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Le Bilingue Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel
February 2010
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Micro-Finance for a Macro-Difference “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” - Chinese proverb
The issue of global poverty has been on politicians’ tongues for decades now, but there always seems to be a brick wall standing on the path to the solution; whether it be financial, political or social. Luckily enough, in the 1980’s the world shed some light on microfinance. Micro-finance is the act of lending capital to entrepreneurs in poor countries who need money to start or grow their businesses such as farming or crafting. Not only does this help the families involved to move forward, but it also gives these third world countries the chance to repair their infrastructure from the inside, out. This means, by allowing small companies to start, there will be more resources available to the community and therefore there will be a higher demand for their goods and services which will lead to more production and job opportunities. This money is not being loaned or given to the governments since they often house political corruption. Very little, if any, of the money donated ever reaches the citizens who desperately need it. Charities can be inefficient, but microfinance is 100% effective since this money is going directly to the people who need it; very much like a real bank loan. Instead of giving supplies, which only help in the short term, micro-finance helps sustain a constant flow of supplies and money which patches the problem of poverty in the long term. How does micro-finance work? Anybody, even you, can lend a hand in micro-finance and make a positive impact on your world. People or groups of people, mostly women (99%), are of-
fered financial courses and business classes to learn the ropes. Once they’ve completed the classes, they are given a micro-loan which is tracked. This leaves reassurance that it is being used for the business and not for personal reasons. When their business becomes profitable then they pay back the money, along with little or no interest. If there is a loan then they are given a certain amount of time to pay it back depending on how their business is progressing and if there have been any uncontrollable obstacles like natural disasters or governmental interception. Did you know that there is a microfinance club at EABJM? This club is a relatively new addition to the school, yet they have already started organizing loans and fundraisers to make their difference in the world. They have collaborate with a group called Kiva highschool and have become the first chapter to open in Paris! How can you help? You can help by donating some of your time or money at bake sales or other events coming up. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference… Join us in our fight to end global poverty, and you can make your difference. To learn about success stories and more, feel free to visit http://www.kiva.org Jade Seidman, 1°IB
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KOREA “If the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. had not gotten involved, Korea would be one nation”. This was a line that struck me as I listened to my new Korean friends at EABJM. As an American, I was well aware of my country’s track record of nosing in other countries’ affairs, but I was not used to hearing it was the cause for everything wrong. A few days later, I was treated to yet another surprise: “the North Koreans are the same as us”. It was at that moment that I realized my knowledge and point of view on Korea were very different, and perhaps also very limited. I knew that ever since the war, the south had become rich and the north poor. The south makes lots of cash with cars and technology; the north makes the news headlines with nuclear bombs. That was the extent of my knowledge (and the knowledge of many of my old classmates in America) on Korea. This article is devoted to the point of view of Koreans and their hopes and fears on the reunification of their country. Not just any Koreans, but the Koreans we share class with everyday, all of whom firmly maintain that Korea is one people, one history, one nation. So forget all that mumbo-jumbo about how Kim wants to destroy us all, take a deep breath, and brace yourself for something completely different. The first big question I asked all of my interviewees right off the bat was “Do you think Korea can reunite?” It produced a lot of interesting answers. One thing that kept coming up is the difference of economy. Lee Sang-hyeon stated: “N. Korea has coal and minerals, but the land is not fertile. So what happens is that the agriculture of S. Korea will have to be divided in half.” Chang Jin-Hyuk, another Korean student, said “A lot of people really hope we do get united but a lot of people do not think this is possible and businessmen know that if it happens, the economy will go down. People really want it [reunification] but they do not express
themselves because they do not want to lose their money…it is not a bright future.” One Korean girl thought about the longterm implications and cultural differences: “They [North Koreans] are too used to centralized government and are closeminded. It will be difficult communicating with them [on a regular basis] and they do not have as good education.” The first response was all pretty much the same: reunification would have great economic consequences. When I heard this I felt this was logical; Germany’s reunification was not exactly cheap either and the consequences still plague it today. On the other hand, I thought, it’s not like Germany is reeling with poverty now. When I listened to them talk about the seemingly inevitable economic downturn, I felt that there was definitely something more going on here than the obvious possibility that businessmen would cling to their money. So I dug deeper. Next, I asked the students to describe the barrier between the North and the South. The “Demilitarized zone” is a thin strip of land, 60 kilometers in width blocked off on both sides by a long fence that runs all along the border. It is littered with trigger-happy snipers and lots of land mines and four blocked off tunnels suspected to have been dug by North Korea to launch more attacks on the south. Tourists love it because they get to gawp at the long line of rigid North Korean soldiers as they are subjected to terrible propaganda music at regular intervals. America has maintained 28,500 troops in the region to act as a deterrent against a Northern attack, something not all Koreans appreciate. Lee Sang-Hyeon states: “There are so many stories. There have been several cases of
soldiers beating up people but they don’t get punished. The American government just ignores it.” At sea the line is extended further with the many patrolling warships, notably in the Yellow Sea near China (a favorite corridor for North Koreans hoping to go to the South). “It’s just a symbol of our division and lack of communication,” agree two students who chose to remain anonymous. All 7 of the Korean students interviewed agreed that the South Korean and North Korean governments are huge obstacles to reunification. Park Jou-sung, a Terminale Korean student says: “Kim Jong-Il wants to unify but keep his power as a ruler, but not as a communist. Just for himself,” a statement the other six agreed on. The South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak was not exactly exempt from the barrage of criticism. An anonymous Korean student said this on the subject: “I think that Lee’s government doesn’t care about it [reunification] seriously. The previous government, Mr. Roh’s government and Mr. Kim’s really did their best for it. But present government doesn’t make meetings for dispersed family in Korea. Myung-bak is from a different party which is friendlier to the U.S. and takes a harder line on N. Korea.” The efforts between Kim Jong-il and the previous president, Roh Moonhyun, he is referring to are the summit meetings of 2007 where the North and the South agreed to carry out projects like joint -fishing areas, the South’s participation in industrializing the North, and the North’s agreement to adhere to certain measures on their nuclear program (The New York Times). All of these agreements capitulated in the face of Myung-bak’s arrival to the presidency and his adoption of proAmerican and anti-North Korean policies. Most of the Koreans I interviewed were equally disappointed (and that’s putting it lightly) by this reversal. “The government gives North Korea food unconditionally, but I think it’s more for show [than actual caring],” explains Jin-hyuk. (continuation on p. 5)
