Devil's Advocate (Volume 34, Number 3, March 2018) by Devil's Advocate

devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocate stanton college preparatory school

TRUTH in the 21st Century

By Phong Huynh

As modern society adapts to the rapidly changing American sociopolitical landscape, truth is becoming a matter of heavy scrutiny and debate.

number 3 | march 2018 devilsadvocatepaper.com

MAKE A RESERVATION: Visit us at my5thelement.com or Call us at 904-448-8265 We offer a fresh and healthy approach to Indian cuisine. We use only the finest spices and ingredients from around the world to put together a truly tantalizing menu.

DINE IN: Find us at 9485 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY WRITING ASSISTANCE

Lisa M. De Sanctis | 855.888.EDIT | worditwisely.com | Lisa@worditwisely.com

devil’s advocate

volume xxxiv

number three

Stanton College Preparatory School

4 7 9 10 14

Sports

On the Right Track After years of requests, Stanton College Preparatory School may be receiving a new track.

By Tatyana Esquilin

Student Life

The Local Beat Sydney Lewis documents the rise of several student musicians at Stanton College Preparatory School.

By Sydney Lewis

The Record

March 2018 Trystan Loustau’s compilation of the numbers, names and notions you need to know.

By Trystan Loustau

Features

Truth As modern American society changes rapidly, truth has become a matter of heavy scrutiny and debate.

By Phong Huynh Cover Photo By Prachi Misra

Photography

Spring Awakening A collection of black-and-white photography that sets the stage for the new season and its beginnings.

By Dani Brewer, Prachi Misra and Katie Stevens

photo by Dani Brewer

photo by Prachi Misra

photo by Dani Brewer

15 16

Opinions

Editorials The Devil’s Advocate’s Editorial Board shares their thoughts on truth in the media and gun violence.

By the Editorial Board

Opinions

Columns Writers reflect on new music, local theater, quitting, women in Catholicism and review restaurants and movies.

By Christa Assi, Katelyn Colley, Salma Drew, Amra Kajdic, Jake Nachman and Lawin Villena

Photography

A Showcase of Local Art The Devil’s Advocate photographers feature local murals while emphasizing their humanity.

By Dani Brewer, Prachi Misra and Katie Stevens

Editor’s Letter

photo by Dani Brewer

Walker Miller Editor-in-Chief

What does it mean to be a student journalist today? Surely, there are some who see school newspapers as trivial. Here at the Devil’s Advocate, we try not to infantilize the concerns of our readers. High school students are so much more than the stereotype of shallow, ditzy, status-obsessed teenagers. That’s why we publish stories that are both serious and interesting, about the real problems facing teenagers

today, both at Stanton College Preparatory School and around the world. This includes issues such as drug and alcohol use, the youth mental health crisis and the implications of national elections. However, the role of student journalists took a dramatic turn on Feb. 14, 2018, when a gunman killed 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Writers for their school newspaper, the Eagle Eye, faced the horrific

Contributing Advocates: The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists and filmmakers. Contact Editor-in-Chief Walker Miller at walkertmiller@gmail.com, Opinions Editor Likhita Manchikanti at likhi.2201@gmail.com or Digital Media Editor Chisom Ukoha at cukoha@gmail.com. Ads and Sponsorships: The Devil’s Advocate is dependent on our advertisers and our sponsors. When you purchase an ad with us, it reaches a diverse student population that can help your business. We can also design your ads. Our prices are: $35 (1/4 page), $60 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $100 (full page b/w) or $150 (back page color). Contact Public Relations Manager Amra Kajdic at amrakajdic1@gmail.com or our adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

march 2018

position of having to objectively cover the tragedy that devastated their school and community. How do you keep your emotions at bay when writing about the deaths of your friends, teachers and coaches? The violence in Parkland—something no student, journalist or otherwise, should have to face (see our editorial on gun violence on page 15)—is an extreme example of the unique position student journalists occupy. As journalists, we are bound to tell the whole story as factually, carefully

Printed at Florida Sun Printing, Callahan, Fla. Please recycle this newspaper.

and objectively as possible. But how do you do that when you’re writing about your school—your second home—on a daily basis? The stories we publish in the Devil’s Advocate are not abstract concepts. They are our lives and the lives of those around us. We are student journalists—but we are students first.

Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Walker Miller Managing Editors: Mary Allison Kane, Trystan Loustau Layout and Design Editor: Liam Ngo Senior Photography Editor: Dani Brewer Digital Media Editor: Chisom Ukoha Associate Digital Media Editor: Bettina Huang Digital Media Writer: Brandon Deda Public Relations Manager: Amra Kajdic Features Editor: Rohini Kumar Opinions Editor: Likhita Manchikanti Sports Editor: Emmett Gideon Student Life Editor: Zahra Casado Staff Writers: Christa Assi, Salma Drew, Tatyana Esquilin, Zachary Genus, Phong Huynh, Sydney Lewis, Jake Nachman Photographers: Prachi Misra, Katie Stevens

devil’s advocate | 3

Sports

On the Right Track After eight years of requests, Stanton College Preparatory School may be receiving a new track.

By TATYANA ESQUILIN, Staff Writer

The safety of athletes is the top priority in any high school athletic program. In order to maintain a safe environment for athletes, it is necessary for the school to have adequate practice and competition facilities, such as tennis courts, a practice field and a rubberized track. Despite this, Stanton College Preparatory School is the only sports-inclusive public high school in Duval County without a rubberized track; however, after years of waiting and multiple proposal requests, it appears as if Stanton’s track is finally getting the improvements its athletes need. Stanton’s principal, Mrs. Nongongoma Majova-Seane, Athletic Director Chris Crider and former Athletic Director Lisa A. King-Goodwin have been making efforts to replace the track since 2010. According to Mrs. Majova-Seane, former cross country and track coach Rodney Smith also made efforts during his time at Stanton. Duval County Assistant Superintendent of Operations Donald Nelson said the project was placed into the backlog of projects by the DCPS Department of Operations. The current track is seldom used for athletic purposes apart from gym classes, but Mr. Nelson stated the rubberized track will be installed in the summer of 2019 following the construction of a new drainage system this summer. “Summer is the only time that the track is available to do work,” said Mr. Nelson. “Once the track drainage system is complete, the track asphalt resurfacing and rubberized surface installation would follow the same process.”

