LE BILINGUE
November 2020 edition
image from pexels.com
Ecole Jeannine Manuel Paris’ student newspaper
Letter from the Editors Dear readers, Cette année scolaire s’annonce déjà particulière et imprévisible. En effet, à la rentrée, nous avons découvert un monde tout-à-fait nouveau, à l’EJM, comme en France et dans le monde entier. Ce monde est caractérisé par le port du masque, un lavage incessant des mains et une hypochondrie omniprésente, tous nécessaires pour endiguer la pandémie du Covid-19 qui ébranle la planète depuis janvier. Nous sommes donc forcés de vivre dans le moment présent car chaque semaine apporte de nouvelles restrictions, et personne ne peut prédire l’évolution de la pandémie. C’est un mode de vie très singulier, qui semble sorti d’un roman de science-fiction, mais l’esprit et l’optimisme du monde s’y adapte et persévère. In this first edition of Le Bilingue of the 2020-2021 school year, we’ve tried to change the dynamic that seems to have been captivating the world for the past few months, in which all news outlets reverberate and repeat the same news stories over and over, trapping all of us in an echo chamber of bad news. This is why we’ve taken the decision of only conceding a few articles to such topics, instead dedicating many more to broader, or at least less talked about global subjects which we’ve attempted to look at from a different perspective, that of an international student. This publication also contains plenty of school news as well as reviews and recommendations which will hopefully provide you with some much needed entertainment and distraction in these dark times. Plus que jamais, nous avons souhaité souligner et renforcer le bilinguisme du journal, car nous voulons qu’il reflète les valeurs de notre école plus justement, surtout en ce moment où la compréhension et la coopération internationale sont cruciales pour venir à bout d’un obstacle commun à toutes les nations du monde. On that note, our ever-growing team of enthusiastic student journalists is proud to present its most recent issue which we hope you’ll enjoy! We are interested in your opinion so please send any suggestions, comments or feedback to the contact information on the last page. Sincerely, Sincèrement, The editorial team of Le Bilingue
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Table of contents Le Bilingue news............................................................................................................4 Quote & poem of the issue.....................................................................................5 A much deserved ‘Eco-School’ title....................................................................6 La Collecte des Aveugles...........................................................................................7 Covid regulations & their effect on school life and clubs....................8 “Sick of it” : a Covid-19 photo essay.........................................................9 - 13 The Electoral College explained...............................................................14 - 17 La Nouvelle Caldonie...................................................................................18 - 20 Julie and the Phantoms: an amateur’s review..................................21 - 22 “Terre Errante” de Liu Cixin...................................................................................23 “Petit Pays” de Gael Faye........................................................................................24 Le Cyanure: un poison surprenant..................................................................25
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Le Bilingue news & info
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Quote & poem of the issue
New this year! Each issue will feature a quote and a poem selected by our team for their inspirational quality or their relevance to current events. Their interpretation and meaning is left up to you, the reader, so take a moment to stop and reflect on them!
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WEBSTITE Our website, bloglebilingue.wordpress.com, which we started during the lockdown last spring is up and running again! Check it out for older articles as well as new ones coming soon!
Join our team! We meet weekly on Mondays at 12 in MO16. Or submit your work or suggestions to studentjournalism@ejm.org
Quote of the issue “ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called ‘present ’.”
- Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda)
Poem of the issue “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
- Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
- quote and poem selected by Gabriel G.
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A Much Deserved ‘Eco-School’ Title - Elizabeth K. EJM has recently achieved the status of ‘Eco-School’. To find out more about this much sought-after certification, I paid a visit to Mrs. Elliot, head of the Eco-Committee. In order to become an Eco-School, one must be certified by Teragir, a non-profit organisation that aims to preserve the environment. A lot of work and effort is needed to achieve the title, and we have our Eco-Committee to thank for carrying out the sometimes unnoticed but necessary tasks. This might include notes of meetings (to make sure you are holding them regularly in a productive manner), photos of the steps you have taken, and a file regrouping all of your information, similar to a CV. This file is then sent to the organisation who will inform you if you have, essentially, passed the requirements. Ecole Jeannine Manuel first started being involved in this project through the EJM campus in Lille. Mr. Burford, a science teacher there, attended a conference about it in 2016 and decided that he would make École Jeannine Manuel Lille an Eco-School. He presented the idea to the forum pédagogique, and Mme. Zéboulon, our headteacher, decided that Paris would also be made an Eco-School. The relay was then taken by Mrs. Thorup, in charge of the Student Council, and in 2017 a group of parents and teachers also joined the initiative.
The Eco-School banner in the courtyard
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You might have noticed that in every classroom there is a green cardboard box with ‘Scrap Paper’ written in big on the front. Or maybe you haven’t noticed those, but you’ve noticed that plastic water bottles are no longer on sale in the cafeteria. Or maybe it’s the ‘turn off the lights’ campaign, a reminder to never leave the lights on in an empty classroom, that piqued your interest. Either way, there is no denying the fact that a lot has been achieved, and that our ‘Eco-School’ title is well deserved.
The ‘turn off the lights’ campaign - one of the many Eco-Committee initatives
Although for 2 years the tireless work carried out by the Eco-Committee was deemed unsatisfactory by Teragir, in 2019 the hard work paid off, as the EcoClub, taken over by Mrs. Elliot and Mme. Lemaire, finally managed to secure the Eco-Ecole accreditation. But we shouldn’t rejoice too soon, as the renewal is yearly, and we, as a school, have to make sure that we stay an ‘Eco-School’. A lot is in store this year, with a focus on biodiversity and food waste, notably in the canteen. The Eco-Committee is made up of students from all levels, ranging from 6eme to Terminale, a united group who cares about the consequences of your actions. So students, listen up! If you care about saving our planet and want to make sure that EJM keeps it’s much deserved ‘Eco School’ title, get to work! The Eco-Committee holds weekly meetings, and is run by students with a little help from adults.
