to known as sucrose that triggers the acts of eating our intake large as high blood pressure, diabetes, treat ourselves every so often, release of endorphins upon enter- favorite foods or amounts of weight gain, and fatty liver disease. and with Halloween approaching, ing the bloodstream. This boosts listening to music pro- cessed sugar, Considering the time of the year, we have another reason to do so. mood and provides a temporary can cause its release. So your body inhibits it may be hard to control sugar Of course, given all the side ef- chemical “high.” However, the even if you have a sweet the production of orexin, intake, so rather than eliminat- fects and science behind sugar, we arguably more intriguing aspect tooth, an addiction to which is a chemical in ing sugar, try better alternatives. should consume it in moderation of our response to sugar is the re- sugar is nowhere near your brain that stimu- Instead of store-bought candies or opt for healthier alternatives if lease of the hormone dopamine. as severe or lasting lates the feeling of and milk chocolate, opt for dark we have trouble controlling our Dopamine is a neurotransmitter compared to that Sunny Bok / The Spectator being awake. As a result, chocolate or chocolate protein intake. The Science of Gossip continued from page 17 going on with so-and-so? Do we answering “No.” Junior Sajia Athai too far.” ous. Though screenshots seem to like them? Have they done some- provided her opinion on the mat- Similarly, junior Sasha Socolow offer a sense of veracity in uncer- Dunbar is also one of the larg- thing wrong and should we ex- ter: “There have been many in- said, “A lot of times my words tain situations, they can easily be est proponents of the theory that clude them now? stances where gossip has helped were misinterpreted, or sometimes faked and used to spread misinfor- gossip serves as a form of cultural Such cultural questions are me avoid detrimental situations. I I said hurtful things without real- mation. learning, or the way a culture or easily answered as the information wish I could stay away from gos- izing what I was even doing.” Humans are ever-evolving, in- group of animals learns and pass- moves along the social conveyor sip, but […] things about people Perhaps the wariness of gos- cluding our methods of commu- es on information. He argues that belt. As judgments of behavioral [often] get revealed that help me sip emerges as a result of a col- nication and societal building. De- gossiping facilitates the spread of values spread through the social understand their true colors.” lective digital presence. In the age spite its adaptation to the presence information within a large social group, sets of shared values begin Similarly, some students re- of technology, gossip takes on a of technology, the use of gossip network. As the information is to form. Through gossip, the defi- ported the idea that though gossip new degree of severity. Instead of as a means of creating strong so- spread around the social network, nition of what is deemed morally had potentially shielded them from being passed around in the form cial bonds is unlikely to fall out of so are the shared reactions and acceptable by the group becomes harmful situations, they were try- of difficult-to-pinpoint rumors, fashion. Regardless of the way so- opinions regarding it. Consequent- clearer, consequently leading to ing to dissociate themselves from information now spreads through ciety views it, gossip is responsible ly, individuals who participate in the development of a distinct cul- it to avoid the toxicity that came screenshots and videos. The large and necessary for the evolution of gossip implicitly learn which cus- ture characterized by a unique set with the constant conversation. number of apps dedicated to so- our cultures and social values and toms and behaviors are deemed of values and customs. Sophomore Elizabeth Black cial networking and communi- patterns. So the next time your acceptable, thus contributing to Gossip is present at Stuyves- said, “When it’s the second type cation also means that formerly parents jab at you for casually gos- their personal social development. ant, just as it is in most high of gossip—the bullying type—it’s private details can easily reach un- siping with your friends, simply tell When more specific information schools. A poll asking students if not fun to be the person it’s about. known and sometimes unwanted them that you’re practicing cultural on particular members of social they gossiped about anything re- And even if it wasn’t your inten- audiences. By making gossip more learning, evolution, and building groups is passed around, it allows ceived 126 responses: 62 percent tion, things you say about other accessible, technology has also stronger social bonds with those judgments to take place. What is answering “Yes” and 38 percent people can get twisted and taken caused it to become more danger- around you. You Said You Saw It Coming, So Why Did You Get Scared? By HENRY CEN acts to fear and whether or not it well-tested classics that you may tal Health, “If a startle-eliciting building the desired atmosphere. and RIONA ANVEKAR is enjoyable. According to clini- be familiar with, while others are stimulus comes, then the startle Infrasounds are soundwaves at 19 cal psychologist Kenneth Carter, less apparent and may cause you to will be much larger than in a non- hertz or lower. Being at such a low As spooky season approaches, people who thrive in scary situ- rethink your film-watching experi- anxious state.” Anticipation wors- frequency, they cannot be heard people find themselves searching ations have a specific sensation- ence. ens the response because it pre- by human ears. Amazingly, how- for fright at every corner, wheth- seeking personality trait. Originally The first technique that -cine activates the amygdala, the part ever, they can be felt by the body. er it be through a haunted house, described by Martin Zuckerman matographers use is likely the most of the brain that deals with fear Cinematographers use this strange creepy costumes, or best of all, in the 1970s, this sensation-seek- know—the jumpscare. The defin- and anxiety. The amygdala is also phenomenon to create sensations horror movies. All of these en- ing personality trait is defined by ing characteristic of a jumpscare part of the startle neural pathway, of oscillation, shivering, and prick- hance the anticipation and excite- four components: the need for is the jolting of the audience. The which means when the jumpscare ling that greatly heighten the atmo- ment building up to Halloween, an external stimulus, a propen- sudden stimulus causes a break in happens, the response is exacer- sphere. “Paranormal Activity” is a giving them a thrill that chills them sity for spontaneity, the wish to the tension, creating a sharp spike bated. So while you can’t do much well-known example that made use to the bone. However, people usu- be exposed to new things, and the in adrenaline that gets blood pump- to avoid screaming at a jumpscare, of infrasounds. ally don’t question why they enjoy pursuit of exciting and risky physi- ing. However, the mere scare fac- you can reduce the response by re- Cinematographers also love that sense of fear. Why would hu- cal activities. To identify this trait, tor is no longer enough to satisfy laxing and accepting the scares. using mirrors and reflections. They mans enjoy watching horror mov- psychologists asked participants a currently desensitized population A technique that may not be as are often used as a tool for depict- ies when the purpose to induce to rate how excited they would be that is usually anticipat- well known but is in almost every ing the distortion of reality in the fear is seemingly counterintuitive to try a new activity on a scale of ing a jumpscare. horror movie is underexposure. By film, whether it be by emphasiz- to the human instinct of survival? 1-5. Those with higher scores usu- Masterful either reducing or strengthening a ing the dual nature of its villain What distinguishes the feelings ally have lower levels of adrena- camera’s exposure, shad- through reflections or using cracks of watching a horror movie from line and cortisol and have higher ows are accentuated, in glass to incite dread. Mirrors can being in actual danger is the reac- levels of dopamine. Both adrena- creating an ominous also be used as a jumpscare catalyst tion of the frontal lobe. In the case line and cortisol are hormones atmosphere that plays by frightening those who are over- of watching a horror movie, the released to prepare the body for with the audience’s fo- ly attentive to details. If you want brain has enough time to classify fight or flight mode, typically cus. Cinematographers to avoid the screams, don’t look at the scenario as a fake threat not en- resulting in increased heart can use underexposure the mirrors. dangering the body. On the other rate and blood pressure, to create darkness in The culture of horror movies hand, when we feel fear, the sym- expanded air passages the parts of the frame is hard to understand. It seems al- pathetic nervous system engages in the lungs, increased that they want hidden most paradoxical to enjoy fear. But and prepares the body for potential levels of blood sugar, cinematog- from the audience. This the hype and following of horror danger instead of the parasympa- and enlarged pupils. On raphers take can serve to frighten the audience come from its ability to take its thetic nervous system, which re- the other hand, dopa- advantage of by allowing another element to audience into a realm of reality stores the body to a calmer state. mine is released when this by creat- emerge from the darkness or build that reawakens the primal human In the context of a horror movie, a the brain expects a re- ing a “release” tension by teasing the possibility senses by triggering the audience’s jumpscare triggers the sympathetic ward, and it contributes right before the of it. The tip here is to focus on fight or flight mode and setting nervous system, which releases to feelings of happiness anticipated scare. the positive space, the part of the their bodies on the edge of ter- various neurotransmitters and hor- and motivation. So when This could be the frame that you can see. ror; the body is also able to release mones intended to put the body in people with the sensation- Fariha Mabud / The Spectator protagonist turning A lesser-known technique is hormones that allow them to enjoy fight or flight mode, but the frontal seeking trait are put in scary the corner to find the use of nonlinear sound and the fear. Cinematographers have to lobe calms the body down enough situations, they are naturally more no one or discovering the source infrasounds. Sound plays a large continually improve and sharpen for the feeling to then become en- prone to experiencing more plea- of an ominous growl to be a mere role in the horror experience but their technique in order to satisfy joyable. These hormones include sure and less stress. cat. As soon as the audience lets is rarely credited. Nonlinear, or this demand, which has led to the endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, Well, what if you aren’t one of down its guard and sighs in re- distressing, sounds can greatly add current complexity of horror: us- and oxytocin, putting people in those people? How can you avoid lief, the cinematographer initiates to a movie’s atmosphere. High- ing classic techniques that will al- a state similar to that of a high shrieking like a banshee in front the jumpscare, causing the audi- pitched squeals often build ten- ways work, playing off of these arousal state. Essentially, the fron- of your friends? It may help to ence to respond more intensely sion by inciting chaos. Visceral classics by subverting them, or tal lobe allows the body to live on know the sneaky and clever tricks than usual. According to Christian sounds like growls and groans even innovating new techniques. the edge of true fear. cinematographers use to ensure Grillon Ph.D., a psychophysiolo- add to feelings of dread. Even si- The horror genre has and follows Still, one’s personality also has the most enjoyable and frighten- gist who studies fear and anxiety lence, the absence of sound, in a no rules, which means its potential a heavy impact on how one re- ing horror experience. Some are at the National Institute of Men- tense environment is effective in is boundless. The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 19 Arts and Entertainment The Finale of American Culture Playlist Exceptionalism? By CHRISTINA PAN of underlying similarities; ex- as an ideal country—one that cel- 2010; the rest are Mexican, Tai- Subtly ceptionalism requires something ebrated equality, justice, and de- wanese, and European. Five years ago, American more. Exceptionalism is the be- mocracy. American influence on the pop culture experienced a series lief that America is predestined In recent years, however, small screen is also slowly yet Spooky of events that prompted a ma- to follow a path that is funda- American culture has been de- steadily dwindling. Had it been jor cultural reset. “Fifty Shades mentally different from that of fined by works that directly cri- decades earlier, an American net- By THE ARTS & of Gray” had just been released, other countries. If two roads di- tique it. From horror films like work might have bought the rights ENTERTAINMENT fulfilling Wattpad fantasies across verged in a yellow wood, America “Get Out” to repurpose hit TV shows like DEPARTMENT the internet; “Hamilton” took wouldn’t just take the one less (2017) “Money Heist” (2017-present), center stage, stirring a sudden in- traveled by—it would step out- t o which is in Spanish, or “Dark” We’ve all heard Halloween terest in the personal history of side the very road itself and into (2017-2020), which is in German classics like “Thriller” and “Mon- the Founding Fathers; Adele said a seemingly superior moral and with English-speaking actors, but ster Mash” throughout the years, “Hello,” and 12.3 million people cultural state, free from the ails streaming sites have already pro- and it’s difficult not to wonder: found that interesting. of another world’s problems. It vided a platform for the original could there be more? Yet the defining moment of is the exception. version. Even American stories For the A&E department, the the year—and perhaps of the de- This idea of America’s aren’t a retelling of its current answer is an enthusiastic “yes,” cade—was June 16, 2015, when cultural exceptionalism comes climate—the majority of stories as we’ve compiled a list of some President Donald J. Trump of- primarily from the mid-20th cen- in film or TV nowadays are set more subtle Halloween titles that ficially announced his presiden- tury. Against the backdrop of the in fantasy worlds like “Game of should still set the mood for a tial bid with a campaign rally and Cold War, Americans sought to Thrones” (2011-2019) or are nos- spooky night. speech at Trump Tower. At the build a peaceful and prosperous talgia trips like “Stranger Things” conclusion of the speech, Trump image following the instability (2016-present). famously declared, “The Ameri- and deprivation of World War In early September, Christo- Hellboy can dream is dead.” II and the Great Depres- pher Nolan’s “Tenet” opened in Lil Peep And that is one promise ful- sion. This came with the 41 countries, but America was not Emo Rap filled. Fast forward to 2020, development of Ameri- one of them—cinemas remain amidst an out-of-control pan- can soft power—the at- closed in most regions, including demic, today’s America is in a tractiveness of a coun- the key markets in New York and state of economic decline, racial try’s culture or domestic California. Even more humbling, Heads Will Roll animosity, and rampant inequality. values—to strengthen its Daniel Berlinsky / The Spectator perhaps, was that “Tenet” was not Yeah Yeah Yeahs The most memorable moments international moral and cultural Childish Gambino’s “This is the highest-grossing movie of the Art Punk of 2020 won’t be coming from a appeal as a superior alternative to America” (2018) to dystopian weekend; it was “The Eight Hun- film, song, or play—it’ll be from Soviet authoritarianism. films like “Joker” (2019), genuine dred,” a lavish Chinese action-war the very leaders that run the show. America’s determination to showcases of the American glory film. bury a friend The current administration’s redefine its culture led to the ages are far and few between. As the rest of the world re- Billie Eilish shoddy handling of the coronavi- emergence of its film and mu- This cultural shift is reflected opens, America is faced with an Pop rus can be seen as the last nail in sic industries on an international on the international stage. In the out-of control pandemic and a the coffin of the ever decreasing scale. Film and television present- faraway days of early 2020, “Para- polarized political climate. Gone state of America’s perceived cul- ed an idealized image of Ameri- site” (2019), directed by Bong are the days of desirable Ameri- tural dominance. It has essentially, can family life: happy housewives, Joon-ho, earned the Oscar for canization—even internally, La Grippe in other words, reduced the illu- hard-working fathers, and play- Best Picture—the first non-Eng- American culture seems to pro- Squirrel Nut Zippers sion of American exceptionalism fully mischievous children. Rock lish film to do so. Even before test against its status quo. Swing to shreds. and roll music, with stars like El- “Parasite,” however, the Oscars Our culture is a reflection of The ideology of American vis and David Bowie, celebrated have been dominated by interna- the current state of the world. exceptionalism doesn’t just mean young love and freedom from tional faces. Only one American It’s something interesting to think Enter Sandman that the U.S. is “unique.” Coun- the oppression of middle-class director, Damien Chazelle for about the next time you watch, Metallica tries, just like people, could all be society. This combination of “La La Land” (2016), has won listen, or spectate; times are Heavy Metal classified as “unique,” regardless post-war media painted America the Oscar for Best Director since changing.

