The Spectator The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper
Volume 110 No. 13
April 15, 2020
stuyspec.com
School Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year on April 11 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. De Blasio’s announcement was a change from the initial closure of schools until April 20, which was later extended to April 29. Despite de Blasio’s decision to close all New York City schools for the rest of the school year, Gover-
nor Andrew Cuomo said the decision will be up to the state in his press conference on April 11, reasoning that such a decision should be made in coordination with the rest of the Tri-State area. There has yet to be a resolution to the disputes against de Blasio’s claim. Some students see school closures as a necessary step to protect public health. “If the state was banning gatherings of over 50 people at a time, it really didn’t make any sense to put 3,000 people in the same building. While this is a tough time for all of us, and especially the kids who don’t have access to the Internet, I think we needed
Matt Melucci/ The Spectator
to do this for the greater good,” sophomore Ari Gurovich said. Sophomore Cyrus Cursetjee agreed, adding, “If we want to get [the pandemic] over with as soon as possible, closing schools is a good thing. Even if we make it optional, some people will still go to school. That would definitely prolong the time it will take to get the coronavirus situation under control.” Because schools are closed for the rest of the school year, many student events and extracurriculars are negatively affected. “I was going to do outdoor track this season, and I was kind of excited for that because we had new ideas,” freshman Keara O’Donnell said. “For chorus too, we were going to have the spring concert.” De Blasio’s announcement was particularly disheartening for seniors. “After everyone got into college, I really wanted to celebrate,” senior Vincent Huang said. “It feels incomplete. We worked for four years, but we’re not reaping the rewards of our work—it feels empty in a way. I’m excited for the next year and college, but for high school to end this way is unfortunate.” This sentiment was echoed across the senior class. “A lot of fun events I looked forward to my senior year have been canceled, and I’m disappointed that I probably had my last day of school with-
received 500 responses to this survey. If that isn’t an indication that 3rd MP grading policy is an Immediately after the Stu- issue students care a lot about, dent Union (SU) sent a survey then I don’t know what is.” Stuto the school community about dents had come in droves to prothird marking period grades on vide their thoughts on the choice Wednesday, April 1, the student at hand: whether third marking body was up in arms. The survey period grades should be dictated consisted of a few simple ques- by a pass-fail system, a representative lettering tions, providing system that a choice c o r re s p o n d s between to numerical f o u r grades, acgrading opcomplished tions and e i t h e r a fifth, through a “other” modified o p ESNU tion. o r Within ABCDF minsystem, utes, or traStuyvesditional ant High numerical School grades. had come Given the alive, throwunprecedented ciring opinions cumstances created (and insults) regarding the con-Qiao Ying (Emily) Tan / The Spectator by COVID-19, we think that the most troversial subject on countless forums, including equitable grading system would Facebook groups, blog posts, and be the ESNU system traditionally used for first marking period private emails. Taking to Facebook himself, grades. However, to the extent SU Vice President Julian Gior- that the Department of Educadano made a proclamation in all tion (DOE) does not permit four “Dear Incoming” groups: “In the past ten minutes, we’ve continued on page 10
How Other Schools are Learning Online, p. 2 Zoom Banned Due to Privacy Concerns, p. 3 Students React to Online Learning, p. 4 Teachers’ Take on Grading, p. 9 What’s Next After Coronavirus?, p. 11 Western Media’s Racist COVID-19 Coverage, p. 12 A Post-Corona Education System, p. 12 “Chinese Virus” PCP, p. 14 Quarantine: Maybe It’s Not So Bad?, p. 15 Life at a Still, p. 17 The No Action Pandemic, p. 18 Unmasking the Mask Problem, p. 18 The Math and Science of Quarantine, p. 19 The Race to Discover a COVID-19 Drug, p. 20 Social Distancing & Celebrity Entertainment, p. 22 Coronavirus vs. the Music Industry, p. 23 Quarantine Fitness: the Grind Never Stops, p. 27
continued on page 3
Number Grades? We’ll Pass By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
CORONAVIRUS CONTENT
College Board Announces Changes To AP Exams By SAMIA ISLAM, SUBYETA CHOWDHURY, JENNY LIU, SAAD GHAFFOULI, ISABELLA JIA, and EZRA LEE In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the College Board officially announced changes to the 2020 Advanced Placement (AP) exams on April 3. The exams will be open book and taken at home on the same day at the same time worldwide, from May 11 to May 22. Makeup test dates will be available from June 1 to June 5. The AP exams will now cover fewer units from the curriculum (specific information on each AP Exam can be found on the College Board website), which most AP teachers would have taught by
Andrea Huang / The Spectator
By MICHELLE LU, MADELYN MAO, RUIWEN TANG, MOMOCA MAIRAJ, STEPHY CHEN, VEDAANT SHAH, and CHLOE TERESTCHENKO
“The Pulse of the Student Body”
early March. Students are expected to take the exam on any device they have access to, whether that be a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Students can also write their responses by hand and upload photos. Most of the AP exams will now be 45 minutes long, with an addi-
tional five minutes to u p load answers. Many will c o n s i s t of one to two free response ques-
tions, in which each question is timed separately, while other exams will consist of a single essay question. However, some exams, including AP Drawing, AP 2-D Art and Design, and AP 3-D Art and Design, will instead require an art portfolio. In order to prevent and detect cheating, the College Board is introducing stricter protocols and claims to have designed the exams with security in mind. Students will need to verify their identities and confirm that their submissions are their own work. Plagiarism detection software and post-administration analytics will also be used, and copies of the student’s submitted work will be sent to their respective AP continued on page 6
June 2020 Regents Examinations Are Cancelled
By LEXI CHEN, SUBYETA CHOWDHURY, JENNY LIU, MADELYN MAO, KATIE NG, VEDAANT SHAH, and JESS ZHANG
As a result of the ever-evolving health crisis of COVID-19, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the Board of Regents have canceled the June 2020 Regents Examinations. Students who had previously intended to take
OPINIONS
He Protecc, He Attacc—But Most Importantly, He Miss Shake Shacc Opinions writer Rae Seong Jeong asserts that Shake Shack produces the best burgers in the United States and explains how he came to that conclusion.
see page 16
any Regents in June will be exempt from the requirement of taking them in order to receive their diploma. Because of the cancellation, NYSED will also be making modifications to graduation requirements. While the June 2020 Regents Exams are canceled, the NYSED and the Board of Regents have yet to make a decision about the administration of the August 2020 Regents and will issue a separate announcement when such a decision is made.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Hiro Savage, Homegrown Talent Arts and Entertainment writer Dexter Wells profiles senior Hiro Kimura, otherwise known as Hiro Savage, a self-made musician for the modern age.
see page 23
The Stuyvesant administration has also yet to receive additional details about the cancellation. “All I know at this point is that Regents are cancelled. I don’t know what it means as far as Advanced Regents Diploma and then even the level above that, Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors,” Principal Eric Contreras said. “I’m assuming that the state is going to communicontinued on page 3
The Spectator • April 15, 2020
Page 2
News Beyond Stuyvesant: How are Other Schools Approaching Online Learning? By THE NEWS DEPARTMENT
The News Department looks at how students from different schools across the city—and even out of state—are approaching online learning.
Public High Schools “We are still continuing with [the performing arts classes]. We do this thing called the Riverside Concert every day, but because of [[the] coronavirus, we couldn’t do it this year. Our teacher sent us videos of professional groups singing the songs we were going to do, and he had us write a reflection about this. […] we have to record ourselves singing and send it online or schedule an online conference with her where we would sing it in front of her.” —Chloe Lou, LaGuardia, junior “My school has been holding classes following our regular school schedule on Zoom, which means we have free periods, periods for lunch, and periods for clubs to meet via video chat. They’ve recently implemented a rule that no class should go over two to three full Zoom class times per week to help students from staring at computer screens all day. In days we don’t use Zoom, we do discussion posts, submit assignments electronically, and do group assignments via Google Docs. Third quarter has currently become pass/fail, [though] the guidelines for what means in every class is very unclear. It’s unclear how tests are going to be taken and what will go into our pass/fail grades. Any work any Hunter student has done the entirety of second semester ultimately does not count if it is a pass/ fail quarter. It’s also going to be a lot harder to distinguish yourself as a hard-working academic if colleges are comparing pass/fail scores.” —Frances Leung, Hunter College High School, junior “I know our teachers have tried their best to explain any issue and provide us the best lessons [though] we aren’t physically there. It can be pretty overwhelming, but our guidance counselor tries her best to calm us down. I don’t know if other guidance counselors are doing this, but my guidance counselor created her own chat on Google Hangouts, and whenever we have a comment [or] a question, she is able to able us or provide any sort of information.” —Joshlyn Mendez, World View, junior
“Our teachers are adapting to the changes and working hard to ensure that we learn all the material. The school and its community are doing a great job to help us, the students, adjust. Additionally, on Wednesdays, the day [there] isn’t instructional periods for each class, there is an advisory period to have discussions, talk about our situation, and work through personal problems.” —Bridget Ducey, Eleanor Roosevelt, senior
“We have a completely new schedule [in which] we have each class twice a week, in 55-minute periods. We also are continuing to have advisory, assembly, and club meetings online. I feel like I am getting really bored just sitting around at home, and so online school is a nice way for me to not only fill my time and feel productive, but [also add] a large element of stability and having a schedule into my life that helps this time to feel a bit more normal.” —Molly Bordoff, Trinity, freshman
“We’re doing Zoom classes, so we have first period, second period, BCT [similar to homeroom], our long block [90-minute class], which is third period, fourth period, and then we skip fifth period for an extended lunch. We have lunch from 1 to 2 p.m., and then go on to sixth period. But because we’re missing that fifth period block, they’ve substituted class meeting […] and dance for languages, so you take an additional language class during that time, so you can have more language classes. Everything’s kind of working smoothly.” —Sophia Trapani, Chapin, freshman
LONG ISLAND - NJ - CANADA “My day-to-day basis has changed now that we are pretty much homeschooled. I haven’t been moving around as much. I’m also with my phone constantly, so I can talk with my friends and even teachers. Different to how it was before, I check my [e-mails] and notifications every minute. Surprisingly, work seems harder to complete. My teachers also assign assignments that take longer to complete in one class period which then overlaps with the next class.” —Manaka Ogura, Lynbrook High School (Long Island), sophomore “Two (out of four) of my teachers created their own website aside from using Google Classroom alone. One of my teachers (my math teacher) uploads videos of herself explaining math concepts onto Google Classroom. All of my tests have been postponed since online evaluations would not be fair due to cheating. One thing I like about e-learning though is the efficiency; the curriculum seems much more straightforward (rather than following the teachers’ instructions and the time it takes for classes to settle, you work at your own pace).” —Tracy Su, Glebe Collegiate (Canada), junior
“The BCCHS educators are encouraging the 10th grade to have a health and wellness period before 9:30 a.m. every day. The COVID-19 outbreak can be stressful to numerous students experiencing a shift from physical to online class, so the staff wants to check up on our mental health by allowing us to record a daily journal, meditate, read, or listen to music. Also, gym classes are currently not implemented, but the teacher is attempting to develop an exercising plan for the 10th grade.” — Kyra Shimbo, Baruch High School, sophomore “We have a schedule similar to the one at school except our periods are 45 minutes each instead of 85 and our elective periods are 30 minutes. We have our first two periods and then a 50-minute break, then the last two periods and elective. We still follow an A day, B day schedule. My school decided not to do testing at all during this remote learning experience.” —Karen Lei, High School of Math, Science & Engineering, junior
“It’s simple. Some classes have gotten easier, and some have gotten a lot harder. Chinese class is a lot easier now. But AP U.S., [PreCalculus], and AP [Biology] are harder; [the classes] don’t really teach. Because everything is online, I can rely on the Internet. At first, I had no idea what I was doing. But it got easier, [though] I don’t have classmates to rely on anymore.” —Miki Lei, Brooklyn Tech, junior
Private/Catholic Schools “Regular classes meet twice a week; my language meets four times a week but only for a short amount of time, so like 30 minutes. Half-credit classes meet once a week, or Guidance, stuff like that. [With guidance, we discuss] graduation requirements. We have to create a form with all of our college decisions and scholarship amounts, and ultimately, where you’re going to go. They probably will have graduation [though] they will push it back, even to August.” —Camille Dell’Olio, Dominican Academy, senior
“For entertainment, Bronx Science connects with students on Facebook with Wolverine TV. Students and teachers can send daily vlogs to Wolverine TV, which can be included in upcoming episodes. There were different topics such as how student-athletes were staying fit, what were people cooking, and what did teachers do to pass time.” —Angela Phuong, Bronx Science, junior
“I was always excited about becoming a senior ever since freshman year, and I also dreamed about becoming a second term senior chilling, doing no work, and just having fun for the rest of the school year. But because of the coronavirus, all of the things I hoped for just disappeared. It’s really sad how seniors can’t play their sports for the last year, or go to prom, or senior trips, or after prom, [or] walk down the stage for graduation. It would be nice to actually end my senior year at school.” —Joshua Yang, Palisades High School (New Jersey), senior
Check out more content for this spread here.
“One issue is that some teachers teach more periods than others, so they’re going into periods when other teachers are supposed to have Zooms—so one kid could have two Zooms at once. They’re trying to sort that out. Also, we have very [few] APs at my school, and we don’t take Regents, so that is not really affecting us as much.” —Hannah Devine-Rader, Beacon, junior “Sitting at home and listening to a teacher speak on my computer screen can be distracting at times, since the teacher has no access to what I am doing during the session. [T]hough schools are trying their best to keep up with students’ curriculums, it is impossible for us to learn without proper focus. [T]hough online learning takes the stress away from learning, it also takes the learning away from learning.” —Benjamin An, Townsend Harris, junior
“Many of my classes feel disorganized because of the disorienting amount of postings on the Google Classroom page, making it hard to keep track of which assignments are due when. In addition, I feel there is unclear communication between the students, teachers, and administration. The administrators have not yet explained how grading will work for the remainder of the semester but have made clear that it is okay to miss class if you are unable to attend and have urged students not to stress about grades. I think that my school is doing the best they can in a bad situation.” —Jesse Brown, Frank McCourt, junior
MIDDLE SCHOOLS “Online learning has been a moderately decent experience for me. Waking up early has allowed me to go beyond my comfort zone and try something new while staying home. I feel motivated to wake up bright and early and complete my work, so I can try something new or practice healthy habits such as going on a run, later on in the day. Through this system, I’m seeing a lot of changes in my lifestyle, which is very beneficial and allows me to spend more family time together.” —Salwa Chowdhury, P.S. 122Q Mamie Fay, eighth grade “This process has forced teachers to put a lot of trust in their students. For example, our gym teacher expects that over the course of the week, we have completed exercises such as Russian twists, push-ups, and mountain climbers. I had my first time taking an online test for school. The whole process goes back to the idea of trust between students and teachers. My math teacher had to trust that we weren’t looking up answers or asking our friends for help.” —Elizabeth Lee, New Explorations into Science Technology + Math, eighth grade
“My schedule is not at all packed to be honest. It has a lot of periods for us to just independently work, more than there was at school. At school, we did group lessons a lot more. And independent time was only half of it. Currently, I like groups to be honest; I miss group work. I want to make people go back to school.” —Morgan Mairaj, Lower Lab, fifth grade
College “My professors have been very accommodating to this recent change in lecture. Not only were they very tech-savvy from the beginning, setting up our online classes with modified curriculums to adjust for the new teaching style, but they [also] have since made it a point to be more entertaining in order to hold the attention of students better. It certainly helps to be able to keep the virtual classroom in ‘full screen,’ effectively keeping my attention away from any distractions on the computer. I prefer being in a traditional classroom setting for school. I am also more productive when I’m not at a desk that’s close to a fridge full of tasty food, my television, or my comfy bed. It is hard to find a physical location free of distractions in the same way that a classroom or library provides, which is the one setback to my learning ability.” —Matthew Choy, New York University, senior
“I’m kind of lucky in the sense that, out of all the years of college to be in, being a senior is probably optimal because by now a lot of students have jobs, especially in tech. I feel really bad for the juniors, because there are juniors who got really good internships. The whole point of an internship is to help you transition into a fulltime job, so the internship between junior and senior year is really critical because if you can go back to that company, then you’re usually set. But the biggest downside [to being a senior] is that we no longer have a graduation. When you pay for college tuition, and you attend a college for four years, you’re really doing it for that degree, for that last memory to wrap up your overall experience. And so when I think about my younger sisters having graduation photos put up in the living room, but not having my photo there, it really bums me out.” — Jennifer Lee, Carnegie Mellon University, senior
“I believe that Columbia is being as effective as they can be when it comes to adapting to online classes. It really comes down to the professors discretion on how they handle the transition, so there are both good and bad examples of the adaptation. One of my professors is going as far as having multiple sessions of the same class every day in order for all of his students in different time zones to be able to receive a quality education. Another professor fought back against his department’s policy on not recording lectures (their reasoning was liability of students who participate during that lecture) and decided to have a separate class without any students and record that session instead. However, on the other side, there are some professors that are now curving students down and making it more difficult to receive a ‘P’ due to new university policy.” —Mark Shafran, Columbia University, sophomore
The Spectator • April 15, 2020
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News By LEXI CHEN, VICTORIA GAO, SAMIA ISLAM, FAHIMA MIAJEE, and VEDAANT SHAH, with additional reporting by ANDY CHEN Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom became a popular video conferencing platform used by students and teachers for remote learning. Due to recent privacy concerns surrounding Zoom however, Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor Richard Carranza banned Zoom for school usage on April 4. Following the ban, the DOE also suggested that schools switch to Google and Microsoft services for video-calling purposes. Zoom is a platform for video and audio conferencing, phone calls, and text messaging. Users can download the Zoom app on their mobile device or desktop and start, schedule, or join meetings. Teachers may host meetings for their classes and have students join the Zoom calls through a provided link or meeting ID. Zoom contains many user-friendly features, including recording the video call, hand raising, screen sharing, and virtual backgrounds for participants. To accommodate for remote learning, many teachers used Zoom for live classes, which are typically 40 minutes, or for office hours. “I had never heard of Zoom before the [COVID-19] outbreak, but other teachers were using it, and they were saying, ‘This is a platform that really is user-friendly and works for a lot of people,’ so I just tried Zoom on and really liked it. I had no idea that it has kind of this dark underside to it,” English teacher Heather Huhn said. The occurrence of “Zoom bombings,” however, raised concerns on privacy. “Zoom bombings” are when outsiders attend calls and inappropriately disrupt private
Zoom Banned Due to Privacy Concerns
classes. Because Zoom links given for classes can be made public easily, those who should not be in the call are able to join them and cause havoc. Hackers and anonymous students have invaded classrooms through Zoom and used obscene language or graphic images that are unacceptable for a classroom setting. Zoom also allows the host to record their meetings, which has raised privacy concerns. Transcripts of the meetings contained video, audio, and chat text files, which included private messages sent between the host and other participants. There were also issues regarding the way Zoom has handled user data. To protect the safety of students and teachers, Carranza ultimately decided to ban Zoom. “In order to best protect security and privacy, we are requiring schools to transition away from using Zoom as a virtual meeting tool for remote learning,” Carranza said in a letter to students and families. Many students support the ban on Zoom due to their concerns regarding “Zoom bombings” and their negative impact on the learning environment. “‘Zoom bombings’ often display extremely hateful content that has no place in school,” junior Rachel Young said. “[The shift] will impede learning for a short period of time, but hopefully, we can come together to learn quickly how to use Microsoft Teams with the support of other teachers, students, and faculty.” Other students felt that Zoom calls themselves were ineffective as a learning tool. “The ban on these Zoom calls will not stunt my education whatsoever. I feel as if the calls are a waste of time anyway,
as all of my other teachers assign work through Google Classroom, and I am still learning and getting assessed properly through these difficult times,” junior Jason Gurchiani said in an e-mail interview. On the other hand, some students have found the ban to be an unnecessary disturbance as Zoom was an adequate substitution for physical classes and an essential part
Michael Hu/ The Spectator
of their remote learning. “The ban should be reconsidered because of the fact that classes can reconnect with each other, and they would be able to maintain their connections with teachers and peers,” junior Eric Wu said. “During this time of confusion and stress, there should be at least some sort of structure and guidelines that people should follow, and these online meetings can be an example of that.”Others had a positive experience with Zoom and found the ban to be inconvenient. “I cannot speak on the reason why Zoom was banned, but my experience with Zoom has mostly been positive. Everyone respected each other and understood that they are simply trying to make the best out of a bad situation,” junior Andrew Jiang said. “Even those who intruded into my class were courteous and civil. I do not believe moving platforms would affect my online learn-
ing at all. It is more of an inconvenience for the teachers, if anything.” Despite the ban, Wu ultimately feels that it will not affect his remote learning. “I don’t think the ban on Zoom will affect my online learning much because in most classes, we only use sources like Google Classroom to get our lessons, ask questions, and receive assignments,” Wu said. “I don’t have any classes that require Zoom necessarily, but I have two classes that have optional Zoom meetings where they go over some simple classwork.” In order to adapt to the change, teachers were recommended to shift to alternative virtual platforms, such as Google Meet and Microsoft (MS) Teams. Similar to Zoom, Google Meet and MS Teams are video conferencing apps with screen sharing and muting features. To accommodate the rise in telecommunication due to the pandemic, Google Meet’s premium features, such as recording a meeting and the ability to hold larger meetings of up to 250 participants, are free for all Google suite users until September 30. Despite this, some teachers prefer using Zoom over Google Meet because of its unique and userfriendly features. “[Google Meets] has poor video compression/transmission (my students’ machines are overheating), no gallery view, no ‘Zoom hands,’ no ability to kill a meeting when you leave, and a self-view that is too small for the presenter—but at least it is already embedded in our [Google domain] and is far superior to MS Teams,” computer science teacher Topher Mykolyk said in an e-mail interview. Though the transition to a different platform may be difficult after being accustomed to using Zoom, teachers were given a week to learn
how to navigate other platforms and phase out Zoom. “I was able to negotiate that we allow ourselves a full week to transition away from Zoom, and then we were able to get back access to live Google instruction,” Principal Eric Contreras said. In addition, many teachers are readily adapting to the change. “Today, I tried Google Meet with some seniors. It seems fine; I prefer Zoom, but it’s just something I’m going to have to get used to, and I will,” Huhn said. While many teachers have become used to using Zoom over the past month, they acknowledge the reason behind the ban of Zoom in favor of safer options. “I wish that we did have the ability to use it, that it was safe. But at the end of the day, our students’ safety and information were more important than everything else, and it’s being recommended that we shouldn’t use it,” Assistant Principal of World Languages, Music, and Art Francesca McAuliffe said. “I will learn Google Meets, and I will make sure that I can make it as comfortable for the students and staff as possible.” With the cooperation of students, the transition has been smooth for many classes. “It was a pretty seamless transition from regular classes. We didn’t have any connection problems; everyone was there on time. We did the lessons in normal time,” junior Sebastien Beurnier said. Contreras hopes that the DOE will allow for remote learning over Zoom again once privacy issues have been resolved. “Most of our teachers addressed the safety issue within the first week; they added things like passwords; they added things like waiting rooms. So there are ways to navigate mitigating the safety concerns,” he said. “I’m hopeful that Zoom can actually come back because I think it’s a much more fluid system as far as use.”
June 2020 Regents Examinations Are Cancelled continued from page 1
cate that to local districts, who will then communicate that to schools.” The cancellation of the Regents has also raised several questions regarding future logistics. “There’s a few open-ended questions that I have,” Contreras said. “I know for seniors, it means they don’t have to have [the Regents] for graduation. But for underclassmen, [ninth] graders and actually [eighth] graders in our system too, not just at Stuyvesant […] does it mean that they’re waived for this exam? Or does that mean that this exam now has to be done during another administration?” Mandarin teacher Shu Shi did not expect the June Regents Exams to be canceled. “I thought it might be postponed but not cancelled. Like [the] gaokao [college entrance exam] in China has been postponed from June to July this year because of the COVID-19,” she said in an e-mail interview. Moving forward, Shi plans on teaching more of the curriculum in the time that was formerly spent on Regents preparation. “Lesson 20 was the last lesson before taking the LOTE, but now students may continue to learn Lesson 21 to Lesson 23,” she said. For physics, the cancellation will not affect the current curriculum or grading system. The Advanced Physics course will still continue to include topics from the Physics Regents exam, the SAT II Physics exam, and the AP Physics 1 exam. “While the Advanced Physics
course includes Regents topics, the Regents exam is not included in the final grade for the course,” Assistant Principal of Chemistry, Physics, and Technology Scott Thomas said in an e-mail interview. “The students will be able to take the Physics Regents exam in January of 2021.” After witnessing state exam cancellations in other states, Assistant Principal of World Languages, Art, and Music Francesca McAuliffe considered Regents cancellation in New York as a possibility. Despite the change, the current curriculum and grading systems in World Language classes will not be adjusted as well. “Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of learning their respective courses,” McAuliffe said in an e-mail interview. “Our educators have continually exceeded the expectations of standardized tests.” For the social studies department, certain writing techniques usually covered in preparation for the Global Studies Regents exams will not be reviewed at the end of the year. “The only change I see is that teachers in Global Studies will not need to devote time to teaching and reviewing the ‘Enduring Themes’ essay component for the Global Regents. That component of the Regents does not involve skills of historical thinking and analysis that we value, and therefore, if we were not included on the Regents, we would not spend time teaching it,” Assistant Principal of Social Studies Jennifer Suri said in an e-mail interview. Though uniform finals in replacement of the Regents are not being planned, Suri hopes that
teachers will be able to finish their courses’ content by the end of the year. “I am hopeful teachers will be able to cover the curriculum. Some of this depends on if and when we go back to school. Both teachers and students are facing obstacles so we have to just do the best we can,” she said. Assistant Principal of Math Eric Smith was not surprised by the cancellation but is still working out logistics for the math department. “Potential changes to curricula and grading policies will be discussed with the department before any decisions are made. We’ve already acknowledged the need for these revisions, but we agreed not to discuss all possibilities until we had all of the facts from the state,” he said in an e-mail interview. Math teacher Brian Sterr believes that the cancellation of the Regents exam was the right decision, but that the curriculum should not be changed. “The students still need to be prepared for the next course, whether or not they take the Regents. Just because there isn’t a test isn’t a reason to just leave out topics. We usually teach beyond the Regents exam anyway, so I am maintaining the usual Stuy level,” he said in an e-mail interview. As for his own Honors Algebra II and Trigonometry class, he is continuing to prepare them for the advanced math classes taken next year. “The only Regents course I teach is Honors Algebra 2, where we do even more to prepare students who are going to double with Calculus their junior year, so I am
sticking to all of that so they have a solid trigonometry foundation for handling both Honors [Pre-Calculus] and AP Calculus BC,” Sterr said. The cancellation of Regents have also garnered reactions from Stuyvesant students, who often perceive the Regents as a way to boost their GPA at the end of the spring semester. “For Stuy students, it doesn’t really matter if we have Regents. If anything, I feel like Regents is a grade booster or a GPA booster because our test grades are usually above the state average anyway, so in that aspect, I guess it’s a little bit upsetting,” sophomore Shivali Korgaonkar said. Junior Fion Sin, however, is concerned as to whether students will be taking a final for the final exam grade in replacement of a Regents exam. “One of my biggest concerns is whether or not we are going to have a remote final now that we do not have Regents to count as our final exam for some classes,” she said. In addition, students have not received much communication as to how their classes will proceed as teachers are still adapting to the change. “I noticed that in every single one of my Regents classes, not a single teacher has put a classroom announcement or something saying that Regents has been canceled,” Korgaonkar said. “I think they’re doing that because they know that as soon as they tell students, students are going to try less hard in their class, which is a reality of the situation where there’s no final test.” Though Korgaonakar would have originally taken four Regents
this year, she is ambivalent about the change. “I don’t think I was originally in favor of [Regents being canceled], but now that it’s happening, I’m not super opposed to it because it’s just less work,” Korgaonkar said. On the other hand, Sin characterizes the cancellation as one that is both relieving and worrying. “Relieving, because this is one less item on our plates and worrying because if we aren’t taking Regents, then does that mean we won’t be back in school by June?” she said. Despite these changes, McAuliffe emphasized health and wellbeing as the utmost priority and expressed how impressed she is with the staff and students during these times. “Everyone is doing a tremendous job of preparing, facilitating, participating, contributing, and engaging in meaningful remote work,” she said. Amid the cancellation and various other changes, many teachers hope to continue providing the same level of learning for their students. “I think the last things we should be worried about is the cancellation of Regents. Stuyvesant is a school for advanced learning, and sadly for many years, the NYS Regents has lowered standards to assess minimum competency,” social studies teacher Dr. Lisa Greenwald said in an e-mail interview. “We are a school that seeks to go above and beyond minimum competency—to dig into complexity, to allow students to follow their curiosity and their intellectual passions. Let’s continue to do that—Regents or no Regents.”
School Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year continued from page 1
out even knowing about it. This is a sad way to end high school, and I don’t really get any closure,” senior Sam Rosentrauch said. Many students are concerned about the continuation of remote
learning due to extended school closure. “Our new normal has affected my learning in almost every way I thought it would. [T]hough I get my work done, the nature of the Internet simply distracts me. It has been draining,” freshman Alexander Lopez wrote in an e-mail interview.
