The Lake - November 2017 by The Lake - Standley Lake's News Magazine

the lake

Who we are Editor-in-Chief | Kevin Han

the lake the formalities Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of board policy. The district and its employees are immune from any civil action based on any expression made for or published by students. The Lake is an open forum for and by the students, faculty, and community of Standley Lake High School. The Lake is willing to accept and print any appropriate articles submitted by the students of SLHS and reserves the right to edit any of these articles. We will not print letters sent to us without a name and signature. Submit letters to standleylakenewspaper@gmail.com.

2 November 2017 | Issue 1

Staff Editors | Grant Hoskins Jackson Kessel Christopher Luc Mikey Pietroiacovo Aimee Yan Staff Writers | Ben Bird Grace Johnson Tate Minch Morgan Parrish Gabriella Tullo Jackson Valls Features | Emma Geerts Kurtis Jones Kyndal Marusak Erin Paik Lexi Vaughn Megan White Cartoonist | Celeste Kong Advisor | Lynn Schwartz Website Editors | Gabriella Tullo

social @thelakenewsmag facebook.com/standleylakenewspaper @thelakenewsmag thelakenewsmag.com thelakenewsmag

Table of Contents

November 2017

10 14

The Good stuff

07 the right angle 10 THE DREAMERS 14 COVER IT UP 18 SUICIDE CULTURE 22 opinions 3

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6520 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, CO 80003 4 November 2017 | Issue 1

hello, Words. The tools that we as a species utilize to communicate with one another. Words are so much more than an arrangement of letters strung together. Words make us happy. Compliments and praise lifts our spirits. Flattery unlocks our hearts. Words can be true confidence-boosters. Words can also be bullets. To some, words don’t change anything, words don’t mean much. People’s lives will remain unchanged. Life will go on. To others, words mean everything. Words can shatter reality, destroy any semblance of normality. In this issue, we tackled this abstract concept of words. We investigated what it meant to Dreamers when the Trump administration said the words: “the program known as DACA that was effectuated under the Obama Administration is being rescinded.” We examined the culture behind our generation’s consistent mantras of “I want to kill myself.” We learned more about the dress code and its controversy. And we explored the freedom of our words based on the Constitution. So as you move through the remainder of this semester, anxiously awaiting the reprieve of Thanksgiving Break (let’s be honest, you’re still going to be flooded with homework), remember the words that come out of your mouth and what they mean. The next time you raise a hand to pretend to shoot yourself after a rough math test or prepare a barrage of self-deprecating insults, stop and think for a moment about the reasons behind your actions. Self-awareness is the first step towards resolving the problems words can bring to others, and to yourself. Sticks and stones do break bones. And words do hurt you.

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

K. Han A.K.A. Kevin han, THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STANDLEY LAKE ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES PRESENT:

THE IRON GATORS JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT MEETING* NOVEMBER 15, 2017 7:45-8:30 AM ROOM B-212 *BREAKFAST IS PROVIDED

6 November 2017 | Issue 1

Tyler williams ‘19 Leads team with

A Silent Cry For

364 Change

Courtesy of Yearbook

Receiving yards

tHE NFL STANDS UP TO INJUSTICE BY TAKING A KNEE A sports column:

BY GRACE JOHNSON The NFL is in shambles. On September 23rd, President Trump made a few select comments about players in the NFL kneeling during the National Anthem and what, in his eyes, should be done about it. For example, if they kneel, they should be fired on the spot. As a nation, we have a pledge to the flag that is historically significant to the United States; the flag that the people of America fought for. In the Pledge of Allegiance, we say, “For liberty and Justice for all,” a promise of equality; at least it was supposed to be. The teams, individual players, and owners are kneeling or locking arms in a peaceful protest of inequality and social issues present in the United States currently.