BLACK BALLOONS | 13LACK 13ALLOONZ The Bittersweet Universe of Denzel Curry ft. Goldlink Music and Twelve’len Joji’s “Nectar” Experimental Hip-hop By ANSON GUAN and felt throughout the album, both not on the production, but rather makes on “Nectar,” exploring MORRIS RASKIN through the lyrics and stripped- the occasionally repetitive nature new sounds and refining old ones, Medicine Man back instrumentation. Joji’s voice of the album as a whole. it’s difficult for him to keep all 53 Dorothy A man runs along the path has never been a powerful force in “Run” is one of many stand- minutes interesting, with multiple Modern Rock to the rocketship, his crewmates its own right, but it carries a cer- out tracks on “Nectar,” as Joji tries times in the tracklist when he falls pleading with him behind a locked tain solemnity that the artist has to expand beyond the mellow lo- back on amateur lo-fi trappings. fence to come back. Mission con- been able to capitalize on through- fi sound he carved out in “BAL- Tracks like “Upgrade,” “Nitrous,” trol is falling apart as the lone out his discography. This, typically LADS 1” (2018). There’s “Sanc- and “Normal People” add little Tokyo Drifting traveler boards the rocket, sets his paired with bare-bones percussion tuary,” a dreamy pop anthem in to the overall experience of the Glass Animals / Denzel Curry course, and blasts off into space and plucky keys, establishes an which Joji sounds si- album and bring nothing new Hip-hop / Rock with a middle finger to Earth and ethereal feel from the get-go and multaneously bored to the table for Joji. The most little plan but to escape. That trav- creates a sullen consistency within of the universe yet disappointing example of this eler is Joji, the infamous Internet each track. obsessed with love. may be “Reanimator,” which, Funhouse humor pioneer rocketing off to Production is a reliable strong There’s the moody despite featuring experi- P!nk new artistic territory as a pop- suit on “Nectar” and ties the al- and atmo- mental rock artist Pop Rock star. Traversing countless eras, bum together with clicking per- spheric Yves Tumor, barely personas, and mediums, singer- cussion, drowned strings, and the “MO- feels like it has any producer George Kusunoki Miller classic Joji synth pad. The instru- DUS,” purpose or artis- (Joji) has faced an ever-present mentation is as lush as ever and which tic direction. With Hurt uphill battle as he navigates his brings the project to life, elevat- builds to its longer runtime, Johnny Cash way deeper into the 21st century ing Joji’s imperfect voice and add- an angelic “Nectar,” more than Classic Country zeitgeist, and his latest project ing a certain depth and richness yet somber any other Joji project, “Nectar” only serves to solidify throughout. A notable example crescendo demonstrates that lyr- his place in the spotlight. of the additive value of good pro- and the trap- Cecilia Chen / The Spectator ics are not his strong suit. Season Of The Witch This effort (being his third duction on “Nectar” can be found infused “Mr. Hollywood,” in There’s only so many times Lana Del Rey studio album in just three years) is in “Run,” a pre-album single that which dense bass highlights Joji’s that Joji can sing about lost love Pop another slap in the face to those received widespread critical ac- beautiful vocal melodies. While and the emptiness of Holly- who attempt to size the artist up claim. From the first plucked note “Pretty Boy” is rough around wood life in the same way before too quickly, as Joji once again in the song, Joji’s brooding vision the edges, its catchy flow, grind- it becomes meaningless. Pitchfork Kids proves he can’t be held down. On of love gone wrong comes to ing bass grooves, and surprisingly Despite the album’s shortcom- “Nectar,” Joji sounds freer than life, building with the addition of good Lil Yachty feature make it ings, it’s undeniable that “Nectar” AJR ever, gliding his way through 18 simple bass notes and a staccato one of the most unique offerings is an improvement on all fronts Pop tracks with his classically smooth drum kit and culminating in a ca- on the tracklist. “777” is a bouncy for Joji. His production is stron- delivery and diving drones, deliv- thartic peak post-chorus. “So I’ll video-game-sounding banger un- ger; his vocals are clearer; and his ering a project that couldn’t feel just run,” Joji sings, holding that derlying melancholic lyrics, and songs have more variety than ever Alone Again more “Joji” if it tried, despite last word in a multi-part harmony, “Daylight” is a warm yet melan- before. It sounds like the culmina- The Weeknd pushing the artist’s boundaries in with layers upon layers of droning choly collaboration with Diplo. tion of years of work and shows R&B Pop several areas. guitars, pulsating bass, and pound- The album ends with a one-two infinite potential for the rising On the album’s first track, ing drums to hammer home the combo: the sentimental balladry star. Five years ago, nobody would “Ew,” Joji sets the tone for the climax. It’s a dark, slow-burning of “Like You Do” followed by have believed that the comedy CUT EM IN project, drawing the listener in ballad with some of Joji’s best vo- “Your Man,” an invigorating elec- YouTuber screaming in a pink Anderson .Paak ft. Rick Ross with soft keys and a simple melo- cal performances and production, tropop finale that feels like the sun morphsuit would become one of R&B / Hip-hop dy line describing the singer’s de- unlike anything he’s made before. breaking through the clouds after the most promising artists in pop, sire for longevity in a relationship. Even on tracks that otherwise feel a long, raging thunderstorm. but the time is now, and Joji is def- This feeling of longing is sorely like time-filler, the blame is usually Despite the artistic strides Joji initely someone to watch. Page 20 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Arts and Entertainment Music “Firework” Beats “Feuerwerk”? By ZOE BUFF for my fellow classmates to fill the singer’s voice, or at least not strongly believe that the English their perspectives on pop music. out. Most responses came with as drastically as many American language simply sounds more nat- Some believe that most people Ever heard of Annemarie Ei- high praise of the former and pop songs do. There are many ural when matched to the melody only listen to it to follow a trend lfeld? Nina Hagen? “LICHT” by criticism of the latter. The general German pop songs that sound as of a pop song. In response to the because they view it as a staple of Nena? Probably not. How about consensus was that American pop if they’ve barely been produced survey, one student wrote that modern day culture. Some criti- Shawn Mendes? Miley Cyrus? songs were simply more pleasant at all due to the dominance of American pop music sounded cize American pop songs for their “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga to listen to because the lyrics usu- instrumental accompaniment in more “fluid” in terms of rhythm, lack of artistic authenticity, insist- and Ariana Grande? That’s more ally make more the mix. On the other hand, lyrics, and melodies. ing that they are simply cheap like it. On average, over 65 per- sense and fit there are certain Ger- Another student pointed out crowd-pleasers. After examining cent of all songs on the German the musical man pop stars, includ- that American pop is marketed on responses from both American charts are by American pop art- style better. ing Stuyvesant legend a larger scale than German pop. and German teenagers, it seems ists. Given the wide influence of So what Wincent Weiss, who That would explain why my fellow it is the latter who hold American American pop music in foreign is the Ger- create their tracks to classmates were familiar with ev- pop music in higher esteem. countries, it doesn’t come as much man musical mirror the style of ery single pop star I listed on the As of 2019, the American of a surprise that most Germans style exactly? American pop. Even survey, while none of my friends pop industry is the biggest mu- would recognize American artists Most modern then, however, there back home in New York knew any sic industry in the world, and for Jenny Chen / The Spectator more often than German ones. American pop is little music production of the German pop stars I intro- good reason. Songs by American I recently began attending a songs are catchy and done on the actual vocals of duced to them. When asked about pop artists have stretched to the boarding school in Munich, Ger- repetitive, often ac- the singers. favorite pop artists and tracks, farthest corners of the world—I many. Almost every single store companied by digitally Back to the lyrics though: it’s the German teenagers listed only must have heard “cardigan” by I’ve walked into blasts American enhanced instrumentals not news that the German lan- American singers and songs. It’s Taylor Swift at least 20 times dur- pop music over the speakers. One and synthesizers. Mu- guage is less pleasant to speak quite evident that American pop ing my brief trip to Taiwan—and would think that Germans might sic production plays a big and listen to than English. Due music has had quite an influence have dominated music markets find comfort in songs in their role in the development of to the raspy consonants and on young people in Germany, hav- in foreign countries. But who native language, but during my all American pop music nowa- additional vowels required, Ger- ing taken over almost every stereo knows? Maybe German pop art- time here, I’ve generally discov- days. German pop often sounds man lyrics are often complicated in the nation. While it seems to ists like Wincent Weiss will mar- ered the opposite. Curious about sonically similar to American pop mouthfuls with strange phrases be widely appreciated in a foreign ket their tracks more extensively, how German teenagers perceived songs, but even then there is a that sometimes don’t make much country, the opinion differs a little and soon we’ll be seeing songs American pop in comparison to striking difference. Most Ger- sense. Many Germans I’ve spo- across the Atlantic. like “Feuerwerk” at the top of our German pop, I created a survey man pop songs don’t digitalize ken to, both teenagers and adults, Americans often disagree on charts instead of “Firework.” Are Things Better the Second Time Around? Music Take a Listen to Savage Mode II. By DEXTER WELLS forte, he’s fairly capable of writ- the hardships of living in a cruel ment the subtle choral samples to a fairly cohesive listening experi- ing more melodic songs. Nota- and uncaring environment. Track create dense textures. ence, especially with the taste- One of hip-hop’s most notori- bly, “Mr. Right Now” (featuring two, “Runnin,” describes how Of course, one cannot discuss fully interwoven narration in the ous rapper-producer duos is back, Drake) and “Rich [EXPLICIT] Savage keeps his enemies on the this project without discussing interludes. The themes of strug- and rap enthusiasts are buzzing [EXPLICIT]” (featuring Young run and is prepared to take violent the interludes, which feature Hol- gle, gang life, and street etiquette with reactions. Sheyaa Bin Abra- Thug) feel much more lightheart- action against them (perhaps with lywood legend Morgan Freeman. that are so prevalent in previous ham-Joseph, better known as em- ed than other songs on the album his trusty knife). And as the title Freeman is certainly a surprise collaborations are present and cee 21 Savage, and Leland Tyler that mention homicide, as Savage suggests, the song “Glock in My to an unsuspecting listener, but emphasized more meaningfully Wayne, better known as producer lets his vocal chords take some of Lap” is about the violent lifestyle his contributions tie the album throughout this album than ever Metro Boomin, dropped the high- the spotlight. These two tracks, that Savage is familiar with and his together to a greater extent than before. The quality production ly anticipated “Savage Mode II” which are back-to-back on the al- experience with crime and weap- would have likely been otherwise that can be expected of Metro on October 2. The album serves bum, offer a sort of intermission ons. “Glock in my lap,” he raps, possible. On interludes scattered Boomin only enhances the listen- as a follow-up to their 2016 proj- from the expected style of the “Used to rob and trap.” throughout the album, he estab- ing experience. Simultaneously, ect “Savage Mode,” which, more rest of the album. On these, Sav- Moving away from the oft- lishes certain themes that set the there are tracks that explore the than any other album since, es- age raps and sings about enjoying spotlight-stealing rapper, Metro tone for ensuing songs. On “In- boundaries of what styles Sav- tablished 21 Savage as a respected luxury goods and treating women Boomin’s production shines, tro,” for example, he alludes to a age and Boomin can successfully name in the rap world. to the finer things in life. Even a which comes as little surprise to central theme of partnership. His delve into. While “Savage Mode “Savage Mode II” impressive- savage needs days off. Regrettably, anyone familiar with any of his “Snitches & Rats Interlude” ex- II” undeniably demonstrates the ly demonstrates the artistic range though they show off the versatil- other work. He’s widely regarded plains the distinction between the technical ability of the Savage- possessed by the Atlanta duo. ity of the duo, these tracks disrupt as one of the best contempo- disloyalty of a snitch and that of Boomin duo, certain tracks do They manage to pull off songs the essential themes of “Savage rary hip-hop producers and has a rat, which is the focal point of end up feeling a bit out of place. that, stylistically, would have Mode II” and lack the indubitable proved so time and again. The the following track, “Snitches and This album is absolutely worth seemed completely out of char- sense of belonging possessed by beats on “Savage Mode II” are Rats.” Despite being 83 years old, at least one full listen through, acter (especially for 21 Savage) a songs with more grim lyrical con- no exception to his rule. Boomin the Hollywood veteran proves and rap fans will likely add stand- few years ago. Particularly with his tent and the quintessential Boo- has an ear for percussion, melody, that he is hardly out of place on out tracks to their playlists, but 2018 album “I am > I was,” Sav- min trap sound. and instrumentation that is rivaled a modern trap album and conveys