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10 OPINIONS
Echo Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Echo
Editors-in-chief: Mimi Fhima & Annabella Strathman Managing editors: Anna duSaire, Alec Pittman, Dani Orloff & Atticus Raasch
Copy editors: Alex Balfour, Elise Riley, Nicole Sanford & Sophie Yarosh Design editors: Devin Raynor & Sam St. Clair Photo editors: Caroline Green, Grace Farley & Emma Kempf Assistant photo editor: Breanna Thompson News editor: Yonit Krebs & Sumaya Mohammed Features editor: Amaia Barajas & Maddie Lund In-Depth editors: Isabel Leviton & Hanna Schechter Sports editor: Sam Birnberg & Jacob Stillman Opinions editor: Hannah Leff & Lukas Levin Entertainment editor: Isaac Wert Diversity editor: Makagbe Kuyateh Web design editor: Josh Halper & Adam Johnson Profiles: Ndunzi Kunsunga Staff: Tjessa Arradondo, Maximillian Bechtold, Beck Bergland, Malaika Bigirindavyi, Chloe Blodgett, Daebreona Byrd, Natalia Caraballo, Culver Carden, Jenna Cook, Eli Curran-Moore, Nietzsche Deuel, Maia Doherty, Brooklyn Donelson, Racquel Fhima, Esther Gendler, Tenzin Gyaldatsang, Katie Hardie, Calvin Hatcher, Marta Hill, Abigail Intveld, Avia Kaner-Roth, Isabel Kjaer, Samantha Klepfer, Eleanor Kline-Olson, Alexis Machoka, Kimon Malone, Kahiro Lara Martinez, Stuart Monicatti, Evelyn Nelson, Sophie Olmen, William Phelan, Carissa Prestholt, KJ Preston Pepperell, Leila Raymond, Hadeal Rizeq, D’aviyan Robinson, Mariana Sanchez Zapata, Ruby Stillman, Jaye Townsend, Amber Tran, Isaac Wahl, Hayley Westwood & Emma Yarger
Business manager: Yonah Davis Principal: Scott Meyers Printer: ECM Inc. Adviser: Lori Keekley
MEDIA POLICIES
The Echo is the official studentproduced newspaper of St. Louis Park Senior High School. It is published triweekly for the school’s students, staff and community. The Echo is a designated forum for student expression in which students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials. The adviser will not act as a censor, but will advise students. Students have the final decision on all content. The Echo will work to avoid bias and/ or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful and interesting to all our readers. We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless clearly labeled as a photo illustration. Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Echo staff or administration as a whole. The Echo welcomes reader input. Letters to the editor and suggestions must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words and may be emailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275. Emailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to ask the writer to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous letters wherein the Echo does not know the identity of the writer will not be printed. Advertisements will be sought from local businesses and school clubs and sports. We maintain the right to reject any ads we believe to be false, misleading, inappropriate or harmful. The Echo does not necessarily endorse the products or services offered in these advertisements. NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; 2011, 2016, 2017 NSPA Print Pacemaker Finalist; 2013, 2014, 2015 National Print Pacemaker Award Recipient; 2014, 2015, 2016 Online Pacemaker Finalist; CSPA Gold Medalist; 2013 CSPA Gold Crown; 2015 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown; 2012, 2014, 2016 CSPA Silver Crown; JEM All-State.
Our Perspective
(The rule changes) make the (orchestra) more formal. In the past, we’ve had problems with the (dress code). Emmett Foner, junior
Distracted driving must be addressed, ended
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he issue of distracted driving resides strongly within our community, with the tragic loss of Officer William Mathews Sept. 8. The editorial board believes now is time to act on safer driving. A current petition brought forth by senior Katie Fredrickson asking to initiate a “hands-free” law has already gained ground, earning 2,500 signatures within a span of two weeks. Students should sign the petition and look to drive more safely. People behind the wheel must be proactive in preparing for a safe trip while in the vehicle. Drivers should take the time to send messages and set-up music before getting in the car, not while driving. Drivers who struggle with device distractions should download newer updates and apps that disable devices while in a car. The most recent IOS update for the iPhone has a feature for safer driving the disables notifications while behind the wheel. The current Minnesota law in place states “it is illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone, whether hand-held or hands-free — except to call 911 in an emergency.” Students must realize driving comes as a privilege and responsibility, not a given
Illustration Nietzsche Deuel
It can wait: There are a lot distractions for teen drivers. Students need to focus on driving safely and responsibly for themselves and others. right. While operating any vehicle on the road, students are responsible not only for themselves and their passengers, but every other vehicle on the road. Passengers must also hold their drivers accountable. Speaking up and reminding drivers to put their devices away while driving will help break poor habits of distracted driving. Students can take initiative by signing petitions for additional legislature or talking with local officials on how to remain a safe and attentive driver. Whether it be leaving a device at home, turning it off in the car or putting it on do not disturb, students can take these small steps to help end distracted driving and possibly save a life. Put down the device, focus on the road and don’t be distracted by passengers.
