Volume 108, Issue 15

The Spectator The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

Volume 108 No. 15

“The Pulse of the Student Body”

May 25, 2018

stuyspec.com

2018 Endorsements

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month In recognition of Asian American Heritage month, much of The Spectator’s content this issue reflects on the experiences of the more than seven in 10 Asian students who attend Stuy and, hopefully, read The Spectator. As a part of Stuy, The Spectator’s recent history is dominated

by Asian Americans whose talent and experiences have colored its voice. Dedicated to all to come before us, and all who will come after.

The Rise of K-Pop Dance

By AMY HUANG, ARTEM ILYANOK, and MICHELLE LAI

The month of May marks a time of celebration of generations of Asians and Pacific Islanders who have enriched American history with their cultures. Music, with its ability to transcend language, has become a powerful platform for Asian artists to break boundaries. continued on page 11

Things Our Parents Want For Us That We Don’t Want

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Alex Lin, sophomore

Anonymous, sophomore

My parents don’t think that art is something I should pursue, but it’s not something I would seriously have a career in. I like to do it as a hobby, but even as a hobby, my parents think that it’s a waste of time.

My parents want me to have kids in the future, but I don’t want kids. I want a very successful career and kids can get in my way. continued on page 10

Photo Essay on page 2

HUMOR

OPINIONS

What the Sterrs SHOULD Have Named Their Child

Forgotten Asians

The Humor Department takes on their Holy Duty to take the initiative and come up with a legendary name for what will surely be a legendary human being–the new Sterr baby.

Freshman Kaylee Yin breaks down the Asian monolith and her own bi-ethnic identity.

see page 26

see page 14

Page 2

The Spectator â—? May 25, 2018

Photo Essay: Asian-American Heritage

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 3

SU Endorsements: Sophomore Caucus Katerina Corr and Ayala Sela They acknowledge that the incentive of extra credit, which was specifically used to attract students for Richard Axel’s lecture, helps to increase student turnout. However, Corr mentioned that some students who only showed up for the extra credit have continued to attend other lectures on their own.

Corr was aware of the turnouts of each of the lectures, showing a strong attention to detail.

Planning social events like dances and movie nights is not a focal point of their campaign, but they recognize the need for nonacademic activities and are open to suggestions from other students.

And in terms of facilitating greater communication between student council and students, they encourage the use of homeroom representatives, which was not implemented earlier in the semester.

Though having homeroom representatives is not a new idea, Corr and Sela believe it would be useful for the caucus, as they dislike the idea of having open sugges-

tion forms. Deeming the students’ suggestions as often irrelevant or uninformed, Corr believes these smaller, more specific suggestions can be conveyed through homeroom representatives rather than directly. Still, Corr and Sela are open to ideas and feedback on improving the projects they work on.

However, the ideas their campaign presents aren’t new ones.

Both the lecture series and pen pal program have been in the works since the election of Corr as Freshman Caucus President.

Building better communication and advocating for school dances are both ideas that have come up time and time again in campaigns.

Overall, the Corr-Sela campaign contains very feasible ideas, and the ticket is very well versed in its goals and in the case of Corr, accomplishments thus far. The Spectator has decided to endorse this platform because Corr and Sela present viable ideas and are aware of the necessary steps to making their ideas a reality.

Vincent Gao and Andrew Lys

Neil Sarker and Sarai Pridgen

The pair emphasized hosting more events outside of Stuyvesant, but did not provide any ideas or contacts that would make this a feasible idea. A complaint the two presented was the disorganized manner in which they believed Semiformal was organized. When questioned on what about the process they felt was failing, Sarker cited the unclear selection of organizing members, claiming that it was nepotistic and that no forms were distributed for application. However, the current Sophomore caucus did send out an e-mail with all applications clearly linked. We feel the pair did not do enough research into this manner, and did not provide specific details on how to improve the selec-

tion and organizational aspects of Semiformal.

Despite their clear ability to work effectively as a team and the realistic nature of their policies, this ticket lacks substance overall. Despite the potential merit of some of their ideas, namely the Google calendar if implemented correctly, the general message of communication and organization that they put forth lacked the research and specificity necessary to make such a standard platform particularly attractive. If elected, SARKEN has the attitude and potential to improve sophomore year for their peers, but as of right now, they lack the substance of a truly promising ticket.

Freshmen Vincent Gao and Andrew Lys propose a four point plan: they want to extend the WiFi, offer extra credit for attending academic events and workshops outside of the classroom, increase government transparency, and create a communal game room for students. A number of these proposals are both realistic and reflect the wishes of their peers. Though the two have received major criticism for their extra credit idea, students claiming teachers would never support such an idea, Gao has reached out to and garnered tentative support from language teacher Rebecca Lindemulder, history teacher Brenda Garcia, and Assistant Principal of World Languages Dr. Ernest Oliveri.

Similarly, the two have reached out to smaller clubs with the intent of having all game and recreational sports-related clubs come together once a month to hold a schoolwide recreation session. The ticket supports small-scale help for students—their slogan is “permanent

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

over temporary,” and they want to focus on school-wide amenities that “last longer than some lecture after school.”

Their policy of extending WiFi, unfortunately, is less feasible. Gao identified the problem easily—students who come into the school later are often unable to connect to the school WiFi. The ticket, however, could not offer any tangible solution for this, simply repeating that they would “extend the WiFi by talking to the Department of Education.”

If that didn’t work, Gao said, they would try talking to the DOE again.

The two also struggled with finding a personal balance. Gao interrupted Lys a number of times during the interview, and the two spent half of their time speaking simply identifying the weaknesses of other platforms. Though the ticket’s policy proposals are sound, the two candidates’ unbalanced team dynamic cast doubt on their chances of successfully representing their peers.

Nozima Nurullaeva and Cynthia Or

portunities, a major tenet of Nurullaeva and Or’s platform is hosting more fairs and fundraisers. Their proposal is for more humanities-oriented fairs, such as one centered around writing, that will appeal to students who do not have an interest in STEM subjects. It will be interesting to see how Nurullaeva and Or, if elected, will host more fundraisers, since there is a set limit on the number of fundraising events that Stuyvesant is allowed to host during the year. The team suggest that the money raised from these events should be used to pay for PSAL team uniforms, since many student athletes must pay for their own uniforms. They did not say whether this money would be distributed equally among teams nor how much money they expected to raise in total.

To hear suggestions and concerns in their grade, Nurullaeva and Or offer the opportunity to submit feedback via

a Google Form survey, which is a common campaign promise among caucus candidates, yet is rarely implemented.

Nurullaeva and Or themselves are qualified for running for Sophomore Caucus, as both have run for coveted positions in student government in middle school. Their team is also diverse, with students who are talented in many different areas, from art to event organizing. However, Nurullaeva and Or did not have the dynamism that is a hallmark of a good student government candidacy. Nurullaeva seemed to be more aware of the ticket’s proposals than Or did, and dominated the conversation. Or was knowledgeable about their platform, but shied away when asked specific questions about their platform.

The team of Nurullaeva and Or has noteworthy ideas, such as increased extra credit opportunities from teachers and more fundraising events. How-

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Sophomore caucus candidates Nozima Nurullaeva and Cynthia Or have a vision centered around giving students more opportunities both to hold fundraisers and to receive extra credit from teachers for participating in said events. However, their platform is built around generalizations that are not plausible within the Stuyvesant community.

One of the ticket’s proposals is teachers giving students extra credit for attending lectures and fairs. This is based on Nurullaeva and Or’s observations that not many of their peers attend lectures or fairs, so extra credit will serve as an incentive. The pair also believe that teachers should give extra credit for volunteering events. While it is true that more people will be compelled to volunteer at events, this proposal may contribute to Stuyvesant’s toxic and grade-driven atmosphere.

Alongside more extra credit op-

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Neil Sarker and Sarai Pridgen, dubbed SARKEN, approached the managing board with a friendly disposition and remained poised throughout the interview. Both Sarker and Pridgen wield impressive backgrounds in student government and are avid debaters, which was apparent in their answers to a wide array of questions and follow-ups. The pair’s dynamic was seamless as they complemented and reinforced each other’s ideas gracefully. With other candidates struggling to share responsibilities and work together constructively, we have faith that Sarken would not have trouble in that regard.

The campaign has a heavy focus on communication and transparency in the SU, not exactly an original trajectory for an SU platform. The majority of their transparency is intended to be communicated via e-mail. By sending out contact information for members of their caucus, they hope to make students aware of the role the caucus plays and who their representatives are.

They plan to institute an idea similar to SLT minutes, where sophomores will receive weekly transcripts of Sophomore Caucus meetings.

Other points include sending out polls and Google forms to receive feedback from students.

With a heavy focus on outreach and ideas from students, the pair had few specific ideas for improvements themselves. They emphasized making Stuyvesant less stressful and improving student happiness, also a common campaign trend, but did not explain how they would execute these goals.

SARKEN suggested increased communication with guidance counselors but, apart from generally encouraging the student body, did not specify any other methods.

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

After a run as Freshman Caucus President, Katerina Corr has returned to run for Sophomore Caucus President with a new running mate—Ayala Sela. Unlike the platforms of many other campaigns, Corr’s and Sela’s platform consists of not only interesting but also practical ideas.

Continuing from her project as Freshman Caucus President and reviving what was once exclusive to Japanese classes, Corr and Sela have decided to expand the pen pal program to other languages.