Courtesy of Yearbook

1st Jeffco Place in 4a

18 Digs

made by

Lauren Willihnganz ‘19

The man who started it all, Colin Kaepernick, caused an uproar by kneeling first in the 2016 preseason. Since that day, Kaepernick has been personally attacked repeatedly on social media and in the NFL, just for shining a light on oppression. However, Kaepernick currently doesn’t have a job in the league. He has remained a free agent since his contract with the San Francisco 49ers ended. Since that first game, Kaepernick started a movement. With the recent comments from the President on this topic, it has become a staple to see someone kneeling, locking arms, or both on the sidelines. The majority of players kneeling have been surrounded by oppression their whole life. What had originally been solely on the football field has recently migrated to baseball as the catcher of the Oakland Athletics, Bruce Maxwell, has kneeled at every game since the comments from our President. As for here at Standley, there has been no carryover from the NFL,ww though nothing has been said by our coaches.

DOGGOS OF slhs

Tate Mitch | Jackson Valls

8 November 2017 | Issue 1

exploring the dog culture of standley lake; through photos of our best furry friends

n September 5, 2017, 800,000 people lost any sense of stability, any hope for a normal future.

The establishment of DACA, The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, changed the course of Dreamers’ lives, but the termination of the program could destroy everything they’ve worked for. Roberto, a DACA recipient, has had his name changed for the purposes of anonymity, given the sensitivty of his current situation. “I don’t know what my future is going to look like. To be quite honest with you, legally, once my two years are up with DACA, I either wait for my little brother to turn 21 so he can sponsor me, or I get married,” Roberto said, “All these questions, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now that I don’t have something I can depend on myself for, something to rely on.” The choices are limited for Dreamers. Other than renewing their status before the March 5, 2018 deadline, the future is a waiting game. For DACA-eligible applicants, the September 6, 2017 deadline has passed, and it is now too late to apply. Between now and March 5, 2018, Congress will decide whether or not to revive DACA, substitute the program with new legislation, or do away with it altogether.

parents have offered to cover his legal fees, which have amounted to over $2,000. This is equivalent to a year’s earnings for his family. DACA beneficiaries do not receive any benefits from the government, but are still required to pay income and sales taxes. According to the Cato Institute, rescinding DACA would result in a significant decline of tax revenue, meaning $60 billion dollars to the federal government would be lost. Additionally, a $280 billion reduction in economic growth would occur over the next decade. The loss of skilled workers in industries already facing worker shortages is a concern for advocates of DACA on either side of the political spectrum. President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions counter that those in the United States illegally are lawbreakers who hurt native-born Americans by usurping their jobs and pushing down wages. Most DACA recipients are students, while those in the labor force are most commonly found in higher-skilled, white-collar occupations, where the market for jobs is healthy. On an individual basis, it’s possible that DACA beneficiaries hold jobs that otherwise could have gone to native-born workers, but the reality of the situation isn’t that simple. The loss of skills and productivity of an educated, young population is something economists agree will negatively impact the United States. Roberto, cipients,

along feel

with many other DACA rethat their situations are hopeless.

According to the National Immigration Law Center, 97% of respondents in a national survey of 3,063 DACA recipients are either employed or enrolled in school. Roberto was one of them.

“I don’t know a place other than this, and to think that it could all be over because somebody said so, with the flip of a switch, it’s over, is infuriating.” Roberto said. “It feels like a lot of the work I’ve done, a lot of the work my family has done, a lot of the work every undocumented immigrant has done is falling apart.”

Working through a farmer’s association in order to pursue higher education, he was dedicated to one day attending college. This dream seems further away than ever, as the safety and options DACA once provided have disappeared.

Roberto where

Roberto breath

and to

his see

family are not holding their what decision Congress makes.

“My family has been super supportive of everything, but they’re definitely scared.” Roberto said, “My mom calls me every other day asking if I’ve filled out my paperwork, if I need money. They’re pulling resources from places where they already don’t have enough.” To initially apply for DACA, there is a fee of $500, followed by another $500 every two years in order to renew one’s DACA status. Roberto’s

asks they

that stand

those who on DACA

aren’t become

sure of informed.

