April 2019

b&w

BLACK AND WHITE APRIL 2019 VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6

Pe

e v i t c e rsp

PERSPECTIVE Perpective refers to a point of view.

From the rise of cancel culture to the controversial idea of separating the art from the artist, everyone has a different point of view. Such as the perspective that speaking multiple languages provides.

Perspectives may differ on gambling and cliques but they tend to agree on embracing international fashion.

Ultimately, life is about perspective, and perspective is all around us.

APRIL

When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 26 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-chief Andrew Maresca Print Editor Obsee Abbajabal Online Editor Ada Basic Design Editor Taylor Siebert Story Editor Brooklyn Dilley Sports Editor Evan Newcomb

Staff Writers

FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content.

Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district.

Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

Say Hello

Cecilia Allemagne Parker Anderson Riley Anderson Payton Blahut Duncan Christakos Caroline Christensen Annie Culbert Cameron DeRoos Kylie Emery Kara Green Paul Heggen Elizabeth Jones Joel Kellar Jacob Kim Akshaya Kumar Erina Lee Sophia Longo Karla Lopez Siri Mandava Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Ashley Marsh Jacob Marren JD Norris Jenna Olson Charlie Pattinson Ben Pegg Julia Richards Colt Smallwood Ethan Ung Ben Williams

Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite Twitter: @jhsnewspaper Facebook: JHS Black and White

INSIDE LOOK

12 Born in Between

News

4 Spring Musical Rugby International Night

Feature

6 Risking it All 8 Cutting the Cord

Editorial 18 Cancel Culture

Hulu

Boys and Girls Tennis TSA State Boys and Girls Soccer French Exchange Students

10 Redefining Social Boundaries 12 Born in Between

Profile

16 1/1700: Teja Jetty

Opinion

20 Separating Art from Artist

Arts & Entertainment 22 International Fashion

4 | news

BRIEFLY words & layout | Andrew Maresca

SPRING MUSICAL The drama department put on “Les Miserables” for the spring musical.

The show premiered on April 12, and played twice on April 13. It was adapted from the original musical to be able to be presented to a younger audience. The show consisted of an all student cast and crew, with Jeremey Fitzpatrick as director. The musical is eligible to perform at the Civic Center later in the spring.

Abby-Kate Boeschen ‘19 and Peyton Schultes ‘19 huddle together in a scene from Les Miserables Photo by Sierrah Mangra-Dutcher

RUGBY The rugby team has started their season with a 7-1 record and are ranked second in the state. For the first time in the team’s short history they have beaten Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial in the same season.

This is a huge accomplishment the two Ankeny schools were some of the first to have Rugby programs.

Garrett Gehrke ‘19 sprints towards the goal to try and score a goal.

Photo by Abby Watkins

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

We The People hosted their second annual International Night on April 17. Starting at 5 p.m., guests were invited to play cultural games, learn other languages and explore fashion of different regions. A buffet with various cuisines was provided for $5 a plate. At 6 p.m., a plethora of performers showed off cultural poems, dances and songs. Following, the fashion show showcased diverse outfits from all over the world.

Obsee Abbajabal ‘19 and Ayan Osman ‘21 wear traditional Somali dresses called Diracs.

Photo by Andrew Maresca

BOYS AND GIRLS TENNIS The girls and boys tennis season started with a meet at Johnston on April 2. The boys varsity team has won four meets, and had had one loss. The girls varsity team have won five meets, and lost one. The boys have four more meets in their season, and the girls team has five.

Julia Heil ‘19 serves in her doubles match with Dasha Svitashev at the Johnston meet.

Photo by Andrew Maresca

TSA STATE The TSA team sent Laura Paul ‘20 and Ada Basic ‘20 to the state competition at Adventureland and the Adventureland Hotel on April 8-9. The two placed second in problem solving and second in forensics.

The forensic case took place in a hotel room where a mock crime scene was set up. The problem-solving event utilized few resources to create a contraption to hold up a ball.

Ada Basic ‘20 and Laura Paul ‘20 pose with their awards after placing at TSA State.

Photo provided by Joe Huebbe

BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER The boys soccer team has started their season with a 3-5 record including a dramatic 1-0 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt on April 9. They won in extra time after Evan Kilstrom broke free and scored the winning goal. The girls soccer team has started their season 1-1 including a 13-0 win against Des Moines Hoover.

Erik Catus ‘19 attempts to intercept a pass in a game against Des Moines Roosevelt Photo by Evan Newcomb

FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENTS Numerous French students hosted French exchange students from April 10 to April 18. The exchange students come from Saint-Etienne, France. The exchange students were in school two different days, and spent the rest of their time exploring local museums, going to events, and trying American foods.

