The Gryphon Times
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THE GRYPHON TIMES Friday, April 16, 2021 Volume 13 Issue 5 The Right Fit Anti-Asian Hate on the Rise By Sydney Brenson By Ethan Bui The college search is a big undertaking and a central Recently, there has been a lot of violence toward it's not much different. Random people will go up to Asians part of being an upperclassman in high school. Juniors are Asians and Pacific Islanders in America. It has been occur- and tell them that they should go back to where they came starting the process of looking into higher education, and ing in all forms including verbal, mental and physical vio- from or they will even physically abuse them because of seniors are finalizing their decisions and getting ready to lence. According to CBS News, the amount of hate crimes their race. leave for college. toward Asians has increased by Even though hate crimes Futures can be unpredictable but fulfilling at the same around 150 percent since the emer- like these have been occurring time. Students‟ dreams and aspirations could include gence of coronavirus. for a long time against many higher education from a traditional four-year college, a Examples of this include spa different minorities, the pan- two-year community college or a trade school. Each path shootings in Atlanta, an assault on demic has seemed to cause a can move students toward specific goals or at least set an elderly woman in New York huge spike in the amount them on a course of discovery. City and many other incidents that against Asians. As mentioned Aleice Smith, a University Academy junior, said she have occurred during the COVID- before, this is likely due to the is thinking about being an accountant, a professional pian- 19 pandemic. virus originating in China. ist or working within the nursing profession. In the case of the Atlanta spa Early in March, the World Abreon Adams, another UA junior, said she wants to shootings, the suspect, Aaron Long, Health Organization released become a criminal de- shot up three different spas that all official information regarding fense lawyer or do some had Asian workers. In response to the origin of the coronavirus CSI work. his denial of his crimes being based Protests against the hatred being shown to- outbreak. The WHO reported Getting to the insti- on race, Asian Americans have spo- ward Asians and Pacific Islanders have been that the virus actually originated tutions necessary to ken out against Long, saying that taking place around the world. in farm animals in China, but equip students for their the majority of his victims were the animals were still being professional aspirations Asian. shipped out into the market even though the Chinese gov- takes time and lots of With the assault of the elderly Asian woman, a man ernment had asked the farms to dispose of them. research to find the right named Brandon Elliot approached a 65-year-old woman When giving speeches about coronavirus early in the fit. Adams and Smith and brutally beat her while making racist remarks. He pandemic, former president Donald Trump nicknamed the have both started the kicked her to the ground, stomped on her face and told her virus the “China Flu.” This could be pinpointed as the start process of figuring out that she didn‟t belong in America. of the universal scapegoating of the Asian community. Of their next steps after The alleged justification behind these hate crimes is course, this targeted blame has proved to be controversial. Mr. Burdette guides students graduation. Adams said that people are blaming Asians as a whole for causing the Cannon Clark, another UA junior, said, “I do believe through the college selection she signs up for semi- emergence and spread of coronavirus. Although the virus that there is a certain group of people that should be blamed process in Seminar classes. nars about the occupa- originated in China, violence targeting all Asians has been for the virus. I say that because the virus was caused by a tions she is interested in. Smith is preparing by applying occurring around the world. certain group of people, but not an entire race.” for scholarships, writing down ACT score goals and mak- Jaden LeGrair, a University Academy junior, said, “I Many ideas to decrease the amount of hate crimes have ing virtual college campus visits. don‟t think these hate crimes are justified because no one been expressed over social media by those who want them Speaking of campus visits, many factors come into likes to be stereotyped based on what other people of their to stop. This includes stricter laws, harsher punishments for play when finding the right fit. These include tuition race do.” offenders and increasing awareness of hate crimes. As of costs, available majors/programs and distance from home. Ever since the start of the pandemic, Asian-Americans now, however, nothing major has been done to prevent Although researching possible schools is exciting, worries have been very tense due to the amount of hate and dis- these crimes from happening. and stress often accompany the college vetting process. crimination they have seen or even recieved themselves. “I honestly think there is nothing that can be done be- Smith said she's “nervous about meeting new people, Videos of people harassing Asian Americans on the streets cause it seems like basic human nature to blame others the type of criteria within the education range and how I‟ll for no apparent reason have circulated the internet. when things get tough,” LeGrair said. be able to use time management.” Asian people with social media accounts receive mes- Until something is done about these hate crimes, While the college selection process isn't easy, thank- sages of death threats and various racial insults. In public, Asians around the world will be forced to live with caution. fully, there are people in place to help guide students along the way. Mr. Joshua Burdette, University Academy‟s Junior and Senior Seminar teacher, said he was excited about his Bright Lights, Big NFL Draft college selection process when he was a high school up- perclassman, but he was still nervous. Mr. Burdette had to By Trevon West take into account the major he wanted and stay in a re- The NFL draft is coming soon, and as usual, there is a disaster, and they have a good quarterback with no help,” sponsible financial place with his selected schools, too. lot of excitement surrounding it. The draft will begin on he said. Finally, after plenty of research and planning, Mr. April 29 and end on May 1. The Eagles just drafted a quarterback last season in Burdette got into the University of Kansas, and he ma- This year, the draft will be in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jalen Hurts, who is an jored in environmental engineering. event will have some similarities to last year‟s draft but also exciting player. Hurts The college selection process can be difficult, but it some differences. The draft is expected to have 50 percent came in to start in the can also be fun. of the people in attendance at multiple stadiums including middle of the season to Eejan Clarkson, a UA senior, visited several different FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the replace Carson Wentz. campuses. He said, “I think most of all I enjoyed seeing Great Lakes Science Center—all in Cleveland. The other 50 While these soon- the different dorms and campuses and just imagining my- percent of the attendees will be virtual. to-be drafted players self there.” The draft is very quarterback, wide receiver and offen- come from schools And throughout the process, remember what really sive linemen heavy. Three quarterbacks could be selected across the country, matters. within the first three picks, and five could be chosen in the some collegiate pro- Shyionna Thatcher, another UA senior said, “Give top 12. Obviously, this draft class is talented. grams will be supply- yourself a break. It seems like your entire senior year be- Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with no ques- ing an abundance of fore May 1 is all about college and scholarship searching. tion is the best quarterback and player in the draft, and it talent. Sometimes your attention to your mental health gets seems to be a foregone conclusion that he will go number Alabama was the pushed to the side. Keep it a priority. To succeed in life one overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. best college in the Trevor Lawrence is expected to you must remember who you are and why you‟re living University Academy senior Jordan Johnson is always country last season, but this life.” be the top pick in this year’s interested in keeping tabs on the NFL draft. Johnson be- looking closely at their NFL Draft. lieves Lawrence will be the first name called on draft night players, it's not surpris- Mr. Burdette’s College Search Tips: because he thinks Lawrence is a very smart QB who can ing. Devonta Smith, a wide receiver for Alabama, had a pass the ball. He also said he thinks Lawrence is a very breakout year, winning the Heisman Trophy and other mul- Research a wide variety of schools. good leader. tiple awards while in college. Smith is set to be a top 10 Select possible reach schools, target schools and safer Kauffman junior Zayveon West agreed. pick in this year‟s draft. schools. “I think Trevor Lawrence will be the number one pick Alabama will have many top prospects, including Find credible information about graduation rates, reten- in this year's draft because he is the most skillful QB com- Smith, from its championship team available in the draft.