The Liberty Ledger A P R I L 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 2 3

Celebrity Lookout:

By: Jana Abdelghany & Jasmine Prime

Getting An Education

As we know her today Kamala is a fiery passionate activist and political figure. She demonstrated these same traits when she was younger and organized protests that her and other kids participated in. Kamala later went to Westmount High school in Quebec. After graduating high school Harris moved back to the United States to study at Howard University in Washington D.C. While attending Howard Harris joined the schools debate team and was an active member in the liber- al arts student council. She graduated from Howard with her B.A in economic and politi- Her Childhood cal science. Harris would finally receive J.D. Kamala Harris is a name that we’ve all in 1989 from the University of , Has- heard over these last few months and will tings College of Law. continue to hear for the next coming years. You may have watched some news reports Career of her or done a little research on her for your- Harris began her newly started career self. But, do you really know as much about as a Deputy District Attorney for Alameda Kamala Harris as you think? Kamala Devi Har- County, California, where she earned her ris was born October 20, 1964 in Oakland, reputation for toughness as she prosecuted California. Her parents, Shyamala and Don- cases of gang violence, drug trafficking and ald Harris had two children, Kamala and her younger sister, Maya. Shyamala and Donald made sure that Kamala and Maya stayed true to their diverse cultural backgrounds. They would travel to India every couple of years as well as being raised with traditional Hindu beliefs. At the young age of 7 Kamala’s parents divorced. Five years later, she would then move to Quebec, Canada with her mother. The Liberty Ledger

Celebrity Lookout: Kamala Harris … Continued By: Jana Abdelghany & Jasmine Prime

As her term went on, she became known for her prosecutorial style of ques- tioning witnesses during hearings. She drew particular attention for her questions about the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was testifying before the intelligence com- mittee on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. She later wrote a memoir in 2019 titled “”. Shortly after the hearing, she an- sexual abuse. She worked in the San Francis- nounced that she is seeking the Democrat- co District Attorney's office as a managing ic presidential nomination in 2020. She was attorney in the Career Criminals Unit in 1998. seen as one of the leading contenders, Two years later, she was hired as chief of the and drew attention during a primary de- Community and Neighborhood Division. In bate where she had a controversial ex- 2010, Harris was narrowly elected Attorney change with her fellow candidate Joe General of California. She won by a margin Biden, over his opposition to school busing of less than 1 percent, and became that first in the 1970s and ’80s. By September 2019, African American and the first female to her campaign was in a lot of trouble, lead- hold post. She continued to demonstrate ing her to drop out of the race in Decem- toughness and political independence, re- ber. She had continued to stay high profile, fusing to defend Proposition 8, which becoming a leading advocate for social- banned same-sex marriage in the state and justice movement reform following the helped lead to it being overturned in 2013. death of George Floyd in May 2020. Later She also wrote a book in 2009 called “Smart on, was called upon to select an on Crime''. In 2012, Harris spoke and gave a African American woman as his vice presi- memorable address at the Democratic Na- dential running mate. That August, Biden tional Convention, which raised her national chose Harris, bringing her back into the profile. Two years later, in 2014, she married race. attorney Douglas Emhoff. Kamala Harris was After months of campaigning and considered a rising star within the Democrat- fighting, Biden and Harris were announced ic party, so much so that she was recruited to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Barba- ra Boxer.

In 2015, she announced her candida- cy and during her campaign, she called for immigration and criminal-justice reforms, increases to the minimum wage, and pro- tection of women’s reproductive rights. She won the election fairly easily. When she took office in 2017, she won yet another title, be- ing named the first Indian American in the Senate and the second Black woman. The Liberty Ledger

Celebrity Lookout: Kamala Harris … Continued By: Jana Abdelghany & Jasmine Prime

President and Vice President elect for the 2020 presidential elections. This didn’t go over too well with Trump sup- porters, as we witnessed them invade the Capitol, only to confirm that in the end, Biden and Harris had won. On January 18, Harris resigned from the senate. Two days later, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in, becom- ing our new President and Vice Presi- dent of the United States of America!

Women’s History Month

Artwork & Article By: Jana Abdelghany

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist who got her recognition for speaking out publicly against the prohibition on the education of girls that was im- posed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Paki- stan.

During Women's History Month, I have done more research about the fe- male activists in our world, and she re- ally stuck out to me. She inspires me because she was so young when she started using her voice, speaking out about issues she was passionate about. This inspired me to start speak- ing out and addressing issues I felt were very wrong, and she did it all af- ter being shot, which shows so much resilience. She is an amazing role mod- el for young girls and boys around the world and she amazes me with all the work she has done! The Liberty Ledger Cool Cars are Everywhere: You Just Have to Look

By: Emil Koning

About a year ago, I went on a walk where. around my neighborhood to look for cool With all of that said, I also lucked out in cars. I was expecting to find one or two, seeing these. The Mercedes usually sits but the amount of cars I saw astounded under a tarp, the garage door at the me. From a rusty old Mercedes to a pris- bus depot is usually closed, and vehi- tine Packard to an R32 Nissan Skyline. Not cles rarely stay at the repair shop for all of these were on the same day, but particularly long. they are all in the same area. Also, sometimes vehicles are hidden for Left to right: A rusty car (presumably a years or stay only for a few days. For ex- mid-sixties Mercedes), a Packard (or ample, there are a pair of buses from Buick), and a red R32 Nissan Skyline (that around 1960 at the same bus depot at may or may not be legal). which I saw the Packard. At least one of them sat for as long as I could re- member behind a fence that I couldn’t see through. Once, there was a pair of classic cars parked in front of another repair shop. They were gone within a week.