La Collecte des Aveugles un week-end solidaire
(freeimages.com)
- Karina G.
À l’occasion des Journées Nationales des Associations des Aveugles et Malvoyants, des lycéens se sont lancés le mois dernier dans Paris, urne à la main, dans l’espoir d’interpeller les passants dans la rue. Leur objectif était, grâce à la générosité des passants, de récolter le plus de fonds possible pour Groupement des Intellectuels Aveugles ou Amblyopes (GIAA). Suite à cette opération à l’échelle nationale, quelques participants ont accepté de faire part de leur expérience après avoir sillonné les rues de notre belle capitale pendant des heures. Les volontaires ont tout d’abord été divisés par équipes de deux ou de trois. Après avoir reçu l’autorisation nécessaire de la Préfecture et des autocollants à distribuer aux donateurs, ils se sont élancés à la quête de gens intéressés par la cause en question. Après quelques heures, pièce par pièce, billet par billet, l’urne commença à s’alourdir. Le plus dur a sans aucun doute été de trouver la meilleure méthode pour capter l’attention des passants.
Intéresser des inconnus en l’espace de quelques secondes peut en effet s’avérer être une tâche difficile; nombreuses sont les personnes qui ne souhaitent pas perdre leur temps à parler avec des inconnus, encore moins pour leur donner de l’argent. Il fallait bien leur prouver que cela valait la peine de s’arrêter pour les écouter. Vaut-il donc mieux de commencer par “bonjour”, ou bien par “excusez-moi”? Devrait-on commencer par parler de l’association ou du but de la collecte? Une fois bien organisés, cependant, chacun a trouvé la formule qui lui convenait, et il est devenu bien plus facile d’aborder les gens. Les fonds récoltés durant le weekend sont tous allés au GIAA, où ils serviront non seulement à la fabrication de livres en braille mais aussi à l’organisation de sorties culturelles. Tous les participants sont heureux d’avoir pu aider le GIAA, d’une part pour l’aventure du weekend mais surtout pour l’idée de toutes les personnes qui pourront profiter de l’argent récolté.
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Covid Regulations
how they affect school life and clubs - Anna H.
The debate club which is now a longstanding tradition at EJM, has reopened this year but there will be no competitions in the foreseeable future. However there will still be in house tournaments and events. Amidst Covid, the club has had to adapt but the core of the debate club is still the same. The groups continue in semi-normal conditions although the Chairs and heads of debate are extremely careful about social distancing and masks. However, the lack of competitions has dissuaded some students from participating this year. The Theater club as well as the theater option has had to adapt to Covid as well. However, theater is very hard with masks and at some point one has to take them off to perform. So whilst it is possible to rehearse with masks on, it is not possible to actually
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perform with one on. Hopefully the school can apply the same regulations that the entire industry has to follow. So far they have adapted well, but there are still some uncertainties as to how the year will go.
photo by Melody. Z
This year has been a very trying year for everyone. Around the globe people have had to adapt to an environment where all our habits have been turned inside out. We have collectively had to show an enormous amount of perseverance, creativity and resilience. Even now that we are back at school we cannot ignore the place that the pandemic holds in our daily lives. A year ago, none of us could have thought this was how we would be now: masked, socially distanced, and for a lot of us, scared. However we wouldn’t either have imagined how many people have put their time and effort into trying to get our schools and more generally our lives going. As a society, in the past months, we have grown and learned to understand what is truly important and thankfully we are back in school enjoying a semblance of normalcy. The entire school has worked enormously to ensure a safe environment for us to continue living in. Now that the extracurriculars have started to reopen it is important to acknowledge that although they have had to cancel some events, the time and effort put into reopening them is considerable and overall they have done a great job.
theater classes have continued, adapting to the covid rules and regulations The History club is as popular as ever. Amidst the pandemic they have adapted extremely well and the competitions will be virtual this year. This has raised a number of questions especially regarding cheating, and even though we would all love to go back to normalcy that is not an option. Virtual competitions seem to be a good compromise between having the competitions and respecting restrictions due to Covid-19. Overall, this unusual beginning of the year has been successful for most school clubs. This year will be different but we will keep adapting. The school community as well as our society at large has proven itself to be extremely resourceful and creative throughout the lockdown and the complicated “déconfinement” and has proven itself able to overcome difficult situations. The past few months have made us stronger - we have learned from our mistakes and we will continue doing so moving forward.
Sick of it
a Covid-19 photo essay - Melody Z. and Alessia V. The Covid-19 pandemic has undeniably changed the world we live in, both on a personal and global scale. From face masks to hand gel to social distancing stickers to Zoom meetings, we are now constantly surrounded by reminders of our new normal. Despite this, life has continued, albeit altered, and we have all learned to adapt to these constraints, sometimes attempting to see the situation in a positive light and to make the best of it.
face masks everywhere!
