The Raven Report Issue 5 (2017-2018)

Raven Report Sequoia High School

Volume XI, Issue 5

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

February 7, 2018

Extraordinary flu season is deadliest in years

By TAYLOR GAYNER and SIONE TUIAKI Staff Reporters Due to failed tests by vaccine manufacturers, the rate of reported hospitalized flu cases in California has drastically increased compared to past flu seasons.

These manufacturers have been using a process created decades ago, which has since become outdated. There has been a failure in the labs: they use eggs to extract the vaccine, which has resulted in an outbreak of this disease.

Flu vaccines (and most other vaccines) are made by injecting chicken eggs into the influenza so that the virus can replicate the egg substances to prevent the virus in humans. The egg substance targets the major antibody contained in the virus. Recently, however, the eggs have been mutating, defeating the purpose of soaking them to fight off specific antibodies, which has contributed to the lack of effectiveness for most patients. The patients who received the vaccines are still less likely to get the flu than those who haven’t been vaccinated, but the vaccines have not been operating as well as they usually do.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Jan. 12 that California and New York have had the worst and most widespread flu outbreaks recently. Because California has one of the worst outbreaks, many students and staff have been out of school sick with the flu, which has impacted their learning. Some students also had to miss their finals in order to recover and avoid spreading it.

“Lots of my students said they got very sick over winter break, around the time of finals,” Biology teacher Ashley Horgan said.

This is the first flu season in decades where the flu virus is airborne, meaning you can catch it by just breathing. Since it has become so easily transferable, it added to the stress that students have around finals week because they also needed to be more cautious of their surroundings.

Physicians are insisting people get their flu shots—about 85 percent of children who died from the flu were not

See FLU, page 3

Photo by Mackenzie Clarke

Author emboldens future writers Journalist and novelist Dashka Slater visited Sequoia to talk with students Jan. 26. Slater is the author of “The 57 Bus,” which is a true story of a gender-non-binary high-schooler in Oakland who was set on fire by a low-income, disadvantaged student while they were on the 57 bus.

Throughout the course of the book, Slater talks about the biases in our justice system. She met with students during lunch and sixth period in the library to discuss her book, her past children’s books, her career as a journalist and what students can do to prepare for a career as a writer.

M-Wing maximizes space, modernizes classrooms

By NICK ABRAHAM Opinion Editor Sequoia’s Music Wing (M-wing) reopened Jan. 10 after undergoing construction and renovations for just under a year.

Sequoia spent over $4.5 million on the renovations, which include brand new furniture, facilities, ventilation, air conditioning, carpeting and technology. Also, the hallway that used to run through the building into Carrington Hall has been taken out and converted into additional classroom space.

“We didn’t want to go into a historical building and do a modern remodel. What we wanted was modern conveniences [while keeping] a lot of the detail that makes it beautiful,” said Administrative Vice Principal Gary Gooch.

One of the changes that specifically caters to musically-oriented

Photo by Nick Abraham

Junior Louie Bulka produces music in the new M-Wing building. classes, according to many teachers and students, is the change in acoustics.

“The biggest [issue with the A-wing] was that it was nice to have a new room, but it doesn’t sound very good,” said orchestra and piano teacher Daniel Broome. “Now [in the new M-wing] you can hear all 50 people [in orches-

tra] and pick them out, whereas in the A-wing it was really hard for cellos to hear violins on the other side of the building.”

Also among the modifications done to the classrooms are improved storage spaces for instruments and sheet

See M-WING, page 3

Review:

Spread:

Sequoia’s turn to say ‘Me Too’

Page 4-5

Eminem’s album “Revival” : polarizing yet profound

Page 7

2

Feature

Logan Paul video presses play on content controversy

By HANNAH KLONINGER-STEVER Staff Reporter Uploading shocking or unexpected videos has always been a way for YouTubers to captivate potential audiences, but a recent controversial video begged the question of where YouTubers should draw an ethical line when reaching for publicity.

On Dec. 30, YouTube sensation Logan Paul posted a video of him and some friends visiting the Japanese Aokigahara “suicide forest.” There, they filmed the body of a suicide victim they came across; many outraged viewers took to twitter and other social media platforms to express their negative reactions.

Paul recently reached the 15 million subscriber milestone after he began his YouTube vlog channel in 2016. Many of his videos consist of himself doing crazy or amusing stunts, such as riding a christmas tree tied to a truck down the street, which he uploads regularly. These videos, called ‘vlogs’ are a genre of lessformal videos that give viewers a glimpse into the daily lives of popular public figures.

Junior Lex Navarra, who was a fan of Logan Paul in previous years, believes that one of the reasons teens are so drawn to these videos is because they showcase the lives of people who take risks and make bold decisions in their everyday lives.

22-year-old Logan Paul’s Youtube channel, ‘Logan Paul Vlogs’ has 487 videos uploads, totaling over three billion combined views.

“It’s like an escape because a lot of middle schoolers and high schoolers are going through a lot, and they don’t get to do a lot of the amazing things YouTubers get to do,” Navarra said. “Knowing that someone has an everyday life like that, it’s captivating.”

This means that the success of these vlogs depends on how entertaining the audience finds them, which leads to creators doing ridiculous or dangerous things to get views.

“There’s always pressure to come out

with something new and exciting, and in cases like this it’s also about how you’ve got to one-up somebody,” Youth Development Coordinator Whitney Fitzgerald said. “I want to respect someone who needs to be able to live their own personal life, but when you’re posting these kinds of things out there and you’re sharing that, you can’t ignore the fact that you have influence.”

The focus of Logan Paul’s channel is similar: producing the kind of content that draws viewers in for shock value.

Even so, his recent video pushed the limits of what constitutes entertainment.

The video was criticized on social media and even major news outlets for being offensive towards anyone suffering from depression or other mental health disorders.