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does not want to reunify, but this is not true….” So what steps should the two nations take for this to happen? Well, many cite the steps taken by the previous South Korean president, Roh Moon-hyun, to equalize the situations of both sides to make reunification smoother and less risky than Germany’s. They all cite the fact that North Korea has to become more internationally involved and offer up cheap labor as an attracting feature to foreign companies. All of these suggestions are what embodied the Gaeseong complex, a brain child of Roh Moon-hyun and the large Korean companies, which came monumentally “ The U.S. only really cares about the close to uniting the two countries at least missile problem and we don’t want that to economically.The Gaeseong complex is aggravate the situation. China also conbased on the agreements of the two Kotrols 70% of the mines in N. Korea and rean governments and the massive contriwould definitely intervene in the reunifibutions of Asian companies, notably cation process if the U.S. or Japan were to Hyundai. A Hyundai representative said get seriously involved.” this of the Gaeseong Complex: “The comAccording to the CIA World Factbook, plex is a promising investment destination China is the leading trading partner of that offers cheaper labor and land than North Korea for food, oil, and weapons. China…the complex is likely to bring its Hu Jintao, the general secretary of the contribution of peace…and economic Chinese communist party, maintains N. prosperity…thanks to the combination of Korea as a bulwark against the U.S. allies technology and capital of the South and further east and as a devoted market for the cheap labor and land of the Chinese goods, despite worries surroundNorth.” (Yonhap News). The complex has ing North Korea’s belligerent behavior. been postponed indefinitely, with many Obama’s recent visit to South Korea, companies already pulling out due to a meanwhile, was meant not only to decline of inter-Korean relations (which strengthen South Korean and U.S. ecosome of my interviewees also said was nomic ties but also to maintain U.S. and due to intervening foreign powers who did South Korean security against the North not want Korea to be that strong). and its nuclear program and also to anWhen I initially asked my interviewees if tagonize the North Korean regime Korea could be reunified, they all seemed (Reuters). to be rather bleak about it. Some still were According to my interviewees, at the end of the interview. But some South Koreans are not taught to dislike started to say astoundingly optimistic North Koreans and North Koreans who things… make their way to the South are immediately given room and board by the adPark Jou-Sung: “South Korea also used ministration rather than detained. One to be paid cheap but now they are the top student said: of the world’s industry. You [North Ko“I have a friend who went to the north; rea] won’t be America like this (snap!). her father has friends in the government. Cheap work is how you start! If we reIn North Korea, a lot of people want to unite now, okay, we would sacrifice rereunite and there is a big monument of a sources. But in the long run, the benefits woman with her arms spread open to the will make up for this debt.” south. The governments say the other side
In addition to lack of government cooperation, a large majority of the Koreans I interviewed identified foreign powers, specifically Japan, the U.S., and China as culprits responsible not only for the division of Korea but for obstructing its path to reunification. Lee Sang-hyeon stated: “Rumor has it that Japan and the U.S. only pretend to want to unify Korea and that they only want to maintain their power. N. Korean army and the economic power of S. Korea would really make us powerful.” This rumor was echoed by a Korean girl who chose to remain anonymous:
EDITORIAL
Chang Jin-hyuk: “The difference between Germany and Korea is that Germany was rich very quickly. Korea was the poorest nation in the 1950s and they are still trying to get over that. They [the South Koreans] know what happens [during reunification] and they are not prepared for it.” Lee Sang-hyeon: “What I think is: it is true that Korea is not economically powerful enough to reunite. The amount of help, the amount of aid that will go in to N. Korea will eventually shut down the economy. Many people say that if it does not reunite now, the [economic] gap between us will get bigger and bigger. Some say we should get richer first so that we would survive [reunification] better… The money N. Korea spends on the army could be invested in the country and Korea could be powerful…” Anonymous Korean student: “In my opinion, it is sure that Korean economy would collapse rapidly if we are reunified. And it also sure that Korean would be much stronger than before and stronger than Japan if we succeed to maintain economy condition like now. But I am sure that Korea would collapse if we don’t have any preparation for that [reunification]. So I think for united Korea, we have to prepare from now. For example we could start again “Gaeseong Industrial Complex” if North Korea doesn’t mind to do that. Reunification should be achieved by step by step. Korea could reunite in maybe… 10 years to 50 years?” Anonymous Korean student: “Mostly old people who have family in N. Korea are the ones that want reunification the most. The young people don’t care. In theory it would be really good, but I do not think it would be possible. The gap is too big. Elliott Memmi, 1°IB
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WRITING FOR THE SAKE OF IT Being in a high quality public school where the staff take every possible opportunity to show off our sheer brilliance doesn’t give the students much of a say. Sure there are activities where you learn to speak for yourself such as debate, but you don’t really get the choice to talk about something that is occupying your brain, causing you to question your place in this world. Let’s say you want to strike out against some new rule that is passed in your birth country, or any other country for that matter, or perhaps it is something to do with the school. When do you get a proper chance to do that if not in the newspaper? That is not to say you get full control over what comes out. There are certain topics you have to avoid, certain references or words that cannot be used for fear of offending and also topics which, unfortunately, cannot be addressed. However this is the closest you will get to getting your message across to all the other people in the same establishment studying similar things to you and perhaps even sharing your opinion whilst in such an environment. Sure there are blogs on the internet where you are not at all edited ( as long as the language is socially acceptable) but no one really reads them as anyone can
have anything published and therefore the quality and topics are never quite as good as that of a newspaper. Writing for Le Bilingue is great if you aspire to be a writer, want good credentials for your university application, need CAS hours for the IB or you simply want to have a voice in this school. To make all those who
spend their time working and sleeping consider other things, have a more detailed insight to the world around. Perhaps one day you saw something that made you laugh, made you sad or simply made you reconsider your way of life in comparison to the world around you and it affected you so much you felt the need to share it. Yes you can always talk about it with your friends but after having told the same story more than five times it gets a bit dull for the teller. In addition the first few times you tell it, you might not explain it quite right or you might have forgotten to mention something
whereas when you write it out, you have a chance to reread it and change it as many times as you want so as to make sure you’ve shared every piece of information you wanted to. Not only does writing allow you to get your message across but it also allows you to try out new styles to see if they suit you better. You could even try writing about something you are adverse to and try convincing your readers it is a good thing. This is the best time to try out such methods as you are still young and have more than enough time to find your own dislikes and preferences as far as writing is concerned. Therefore writing gives you a voice but it’s also highly probable to increase your grades as you are manipulating words into structures that please you and possibly even uncovering new words if the word you need is missing. It is often said that if you use a word three times in written in the right context then you will know it for life. Therefore I set you the challenge of writing an article for Le Bilingue in English or in French and using a new word, of your choice three times whilst keeping it in the right context. This way the reader will also learn a new word as long as they aren’t so lazy as to skip past it, that is. Yvette Lavelle, T°IB
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You've probably read about it in the newspaper, heard about it on either the radio or the television, or maybe overheard your parents or acquaintances talk about it. UNICEF is an organization that we seem to always hear about without really knowing what its purpose is and why it is so indispensable. It all started on December 11th 1946 when it was created, but it was not until 1953 that the agency was made a permanent part of the United Nations System. UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, and it intervenes in countries with the greatest need. More specifically, it steps in to better the lives of children in 155 countries. The organization relies on contributions from governments and private donors to help such problems as fight poverty, famine, child prostitution, child labor and militarism. UNICEF only intervenes in poorer countries and works to improve the welfare of entire populations through the distribution of vaccines, antiretroviral medicines for children and mothers with HIV, nutritional supplements, and educational supplies. remember is December 20th 1989, tional Convention on the Rights of adopted to set out the political, cisocial rights of children throughout roots of this convention date back when the rights of children were concern. It was believed from then not an adult and therefore should one. Nevertheless, this was not formally adopfor the "Convention Inten, and it was the first international level. No countries than this one. account the imporseeking to better the dren are vital for ce through the UN convention has been states in the US and have been made to litarism to ensure in prostitution cenThis is why Article 45 tection of the rights of http://
The key date to when the InternaChildren was vil, economic and the world. The to 1924 in Geneva first made a world on that a child is not be treated like simple principle ted until 65 years later. It took about ten years ternationale des Droits de l'Enfant" to be writobligatory text that gave children rights at the text has been accepted as easily by various This is a universal convention that takes into tance of traditions and cultural values while lives of children. Obviously, the rights of chilliberty, and this convention monitors complianCommittee on the Rights of the Child. The ratified by over 193 countries except for some Somalia. Moreover, two optional amendments the convention: child prostitution and child mithat no children are sent off to war or enslaved ters without ever seeing their parents again. states that UNICEF is responsible for the prochildren.