French students along with their exchange students.

Photo by Andrew Maresca

T

he bright lights and loud noises of a casino and the thrill of coming home a huge winner may make gambling

seem appealing. People think that they will be the next big winner when in reality gambling can be very risky.

80 percent of the United States population has gambled at one point in their life. Anyone can be a gambler including coworkers, friends and family members. Gambling has become such a

RISKING

IT ALL words | Evan Newcomb design | Taylor Siebert

normal part of everyday life that people do not even notice that they are doing it.

Casinos are one of the most common forms of gambling that people participate in. Andrew Schubert ‘20 has never gambled at a casino; however, his parents go three to four times a month. Due to his parent’s gambling, Schubert took it upon himself to research the activity in order to be more informed about what his parents were doing and why they are so drawn to casinos.

“Casinos draw people in with their bright colors, flashing lights and loud noises,” Schubert said.

“What I have learned is that you should not go into a casino expecting to win, I would call it very expensive entertainment.”

Gambling happens in the classrooms setting as well. Schubert has seen it happen before. “I see students betting on sports games in class, one student bet in class that he would get higher than a C on their test,” he said.

Kirk Nesset has been speaking to health classes at the high school for the last eight years in order to teach students about gambling addictions.

“Kids here at Johnston are exposed to gambling

almost every day either in a good way or a bad

and more money.”

way and I come in so kids can learn to identify and

The source has won hundreds of dollars betting

help address gambling problems kids may have,”

and has found a formula that works for them to

Nesset said.

win bets. “I only bet on games while the game is

According to a study by the Victorian

going on because there is less time for the game

Responsible Gambling Foundation, 70 percent of

to change and I’ll know how the game is flowing,”

people aged 13-17 have gambled at least once in

the source said. “It has worked out for me so far,

the last year. This statistic shows that gambling

one night I went on a huge winning streak and

starts at a much younger age than the legal

turned $5 into $700.”

ages, which are 18 and 21. Nesset thinks kids are

The source does not always win their bets

introduced to gambling through entertainment.

though. “Whenever I lose a big bet I usually quit

“Kids gamble through scratch tickets, online apps,

for the night because I don’t want to lose too

online gaming, fantasy sports, sports gambling

much money,” the source said.

and places like Chuck E. Cheese which are like kid casinos,” Nesset said.

Most gamblers do not have the self-control that the source has, as chasing losses is one of

Places like Chuck E. Cheese allow kids to start

the biggest reasons why problem gamblers lose

experiencing the thrill of gambling at an early

so much money. “Gamblers are motivated by

age. They are allowing kids to start putting real

chasing their losses because they think they can

money on the line to get a bigger prize. While this

beat the machine and get all their money back

is at a much smaller scale than a casino, it still

but in reality, they keep digging a bigger hole for

plants the seed of gambling. When they win, they

themselves,” Nesset said.

get the thrill of winning and want to play more.

While Arnold does not think gambling is a

Olivia Arnold ‘19 has not gambled in the state

huge issue, she does think it can be a problem. “I

of Iowa, but she did gamble during her spring

think it is fine to gamble every once in a while on a

break cruise. She competed in a gambling bingo

trip or just for fun, but it becomes a problem when

game nine times with her family. It cost $30 per

you go all the time for hours at a time,” Arnold

person per game. “When I first joined the game I

said. “There was one lady we saw on the trip where

thought it was stupid that it cost so much to play

we left the casino, she was sitting at a slot machine

a game of bingo but I won the first round and I

and then when we came back six hours later, she

got $175 and then I won again in the third round

was still sitting at the same slot machine.”

and won $600,” Arnold said. “Winning made me

Gambling issues usually stem from problems

realize that it was kind of fun and why people

people are having in their lives, as more than

enjoyed gambling.” Arnold went back six more

50 percent of all gambling addicts have mental

times on her trip and never won again.

health or substance abuse issues. Nesset has

An anonymous source started gambling at

studied why addicts start gambling. “People use

the beginning of this year. The source started

gambling as a coping mechanism when they are

by doing online sports betting and now they bet

struggling physically or emotionally,” Nesset said.

almost every night. “I started by just doing $5 bets

“And they just want to feel something good, but in

on NBA (National Basketball Association) games,”

reality, gambling is actually making things worse

the source said. “As I started learning the different

for them.”

strategies to winning bets I started betting more

8 | Feature

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

d r o C g n i t Hulu Hulu Cut Netflix the

Design: Cameron Deroos Words: Charlie Pattinson

Since the inception of Generation Z, America has seen a massive transformation in how they consume their media, as well as what they seek out. That is in large part due to current teenagers, and their sidekick the smartphone.