“For those who don’t understand or don’t know much about the program, you can use the excuse that you don’t have time, any excuse you want to use. At the end of the day, if you still don’t understand a little more about the way the world works...I don’t know what to tell you.” Roberto said. “Take a little time out of the day and learn a thing or two. You’ll be surprised. You’ll find compassion in your hearts if you just let it happen.” Luis Molina ‘20, shares these sentiments, as he feels the divisive effects of President Trump’s decision. Many in his circle are affected by DACA, including friends and family members.

“I don’t know a place other than this, and to think that it could all be over because somebody said so, with the flip of a switch, it’s over, is infuriating” -Roberto 10 November 2017 | Issue 1

The Dreamers Is the dream now a nightmare?

“We want to believe that there is something out there that will become better and that there’s still opportunities for us, but we also feel like those opportunities can be taken away really easily. The Hispanic community is really united, so we try to help each other out in times of need, so we get through it.” Molina said. Molina believes in the importance of acceptance and diversity. “[The United States] is supposed to include all the different cultures and give everyone the ability to prosper in this country. I feel like racial tensions are going to increase, especially between the Hispanic and White community.” Molina said.

The program was extremely selective regarding who could and could not qualify. The payments of $500 every two years to apply and renew one’s DACA status were not a guarantee of acceptance into the program. Individuals who came to the United States under the age of 16, were under the age of 31 as of June 5, 2012, and could prove their residence in the United States from June 15, 2007 to the present were eligible for DACA. Proof of status as a student or as an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States were also necessary to be eligible, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“Minorities have never been treated well... but I don’t want people to realize too late, after all the damage has been done. It hurts more to repair something tHAn do it right the first time. We know how the future is going to turn out. It’s really sad that we haven’t learned yet,” -Renee Robledo ‘20

Many DACA recipients immigrated to the United States as infants or small children, and have no memory of their life prior to moving. The program’s objective was to allow children and young adults temporary protection from deportation and access to work permits in order to invest in their own human capital.

Renee Robledo ‘20, although not personally affected by DACA, believes that the path to citizenship for immigrants is already difficult enough. Contrary to popular belief, DACA was never a path to citizenship. “DACA was exclusive. Some people had the opportunity to apply, but most don’t...So why are we making it harder for immigrants to attain citizenship? Obviously, it’s not our choice if we are legal [citizens]. We can’t help it,” Robledo said. “Taking away one of the few things that was helping us reach that goal isn’t going to solve the problem.”

Molina feels as if sending DACA members back to their countries of origin sets them up for failure. “We should try to accept those kids because most of them know nothing else but the United States. It’s really hard to go into unknown territory and try to fit in.” Molina said.

Although younger children will be affected, the majority of DACA recipients are between the ages of 21-25. Robledo

braces

for

future

that

seems

“Minorities have never been treated well... but I don’t want people to realize too late, after all the damage has been done. It hurts more to repair something than do it right the first time. We know how the future is going to turn out. It’s really sad that we haven’t learned yet,” Robledo said. Despite having DACA in place, nearly a quarter of a million im-

Would you qualify for DACA? Can you pay $500 every 2 years to renew your DACA status?

12 November 2017 | Issue 1

Did you arrive to the US before your 16th birthday?

bleak.

Are you currently in school or finished with high school?

have you committed any felonies or 3+ misdemeanors?

migrants were removed from the United States in 2016, a staggering number that will keep growing if a new solution is not found. Robledo feels as if this instills fear in the persecuted group. “Being scared to go to a police station, where you should feel safe, that breaks my heart. No one should have to feel that way.” Robledo said. “[Immigrants] are going to live in constant fear, where they thought they’d be safe, and now they’re not. For all their work to be ripped away, you just can’t get that back.” According to a recent study by the Center for American Progress, for every business day that DACA renewals are put on hold, more than 1,400 DACA recipients will lose their ability to work and could be let go by employers. “It’s going to affect the country because everyone that is a part of DACA has made something of themselves. Some of them are doctors or psychologists,” Robledo said. “They contribute to our community so that we don’t fall apart.” David Bier, an immigration policy analyst for the Cato Institute, agrees. “Using the most conservative estimates, ending DACA would impose massive costs on employers—nearly $2 billion over two years,” Bier said. In light of the termination of DACA, the economic and social consequences these actions could have on all members of the community must not be overlooked. Broken prom-