Even in developed countries, millions of children live in poverty, are forced in child prostitution or abandoned. Worldwide, many children still live in appalling conditions, which UNICEF seeks to improve. You can't imagine how horrible some children's lives are. Here is what you can do to help. Donate: http://www.unicef.fr/boutique/don/vos-dons-pour-les-enfants 1 euro can provide 10 doses of vaccines against measles 16 euros represent the annual fees for a child's education. 45 euros can help feed 10 children suffering from malnutrition for 15 days. For more information, please visit: http://www.unicef.fr/ FEBRUARY
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Michael Valinsky 1ËšL
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Successful Compo-ing c r a n k y
Now that compos are done and over with all we can do is bite our nails in anticipation of the results. So, how did you do? Did you do better than expected? And if so how do you think you could have been more confident during your exam? Did you do worse than expected? And if so what do you think that you are doing wrong? Here are some tips on how to do better on the next exams: 1.
How late do you stay up chatting with friends online? Playing video games? Watching TV? Maybe even doing homework? Now… What time do you get up? 7:30, 7:00, 6:30, even 6:00? Now consider this; according to Lewistown Hospital the average young adult should get about 8 and a half to 9 and a half hours of sleep. If you consider yourself younger than adolescent (13) then you should be getting even more!!! “Why?” you might ask. Well, it’s simple, who wants to be around a
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Lack of sleep makes us tired, cranky, and even makes us less pretty. Your brain is not the only part of your body that benefits from sleep, your muscles and your skin do too. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, imagine how much better you would have done on your compo if you weren’t spending your class time falling asleep. Sleep more, and you’ll be alert and motivated in class, like a learning sponge! 2.
Water, coffee, or en-
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Wait… class time isn’t nap time? Come on… admit it, everybody’s done it. When you’re in class and the teacher’s blabbing on about something that you have yet to understand, you slowly lower your head, promising yourself that you’ll only rest your heavy eyes for a few minutes and then BAM you’re in dream-land; far, far away from the chalk boards and text books. Class ends and you still are clueless, the worst part is that you have a stiff neck from sleeping in an awkward position on your desk. Now what? Solution: I guess we can all agree that there’s no such thing as passive learning in class, so let’s try this realistic m e t h o d i n s t e a d :
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ergy drinks? So we’re not perfect and we all have our nights where we get little or no sleep because we were studying for exams, or working on last-minute homework; so what then? First off, it’s no use staying up all night studying if you’re going to fall asleep or not going to be able to concentrate during the exam. What you should do to avoid the symptoms are to drink a lot of water so that your body stays hydrated. The only thing that you have to remember is to go to the bathroom before the exam because it can be very distracting to need to go during your
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Make sure that you eat a healthy breakfast to jump-start your brain in the morning; like an engine given top-of-the-line fuel, you will run faster and more smoothly throughout the day, not only during your exam. If you drink coffee or tea, then go for a nice big cup in the morning to give your body that extra boost that it needs to get through your exam. Warning: DO NOT drink energy drinks!!! Why? First off, energy drinks put an unhealthy strain on your heart and body. They contain so many chemicals that they literally burn your stomach and turn your teeth yellow (eww I know). If that’s not enough, another reason is that they make you too hyper during the exam to concentrate and they dehydrate you. Energy drinks are meant to physically stimulate the body, not mentally so don’t trick yourself into thinking that an energy drink can energize your brain. Instead of dozing off in class, think about taking out a pen and paper and take notes on what the teacher is talking about. This will not only help you for later studying at home, but it will also force you to listen to what (s) he is saying and who knows, you might actually find what they have to say interesting! If you want to go all out then bring some colors to class to color code your notes and add some life to your black and white paper. I want to remind you that bringing colors into the picture does NOT mean that you can go doodling in c l a s s ! ! !
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Successful Compo-ing (cont.) 4.
Okay so we’ve gotten past the classroom part, but once that bell rings, your class is not finished. When you go home, review your notes by either, putting them on note cards, re-writing them, or typing them. By going over them, you’re reminding your brain what you learned. Although we don’t like to admit it to ourselves, we are not geniuses and we don’t always absorb 100% of the information the first time that we hear it; we might not even get it all the second time, but the more that you review it, the more that you’ll remember it.
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There are never enough hours in a day so try to limit your time on websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Megavideo when you’ve got piles of homework and notes that have yet to be touched. The best thing to do is to make yourself a schedule. I know you are probably trying to skip this part since you think that you heard this before, but seriously think about it. If you spend an hour or two a day on Facebook and then another hour or two on YouTube or Megavideo then that’s about (let’s say) three hours a day which is 21 hours a week which is practically like spending a whole day on the computer… and that’s only in a WEEK!!! So don’t waste your life and your brain on the computer. Use it in a more productive manner and learn about the world around you.