Juniors, especially, are worried and speculating whether school closings will negatively affect components of their college applications, such as Advanced Placement (AP) tests, SATs, and their grade point average (GPA). “I’m worried about the future amplifications
of the closing of schools, more specifically the college application process. I wonder if colleges are going to consider second-term junior averages less, as well as SAT/ AP/SAT IIs,” junior Andrew Chen wrote in an e-mail interview. “As someone with a mediocre GPA, I
was hoping to bolster my resume with SAT/SAT II/APs and use this semester to boost my GPA by a bit.” The opportunity to interact with classmates is also heavily lost. “I’m missing out on meetcontinued on page 6
The Spectator • April 15, 2020
Page 4
News Stuyvesant Students React to Online Learning By THE NEWS DEPARTMENT
After the first week of online learning, the News Department interviewed a variety of Stuyvesant students to discuss their opinions and reactions to the transition. “The transition to online learning has been both better and worse. I noticed that I’m more productive in working on assignments, but in subjects like physics, if I don’t understand the material, it becomes so much harder to get help. In general, the time I spend on understanding the material is longer. The structure is comprehensible, but to me, it’s harder and more difficult to understand the lesson.” —Maya Martinez, junior
“Online learning so far has been terrible. I don’t learn at all. I just copy random things down and don’t know how to study effectively. Also, some teachers don’t even have Zoom classes, and for those who do, their classes mix with other classes at the same time schedule. It’s very disorganized and hectic.” —Brian Kim, sophomore
“So far, it’s not too bad. Of course, I miss seeing my friends every day, but there’s nothing I can do about it. The one big benefit of remote learning is that I can wake up at around 10 on most days and complete the work at times that work for me. I feel like I work better when I’m not sleep-deprived. My main unpopular opinion is that I’m actually kind of glad that we are getting a lot of work. It gives me something to do, and I’d rather be stressed about school than COVID-19.” —John Grossman, junior “I think remote learning has forced me to motivate myself on a level that I wasn’t used to before. When it comes to homework, the idea of ‘this is due in school tomorrow’ previously forced me to finish my work on time. The truth is that I miss the conversations I have with friends as we travel between classes. I miss raising my hand in a classroom. I think being in a live school environment brings the advantage of having immediate face-to-face contact with teachers and friends, which leads to a more dynamic and cohesive experience than online learning does.” —Claire De La Roche, junior “Online learning is very chill. I spend basically half my time doing homework early or goofing off because I don’t have a Zoom meeting, but that can change based on whether I have a project due or not.” —Joshua Yagupsky, sophomore “It’s great! Honestly, it’s so much better than regular school because my schedule is mainly based on what I feel like doing. Also, I don’t have to spend two hours commuting which gives me more time to do things I actually enjoy. It’s not similar at all because I get to have a better sleep schedule; I get to eat whenever I want, and if I’m feeling bored or tired, I get to give myself a break. I think overall there’s more independence in online school.” —Selena Ho, freshman “Online learning is not that great. Teachers end up giving so much more homework since they think that we have nothing better to do. Also, by waking up later, I already have so much to do from the very beginning, and it feels like I am always behind. Furthermore, not being able to physically see my friends is a very very big issue for me as they were my moral support throughout all of high school. Also, the fact that I can’t really leave my house anymore is really taking a toll on me emotionally as being with my parents all the time can be very stressful. In addition, I feel like I am more unprepared than ever to take the AP due to online classes.” —Emily Chervinsky, junior
“The most challenging adjustment that I have had to make was my own mental division between work and leisure. Physically, doing work for hours and then eating, sleeping, or resting with my family in the same vicinity allows for no clear break between two types of activities requiring two very different mindsets. With regards to lesson plans, there are clearly still some technical struggles with transitions in the timing of and the media through which classes and assignments are executed. Casual interactions and important bonding with friends have become less direct or frequent, and the closest we can get to talking with our peers like before is through blurred, often lagged screens of them from far away.” —Yume Igarashi, junior “I feel like the current style of teaching will not prepare me well for any standardized teaching. For learning, sometimes I find myself stuck and having no other options but to go online and search for YouTube videos. It’s really nice that teachers are keeping in mind that things are changing for students, too. All my teachers have checked in and asked how we’re doing, and I think that’s really nice.” —Zhen Jie Huang, junior
“As a second term senior, online learning is as easy of an adjustment [as] I assumed it was going to be. However, I can’t help but feel that my last few celebratory months of high school were robbed from me. Our class will probably never have our prom, graduation, college apparel day, and the other traditions that we were looking forward to. So, online learning? Yes, it’s easy. Yes, I love waking up late every day. But I would have never traded it for the high school experiences that I’m missing out on.” —Claire Han, senior “Remote learning has proven to be as, if not more, effective than in-school instruction. This is the first time I’ve been able to get more than six hours of sleep nightly for the entirety of my Stuyvesant experience, and not constantly feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and sleep-deprived has been not only a huge boost in terms of my productivity and retention of the material being taught, but in terms of my mental health as well. The real worst part about this whole experience, other than the volatility and uncertainty of the virus itself, is not being able to interact with friends face-to-face, which is one of the redeeming parts of going to a physical location.” —Ethan Shenker, junior “Overall, Stuy hasn’t done that bad of a job, but it […] depends a lot on teachers. Some of my teachers are more technologically inclined than others, so some classes are better than others. My first Zoom class last week didn’t go that smoothly because my teacher wasn’t really sure of what she was doing in regards to operating Zoom and communicating with everyone, but I guess there’s just a learning curve for everyone, and the teachers will get adjusted to the platforms that they are using.” —Jessica Lazis, senior “I definitely feel less prepared for AP exams especially considering the changes coming to them. [The] College Board posted that the AP exams are now going to be 45 minutes, and I’ve already purchased books for the AP exams, and they’re of no use to me now. It’s just a scary time for students. We don’t know what to expect, and it’s kinda worrying. For subjects like physics, I just feel that I can’t learn if I’m not in a classroom.” —Yousef Amin, junior “Online learning is going alright for me. [T]hough it isn’t a perfect system, I enjoy having more control over my time. And, if I ever have a question, most people respond pretty quickly! I also have more free time than usual, and I’m able to pursue more creative projects, like photography.” —Athena Lam, junior
“I know we are learning the same curriculum, at the same time and at the same pace, but I just don’t feel like we are truly together.” —Ava Fung, freshman
“I can do work when I want to do work. When I got tired, I couldn’t nap in class. But now, I can do the work later.” —Kelly Huang, junior
Check out more content for this spread here.
“I’m a little happier because I have more freedom and time to myself. I’m someone who can create my own structure, so I think that it’s been working pretty well. I think [learning at home] is pretty much the same because the teachers are talking, and it still feels like I’m in class. The only thing that is a little bit different for me is that I don’t have my peers with me and there [are] less group activities. I spend the whole day [doing homework].” —Lauren Lee, freshman
“I think the online learning system is very disorganized, with teachers using several platforms that we have to manage constantly. So far, online learning is very hectic for me, as working and studying in a home environment is uncomfortable and distracting. My schedule is to wake up at 8:00 or earlier depending on my schedule, attend classes online, and do HW or other stuff during the downtime. After ‘school,’ I just chat with friends and play games online.” —Steven Lee, junior
“Online learning has been rather pleasant. The only classes that are truly hampered by online learning for me are AP United States History because it is harder to make connections and English because it is hard to have class discussions. People are forced to learn scheduling skills and time management skills because we have to set our own schedules. We are forced to adapt and that helps us for college and beyond.” —Leo Xiao, junior
Spring Break Cancelled Amid COVID-19 Pandemic By ANDY CHEN, STEPHY CHEN, JENNY LIU, EVELYN MA, ANA-MARIA SKARICIC, and ALEC SHAFRAN Spring break, which was supposed to last from April 9 to 17, has been canceled, with schools mandated to continue remote learning during the days originally designated for break. Governor Andrew Cuomo had ordered a partial cancellation of spring break from April 13 to 17 on March 31, with the stipulation that April 9 and 10, which are the beginnings of Passover and Good Friday, would remain non-instructional days. In a letter to teachers on April 3 however, Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor Richard Carranza declared that “schools must continue to offer remote learning, including during days that were previously scheduled as breaks,” designating all of spring break to be remote learning days. The cancellation of spring break elicited mixed reactions from teachers. “The switch to remote learning caused a lot of stress and a bigger-than-usual workload for everyone, but especially for students. We all accepted that with the understanding that after a couple of weeks of hard work, we would be able to catch our breaths and relax a bit,” physics teacher Thomas Strasser said in an e-mail interview.
Teachers, however, understand that the break was canceled in hopes of keeping students inside and safe. “Like everyone else, I was looking forward to the break. But when the NYS [New York State] Health Department asked teachers through the DOE to continue to teach in order to keep students inside, I bought into the plan,” social studies teacher Dr. Lisa Greenwald said in an e-mail interview. “Teaching online hasn’t been easy, but I feel incredibly privileged to be working from the safety of my home when there are so many people who are working on the outside risking their lives.” Many students, especially those observing Passover and other religious holidays during the break, were upset about the continuation of remote learning. “The Passover seders are a time to lean back in your chair and read the tribulations and triumphs of your ancestors. It’s a time of relaxation and bliss. I just felt it was kind of ridiculous to cancel that kind of holiday and make someone go do work in school,” junior Jonah Keller said. Despite his unhappiness with designating April 9 and 10 as school days, Keller specified that canceling the rest of spring break was not a religious conflict for him. “Teachers were basically given only three days off to learn how to use entirely new systems and plat-
forms and just the entire remote learning system. We’re all adjusting. I think everyone just needs a little break from the chaos,” he said. Sophomore Morris Raskin agreed. “I am fine with attending school while observing Passover. For me, it’s not a super intensive holiday in terms of how much time it takes up or the amount of observance you need to commit to,” he said. “I think the DOE is wrong to take away spring break. It’s not because I think that it will interfere with my religious celebration but because we deserve a Spring Break at this point. We’ve worked really hard for it over these past few weeks.” Many teachers also disagreed with the city’s decision of canceling April 9 and April 10 as days of the break, both because of their religious significance and because they felt that their students deserve a break. “Everyone has been working harder than usual the last week, and we all deserved at least a long weekend. It also seems that little consideration was given to the religious holidays that many students and teachers want to celebrate especially in difficult times like these. No one should be at a disadvantage for that, and of course, everyone should be excused for observing their religious holidays,” Strasser said. “What makes this decision even more incomprehensible is that
Mayor [Bill] de Blasio was the one who introduced Eid al-Adha, Eid alFitr, and Lunar New Year as school holidays to allow more people to celebrate their religious holidays.” In a response to the city’s cancellations, the Stuyvesant administration has worked to create a modified schedule for the week of spring break. In an e-mail to Stuyvesant faculty, Principal Eric Contreras wrote that student work would not be assigned or due on April 9 and 10, including “tests, papers, projects, or live sessions.” The following week, from April 13 to 17, students will not have any assigned work or assessments, and can instead attend office hours with teachers and counselor-led wellness activities. “I hope [the cancellation of assignments and tests] diminishes the stress level,” Strasser said. “I already decided to give very little work on these days [anyway] and allowed students to do it ahead of time so that students could create their own ‘break;’ they needed it and deserved it.” Despite the overlap of Passover and the canceled spring break, several Jewish students still feel that the administration has handled the situation well. “At first, I was taken aback. Throughout my entire time as a student in the New York City Public School System, Jewish holidays were recognized and allocated time off to be celebrated. When the
cancellation of spring break was first announced, I felt as though the one thing I could look forward to during this time of chaos would no longer remain, ” junior Henry Michaelson said in an e-mail interview. “I do believe, [however], that the administration handled the situation well. They have been very sensitive [toward the students and faculty] who are celebrating Passover while [maintaining] a sense of normalcy, [even during the disorder of] remote education.” Teachers have also commended the Stuyvesant administration for this decision and the Guidance Department for its efforts to alleviate the stress and anxieties of many students. “Thanks to the leadership of Stuyvesant and the commitment of the guidance counselors, spring break ‘work’ will be a series of fun and useful meetings and activities that will be beneficial to all,” Dr. Greenwald said. “Stuyvesant is a strong institution, full of people who care. That is why the Guidance Department has worked tirelessly to reach out to so many of you and your parents throughout very long days since schools closed and why they are sacrificing the entirety of their spring break to do more outreach and bring you content next week that can help you navigate these (and future) trying times.”
The Spectator • April 15, 2020
Page 5
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The Spectator • April 15, 2020
Page 6
News Outgoing Big Sib Chairs Leave a Lasting Legacy
By KATIE NG, MADELYN MAO, VEDAANT SHAH, RUIWEN TANG, and MOMOCA MAIRAJ
With the announcement of the incoming 2020-2021 Big Sib Chairs, the outgoing chairs, seniors Harper Andrews, Kristie Chu, Victoria Wong, Frank Yang, and Patrick Zheng, reflect on the changes they have introduced while leading the Big Sib Program. One major change that the chairs implemented was the addition of food tours to the annual homeroom picnics, which are held before the start of the school year. The chairs had heard complaints from previous years that the picnics at Battery Park were underwhelming, especially for the Little Sibs. “[People] were saying that the snacks people were buying just weren’t enough, though the picnics were advertised more as a lunch,” Wong said. “Instead of buying snacks, though some Big Sibs still did, we made Big Sibs split up their Little Sibs into groups [and] show their Little Sibs the area around Stuy [and] places they could eat during their freshman year. Together, they would choose a place to eat, and then eat there, and then come back to Battery Park for the games.” Many of the Big Sibs expressed their support for this change. “I really enjoyed the food tour! It gave the Big Sibs of each [homeroom] more personal time with their Little Sibs, as opposed to having to deal with a large group of Little Sibs and not being able to get to know any that well during the picnic because you’re responsible for so much,” senior Corinne Pita said in an e-mail interview. Senior Kaitlyn Lau added that the food tour allowed the Little Sibs to become more familiar with
the area around Stuyvesant. “Compared to […] the traditional snacks and games, I liked how the food tour played out. It’s great that we get to show them the diversity of the food options we have near Stuyvesant. The food tour also gets the Little Sibs more accustomed to Stuyvesant’s neighborhood, which really helps them feel more comfortable as they’re transitioning to high school,” she said in an e-mail interview. Though the food tour was mostly well-received, it was difficult to execute due to space limitations. “Even when you split up all the freshmen into two days and into morning and afternoon groups, there are still too many of them. It got pretty congested, and there were too many people everywhere,” junior Alan Guo said. “For example, by [the] time we got to Whole Foods, it was completely packed, so we all went to Ferry’s and then back to the park, so we couldn’t give them the full experience of the food tour.” The outgoing Big Sib Chairs also improved the Big Sib orientation this year, as they added ASPIRA and Black Students League (BSL) presentations. “We included them because we thought it was important for inclusivity and making sure Stuy is a really safe place for all the new people,” Zheng said. Many Big Sibs found the presentation important in the context of the SHSAT and racism at Stuyvesant. “It was a good presentation on racial sensitivity and very relevant to issues at Stuy,” junior and current Big Sib Chair Aki Yamaguchi said in an e-mail interview.
In addition, the chairs have improved the strike system, which had been criticized for its lack of transparency in past years. Previously, Big Sibs who received strikes were marked down on the strikes spreadsheet and were not notified about them. “Because we are so diligent about [strikes], we send out e-mails notifying [Big Sibs]. We also allow them to reply if they think the strike is not cor-
Tiffany Yu/ The Spectator
rect, and we will fix it,” Wong said. Furthermore, the chairs have implemented a systematic approach to tracking attendance. “In the past, there have been problems [in which] certain Big Sibs have come into question about whether or not they should continue to be Big Sibs,” Andrews said. “This year, we tried to establish a more concrete way of evaluating them at the end. We are currently doing homeroom evaluations, and we also did a much better job, at least we think so, keeping
track of who was where and when people didn’t show up to stuff.” Despite this, there are still improvements to be made in ensuring that all attendance is effectively recorded. “Honestly, I didn’t always remember to send attendance photos for the homeroom, and I didn’t really get reprimanded for it,” Pita said. “I don’t blame the chairs, however. They were all very busy people who had a lot to keep track of, so I just think attendance by Big Sibs is a responsibility better kept for [homeroom] leaders, and they should report if one Big Sib has been constantly absent from homeroom, and that’s when the Chairs should step in and take responsibility.” Overall, the program left a positive impression on the Little Sibs, as the new changes allowed the Big Sibs to support their Little Sibs more. “I felt as though the Big Sibs program was a lot of help,” freshman Ella Chan said. “They definitely have more insight as to what I should do.” While the Little Sibs gained valuable knowledge of the Stuyvesant environment from their Big Sibs, the Big Sibs developed valuable friendships with their younger peers. “I forged close bonds with many of them, and a few of them even became my classmates,” junior Ian Lau said. “My favorite part of being a Big Sib is seeing how capable my Little Sibs are and how much their perseverance and diligence can inspire me. It’s been such an honor being able to watch them find their niche in Stuyvesant.” Senior Zuwei Li agreed and said in an e-mail interview, “The
experience wasn’t that different from year to year, but every wave of [the] new incoming class brings me more joy because I am able to witness the community at Stuy flourish under my watch.” Throughout their term, the 2019-2020 Big Sib Chairs worked closely and effectively as a team to accomplish their goals this year. They found it rewarding despite the fact that their new responsibilities meant sacrificing the experience of forming relationships with Little Sibs. “Sacrificing the relationships with Little Sibs we could have had makes me want to work harder as a Big Sib Chair because it’s like I’m sacrificing something I know was really meaningful to me. I now have the ability to touch a lot of people, from Little Sibs to Big Sibs,” Chu said. The chairs also found the experience of leading the program memorable. From planning to organizing events, they gained valuable insight into leading and impacting others. “It’s nice to be behind the scenes and understand how the decisions get made, why we decide to go ahead with certain events, and why we make certain decisions […] as opposed to before when I was on the other side,” Yang said. Zheng added on, “One thing that you realize as a Big Sib Chair is how much your voice actually matters. Being a Big Sib, it matters a lot, as you are speaking to your Little Sibs, and you are trying to influence them, but as a Big Sibs Chair, you are influencing the Big Sibs.” Reflecting on this past year, the Big Sib Chairs are grateful to have formed meaningful relationships with one another beyond just being co-Chairs. “I just had a lot of fun working with the four others because they are really great people,” Andrews said.
College Board Announces Changes To AP Exams continued from page 1
teacher by May 26 in order to detect plagiarism and maintain integrity. To support students amid these new changes, the College Board has been offering various free resources, including practice short response questions available on the College Board website and live review sessions led by teachers. These classes and recordings can be accessed on the AP Youtube channel. Stuyvesant is also providing additional resources to students. “The amazing Stuyvesant librarians secured us access to ‘Alexander Street,’ which is a diverse array of documentary films that support the curriculum and student learning from home,” said social studies teacher Lori-Ann Newman, who teaches AP World History, in an e-mail interview. Though the exam will only cover topics taught before schools closed, some teachers are continuing to teach their students new material to avoid stunting their students’ knowledge. “I’m looking at the situation as I do during the year—what can I do, and what do I cover, and how deeply do I cover it in order to prepare my kids to thrive in a college math course, be it an applied or theoretical math course, physics, or econ[omics]?” said math teacher Jim Cocoros, who teaches AP Calculus BC, in an e-mail interview. “In this, I really do not concern myself with the AP exam per se, as I will cover topics that were taken off the AP exam over the last 20 to 30 years and topics that were taken off
just for the examination this year.” Teachers will help students prepare for the AP exams, but for many, as during a normal school year, that is not their main priority. “As far as test question preparation, the kids need to practice those, and I will help go over them in due course, but for me to just give AP style question after AP style question devoid of any theoretical basis for what’s going on is anathema to Stuyvesant, to the colleges that Stuyvesant kids attend, and to the spirit of the AP curriculum,” Cocoros said. Some teachers, however, have chosen to review earlier units before moving on to new content. “Since we’re not covering the end of the year on the test, I’ve gone back to do review early, and I’ll cover the late 20th century after the exam. I’d already been teaching DBQ skills, and the new rubric is close to the old one, so I’ve been going over differences, and we’re discussing and practicing the method of the new exam,” said social studies teacher Dr. Zachary Berman, who teaches AP World History, in an e-mail interview. The same is true for biology teacher Marissa Maggio, who teaches AP Biology. “[The modified AP Biology Exam is] only testing on units [one to six] (no evolution or ecology). We finished units [one to six] before COVID-19 started, so [the] curriculum for the test was done,” she said in an e-mail interview. “We finished Evolution during the first few weeks of COVID-19 distance learning. We are [now] reviewing all of the content units [by] doing practices FRQ’s, which is how
I prepared my classes last year for the most part. After the test, we will still cover the ecology unit.” While online learning and the fear surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic can make it difficult for students to fully focus on their lessons, teachers and students are both working toward preparing for the exams. “I don’t think [online learning is] as effective as being in a classroom because there’s a certain energy in the classroom that helps keep students (and myself) more engaged. But I do think my students are learning, and I think my teaching is effective, and I think they’ll do fine on the AP exam,” Dr. Berman said. “We’re really battling a two-pronged war here: one is how to teach online, and two is we’re in a pandemic, which is scary and distracting.” The changes to the AP exams have been positively received by some students. “My reaction to the AP changes was mostly relief. At the beginning of the year, I remember worrying about the number of AP tests I was taking, and then after registering for the tests, I saw how close the dates between them were. Now that the tests are much shorter and limited to one to two questions, I think it should probably be easier to handle,” junior Emily Chen said in an e-mail interview. “I like the new format better because the time is so much shorter. [Fortyfive] minutes for a test seems more manageable and less daunting than sitting in a room for a few hours. The new format may also be less stressful to prepare for because the content has been decreased, and I
personally think that short response questions are easier to prepare for.” Some students, however, feel the opposite way about the new time restrictions. “I feel okay about these changes, [t]hough I am a little stressed about the shorter time. I’m worried that I might make a mistake just because I’m stressed about running out of time. But I think that given the current situation, the new format is probably the best option,” junior Katie Leton said in an e-mail interview. Additionally, some are worried that the new exams may not accurately assess a year’s worth of content. “Since the tests are only one to two questions long now, I assume there is a chance that you just happen to not know a part of a question. I think the longer AP tests were definitely better at demonstrating overall knowledge on the subject, and I doubt a test with one to two questions can cover a year’s worth of material,” Chen said. Leton recognizes this as well and has adapted her studying to the new test. “Now that I know that the tests are open book and mostly short response, I won’t be studying specific information as much. There’s no point in cramming when I’ll be answering more general questions. I’m still going to study and practice test questions, but I won’t have to memorize as much as I’ve done in the past. I also might make study guides for tests with a lot of content; that way, I can consolidate all of my information into one place,” she said. “I don’t want to be flipping back and forth between my
textbook and notes, searching for a certain date or fact—especially with such a limited amount of time.” While the changes may not be perfect, students believe they are necessary given the current pandemic. “I’m taking the AP Physics 1 and AP English exams, and I think given the circumstances, the College Board made the right call. I think the adjustment to the exam is much needed and would be the fair thing to do because online learning is limited, and there is no way to administer a traditional three-hour long exam,” junior Jenny Huang said in an e-mail interview. Teachers agree that the College Board made the best decision with these changes. “I think that the College Board did what they thought was best to make the exam as equitable as possible across the country. I do not think that only two questions will be an accurate measure of the work done or knowledge gained over the course of the year—but there [is] no way to have thousands of students taking a three-hour exam online without Wi-Fi issues and rampant cheating,” Maggio said. Newman added on, saying, “It shows the College Board adapted to the changing circumstances and made the effort to still administer exams. Goals for College Board classes are for students to learn college level material and skills, demonstrate their learning on this exam, and potentially earn college credit. My hope is that the modified exams run smoothly and all students are provided with equitable access to credit potential.”
School Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year
continued from page 3
ing up with friends, eating from the halal cart, and walking around the city. I really miss the views of Manhattan and in general being outside,” junior Steven Lee said. To make up for the loss of physical interaction, students have been finding new ways to stay in
touch with their friends. “With everything closing down around me, I find myself missing all of the tastes of my neighborhood. I miss my friends as well, but it isn’t so bad as I can still enjoy group activities with them virtually, like Photo Roulette and group iMessage games,” junior Margaret Woo wrote in an e-mail interview.
Students are also trying to find the silver linings of remote learning, one being additional time to relax and refresh. “During the school year, I am fairly active, as I exercise regularly during my Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field seasons. However, I have actually found myself improving my stamina and health more so due to all of the free
time I now have,” Woo said. “I have been eating healthier and trying out new home workouts, which seem to be very beneficial so far and have improved my overall mood.” Many recognize that while online learning is far from ideal, they are fortunate to have access to the resources to communicate with others and continue their
education. “I have readily available technology and [Wi-Fi] at my disposal, so I’ve been able to complete school assignments and such. What I’m missing the most are my friends and club meetings,” junior Sarai Pridgen said. “But given the circumstances, there’s no better alternative to missing [club meetings and school events] right now.”
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 7
Features Logarithms and the Liberal Arts: The Life of Ms. Vollaro
By VERONIKA KOWALSKI
Growing up, mathematics teacher Dawn Vollaro had envisioned a future for herself as a fashion designer. She had watched the stars of the Emmys and Oscars walk down the Red Carpet, and she imagined herself creating the costumes the celebrities wore. “It seemed like an exciting career,” she remembered. When she was a little older, Vollaro attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts as an art major. At first, Vollaro was reluctant to enroll, as she was the only student from her middle school who was considering LaGuardia. Her father, though, gently influenced her decision in a way that would leave its mark on her for years to come. Vollaro remembered: “On the day I had to hand in my decision, he said, ‘I want you to try.’ That has always stuck with me.”
Over the course of her high school career, Vollaro had a revelation about herself: she loved explaining concepts, specifically math concepts, to others. One teacher who taught her math for four semesters, Ms. Lechner, validated Vollaro’s aptitude for geometry and precalculus. “I just adored her,” she said. “I understood whatever she did.” Vollaro’s sister, Michelle, who attended Stuyvesant High School, did not have the same good fortune with her teachers. Being twins, though, they were learning the same things at the same time. Vollaro had the opportunity to teach Michelle the concepts from class as soon as she came home. By doing so, she reinforced both her familial ties and her love of conveying logic. “[The] experience of helping other people with their math made a big impact on me,” she said. It was these early experiences that compelled Vollaro to pur-
sue math as a career as opposed to the arts. She also considered it more pragmatic to become a mathematician than to become an artist. “I’m a pretty practical person,” she said. “I liked my academics.” Vollaro earned both her bachelor’s and her master’s degrees at New York University, where she studied both Mathematics and Secondary School Math Education. While she was in graduate school, she held a part-time position at the Village Community School in the West Village. During her second year of graduate school, Vollaro became a student teacher at Stuyvesant. She was hired as a full-time teacher in the fall of 1993. Since then, she has held a part-time job at the College of Staten Island but prefers the environment and community at Stuyvesant. “There’s just nothing like it,” she admitted. “Everyone is motivated. I love the school, and [it’s] breaking my
heart being away [because of the coronavirus].” In addition to teaching, Vollaro takes care of her seven-yearold son, Dylan. Vollaro has to find unique ways of communicating with Dylan, who has autism and speech apraxia, a disorder that prevents the brain from coordinating the muscles necessary to form full sentences, similar to a stroke victim. Dylan has never been able to speak more than a few words at a time. He has made significant progress, though, as an “emergent talker,” and Vollaro has hope that he will be able to express himself more freely in the future. “One day, we’re going to be able to have a conversation, and I’m looking forward to that,” she said. “He lets the bad moments pass, [...] so he’s a huge inspiration to me.” Throughout her 23 years in the math department, Vollaro has maintained her connection to the arts. Her exams are completely handwritten, and occa-
sionally, she includes a comic strip segment or graphic on the exam paper. “I think it’s an expression of art to me when I hand-write an exam or if I draw something on it. It’s creative to me,” she added. She is also a selfproclaimed terrible typist: “No one complains about my handwriting, so I assume kids are able to read it,” she joked. In these strange and stressful times of being locked up in one’s own home, Vollaro turns to her own mother, who has dealt with many health problems throughout her life, for strength and guidance. Vollaro said of her mother, “She has been courageous, strong, and determined to live life to the fullest. She taught me to be self-reliant, resilient, and hopeful.” Vollaro also feels it is important to cut down on stress by seeking positivity. “You have to give yourself some grace,” she said. “Find something to laugh at during the day. You have to go easy on yourself.”
Let’s Face It and Study It By RACHEL VILDMAN
Studying is a necessary evil at Stuyvesant. Developing good study habits and using time wisely can help make study sessions more effective and maybe even less timeconsuming. Stuyvesant students share some of their favorite studying tips and tricks:
No Distractions
No one likes the feeling of having to go over loads of material the night before a test, especially if the test covers various units or multiple weeks of content. One way to avoid the overwhelming pileup is to take detailed notes in class. Sophomore Marie Check explained, “I don’t have time to write everything down [when studying] that I need to remember for my traditional classes, but I try to take insanely detailed notes in class.” The best time to fully understand a topic is when it is first taught. Though taking lots of notes during class can seem strenuous, it really helps in the long run. Check can attest to this: “When you write something down, you also say it to yourself at the same time, so you can fully absorb the information.” Taking this extra step tests whether the student really knows the concepts. If there’s any confusion, there is a teacher nearby ready to answer questions.
Most people find that studying is one of the more boring things in life. It is very easy to get distracted while reading over class notes, especially when a phone is sitting nearby, buzzing with notifications. Many students find that limiting distractions in the study space is one of the most effective tactics. Junior Sunny Bok shared, “You need to make sure there is silence, no food near you, no people, and that you are warm, but not too warm, or you will fall asleep.” Bok also added, “You need to work with a bright light and make sure there are no shadows obscuring your vision.” Finding the perfect condition with no distractions allows the brain to fully focus on the material at hand. It also means that studying will be way less time-consuming. One solid, distraction-free hour of studying is worth just as much as three hours punctuated by five-minute Facebook breaks.
Emily Young-Squire / The Spectator
Detailed Notes in Class
Practice Problems
Study Guide
A great way to study is to solve practice problems, particularly for subjects like math and computer science. “Doing practice problems allows [...] you to see how the concepts are applied,” junior Christine Yan shared. Most of the time, simply memorizing a formula isn’t the most effective way of studying. Redoing problems given in class or doing a little hunting on Google to find practice problems not only makes sure that the information is memorized, but also that the student knows its application and its relation to other topics. Practice problems can almost always give a preview of the types of questions that are going to be asked on the assessment. Because questions on the test could be similar, junior Tiffany Wu added, “The morning of the test, you should look over the trickiest questions and make sure you fully understand the [concepts] thoroughly.” Noticing mistakes made on the practice problems can help you avoid losing valuable points from making those same mistakes on tests.