“I don’t think it acknowledges the crisis of mental health that we have,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s honestly laughing at someone who may have mental health issues, may be depressed or may be suicidal, and it adds to the stigma, rather than helping take it away.”

In the wake of the negative backlash, Paul posted both a written apology and video to his Twitter claiming that the video was meant to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Still, many people believe it did more harm than good.

“Everyone is human, and everyone does make mistakes; however, I feel like celebrities should be held to a slightly higher [level of ] accountability,” Navarra said. “Because they have so many people following them, they should be so much more aware of what their actions can do.”

But being put under public scrutiny and ridicule may have prompted Paul to genuinely try to fix any damage he has caused, starting with donating $1 million to suicide awareness organizations.

Although he seems to be attempting to correct his mistakes, there are still questions being asked as to how much is genuine versus a ploy for publicity.

Climate change, wildfires cause Huerta meets with, mudslides in Santa Barbara inspires students

By JAY TIPIRNENI Staff Reporter Heavy rainfall paired with burnt trees and shrubbery created a perfect environment for mudslides to occur in the Californian cities of Montecito and Santa Barbara Jan. 10. These mudslides caused destruction to infrastructure and housing as well as the death of 20 people with 4 missing.

Residents of Montecito are suing power and water companies in the area for not doing their part to help prevent the mudslides. One of the companies facing allegations is the Southern California Edison Company, who according to the complaint, is responsible for the recent Thomas Fire, the largest fire in California’s history. The other set of allegations is against the Montecito Water District Financing Corporation, who is allegedly partially responsible for releasing 9 million gallons of water, which mixed with dry land, causing mudslides due to a broken pipe.

California has seen devastating natural disasters in the past few months, like the Thomas Fire in December, which burned 281,893 acres of land.

These fires primed the land [from mudslides] in place,” said for the devastation of the mud ECOS club advisor Jessica slides. Experts say that, because Magallanes. of the fires, the soil of the land Due to the mudslides, hunbecame more prone to erosion dreds of homes have been deand effectively carved a path stroyed. According to the Los for the mudslides. Much of the Angeles Times there have been land that was displaced from about 100 homes destroyed the mudalong with slides came “The same rainfall that falls on a 300 homes from hills on burned landscape can cause a lot damaged. the east side more damage than it would before Yet this pales of the town a fire,” in compariwhich forced —Jonathon Godt, son to the much of the U.S. Geological Survey destruction debris onto the Thomas the homes of Fire had on Montecito. homes with an estimated 700 “The same rainfall that falls homes destroyed. on a burned landscape can Climate change had a very cause a lot more damage than clear role in amplifying the it would before a fire,” said damage of the disasters and alJonathan Godt, an expert in lowing them to spread further. It landslide hazards for the United is thought to be responsible for States Geological Survey, in a harsher rainfall during winter New York Times article. months, especially in CaliforThe parts of the landscape nia, which would contribute to that were the most affected were the spread of the mudslides. At plants that could have held the the same time, climate change mud in place and reduce the also causes dryer months to be damage of the mudslides. For dryer, which would make the example, tree roots were turned spread of fires, like the Thomas to ash, and therefore unable to Fire, more devastating. Climate hold mud in place. change essentially causes weath“When we see a lot of ex- er patterns to be more extreme posed roots that’s a really good and unpredictable, making it thing because that means they less manageable for humans. will hold the soil and dirt “We know that climate

By CHRISTIAN PARDO and RIO POPPER Staff Reporter and Copy Editor

Students and teachers met American labor leader Dolores Huerta at the 13th Annual Anne & Loren Kieve Distinguished Lecture at Stanford Jan. 11.

Huerta was originally an activist working towards greater equality for latinos.

Recently, she has continued this goal while also focusing on gender equality.

“I wanted to bring students, preferably Latina females, to see Huerta,” history teacher Teresa Yeager said. “I wanted them to be empowered. When I was in college…, one of the most valuable things I got to do was see speakers that visited campus. They really broadened my worldview and showed me other voices. I wanted to show [the students] that same experience.”

Yeager took several students and teachers with her, including senior Alejandra Sanchez.

“It was very motivating to see what someone who is similar to me in certain ways can accomplish,” Sanchez said.

Now 87, Huerta is in large part responsible for the increase in rights for Farmworkers in the 1960s and 1970s. A recent documentary on her life, ‘Dolores,’ premiered Jan. 2017, the night before one of the largest women’s marches in history.

At the lecture, Huerta highlighted how latinos could be heard in the current political climate and how they could support one another.

“Even at 87, she’s just a badass,” Yeager said.

Huerta became the cofounder of the National Farmworkers Association with companion Larry Itliong. Huerta was also involved in the Delano grape strike, which took place on Sept. 8, 1965. This strike went on for five years, from 1965 to 1970. Huerta also worked closely with union leader and labor organizer Cesar Chavez.

February 7, 2018

3

Feature

Perfection spurred by expectations

Construction creates changes for classes, sports

By YSABELLE PUNZAL Staff Reporter

All A’s, varsity captain of the soccer team, student council president and lead in the school play. This seemingly perfect life has its ups and downs.

From dealing with mental stresses to feeling pressured to be the best, these so-called overachievers have a lot on their plate.

Many feel pressured by their parents.

“Both of my parents were pretty high achieving,” sophomore Catie Donohue said. “[My mother is] constantly encouraging me to apply for Photo by Ysabelle Punzal internships and do really well on tests A variety of factors such as desire to be the best, competition, college and in school in general. In a way, I al- and parental pressures fuel much of overachievers’ drives. most want to impress her because she erything I do,” Pollack said. “I have it makes me feel uncomfortable, and has super high standards.”