Students and teachers alike have developed their personal face mask style Now that face masks are mandatory in all public spaces, they have suddenly become a new means of self-expression as well as their own form of fashion. Once it became evident that masks would be essential after lockdowns lifted, individuals and companies alike rushed to create their own original reusable ones. They now have become a fashion accessory - for some, a way of expressing a political or social message, for others, simply a stylish addition to an outfit. Sometimes colorful and funny, other times elegant and simple, fabric face masks have become a way of expressing what is hidden on the faces under them.
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face mask fashion These gorgeous masks were created by one Geralda Barros (@geraldabarros1 on TikTok, @dxnaas on Instagram, and dxnaas on Vinted), a fashion enthusiast who mostly designs and recycles clothes. Face masks are our new reality. It may have been hard to accept but we will have to live like this for at least the next couple years. So why not make the best of it? Ms Barros has chosen to create beautiful masks out of scraps -- which is admittedly what most of us have been doing -- but she has made them a necessary accessory to match with the most fashionable outfits.
(photos used with permission from @dxnaas)
A mask with a message In recent months, some people have chosen to use their masks as an opportunity to spread a message about a political or social cause. This was especially apparent during Black Lives Matter protests and in response to the movement: Naomi Osaka made a statement during the US open by wearing 7 different face masks, each with the name of a victim of police brutality. The US election season has had a similar effect, prompting many politicians (and regular individuals) to wear face coverings with the word “vote� or the logo of the candidate they support.
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(unsplash.com)
Littered masks dot the streets of Paris
The streets of Paris (and the underground metro) are now full of reminders of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the unfortunate side effects of widespread mask-wearing is the immense waste and littering of single-use surgical masks. They now dot the grey parisian sidewalks, and it is almost impossible to walk through the city without encountering an abandoned mask on the ground. Stickers that promote social distancing are scattered all over the Paris metro - on the ground, seats and doors. While most commuters make an effort to adhere to these precautions, it becomes very complicated at rush hour when many people use public transportation.
Reminders of the pandemic are everywhere, both on and below the streets of Paris
The pandemic has made us all hyper-aware of cleanliness. At school, this has manifested itself through the frequent disinfection of all surfaces and the wiping down of benches in the science labs at the beginning of each lesson.
Hand sanitizing has become a reflex, facilitated by the gel dispensers scattered throughout the school, on hallway walls and in each classroom.
A new form of pandemic-related humor has exploded ever since Covid-19 began making headlines in February, keeping the world entertained throughout the dark lockdown months and after. Ads have been modified and all types of parodies have been made, all created to reflect the current situation with a dose of lightheartedness and amusement.
Life at school continues despite the adjustments we all have to make on a daily basis. Masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing when possible are all a small - but necessary - price to pay to continue going to school and learning in semi-normal conditions. Unfortunately, all trips and outings, as well as some activities and events have had to be cancelled, others however have adapted to the situation and have continued with certain precautions.
The Electoral College
a detailed explanation of how US presidents are elected - Alessia V. The Electoral College. America’s convoluted presidential election mechanism that confuses many Americans and bewilders most foreigners. An institution that despite coming under scrutiny every election season and facing much criticism has endured for over 230 years, occasionally delivering presidents whom a majority of US voters did not cast a ballot for.
In most states, political parties nominate a slate of elector-candidates who are pledged to the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of that party. Although their names rarely appear on the ballot, it is these potential electors whom Americans vote for on election day when selecting a presidential ticket, not the candidates running for office.
A candidate must win a majority of the ElectorSo why is such an elaborate and seemingly unpreal College - 270 votes - to be elected president. If dictable system used to elect such an important posi- no candidate receives a majority, the election goes tion? To understand this and the other controversies to Congress where the House is charged with sethat surround the Electoral College today, it is helpful lecting the President while the Senate votes for the to take a look at its past, a past that like many issues Vice-President. in today’s America is deeply rooted in the history of the country’s founding and in the writing of its In all but two states, the candidate who wins the constitution. state’s popular vote receives all of its electoral votes in what is known as the winner-take-all system. However, in Maine and Nebraska, two electoral votes are First of all, what is the Electoral College? given to the winner of the state’s popular vote while one electoral vote is given to the winner of each conThe Electoral College is a temporary group of 538 gressional district. electors, one for each senator and representative in Congress with an additional 3 for Washington DC. Every four years, it is they, not the American people, who elect the president and vice-president.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE 538 electors who elect the president
(wikimedia.commons.com)
current dustribution of Electoral College votes
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each state has a number of electors equal to its congressional delegation (3+)
the winner of the state popular vote receives all of its electoral votes (except in Maine and Nebraska) 270 votes needed to win the election
How and why was it created?