Corr has already obtained consent from Principal Eric Contreras, Assistant Principal of Security, Health, and Physical Education Brian Moran, and Assistant Principal of World Languages Dr. Ernest Oliveri, and believes that this program will benefit higher level language students by giving them opportunities to practice writing in a foreign language.

Another goal of theirs is to continue the lecture series that has been met with varying success.

ever, due to the lack of specificity on how to spend the raised funds and the tepid interaction between Nurullaeva

and Or, The Spectator has decided not to endorse their platform.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 4

SU Endorsements: Sophomore Caucus idea of having any—because they believe that the first step is to “analyze the powers of the Sophomore Caucus” and then promote transparency by sending an e-mail to the sophomore class with an explanation of said powers. When asked what they thought those powers included, Lee and Hu remained standoffish, explaining that they would need to be elected in order to answer the question.

The ticket certainly has its heart in the right place. Lee was a member of the IT department of the Student Union for a month, and he explained that he became frustrated because

the people he worked with kept on deferring to what he described as “higher powers.” The two want to break down what they considered to be a highly bureaucratic and inefficient Sophomore Caucus and protest the very nature of the elections, which Lee described as “just a popularity contest.” However, their refusal to put forward any tangible proposal for their grade and Hu’s inability to make his voice alongside Lee’s heard cast doubt on their ability to represent and lead the rising sophomore class together.

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Freshmen Jonathan Lee and David Hu approached us confidently, Lee immediately launching into an explanation of how he is considered “the biggest joke of the freshman class, not because I’ve done anything bad...I’ve never cut a class, I take precalculus...but I’m the biggest meme because of the silly things I do. I promoted Stuy Open Source so much it became a meme.” Hu followed up, saying, “I’m just a normal student.”

The two are far from ordinary, however, as they are running a highly unorthodox campaign. They do not have any real policy proposals—in fact, they were highly indignant at the

Jonathan Lee and David Hu

SU Endorsements: Junior Caucus Eve Wening and Zeynep Bromberg businesses, and there is no reason to believe they will not bring this experience into the future. Both have also worked with Assistant Principal of Security, Health, and Physical Education Brian Moran to successfully plan the Snow Ball and Semi-Formal.

The Wening-Bromberg platform vows to end the cronyism that has plagued student government in the past. The promise to diversify the SU by including members of various friend groups within the student body is wellintentioned; however, it comes hand in hand with an expansion of the SU bureaucracy. While they may be open to accepting new members, the ticket will certainly not deny students who are already active within student government.

As such, the Wening-Bromberg’s diversity initiative depends on tacking on more positions to an already bloated caucus.

The Wening-Bromberg ticket is very clearly adept at managing money and creating social connec-

tions with corporations outside of Stuyvesant. These corporations may bring the Stuyvesant student body considerable revenue. Although the SU’s function is not limited to the allocation of money, many institutions within Stuyvesant are often short of it and could greatly benefit from these profits.

Personable and well-spoken, Wening and Bromberg are approachable, and seem to have a good relationship and understanding of how to operate as a unit.

Throughout the past year, they have demonstrated their commitment to effectively implementing school reforms, such as a more lax cell phone policy. While they acknowledge that change to the policy cannot occur overnight, the ticket believes that taking incremental steps towards cell phone freedoms will ultimately result in the larger deregulation of student cell phone use. This pragmatic approach to policy-making is something The Spectator admires.

Hana Kim and Anna Xia

Ahmed Sultan and Tashfia Hasan

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Though Junior Caucus candidates Ahmed Sultan and Tashfia Hasan certainly seem committed to improving the student body, their ideas for doing so are as of yet insubstantial.

The Sultan-Hasan platform has four main points: more events, constant communication with the student body, improved college assistance, and increased mental health awareness. Each of these ideas is certainly feasible, but the lack of anything innovative gives the ticket no clear edge over competing campaigns that have proposed the same (and more creative) ideas. To their credit, Sultan and Hasan acknowledged that their proposals are fairly generic, and positioned their attention to detail as a differentiator.

However, when pressured about specific plans, Sultan and Hasan failed to explain how they would do a better job than the other candidates or previous Student Union leaders which have already implemented said ideas. For example, when confronted with the Wellness Council’s existing implementation of mental health services such as meditating, Sultan and Hasan were unable to offer improvements aside from a promise to further promote them. Additionally, both seemed unaware of how to properly finance their ideas, aside from repeating “more fundraisers.” (The school has a set limit of fundraisers we may hold per year).

The pair also lacks research behind many of their ideas. When asked how they would encourage students to fill out their proposed biweekly feedback forms, given Stuyvesant’s generally apathetic view of the Student Union, the two were unable to respond besides noting the issue. Sultan and Hasan

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Eve Wening and Zeynep Bromberg make a formidable pair. With prior experience as Vice President and Events Director of the Sophomore Caucus respectively, Wening and Bromberg have a deep understanding of SU bureaucracy, a solid relationship with the administration, and a deep knowledge of DOE regulation. While not the most dynamic or original ticket running for junior caucus, Wening and Bromberg have earned The Spectator’s endorsement primarily because of their experience.

Though bogged down by many initiatives that many previous caucuses have tried—and failed—to accomplish, such as giving student athletes free periods in place of Physical Education classes, the platform shines in its promises to streamline events and obtain sponsorships and academic support for students. As part of Sophomore Caucus, Wening and Bromberg were successful in fostering relationships with local

also stressed improving junior prom, but were unable to name any specific changes and were unaware of how doing so would impact the event’s cost.

That said, Sultan and Hasan do give the impression that they significantly care about the student body.

The dynamic between the two is the one of the campaign’s strong points; both were equally engaged in their interview with The Spectator, bouncing ideas back and forth.

It was clear that both candidates were on the same page. If the ticket is able to properly flesh out their ideas, they could well be the right candidates for Junior Caucus.

Sultan and Hasan, who ran separately in the past, had been criti-

cized for their lack of experience then, and have indeed gained a lot more since. Sultan currently serves as both the Director of Security in the SU as well as a Homeroom Representative, and additionally holds a position on the SU’s Event Planning committee. Even with this leadership experience, Sultan acknowledges that it might take him up to a month to orient himself with his position. This might be a worthy price to pay if the ticket had policies that could potentially bring new life to the SU. However, as it stands, Sultan and Hasan seem to lack any compelling policies that could set them apart from the rest of the pack.

The Spectator’s choice to endorse Wening-Bromberg over Kim-Xia was a very close one. The idealistic realism and the feasibility of their goals make Hana Kim and Anna Xia worthy leaders. One of the significant facets of their campaign is their earnest determination for a fair application system. Explaining how potential applicants are often discouraged by a lack of connections that help other candidates hit the ground running, they described a reformed blind application process that eliminates these factors entirely.

Their enthusiasm shines through in their new networking website. Here, students can e-mail alumni directly, with an anonymous complaint service in the case of an unpleasant situation between the alum and the student. Kim-Xia market their site as “less than a mentor but more than Google,” where the information of various alumni, such as their alma mater, major, and current field, will be displayed for specialized questions. Hana and Anna are dedicated to their current work in the SU and prioritize weeding out social loafers through a system of cutting and substituting poor members.

The Kim-Xia ticket has also proposed an SAT peer tutoring and mock testing system, describing the previous attempt at outside tutoring at Stuy as unsuccessful and inaccessible. They stated that the tutoring will be held depending on the amount of interest for each exam date. (This implies that students taking the SAT on less popular exam dates may

not receive the services near the time of their date, we note).

Kim and Xia present themselves as dedicated and honest. However, their candor revealed a lack of knowledge and experience concerning integral issues such as the SU budget and the management of funds. Their campaign emphasizes humanitarian efforts, but when asked further about this goal, they were only able to provide one example, describing the benefits of a clothing drive, but lacking details on logistics.

The Hana-Anna ticket has also pledged to inform the student body on the workings of our student government, proposing a document be sent out containing links to reports on SU projects. They wish to reignite the potential of the school store, suggesting the sale of Muji products and a larger amount of prep books.

Though Hana and Anna have many great ideas, their plans seem to be rather surface-level and do not involve much detail-based planning that would allow them to foresee and avoid repercussions in the future.

Ultimately, the Wening-Bromberg ticket is very clearly adept at managing money and creating social connections with corporations outside of Stuyvesant.

It’s a shame that this financial proficiency and experience is lacking in the Kim-Xia ticket, because Hana and Anna’s goals could not only be feasibly achieved, but also truly improve the Stuyvesant community.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 5

SU Endorsements: Senior Caucus Hanah Jun and Amit Narang in in-school social events, especially dances and movie nights, which are proposed every year and never yield the turnout caucus leaders hope for.

The two have an admirable vision for senior college admission services, however, which was the main factor in The Spectator’s decision to endorse their ticket. They propose an Alumni Advisor Matching Program, which is a program that would connect one alumnus with three to five students, who would answer questions about college and college admissions over e-mail.

This was inspired by the Stuyvesant Alumni Mentoring Program, but focused less on life skills and in-person meetings. Jun and Narang have taken the initiative in talking to YanJie Hou, the Chief of Operations for the SHSAA Board of Directors and one of the founders of the Alumni Mentoring Program, who is in support of the program.