Similarly, senior Martin Pollack ex- a strong desire to be the best at ev- that I can’t tell people when I’m worerything I do. [...] I want to be the ried about something or stressed out. periences pressure from his mother.

“She went to a small liberal arts best, and being perfect makes you the It can be very restrictive.”

Mental, physical and emotional college as an undergrad and Princeton best.”

With competition and outside stresses come into play when one does as a grad,” Pollack said. “She says she’s not pushing me to go to that college pressures, college is one more thing so much and experiences such weighto add to these achievers long list of ing pressures. but she really is.”

“Most of the time, I feel stressed Alongside pressure from parents, stressers.

“One of my biggest goals is to get out and overwhelmed,” Pollack said. competition and perfection also contribute to these high achiever’s into a good college,” freshman Logan “I feel really great for a little bit, but Chin said. “Looking then I think that I can always do strong work ethics.

“If I know something is not my at the statistics and more. Sleep is hard, social life is a “I think I am just naturally competi- best work, I’ll obsess over it and not scores and average little harder.

Senioritis is definitely kicking in.” tive and that drive do other things that might be more GPAs of students beneficial in terms of health.” who get accepted Likewise, Iki deals with a lack of is what makes me

—Ryan Iki, into Stanford or ivy sleep and frequently stresses over acawant to do so well junior league schools mo- demics; however, she always makes in school and what tivates me to work time for herself. makes me try so “I’m always tired. I probably averhard,” junior Ryan Iki said. “I spend hard.”

Living up to expectations can be age 4 – 5 hours of sleep a night,” Iki a lot of time on what I do and can said. “While I do get really stressed out get really, really, really worked up over hard for some students.

“I definitely think there is a lot of about assignments and really worked something even if there’s a little mistake, and if I know something is not pressure to meet expectations and up, I spend a lot of time with my as much as I like to tell myself that friends and still try to enjoy myself. my best work, I’ll obsess over it.”

Wanting to be the best, Pollack I don’t care what other people think, That’s a major stress reliever of mine finds competition and perfection es- I definitely do and that can be kin- and if I didn’t have that, it would be da hard,” Iki said. “The expectations a lot harder and I would have no way sential for success.

“I am extremely competitive in ev- are challenging to deal with because to relax.”

From FLU, page 1

Although missing school is always tough, catching up on vaccinated, CDC Director missed high school curriculum Brenda Fitzgerald wrote on the can be even harder.

“My advice to other students CDC website. Some of the flu symptoms include fever, cough, is that staying in bed and misssore throat, runny or stuffy nose, ing school is more beneficial muscle or body aches, head- than going to school while sick because you will still have a hard aches, fatigue and vomiting.

Junior Henry Utech caught time learning anyways, so just stay in bed the flu for the “I missed most of my fiuntil you have third time in his nals, but the ones I attended, fully recovlife during finals I received horrible grades ered,” Utecht week this year compared to the finals I said.

W h i l e and had to fight did after I recovered,” —Henry Utecht, some young, through it, takjunior healthy peoing some of his ple have died finals in an isoof the flu, lated area of the classroom while those most at risk are elderly wearing a coughing mask.

“I missed most of my finals, people and young children. As but the ones I attended, I re- Lena Sun wrote in The Washceived horrible grades on com- ington Post, a particular concern pared to the finals I did after I for health experts is the increase recovered from the flu,” Utecht in people hospitalized with labconfirmed cases. Nearly 6,500 said.

people were hospitalized since this years flu season began. Seven children have died within the first week of January. Since then, 42 cases of flu deaths have been reported in California.

What makes the threat of the flu worse is that most of the IV saline bags treatments are manufactured in Puerto Rico, where they are still recovering from Hurricane Maria. Hospitals flooded with flu patients are quickly running low on saline, leading medical staff to rely on lengthy and potentially dangerous treatments.

Although the vaccines haven’t been working as effectively, it is still recommended that people receive their flu shots every year.

Other recommended forms of prevention include constantly washing one’s hands, covering one’s mouth and nose and staying home when one is sick in order to avoid infecting others.

By EDWARD AGUAYO Staff Reporter From the still-postponed Nicotine practice field to the new Mwing, Sequoia has undergone a multitude of changes recently.

Despite the high costs of these projects, Sequoia continues to have plans for more renovations. Some of these future projects include improvements to the baseball and softball fields, to Terremere field and to the parking situation at the front and south lots of campus.

The new practice field, Nicotine Field, will be used as a new training field for soccer, football, lacrosse and other sports; It has yet to be completed. The field will help sports teams during their practices—teams will have fewer problems allotting practice space and time.

“It would really benefit our practices and the efficiency of them, better than playing on a muddy, poor conditioned baseball field,” freshman varsity soccer player Matteo Peccei said.

The new renovations also have helped certain classes.

“The A-Wing is nice because all of the classes have smartboards and everything,” said junior Abby Laing, whose math class moved to the AWing.

The A-Wing classes are also convenient due to how close they are to the parking lot.

Construction does have its downsides.

“It was annoying a while ago when that whole area was blocked off,” Laing said. “Now it’s nicer because the construction is all out of the way. Also, obviously it’s good because it allows us to have more classrooms.”

dents use six different computer programs with keyboards and music, as well as the addition adding an emphasis to muof breakout rooms, which allow sic composition. Previously, for sectionals in band, orchestra Broome was confined to what he calls a “read out of the book, and choir.

“If [one section] wants to work on your own” method.

“I hope that people are gowork on something separately ing to get a then we can chance to just go in an“If [one section] wants to work see it, [beother room on something separately then we cause these while the rest can just go in another room while are] classes of the band is the rest of the band is working on that not working on something else, so it makes it a lot e v e r y b o dy something else, easier to multitask,” realizes exso it makes it —Lauren Burt, ist,” Broome a lot easier to sophomore said. multitask,” said Ultimatesophomore Lauren Burt, who plays clarinet ly, many students are simply glad to be back in classrooms in band.