it doesn’t qualify as incredibly age began to show that he cannot The album wouldn’t be a by few of his peers. Unexpected the most significant ideas of the groundbreaking. Overall enjoy- be confined to the generalization proper sequel to “Savage Mode” sounds find a home on his beats, project with a dramatic air and able? Yes. Bound to go down as of cold trap beats and hard street if there wasn’t a fair amount of such as the strings on “Glock in timbre that only he can muster. one of the best albums in rap his- lyrics. While that’s certainly his discussion of gang activity and My Lap,” which perfectly comple- “Savage Mode II” feels like tory? Very doubtful. Culture A Cultural Glimpse Into the Spooky Season By AGATHA EDWARDS drinks on them as offerings to the of paper with written riddles onto of the largest parades, with about recent years, costumes have been dead. Bread, salt, and water are the lanterns, and those with cor- 4,000 people walking down the popping up in Italian shops for As one of the most loved always included due to their sym- rect answers receive a small prize. streets dressed up. the holiday, but there is no trick- holidays in the U.S., Halloween bolic meanings; other common or-treating. has been celebrated for years, but foods include tangerines, guava, Japan Italy where did it exactly begin? Though figs, sweet potatoes, and chi- Japan only started celebrat- In Italy, Halloween lasts from Germany its origin isn’t well known, most lacayote (a native squash). They ing Halloween very recently when October 31 to November 2 and The Germans also honor records point to European im- also decorate their homes with Tokyo Disneyland hosted is referred to as All Saints their deceased on All Saints Day. migrants who brought their tradi- sugar skulls made of chocolate, a Halloween event in Day. The Italians have They, however, have their own tions to America. Halloween was seeds, and honey and inscribe the 2000, but their tra- been celebrating traditions on October 31 simi- initially a festival in Europe, but in names of their loved ones within. ditions are simi- their dead on lar to America’s: kids will dress America, the holiday has become lar to the ones these days for up in costumes and go door-to- a community bonding opportu- China in the U.S. The over a millen- door to ask for treats from their nity. Everyone knows what goes China’s Halloween equivalent nation cele- nium. Families neighbors. Families participate down on October 31 here, but is called Teng Chieh, which takes brates the holi- prepare a feast in pumpkin festivals and leave how do other countries celebrate place on the 15th night of the day on October for their loved the pumpkins out on their door- Halloween? Turns out, there are a seventh lunar month of each year. 31, but there ones and create steps. There is also a 1,000-year- variety of unique Halloween cus- Families remember those who are many Hal- bean-shaped old haunted castle called the Burg toms all around the world. passed away by hanging up photo- loween parades cakes called Frankenstein that features actors graphs and placing food and wa- throughout Sep- Beans of the dressed as ghosts and ghouls and Mexico ter in front of their photos. One tember and Octo- Dead. They later is a popular venue for Germans Perhaps the most well known of the most common foods pre- ber. Though there is go to church so and tourists alike. holiday similar to Halloween, El pared is yuanxiao (rice dumplings) no trick-or-treating, that the spirits can Día De Los Muertos (The Day filled with sugar, sesame, bean there is a fun game be left alone with Romania of the Dead) is celebrated on the paste, or dried fruit. Families light where kids collect the feast. It is said Romanians don’t trick-or-treat first two days of November. It’s up bonfires; lanterns shaped like stamps around their that if the families like Americans, but kids do dress a community-centered event in dragons, birds, tigers, and other neighborhood and ex- return home and their up in costumes and celebrate the which families and friends gather holiday with parties and events sacred animals and colorful lights change them for candy. Sophia Li / The Spectator food hasn’t been con- to commemorate the memories float on mini paper boats to help The Japanese also wear sumed, the spirits disap- of lost loved ones. Mexicans build guide the spirits onto the afterlife. elaborate cosplay costumes to prove of their home and will con- continued on page 21 altars, ofrendas, and pile food and Lantern owners also post pieces street parties. Kawasaki hosts one jure evil against them. In more The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 21 Arts and Entertainment Culture A Cultural Glimpse Into the Spooky Season ebrated on November 30, when celebration that occurs in either America’s Halloween tradi- in costumes is the norm, Hallow- continued from page 20 garlic is brought out as a protec- September or October (depend- tions definitely share some simi- een internationally is not defined on October 31. They emphasize tion against ghosts; it isn’t a seri- ing on the calendar). Cambodi- larities with other countries, but by this stereotype, since other na- Dracula and Transylvania (which ous belief, merely a fun, supersti- ans typically bring out traditional some cultures have completely tions have festivals to honor their is actually inspired by Romania), tious tradition. foods like sticky rice and beans different customs. Nonetheless, dead and symbolic traditions that drawing many tourists and Hal- wrapped in banana leaves to Bud- all around the world, different create a nuanced depiction of loween enthusiasts to its grounds. Cambodia dhist temples, where families and places have their own wonderful what Halloween truly is. Regard- Many visitors tour the castle and The people of Cambodia friends gather. Cambodians listen and unique ways of celebrating less of where you live, let’s hope watch plays featuring the vam- honor their dead like many previ- to speeches and songs at a temple Halloween or its cultural equiva- these traditions live on for years pire. There is also another holiday ously mentioned countries. Their while the spirits of their loved lent. Though in many countries to come. called St. Andrew’s Night, cel- festival P’chum Ben is a 15-day ones roam around. trick-or-treating and dressing up The Week in Review: A Selection of Music Album Appraisals By LEVI SIMON ary ethos to be found anywhere. are rarely presented with much second track’s ethereal and sub- what it could be and what Sufjan At worst, it’s a shoddy, overcom- poise or nuance. Listening to dued pads over blocky percussion has accomplished. The advent of COVID-19 has pressed recreation of the many, “Ultra Mono” can feel similar to are a more accurate tone-setter certainly slowed the release of many pop-punk pastiches etched the scene depicted on the album for the rest of the project. Sufjan A$AP Ferg—“Floor Seats II” new music, but the past few weeks into our early 2000s culture. At cover: getting hit over the head. covers a variety of themes over A$AP Ferg has been perpetu- have been surprisingly active. best, it leans into its transpar- Some examples of Talbot not his decaying and dynamic sound- ally disappointing since his bom- Here are some quick reviews of ently fake, uncouth melodrama leaving much up to the imagina- scapes, such as faith and purpose. bastic and towering 2013 project, a few projects that have dropped, for a rush of pure pop adrenaline. tion include, but not limited to: His lyricism is much more per- “Trap Lord.” His forward-think- ranging from utterly forgettable The Halsey collaboration, “forget “Consent, consent, consent, con- sonal, nonspecific, and conversa- ing, Southern-style, grandiose, and to impressively potent. me too,” is a perfect example of sent,” “Our government hates the tional than what Stevens has been religious depictions of drug-deal- such a track, and songs like “con- ing and crime life through a New BLACKPINK—“The Album” cert for aliens” and “jawbreaker” York lens have since dissolved to Korean pop supergroup capture the same meatheaded sterile, forgettable commerciality Blackpink has finally dropped the magic. If the project were con- without much personality or dis- highly-anticipated, sugary sweet sistently open about its derivative tinct flavor. Most hip-hop fans, follow-up to their 2018 debut corniness, I might have enjoyed it however, have remained hope- EP, “Square Up.” “The Album” more than I did, but more often ful, as glimpses of Ferg’s former is a brisk eight tracks totaling 24 than not, it careens toward cheap greatness have shone through on minutes, but each track is chock- trap percussion and 808s à la the singles and album tracks such as full of energy from all four mem- late Lil Peep, which comes off his smash hit, “Plain Jane.” As bers, assisted by their punchy, as far less than self-aware. The for his latest attempt at redemp- driving production. There’s not Travis Barker-aided drumwork, tion, it’s certainly not as soulless much variety between the pop however, is punchy and boister- as 2016’s “ALWAYS STRIVE ragers, but “The Album” gets in ous throughout the record, and AND PROSPER,” but it’s far and out quickly, so it’s not much the guitar riffs are tight, albeit a from “Trap Lord.” Ferg embraces of a detriment to its quality. The bit lifeless. Overall, “Tickets to the rhythms and groove of the trap and EDM tinged production My Downfall” is openly fake and emerging New York drill scene would kill at a party (whenever dumb, but I appreciate it for its to pull together a collection of we get back to having those), and honesty. Listeners might check it textured bangers, but very little the hooks are sticky from front to out if they’re looking for some stands out about the project as a back. pop-punk to turn their brains off whole. The gritty, creeping synths “The Album,” however, isn’t to. (If you’re looking for some ex- that populate “Floor Seats II” are without its flaws. The collabora- cellently written pop-punk, how- par for the course. The only per- tion with Selena Gomez, “Ice ever, check out “Brave Faces, Ev- cussion that sticks out is on the Cream,” comes off as cloying eryone” by Spanish Love Songs, opener, and that’s for the worse— and uncomfortable; the anti-drop one of the best projects of the the lumpy, accented half-groove on the track “Crazy Over You” year.) isn’t flattering at all, and the sound drags all of the momentum of effects in the back of the mix the project’s buildup to a grinding Idles—“Ultra Mono” sound out of place as they fail to halt; and most of all, “Bet You Now for some hardcore punk. add hype to an otherwise down- Wanna” with Cardi B only suc- Frontman Joe Talbot’s electric en- beat track. As for Ferg’s rapping, ceeds in wasting Cardi’s talents ergy surges through Idles’s highly he’s clearly a talented emcee, but with a throwaway verse and some anticipated third project. Packed his lyrics are nothing special, and horrid vocal processing. Despite with toned, noisy riffs and leftist Serena Chan / The Spectator his flow isn’t exciting enough to its shortcomings, “The Album” is politics, “Ultra Mono” is a fo- poor,” and “This means war, anti- known to pen, and his transition carry the relatively brief project. worth looking into if you’re inter- cused blast of an album that is war.” “Ultra Mono” is more than away from his signature lofty There are a few highlights ested in K-pop or in the mood for a must-listen for any punk fan. serviceable for what it is, but it’s character studies can end some- though. “In It” is a slapdash, skel- a simple pop album. But the star of the show is Tal- a step back from Idles’s previous what poorly, exemplified when etal combination of creaking bed bot’s soaring, animated delivery. efforts. he describes pooping in his pants frame samples, chanting vocals, Machine Gun Kelly—“Tickets His mantric and manic flow pen- and wetting the bed to very little and heavy bass, but guest rapper to My Downfall” etrates the mix on every track, Sufjan Stevens—“The benefit. And there are a few pro- Mulatto and Ferg flow impres- Machine Gun Kelly made his serving as the lifeblood of the Ascension” duction mishaps that can break sively enough to make the track first foray into pop-punk with album. The way he delivers lyrics Multi-instrumentalist Sufjan the vibe of the record. The swell into some above-average playl- “Tickets to My Downfall” af- is both insistent and declarative— Stevens returns for an electronica of “Tell Me You Love Me” feels ist fodder. But in general, “Floor ter his largely panned rap career the perfect blend to support the epic in the vein of his 2010 proj- sloppy and undercooked, and Seats II” fades into the glut of effectively crashed and burned demand for a more just world ect “The Age of Adz” but with the understated refrain of “Gil- hip-hop without much that stands following a feud with Eminem. that Talbot preaches on every a stronger emotional core and gamesh” is far too shrill—Sufjan’s out. I would be surprised if any- “Tickets to My Downfall” is song. “Ultra Mono” is pointed better attention to detail. While voice fades beneath the produc- one remembers it in a few weeks, much more pop than punk, as and direct, rarely dragging or pull- synths beep and twinkle around tion in such an unrecognizable but check it out if you’re in the it’s openly manufactured for the ing punches, but sometimes that Stevens’s thin falsetto and twit- way. “The Ascension” is a good market for some new tracks for radio, and there’s no revolution- can be to its detriment. The ideas tering tom fills in the opener, the listen but pales in comparison to your tepid workout playlist. Television “The Boys”: All Gas, Some Brakes By GAVIN MCGINLEY and explicit imagery, often the The antagonist of the show is members include A-Train (Jessie en. Butcher, who is convinced forefront of its appeal, enhances not a singular person but a cor- T. Usher), the fastest man in the Homelander killed his wife, is “The Boys” takes pride in its the more nuanced aspects of its poration by the name of Vought world who regularly takes perfor- morally ambiguous and violent, grittiness. With season one en- script. While its pacing and story- International, a media and phar- mance-enhancing drugs in fear often pushing the boundaries of tering a superhero genre over- telling lack the polish of season maceutical giant responsible for of being usurped, and the Deep what Hughie and the audience saturated with hyper-sanitized, one, season two of “The Boys” the