They also want to create a directory of Stuyvesant alumni to which a caucus committee would direct student submitted questions, and curate a shared spreadsheet with information on college deadlines with another College Aid Committee responsible for managing the spreadsheet,

reviewing and fact-checking. A more collaborative approach to navigating the college search may be what the seniors need to take the edge and monotony off of school research.

Jun and Narang maintain a safe and frankly unremarkable approach to both graduation and prom, simply stressing that they want to make the two events “truly great” and “a smooth process.” What is notable, however, is their goal to reduce senior dues, currently $230, by requesting money from the Parents’ Association and setting up sponsorships with local companies and companies founded by Stuyvesant alumni.

When asked which businesses specifically they planned to reach out to, Jun and Narang struggled to come up with an answer, giving this idea less momentum. The same general vagueness surrounds their promises of “transparency” and “communication.”

While the ticket falters when it comes to a realistic approach to encouraging senior school spirit, the focus on fostering a more intimate, collaborative, and student-driven college search support system wins it The Spectator endorsement.

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Juniors Hanah Jun and Amit Narang approached the interview intimately, laughing and sitting down in matching black formal wear. The pair boast a strong background with the Student Union; Hanah was formerly the Freshman Caucus President while Narang is the current Junior Caucus Vice President. She describes herself as deeply interested in Stuyvesant extracurriculars, getting involved in music, while he finds his niche with the New York District Key Club and Cyber Stuy.

The two began talking about their platform with an optimistic view: they believe the senior class is not as prone to apathy as underclassmen and juniors are, a problem that previous campaigns and the Student Union face every year. Jun and Narang propose holding more smallscale senior social events, including movie nights in the atrium where seniors have the option of bringing in their sleeping bags, and a holiday dance. They also propose stocking the atrium with board games, receiving donations from Kung Fu Tea and students. Though these ideas are well-intended, years of senior caucus initiatives have consistently shown that seniors are uninterested

Julia Lee and Britni Canale ideas.

Like most campaigns, Lee and Canale discussed improving communications with their grade, but their proposal to create a dedicated IT team to constantly update the currently outdated senior caucus website was unique and seems effective. They have discussed with Harvey Blumm and plan to organize, incorporate, and add onto his jobs and internships database, as well as add a regularly updated calendar with important dates such as college deadlines. “We want to make it something all seniors will bookmark and check every day,” explained Lee. It is worth mentioning, however, that much of this information is already on Naviance, albeit not as organized as Lee-Canale wish it to be.

In addition, the two evidently seem to value receiving feedback, as they have decided to scrap the idea of having one fixed Events Committee, and instead will form different committees for different events, allowing more students to be able to participate in the decision-making. They also have opted to replace the standard and often ineffective Advisory Council with Open Status Update meetings, in which the

operational leaders will report to each other and discuss. These meetings are also open to all students in order to allow their voices to be heard. This, however, may not be as effective as this ticket hopes, as it doesn’t seem like it will do much to fix student apathy.

Still, the majority of Lee and Canale’s goals seem both thought-out and feasible. Apart from promoting an existing program giving Stuyvesant students access to Princeton Review test-prep materials, working with Teas’ Tea and other companies to put tea and iced coffee in vending machines, and giving seniors early access to college counseling, they also wish to address mental health issues by creating a “healing room” for students. Previously attempted by Ms. Pedrick after the October 31 Terror Attack, this room will be a supervised recreational area meant for students to simply relax with activities such as coloring or sleeping. As they had learned from the administration, the only issue that arose was the planned room for the healing center being given to special education students for use, so Lee and Canale plan to work with the counseling department to designate a specific

Labor Day Speaker Event Discusses Importance of Labor Unions

By VICTORIA GAO

The Stuyvesant Young Democrats hosted a speaker event about labor unions in the library on Tuesday, May 1. NYC Central Labor Council member Alex Gleason, Communications Workers of America Union activist Pamela Galpern, and Assistant Editor of Labor Notes Dan DiMaggio spoke about labor unions and their experience working in them. Principal Eric Contreras, Assistant Principal of Social Studies Jennifer Suri, and at least 40 students attended the event.

Gleason started the lecture by explaining what labor rights are.

“Labor rights include the right to collective bargaining,” Gleason said.

Workers also get to voice their opinions by getting together and protesting with petitions and strikes. Labor rights are protected by labor unions, which are organizations of many workers with the common goal of growing the market share of workers.

DiMaggio then talked about the importance of joining labor unions, which strive to improve workers’ wages and worki conditions and to give workers financial security. Senior Stuyvesant Young Democrats Vice President Mohammad Sarker

agreed with DiMaggio’s message.

“Labor unions are the foundation of the prosperity Americans faced after the Second World War and there is a direct correlation between the decrease in union density in workplaces and the rise of income inequality and the stagnation of the real middle wage for the last 30 years,” Sarker said.

Many in the audience gave positive feedback on the event. “This lecture was informative because the speakers talked about how labor unions have helped workers recently,” freshman Maya Martinez said.

“It’s important to join labor unions [...] because the development of new technology can influence employers to fire many workers to cut expenses with machines.”

Others also expressed a newfound interest in attending speaker events on similar matters. “Although my friends and I attended this lecture for extra credit, we are interested in attending more lectures about social science,” freshman Tori Lieberman said. “However, we hope that future lectures are announced earlier than this one because I learned about the Labor Day speaker event from my teacher the day before it took place.”

Sarker and senior Stuyvesant Young Democrats President Kevin

Boodram, who spearheaded the event’s planning, are glad that the Labor Day speaker event was a success. “It took us about a month to organize the event, mainly because I was paranoid about slipping up on any possible details,” Sarker said.

Sarker decided to organize the lecture after receiving inspiration from a town hall forum on labor unions that he and Boodram attended with U.S. representative of New York Joseph Crowley. After meeting with the NYC Central Labor Council, Sarker was able to arrange for a representative to come to Stuyvesant High School. Sarker then reached out to another organization, Labor Notes, under recommendation of social studies teacher Ellen Schweitzer.

The Stuyvesant Young Democrats has more labor union-focused events on its plate. The club is currently planning to attend the Count Me In protests for better working conditions in the Hudson Yards development. “We are eager [for] Stuyvesant students to lend [their] voices to the important cause. [...]

While many of us have been going to the protests individually, in June we’ll be going as a club,” Boodram said.

Ting Ting Chen / The Spectator

Senior Caucus candidates Julia Lee and Britni Canale know that they are in a close race, but they believe that they have what it takes. As the current president of Junior Caucus, Lee knows what leadership means. She reflected on her experience working with her running-mate, Canale (the current Event Coordinator), on the Career Fair, Junior Prom, and other events.

They consider their work in this regard to be their best.

“Our grade is renowned for lacking school spirit, and we were really concerned. But recently, the career fair got almost 300 people, an amazing turnout,” Canale said. This ticket is also currently working on a plan to change the location of JProm to Pier 40, which has a better venue and food quality, having already signed a multiyear contract with a new company. The Lee-Canale campaign believes these changes will benefit the Stuyvesant community for “years to come.”

While Lee and Canale clearly have much experience with leadership and money, The Spectator has chosen not to endorse this ticket on a very close call, purely based on comparing the merit of the two Senior Caucus tickets’

room for the safe space.

This ticket has also already been researching about the possibility of moving graduation from the wellesteemed yet costly Carnegie Hall to a new area, having talked to different venues, such as Lincoln Hall. This is in order to address complaints of lack of seating for family and extended family members, who may not have the opportunity to watch such an important

event in the senior year.

Despite barely missing out on The Spectator’s endorsement, Lee-Canale are still clearly worthy leaders and are admirable in their goals to ensure sure an unforgettable senior year. Regardless of the outcome of the election, they are looking forward to “helping our grade.”

Students Host Pro-Gun Walkout

By JUNG HEO, MEHRUNISSA MALICK, and SASHA SPAJIC

In response to the recent walkouts led by the organization Stuy Says ENOUGH!, which advocates for increased gun regulation, a group of students led their own peaceful protest in Rockefeller Park in support of Second Amendment rights on Tuesday, May 2.

“We are students who are standing up for [...] all of our rights. We believe the natural right of self-protection should not be infringed simply because some individuals have used firearms for senseless attacks,” said junior Alvin Ye, who organized the pro-gun walkout.

Ye and other protesters disapprove of how the gun control walkout was conducted and the rhetoric used by those protesters. Ye was opposed to the use of chants such as “NRA, how many kids have you killed today?” claiming they were “slander.” “[We sought to] read [speeches] and facts rather than yell obscene comments,” Ye said regarding his own protest.

The event, originally intended to be a walkout during school hours, was part of the national, student-led “Stand for the Second” movement.

The organization arranged walkouts in high schools across America on Tuesday, May 2.

The Stuyvesant chapter of the movement is relatively small. “About nine people actually led/stood/held signs,” Ye said. The movement did, however, gain significant attention at Rockefeller Park. Though the protesters were generally left alone by the public, two Stuyvesant students heckled them.

Though the national gun control movement has grown after the recent mass shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the pro-gun protesters emphasized the need for other precautionary measures to be made instead. “There are many things that we could do to improve the safety of our schools without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Some solutions for school safety we should discuss in this community are better surveillance, more security guards, and allowing willing teachers who are properly trained and mentally fit to have access to a firearm to stave off potential attacks,” Ye said. “Protecting our natural rights, which are protected by the Constitution, [is] just as important, and that’s the message that we want to send.”

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 6

News Meet the 2018-2019 Big Sib Chairs!