ises and a flawed system can not be accepted as the norm. In a country built on the backs of generations of immigrants, inaction isn’t enough. Ideological differences continue to divide this nation. DACA beneficiaries and undocumented immigrants who saw the program as a beacon of hope continue towards an uncertain future. “We were promised something different, we were promised immigration reform...Although there were many problems with it, something is better than nothing.” Roberto said. “At the end of the day, I still have a job, I can still get a driver’s license, and for that I’m grateful, but I still feel like a second-class citizen.” For the advocates who refuse to give up fighting for the rights of DACA recipients, Roberto wants to express his gratitude. “I want to thank the people who are fighting for me and others in my situation.” Roberto said. “There’s not words that can express how grateful I am and how happy I am that there are people who are willing to fight for someone other than themselves. I can only hope this will open people’s eyes.” Ben Bird | Grant Hoskins | Kurtis Jones | Aimee Yan

Cover it Up School dress codes put students against administrators in fight over right to self-expression

14 November 2017| Issue 1

“There are times when it’s uncomfortable for me to address a female student based on the clothing they’ve chosen to wear that day… I’m literally looking above their heads, not trying to be disrespectful…” -Trip Sargent

In order to fit in, to meet societal expectations, or to avoid the bruising effects of social stigma, people have been abiding by dress codes for centuries. Today’s dress-code has developed over time, but exists as something strikingly similar to what it was in the past; restricting not only clothing, but accessories and religious head coverings as well. Over time, some dress codes have gradually evolved to be more tolerant, leading to a passionate debate over the benefits and consequences of regulations that have remained the same as values and fashion continue to change. At Standley Lake High School, the dress code restricts headwear, sunglasses, see-through clothes, backless clothing, sagging pants, short shorts, midriff shirts, cleavage revealing tops, spaghetti straps, gang-related or profane clothes, and trench coats. These restrictions prevent clothes considered distracting, whether it’s revealed skin or offensive logos. Mr. Trip Sargent, an assistant principal at Standley Lake, believes that these regulations are beneficial and necessary, as they ensure a more appropriate and successful environment. “I think the dress code is a good thing in general because it applies some standards for kids and keeps people from wearing things which are both distracting, potentially offensive, or gang related,” Sargent said. Although the implementation of the dress-code is school policy, enforcing such rules can lead to uncomfortable confrontations between staff and students, leaving both parties uneasy. “There are times when it’s uncomfortable for me to address a female student based on the clothing they’ve chosen to wear that day…I’m literally looking above their heads, not trying to be disrespectful,” Sargent said. If violations continue after the problem has already been addressed, punishment will grow parallel with it’s resistance. If a student refuses to fix the problem, the school provides them something that will attempt to resolve the issue. In some cases, students may resist further, leaving administration to enforce suspension. “If I see a student who I’ve asked to [fix the problem and] they disagree, we have a meeting. That meeting could result in anywhere from [issuing] a simple dress-code violation, to defiance, which could lead to a multi-day suspension,” Sargent said. These meetings seldom result in peaceful compromise between the two parties, as students who refuse to change their clothes and beliefs are disregarded. The dress code continues to reign supreme over personal experiences and opinions, as it has for years. As uncomfortable as administrators feel when dress coding a student, the confrontation is equally as dreadful for those violating the rule. Carter Hopkins ‘19 has experienced objectification due to their choices in clothing firsthand. “When they comment on my clothes [I ask], ‘Why are you looking? Why are you paying attention to my body at all? You’re supposed to be making me more knowledgeable and more wise for my future, not commenting on the

way I dress,’” Hopkins said. Hopkins believes that students have a right to learn without being confronted about their attire. Their experiences with the dress code have taught students that it is acceptable to disrespect women if a certain amount skin, deemed inappropriate, is showing. Female students are forced to prioritize male students first, ensuring a “distraction-free learning environment”, rather than focusing on their own education in what they feel comfortable wearing. “I [dress the way I do] because it’s comfortable, because I feel cute, because it is who I want to present myself as.” Hopkins said, “I never dress to please anyone else or to gain attention from any of my peers or my teachers.” Though the dress code can be frustrating in itself, the process in identifying violations is the source of much of the inequity students experience. Sometimes, violations are easily addressed. Other times, human error leads to unintentional discrimination. One instance of this occurred in Oklahoma, when an 11 year o l d