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

Hulu

Netflix

Hulu

N

ot long ago, people actually had

a cultural phenomenon. People do not get

I would come home and watch hours of TV,

to tune in live to catch their

asked what they are binging on Hulu or

but now I rarely watch it,” Luke Mullen ‘20

favorite

Amazon Prime Video. They get asked what

said. Nowadays, there is a likely chance that

their favorite Netflix show is.

the viewer knows what they want to watch,

television

program.

There was no TiVo, and the amount of channels was in the single digits. Eventually,

Netflix was and continues to be one of

and how they are going to get it. The current

TV developed into cable or satellite packages

the biggest trends that has contributed to

consumer is more assertive than in the past

with many different channels and the ability

the change in how TV is watched. Instead of

due to content overflow from social media

to rewind or record.

sitting down and channel surfing, people can

and various production outlets. With so much

Companies such as DirecTV, Comcast

pop on an individually curated Netflix profile

to consume, the art of searching for content

and Dish have dominated the TV market

through numerous devices, such as an Apple

is dying due to it all being put on a silver

for the majority of the 2000s. According to

TV, Roku, Xbox, and more.

platter.

Forbes, those three companies accounted

Many may not even own one of these

One thing remains relatively strong with

for 62 percent of the pay-for-TV market,

third party devices, and just use their phone

stereotypical television consumption, though,

with DirecTV leading the way at 26 percent.

to watch. Phone screens keep getting bigger

and that is live sports. Sports streaming apps

If someone signed up for a satellite TV

such as WatchESPN or FOX Sports GO aside,

company, it would be likely be one of the

“I don’t really watch TV, if I do watch TV I watch it on my phone.”

Collin Minear ‘20

one of the things that keeps people paying

shift in how people get their content. Paying

and better. When the mobility of a phone is

viewership has gone down. “Usually when

hundreds per month for desirable content

in play, it starts to become an easier option

I turn on my actual TV, it’s to watch a live

is not as attractive when there are much

than finding a TV. Shows are downloadable

game of some sort,” Evan Kilstrom ‘20 said. “I

cheaper and simpler ways to get it. The use of

for a road trip, or whenever time is needed

rarely watch other stuff on there like random

satellites and cable boxes is less pressing, and

to waste. Rarely are there shows anymore

shows or movies.”

only a phone is needed.

that a large amount of people tune in live

What is at the forefront of Sports Center’s

three. They both come with hundreds of channels, covering a vast number of interests.

Whether it is Disney, Nickelodeon, ESPN or the Discovery channel, these companies had an attractive purchasing package. Not to mention, they offered the ability to purchase premium channels to the package such as HBO or Showtime.

In recent years, there has been a large

for normal TV is live sports. Watching a favorite team in the moment has not gone away. Sports are one of the few things that can not be binged.

Once upon a time, everyone watched Sports Center. It was a way to summarize what had happened that day in the world of sports, and showed all the highlights and news one could want in an hour. But, in recent years,

It is common knowledge by now that

to see. The last major one of those is “Game

decline? House of Highlights. The Instagram

Netflix changed the game. Originally, “that

of Thrones,” which is ending by the end of

account with 12.5+ million followers has

one thing you sometimes ordered DVDs on”

the school year. The ability to binge episode

revolutionized the way people watch sports.

has turned into the biggest content producer/

after episode has transitioned television into

Instead of tuning in to TV, millions have

distributor in the world. According to Forbes,

a new phase. It is an addicting experience and

turned to opening their Instagram feed.

Netflix’s content budget for 2018 was around

viewers love to watch for hours, instead of

It gives a recap, and pushes out a balance

$13 billion, and they produced 59 more

waiting weeks or years for the next episode.

between memes, highlights, and submitted

feature films than the next largest Hollywood

At one point in time, watching TV was

and self created content. “Growing up I would

studio. Not only has Netflix poured millions

an event. People would sit down and see if

always turn on Sports Center after school,”

of dollars into creating their own content and

any movies or random shows were on. This

Kilstrom said. “Now I almost never watch it

buying others’ too, they have also become

seems to have faded. “When I was growing up

and find myself catching up on Instagram.”