Studying for an exam will be a lot easier if all the information being tested is consolidated in one place. Having a study guide helps separate the crucial facts from the excess information that isn’t needed for the test. According to Wu, the study-guide-making formula is this: “Get a piece of paper at the beginning of a unit and keep adding formulas and rules you learn over the course of the unit.” Adding information incrementally saves the student from having to write a sevenpage study guide the night before the test. It also provides a good reference sheet that only contains crucial information, and it can be flipped back to and used as a memory refresher on the material from one day ago, one week ago, and even one month ago. Online study guides can also be shared with friends, so everyone can contribute and make sure no information is left out.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Features Senior and amateur chef Moududur Rahman moved to the United States from rural Bangladesh when he was only seven years old. His father had been granted a work visa in the United States in 1998, and during this time, he extensively traveled back and forth between Bangladesh and the U.S. to keep in contact with both his family and his job. He eventually earned enough money to bring his family overseas so they could take advantage of the open job market and better educational opportunities. Rahman’s life in Bangladesh was filled with fun, friends, and adventure. He lived with his grandparents most of the time. At his grandparents’ house, he and his cousins would race to the lake nearby to cool off as often as they could. Additionally, there was a jungle behind his own home where he and his friends would meet to “tame the jungle” at six years old. “We tried our best to make our own path,” Rahman said. “That was really fun. I ended up getting my ankle twisted all the time, [though].” While Rahman’s pursuits in Bangladesh were certainly galvanizing, he was excited about the
By AVA FUNG and LAUREN LEE In the modern world, many people are obsessed with the “perfect body” portrayed on social media. The “perfect” body for women is a slim but toned figure, and men are supposed to be tall and muscular. In magazines and advertisements, the bodies of models and celebrities are the results of highly skilled modifications and photo editing. These beauty standards make their way from billboards and television into high schoolers’ minds. Many students have struggled with body image, and students from both Stuyvesant and other high schools have shared inspiring stories of how they are overcoming it. “When you don’t look a certain way, it’s hard to fit in and be just like everyone else,” freshman Sakib Khan said. For Khan, not looking like the people he saw in magazines or at the gym contributed to his insecurity: “I hit the gym, took my shirt off, and saw how jacked all the other men and women were. [Meanwhile,] I was stuck as a stick that couldn’t work out efficiently because of how
prospect of moving to this new country. “When we used to think of America, you think of LeBron James and hamburgers,” he said. The young Rahman had big plans: “I remember very distinctly that I really wanted to be LeBron James.” Now, more than 10 years later, Rahman is scoring threepointers in programming instead of basketball.
conclusion. “Eventually, something clicked in me and I realized that I shouldn’t be beating people up anymore,” he admitted. “[In the fifth grade], I realized I was having a lot more fun being nice to people.” In addition to making his classroom a safer place, this paradigm shift in thought had other positive consequences, too. He
higher level, AP Computer Science AB, was deemed so difficult that it was phased out in every school—except Stuyvesant. In a school full of intellectual risktakers, Rahman had no problem finding role models and fitting in. In particular, he finds inspiration in computer science teacher Peter Brooks, whom he would like to emulate. “He has this attitude of just being over it,” said Rahman, as if he’s seen all the problems. If there’s one he hasn’t encountered yet, he’s probably seen something like it before. Brooks emphasizes the value that “there’s no point in over-engineering a solution when what you have now works just as well,” Rahman said. Rahman brings this attitude to aspects of his life other than programming, such as cooking. Rahman taught himself how to cook the summer before his sophomore year. Inspired by his incredibly varied diet of rice and side dishes or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Rahman whipped himself an omelette in the spring of his freshman year. “It was disgusting,” he recalled. “It was so bad. It was burnt, the cheese wasn’t fully melted, and there were egg shells in it.” As he was raised not to waste food, he had every last bite. Scarfing down
“I remember very distinctly that I really wanted to be LeBron James.” —Moududur Rahman, senior When he entered the American public school system, Rahman struggled to fit in because of the language barrier. In Bangladesh, he was used to being treated by adults as a well-spoken member of society. In America, however, he was regarded differently. “I was just some immigrant kid who didn’t know English anymore, and people would treat me like I was stupid. It was so fundamentally infuriating that I became a bully,” he remembered. Around his preteen years, Rahman came to a noteworthy
“Learn to Love Yourself ”
little I can eat,” Khan said. The pressure on students to live up to the expectations they see in their everyday lives is one of the roots of the problem. An anonymous student (A) described how she felt pressured to change her body to fit in: “At the beginning of this year, a lot of the people in my friend group were really slim, and I felt as if I had to be that thin too,” she said. “So, sometimes I would skip my lunch or breakfast so I wouldn’t become ‘fat.’” It’s often the feeling that they don’t look as good as their “more beautiful” counterparts that can start to stir negative body image in the minds of young teens. “It’s easy to compare yourself to everyone else,” A said. “There are so many beautiful people, and when I look at my body in particular, it makes me feel bad about myself. [It makes me feel] like I’m not as good as everyone else, and I so badly want to be that.” Society presents the idea that there is only one kind of beautiful. The standard is so specific and exclusive that it’s naturally inconceivable and even genetically impossible to replicate. The feeling of
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was able to spend quality time with his peers-turned-friends. Because he spent more time with his peers, his English-language skills improved and he lost his Bengali accent. Most notably, he met his best friend Elva. Rahman decided to apply to Stuyvesant High School for one reason only: because of the uniquely high level of instruction in the computer science department. When the College Board was still developing their computer science curriculum, there were two levels of instruction. The
being judged can tremendously magnify the negative body image many teens have when they don’t meet a certain standard. Khan’s insecurity stems from the fear of not being able to control others’ perspectives toward him. “The insecurity of always wondering if people are staring at me is something that I can never seem to ignore,” he said. Many teens like Khan fear judgment from other people. For another student (B), social media was the main trigger. She explained how she started feeling insecure about her body in middle school, and her distaste for her height started much earlier, in elementary school. She attributes social media and TV shows as the main contributor to her negative body image. “From a young age, we watch a lot of shows or look up to figures on social media that have the perfect features, and it makes us think we aren’t as good as them because we don’t look as good,” she said. Social media intensifies the common negative mindset toward body image. Being behind screens makes it so easy to judge others, and it may be the reason we sometimes feel
that there are people staring and secretly judging us. However, B believes she is in the process of healing, as she’s no longer skipping meals and she’s eating healthier and caring for herself from within. She credits the realization of social media’s intense editing and narrow spotlight on other body types to feeli n g better
Rachel Chuong / The Spectator
By VERONIKA KOWALSKI
Motivated Moududur
his horrible omelette gave him the raging drive to perfect the art of omelette-cooking: “I just kept making omelets every single day for three months straight.” Now, his omelettes are cooked to perfection: “I can make you a French omelette. Runny inside, tender outside—the entire shebang in two minutes.” Rahman extended his cooking capabilities to other dishes that extended all over the world. He made it a habit to focus on the techniques of different regions of the world and imitate their styles until he felt comfortable with them. He has gained enough confidence in his skills that he is able to judge for himself what should go in a recipe. “I’ve tried to bring Mr. Brooks’s attitude when I’m cooking. It’s less about following recipes to the exact detail and more about ‘sure, put this in there,’” he said. Ultimately, Rahman is most thankful for the people around him. At Stuyvesant, he finds that the students and the staff are more emotionally charged and empathetic than anywhere he’s ever been. “It’s still the people that I really come back to. There’s a lot of empathy going on,” he acknowledged. “That’s something I vibe with very heavily.”
about her body. Many of the people that have recovered from their experiences with negative body image can confirm that the feeling of constantly worrying about how our bodies look can take a toll on our mental health. It is not always how we look that is important. It is who we are as people that can truly make us beautiful. “I would tell someone else to be kind to themselves because being so insecure and hating your body is lonely. You have to build the strength from within and realize it’s time to come back to reality,” A said. Though she herself is not done with her battle with her own body image, she hopes that no one else starts theirs. Since hers started with bullying, she expresses hope that everyone would be kinder to others and watch out for their triggers. The reality is that many people are struggling in silence, so we must be careful and mindful and look out for each other. “You have to learn to love yourself no matter what the social expectation is, and [you shouldn’t] change yourself for other people—change yourself for you,” B said.
The Art of Problem Solving
By ANGELA CAI
Mathematics in popular culture teems with negative stereotypes. Classic movies such as “Mean Girls” (2004) caricature mathletes as horribly dressed, snaggle-toothed nerds. To join them is “social suicide.” But here at Stuyvesant, math team is considered the school’s trophy magnet. Those who rise in the ranks are praised for their mathematical abilities. But what exactly is math team, and why is it such a big deal? Every year, incoming freshmen eager for a spot in math team take a highly selective placement test: of the 400 freshmen applying, only 68 spots are available. Those who are admitted take Problem Solving as an elective, learn topics that aren’t readily
taught in typical math classes, and hope for a chance to compete in competitions outside of Stuyvesant. For many, part of math team’s appeal is finding joy in the process of solving challenging problems. Sophomore Jerry Liang shared, “The amount of deep thinking and joy that you get out of solving a question or making your own discoveries is a journey. I often sit around and pace for hours thinking about one problem.” “There’s a reason the course is called ‘Problem Solving,’” sophomore Xiaoshen Ma added. “The problems may seem hard, but at the end of the day, as long as you know your stuff, the main challenge is putting together the puzzle.” But not everyone’s mathematical journey has been smooth.
Senior and co-captain Nancy Kuang described her rocky start with competitive math in middle school: “I did poorly on contests and was behind on problem sets. I also didn’t make many friends, and the few people I was friends with said they would probably quit at the end of the year.” Despite the dismal start, Kuang persevered and found inspiration in a great group of role models. “They inspired me to stay on the team and practice more than I had the year before, and if it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. Even senior and co-captain Akash Das admits that he learns something new every day. “I’ve been a part of math team for many years, and I’ve familiarcontinued on page 9
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 9
Features The Art of Problem Solving
continued from page 8
and Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament. “When there are no competitions in the near future, we can use the Friday practices to mix it up and arrange the teams so that people get the chance to work with people they don’t normally work with, which is also a lot of fun,” Das said. “The main goal, as I see it, is for students to get used to working with each other, get to know each other better, and work with different students each week. As they go on, they may have opportunities to represent NYC on the NYC math team and travel to a few competitions, where such teamwork will be essential, so we’re [partly] practicing for that too,” Sterr explained. Additionally, after-school sessions offer more than extra practice; they also foster friendship and provide a sense of community for those passionate about mathematics. “It’s very rare to find such a large group of tight-knit freshmen who are really dedicated to math team and [...] continually come to practices to learn from their upperclassmen and improve,” Kuang said. However, math team’s suc-
cess wouldn’t have grown to such an extent without collaboration between the students and teachers. “The teachers and students all share this bond, this love for mathematics. The coaches, Stan Kats, Jim Cocoros, and Brian Sterr are extremely passionate and truly wish for you to do the best you can and grow in mathematics. The math team captains, Kimi Sun, Akash Das, and Nancy Kuang [epitomize] this—they are incredibly dedicated and always look out for all of us,” Liang said. Sophomore Joshua Gao agreed: “People attending those Friday meets have the same love and passion for math as you, so it’s a very relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.” Despite the stereotypes, Liang wants people to understand that the kids on math team are just as human as everyone else. “Members of math team aren’t calculators or machines. We are people who like to have fun too,” he said. “After school, we often go get milkshakes together, play ping pong, [and] play online card games.” “Some of the juniors go to room 407 right after 10th period ends to play Mario on the new smartboard,” Kuang added.
Michele Yi / The Spectator
ized myself [with] many different problems and concepts,” he said. “But, I still, to this day, find myself stumbling upon new problems and interesting solutions I’ve never seen before.” Practice is key, and practice sessions held after school are a great place for students to brush up on their skills. These after-school practices are usually held on Wednesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays place more focus on the American Math Contest (AMC), which is split into the AMC 10 and AMC 12: each is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice examination. The top 2.5 percent of scorers of the AMC 10 and the top 5 percent of scorers of the AMC 12 get the opportunity to take the American Invitational Math Examination (AIME), which eventually leads to the International Mathematics Olympiad. Students are given an hour to work on past problems from the AMC 10, AMC 12, or AIME individually. Later, they put up the answers and go over some of the problems. Juniors and seniors help run these practices. On Fridays, practice is mainly
based on qualifying for the New York City Math Team (NYCMT), whose members are chosen through their performance on competitions such as the New York State Mathematics League (NYSML) and American Regions Mathematics League (ARML). Practice problems are selected from a variety of math competitions from countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the United States. “There are certain contests that I know are the right level for our freshmen and sophomores that I prefer to use, but I like to change it up and do different contests and formats pretty often,” said mathematics teacher Brian Sterr in an e-mail interview. When organizing these practices, it’s also important to take into account students’ different skill sets. “We average about 90 students and split students up into four rooms,” explained Kuang. While the freshmen and sophomores work on past NYSMLs, upperclassmen and NYCMT members spend these practices prepping for other upcoming competitions such as Princeton University Mathematics Competition, Carnegie Mellon Information Mathematics Competition,
“Math team, to me, with the mountain climbing analogy, is the group of people who are always there with you, whether or not they are on the peak and offering you a hand or right next to you, encouraging you to go on. The senior math team captains and teachers are the guides that point you in the right direction and help you grow to conquer these challenges,” Liang said. “But in the end, we are all doing this for enjoyment. There are ups and downs, but it is the community that holds us strong.”
Teachers’ Take on Grading By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
While our student body firmly stands at either Pass/Fail or numerical grades, our teachers also have their own opinions on the grading debate for this semester. Here’s what they think:
MATTHEW POLAZZO, PASS/FAIL
DR. LISA GREENWALD, OPT-IN FOR NUMERICAL OR PASS/FAIL
My feeling is that it should be pass/fail. No matter what solution we come up with somebody is going to get screwed. I understand that for some juniors that can be really bad. In a perfect world, you let students pick. But that would be a problem; you can never assume good things about admission officers. One compromise is ESNU. I just feel like it’s a pandemic. I have a student who was crying today. I have students who are physically fine but emotionally traumatized. I have students whose parents are sick. The sirens never stop. Some people’s family members are working in hospitals. To me, it just feels like we shouldn’t have kids worry about their academics at this time. I do think it’s fine for classes to still be happening; it’s a good distraction. I just feel like it’s wrong for kids to be super stressed out for grades at this time. But we are in the middle of a pandemic, so hopefully the DOE will change that policy. I do know that no matter what we do, people at Stuy are gonna be unhappy. They will be writing long, angry Facebook posts about it, and other people will be writing long, angry Facebook posts rebutting them. At the end of the day, pass/fail is the best option.
I prefer a grading system that has not been officially suggested. Right now in my five classes, I have many students who are doing very well in my online classes and some who have written to me that they appreciate many aspects of online learning. I also have a few students who are having difficulty—for a range of personal and/or circumstantial reasons. From anecdotal discussions with other teachers, I get the sense that they see a similar range of student experiences. My system would be more like a university grading policy: Numerical AND pass/fail. In other words, allow individual students to take any of their classes for a numerical grade or pass/fail. This system would work for a few reasons. It would satisfy the needs of a range of students—some of whom are thriving academically with online learning and some who are struggling. It would also allow all students to prioritize classes: in some, they might be thriving and want to achieve a high grade; in others, they might be having more difficulty because of a variety of factors. Pass/fail would take some of the pressure off. Numerical grades would be averaged into gradepoint averages; pass/fail would not. This would incentivize students to persevere at home and not hurt students who are having difficulty for whatever the reason—their gradepoint average from prior to school closure would be preserved. This would make class ranking and overall gradepoint average—what the school and colleges use for academic measurement—consistent and meaningful with as little disruption as possible. This would do the least harm to students’ college applications.
ERIC GROSSMAN, NON-NUMERICAL GRADES, E/S/N/U
BRIAN STERR, A/B/C/D
Sometimes there’s no fair solution. There’s simply the least unfair, and I think that’s the situation here. That said, if the DOE allows us to do what the school wants to do, I think the bulk of teachers and I would also favor non-numerical grades. Now especially, the idea that they represent some objective mastery of material feels ludicrous to me and the idea that students are starting in the same boat and have the same access to resources and time and for a million other reasons: I don’t think that number grades would do the job that they are supposed to do, and they would come farther from doing it than they usually do. I think I started feeling like maybe A/B/C/D/F might be a little better in that it allows for more distinction, but there are a couple things. One: those do translate into number grades by the DOE scale, so that’s really just a way to give number grades without giving number grades. Two: the longer this goes on and the more people are affected by this, teachers and students, the idea that we can draw those meaningful distinctions just feels silly to me. I wouldn’t favor that; I would favor ESNU.
My personal choice, if I could pick it, would be to use A, B, C, D, F, but with no numerical equivalent. Don’t average this semester at all, but put the letter on the transcript to give a general idea of the student’s performance. The lack of a numerical equivalent would alleviate the stress of how this semester will affect GPAs; the reduced number of grades makes it a simpler system; and I think it would work out to the students’ benefit. This is basically a pass/fail system in the sense that grades aren’t averaged, but it gives a bit more information than just whether the student did the bare minimum to pass or was relatively on par with the rest of the grades they have earned. I like A, B, C, D, F because any college or anyone else looking at it knows what those mean.
ERIC SMITH, PASS/FAIL
KATHERINE FLETCHER, E/S/N/U
I think the numerical grading system is silly, in general, so I’m definitely opposed to numerical grading this semester. I don’t believe there is any meaningful difference between a 94 and a 96 under normal circumstances, and even less so now. I think letter grades are fine as general qualitative descriptors of student performance, but I wouldn’t want their numerical equivalents (E = 95, G = 85, S = 75, etc.) to be averaged into students’ GPAs. There are so many variables that I think P/F is the best option.
I wish we could do ESNU; that would be my preference. One problem is that almost all of the so-called letter grade systems end up corresponding to a number. It’s like “I’m giving you an A, but that will be averaged as a 95,” so why not just give the students a 95? If I were in charge, I would be inclined to either do ESNU that does not get translated into a number grade and nobody’s GPA is affected negatively or positively this semester, or pass/fail. The GPA would not be affected at all this semester. The problem with that is I worry a little bit that student investment is just going to plummet. Why put forth your best effort if you are just going to try to pass? continued on page 10
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
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Editorials Number Grades? We’ll Pass continued from page 1
an ESNU system for final grades, we urge the administration to adopt a pass-fall system for third marking period grades. Grades are designed to reflect performance. Under normal circumstances, numerical grades, though imperfect, accomplish something close to that. The current circumstances, however, are far from normal. Given the chaos of remote learning and the host of challenges posed by the rapid transition to online schooling, it would be remiss to suggest that teachers can accurately assess student performance and distill that assessment into a number grade. To alter students’ GPAs based on their performance in an entirely new system instituted in the midst of a pandemic that has forced more than 90 percent of the world’s schools to close their doors would be nothing less than cruel. Indeed, even choices seemingly less extreme than number grades—whether a modified ESNU system or a more conventional ABCDF scale—have the same problem. With both options, the letters would serve as stand-ins for numbers that would be factored into students’ GPAs at the end of the semester, defeating much of the purpose of changing systems in the first place. Without a full elimination of number grades, students affected by or living with family members affected by COVID-19, students with difficult home situations or limited access to technology—or students simply overwhelmed by the stress of living through an unprecedented global crisis—will be shortchanged. What’s more, the disparity in resources among students across the city prevents any sort of even playing field. Though the DOE is attempting to reach out to underserved students and families, to claim that their efforts will be enough to close the gap in academic access is disingenuous. Stuyvesant, and ideally the New York City
public school system at large, should acknowledge the reality we face and to the extent an ESNU system is not an option, implement pass-fail grading for the rest of the academic year. There are, however, deficiencies with this grading system. For instance, students may feel less incentive to put the same amount of effort into their schoolwork because a passing mark constitutes such a wide range of grades: a 66 and 99 technically have the same worth. This imprecise measure of student performance may cultivate the mentality that doing the bare minimum is enough, lowering standards and leading to an overall decrease in the quality of work produced by students. In addition, as GPAs are a significant factor in college admissions, juniors will feel the brunt of the impact of implementing a pass-fail grading system. Juniors would not be given a final chance to improve their current GPAs—a pill that will surely be hard to swallow for those who direly need their averages from this semester to count. Many colleges have responded to these worries by communicating that they will contextualize applications given the unusual circumstances. Despite this response, some juniors may still not feel reassured as the college admissions system is notoriously unreliable and far from perfect. While it is clear that pass-fail is the best system of the limited options presented, it is difficult to deny that a flat ESNU-based grading system without any numerical correspondence would amend many of the faults that come with pass-fail, while maintaining most of the aspects of number grading that make it so attractive. Currently, the DOE’s policies do not allow ESNU grading on official high school transcripts. If there is, however, any take-away from the nationwide school closures, millions of people in quarantine, and widespread death and illness that has struck the planet in the past few months, it is that we are living in
circumstances that are far from normal. In light of the global crisis and all of its repercussions, the DOE should set aside its policy prohibiting schools from changing their grading systems mid-semester and allow schools to adopt ESNU grading for the final marking period. In an ideal world, these grades would be provided on student transcripts but would not be factored into GPAs. With the ESNU system, hard work and high performance could still be rewarded with fair marks. Additionally, appropriate effort would be necessary to achieve the grades that so many Stuyvesant students pine for, unlike the pass-fail system. What differentiates the ESNU system from the number system however, is that it takes into account the fact that we are currently experiencing a global pandemic. ESNU provides leniency that thousands of Stuyvesant students need to get through this treacherous period and simultaneously gives them an incentive to keep up with their work and use this time productively. Rather than acquiesce to the status quo, it is important to note that there is a grading system that has the potential to please the vast majority of students. ESNU grading may be the balance we need, and if the DOE cannot accommodate this system despite the extenuating circumstances, pass-fail is the next best thing. To say the least, the past few weeks have been a significant adjustment for all members of the Stuyvesant community. With these adjustments, it is important that we are also shifting away from the Stuyvesant mentality we have possessed for so long. Because with students losing access to resources, family members at risk of contracting grave illnesses, and anxieties plaguing our minds overall, the grade we receive in math this semester should be the least of our worries.
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Teachers’ Take on Grading continued from page 9 Note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Access the full responses here or use the QR code below.
HEATHER HUHN, ESNU OR PASS/FAIL
JOSINA DUNKEL, PASS/FAIL
From what I understand, the ESNU option that we did for marking period 1 and that we did for marking period 2 is not an option for marking period 3 […] but because that is not an option and the DOE has said that they’re not able to translate those into a grade that will work for us, then my preferred option is pass/fail. And I know there are a lot of pros and cons to both sides, but I think the biggest reason I would choose pass/fail right now is that the other options are translated into a numeric equivalent anyway, and that would disproportionately affect those who are being most impacted by COVID-19 right now.
I personally have been strongly advocating for pass/fail. Is that surprising to you? This is a pandemic. Absolutely everything in our society has changed, and the pressures that are on students and staff are overwhelming.
MICHAEL ORLANDO, A+/A/AI think there is a really good argument to be made for pass/ fail. There is a really good argument for an A+/A/A- system. I don’t know the answer between which one is better. If I were king of the DOE, and I could do whatever we want, I would have us on the A+/A/A- system. Where I have an issue is the idea that 97 and a 96 show a difference between a students’ performance in that class. There is no difference. My understanding is that if we do ESNU, they would still attach numbers to it […] if we do anything other than pass/fail, the DOE requires us to stick a number on it.
THOMAS STRASSER, PASS/FAIL First, in the situation we’re in, pass/fail is just the fairest system. Plenty of people are sick already, and it’s obvious that even more will get sick. I know that some of my students have family members that they need to take care of, either because they’re just sick or because of COVID-19 [...] it’s just not fair to those students to give grades when they’re at a severe disadvantage […] honestly, I cannot give grades on a numerical scale. I see students doing their work, and I trust that they are actually doing it themselves, but then again, I have no way to really check. It would be hypocritical to say that I can differentiate between a 93 and a 94, or a 85 and a 90, because I don’t have enough data.
ERIC CONTRERAS: E/S/N/U WITH CR/NC If we use ESNU or ABCDF in the third marking period, then we have to use the DOE’s version of using them, which equates to a number […] We use ESNU as a range; they use it as a specific equivalency numerically. What I’m asking for is, one, can I go to any form of letter grade ESNU or ABCD, and two, can I disconnect if from GPA? The place of potential compromise is ESNU with no connection to GPA […] and letting it be a qualitative value. So [the default is] ESNU, and for cases in which school counselors have identified extenuating circumstances, we allow CR or NC, credit or no credit.
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 11
Opinions Why the U.S. Should Supply Belarus With Oil By ELENA HLAMENKO
trade regulations on the nation in hopes of leveling Belarus’s economic dependency on Russia. In a visit to the former Soviet Republic earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that “the U.S. can supply 100 percent of Belarus’s oil needs.” But, the U.S. has yet to act on such bold promises.
In light of the U.S. searching for methods to curb Russian aggression—by backing Ukrainian nationalists in Maidan, condemning Russian involvement in Syria, and accusing Russia of involvement in domestic elections—supporting Belarus in a recurring oil dispute may seem like merely another counterattack on a U.S. rival. But by bolstering the Belorussian economy through oil shipments and lifted trade sanctions, the U.S. will develop Belorussian neutrality. During recurring conflicts between Russia, NATO, and the U.S., Belarus can serve as a valuable buffer zone independent of influence
from either party. In the case of future trade ultimatums from Russia, Belarus will be able to protect itself and its neighbors, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania— NATO’s weakest members. I n light o f
Mandy Li / The Spectator
Belarus—a country that’s not quite Russia and not quite the European Union (EU). Often dubbed “Europe’s last dictatorship” under the 26-year rule of its president, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus has made notable media headlines. In recent years, attention has been drawn to the country’s human rights violations against political protesters, its decision to maintain open borders amidst the coronavirus, and recently, the nation’s refusal to abide by newly imposed Russian trade regulations. The new regulations were presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of 2019, with the intention of fostering greater economic cooperation between the two nations. In exchange for reduced oil prices from Russia, Belarus would have to agree to become “integrated deeper into the Russian trade network,” likely losing some of its own export autonomy. In the words of Lukashenko, “the changes were not only deliberate, but meant to put the country further into Moscow’s embrace.” After Belarus refused to abide by the propositions, Russia retaliated by freezing all oil shipments to the nation in three day increments, eventually resuming shipments at unrealistic prices. Prior to the present oil price dispute, Russia was the provider of nearly 80 percent of
Belarus’ oil needs, offering heavily reduced prices. After signing a “sister-state” agreement in 1996—a pact that encouraged travel, economic aid, and a military alliance—Belarus became the protégé of its Eurasian neighbor. As one of the poorest nations recovering from 70 years of Soviet rule, Belarus was in need of Russian aid at the time. Nearly 25 years later, the Belorussian economy has become a reflection of the Russian market, with its own currency mirroring the value of the Russian ruble. Now, as the nation has become Russia’s next political target, Belarus is left with relatively few options. If it caves into Russian foreign policy demands, Belarus would lose the remainder of its financial sovereignty and ultimately be coerced into joining the Russian state. Present attempts to bypass Russian oil prices through the purchase of Norwegian oil is a temporary fix: as the 14th largest exporter of oil in the world, Norway also happens to be geographically close to Belarus and can thus provide modest shipping costs for its oil. Unfortunately, decreased shipment costs are not enough to provide oil at accessible prices and leave rates that are still too demanding of the crippled Belorussian economy. Fortunately, global leaders have taken notice of the oil crisis happening in Eastern Europe. The EU has already begun talks of removing scrutinized
growing tensions over alleged Russian meddling in U.S. elections, securing Belorussian neutrality should be prioritized—balancing the scales of the Belorussian economy through reduced-cost oil shipments is an important start. Aside from political motives, U.S. economic assistance in Belarus will provide crucial humanitarian aid. Though less than six percent of Belarus’s 10 million inhabitants are considered to be living in poverty, it is important to recognize the true nature of Belorussian living
standards. The infrastructure of the nation has remained virtually unchanged since the Soviet era, while an institutionalized wealth gap places one-third of the nation’s wealth in the hands of the top 20 percent. The average Belorussian citizen lives in the lower middle class, a condition that contributes to high rates of emigration. And U.S. oil provisions do more than stimulate Belorussian economic independence: they legitimize Belarus in the eyes of European nations and incentivize them to provide immigration pathways and increase employment opportunities by lifting trade barriers that are otherwise in place. While the U.S. supplies Belarus with oil, the Belorussian government will concentrate on the emerging nuclear industry in the nation: an energy source that President Lukashenko hopes will reduce dependency on oil by 50 percent. Meanwhile, by supplying Belarus with oil, the U.S. will secure a neutral territory on the Russian border, gain a buffer zone for NATO and EU members, and indirectly provide humanitarian aid to the nation. Though providing oil at reduced costs may come at a short-term economic disadvantage, it is clear that the long-term benefits outweigh the losses. In the meantime, we should watch how this small Eastern European nation can become a crucial player in global relations.
What’s Next? By LAMIA HAQUE COVID-19, a virus that haunts the thoughts of billions of people, has infected over 120,000 people in the United States, but it has affected millions. In several states, everything has come to a halt, with all non-essential businesses closing down and everyone being told to stay home. Big cities like Los Angeles and New York City have never seen such empty streets, and open spaces like Times Square are deserted. Everyone agrees that social distancing is key, but one cannot help but wonder how everyone’s lives will change as a result. The simplest way to phrase it is: what’s next? What happens to people who work in restaurants? What happens to people who drive taxis? What happens to people who are paying rent, or are paying off a mortgage? The federal government has come through with a $2 trillion stimulus package, but how much will that actually help the 330 million people living in the United States? COVID-19 may cause fear, but the fear of uncertainty in our collective present life is unprecedented. The current situation reflects the effects of three weeks of COVID-19, making it seem only temporary. It can seem feasible at the moment, and because the thought of it being more permanent is scary, thinking of it as temporary can be calming. However, it’s time to think of what will happen in the next few months. With the way the coronavirus is spreading, there is no way to truly know when normalcy or something close to normalcy will be restored. Considering that the United States is now in a state of national emergency, COVID-19 is a national problem and one that the federal government must manage. This goes for the effects of
COVID-19 as well: it is up to the federal government to provide relief options for people in financial trouble. Many people have expressed their struggles to the federal government, and this activism has worked. President Donald Trump signed into law a $2 trillion stimulus package for the American public on March 27, 2020. The package will give one-time direct payments to Americans: $1,200 per adult making up to $75,000 a year; $2,400 per married couple making up to $150,000 a year; a n d
also ignores people with ongoing medical conditions. There are millions of people in the United States with illnesses like diabetes and cardiac issues who regularly pay for medication. The $1,200-$2,400 may be helpful, but it will not cover their medication, rent, bills, and other necessities. T h e entire situation i s
truly surreal and it can be hard to understand others’ problems when you are not going through anything yourself. In light of that, I thought I would share my own experience as well as another experience with COVID-19 to show the reality of the situation. My family consists of my mom, my dad, my two sisters,
Sammi Chen / The Spectator
$500 per child. While this money will help families all over the country, it is only temporary relief. The stimulus package provides one-time payments, ignoring the fact that families will be out of money before the presence of COVID-19 has fully disappeared. The stimulus package
my brother, and me. My mom stays at home and my dad is a waiter at Eleven Madison Park, a restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant only offers dining, and there are no takeout or delivery options, which is typical for a gourmet restaurant like Eleven Madison Park. Like other waiters, much of the money my dad makes is made up of tips. With the restaurant closed, there are no tips, which means that there is no money coming into our family. We are lucky because my dad has saved some money over the years, but there are many costs that most kids do not ever see. My parents pay phone bills, internet bills, gas bills, water bills, and electricity bills. They pay for rent, food, clothes, and pretty much anything that I have around me and take for granted every day. My family is fine at the moment, but there is another story I would like to share of a family whose identity I’ll keep anonymous with a worsening financial situation. It is a family of a mom, a dad, and two kids. The dad is a taxi driver and the mom works at a chain drugstore. With people rarely going outside, there is no one to take taxi rides, leaving the dad with no income. Taxis are also typically rented for $300 a month, and with no income, it means that the family is in a monthly deficit of $300. To make up for this, the mom has taken on extra hours working at the drugstore, endangering her own health so that her family can have money for groceries and bills. The dad’s parents are also staying with the family, and their medical condi-
tions come with high expenses. The family also pays a monthly mortgage for their house, pushing them to take out loans that they do not know when they can pay back. The $2,400 will not last them long, and they have no idea of what will happen once that money is gone. During this time, it is important to remember that there are people who were suffering before COVID-19 and are suffering even more now. Most generations in the United States have never experienced something of this magnitude. The situation is only getting worse, and hopefully, the $2 trillion stimulus package will help stabilize hospitals and family lives. There is still uncertainty for what will happen after all of this is over. The businesses that shut down may take months to recover, and hundreds of families will continue to be in debt. The best option is to urge Congress to enact a law mandating a strong pandemic response team such that emergency plans are available in times of crisis. The current law gives the president extremely broad authority, risking abuse of such powers. A perfect example of this is when in 2018, President Trump eliminated a pandemic response unit that had prepared for a potential virus outbreak. If the executive branch did not have this kind of power, then that response team may have still been in office, allowing for faster responses and benefits for the American people. This entire experience will hopefully teach the United States government that preparation is important and that emergency protocols must be taken seriously. Though it is true that this pandemic came with little warning, it is also true that if the federal government had a real Plan B, it is likely that we would all be in much better shape.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Opinions The Racism Fueled by Western Media Coverage of COVID-19 By JENNY HUANG #Kungflu #Batsoup #chinaliedpeopledied Read the discriminatory hashtags that have trended on Twitter as COVID-19 cases in the U.S. grow at an unprecedented rate. Americans of all races and ethnicities now open Instagram and Facebook to horrific floods of anti-Asian racism. And for those of us who are Chinese-American ourselves—those of us who bear a striking resemblance to the children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents who have suffered undeserved physical and verbal abuse—our hearts continuously ache. “Go back to your country.” “Stop eating bats and cats— infectious, diseased animals.” “Thank you for bringing this deadly disease to America.” We silently endure the accusatory glares and the imperceptible shuffling as others shift away from us on the subway. We hold in our coughs and sneezes in fear of judgment. And we seethe with anger at the unfairness and irrationality of it all. How is it OUR fault? Anyone can contract and spread the coronavirus. So why all the hatred towards Asians? Because Asians have become the face of Western media coverage of the coronavirus, and China has become the center of Western criticism. This stems from a host of
factors, the first of which is that Western media’s coverage of COVID-19 is incredibly racialized. News articles and videos often use images or footage of Asians when reporting about the virus. Even when the content of the article has no relation to Asians or Asian-Americans, the images still feature Asians and areas dense with ChineseAmerican populations. The New York Daily News article titled “NYC Seeks At Least 20 Million to Fight Coronavirus: de Blasio Official,” for instance, includes an image of a group of Asian-Americans wearing masks at JFK airport, despite the fact that these people are completely irrelevant to the article’s content. The New York Post linked a picture of an Asian man wearing a mask in Flushing, Queens to their article about the first case of coronavirus in New York City on Twitter, even though the reported victim lived in Manhattan, not Flushing. These signifiers all subtly reinforce the association between Asians and the coronavirus. This perceived association escalates to racism as mainstream media platforms continue to publish articles and use header images that reinforce centuries-old stereotypes about China and its people. Media outlets’ coverage of the coronavirus sensational-
izes Chinese wet markets and criticizes the unsanitary culture of consuming exotic wildlife. CNN and Business Insider flood their articles with countless outdated photographs that showcase a wide array of sickening images, ranging from vendors selling live poultry to stalls where dog meat, peacocks, and Civet cats are being sold. Among these photos are also images of wildlife vendors that were
Sophia Li / The Spectator
not even taken in China, but that nonetheless work to further criticize China’s unsanitary consumption of wildlife. Business Insider displays images of bat vendors from Indonesia,
pangolin in Vietnam, and pig markets in the Philippines. The images are then accompanied by bolded descriptions that dramatize claims without a clear indication of the sourcing of these reports: “Reports indicate that before the Huanan market closed, vendors there sold seafood, meat, and live animals, including chickens, donkeys, sheep, pigs, foxes, badgers, bamboo rats, hedgehogs, and snakes.” However, wet markets in China generally do not engage in the selling of live wildlife, as these reports and images suggest. Wet markets, by definition, are fresh food markets that sell fresh vegetables and meat, as compared to the dry, packaged goods sold in supermarkets. Following the SARs-outbreak, wet-markets that continued to sell exotic wildlife have grown exceedingly rare. Most Western media misrepresent the nature of wet markets and unfairly criticize wet markets as a whole with the few cultural outliers. Moreover, outlets like CNN go so far as to indicate that China’s consumption of wildlife is rooted in its culture—“the cultural roots of China’s use of wild animals run deep”—when China, or any Asian country for that matter, does not have a tradi-
tion of eating exotic wildlife at all. The use of outdated photographs, along with sourceless, untrue descriptions, only propagates the tireless Orientalist trope that China and other Asian countries engage in uncivilized consumption of exotic wildlife that poses dangers—even ones as dire as the coronavirus pandemic—to global health. Despite admitting that the coronavirus may not even have originated from the Wuhan wet markets nor the consumption of wildlife, mainstream media continues to sensationalize its findings with its relentless racist tropes. The media’s portrayal has instigated an influx of hate crimes against Asian-Americans. Consumers of media have identified Asian-Americans as the carriers of the coronavirus due to racialized reporting. AsianAmericans, whose identities are more often than not perceived to be associated with their nationalities, suffer racist blows by those who pin the spread of the coronavirus on China and the Chinese’s “dirty, dog-eating habits.” To mainstream media: please stop engaging in sensationalist, racist coverage of the coronavirus. The needless blame has brought about an onslaught of excessive hate crimes. In the face of the crisis wrought by COVID-19, it is more crucial than ever to unite in solidarity and offer sympathy.