Drawbacks for the Athletes The delay in acquiring a new track has caused many problems for the athletes who use it, the most concerning being increased susceptibility to injuries. Lacey Dennis, Stanton’s athletic trainer, emphasized specific injuries where

the risk is heightened when running on an asphalt track. Among these are medial tibial stress syndrome, commonly known as “shin splints,” as well as other forms of tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) and stress fractures caused by the impact of running on such a hard surface. “Any type of tendonitis is considered a chronic injury because it’s something that will last months on end,” said Ms. Dennis. “Tendonitis is something that starts and then gets a lot worse, and a lot of the time it has to do with the pavement the athletes are running on.” She says having a rubber track would decrease the impact of running therefore lowering the risk of injuries. Members of Stanton’s track and cross country teams have also expressed concern for this issue. “When you run you are hitting the ground pretty hard which causes a shock that goes to your legs because the [asphalt] track doesn’t absorb any of the vibrations,” said junior Patrick Langen, a member of the Stanton track and cross country teams. “If we had a rubber track the shock would be split more between the runner and the track itself.” Due to the safety hazards of an asphalt track, Stanton’s track and cross country teams currently have to travel off campus for practices and competitions which makes transportation more difficult for the athletes compared to being able to stay at the school. These hazards also prevent Stanton from hosting track meets. This is a disadvantage for Stanton’s runners because off-campus tracks do not offer all of the resources that can be found at a school, and transportation is not always ideal. “We practice at Mallison Park. The track itself is very nice; however, we don’t have much in the way of other facilities,” said Doug Skiles, Stanton boys’ track and cross country

coach. “Often times the restrooms are locked and we have to bring all of our equipment to the park each day.” According to Coach Skiles, a rubberized track would enable Stanton runners to stay on campus for more efficient practices. Also, Stanton will be able to host track meets, which will increase income for the athletic department and help to alleviate some of its financial limitations. Overall, Stanton’s athletic department believes the new rubberized track will solve many of the issues faced by Stanton athletes. “A rubberized track would be a good thing for all of our sports teams and would make our facility safer,” said Coach Crider.

Becoming a Safer School Towards the end of 2017, Ms. Dennis submitted an application for Stanton to participate in a movement called “Safe Sports School,” which was initiated by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). This program is dedicated to developing and enforcing certain safety measures to ensure the protection of athletes. According to the NATA website, in order to become a Safe Sports School, the school must “promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities.” Such facilities have not been available to Stanton runners, which is why they travel off campus. Ms. Dennis hopes this issue will be resolved once the rubber track is installed and the athletes can maintain a safe practice environment on campus. The asphalt track has also proven to be dangerous for sports teams like football who host games on the field. Its surface does not provide much traction for people walking on it, and becomes slippery when wet, which can cause more injuries.

photo by Dani Brewer

Stanton’s asphalt track (left) in comparison to First Coast High School’s rubberized track (right).

4 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

vol. xxxiv, no. 3

Action shot of students running

photo by Katie Stevens

Stanton’s gym classes use the track despite its current state. “[With a rubberized track] other sports would also be safer,” said Coach Skiles. “I’ve seen many athletes slip on our track once they leave the grass field.”

Logistical Hurdles The construction delay was thought to have been caused by several budgeting issues across the county. According to a 2017 article published by The Florida Times-Union, DCPS overspent its budget projections by about $21 million last year. The causes of the overspending were attributed to issues ranging from budget development to non-essential travel. The article cited the Proposed Financial Plan for Addressing Budgetary Practices & Processes, which was written by DCPS Acting Chief Financial Officer Leon Legutko and Executive Director of Financial Services Ronald Fagan and published in September 2017. According to the article, DCPS addressed 17 of these overspending issues. The sixth issue involved the review process for purchasing equipment. The document stated DCPS lacks a review process to determine if purchases made by the county are essential to the functioning of the district and better education for the students. According to Legutko and Fagan, the lack of a review process may have caused “non-essential” equipment purchases by county officials. Senior Ethan Dunn, a member of the Stanton track and cross country team, argues the money spent on this equipment could have gone towards getting a new track.

How do we best utilize the dollars we have to provide academic support and advancement of our students? —Paula D. Wright “It seems as if the money is spent on items that aren’t necessary for an enriching academic experience,” said Dunn. “However, a rubber track is necessary for a high school track and cross country team.” According to Assistant Principal Michael Kerr, who works closely with school faculty, PTSA and district maintenance to ensure Stanton remains in its best condition, maintaining facilities is essential to the functioning of a school. “Our building is a little bit older,” said Mr. Kerr. “So it is important to stay on top of the issues to make sure the students have an environment that is appealing and conductive for learning.” Although the track is one of the facilities that requires maintenance in order to serve its intended function, it is not the biggest issue the county has to look at. Ms. Paula D. Wright, Chairman of the Duval County School Board, said that the Board determines budgeting solely by what they think will enhance academic performance. She said issues in budgeting had nothing to do with the track, it was just a matter of prioritizing things such as supporting teachers and students at lower-performing schools. Because Stanton is already a top-ranked school for academic performance and

march 2018

the track is not needed to improve quality of education, it was not considered a pressing issue. “As we look at the budget process, we look at how do we best utilize the dollars we have to provide academic support and advancement of our students,” said Ms. Wright. Even before installing a rubberized track, a new drainage system needs to be constructed for the school’s football field. Mr. Nelson estimated the amount of money needed for the installation of a new drainage system is $170,000. The cost of this project has contributed to the delay in the track’s construction. However, according to boys’ cross country and track coach Doug Skiles, a new drainage system could be installed for a much lesser amount. Coach Skiles works for EnVision Design and Engineering, a company that specializes in the construction of drainage systems. “I believe [the county] overestimated the cost of installing a field drainage system,” said Coach Skiles. “I design drainage systems in my profession and have come up with solutions that are closer to $50,000.” Coach Skiles surveyed the football field last May and provided a quote of $45,700 to repair the drainage system according to the provided design plan. According to Coach Crider, the plan was considered insufficient due to county regulations, which is why they gave a much higher estimate of what it would cost. Mr. Nelson says this was because EnVision Design was not pre-approved by the school district and does not have the same regulations as the county when it comes to the construction of a drainage system. This includes specifications such as pipe size and a concrete gutter collection system. “The EnVision Engineering plan is different from the DCPS completed design plan,” said Mr. Nelson. “EnVision design size of [a 6-inch] collection pipe is undersized. DCPS no longer uses 6-inch drain lines as they need continual maintenance and are insufficient to maintain the drainage requirements.” Mr. Nelson says the school district has been aware of the requirement to place rubberized track at Stanton since 2012 and it has not yet been completed because of the need for a new drainage system. He stated the reason that this construction has not taken place yet is the “lack of funds and higher priorities at other schools.” Apart from financial issues, Mr. Nelson brought to attention that the drainage system requires excavation, a process which must take place in the summer in order to avoid the disruption of school functions. He says as a result, there will be one year of delay to install the drainage system, since the limited amount of time in the summer makes it impossible to install the rubber track then as well. Being the only public high school in Duval County with a track team and no rubberized track has caused many problems in the past, and although it has been a long process, the athletic department believes finally receiving the new track will greatly improve Stanton as a school. Not only will it lead to fewer injuries and higher quality physical education classes, but according to Coach Crider, it will improve the image of Stanton as a whole. “Having the track resurfaced would give our students a sense of pride that they are currently lacking when it comes to facilities,” said Coach Crider. “It is long overdue.”

infographic by Emmett Gideon

devil’s advocate | 5

Student Life

THE LOCAL BEAT These Stanton College Preparatory School students have entered the music scene boasting impressive SoundCloud listens and concert appearances. By SYDNEY LEWIS, Staff Writer In recent years, opportunities to create music and share it with the world have expanded remarkably, resulting in a change in the way music is created and consumed globally. In this shifting music scene, SoundCloud, an audiostreaming service where creators can upload original songs and podcasts, has gained a reputation as a platform for selfexpression and independent music promotion. The driving force behind this website is a pool of diverse artists ranging from beginners to professionals. For Stanton College Preparatory School students, creating and uploading music online can be a creative outlet and a way of showcasing their unique talents.