10 | feature

REDEFINING SOCIAL

BOUNDARIES Although they do still exist, students believe that cliques are not as intense as they used to be. words | Kylie Emery design | Julia Richards

E

mma Erdoes ‘21 moved to Johnston

less close friends than I did in other places

positive, those nets loosened a bit and people

from Alabama before she began

just because of the change.”

were more willing to accept me.”

eighth grade. “It was a bit of a culture

Although most people were welcoming

For Kat Christofferson ‘21, making friends

shock,” Erdoes said. “Everybody here was su-

to her, Erdoes could still sense that there

was difficult at first because she did not

per nice, but the idea of ‘southern courtesy’

were some cliques. “I could kind of tell when

speak English very well. Christofferson was

does exist. They’re nicer on the outside down

first moved here that there were people that

adopted from China at the beginning of sev-

there, but once you dig a little deeper, there’s

didn’t want to let me in or were uncertain

enth grade. However, as she became more

not much there. Here, everybody was kind

about outsiders,” Erdoes said. “There’s little

confident in the language and involved in

of standoffish at first, but once I got to know

social hints that you can pick up on, like

activities, meeting friends became easier.

them, I made great friends.”

they don’t talk to you as much or make

“Students were welcoming because they

weird eye contact with friends when you’re

knew my English wasn’t great,” Christoffer-

The idea of cliques has been around for a long time. People can see these distinctive groups portrayed in books and movies with a school setting. However, Erdoes and other students feel that while cliques in school are still present, they are not as distinct as they used to be.

A clique refers to a group of people who share similar hobbies or interests. However, Erdoes says there is one key difference between cliques and just groups of friends. “I think what makes it a clique verses a group of people is unwillingness to accept other people in and unwillingness to not judge them for who they are,” Erdoes said.

There appears to be multiple possible causes of cliques. According to Kids Health, “Cliques attract people for different reasons: For some people, being popular or cool is the most important thing, and cliques give

“As I continued to try and stay positive, those nets loosened a little bit and people were more willing to accept me.”

-Morgan Lind ‘19

son said. “They tried to explain things and help me out. I also joined track, and the people there were accepting and very fun. I made really good friends.”

A possible reason for the less intense cliques is simply how large the school is.

“There are people in my grade that I don’t know exist,” Erdoes said. “While that kind of stinks, it makes for an easier transition if you are looking for new friends. There are always new people to talk to, and there are always new people to learn about and experience.”

Erdoes also believes that the amount of diverse clubs and activities available to students makes it easier to meet other groups of people. “I know that Johnston is suburban Iowa, and there’s not a huge different culture population here, but in comparison

them a place where they can get this social

around. I’ve definitely experienced that, but

to where I came from, it is insane,” she said.

status… Cliques give people who like to take

you just have to sort through the fake.”

“I’m really excited that we have groups that

control a chance to be in charge.”

When Erdoes first moved here, it was a

Morgan Lind ‘19 had a similar experi-

experience different cultures like Spanish

ence. Lind moved here at the beginning of

club, French club, and any other groups that

little difficult to find her place and make

this year after spending the rest of her high

invite other people to learn.”

friends, but it was still fairly easy. However,

school career playing soccer at Shattuck-St.

Erdoes urges new students or simply

she said this could also be because she has

Mary’s school in Minnesota. However, due to

those that want to make more friends to join

moved many times in her life. “I’ve moved

an injury, she decided to come back to Iowa

activities. “You need balance in life,” she said.

eight times, so I’m more adaptable to

to spend her senior year with her family. “I

“Getting involved in activities will help you

change and making friends faster,” Erdoes

would say it definitely took a few months to

so much in meeting new people, making

said. “But it’s definitely still difficult, and I

get the swing of things, but it did get better,”

new friends, and breaking down those barri-

still find that even after two years, I have

Lind said. “As I continued to try and stay

ers that seem to already be established.”

12 | in-depth

Sa o l

e k n a D

Hval a

BORN IN BETWEEN

外不

起

‫حابص‬

‫ريخلا‬ ‫אל לע‬ Dia D uit e ‫ד‬ t ‫ב‬ j ‫ר‬. e t í V o v 好的 a r d Z Alox o u ar Sa lut C nac

words | Obsee Abbajabal & Brooklyn Dilley design | Payton Blahut

oing to the doctor with her mother

G

For many bilingual students, knowing two

has always been a hassle for Biftu

languages forces them to serve as a liaison.

Tullu ‘19. Her mother speaks

This is more apparent for those who often have

Amharic and Oromo, languages native

to act as translators for others, such as their

to Ethiopia. However, she does not speak

parents. “I grew up a ton,” Zenudin Omerovic

English. Although Tullu had the ability

‘20 said. “When I was like eight- to 10-years-

to translate for her mother, by law and

old, I would always call internet companies

according to the Association of American

or insurance companies. And just what they

Medical Colleges (AAMC), using a minor

would tell me I would have to translate [for

as a medical interpreter is prohibited unless

my parents]. And they would give me a paper

in an emergency situation. Therefore, in

with information, and whatever the people on

adherence to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

the phone would ask for, I would tell them.”

which states that medical providers must

At times, translating for parents can be

arrange for qualified medical interpreters

a big commitment and can greatly impact

and translators, the doctors had to provide

students’ schedules. “My parents, they usually

a medical interpreter for Tullu’s mother.

randomly call me and tell me, ‘Get ready

“They would have to get someone who

cause we’re going to pick you up.’” Maria Sutuc

speaks our language on the phone,” Tullu

‘19 said. Her parents had scheduled a doctor’s

said. “It would take forever, I don’t know

appointment and needed her to interpret for

why. And then once they do get them on

them. “I’m like, ‘What? Why?’”

the phone there was always some problem.”