management of America’s su- (Chace Crawford), the Aquaman deem acceptable. The rest of the kid-friendly adventures, the show is an excellent follow up, building perheroes. The face of Vought is of the Seven and a serial perpetra- Boys, creatively named Frenchie stands out with a more mature, on the world and story as it ex- the Seven, a team of the world’s tor of sexual harassment. (Tomer Capon), Mother’s Milk cynical take on the childhood pands the scope and complexity most powerful heroes who, like Season one starts with Hughie (Laz Alonso), and the Female staple. The series is surprisingly of the show’s themes and plot. celebrities, have their every word Campbell (Jack Quaid), an unas- (Karen Fukuhara), while not refreshing, in a market so long On the surface, the world of and action planned by a PR team suming and weak-spirited retail nearly as questionable as Butcher, dominated by enjoyable but for- “The Boys” is identical to real to maximize their public approv- worker whose life is turned up- all have a propensity for crime mulaic Marvel movies. More so, world depictions in other super- al and hide their overwhelming side down when his girlfriend is and a loose ethical code; the fact “The Boys” is a genuinely good hero films. Through the numer- narcissism. Loosely based on the killed after A-Train accidentally that all these characters remain television show, tackling relevant ous explosions, capes, and lasers, Justice League, the Seven are led runs into her at superspeed. He’s distinct and likable is a testament political themes alongside out- however, the show strategically by Homelander (Antony Star), contacted by Billy Butcher (Karl to the series’ writing. Season two standing worldbuilding and char- lets just enough of reality pollute a man with Superman powers, Urban) to help him and his band acter development. Its exaggerat- the story to satirize the real world a god complex, and a complete of vigilantes (the titular Boys) continued on page 22 ed aesthetic of over-the-top gore while remaining fun and exciting. disregard for human life. Other take down Vought and the Sev- Page 22 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Arts and Entertainment Television “The Boys”: All Gas, Some Brakes Homelander, who could be an- litical issues. kind of media that reduces such tural issues not seen in the previ- continued from page 21 other iteration of “Superman but Perhaps one of the less subtle characters to two-dimensional ous season. The plot of season raises the stakes, with the main bad,” comes to represent so much ways politics is addressed in the figureheads of social stereotypes. two is almost disconnected from gang becoming fugitives from the more. In the context of the show, show is with the introduction of The characters are diverse and its pacing, with the most signifi- law and an immortal Nazi named he’s a symbol for radical evangeli- Stormfront (Aya Cash), the new- have complex, well-developed cant advancements holding seem- Stormfront (Aya Cash) joining the cal conservatism and the toxicity est member of the Seven and a personalities with ideas, hopes, ingly little weight, and some of Seven. Additionally, Homelander, of American exceptionalism, with character likable enough for the and struggles beyond their most the most tense scenes holding who ended last season by killing his public persona of a humble, audience to be disappointed when surface-level traits. little relevance. A great deal of his crush/mother figure (it’s com- sincere, Christian patriot flowing it turns out she’s named after an plicated), spirals further out of into familiar coded, xenopho- alt-right website (Stormfront was control as he begins a romantic bic rhetoric. When Homelander the first major white suprema- relationship with Stormfront and, is deployed as a tool of the U.S. cist website on the internet) and “The Boys” is a show that aims with the deployment of superhe- military, his strategy almost mir- not her lightning powers. While roes alongside the U.S. Army to rors the horror of a drone strike, a Nazi villain is far from novel, high while staying fun. It combines the fight super terrorists, starts com- with him landing in some remote her intense characterization paves elements of outstanding action-adventure mitting war crimes. village, killing his target along the way for more complex politi- One noticeable detail of “The with a number of innocent civil- cal commentary. Her growing ro- with nuanced political commentary, Boys” is that no one’s ever just ians, and flying away without fac- mantic relationship with Home- killed. Characters are always ex- ing any consequences, perfectly lander, the archetypal American all complete with realistic and engaging ploded into giblets or burnt to encapsulating the callousness of patriot, serves as a controversial a crisp or cut in half in horrific the War on Terror. Homelander’s condemnation of the readiness character writing. detail, leaving a graphic image capacity for mindless gore is not with which religious conserva- in the viewer’s memory. Though only a shock tactic to emphasize tives associate with extremists and this distinguishes it from Marvel’s how dangerous he is, but also draws parallels between the two Despite how intense the story the progression in the show hap- brand of clean, bloodless media, a way for him to groups. Additionally, Vought’s and action can be, “The Boys” pens through the main cast going the show’s neverending carnage embody the willingness to overlook both of handles all of its characters with to a place and completing an ac- is hardly unique within its genre. real con- these heroes’ flawed ideolo- a level of nuance that gives the tion without meeting any resis- There have been dark, violent su- sequences gies to protect its reputa- whole world, not just the main tance, while high-intensity scenes perhero stories going back to the of war and tion plays into one of the cast, a real sense of depth. The are randomly inserted and rarely ‘80s, when morally grey, obnox- bloodshed. biggest themes throughout central group of protagonists all result in any shifts to the story. iously edgy, grimdark aesthetics This is the show: the cynical nature have their own quirks and distinct This makes some of the most im- was the norm in comic books. where “The through which corporations identities, and entire subplots are portant revelations and twists feel Where “The Boys” differs is that Boys” re- view politics. given to side characters with little mundane and makes the more vi- it is capable of delivering a mean- ally shines: One of the running relevance to the main plot, just to sually elaborate set pieces come ingful narrative behind its exces- not through jokes throughout season two give their lives realistic progres- across as meaningless. Nonethe- sive brutality. These attempts at flashy vio- of “The Boys” is “girls get it sion. The Deep is given an entire less, the show manages to deliver darker storytelling in comics of- lence or crazy done,” the cliche, faux-fem- arc of him joining a Scientology- exciting action and fascinating ten failed to include any depth, action but inist marketing slogan for like cult in a desperate bid to re- storytelling, and this issue never presenting a facade of maturity through well- Vought’s “Avengers”-style deem his public image after he’s becomes major enough to disrupt by doubling down on violence, written char- movie about the Seven. exposed for sexual harassment; the audience’s experience. sexual content, and nihilism with- acters and seam- While it’s a clever jab at though he holds little importance “The Boys” is a show that out adding anything of substance. lessly incorporated Disney and the rest to the rest of the plot, the level of aims high while staying fun. It Take, for example, the com- political themes. of Hollywood, thought put into all of his idiosyn- combines elements of outstand- mon storyline of Superman Season one of who like to crasies and repeated moral failings ing action-adventure with nu- turning evil (or any alternative “The Boys” force poorly makes his story just as compelling anced political commentary, com- through cloning, multiple uni- was praised construct- as any other part of the show. plete with realistic and engaging verses, etc.). The countless stories for the ed, semi- Strangely, one of the least unique character writing. Despite some based around this pitch almost sensitivity pro- characters is Billy Butcher, argu- minor structural issues in season all stumble into the same pitfalls. with which gressive ably the most important figure in two, it’s a series that can flow Cripplingly aware of the stigma it handled lines and the series. Butcher falls into the from humor and graphic violence that comes with adapting content trauma scenes archetype of a violent antihero to scathing criticisms of its own aimed at children (and specifically and workplace sexual Aries Ho / The Spectator into their with a heart of gold and would genre and intricately crafted po- Superman, who’s seen as simplis- harassment, exploring the chal- movies for no reason but to fake come off as predictable and bor- litical allegory. Though at first tic and silly), every writer aiming lenges of seeking justice in an an enlightened world view, it ing if it weren’t for Karl Urban’s glance “The Boys” seems like a to explore higher-minded con- environment focused on profit shows an effort to explore iden- brilliant blend of humor and off- mindless murder-fest, behind its cepts defaults to turning him into without defining its characters by tity in a new way. “The Boys” has the-rails intensity. stylized brutality is an intelligent, an angry, exaggerated supervillain their trauma. The newest season, plenty of representation across Despite the show’s over- contemplative story well incorpo- to maximize the contrast with while displaying a shift in focus, gender, race, and sexual orienta- all clean execution, season two rated into its more eccentric ele- his typical boy scout persona. still hones in on a number of po- tion but remains critical of the seems to have a few deeper, struc- ments. Food Spooky Seasonings By ALTHEA BARRETT • ¼ tsp. ground cloves Beat for one minute. might want to have this year. Pumpkin Cheesecake • 2 cups of packed brown sugar 5. Add the mixture from the first This final one is a classic in my Halloween is here once again, • 2 ¾ cups of canned pumpkin bowl to the second bowl, half You will need: household: pumpkin cheesecake. and since most festive activities • 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract at a time, beating well after • 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate It’s an absolute necessity for my have been canceled due to the each addition. chips mother every autumn and my fa- pandemic, it’s hard to think of For the frosting: 6. With rounded tablespoons, • 2 tbsp. shortening ther’s favorite dessert. On the first new things to do. There is, how- 1. In a small saucepan, heat the drop the batter 1 ½ inches • 24 maraschino cherries with day, we all get a slice, and then my ever, one constant in these uncer- butter over medium-low heat apart onto the prepared cook- stems (drained) father eats the rest of it. A pump- tain times: food. Let’s take a look until melted to a light golden ie sheet. • 24 milk chocolate drops kin filling on a pecan crust with a at some Halloween-inspired treats brown. Then, cool for 15 min- 7. Bake for 12-14 minutes or • 48 almond slices bourbon cream topping, this des- you can make at home this season. utes. until tops spring back lightly • Garnish: white and red gel ic- sert is rather time consuming to 2. In a bowl, beat the browned when touched. ing make—but absolutely worth it if Pumpkin Whoopie Pies butter and cream cheese with 8. Spread about two tea- you can. Pumpkin whoopie pies are a a mixer on medium for about spoons of the 1. Melt the chocolate chips favorite of mine. They are two two minutes or until fluffy. filling onto and shortening in a double For the crust, you will need: soft pumpkin cookies fixed to- 3. Add maple syrup, cinnamon, the flat bot- boiler over low heat. Stir • ¾ cup of graham cracker gether with fluffy cream cheese nutmeg, salt, and ground toms of until smooth. (Warning: crumbs filling, and I would honestly be cloves. Beat on low until com- half of the hot) • ½ cup of finely chopped pe- happy with eating only them for bined. cookies. 