NEWSBEAT

Junior Milan Haiman and freshman Ethan Joo made the grade necessary for the American Mathematical Competitions exams and were invited to the Math

Olympiad Program.

Senior Joyce Wu has been selected to participate in the Milken

Scholars Program.

Arts Festival’s Arts Exhibit.

Visual

Anna Lu, Wenting Li, and Grace Cuenca have Seniors

been invited to visit Japan as part of

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Kakehashi Project.

Seniors

Zaia,

Brian Seo, Jake and Sophia Yue are

among the finalists of the Japanese haiku division at the Northeast

Council of Teachers of Japanese Haiku Contest.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and NASA

WORLDBEAT Santa Fe High School last Friday morning, people and injuring 10 more. The suspected shooter,

A gunman opened fire at killing

10

a 17-year-old male student identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, was arrested and a second suspect was detained.

A Cuban commercial plane crashed shortly after taking off Friday, killing almost all of the 100 passengers aboard. The cause of the crash is not clear.

American actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married last Saturday. Eight hundred guests and members of the royal family watched the ceremony at

St. George’s Chapel.

The President and the First Lady, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, met outside Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 10 to greet three Americans who had been held in

North Korean prisons.

President Trump withdrew from the historic Iran nuclear deal. Trump also announced that the United States is reimposing economic sanctions on Iran and, over time, on companies in other countries that do business with the Islamic Republic.

Emily Siew / The Spectator

Freshman Jeffrey Huang’s watercolor painting “Gander at the Canal” has been accepted in the Manhattan Borough

By MADDY ANDERSEN and ERIN LEE Juniors Jessica Gruboy, Jennifer Lee, Angela Sun, Joshua Weiner, and Bo Xuan Wu have been selected as the 2018-2019 Big Sib Chairs. They were chosen out of many qualified applicants by 2017-2018 Big Sib Chairs Kevin Li‎, Max Onderdonk, Charlotte Ruhl, Leila Storkamp, and Aren Tucker. Both the previous chairs and their successors are excited for the upcoming year and future plans for the program.

The process of selecting Big Sib Chairs was stressful for many applicants. “It was very nerve-racking for everyone,” Sun said. Besides a written application, applicants had to be interviewed by the five current Big Sib Chairs and two faculty members from the faculty oversight committee. “We take notes on every [interviewee], and then we have to come together [...] and see who would work well together,” Storkamp said. Prospective chairs also needed recommendation letters from a teacher and two Little Sibs. On top of that, the 2017-2018 chairs reached out to the homeroom leaders of the candidates to ask for input.

The 2017-2018 Big Sib Chairs made several changes during their time as heads of the program. “The main change that we made [...] [is that] we ratified [the Big Sib bylaws] with the guidance counselors,” Storkamp said.

The bylaws resolved disputes between the chairs and the guidance counselors, outlined proper conduct for Big Sibs, and solidified grade cutoff and the removal process of a chair. These bylaws will hopefully give the rising Big Sib Chairs an easier experience managing the program.

Storkamp had a very positive experience as both a Big Sib and a Big Sib Chair, and hopes that the new chairs will have a similar experience. “I loved [being a Big Sib Chair], of course. It was something I wanted to do since freshman year,” she said. “It’s kind of bittersweet that it’s over. I know [the Big Sib program] is in good hands going forward, but I’m also sad that I’m no longer a part of it.”

Before the new Big Sib Chairs were picked, the members that make up this diverse group were not close, nor were they in similar friend groups.

“It’s better that we come from completely different parts of Stuyvesant and different communities just because we’re able to bring that all together,” Gruboy said. “They knew we would be able to mesh well, and we do.”

Adding on, Lee said, “Meshing together and being able to officially work together and implement new ideas [...] is very important.” Arriving to the table with their own unique Stuyvesant experiences, the new chairs are excited for the year to come and for the opportunity to give back to the community as a group.

“I can’t imagine myself doing this with anyone else,” Sun said.

Sun is a member of the symphonic orchestra and participates in ARISTA. She is also a part of the Indicator Business department and performs in the Latin dance group for SING! and Stuy Squad. Being a role model for both Big Sibs and Little Sibs is very rewarding for her. “Being able to [...] lead the [organization] and set an example is a huge role,” Sun said. “It’s something that we all […] strive for.”

The Big Sib Program’s far reach allowed Sun to meet many people both inside and outside of the program. “It’s such a great organization just because you really get to see a lot of the student body,” she said.

Wu is an active participant in SING! and the Stuyvesant Theater Community and has been involved in many shows, such as “1776,” which he directed. He is the executive delegate for the Student Union, as well as a bass player for the symphonic orchestra.

Wu enjoyed the process of giving back to freshmen as a Big Sib and watching them become more involved in the community. “[The Big Sib Program] is the epitome of giving back to the community, in a Stuyvesant sense,” Wu said.

Wu was inspired by his Big Sib, who pushed him to take risks and venture out of his comfort zone. “One of the many things I didn’t have as a freshman was

[...] the courage to [take] initiative,” Wu said. After he voiced his interest in auditioning for a school play, his Big Sib gave him her full support and told him to put himself out there.

Lee is a chair on the Board of Elections, and runs election season for the spring and fall terms.

She is also a part of ARISTA and manages the boys’ lacrosse team.

Additionally, she participated in Congressional Debate for two years, and was the novice debate director this past school year.

Outside of school, she teaches kids in China how to speak English through an online program.

Lee is inspired by the example of her Big Sibs, and she hopes she can provide the same experience for someone else. “Like a lot of people, I had one really, really good Big Sib,” she said. “I wanted to give back the way he did. He helped me when I didn’t have anybody to help me [...] Because I had such a significant relationship with my Big Sib, every freshman should have that relationship with their Big Sib, and they deserve it.”

Weiner is the captain of Congressional Debate and a member of Model United Nations. He also sits in on SLT meetings and writes for The Spectator. He was motivated to be a chair by his former Big Sib, as well as by his experiences as a Big Sib. “It’s been really amazing, and working with the freshmen in my homeroom has been a lot of fun,” he said.

Weiner hopes to improve the program for everyone involved.

“I want to make this organization the best it can be for both Big Sibs and also for incoming freshmen,” he said. “I really love this program. It’s been so impactful for me, just like it’s been so impactful for thousands upon thousands of Stuyvesant students.”

In the fall, Gruboy is on the cheer team, and she participates in Stuy Squad as well. In the spring, she is a part of the cast and chorus for SING!, and she participates in Parliamentary Debate throughout the year. She is also an intern at a law firm and a discussion council firm. “I wanted to be a Big Sib because I was in love with the program from the second I stepped into

Camp Stuy Part One,” she said.

Gruboy has big plans for the upcoming school year, starting with improving communication between parts of the program.

“I realized over time that there are some Big Sibs that you can’t really predict that they’re not going to be super committed, but then they [aren’t], and I wanted to improve that. A lot of the things that I want to implement, like having more training days and making it clear to both the Big and Little Sibs what their role is, are things that may have been unclear in the past, and I want to make it more clear,” she said.

The chairs are aiming for Big Sibs to be more responsible and accountable for their respective homerooms and Little Sibs. “Last year we had an issue with Big Sibs not showing up to their Little Sibs’ homerooms,” Weiner said.

“It’s really important for your first year at Stuyvesant to have those people there to be a resource, and if they’re physically not present, it’s very hard to get that help.”

Lee continued, saying, “I think oversight is so important.

Only recently did they start taking attendance, making sure that everyone was at homeroom, and making sure Big Sibs were talking to their Little Sibs [...] I am hoping to make the more intimate relationship between Big Sibs and Little Sibs closer because I think it is really important to have that connection with somebody who can help you.”

In order to help establish bonds between Big Sibs and Little Sibs, the chairs are considering more events over the summer as well as an end-of-year picnic.

“The thing about our group is that we’re all moms in different ways,” Wu said. Though he said this in a joking manner, each chair does hope to see their underclassmen and Little Sibs transition smoothly into Stuyvesant. They want to advise incoming freshmen not to be afraid to take risks, and to know that they are supporting them the entire way. “There are so many people here that really want to make this experience great for you, so just talk to us, and we’re there for you,” Sun said.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 7

News Stuyvesant Moves on to Nationals for National History Day

By ABDULLAH IMAD, ANNABELLE KIM, RYAN KIM, AIDAN NG, and JAMIE ZENG

Thirty-four Stuyvesant students attended the National History Day (NHD) state level competition in Cooperstown, NY, on March 22 and 23. Junior Benson Goldman placed second in the individual website category with his project “An Extraordinary Measure: The American Occupation of Japan,” and juniors Claire Liu and Eliza Spinna placed second in the group documentary category with their project “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Combining Political Maneuvering with Grassroots Activism.” Goldman, Spinna, and Liu will be moving on to the national competition, to be held in Maryland this June.

NHD is an annual event in which students compete to report on a piece of history, related to a certain theme, using a medium of their choice. This year’s theme was “Conflict and Compromise.” Students either worked independently or under the close guidance of history teacher Mr. Sandler.