One of the most renovated that accommodate the comrooms of the new M-Wing is plexities of being in a music the keyboard lab. The new ad- class and help students learn.

“I feel like it’s actually built vancements to the keyboard lab have allowed Broome to employ for us and we’re supposed to be a method of learning where stu- here,” Burt said. “It’s our space.”

From M-Wing, page 1

Special

4

Inclusion is key to ending sexual violence Pink, knit pussy hats.

Black dresses. Black “Times’ Up” pins. White lapel-adorning roses. #MeToo scattered throughout your social media feed. Silence Breakers as Time’s Person of the year.

These symbols have recently been floating around social media, through hallways and between the lips of public figures.

With these words and images continually appearing in our lives, we have to wonder: When will it end? When will the fire burn out? When will the hats, pins and signs be added to the pile of lost movements?

The answer is not until we’ve won. Not until women don’t have to worry about taking an Uber by themselves, fear standing up on a subway, holding a high-up job position without being asked if

she had to sleep her way to the next person to be sexually get there, being harassed by assaulted, and that’s why we a significant other or having need to end it now.

While women are three to hold her keys between her times more likely to be sexfingers when walking home ually harassed than men, acalone at night.

What we don’t realize is by cording to The Sacramento the time that you walk from Bee, that doesn’t mean we are allowed your history to dismiss class to your What we don’t realize is by the other math class, the time that you walk from your men and someone history class to your math class, T G Q N in the U.S. someone in the U.S. has been p e o p l e has been who share sexually as- sexually assaulted. in similar saulted. In experiencfact, every 98 seconds someone is sexually assaulted in es. We must not forget how this country, according to the widespread the problem is Rape, Abuse, and Incest Na- and how many people it effects, so by reaching out to a tional Network (RAINN). This includes TGQN person, man or womeveryone—any woman, man an about their experiences we or transgender, genderqueer, can learn more about what nonconforming (TGQN) others face in order to effecperson. Anyone you know, tively move forward.

By including everyone— including yourself, could be

not only the women who front it—in this movement to end sexual violence, we will be able to hold the necessary conversations about the issues all victims face and how to prevent these horrific events from ever happening again. Because, to our eyes, the movement will continue until we no longer have to worry about the next person 98 seconds from now.

We also must realize that by including everyone in such conversations, we can come

closer to ridding ourselves of the appalling fact that, according to RAINN, perpetrators of these crimes are less likely to be put behind bars than any other type of criminal perpetrator. This is why it’s so important to include everyone in this conversation: so that we can finally realize the gravity of the situation, and overcome this atrocious obstacle. With the unity of all people—male, female or TGQN—we can end sexual harassment once and for all.

TIME’S UP EYES

Possible Pathways to Reporting Talk to someone you trust

Tell a mandated reporter

Harassment ha

A report is written Sent to AVP Sent to County child welfare department

Sent to local law enforcement

Parents are notified

School reprimands perpetrator(s)

Investigation of incident Deemed a minor incident School reprimands perpetrator(s) Family decides to take no further actions

Deemed a major incident Family decides to drop case

Judge disapproves the dismissal of the case

Judge approves the dismissal of the case

For further information, contact Sequoia’s AVP or Teen Resource Center

I froze. How had my reputation turned into that when the most I had done was kiss my middle Freshman year school boyfriend? I didn’t answer of high school I him. It was still sinking in. I then fididn’t know what nally said, “No, find someone else.” sexual harassment My friends didn’t say anything. His was. A year and a friends laughed and looked at me half later, I look like I had just slipped and fallen on back at my experi- a banana peel. I didn’t tell anyone ences and realize how serious they until a year later.

Compared to the awful stories were. If I could tell my first-day-ofhigh-school self anything, it would of rape and sexual assault that have be ‘don’t deal with it, it is not your been reported by survivors in the past couple months, this seems mifault, you are wonderful.’

The first time I can recall being nor but it was just the start of an sexually harassed was when a boy entire school year of harassment.

I knew what in my freshthey wanted was man year P.E. Sexual harassment is not somea reaction, so I class from the thing that you should just put up with tried to ignore it, popular group because ‘boys will be boys’. but the shouts in stopped me as the hallway and I was walking the rude gestures out of the girls got hard to bear.

I started avoiding locker room with a few friends. His friends stood a couple feet behind the parts of school where I knew I him, almost snickering. I tried to would run into them. My friend’s keep walking and then he said, didn’t stand up for me nor realize “Hey, Person A, [his friend] wants the seriousness of the matter.

My mom told me to not let it head can you help him out? (hook get to me, and for a while I listened. him up)?”

By SAM BROOK Staff Reporter

Lawsuit is filed

Court process occurs

Court decision made Court decision put into action

Feature

5 sex·u·al ha·rass·ment

noun

Harassment in a social setting involving the making of unwanted sexual advances, obscene remarks, or visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature This includes catcalling, requests for sexual favors, unwanted touching or physical contact, and verbal harassment of a sexual nature.

In California, mandated reporters, who are any paid employees on campus, are required to report any instance where they have reasonable suspicion of abuse, either physical or sexual.

These reports are meant to protect and keep the individual who is experiencing them safe, not to try to get them in trouble.

They are required to report any instance they observe of someone wanting to harm the student, the student wanting to harm themself, or the student wanting to harm others.

P, WISE UP, UP

appens here too Then it stopped being something that I could let pass over my head.

A boy in my grade with differing political views from me posted a picture of me on his instagram mocking my expression of feminism. I was blocked from the account shortly before the post was made, so I found out through a friend following the account. He also made demeaning comments on my posts and screenshotted things on my story.