16 November 2017| Issue 1

Muslim student received suspension for wearing a hijab because it violated the ban against hats and other head coverings set in place in 1997. Administrators have the ability to restrict a student’s right to practice religion and promote their beliefs, and this power can easily be abused. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, dress codes are set in place for hairstyles as well; these regulations then led to a 7 year old African American girl to be sent home from school for having dreadlocks. Essentially, not only can clothes be restricted, but certain hairstyles were deemed unacceptable as well. While the dress code in principle has logical basis, the existence of instances such as this can lead to questions regarding potential racism. Throughout the 1960s, female students had a highly limited selection of clothes, as girls were required to wear either dresses or skirts. The length of clothing was also restricted as school administrators demanded that skirts touch the floor when girls kneel. Similarly, Standley Lake follows the finger test, where shorts and skirts are required to reach farther than the tips of each finger. Students are often frustrated with this inconsistency in the dress code. Some students do not get dress-coded whatsoever despite their many violations, while others may face multiple punishments for wearing similar attire. A student may show up to school with a blouse that reveals their shoulders and get dress-coded, even if someone else was breaking the same rule and received no punishment. “I [get] annoyed [when I get dresscoded] because other people have been [breaking the rules] too,” Alex Flores ‘21 said. According to the Huffington Post, 90% of students dress-coded are female, fueling the belief that hiding women’s bodies takes priority over education. While bra straps and undergarments are frowned upon, these are considerations male students don’t have to worry about when choosing their apparel. The paradox created by this situation is clear when female students are asked to leave school and pause their educations in order for male students to best focus on theirs.

1700 1969

1500

boys wore dresses, and were “breeched” between 4 and 7 years old. “Breeching” was when boys were put into trousers.

2003

Pockets came around in the late 1600s, But Pockets for women didn’t appear until the late 1700s.

“[The dress code] doesn’t give them a right to take how I present myself and use it against me. What I wear and how I present myself should not be something that tears me away from bettering my life,” Hopkins said. For example, when Hopkins wore a shirt that revealed their shoulders, they got sent to the office. Yet when they wore the same shirt again on a different occasion, nothing was said. Administration isn’t able to address each and every violation fairly, and this inconsistency on a daily basis leads to more problems. Although staff tries to take into account different body types when they dress code students, Standley Lake’s single dress code fails to address the diversity represented in the school. Body shaming or outright discrimination on a daily basis as a result of a rigid dress code has become the norm for students. “How [clothes] fit on one person might be less of a dress code issue versus how they fit on another, and there are challenges with that,” Sargent said. To some, the unequal, inconsistent, or supposedly discriminatory dress code contributes towards the ideas of sexualization of the human body. Race, sex, gender identity, gender expres-

2017

A school in IOWA claims that wearing aN armband in protest OF the vietnam war IS distracting, An 11 year-old suspending girl is asked to leave those who her school participated in because she the protest. was wearing a head scarf.