Why shouldn’t you drive distracted? “I think it increases your chance of being killed and hurting the people around you.” Adna Mohamud, junior “You are putting yourself in danger but you (have) to think about other people and you can’t be reckless. Dashaun Emerson, senior “You shouldn’t because you are putting others at risk while putting yourself at risk as well.” Ivy Jones, sophomore
Controversial changes affect orchestra class
Rule modifications impact student participation Evelyn Nelson evelynnelson@slpecho.com
O
rchestra class for me has always felt inviting and relieving. However, walking into the classroom at the start of this school year felt the exact opposite. The new orchestra changes have dulled the spark I once felt toward the class. The high school orchestra program is most known for building character, knowledge and communities. For many, orchestra is a program you can stick with for long periods of time, with several students on their eighth, ninth and 10th years of playing. However, with the new syllabus and overall changes in orchestra classes, students including myself are having second thoughts on sticking with the program. At the start of the 2017-
Concert dress code will now require full length dresses, skirts and pants
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Excused absences can be made up by coming before or after school for an hour to make up missed work
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Students who receive unexcused tardies will lose 2 out of 5 daily participation points
Infographic Evelyn Nelson Source Orchestra syllabus
2018 school year, Park’s orchestra director Miriam Edgar established several new class changes from the previous years in hopes to provide a better classroom environment and raise the program to its highest level. However, these new changes are not always benefitting students’ enjoyment and participation of the class. This year, Edgar said full length dresses or skirts are
To Parkettes: At least there will be some people singing the school song. Art Devin Raynor
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required and are necessary because it creates a more professional and less revealing orchestra environment. This dress code adds difficulty for students who may not own a full length dress or skirt. Plus cellists need extra leg room to play their instrument. The full length dresses and skirts limit the space between cellists’ legs that they need in order to perform.
To attendance: Stop blocking the senior slide.
The syllabus also states if you are absent in class you will require to come in before or after school for 45 minutes up to an hour. Edgar said she implemented this rule to limit student absences, which it has. However, this becomes a problem when students have other important duties besides orchestra class. I have had transportation issues when getting to or leaving school. This new concept does not help me or other students who are facing the same problem. Some students are considering dropping the program entirely. These new changes influenced my decision to quit orchestra because of the stress they created. It is unfortunate how the program has changed from a relaxing and enjoyable class, to the opposite. Edgar said she understands students are unhappy about the changes, but feels to better the orchestra ensemble the rules had to be set in place in hopes to see positive results.
To Renaissance: Finally, some Red Knights I like.
M.K., A.P., A.R.
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I personally would never join Antifa, but I understand its need to exist.
OPINIONS
Echo Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Elliot Schochet, senior
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POINT COUNTERPOINT
Anti-fascist group acts through force Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is a group of militant left, or alt-left, people who don’t conform to Democratic Party values. They have been associated with radical, violent tactics to portray their progressive views.
Alt-left group protests for public well-being Antifa fights back against alt-right violence Emma Yarger emmayarger@slpecho.com
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ntifa is a reaction to any white supremacist group that is re-emerging under the Trump presidency. While violence is a negative aspect of their group, it can’t compare to damage done by alt-right terrorist organizations. Antifa is primarily fighting against alt-right groups such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The KKK has attacked and killed people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Antifa wishes to protect all minorities. President Trump claims left and right groups can be blamed for the death and injuries in Charlottesville and has yet to condemn the white supremacists involved. “I think there is blame on both sides,” said President Trump after the Charlottesville attack. President Trump has endorsed violence in the past. At one of his
campaign rallies, President Trump urged his supporters to hit Democrats protesting the rally. “If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them,” President Trump said. Based on this quote, the leader of this country seemingly condones violence to his alt-right supporters. Although I don’t condone violence, it can be expected that organizations like Antifa will reciprocate with violence. Although Antifa’s goal is to prevent a racist, reactionary government, they are not willing to use violence to the same extent as alt-right groups. According to the Anti-Defamation League, 74 percent of politically motivated murders were committed by the alt-right between 2007 and 2016. Emboldened right-wing groups should be opposed by our government. However this is not happening under Trump’s presidency, therefore Antifa is powerfully fighting back against hate.
