Girl on Fire

DIRECTORS Tabitha Labrato, Helen Trawick, Lily Fox BEAUTY Katie Russel MODEL Nia Alexander PHOTOGRAPHER Kevin Farley, Lily Fox WRITTEN BY Lexi Fernandez VIDEOGRAPHY Libby Benkins 63 LAYOUT Lauren Horner

OUR WORLD ABLAZE

ur world as we know it has been set ablaze, and we the people are left to fight our battles alone, engulfed by the menacing flames. What was once beautiful, spacious skies are now tainted by a hateful, all-consuming smoke, blinding us from the worst that has yet to come. Such a tragedy that today has become; we have seen our own fall victim to acts of hate at the hands of those who are meant to keep the peace. Gone are the days of sweet liberty, for the harsh reality of disunity has taken its place.

Have we forgotten the meaning of equality and justice? Unfortunately, as we venture further into the unknown, the fundamental values of our nation are long forgotten. No matter where we turn, we are faced with rioting, gun violence, and potential threats to our human rights. Those who are meant to lead the supposed free world and wear the white hat with honor turn their backs in the darkest of hours. Perhaps it is only human nature to be so selfish. As the members of our nation cry for help, their voices echo into a void of empty promises and

Ofalsified pipe dreams. Finally, we see the truth behind the white lies we were fed throughout the teachings of history. It seems as though our only option is to fight fire with fire. We are told by our so-called leaders that we are all in this together, but was it ever really true? The contemporary societal divide cuts deeper than ever before, with no middle ground in sight. What we thought to once be a flicker of hope has since ignited into a raging, merciless fire that leaves no individual unscathed. Neutrality is no longer; the idea of compromise is nonexistent, left behind with the ashes of what our world once was. We crucify those who disagree, unwilling to listen, unwilling to learn. Indivisibility- what a beautiful meaning in the word. If only it were ever true. Recent events have shed a light through the smokescreen, illuminating the reality of a modern, dystopian chaos. Just days into the new year, we witnessed carnage to the crumbling foundation of 64

our country. In the months prior, rising tensions had relentlessly fueled the spiteful fire of partisan division. Rioters stormed the front steps of our once untouchable capitol in true mob fashion, violently overtaking law enforcement officers. Some were armed with weapons, others with ill-advised patriotism. Remnants of windows and doors littered the capitol floor as menacing protestors breached the highest office of our nation. With bated breath, we watched the tumultuous upheaval of any shred of peace we had left.

After the siege came to an end and the dust settled, we were left with a wounded, stagnant nation. We witnessed truthful, unaltered history. All we can do is hope that they tell it right this time. Rising from the ashes, we long for a moment of relief, a moment of tranquility. Sadly, such a luxury is difficult to come by. Will there ever come a time in which we are willing to stand hand in hand, unified once again? No one knows for certain.

In times of utter chaos, the only way we will be able to make it through the unpredictable flames is if we work together. We are a society plagued by vindictive behavior that only contributes to our deep-rooted division. Years of pent-up frustrations are finding their way to the surface. One small spark is all it takes to inspire the masses, so let’s be sure to do it right this time.