2. Dip each cher- cans the rest of my life—though I’d 4. Gradually beat in powdered Top with ry by the stem • ¼ cup of granulated sugar likely last about three weeks. sugar until the filling meets its the remain- into the melted • ¼ cup of packed brown sugar desired consistency. Adding ing cookies. Ismath Maksura / The Spectator chocolate mix- • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted For the filling, you will need: more powdered sugar leads to 9. Sift powdered sug- ture, and set on and cooled • 5 tbsp. butter a denser texture. ar over the whoopie pies. wax paper. • 4 oz. cream cheese 10. Keep the cookies uncovered, 3. Press a choco- For the filling, you will need: • 1 tbsp. maple syrup For the cookies: and chill for 30 minutes be- late drop onto the op- • Three 8 oz. packages of cream • ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon 1. Preheat the oven to 350 de- fore serving. posite side of the cherry from cheese • ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg grees. Line a baking tray with the stem. This will be the head • ½ cup of granulated sugar • ⅛ tsp. salt parchment paper. Edible Mice of the mouse. • 1 ½ cup of packed brown • A dash of ground cloves 2. Stir together the first seven For something a little less tax- 4. Add two almond slices to each sugar • 3-3 ½ cups powdered sugar ingredients listed above in a ing—and kind of cute—you can mouse as ears. • 3 large eggs small bowl. make edible mice. Whenever little 5. Use white and red gel icing to • 2 tbsp. heavy cream For the cookies, you will need: 3. In a larger bowl, beat brown kids came over for Halloween, make little dots for eyes with • 1 tbsp. bourbon • 3 cups of flour sugar, oil, and melted butter my family would be sure to have the red on top of the white as • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon with a mixer at medium speed at least a handful of them avail- pupils. • 1 tbsp. cornstarch • 1 tsp. baking powder until combined. able. Made of cherries, almonds, 6. Cover the edible mice. Keep • 1 tsp. baking soda 4. Add eggs, pumpkin, and va- and chocolate chips, these are a them refrigerated. continued on page 23 • 1 tsp. ground ginger nilla extract to the large bowl. nice touch to any celebrations you The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 23 Arts and Entertainment Food Spooky Seasonings 1. Mix the graham cracker 1. Beat the cream cheese, granu- til a toothpick inserted in the with foil, and refrigerate over- continued from page 22 crumbs, pecans, granulated lated sugar, and brown sugar center comes out clean. night before serving. Refriger- • 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a large bowl on medium 5. Make the cream topping near ate any leftovers. • ½ tsp. salt in a large bowl until blended. high speed. the end of the baking time by • ½ tsp. ground ginger 2. Butter a 9-inch springform 2. Beat in eggs, cream, bourbon, mixing the sour cream, sugar, There are still plenty of ways • ½ tsp. grated nutmeg pan. Press the crumb mixture and vanilla until the mixture is and bourbon in a medium- to celebrate Halloween, even if all into the bottom and ½ inches smooth. sized bowl until blended. the necessary precautions due to For the cream topping, you will up the sides of the pan. Re- 3. Sift the cornstarch, cinnamon, 6. Spread the cream topping over the pandemic have thrown most need: frigerate for one hour or until salt, ginger, and nutmeg into the top of the hot cheesecake normal holiday traditions out the • 1 ½ cups of sour cream firm. the batter. Beat until mixed, once it’s done baking. window. Experimenting with a • 3 tbsp. granulated sugar 3. Preheat the oven to 350 de- and pour over the chilled 7. Bake the cheesecake for five new recipe is a great way to have • 1 ½ tbsp. bourbon grees. crust. Place the pan on a bak- more minutes. Then, transfer fun this season, so wash your ing sheet. to a rack, and cool. hands, put on your apron, and get For the crust: For the filling: 4. Bake for 60-70 minutes or un- 8. Cover the cheesecake loosely baking! Culture A Guide To a COVID-19 Halloween By ROXY PERAZZO now because it always sells out pumpkin patch, and a produce Aside from those two, they plan them in a skeleton shape with ic- quickly! stand, all of which are, of course, to host virtual Halloween movie ing when they’re done. A quick Don’t let COVID-19 trick outdoors. Their corn maze is 11 nights and Halloween-themed art dessert, meringues only need eyes you into thinking this Halloween Address: Van Cortlandt Man- acres, and the pumpkin patch and photography contests. and a mouth to be little ghosts! can’t still be a treat. Here are some or, 525 S Riverside, Croton- is vast as well, with both mini And rice crispy treats with spider- great ways to make this Hallow- on-Hudson, NY 10520 and large pumpkins along with Festive Treats web-like icing and little spider een season just as fun—I mean Price: $25 a hayride to and from the patch! If you’re afraid of ghosts or candies are also an easy Hallow- spooky—as all the others! Mazezilla is open on weekends just want to stay indoors, whip up een dessert. for all of October and for the first a spooky treat, and watch a scary The Great Jack The Skyline Drive-In weekend of November. movie with friends and family. If there’s one thing the pan- O’Lantern Blaze Drive-ins are making a come- There are so many amazing Hal- demic has taught us, it is that Just over an hour north of back. The Skyline Drive-In in Address: 415 Old, State Rte loween recipes out there, sometimes it’s good to rei- NYC at Van Cortlandt Man- Brooklyn is showing horror and 115, Saylorsburg, PA 18353 but here are a few of my magine our ways of doing or, you’ll find The Great Jack comedy-horror movies all month. Price: $10-$12 depending on favorites. The Food things, and Hallow- O’Lantern Blaze, boasting over Some titles include: “Scream” the time of day Network has een should be 7,000 carved pumpkins in a va- (1996), “Paranormal Activity” a treat called no different. riety of designs. Everyone is re- (2007), “Beetlejuice” (1988), and Red Velvet Sure, it’s a quired to wear masks and stay six “The Evil Dead” (1981). Student Union (SU) Events Vampire bit upset- feet apart, so you can enjoy get- For those who want to get Cupcakes. ting that ting scared without being scared in the Halloween spirit from the The normal people can’t of COVID-19. The Blaze prom- Address: 1 Oak St, Brooklyn, comfort of their own home, red velvet have get- ises lots of fun outdoor activities NY 11222 have no fear (maybe some, to recipe will do, togethers, that make for great photo-ops, in- Price: $55 (per car) make sure the vibe is complete), but add red but there’s cluding a “Pumpkin Planetarium” because the SU has several Hal- jam filling and so much more Ism and “choreographed” music for loween events planned! While two bite marks for ath r we can do to get in Maks tato each location playing throughout Mazezilla we are all sad that Boograms and a spooky twist! The ura / The Spec the spirit of Hallow- the whole experience. The Blaze While a little farther away costume contests can’t happen in- next are Skeleton Cookies, so go een. Plenty of good comes from is open all the way through No- from New York City, Mazezilla person, the SU is brainstorming get a gingerbread man cookie cut- thinking outside the box—or cof- vember 21, but get your tickets in Pennsylvania has a corn maze, ways to uphold those traditions. ter early this year, and decorate fin. Forty-Five Years Later: A Look Into Why “Bohemian Music Rhapsody” Has Stood the Test of Time By CAROLINE PICKERING tener on a spectacular journey but spare him from being sentenced. mian Rhapsody” was released in him for years. It’s a moment filled still returning to the same place The man pleads for the court 1975). While this has never been with raw emotion: anger toward a “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Wide- where the song began. to let him free, but they refuse, fully confirmed, it has been widely system that refuses to let him live ly considered to be one of the One of my personal favorite even though the man claims he speculated and accepted by many his truth, at people so full of their greatest songs in music history, musical attributes of the song is is already damned. And in a turn people, including Queen’s guitar- own ignorance they can’t even see it has been loved by generations the use of panning, which one of fate, the man breaks free and ist, Brian May. the world around them for what since its release. In fact, it’s one of can most heavily pick up on when declares that the people have no The metaphor is so powerful it is. It’s a moment that anyone just a few songs that has managed listening through headphones. right to cast him aside for any and so deeply rooted in the song who has ever faced any kind of to re-enter the Billboard charts This is a recording technique crimes he may have committed, that I’m discovering new nuances discrimination or failure will rec- multiple times, decades after its where certain tracks, mainly the because if they had loved him to this day, despite first listening to ognize. original release. Since this year harmonies, are played in solely the before, they should still love him it five years ago. The “murder” in That’s why this song has be- marks its 45th anniversary, it’s im- right or left speaker. This gives us now. The song ends on the same question is meant to be the mur- come a power ballad for genera- portant for us to remember why the feeling of being in the studio nihilistic note it begins, but this der of Mercury himself, killing the tions. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is this song is so powerful and why with the band, making you just as time, the man is at peace. Nothing person he used to be and coming packed with passion and meaning. people keep coming back to it. out as someone new. Being a part It’s truly special when you, as a “Bohemian Rhapsody” has of the LGBTQ+ community was listener, can really resonate with received the most love, and much very stigmatized and still is today the message the artist is trying to hate, for its incredibly unique “Bohemian Rhapsody” is actually a in many parts of the world, which convey and hear just how much it and somewhat experimental is why Mercury apologizes to his means to him or her in the craft song structure. Though Queen powerful and beautiful metaphor for mother, knowing he can’t live a itself. is known for producing music in lie even if it hurts the people he This song reaches a special out-of-the-box ways, “Bohemian singer-songwriter, Freddie Mercury, and cares about. He knows he’ll face anniversary at a time when the Rhapsody” is certainly the crown backlash from the media and that rights of the LGBTQ+ commu- jewel of their discography. The his personal experiences and struggles society doesn’t want to “lose” nity are coming into question, song combines the emotion of a of coming to terms with being LGBTQ+ him to homosexuality. There is with two Supreme court judges ballad, the vocals of an opera, and also a reference to Galileo, who earlier this month stating their the head-banging rhythm of clas- in 1970s Britain. was condemned for speaking the plans to renege on the 2015 deci- sic rock together to create a spec- truth of heliocentrism by the sion that allowed same-sex mar- tacular piece of music you can’t Catholic church in 1633. This is riage in the United States. The help but dramatically lip-sync to a metaphor for homosexuality, as LGBTQ+ community has faced on long car rides. much a part of the song as the really matters, after all. many people condemn it on the and still continues to face many As many songwriters are well music surrounds you. This is already an incredible grounds of going against Chris- hardships, and for many, “Bohe- aware, blending genres is no easy But a great melody is nothing story, one of heartbreak and love, tian beliefs, and though Mercury mian Rhapsody” is a testament task, but Queen manages to pull without lyrics, and personally, I loss and resilience. The story, was not Christian himself, he and to those struggles and a message it off spectacularly. Each section think “Bohemian Rhapsody” fea- however, goes so much deeper others like him were still quite lit- of overcoming them. It’s a song brings something new to the table tures some of the greatest lyrical than a mere murder trial. “Bo- erally persecuted by the Church. that makes people feel heard and to create a cohesive piece. One storytelling of any song. hemian Rhapsody” is actually a He even cedes to the Christian loved. might think that playing an angry, At first glance, the song is the powerful and beautiful metaphor conservatives, claiming the Chris- Forty-five years later, “Bohe- almost punk-like hard rock sec- story of a man who has commit- for singer-songwriter, Freddie tian demon Beelzebub will meet mian Rhapsody” still stands out tion just after performing a verse ted murder and now must face Mercury, and his personal expe- him in Hell. as arguably one of the greatest that could be straight out of “The the consequences of his crimes. riences and struggles of coming But then the attitude of the songs ever written. And while it’s Merry Widow” wouldn’t work, yet He laments to his mother that he to terms with being LGBTQ+ in song changes. It is no longer been many years since Freddie it does. The whole song is tied to- doesn’t want to cause her pain, 1970s Britain. It’s said that it took Mercury being tormented and ac- Mercury died, his legacy lives on gether seemingly effortlessly with but what’s done is done, and he Mercury seven years to write the cused by the public for who he is: through “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the help of the intro and outro, can’t lie to himself. In the oper- song, during which being gay was he stands up, challenging them. still giving courage, voice, and which are the same in feeling and atic section, he is facing trial, with legalized in England (homosexu- He won’t be cast aside for who he hope to thousands of people all instrumentation, taking the lis- the members of court begging to ality was legalized in 1967; “Bohe- is, not after they’ve been praising over the world. Page 24 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Sports NBA FINALS Lakers Clobber Heat to Win 2020 NBA Finals Top Five Halloween By AIDAN FINGERET, PHILIP He proved to be capable of leading a ite heading into this postseason, but Sports Moments VON MUEFFLING, team to a championship. showed he can play on the biggest of and PHILLIP PHAN He was not without help, however, stages. In Game 4, it was five straight By MAYA BROSNICK as many of the Heat’s young stars also points from Caldwell-Pope that sealed In likely the wackiest NBA Playoffs performed well. Tyler Herro consis- the game for the Lakers, putting them Halloween is a spooky night itself, but ever, a familiar face finished out on top. tently gave the Heat offense off the up 3-1, a Finals lead that had only been don’t get it confused—sports don’t take LeBron James and the Los Angeles bench and showed up in key moments, come back from once. a night off on the 31st. In honor of Hal- Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six including a 37 point explosion against loween, we’re counting down the top five coolest Halloween sports moments. games in the NBA Finals for the team’s the Celtics. Duncan Robinson’s grav- Looking Toward Next Season record-tying 17th NBA title. With play ity as a shooter opened up the Heat’s The longest season in NBA history Honorable Mention: This one was from the NBA’s Orlando bubble finally offense and was a consistent threat on came to a thrilling conclusion, with su- not on Halloween, but the spookiness concluded, here is a breakdown of the the floor. Adebayo and Dragic, who perstar Butler along with the Heat’s ris- factor makes up for it. The Cubs and the Lakers and the Heat, as well as an early have both made all-star appearances, ing stars against the Lakers two-headed Mets were in a race for the 1969 post- look at the landscape of the league for were the second and third best players monster of James and Davis. In the season, and the Cubs were up by 2 ½ next season, whenever that may be. on the team, respectively. Dragic played next season, the hierarchy of the NBA games. The two teams were playing each the best basketball of his career, lead- could look very different. other on September 9. The game seemed Miami Heat ing the team in scoring with 20 points Just one year removed from their ordinary until a black cat wandered onto The Heat made a Cinderella run per game up until the Finals. Adebayo fifth straight Finals appearance, the the field. The cat went straight to the through the playoffs, downing favorites was a double-double machine through- Warriors won just 15 of 65 regular sea- Cubs dugout, walked back and forth a such as the Milwaukee Bucks to win the out the playoffs and notably the best son games in 2019-20 and were on pace few times, and then disappeared, but it Eastern Conference Finals. Miami be- player in the Heat-Celtics series. to have one of the worst seasons in the was enough to curse the team. The Cubs came the first fifth-seeded team to ever With their unprecedented run, Mi- organization’s history. They currently lost the 2 ½ game lead they had over the make the Finals. Before the playoffs, ami will become a very attractive desti- have one of the worst cap situations Mets and their spot in the playoffs, while the Miami Heat were touted as a team nation to many free agents this offsea- in the league with three max deals on the Mets went on to secure their first with a young core and good pieces but son. Equipped with a young core, Heat their salary, not including the four-year, ever World Series win. lacking a true star. They were expected will make many deep playoff runs to $100 million extension given to Dray- 5. In Game 3 of the World Series on to be a first to second round exit by come. Butler has had a legacy-defin- mond Green last summer. This heav- Halloween 2009, Alex Rodrigez (A-Rod) many. ing playoffs, going toe-to-toe with the ily restricts them in free agency to low hit a ball deep down the right field line Led by coach Erik Spoelstra, a three GOAT in the Finals and playing about salary players and veteran minimum which hit high off the wall for a double, time NBA champion himself, the Heat, 47 minutes in each game. Spoelstra has deals. Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay putting the Yankees in good position however, were able to engineer a domi- added another Finals appearance to his Thompson are all expected to return to score with second and third and one nant playoff run. The Heat swept the resume and remains one of the elite healthy after they all missed parts of out. The only thing was that A-Rod was Pacers in the first round before easily coaches in the NBA. Though the team last season. The Warriors will look to standing on second signaling homerun. dispatching title favorite and first seed fell short of an NBA championship, go on a revenge tour to return to their After both he and the Yankees’ coaches in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee Heat fans should be very excited about previous dominant play. They will look protested, the umpires convened and Bucks, in five games. In the Eastern the coming seasons. to use their Number 2 overall pick in went inside to check the replay. A min- Conference Finals, the Heat proceeded this year’s draft to bolster their roster ute later, they emerged and overturned to beat the Celtics in six games. Leading Los Angeles Lakers and become a contender once again. the call stating that it actually hit a cam- up to the finals, all of the Heat’s losses This championship marks the 17th Similar to the Warriors, the Brook- era in the stands, giving the MLB its first were less than 10 points, and one oc- in Lakers history, tying them with the lyn Nets will look to their stars return- postseason replay review homerun and curred in overtime. Celtics for the most NBA titles in ing to the league from major injuries to A-Rod his first ever world series hit. Miami kept up with the Lakers in league history, though they have won elevate them from pretenders to con- 4. The Wizards beat the Celtics 114- Game 1 but lost key players, Goran five more than Boston this decade. This tenders. After signing a huge deal with 69 on Halloween 2002. Not only was this Dragic, to a torn plantar fascia, and championship win made James not the Nets, Kevin Durant missed all of the greatest margin of a win on Hallow- Bam Adebayo, to a shoulder injury. only the fourth player to win a cham- this season following his Achilles rup- een, but it also was the Celtics’ worst ever Due to the mounting injuries, the Heat pionship with three teams, but also the ture in the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant loss by point differential. Even including couldn’t stop the Lakers and lost Game first to win Finals MVP on three differ- should be ready to go for training camp the thrashing they delivered to the Celt- 1. Dragic was expected to miss the rest ent teams. and hopefully return to his All-Every- ics, the Wizards/Bullets still own the of the series indefinitely. A hobbled Mi- The importance of Anthony Da- thing caliber. The Nets hope that Kyrie worst record on Halloween with a .263 ami Heat team was demolished in 2, but vis for this team cannot be overstated. Irving, who surprisingly decided to sit winning percentage on the date. they came back to win Game 3 after an He was their anchor on defense while out of the bubble, will return as well. It 3. Leading up to Halloween 2010, all time great Finals performance from also being the most overqualified sec- is now up to the Nets and only the Nets NBC officials were doing everything Jimmy Butler, who had a 40 point triple ond option in the NBA. After Game 4, to become contenders—they have the they could to get people to go to the double and left it all out on the court. there was real debate as to who should star power, the young talent, and an in- Saints at Steelers game, including a pre- Adebayo returned for Game 4 but as a win Finals MVP between Davis and triguing young coach in Steve Nash. football costume contest. This was an or- shell of himself, and the Heat fell once James. Though Davis did not win the The Clippers have all the talent in dinary promotional pitch until someone again to the Lakers in Game 4. Butler award, to be in that conversation with the world, yet on the biggest stage they pointed out that they must be breaking willed the Heat to a tough win in Game a player of James’s caliber is an accom- imploded and blew a 3-1 lead to a tal- some sort of record. This led to a Guin- 5 with a 35 point triple double, hitting plishment in and of itself. ented Denver Nuggets team. It was ness World Records representative being clutch shots, but the team looked tired The defining feature of this Lak- time for change in the other half of in attendance for the game and a 20-10 in Game 6 and lost the series. ers team was their defense. With a Los Angeles, and after the dismissal of Saints victory. The previous record of The Heat’s defense was phenomenal defensive-minded yet underrated head NBA legend Doc Rivers, new coach Ty 508 costumed participants, like the Steel- in the playoffs, switching from 2-3 zone coach in Frank Vogel, possibly the best Lue will look to turn this team around. ers, was easily defeated that Halloween as to man constantly. The high basketball defender in the NBA in Davis, and a Despite Allen Iverson stepping over the New Orleans contest hosted 17,777 IQ of Spoelstra combined with the tal- rotation chock full of capable defend- Lue in the most disrespectful play in costumed people. ent of lengthy defenders Butler, Ade- ers who completely bought into the NBA history, Lue has done quite well 2. The Arizona Diamondbacks were bayo, Jae Crowder, and Andre Igoudala defense-first philosophy, the Lakers for himself as a coach, winning a cham- leading Game 4 of the 2001 World Series proved to form an elite defense. The had the undisputed best defense in the pionship in Cleveland with who else with one out in the 9th inning and were Heat culture, defined by a gritty,- un NBA playoffs. At times, it became al- but James. All eyes will be on the fun looking to take a 3-1 lead in the series. selfish, and defense-first mentality, was most impossible for their opponents to guy, Kawhi Leonard, who has to live The Yankees’ first baseman Tino Marti- easily seen throughout the playoffs. All score in the half-court against them. up to the hype. If he plays at the level nez had other ideas as he stepped to the of the players bought in and priori- Though the Lakers possessed the he did for the Raptors and Spurs, not plate and hit a game-tying home run to tized winning over anything else, with best offensive and defensive engine a even Pandemic Paul George can stop send the ballgame into extra innings and Meyers Leonard being an example. He team could ask for in James and Davis, this team from being championship for the first time ever, past midnight and started for most of the regular season they still needed their role players to contenders. into November. Just a few minutes later, but saw little playing time throughout step up, and step up they did. The best Finally, it’s time to talk about the Derek Jeter hit a walk off homerun to the playoffs. Instead of complaining, Laker aside from Davis and James was Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetok- win the game and tied the series at 2-2, he stood and cheered with infectious Rajon Rondo, who has long held the ounmpo cannot do it alone. After he earning the nickname “Mr. November.” energy throughout the whole playoffs. reputation of someone who does not won Most Valuable Player for the sec- 1. The spookiest Halloween moment Five-time all star Butler was the team always show up in the regular season; a ond season in a row, the Bucks have of all took place in 2009 during the Spurs leader in the playoffs and stepped up lot of Lakers fans questioned whether a perennial MVP candidate on their vs. Kings game. Out of nowhere, a bat in clutch moments. After being traded Rondo should even play in the playoffs hands. But it is not enough to simply flew onto the court near the end of the from the 76ers and Timberwolves be- after poor performance on both ends give him Khris Middleton and say “go first quarter. The officials halted the game cause he was a “locker room cancer” of the floor for two straight regular win a championship.” They need to to try to catch the bat, but the fox mascot who rattled the team’s younger players seasons. Despite his prior shortcom- sign Antetokounmpo to a max exten- in a Batman costume struggled to do so. for not working hard enough, Butler ings, he almost immediately proved sion and look to surround him with Instead, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili lined was finally surrounded by people who those questions to be unfounded. Ron- capable 3-point shooters. Look for the up his shot and swatted the bat out of wanted to win as badly as he did. He do even set the playoff record for most Bucks to make a run at 3-point ace Joe the air with his bare hands. The Batman showed up in the Finals, scoring 30+ assists off the bench in a single post- Harris in free agency. theme song played, and the game contin- point triple doubles in Games 3 and 5. season after missing the first five games Though the landscape of the NBA ued with a Spurs victory. The bat, unlike Without Dragic and Adebayo in Game of the postseason. After Rondo, the will certainly look different come the the cat in the 1969 Cubs and Mets game, 3, Butler had a monstrous 40 point most important player for this Lakers 2021 season, we are in for some fantas- did not seem to do much in the way of night, taking over in the 4th quarter and team was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, tic basketball. luck though, as the Kings did not make mouthing to James, “You’re in trouble.” who was, like Rondo, not a fan favor- the playoffs, and the Spurs were knocked out in round one. The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 25 Sports WNBA FINALS The Seattle Storm Wins Its Second Championship in Three Years By ALICIA YU “[she] wasn’t sure if [she] age was finally catching up to the Storm, as many other was forward Natasha How- was ever going to be back to her. Her unparalleled experi- players stepped up when it ard, who was named the 2019 The Seattle Storm has been where [she] was.” This set- ence makes her a great asset mattered most and made the WNBA Defensive Player of absolutely unstoppable in the back, however, obviously did both on and off the court, case for their greatness. The the Year. Howard’s shooting Wubble (WNBA Bubble), not deter her as she returned and her quickness and agil- Storm found a reliable guard in the paint and unmatchable capping off its historic season in full swing, arguably in even ity make her a tough guard in 27-year-old Jewell Loyd, size advantage have been piv- with a remarkable 18-4 regu- better shape than before. As to defend—even against the who reigned as the second otal to the Storm’s dominance lar season record and 6-0 play- Stewart later remarked, “To best defenders in the league. leading scorer in the franchise near the hoop. offs record. Led by superstar be able to be here—to be able Furthermore, her unmatched this season behind Stewart. Equipped with a strong forward Breanna Stewart and to see myself playing like this court vision and superior Veteran forward Alysha Clark, lineup of rising stars, expe- experienced guard Sue Bird, and having so much potential play-making enable her to dish who was unanimously named rienced veterans, and, well, the team ended its season in going forward—it’s exciting.” teammates easy buckets. This to the WNBA’s 2020 All-De- Stewart (who defies all cat- a fitting 3-0 sweep against the egories), the Storm entered Las Vegas Aces, asserting its the season with a single goal sheer dominance in the league in mind: to win another cham- yet again. This season has been nothing short of exciting for Stew- pionship. All season long, Twenty-six-year-old Stew- they lived up to expectations, art has had an incredible im- art, as she can now finally begin her well-deserved break cementing their identity as a pact on the floor throughout with a championship ring and Finals MVP trophy to her high caliber team in a league the season, becoming the of its own. The best part is: Storm’s most reliable weapon. name. there’s no stopping the Storm Her versatility—three-point from here. With a stacked shooting, lane-driving, aggres- lineup of developing super- sive defending, and meticulous stars like Stewart and Lloyd, passing—has made her nearly Indeed, this season has been comes as no surprise though, fensive First Team, gave the the Storm has an immense impossible to guard. In game nothing short of exciting for as she holds the WNBA re- Storm the defensive boost wealth of talent that it is sure 1, she scored 37 points, nearly Stewart, as she can now finally cord for the most assists all they needed with her incred- to capitalize on going forward.