(wikimedia.commons.com)
A compromise at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 led to the creation of the Electoral College
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, Howard Chandler Christy
This elaborate system was devised as a compromise at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. When the Framers of the Constitution (the delegates to the Convention) met there in 1787, their role was to establish a lasting system of government for the United States. Having recently won its independence from the English monarchy, the country wanted to ensure that its new government would reflect the will of the people. However, there were no contemporary examples of democratically elected leaders for the Framers to draw inspiration from; they therefore had to design a system of their own. This turned out to be complicated due to the conflicting interests and differing opinions of those involved. The two main proposals were to have a president either elected by Congress or by the American people. However, on the one hand, some believed that Congress should not be involved in the process of selecting the president as this would create the potential for corruption and would compromise the independence of the different branches of government. The president would also be reliant on Congress for re-election and would therefore seek to please its members and not the general public. On the other hand, some opposed the idea of the American people directly electing their president as they considered that the public could not be properly informed about the different candidates due to communication in the late 18th century being lengthy and difficult. Because of this likely lack of information, they presumed that voters would naturally lean towards candidates from
their own state or those with a populist message as they lacked the knowledge and qualifications to make an educated choice. The solution to all these conflicting views came in the form of the Electoral College, a compromise which was never intended as the perfect system. It was instead an attempt to reconcile differing perspectives by addressing the concerns of all those involved to succeed in ratifying the Constitution. While the number of electors was equal to that of congressmen, their temporary role was a safeguard against corruption. Likewise, the people had a role in selecting their government by choosing particularly knowledgeable and trustworthy representatives - the electors - to make an informed decision on their behalf. Another key point is that this system enlisted support from influential southern states by offering them an advantage the popular vote did not present. Allotting seats in Congress as well as electors based on a state’s population benefited the South as their disenfranchised and enslaved population was included in the calculation as part of the “Three-fifths Compromise” whereby each slave was counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of representation. The Electoral College therefore gave states in the South with large slave populations an undue edge over northern states in presidential elections, handing the office to plantation-owning Virginians in 8 of the country’s first 9 elections.
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Each election year brings the Electoral College under scrutiny and revives calls for it to be changed or even removed. Much of the criticism it faces stems from the fact that the United States, its politics, and technology have all drastically changed since the system was created. When the Electoral College was written into the Constitution, there were no formal political parties. The Framers therefore assumed that states would appoint electors who would make an informed and impartial decision based on whom they believed was the most worthy candidate. However, political parties soon developed and any semblance of elector independence has now disappeared - nowadays, electors are pledged to certain candidates whom they are more or less bound to vote for. Furthermore, the Framers’ concern that the public would lack knowledge about the candidates might have been relevant in the context of late 18th century America, but it is definitely not applicable to today’s world, where we are incessantly submerged in an abundance of information (and misinformation). Other issues with the electoral process involve the system itself, the way it was thought out, and certain quirks in its functioning.
Democratic as voters there feel that their vote, no matter which party it is for, hardly counts. Furthermore, electors in most states, despite being pledged to a certain candidate, are not legally bound or penalized for breaking that vow and voting for another candidate. While this has never changed the outcome of an election, it is not infrequent for it to occur: there have been more than 70 such “faithless” electors in US history, with 7 breaking their pledge in the 2016 election. This makes it possible for such a vote to be instrumental and even decisive in a very close election.
(wikimedia.commons.com)
What problems do people see in it today?
A map of the 2016 election results showing the electoral votes of the ‘faithless’ electors (circled)
Furthermore, because of the way electors are allotted to each state, each individual American’s vote does not have the same weight. Each state has two Opponents of the Electoral College often point out electors, one for each of its senators, regardless of its that one of its major flaws is that it allows a candidate population, plus one elector for each congressional to win the presidency while having lost the popular district, of which it has one or more depending on its vote, as has occurred 5 times in US history, most repopulation. This means that Electoral College votes cently in 2016. Because of the winner-take-all system, are not directly proportional to population, leading if a candidate loses several states by small margins to overrepresentation in small states and underrepbut wins others by a large percentage, their popular resentation in large states. For example, one elector and electoral vote totals may be very different - in in Wyoming represents around 193 000 voters while 2016, Hillary Clinton received 3 million more popu- one elector in California accounts for around 718 lar votes than Donald Trump, but 77 fewer electoral 000 voters, almost 4 times more. This therefore gives college votes, thus losing the election. voters in smaller states a disproportionate say in presidential elections. With the Electoral College, the outcome of most US presidential elections is determined by a handful of As written in the Constitution, the Electoral College so-called “swing states”. It is these states, where the deprives American citizens living in US territories electorate is evenly divided between the two parties, (i.e. Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin that presidential candidates focus most of their time Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands) of their and money on, ignoring those which reliably vote red right to vote in presidential elections, as only states or blue. This gives a large amount of influence to vot- receive congressional representation and thus elecers in those battleground states while discouraging toral votes. It is easy to forget that the combined turnout in states that are reliably Republican or population of those territories is over 4 million, more
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Lastly, the Electoral College effectively prevents third parties candidates from making a viable run for president as it is highly unlikely that they could receive a majority of votes in a sufficient number of states. It therefore penalizes candidates who have broad support across the country while benefiting those whose appeal is geographically concentrated.
Why is it still in place? First of all, despite all these apparent problems, there are also arguments in favor of the Electoral College. The system’s design allows the states to play a role in selecting the nation’s Commander-in-Chief, thereby preserving the US’ nature as a federation of states. Those who favor the system also argue that it distributes influence more evenly across the country by dissuading presidential candidates from only campaigning in highly populated states or urban areas, thereby ensuring that the interests of smaller, rural states are also taken into account. While this makes theoretical sense, in practice, it is only swing states who receive the most attention, regardless of their size. Lastly, the longevity of the Electoral College - over 230 years - is pointed to by many as proof of its effectiveness. However, this is likely the result of the difficulty of amending the US Constitution, not broad support for the system: there have been over 700 attempts to change it and 61% of Americans believe it should be abolished, according to a 2020 Gallup poll. The split is highly partisan with 89% of Democrats against only 23% of Republicans preferring to replace the Electoral College with the popular vote. Despite popular support, abolishing or even changing the Electoral College is improbable as a constitutional amendment requires support from ⅔ of both chambers of Congress and ratification by ¾ of the states. Because the current system favors smaller states, who have an equal say in the Senate, it is very unlikely that this would ever take place.