Now that we have some common mistakes, the best thing to do is not get demotivated, but to instead use them as motivation to study harder and do better next time. Whatever compo grades don’t kill you, will only make you stronger. Jade Seidman, 1°IB
Les bises françaises « Ah ça va ? (Smack une fois sur chaque joue) ». Ceci est quelque chose de banal qu’on peut assister dans beaucoup de pays latins. Je vois ce partage d’amitié devant notre école ou même dans l’enceinte de cette dernière presque tous les jours. Je pense en effet que c’est un moyen très chaleureux d’accueillir et même de dire au revoir à ses amis ou à ses proches. Maintenant la confession. C’est très difficile pour moi. Je n’arrive pas à le faire d’une manière ou une autre. On s’approche de moi, l’air de rien, pour me « dire » bonjour et moi qu’est ce que je fais ? J’esquive inconsciemment cette « attaque ». Je dis « attaque », pas dans le sens du terme mais plutôt une disparité culturelle. Il faut savoir que dans des pays qui ne sont pas influencer par la culture latine, dans une relation qui n’est pas intime entre un homme et une femme, les interactions physiques sont très limitées. Ah si on revenait à ma petite anecdote, après d’un coup d’œil prudent je me rends compte qu’elles ont l’air offensées, et très profondément dois je dire. Non pas parce que mes amies européennes ne sont attractives (et au contraire je les trouve très charmantes et gentilles) mais comme je viens de vous expliquer précédemment que je ne me suis pas encore habitué à cette tradition. C’est très bizarre parce qu’on dirait que c’est moi seul qui a cette difficulté et que j’utilise seulement ma culture pour une excuse. Une excuse démodée en plus, car on vit aujourd’hui dans une société internationale. J’avoue cher lecteur que j’ai un problème…Cela fait malheureusement déjà 10 ans que je vis en Europe et je n’arrive toujours pas à « faire » un bonjour naturellement… Cependant, ces temps-ci, il m’est plus en plus possible pour moi d’approcher et faire les bises. Je dois cependant m’entrainer et m’habituer un peu plus à cette tradition. Bon je crois que je vous aie raconté assez de cette histoire de bises française. Pendant qu’un autre article paraitra je vous laisse pensez. Bises. Jou-Sung Park, T°IB FEBRUARY
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Knitting Frenzy A strange phenomenon has taken over the school. Look around, and you will see students with pairs of needles, large and small. These individuals have also been seen walking around with yarn. Lots of it. Different colors and textures have been noticed spilling out of their school bags. Bulky blue wool, light green wool, thin pink polyester, thick purple cotton have turned our school into a colorful delirium. Fear not: these people are simply the EABJM’s eager knitters. They belong to our school’s first and original « knittage » club.
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This uncommon club was founded last year by now Terminale students Kevin Rouff and Geraud Bablon. Although the knitting club had a rocky start due to insufficient attendance and lack of adequate advertisement or experience, it has known impressive growth in size and popularity since the beginning of the school year. Today, the knitting club has approximately thirty participants, who gather every Tuesday at 4.15, put music on, talk, and knit their hearts out. Although there were a lot of guys at the beginning, they have somehow dwindled as time went by, so the knitting club is now mainly female. Most of these knitters are in Première; however this year some Seconde students have also joined the club, and a few Terminales try to continue to attend. Even though teachers have asked to join (who wouldn’t want to be bestowed with such an honor?) the knitting club is completely student run, and seems to function smoothly in this way. When asked about their experience in the club, students have agreed upon three words: fun, relaxing, and rewarding. By being members of the knitting club, students can complete CAS hours with no pressure or worry. Not only do the knitters get to practice, and often learn a new skill, they also get rewarded with CAS hours for creativity and service. Firstly, by being in the knitting club, many have expanded their wardrobe and brandish their handmade clothes. Moreover, all beanie hats, scarves or gloves can be donated to people in need; as one of my friendly knitter acquaintances has put it, « being in the knitting club does not only benefit you, it can also benefit others ». Soon, the proud Terminales will move on to let new Première heads take over, putting the responsibility of passing on knitting knowledge into Sophia Fleming, Mia O’Brien and Tanya Turak‘s hands. If any of you readers are now overcome with an urge to work on your knitting, you should talk to any of these heads and join the club. Anybody is welcome to take part in the knitting club: an opportunity for team work, creativity, and meeting people in an easy going atmosphere. Elisa Leser, 1°ES1 FEBRUARY
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Quand les lolitas jouent les femmes fatales Depuis quelques semaines, les parisiens peuvent voir les affiches du nouveau parfum de la marque Lolita Lempicka, « si lolita ». Le concept est simple : une jeune fille du nom de Si Lolita recherche son foulard dans Paris. Pourtant ce n’est pas cela qui a éveillé mon intérêt pour ce nouveau parfum, mais le mannequin qui pose sur l’affiche. En effet, cette jeune fille (dont on ne connait pas l’identité) est presque dénudée sur la photo, révélant ses charmes. Je suis extrêmement choquée qu’une marque de parfum exhibe ainsi le corps d’une très jeune fille, qui n’a pas plus de 17 ans.
très sain pour une fille de cet âge. » Il est vrai qu’une grande maturité est requise pour supporter et s’adapter à ce monde difficile. Pour une grande majorité, le rêve promis de shootings d’une heure payés 10,000$ devient rapidement un enfer de carrières courtes, de chômage, et de mauvais traitements (cf. articles de presse).
Même si certaines adolescentes sont assez matures pour affronter ces difficultés, ce n’est pas souvent le cas. C’est pourquoi l’Angleterre a décidé de bannir les mannequins de moins C’est pourquoi je me suis intéressée à de 16 ans à la Fashion Week, princil’âge des mannequins. La plupart des palement car au moins 40% des filles repérées ont entre 14 et 16 ans, et mannequins mineures auraient des voient leur vie changer du tout au tout en problèmes d’alimentation (anorexie quelques semaines. Beaucoup n’arrivent ou boulimie) et parce que de nompas à supporter le stress et sont victimes breuses drogues circulent dans les d’abus sexuels, de problèmes d’alimentacoulisses des défilés, accessibles à tion, ou des drogues. De plus, comme ces jeunes filles. Même si elles ont l’explique Zoe Edquist, la manager de la l’air plus vieilles qu’elles ne le sont Commission de la Mode d’Australie, vraiment quand elles sont maquillées « être mannequin est un travail qui impliet qu’elles portent une robe de soirée que une énorme quantité de refus lors de au décolleté plongeant, il ne faut pas castings pour presque chaque modèle. Ainsi si vous oublier qu’elles restent des adolescentes : plus des êtes une fille de 14 ans travaillant comme mannequin enfants, mais pas encore des adultes. Marie Trédaniel, 2°5 professionnel, vous pouvez parier que neuf fois sur dix cela vous arrivera. Je ne sais pas si autant de rejet est
Hairdresser’s Price Discrimination reflect role of women in society At lunch time, I was walking around school while trying to come up with examples of injustices in our society. It so turns out I am becoming more and more aware of my debt towards the less lucky, the less fortunate and the miserable of this world. Anyways, the injustice upon which I stumbled during my walk around school might seem quite a laugh at first sight. But it remains nonetheless an injustice and deserves an explanation. The injustice is the following: How come similar styled haircuts are priced differently according to gender and age in Parisian hairdressers? It’s a well known fact that hairdressers price-discriminate according to gender and age. Whilst discrimination is generally negative because unfounded and irrational, it turns out discrimination within the boundaries of economics often have rational costbenefit explanations, making the discrimination “righteous” because explained by the law of the market. I wanted to find out if