breaking the record for most begin her well-deserved break time. In fact, she broke the ible athleticism and range. An- This WNBA season was filled / The Spectator Sophie Poget points scored in a final’s game. with a championship ring and final’s assist record in game 1, other player who made huge with many uncertainties— In addition, she averaged 25.7 Finals MVP trophy to her setting 16 assists in her usual contributions to the Storm’s a cancelation of all profes- points, 4.0 assists, and 7.8 re- name. dominant fashion. lineup was guard Jordin Can- sional sports, a Disney restart bounds per game throughout Going strong at 39 years Stewart and Bird make ada, who filled in for Bird in a bubble, a frenzy of trades and the playoffs, which is even old, team leader Bird has an incredible duo, but as the few playoff games. Canada has deals—but the Storm made more impressive given that also been a key factor in the sports world has seen time proved herself to be a great one thing very clear: the sky’s she suffered a devastating Storm’s fourth championship. and time again, two super- playmaker and lane-driver, the limit, and they have no in- Achilles injury in April. In an Though Bird is a 17-year vet- stars alone cannot win a team despite her small frame. Top- tentions of stopping any time interview with The New York eran, her strength and skill championship. This state- ping off the Storm’s ensemble soon. Times, Stewart confessed that quashed all doubts that her ment could not be truer for of talented supporting players

Sports Editorial Billy and the Haunted House of New York Sports By AIDAN FINGERET game—very hard stuff to get of Troy Aikman repeating “the have to remind me? I’ve spent ed House. Only the strongest and KRISH GUPTA a hold of due to the poor backside of Brandon Moore” the last eight years erasing will live to see the light at the quality of it. Whoever is still set to scary music. Billy and the memories of that night end. Three people in the his- “Alright young’uns, step left when we get to the end of his mom grew paralyzed with and now...now.” He trailed tory of the house have made right up and enter, if you the hallway will then enter into fear at the entrance, though off, proceeding to turn back it all the way through, and dare, to the New York Sports the butt dimension.” the tour guide startled them and run through the Hall of one of them is me.” The tour Haunted House!” bellowed As the group carefully out of their trance by say- Football to the entrance of guide had a misty faraway look the scraggly tour guide. stepped across the turf, one ing, “We all remember where the Haunted House. Appar- and shuddered. “Mom, I don’t wanna go,” five-year-old decked out in we were that night, watching ently forgetting the Metlife “We have reached the shouted young Billy. “New NY Giants apparel shouted, Mark Sanchez pull one of the Turf implanted in the Hall of Knicks Korridor,” he an- York Sports are scary bad.” “I’M THE NEXT SAQUON most humiliating plays in the Football, Billy heard the loud nounced. Ghosts that looked “Honey, it’s okay,” she re- BARKLEY!” and ignoring the history of sports. If you’re blood curdling scream of the like stars Kevin Durant, Ky- plied. “It can’t be that bad. Af- tour guide’s warnings, sprinted wondering what those things man and a thud, followed by rie Irving, Zion Williamson, ter all, how bad can a sports across the turf through the flying across the room are, the whimpering of the five- Kristaps Porzingis, and LeB- team be?” cones when he suddenly let you would be correct in think- year-old. Not daring to look ron James roamed the room. Young Billy gathered his out an ear piercing scream ing that they are butts. In fact, back, Billy sprinted through “The ones that got away,” the pride and stepped up to join and crumbled to the ground, [Moore] was kind enough to the flying butts and stopped tour guide explained. “This the other three members of clutching his leg. room is rumored to be haunt- the tour group, clutching his The tour guide immediate- ed with the ghosts of players mother’s hand tightly. As the ly pressed a red button on the the Knicks could have had. group headed into the house, wall, calling the ambulance. “We all remember where we were that Every October, these ghosts the tour guide explained, “The “Let’s move on,” he said as he return and possess inno- NYSHHS [New York Sports briskly exited the room, leav- night, watching Mark Sanchez pull one cent visitors.” Billy noticed a Haunted House Society] is ing the poor child writhing in large hulk-like man, consist- not liable for any insanity ex- pain on the floor as the wail of of the most humiliating plays in the ing of several actors stacked perienced while exploring the the ambulance neared. “The up with the head of James New York Sports Haunted medics will salvage what’s left history of sports.” Dolan stomping around the House. We have had some... of him.” —Haunted House tour guide premises. “And why have one er...incidents.” He had to add When Billy made it to horror in a room dedicated to that disclaimer due to an inci- the door of the butt dimen- the most beleaguered orga- dent last season when an en- sion, he was terrified of what nization in the league when tire tour group ended up in a he might find. Once inside, let us take a cast of his butt, at the doorway of the next you can have many?” the tour mental facility, which resulted he saw something truly gut so you could have as accurate room. Out of the five people guide continued. “This room in an ongoing lawsuit that he wrenching: hundreds of mon- a butt fumble experience as who started on the tour, two also has past coaches in the was not authorized to speak itors surrounded them on all possible. Get out of this room were gone. Billy, his mom, and walls. Isaiah Thomas and Der- about. four sides of the very narrow quickly, or you may be stuck in the grandmother of the five- ek Fisher, among other terri- They first came across the room, all of which were play- the fumble dimension for all year-old were the only ones ble coaches, snap at the ankles Hall of Football. As they en- ing the same five seconds of eternity.” remaining. of passersby.” tered, the tour guide warned, that fateful Jets vs. Patriots One group member, a “And then there were The three remaining guests “Be careful to watch your step, game on Thanksgiving night middle aged man donning a three,” the tour guide omi- slowly weaved through the many have lost entire seasons in 2012. The camera kept pan- Sam Darnold jersey, broke out nously whispered, sending a ghosts, avoided eye con- due to the turf in here. It’s ning to Mark Sanchez’s face as into a fit. His breathing quick- chill down Billy’s spine. “And tact with monster James the exact turf that was on the he collided with the behind of ened, and he began to growl now, we have reached the sec- continued on page 26 field for the 2020 Jets vs. 49ers his O-Lineman and the voice as he shouted, “Why did you ond-to-last stop of the Haunt- Page 26 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 THE SPECTATOR SPORTS Sports Editorial Twitch and Soccer: An Unusual Mix By SHAFIUL HAQUE celona superstar. Agüero also do more […] and in the end, began to play video games we were just doing something SPORTSBEAT The world’s most promi- with other South American fun while raising money for nent soccer stars are well streamers, such as Ocelote, charity, so at the end of the known for their goals, assists, Ibai, and Papo. Some of the day it’s a combination of doing and mind-blowing tricks on other games that he has played something fun and nice for the The LA Dodgers won the World Series for the first time the field. During the CO- were Rocket League, Fall Guys, community.” since 1988, with Shortstop Corey Seager winning World VID-19 pandemic however, and Among Us, multiplayer Some players even used Series MVP. soccer has come to an unfore- games that have been gaining the platform on a larger scale seen halt worldwide. Many of extreme popularity on Twitch. by collaborating with other these soccer players, bored Agüero has also given back to celebrities to raise money for Former All-Pro WR Antonio Brown signed with the and trapped in their luxurious the Twitch community, gifting charity. Gamers Without Bor- Buccaneers, his fourth team in the last three years. homes, eventually stumbled Argentinian Twitch streamer ders was a fundraising event upon a platform called Twitch. Cyroo $500 for his father’s di- on Twitch in which gamers Twitch is an online stream- agnosis of cancer. competed in tournaments for a The NBA is targeting a start date for the 2020-2021 sea- ing service on which people Another player who $10 million charity prize pool. son on Christmas Day, while players are pushing for a can livestream their gameplay joined the Twitch platform Donations were made to chari- later date, possibly MLK Day. and reaction to videos. Soc- is English soccer player Dele ties working to stop the spread cer players saw Twitch as an Alli, who plays for Tottenham of COVID-19. Gamers With- opportunity to have fun with Hotspur in the Premier League. out Borders involved a FIFA The Miami Dolphins named fifth overall pickTua Ta- their audience and contribute He is a well-known athlete in 19 event for some of the big- govailoa their starting quarterback, despite a strong start to COVID-19 relief funds. As England, with 7.2 million fol- gest names in soccer, such as from Ryan Fitzpatrick. a result, many migrated briefly lowers on Instagram at only Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alli, to this platform, and some are the age of 24. Along with his Paulo Dybala, João Félix, and still active now. outstanding football back- André Silva. Other celebrities, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje at Sergio Agüero, or Kun ground, Alli has embraced the such as rapper Snoop Dogg, UFC 254 and then retired shortly after, going down as Agüero, is an Argentinian for- Twitch lifestyle during quar- singer-songwriter Liam Payne, one of the best to ever fight in the octagon. ward for Manchester City in the antine despite having never and comedian and DJ Kerwin Premier League. He is famous used it before. He encouraged Frost, also joined these ath- on and off the pitch, with over Manchester City midfielder letes. Alexander-Arnold was Track and field athleteChristian Coleman has been 400 career goals to his name Kevin De Bruyne to join him matched up against Payne, who banned from track for two years due to missed doping and 14.7 million followers on in a Soccer Aid event to raise he beat in the first two matches tests. He will miss the Tokyo Olympics. Instagram. During lockdown, funds for the COVID-19 relief out of three. Dybala also man- he began to play video games, effort. The pair played a few aged a 2-0 sweep against Alli, the first being FIFA 19. He games of the crowd-pleaser as did Félix against Silva. Final- they were helping a good cause soccer fan, I was already excit- is known to get very angry at Fortnite and earned almost $2 ly, Frost beat Snoop Dogg with by supporting these charities. ed when many of the players times, often raging at the game million. Both players were hap- a score of 2-1. This event’s $10 Many soccer players used whomt I loved started using and even screaming when he py to use their online platform million contribution to charity Twitch streaming to engage Twitch. Watching them play loses a match. As his audience to help those affected by the made Gamers Without Bor- with their audience and raise games on the field and then grew, he held livestreams dur- pandemic around the world. In ders one of the biggest charity money for charities. Because play video games at home was ing which he would chat with an interview with NBC Sports, esports events of all time. The they couldn’t be on the field, a new and enjoyable experi- his viewers and talk about De Bruyne explained how he fundraiser was an excellent way they decided to entertain their ence, one that nearly made me events in his life. Surprisingly, felt using his platform posi- to raise money to aid those af- audience in other ways—with forget about the pandemic. on one stream, he called his tively: “We are more fortunate fected by the outbreak, and rage and banter. As an avid friend Lionel Messi, F.C. Bar- than others, so we are able to participating soccer players felt Sports Editorial Billy and the Haunted House of New York Sports continued from page 25 this room is a swirl of broken riors or Clippers blowing a to win Game 4 and propeled door onto the pavement as magic. Welcome to the Base- 3-1 lead, there was this. In the themselves to a victory in sev- the tour guide rang a bell and Dolan,and everything seemed ball Diamond of Despair.” 