A Post-Corona Education System By ELIO TORRES University students across the country scrambled to vacate dorm rooms and arrange return flights just days after administrators revealed that students might see the rest of their spring semesters play out online. For educators and pupils alike, class cancellations were an unforeseen directive: teachers had not received training to teach across online platforms and students did not pay hefty tuitions to take classes from home. Following an unnerving surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States (U.S.) in early March, the burden of coming to a verdict on the imminent future of schooling was forced upon public school districts as well. Though we are only beginning to grapple with the cultural adjustments required to “flatten the curve,” the novel coronavirus has already overwhelmed healthcare systems, uprooted public gatherings, and tested the stability of the U.S. economy. We must realize that we are living in a liminal space, a time between ‘what was’ and ‘what’s next,’ and it is possible that we will step out of our quarantines into a completely reformed world. Nothing highlights the grit of our urban institutions more than the ability of the education
system to adapt to this disruption in record time. While local and federal governments are prioritizing policies that mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the 76.4 million students and 3.2 million full-time-equivalent teachers have been told to conduct business as usual with accessible online tools. It says something about the aptitude of educational innovation that schools have remained functional amidst a pandemic more disruptive than most people could have fathomed three months ago—before a microscopic, spiky-crowned virus upended civilization as we know it. Thus far, the world of academia has narrowly diverged from its outmoded and entrenched approaches to learning, but the changes brought about by COVID-19 have forced educators to adapt to the latest means of teaching technologically. We must not forget that online degrees have gained credibility in the global workforce over the past decade and the majority of employers embrace their merit. There were 6.3 million college students who took at least one online class in 2017. Extending the liberty of
online schooling to high school students will be practical for a technology-governed future. With increased exposure to online learning, high school stu-
Jennifer Sun / The Spectator
dents will be better equipped to enroll in an online college, and if online enrollment trends continue along the path of the past decade, the number of students that choose to pursue higher education in general is likely to increase. This is because online schooling is inherently more affordable without having to step
foot nor live on campus—the lack of room and board costs translates to lower debts upon graduation. Considering that many online schools work with asynchronous lessons—lessons that do not require the live supervision of faculty—they can offer many more subjects and fields of classes with fewer active teachers. In addition, many students prefer the offerings of online schooling; Stuyvesant students, for example, have expressed their partiality for the opportunity to sleep in and dodge lengthy commutes. A panel of students of the iNacol school argued that online schooling allows them to better pursue their passions, foster independence through a newfound ability to set their own schedule, and work without typical classroom distractions. Though online schools are currently a viable substitute for face-to-face teaching, we must assess their feasibility as a long-term replacement. This
is where COVID-19 enters the picture. While states have taken measures to compensate for losses in instructional time— New York State’s decision to repurpose spring break, for example—the global lockdown of educational institutions is sure to have an impact on academic performance. A shortage of Internet-accessing electronic devices, especially in economically disadvantaged communities, is an obstacle for school districts that are trying to work through the coronavirus. However, now that the pandemic has forced governments to invest in online learning resources, resources are more accessible than ever. No longer can the argument be made that we do not have ample resources to support online schooling. While this does not guarantee that schools will not return to their antiquated ways, a transition has become all the more feasible. In support of that point, teachers across the country are receiving free training in operating online programs, which has changed the trajectory of learning innovation and digitization. Once the pandemic subsides, there will be a substantive pool of experienced teachers who have worked with students online and who have adjusted to the work-fromhome lifestyle. If there is ever a time for change, it is now.
The Spectator â—? April 15, 2020
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Opinions Coronavirus, Not the “Chinese Virus” By JULIE HA
Michele Yi / The Spectator
As fears over the novel coronavirus outbreak capture American life, many East Asian Americans across the country endure added anxiety over the threat of verbal and physical attacks. While the coronavirus originated in China, East Asian Americans, who get mistaken for being of homogeneously Chinese ancestry, have seen a surge in racist acts against their communities, and the President is not helping. When Chinese officials claimed that the American military was responsible for the outbreak, Donald Trump retaliated against China’s disinformation campaign by painting the coronavirus as China’s fault and, as part of that campaign, coined the term “Chinese virus.” Variations on the term, such as “Wuhan virus” and “Kung-Flu,” have also sprung up among prominent conservatives, and despite the World Health Organization’s suggestion to avoid the use of geographical locations in naming illnesses, Trump and other Republicans have insisted on the usage of “Chinese virus.” Trump has faced widespread criticism for his language being “racist,” though he claimed, “It’s not racist at all. It comes from China. It’s accurate.” What Trump does not seem to understand is that while the term itself is not racist, it inspires xenophobic thinking by isolating Chinese Americans and every other East Asian who gets lumped together in the same group as them, and it encourages deep-rooted racial imagery of “hordes” of dirty and barbaric Asians. During a time that is already especially frightening for East Asian Americans, the term “Chinese virus” does not help to calm rampant racial stigma or protect East Asian communities from those who fail to isolate the wrongdoings of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from ethnic identity. Instead, it establishes Chinese Americans as a part of a diseased mass by associating the coronavirus with the Chinese people themselves, escalating the anti-Asian sentiment that already exists. As scapegoats, East Asian Americans have reported cases of physical assault, verbal abuse, name-calling, and being coughed or spat on in increasing numbers. John Yang, president of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), has recorded 400 violent incidents against Asian Americans in Washington DC within the past 2 1
days alone, and the “Chinese virus” term has real impacts on these numbers. An online forum called Stop AAPI Hate has even been created as a place to report racist and zenophobic incidents, reporting 650 cases of discrimination in the past week. Alternatively, many in the Asian American community have resorted to social media apps like WeChat and WhatsApp to express growing concerns and share their stories of abuse among their own communities. Even wearing face masks, a common practice to protect against the coronavirus, has become a racialized and precarious symbol of the virus. Last week, when my parents asked me to go to the grocery store with them, they handed me a mask to wear. Instead of putting it on right away, I questioned if I truly needed it and jokingly called my parents crazy for overreacting about the severity of the outbreak, downplaying it despite knowing that wearing a face mask is not an irrational thing to do. The bottom line was that I did not want to wear a mask because I clearly “looked” Chinese. The risk of having someone I did not know accuse me of bringing the “Chinese virus” to America, which would have been the reason that required them to stock up on groceries, frightened me. Oftentimes, I think about the vulnerability my parents face when they wear their face masks. Only speaking broken English, they do not have the means to defend themselves against accusatory statements. My worries are not uncommon, and they have made it clear to me just how prevalent the fear of racism is alongside fear of disease within the East Asian American community. “Chinese virus” is a form of scapegoating—and an aimless one at that. While Trump’s insistence on the term’s use was to clear up criticism over it being racist, defendants of the term have adopted a mentality of blame against the CCP and its censorship practices that facilitated the spread of the outbreak. They claim that refusing to let Beijing officials off the hook by using “Chinese virus” can do more good for the world in the future than harm to certain communities now, inevitably tying the term to the center of this global pandemic. However, an effective blame mentality that does more good than harm simply does not exist under a global pandemic. The main issue with prioritizing this blame mentality for the longterm in the world’s current state is the demarcation of East Asian Americans as less American than those who do not have to live with the struggle of racism. First, especially under a global pandemic, solving immediate and short-term problems seems to be the trend for many families who may not have the greatest economic means. For example, families who live paycheck to paycheck and resort to working during the coronavirus outbreak cannot be blamed for not working toward flattening the curve for the greater continued on page 15
China is Not the Victim BY CARTER LEY In the past few weeks, President Trump has received substantial criticism for his use of the term “Chinese virus” in both tweets and press conferences. This term, while provocative, is revealing of the Trump Administration and the Communist Party of China. Trump’s continued use of the term reflects the insecurity of his leadership. His terminology could be attributed to racism against Chinese people, but historically, Trump has been more direct with his racism (think back to his “Mexican rapist” comments and his defense of white supremacy). He also tweeted, “The spreading of the Virus is NOT [Asian-Americans’] fault in any way, shape, or form” and emphasized the importance of protecting the Asian American community. Though his term could definitely be seen as justifying racist actions, it seems that his intent was not racist. Instead, his term was motivated by a need to export blame. In the past few weeks, his administration has come under criticism from the media for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (though it is interesting to note that he has achieved a 60 percent approval rating on this issue, despite his 49 percent overall approval rating). Trump feels the need to transfer blame away from him and onto a scapegoat. Seeing as the virus originated in China, a historic adversary of his, it was only natural to blame the nation for the virus. This tactic raises the question, however, of whether or not the Chinese government can or should be blamed for the global pandemic. The Communist Party of China and its leader, President Xi Jinping, are at fault for the severity of the global pandemic. In early December, there were unofficial reports of dozens of cases of pneumonia in China from an unknown cause. Chinese scientists responded diligently and responsibly. They identified the virus, sequenced its DNA, and posted it on the internet on January 10, 2020, for the world to study. A doctor also posted a warning on Chinese social media WeChat to notify Chinese people. This occurred one day before China reported its first death. Immediately, the Communist Party organized a coverup and censored eight scientists who were raising alarm, dismissing them as quacks. Their motivation for the coverup is unclear. Whether it was to preserve their economy, domestic support, national pride, or international reputation, the Communist Party swiftly downplayed the virus. Even after realizing the severity of the outbreak, China refused the assistance of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. This refusal not only hurt their own public health efforts, but it also limited the international community’s ability to study the virus. Even after isolating the city of Wuhan, Chinese scientists have still withheld samples from global health experts. Instead of moving quickly to contain the virus at source, Chinese officials prioritized public relations. They repressed doctors instead of the virus. Without important warnings and information, the rest of the world, especially Europe and China’s neighbors, was left disturbingly unprepared when the quickly spreading virus reached their borders. Even countries like Singapore that were relatively prepared for the virus could have been even more prepared if the Chinese government had prioritized containment and warned the world earlier. It is impossible to say whether the global outbreak could have been avoided in the absence of Chinese censorship. What can be said, however, is that had the outbreak occurred in a democratic society, the countries of the world would have had more time to prepare for the pandemic—not because of
a superior medical research system, though this would have helped, but because of the free press. A democratic society may not have been able to fully contain the virus, but at the very least, it would have published details about the virus free from government censorship. A free society and press would have given the world a few weeks head start instead of downplaying and leaving the world unprepared like China did. China’s authoritarianism is not only liable for the spread of the virus–it may also be responsible for the inception of the virus itself. Because China’s leaders have no electoral obligations, they have limited incentive to prioritize their people. Therefore, these bureaucrats are free to direct their attention and funds to enlarging global hegemony through foreign spending while deprioritizing, say, public hygiene and sanitation. As a result, China has remarkably primitive public health regulations for a global superpower. Research from international NGOs such as Greenpeace have detailed China’s abundant air and water pollution, poor waste management, and underregulated “wet markets,” where live animals are sold. It is believed that COVID-19 emerged from one of their few hundred thousand “wet markets.” In 2002, China considered converting these markets into more sanitary supermarkets, but failed because it was “too expensive.” But China is not lacking funds– after the United States, China’s government outspends every other nation. Democratic governments prioritize their people and ensure public health needs are met before pursuing aggressive foreign policy agenda and other less essential spending. China’s government needs to be held accountable, both from within and abroad. If China had followed through with their sanitary upgrade in 2002, perhaps the world could have avoided this pandemic and been spared over one hundred thousand lives. Holding them accountable is the first towards a China that prioritizes sanitation and public health. The Communist Party’s mishandling of the pandemic is not isolated to the virus’s inception. First, China’s refusal to cooperate with global health experts has only intensified the pandemic—both in China and in the rest of the world. Second, they have expelled American reporters in China, a move that may be disconnected from the pandemic, but certainly did not help it. Not only did China downplay COVID-19 in their own press, but now they have restricted American journalists from reporting on it. Third, they continue to downplay the virus. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that China has under-reported both total cases and fatalities. Many have dismissed Trump’s “Chinese virus” term as racist, as discussed earlier. In her counterpoint piece, Julie Ha argues that even though the term is accurate, it should not be used because it can encourage and justify hate crimes against Asian Americans. She is correct—Trump is wrong to use the term and endanger innocent minorities. But he is correct in blaming China’s government for the pandemic. Criticizing a government is not racist; it is necessary to hold regimes accountable in order to ensure the preservation of human rights worldwide. China’s developed economy and immense global hegemony do not grant it immunity to suspicion or wrongdoing. In fact, the pandemic should eliminate any remaining optimism that the Communist Party is a responsible global institution. Likewise, many argue that we should be careful not to politicize the pandemic. But COVID-19 is only as severe as it is because of the inappropriate actions of policontinued on page 15
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Opinions Coronavirus, Not the “Chinese Virus” continued from page 14 good. In this same way, immediate problems of inciting inherent racism cannot be swept under the rug simply because it is not an “everyone” problem. It is incredibly dangerous when blaming China for humanitarian and democratic purposes becomes associated with Americanness. Blaming China is a laugh in the face to East Asian Americans who expected protection from their government. It is not an American thing to do and letting conservatives convince Americans that it is forces East Asian Americans to either reason with racist remarks or delegitimize their own American identity. When East Asian Americans are told that using “Chinese virus” is necessary for the greater good of the entire world, it is made clear that the hypothetical needs of everyone else should take priority over their immediate needs of safety. Without a doubt, this outbreak is a long-term crisis and one that needs long-term solutions, and prioritizing immediate needs is not inevitable. Criticizing China’s censorship practices is not a new phenomenon; it has repeatedly been done before—for example, by allies of the Hong Kong protests and Chinese citizens on social media— but no political change has come from this pressure. Past failures at changing China’s censorship practices show that changing China’s regime is going to require a lot more than political criticism borne out of pettiness. A term that has already caused as much controversy as it did will certainly not be the wrench in China’s censorship system. There is time to pressure China. However, now, when the needs of all Americans are not met, is not the time. While no good can come from this blame mentality, using “Chinese virus” and denouncing the CCP’s actions can have a few effects. First, like many instances of scapegoating in the past, attributing the world’s crisis at the moment onto an ethnic group distracts us, those in America, from the failures of our own political administrations to protect the people. The issue at hand is that either Trump and his Republican allies did not have the emotional intelligence to recognize the dangerous
consequences for East Asian American communities in using the “Chinese virus” term, or the concerns of East Asian Americans were acknowledged but deprioritized for the sake of offloading blame onto a foreign entity. Undeniably, Trump has mishandled the outbreak—on top of our insufficient health system—from the beginning. Not only did Trump dissolve the National Security Council’s global health security office, which planned for disease outbreaks exactly like this one, but he has only made countless false claims about the virus’s treatments and frequency of cases. While hospitals scrap together the limited number of supplies available to them, Trump has downplayed the amount of supplies needed to handle the disease, recently sending 400 ventilators to New York after Governor Andrew Cuomo requested 30,000. Secondly, this blame mentality itself perpetuates a cycle of racism that “Chinese virus” supposedly does not. Criticism of the government always falls hardest on the backs of the people, even those thousands of miles away. By ostracizing the CCP as uncivilized and irrational, in contrast to the Western order, racist archetypes are reproduced— an incompetent China, in contrast to a competent America. This imagery of difference is rooted in “Yellow Peril” discourse, which describes East Asians as an existential threat to the Western order, and a history of orientalism. These racist tropes are just as relevant today in the wake of a global pandemic as they were in the nineteenth century, since for East Asian Americans, these exact tropes have rendered this pandemic not just a fight for health but also a fight for safety. Fear-mongering and ascribing “danger” to others as a result of the “Chinese virus” have become a reality for many, and there is privilege in being able to live outside of it. Likewise, there is privilege in hearing no difference when the president says “Chinese virus” as opposed to “coronavirus.” “Chinese virus” matters more to some people than others. However, those two words are the starting pistol for discrimination, and as long as East Asian Americans matter, the well-being of all Americans should take precedence.
China is Not the Victim continued from page 14 -iticians across the globe. This crisis is inherently political. If we want to avoid another global tragedy, we need to hold accountable the politicians who are at fault here. Some have also argued that the U.S. is equally at fault for the severity of the global pandemic because our leaders and public health officials, Trump included, left us unprepared for the virus. It is correct that we were inexcusably unprepared for COVID-19, but this doesn’t lessen China’s role in spreading the virus. Sure, America would have been better off if our testing infrastructure had been sufficient. But the entire world would have been better off if China hadn’t covered up the outbreak. The entire world would have been better off if China hadn’t refused international help. The entire world would have been better off if China had acted responsibly, contained the outbreak, and notified the world. At a certain point, the spread of the virus was inevitable, but there is no doubt that the Communist Party’s misguided priorities actively contributed to its rapid dissemination and severity. Blame is not mutually exclusive. American politicians should accept accountability for their own shortcomings in this crisis. But the consequences of American politicians’ decisions have affected mostly their constituents. The Communist Party’s decisions, in contrast, have affected the rest of the world. Because of this, the vast majority of blame should and does fall on the Communist Party for their role in spreading the disease. We can no longer give the Chinese Communist Party the benefit of the doubt: we need to expect this behavior from China. The Communist Party has a terrible track record when it comes to public health; they censored an AIDS outbreak in the late 1990s, they censored the 2003 SARS outbreak and refused to cooperate with global health leaders to control the outbreak, and last year, they failed to contain a swine fever outbreak that killed a quarter of the world’s pigs. This repeated censorship and inaction is a byproduct of their political system. The Chinese social contract rests on a single exchange: the Chinese people surrender electoral rights with the guarantee that quality of life will improve at a steady rate. But COVID-19 may be the contract’s Achilles’ heel. The lies about the pandemic have exposed the insecurity of the Chinese government’s leadership, and Chinese people are starting to become disillusioned with their authoritarian system. Chinese social media has been flooded with dissent and outrage regarding the Communist Party’s handling of the virus, especially among the nation’s youth. This combined with
lagging social improvements may mark the beginning of the end for Xi. Chinese history has been characterized by the dynastic cycle. The coronavirus could bring the end of Xi’s dynasty if enough pressure is placed on the regime, both from within China and from external powers. It is difficult to argue that regime change in China is either bad or unnecessary—look to the one million Uyghur Muslims they have placed in concentration camps in Xinjiang and the threat they pose to American hegemony. A government forced to lie to protect its reputation must be politically insecure. The pandemic presents an opportunity to capitalize on this disillusionment and end the Communist Party’s decades-long indoctrination of their people. Forcing Xi to accept accountability for COVID-19 is the first step toward crippling his hold over China. The coronavirus threatens Xi’s leadership more than Trump’s, and he knows that. He is rightfully scared. If democratic forces play this right, communism and censorship could end in China. Trump should do more than name-calling—he should seize this opportunity to democratize China. This is a decisive moment in Chinese history—only time will tell. Blaming the Chinese Communist Party is even more important in the context of their defamation campaign: Chinese officials are telling their citizens that the COVID-19 was created in a U.S. military lab and intentionally spread to mainland China. So far, the idea has achieved some popularity on Chinese social media sites. This also reveals the desperation of Chinese officials. President Trump and the Communist Party are both eager to transfer blame away from themselves. But Trump, unlike China, has chosen an accurate object of blame. The Communist Party, in contrast, is falsely blaming America, creating yet another incentive to blame China. America should not receive blame from the nation that deserves the most. President Trump is criticized for his disregard of science, but it seems that his Chinese counterpart is even more disconnected from modern science and medicine. Trump’s handling of the virus is far from perfect, but he does have one thing right: the Communist Party of China and the authoritarian system that accommodates it are at fault for the severity of this global pandemic. It is important to remember that the Chinese people are not at fault here, but don’t forget that their government is and should be held accountable. Don’t let Trump’s quasi-racist terminology distract from the fact that he is right: President Xi’s Communist Party ought to be blamed for the novel coronavirus and should be chastised by the world’s democracies.
Quarantine: Maybe It’s Not So Bad?
By MAYA NELSON Students across the city rejoiced upon first hearing the news that schools would be shut down. Not long after, though, fears of online classes, social isolation, and boredom started to erase those feelings of happiness at the news. Many, including myself, started to resent the idea of self-quarantine. How were we to go so long without seeing our friends? How long would it be until we all started losing our minds from being stuck in the same place with the same people every day? How were we supposed to navigate the complicated instructions and work left by our teachers to start the online class transition process? At first, the idea of quarantine sounded horrific. It had been just a few days and I already longed to go back to school and see my
friends. I even started to miss the things I formerly dreaded, such as my commute and seeing my teachers. However, as more days passed, I realized there are many things we can do to make quarantine more tolerable and—dare I say—fun. The most important thing is to maintain a schedule and stay on top of your work. As much as we can wish, this isn’t break. Set aside time to complete your schoolwork, actually have a sleep schedule, and incorporate breaks and free time so you don’t lose your mind. Despite how boring it sounds, having scheduled time to complete your work just like you once had at school can increase your productivity and even make you feel happier. A study conducted by Daniel Schneider from the University of California, Berkeley and Kristen Harknett from the University of California, San Fran-
cisco on the happiness of different workers with different schedules found that having a predictable routine can reduce stress and improve self-control. This can apply just as well to having an at home schedule to complete your work. My family has implemented our own schedule designed to mimic what we would usually follow at school, and I’ve found it to help me stay on track with the assignments I need to do. Pick up a hobby or two. Time that was previously spent on commute, free periods, and clubs is now gone. Now is the perfect time to find a pastime that you enjoy to fill your free time, whether that be learning an instrument, reading a book, or even playing HayDay. Hobbies are essential in preventing boredom and using your time productively. It’s important to not only find something that makes
you happy, but also something that doesn’t feel like you are wasting your time. Hobbies can offer an outlet for stress, prevent the creation of bad habits, improve memory, and depending on what your hobby is, help you remain physically healthy. During this time, I’ve picked up watercolor and baking to keep myself busy, which were two hobbies that I’d been wanting to try for the longest time but couldn’t because I didn’t have the time before. Keep in contact with your friends. It is essential to stay in contact during this time to maintain friendships and have someone to talk to. Since we cannot see them in the real world, it is just as important to connect with them digitally. Humans are social creatures; it is necessary for our mental health that we communicate with others. This time can
even be used to build closer connections with those you know, as we have more time to spend with others even if we cannot see them in person. Similar to maintaining good relations with friends, now is the perfect opportunity to bond with family. You’re going to be stuck with them for a while, so there’s no harm in talking more with your family and doing things you normally wouldn’t, like playing a boardgame or exploring your family’s history. Having social connections, whether that be in personwith the people around you ordigitally with your friends, is an important way to fill this time. Go outside once in a while. Staying inside all day is not the only option and can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. It’s important to
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Opinions Quarantine: Maybe It’s Not So Bad?
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go outside not just to get that vitamin D, but also to experience the many other benefits including better focus, lowered
blood pressure, less stress, and improved performance. Try to go for a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park, but be sure to maintain your distance of six feet! Almost every day, I have gone on a walk to the park near
my house with my family, and it feels great to be able to have a breath of fresh air and take my mind off of work. Use this time wisely. It’s not every day that we have a deadly virus plaguing the world and
causing the need to be self-isolated in our home for months! Stay connected with family and friends, make sure to balance school work with free time, and always be mindful of your health. Try something new and maybe
you’ll even find something you love that you never thought you’d enjoy before. Quarantine is whatever you make of it, and there are so many ways to get the best out of this time.
He Protecc, He Attacc—But Most Importantly, He Miss Shake Shacc
By RAE SEONG JEONG
Right now, counting the joys and privileges of life that the coronavirus has stripped away from us is easy. So allow me to add another one to that list. Never would I have imagined that I would miss going back to Stuyvesant High School. Even in all its stress-inducing, sleep-robbing glory, I miss talking with my friends. My brain, scarily enough, misses the mental stimulation. But my craving for social interaction or even an in-person education at Stuyvesant isn’t nearly as great as my cravings for what I can find just a couple blocks away from it: a gorgeous, mouthwatering burger from Shake Shack and a welldeserved reward during a lunch period after a stressful week. It is a reason to keep going, if I may, when all hope seems lost. But thanks to COVID-19, I’ve been Shake Shack-deprived for about a month. The withdrawal symptoms ensue—I’ve tried to cope by watching Shake Shack and other burger-related mukbang videos while eating Korean-styled home cooked meals at home, hoping to trick my taste buds into satisfying their carnivorous cravings once more. I have yet to find that satisfaction. What I have found, however, is one conclusion: through my research across the expanse of the internet’s food reviews, mukbangs, and cooking videos, and even my own cooking, I’ve conclusively determined that Shake Shack creates the best burgers in the United States. Starting off as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in New York City in 2001, Shake Shack epitomizes “The Empire State.” Within three years, it had become an established burger restaurant; fast-forward to the present day and it has over 275 locations. It remains one of the fastest-growing burger chains in the world; Shake Shack opened
73 new locations in 2019 alone and its overall revenue went up 29.4 percent since the year before. But Shake Shack’s rise to prominence is unprecedented. When looking at other wellknown burger chains, such as McDonald’s, which flexed a whopping 21 percent increase in share price in 2019, the recipe for explosive growth is relatively simple: marketing. McDonald’s investment in marketing, which was at $1.54 billion in 2018, helps bring in tens of billions of customers every year through television, radio, newspaper, and billboard ads; it even sponsors sporting events, ranging from the Little League to the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games. And it’s effective—even I’ll admit that an ad break on Youtube featuring a sizzling, cheesy Quarter Pounder® is guaranteed to have me drooling. Shake Shack, on the other hand, hardly invests in marketing. In fact, their entire marketing budget for 2017 was a mere $400,000. Despite that meager expense, they produced a revenue of $358,800,000—a return on investment of a staggering 89,600 percent. This means that Shake Shack’s biggest priority is the quality of their food—nothing else. According to Shake Shack’s website, patties are “freshly ground, never frozen, from 100 percent Angus beef that’s pasture raised, grain finished,” with “no hormones or antibiotics, ever.” Even their bacon, found on their SmokeShack®, is “100 percent gluten-free, MSG-free, [and] nitrite-free.” Shake Shack boasts healthy, sustainable, and freshly produced meat, an attractive feature for the modern burger consumer. According to Technomic’s 2015 Future of Limited Service Restaurants Consumer Trend Report, “high-quality, fresh food,” is the single most important factor for fast-food consumers. But this isn’t unique to Shake Shack. According to their web-
site, In-N-Out Burger, for example, a prominent burger chain from the West Coast, promises hamburger patties “using only fresh, 100 percent USDA ground chuck—free of additives, fillers and preservatives.” The patties, like Shake Shack’s, are also never frozen. What makes Shake Shack’s burgers better isn’t just the meat quality—it’s the preparation. It comes down to chemistry. Food experts and scientists have cracked the code: the secret ingredient to the beefy, umamiflavored explosion of the crispy, charred patties of Shake Shack is called the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food—the charred, sizzling crust of burger patties—its distinctive flavor. As expected, Shake Shack capitalizes on this reaction to the absolute maximum. They employ a “smashing” technique on their burgers, where they literally flatten their burgers on a flat-top grill with a patented “patty-smasher” to maximize the contact the patty has with the heat, thus intensifying the Maillard. Mark Rosati, Shake Shack’s culinary advisor, said, “The crust you’re developing is where all the flavor is.” The result is the iconic, half-inch thin, crispy, charred Shake Shack patty that has captured the hearts of millions. The Maillard reaction isn’t just for meat—it’s also used on Shake Shack’s buns. Like InN-Out Burger or McDonald’s, Shake Shack takes the time to toast their buns—but they feature a pillowy-soft non-GMO potato roll, as opposed to the conventional brioche or sesameseed burger buns. According to Rosati, the potato roll is key to
Shake Shack’s success—”with other buns, the longer they sit, they can get very, very dry.” The potato roll, on the other hand, “stays nice and moist.” Again, it comes down to chemistry: potato starch absorbs more water than wheat starch and helps retain it, ensuring that the buns don’t be-
c o m e soggy as you enjoy the burger. On top of that, Shake Shack makes a point to never slice the buns all the way through. They leave a “hinge,” preventing the delicious innards of the burger from slipping out the other end as you take a bite from it—an innovation that other burger chains have yet to top. But one of Shake Shack’s most distinctive accomplishments is their vegetarian options—specifically, the ‘Shroom Burger. A vegetarian masterpiece that even a crazed, carnivorous burgerlover like myself can legitimately enjoy. According to their website, it is a “crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato, [and] ShackSauce™.” According to Danny Meyer, the founder and CEO of Shake Shack’s parent company, Union Square Hospitality Group, the ‘Shroom Burger is only on the menu because “you would crave it even if you were not a vegetarian.” Hailed by countless food review platforms like Tripadvisor or Na-
Serena Chan / The Spectator
tional Public Radio’s “Sandwich Monday” as the best veggie burger known to man, Shake Shack’s ‘Shroom Burger has yet to find competition that comes close to its success. Most burger chains that offer vegetarian burgers at all feature the “Impossible Burger,” a vegetarian patty that in recent years has been met with increasingly fierce criticism. Chains like In-N-Out Burger or McDonald’s don’t even offer vegetarian patties—their vegetarian burgers are just their regular burgers without the patties. In its ingenious creativity, Shake Shack holds the indisputable first place in vegetarian burgers. Seriously—a stuffed, fried mushroom burger that explodes with cheese with each bite? Is that even a question? Alas, it seems that the biggest problem with Shake Shack’s burgers is that there simply isn’t enough of them. Though it is one of the fastest-growing burger chains, Shake Shack remains relatively tiny in size in comparison to more well-known franchises like McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, or even the west coast exclusive In-N-Out Burger. Especially where I live, in Bayside, Queens, a burger from Shake Shack is somewhat of a rare commodity. There are none nearby enough to easily travel to, and I’ve never been able to consistently indulge in it—until my freshman year at Stuyvesant, that is. Oh, glorious Battery Park City. You’ve allowed me to engorge myself at Shake Shack at an artery-clogging frequency. But since February, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, not only is eating in at a Shake Shack no longer possible, but Shake Shack’s shares are down 51 percent—unfortunately, for now, its expansion seems to be on hold. In the name of my sanity, may the quarantine come to a brisk end. I wish everyone the best of luck—stay safe, stay happy, and remember the Shack.