the hairdresser’s price discrimination is rational: if the difference in price between gender and age is economically justified or based on prejudice and consequently unjust. First of all I needed to check that the hairdressers investigated all had price discrimination, and it was the case. For the investigated hairdressers (seven in total) the order of prices goes as follows: females cuts are the most expensive, then comes the males and the cheapest of all are the kids. At this point in my study, I feel I can confidently assert that the huge majority of hairdressers price discriminate and I would be thrilled to find one that didn’t, or that priced in another order. Here are the different prices for a sample hairdresser (“Gerard” 33 Boulevard de Grenelle): Female long: 38 Female short: 35
Male long: 24 Male short: 22 LE
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Hairdresser’s Price Discrimination (cont.) Children are charged less than women and men. This fact hairdresser’s justify by stating children have a smaller head circumference making it shorter for their hair to be cut. So far this is rational. However, further investigation led me to learn that some children actually take longer than adults because they cannot sit still, making average children cutting hair time similar to that of adults. Reasoning would lead us to expect an increase in price closer to the adult standards but hairdressers may well have a rational reason not to do so. Almost always, children are accompanied by their parents to the hairdresser and a lower price for the children encourages the accompanying parent to have their hair cut simultaneously because it is not so costly. My hypothesis is that some parents could do that so to psychologically help their kids if they are afraid of getting their hair cut so to shorten the process. However, it seems this is only too marginal an effect to be taken in account and prices for children seem dictated by the general ethical principle stating minors should be charged less. What is completely irrational is the difference in price for similar lengths between men and women. Hairdressers all justify this fact by putting forth that cutting women’s hair takes longer than cutting men’s hair; rationally justifying a higher cost. However, the fact in itself that it takes more time to cut women’s hair than men’s hair while the length is the same simply means that the care given to the women’s hair is more important because both genders have in average the same quality of hair. This is profoundly unfair, as those higher prices state that women should have more stylish hair and give more importance to their physical appearance. Whilst this could be true several years ago, times are changing while an increasing number of men are becoming more aware of their physical appearance. Moreover, some women I am sure do not care so much about their hair being stylish and will gladly have less time spent on their hair but will still end up paying that same higher price; which is an injustice. When asking hairdressers, most say the female cut is longer because the haircutting techniques used on women just take longer. I asked them where that came from and most re-
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sponded in a simple fashion that it came from hairdressing school. I was lucky to find a more aware, educated hairdresser and definitely most helpful, that told me women take longer because their hair often necessitates more shampooing. She added that this is so because women have a tendency not to keep their natural hair, thus applying coloring products that damage the hair. Coloring has to do with esthetical choices. Furthermore, she said male cuts are in fact more technical than female cuts. She concluded by saying that she knew some women who wanted a simpler cut that had resorted going to male-only hairdressers and benefiting from the male lower charge. In economics, prices act as incentives and dictate consumer behavior. Higher prices for female haircuts are actually crudely saying women ought to take more care than men to their physical appearance: we live in a highly prejudiced society. Whilst the majority of women do conform to that view of women in society (in my geographical area of study at least), some minorities could not care less about their hairstyle and are consequently disadvantaged. The sole “winners” of this discrimination actually are the males getting stylish haircuts. The way people consume and supply goods do tell us a lot about the people themselves. For instance, part of the role of women in our contemporary society is reflected in the hairdresser’s price discrimination. All the prices out there reflect how people ought to think and behave. Pointing out irrational prices and trying to change them definitely help build a more just society. Gabriel Courtois, T°IB Please do comment or question this article. If you have observed irrational and discriminatory prices in other areas of society, please do contact me so we can investigate them further. I would be glad to learn that you have found hairdressers that go against this price logic and actually have higher fees for males than females or no price discrimination at all. It would be very interesting indeed to investigate on that phenomenon.
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THE BEAST! When someone mentions to you, a name like “The Beast”, you automatically think; Frankenstein, Werewolf, vampire, or a rabid creature of some sort. Not me. When I think of “The Beast”, my mind does not wonder off to the usual cliché idea of one, but instead it sends icy shivers down my spine and leaves me with a sick feeling in my stomach.
To escape the beast, I move from my bedroom to the bathroom. I grab my tooth-brush, clumsily squirt some toothpaste on it, and stick it in my mouth. Whilst brushing my teeth viciously I make the mistake of looking up into the mirror above the basin. Where, once again, I find the beast glaring at me, with his dopey eyes, and foam pouring from his mouth. Startled, the beast looks down as I spit the toothpaste from my mouth.
To me, a beast is not a monster from some B-rate horror film, instead, “the beast” is a reality for me that I have to face every day. I live your B-rate horror film, and its starts at 6:30 am. I throw the covers off of me, turn over and slowly skulk off of my bed. Rubbing my eyes I blindly grope around to find the light switch. Once I've found it, I slump back down onto my bed and take a deep breath, praying for grit. My blood shot eyes slowly reveal themselves as I strain to open my glued lids. I rise... conjure up some courage for my next morning ritual, or should I say, challenge. For on the inside of my closet is a mirror, a mirror that reveals to me the horror of the beast. The beast that looks back at me , has a face that not even a mother can love. In my point of view, its faults are so vast and varied that when I stare into its ashamed eyes it refuses to look back.
utes. But there comes a stage in the morning when I have to bite the bullet and face the beast one last time, before I let him out into the world. I put my coat on, wrap my scarf around my neck and slowly edge back towards my closet mirror. I give the beast one final stare. I close the closet door just before it becomes unbearable and I leave safeness of my home, to confront the outside world. There I have to hide the beast from everyone. I fear that they will scream and frantically scramble away from the sheer hideousness of it. Walking down my street to the RER station is nerve wrecking. I'm always looking over my shoulder, expecting to see pitch forks, torches and unkind words being flung at me . However, no one criticizes the beast. When I look forward, the friendly smile of my neighbor is there to greet me. I grin defensively and pretend to listen to what she is saying, when in actual fact I am wondering why she hasn't gored me with her silver-tipped umbrella yet.