A group of Mr. Sandler’s students, juniors Tina Wong, Lois Wu, and Eli

Economou, placed first in the Exhibit category at the NYC History Day competition with their project “Engel v. Vitale: The Battle Over School Prayer.” Wong, Wu, and Economou tackled the landmark court case of Engel v. Vitale (1962), which banned school-endorsed prayer in public schools. By the end of the group’s NHD journey in Cooperstown, they had forged a powerful partnership and acquired ample practical experience. “It was a lot of fun working as a team. We were able to bounce ideas off of one another in order to create a more artistic and creative exhibit board. I am so thankful that everyone involved in NHD, from my group to the teachers to other groups, was so incredibly supportive. NHD is definitely a highlight of my high school career,” Wong said.

Juniors Liu and Spinna, also Mr. Sandler’s students, discussed their motivation and learning process while working on their documentary on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “At first glance, the expansion of civil rights for African Americans is a really broad issue that spans several centuries. But looking more specifically, this act is [...] one of the most important pieces of civil rights leg-

islation—or any legislation—in the 1900s,” Spinna said. “It put an end to legal segregation in the South and allocated funds for the desegregation of schools. It was a huge deal for southern African Americans, and it changed how our country views and interacts with the issue of race.”

In researching the political activism and context surrounding the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Liu and Spinna conducted a variety of interviews.

“With a project as nuanced as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there are many voices that need to be included in order to show all sides of the bill,” Liu said. Their interviews covered prominent figures such as Mississippi Freedom Summer activist Mark Levy, CUNY law professor Frank Deale, and New York Times writer Clay Risen, who is the author of “The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act.” Liu and Spinna also reached out to Joseph Catalano, former Special Assistant and top domestic aide of President Lyndon B. Johnson, in hopes of securing an interview with him.

According to Liu and Spinna, Mr. Sandler was incredibly helpful as a mentor as they worked on their project. “Our project went through the

several iterations, and for each one he provided really helpful feedback.

He was so committed to helping our project be the best it can be, and I’m so grateful for that,” Spinna said. On top of that, “he got us in contact with Mark Levy, one of our interviewees who provided insight and a unique perspective on being a white activist during the time,” Liu said.

Liu, Spinna, and other Stuyvesant participants enjoyed a school-sponsored overnight trip to Cooperstown, where the state competition was held.

After they came back to New York City from Cooperstown, Liu and Spinna reflected on their experience with NHD. “In terms of history, it was very cool to learn about the grassroots activism that took place in the passage of the act. Usually, we associate the ‘60s with MLK, Malcolm X, JFK, and LBJ. However, this project taught us that SNCC activists and senators like Humphrey and Dirksen were all vital to the passage of the act,” Liu said. Shifting focus to the technical skills required for their project, Spinna said, “I learned how to do research and conduct interviews. I also learned how to create a documentary in terms of the video production necessary to create a co-

hesive 10-minute video. It’s very timeconsuming, but video production is an important skill.”

Looking forward to the national competition in June, Liu and Spinna are busy contacting other scholars and activists involved with the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and conducting further research to refine their project. In the meantime, they have submitted their documentary to another NHD-affiliated competition that aims to promote NHD projects that center on black history. “There will be a showcase of all the submissions that are chosen at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing [those projects],” Liu said.

The NHD competitions this year were a big win for Stuyvesant’s history department. It hopes to raise more interest in history in a school primarily focused on STEM, and allow for interaction amongst people who genuinely enjoy history. “[It’ll] bring inspiration,” Goldman said.

“People can explore new topics and learn from each other’s topics.”

Science Fiction and Fantasy Class Returns to Stuyvesant

By PETER TAM, HANAH JUN, and THEO SCHIMINOVICH

By SUSANNAH AHN and HAYEON OK

Stuyvesant Holds Yuda Band Fundraiser to Help Youth in Guatemala and Zimbabwe cess helps children like Keith stay in school. “I was the person who signed up for the project,” she said. “I emailed the coordinator on the dates, the person we want to sponsor, how many bands we wanted. I had some help from the people from the [Key Club] board and my directors to set up forms and e-mails to look for volunteers to sell the bands.” When asked about why she decided to sign up for this program, Zhu said, “It’s a safe fundraiser since we don’t lose any money, and we can help those that aren’t as fortunate as us. I think it’s an easy and great project to do.”

Keith Pedzai is like any other average child. He likes to play soccer and has dreams for his future.

However, his parents’ divorce caused financial problems in his family, causing Keith and his younger brother to leave school in 2013. They never saw their father again. With the help of Yuda Bands, Keith was able to return to school and have another chance at education.

Yuda Bands are made by former students who have graduated thanks to the Yuda Bands donations they received. The method of making the bands starts by taking the shell of a coconut, smoothing it, and shaping it

into small, rounded pieces. Designs or words are etched onto them by hand. Strips of leather are threaded around larger strips of leather, and a piece of coconut shell is finally attached to complete the band.

“Kids in Guatemala probably put a lot of effort into making each of these detailed handcrafts,” freshman Key Club member Rachel Joh said. “[It] gives us a sense of responsibility.

It feels like an accomplishment.”

Brent Whiting, a founder and president of the Yuda Bands project, said in an e-mail interview, “I first wanted to help my friend who had started a school. He was losing the school because he was letting too many kids go for free.” Whiting and his wife, Laurie Whiting, founded the organization in 2009, and over 2,000 schools joined the movement to send hundreds of students in developing countries to school. “It’s humbling,” Whiting said. “The support is also very encouraging and excit[ing] because it brings us closer to ending extreme poverty!”

Since 2009, representatives of the organization have attended state, national, and international conferences to teach youth about making a difference in the world. As of

Janice Tjan / The Spectator

On a small table near the Stuyvesant entrance, rows of multicolored bands are laid out, each donning brightly colored designs. The tags say that they’re handmade with coconut and leather. Each intricate band costs seven dollars, with every dollar contributing to a single cause. These bands, called Yuda Bands, are part of a fundraiser to support youth in Guatemala and Zimbabwe who cannot easily access education. The organization’s motto states, “Wear a band.

Change a life.” According to the Yuda Bands website, the name holds a clever meaning. “Ayuda” is the Spanish word meaning help, aid, or assistance, so the word “Yuda” stands for the help and aid that disadvantaged students receive when these bracelets are purchased.

Stuyvesant’s Key Club partnered with the Yuda Bands project this year in order to sponsor Keith Pedzai, a student in Zimbabwe. Despite the fact that his family does not have the money to get him through school, he still dreams of becoming a scientist.

Started by Freya Zhu, treasurer of the Stuyvesant Key Club, this pro-

Historically, the class has been very successful. “It’s a genre a lot of kids read on their own anyway [...] and it’s a natural draw,” Grossman said.

Staley has already gotten positive feedback from juniors that he has discussed the class with. “I’m excited for [the class because] sci-fi interests me [a lot],” junior Muhib Khan said.

In addition, Staley welcomes seniors who are already signed up for AP English to take the elective. “I think that students who are in AP [English] will bring a lot to the table,” Staley said.

Along with the Science Fiction and Fantasy class, the English department is also bringing back Creative Nonfiction Workshop. Dr. Emily Moore, who has been on childcare leave for the past few years, will be teaching Poetry once again this upcoming fall. Ms. Alicia Pohan, who taught Poetry this entire year, will be teaching the Creative Nonfiction Workshop class beginning next fall.

Grossman seems confident about these teacher assignments. “[Ms. Pohan has] had experience teaching workshop classes. She taught Poetry this year, and it’s a similar model, although the topic itself is different,” Grossman said.

Joan Xiao / The Spectator

The Science Fiction and Fantasy class is returning to the English electives list next year. The class will be taught by English teacher Ellis Staley, replacing Vito Bonsignore, who retired last year. Staley is a new English teacher who began teaching this year and is currently teaching both Freshman Composition and American Literature. “I’ve always loved science fiction and fantasy, so this is a chance for me to learn more about a field that I’ve always enjoyed,” Staley said.

The class will only be available to seniors as an English elective, with no minimum GPA requirement. Student assignments will include a creative final project and creative writing throughout the semester, but the course will also address the college application writing process. Staley believes that his class “will be an outlet and escape from the real world,” he said.

The new course curriculum will be based on the curriculum designed

by Bonsignore before he retired, but it won’t be entirely the same; Staley hopes to incorporate his own inter-

ests as well as his students’ interests.

The class will read and discuss various books such as “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin and “The Demolished Man” by Alfred Bester, along with other works from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Staley also hopes to incorporate books such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “A Game of Thrones” in order to compare trends in the science fiction and fantasy genres. “I want to [discuss] more current authors, more diverse authors, and different media,” Staley said.

When asked what he hoped students would get out of taking his class, Staley replied that he wanted students to be able to discuss how science fiction has been incorporated into popular culture and entertainment media like film and television.

“Why do we have fantasy? Why do we seek out worlds other than our own, and what are we seeking there?” he asked.

Assistant Principal of English Eric Grossman hopes that having the Science Fiction and Fantasy elective will allow students to have more choices when deciding on English classes. “The kind of challenge and goal for the department is balancing consistency with choice,” he said.

2017, they have attended 149 conferences around the United States. “Every year, I visit the students in their country.” Whiting said. “I also enjoy speaking at leadership conferences

because I get to see the excitement and meet so many American youth excited to support the cause.”

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

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The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

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Features

Features They Don’t Just Teach

By TALIA KAHAN, KATIE LETON, and ZOE OPPENHEIMER

Though to many of us our teachers are one-sided individuals who only focus on their job of teaching, many teachers have exciting lives outside of school, and they spend time participating in common sports like biking, and some rare sports, like curling and rock climbing.