Indigenous Sovereignty in 2020 By ANNE RHEE
themselves of any blame. This is also not a problem limited to the bounds of the 21st century. The silencing of native sovereignty in the present is merely an extension of centuries of settler colonialism and extractive colonization, so it should be no surprise that such apathetic attitudes tow a r d indigeneity’s relationship with the environment continue to exist. At the same time, these issues also highlight how environmental damages cause social disruptions. As a result, the 21st century has seen increasing numbers of protests against colonialism, as seen in the 2016 Standing Rock protests; however, the preservation of white civilization always seems to outweigh matters regarding nannell
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ing was not only a victory for indigenous peoples but also for environmental activists. The decision proved that indigenous rights can be fought for and can stand against major oil corporations and the federal government in court battles, while also highlighting the continued exclusion of tribal concerns from federal environmental analyses. Specifically, the judge stated that the Trump Administration had violated federal law in lieu of pushing economic concerns over environmental concerns. The USACE is not the only actor to blame here, however. The constant prioritization of economic concerns over native communities’ wellbeing can be seen in Trump’s push to continue storing nuclear waste in the Yucca Mountains, home to the Western Shoshone nation, or in the expansion of the fracking industry into the territories of Australian indigenous peoples. This is not a problem limited to the U.S.— it’s become global, as governments continue colonial practices to maximize profit and absolve
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A federal court ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)—a federal agency that oversees dams, canals, and flood protection in the U.S.—had violated the National Environmental Policy Act by approving federal permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) on March 25. Legal battles over infrastructure are relatively commonplace; the full study on the impact of the pipeline that the judge then ordered—in order to specifically examine how it would affect the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe—was not. The Obama Administration had initially denied federal permits in 2016 after protests from both the Sioux tribe and environmental activists. The tribe and activists had together argued that the construction of the pipeline could potentially result in an oil spill, which would pollute the Sioux tribe’s supply of drinking water. Alongside the refusal to approve federal permits, President Barack Obama had also ordered
a full environmental impact statement about the effects on native rights. The statement was to explore alternative pipeline routes that would avoid polluting the Sioux’s water. However, during his first week of office in January 2017, President Donald Trump reversed the decision, and the DAPL was finished by June 2017. The tribe took the issue to court, which ruled that the USACE’s environmental analysis excluded the impact of the DAPL on native communities, and ordered them to conduct the analysis again. However, the court ruling did not shut down the pipeline. The Army Corps, after redoing the initial analysis that had failed to address any tribal concerns about the pipeline, concluded that this initial analysis had been sufficient, prompting the tribe to return to court and demand that the pipeline be shut down and the analysis be redone yet again. This time, the Sioux won the case, delaying any possible expansion of the pipeline for the time being. Dubbed a major victory for the Sioux, this federal court rul-
tives. Native tribes should have a voice in the conversation, too. It is important to recognize that even in the 21st century—however progressive and liberal it may be—the exclusionary nature of U.S. governance and the mentality that justified Native American genocide during Andrew Jackson’s presidency still exists today. While it may be a daunting task for high schoolers to consider how settler colonialism affects our daily lives, challenging mainstream historical lenses is a necessary shift in perspective that must be embraced to further emphasize resistance. Only by centering conversations about the federal government and the oil industry around the effects on native communities will we stop the exclusion of indigenous people. Otherwise, we will merely continue to repeat the mistakes from our past.
Athena Lam / The Spectator
Joseph Yu / The Spectator
Matt Melucci / The Spectator
Zoe Oppenheimer / The Spectator
Mary Shang / The Spectator
Anaïs Delfau / The Spectator
Sasha Burshteyn / The Spectator
Sophia Yuditsky / The Spectator
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Photo Essay Life at a Still
By THE PHOTO DEPARTMENT
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Science The No-Action Pandemic By GERARD LIN The coronavirus pandemic has rapidly developed since late January when the United States detected its first case in Washington State. The rest of the world had already begun to have a taste of the pandemic with China locking down Wuhan, the birthplace of the virus, and the Trump administration restricting travel to China. Fast forward two months to late March, and what started as one case in Washington exploded to 138,908 cases as of March 29 across all 50 states. New York State, just shy of 60 thousand cases, is at the top of the list for the most infections by a large margin. In addition, while the number of cases in some countries, namely China and Italy, has plateaued, the growing number of cases in the U.S. shows no sign of stopping. For the first time in centuries, the battle is at home against an invisible enemy immune to our country’s traditional military defenses. Despite the status of the U.S. as a wealthy country, an economic powerhouse, a hub for scientific innovation, and
By ARTHUR LIANG, ANGELINA CHANG, and SHAH NABIL Frightened citizens of the world have been responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a multitude of ways: some are blessed with the opportunity to continue their lives as normal and work from home, while many others have dedicated their life savings to panic-buying essential goods like hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Another notable essential good is the face mask, which has received a lot of attention because of its ability to prevent the exposure to and spread of the coronavirus. While it seems logical for everyone to purchase a stockpile of masks, the manner in which both the government and the general public have dealt with them is clearly disorganized. Due to the skyrocketing demand for masks, mask shortages have become increasingly common. The problems that this brings not only affects our wellbeing, but also that of those more vulnerable to the disease. Thus, it is critical that we have the knowledge, both scientifically and strategically, to deal with the mask situation and subsequently the pandemic as a whole. There are two main types of masks: the traditional surgical mask and the highly sought after N95 mask. Ideally, N95 masks are favorable because they are tightly-sealed respirators, designed to fit snugly around the mouth and nose to block out 95 percent of all 0.3-micrometer particles. In comparison, droplets created during talking, coughing, or sneezing are on average five micrometers in size. These masks are harder to manufacture than typical surgical masks because their structure is much more elaborate, and the active fabric in them, polypropylene, is in short supply. The filter is made by interlacing layers of polypropylene fibers so that pathogens have a high chance of getting stuck in between two fibers. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that surgical masks only marginally protect healthy individuals from being infected because of their loose fit. Before the virus, China was the world’s main face mask manufacturer, producing half of the world’s supply of masks, and it has since expanded production by over 12 times, now boasting the production of 115 million surgical masks and two million N95 masks per day. Unfortunately, a majority of these masks didn’t make it to the U.S. because China needed to utilize that increased supply for its own popu-
the world leader in health preparedness, the coronavirus outbreak has still managed to instill panic and disrupt our daily lives. The U.S., unlike other countries, has lagged behind in preventative measures. For example, the U.S. and South Korea both detected their first cases around the same time, but the number of tests conducted per person in South Korea soared. South Korea has tested around 360 thousand people as of March 25, 2020, while the U.S. has tested only around 420 thousand people despite having a population six times larger than South Korea’s. The lack of efficient testing misinforms health officials about how many people have truly been infected as well as where the hotspots associated with those infections are. In addition to poor testing, the U.S. has not taken effective measures to curb the economic impacts of the coronavirus. The outbreak has forced many people to stay at home, and only businesses deemed “essential” are allowed to remain open. Many restaurants are forced to lay off workers as the number of customers dwindle, greatly increas-
ing the number of unemployed. The partial shutdowns taking place across the country result in the economy suffering less than it would in a total shutdown as the risk of infection increases, prolonging the pandemic as long as a vaccine is not developed. The U.S. Senate only passed a $2 trillion package on March 27 to stimulate the tanking economy, which was initially shut down by Senate Democrats. Sadly, partisan politics slowed down the economic response that could have also helped slow the spread of the virus. The final contributor to the poor response of the U.S. to the coronavirus outbreak is the slow pace at which it is introducing aggressive social distancing policies. The U.S. has not initiated mandatory quarantines like those in Italy and China; rather, it has let each state determine its own way of controlling the outbreak. For example, some states have banned gatherings involving more than a certain number of people. Specifically in New York, the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., Governor Andrew Cuomo has banned gatherings above 500 people and closed public attractions. This number is
much too large and should be lowered to 100. For reference, Wikipedia defines a large church gathering as one that has 51-300 people, though many churches and other gathering places have opted to close. People are also choosing to stay at home, but these half measures aren’t very effective at preventing infections in the long run, as the NYC subway continues to operate. Service has already been cut due to falling ridership and worker shortages, highlighting how the late economic response is heavily impacting required infrastructure. However, the cuts to service may not help control the spread because fewer riders are on fewer trains, resulting in a similar rider-to-space ratio as that of normal service. A possible strategy to prevent the harsh economic backlash would be to invest heavily in makeshift hospital wards, quarantine those over 65 years old and those who have chronic respiratory illnesses, and let the virus burn through the rest of the population like a normal flu epidemic. This would require tremendous investment, but it is beginning to look plausible as large businesses
Unmasking the Mask Problem
lation, given that it was the world’s first COVID-19 epicenter. Masks from around the world were gifted mostly to them, and a majority of mask purchases were made by their anxious citizens. Consequently, many of the masks produced in China are distributed domestically, and only a small fraction is exported. Even though China is no longer the epicenter of the virus, its citizens have not lowered their guard, and exports to other countries remain low. As such, the prices of masks in the U.S. are still record-breakingly high. However, we should be mindful not to criticize and pressure China’s decisions because they are still trying to recover from the virus, and there is still the possibility of relapse. China is also sending goodwill packages to countries that donated masks to them, and small companies are finally starting to resume exports of masks. In the U.S., the WHO and CDC maintain that masks should be reserved for those who are sick and for health workers who are routinely working closely with infected patients. The CDC states that masks are more effective in stopping droplets from being discharged from the wearer’s nose as opposed to preventing infection in the first place. On the other hand, Asian countries are encouraging people to wear masks as a way to reduce overall community transmission and as an attempt to reassure the public that the government is handling the situation with poise. In fact, a new development in some regions requires anyone who goes outside to wear a mask. Otherwise, they may get arrested. Masks are a visual statement to those oblivious to the global pandemic; by wearing them, you are acknowledging that business is no longer as usual and that you are on board with any precautionary measures to stop the spread of the virus, including raising awareness about it. Many COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic and having everyone wear a mask reduces viral transmission from those who are unaware that they are infected. As such, China feels obligated to hold onto the masks, meaning that other countries are getting fewer masks. Of course, this is not beneficial to the U.S. because of the mask shortage. Many hospitals, care centers, and other medical facilities throughout the nation are fighting “a war without ammo,” as many doctors put it. They are treating patients with an inadequate number of masks and other protective supplies, desperately struggling to purchase and locate them while sending appeals to state and local health authorities to no avail. Our healthcare providers
cannot deal with the crisis at hand done if there are enough masks. Bewithout personal protective equip- fore other medical facilities buy into ment (PPE) and cannot see patients this idea to save money, they should if they are endangering themselves take stock and figure out how long as well. their supply of masks will last them. Many doctors and nurses are As for the practicality of this limited to a handful of masks per method, there is a precedent set shift; some are even given just one by UV decontamination during the mask to use indefinitely and are in- Ebola outbreak that proves deconstructed to spray it down with Lysol tamination is a normal practice for or wipe it off in between patients. sterilizing rooms with patients that No one knows how effective this is. have contracted a rare infectious It’s like performing a biology exper- disease. Additionally, studies done iment without ever changing micro- by the medical center show that UV pipette tips. How good can you ex- radiation can kill and inactivate vipect your results to be? Protecting ruses without damaging the mask our health workers from the virus or its effectiveness. The problem is essential to managing the panwith this claim is that these demic, as it ensures that the studies, done to confirm workforce of our medical suspicions, are small, facilities can handle the and everyinevitable one is on waves of a time new pacrunch tients. because Luckthis reily, mask supsearch was plies from preonly startvious epidemics ed durand generous ing major donations outbreaks. have helped Even so, fundthe U.S. remain ing for preventive afloat. Over seven thou- Sammi Chen / The Spectator studies is not prioritized sand masks were stored in the over funding to find a cure Washington National Cathedral in the midst of outbreaks, meaning since the 2005-2006 avian flu out- that more people will be infected in break. Companies also pitched in. the long run. Goldman Sachs donated four hunStill, there are not enough dred thousand masks to hospitals in masks to go around, as the DeNew York and New Jersey. Nasdaq partment of Health and Human donated 12 thousand masks to the Services estimates that the country Greater New York Hospital As- would need 3.5 billion masks if the sociation. Facebook donated its pandemic lasts for a year. This isn’t emergency reserve of 720 thousand totally unreasonable, as no official masks purchased in preparation organization has made predictions for the recent wildfires in Califor- as to when the pandemic may start nia. Apple donated over 10 million dying down. Therefore, engineers masks. However, people question have turned to 3D printing in an efwhy these private companies have fort to find a way to mass-produce such huge piles to donate when the even more masks. In just a few days, government is just scraping by with a team of biomedical engineers at its strategic reserve. Quality checks the Medical University of South and quality assurance are needed to Carolina (MUSC) developed the check for expiration and contami- Self-Assembly Filtration for Emernation before distribution. gencies Cartridge System, which is These aforementioned masks a filtration system that can be fitted are designed to be single-use items, onto hospital masks. Instead of atbut as shortages become more and tempting to recreate N95 masks, more commonplace across the na- the team designed a two-part solution, local administrations are start- tion: a reusable 3D printed mask ing to take matters into their own that will work alongside a 3D printhands by becoming more creative. ed disposable filter cartridge. In orAt the University of Nebraska Med- der to prevent outside air from enical Center, doctors have started tering when the wearer inhales, the using ultraviolet (UV) light decon- team attached a rubber valve that tamination and reuse. This, though shuts immediately after the wearer against the CDC’s regulations and exhales. The team has already been arguably a bad example for the printing and fit testing masks at rest of the country, is the “best of MUSC. The main obstacle now is bad choices” since the alternative the time it takes to create the masks: is not using respiratory protection it takes four to five hours to print equipment at all. The doctors at the and another hour to assemble each medical center say that resorting to mask. Because of this issue, the reusing is not ideal and shouldn’t be team has released the plans to allow
like Apple and Facebook pledge money and healthcare equipment to support coronavirus relief efforts. Allowing the virus to spread through the population may seem counterintuitive, but its low mortality rate and high recovery rate make this an appealing option. The alternative, developing a vaccine, may require even greater investment and time while still being vulnerable to mutations of the virus. By allowing the virus to spread, herd immunity can be developed. Enough people will be immune to the coronavirus so that the chain of transmission will be broken and the pandemic will end. As more resources are recruited to combat the coronavirus pandemic, containment of the outbreak seems highly likely, though the numbers give conflicting evidence. The fatality rate of coronavirus in the U.S. is two percent compared to the global fatality rate of five percent, indicating that the U.S. is only in the beginning stages of the pandemic and that coronavirus cases have not yet overwhelmed the healthcare system. However, it is to be determined in the upcoming days if this will remain true.
anyone with a 3D printer to produce the masks. Even the Stuyvesant robotics team has considered 3D printing masks, but the team’s advisor, Mr. Blay, decided against going into the school to do so. Large companies such as HP Inc. have also been mobilizing their teams to create 3D printed protective gear. HP has already delivered over one thousand 3D printed parts to local hospitals, and these parts have already been used to create hands-free door openers, mask adjusters, and face shields. The door opener allows the user to open doors using only their elbow, and the mask adjuster alleviates the ear pain that comes with wearing face masks for an extended period of time. Face shields are among the most important personal protection items, and they can block larger particles from reaching the wearer’s face. HP is still testing other types of face masks as well as field ventilators, which will provide shortterm emergency ventilation for COVID-19 patients. Like the MUSC team, HP has also made its parts available for public download. Even though 3D printing PPE seems promising, it still has its limitations. One main challenge for engineers and companies is whether their machines, which are not created for mass production, will be able to keep up with the rising demand for protective gear. Some hospitals require thousands of pieces of PPE each day, and 3D printing will not be able to meet that demand. Another issue that arises with 3D printed PPE is the risks involved with using those pieces. Many of the parts are not medical grade, and the plastics used by 3D printers may trap virus particles and increase the risk of exposure. The fact that the coronavirus has spread so much in the world calls for us, as individuals, to take action. Even just one person can do much to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing things like donating stockpiles of masks to hospitals, maintaining social distancing, and staying alert in our current situation. Instead of panicking and trying to hoard PPE, everyone needs to be more considerate of those battling tirelessly against the virus. There is a distinct line drawn between what it means to be prepared and what it means to be overprepared. Nevertheless, knowing how to deal with the pandemic and finding clever solutions, such as 3D printing, will help slow down the disease that has taken the world by storm. Whether it be through awareness or through innovation, planning and being proactive is how we can do our part in the war against COVID-19.
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 19
Science The Math and Science of Quarantine
By JENNA MACKENROTH When I got home from school on Thursday, March 12, I knew one thing was certain: I was not going to go to school until the COVID-19 pandemic was over. I knew that going to a densely populated school would put my family and others at risk, so I took the most logical measure and quarantined myself. Governor Andrew Cuomo shut down New York City schools on March 13, but now that I’ve been isolated for quite some time, I’m incredibly tired of being inside, and so here I am, writing this article as a way to cope with the indefinite boredom and mild loneliness that come with being quarantined. As many math teachers at Stuyvesant have pointed out, the spread of COVID-19 is a perfect example of exponential growth; because of the rapidly increasing nature of this type of growth, we must turn to limiting contact between people to curb the dissemination of the disease. The most important goal addressed by social distancing is ensuring that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system. One of the most common terms being used concerning the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is “flatten the curve.” Often used by healthcare professionals and specialists such as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci, “flattening the curve” refers to the two epidemic curves used when analyzing the number of COVID-19 cases. The first curve depicts the number of cases over time in a scenario in which there are no protective measures such as social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. This
the world. Sophomore Arwen van Gilst from the Netherlands said, “It affected my family badly because now we have to be more careful with our dad who has cancer…I have just been awful overall, and my mental health declined.” Junior Mohamed Abdelrahim, who is from Belgium, stated, “I think it will be emotionally beneficial, because I don’t have to be around toxic peo-
ple [at school]. But when it comes to my education, I honestly have no idea.” From the United Kingdom, sophomore Izi Isufi said, “I think it will affect my education badly. I have to teach the rest of the coursework to myself for exams next year, and my siblings are struggling with their coursework.” Stuyvesant senior Andrew Smsaryan stated, “My parents are a lot more panicked, especially since my father’s job at the MTA is considered essential, so my parents encourage me to vigorously clean everything.” Though many students feel unsure of how to spend their new-
Science, Law, and Money: The Crackdown
To praise Professor Charles Lieber as a scientist of exceptional erudition would be an understatement. Winning the ACS chemistry award at just 33 years old, the Harvard nanoscientist became greatly respected among his contemporaries, winning 30 notable awards in 30 years. Recently, he became the 30th person in history to achieve membership in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Before his election, however, he was shackled in handcuffs and ushered into downtown Boston wearing a jailhouse jumpsuit with a bail set at $1 million. Lieber was arrested because of his dealings with China. No, he has not been charged with any type of economic espionage or illegal exportation as a Communist Party member. Instead, he’s been charged with lying to investigators from the U.S. Department of Defense about his scientific work with China’s prestigious Thousand Talents Program (TTP). The program is designed to recruit leading academic scholars to conduct research on behalf of the Chinese government by hosting “shadow labs” in China that mirror U.S. research. Contracts vary between TTP members: sometimes it is required for the member to build and train a team of post-doctoral students or to enroll at least five other researchers in the program. At least seven contracts noted that a TTP member could not cancel their contracts unless their Chinese employer consented. Upon being asked about any involvement in TTP, Lieber denied affiliation. However, the Department of Defense claims that he received $50 thousand a month and a grant of $1.5 million to lead a lab at Wuhan University through the program. Lieber’s cutting-edge efforts to map brain tumors with nanosensors rely on outside grants for paying salaries and buying equipment. In the United States, the two major funding sources, National Insti-
tutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), come from the federal government. To be funded by the NIH or NSF, one is legally required to disclose any foreign funding, research, or relationships, which includes TTP. Though participating in foreign programs isn’t illegal, Lieber isn’t the first one to be arrested for the nondisclosure of foreign links with TTP. Last May, Emory University fired a husband-and-wife team of neuroscientists for allegedly failing
TTP isn’t illegal, the question arises: Why did Lieber lie? The answer is less cynical than it appears. Politics have made renowned scientists in the program, like Lieber, victims with a choice: fight for progress through lying or risk it all. Those who chose the latter and admitted their involvement have been investigated exceptionally for criminal activity, and researchers have been discharged from their positions over alleged mishandling or non-disclosure of the foreign funds. Other institutions are at risk
to disclose their participation in the TTP. The duo, Shihua and XiaoJiang Li, conducted experiments on monkeys in a lab in Southern China to develop gene therapies for Huntington’s disease. Such large-animal studies are controversial in the U.S. and tend not to be funded. However, Christopher Ross, the director of neurobiology at Johns Hopkins, says such research “is very valuable for developing drugs because monkeys have similar brains to humans.” Ross collaborated on several papers with the couple and opined that “the removal of the Lis’ Huntington’s disease research in the U.S. is a substantial loss.” However, if participating in the
of losing grant funds from federal and state agencies because of collaboration with foreign governments through joint research projects. By targeting individuals who participate in TTP as criminals and placing them under vexatious investigations, it becomes a threat to their jobs, research funds, and academic career even if the individual is innocent. Before 2015, participating in the TTP was an honorable feat that was encouraged by universities. This is no surprise: the program covers extensive research from animal studies to mechanical robots while also providing a decent income and high-status position in
SophiaZhao/ The Spectator
By RANIA ZAKI
sembling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While many neurotypical people (those without mental conditions or disorders) have been experiencing increases in these symptoms, those with pre-existing mental health conditions are at an even greater risk under quarantine. Many depend on social interaction to maintain their mental health, and isolation can place them in emotionally dangerous situations. For those with depression, social interaction may serve as a means of escape from difficult mental health issues, and cutting off contact with those around them puts them at a heightened risk for depressive episodes and even suicide. Additionally, the economic crash caused by COVID-19 has caused unemployment rates to skyrocket to 30 percent; for many families, this means that their main source of income has completely shut down, leading to financial and consequent emotional stress. Additionally, 45 states have enacted policies to shut down “non-essential businesses,” such as entertainment venues, recreational facilities, and close-contact service providers. Many people recovering from substance addiction rely on their communities for social and emotional support, and the enforced isolation may lead to them restarting their dependence on substances. The implementation of remote learning is also difficult for many special needs students, who may require more care than neurotypical students. Many families of such students have turned to crowdfunding to acquire education plans for their children. The effects of quarantine have resonated with students all around
Semoi Khan and Andrea Huang/ The Spectator
curve goes above a “threshold line,” which is used to denote the current healthcare system capacity. The second curve shows the number of cases with protective measures and is comparatively flatter, indicating a lower number of cases over a larger amount of time. Perhaps the best example of the effectiveness of social distancing and quarantine lies at the initial epicenter of COVID-19: Wuhan. Wuhan implemented a city-wide, obligatory quarantine, which many referred to as useless and draconian. However, scientists now understand that the quarantine implemented in Wuhan created a “time lag,” which allowed healthcare systems and scientists outside of China to more adequately prepare for the inevitable arrival of the novel coronavirus. Doctors within China were also able to prepare 120 clinical trials of potential medical treatments for COVID-19 due to the time lag. Though quarantine has bought the world time and prevented hospitals from being completely overwhelmed, it comes with a few difficulties. For one, social isolation is difficult for many: humans are naturally social creatures, so shutting off contact with others is stress-inducing. Studies have shown that people who constantly experience loneliness exhibit poor immune systems. The psychological effects of quarantine can be seen in the containment strategy that was implemented during the SARS epidemic of 2002-2004. In another study conducted on subjects in Toronto, Canada, 28.9 percent of the 129 quarantined respondents showed an increase in depressive symptoms, as well as symptoms re-
the field. Then, it became apparent that the government surveys foreign programs based on political relationships rather than academic merit, which includes the aggravating tension between the United States and China. Similarly to the TTP, the German Academic Exchange Service Program (DAAD) grants research funds and provides highly qualified graduate students internships. But after the NIH repeatedly examined Chinese links in 2018, the Department of Defense had categorized the risk of individuals in DAAD differently from those in TTP, the latter constantly investigated. This crackdown on scientists will never be about just foreign programs. As China began to abuse this program to develop its military gage, the U.S. hypocritically accused China of manipulating scientists even though during the Cold War, the U.S. had recruited Soviet scientists to do research abroad for its government. However, this political turmoil had started long before its embodiment in research. For several years, the U.S. accused China of distorting global trade by only allowing specific industries through generous subsidies into its market and limiting others. The U.S. even claimed that China bequeathed intellectual property from U.S. companies in return for access to its market run by large enterprises. After unsuccessful negotiations and multiple tariffs, the U.S. and China were in a trade war. This ever-growing tension between these nations has led to consequences, which upsettingly targets the scientific community. Firstly, the United States placed significant limitations on visas based on ethnicity: Chinese graduates wanting to study robotics, aviation, or high-tech manufacturing in the U.S. could no longer apply for five-year study visas. Instead, they were only eligible to apply for mere one-year visas. Likewise, scientific conferences have reported a decrease in Chinese attendees due to delayed visas. Almost 300 Chinese nationals withdrew or did not show up for the American Geophysical
found time and balance it with their education, some have found ways to better themselves. From the United Arab Emirates, junior Hala Al-Khatib said, “I’m taking advantage of the free time I have, and I’m working on myself, trying to get better at stuff.” Stuyvesant junior Jonathan Xu explained, “I think quarantine will affect me for at least the rest of the academic year…I expect to spend less time on mandated learning and spend more time on voluntary learning.” For Xu, mandatory learning embodies his studies of “mandated” school subjects, while voluntary learning involves spending time on the subjects he is more passionate about—those that aren’t necessarily taught in school. The psychological effects of quarantine can feel daunting and difficult to overcome, and it is understandable to feel lost and lonely at times like this. However, it is important to remember that there are resources designed to help lighten the psychological and emotional effects of quarantine. At Stuyvesant, the Wellness Council has started a social media campaign. Sophomore Matt Melucci, who is the vice president of the organization, said, “Our aim is to help lift the spirits of students and to keep everyone feeling connected as a Stuyvesant community.” We must remember that social distancing is a collaborative effort, and though we are unable to help each other directly, we should digitally reach out and take care of one another. Everyone should participate in social distancing; it helps ease the stress on our healthcare system and allows us to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic together.