Left to right: The buses, a Buick Road- master from around 1955, and an Oldsmobile.

However, while the Skyline was easily visi- ble in front of a local mechanic’s shop, others were not. The Mercedes was the back of a former bus depot (that now houses the occasional damaged van for some reason) and the Packard was in the back of another bus depot’s garage, hid- den behind buses and forklifts on an auto lift. Most will miss these nice vehicles, but when you look, you can find these every- The Liberty Ledger

Cool Cars are Everywhere: You Just Have to Look … Continued By: Emil Koning

Yet the amount of cool cars scattered around makes it hard not to find them if you just look. Sometimes, they can only be found by looking closely, others are hidden in plain sight, like in a parking lot, and still others are just out in the open!

COMIC

By: Dominic Fondetto The Liberty Ledger

A Silent Voice

By: Nathaniel Thomas

The movie flashes to the past. We see Shoya and his friends go to school. In his class, they’re introduced to a new student, Shouko Nishimaya. Shouko is deaf and she uses a notebook to communicate with her classmates. This makes it hard for Shouko to learn in class without help or to sing in the choir. This difficulty causes the other stu- dents to not like her, especially Shoya. “A Silent Voice” is a 2016 romantic dra- Shoya and his friends bully Shouko, which ma which was directed by Naoko Yamada leads to Shoya taking Shouko’s hearing aid. and it is also known by the name “Koe No Shoya continues taking Shouko’s hearing Katachi”. It is based on the manga with the aids until he takes it too far and causes same name created by Yoshitoki Ōima. The Shouko to bleed. When the class is con- movie is on Netflix. It’s about a former class fronted about the bullying Shouko was fac- bully reaching to the deaf girl he tormented ing, they all blame it on Shoya, even in grade school. He feels unworthy of re- though most of them bullied Shouko. After demption but still tries to make things right. this, Shouko gets bullied. Shoya’s class- This movie was an amazing movie. I give it a mates push him into a fountain and write 10/10 and recommend everyone to watch it. mean words on his desk. Shouko cleans up Shoya’s desk, but when Shoya sees her Synopsis cleaning, he insults her and attacks her. This leads to Shouko going to another school. The movie flashes to the present. We see

Shoya going to sign language learning The movie starts off with Shoya Ishida, a 17-year-old boy, paying off his debts, giving money to his mom, and quitting his job. The audience can see the reason a few moments later when class to find Shouko and apologize to her. Shoya is standing on a bridge, ready to jump When Shoya sees Shouko, he tries to apolo- off. He’s planning to commit suicide, but he gize, but Shouko runs away. Eventually, gets distracted by fireworks. Shoya changes Shoya catches up to Shouko and shows his mind last minute, and he gets off the her that he knows sign language. Shoya bridge. The Liberty Ledger

Silent Voices … Continued By: Nathaniel Thomas

choices, even some of the more risky ones. An example of this is the x’s over people’s faces to show the audience Shoya’s anxi- ety. Overall, I think this movie is great.

asks if they could be friends, and the scene ends.

Over the course of the movie, Shoya makes new friends and reunites with old classmates.

Shoya has to deal with his past and the prob- The characters in “A Silent Voice” are real- lem they cause. As the movie continues, the ly realistic and interesting. Shoya is a great bonds between the characters grow stronger character. It’s very interesting to see and Shoya improves as a person because of Shoya’s perspective. He’s a bully, which is them. a perspective people don’t usually see. His

social anxiety is very well portrayed and it Reviews makes sense. He was ostracized by his peers, so it makes sense he would have I asked my friend and my sister about their anxiety. His anxiety is also very realistic. In- thoughts on the movie. Here are their opin- stead of being portrayed in an exaggerat- ions. ed way like breaking down when he talks to another person, Shoya’s anxiety is My friend said he really liked the movie. It’s a shown by a few simple actions. He doesn’t sad movie and you can learn a lot from look at people’s faces, which is something watching it. My friend gave it a 9/10. I asked we see when we look through Shoya’s another friend his thoughts on the movie. My POV. Shoya’s anxiety is also seen through sister said she loves the movie. She said it the x’s on people’s faces. Shoya’s change makes you think and it’s a very deep movie from bully to a friend is also realistic and with deep messages. It made her feel sad makes sense. It’s in- while watching. She gave it a 10/10. spiring to see Shoya change and improve I think this movie is amazing. The characters as a person and are interesting, the messages are important make new friends. and the story is great. There are many things I Shoya is a great can praise about this movie, but there are character, and so is three main things I love about this movie. I Shouko. love the characters, emotions, and realistic elements of this movie. Another thing I really Shouko’s deafness is liked was the animation in this movie, it’s very well represented amazing and is probably the best animation I in this movie. We can have seen in an anime. I also liked the style see Shouko struggling The Liberty Ledger

