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Opinion
September 8, 2017
prospectornow.com
Violent rioting endangers identity Staff Editorial
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unior John Neff held an anti neo-nazi poster, standing in protest with his family in downtown Arlington Heights. He had joined with the Northwest Suburban Peace and Education Project to protest against the recent white supremacy demonstration at University of Virginia on Aug. 12, when three people died and 35 were injured at a white nationalist rally. “We’re the next generation, so it’s important for us to show where we stand,” Neff said. Now, three weeks after the demonstration in Charlottesville, white nationalist and far right demonstrations have been countered by anti-racism rallies like Neff’s in Detroit, San Francisco, Knoxville, and Charlottesville itself. Principal Michelle Dowling showed support for students to be involved in such anti-racism demonstrations. “Our country is built on the belief that we get to express ourselves as long as it’s done in a way that … [is] following guidelines and is done at a humanitarian standard,” Dowling said. “I think it’s great that
From the administrative viewpoint, she kids learn to assert their opinions and do emphasizes on the individualized approach it peacefully and lawfully and speak their minds out against things that they don’t to addressing problems that students have feel are appropriate or right. That’s what about race or gender. Instead of generalizing needs for everyone who identifies with our world is about. That’s how we become a specific group, the adminbetter by challenging istration focuses on indieach other.” vidual situations students In addition to bring to them. culturally inclusive “We do it as wanted clubs like Internationand by an individual beal, French, Italian, cause it’s more personal Spanish, Ebony and that way,” Dowling said. Turkish club, Dowl“I think what we try to foing namely points to cus on here as an adminthe the Knights’ Way istrative team at Prospect program’s success in is that we’re a community addressing and discussing this topic with Voting results of the Prospector from different places and students as the best ex- staff in regards to this editorial. different beliefs and that every single person needs ample of structuring a to have a place, and needs to feel that they tolerant student body. “I think because our community isn’t so belong,” Dowling said. “And whatever we racially diverse, but we have some diversi- can do to promote that, regardless of what it is, whether it’s a gender issue, this is a ty based on religion, definitely on culture school for everybody. And if we’re missing and ethnicity, that’s sort of what we fothe boat on that, we need to figure out why cused on, just sort of embracing those difthat is.” ferences,” Dowling said.
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We the Prospector, join our administration in promoting an inclusive community in our school. Even though racially based political opinions may be expressed in mainstream news and polarized standpoints are showcased in current politics, communities, and other expressive platforms, we believe it is vital for our student body to continue emphasizing our acceptance of different backgrounds and opinions. Although recent events taking place in areas of the United States or in international news continue to promote negative opinions with aggressive behavior, students in our school deserve to feel safe and accepted. In order to prevent hateful behavior and the disenfranchising of diverse groups at Prospect, it’s vital that students take leadership in showing acceptance of such parts that make up the Prospect community. While many of us are still trying to gain a better understandings of ourselves, learning who the students around us are and how we fit in with them will showcase student community as a major value in our school.
Panic over North Korea crisis carries inaccuracy North Korean state media released pic- threat to the peace and stability of all U.S. allies in the region, including Taiwan, Japan tures on Aug. 24 as part of a report on Kim and South Korea. Jong-un’s visit to his nation’s Academy of China has repeatedly come to North KoDefense Sciences. Unfortunately for Kim, rea’s defense since the Cold War, diagrams detailing two unbuilt and opposed Security Council acballistic missiles are visible in tion against them. Once in favor the background, marking the of the sanctions that motivated third time North Korea has acNorth Korea’s aggression in the cidentally released classified first place, Beijing has now begun information via photos of their calling on the United States to comSupreme Commander. pletely repeal the extensive sancRumors that the dictator had ANTHONY tions in order to end the crisis, but ordered for more rocket fuel ROMANELLI the current administration conand warheads have been con- Opinion Editor siders the nuclear development in firmed by magnified images of the unstable Kim regime to be too the charts behind him in the picture. The photo perfectly illustrates North great a threat to ignore. China has become increasingly involved Korea’s reputation in the United States; hilariously incompetent, yet still incredibly in the crisis, but is understandably not eager to wage a war against the United States, its dangerous. top trade partner. In the event of a war, both The crisis is beginning to escalate, some pointing out a similarity to the Cuban Mis- countries would suffer economically. Interestingly, China has promised to distance itsile Crisis. What these people fail to realize self from North Korea should they make the is that the Cold War was a diplomatic game mistake of attacking first, according to this with much higher stakes. The United States official statement released by the Chinese has a counter-missile system in place, but Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 80% of the time it can be outmanuevered by “China should also make clear that if warheads. Even so, the crisis isn’t as dangrous as North Korea launches missiles that threaten U.S. soil first and the U.S. retaliates, China the media claims, at least, not for the reasons they state. So, don’t go buying your will stay neutral ... If the U.S. and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow doomsday supplies just yet. Whether you the North Korean regime and change the polike him or not, Donald Trump’s not starting litical pattern of the Korean Peninsula, ChiWorld War III, and neither will Kim Jongun. The biggest thing the U.S. stands to lose na will prevent them from doing so.” Our own allies of Japan, South Korea is its worldwide standing. It’s not a question of war. This is a question of our diplomatic and Taiwan are also pressuring to avoid a relations with the other nations of east Asia, missile launch at all costs, as they are in the direct line of fire and would provide much and by extension, the world. The United States cannot fire on North easier targets for North Korea. A statement Korea without consequnce from China, a from Seoul warned that the South Koreans world power and North Korea’s only true are preparing a “military option” if diplomaally in the crisis. With the planet’s largest cy fails. Despite our lack of formal recognition of standing military and a far superior nuclear program to North Korea, China poses a China’s rival, Taiwan, the Taiwan Relations
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ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS: The stars of China’s flag shine above Kim Jong-un and his nukes. The North Korean dictator may have developed his weapons independently, but China provides its only diplomatic entry into the rest of the world. (Cartoon by of Katie Hamilton) Act of the U.S. signed into law in 1979 says “defense services” must be provided in the event Taiwan needs to defend itself, and the North Korean missiles can easily reach the island nation. A Gallup poll found 15% of Americans cite North Korea as the greatest enemy to democracy, which can possibly lead to pro-war advocates gaining a following despite the wiser pro-diplomacy agenda of our current administration. While North Korea’s capabilities are often derided here in America, they should not be underestimated, for not only can they cause extreme damage to key allies in east Asia, but also for the effect a strike against them would have in the international community. Global politics is a balancing act, where no one gets want they want without consequences. The ideal (and least likely) situation would see Kim Jong-un back off and start disarming. Alternatively, the United
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States may have no choice but to repeal the sanctions. Yes, that would mean a safe America, but North Korea would be able to continue developing its missiles unopposed, further assisted by Chinese backing. And finally, North Korea may strike first. Anti-missile countermeasures are in place, and the United States could possibly remove North Korea from this Earth with its vast arsenal. The Kim regime would never to be an issue again. Problem solved, but at what cost? Twenty-five million unnecessary casualties because one fool thought he could challenge the United States. Diplomacy is never easy. When it comes to protecting our country from its enemies, it is up to us to remain informed and encourage our leaders to take the diplomatic course of action.
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