A 9 year old boy in Joshua Texas, is suspended for his hair being too long, as it was a distraction, AND a “safety hazard.”

sion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, and body type/size must all be considered in the creation of a dress code. Enforcement of a dress code that continually fails to provide all students with a productive learning environment undermines the mission of Standley Lake High School. With dress codes, bodies are claimed to be distractions, instilling the idea that sexual urges simply cannot be restrained. However, many challenge this notion, instead proposing that we teach people to tolerate rather than conceal. “It’s just a human body. Why hide something everyone has?” Flores said. Clothing may seem like on the the least important topics of the time, but the right to free expression, an equitable learning environment for both students of all genders, and an end to discrimination are battles that have existed and been fought for decades. Essentially, the fight for self expression at school has been, and will continue to be, an ongoing battle between those who feel restrained and those who believe restraint is necessary. Erin Paik | Morgan Parrish | Mikey Pietroiacovo | Megan White | Aimee Yan

A joke. A warning. A meaningless comment. A cry for help. Youth all over the world are falling victim to an epidemic of epic proportions; a sickness that infects at random and with no determined pattern or significance. It has not yet been defined in the dictionary yet is still undeniably prominent in our society. Suicide Culture suicide and mental health treated as a nonchalant matter in our culture and media. Most of whom involved in this dangerous group that romanticize mental health do not even know they are apart of it. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Three anonymous students have been interviewed for this story, as well as one Denver therapist and Standley Lake’s social worker. Of the overwhelmingly vast group who are part of this culture, only a mere fraction have been diagnosed by a doctor. The majority of people who are a part of this web of anguished teens live in a state of unidentified suffering and confusion. However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, a certain class of people use the complexity of mental illness as a defense for personal emotions, or in some cases, a topic to joke about with their peers. Jokes concerning suicide have become so ingrained into pop culture that when one thinks of popular media; be it a T.V. series or an Instagram post, comedic plays on mental health come to mind immediately. Danny*, an SLHS student and media fanatic, recognizes the desensitization of mental health in our society due to its portrayal in the media. “I’m definitely insensitive to stuff that I see in the media because I don’t often get offended by it. But it’s very common to see the phrase ‘Go kill yourself’ on the internet; YouTube comments, comments on anything really,” Danny said.

6 November 2017 | Issue 1 18

Suicide is a serious issue; despite that, as a culture there is wide numbness to the effects of our seemingly harmless jokes. Culturally speaking, treating mental health as an insignificant issue has become a problem that is no longer ignorable. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America in 2015, with 8% of students attempting suicide in the same year.

Desensitization around suicide and mental health causes a wide variety of issues. The common reference to suicide in our culture and media leads to a sense of toxic comparison that can legitimately affect the functionality of people afflicted by real mental health issues. “When kids overuse clinical terms such as ‘depression,’ ‘anxiety,’ or ‘PTSD’ to express normal, everyday emotions, this makes it difficult for those who do have a clinical diagnosis. They see their peers who apparently have the same disorder they do, yet are functioning at a much higher level than themselves. Often this leads to feelings of self doubt, and isolation,” said Dr. Alison Lee, a licensed Denver therapist. Beyond feelings of isolation, the common reference to suicide confuses the real facts. The commonality of suicide culture makes some people feel like their issues aren’t valid, or they aren’t handling their mental illness as well as they assume others are. This virulent cycle of misunderstanding prevents many from seeking treatment because they may attempt to solve the problems on their own if they see others who claim to have a mental illness yet function at an unattainably higher level, even without treatment. Although simple jokes often seem inconsequential, the effects can be devastating. In some cases, mental health jokes can be a severe trigger to people who have suffered from mental health issues in the past. Dana* has suffered her entire life with mental health issues and has a unique standpoint on the issue. “When people joke about suicide, it is kind of triggering for some people, and I hate that word because it has become a joke also, but it’s hard for me to hear it. But I have to blend in. I have to laugh at it,” Dana said. The trend of desensitivity in media has been getting worse. According to the Jason Foundation, a suicide prevention group, since 1981, there has been a 150% increase in the suicide rate of children ages 10-14. For middle school, high school, and college students, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Despite the rising issue, jokes about suicide have become increasingly common. Baron*