(wikimedia.commons.com)
than the combined population of Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota and Alaska, which together represent a total of 15 Electoral College votes. Similarly, because Washington, D.C. is a federal district that is not in any state, residents of the city were unable to vote in presidential elections until the ratification of the 23rd amendment in 1961, which granted its inhabitants 3 electors.
constitution photo + caption? the us constitution is very hard to change: an amendment requires approval from 2/3 of both chambers of Congress and ratification by 3/4 of states
Proposals to change the Electoral College However, there have been some proposals around the Electoral College that would not require a constitutional amendment as the document leaves the distribution of electoral votes up to individual states. The first proposal involves states following the example of Maine and Nebraska by awarding two electoral votes to the winner of the state popular vote and one electoral vote to the winner of each congressional district. However, this would be much more convoluted than the current system while still exposing itself to similar issues, such as candidates winning the presidency without a majority of the popular vote. The second proposal, known as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, would have states who sign on to the agreement give all their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. So far, 12 states and Washington D.C. have agreed to it, but it would only take effect once states making up 270 electoral votes have joined. Furthermore, the constitutionality of the compact would certainly be challenged in court should enough states join it.
What to expect for the future All in all, the Electoral College is likely to remain as one of the United States’ most peculiar and controversial institutions, at least for the foreseeable future. The debate around it may be heated but it raises important questions, many of which do not have definitive answers. And while most Americans have strong opinions on the subject, it is in everyone’s interest to hope that this November, and in future elections, it delivers a winner who gathered a majority of both electoral and popular votes.
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La Nouvelle Calédonie - Georges T.
(unsplash.com)
La Nouvelle Calédonie est sans doute l’un des plus beaux paysages de France. Aujourd’hui collectivité française d’outre mer, ce lieu à l’histoire et à la culture exceptionnelles est l’un des plus fascinants de notre pays. Maintenant, ce lieu est un symbole pour de nombreux groupes: considéré par certains comme étant les restes d’un empire colonial, par d’autres comme l’incarnation de l’intégration et de la diversité françaises: la Nouvelle Calédonie est un territoire divisé.
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(wikimedia.commons.com)
Colonisée en 1853 sous le règne de Napoléon III, l’archipel est situé à l’est de l’Australie, à plus de 16 740 kilomètres de la France métropolitaine. Le territoire a une population de plus de 271 000, répartie en 33 communes sur trois provinces: la Province Nord, la Province Sud et les Iles Loyauté. La Nouvelle Calédonie bénéficie d’un statut particulier au sein de la république, en tant que collectivité d’outre-mer. Techniquement, ces îles sont un pays au sein de la France, dans le même sens que l’Ecosse est un pays au sein du Royaume-Uni (de plus, le mot Caledonia veut La Nouvelle Caledonie dire, en latin, Ecosse!). L’archipel dispose donc d’une semi-autonomie, dans laquelle elle renie son droit à une souveraineté monétaire, de diplomatie et de police (champs dont s’occupe l’Etat français), mais contrôle la direction quotidienne des affaires de l’île. La Nouvelle-Calédonie a un atout cependant: ses réserves de nickel, un métal très répandu, utilisé dans de nombreux alliages et notamment pour la fabrication d’acier inoxydable. En effet, elle en possèderait même le quart des réserves mondiales, ce qui fait d'elle un enjeu économique pour la France.
(wikimedia.commons.com)
Les drapeaux de la Nouvelle Caledonie: celui Francais et celui de l’ile Depuis sa colonisation, deux groupes se sont développés sur l’île: les kanaks et les caldoches. Les premiers sont descendants des tribus de l’île, présentes avant sa colonisation, et les seconds sont les descendants des colons Européens. Les kanaks sont majoritaires dans les provinces Nord et les îles Loyauté (à environ 70%), et minoritaires (26%) dans la province Sud, qui est majoritairement Européenne. Ces deux groupes sont souvent en opposition, les kanaks souhaitant pour la plupart l’indépendance, les caldoches une intégration plus concrète à la France: les divisions politiques sont liées à la géographie de la répartition des groupes. Ces oppositions ont même mené à des conflits violents dans les années 1980, qui ont causé plus de 90 morts. Le moment culminant de ces violences fut la prise d’otages d’Ouvéa, du 22 avril au 5 mai 1988, lors de laquelle 26 gendarmes furent pris en captivité dans une grotte, et lors de l'assaut pour les libérer furent tués 19 des militants indépendantistes et 2 parachutistes. Ce conflit a mené l’Etat à déployer, pour la première fois depuis la guerre d'Algérie, l'armée sur le territoire national.
(wikimedia.commons.com)
Suite à cet épisode, l’Etat et les indépendantistes décidèrent de négocier, ce qui aboutit dans les Accords de Matignon en 1988, mettant en place un projet de référendum d’indépendance, complétés par les Accords de Nouméa en 1988. Lors de ceux-ci, on accorda à la Nouvelle Calédonie une autonomie forte, qui fut mise en place par le référendum d’autodétermination, avec la possibilité de le répéter deux fois de plus en cas de «non». Voilà donc comment, en 2018, fut organisé un premier référendum, lors duquel 56,4 % des Calédoniens votent contre l’indépendance, et le 4 octobre Les resultats du Referendum de 2020: la Nouvelle Caledonie rejete 2020, un second quand 53,26 % l’independence a 53,26% des Calédoniens confirment ce premier choix. Un troisième référendum sera probablement prévu dans les années à venir. La collectivité dispose, depuis les Accords de Nouméa, de son propre président du gouvernement, de son propre gouvernement et de son propre organe législatif, le Congrès.