Union meeting in Washington DC last December, nearly doubling last year’s absences. A spokesperson told “Nature,” a scientific journal, that the only reason those scientists were unable to attend was due to delayed visas. But many scientists have warned that the government’s involvement in academia, specifically the TTP, may lead to the racial profiling of Chinese Americans in the scientific field. A paper published in “Science” already displayed the concerns of biomedical societies that represent Chinese American researchers. It reports that many scientists of Chinese descent working in the United States are in danger of experiencing “scapegoating, stereotyping, and racial profiling.” If this crackdown continues to escalate, the consequences will be terrifying: the foundations of collaboration, inclusiveness, and respect in science will shatter. Caltech president Thomas Rosenbaum says that formulating a new policy regarding research collaboration “is the narrow line we are walking now. We want to remain the destination for the most talented researchers from around the world. It is fundamental to our ability to create knowledge.” As for Lieber, he currently faces at most five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250 thousand. His hearing filled the world with astonishment, especially from his closest peers. Brian Timko, a colleague of Lieber, says that “everybody in Charlie’s lab knew exactly why you were there: to do good science and get it published. The Charlie I know was not driven by money. He was driven by science.” If this crackdown persists, Lieber may not be the only target of the U.S. government’s pursuit. Behind Lieber are about 100 former lab members from China who have chosen to stay in the U.S. These are China’s most brilliant minds that the U.S. undeniably needs to keep its technological edge, and they may just become other victims as we compromise science for law and money.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Science Globally Redefining Drug Discovery By KAITLYN LEE and KIMYA FIROOZAN The COVID-19 outbreak that put many of China’s cities into isolation was an event that seemed to make little to no difference in our everyday lives four months ago. Now, it has become a crisis of global proportions, infecting over a million people and causing 56,000 deaths worldwide. The pandemic has forced medical staff to work day and night, kept others out of their jobs and workplaces, and disrupted education systems and social lives. To stop the COVID-19 pandemic from further creating panic, systems biologist Nevan Krogan and many other researchers have gathered at the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) at the University of California to search for the perfect drug to fight COVID-19. In order for Krogan and his team spanning 22 labs at QBI to accomplish their objectives, the group must resolve several issues beginning with the fact that SARSCoV-2, the name of the virus, is a novel one. Just like any other virus, this one needs to hijack cells to reproduce. However, while some viruses simply inject their genetic material into a cell, SARS-CoV-2 uses its surface proteins to interact with host cell surface receptors. This allows the virus to enter the cell and control it so the virus can replicate itself. Because SARS-CoV-2 uses different sets of viral proteins to infect cells, QBI must identify which proteins it uses before the team can develop an effective drug against COVID-19. Another issue in the search for a drug is drug testing. In the U.S., drug testing takes an average of 12 years to complete, and only one out of every 5000 drugs tested is ap-
By ZOE PICCIRILLO and CHLOE TERESTCHENKO When people hear of Stuyvesant, intensive STEM studies often come to mind. Like many stereotypes, this stereotype is based in truth. At Stuyvesant, students are able to research with the help of teachers in clubs or at school, allowing them to explore new opportunities. Students are exposed to research opportunities in a plethora of ways, including the official Regeneron research courses, freshman-year research biology courses, and extracurricular opportunities such as the Stuyvesant Research Club. Through these experiences, students can develop connections with Stuyvesant faculty over research and receive valuable guidance, and many can attest to the value of performing research at Stuyvesant. Junior Lamia Haque, for instance, took the Honors Research Biology course her freshman year. With three other students, she researched the effects of Ultraviolet and LED lights on dandelion growth. Her group hypothesized that ultraviolet light would be more detrimental to dandelion growth than lighter colors such as reds and oranges, and the experiments gave promising results in support of this hypothesis. The course, which was a full period every day, exposed her to a large variety of organisms, including earthworms, daphnia, and mold, and materials, as she was allowed to use all science tools available at Stuyvesant. Haque is appreciative of the support biology teacher Jessica Quenzer provided throughout the course. In addition to providing ideas for research, “[Quenzer] is always open to helping students, showing them the strengths and weaknesses in their experiments,” Haque said. Though she does not plan on continuing research, Haque said that the skills she learned from the course provided skills which
proved for the market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the drug approval process and requires several different steps before approval, such as preclinical testing, clinical trial phases, and applications. These procedures are necessary to collect data on the drug, such as its effectiveness, safety profile, and side effects, and to determine if the drug should be sold in the market. First, the drug must pass preclinical testing, in which laboratory and animal studies must support the drug’s effectiveness in treating the disease. Following preclinical testing, the pharmaceutical company must file an Investigational New Drug Application for approval to test the drug on people. Afterwards, the drug undergoes three phases of clinical trials to test the drug’s safety profile and side effects. Once the results of these trials are submitted to the FDA, the drug manufacturer files a New Drug Application summarizing all the data about the drug they’ve gathered. Finally, once the FDA approves of the drug, the drug undergoes Phase IV studies, in which data is collected from patients taking the drug. Fortunately, many organizations are expediting or altering the drug approval process for COVID-19 drugs to find a cure faster. For example, the World Health Organization has been coordinating an international study known as the Solidarity Trials, which aimed to expedite the Phase II and Phase III clinical trials and narrow down drug testing to four of the most favorable COVID-19 drugs. The FDA has also stepped in to accelerate the U.S. drug approval process
by reviewing newly submitted clinical trial protocols within 24 hours and granting single-patient requests for expanded access in three hours. The clinical trials and testing described above are very methodical procedures that pharmaceutical companies base their drug discovery processes around. This is to ensure that the upcoming product makes it through the entire screening process. But to fully understand the actual methods by which these drugs make their way into medicine cabinets and e ve n t u a l l y the body, one must understand the
begins to view unprocessed drugs with a risk that has not been seen before. It is widely recognized that drug discovery has changed, with the last five years seeing significant restructuring of major pharmaceutical companies around the world. In this COVID-19 pandemic, the general progression of pharmaceutical and vaccination treatments that should be produced at the moment is relatively unknown. It remains something that news media has yet to deeply dive into, but this is due to the difficulties that scientists are currently facing when presented with a problem that pharmaceutical companies generally do not have much control over. This can be exemplified using a drug that may be a potential option for treating COVID-19. RemLa desivir should, for the most part, ur ina be a new term for many people unXi ea familiar with the drug discovery nd An improcess, but it is, surprisingly dr ea porenough, an antiviral drug that Hu an tance may potentially alleviate g/ Th of mainsome COVID-19 sympeS pe taining these toms. It is currently cta tor policies. in the experimenThese polital process, and its effects and biological mechanisms have not yet been proven as fact. The way the coronavirus works is that it copies genetic material uscies ing an RNA polymerase. There are meant to p r o t e c t were complications that prevented the general public from defec- researchers from getting their extive, placebo, or harmful products. periments to work, but these were Therefore, as the drug industry surpassed as it was found that remmoves from traditional methods of desivir blocks a particular enzyme drug discovery and distribution to that is required for viral replication. increasingly modernized methods, Scientists found that enzymes can the long and drawn-out COVID-19 incorporate remdesivir into new drug screening is ultimately justi- RNA strands, which stops the fied. There have been a multitude coronavirus RNA polymerase from of new challenges as the public being able to add more RNA sub-
Science Research at Stuyvesant
she can use in other fields, such as patience. “There is no sure-fire way to approach an experiment, and everyone has to be ready to modify their procedure several times,” she said. Quenzer hopes to give students a greater understanding of the biology field. “I want them to find out if they like research to begin with. It’s also important for them to learn how to find and understand publications, in order for them to develop a potential project. Writing a research proposal is a vital skill for those considering this as a career track,” she wrote in an e-mail interview. She also believes that research allows students to respect other living forms. “I do think students need to work with live organisms to some extent, to gain an appreciation of non-human life as well as the sense of responsibility that comes with biological research,” Quenzer wrote. Senior Justin Lam, who worked on a research study on older adult populations with mental health disorders in New York City over the summer, was thankful for Regeneron Social Sciences teacher Ellen Schweitzer’s aid with his work. “She helped me finalize my research project and look into my poster for another competition. She helped me after [biology teacher Jason] Econome gave me the essential first connection,” Lam said. However, because Lam wasn’t a student in Regeneron, he felt like many opportunities were shut out for him. “Most students who do want to do biology research take the Regeneron research class, but I didn’t want to take the class because I don’t think it would have helped me explore my options [outside of biology research],” said Lam, who is now interested in pursuing social science research in the future. Regeneron Research teacher and Faculty Advisor for the Research Club Jason Econome has helped several students gain opportunities at other laboratories. For
his Regeneron class, “[the students] focus on performing molecular biology techniques and learning how to critically read a journal article and giving a presentation” while Econome spends his day “making phone calls to laboratories so [his] students can continue the research enrichment process during the summer with a professional research mentor,” Econome wrote in an e-mail interview. In addition to Regeneron, Econome “started a summer program in July teaching freshmen the basis of molecular biology and helped some of the juniors develop their own projects, [including teaching restriction digests, PCR amplification, and ELISA],” Econome wrote. Junior Neil Sarkar, who holds a leadership position at the Research Club, noted how experienced members strive to mentor underclassmen in research. In addition to conducting weekly experiments to practice basic research techniques, “[members] are always available to read cover letters, resumes, and applications so we can maximize the chance that the student is able to get into a laboratory or summer program,” Sarkar said. Members also collaborate to brainstorm ideas for prestigious competitions, such as Genes in Space, where students propose an experiment that uses PCR to replicate DNA. The winning experiment is then conducted on the International Space Station. Sarkar has received guidance from Econome and biology teacher Dr. Meng Ping Tu. Dr. Tu sparked his interest in biology, which led to him pursuing it in-depth through the Stuyvesant Research Club, SIGMA, and research at NYU Langone Health during the summer of 2019. His project, “Correlation of Histological and Epigenetic Classification for Diagnosis of Brain Tumors,” investigated glioblastoma samples. “Stuyvesant teachers are dedicated and passionate in helping students with their research,” Sarkar said. He feels lucky to have
so many opportunities to pursue research, especially due to the supportive environment forged by the teachers and the Research Club. In a survey we conducted, there was an apparent consensus that students would like more research opportunities at Stuyvesant. One way this increase could happen is by expanding research to all of the science departments at Stuyvesant. “Stuyvesant has an unbelievably strong biology department, which is why most students who do research tend to center their projects in biology, but I’d love to see more love given to the other two sciences,” senior Mahmadul Rapi said. “Physics and chemistry research tend to be more data and lab intensive than biology, but that shouldn’t stop high school students from going into those fields.” Stuyvesant should have a goal of increasing the breadth of topics available to research. Teachers should take note of the student body’s desires to perform research and assist however they can. Actions as simple as suggesting potential research topics occasionally during their classes would be beneficial to students, many of whom want to conduct research but don’t always have a clear topic in mind. This could also be in the form of a more in-depth mentorship. Econome, for example, would love to mentor students in the future, even though he hasn’t directly done so in the past two summers. He said, “If asked to, I certainly would be happy to mentor a project.” When aiding students with research, Econome believes that they have many opportunities to work in a laboratory. “It’s NYC—the richest in almost every way—[so there are many] available laboratories,” he said. He believes that students should “have gathered data from a few experiments in order to compose a real, scientific paper.” This is not always a guarantee, however. Students in his Regeneron Research class often struggle to find a sum-
units, effectively halting genome replication. The remdesivir drug, similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, is currently undergoing pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, but it is unknown how long this process could take. This data could potentially help researchers develop future drugs that have even greater activity against the polymerase, but due to the drawbacks surrounding drug processing, it is unclear when this may be put into effect. America continues to lead in life sciences, and its historically strong investments in biomedical research have propelled it to global life sciences leadership despite some of the aforementioned setbacks. America and other countries around the world continue the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, and America has somewhat of a lead in containing large pharmaceutical companies. But if we continue to be underrepresented in medical communities due to the imposing of several strict regulations, there is a lot still up in the air. Clearly, along with national centers of excellence focusing on drug discovery and development, there is a greater need for international collaboration. It is not that there are fewer potential new targets for drugs; it is simply that the legal and regulatory framework is making it harder to bring new products to the market. Meanwhile, the regulatory system for the manufacture of generic drugs that are no longer within patent has become easier. In times when the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic has made nations realize that they are generally unprepared for such extreme circumstances, many are hoping that the process to produce a vaccine or drug treatment is expedited.
mer lab, even though they were accepted into the course. The uncertainty of the outbreak of the coronavirus also hampers many Regeneron students’ searches for a lab. An alternative could be to develop more specific research programs within Stuyvesant, such as the Honors Research Biology class and Econome’s summer program. Stuyvesant students are exposed to a tremendous amount of research opportunities, but it is clear that there tends to be an emphasis on biology research. It’s important to note, however, the endless possibilities of research in other areas of science such as physics and chemistry, even if they are not currently represented as strongly as biology research is at Stuyvesant. Given the supportive nature of the Stuyvesant faculty, students have opportunities to explore other lesser-represented areas in science at Stuyvesant. Quenzer wishes to see more research opportunities at Stuyvesant. “I do think there should be more opportunities within Stuy. I think more teachers should be involved, many of the science teachers here are experts in various fields, and have varying degrees of research background,” Quenzer wrote. However, she understands that there are restrictions. “The biggest issue we all have is time. Research takes up a huge amount of time, and requires commitment. The teachers have their classes to prioritize, as well as whatever obligations they may have at home,” Quenzer described. Research is vital, and there are always new discoveries to be made. Our scientific knowledge of the coronavirus, for example, would not be possible without the quick, determined researchers racing to answer our questions. High school students should be immersed in research, and for Stuyvesant students, this begins with the teacher-student connections, courses, and clubs in the school.
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
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Arts and Entertainment Film
The Hunt: A One and a Half Hour Dumpster Fire
By GAVIN MCGINLEY
By KENISHA MAHAJAN Abel Tesfaye (also known as The Weeknd) is one of, if not the most, notable voices when it comes to modern R&B. He took the music industry by storm in 2011 with his unique style of dark R&B and has spent the last nine years of his career building an enigmatic persona. Despite the nihilistic character Tesfaye has created for himself, he seems to be more vulnerable than ever in his more recent albums. “After Hours” is a complete reinvention of The Weeknd. After deactivating his social media accounts last summer, Tesfaye resurfaced in November with a new hairstyle and vintage look. His new image is reflected in the album’s promotional materials and the sound. The album’s aesthetic is very psychedelic and ‘80s-inspired. Tesfaye draws inspiration from several films, including “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998), “Joker” (2019), “Casino” (1995), and “Uncut Gems” (2019). The project is centered around a night gone wrong in Las Vegas, or “Sin City,” as The Weeknd refers to it in several songs. Music videos for songs like “Heartless” and “Blinding Lights” were shot at the Plaza
ring to Pizzagate, a right-wing conspiracy theory linking high ranking Democratic officials to child sex trafficking). While such a message is one-sided, divisive, and very unpopular, it at least gives what would otherwise be a pointless and underwhelming action movie a reason to exist. As the plot progresses, however, it’s clear that “The Hunt” lacks a consistent theme. The liberal antagonists may be comically hypocritical, hypersensitive, and exaggeratedly politically correct, but the characters who are meant to portray a more conservative viewpoint are also egregiously stereotypical, with most of the survivors being racist, violent nut jobs. The only well-
developed and reasonable character is Crystal, who is normal and relatable in the otherwise absurd line up. “The Hunt” labels itself as a political satire, and its cast of caricatures as a means of social criticism, but the movie is so committed to irony that it’s impossible to tell what the argument is. Almost every character can be summarized as a collection of the most common insults thrown between political parties, an attack to both liberals and conservatives. Every element seems to have a sarcastic undertone, leaving any sincere intent completely undeterminable. Is the stereotypical character of Trucker Shane (Justin Hartley) a dig at conservatives, a symbol
of the left’s ignorance and condescension to the right, or a satirical fulfillment of the right’s persecution complex? It seems like even the writers don’t know. The complete lack of thought behind the film’s message can be epitomized by its recurring references to George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm.” The movie alludes to the book, exemplified by the reveal of a pig named Orwell, though there is no thematic connection between the two stories, and the allusion makes no sense. “Animal Farm” is referenced throughout the film as a book about politics that educated people read and has no other purpose. When combined with the underdeveloped politi-
Friends, Fear, and Demons in the “After Hours” of the Night Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The city’s infamy for drugs, sex, and luxury is a perfect fit for The Weeknd’s dark, sybaritic brand. Similarly, the tracks of “After Hours” mark a new creative phase for The Weeknd. In this album, Tesfaye experiments with electronic synths and dance-pop elements, mixing the genres of the ‘80s and alternative R&B. Many tracks on “After Hours” contain deep, slow beats, similar to numerous, previous The Weeknd hits. Other songs like “In Your Eyes” or “Hardest to Love” pay homage to ‘80s pop, with heavy synths and faster beats that bring the songs firmly into New Wave territory. Tesfaye manages to tell harrowing stories even when accompanied by a groovy, disco-inspired beat. Tesfaye sings about a suffering relationship in “In Your Eyes,” but the painful lyrics, “You always try to hide the pain” and “My heart can’t take a loss,” are masked by the up-tempo beat. In other songs, the music matches the lyrics and vocals. For example, in “Heartless,” Tesfaye opens with the striking lyrics “Never need a [EXPLETIVE], I’m what a [EXPLETIVE] need,” accompanied with a strong melody, bass line, and drum groove. The album’s creative direction is hard to pin-
point, but all of the songs are tied together by The Weeknd’s bold lyrics and signature falsetto delivery. The new elements in “After Hours” take the music from a place of dark R&B to retro-pop. Despite being a great album overall, “After Hours” definitely has standout tracks. “Heartless,” the first single to drop before “After Hours” was released, provides a classic Weeknd sound. The track centers around the fast lifestyle of fame and money, evoking a numb, heartless feeling, a typical topic for The Weeknd. It’s riddled with synths and contains a strong chorus coupled with a thumping beat that supports Tesfaye’s distinct vocals. Though it may not be a very experimental sound for the seasoned artist, the song is undeniably a hit. “Blinding Lights,” the next single Tesfaye released, goes in a completely different direction. The pumping synths and lively beat make this song seem like an 80s fever dream, straying from Tesfaye’s brand of hedonistic R&B and into a commercial dance-pop song. In addition to its unique sound, the song features one of Tesfaye’s most impressive vocal performances to date. The subject matter of the song is consistent with The
Daniel Berlinsky / The Spectator
Music
Ka Seng Soo / The Spectator
“The Hunt” is an absolute mess. After its initial release was delayed in the wake of the Dayton and El Paso mass shootings, the film was released despite its controversy on March 13, angering liberals and conservatives alike. While the film is clearly political, any intended meaning ends up buried under layers of satire, terrible writing, and unnecessary plot twists, resulting in an indecipherable attempt at an allegory that leaves everyone feeling insulted. With an awkward combination of exaggerated violence, poor comedy, and half-hearted attempts at political commentary, the movie barely knows what it’s supposed to be. There is very little “The Hunt” does well, and it mainly serves as a mediocre action flick, with its greatest achievement being able to talk a lot without saying anything. “The Hunt” is based around a very simple premise: twelve working-class conservatives are abducted to be hunted by a group of liberal elites, led by Athena Faris (Hilary Swank), for sport. The main character, Crystal Creasey (Betty Gilpin), is one of these victims, and the movie follows her as she tries to escape, though she later hunts down those who tried to kill her. At first, it seems like the movie is a simple condemnation of the American left, with most of the 12 “deplorables,” as the antagonist calls them (alluding to Hillary Clinton’s statement in the 2016 election), being cut down in spectacular violence within 20 minutes, in what they repeatedly call Manorgate, an internet conspiracy theory about liberal elites hunting people (refer-
cal message of the movie, the allusion indicates that the initial goal was to be politically controversial instead of actually saying anything of value. Even without considering the politics, “The Hunt” still struggles to deliver. While the opening massacre is satisfyingly violent and surprisingly comedic, the plot quickly devolves into a series of unnecessary plot twists that only serve to complicate the film and confuse the viewer. The action sequences, despite being entertaining and hilariously over the top, are too sparse to make up for the poorly constructed storyline, weak characters, and tiresome attempts to shock the audience with boring reveals. The final scene is by far the best in the movie simply because it’s all action, with little room for jumbled writing and unwelcome politics. Though it is the strongest element of the film, the absurd violence definitely clashes with the film’s attempt at political commentary. Simply put, a scene of a man having a grenade shoved down his pants and being blown into red mist is incompatible with anything intellectual. “The Hunt” seems like the amalgamation of two drastically distinct and largely incongruent goals, either of which could have succeeded on its own but together most definitely did not. The movie feels formless in the worst way, with a confusing plot structure and an opaque political message that seems to leave everyone unhappy. It’s a film that almost satirizes itself, so wrapped up in its own message that it loses sight of any purpose. Despite all of its attempts at controversial social commentary, “The Hunt” ends up meaningless and painfully vapid.
Weeknd’s other songs, but the unique production makes the song shine brighter than Vegas at 2 a.m. Another standout is “Scared To Live,” a heartfelt ballad with heavy instrumentals and a slower, subdued beat that lets Tesfaye’s impressive vocals shine front and center. “Faith” is also a great track, contrasting with the previous two songs while maintaining the ‘80s sound with heavy background synths. The track progresses from a slower, somber beat to an upbeat rhythm to a cinematic outro.
The variety of songs in this album showcases Tesfaye’s versatility, both lyrically and stylistically. In “After Hours,” we see The Weeknd in a very vulnerable place. Written in the aftermath of a very public break-up, the album explores Tesfaye’s broken mental state along with the usual medley of sex, drugs, and his other sordid affairs. Tesfaye himself said, “You can find love, fear, friends, enemies, violence, dancing, sex, demons, angels, loneliness, and togetherness all in the ‘After Hours’ of the night.” Many of the tracks on his album showcase Tesfaye’s melancholy voice paired with a slow beat, while others feature strong, smooth vocals and bright melodies. This hodgepodge of sounds resembles Tesfaye’s unstable mindset as he tells a gloomy story of a failed relationship. “After Hours” is easily one of The Weeknd’s most impressive performances. In addition to the unique sound, the emotional vulnerability the songs exhibit makes the album stand out in The Weeknd’s discography. Though the album does not align with his past material, the evolution of Tesfaye’s style has produced one of his most successful commercial albums yet.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Arts and Entertainment The “Cheer” of a Lifetime
Television By LIANNE OHAYON
abstains from taking medication for her badly bruised ribs just so she would be able to continue to practice with the team. Even on game day, Aldama and the team can never predict what will happen, who will fall out, or who will have to step in. Despite all these injuries, the team is determined to persevere and be the best it can be. “Cheer” also proves that cheerleading is a hard and competitive sport despite the common stereotypes portrayed in the media. From the 50 pushups everyone on the Navarro team has to do if a flyer falls and no one catches them to the conditioning needed to rebound from injuries, one has to be incredibly tough to withstand the pressure. As someone who has been dancing for all of her life, I am deeply aware of how dance and cheer aren’t always con-
sidered sports. B u t this series shows how much cheerleaders practice, how hard they work, and how insanely strong
Entertainment In the past few weeks, our lives have been canceled to the point where we can’t even leave our homes. The same is true of the entertainment industry: most TV shows and movies have postponed filming; concerts have been called off; and any events requiring social interactions or large audiences have been canceled. Even celebrities aren’t immune to the effects of the worldwide pandemic. In the wake of this change, celebrities are increasing their online presence, perhaps providing a welcome reprieve for many struggling with the quarantine. When people turn on the news, COVID-19 is often talked about. When they FaceTime (or Zoom) friends and family, the virus is often a subject of discussion, and even now, reading this article, you are reading about COVID-19. People need a break sometimes from the onslaught of information and discussion. We are usually told to abstain from social media and limit our screen time, but in these unsure times, mental health professionals have actually recommended going online. Watching YouTube, keeping up with your favorite celebrities, and going on TikTok are great ways to distract yourself from the realities of COVID-19. Lucky for us, celebrities are providing more than enough entertainment to keep us occupied.
Sophie Poget / The Spectator
By IVY HALPERN
Shirley Tan / The Spectator
Cheerleading has been a cornerstone of the American high school experience for over 120 years. But one of the biggest stigmas surrounding cheerleading is that no matter where it takes place, cheering is viewed as a “side act” to pump up the crowd while the “more important” sports team is resting during halftime. This is where the Netflix docuseries “Cheer” comes in. The gripping show reveals that cheerleading is so much more than just pretty girls jumping and dancing for the viewing pleasure of the audience. “Cheer” follows the reigning National Cheer Association Champions, Navarro College, on their journey to the 2019 National Championship in Daytona Beach, California. Coached by Monica Aldama, the Navarro Bulldogs reside in the small city of Corsicana, Texas, just south of Dallas. This cheer team is no joke; a hundred percent effort is always expected, and injuries are frequent, but the talent reaches as high as their pyramid. With a team of about forty people, the routines Aldama puts together blow the competition away. It is the ideal cheer team for those ready to work their hardest for the chance to take home the championship at Daytona. There is no denying that cheering is not all glitz and glam. “Cheer” points out exactly how injuries can cut a cheerleader’s season short with one bad landing. In episode three, viewers witness one of the best Navarro flyers, Mackenzie “Sherbs” Sherburn, fall hard on the mat, dislocating her elbow and taking her out for the season. Another team member, Morgan Simianer,
they all are. They break the status quo of what is considered a sport, changing what it means to be an athlete for the first time in a while. It is evident that “Cheer” is a show about, well, cheerleading. But it also conveys a powerful message of hope and resilience. The series focuses on five cheerleaders from the elite team: La’Darius Marshall, Morgan Simianer, Jerry Harris, Gabi Butler, and Lexi Brumback. With the exception of Butler, the cheerleaders had difficult upbringings with thousands of obstacles ahead of them. In episode one, Brumback even said that she would “probably be sitting in a jail cell right now.” But all of them have found a home within cheer, Navarro, and especially with Aldama. “[Aldama] makes sure she takes good care of you, and that’s where our loyalty and our love for her comes from. She’s a really, really good coach,” Marshall commented in an interview with E! Magazine. Director Greg Whiteley expertly chose not
to fiddle with the actors or the acting too much. The cheerleaders play themselves; there are no stunt people to perform the crazy tricks or actors to portray the cheerleaders. This aids the docuseries by giving it a more approachable and realistic background, relatable to many viewers. That being said, there could have been more care into which scenes were chosen for each episode. To conclude the docuseries, there are some clips of tumbler Lexi Brumback attending and partying hard at a concert after Daytona. This scene makes it seem like Brumback has fallen back into her cycle of bad behavior that she had fought so hard to break through cheer. But according to her interview after the show, the clip was taken way before Daytona, and though Brumback has done some bad things, she is “not her mistakes.” The placement of certain clips skews our perception of the cheerleaders and can be misleading, and moving certain scenes around would have benefitted all of the parties involved and prevented misunderstandings. “Cheer” is the perfect example of a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat and prompts you to keep watching. Every stunt makes your heart flutter; every injury makes you hold your breath; and every minute shows the world what a talented and formidable force the Navarro Bulldogs really are. But most importantly, it gives fans a new sport to follow. In a world where we are focused on who wins the Super Bowl or what team advances in March Madness, a sport that has been here for ages finally gets to have its own audience cheering it on.
Social Distancing Has Celebrities Entertaining Us Virtually
Since celebrities are staying isolated as well, they are going online more. I have personally seen an increase of celebrities on my “For You” page on TikTok. Celebrities are live-streaming on Instagram, whether it’s to sing for thousands of viewers like John Legend or to host virtual “puppy playdates” like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, is doing his part in providing virtual entertainment by recording himself
reading kids’ bedtime stories. Many celebrities are using their platform positively, helping to spread awareness and precautions regarding COVID-19. Mindy Kaling, who played a doctor in the television show “The Mindy Project,” posted a video tutorial on how to wash your hands in the context of the show. Millie Bobby Brown, among many others, has also put out videos about social distancing. Not everyone, however, is using their platform for good. The actress Evangeline Lilly dangerously used her platform, calling
COVID-19 nothing more than a “respiratory flu.” After backlash from many people, including actress Sophie Turner, she apologized, saying she sent “a dismissive, arrogant, and cryptic message.” At the start of this crisis, actress Vanessa Hudgens created a scandal, saying on her Instagram live, “Even if everybody gets it, like yeah, people are going to die, which is terrible... but inevitable?” After much backlash, she apologized for her actions, but she unfortunately isn’t the only one u s i n g her platform in problematic ways. Kendall Jenner was caught in one of those moments when she posted a picture of her with her car, leading fans to believe she wasn’t staying fully isolated. She later clarified that she was “taking this quarantine v seriously.” The behavior of these celebrities is concerning given their huge fanbases. People
look up to their favorite celebrities, and even their smallest, unintended mistakes can sway the opinions and mindsets of their fans. As much as celebrities are being active in this worldwide crisis, many people have also been making fun of them. One noted TikTok that jabs celebrities is set up with the TikToker sitting in his huge pool while sipping a “fancy” drink and talking about how hard quarantine has been for him. In an effort to make fun of all these celebrities, he says, “I had to pick up and leave my New York City penthouse because of Corona. Currently, we are at my mansion…” He goes on to say, “We are really roughing it out here: the bowling alley broke on Sunday… we can’t get anyone out here to fix it.” Celebrities are becoming the source of entertainment in many forms, even if it’s through making fun of them. Overall, the increased social media presence of celebrities has positively impacted the current situation. For the most part, they are encouraging us to stay inside while entertaining their fans stuck at home. They are getting more personal and connecting with their audience in new ways, helping to distract us from the current crisis while keeping themselves in business. As the isolation continues, we can all be on the lookout for new types of content to help us escape from our corona-centric realities.
Playlist Bubblegum! By THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT In the midst of a global pandemic, the world is pretty scary, so kick back, put some of these pop hits on, and turn your brain all the way off.
TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME The 1975 Pop I Kissed A Girl Katy Perry Pop Talk Too Much COIN Alternative Rock / Pop Grey Stuyvesant Music Production Club Pop Magic in the Hamptons Social House and Lil Yachty Pop / Hip-hop Cruel Summer Taylor Swift Pop Supalonely BENEE and Gus Dapperton Pop Thank U, Next Ariana Grande Pop Paradise Bazzi Pop Boys Charli XCX Pop So Close NOTD and Felix Jaehn Pop / EDM Treat Me Right Stuyvesant Music Production Club Pop Easier 5 Seconds of Summer Pop My Song Alessia Cara Pop Don’t Throw Out My Legos AJR Pop Cross Me Ed Sheeran, Chance the Rapper, and PnB Rock Pop / Hip-hop
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
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Arts and Entertainment South by Southwest (SXSW) had its biggest year to date in 2019. Based in Austin, Texas, SXSW is a combination of live music performances, movie premieres, and conferences and attributes much of its fame to its iconic music festival, a showcase of some of the biggest names in the indie scene. Overall, SXSW brought $355.9 million in 2019 into the Austin economy, a $5 million leap from the previous year and a continuation of a trend that only seemed to go up. But that was before the concerns over COVID-19 were even a thought in anybody’s mind, before the global pandemic spread to the U.S. and stuck its tendrils into every facet of the American economy, including live music. SXSW 2020 was canceled in early March, marking the festival’s first cancellation since its inception in 1987. With the cancellation or postponement of countless festivals and album releases, the damage COVID-19 is dealing to the music industry goes far deeper than SXSW, and nobody will be spared from its wrath. SXSW’s cancellation serves as a warning for the entire live music industry, which was expected to have record-high profits this year. Major festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Governors Ball have been either postponed or canceled entirely due to the danger posed by large social gath-
Music By DEXTER WELLS “It would be nice to be a superstar, but I’d be content to just have a dedicated fanbase,” senior Hiro Kimura responded when asked about his aspirations as an artist. Kimura, who goes by the moniker “Hiro Savage” (which is his first name and middle name), is one of Stuyvesant’s most prominent musical artists. Initially inspired in elementary school to create music through Nintendo video games, Kimura went on to produce instrumentals in Apple’s free GarageBand software. Kimura’s musical trajectory transformed when he entered sixth grade and met Danny Renkas, who would become his best friend and closest musical associate. When they entered seventh grade, the duo began to write music, and Kimura started to play the guitar. Together they formed a band that seemed unable to keep a name for more than a week (with “Cobalt Sex God” being the most memorable). Though that band was dissolved when they found themselves at different high schools, they would later reunite in Kimura’s current band—formed during the summer of 2019—under the
Music By MORRIS RASKIN The rollout for the new Childish Gambino project has been strange, to say the least. Released in the dead of night on March 15, the album was available only on Gambino’s private website “donaldgloverpresents. com” for exactly 12 hours before being pulled off the Internet indefinitely. This strange market-
erings, with the tours of huge artists like BTS, Billie Eilish, and Khalid following suit. While this is crucial to keeping people safe during the COVID-19 crisis, it has left the industry at a standstill with billions of dollars frozen in the bank accounts of major tour promoters and talent agencies and sweeping layoffs for the employees of promoters. Though major ticketing services like Live Nation and AEG can handle the crisis relatively well, independent promoters are trapped in a cycle of financial instability as agencies of booked acts demand for money they don’t have. If the COVID-19 pandemic slows down a bit this summer, the live music industry may become even more cut throat due to the foreclosure of smaller indie promoters, making way for major promoters to exercise more of their power. The pandemic has also destroyed the careers of artists who rely on the touring circuit. Most indie artists live and die on a fragile freelance system in which they are paid show-to-show, and the gig-based revenue they rely on cannot exist without any gigs to play. Indie or not, it is clear that COVID-19 is changing the roadmap for artists in coming months. Album sales and streaming numbers have been on a decline as the pandemic worsens, with digital streams dropping 7.6 percent during the week of March 13 to March 19. It is easy to see why considering how many estab-
Anna Ast / The Spectator
By ANSON GUAN
Record Scratch: Coronavirus vs. the Music Industry
lishments that would be playing music have shut down and how many people who would be listening to music during their commute are forced to stay home. In addition, Amazon, the biggest record seller in the world, has announced that it is “[prioritizing] stocking and delivering essential items like household staples, sanitizers, baby formula, and medical supplies” and will not receive new shipments of vi-
nyl records or CDs for the time being. Though essential items should obviously be prioritized, this takes away another potential source of income for artists and record labels. While artists can support themselves through other sources, such as revenue from streaming and merch sales, this combination of factors has led to the postponement of many albums, including those of artists like Lady Gaga and Sam Smith, to
later dates. Though the situation may be dire, many artists are still trying to connect with fans, utilizing social media to perform and communicate in a time of social distancing. Consumers can livestream virtual concerts featuring artists from every genre imaginable, from rapper Swae Lee to the New York Philharmonic. These virtual concerts often scale from the arena-sized grandeur of their music down to a humble show hosted in the artist’s own house. Other artists have turned to podcasts or virtual talk shows to keep in touch with their fans. It is a nice gesture in a dark and uncertain time. The devastation that COVID-19 has inflicted on the music industry is sure to have rippling effects even after the pandemic blows over, and when we emerge from this crisis, it will be a far cry to say that the industry will ever be normal again. In an already cut throat industry, the wheat will be separated from the chaff as promoters, artists, and record labels fight to keep themselves afloat amongst a drought of opportunity. We may see big companies gain even more power as independent artists and promoters continue to struggle financially, and we may see huge changes in the music we listen to as record labels scramble to adapt to this pandemic. And we may see no major changes at all. But for now all we can do is stay safe, stay at home, and maybe listen to a little music.