I blocked him from every account I had and blocked some of his friends that I guessed would do something similar or at least supply him with my posts. I talked to my friends; they said he’s an asshole but nothing much else. I had no physical proof because I did not have access to his account. I didn’t know I was being bullied.

The first time I talked to a trusted adult, other than a family member was the middle of my sophomore year, approximately a year and a half after the first instance in which I was sexually harassed. It was my school-assigned counselor, who is normally a person people refer to

for schedule changes and college credits, but for me she is also a person I can express my social and academic problems to without judgement. I was more knowledgeable, the media was talking about it and it was finally being named something that is not OK. She had a talk with the boy who had been the biggest problem for me freshman year. Because it had been a while since the last time he harassed or bullied me, I felt that talking to him now would be ineffective.

He has not done anything for a while, but maybe that is because I distanced myself as much as I could from him in fear of being disrespected. Or maybe it is because I’ve changed the way I express myself in the public eye because I am worried that I am “asking for it”.

Sexual harassment is not something that you should just put up with because ‘boys will be boys’. Thinking about all these experiences makes me scared for the rising young women who could be subjected to this blatant objectification; so let’s speak up, educate and change our future.

Now is the time!

Celebrities garner global support through fashion Too, originated by social activist Tarana Burke, a viral hashtag highlighting the prevalence of sexual harassment, esAs hundreds of actors, writers and pecially in the workplace. The hashtag directors packed into Beverly Hilton was shared by millions of people, sharHotel for the 75th Golden Globes, the ing both their personal experiences and tone was set by the dress code for the support of the cause.

“I think it’s good to provide an outlet evening: black.

This was the launching point of for celebrities to voice their opinions,” Time’s Up, an organization created in Foster said. “They should continue to response to the recent sexual harass- voice their opinions because it’s such an ment and assault allegations against important issue and it makes such a big numerous figures in Hollywood. statement.”

Since the Golden Globes, celebrities Spearheaded by prominent Hollywood celebrities, the Golden Globes was the have used their platforms to begin to first move in a long game still to come. create real change.

Designers auctioned off several “[The black dresses] made a happy event really somber, but it made a big dresses worn by actresses at the Goldstatement and reinforced my support en Globes to raise money for the Times of the movement,” junior Maddy Fos- Up legal fund. When a report surfaced ter said. While the black dresses visual- about Mark Wahlberg getting paid over ly provided a somber atmosphere, their 1000 times what Michelle Williams presence created an sense of support made for reshoots on a movie, he donated his salary to Time’s Up. Whethand unity.

The latter half of 2017 was almost er or not this would have happened dominated by the emergence and even a year ago, the public outcry has influenced spread of these allea tangible gations, most prominently throughout While the black dresses visually support for show business. It be- provided a somber atmosphere, their equality.

The gan in October when presence created a sense of support Golden the New York Times and unity.

Globes is published a report one of the citing decades of sexmost popuual misconduct from Hollywood producer Harvey Wein- lar and publicized award events in Holstein. What followed is what is now lywood, and while this movement beknown as the Weinstein effect—wom- gan with popular actors and celebrities, en coming forward to share their sto- it has spread much farther than that, inspiring others to act and speak out ries of sexual harassment and assault.

This lead to the creation of #Me- against sexual harassment and assault.

By AVIVA FUTORNICK Online Editor

—compiled by SAM BROOK, BEATRICE BUGOS, BRIGHID BUGOS, SHANNON COAN, and AVIVA FUTORNICK

6

OPINION

February 7, 2018

#MeToo, #YouToo, let’s do due process ymous poster to record a man’s name and an accusation. Accusations range from brutal rape to ‘flirting’ and ‘being a huge sleaze ball.’ Despite the inherent limitations of relying on a crowd-sourced spreadsheet for evidence, many

By RIO POPPER Copy Editor The #MeToo movement started with courage, honesty and a legitimate desire to justly address past wrongs. Now, though, an undercurrent of recklessness threatens the movement. Confidence in the movement’s honesty is central to its success, and that confidence is being eroded by shaky accusations. People have a right—and sometimes an obligation—to speak out about wrongs they have suffered, but that does not imply an additional right to whip up a frenzy that generates its own victims.

One of the victims of the frenzy is former Kentucky legislator Dan Johnson, who committed suicide after an accusation that he molested a teenage girl was made public. He refuted the claim; then, after an outcry demanding his resignation, he parked by a quiet, out-of-the-way bridge and shot himself in the head. While we do not know if the accusation is true, we do know Johnson lost his life.

And it isn’t just one life lost or one shaky accusation made. Though many of the accused are likely guilty, some are not. False accusations arise from a variety of motivations—from revenge to regret— and we must remain aware of the damage that these accusations can cause innocent people. In the case of falsely-accused mu-

sician and gay-rights activist Sir Elton John, the accuser’s motivation was monetary gain—he expected John would settle rather than fight the accusation. According to a study cited by the Obama administration, independent scholarly reviews of police records indicate that up to 10 percent of sexual harassment accusations are false. That number is sobering, and is one that #MeToo must grapple with.

The movement should petition to get sexist laws and policies changed, work to get victims and perpetrators treatment, help victims identify appropriate evidence, and—if sufficient evidence is found—encourage prosecution. And… Yes—it is doing all that, but it is also creating problems that are at odds with its own principle of justice.