“I enjoy performing live because I can truly see how much people enjoy my music. It makes me feel like I’ve done something good.” —Derrick Johnson, 11th SoundCloud music is known for bridging genres such as hip-hop, rock, and electro and has grown immensely in popularity since the company’s launch in 2007. In 2011, 5 million people were registered for SoundCloud, but by December 2017, that number had skyrocketed to over 175 million global users. SoundCloud’s easy access and widespread use makes it an ideal platform for aspiring artists who want to gain exposure. With the click of a button, a song can be made available to millions of potential listeners. Wellknown artists such as Chance the Rapper, Lil Pump and Kygo all began their careers on the music streaming site. Several students at Stanton have begun to build a presence by creating their own music, including junior Derrick Johnson, known as “hvmmer the scammer” on SoundCloud. Johnson, who began posting music in April 2017, merges lo-fi, rap and alternative rock. He currently

photo obtained from SoundCloud

hvmmer’s latest album, “Lo$er.”

march 2018

photo by Dani Brewer

hvmmer the scammer performing at The Late Show with Xoffin. has 458 followers and his most popular track has been played over 11 thousand times. “My style is definitely trap, but I want to make R&B songs and a lot of pop music,” said Johnson. “I even have a few rock songs on the way.” Many artists are inspired by others to begin experimenting with music; however, once an artist discovers their passion for the field, they often rely on their own motivation to continue the pursuit of their creative goals. Johnson was motivated to start rapping by former Stanton student Aham Ikeokwu, who was a member of the class of 2017. “Aham encouraged me to start rapping. My motivation now is completely different because this is the only thing that makes me happy,” said Johnson. “At this point it’s more than a want. It’s a necessity.” Johnson’s artistic endeavors go beyond just recording songs, as the rapper released a music video for his track “$trong” on Dec. 7, 2017. Music videos can help further promote a song and flesh out an artistic vision through another medium. Johnson understands the importance of a multimedia platform in today’s visual age, where musicians can distinguish themselves by creating an image. “You can put out good music all day, but you have to put your face with the music,” said Johnson. “That’s what counts, because it’s your image that gets you to the next level.” Johnson further gains exposure with live performances, which allow him to engage directly with an audience and boost his reputation. Concerts can also produce an interactive dimension that recorded music does not deliver, and be emotionally rewarding for both the artist and their fans. “I enjoy performing live because I can truly see how much people enjoy my music,” said Johnson. “It makes me feel like I’ve done something good.” Student musicians can get a glimpse into the professional music world with their live performances. But compared to artists in the cutthroat professional music industry who

compete for sales, awards and acclaim, musicians at Stanton enjoy a more collaborative environment which prioritizes joint efforts over competition. “As far as I’m concerned, the music scene is super collaborative,” said senior Andres Feliciano, a prominent rapper at Stanton. “Every single rapper I know at Stanton is somebody I work with and try to learn from.” This collaborative spirit that permeates Stanton’s music scene is also suggested by musicians featuring each other on songs. Recently, Johnson worked with senior Feliciano, known as “Rican Havoc,” on a track called “BLOW.” The two rappers also pool their efforts into a rap group named Xoffin, composed of Johnson, Feliciano and three other rappers. Working with other musicians allows for increased exposure as well as the broadening of artistic horizons. “Working with other artists is essential with music,” said Feliciano. “Being able to bounce off ideas from other creative people is one of the best feelings ever.”

“I feel like lyricism is a lost art in hip-hop in particular and many artists are scared to speak their mind for fear it won’t be trendy or catchy enough.” —Andy Feliciano, 12th Feliciano, who cites some of his biggest inspirations as Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and Kendrick Lamar, has wanted to rap since the fifth grade. He began uploading music his

devil’s advocate | 7

photo obtained from SoundCloud

Rican Havoc’s latest single “Cell.”

photo by Dani Brewer

Rican Havoc rapping at Xoffin concert. sophomore year at Stanton. “Music is important to me because it’s every bit an art and a science,” said Feliciano. “Music, in its purest form, is nonconformity.” The process of creating music is different for each artist, from the initial conception of a piece to the technical production. Rather than following a set process, musical production often centers around adaptability and innovation.

“We work around what we don’t have by just messing around and throwing ideas out until something clicks, then we have a song.” —Gina Armenteros, 11th “I focus heavily on lyrics, so it typically takes me two months to write a song I actually like,” said Feliciano. “I try to add quirks to every single song to ensure that people can tell it’s me.” For many artists, their reasons for creating music can come from personal creative passion but also the desire to spread a message. Rather than following the crowd, Feliciano’s tendency to embrace a nonconformist approach is illustrated by his efforts to help revive lyricism in hip-hop and encourage others to speak their mind. “I feel like lyricism is a lost art in hip-hop in particular and many artists are scared to speak their mind for fear it won’t be trendy or catchy enough,” he said. “You can just be you. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Feliciano’s attitude to rapping is reflective of a growing movement toward inclusivity in music. The democratization of music has allowed more artists to share their content without a pre-established brand; however, many still face challenges in promoting their songs without a professional trademark such as a record label. Feliciano says some of the biggest challenges for an upcoming artist are money and marketing. “Networking is essential to become notable within the industry and it’s tough to truly expand without connections,” said Feliciano. “In regards to money, music is ridiculously expensive. It’s a huge investment for a potentially bigger payout.” The financial risks associated with the music industry and difficulty making connections are drawbacks for many artists, but being a largely independent artist also has its benefits. “I think independence is an amazing asset for any upcoming artist,” said Feliciano. “It allows the artist to dictate