I open the tap and let the cool water wash away the foam to reveal a chrome plug. On it is a contorted image of the beast. The convex shape of the plug accentuates the beast's large nose, making it look like Bert from Sesame Street. Shudder!! I spend the rest of the morning avoiding the beast. Ignoring him, helps me get through the morning, without being visually harassed every five min-
I get to the station with, surprisingly, no umbrella protruding from my chest. I sit down in the train and look into the window. I focus my eyes so that I can see my reflection. I gaze at the beast, relieved that he had evaded GBH (Grave Bodily Harm). Then it hits me. What if the beast isn't as bad as I think he is? What if this beast isn't a beast at all? What if this beast is just an insecure teenager? (continued on p. 13)
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The Jonas Brothers are in Town
L. Cojot
On a rainy Thursday evening stood hundreds of crying fans in front of the Palais Omnisports de Bercy. Upon closer inspection, they all happened to be girls, teenage girls, waving Camp Rock and “WE LOVE YOU JOE” posters. No doubt about it, the Jonas Brothers were in town. Just as we walked in, the lights went down, the round stage filled up with smoke, and the much-anticipated Disney trio popped up through the centre of the platform. As they kicked off with their radio-friendly hit “Paranoid”, the entire crowd started pulsating. Thousands of frenzied fans began a screaming chant and the flashbulbs never stopped blinking. This went on for the entire duration of the concert, as they followed with a few songs from their new album Lines, Vines and Trying Times, as well as old classics. Mixing up bubblegum pop with soulful ballads, the Jonas Brothers entertained us with a diverse array of musical styles, revealing their sensational ability to master the drums, piano and guitar. Throughout the show, Joe,
Kevin and Nick would every so often perform amusing tricks on stage, such as jumping on the piano or doing push-ups in the middle of a song. While not everyone is a fan of their teen pop music, all 20 000 people present at the concert would agree that the Jonas Brothers sure put on a good show. Berenice Briet 1°IB
GRAFFITI: A FINE LINE BETWEEN ART AND VANDALISM
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thing the audience of museum artwork might be. In other words, the true message delivered by any given piece depends greatly on the conditions and environments in which it is placed. (and the way the author conveys it) The website “the Wooster Collective” (woostercollective.com) works hard to publicize street art and to convey the clear message that graffiti is a true form of art. The website prides itself on being a “celebration of street art”. The site will upload images of art made on the street or with found objects, and post videos of street art in-the-making every few days, showing interviews with artists who use the street as their medium in one way or another. The artworks may be spray-painted directly on the street or plastered there in some way. The website presents works from across the world and will often share the identity of the artist as a tag name (a name used to hide the legal identity of a street artist). Many of these artists use their anonymity to take their works further and grow more creatively without fear of legal or social punishments. (continued on p.16) K. Rouff
With the latest incidents in school regarding graffiti, many of us may find ourselves increasingly interested in street art and its role in modern culture. The recent scribbles in spray-paint seen all over the school were, in my opinion, violent actions serving very little as artistic statements, and merely destroyed property. However, the beauty and talent that can be seen in creative street art should not be undermined because of this reckless style of graffiti and should certainly not be put together in the same category. One I would classify as vandalism, the other as art. Graffiti is often used as a way to show an ethical or political belief about a context in which an artist is concerned. Indeed, street art and graffiti present a unique and accessible medium for artistic expression, and accomplish things that simply cannot be done on canvas. Graffiti is the only art form in which the audience is truly anonymous, and although the artists themselves may have a desired impact they wish to accomplish in the piece, the minds of the viewer are never known for certain as the viewer is the public as a whole and is not limited or defined by economic or social class; some-
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GRAFFITI: A FINE LINE BETWEEN ART AND VANDALISM (cont.) For example, a piece posted on “the Wooster Collective” that I found particularly interesting was done in Paris several months ago along the Seine. The artists threaded saran wrap between two trees and spray painted on the plastic. Not only did this make the work legal and much easier to transport, it also allowed for a layered effect in the piece. It should be noted that the website always displays works that are artistic ways of conveying an image and never categorizes one-word scribbles as street art. Indeed, while the images may be
incredibly cutting-edge or even controversial in their nature, they never become vulgar, and always aim towards a specific artistic message. So if you are interested in seeing how different artists approach art in public spaces, visit the website and keep your eye out for Parisian pieces. They’ll probably be more interesting and insightful than the tags you’ve seen in the S stairwell. Sophia Fleming-Benitez 1°IB
Madonna Madness For the admirers’ pleasure, the independent record dealer, Lucky Records opened 18 years ago an impressive temple dedicated to one of the greatest pop idols, Madonna. The Lucky Records shop is a wonderful little haven for the ultimate Madonna fans. It is situated in the very heart of Paris. It is an ideal spot as it is located in the very artistic and trendy neighborhood of the Marais, a few blocks away from the wellknown modern art museum, the Centre de GeorgesPompidou. As a result, due to the store’s convenient locality, Madonna aficionados or even regular tourists from all over the world have the chance to enjoy this mind-blowing boutique.
Vogue issues where one can admire her on the front cover. All these uncommon Madonna articles are considered as some sort of treasures that are incredibly valuable for her devotees.
This sanctuary is a paradise for the most fervent Madonna addicts; however it is also heaven for other music fans. If you thought it was already a lot to cover Madonna’s entire career, you are going to be surprised. Even though Lucky Records produces ¼ of Madonna merchandise and records, it also sells goods from other pop artists like Michael Jackson, Cher, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Sylvie Vartan and many more. Therefore other music fans can also This little store has everything a passionate Madonna be satisfied and find rare records of other pop icons. groupie would love to own. Since Lucky Records sells Nevertheless Madonna remains the queen that rules everything from badges to posters, the shop has eve- the store. rything a Madonna enthusiast would want to transAll you Madonna followers must go and check out this form his apartment into the pop diva’s Mecca. Zealous fans will also be pleased to find rare records fantastic shop that will amaze you and leave you in of the pop singer, which are real ear candy for those complete ecstasy. music hungry fanatics. The store encloses with care Address: 66, rue de la Verrerie 75004, Paris every single record the Donna has ever made, including special versions and remixes. It even offers boxed Nicole Tejada, 1°L sets, her movies along with DVDs and even dated FEBRUARY
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« HOT NEW MUSIC REVIEWS » Albums Pop : Celebration, Madonna (released September 29th 2009, Warner Bros).
www.madonna.com
Celebration is Madonna’s third compilation album, but it is the first one to include all forty of the tracks which debuted at number one position on the top of the charts at their release. The album was released as a single CD and a deluxe double CD version, and contains two brand new tracks: “Revolver” and “Celebration”, which was announced to be the first single from the record. The collection does a fine job of living up to her title of queen of pop. It certainly is a celebration of Madonna's career and includes the most exciting pop music ever created. Madonna’s genius is undiminished. Alternative Rock : The Resistance, Muse (released September 14th 2009, Warner Bros).
www.muse.mu.com
The Resistance is the fifth studio album by English alternative rock band Muse. The album follows up on Black holes and revelations. The first single off of the record, “Uprising”, is a mix of psychedelic and alternative rock, and resembles in no way any other Muse tracks. The album has no trace of piano, but promotes the use of synthesizers. The music is very dense, heavy and darker than usual. Matthew Bellamy, the lead singer of the band, announced that the song talked about a gathering and an approaching victory…
September 9th 2009, EMI).
Classical Rock : The Beatles Stereo Box Set, The Beatles (released
www.amazon.com
No one believed it could be true, and yet, almost forty years after the release of Let it be, the last official album recorded by The Beatles, a box set compilation comprising all of the remastered stereo recordings of the band was released. This sixteen disc collection is indispensable for all fans. Remastered tracks, original mixes, an exclusive documentary and original artwork can be found in the box set. Singles Alternative Rock : Swim, Jack’s Mannequin (released November 3rd, Sire Records).