Hiro Savage, Homegrown Talent name “South Ferry.” Since he was working less with Renkas in high school, Kimura took advantage of the relative artistic independence to focus more on himself as a solo artist. He is equally passionate about both South Ferry and his independent work, though he considers the world of Hiro Savage to be largely different from that of South Ferry. His solo music is produced almost exclusively on GarageBand, which he still finds to be the most natural digital audio workstation to work with. When inspiration strikes, he’s able to open up the app on his phone and quickly get to work. He begins by finding a default sound close to what he wants and then tweaks it to his liking. Often he uses a synth sound to emulate the vibe of ‘80s pop (this vibe is especially apparent on his songs “wonder,” “start,” and “ego death”). Next, he writes either a lead melody or a chord progression, occasionally based on something he has stuck in his head. If he writes a chord progression first, the melody comes next, and vice-versa. After this, he adds more sounds to complement what he already has, contributing to a generally more
Fariha Mabud / The Spectator
Music
textured atmosphere. He adds the rhythm section—bass and drums—near the end of production, as he doesn’t find percussion to be his forte. Vocals come last, always. He masters the mix and then records vocals right into a microphone from a pair of headphones. This doesn’t bother him, as he thinks that vocals should take more of a backseat in his songs anyway. He wants his voice to function “more as an instrument within the song than the driving force.” His use of various effects intends to capture what he describes as a “lush atmospheric
sort of thing.” Though his music doesn’t fit into any single genre, Kimura will tell you that his music prominently features elements of dream-pop and shoegaze, variations of the indie rock genre that feature vocals obscured by heavily layered sounds and effects. His discography is reminiscent of artists such as Beach House, Slowdive, MGMT, and Foster the People. He listens to a wide range of music and tries to implement elements of each genre into his own songs (not necessarily all at the same time, however). One of the most critical ideas he stressed when describing his sound as an artist was the concept of combining recognizable musical ideas with novelty and unfamiliarity. He knows that music needs to progress forward in order to stand out, but he also understands that it needs to be familiar to the listener, so that it isn’t immediately rejected. Kimura doesn’t make dime-a-dozen songs that are indistinguishable from those of other musicians and bands, but he also doesn’t take his experimentation to drastic, uncomfortable extremes. “The ‘80s, but futuristic,” he said, perhaps abstracting the essence of his musical vision
perfectly. Moving forward, Kimura plans to put out music on a frequent—maybe even weekly— schedule. He, however, will continue to only release what he is most proud of. Though his music is currently only on SoundCloud, he intends to move to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music once he has amassed a larger following. He would also love to do more shows with his band in the future. He describes the concerts that he has played with South Ferry as the most fun he’s ever had. “There’s no feeling like that,” he said. Though he wouldn’t mind being the next big rockstar, he’d rather just reach as many people as he can with his music. If he can, he would like to prove his versatility and branch out to other artistic realms. He wants to dabble in clothing design, music video direction, soundtrack creation, and more. Pay attention, because if his ambition is any indication of his future, it seems safe to say that Hiro Savage is going to do big things. Hiro Savage can be found on Instagram and Soundcloud as @ hirosavage, and South Ferry can be found on Instagram as @ southferrymusic.
Childish Gambino Faces Off Against Time ing stunt preceded five days of silence on Gambino’s part before the album was officially released onto streaming platforms on March 20. The bizarre nature of the album, however, doesn’t end with the release schedule. The album cover of “3.15.20” is a plain, white background with no text or pictures, and the titles of almost every single song are just the
timestamps of when that track occurs in the tracklist. For many artists, a concept album to such a great magnitude would produce mixed results, but Gambino is no stranger to a slightly atypical album; see “Because the Internet” (2013) and “Awaken, My Love” (2016). He uses this prior experience to play to his strengths on “3.15.20.” Opening with “0.00,” a three-
minute track with soft synths, glistening keys, and no lyrics other than the phrase “we are” repeated 30 times in rhythmic harmony, the project gets off to a surreal start. This sets the pace for the rest of the album and ensures the listener knows they’re not in for a typical listening experience. Gambino comes onto the album on the proceeding tracks,
rapping, singing, and vibing to an assortment of beats that range from tropical to experimental to dark and brooding. Part of what brings this project to life and keeps the 57-minute album moving along with adequate pacing is the variation in the beats and sound from track to track. In just a three-song run (from “32.22” continued on page 24
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Arts and Entertainment
to “39.28”), Gambino panic-raps over a Kanye West “Black Skinhead” type beat, transitions into upbeat guitar sing-along territory, and then completely switches lanes into barbershop quartetesque harmonies, all within the span of just over seven minutes. This experimental feel, however, can go in both directions. While it is a delight to listen to Gambino expertly master dozens of unique styles and sounds, some overly experimental aspects of the project feel gratuitous. The album’s longest track “24.19,” which spans a tiring eight minutes, features a minutelong outro that consists of a man moaning into the microphone while fast-paced, heartbeat-like drums thump in the background. This feature adds nothing to the concept of the album and drags an already lengthy track to the
Film By ALTHEA BARRETT Have you ever wished you had superpowers? Maybe you wished you could fly, shapeshift, or even turn invisible. Or maybe you wished that you had seemingly infinite strength. Originally a graphic novel by Charles Forsman, “I Am Not Okay With This” is a seven-part psychological thriller on Netflix directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Entwistle and Christy Hall, following adolescent Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis) as she struggles to control her newly found psychic abilities. The series follows Sydney through her day-to-day life as she faces emotionally-fraught questions of family, friendship, and sexuality. This would all
Music By SAMIRA ESHA When asked where she first heard the Lil Nas X’s smash hit “Old Town Road,” sophomore Naya Mukul said: “I think I first heard the song on TikTok. I remember hearing it on the app when it wasn’t that popular.” This legendary song started numerous trends and changed the Billboard Chart scene forever. “Old Town Road” went on to be the longestrunning number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for a recordbreaking 19 weeks and shot Lil Nas X into superstardom. This was just one of the first songs that would blow up through the app. Since then, TikTok has greatly impacted the music industry and is continuing to do so. TikTok is the reinvention of the social media app Musical.ly, bought by the company ByteDance Ltd., which completely revamped the app and transformed it into TikTok on August 2, 2018. Like its predecessor, TikTok allows creators to use songs and audio clips to create up to 60-second videos. Unlike its predecessor, TikTok is targeted to a wider range of interests. While Musical.ly mainly stuck to lip-syncing and dancing, TikTok has almost anything you can think of. From makeup to comedy to dancing, there’s something for everybody.
point where the song’s replay value is nonexistent. Another example of Gambino’s gratuitous outro-work occurs on “Algorhythm,” one of two songs in the album that doesn’t feature a title timestamp. This track, a mostly pulsing, groovy song with Denzel Curry/Kanye West-inspired beats and vocals, is weakened by the ridiculous outro, which is 20 seconds of chaotic, offbeat, pitchy drums that add nothing to the track. Only after multiple listens does one realize that the shorter a track is on “3.15.20,” the better it seems to be. With an album that changes and shifts so much, a song that drags on too long can make for an unfortunate stall in the powerful momentum that some other tracks carry. But criticizing the problems in “3.15.20” accentuates the parts when the album shines. When they’re not being used for annoying sidetracks, the synths and
drums on this album lend themselves to a richly produced body of work that transcends genre definition. Earworms like “35.31” exhibit why Gambino is such a coveted performer, with peppy guitars, smooth drums, and tropical background effects making for a smile-inducing three minutes. One cannot get through a review of this album, however, without addressing the elephant in the room: why is “3.15.20” so fixated on the concept of time? The lyrics and instrumentals seemingly don’t
reflect this sentiment, which leads me to believe that the mystery behind the timestamps, album title, and cover is not for t h e audi-
Yume Igarashi / The Spectator
ence to understand. Donald Glover is a man who likes to keep a mystery alive, so having a cryptic album theme is the perfect way for him to keep his audience guessing as they listen to the project. Gambino’s latest project is definitely a divisive one. While Pitchfork gives it just a 6.0/10, Rolling Stone gives it a perfect 5/5 and spends paragraphs upon paragraphs praising the project. I sit somewhere in the middle. I can appreciate most of this album for being a break from traditional music standards and an exciting piece of experimental work, but I can’t help but feel tired when this experimental nature begins to control Gambino, instead of the other way around. All in all, this album was a jolting exercise in experimental music and makes me very excited for the next Gambino project, whenever that may be.
One Hundred Percent Okay With This be enough in and of itself, but when you add in the danger of potentially slaughtering all of her loved ones with an ill-timed psychic-emotional outburst, it’s enough to drive anyone insane. Each episode only spans twenty minutes, but the pacing and the writing are both phenomenal. The story itself is pretty cut-anddry, without any major twists or deep-seated plot elements. But this simplicity allows the show to milk each scene and make even the most mundane things keep you on the edge of your seat. The soundtrack is also excellent, magnifying the emotional intensity of the show without ever feeling out of place. For twenty minutes, each episode feels like an hour well-spent. The premise is simple, but
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Childish Gambino Faces Off Against Time
the real lure of the story lies in the characters. Sydney doubles as the narrator and the protagonist, with almost the entire show being read out of her diary from some time in the future. Her internal monologue colors almost every scene, lending an extra layer of drama and suspense. Her best
friend Dina (Sofia Bryant) plays an excellent straight man to Sydney’s emotionally fraught antics. Her neighbor Stanley Barber (Wyatt Oleff) is hands down one of the best characters in the show for his phenomenal characterization (even among this cast) and Oleff ’s amazing performance. Dina’s new boyfriend, Bradley “Brad” Lewis (Richard Ellis), is an asshole, but he’s a believable asshole, rather than cartoonishly over-the-top. Even minor side and background characters are given at least a little bit of depth. Though not all are likeable people, they’re all cohesively written, understandable, and likeable characters. The casting meshes well; the acting ranges from good to great, giving a special nod to Oleff; and the stellar writing al-
lows them to act like real people with motivations that lead to organic growth of both the characters and the story, instead of props to be moved from point A to B. “I Am Not Okay With This” is a must-watch for anyone with an affinity for psychological thrillers, well-written characters, magical realism, or even just high school dramas. The soundtrack, characters, and the writing lend themselves to a unique and suspenseful series rich in all the elements that make a story great— and the best part is, the series isn’t over. The ending of season one, which wraps up Sydney’s origin story, sets the stage for season two. And with quarantine giving us all so little to do anyway, this series is more than worth a try.
TikTok’s Abrupt Change to the Music Industry This universality has led the app’s popularity and influence to spiral worldwide. Four of the songs in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 were linked to TikTok during the last week of March. One of them was Roddy Ricch’s “The Box,” which holds the number one spot at the time of writing this article. The song has an entire dance routine associated with it and 2.4 million people—including the app’s most popular creator, Charli D’Amelio—on the app have currently created a video using the song. As more people started doing the dance, the song grew and spent 11 weeks as number one, beating out artists like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, who released new music during that timespan. In addition to Roddy Ricch, TikTok has helped several other artists grow. Doja Cat has been a lingering name on the music scene with not much recognition for years. TikTok has played a huge role in her growth and the popularization of her songs. Doja Cat currently has five songs that are extremely popular on the app, the biggest one being “Say So.” User “YodelingHaley” created her own dance to the song, which eventually became one of the biggest dances on the app. Haley’s help in the success of
Ismath Maksura / The Spectator
Music
the song did not go unnoticed, as she was featured in Doja Cat’s music video for “Say So,” where you can see her doing her dance to the song. So, what is the recipe for a TikTok hit? Looking at some of the songs that have grown primarily on the platform like “Say So,” BEENE’s “Supalonely,” and Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now,” they have many musical similarities. When breaking down the chords, one might realize that they all heavily use seventh chords. T h e s e chords convey a sort of old-school pop vibe. A majority of the pop songs from t h e ‘90s seems to include a funky bass and
certain drum patterns, shared by many TikTok tracks today. With a combination of these elements, these songs are easy for creators on the app to create dances for, making them go viral. Rap songs are also big on the platform for two reasons. One: a lot of the popular dance moves incorporate the beat drops and changes present in rap songs. Two: the lyrics. If a user finds a relatable lyric in a song, they’ll create a sketch using it, usually from rap songs due to their highly interp r e t ive nature. Other than being catchy and having relatable lyrics, the popularity of something on the app can be based on what’s displayed on the “For You” page. People scroll through it for hours, watching randomly curated videos. Once a song is intro-
duced by a user, if people enjoy it, they can use it in their own videos and introduce the song to more users on the app. Singer Sub Urban is one artist who has had luck in having one of his songs thrive on TikTok with his track “Cradles.” In an interview with YouTube channel FBE, he said, “The fact is the people choose the songs and what gets popular.” He is 100 percent correct. Many times, the virality of these songs has been purely due to luck. As the influence of TikTok continues to grow, bigger artists are joining in on the trend. The Jonas Brothers created an account to publicize their Happiness Begins Tour. Camila Cabello came on the app and started her own viral dance to her song “My Oh My!” Artists like these have caught on to the power of TikTok in the music industry. The statistics and numbers have spoken: TikTok is the biggest app right now, and it will be for a while. As a result of its influence, the music industry is changing drastically. With the success of songs like “Old Town Road” and “The Box,” it’s clear that the app is controlling the Billboard charts. As for the future of the music industry, it would be in most artists’ best interests to join the app as soon as possible.
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
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Humor These articles are works of fiction. All quotes are libel and slander.
Excerpt From the Diary of the Zoom Developer
Th eS
pe cta t
or
enough, I’m a joke to every app developer out there! Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, Discord, and even worthless, old MySpace all laugh in my face as my platform becomes what the children refer to as a “meme.” They all think they’re better than me! And maybe they are for creating platforms that don’t allow extreme ian g/
40 minutes straight. I have created a monster, plain and simple. Zoom? More like Zooming off a cliff. My wife Karen has left me, perhaps due to my increasing irrationality. She took the kids, who are, no doubt, also using Zoom in their online classes. I wonder if they ever think of me as they troll their teachers with Alt+F4. Trolls! Don’t even get me started on the trolls. People are just logging in wherever and whenever they see fit! It’s absurd that this is happening. And now, somehow, people are relying on me to fix this problem. Hilarious! As if losing my family wasn’t
tin aJ
Day… something. I’ve lost count. All I know is that it’s been too long—much too long. Looking back, I intended on creating a tool that workers could use. I intended to become the patron of a new era—a technological, professional era. And yet, COVID-19 mocks us all with the onset of online school. My platform, once used with the intent of progress, is now the site where thousands of teenagers set ghastly virtual backgrounds, raise their hands incessantly, and laugh at the boomers who haven’t figured out my easy-to-use interface.
I made the Annotate function as a hopeful, strapping young developer, not realizing that children would be abusing it in their classes to draw impressive (if not biologically implausible) diagrams of certain male organs. Is this what the future is? And though the drawings on the screen are bad, they hardly compare to the godforsaken virtual backgrounds. I mean, seriously. Some of those backgrounds come from unspeakable websites that I find in my son’s search history. It’s appalling! The anime backgrounds are even worse. I pity the children forced to gaze upon Jojo’s screaming face for
Ch ris
By JASMINE WANG
t r o l l - ing, but still. Life grows ever bleaker as my faith in humanity wanes with each new eye-bleachworthy virtual background. To conclude, dear journal, existence is pain, and if it weren’t for the massive revenue coming in right now, I would have quit my job and moved to Alaska. The end is near. I can feel it dawning upon me. Finally, freedom from this mortal vessel is possible because of Zoom.
The Labyrinthian Mind: Emptying Clutter… but for What? By VICTOR KUANG Welcome to my fireside chat that happens to take place in a school newspaper! I’d introduce myself, but my name is already on the byline. In our first and only episode, we’ll talk about life and how we as humans can break free from the pain that it gives us. So, let’s talk about me. Personally, life pains me extremely often. From college rejection letters to former co-editors threatening me to write on time (my second draft was done four days after it was due, so HAH!), I’d probably be dead right now if it wasn’t for one thing: meditation. Meditation? You might be
By EMILY CHEN Long Essay Question Directions: You have 45 minutes to type a coherent response to the following prompt. All test-takers will be under surveillance by Zoom Inc. Like the rest of the examination, all websites will be locked down. Remember to press the “turn in” button when you are finished. Prompt: Explain the social, economic, or political effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the United States in the period between 2020 and 2030. Sample answer: Nearly a century before the coronavirus pandemic affected a bajillion people in the United States, the Great Depression devastated the country. Everyone was broke, and the Spanish flu had killed a bunch of people just 10 years prior. In short, America wasn’t doing too well. The economic crash resulted in many people losing their jobs and being depressed. In 2016, after President Donald Trump was elected, people cried, made memes, and America, again, was not doing too hot, unless you counted the rise of global warming. In 2020, America was attacked, not by North Korea, but by this weird germ thing that was known as the
asking, “what the fudge nuggets is that?” ArE yOu fOrCiNg ReLiGiOuS bElIeFs dOwN oUr ThRoAt, HuH? Okay, you know those breathing exercises your mom has to do to calm herself down after finding out that you came home three hours after curfew? Well, meditation is sort of like that. Think of it as the closest chance you’ll get to being a phoenix. You get beaten up and die, but then you’re born anew. Having removed tons of meaningless clutter, my only regret is not discovering meditation sooner. Let’s start. Imagine that it’s your birthday, and your family gave you the most beautiful birthday cake ever. Who cares
if they used some of your college fund to buy this cake? It’s so good that even that sort of embezzlement would seem to be a bargain. There’s just one teensy tiny problem: Your uncle Jack decided to blindfold you, preventing you from seeing your very own cake. However, this dude didn’t just use one blindfold like a normal person. He put like 10 on your face, including a plague doctor mask and five layers of blankets. Talk about overkill! Freaking out is clearly not the right option, as it would probably lead to suffocation. The most important thing is to be calm. So sit as properly as you can with your feet on the floor and arms and hands on
your legs. Think of everything that’s bothering you, whether it be the coverage your uncle gave you or the yearning for that cake. Take a few deep breaths. Then, slowly close your eyes. When they are shut, try to notice your surroundings from a new perspective. Listen to the sounds around you. Touch your lap. Wiggle your toes. Breathe more. Connect with life physically. After all is said and done, what does your mind want to do? Transcend beyond this mortal plane and reach enlightenment. Listen to Beelzebub’s voice and obey his command. Now, return back into your mortal shell. Blindly observe your surroundings. Breathe
slowly. Regain the senses in your hands, fingers, legs, toes, 207th bone (if you have one ;)), and anything else. Open your eyes. This is analogous to removing all of the covering to see the cake. You know splendor and wonder exist, but perhaps your thoughts dampen it at times, reducing the noticeability of said splendor and wonder. The mask, blankets, and blindfolds obscure your view of the cake. But after all is said and done, the effort will be rewarding and relaxing. Now go out there, champ. Make the most out of your life no matter what it brings you. I believe in you.
APUSH LEQ, 2079 coronavirus. Reminiscent of the Great Depression, the period now known as “the Dying ’20s” looked like an Edward Hopper painting, characterized by empty streets and lonely people sitting by themselves due to the dramatic shift in social expectations. The coronavirus pandemic in the United States negatively impacted the social environment of many cities due to social isolation and repetitive memes. The coronavirus prompted many state governments to issue recommendations of staying inside or at least six feet apart from others. Common catch-
the house bored.” The latter depicts both the struggles of selfquarantine and the desperation of Generation Z. Additionally, much of the younger generation turned to social media as a solution to their boredom and depression. During this time period, everyone suffered, and platforms like TikTok and Zoom reached an all-time high as a result. The loss of sanity among the general population was
concept that is foreign to us because who wants to sit and take a test? One of the greatest social problems during this time period was the staleness of memes. As a result of quarantine, new experiences were not as available for meme creation. Thus, memes consistently revolved around the lack of social interaction, Cardi B saying “coronavirus” in a dramatic tone, and people being bad students on Zoom. However, these constant yet repetitive memes exemplified the population’s attempt to grasp onto their sanity. Furthermore, this allowed intellectual development even outside of the physical classroom. By moving to remote learning, many students learned skills that were more applicable to their futures. These skills included pretending to work as a superior is watching you, avoid-
Cadence Li / The Spectator
phrases during this time included “two bros, chillin’ in a hot tub, five feet apart cause they’re not gay but six feet apart because they don’t want COVID-19,” and “I’m bored in the house, and I’m in
also evident in the existence of “Instagram challenges.” Finally, fear spread among the 17 and 18-year-olds about their impending futures. The 17-year-olds didn’t know if they would be able to take Advanced Placement (AP) tests, a
ing human contact, and training their retinas to not burn off in the growing digital age. As the National TikTok Archives show, many students even predicted this specific LEQ prompt. The anxiety produced by the virus also prompted armies of Ka-
rens to battle it out in the middle of Walmart and Costco for toilet paper. Some demanded to speak to the manager of the coronavirus, and others protested the virus by hosting walkouts. Some even tried digging through the coronavirus’s history in order to “cancel” it. Sadly, these actions furthered the spread of the virus, ending the lives of a bunch of people. In conclusion, the coronavirus was very bad for people. It was bad for society. In an age where technology was expanding rapidly, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth. Without this pandemic, many social conventions present today would not be in place. For example, AP tests may still be on paper, which would have made us run out of trees nearly 20 years ago. Thus, our generation owes it to those who were under quarantine who sacrificed their sanity for such a great contribution to our history textbooks. Teacher feedback: This is completely factually correct. Absolutely nothing is wrong with this. It should be published in a newspaper. Thesis: 1/1 Context: 1/1—Insightful connections were made. Evidence: 2/2—Extremely relevant details were thoroughly explained. Analysis and Reasoning: 2/2
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Sports Athlete of the Issue
Talking to Carnegie Mellon’s Newest Goalie By SHIVALI KORGAONKAR
Courtesy of The Indicator
Stefan Sorobay Height: 6’2” Eye color: Blue Hair color: Brown Birthday: 1/24/2002
1. When did you start playing soccer? I started playing around nine. I didn’t play actual soccer until I was 13, which was when I joined the Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC). 2. What was your recruitment process like? What were your biggest struggles? You have to advocate for yourself a lot. It is the business
of selling yourself. You have to sell your talent—I didn’t have much talent to begin with, so selling it was hard. I am a shy person, so getting out and talking to coaches is more strenuous than anything else. You have to create a resume, go to tournaments, and e-mail coaches asking them to come to your tournaments, which may or may not happen. They either give you feedback or tell you that they like what they see. I started my recruitment process the summer of my junior year. For Carnegie Mellon, I asked the coach to come to one of my tournaments, and he did. He then asked me to come to the ID camp, so I went to Pittsburgh that summer. After the camp, he e-mailed me and said that he’d like to continue the process through phone calls. I went on a phone call with the assistant coach, who asked me where I was in the recruitment process with other schools and such. During the second call, he offered me a position. 3. What position do you play? Are there any skills you want to improve on? I play keeper. I’m horrible with my feet. I want to improve passing, juggling, dribbling, and other skills. I’m pretty solid with my hands, and any other body part except my feet. Ever since I
started, my coaches have told me that since I’m tall, the strongest point of my game play should be my aerial domination. Whenever there’s a cross into the box, I have to be aggressive and intimidating and make sure that I have my vertical [jump] down and my footwork down for my vertical. Approach, confidence, handling skills, and decision-making are my strengths.
ing with the team is always fun, regardless of how hard it gets sometimes. 5. How do you deal with schoolwork and soccer? Any tips? It sucks a lot. In the fall when I had both school and club soccer, I’d come home at like 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., do homework until 2:00 a.m., and wake up at 6:00 a.m. It’s like that for a couple months, which sucks because I’m tired most of the time, but I just have to get through it. The mentality is that you sacrifice most of your social life, which is not always the best in the long run, but it is a choice you have to make in the beginning. I made my decision and it was a regrettable one to a certain extent. My tip would be that you just have to get it done. I know teachers always say it, but you have to manage your time. If you have a couple hours, check in with yourself every 30 minutes. Set goals and write lists to be efficient. Get as much done as you can whenever you have time; you won’t have to lose extra sleep that way.
4. How was your experience on the Stuyvesant soccer team? I regret not joining freshman year. I was close with the previous goalkeeper, who was two years older than me. He gave me a rundown of the team freshman year and told me that there were already a ton of keepers. He said I should definitely join the team, but that I would be practicing a lot instead of playing. Playing time is based a lot on what grade you’re in— freshmen are on the bottom of the totem pole. I told myself not to join because I didn’t want to waste my talent if I wasn’t going to play. That was probably my worst mistake. Once I joined my junior year, I had a good time, but I wasn’t as close to the players as I would’ve liked, especially the captains. My overall experience that junior year was frustrating. Senior year was also frustrating. But play-
6. What would be your advice for anyone who wants to be recruited for a college-level sport? If you want to get recruited, you have to know at a young age
that you want to play that sport until age 21 or 22. This isn’t an easy decision. If you know you have talent and passion, you have to put in time every day of every week. It’s not something you can take a vacation from because that hinders your progress. You have to push yourself every day. I knew I wanted to play college soccer when I was 14 or 15 because my coach, who was a D1 state champ and now coaches at CSI [College of Staten Island], told us about the connections and friendships you make. It’s something you can’t replace. 7. What is your proudest memory? My proudest memory was winning the Potomac tournament in D.C. two or three years ago. We pulled off a Portugal, where we went to penalty kicks in both the semi-finals and finals. In the semi-finals, only two of five penalty kicks scored. In the finals, three scored. It was the first time I actually felt useful on my team. It made me grow closer to my teammates. Drink of Choice: Pineapple Gingerale Favorite food: Doughnuts Motto to live by: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Fun fact: I used to go to military camp.
Sports Editorial
Female Basketball Players Who Are Paving The Way By ALICIA YU Everyone has heard of NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan—two basketball greats who have practically become household names. Millions of fanatics worldwide obsess over the NBA: NBA Finals tickets sell out every year and NBA merchandise garners millions of dollars in annual revenue. However, the same cannot be said about the WNBA or women’s basketball in general. Women basketball players across the nation strive to reverse that narrative and bring attention to the sport of women’s basketball. Two phenoms in particular have set the stage for a new era and have attracted immense national attention to the sport. Meet Hopkins High School senior Paige Bueckers and University of Oregon senior Sabrina Ionescu—two powerful forces who may just be the weapons that the NCAA and WNBA need to usher in a new fanbase for this rapidly evolving era of women’s basketball.
celled due to the coronavirus. This was especially unfortunate for her, as her whole team went undefeated that season, setting an amazing win streak that has carried into their current season of 62 straight wins.
high school basketball player ever to be featured on a SLAM magazine cover, a magazine that has featured basketball stars such as Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. Her fanbase consists mostly of children and teenagers, many who ask for autographs game after game. When asked about her rising popularity, Bueckers said, “I was a kid once, and I know how I looked up to older girls, so I’ll do sign autographs every time.” Next season, Bueckers will play for the University of Connecticut’s elite basketball team, the UConn Huskies, which has already won 11 NCAA championships. Though she admits that she’s nervous about meeting the high expectations set for her, her success at the high school level will serve her well as she transitions to college basketball.
Cindy Yang / The Spectator
Paige Bueckers Paige Bueckers stands proud and tall at 5’11, as she is ranked the number one female high school basketball player nationally this year. In fact, she is regarded as one of the best female high school basketball players of all time—and deservingly so. This senior guard has it all: effortless three-point shooting, tactical passing from all areas of the court, and an incredible style of play. Not only is Bueckers a great player statistically, but she is also an incredibly captivating player to watch. She has a unique swag in the way she car-
ries herself on the court that makes her likeable and entertaining; the fans never get tired of seeing her play. During her junior season, she carried her team, the Hopkins Royals, to a state championship title, averag-
ing an impressive 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.6 steals. She was on her way to possibly win another state title this season until the state championship game was can-
Bueckers has been honored with many awards and titles, most notably being named Gatorade’s coveted Player of the Year for girls’ basketball. In addition, she was the first girls’
Sabrina Ionescu Sabrina Ionescu is a senior guard at the University of Oregon, whose popularity has skyrocketed throughout her tenure representing the Oregon Ducks. Ionescu was the first NCAA player in history—regardless of gender—to score 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds, an exceptional achievement that many thought would take decades for female basketball players to accomplish. According to Chiney Ogwumike of the Connecticut Sun, Ionescu is special because she has an “excellent feel for the game, play[s at] her own tempo, and has the ‘That’s So Raven’ ability to see the future.” Her relentless work ethic shows a lot of grit and will to achieve perfection in ev-
ery shot and pass. According to Kelly Graves, who is her coach: “Sometimes, [we] literally have to pull her off the court. Otherwise, she has to be there. All the time. All out.” Her hard work has surely paid off: throughout her time as an Oregon Duck, she has averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. In her senior season, she improved her assists to 9.1 per game, about four more than her freshman season, in which she averaged 5.5 assists per game. Furthermore, she has won many accolades during her career at Oregon. She was honored as the PAC-12 Conference Player of the Year three times, awarded the Wade Trophy twice, and named Naismith Player of the Year. Ionescu was so talented that many thought she would opt to enter the WNBA draft after her junior season. However, she decided to continue playing at Oregon her senior year, in hopes of winning the NCAA Championship with her team. This goal was especially important for them, since they were so close the previous season. Unfortunately, the NCAA Championship was cancelled due to coronavirus, leading to the bittersweet end of Ionescu’s illustrious college basketball career. Ionescu’s story is far from over. She still has a lot to show going into the next stage of her basketball career: the WNBA. She is projected to be first pick in this year’s draft, in which most predict she will be taken by the city of the Big Apple, the New York Liberty. The future is bright for this young star as she will undoubtedly take the WNBA by storm.
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 27
Sports Sports Editorial
By AIDAN FINGERET and KRISH GUPTA Whether it’s the boos when Roger Goodell takes the stage or the cheers when teams select their franchise quarterback, the NFL Draft always has an electric atmosphere, with teams sealing their fates for years to come. Though this year’s NFL Draft will not take place in front of any fans due to concerns over COVID-19, the picks themselves will be as riveting as ever. Without further ado, here’s what to watch for on April 23: Aftermath of the Free Agency Frenzy The NFL offseason is almost always as exciting as the actual games, and this year is no different. Franchise icons Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, and DeAndre Hopkins have switched teams, creating a free agency frenzy that will inevitably force teams to alter their draft strategy. One of the biggest questions surrounding this draft regards the Patriots. It seems unlikely that they will stick with Brian Hoyer and Jarret Stidham under center. Bill Belichick has a deep talent pool at quarterback to fish from this year. He should take a quarterback at 23 overall if Jordan Love is available. If not, the coaching mastermind will unearth a gem like Jalen Hurts, Jacob Eason, or Jake Fromm in the second or third round. Further draft intrigue involves the Houston Texans. They still have Deshaun Watson under center, and the addition of David Johnson at the running back position fills their need for a workhorse. They had a good playoff run last year, beating the Bills and almost beating eventual Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. But after GM Bill O’Brien surprisingly traded away perennial top three receiver Deandre Hopkins, they will be scouting for a receiver this draft. There is an especially deep talent pool at
NFL Draft 2020 Preview
the pass catching position this year, with the likes of Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb, and Tee Higgins on the board. Some mock drafts have as many as 10 wide receivers being taken off the board in the first round alone, compared to just two being taken last year. Free agency aftermath affects so many teams that it would be hard to name all its impacts. The Chargers can select their quarterback of the future at sixth overall. The Giants should look to bolster their anemic offensive line. The Colts need more weapons for new quarterback Phillip Rivers. The Bengals have to build up their defense to support what should be an exciting offense.
try to select their next QB1 after poor seasons. If the Dolphins stay at number five, they will almost certainly take Tagovailoa if he falls to them, and should he not be there, Justin Herbert is a reliable plan B. The Chargers will also be in the mix to take a quarterback at number six, and there have been rumors linking them to Justin Herbert. Several teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and maybe even the Patriots, will try to seek out the Redskins, Lions, and Giants’ picks to leapfrog the Dolphins in the race for Tua. The first pick will be a n o brainer. But after that is
The Franchise Quarterback Hunt This year, as always, several teams will surely be searching for their next franchise icon. Louisiana State’s Joe Burrow will be the surefire number one pick after a phenomenal 2019 season, in which he led the LSU Tigers to the National Title. The hapless Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need for a Yu star to transform m their franchise. The two seem e Iga ra sh to be a perfect match—well, exi/ Th cept for the rumors that Burrow eS pe doesn’t want to play in Cincinnac ti. Though, he will almost surely w h e n tator t h i s be picked by the Bengals number draft gets interesting. one overall next week. The Washington Redskins Mock Draft (Picks 1-5) currently hold the valuable num- 1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow ber two pick after out-tanking the QB Louisiana State University Giants, a fellow NFC East team, 5,600 yards, 60 passing touchas well as the Detroit Lions of downs, a Heisman trophy, and a the NFC North division. Rumors national championship add up to have been intensifying that they arguably the greatest season ever will listen to trade offers from a by a college quarterback. Joe Burteam that wants Tua and target row is the best quarterback in this Isaiah Simmons themselves. Pos- draft, especially with Tua Tagovisible trading partners include the oloa’s injury concerns. The CinDolphins and the Chargers, two cinnati Bengals are in desperate teams with early picks that will need of a franchise quarterback.