Silent Voices … Continued By: Nathaniel Thomas

“A Silent Voice” is a movie that is extreme- ly realistic. Some examples of the realistic elements of this movie are Shouko’s deaf- ness, Shoya’s social anxiety, and the bully- ing that happens. Shouko’s deafness is very well portrayed, as I have said. This movie shows how many problems it caus- es. This causes her to not have friends, which causes her to hate herself. Another thing that I found was really interesting with her disability and how it affects her. We was that Shouko doesn’t want pity, she can also see how Shouko’s deafness causes wants respect. I feel like these characteris- her to hate herself. Shouko’s forgiving and tics make Shouko an extremely realistic determined personality also makes her a character. I also really like Shoya’s charac- ter. As I’ve said, Shoya’s anxiety is very well portrayed. It isn’t exaggerated, it’s shown through small glances, specifically Shoya not looking at people’s faces. I also really like that Shoya as a character tells the au- dience that people can change. Shoya started off as a bully, but he grew and changed into a friend. Shoya is also a very realistic character. Another aspect I really liked about this movie is that all the char- acters have flaws. They aren’t perfect, great character. The other characters in the and all of them, even Shouko, have flaws. movie are also interesting. Many of them are The characters aren’t black or white, they relatable and all of them have a large influ- all have good traits and bad traits. “A Si- ence on the story. “A Silent Voice” has amaz- lent Voice” is an extremely grounded and ing characters, and they make the movie realistic movie. amazing.

“A Silent Voice” is emotional. My friend and sister said it, and I agree. This movie made me feel extremely emotional. I felt scared and concerned for Shoya in many scenes (I would spoil the movie if I gave away more information). I felt dejected because of Shouko’s disability. I also felt hopeful for Shoya’s future and his relationships with “A Silent Voice” is a masterpiece. It’s a re- Shouko and his classmates. This movie alistic and emotional movie. The charac- caused my heart to beat extremely fast in ters are flawed and interesting. The anima- some scenes. So fast and hard that I could tion of this movie is beautiful. There are a hear my heartbeat in my ears. Some scenes lot of important messages in the movie left me stunned. I almost cried at times. This that people can learn from. I give this movie is an emotional rollercoaster, and it movie a 10/10 and recommend it to eve- shows just how amazing it is. rybody. The Liberty Ledger

History of: St. Patrick’s Day By: Nathaniel Thomas

St. Patrick’s Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among Day is a holi- American immigrants grew. This caused a rise day celebrat- in “Irish Aid” societies that held parades with ed on March bagpipes and 17. The Irish drums. In 1848, have ob- many of these so- served St. cieties united their Patrick’s Day parades to form for 1,000 years. Irish families usually attend one official New church in the morning on St. Patrick’s Day and York City St. Pat- celebrate in the afternoon. This holiday is ex- rick’s Day Parade. tremely popular in many parts of the world. How- Today, the St. Patrick’s Day parade is the ever, some people don’t know why this holiday world’s oldest civilian parade and the largest in exists or why people celebrate it. In this article, I the U.S.A. There are usually 150,000 partici- will talk about St. Patrick’s Day. pants in the parade and nearly 3 million people watch it live. The entire parade stretches 1.5- miles and lasts more than five hours. Many oth- St. Patrick’s Day was created to remember Saint er cities also host St. Patrick’s Day parades Patrick. The holiday falls on the day he died. with 10,000 to 20,000 participants each. Saint Patrick lived during the fifth century and is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain, but he was kidnapped and brought to Ire- land as a slave at the age of 16. He later es- caped, but returned to Ire- land. Saind Patrick is cred- ited for bringing Christiani- ty to the people of Ireland. In the centuries after Pat- rick’s death, his life be- came more ingrained in Irish culture. One of the most well-know legends Leprechauns are an important part of St. Pat- of Saint Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trini- rick’s Day, even though they don’t have any- ty using the three leaves of an Irish clover, the thing to do with Saint Patrick. The original Irish shamrock. name for leprechauns is “lobaircin”, which means “small-bodied fellow”. Belief in lepre- Since the 9th or 10th century, people in Ireland chauns likely stems from Celtic belief in fairies. have been observing St. Patrick’s Day on March In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky 17. The first St. Patrick’s Day took place not in and responsible for fixing Ireland but in America. The parade was held by a the shoes of other fairies. Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine Flori- In Celtic folklore lepre- da. Over a century later, homesick Irish soldiers chauns were known for serving the English military marched in New York their trickery, which they City on March 17, 1772 to honor Saint Patrick. used to protect their treas- Enthusiasm for the St. Patrick’s Day parades in ure. Leprechauns are cele- , Boston, and other American cities brated on St. Patrick’s grew from there. Day, with many dressing up as them.