For Lal Siama ‘19, translating for his parents

Historically, educators, researchers and

is just a regular part of his life. “I translate

policymakers viewed learning a second

things a lot,” Siama said. “That’s kind of the

language as a cognitive obstacle that

perk, or drawback if you’re talking about

would interfere with people’s academic

time commitment with school and stuff. If

development. However, this belief has since

you’re bilingual and your parents don’t speak

changed. Recently, research is showing that

English. You have to translate everything

being multilingual, or knowing more than

from a doctor’s appointment to the mail.”

one language, forces the brain to deal with

While translating for his parents is time

internal conflict which provides a workout

consuming, Omerovic is able to benefit

to the mind by strengthening cognitive

from it at times. “I loved [parent teacher

muscles. Spanish teacher Nora Olguin

conferences],” Omerovic said. “My parents

agrees with this. “Being bilingual opens

would ask me what they said, so if I was bad

doors and opens minds,” Olguin said.

in class, and the teacher was telling them, ‘He

Before entering the English Language Learners (ELL) classroom, Emily Kenny

was really bad in class’, and I had to translate, I would tell them, ‘Oh he was great in class.’”

has an infographic posted on the door that

Jason Guo ‘19 would also have to translate

explains the benefits of being multilingual.

for his parents when he was younger, though

“I think it creates a whole other dimension in

this has recently begun to change. “It doesn’t

their learning which can sometimes be seen

happen nearly as often now because they’ll

as a barrier, but really it’s not,” Kenny said.

just start looking stuff up instead,” Guo said.

“It’s just different wirings and connections.

“Before we did that very often, I would try to

From a cognitive standpoint, it’s great. It’s

help translate back and forth if they’re having

also an advantage, I think here, in term

a conversation with a colleague or something

of employment. They can engage a whole

that they needed help with. Also like emails

community of customers that would not

and grammar and stuff, I would help my dad

be engaged without that bilingual support

with that since he would have to email a lot of

or just that, ‘Oh, that guy’s last name, he’s

people for work.”

Bosnian. I’m gonna call him because I feel

While not speaking English sounds like it

comfortable with that type of relationship.’”

would make everyday life much harder, there

“What is American culture, though? We’re supposed to be a country built on immigrants, so I feel like we should embrace what the immigrants bring with them, rather than force them to assimilate to the standard we have. Because we made our own standard. So can’t we make a new one? That’s what America should be.”

-Angel Nyaga ‘20

14 | in-depth are times where translations are not needed. “[My parents] don’t need an interpreter to go to the store or anything like that,” Siama said. “When there’s finances involved or some doctors or medical things involved, that’s when they need help. It’s not every second of everyday type of thing.”

Even for students whose parents do know English, it is common for their native tongue to be spoken most at home. This is the case for Shreya Shrestha ‘20; her parents do not want her speaking English at home. “Since a young age, I’ve spoken Nepali,” Shrestha said.

“I don’t remember a time where I necessarily didn’t. I do remember going to school and kind of dropping it almost. And once I started going to elementary school and talking more English, it kind of came back with my parents being like, ‘Oh, we should speak Nepali at home.’ If I ever spoke in English at home, [my dad] would always be like, ‘I don’t understand English! Speak in Nepali!’ It just became a habit and we just ended up growing up like that.”

Vedad Kavazovic ‘20 also speaks his native tongue at home, though he struggles at times to remember certain words. “I’m a little bit guilty because I feel like I know English more just because I’m in school everyday, and I learn new words,” Kavazovic said. “I kinda feel ashamed though cause I feel like

I don’t like it when people say you’re born in America, you are an American. It’s like both my parents are from the same country, their whole bloodline has been in this one city. I’m not American, I’m Bosnian. That’s who I am. That’s my genes.

I should know more Bosnian because that’s what I grew up learning. There’s some words in English that I can’t say in Bosnian and I’ll just have to give my parents a phrase and I’m

like, ‘I gotta learn what that word is.’ Because I feel that by the end of my life, I should know more Bosnian than English.”

Lilly Doyo ‘19 speaks a South Sudanese language called Mabaan. Constantly being in school everyday has also affected her proficiency in her native language. “I’ll have family members call me from back in Sudan, and I can’t communicate with them as well because I don’t know the language that well.