8 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

have by just messing around and throwing ideas out until something clicks, then we have a song,” said Armenteros. “Once it’s there we continue tweaking little things.” Differing artistic visions amongst members of a band can produce more diverse music and encourage risk-taking, but also comes with challenges. Though BAG of Limes have formed a stable bond, like many collaborative groups, they have disagreements about their work. “When you put a bunch of aspirations into one space it can definitely get hard to handle,” said BAG of Limes guitarist Freiberger. “We don’t always agree about song choices because we listen to different music, but we’ve managed to work that out so far.” Despite their occasional disputes, the band has become very close over their time together. Music’s ability to forge emotional connections between people is evidenced by the friendship developed between the members and their common loyalty toward their band. “I’m very blessed to be with a group that is so talented and unique,” said Armenteros. “The boys are like my family.” Stanton students are not only participating in the shifting musical culture, but shaping it with their own approaches. The expanding possibilities of the music world, from new technologies to instant sharing, allow artists to personalize their sound and discover their voice. Uploading music online also lets artists receive feedback and encouragement, while performing live lets them hone their abilities. As Feliciano, Johnson and BAG of Limes all continue to pursue music, they will be able to take full advantage of these possibilities in the years to come as music continues to change and define society.

everything they do instead of having overbearing bosses decide their every move.” The freedom of expression that comes with being a selfsupported artist is an especially important asset for new artists who want to experiment with music and discover their voice before committing to a record company. Promotional deals and record labels can help artists branch out, but they are no longer necessary to build a successful career. Artists can reach a bigger audience by using all of their available resources, as demonstrated by Johnson, who intends to release his music on other streaming services besides SoundCloud. “I do plan on releasing music on Spotify and Apple Music before 2018 is over,” said Johnson. “I just enjoy the freedom of making my own decisions and being able to release music when I want to.” While solo artists are a prominent aspect of the music scene at Stanton, some students choose instead to merge their creative talents with fellow musicians and form a band. Being in a musical group poses unique challenges but also opportunities for artistic growth. It allows artists to focus on becoming experts at their given instrument, whether that be drums, bass, guitar or vocals. Lo-fi indie band BAG of Limes consists of juniors Bryce Williams, Andreas Freiberger and Gina Armenteros. The band started making music in 2017 when they came together for a jam session and bonded over their mutual love of music. Their relaxed approach to creating music is similar to many other musicians who rely on their intuition when making art. “If something gives you chills, you’re heading in the right direction,” said Williams, the band’s guitarist, who has been playing guitar since eighth grade and has been inspired by artists such as HOMESHAKE, Miles Davis and Frank Ocean. Lead singer Armenteros can also testify to their creative Members of the band BAG of Limes from left to right: process. “We work around what we don’t Bryce Wiliams, Andreas Freiberger, Gina Armenteros.

photo by Dani Brewer

vol. xxxiv, no. 3

Source: CBSSPORTS.com

Source: Time.com

Source: olympics.cbc.ca

Source: Jaguars.com

The Record photos obtained from Google Images

Source: jacksonville.com

Source: Time.com

Source: jacksonville.com

march 2018

Source: jacksonville.com

Source: Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advocate Twitter Poll

devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocate | 9

TRUTH IN THE 21 CENTURY ST

By PHONG HUYNH, Staff Writer

As modern society adapts to the rapidly changing American sociopolitical landscape, truth has become a matter of heavy scrutiny and debate.

In November 2017, Facebook, Twitter and Google implemented “trust indicators” in their interfaces—icons that offer details about the veracity and reliability of the information presented on each platform. In late December 2017, Facebook also announced the addition of new information-auditing algorithms to its software in response to criticisms it had allegedly become a hub for fake news. These efforts reflected the public concerns regarding the growing presence of fabrications, biased statements and convoluted truths on modern information platforms—a potent system of the dangers presented by a posttruth society. The phrase “post-truth society” has grown popular as a way to describe the current information era. However, an analysis of what “truth” means needs to be considered before a “post-truth society” can be understood. Even at the most basic level, truth is a multifaceted abstraction: an intricate, often convoluted concept with sought-after real world applications. Last year, the public’s anxieties regarding the truth manifested in pop culture, media, literature and a slew of other platforms. In Craig Gillespie’s critically acclaimed film, “I, Tonya,” main character Tonya Harding decisively states, “There’s no such thing as truth. Everyone has their own truth.” Time magazine’s March 2017 cover story was titled “Is Truth Dead?” In the midst of public insecurity, what can be categorized as “truth” varies among the public. In light of the subjective nature of truth, a more reliable definition of the term may be derived from journalists, the so-called gate-keepers of truth. Objectivity and accuracy, pillars of journalism, are often associated with truth. “Truth is what the evidence tells us—it is what we have agreed upon over history, facts and data,” said Tia Mitchell, a local government reporter of Dekalb County, Georgia for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Truth is valuable because it’s hard to govern, particularly in government and politics, when people cannot even agree on the facts to move forward.” This definition of truth offers more clarity to the term “post-truth society.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines

10 I devilsadvocatepaper.com

“post-truth” as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” The term was chosen as Oxford Dictionaries 2016 Word of the Year because of the growing prominence of fake news. In a post-truth society, facts that conflict with people’s beliefs or intuitions are ignored in favor of inaccurate, biased information which suits a particular agenda. “The context of an event and the ability of the person to take that into consideration affects their viewpoint,” said senior Subhash Patcha. “In relation to the Parkland shooting, I feel people are blinded by their emphatic support of guns and the [U.S.] Second Amendment that they would do and say anything to make their viewpoint clearer and correct; then we have have theories like the conspiracy actors and things that don’t make sense.” The modern post-truth society has been molded in part by the inception of the digital age, in which technology has made news more accessible to the masses. A 2017 survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that two-thirds of American adults get their news from social media sites, with Facebook and Twitter being the most widely used. The abundance of information available on digital platforms is not infallible, however. According to a 2017 survey conducted by Zignal Labs, 86 percent of Americans do not fact-check the information they consume. While digital devices and social media may be practical in their ability to provide quick, easy access to information, this trait also seems to be conducive to the dissemination of false information. “I wrote a story… about this fake news article going around about an unidentified Jacksonville strip club that people shared tens of hundreds of times,” said Ms. Mitchell. “In writing my article, I realized that [the fake news article] was designed to be salacious, which made people share it. There are other websites that write misinformation for other reasons, whether it is to influence politics, support candidates or initiatives.” Despite attempts by digital platforms to combat disinformation, the ability to evaluate and share news is

devil’s advocate I 11

TRUTH IN THE 21 CENTURY ST

By PHONG HUYNH, Staff Writer

As modern society adapts to the rapidly changing American sociopolitical landscape, truth has become a matter of heavy scrutiny and debate.