Swim is the second single off of The Glass Passenger, second studio album by American rock band Jack's Mannequin. Their first album, Everything in Transit, released in 2005, revealed them to the world with the hit Dark Blue, a sizzling headspinning song that expressed love in a way no one had ever felt or heard before. The album, recorded in 2007, was released in September 2008 after lead singer Andrew McMahon, diagnosed with leukemia, spent several months receiving cancer treatment. Unlike their other songs, usually critical and provocative, Swim’s lulling melody will transport you in a world where optimism reigns. This touching ballad depicts life as a blessing you must handle with care and inspires strength, courage and will give hope and faith to all of those who need it. The video will soon be released on television. Upcoming concerts Mika www.mikasounds.com
Mika, the world’s new favorite pop singer, recently stated that he would be touring in North America and Europe from October 2009 to May 2010, to support the promotion of his new album, The Boy who knew too much, released September 18th 2009. The singer will perform at Paris-Bercy the 26th of April, and you can already get your tickets for 45 Euros. This show is certainly not to be missed! Unlike Life in Cartoon Motion, the record talks about teenage hood, and more specifically, hopes and fears. Mika explores new horizons, where Jazz, Folk and Pop create a perfect blend. Songs such as Rain, Toy Boy and Blame it on the girls are very promising. Louis Denizet, 1°L L E
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ISounds Concert Hoult, Mr Damon, Miss Bartlett (Miss Bartlett wasn't here in 2003), Mr Briggs and Mr Mitcham, to give a chance to high school students to present their music to others or demonstrate their creativity by singing their own version of their favorite rock and roll hits. The concert, which takes place in April in the school gym, has, for as its goal, to raiseing funds for a different charitable organization each year. Last year, the benefits from the concert were 1000 Euros, and the album sold over 70 CDs. For those of you who still haven’t decided whether or not you will attend the show this year or not, don’t hesitate to visit last year’s concert photo gallery on http:// www.saburchill.com/album/IBS/albums.html or buy last year’s album in Ms. Burchill’s office. Moreover, it is always very entertaining to see what true rock stars our favorite teachers can be, and from what I’ve seen so far, some unexpected surprises will make this show unforgettable. This event is certainly not to be missed! Louis Denizet, 1°L K. Rouff
Everyone has a dream. Perhaps you have not found yours yet, perhaps you've hidden it protectively inside of you, or perhaps you have already reached it. In any case, it’s what makes us all want to get up in the morning, hungry for what the upcoming day has waiting for us. For my part, a true desire to perform and express my personality through singing and acting runs through my veins, and that is why I have decided to join the ISounds band. A number of you, it is well known, have not yet dared to take a chance and expose yourselves to judgments. Yet, the ISounds is the perfect activity for all the talented musicians and fine singers out there, waiting for a chance to reveal themselves. This activity, open to all rock music fans, will teach you patience, perseverance, how to discover your personality and exploit your talent, and after long sessions filled with laughter every Monday nights, you will be are rewarded with a final concert, where your friends and relatives can admire your hard work. The first ISounds group was created in 2003, with the help of a few dedicated teachers such as: Miss Burchill, Mr
American Economics passed New York as number one. Now the question is: how is it bigger? In square meters? Number of Buildings? Or maybe by the number of First of all I must admit that, yes, slaves the banks have working for Wall Street did fall, along with every them because from an economic other financial center in the world. stand point London has nothing on The fall of Wall Street was also the New York. The Dow Jones is the still fall of London, the fall of Paris and the world’s Largest and most prestigThe view of American economics in the fall of Tokyo and the list goes on. ious stock index in the world. The Europe is very bleak at the moment. Also, I think that people that just em- New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is phasize a failure on Wall Street inMost Europeans feel that America by far the most important and even “caused” the current crisis, New York stead of showing a universal probas a country; The U.S.A. has officially has been said to have fallen behind lem are just jealous, pragmatic, and come out of the Recession while the London as the world’s largest finan- imbecilic. U.K. continues to decline. It seems as cial center and they say “The dollar is though the only tarnish for New York Also, I recently saw a study carried so week” ($1.50 for 1 Euro). Wall is the weak dollar. So, London may Street “fell” and America doesn’t pro- out to see which city had the largest be bigger, but as far as I can see not duce anything anymore. I know this financial center. London had sureconomically. (continued on p. 19) Well… I’m American, and I’m very partial towards my country. Living here in France, however, has helped me to view my country differently from “across the pond.” More specifically, it allowed me to see the state of the U.S' economy and its place in the World.
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may sound pedantic and look like I have a bone to pick but this overall idea is complete Rubbish.
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American Economics (cont.) Now we come to a belief that has plagued America’s image for years. It appears to me that there are many people who think that China has surpassed America as the world’s industrial leader. The phrase “Everything is made in China” comes to mind. This may be a very compelling argument, but everything changes when you see the facts. First of all, America is still by far the
world’s industrial leader; for every dollar of product China makes the U.S. makes two dollars and fifty cents, which means that the U.S. produces two and a half times more than China. Also, even though China has an impre ssive Gross Nation Product (GNP) of 7 trillion dollars a year (second largest in the world) the U.S.A. has almost double that
with a GNP of 13 trillion dollars a year. By telling you this, I know, I sound like what many would say “too” patriotic and overzealous but, all I want to do is to show my country in the best possible way (and I feel it my duty to show things the way they are and not the way many perceive them to be. Benjamin Baker, 1°IB
EABJM STUDENTS GARNER HONORS AT PARIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS ing others on the tragic death of her son, Boisvouvray demonstrated how adversity can inspire heroic deeds. She encouraged the delegates not to forget the plight of the most helpless people, the world’s needy children. Three EABJM students were awarded leadership positions at the conference: Edward Lando, Chair of the Human Rights Committee; Alex Rosner, Chair of the Organization of American States; and Mary Ann Toman-Miller Editor-in-Chief of the PAMUN newspaper, The Munificence. Jade Seidman distinguished herself by received an award for top delegate. Edward Lando aptly summed up the spirit of PAMUN: “What I love about PAMUN is that it not only gives you a rush of adrenaline when you speak and defend your ideas in front of a large committee, but also that it focuses you to develop imaginative and thoughtful solutions to worldwide problems, while still representing the views and position of your country.” The largest model UN conference in Europe, PAMUN did not disappoint. For one brief, shining weekend, we were actors on the world stage, and we made a difference. Mary Ann Toman-Miller, T°IB T. Yaron
A delegation of EABJM students distinguished themselves at the PAMUN from December 4 through 6 getting a taste of what it is like to be a real diplomat. Set at the actual UNESCO headquarters in Paris, PAMUN hosted 900 budding ambassadors in a realistic simulation of a session of the United Nations. The theme for the conference -- “A World in Crisis” -- was appropriate for these uncertain times. Like their counterparts at the real UN, PAMUN delegates had to contend with an economic crisis, environmental emergencies, political uncertainty, human rights upheavals, and ethical and moral challenges – and that was just in the afternoon session! Nine committees debated issues ranging from global warming to nuclear disarmament and passed resolutions to offer solutions to these global issues. The participants not only learned the importance of compromise and negotiations, but also of prompt action to solve urgent problems – much as they would do as ambassadors representing their countries. PAMUN delegates were inspired by the keynote speaker, philanthropist Albina du Boisrouvray, who champions the cause of AIDS orphans and abandoned AIDS/HIV children. A countess who decided to dedicate her life to serv-
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THE BEAST! (cont.) Suddenly my abhorrence for the beast vanishes. Now I don't mind him. For his vast and varied flaws are what defines his physical being. I've always wanted to get rid of my beast. However now my beast is my balance. Without my beast I am fallacious, and if I learn to embrace my beast, my beast becomes noth-
ing but a mere reflection in the mirror. Notwithstanding, I must confess, that raising my gaze anywhere above the basin, is a concept that continues to haunt me. Razeen Adam 1º IB
Feminism is Almost Futile
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she may make mud pies and have a pretend tea party with water in the teapot.