And I’m hoping to go back and visit some day, maybe stay for a whole summer so that I could start learning the language again, because it’s really important to me to keep that connection.”

This seems to be a common problem for bilingual students - constantly speaking English at school can cause them to lose touch with their native language. “[My sister and I] like to communicate in English better than our language,” Siama said. “Not that we devalue our language in any way, or not appreciate it, but communication comes easier in English. You have to say less words, you have to think less. Because that is the primary language that we speak in school.”

When with her family, Doyo mostly speaks Mabaan whether it be at home or in stores.

“I don’t really pay attention to other people around us,” Doyo said. “I have noticed with my siblings, my younger brother, when we are in public and we’re speaking our native

-Vedad Kavazovic ‘20

language together, or if I’m speaking with one of our other siblings, he’ll kind of turn to me and be like, ‘Be quiet, speak English.’ and I’m just like, ‘Why are you so ashamed to speak your native language?’”

However, in some instances, bilingual students struggle with both of the languages they know. “For me, it’s like I’m not good at either language because I lived five years in Nepal and then I lived for six years in

64

languages are spoken within the Johnston Community School District America,” Sanjana Amatya ‘19 said. “So it’s

for her,” Doyo said. “In our language, we

like, I’m not really good at Nepali, but I’m not

don’t have some of the words that are in

really good at English. I can pass off like as

English. So, the doctor asked my mom if she

both, but like when someone asks me really

was depressed, and she didn’t know what that

specific questions about grammar on either

was. I had to try to translate, because we don’t

side, I have no clue.”

have the word ‘depression’ in our language.”

Contrastingly,

navigating

between

A common struggle that many people

two different languages comes easily for

who learn a second language face is standing

Shrestha. “I’ve always viewed it as a light

out from others due to their accent. Katie

switch,” said Shrestha. “It’s like you turn on

Michalski ‘19 speaks English and Polish

the light switch if you need to talk English

fluently. “I don’t speak with an accent so I

and then you turn it off. And sometimes it

don’t think people know that I necessarily

will be like everything is kind of a blurr.”

know [another] language unless I choose to

At times the light switch malfunctions,

tell them,” Michalski said. “I do think that if

typically during moments of high emotions.

you have an accent there’s more of a stigma

Amatya did not realize that she had

around that especially here in the United

transitioned from speaking English to Nepali

States or like in rural areas and cities where

when she was venting to her friends. “I was

it’s not as common to interact with people

like really really angry at a friend and so

with accents.”

like I went off in English at first and then I

No matter the struggles or benefits that

[switched over] to Nepali and then just started

come with it, being bilingual and belonging

ranting hardcore,” Amatya said. “Everyone

to another culture is a gift. “Without culture,

at my table was just watching me and like

and without knowing your native language, I

nodding even though they had no clue what

think you’re losing a pretty big piece of who

I was saying. At the end, I pass it off as like

you are,” Siama said. “And that’s something

nothing happened. To me, I understood what

you really can’t compensate for with another

I was saying but later on [my friends] were

language. Because I think you’re born into

saying, ‘What were you talking about?’ And I

a culture for a reason, and so I value my

was like, ‘What do you mean?’ and they were

language deeply.”

like, ‘You were not talking in English.’”

Another problem that bilingual students occasionally face are words that do not have direct translations between their languages.

“A few weeks ago, I went to the doctor with my mom and had to translate some things

1 in 10 people speak spanish

According to the latest United States Census Bureau American Community Suvey

16 | profile

1/1700:

1 2 ‘ Y T T

E J A J E T

FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Siri Mandava layout | Erina Lee

E

veryday, Teja Jetty ‘21 is surround-

One important characteristic that Jetty

enced by his father. “My father immigrated to

ed by his past and is constantly

deals with is his skin color and being of a dif-

this country, he came with nothing and made

thinking about his future. What

ferent culture. “It’s kinda weird being brown

a comfortable life for himself and his fami-

sets him apart from others, though, is his per-

with such a white washed community. Asian

ly,” Jetty said. “He has given me good morals.

severance. “Personally, I have struggled with

families tend to have different values and

I know when to help especially when some-

a lot of things in my life, whether it be phys-

that can and has affected what I do and such,”

one needs it. It also gave me a hard working

ically with my weight or just the color of my

Jetty said. “My culture tends to not mix well

attitude because my dad not only makes me

skin,” Jetty said.

with white culture. At least for myself, my

work for everything he also works for every-

family and friends of color tend to be aggres-

thing himself.”

Jetty struggles with a lot of things in his everyday life, though he combats his weight

sively competitive.”