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De nos jours, la Nouvelle-Calédonie est connue pour son tourisme: en 2011, elle reçut plus de 111 000 touristes, et le secteur représentait plus de 500 millions d’euros dans l’économie de l’île, soit environ 9% de son PIB. Son économie est principalement basée sur trois piliers: l’extraction de Nickel, le tourisme et les transferts d’argent vers la métropole (La Nouvelle Calédonie bénéficiant d'avantages fiscaux) L’archipel est principalement connu pour ses lagons, desquels 15 000 km2 ont été inscrits en 2008 au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Les îles détiennent aussi la deuxième barrière de corail la plus longue du monde après celle de l’Australie. D’ailleurs, sur la collectivité, il existe 451,85 km2 de réserves maritimes. Le patrimoine naturel de ce territoire est donc remarquable et reconnu.
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“Julie and the Phantoms” - an amateur’s review - Melody Z.
Cute ghosts and rock music, what could go wong? Let’s start with the basics: Julie and the Phantoms is an American kid’s musical comedy show created by Dan Cross and David Hoge, based on Nickelodeon Brazil’s Julie e os Fantasmas. It was mostly directed by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) and Kabir Akhtar (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend). The first season -- nine thirty-minute episodes -- aired on Netflix September 10th 2020. What’s the story, you ask? Well, (no spoilers) a young high school girl loses her connection to music after her mom’s death. A year later, while going through her old stuff, she finds a CD by a band called Sunset Curve and plays it, bringing three 1995 ghosts who happened to be in the band into her garage. Chaos ensues. Honestly, when I saw the trailer for Julie and the Phantoms, my very first thought was along the lines of “cute ghosts and rock music, what could go wrong?” Then I watched the rest of the trailer… and I thought that it was most likely going to be like that story you’ve heard a million times but wrapped in a concept you would have never imagined, clichés and stereotypes galore. I was right. The story is a little shallow, the acting could be better (though it’s miles better than most recent Disney Channel shows) and you’ve got your typical set of characters, a.k.a perfect protagonist, supportive best friend, one or two love interests, likeable rival who happens to be dating a love interest, etc.
But it was a fun watch and I’m anxiously waiting for season 2. Here’s why. Firstly, watching the trailer, I thought music would be a big part of the show, and it is! Unlike some shows related to music, Julie and the Phantoms doesn’t just have one song to finish every episode, the characters are shown to be invested in their music and trying to get somewhere with it. The songs are great, there’s a wonderful mix of genres, the main one obviously being ‘90s pop-rock, but also broadway-jazz, r&b and even rap. If I had to give one criticism it would be that the songs are almost too long. The whole ghost thing is widely explored as well. (wikimedia.commons.com) It’s relevant to the plot and, as expected, becomes the source of the issue that needs to be fixed. The villain involved with this is quite a mysterious character. Is this because the writers blanked on ideas for his backstory or will it be explored further in season 2? Considering how well the last episode is set up for a second season, my bet is on the latter. The show is funny, too. It’s meant to be a lighthearted musical-comedy type show, but some of the jokes actually had me laughing out loud. It’s not overly dramatic either, there are some love troubles but they aren’t overcomplicated. And it’s balanced by some genuinely heartwarming and/or tear-jerking scenes about loss, grief, family...
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Now, I have to mention the wardrobe, I don’t know what era the designers were inspired by (I assume the late ‘90s with a 2020 twist) but the costumes are gorgeous. Very unrealistic considering the characters are in high school and 80% of what they wear isn’t acceptable by dress code standards, but nevertheless, I wish I had that much style. Lastly, this show isn’t brought to you by Disney or Nickelodeon and that probably gives the creators a lot more freedom in some areas such as representation. I was genuinely surprised when I realised that despite most of the cast being white, the main character was Latina, and she had a black best friend. It’s still unusual today to see people of colour in lead roles in a show where ethnicity isn’t the main focus. On a similar note, one of the main characters is gay, and he has an Asian love interest! Although this isn’t the main focus of the story, it isn’t treated like a gay best friend trope and does have its role in moving the plot forward. I’m so glad that a show aimed at kids is finally daring to show real life on screen without censoring itself with ridiculous excuses.
“Julie and the Phantoms” on Netlix Julie and the Phantoms was really fun to watch, a pleasant break from all the depressing stuff happening around the world. I watched it in two days instead of doing my homework and I highly recommend it (not the skipping-out-on-homework part) just pick a day when you don’t have too much stuff due, it’s worth it. Unfortunately, we’ll most likely have to wait a while before season 2 comes out -- if it gets picked up -- because of Covid.