What is Antifa?
Anarchist group’s actions prove divisive Antifa ultimately does more harm than good William Phelan williamphelan@slpecho.com
How did it start?
Exact origins are unknown but can be traced back to Germany and the United Kingdom. What do they do? In the United States, members protest at rightwing events, like President Trump’s inauguration. Why are they controversial? They have been known to cause property damage during protests. Infographic Hannah Leff Source CNN
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group of right of center activists organized a peaceful “Say No to Marxism in America” demonstration in Berkeley, California on Aug. 27. However, this event was quickly infiltrated by a group of more than 100 Antifa members before it could officially start. Chaos ensued resulting in five seriously injured and 13 arrests of Antifa members. However, even more terrible than Antifa’s physical attacks is the impact they have on the political climate in the United States. By violently assaulting groups who choose to assemble and speak out for conservative causes, Antifa is directly infringing on their First Amendment rights of speech and assembly and further increasing the divide between right and left. Although the liberal media often publicizes violent alt-
right demonstrations across the country, it refuses to acknowledge similar activity on their end of the political spectrum. Groups such as Antifa take an extremely hypocritical approach to combatting the issue of the radical alt-right. They combat the supposedly outrageous views of those right of center by actively practicing violent terrorism against them during right-wing gatherings. By refusing to recognize the views of those right of center and using force to silence their voices, the anarchist group only increases the political polarization in the nation and paints the liberal cause as one willing to turn to savage means when met with disagreement. What’s more, their violence actively drives Americans away from the cause that they are supposedly fighting for; if someone is truly passionate about the liberal cause and the stabilization of American politics, condemning Antifa is in their best interest.
Ending DACA would undermine American values
Immigration ‘fix’ would only harm the United States Eli Curran-Moore elicurranmoore@slpecho.com
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he Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was created by President Obama on June 15, 2012 to provide children of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States with a renewable, two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. To rescind DACA now without temporary legislative measures to help aliens already in the DACA program would be detrimental to the U.S. economy and come off as exceptionally callous, reflecting poorly on the American spirit. Around 800,000 unauthorized immigrants have been protected under DACA since its implementation. Those same protections should be kept. Dreamers who have spent their entire adult lives in the United States should not be uprooted, eligible for deportation or lose current protections. Because DACA recipients must either be
PARK TRAIL
DACA recipient criteria • • •
Must have arrived in the United States before age 16. Must have lived in the United States since June 15, 2007. Cannot be older than age 30 when program began
employed or in school with no criminal record, DACA members are prime examples of the American citizen. 95 percent are currently employed, in school or in the military, according to the National Immigration Law Center. The idea that DACA workers are undermining the U.S. citizen workforce is not supported with sufficient evidence. DACA beneficiaries will also contribute $460.3 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product during the next decade, according to the Center for American Progress — economic growth lost if DACA is to be eliminated. As established integral members of the United States, such an act is not only illogical, but comes
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Must be in school, working, or in military, etc. Pay $495 fee. No criminal record.
Infographic Eli Curran-Moore Source U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
off as an unnecessarily cruel move, as shown by the fact that eight out of 10 American voters support DACA, according to a Politco survey, as do a majority of President Trump supporters, according to a Morning Consult survey. Children brought here by their parents should get a chance to earn their citizenship and create a prosperous life for themselves. That’s the very foundation of the American dream. Trump’s bipartisan meetings are a step in the right direction, but concrete legislation to protect DACA recipients has yet to be passed. DACA recipients are for all intents and purposes Americans and they should be treated as such.
Nietzsche Deuel nietzschedeuel@slpecho.com
Want to hear a story about an old king and queen?
Sure.
Well this king and queen wanted a son, for several years they tried to have one.
It never worked. They tried everything they could, including visiting a wizard.
Finally one day the king came to terms with the fact that he could not have a son. He started crying and screaming, “How am I supposed to breathe with no heir?”