A widely-shared Google spreadsheet, ‘Shitty Media Men,’ illustrates one such problem. Started by journalist Moira Donegan, the spreadsheet allows any anon-

of the mentioned men have faced serious consequences. Donegan has defended the list, saying it is necessary largely because law-enforcement and Human Resource Departments are obliged to presume innocence. This obligation, Donegan writes, is not okay. Her words exemplify the movement’s most troubling problem: its embrace of McCarthy-esque justice—its willingness to nullify the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’

The movement also sometimes equates

Young pets adopted more than underrated, older counterparts “Senior dog adoption rate is just 25%, while younger dogs in this sample are at a 60% adoption rate,” said EmReceiving a brand-new, ily Weiss, Vice President of fluffy puppy or kitten is a Equine Welfare of American dream many people have, but Society for the Prevention of few realize the advantages of Cruelty to Animals. having an older pet.

Potential adopters’ conMy family and I welcomed cerns about these animals inour current dog, Freddy, into clude health issues, expensive the family at age 11, and al- veterinary bills, and the reality though she has several issues that they will pass away sooner including anxiety, which caus- than a younger pet. Across the es her whole body to shake, country, many new shelters she lives up to her species’ rep- devoted to senior pets, like utation: everyone’s best friend. nearby Muttville in San FranShe makes sure she is with cisco, have opened, but the someone at all times (even in problem is still prevalent. the bathroom), enjoys resting “Unfortunately, the live reher chin on your lap to get lease rate for seniors is lower your attention, and is known than for other dogs at 56.5%, to lovingly invade personal while younger dogs combined space in the back seat during LRR in this sample is 75.6%,” the soccer Weiss said. carpool.

Live reOlder pets deserve to have a As dogs loving family. They should not lease rate is and cats have to spend their final days the rate at enter their alone on the cold floor of a shelter. which anisenior years, mals move they generto another ally become more calm and shelter or get adopted. If they require less exercise. This are not adopted or transferred means they are generally easier to another shelter, they will be to manage than young pets, euthanized, or given a painless which are often compared to death, because most shelters newborn babies. In addition, just don’t have enough space many senior dogs in shelters for all the animals they take in. are already house-trained beThe percentage of animals cause they may have lived with that return to their original a previous family. However, owners after having been lost, starting at around age six or or the “Return to Owner” rate seven, the future for dogs and paints a picture that attests to cats in shelters becomes bleak. older pets’ loyalty.

By SARAH FAZIO Staff Reporter

violent crimes with virtually harmless infractions. A recent letter signed by over 100 prominent French women says it best: “Rape is a crime. But insistent or clumsy flirting is not a crime, nor is gallantry a chauvinist aggression.”

Conflating these profoundly different problems trivializes still-prevalent serious crimes. There is an important line between rape and unsatisfying sex, just as there is an important line between sexual harassment and clumsy flirting. The #MeToo movement should play a role in clarifying those lines; it should not play a role in blurring them.

If the #MeToo movement wants to continue to make positive change, it must be calm and wise. Women have a right to speak up, but men and women both have a right and obligation to thoughtfully evaluate public accusations.

None of us should condemn others to jail or social ostracism without evidence.

Whether the accusation is of murder, vandalism, rape or harassment, the presumption of innocence in both the court of law and that of public opinion is a precious thing. The #MeToo movement seeks justice, so it must not sacrifice the cornerstone of justice—the presumption of innocence.

SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL RAVEN REPORT 2017-2018 Executive Editors Trevor Crowell Maddie Pei Zack Rosenblatt Managing Editor Mackenzie Clarke News Editors Benjy Jude Beatrice Bugos Copy Editor Rio Popper Sports Editor Brighid Bugos

Feature Editor Shannon Coan Opinion Editor Nicholas Abraham

Entertainment Editor Dario McCarty Photo by Sarah Fazio

Starting at around age six or seven, the future for dogs and cats in shelters becomes bleak.

“Return to Owner rate for seniors is significantly higher (49% vs. 23% for other canines),” Weiss said.

Perhaps owners go looking for their older dogs more often because their bond grows especially strong as the years go on. The gentle affection and dedication to their owners

that build this bond are what make senior pets so great.

While older pets may not be as picture-perfect as young ones or have their unbounding energy, they deserve to have a loving family. They should not have to spend their final days alone on the cold floor of a shelter.

Online Editor Aviva Futonick Social Media Editor Madeleine Reynolds Staff Reporters Soana Afu, Edward Aguayo, Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Sarah Fazio, Taylor Gayner, Jonathan Guzman, Hannah Kloninger-Stever, Christian Pardo Villa, Ysabelle Punzal, Lauren Stevens, Jay Tipirneni, Sione Tuiaki, Krista Weaver Adviser Minu Dave Send letters to the editor or requests for advertisement to ravenreport17@gmail.com Masthead by Darien Daly

By DARIO McCARTY Entertainment Editor Eminem’s eighth album, "Revival," debuted at Number one on the Billboard Charts and is the eighth consecutive album of his to achieve this feat.

As the numbers roll in, the answer is definitive; the people are listening. The question is, ‘Do they like it?’ The an-

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OPINION

February 7, 2018

swer is not necessarily as straightlaced as you might expect. While some critics have completely eviscerated it, other, more fanatic fans touted it as some sort of second coming of the Jesus Christ of Hip Hop. I think the true answer is somewhere in the middle—an equilibrium of these two polarized views.

In his album, Eminem touches heavily on America’s political climate and social issues, further sewing a crevice of division into his audience.

