the sphs mediators present...
a “note to self� zine cover by isha zafra
Note to Self Sel f “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere� - Martin Luther King Jr. Today, King’s quote still rings true in the hearts of Americans across the country, some who have rallied together to fight against racial injustice. Pioneers for human rights such as late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg remain as heroes for justice, even after their passings. Still, the rights of people continue to be threatened today. However, it is important to recognize that everyone plays a role in countering these injustices through education, inspiration, and action. We hope that this collection of art and writing will help inspire you to consider the importance of justice and think about how to implement justice in your own communities.
love always, the peer mediators
by brandon how
a tribute to
RUTH BADER GINBURG by katie hohman
W
hen my freshman year of high school began, I found myself in desperate need of a hero. I had just decided that, after years in Youth and Government, politics was a career that I wanted to pursue. The problem, of course, was that I didn’t even know any women in politics who I could admire. For someone who spoke a lot about my dream of becoming a Supreme Court justice, I couldn’t even name one woman on the bench and that bothered me. So when my ninth grade English teacher assigned us a memoir to read and a public figure to research, I knew that my time to learn about a justice had come. That’s when Ruth Bader Ginsburg found me--or rather I found her. I don’t know what it was about her memoir, maybe the regal cover or intriguing title (My Own Words), but I was instantly hooked. I found myself glued to each page and each tale of overcoming the odds. I related to her losses and was inspired by her victories. It was an instant connection and, although I knew I would never meet RBG, I felt as if I knew her all the same. It really was her character that inspired me the most. She was intelligent and compassionate and always eager to dissent. She was uniquely feminine and not afraid to open up about being a mother and wife. She fought for justice until her last breath and, most importantly, showed me how strong women in politics could be. Through reading her memoir and researching her work, I was able to discover so many other women whose incredible work in government has continued to inspire me today. If it wasn’t for RBG, I truly don’t know if I would still be aspiring to be working on Capitol Hill one day. Through her resilience and courage, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a hero for so many young girls like me, and I will never forget that. I owe her so much and for that I say, thank you Ruth.
by juliana maniquis hernandez
“ liberty and justice for all � by nicole lu
“Liberty and justice for all” is a term we often hear. We grew up saying this phrase when we recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in elementary school. We were taught to believe that every individual was to be treated equally. Yet as the years flew by, time and time again, we have found that the nature of this country insists to operate on the complete opposite. The social and economic issues have been exacerbated by this global pandemic over the course of this year. From Black Lives Matter to the failing economy, stability seems far in the distance. Though the conversation of these issues may seem sudden, the reality is that the injustice has been boiling for the past decades and tangible change has not been made. The unique aspect of this country is that we are encouraged to follow and stand by what we believe is right. The melting pot of cultures, backgrounds and identities allows for a diversity in opinions. Though this is something to celebrate, the structure of America was never formed on the basis of intersectionality. Our country was founded by wealthy, white men who wrote “all men are created equal” while owning slaves. Our country became rich on a capitalistic economic system that exploited black lives. Our country was formed by taking away the land of Indigenous people to follow “Manifest Destiny.” Our country was never structured to establish “liberty and justice for all.” The diversity of opinions has led to the weaponization of free speech to jeopardize human lives. It has allowed the President to uphold white supremacy, sitting members of Congress to deny the existence of climate change, and people to use religion to justify their anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Human rights are not to be politicized. If we want “liberty and justice for all,” we need to approach every issue on an intersectional basis. That means moving forward by including trans women in women’s rights, providing free healthcare for people of all backgrounds, and even locally establishing wellness days to support students regardless of age. The people deserve equality and it’s about time justice is served.
by maya turun
do you understand now? by claire v. williams Walk around your block, the trees will part for you, they reveal hidden truths about what it means to be alive. Pick up dead flowers, press them into dead books. This will show the trees that you still care about them. Lay in the grass. Be quiet. Be still. Make it easy to forget who you are, the ground will remember for you. Once the impression you’ve left behind grows over, it is time to move on. Talk to the robin she will tell you about the view from above as the earthworms speak from below. And if you have time, listen to the turtle he will tell you what it means to be slow.
by twyla metcalfe
by kai munoz
HALLOWEEN safety tips by twyla metcalfe & isha zafra 1) If you choose to go out and wear a costume make sure to add a mask! 2) Stay six feet apart from your friends if you choose to celebrate with them. 3) Make sure to keep your mask on your face the whole time you are out! 4) If you get candy keep it to yourself and eat only while away from others. 5) Be sure not to share anything, especially candy and other food items, with your friends 6) Make sure not to touch anyone else’s belongings. 7) Clean your hands often and don’t touch your face. 8) If you want to be extra safe, you can carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and sanitize frequently.