All of these things; his heritage, his mor-

and his social appearance the most, “I’m

Jetty also experiences a lot of competition

als and his values make him who he is. “It

pretty severely underweight,” Jetty said. “ It’s

with his brother, which influences the expec-

has given me some character though and I

something I’ve struggled to cope with for a

tations he sets for himself. “My brother and I

definitely wouldn’t want to change the way I

while and no matter how much I try to eat or

are pretty competitive, and my parents also

am,” Jetty said. “I try to be someone that any-

work out it doesn’t work.” Instead, Jetty deals

have had certain expectations of me in the

one can talk to. Every once in a while I’m able

with it through humor. “I crack jokes about

past. But I think as they realized how kids in

to have someone talk to me about their prob-

my weight because it’s something that my

America live and work, they don’t any more,”

lems and such and it makes me very happy

friends used to do. I was uncomfortable and

Jetty said. “I constantly compare myself to

that they are that comfortable telling me all

I think they realized,” Jetty said. “So I joke

my brother, it isn’t really something that was

that.”

about it now too, because it makes me feel

enforced on me.”

happier and more comfortable about it.”

Jetty’s life and actions are heavily influ-

GR

IM

G I M

N O I T RA

s

l o o ch

E

ES

VER

ANCE

s tr ug g l in g

RS E P

c

t e p om

it i o n

AD

be on P TO skin color

WE

IGH

T

18 | editorial

Cancel Culture The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 5-1.

E

verything is cancelled. Everyone worth knowing, every brand worth

wearing and every concept worth being a topic of conversation. Oh and by the way, “cancelling” is now also cancelled.

The art of cancelling refers to the disinvestment of a person, company, or an ideal. A mistake made in the public eye, no matter how big or small, can and will lead to public outrage, subsequently followed by a cancellation.

Cancel culture started with good intentions, as it was created to hold people accountable for the things that they say and do. The reasons for someone’s fall from the public pedestal can range from distasteful tweets to problematic actions.

It is very hard to name a celebrity that has not been cancelled in some way, shape or form.

Comedian Kevin Hart was scheduled to host the 2019 Academy Awards, but after a series of tweets published between 2009 and 2011, that included derogatory language in reference to LGBTQ people, were dug up Hart apologized in the form of a tweet that read, “This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past. I’m sorry that I hurt people... I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”

Unfortunately for Hart, the public was not satisfied and the Academy asked him to apologize again or they would look for another host. Hart chose to step down from

the position and not apologize. After that, the public declared that Hart was cancelled.

Roseanne Barr has never been one to shy away from expressing her controversial opinions via Twitter, but it was one tweet in particular that ended her career. One evening in May, Barr sent out a tweet that called, then senior advisor to President Obama, Valerie Jarrett a monkey. It was not long before the internet exploded with outrage and Barr was on a conference call with her

At some point we’re all going to be cancelled, we’ve just got to deal with it.

-Precious Pate bosses attempting to do damage control. Bob Iger, the chairman and CEO of Disney, even personally called and apologized to Jarret.

But it was too late, in the eyes of the public, Barr was cancelled. “I had no intention of watching Roseanne’s show, I respect her as a comedian,” English teacher Ed Walker said. “I think what she said was regrettable, but I also think that the discounting of her apology was also regrettable.” Just hours after the tweet, ABC literally cancelled “Roseanne.”

Cancel culture has put fear into the hearts of many people who now turn to others online to make sure that their opinion is “correct” and matches the group because they are terrified of being cancelled. This inevitably creates a “sheep” mentality that targets anyone else’s opinion that is “different.” This leads to a never ending cycle of cancelling because the people that are a part of it are too scared to agree with anyone that comes off different as to what they have been fed online, so they attack. Never educate. Because then the cycle would be broken. “Cancel culture has turned into something like ‘Oh you don’t believe in the majority so now we’re kicking you out’,” Precious Pate ‘20 said. “Rather than, oh you’ve done something wrong, so now we’re kicking you out.”

The fact of the matter is, the public could not care less about a person changing or improving themselves, their only goal is to boast their moral superiority.

Cancelling people makes you no better than the cancelled person. “I think we all just kind of have to grow up and realize that you can’t cancel somebody because they’re still going to exist,” Pate said. Being in the public eye does not give the public the right to ruin someone’s career over a past indiscretion.

People who do not know any better can be educated. Canceling people for actions they’ve done in the past is not the way we enforce positive change.

These days, everyone is always preaching about growth and learning from one’s past mistakes, but how can people be expected to learn from their mistakes if they are not allowed to make any?