If the Bengals do not take Joe Burrow, they need to fire their entire front office. 2. Washington Redskins: Chase Young EDGE Ohio State University In the past four NFL drafts, Ohio State has had two of the top defenders: Nick and Joey Bosa. But Chase Young has a higher floor and ceiling than both of them. Young is just as technically gifted as the Bosas, while also being one of the most physically dominant players in college football history. With 21 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, and 16.5 sacks in only 12 games due to a suspension that should never have happened (the suspension was for getting a loan so that his girlfriend could come to his game), Chase Young showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL for years to come. He’s a no brainer pick for the Redskins, who need help all over their defense, especially after announcing that they will be sticking with sophomore Dwayne Haskins at the helm of their offense. 3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah CB Ohio State University There are no basic stats that can explain how good Jeff Okudah is because teams were too scared to throw at him last year. But when teams did dare to test him, he showed why he is the consensus top cornerback in this draft. In the Michigan vs. Ohio State game this past season, one of the few games in which teams threw his way, Okudah racked up two passes defended and
shut down every receiver he was matched up against. The Detroit Lions traded their best defensive player in cornerback Darius Slay for next to nothing. To replace him, they signed cornerback Desmond Trufant, who was recently cut by the Falcons. Though Trufant may help them out, the Lions still need major upgrades in the secondary, and Okudah is the obvious pick for them. 4. New York Giants: Mekhi Becton OT University of Louisville The Giants general manager, Dave Gettleman, loves his “Hog Mollies” (big, strong lineman), and I believe he is going to pick the most Hog Molly lineman in this draft. The 6’7” 364 lb tackle out of Louisville, Kentucky, Mekhi Becton makes football players look like ants next to him—which will not change going into the NFL. The Giants have a major need for offensive tackles, especially with Nate Solder regressing as he ages. There are four top offensive tackles, but I believe that Gettleman will fall in love with Becton’s size and make him the first tackle off the board. 5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa QB University of Alabama Tua Tagovioloa burst onto the scene as a true freshman in the national championship game. Since then, he put up an almost Heisman season as a sophomore and was matching his sophomore production this past season before he suffered a season ending hip injury. Everybody knows that Tagovailoa is a great player, but he is a bit of a risk this high in the draft. His injury history coupled with the fact that teams cannot bring prospects in for physicals—NFL related physicals have been shut down due to COVID-19—make him a risky prospect. That being said, he is clearly the number two QB prospect and the Dolphins, after making a splash in free agency, still need a franchise quarterback.
The Grind Never Stops By THE SPECTATOR SPORTS DEPARTMENT
The Sports department is always working hard, no matter the circumstances. Here’s how we’re staying fit in quarantine. “I walk back and forth from my house to the dining table to eat five times a day. I exercise by utilizing my mouth muscles when I eat a lot of food, which ranges from a mug cake to fried chicken with biscuits.” —Aki Yamaguchi, junior “I try to stay active every day. Especially in the beginning of quarantine, I’d go on runs every morning and then shower as soon as I got home in case I touched anything on the way. At home, it’s been important for me to continue to play soccer, so I’ve been setting up cones in a small square in my room and dribbling around them with tennis balls, mini soccer balls, and rolled up socks. I’ve also been trying to juggle with toilet paper rolls, which is much harder than it sounds. Youtube is a great source for short workouts that you can do with minimal space and no equipment. Finally, I eat big meals to avoid snacking, and I keep lots of fruit around the house to succumb to my sweet tooth.” —Shivali Korgaonkar, sophomore “I’ve been running by the Hudson River most days after I finish schoolwork. Also, I’ve been doing Classpass Live workouts. Playing Spikeball in my apartment has definitely been the highlight of quarantine. Lastly, I’m exercising my wrists by playing plenty of FIFA 20.” —Krish Gupta, sophomore “I’ve been running four to five miles four to five days a week. This is the only time that I have been going outside recently, and running in Central Park has been a great way for me to relieve some stress. In the house, I’ve been trying to juggle toilet paper rolls, which I’ve miserably failed to do. This is a trend throughout the Internet, and though it may sound easy, it’s much harder than you think. Finally, I’ve been exercising my stomach by stuffing my fat face with all the junk food in my apartment.” —Ben Hamel, sophomore
“I jog around my neighborhood during the morning. When I get home, I take a shower to get rid of the germs I may have been in contact with. Then, I cross up my mom while playing basketball with an old Fisher Price basketball hoop. After completing my homework, I get my final exercise in by doing one minute planks every time I die in Call of Duty Warzone. I somehow also lose weight while yelling when I play NBA 2K.” —Tausif Tamim, junior “I’ve been sleeping a lot lately once I found out it burns calories. It’s crazy how intense that workout can be. I do one push-up every now and then, which really helps my muscle growth. I’ve named a player after me in FIFA 20 and he does a lot of exercise for me as well. Hassan is on the ball and he runs from the beginning of the field to the end and scores while I commentate from my bed.” —Samir Hassan, junior
“I went on a run with Ben Hamel on Monday, which was maybe the greatest moment of my life. Otherwise, I have been making sure to get my participation grade in physical education up by doing push-ups, wall sits, and any other exercise I can so that I can be stronger than Lebron James by the time we come back to school—if we ever come back.” —Deven Maheshwari, sophomore
“In all seriousness, I have been doing the lovely workout routine that Ms. Morel e-mailed us for physical education. It ranges from planks to jumping jacks, and it’s a nice way to remember to stay active. When quarantine had just started, I was going to Riverside Park uptown and playing either pickup soccer or just shooting and driving for three to four hours every day.” —Aki Yamaguchi, junior “I’ve been doing sit-ups and push-ups at home, along with occasionally acting like I’m Chinese Kyrie in my backyard. My fingers have been on a strenuous exercise routine, though, as I intensely play NBA 2K on my PS4 every night.” —Justin Lee, junior
Sophia Li / The Spectator
Page 28
The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Sports Sports Editorial
Brady, Bruce, and the Buccaneers By TAUSIF TAMIM Tom Brady announced via social media on Tuesday, March 17 that he would not be returning to the New England Patriots. This statement marked the end of his illustrious 20-year career with the Patriots, which amassed six Super Bowl wins, three MVPs, and 14 Pro Bowl appearances. There is no debate that Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, but can the G.O.A.T. continue to achieve greatness with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Before Brady even announced that he was leaving the Patriots, we all knew it was unlikely he would stay. Growing tension between the head coach of the Patriots, Bill Belichick, known as the greatest coach of all time, and Robert Craft, the owner of the Patriots, halted contract talks, and other teams seemed to be lining up to give Brady everything. According to numerous pundits, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Tennessee Titans
were most likely to acquire him. Recruiting Brady would require severe commitment, though. Brady wanted at least $30 million per year with a say in signing players. Most importantly, Brady wanted to live close to the east coast, where he can readily visit his family. Not only did Brady sign for the Buccaneers, but he also shocked everyone by signing a two-year $50 million contract. This contract disallowed Brady from being traded or franchise tagged. This guarantees that Brady will be with the Buccaneers for two years, a short window to win a Super Bowl. With the Buccaneers’ release of quarterback Jameis Winston, known as the “defensive player of the year,” for throwing thirty interceptions last season (let’s say future MVP), there is only room for the team to improve. The Buccaneers’ shortcomings don’t stop there. They have
not made a playoff appearance since 2007, currently the second longest tenure in the NFL. When we think this is finally the year for the Buccaneers, they seem to be falling apart.
Chloe Huang / The Spectator
The “Super Bowl offense” everyone has been touting for years has only led to disappointment. But with Brady joining them,
the Buccaneers are finally Super Bowl contenders. After hiding under a paper bag for being a Buccaneers fan, I now see a new light, not only because of Brady but also because of his collaboration with Bruce Arians, the head coach of the Buccaneers. Bruce Arians’s offense is known for its “no risk it, no biscuit” gameplan. Big plays lead to big wins, and Brady knows how to win big. Bruce also utilizes twice the amount of plays that an average NFL team would usually have. He only needs a veteran quarterback to be successful. Known as the “quarterback whisperer,” Bruce has coached the likes of Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and Carson Palmer. Every single quarterback Bruce coached accomplished amazing feats, stemming constant Pro Bowl and Super Bowl appearances. The players seem to be ecstatic about Brady’s arrival. One
show of appreciation is Chris Godwin giving the #12 jersey to Brady, who has always worn the number. Almost every player went on Instagram to welcome Brady with open arms. The Buccaneers’ offense will undoubtedly dominate by keeping Mike Evans and Godwin, both of whom were top five in receiving yards last year, along with tight end OJ Howard. A defense centered around Shaquille Barrett, Vita Vea, and Devin White will terrorize the league for years to come. With his arrival to the Buccaneers, Brady brings not only his physical prowess to the Buccaneers, but also his championship DNA from New England. Brady is still hungry to win, work, and remind people why he is still the G.O.A.T. After a disappointing exit in the first round of last year’s playoffs, Brady wants to win now more than ever. I think it’s safe to say the sun has finally risen for the Buccaneers.
Girls’ Varsity Softball
The Renegade Review By ETHAN KIRSCHNER At Stuyvesant, we have grown accustomed to having a relevant, playoff-bound softball team these past few years. However, much of Stuyvesant softball’s legacy has been mediocre, and only recently has the team taken advanced steps toward championship aspirations. Not only did the team move divisions from Manhattan A to Manhattan AA, but it also cemented itself as a contender in the division upon their introduction to the league going 104. Coach Miller took over the softball program after back-toback playoff misses. Though the team possessed heart, they lacked the talent necessary to
compete at a high level. Coming into Miller’s first year as the Renegades’ head coach, the school and players were optimistic that he would be able to turn things around. However, the honeymoon phase quickly faded after a 6-12 campaign in 2008 in which they missed playoffs for a third consecutive year. During Miller’s second campaign in 2009, the team was hoping a second year under his leadership would see more success. He did not disappoint. The Renegades tallied their second highest win of the past nine years, flipping their 6-12 record in 2008 to 12-6 in 2009. They snapped their three year playoff drought before being beaten in the playoffs by CHIS Mccown by a score of 10-6.
The girls sustained their success after their surprising season in 2009, though certainly not to the same degree. After losing the extraordinary senior class that led the team to their 12-6 record in 2009, the Renegades finished 8-7 in back-to-back seasons. Though they still made the playoffs during their less successful seasons, the team continued to strive for bigger goals. The freshman class that saw the team go 12-6 in 2009 stepped up to the plate as seniors in 2012 to lead the team to the heights it was hoping to reach. In the Renegades’ winningest season in the 21st century, the girls finished 14-1 and won the Manhattan A division title. It was an impressive breakthrough for the team who had finished in the bottom
third of the standings only five years prior. Once again, though not to the same extent as the 2012 season, the Renegades were able to keep putting together strong seasons, finishing in the top half of the league every year until 2018, including a couple of 11 win seasons. The Renegades’ success was finally recognized and they were promoted to Manhattan’s AA division in 2018. Upon their arrival into the league, the girls were expected to go through an adjustment year to acclimate themselves to their new competition. However, with no fear and big hearts, the girls played their way to a 10-3 record and finished in second place in their first year in the league.
S
I had the pleasure of covering the Renegades during their championship run last year. The group was tight-knit, and it played together and for each other. In only their second year in the league, the Renegades were able to capture the Manhattan AA division title behind an extremely strong senior class highlighted by Alexandra Archer (‘19) and Talia Kirschenbaum (‘19). On both sides, the girls played strong softball, committing few mistakes and capitalizing on their opponents’ errors. The rise of Stuyvesant softball should make the student body proud. The girls have been fearless throughout many years and willing to rise to challenges— even in the face of adversity.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
Page 29
Sports Sports Editorial
How Many World Cups Does it Take to Get Equal Pay? continued from page 28 Other arguments made in the USSF’s defense include that the men’s team participates in more tournaments, which in turn generates more money, while the women’s team only participates in one large tournament every four years. The USSF also cited star forward Alex Morgan, who is still receiving 75 percent of her salary while on pregnancy leave, a seemingly “equitable” paycheck for a pregnant woman in sports. We agree that men and women cannot display the same physical strength on the field, but the USSF is leaving out some key details in their defense. For example, the most purchased soccer jersey on the Nike website, a major sponsor of the USSF, is the U.S. women’s home
jersey. Additionally, since 2016, the women’s team has generated $300,000 more for the federation than the men’s team. Not to mention, they’ve played and won more games and championships, meaning they’ve had to travel, promote, and practice more than the men’s team. Not to mention, they’ve played and won more games and championships, meaning they’ve had to travel, promote, and practice more than the men’s team. While the men’s team definitely has the potential to generate more money, they are not actually winning these tournaments and receiving monetary prizes like the women’s team has been. In fact, their 2019 regular season record stands at a lackluster 21-11-13. Interestingly enough, the USMNT stepped forward to support the USWNT. They revealed that the women’s team members
have been blatantly left out of discussions on salary, and instead argued for the women to receive three times more pay than they, the men, were receiving. Most importantly, they encouraged the public to actively display their distaste toward the USSF while encouraging and supporting the female players. Members of the men’s team had been notoriously quiet throughout this situation, so this press release was a huge and surprising win for the women. The biological makeup of a woman is being used as an excuse to block out the voices of the little girls across the world who want nothing more than to see their idols treated just like their brothers’. We, alongside the USWNT, fight for an equal industry where the distinction between male and female is irrelevant to the assessment of how
much an athlete should earn. As female soccer players ourselves, the words of former USSF President Cordiero ring a familiar bell in our ears. It incites anger, reminding us that if we continue our soccer career, part of our responsibilities would be off the field and in the courtroom fighting for equal opportunity. And who’s to say that our daughters won’t be obligated to continue this fight? We are repeatedly told that our skills will never match those of our male counterparts. Regardless of our actual performance, we are told we will never play like the boys. These ideals are instilled in girls’ minds from a young age, both in and out of sports. The USWNT has been our figure of perseverance because they have pursued their passion on a global platform, despite the fact that they have never, and may
never, get the rightful compensation for the time and energy they devote to this sport. Not only do we admire their gameplay, but we also idolize the endless fight they have put up against a federation that has done nothing but shoot them down. On International Women’s Day, we weren’t surprised to see back-to-back pictures of girls posting their support for the USWNT on social media. Regardless of whether they are soccer players or not, women around the world fully empathize with what the USWNT is fighting for. They’re not fighting for money. They’re fighting for respect. This lawsuit stretches far beyond the realm of soccer and the right for equal pay. When little girls see that these strong women were able to persist through countless struggles, they will do the same.
Sports Debate
The King Has Been Crowned continued from page 30 A player like James is invaluable for a coach who needs to find the right matchups in crunch time. When comparing statistics, Jordan averaged 30.1 points throughout the course of his career while James averaged 27.1, a minor difference. What makes James truly better is his rebounding and his passing, as he averages 7.4 assists per game to Jordan’s 5.2, and 7.4 rebounds per game to Jordan’s 5.6. James is on a completely different level than Jordan when it comes to advanced statistics. As for playoff value over replacement player, James is so far ahead of Jordan that the difference in their values would be ranked 19th for this category. LeBron James has made it to nine NBA Finals in his career, eight being in succession, and most think he’s not done yet. While we cannot assume anything, James likely has at least three elite years left where he can make at least one more appearance on the big stage. This year is no exception, as James’s Lakers currently hold the number one spot in the West and have a clear path to the Finals, should there be one. The staple of the modern NBA is LeBron James, much like how Jordan was the staple of the ‘90s. However, not all of those nine Finals appearances are the same, and the anecdotes from those matchups are just as important as the numbers themselves. These eight words from 2016 come to life in every NBA fan’s mind: “Curry back to Igoudala, oh blocked by James.” Yes, that was the most memorable defensive play of all time from the world’s best player on the biggest stage. Great players make great plays in the big moment, and LeBron James certainly stepped up for his hometown city of Akron, Ohio— just outside Cleveland. James is often degraded for his Finals record of 3-6, especially when compared to Jordan’s spectacular 6-0. That being said, James had the misfortune of running into arguably the greatest dynasty at the peak of his prime. During one game, there was a graphic showing LeBron James, Kyle Korver, and Tristan Thompson for the Cavaliers, while the Warriors’ side showed Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green. Sheesh. This quartet of Warriors made them arguably the best team of all time, and losing to them twice is rather forgivable. Some of LeBron James’s Finals’ losses are bad—almost horrific. The most
talked about one is when the Heat lost to an aging Spurs team in 2014. LeBron James didn’t step up to the plate and instead of winning this series in five games, lost it in five. Though James certainly has his lows, he has ultimately sustained excellence over the years. LeBron James has made 16 All-Star Games, third all time to Kobe’s 18 and Kareem’s record of 19. However, LeBron James can and most likely will break this record in the next few years and become the ultimate AllStar. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are vastly different players. In one word, LeBron James is a playmaker. For the majority of James’s career, he has made players around him known, such as Mike Miller and Matthew Dellavodova, to name a couple. James is also eighth all time in assists—as a small forward! Alongside being a great passer, he is the third highest scorer of all time, with a legitimate chance of climbing to second, or even first. That being said, this statistic is a product of James being in the league for a longer amount of time and does not discredit Jordan, as he spent three years playing at the University of North Carolina under the late great head coach Dean Smith and retired multiple times. What makes LeBron James the best player of all time is his ability to stay great for such a long period of time while making others around him better. From his memorable quotes like “Cleveland, this is for you” to his buzzer beaters in the playoffs to the iconic photo of him dunking with Dwyane Wade’s arms out, LeBron James has influenced sports like no other. The craziest thing is that LeBron James is not done yet, as he is still considered a top MVP candidate at 35 and can win a title with the Lakers this season, barring cancellation. However, Jordan does have six rings to James’s three, and though there isn’t much justification to this, I can attempt to give some. Jordan played with Scottie Pippen, a top-five player in the league at that time, who helped him get those six rings. James carried the 2007 Cavaliers to the Finals all on his own and Jordan can never say he accomplished such a feat. While James will likely retire with less championship rings than Jordan, LeBron James is still the greatest of all time. The kid from Akron should be crowned at the ultimate throne. All of the other greats are just that—great—but they are subject to the throne of LeBron James, the king himself.
His Airness continued from page 30 As the numbers show, Jordan did not lose to these teams because of a lack of success against their defenses. Like LeBron early in his career, Jordan simply did not have any help. Yet recently, one of LeBron’s great rivals in his matchup with the Celtics, Kevin Garnett, was quoted saying: “We broke [LeBron].” In comparison, after defeating Michael Jordan’s Bulls, despite a 63-point performance against the Bird, McHale, and Parish Celtics, Larry Bird said after the game, “[Michael Jordan] is Jesus in sneakers.” The Bad Boy Pistons manufactured and later wrote a book on the “The Jordan Rules” to try and slow down His Airness, in which they simply decided the best way to do so was to hurt him and beat on him every time he got the ball. Both of these teams alone, not to mention Patrick Ewing’s Knicks and Reggie Miller’s Pacers that Jordan went through in the ‘90s, tower over all the Eastern Conference opponents LeBron faced in what was called the “leastern conference” by the time he got there. Yet once Mike got a second AllStar in Scottie Pippen and came back physically and mentally prepared, Jordan toppled both of those dynasties, and from there put the league on lockdown for a decade. It is ultimately the assassin’s mentality that Jordan developed from his early encounters with two of the greatest dynasties ever that separates him from LeBron James. Jordan’s killer mentality in the clutch and mental toughness has always been his defining characteristic, and it has never been questioned. The same cannot be said for LeBron, however. It is not fair to hold LeBron’s first Finals appearance, in which he was swept by the San Antonio Spurs, against him, since he, like Jordan early in his career, had no help whatsoever. However, his Finals appearances after that, in which he got to team with multiple All-Stars like Jordan’s Pippen and Rodman, are fair game. In his next Finals appearance against the Mavericks in 2010-11, LeBron was teamed up with Dwyane Wade, a top five player at the time, and Chris Bosh, arguably the best big man in basketball at the time, in Miami. In what many expected to be the first of “not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven…” (LeBron James, Miami Heat Big Three Parade 2010) championships, LeBron James had the biggest meltdown we have ever seen from a superstar of his magnitude in an NBA Finals. In a series of fourth quarters that left fans in awe witnessing a highly inefficient, low-scoring, turnover-prone, and shook King. The Heat were beaten by the Dallas Mavericks in six games, and LeBron James, believe it or not, was outplayed by an aging Jason Terry. To his credit, the Heat came back the next year and beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, despite Kevin Durant averaging 30 points against LeBron. But the year after, LeBron had his legacy saved by Ray Allen against the San Antonio Spurs. In Game 6, down three with time running out, LeBron
bricked a three off the rim, only for Chris Bosh to grab a long rebound (Tim Duncan confusingly was not in the game at the time for the Spurs) and kicked it out to Ray Allen in the corner for the most clutch shot in NBA history. As much as LeBron fans may argue, this is not comparable to Jordan kicking it to Kerr at the top of the key because Jordan drew up that play himself, whereas LeBron would have been remembered for missing that three had it not been for Chris Bosh and Ray Allen’s clutch plays by the grace of a higher power. However, the Spurs got their revenge the following year, blowing the Heat off the floor in five games by a record margin at the time, and essentially blowing LeBron out of Miami and back to Cleveland. In his return to Cleveland, LeBron was objectively unfortunate enough to have run into a few Golden State Warriors teams, some of which can be considered the greatest ever. In their first of four matchups, LeBron played arguably the greatest span of basketball in his Finals career and had the unfortunate luck of losing both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Thus, it would be a wrongdoing to put that against him. The next year is the famed 3-1 comeback and LeBron’s chasedown block against Andre Iguadola in Game 7. But let’s not forget that just as Jordan needed Pippen, LeBron needed Kyrie. Kyrie averaged 27 points that season compared to LeBron’s 29, and it was him who hit the game-winning fadeaway three over Steph Curry. LeBron needed Kyrie to be his closer to hit that clutch shot. Michael Jordan didn’t need a closer, because he is the all-time closer—just ask Utah Jazz fans; they’ve had their fair share of Jordan’s late-game heroics. When we think of Michael Jordan, we think of those series-ending shots, with his midrange jumper over Bryon Russell to bury the Stockton-Malone Jazz imprinted in basketball history. In his most recent Finals, LeBron was beaten in five games and then swept by arguably the greatest basketball team ever assembled with the Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson-led Golden State Warriors. I do not find these to be major detractors to his legacy because of the feat he was tasked with overcoming. LeBron James will go down in history as a top-three player of all time, as he respectfully should. In all fairness and objectivity, both LeBron and Jordan needed another AllStar or some additional assistance to get over their struggles in the playoffs earlier in their careers and to win the NBA Finals. However, there have been too many instances in which we saw LeBron mentally wear down in the Finals, need teammates to hit clutch shots for him, and get blown off the court by record margins even with help around. With His Airness’s decade of dominance and a prolific, undefeated run in the Finals with six Finals MVPs, it is simply too much for the King of Akron to overcome. In the Greatest of All Time discussion, there is Michael Jeffrey Jordan, and then there is everyone else looking up at him.
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The Spectator ● April 15, 2020
THE SPECTATOR SPORTS Sports Editorial
How Many World Cups Does it Take to Get Equal Pay? By SHIVALI KORGAONKAR and AKI YAMAGUCHI For all of sports history, female athletes have been paid less than their male equivalents, whether it be through sponsorships, championships, or general salaries. Initially, viewership and revenue between men’s sports and women’s sports were incomparable. Today, while profit from female athletes is increasing rapidly, their income doesn’t follow suit. After a dominating World Cup win and impressive 48-4-6 regular season record, captain and leading goal scorer Megan Rapinoe secured $1.2 million in 2019. Amazing, right? Well, if Rapinoe’s equivalent on the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) had led his team to the same victories, he would have made $4.1 million in comparison. On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2019, all 28 mem-
bers of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) filed a classaction lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Filed in a Los Angeles court, the lawsuit was filed under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit stated, “Despite the fact that these female and male players are called upon to perform the same job responsibilities on their teams and participate in international competitions for their single common employer, the USSF, the female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts” (USWNT’s Lawsuit). Detailed in the lawsuit was the USWNT’s lack of compensation for their many championships, Olympic medals, consistent No.1 ranks, 2015 World Cup victory, and 2019 World Cup victory, the most-watched soccer game of all time in the U.S.
The players also highlighted the many ways they have been treated unequally—and not just in pay. One such
Ivy Jiang / The Spectator
highlight was the disparity between training fields and transportation conditions. The USWNT played on artificial turf for 21 percent of their matches from 2014 to 2017, compared to the two percent of matches the USMNT played. The lawsuit also highlighted that if both teams won 20 non-tournament matches in a year, the top female player would earn a maximum of $99,000, compared to a top male player who would earn an average of $263,320. All in all, the lawsuit brought to light the USSF’s clear gender-based discrimnation regarding their overall pay, conditions, and training. At the beginning of March 2020, the USSF released controversial statements in their court filing arguing their defense.
Under President Carlos Cordiero, the USSF claimed that women “do not perform equal work requiring equal skill [and] effort” in comparison to men, because “the overall soccer-playing ability required to compete at the senior men’s national team level is materially influenced by the level of certain physical attributes such as speed and strength.” These statements received a great deal of backlash from the USWNT, whose members demonstrated their disappointment during their SheBelieves tournament game by wearing their training gear inside out. President Cordiero responded to the backlash by resigning after claiming that he never read over the court filings, and, had he read it, he would’ve opposed the statement. continued on page 27
Sports Debate
The King Has Been Crowned Who is the G.O.A.T. of basketball? Who is the greater NBA icon? There are only two possible answers: Michael Jordan or LeBron James. That being said, I do want to acknowledge the terrific career of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the late, great Kobe Bryant. The debate over the greatest basketball player of all time can be everlasting, with countless perspectives to be shared. Some use statistics from the regular season, but as Max Kellerman says, the greats are made in the playoffs. Some use championships won, but this can be misleading, as some players just happen to be on great teams. Some use statistics from the last two minutes of playoff games and the memorable moments. Some use the great longevity of a career. Some use sheer physical dominance. Others simply use the “eye test.” That being said, we can all agree that a combination of all of these factors should be used in the debate to determine the greatest basketball player of all time. As a 17-year-old kid in high school, LeBron James was on the cover of “Sports Illustrated.” James was born with a gift, the ability to become the greatest basketball player of all time, and he has worked, worked, and worked to accomplish this goal. James wanted to “be like Mike,” as Jordan was the gold standard for years. But the tide may have turned. Did LeBron James just become the new gold standard of the NBA? The answer is a resounding yes, both on and off the court. As a rookie in the NBA, LeBron James accomplished impossible feats, breaking countless scoring and tripledouble records en route to winning the Rookie of the Year Award. LeBron James single handedly led the Cleveland Cavaliers to 18 more wins compared to the previous seasons. Keep in mind that LeBron James was a teenager! Though Jordan may have had better rookie stats to his name, James was three years younger and was still a developing prospect. The following season marks the start of James’s absurd streak of playing in at least one playoff series every season since 2005. While this may not sound like much, and quite frankly, it is expected for the G.O.A.T. to make the playoffs every year, we shall not overlook the fact
that he did so with the 2005 Cavaliers, a horrific team prior to James’s entry. That being said, we know making the playoffs doesn’t make someone the best player of all time, as both Jordan and James have great records of making the playoffs. So what gives James the edge over Jordan? The answer is simple: prolonged greatness. LeBron James was already considered one of the top-three players in the NBA even way back in 2006, alongside the late great Kobe Bryant (rest in peace to a hero) and Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan would become a fivetime champion, with three Finals MVPs, and a First Ballot Hall of Famer, alongside Kobe Bryant. LeBron James has
By SUNAN TAJWAR
The King of Akron! The Chosen One! All these names belong to LeBron James, the most dominant basketball player in the NBA’s recent history. LeBron’s plethora of success and accolades over the years have rightfully put him into the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Discussion as he rightfully deserves to be. However, to think that the culmination of LeBron’s career at this point is enough to have surpassed Michael Jeffrey Jordan is simply delusional. After all, before LeBron was LeBron, he, like every other kid in America that touched a basketball, wanted to “be like Mike.” Michael Jordan first appeared on national basketball radars when he hit the gamewinning shot for UNC against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA finals. But that shot was merely a minuscule sample of what was to
Nicholas Evangelinos / The Spectator
By BEN HAMEL
His Airness
remained a top player for the last fourteen seasons and counting. He holds the all-time record in All-NBA First Teams with 12, a number likely to be 13 by the end of this season, and maybe 14 or 15 by the end of his career. James’s prolonged greatness includes his defensive prowess as shown by his five All-Defensive First Team selections. While Michael Jordan has a higher career average in steals, LeBron James has a defensive weapon that Jordan does not: the ability to guard all five positions on the floor, which is extremely valuable in today’s NBA. Because of this, James’ teams have had the ability to play the hot hand and did not have to worry about defensive matchups. continued on page 29
come in the greatest, most prolific, and most storied career for any man or woman who has held a basketball. For his career, LeBron James averages 27.1 points per game, an impressive feat compared to anyone but His Airness. Michael Jordan in his rookie year came into a league dominated by the likes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics, and still put on a scoring display that had many questioning whether he was already the best player in the world. In his rookie year, Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.5 rebounds. Many consider LeBron to be the most statistically successful player in NBA history, having recently passed Michael Jordan, but they are not putting these statistics into context. LeBron’s longevity is his greatest asset in this race to be the GOAT, but on a year by year, statistical average basis, it is hard to argue against Jordan. In his 12 years with Chicago, Jordan averaged 30 or more points for nine of those years and won 10 scoring titles, compared to LeBron’s one. This is coupled with a career average of 5.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds.
We must also take into account that Jordan accomplished these feats in a league where players were allowed to “play defense.” The league has understandably taken precautions on the defensive side to protect players, but the allowance of hand-checking and hard fouls in the paint during Jordan’s time made it significantly harder for him and players in his era to score, and has now resulted in an inflated amount of points for LeBron and players in this era. This does not even consider the massive discrepancy between the two on the defensive side of the ball, which believe it or not, 50 percent of the game must also be accounted for. Beyond the dunks and clutch shots, His Airness was one of the greatest defensive players of all time. Over the span of his career, Jordan was named Defensive Player of the Year in 87-88, was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times, and won three steals titles. This towers over the defensive abilities of LeBron James, who despite having shown the ability to play defense, has had his defensive work rate and effort questioned many times. Look at LeBron’s three matchups with Kevin Durant in the finals, where Durant averaged 30 or more points against the King, even in a loss. Look further back at LeBron’s final year in Miami, where his Heat was blown off the floor by a then record Finals margin by an aging San Antonio Spurs team. Now that we have covered the statistical grounds of this argument, we can move onto the more important postseason, where we see the gap between Jordan and LeBron grow even wider. It is easy to make the argument that Michael Jordan was 6-0 in the finals with six finals MVPs, while LeBron is 3-6. But the argument is much more compelling if we evaluate their postseason performances holistically and in context. Beyond the 6-0, Michael Jordan never let a Finals reach a seventh game. His Airness never took more than six games to close out the best the Western Conference had to offer, year in and year out. In that span, he averaged a career 33 points in the Finals compared to LeBron’s 28, leaving Jordan second to only Rick Barry in career Finals points per game. But beyond the Finals, Jordan averaged more than 30 points every year in the playoffs (highest being 43.7 in 85-86) except for his rookie year, where he averaged a measly 29.3. Many will fairly point to the fact that Jordan had been swept early in his career in earlier rounds of the playoffs. But as LeBron fanatics are always quick to point out LeBron’s level of competition in the Finals as a reason for his many losses, it is only fair to take into account Jordan’s competition early in his career. In the ‘80s, Michael Jordan ran back-to-back into two dynasties, Larry Bird’s Celtics and the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons led by Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, teams that physically beat Jordan up in the paint, game in and game out. continued on page 29