K. Rouff
We are living in a world where the female constituency is now taking over the role of males in the workplace whilst the males are becoming stay at home dads, or so we are told. Is this really the case? Or is it just that the women who go out to succeed get noticed more than the house husbands and select males who are too lazy to get a proper job and would much rather spend their days at home now have that opportunity? Look at how children’s toys have developed. In the space of fifteen years, dolls have been remodelled to near perfection. Speaking as a girl who found it amazing you could put makeup on a doll and then wipe it off later, and that her hair even grew when you pulled it (leading to all the hair being pulled out, the doll going bald and having her face covered permanently with permanent pen) whereas nowadays the doll can eat, drink and yet doesn’t need to be sitting on a potty at the same time. Plus she can talk and maybe even walk. If that isn’t forming young girls into parents then what is? This is the more noticeable when you give a teenager a two litre bottle full of liquid. She will most likely cradle it in her arms like a baby whereas you never see a man hold it in such a way. Boys get to build rockets, put mentoes in coke, to create explosions and what is the female equivalent? Making perfume or bubble bath from a kit or, if we’re especially lucky build Lego houses with cookers, beds, wardrobes and gardens. Admittedly there are certain games that both female and male children can play, including marbles and animals on a farm and certain male games that girls can play, in the likes of Hot Wheels although if we own a track there needs to be a garage for it to be stored in overnight. How boring is that! There are equally the absolute nono’s. A girl rolling in the mud? Certainly not. However
This trend remains as we get older, yet it is becoming a little more lenient. A girl who is constantly bruised and scarred at the age of six and older is not a good sight. Girls chasing boys? Never! The boys are supposed to chase girls. A boy aged ten, without a single bruise, cut or scar has had a wasted childhood. Besides, how many boys wear makeup? Furthermore, boys are allowed to be untidy, but if you go into a girl’s room and the floor is a pig-sty, you would be shocked. No I am not a feminist, but I do think it slightly unfair that some girls get such a bad name for themselves just because they decide to live their life and have a spot of fun. Admittedly we get away with wearing boy’s clothes a lot more easily than boys wearing girls’ clothes do but all the same we are not, nor will we ever be equals, at least up until the time when a man has a menstrual cycle, the ability to get pregnant and care for his child the same way woman does. Now I don’t know that much about scientific progress in this domain but I don’t believe this advancement is arriving any time soon. Until then, stop saying that women aren’t being treated as men’s equals. Of course we aren’t, as we’re too busy keeping the world sufficiently populated. I am not an antifeminist either. Yvette Lavelle, T°IB
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CULTURE
The Sluggishness of America Over 200 years ago, when the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America were first drafted and ratified by it’s founding fathers, the world was, to say the least, an extremely different place from the one in which we today inhabit: overwhelmingly, the great nations of the planet, the powers-that-be, were either monarchies or empires; the concepts of civil rights, and the inborn equality of man, which so many of us who were born and raised in the Western world take for granted, had only just begun to find any true meaning to the nameless masses; and sudden, violent coups were astonishingly frequent in many parts of the so-called “civilized world”. Set in such a grim setting, the achievements of men such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams to name but a few, become even more miraculous, as their efforts managed not only to garner true independence for the fledgling nation, but moreover instill in it a system of enduring democracy that has managed to last through a civil war, several terrible depressions, poverty, hunger, but most recently and perhaps most importantly, a series of terrible cultural divides. Now of course the obvious question that arises is, just how did they do this? The answer has been analyzed by historians the world over, and now seems to be equally simple: the founders of the United States created a government that was, contrary to so many other regimes of the time, designed to work very, very slowly. Hence the three-branch system, which we know so well today, relies upon the combined efforts, vision, and cooperation of 535 members of Congress, the careful consideration and final ruling of a necessarily conflicted President, and the subsequent attempts at just rulings of the judges of the Supreme Court. One might think that this organization alone would be enough to ensure the stability of a country, but, in keeping with the ideals upon which the country was founded, the United States also necessitates a multi-party system for it to function properly. These parties would by definition come into conflict with one another at various points in their interaction, because their constituencies and beliefs differ in so many ways. And so, to the eyes of any of its earliest inhabitants, it would seem that the American government has worked to perfection over the long years, and has prevented any one individual from seizing too much
power too quickly, thus safeguarding modern democracy. It has done this while all the while advancing at an astonishing rate economically, militarily, and otherwise, thanks to several generations of nothing short of great men such as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and more recently Ted Kennedy, who abided by the laws of the land (respecting its need for emphasis upon the virtues of equality) and made its complicated political setup work. However, as history has moved on, and America has changed and evolved from being a small former colony to being a superpower, so too the world has changed: many countries now enjoy the same freedoms that were unique to Americans for a century, and the state of international affairs has become more stable overall in comparison to that of the early nineteenth century. Globalization made and continues to make it impossible for the citizens of nations that not so long ago were ruled by royalty to ignore the shining example of a functioning democracy that is the USA. America itself has become secure enough in terms of threats from abroad and from within that the once allimportant emphasis on political prudence has been all but forgotten, and replaced with a burning public desire for faster results. And the values by which the forefathers held so much stock, such as civic duty, uncorrupt government, and, above all, compromise, have become more creed than reality. The concern for the government has decidedly shifted towards the opposite extreme from working too fast, and has become that it is woefully inefficient: in July 2008 Gallup, a prominent polling company, reported that the approval ratings of Congress had fallen to a dismal 14%; this month it also reported that approval ratings for the President, Barack Obama, had fallen to 49%. One has only to watch the recent “debates” on health care reform between Republicans and Democrats to see that Congress especially, but Washington as a whole, are not working properly. What needs to happen, you may ask? Well, the answers to that question are many, but basically Americans on both sides, right and left, should let bygones be bygones, and remember that America’s single greatest quality is its ability to reinvent itself and adapt: if they can do this, the country will continue to prosper; if not, who knows? Nicolas Pollack, 2°IB L E
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B I L I N G U E
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Le BILINGUE Le Bilingue Team Advisor Mrs. Elliot Le Clainche Contributors Razeen Adam Benjamin Alcaide-Daigle Benjamin Baker M. Aziz Bennis Annabelle Blackburn Thomas Boucher Berenice Briet Gabriel Courtois Lea Cojot Louis Denizet Rachel Forster Lisève Fierens Dafna Gottesman Yvette Lavelle Elisa Leser Alessandro Marazzi-Sassoon Elliot Memmi Jou-Sung Park Nicolas Pollack Jade Seidman Nicole Tejada
Mary Ann Toman-Miller Marie Tredaniel Michael Valinsky Staff Photographers Kevin Rouff Tal Yaron
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