10 I devilsadvocatepaper.com

devil’s advocate I 11

Features reserved for the people. Stanton College Preparatory School students are among digital media users who may inadvertently or otherwise circulate untruths or believe such untruths. Although unethical media sources are responsible to the spread of fake news, consumers who do not evaluate the news they share also contribute to the problem. “Consumers should question everything they read and ask themselves whether sources are trustworthy,” said WJCT News Director Jessica Palombo. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for readers to discern what’s real and fake because

Truth is what the evidence tells us—it is what we have agreed upon over history, facts and data. —Tia Mitchell the imposters are using real news sites’ exact code and reporters’ social media identities to mimic them [reliable news sources].” Young people could be especially prone to misinformation due to their proximity to technology and digital media. In a 2017 research report by Common Sense Media, 36 percent of children ages 10 to 18 preferred social media sites compared to friends, family and teachers and traditional media, and only 44 percent of children felt they could discern real news from fake news. The constant stream of information accessible to teenagers offers benefits to education, but could also serve to misinform people depending on an individual’s intentions. “When things are typed in either Twitter or in messages, you cannot hear the person’s voice or the inflections in their tone,” said Stanton Student Government Association Vice President Abby Farah. “[As a consequence] you kind of have to take what the person says. If a person is saying a joke,

photo obtained from Google Images

President Donald Trump’s campaign and time in office have played a considerable role in shaping the nature of the dissemination of information. you might not be able to pick up on it or if someone means to say one thing, you might read it as another thing based on ambiguous language.“ Politicians and famous figures have used perceived disinformation to create an atmosphere of skepticism and distrust. President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and year in office has changed the general perception of truth and how it is interpreted. According to a Washington Post database that fact-checks President Trump’s statements, the president made 2,140 public misleading claims within the first 365 days of his presidency. The president and his cabinet have popularized the use of the terms “fake news” and “alternative facts.” This sensationalization has created a sense of skepticism among the general public regarding the dependability of the media. “If we don’t know what we can and can’t believe with falsified news, then how can we trust our president or what any other politician says?” said senior C.J. James. “If we can’t trust our own president and the media, then

who do we trust to get our news from?” Understanding the psychology behind information processing may be a useful tactic for those seeking to counter ignorance and deception. The standard model for how the human brain processes lies was first introduced

If we can’t trust our own president and the media, then who do we trust to get our news from? —C.J. James, 12th by Harvard University psychologist Daniel Gilbert in 1991. The model proposes a two-step system, in which the mind briefly accepts the new information as true for the purpose

photo by Prachi Misra

graphic by Rohini Kumar

12 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

Misinformation often stems from the circulation of biased information that serves a particular perspective or agenda.

vol. xxxiv, no. 3

photo by Prachi Misra

The multidimensional, complicated nature of truth makes the consequences of disinformation all the more weighty and severe. of comprehension, then decides whether to accept or reject it. When the brain is bombarded with information, it cannot identify what is really true because of the amount of energy and time this requires, known as a cognitive load. Once the brain reaches its cognitive load, certain pieces of information are either instinctively absorbed or rejected. “I’m just a high school student—I don’t have government fact-checks I can pull up,” said junior Janey Wolff. “But if I see something I don’t immediately accept, I try to find other big name sources that report the same thing. If I can’t corroborate it anywhere, then I usually disregard it.” While there is no definite way to distinguish real news from fake, the teachings of media literacy may offer a plausible and effective solution to identifying and evaluating the news. Media literacy, defined by the Center for Media Literacy as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms,” is a concept that has recently gained traction. For example, in Connecticut and Washington, media

photo by Prachi Misra

The evolution of digital media platforms has pushed print publications to change the way they deliver information.

march 2018

literacy has been incorporated into school curriculums across a variety of subject areas. Studying media literacy involves the analysis of movies, propaganda, bias and advertisements to determine their message and purpose. Its incorporation into education systems with bipartisan support seems to be a response to the growth of fake news due to both the capacities of the internet and the 2016 presidential election. “Media literacy encourages the asking of questions: Who authored the message? Who is the intended audience? What are techniques used to make the message believable? And the most important question—what is omitted?” said Mr. Frank W. Baker, a media literacy consultant and the founder

To be fully informed is to know both sides of a story and what both sides are claiming. —Michael Shi, 11th of Media Literacy Clearinghouse, a website dedicated to media literacy. “Media literacy is a lens through which you see your world.” At Stanton, students are often required to cite and verify their sources for assignments such as research essays, instilling in them an awareness of unreliable information. In this way, some students have developed skills to assess the veracity of the information they receive. “[When I do my research,] I take statistics into mind and the sources where they got that from, how biased those sources are, if there are any opinions in it, if it actually happened and what people are saying about that,” said junior Taylor Stair. “There are a lot of things to take into consideration when you’re making an opinion and formulating your own beliefs.” However, many students still fall victim to disinformation through bad approaches to analyzing information. Taking a headline at face value may be enough to sway one’s opinion. “For a majority of teens, they’ll see headlines and get upset or outraged about certain things,” said junior Brevan Heaton. “When they learn the whole story, I’d like to hope they would react differently.” One of the main principles of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics states that journalists must “test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error.” As a professional journalist, they have a duty to report truthfully, and master skills to identify

infographic by Rohini Kumar

real or fake news in their job. This firm belief in upholding and investigating the truth may be useful to students who believe they are living in a post-truth society. “For students, investigative journalism is a far more narrow type of journalism than is often used today,” said Claire Goforth, Editor-in-Chief of Folio Weekly. “Investigative journalism involves digging into things, analyzing stuff on your own and reaching conclusion based on facts and data and things you can observe in the world [to recognize] trends and stuff that’s not revealed yet.” The complete, unsullied truth can be difficult to obtain as the American socio-political landscape undergoes rapid change. Additionally, while technology has allowed for easy access to a nearly infinite amount of information, sound analytical skills are necessary to make effective use of this information. Potential methods of combating ignorance have resulted in initiatives like media literacy, though the primary concern remains to extinguish disinformation itself.

devil’s advocate | 13

photo by Katie Stevens

Spring Awakening Birds have begun singing and the scent of flowers is starting to fill the air. Here are some photographs setting the stage for the new season.