An Epidemic Of Misunderstanding

describes the conventions around humor. “We’ve all come to accept all the crass stuff floating around on the web. To survive high school, you really can’t be that sensitive. Our generation’s sense of humor is pretty screwed up,” says Baron. Analyzing the sharp increase of suicide since earlier years, some argue that the increase in suicide rates is connected with the rise of technological usage. In 2000, only a mere 6.8% of the population had access to the internet. By 2016, the numbers were up to 46.1%. Subsequently, the rate of suicide has increased by 2.3%. “I would say that social media is at the heart of 40%, maybe 60% of mental health issues these days. Whether that’s bullying between students, online breakups, simple comparison pieces, anxiety; I think the hardest part of social media, if any, is that we can’t turn it off.” said Ms. Diana Rarich, Standley Lake’s social worker. Aside from the fact that media desensitivity is a rampant problem in our society, another problem that usually goes without dialogue is the innumerable amount of teens suffering from anxiety or depression without seeking help or having a formal diagnosis. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 4% of Americans are diagnosed with a serious mental illness. In the US, 9.8 million people suffer from serious disorders such as bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. This raises a vital question: if 9.8 million people living in the United States are diagnosed with a debilitating and chronic disease, than how many more live without a diagnosis or rather, suffer in private? Despite the constant talk of suicide and mental illness, serious issues still aren’t being solved. Unfortunately, less than 50% of people affected

20 6 November 2017 | Issue 1

by mental illness actually receive treatment, according to the NIMH. The lack of mental health treatment and education is incredibly serious and demands more focus in our society.

Social media and mental health are strongly linked in the aspect of disconnection between peers. The disconnect leads to a developing normality surrounding isolation, and in some cases, suicidal ideation.

Hesitance to treating mental health can lead to worsening depression, instability, and the possibility of suicide. Mental illness causes long term harm when untreated, and, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 90% of suicides are linked to a lack of treatment for mental illness.

“I believe that social media has changed the way children relate to peers. Because the face-to-face interactions can often be eliminated through the use of social media and technology, it appears that there are fewer healthy bonds among preteens and teens and an increase in artificial relationships,” said Lee.

“When people joke about As a society, education and treatment of mental suicide, it is kind of triggering illness needs to be made more readily available as suicide rates steadily increase while treatment for some people, and I hate Of course, expecting teenagers to stop using rates remain less that half. Educating your famsocial media negatively is completely unrealily and peers as well as encouraging treatment that word because it has istic and unattainable. Instead, encouraging to people who need it is the easiest way to avoid mental health to be a topic of discussion in mental illness going untreated. and homes, teens can begin to unbecome a joke also, but it’s schools derstand the effects of their words and the As technology and social media becomes more following consequences that sometimes go and more prominent every year, the effects need hard for me to hear it. But unnoticed. to be considered and evaluated before allowing yourself to be swept into a current of misinfor- I have to blend in. I have to In contrast, however, social media and the mation and numbness surrounding mental health web provide thousands of credible resources issues in teens and adults alike. to teens who have no one to talk to or don’t laugh at it,” - Dana know what they can do to help themselves. “I do believe that as social media becomes more and more common, we all start to disregard mental health as an important issue in our society,” said Danny.

Utilizing these resources can make an indescribable difference to someone struggling to reach out or understand their illness.

Technology has severe effects on the psychological state; a New Yorker article by Maria Konnikova details how people’s sense of happiness and social connectivity decline after going online. As well as a drop in general satisfaction with life, online interactions can lead to the development of mental disorders.

Becoming aware of the effects of our actions and words can be invaluable in ensuring everyone suffering from mental health issues feel understood and respected. Rather than focusing on the crass comedy integrated into all aspects of pop culture, we can instead strive for a more intellectual and courteous society. | Ben Bird | Jackson Kessel | Christopher Luc | Gabriella Tullo