Minkyu Kim also grew up as an athletic child, playing baseball, basketball, and tennis, slightly to his parents’ dismay because they wanted him to study and play piano at home.

But these expectations did not work for Kim. He described, “I just loved being outside and running around. [...] I was such a hyperactive kid that they were okay with me getting out of the house and spending all my energy out there.”

Kim played on the tennis team in high school but did not continue with basketball or baseball. Kim stopped playing the sports because of his physique. “When you play those kinds of competitive sports, people grow and take it really seriously. I was undersized, and I just wasn’t prepared to take things that seriously,” he relayed.

Though Kim’s parents were not originally enthusiastic about his interest in sports, they enjoy golf, a game that Kim picked

up in order to be closer to and spend more time with his parents doing something that all of them enjoy. Kim elaborated, “For me, it’s a way of spending an afternoon with them. It’s an activity we can do together; that’s why I picked it up, and it’s actually really fun.”

Kim is no longer hyperactive, but he still feels the need to move around and experience the outdoors. To accomplish this, Kim bikes to school, a way to avoid the “soul-crushing” traffic of his commutes and also to be “more aware of the movement of the city and how alive it is,” he said.

He bikes for his health as well. He explained, “It’s an added element of being conscious of my body and what I’m doing to it, what comes in and what goes out, and just the condition of it. It’s given me more energy.

It’s brought me closer to my family and my city.”

Thomas Miner: Rock Climbing Thomas Miner is a rock climber, though many of his physics students would never realize it. His rock climbing does not interfere at all with his teaching; instead, Miner described, “It helps teaching because I blow off steam, I get to tire myself out, so I sleep better, and I have something to look forward to after school; it just helps in every way.”

Miner was introduced to rock climbing when he was five years old by his parents, who had been introduced to the sport by a friend. However, he never became involved, and to his great disappointment, stopped for a while.

Miner believed he could have succeeded in rock climbing due to his strong fingers and flexibility.

Rock climbing is very personal for Miner: he described, “[It’s just] you and the wall, and it’s just you and your body trying to figure out how to do these very subtle kinds of things.” At first, the wall is like a “problem that seems literally impossible the first time you touch it, but after a little while, becomes doable, and then becomes easy,” Miner said.

That progression of hard to doable to easy is “unlike any other activity [he has] done,” Miner said.

Despite Miner’s love for the rock climbing community, Miner acknowledged that “it can be a very

Courtesy of Thomas Miner

Joseph Yu / The Spectator

Minkyu Kim: Biking and Golf

toxically masculine place sometimes.” Occasionally, men hit on women or react to a woman

John Avallone: Curling

our money on tennis.” From this initial introduction, Kincaid’s tennis career jumped to a whole new level; she took lessons throughout the whole summer and began to rapidly improve.

Kincaid now plays on tennis teams throughout the city and travels through New York City and Long Island for mixeddoubles and women’s singles matches. She is not only playing her matches, but also winning them—Kincaid has gone to sectionals, regionals, and nationals.

But Kincaid’s tennis career is not all fun and games. She described, “The worst part [of tennis] is the team drama. It is unimaginable that the adults behave this way. There are captains who try to get you on their teams, and you try and keep your ratings as low as possible. You want to be so much better than your rating so that you beat the other teams [with the same ratings].” continued on page 9

Courtesy of John Avallone

Kate Kincaid: Tennis Kate Kincaid, an English teacher, grew up as an athletic child on the swim team and played softball and soccer on the side. Her parents, two tennis players, introduced her to tennis, but she did not fall in love with the sport. Throughout high school, Kincaid continued her athletic career with ballet but stopped to control her expectations. “I realized that I was not going to become a prima ballerina as I wanted, and that became abundantly clear,” she said.

In and after college, Kincaid did not play any sports but continued to stay healthy through regular runs and visits to the gym.

Kincaid was reintroduced to tennis by a friend after her two twin sons were born. She recounted, “My friend was like, ‘come out of the house, play tennis,’ and I played tennis for the first time in a while, and I was like, ‘I love it,’ and my friend was there, and we started playing all day every day to the point that everyone got angry with us because we were spending all of

climbing in a way they wouldn’t with a male climber.

As a physics teacher, Avallone is perfect for curling, since there are “all sorts of physics you can think about,” he said. However, Avallone explained that instead of helping him curl better, teaching gives him something to think about while curling.

Not many people know about curling, a sport in which players slide stones across the ice toward a target area, since it is rarely apparent in our lives in crowded New York. Physics teacher John Avallone, however, knows of the only curling club in the city at Lefrak Center. He plays competitively, but he joked that he’s “never going to the nationals. The people that go to the Olympics are on a totally different level than anyone [he’s] ever played with.”

Avallone’s favorite aspect of curling is sweeping, the action that changes the stone’s path after it has been pushed on the ice because “it feels like you’re doing something. You can really exert some pressure on the ice; you get the stone to do something a little different than it would have done,” he explained. Sweeping is necessary because “if your teammate doesn’t do exactly what they hoped to do, then you can sweep their stone and hopefully make it closer to what you were really trying to get to happen,” he said.

As a physics teacher, Avallone is perfect for curling, since there are “all sorts of physics you can think about,” he said. However, Avallone explained that instead of helping him curl better, teaching gives him something to think about while curling. He said, “A lot of my teammates expect me to know what to do because I’m a physics teacher. I don’t know what to do [...] It’s hard to throw that stone at just the right speed, but I know that there is a right speed.”

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 9

Features They Don’t Just Teach Daisy Sharaf: Rock Climbing

Zaakirah Rahman / The Spectator

Courtesy of Daisy Sharaf

Kate Kincaid: Tennis

continued from page 8

Despite this, Kincaid still loves tennis because of the endless possibilities and chances to improve.

She explained, “The thing I like the best is that for the first time since I have been getting older, I feel like I can still learn new things […] I am

getting better and that is exciting to progress.”

Tennis has had a positive effect on Kincaid’s teaching. She explained that in addition to giving her energy, the ability to perform during high-intensity points and matches has provided her with confidence and capability to deal with pressure while teaching.

As a physics teacher, Daisy Sharaf spends much of her life talking about the movement of rocks.

But outside of the classrooms, she climbs rocks, spending time at rock climbing gyms around the city.

She discovered the sport around five years ago; she explained, “[My friend and I] were looking for something we could do together as an activity, and we wanted to do something inside, so we’d heard about inside climbing. We went to Brooklyn Boulders and tried it out, and I really, really liked it.” Sharaf said she found that she enjoyed “the problem solving and the movement” of climbing and decided to continue with the activity.

Sharaf originally thought that she would not succeed at climbing but soon discovered that, owing to her strong fingers and light and flexible frame, she was naturally good. However, Sharaf had to get stronger in order to improve. For her, power is difficult to develop, and she was forced to train hard.

Her hard work paid off, and she won a free membership for a year at her gym at a climbing competition.

Sharaf enjoys climbing three or four times a week, even getting “super grumpy if [she] can’t climb for a while,” she said. Even teachers need breaks, though climbing can be tiring and “hard on the fingers,” so it is less of a rest and more of a

sweat-inducing enterprise.

Another drawback of the activity is that climbing can be “kind of cliquish” with people willing to “roll their eyes at newcomers,” she said. Despite this, climbers can be a social activity where you meet new people.

Sharaf appreciates the social aspects of climbing, especially running into students. Surprisingly, “there is a really disproportionate number of science, math, C.S. people into climbing. And if you talk to the adults at a climbing gym, you’ll meet gazillions of teachers if you go at the right time.”

To us, the teachers at our school may seem like only that—teachers at our school. In reality, they have lives outside of Stuyvesant even if we don’t.

Our teachers are not only intelligent, but also athletic, though they lean toward slightly more obscure sports, like rock climbing and curling.

These sports give teachers a chance to relieve their stress, meet new people, stay healthy, and learn a new skill!

Asian Identity

By SUSANNAH AHN, RACHEL AN, PAULINA KLUBOK, and KAELIANA YU Stuyvesant is famous for its unique set of racial demographics.

The statistics are well-known; over 70 percent of Stuyvesant students are Asian (in sharp contrast to the racial composition of New York City, where Asians account for only 11 percent of residents).

Stuyvesant’s racial make-up stems from the sudden surge of Asian immigration to America following the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, which removed the quota system in place since the 1920s. Soon after, Asian immigration to the U.S. increased drastically as many left war-torn countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The loosening of Chinese immigration restrictions in 1977 led to waves of Chinese immigration to America.

New York, declared a sanctuary city by former mayor Edward Koch in 1989 and teeming with job opportunities, was a popular destination for immigrants.

Stuyvesant has served as a home for talented, low-income students since the introduction of a competitive entrance exam in 1929. Until the 1970s, this meant primarily Jewish students. According to “The Plot Against Merit,” by Dennis Saffran, white enrollment at Stuyvesant dropped from 79 percent in 1971 to 22 percent today. The percentage of Asian students, in contrast, has steadily increased from six percent at Stuyvesant in 1970 to 50 percent in 1994 and is now close to 73 percent of the student body.

The Asian majority at Stuyvesant fosters a sense of connection between Asian students. “I consider myself more comfortable speaking

with students of the same ethnicity since the morals and values that we’ve grown up with will most likely be similar,” Korean-American junior Edward Lim said.

