Gay Rights: Our Future GABRIEL BOUYS / Ge Tt Y I M Ages
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TURMOIL IN AFRICA • TORTURE IN IRAN Vital Signs 1 GABRIEL BOUYS / GETTY IMAGES Future Our Rights: Gay LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN THIS Awareness and Passion ISSUE of violence and hopelessness. The unfathom- BY NEHA SRIVA S TAVA able warring between the Hutus and Tutsis of Rwanda resulted in pure genocide. Yet, who is “Triumph of A Dreamer,” a recent op-ed to argue that the next Curie or vos Savant could Awareness and Passion by Nicholas D. Kristof in The New York not have existed among the millions killed? NEHA SRIVA S TAVA . 2. Times, exquisitely captures the extent of So many people lack the means of obtaining Gay Rights: Our Future human potential evidenced by a passionate education that would permit them to rise up SEA N SALAMO N . 3. individual. In the article, he traces the life of and develop their talents. We cannot selfishly Too Broke to Teach? Tererai Trent, a woman who escaped rural assume that it is only we who possess talent CAROLI N E DREYFU ss . 4. Zimbabwean poverty to pursue a Doctorate and brains in this world. degree in America. With an abusive husband It’s crucial to see both sides of the coin: Learning from the World and five children yet still desiring an educa- for millions of people worldwide, progress KIRA N BHATT . 5. tion, Trent exemplifies those who have the takes a combination of individual persistence Obama on Wall Street talent and determination to and social help. These ar- AL B ERT MAG N ELL . 6. triumph despite all odds. Yet, ticles are a testament to this Kristof aptly reminds us that Is the Oil Crisis Over? understanding, as well as to these qualities do not safe- the passion for global causes And REW YOU N G . 7. guard success as he remarks, felt by our student body. The Last Lion “talent is universal, while Clearly, like Tererai Trent, SHAA N GUR N A N I . 9. opportunity is not.” Pingry students possess high My Summer with David McCullough This issue of Vital Signs personal aspirations. But, HU N TER STIRE S . 10. showcases the perseverance in accordance to Kristof’s of people globally, while view, since we stand from Kristof and the Power of Journalism also examining the dearth places of opportunity, we ERI K A LAMPERT . 12. of opportunity many others also must dream for others. Child Soldiers of Africa face. In this issue, you will I do not argue that each MARY KATE MARTI ns O N . 13. learn that Kenyan students Pingry student should grow Peace after Genocide? are highly motivated to pur- to become a social activist, sue education necessary to rather, that we be aware of BE N BALLI N TY N . 14. elevate themselves. The incredible tenacity the world’s social fabric and its inherent in- Nairobi Odyssey of Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn in equalities. This extends to Sean Salomon’s im- LOUI S A LEE . 16. improving the status of women will astound passioned and heartfelt article on the injustice Iran Tortures you. You will also see the drive of Iranians to of Proposition 8. Then, the natural step after NEHA SRIVA S TAVA . 21. get justice and political autonomy from their personal awareness is to spread the word. Vital government, despite the threat of torture and Signs, of course, is the perfect conduit of stu- A Moral Mandate imprisonment. dent opinion. As my high school career draws BRA nd O N BRIER . 24. However, opportunities for success are to a close, I’ve realized and truly appreciated California Burning simply unattainable to many. Child soldiers in the essential purpose of this magazine — to AN I S HA MOHI N . 28. Africa are inextricably entrenched in a system cultivate awareness and inspire passion. Thus, I’d like to thank the students who contributed to this issue. I hope students con- tinue to write for this magazine with the same Vital Signs excitement, with the same boldness and tenac- ity that characterize each article. As Kristof Pingry’s Journal of Issues & Opinion would argue, when equipped with personal Vol. 24, No. 1 • The PiNgry School, MarTiNSVille, NJ 08836 • NoV. 2009 determination and a global understanding, we Editors/ Erika Lampert, Louisa Lee, Neha Srivastava too can triumph. Copy Desk/ Brandon Brier, Stephanie Fung, Shaan Gurnani, Mary Kate Martinson, Anisha Mohin Art Editor/ Stephanie Fung AssistantArt Editor/ Amanda Devine Faculty Advisor/ Mrs. Madeline Landau On the Cover Technical Advisor/ Mr. Dean Sluyter UCLA students protest the California Supreme Court’s decision upholding The opinions expressed in Vital Signs are not necessarily those of the Pingry School, its students, faculty, administration, or trustees. Articles, letters, and cartoons represent the views of their authors. Unsigned letters will not be published. Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage. 2 SEAN SALAMON Gay Rights: Our Future relearn acceptance. Just as white children of — depending on to whom you come out, you BY SEA N SALAMO N the 1960s learned to accept their black peers may face bigotry, and you may lose friends. as equal, men and women of the present will However, coming out does more good than fter the passage of California’s learn to accept their gay peers as equal.Those harm because it changes people’s minds about Proposition 8 back on Election Day who find themselves opposed to same-sex gay people. When individuals who disparage 2008, I felt miserable. That night, I marriage should know that sometime in the about gay people are confronted with several Astayed up and watched our country elect its not-so-distant future, they too will “relearn people they know and like that are gay, it first black president, noting that the progress acceptance.” Thirty years from now, we will puts things in perspective. People who know America had made was incredible. The next look back on today and regard Proposition gay people are much less likely to be against morning, however, I woke up to find that 8 with shame, much like the way we look gay rights. Coming out has the potential to voters in California had passed a measure upon separate water fountains for blacks, feel change minds. Still, it is dangerous for many banning same-sex marriage in their state embarrassed and question how anybody could American teens who fear and/or face eviction once again. Four short months after the state be so near-sighted and prejudiced? from their homes if their parents find out that Supreme Court ruled discrimination against My point is simple: Proposition 8 was they are gay. gay people illegal, 52 percent of California disappointing, but it is irrelevant. Same-sex The second way you can help is by actively voters opted to overturn this decision. I could marriage and all other forms of gender equal- opposing prejudice. When people use the term have cried. This was not the progress that I ity are inevitable. Just recently, we saw hard “faggot” or the phrase “That’s so gay,” tell had witnessed the night before. proof of this: Iowa legalized same-sex mar- them that they are insulting you or someone The very idea of voting on other people’s riage, followed by Vermont five days later, you know. Likewise, when someone belittles marriages, be it gay or lesbian or interracial and then Maine. The tide of history is turning, gay people or argues that they don’t deserve or any other, appalls me. We don’t vote on and all of us are very privileged because we equal rights, speak out. Let this person know straight marriages! Shouldn’t we know bet- are witnessing the turning point as we speak. what you think. Oftentimes, just knowing that ter by now? Haven’t the black civil rights The question is no longer if, but when?So, someone else thinks differently is enough to movement, woman’s suffrage, and countless how can the average person help bring about make somebody consider another point of other civil rights battles shown us that deny- this change as quickly as possible?First, if view.Although gay rights are inevitable, our ing rights to a minority, simply because the you are gay, bisexual, or transgendered, come opposition will tirelessly seek to delay them. majority claims superiority, is inexcusable? out of the closet. Who you are should not be How will they do this? Put simply, they will Must each generation learn the same lesson? a secret. lie. After much thought, it seems to me that each Of course, coming out requires much In fact, the main reason anti-gay refer- generation, in some way or another, must self-examination and is easier said than done CO N TI N UED O N PAGE 8 3 than 100 students enrolled have been canceled, as have the Bachelor BY CAROLI N E DREYFU ss of Arts program in earth sciences and the option to minor in music. Additionally, the UC Davis Medical Center has eliminated its liver MAGINE you have just been accepted to your dream school. You transplant program. arrive to find that one of your courses has been eliminated. Or per- By cutting back on public education, California’s government haps you are a professor, and you face a pay cut or even a layoff. will only exacerbate the state’s economic troubles by closing off IMany students and faculty have to face this reality on all the campuses the opportunities that a higher education brings to the population. that make up the highly respected University of California. Public education, especially public universities, has always provided With an overall budget cut of $637.1 million, the UC system must affordable educational opportunities for people from disadvantaged reduce admissions, raise student fees and significantly limit curricula.