Have you watched Julie and the Phantoms? If so, what did you think? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @lebilingue
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Terre Errante de Liu Cixin - Jade J. Plus de bestsellers à lire? Vous avez envie d’un livre rempli d’action et de moments touchants? Voici un recueil de science-fiction comme vous ne l’avez jamais vu. Souvent, lorsqu’on évoque le genre de la science-fiction, des noms tels Star Wars, Star Trek, ou d’autres plus classiques comme Heinlein ou Asimov nous viennent à la tête. Cependant, un écrivain nommé Liu Cixin, d’origine chinoise, a réussi à se frayer une place dans ce genre. Son nom est sans doute familier pour certains, de par le roman qui lui a apporté la célébrité, Le Problème à Trois Corps ( 三体 en chinois), qui lui a valu l’honneur du « Meilleur Roman » du prix Hugo, mais il est aussi le créateur d’autres titres, dont Terre Errante. L’auteur affirme avoir souvent puisé son inspiration dans les œuvres de George Orwell et d’Arthur Clarke. Dans certains de ses récits, en effet, on repère de nombreux éléments futuristes (Terre Errante) voire dystopiens (Chine 2180). Terre Errante (流浪地球 en chinois) est un recueil publié en 2000 composé de 12 nouvelles de science-fiction. Chacune traite un sujet différent mais tous sont extrêmement présents et discutés dans le domaine de la science-fiction, mais tous abordés avec originalité. Ce n’est pas souvent que l’on rencontre un conte science-fiction si émouvant, pourtant c’est le cas d’Avec ses yeux, une des nouvelles. L’intrigue est vécue du point de vue d’un ingénieur dans l’agence spatiale nationale de Chine. Pendant ses vacances, il apporte avec lui une paire de « lunettes » qui permettent à une jeune astronaute isolée dans un vaisseau spatial de voir exactement ce que voit le porteur des lunettes, donc de revisiter le monde qu’elle a quitté. Au fur et à mesure, le protagoniste réalise la vraie raison pour laquelle l’astronaute s’attache autant à ces paysages familiers: son vaisseau ne se situe plus l’espace rempli d’astres magnifiques, et il ne lui reste plus longtemps à vivre. C’est une intrigue unique particulièrement touchante dans le cadre de la science-fiction.
“Je n’avais jamais vu la nuit. Je n’avais jamais vu les étoiles. Je n’avais jamais vu le printemps, ni l’automne, ni l’hiver. Je suis né à la fin de l’ère du freinage. La Terre venait tout juste d’arrêter de tourner.” Ainsi débute la nouvelle Terre Errante, adaptée au cinéma en 2019, qui explore une société future faisant face au vieillissement du Soleil, qui de jour en jour, s’approche de l’état du géant rouge et qui consommera éventuellement les planètes du système solaire. Pour tenter d’échapper à ce péril, le gouvernement uni de la Terre met en place un gigantesque projet consistant à éjecter la Terre du système solaire et le projeter vers un nouvel astre. Le protagoniste, né dans l’ère où la rotation de la Terre est freinée pour laisser place à l’éjection, raconte les changements vécus lors de son enfance et son adolescence: la révolte des citoyens et la transformation éventuelle de la Terre. Une histoire originale et si frappante qui vous laissera sans voix à la fin de la lecture. Je recommande donc fortement le recueil Terre Errante à tous mes camarades. La plupart du temps, les auteurs occidentaux dominent les œuvres reconnues dans le champ de la science-fiction, mais Cixin Liu a réussi à se démarquer dans ce genre littéraire. Comme l’affirme le magazine chinois Le Monde de la Science-Fiction, “l’univers nous a offert un Cixin Liu, Cixin Liu nous offre d’innombrables univers”. En effet, l’auteur, à chaque nouvelle du recueil, fait preuve d’une imagination débordante, formant de merveilleuses combinaisons entre créativité littéraire et connaissances scientifiques. En conclusion, si vous adorez la science-fiction, si vous avez soif d’action et de fiction, ou simplement s’il vous manque un bon livre à lire, Terre Errante est pour vous!
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Petit Pays de Gael Faye - Beatrice P. Petit Pays, écrit par Gaël Faye, décrit la guerre civile au Burundi et le génocide au Rwanda à partir de 1993, ainsi que la progression vers ces deux événements marquants. Toute l’histoire est vécue à travers les yeux de Gabriel, un jeune garçon franco-rwandais, et ses opinions, ses sentiments et ses réactions offrent tous un nouvel angle par rapport à ce sujet. De plus, le roman est parsemé de réflexions du protagoniste au moment de l’écriture (alors qu’il a 33 ans), ce qui propose une double perspective entre le Gabriel du passé et du présent. L’histoire commence avec une conversation entre Gabriel et son père, sur le thème des différents groupes ethniques du Burundi et du Rwanda. Cette conversation, ainsi que la nostalgie et le désir de Gabriel de retourner et reparler du Burundi, son « petit pays », l’incitent à se plonger dans ses souvenirs d’enfance. À dix ans, Gabriel vit heureux et sa vie à Bujumbura est agréablement prévisible. Il a tous les jours la même routine quotidienne, qui consiste à attendre l’arrivée des domestiques, à aller à l’école et à jouer avec ses meilleurs amis. Cependant, les tensions entre sa mère et son père augmentent, tandis que les tensions entre les Hutu et les Tutsi (les deux groupes ethniques rivaux) s’accroissent. Petit à petit, la vie de Gabriel, qui autrefois était idyllique, est bouleversée, commençant par la séparation de ses parents, puis le départ des membres de sa famille au Rwanda pour rejoindre des forces rebelles ; la haine entre les Hutu et les Tutsi ne fait qu’augmenter. Il se sent de plus en plus sous la pression de choisir un camp, mais il ne veut pas, et essaie de vivre sa vie comme d’habitude, malgré la violence qui commence
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à envahir même les limites de son quartier. Enfin, la guerre civile éclate après l’assassinat du nouveau président du Burundi, venant d’être élu. Il y a des bombardements et des coups de feu jour et nuit, les écoles sont fermées et les rencontres avec la mort sont fréquentes. Alors que son univers s’effondre autour de lui, Gabriel subit beaucoup de changements, et il est forcé d’accepter cette nouvelle réalité accablante. L’écriture émouvante de ce roman aide à développer une connexion forte entre Gabriel et les lecteurs. Avec ses descriptions précises et vives, Faye immerge les lecteurs dans tous les aspects de son histoire : les personnages, les lieux et les actualités politiques de l’époque. Ses descriptions rendent facile de s’imaginer par exemple dans la forêt de Kigwena, entouré de babouins, ou dans un jardin tropical qui éclate de couleurs. De plus, comme les événements de la guerre civile au Burundi et le génocide au Rwanda sont vus par un jeune garçon, cela donne un point de vue unique et différent de ce qu’on aurait dans un manuel historique. Le fait que le récit soit à la première personne crée un partage de sentiments fluide et rend l’histoire encore plus personnelle et touchante. Surtout, ce roman est instructif ; il apporte un éclairage sur l’étendue des conséquences d’un événement de l’histoire du monde de manière abordable. Le roman a gagné le Prix Goncourt des lycéens en 2016. Petit Pays, l’histoire d’un individu parmi tant d’autres dans un conflit qui a affecté des millions, est un récit captivant et particulièrement émouvant, que je recommande fortement.