photo by Katie Stevens

photo by Prachi Misra

Photography by Dani Brewer, Prachi Misra and Katie Stevens

photo by Prachi Misra

photo by Katie Stevens

Gun Control iiiiiOn Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which took 17 lives and sent 14 others to area hospitals. The shooter, later identified as 19-year-old and former Stoneman Douglas student Nikolas Cruz, was arrested soon after and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. In the wake of yet another school shooting in the United States, debates on highly political topics such as gun control and mental health have resurged and consumed much of mainstream media. This leaves students across the nation and at Stanton College Preparatory School to once again consider the dangers they face when they step onto their various campuses, as well as what can be done to prevent their own victimization. iiiiiIn the face of general inaction from legislators with power to make changes, we, the Devil’s Advocate, deem it crucial to our function as a scholastic newspaper dedicated to information and investigation to speak up on this issue. From local legislation to proclamations from President Donald Trump himself, proposed precautions meant to make schools safer have been characterized by prison-comparable amendments to the academic environment, including metal detectors, bulletproof glass, metal doors and even armed teachers and faculty members. iiiiiWe recognize the capacity for these measures to be widely destructive to not only the teacher-student dynamic, but the sanctity of the school as an institution. Thus, it is our responsibility to stand by policies and motions that serve to protect and support students. Due to the relevance of this issue to our student body, especially in the wake of an incident in such proximity to Stanton, it is imperative that we speak up. iiiiiMany Americans hold on to the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as the ultimate defense of their right to own a gun of any sort, but it is evidently hazardous to maintain standards established centuries ago when contemplating modern-day legislation. As technology has evolved and weapons have grown more accessible, more efficient, more sophisticated and thus more deadly, it is simply reckless to permit much of the populace access to assault rifles capable of murder at such a wide scale. What some may consider an infringement on the right to bear arms may be more accurately be described as a defense of the human right to life. Gun control is objectively necessary if we are to effectively prevent further violence on America’s campuses and future tragedies similar to the one in Parkland. iiiiiIf there is anything positive to come out of the Parkland shooting, it is the surge of activism from Stoneman Douglas students that has precipitated a nationwide movement for the cause dubbed “Never Again.” Within the past two weeks, the nation has seen them organize demonstrations, deliver impassioned speeches at rallies and maintain the strength of their voices in the demand for action, all while dealing with the grief of recent tragedy. The agency demonstrated by the teenage survivors of the Parkland shooting speaks to the capabilities of every member of our generation to organize and affect change, including members of Stanton’s own student body. iiiiiThose who feel strongly about gun violence should move beyond words and work to actualize the realities they deem to be just. Whether it be through political demonstration or making conscious choices in voting, the responsibility lies primarily in the hands of the nation’s youth to embrace their roles as the navigators of the future and make motions towards a safer America for themselves and those to come.

devil’s advocate established 1983 I Stanton College Preparatory School

2017–2018 Editorial Board Walker Miller Mary Allison Kane Trystan Loustau Liam Ngo Chisom Ukoha Dani Brewer

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Layout and Design Editor Digital Media Editor Senior Photo Editor

The Devil’s Advocate serves as the official newspaper of Stanton College Preparatory School. It is produced monthly by members of the Journalism class. The editors reserve the right to edit any material submitted to the paper for content, grammar, length and accuracy. The Devil’s Advocate is a public forum for student expression, which encourages free exchanges of opinions concerning controversial and non-controversial community and school related issues. The advertisements and ideas expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the newspaper adviser, newspaper staff, Stanton administration or the Duval County Public School Board. The Devil’s Advocate accepts advertisements from all businesses in the Stanton community. The ad format can be given to the staff or the adviser, Mr. Larry Knight. Students, faculty, and parents may contact the staff and adviser at (904) 630-6760 ext. 143 or at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

march 2018

The “Fake News” Effect iiiiiSince the election season of 2016, the profession of journalism has entered a new era. The relationship between the people and mass media has shifted, and with this shift, the future of journalism is uncertain. iiiiiPresident Donald Trump capitalized on pre-existing American discontent with the media. From the dawn of his business career, one of his defensive tactics was to discredit anyone who said anything with which he disagreed. He utilized this method during his campaign to both set the stage for his possible presidency and perpetuate his belief in “fake news” and the untrustworthy nature of journalists. This can currently be seen in the Republican Party’s consistent attacks on national news sources such as CNN, the Washington Post and The New York Times. iiiiiCNN in particular has been a major target of President Trump, receiving four of his 11 “Fake News Awards” published in January 2017 on the Republican National Committee’s website. Other attacks on news sources includes President Trump’s almost daily tweets about CNN or The New York Times publishing false or misleading stories. The interactions between Trump’s communications team and the media during press briefings have become comical, as shown in the multiple skits starring Melissa McCarthy as former Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live. As a result, relations between journalists and politicians have become increasingly tense and defensive. iiiiiJournalism, a career which was once competitive but accessible, has become almost impossible to enter. According to the Pew Research Center, newsroom employment shrunk from 68,610 people in 2006 to 41,400 people in 2016. The Florida Times-Union recently shut down all printing operations in Jacksonville, transitioning to a smaller staffed presence based in Georgia. This is representative of the state of the news business as a whole. The market for news has changed despite the desires of aspiring journalists. Scholastic journalists, once inspired to enter the field of journalism professionally, now feel discouraged. We, the scholastic journalists of the Devil’s Advocate, have spent our high school careers working on the school newspaper and planning our life around becoming a professional. The impact of a journalist is now diminishing because of the increasing distrust of the media, a trend that has accelerated since 2016. As a result, the future of news media is uncertain. To educated the public so they have the ability to make informed decisions is the rationale for journalism, but that motivation is fading. iiiiiTo save the essential career of journalism, student journalists must persist in their career choice and not fear politicians. The profession of journalism is important to democracy and government transparency, which requires journalists acting as “watchdogs” to investigate government affairs. It is the duty of a journalist to fight for the freedom of the press that is granted by the First Amendment so they can continue their democratic purpose. Student journalists may not be in the professional world yet, but they still have a duty to report the truth and uphold the standards of journalism in the sphere of influence they possess in their school. This practice will lead to future professionals upholding these same ideals. The restoration of the news media is a task that will soon face current student journalists.

devil’s advocate | 15

Opinions Calling it Quits By SALMA DREW, Staff Writer iiiiiIn December of my sophomore year, I made the decision to quit Stanton College Preparatory School’s girls’ varsity soccer team. Quitting a team I had always dreamed of being on was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and to this day my classmates always ask me, “Why did you quit? You could have gone to the state championships!” Despite this, quitting the varsity soccer team remains one of the best decisions I have ever made. iiiiiIn the real world, and especially at Stanton, perseverance is glorified and quitting is shamed. When students drop out of Stanton, they are seen as weak due to their inability to handle the pressure and workload of the school; the same stigma surrounds those who leave sports teams. Deciding whether or not to quit an activity such as a sport can be hard, but the best way to think of various time investments and activities is as a mathematical function: if one puts a certain amount of effort into something, how much will one get out of it? iiiiiIn the end, knowing the fulfillment you get from a particular activity is most important. For me, a sport I once loved and took pride in eventually became a chore I was required to complete because I didn’t want to feel like a quitter, a dilemma which was compromising both my physical and mental health. I have been around a number of Stanton students who complain about their extracurricular activities to the point where they seem miserable in them. If their answer to the question “why don’t you just quit?” is something along the lines of “I don’t know,” their love for the activity—or lack thereof—needs to be reevaluated. photo by Prachi Misra

There should be no shame in starting something like a sport or extracurricular activity, and later discovering you didn’t like it as much as you thought you would. iiiiiMore often than not, the most common answer to this question among Stanton students is, “it will look good on my college application.” Stanton students are notorious for staying with a club or a sport they do not enjoy simply to receive a varsity letter or to impress colleges. For several months, I told myself I would keep playing soccer because participating in both varsity soccer and swimming during my sophomore year of high school would look impressive on resumes. While receiving numerous varsity letters or being president of several clubs may appear impressive on paper, if someone commits their time and effort to something they do not enjoy solely for an application, quitting is the responsible choice. iiiiiContrary to popular belief, in many cases, quitting should not be considered embarrassing, but empowering. Stepping away from activities you no longer enjoy requires a great deal of self-discipline. All of us should make decisions based on what we know will make us happy in the long run. There should be no shame in starting something like a sport, class or extracurricular activity, and later discovering you didn’t like it as much as you thought you would. In fact, if this is the case, quitting the activity demonstrates a great deal of responsibility and individuality during a time of our lives in which we are expected to do as we are told and value obedience over personal happiness.