2004 ALCS, two of the en games and their first World announced, “Billy, you have to be going well until, about “Here you will experi- biggest rivals in the Series win since 1918, break- done what thousands have halfway through the hall, the ence some of the worst history of sports, ing the Curse of Bambino.” failed to do: you conquered grandmother erupted in a plays in New York base- the Yankees and Billy’s mom, transfixed on the horrors of the New York deep voice, “I, with Kyrie, will ball history for as the Red Sox, were the play, dropped his hand. Sports Haunted House.” bring the city of Brooklyn a long as you can facing each other. The tour guide looked over Young Billy leapt for joy, championship!” endure,” the The Yankees were and cursed under his breath. forgetting about the fates of “Oh no, I had hoped this tour guide up 3-0 and had “And I forgot to mention, the three other group mem- wouldn’t happen,” the tour explained. all the momen- because of the forces in this bers and his mother. He guide muttered under his Billy and tum until this room, if you look at the screen rushed over to the gift shop breath. “Not after last year. his mom play.” Billy and for too long, you’ll remain and purchased a souvenir T- The ghost of KD seems to entered his mom then stuck there until the Yankees shirt reading “I conquered the have possessed her.” Then, to find a turned to watch beat the Red Sox in a ALCS horrors of New York Sports, louder, to Billy and his mom, bizarre on the Jumbo- Series in the future.” and all I got was this lame T- the tour guide reassured them, full- tron as the Yan- Billy let out a cry and shirt.” Walking around with “We’ll have to leave her here. sized kees, up 4-3 in the started shaking his entranced a renewed swagger, Billy em- She’ll emerge sooner or later.” bottom of the ninth of mother, “Mom, don’t leave phatically announced, “I’m In reality, the tour guide knew game four, pitched to me here!” The tour guide at- moving to L.A.!” that the poor old woman was Bill Mueller as Dave tempted to calm him down. “I Meanwhile, the tour guide stuck there until KD fulfilled Roberts took off for hate to say it son, but we need was met by two police of- his promise and brought the second. The throw to keep moving and get out ficers, who arrested him for Nets a NBA Championship. from Jorge Posada of here before we get stuck “abduction” and “an unsafe Billy, still gripping his came in just a tad ourselves. You need to gather amusement experience.” Bil- mother’s hand, tiptoed late, giving all the your wits; follow me.” ly gleefully waved him off through the rest of the room momentum to The tour guide scampered and returned to the Haunted and made it to the doorway of the Red Sox and toward second base, making House years later to recover the last room. The tour guide allow- sure not to look at the Jum- his mom once the Yankees announced, “You two have botron. Billy was left with no beat the Red Sox in the 2024 made it to the final stop of the base- choice but to follow. ALCS. No one knows what tour, but don’t get too excited ball dia- And ever happened to the three yet. Legend has it that this last mond. As they then the other members of the group. room is the most difficult to brushed off their unthink- And thus is the saga of the advance past due to the su- initial disbelief, the Adrianna Peng / The Spectator able hap- Haunted House of New York pernatural forces at work. tour guide launched into pened. They Sports. The Curse of Bambino was a monologue: “Before there ing Roberts to score off made it out. broken back in ‘04, and now was any mention of the War- a single. The Red Sox went on Billy dove out of the exit The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 Page 27 The Spooktator! The Nightmare Before Christmas is NOT a Halloween Movie By ASA MUHAMMAD The character arcs and con- “The Nightmare Before Christ- flict of the story all surround mas.” “The Nightmare Before Christmas. The main source of confu- Christmas” is a beloved holiday Another argument is sion surrounding “The Night- classic—but for which holiday the time of the movie in the mare Before Christmas” is that is a contentious matter. I’m human realm, which is Christ- it was released on October 13, here to resolve any confusion mas Eve, as seen when Jack 1993. It’s uncommon that a you may have. “The Nightmare Skellington arrives to give his Christmas movie is released Before Christmas” is defini- “gifts” to the world. The defi- during the height of spooky tively a Christmas movie. This nition of a Christmas movie is season, and the gothic nature may seem confusing to some of relatively loose when it comes and overall Tim Burton-ness you. Yes, the protagonist is liter- to movies that take place on or of the film didn’t fit well with ally the Pumpkin King. Yes, he around Christmas. The most traditional American notions of lives in Halloween Town. This famous example is “Die Hard” Christmas, so it was marketed as is the first reason why the film (1988), but to keep this as close a Halloween movie. Even then, is not a Halloween movie. Hal- to “The Nightmare Before the film was genius, giving the loween Town and the Pumpkin Christmas” as possible, we’ll audiences a pretense of Hal- King are the status quo of this establish a precedent with “Bat- loween, establishing a spooky movie, meaning Halloween is man Returns” (1992). “Batman setting that the viewer could the norm. You don’t judge a Returns” is another gothic Tim relate to. In doing so, the audi- movie by its norm. Christmas, Burton film scored by Danny ence was better able to relate to however, is an event—one that Elfman, and it just so happens Jack Skellington and his journey is central to the plot of the to be a Christmas movie as well. to understanding the Christmas movie. This deviation from the Despite releasing on June 16, spirit, and that’s what makes norm is what defines this mov- 1992, the backdrop of Christ- “The Nightmare Before Christ- ie. The nightmare when? The mas is ever-present in the film, mas” a subversive masterpiece.

nightmare before Christmas. an important precedent for The Spectator Cindy Yang/ Tricks and Treats: Personifying our Favorite Halloween Candies By THE ART DEPARTMENT Fariha Spectator Mabud / The Sunjung Bok / The Spectator Sunjung Bok / The Cindy Yang / The Spectator Cindy Yang Serena Chan / The Spectator Serena Chan / The Cadence Li / The Spectator Chloe Huang / The Spectator Page 28 The Spectator ● October 30, 2020 The Spooktator! The Ohio Week in Review By ETHAN LAM lution to last week’s carpool fiasco. nia was nominated to be the new time-walls, saying that “They’re not said. The citizens broke formation after invasion state by the high council here to protect us, they’re there to The Supreme Ohioan Council From a growing arachno-com- roughly five minutes on October of Ohioan Elders. However, when protect everyone else from us.”) has once again unanimously moved munist movement to a radical de- 12, 2020, at 3:14 p.m. EST, shaking the Ohioan forces arrived there, the In a split five-four decision, the to support universal healthcare. cree from the governor regarding their heads dejectedly. state was, mysteriously, once again burning of coal SPECIFICALLY “We’re not barbarians,” Supreme gun laws and more, this is the Ohio In a unanimous vote, they shak- on fire, despite the wildfires having for warmth has been outlawed Justice Conan stated. Week in Review. Should the knowl- ily decided that they didn’t ever been put out several weeks ago. on October 13, 2020. The Fifth The new bill to create a new edge in this article prove too much want to be in each other’s heads Though the seat of power shifts Amendment of the Ohioan Con- minority was passed unanimously for your feeble mind, The Spectator ever again. “Oh god. It seemed on a biweekly basis based on the re- stitution states, “No man shall in- on October 14, 2020. The newly is not liable for any damages. like a good idea. You know, sharing sults of a ritualistic duel, in a sur- terfere with the workings of gods.” proposed minority consists primar- In a shocking decision, the Col- ily of college-age dropouts. Since lege Board of Ohio has moved to the publishing of this article, over completely phase out the SAT in 20,000 members of this new minor- favor of a multi-level battle royale ity have been rapidly and eagerly op- fighting tournament broadcasted A new movement has started in order to advocate pressed by eager oppressors, as they live on television. All 17 forms of are reportedly “terrible at Ohioan Ohioan martial arts, including ki for a race war in Ohio. The movement, consisting martial arts.” The young adult novel blasts, have been legalized, but the industry has wholeheartedly ap- College Board of Ohio CEO Me- mainly of several thousand college dropouts, aims to proved of this development, stating cha-David Coleman states, “The that the current situation is great martial arts are only a single facet. fuel for romantic post-apocalyptic- The true test is to lie and manipu- breed hate but is currently unsure of what minority themed novels and sells extremely late your opponents, which truly well for their primary demographic tests the preparedness of our chil- to oppress… A bill that proposes to invent a new mi- of 11 to 12-year-olds. dren for career paths in politics and Next time: A terrible evil sealed law.” nority to systematically oppress is awaiting ratifica- away for 1,000 years, never to re- A new movement has started turn, awakens from its slumber in order to advocate for a race war to go to the bathroom. In a con- in Ohio. The movement, consisting tion. troversial decision, child slavery mainly of several thousand college is outlawed, only leaving slavery dropouts, aims to breed hate but is between two consenting adults le- currently unsure of what minority minds with people,” said one dis- prisingly progressive move, Ohio As Santa Claus was recently classi- gal. Thousands of protestors take to oppress, as there is nothing in tressed resident. “But you have no governor Mike DeWine is push- fied as a type 4 god under Article 5, to the streets, demanding to know Ohio but Ohioans. A bill that pro- idea what I’ve seen.” ing for stricter gun control laws. he has been left unable to fuel his whether or not condom companies poses to invent a new minority to Ohioans opted for the safer Despite his right-leaning views, cruel pranks on small children, and invented children to sell more con- systematically oppress is awaiting route of air travel this week, but DeWine went on record stating the demand for coal was deemed doms. God reveals in an exclusive ratification. they arrived to find Florida desert- that he truly believes in the cause: unconstitutional. Recreational coal interview that he had no part in The entire population of Ohio ed, presumably because the weekly “If [the gun laws are] stricter, then burning and medical coal-burning creating Ohio, and Satan refuses to formed a hive mind on October 10, Floridian invasion of Ohio had you won’t have guns and I will.” remain legal, but they may soon even say its name. If you feel like 2020, at 3:09 p.m. EST. Standing in once again happened concurrently This has caused tension among the require paperwork for public car- throwing up, you may do it now. orderly rows along most roads, the as the weekly Ohioan invasion of Republican population of Ohio, rying. Due to the ban, many have That’s right, let it all out. I’m sorry affected citizens chanted, “We are Florida. They likely went along two not unlike last month’s proposal to been deprived of their life-saving you had to read this. We’ll be back Ohio. Ohio is all. Florida will be separate routes, causing them to not separate the state from this time- coal. “I’m gonna move to Califor- for updates next week, and this has ours.” They then began marching meet each other. After the 160th line. (DeWine had held yet another nia. See if I can start a wildfire to been your Ohio Week in Review. toward Interstate 77, likely as a so- consecutive failed invasion, Califor- controversial stance to support the warm myself up,” one irate resident Tricks and Treats: Personifying our Favorite Halloween Candies Jenny Spectator Chen / The Adrianna Peng / The Spectator Adrianna Peng Ismath Maksura / The Spectator Eleanor Chin/ The Spectator Eleanor Chin/ The Susannah Ahn / The Spectator