Le Cyanure un poison surprenant - Ines V. Le cyanure est un des poisons les plus mortels connus, non seulement par sa brutalité mais aussi par sa rapidité. Il est présent dans la nature tout autour de nous. Dans le goût des feuilles des bois d’If, dans le bourgeonnement des fleurs des laurier-cerise, dans les (unsplash.com) noyaux des pêches et des abricots, dans les amandes, dans certaines algues ainsi que dans les millepattes “dragon rose” qui en produisent dans leurs glandes: il nous entoure. Découvert en Egypte antique, il fut utilisé pour les “morts par pêche”, soit des exécutions au cyanure. Cependant, le cyanure peut se présenter sous plusieurs formes. L’hydrogène de cyanure (HCN), un gaz incolore mais avec une légère odeur d’amandes, était utilisé dans des pesticides (élément principal du Zyklon B, gaz exploité dans les camps de concentration nazis), des explosifs, des désinfectants, des colorants, dans la fabrication de nylon, et, si traité, dans production de sels blancs: le sodium de cyanure (NaCN) et le potassium de cyanure (KCN). Le sodium de cyanure était également appliqué dans les mines pour séparer les pierres de l’or, tout comme le potassium de cyanure. Le cyanure est donc un produit très polyvalent et très utilisé. (attention pour les personnes sensibles) Il était donc simple de se procurer du cyanure puisqu’il était omniprésent. Cependant, peu de meurtriers l’utilisaient car le poison laissait une trace trop évidente. Les corps retrouvés attestaient une mort violente par convulsion et par asphyxie: deux à cinq minutes après ingestion la victime vomissait du sang, n’arrivant pas à respirer, et mourrait suite à un cri
de douleur, perçant. Le cadavre devenu bleu par manque d’oxygène, et ses veines devenues perturbantes suite aux derniers essais du coeur à faire circuler du sang, laissaient une image horrifiante à tout ceux qui osaient regarder, mais aussi des signes évidents d’empoisonnement au cyanure. Voici un mystère qui eut lieu le 27 avril 1922 qui fit le gros titre dans le New York Times avec “un vieux couple tué étrangement” (“Aged Couple slain strangely”). M. Jackson âgé de 75ans et sa femme Annie de 60 ans, furent trouvés morts par cyanure dans la salle de bain d’un hôtel. Il fut pensé que c’était possiblement un double suicide, ou que le couple était mort d’une intoxication alimentaire, mais aucune des deux conjectures n’étaient valables puisque les deux cadavres étaient retrouvés trop rigides et froids. Plusieurs examens furent faits, notamment avec les tissus de l’estomac, utilisant le test du bleu de Prusse, et un examen avec le cerveau, dans lequel ils trouvèrent de l’alcool éthylique. Néanmoins aucun des deux examens ne parvint à expliquer leur mort. Après une semaine, les enquêteurs décidèrent alors d’interviewer à nouveau les membres du personnel, et une servante leur apprit que la chambre en dessous de celle des Jacksons avait été désinfectée avec du cyanure d’hydrogène. Les Jacksons seraient-ils donc morts par le gaz qui s’est propagé dans les canalisations? C’était l’explication logique pouvant être confirmée si dans les poumons était détectée une trace de cyanure. Les enquêteurs décidèrent de déterrer les corps pour analyser les poumons, et le médecin légiste trouva avec le même examen que pour l’estomac, au Bleu de Prusse, que les tissus étaient devenus brillants et bleus, telle la couleur du bleu de Prusse. Dans l’Histoire, la surutilisation du cyanure sans en connaître les conséquences a causé de nombreuses morts semblables à celle des Jacksons, dans les mines par exemple. De nos jours, son utilisation est bien plus restreinte, et ses effets entièrement compris et contrôlés, mettant fin à ces accidents.
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oUR TEAM Alessia V. Georges T. Melody Z. Anna H. Beatrice P. Elizabeth K. Emilien M. Ines V. Jade J. Justin P. Melisa O. Gabriel G. Oscar M. Ulysse R. Quentin A.
Co-Editor in Chief & layout Co-Editor in Chief Reporter & editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter & social media Reporter Reporter Reporter Editor Editor Social media Social media Podcast
A SPECIAL THANKS TO: Ms. Stathopulos
CONNECT WITH US! issuu.com/lebilingue bloglebilingue.wordpress.com @lebilingue studentjournalism@ejm.org