Separating Art And Artist words | Sophie Longo design | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher

R

ecently, a documentary titled

scale? Or, if these allegations are believed to

In theory, this idea sounds great, as it

“Leaving Neverland” came out

be true, should the public take his personal

removes any prejudice one may have toward

on HBO, in which serious claims

life into consideration before continuing to

a certain way of life or one’s beliefs, but this is

offer their broad support?

not always so black and white in reality.

were made about Michael Jackson sexaully abusing two young boys while at the height

Separating art from the artist is not

In my experience, the degree of the artist’s

of his career. There is a lot of disagreement as

something everyone has heard of, but it is

potentially problematic behavior usually

to whether or not these allegations are true,

something nearly everyone contributes to,

decides my ability to separate their work from

much of it coming from Jackson’s family

or understands in some way. This concept is

their personal life. Things like political views,

members who claim there is no truth in the

essentially appreciating one’s work without

religion, sexual orientation, or anything

allegations.

any regard for their past or present personal

of the sort really do not deter myself from

One thing that has not really been

life. This eliminates judging someone for

enjoying their work. However, there are more

considered is the lasting impact of Jackson’s

something personal to them in their life,

severe circumstances in which I think it is

career on people to this day. Should his music

whether it be their religion, relationship, past

necessary to account for someone’s personal

continue to be celebrated on such a grand

mistakes, etc.

life before choosing to support their art.

For a less severe example, in Hollywood for instance, it is well known that politics play a key role in award shows and social media posts, as well as music and movies themselves. Celebrities like Kanye West, Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, and countless others have become very open within the last few years about their political stances, in many cases upsetting their fan bases and inspiring people to boycott their work. This mindset really discourages free thought and expression of one’s beliefs, and has not been very effective in silencing celebrities from sharing their political views out of the fear of their career being hurt.

However, in more severe examples of artists’ decision-making, like the sexual abuse allegations recently made about singer R. Kelly, or the numerous assaults of Chris Brown, or the countless sexaul assault allegations made against megamovie producer Harvey Weinstein, it is understandable why fans may choose to discontinue their support of an artist. And, in

individuals after learning of their harmful

my experience, it does become much more

behavior.

difficult to enjoy the music or films of these

This sort of mindset isn’t necessarily what everyone experiences, however. Some people simply enjoy the music without any regard for the artist’s personal life. Angeline Gaylah ‘21, for example, says these things don’t prevent her from enjoying someone’s art at all, and shouldn’t prevent others from doing the same. “I’m not supporting the artist, I’m supporting my ears,” Gaylah said. “They were a bad person before when you first listened to the music, and they’re a bad person now.

What’s changed?”

Of course, severe things like assault or sexual abuse should be considered when choosing

to

openly

support

someone,

whether it be vocally to peers or financially by purchasing an artist’s music, merchandise, etc. However, this is just specific to myself, as it is with every individual. The decision really lies with each specific person; the choice to separate someone’s art from their personal life is up to each individual’s ability to do so. For some, like Gaylah, political views or negative aspects of an artist’s past might not affect their ability to appreciate their work at all, while others might have their feelings toward the artist be forever altered over a simple headline or news story.

22 | arts & entertainment

INTERNATIONAL FASHION words, photos & layout | Andrew Maresca

Lalduh Awmi ‘20 shows off a Puan, a dress worn by many Mizo women. Each aspect of the dress is handmade using a wide range of materials, including insect wings. A hat is typically added for affluent indviduals such as the queen.

Sophie Van Zee ‘20 ‘19 Lalduh Awmi

Arundhati Soni ‘19

Arundhati Soni ‘19 performs in a traditional Indian outfit, including a blouse and a skirt called a Lehenga.

Lehengas come in all sorts of designs and cuts. Lehengas are often times worn at special occasions such as weddings.

Josee Kamariza ‘19 wears a colorful dress made from African print. This style of print is called a Kitenge, and is popular in West, Central and East Africa.

Kitenges are mainly worn by women, and can also be used as a headscarf or baby sling.

Josee Kamariza ‘19

Sophie Van Zee ‘19

Sophie Van Zee ‘19 sports a traditional Dutch costume, specifically from Marken.

The Marken costume is quite different from other Dutch attire in its diverse color palette, due to Marken being a separate island for so long.

DAVI NAILS Professional Salon for Ladies and Gentlemen

515-986-2255 2150 E 1st Street, Grimes, IA (inside walmart)

BANDIT BURRITO 5340 Merle Hay Road Johnston, Iowa 50131

(515) 254-9999

westside APPLIANCE REPAIR & SMART HOME

“IOWA’S ONLY WHIRLPOOL FACTORY CERTIFIED CARE CENTER”

+15

FIXES OVER 15 DIFFERENT APPLIANCES

#

515-276-8899

VISIT THEIR NEW ADDRESS: 2877 99th St. Urbandale, IA 50322