Columns published in the Devil’s Advocate represent the views of the writers, not those of the newspaper.

16 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

photo obtained from Google Images

By CHRISTA ASSI, Staff Writer It is 1971. A heavy expression of worry hung on the faces of the journalists in the courtroom. No one breathed. Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham and executive editor Ben Bradlee awaited the impending Supreme Court ruling that would determine whether or not their paper could legally publish the classified Pentagon Papers without fear of government censorship. The 6-3 ruling in favor of the Washington Post was celebrated as a triumph for freedom of the press. The dilemma encapsulated in this climactic scene from “The Post” (PG-13) focuses on the delicate balance between freedom of the press and government security, but even more so the importance of the public’s access to the truth—the theme underscoring most of the

photo obtained from Google Images

BY JAKE NACHMAN, Staff Writer iiiiiThe recent expansion of the St. Johns Town Center on the Southside has provided room for new restaurants, notably Grub Burger Bar (also known as Grub). The Texas-based restaurant chain (which has now added Jacksonville to its list of Florida locations) is recognized for its unique variety of burgers. The restaurant’s website includes photos of their mouthwatering food and vibrant atmosphere. With its emphasis on countless combinations of meals and use of fresh ingredients, Grub Burger Bar is a refreshing and lively eatery, perfect for grabbing a savory meal with friends. iiiiiI went to eat lunch at Grub on a Saturday afternoon. To my surprise, there were a reasonable amount of people there, but it was far from crowded. The restaurant had a welcoming interior design with wide windows, dark walls and wooden tables. Their menu features classic American cuisine such as burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches and salads. After reviewing the menu, I decided to order the Lockhart Legend burger, which cost $8.50 and included toppings of smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, two onion rings and dill pickles. The kitchen staff prepared the food quickly and served it to me shortly after I sat down. When the burger arrived, the two large onion rings stacked on top of each other gave it a considerable amount of height. However, after compressing the burger and moving some toppings around, it became a more manageable meal. Additionally, the toasted buns kept everything from falling apart. The combination of the crunchy onion rings, sour

acclaimed film. This masterful film, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the journalists of the Washington Post as they attempt to expose the truth regarding American engagement in the Vietnam War, concealed in the classified Pentagon Papers. Graham (Meryl Streep) and Bradlee (Tom Hanks) lead the Washington Post in a race against The New York Times to break the story. The suspense of the reporting process is accentuated by the skilled manipulation of cinematography styles. Overlay editing scenes with fading successions of documents and images of the journalists reporting helped showcase the urgency of the Washington Post’s work and depicts the chaos of that reporting. Rapid cuts between shots of the newsrooms belonging to the Washington Post and The New York Times portrays the competitive nature between the publications, lending a frantic tone to the race to publish the Pentagon Papers. The film also conveys a strong message about female leadership through Graham’s role as publisher of the Washington Post. Streep’s performance is characterized by a high level of authenticity. She faces self-doubt as she encounters an emotional journey navigating the Washington Post’s publication during one of its most critical periods, asserting control as a female publisher in a then male-dominated field. Streep was able to honor and embody the work ethic and behavior of the real Katharine Graham, who was willing to sacrifice her reputation and the company in order to publicize the truth. From excellent cinematography to authentic character portrayal, “The Post” exceeded my expectations and excelled at delivering a cinematic version of a real-world event. “The Post” was nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Picture” and Meryl Streep was also nominated for “Best Female Actress.” The film also compares favorably to “Spotlight,” the 2016 “Best Picture” winner that also focused on the journalistic process. As a political thriller, “The Post” entices viewers with its beautiful display of tension between the journalists and the government—leaving the audience on the edge of their seats as they discover more about not only the story, but the importance of truth in general.

pickles, melted cheese and crispy bacon worked well with the juicy, medium-well burger to create a distinct taste. iiiiiAfter eating the sandwich, I started on the “skinny fries.” They were thin, crispy, well-seasoned and a nice complement to the savory burger. After finishing the burger and fries, the server told me that if I posted a picture of a food item on social media with the hashtag “#grublove,” I would get a free shake. (Unfortunately, this promotion is no longer available.) My mint chocolate chip shake arrived covered in fluffy whipped cream, with chocolate chips and a brownie on top. Just as the name suggested, it was chunky, with the perfect blend of chocolate and mint. Sadly, I was not able to finish it because I was already stuffed from the main course. iiiiiThe food was not the only positive aspect of Grub Burger Bar. The service was friendly, professional and timely. The TVs located above the bar in the center of restaurant kept me entertained with ongoing college basketball games. Their upbeat music and large windows made the atmosphere open and friendly. Grub appears to be carving out a niche within the Town Center with its quality, original food items and its modern and spacious layout. Anyone looking for a quality meal should give Grub a chance to impress them.

infographic by Likhita Manchikanti

vol. xxxiv, no. 3

Losing the Limelight

Rich Brian’s “Amen”

By AMRA KAJDIC, Public Relations Manager

By LAWIN VILLENA, Contributing Writer

iiiiiJacksonville is home to over six community theaters. This number reflects the city’s fairly large community theater fanbase, which extends to all of the school and professional theater programs the city contains. However, despite the substantial number of theaters in Jacksonville, finding new and professional shows to attend is still a challenge, as the city is largely overlooked by the producers of national tours. iiiii“Wicked” has been to Jacksonville multiple times, but it is an old show that has been running on Broadway for a while now; as a result, excitement for it has died down. The variety of productions in Jacksonville is limited because touring companies producing new and popular shows do not believe they can sell out venues in here. When a company decides to transform a Broadway show into a national tour, their choice of target cities largely depends on where they believe they will make a profit. Usually, they will book cities such as Chicago, Boston and San Francisco—major locations in which they know they can turn a profit—altogether skipping over relatively smaller cities such as Jacksonville, which they perceive to have small theater fanbases. Because of this, it can take many years for Jacksonville to bring in a new show—and by that time, it is no longer new. iiiiiHowever, this perception is clearly flawed; better shows are needed in order for theater companies to see a rise in ticket sales for Broadway shows in Jacksonville. I do not want to go see “The Lion King” or “The Phantom of the Opera” for the 50th time, as both of the shows have photo by Katie Stevens

premiered and have been running on Broadway since before I was born—I want to see something new, such as “Dear Evan Hansen” or “Hamilton.” iiiiiUltimately, as seen with the success of the relatively new show, “The Book of Mormon,” bringing in a hit new production creates an influx of revenue for the city. In fact, when I saw the musical, I spoke with people from Gainesville who drove up to Jacksonville just to see the show. Many people in North Florida are tired of having to drive to Tampa or Atlanta to watch new hit shows and definitely do not wish to travel to New York City. Moreover, new shows would draw people from all around North Florida to Jacksonville, which would boost local profits. Because of this, I implore the FSCJ Artist Series organization and other theater companies to take the risk and bring their tours to Jacksonville.