social media Usage vs. Suicide rates By the ages

18-29

86% 0.00019%

30-49

80% 0.00015%

50-64

65+

64% 0.00013%

34% 0.00015% 21

TAKE A SEAT FALSE CLAIMS IN THE PLEDGE DEFINE OUR NATION a staff editorial Each morning, at 8:55 am, the same mundane routine ensues. Daily announcements. Sports events. Lunch menus. Preceding each tedious announcement, however, is the Pledge of Allegiance that blares over the intercom. As each student and teacher stands, monotonously chanting each phrase, I sitㅡ silently protesting. The Pledge of Allegiance is ingrained into the minds of America’s youth from the day they enter elementary school. From kindergarten to graduation, kids mindlessly recite this nationalistic chant approximately 2,340 times. Along with most any other phrase that’s repeated endlessly, the pledge has lost its meaning, morphing from a good-intentioned declaration of loyalty and pride into a ramble of hollow goals. When each day we stand to recite the pledge, we don’t comprehend the weight of our words, nor do we take pride in our country and what we have achieved while acknowledging the steps still to be taken. Instead, we drone on because it’s a social norm.

and State in the First Amendment it emphasizes the significance of our right to our independent beliefs. How can the Pledge be patriotic if it undermines the principles our country is built on? The Pledge also preaches of “liberty and justice for all.” However, it was originally written in 1892, a time period composed of extreme discrimination against African-Americans and other ethnic minorities. For those of color, facilities weren’t accessible, public transportation wasn’t always available, and black schools were barely funded. Thus, the Pledge ignored the segregation and racial discrimination that dominated our country.

How can the Pledge we still preach of our virtue and our be patriotic if it Today, equality. The Pledge asserts that we have for all, but how just can America be undermines the justice when African-Americans are targeted by policemen purely for their race? The Pledge we have equal liberties, but how principles our declares equal can we be when those of the LGBTQ community are refused service only for their However, if one moves past the mindless country is built on? sexuality? The Pledge insists we have unity, recitations and delves into the meaning behind the Pledge, they would find contradictions to American ideals. This pledgeㅡ the “unifying”, patriotic promise of national loyaltyㅡ references religion, claiming that America is “one nation under God.” However, the Constitution, the very document that America was founded on, highlights the importance of separation of Church

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but how indivisible can we be when each citizen is defined by divisive feuding political parties, each hating the other for their opposing beliefs?

Until we start achieving the justice we claim to have, I refuse to stand for a pledge that mocks everything this country stands for.

ONE OR ALL RELIGION COMES IN ALL SHAPES OR SIZES a staff editorial Religion, supported by many, and free to all. Throughout the world, religion has been a very controversial topic in our media and politics. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, run strictly on religion while other countries, like the US, allow it to be a free choice for the many. Neither option is wrong, however each is extremely different. But as far as the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution goes, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The First Amendment protects this right, and allows anyone to partake in any belief, sermon, tradition, or prayer.

and fear, fear of the unknown. For no reason, people seem to stereotype other religious and cultural groups that are different from themselves. They create slurs, or hate groups without even knowing people in these groups personally. Religious groups have no intention of bothering or causing harm to people. The purpose of religion is to help explain what can’t be explained by science, or to bring comfort to people, or to feel like something cares. There will always be extremes, but they are less common than the majority of people would think. In reality, each religion is just another teaching of a similar idea. There will always be a more appealing aspect to anything that a large group of people agrees with or is apart of. No one seems to care about things out of their daily routines. This causes problems that are superficial and unnecessary between different groups of people.

The purpose of religion is to help explain what can’t be explained by science, or to bring comfort to people, or to feel like something cares.

The right to partake in any belief has been a heavily debated subject lately in the media. People don’t understand that the concept of religion has no concrete rules to live by. The public eye seems to put a spotlight on universalized religions like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and even atheism. But when it comes to unfamiliar religions, people refuse to educate themselves, and tend to remain offensive and rude to people who come from a different background.

Not all religious groups are going to believe the same thing. But, just because the beliefs don’t match up doesn’t mean the others are evil or wrong. Most stereotypes come from misunderstandings

It appears as though people today are becoming more intolerant to diverse views. There have always been people like that, but within today’s society, there is a larger group of people who are growing up close minded, unexposed to different views. No religion should be shunned for not being the same as what you believe. The First Amendment protects the right to practice any and all religions. Whether these groups are practicing your religion or another, they should still have protected and fair rights.

HASTA LUEGO