Freshman Sammi Yang agrees, finding common ground with fellow Chinese-Americans in the expectations their parents have for them. “I can relate to them more because our parents grew up with the same values, so the pressure we have on us might be the same,” Yang said.

Junior Jennifer Lee echoes this statement: “The majority of Chinese parents are very strict,” she said. “So sleepovers and staying out late [are] unheard of, and so it’s easy to make connections when you’re under similar circumstances.”

The bond formed between Asian students is intensified by how students’ perceptions of themselves change in and out of school. Senior Brian Leung, a Chinese-American, said, “I feel [I am] a part of the majority at Stuy, because I am and identify as Asian. Outside of Stuy, I feel [I am] part of the minority.”

Others feel as if they are part of the majority even outside of Stuyvesant. “I’m part of the majority inside and outside of Stuy because Asians are prevalent everywhere,” KoreanAmerican freshman Jessica Kim said. This is also largely based on the demographic in students’ residential neighborhoods.

Claire Shin, a Korean-American freshman, said, “Outside of Stuy, [I am a] minority because I live in a mostly Indian neighborhood.”

In contrast, South Asian students predominantly consider themselves a minority at Stuy. “I consider myself part of the minority at Stuy because while I may technically be South Asian, I am not Korean, Japanese, or Chinese,” freshman Palak

Srivastava, an Indian-American, said.

“Outside of Stuy, I consider myself part of the majority because outside of Stuy, people are more diverse, and the majority is made up of diverse ethnicities.”

Bengali-American freshman Fariha Mabud said she considers herself to be part of “a bigger minority” both in and out of school. “I’m kind of surprised at how many ‘foreign’ people’s conversations I can understand in NYC because they’re speaking in Bengali,” she said.

There is also tension in how Asians are perceived in America and how Americans are viewed by the rest of the world. Mabud frequently deals with negative stereotypes of Americans when visiting Bangladesh. “My family in Bangladesh tends to assume I’m supposed to be loud and rowdy. But if you’re a brown person in America, you’re considered a terrorist,” she said.

In identifying as American, most students maintain strong connections to their culture. For Lee, who is Chinese-American, culture is something that can be molded to form one’s own sense of identity. “With every culture, your perceptions on life—daily life, political views, things like shoes in the house—[are] impacted by your ethnic culture. Having traditionally Chinese immigrant parents, I don’t have baseball and SuperBowl Sundays, and in that way, being American and being Asian [have] clashed a lot. But I’ve always been very proud to be American I’ve always been very proud to be Chinese, and [I] try to bring them together and take parts that I love and respect from both cultures to form who I am,” she said.

Lim considers himself both American and South Korean, though for him, the two are divided. “The interesting thing is that Korea out-

laws a dual citizenship status, so one day I’ll have to officially list myself as American or Korean,” Lim said. “I mean, I’m definitely going to choose to be an American citizen, as it’s the only logical thing to do. I don’t see a future in Korea, despite it being my homeland, as I barely know the language and have settled myself in America. That being said, I did really

want to keep my Korean citizenship [...] I think Stuy really solidified my position, as American citizenship is so important to pursuing an education and a career in America. There are so many opportunities here for jobs and schools, and I want to make as much use of these opportunities as possible.”

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 10

Features Things Our Parents Want For Us That We Don’t Want

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Editorial Board set off to find out just how far the gap between our immigrant parents’ expectations for our lives and our own expectations are. Here’s what we found.

Laurent Doan, sophomore My mom is really opposed to the whole idea of the assistant part of it. I mentioned it to her, and she immediately said, “Why assistant?” She wants me to be a physician, not a physician’s assistant. In a general sense, the con-

cept of me wanting to go into the medical field...is in line with what my parents want, but they want more of me. They always want the highest possible place that I can go to, even though I’m not sure I can reach that place.

Samantha Lei, sophomore Q: How much do you think your parents have had an influence on what you are and what you’ve done?

A: I used to think it was so unreasonable that my parents made me go to sleep at 10:30 p.m., like how would I survive in

junior year? But I realized that it was necessary, in a way, because I see a lot of kids in Stuy who don’t sleep, and they crash all the time. And they’ve agreed to give me some leeway in junior year, so overall, I think it’s a good thing.

Sharon Zou, sophomore Recently, my mom really wants me to become a computer scientist because she thinks that girls will earn a lot of money that way, and she also thinks that I don’t have to go to school for

a long time. But ever since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, and now she’s telling me to be a computer science major and I don’t know what to do.

Junior, anonymous Q: What do your parents want for you that you don’t want for yourself ?

A: So in a lot of cases, my mom veers from the norm and she’s told me she values my happiness, so when it comes to college, it comes down to my aspirations and my choices. But in other aspects, she is extremely traditional and close-minded. [With] clothes, for example, she really just wants me to wear clothes made for women and clothes that will cover me. And sometimes, I fear that this exposure to these thoughts that she feeds to me all the time has transformed me and my personal identity or thoughts.

As for bearing children, I really am against that idea. When I brought it up to her this one time, she played it off as a joke because, I don’t know, she just thinks that it’s so obvious for a girl or a woman to want to do these things. She thinks that it’s just natural for a woman to have children and carry on that tradition. And as for homosexuality, this one frustrates me the most.

She doesn’t even like speaking of the idea. I don’t even get the chance to experiment or know

for myself who I am, and it’s frustrating because we’re living in 2018 and in New York. She just glares at me when I question her [about her questioning] my sexuality. For instance, this relates back to the clothes because I ask her why I can’t wear clothes that are gender-neutral or for men.

They’re comfortable! And she just glares at me, and she starts to question whether or not I’m gay, and it’s just really frustrating.

Q: How is your relationship with your parents?

A: My relationship with my parents is weird. My parents and I have never been very “close,” in that we don’t really talk about personal things, with much more focus on schoolwork, friends, and extracurriculars. Lately, with my busy schedule, I sometimes don’t talk to my parents for whole days.

Asian parents typically are more reserved than most parents, so I don’t expect them to directly tell me they love me, though I know they show it in other ways. In my case, my mom always makes sure to take care of me and my two sisters, and my dad provides for us not necessarily by “talking,” but always making sure we can afford to do the things we want.

Q: What do your parents want

for you that you don’t want?

A: It’s hard to answer this question when I don’t even really know what I want for myself. My mom used to be super strict about grades and college, but has grown more lenient over the years, probably because of me and my sister’s incessant breaking down of her strictness over the years. All she wants for us now, after all 3 of us getting into specialized high schools after Mark Twain, is to go to a decent, affordable college, and pursue something that will support us in the future. Of course, like any Asian parent, this should be a STEM field, ideally a doctor, lawyer, or pharmacist. My sisters and I do want to go into the STEM field, though not necessarily those professions, but, my mom is okay with it. My dad, on the other hand,

And sometimes, I fear that this exposure to these thoughts that she feeds to me all the time has transformed me and my personal identity or thoughts.

Jasmine Xiao, sophomore J: My mom wants me to be an accountant, but I don’t want to because accounting is boring.

Q: Why does she want you to be an accountant?

J: My dad is an accountant, and he makes a lot of money.

Q: If you were to be something other than an accountant, would she support you otherwise?

J: She’d be disappointed in me.

Q: Because you didn’t choose

the path she wanted you to and you are happy?

J: Because I didn’t choose the path that she wants. She’s uneducated, too, so...

Q: How does it feel for your mother to impose, or to suggest, a possible future dream for you when you’re so conflicted?

J: It puts a lot of pressure on me. I just remembered: maybe I’ll be a world history teacher, maybe at

Stuyvesant, like Dr. Berman. I like his class. But [my mother] and my grandpa were both like “You should teach something like chemistry or physics.”

Q: So other than humanities, do something STEM-related?

J: Yes, because that makes money, even though my grandpa was a teacher for humanities.

Moududur Rahman, sophomore At least from my perspective, my parents definitely make me do unreasonable things. Occasionally, they will suddenly become interested in something and force it on me. For example, they went through a phase in which

they tried to force me to learn how to cook. Sometimes they are even more forceful, making me sign up for a program for writing speeches in Bengali, which I absolutely despised. However, I don’t feel that they are completely

unreasonable. I believe they have changed their expectations of me since middle school. I really appreciate that they seem to have gone from wanting a son with a 4.0 GPA to one who’s a balanced human being.

Anonymous, sophomore Q: Can you tell me about your parents?

A: They’re super nice, but they’re kind of overbearing at times. They want me to keep my grades above 97 on every assignment, which is hard to do for anyone. This is especially because I’m trying to balance volunteer applications, helping my siblings with their work, and going to my extracurriculars after school.

It’s definitely hard to manage.

Q: Do they care about extracurriculars?

A: They do, but they care about grades a lot more. That’s like the number one thing that should be prioritized in their minds, so it gets

difficult when I want to stay after school, and they say I have to study, but I think both academics and extracurriculars are equally important.

It’s certainly difficult to keep everyone happy.

Q: Is there anything they want for you that you don’t want?

A: What they want for me in terms of grades is really hard to achieve for anyone, but they believe it’s achievable. They don’t understand the amount of pressure that puts on me sometimes, especially because my personality is much more carefree than they want it to be. I often just filter out what they say. They’re okay with me be-

ing passionate about out-of-school activities, but they voice their opinions on my grades often and make it known what they think. But at the same time, they don’t stop me from following my passions. They aren’t coercive ever, but have very strong opinions on what they want me to know.