Overall, I am tired of seeing the same old shows cycle through Jacksonville—I want the new and never-before-seen. iiiiiOverall, I am tired of seeing the same old shows cycle through Jacksonville—I want the new and never-beforeseen. City natives should not face the hassle of having to drive great distances to see new hit Broadway touring productions somewhere else; people deserve to be able to see productions in the comfort of their own city. Not only will this bring in revenue for Jacksonville, but it will also create happier audiences and a larger theater fanbase.

iiiiiBrian Imanuel, an Indonesian rapper known by his stage name, “Rich Brian,” recently released his debut album, “Amen.” Rich Brian’s rise to fame is a fascinating one. Interestingly enough, according to an interview with musician Pharrell Williams on his “OTHERtone” podcast, Imanuel taught himself to speak English by watching Rubik’s Cube videos on YouTube. The rapper initially gained recognition after he began sharing his dark comedy sketches on Twitter. Imanuel’s musical career kicked off in February 2016 with the release of his first single, “Dat $tick.” The track attracted many listeners because of its compelling flows and bars, and soon gained the attention of various rappers such as Tory Lanez, Cam’ron and MadeinTYO. The track even became prominent enough to prompt Ghostface Killah of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan to hop onto its remix. iiiiiBut how does “Amen” compare to Rich Brian’s previous work? I am happy to say the young and up-and-coming rapper’s debut album is definitely worth a listen. The tracklist consists of diverse musical styles while also maintaining Imanuel’s familiar motif of fast, spitfire bars, a deep monotone voice and hard-hitting lyrics. photo by Prachi Misra

Putting the “Us” in Jesus By KATELYN COLLEY, Contributing Writer iiiiiOn May 22, 1994, Pope John Paul II wrote “Ordinatio Sacerdotalis,” a brief letter to his head bishops that would later change my outlook on gender roles within my faith. This letter explains the reasons why women cannot ever be allowed to become priests in the Catholic Church. It would be the reason I had a puzzled look on my young face when my family told me I could never be up on the altar giving a homily. It would also be the reason I questioned my religious teachers in middle school, and it is the reason why I often struggle with parts of my faith to this day. photo by Katie Stevens

Repetition and tradition are neither a substitute nor an excuse for inequality and stubbornness. iiiiiSeveral popes in the last century have claimed that women have no place in becoming ordained in the Church, with Pope John Paul II being the most recent proponent of this assertion. In his letter, he explained that “the reasons include: the Sacred Scriptures of Christ choosing his Apostles only from among men,” as well as the fact that this is “the constant practice of the Church,” neither of which make a valid argument in my eyes. Jesus, being alive in such a male-dominated time period, might have only chosen men to be His Twelve Apostles because they were readily available and did not have to constantly run the household and take care of children like women were expected to do. Nonetheless, Catholic women have gained some rights throughout the years. These include better education opportunities, more job opportunities in

march 2018

church affairs and new awareness of potential deacon positions. While I and many others take pride in these progressive actions, the option of the priesthood for women has reached a definite standstill. This is especially ironic because of Catholicism’s adamancy about equality and being a universal religion. iiiiiPope John Paul II’s other rationale is that this patriarchal system is a tradition repeated since the dawn of Catholicism. Even Pope Francis, the current pope, has not demonstrated that he wishes to address this important ordainment problem, which is especially disheartening because he has been revered as one of the most optimistically modern leaders the Church has ever seen. It should be acknowledged, however, that all of the Church’s popes have grown up in male-dominated households and cultures. This might explain why Catholic leaders have viewpoints such as these, but this does not mean that they cannot change them. Repetition and tradition are neither a substitute nor an excuse for inequality and stubbornness. iiiiiThe main problem with this ordainment issue is that many women are afraid or refuse to speak up about it. Perhaps it is the inconceivable idea of not reaching Heaven or the mere thought of being a “bad Catholic” that keeps them silent. Of course, it is reasonable to be intimidated by the thought of challenging the power structures of a religion practiced by 1.2 billion people, but progress cannot be achieved without some struggle. Although I recognize that I am able to clearly voice my opinions because of the privileges of our American society, we should still desire to elevate the faith above current policies. This change will not happen overnight, but we can aspire to meet the needs of our growing faith if we promote awareness about this problem and do not settle for a “good enough” religion. It is time Catholic women start putting the “us” in Jesus.

infographic by Likhita Manchikanti

iiiiiThe production on “Amen” is also top-notch. If the production on this album could be summed up in one word, it would definitely be unique. Each of the tracks contains a varied selection of beats which were mostly produced by Imanuel himself. The featured samples haven’t been used too often in the mainstream industry, and the variety of different bells, 808s, drums, plucks and other instruments on the album gave Imanuel a colorful palette with which he could create a masterpiece. Tracks such as “Cold” or “Introvert” (feat. Joji) have a relaxed melody, but an ever-changing rhythm that adds some excitement. This is what makes this album so unique from other rap albums; for example, in Migos’ “Culture II,” triple light-cymbal patterns are common in repetition and timing for lyrics, whereas Imanuel’s “Amen” seamlessly combines multiple distinct musical elements and makes each resulting song sound pleasing. iiiiiImanuel is the first Asian artist in history to reach No. 1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart, which is a testament to his work, as well as the work that is yet to come. Imanuel’s first album exhibits the potential of his musical talent, which could be improved somewhat if the artist attempted to separate himself from generic trap beats and create more of his own unique sound. I believe that, with more content distinguishing him from the mainstream artists in the hip-hop industry, Rich Brian would be heard all over the radio. iiiiiI give “Amen” a strong seven to a light eight out of 10; I would have given the album a higher rating if Rich Brian had put in more effort to display what makes him stand out from his contemporaries. Other than that, “Amen” is superb and I highly recommend it.

devil’s advocate | 17

photo by Prachi Misra

A Showcase of Local Art photography by

Dani Brewer, Prachi Misra and Katie Stevens

photo by Katie Stevens

Catering Private Parties Seasonal Menu Daily Specials

nouracafe.com 1533 University Blvd W Jacksonville, FL 32217 904.739.0033