This was an important and impactful last step in Eminem’s career path to ‘wokeness.' I’m sure the blueeyed, white rapper’s past bloodtingling tirades have been anthems for white, teenage angst and a conduit for abject white fury. Eminem is clearly not afraid to alienate this large swath of his audience — he sets aside an entire song, “Like Home,” on the album as a diss track for Donald Trump. In it, Eminem spares all the pleasantries and goes straight for the jugular with lines like “Someone get this Aryan a sheet / Time to bury him, so tell him to prepare to get impeached"

and “Didn't wanna piss your base off, did Meanwhile “Framed,” “Offended” ya? / Can't denounce the Klan, 'cause and “Heat,” which seem to be a subthey'd break off with ya.” stanceless lyrical filler laced to a beat, But therein lies the problem with this are positively indignant and un-listenalbum; it pulls itself apart by trying to able. go in a litany of different directions, so “I’m very disappointed that Emimuch so that it loses itself in the pro- nem hid his fastest, and potentially cess. Eminem spends so much of the al- best, verse in the album on the song bum apologizing for his erroneous past with the worst hook in the album, ‘Ofbehavior and, for lack of a better word, fended,” Montclare said. immaturity. But then in a stroke of abDespite these issues, there is still surd hypocrisy, Eminem subseso much to love about this quently proceeds to include album. Granted, just like In “Framed”, which revolves any other 19-song alhis album, around the plot of him bum, it sags in places; Eminem touches heavmurdering Ivanka however, it still posily on America’s political Trump and stuffing her sesses a healthy supply climate and social issues, in the trunk of his car. I of glittering potenfurther sewing a crevice am all for this new ‘Sage tial classics. This new, of division into his Eminem’, but he cannot choppy flow which audience. portray himself as a torch Eminem utilizes on mulof repentance and contrition tiple tracks has been widely and then continue the behavior for panned as an annoyance, and while which he is supposedly apologizing.

I at first agreed, the style has grown on To be frank, Eminem’s offensive-for- me with each successive listen. Now, I shock-value routine is old and tired, admire the innovation of this style. In and—quite honestly—this gimmick a world where hip hop is advancing at needs to be taken back to the shed and breakneck speeds and Eminem’s style put down. It’s no coincidence that the has remained vastly unchanged for a best songs are the more thoughtful and little under two decades, it’s nice to see introspective ones—”Bad Husband,” a change of pace from him.

“Believe” and “Arose” all dazzle with their All in all, this is an album that combination of galvanizing flow and doesn’t exactly know what it wants to Eminem’s inner, melancholic musings. be. For those who enjoyed Eminem’s Junior Gabe Montclare, and avid work in the past, "Revival" will be no Eminem fan, shares this sentiment. “Per- different. However, for those who have sonally, I just wish Eminem always had not yet dipped their toe into the figuthis inspiration and passion in his mu- rative pool that is Eminem’s work, I sic,” Montclare said. wouldn’t advise them to start now.

Keep TV stars where they belong: out of the White House “a new day...on the horizon!” As soon as the speech aired, the Internet exploded with people all W e l l , over America (including those we sur- who discredited Trump for his vived the lack of experience) coming to the first year conclusion that Oprah should of a Trump run for president.

Don’t get me wrong, the presidency.

Out of the speech was incredibly stirring ashes of and inspirational. It was poip r o t e s t s , gnant, heartfelt and reassuring. executive orders and more pro- But Oprah Winfrey’s day job has tests, we have emerged, for better been to inspire, reassure and give or worse, a country with a more hope to the hopeless for 25 years. polarized political compass than Praiseworthy and commendever. No matter your opinion of able, definitely, but not innately Trump, placing your trust in a presidential. There’s still so much national leader with zero experi- missing from her resume, and ence in government is a daunting that can’t be ignored.

This has been a common task. After all, one of the biggest sources of outrage about Trump theme throughout a good chunk was his lack of governmental ex- of 2017. Twitter’s nominations perience . And yet, after a year have ranged from the idealistic of complaining about the in- (Oprah Winfrey and Mark Zuckerberg) to eptitude of the Donald, we, as a the absurd country, find ourselves fallThe people who are pushing for (Pitbull and ing into our people like Oprah to run for presi- D w a y n e “The Rock” own trap of dent are not looking for a democratic Johnson). calling for leader; they are looking for an idealThe nominathe nomiistic figurehead. tion process nation of a has become popular but inexperienced citizen to run for aggravatingly predictable: a millionaire celebrity does something the presidency.

At the 2018 Golden Globes, memorable, throws left-leaning amidst an audience-wide protest opinions into their rationale and about sexual harassment, Oprah liberal Twitter goes wild. We Winfrey stood out among the seem to forget that this is an alnight’s winners, giving a speech most mirror image of the Twitter about the power of the minds maelstrom of 2015 that led up of young women and hope for to Trump announcing his cam-

By MADDIE REYNOLDS Social Media Editor

When it comes to the presidency, our choice should be based solely on leadership skills, not general likability. paign. He made a proclamation of his political views, ones that many Americans agreed with, and he ended up tweeting his way to the Presidency. While I will admit that Winfrey did it significantly more gracefully, the core formula has remained the same: millionaire celebrity + public proclamation of socio-political opinions + a demographic with aligning political views = the vote of millions.

After the election of Trump, America’s picture of the Presidency has changed significantly.

This time two years ago, nobody would have dreamed of electing a man without a single scrap of governmental experience to the highest public office in the country. Yet, here we are, one year down, more or less all in one piece. It’s easy to understand why people begin thinking, “Hell, we

elected Trump. Why not Oprah?”

While Oprah does have the poise and temperament for the presidency, that does not make her worthy of it. A president is infinitely more than someone who shares the same political views as you. It is more than a millionaire who gives a moving speech, or who is generous in the face of crises, or is sassy to conservatives on Twitter. The people who are pushing for people like Oprah to run for president are not looking for a democratic leader; they are looking for an idealistic figurehead.

On the other hand, joking on Twitter about wild presidential nominations is relatively harmless. There’s nothing wrong with making jokes about these celebrities being “your” president to deal with the bad feelings that come with the fact that Trump is

the leader of America.

The danger comes when younger people, especially those able to vote in the next presidential election (i.e., most current Sequoia students) begin to normalize the idea of an inexperienced celebrity, no matter their political stance, being able to effectively campaign to take public office. You wouldn’t want Oprah as your dentist, or Mark Zuckerberg as a fireman, or Pitbull as your lawyer, because none of those people have the years of experience or training necessary in any of those fields; the presidency is no different.

Since the majority of Sequoia students will have the opportunity to right 2016’s wrongs, it’s important that we don’t make the same mistake we did 15 months ago. Electing a millionaire celebrity with zero experience in government, no matter the moral compass, will inevitably lead to a country with a lack of direction, focus and resource for those who need it most. If you are unhappy with the way Trump is leading right now, it makes no sense to hope for the same leader on the opposite side of the coin. A leftleaning unfit President is the same as a right-leaning unfit President. Don’t let last year’s election enforce the idea that the requirements for the role of President is as simple as aligning political beliefs and a working Twitter account.

February 7, 2018

Unreasonable expectations curtail women’s athletic opportunities

By SOANA AFU Staff Reporter Think about the type of athlete who comes to mind when you think of the best players in the world. Notice any similarities? Tall, lean, super fit, pretty buff. Maybe the simple fact that they’re all probably guys?

I’m not trying to accuse anyone of being sexist because I am definitely at fault too. Just like most, I can list close to a full roster of an NBA team, but only a few names from the WNBA. People clearly have their reasons for watching men’s sports over women’s. The games are faster, the plays are more exciting and spectators, having little patience, live for the highlights. Any team that isn’t made up of allstars is not worth watching.

Viewers have set high standards that athletes are pressured to uphold, and, for professionals, it’s a matter of their paycheck. These expectations are extremely unreasonable for any high school setting.

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sports/opinion

I’ve been asked countless You may be thinking 11 times if I’m good, “like Steph dunks is nothing compared to Curry good” or if I’m tall enough those scored in the NBA. And to dunk. I am nothing like Steph yes, you are correct. When male Curry for many reasons. Not athletes, several inches shorter only is he definitely better than than Griner, can dunk with ease, me, our physical abilities are why is it such a big deal? very far apart because he is male.

The answer simply has nothIn addition to physical capabil- ing to do with skill. Dunking ity, he is a professional, making is considered one of the easiest him one of shots to make the best in in basketball.

With this in mind, female athletes his position The difficult —one that I should take initiative to work even part is just harder to stand out and change the have little exbeing able to perience in. way women’s athletics is seen. physically asWhile this cend into the may seem air to reach a trivial, these concepts are very basket at ten feet. important when people insist This leads to my next queson comparing men and women’s tion: why must female athletes, sports. including myself, be compared To give a short explana- to males to be validated as good tion on female players dunk- athletes? ing, it doesn’t happen often. As Yet again, the answer points of 2014, there have only been back to history. The profession 11 dunks in WNBA scoring. relies on the basis of male acBrittney Griner, a current player complishments, and women for the Phoenix Mercury, holds have been forced to play catch the record for most WNBA up with their counterparts. With dunks with nine. Standing at this in mind, female athletes 6’9”, Griner is also the third- should take initiative to work highest-scoring NCAA Division even harder to stand out and I women’s basketball player with change the way women’s athletover 3,000 career points. Griner ics are seen. A solution will not is not only an exceptional player, be found in giving she has made history for womup or being indifferent about en’s basketball. discrimination.

Sequoia Says:

What’s your favorite class?

Favorite class: English I ICAP “Because I had a teacher, [Jose] Rosario, who is my favorite teacher. He was so real and he taught things in a way that I could understand, and we all had a lot of fun in his class.”

—Isabelle Bravo, sophomore

Favorite class: Dance “I like dancing, and I enjoy the warm ups and getting to meet all the people in the class.”

—Monserrat Rodriguez, freshman

Favorite class: Modern European History ICAP “We had good conversations, and the way it was structured, with a lot of discussions as a class, really just worked.”

—Diego DeNault, junior —Compiled by LAUREN STEVENS

ASB, Club David clash over merchandise, club’s goals

By SIMON CLARKE Staff Reporter Recent tensions between Club David, Sequoia’s unofficial student cheering section, and the Associated Student Body (ASB) stem from a misunderstanding about paraphernalia sold by ASB. Club David leaders did not approve of the final product being sold by ASB. “Once it got to designing Club David clothing, it became individualized within ASB, and we were rushing to get it out without confirmation,” senior and ASB member Noah Masur said.

Club members and ASB leaders held a meeting in order to discuss selling Club David clothing.

“A lot of people really don’t know what Club David is, so we were trying to make it more inclusive for everyone,” Masur said.

ASB is utilizing Club David’s boisterous banter to provide inclusivity.

This opens up a discussion over profits within ASB because ASB will not make profit off of Club David clothing.

The cost of a Club David membership is $5 with Pacific Athletic League sticker or $10 without. Membership includes a t-shirt and free entry to every home basketball game, while home game tickets are $7. Some may be confused about why it is that ASB would

consider selling items if they’re not making money. As stated by ASB students, their objectives are to include the underclassmen and students in general who are daunted by the mass amount of people in the stands.

“We’re trying to make the student section a bigger part of the school and of the basketball game,” Masur said.

Club members disagree with what they’ve named the “gentrification” of Club David. Its founders instituted the club for the opposite reason: a gateway for students to cheer on their peers without being chained down by school authority.

“We are against the selling of Club David; everyone is part of Club David,” Club David member, senior Patrick Lopiparo said.

Club members believe ASB is changing its fundamental principles into the complete opposite of its original intent.

Club members live and breathe for Friday night games. Taking away their prerogative to cheer would dishearten all Daves who have worked hard to keep Club David running.

“You have to pay to be part of Club David now? That’s completely against the belief of the Daves,” Club David member, senior Paul Garcia said.

Club members are disappointed to see their club turned to the hands of school officials and plan on taking actions and settling this predicament.

F