Q: Are you guys emotionally close?

A: I’m close with them, but not extremely, emotionally close. I will often talk to them about funny things that happen, but sometimes I keep how I am really feeling to myself or tell my brother because we’re close in age.

Junior, anonymous Q: How has what you wanted for yourself differed from what your parents wanted for you?

A: I want to be a doctor, but my parents don’t want me to be a doctor because they say that it’s gonna take too long, and they just don’t want me to be in school for that long.

Q: Do you think there’s any other reason as to why they wouldn’t want you to become a doctor?

A: Yeah, well, there’s this whole stigma about, like, marriage and stuff. And they’re like, “Oh if you become a doctor, you’re gonna be in school for so long, and you’re not gonna find anyone to marry, and then you’re gonna be too old, and then you’re never gonna get married.” So, that’s part of it.

Q: Have other people in your

family influenced your parents’ views on this?

A: So, all the guys in my family are doctors, but all the girls are pharmacists or PAs and stuff like that, so my parents want me to follow that kind of route, but I don’t want to do that.

Q: Have they directly affected your decisions in any way or prevented you from doing things that pertain to the career path of a doctor?

A: No, not really, because most of the programs for PAs and other jobs in the medical field generally follow the same path, but they’re encouraging me to apply to more dentistry programs and stuff like that rather than a doctor program.

Q: Do you think your parents would forcibly make you major in

something else?

A: I don’t think they would forcibly make me major in something else because they already know I really want to do it, so worst case scenario, they’re gonna try to really push me to apply to some schools. They’re probably gonna make me apply just to see if I get in or something like that, but I don’t they’d forcibly make me not go to a certain program or a certain school.

Q: Are there outside influences as well? Are your relatives also gearing you toward a different path?

A: Some of my relatives are, but like I said before, most of my family is in the medical field, and as the newer generations come along, some of my younger cousins are on the doctor path, so I think it’s kind of changing.

talk to us that much, he holds unrealistic expectations for us because he hasn’t taken the time to get to know us. I know that this is also our fault for not trying to improve the relationship ourselves, but cultural limitations play a role. He also justifies his actions, like basically forcing my sister to go to Cornell because it’s in her best interest, as just parents knowing best. So, the relationship has become even rockier than it had been before.

Q: What do YOU want?

A: Like I stated before, I don’t really know what I want. Because of my Chinese upbringing, I have been pursuing STEM, and so everything I do has become oriented around it. On the side, I do have a talent and hobby for art, but I never think that I will eventually make a career out of it, nor do I

want to. For now, I’m thinking I will do something related to chemistry in my life, mostly because it seems like the best option for me right now, thanks O’Malley and AP Chem. I feel like my choices are guided by wherever life takes me, and if I don’t hate it, then I’ll probably do it. While I admit that I don’t LOVE chemistry, I also don’t hate it, so that’s what I’m going to do. In regards to college, I would like to go to Cornell, although the situation looks bleak after my sister’s situation. But I also know that I would rather afford my college education than go to my dream school with a huge debt looming over me, so I would be fine going to any place that offers a quality education and substantial financial aid.

Taylor Choi, junior really wants us to get accepted into an Ivy college. I personally do want an Ivy education, but not the price tag attached. My dad would take out loans for me to go to an Ivy if I were to be accepted. My sister got into Cornell [with] very limited financial aid that would’ve cost $50k a year to attend. My dad was willing to pay it off, but I don’t think he considers the cost of 3 kids going to college, on top of the very little we already have.

Q: How has this impacted your relationship with them?

A: Regarding college, I appreciate how my mom realizes the financial limitations of our family and also respects our wishes in our college decisions. But I hate my dad for not even trying to understand what we want. Because our dad is generally quiet and doesn’t continued on page 12

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 11

Features Things Our Parents Want For Us That We Don’t Want continued from page 11

Junior, anonymous Q: How is your relationship with your parents?

A: I’m really close with my mom and my dad is your stereotypical laid-back father who’ll do anything you ask and will keep quiet about things you do. My mom and I talk about really personal things and she gossips about her friends to me, and I tell her a lot of things that’s going around in school. I feel comfortable talking to her about girls and my mom feels comfortable talking about puberty and all these teenager things. The thing is, Asian culture treats love as a taboo thing, but that doesn’t stop us from talking about girls.

Q: What do your parents want for you that you don’t want?

A: My mom has lately been getting flustered over SAT and grades because of college, duh.

The thing is she says that she wants a high SAT score and that she’ll be fine if I show effort but don’t get the grade I want. But I know that’s not true, let’s be real here. It’s not that I don’t want it, it’s just that it’s something I’m not focused on like 110 percent. Honestly, because my mom and I are close, we don’t really have any disagreements on what

Junior, anonymous

I see my life to be as. I’ve been wanting to become a doctor since I was a kid and that’s the direction she wants me to go in. If anything, we might have some disagreements on my style. She might think that I look good with a certain shirt or something, but I’ll look at it in disgust and tell her that it’s ugly.

Q: How has this impacted your relationship with them?

A: Aside from also being a tiger mom, I love my mom with all my heart. I mean, it’s pretty obvious that I do. If we fight over anything, we’ll slowly but surely become BFFs again. We’re so alike that we have the same tastes for food and clothing.

Q: What do YOU want?

A: I want to be rich! Just kidding, I honestly don’t know what I want. Do I want to live in a city, a suburban neighborhood, in a place where I can have a whole field right before my eyes? I don’t know.

What i want is to live comfortably with no worries and to look forward to the next new day, unlike this wretched student life I’m living right now. I want to have a job knowing that I’m helping people, even if that sounds cliche.

Q: Being half Korean and half Russian, how do those two cultures interact in your household?

A: We mostly follow the Russian culture and a bit of Uzbek culture because I was born there. The Korean is incorporated in the food though. My grandma cooks a lot of Korean dishes as well as Russian [dishes].

Q: How does your Russian culture dictate your parents’ expectations of you?

A: Russians put a lot of emphasis on family and community rather than individuality. The girl of the household has to do chores and help out around the house as well as keep up her grades. School is important, but they still put my home responsibilities and family relations above a lot of other things.

Q: To what extent does that conflict with your own goals and wants?

A: It conflicts to a huge extent sometimes. I understand I have responsibilities, but very often, they cut into my time and I end up losing a lot of sleep over seemingly unnecessary things. A lot of their beliefs I don’t believe in myself, so conflict often arises. Their empha-

sis is on family while mine is a bit more on individuality and my success. I want to go to a good college I will be happy in, but they only want me to apply to those close to where we live. They do not want me to leave the state they are in or move out of their house. It seems as if trust is lost because I don’t believe in the things they do. A big conflict

A: A lot of the time, not much.

Russians usually tend to have a strict household. Lots of respect for the parents, and you have to follow every word they say even if you disagree or don’t seem to have the time. Often, there is disregard for the work I have because they want me to do what they want me to do.

Maybe they are not aware of my

It seems as if trust is lost because I don’t believe in the things they do. A big conflict is that they don’t understand my intentions and get mad when I don’t understand theirs. is that they don’t understand my intentions and get mad when I don’t understand theirs. I want to be on a different path in life.

Q: What degree of awareness and respect do your parents have for these goals?

other responsibilities because they did not grow up with the same values as I did. It is a little hard to find an agreement, but I’m often the one [who] has to give in and give up the things I want to do.

The Rise of K-Pop Dance continued from page 1

Perpetual harsh judgment from netizens and the public, including negative comments under music videos and on social media like Twitter, and the failure to live up to their own expectations have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of idols. The most extreme example is the suicide of Shinee’s Kim Jonghyun in December of 2017, which exposes the pressure that K-idols face, along with the internalization of problems and stigma against mental health in the Asian community.

Though less daunting than the lives of professional K-pop artists, the demands from dancing have taken a toll on Stuy students. For junior and Stuy Legacy social media manager and member Christine Kim, it is often difficult for the student-led team to handle the heavy Stuy workload and dance.

“We don’t have any adults supervising,” Kim said. “We’re in charge of congregating 40 people, making choreography, staging formations, and making a five-minute set to perform on the biggest stages against adult teams.”

The dedication that these dancers have was evident in their decision to condition and go on a team diet prior to their first competition, SAYAW 2018. Kim said, “It wasn’t as restrictive as what most K-pop dancers go through, but it’s an extra step we had to take just to prepare for a competition.”

Junior and former Stuy Legacy member Joy Ha also shared her struggle to maintain a balance between dance and schoolwork. There were

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also high expectations she had set for herself and the girls’ K-pop crew in Stuy Squad 2016, the annual dance showcase. She recalled, “My co-directors and I strived to create a very much picture perfect set, which made me compare our performances to those of actual groups. I can see how that’s sort of similar to the emphasis that many K-pop groups place on absolute perfection, though we don’t have half as much of the pressure.”

To work long hours for an outstanding show is a goal for many performers, but it might be an underwhelming comparison to idols whose every move is under the scrutiny of professionals. Regardless, it is ultimately the determination and passion of both K-pop idols and aspiring hiphop dancers that overpower the challenges they face. Ha said, “I thought it was so worth it when I performed on stage. It’s a super rewarding feeling

that I’m sure I wouldn’t have experienced if I had just studied all day and had not taken the risk of devoting time to something else.”

From the outside, the dance community might appear exclusive, but Hwang testified that it has come a long way to destroy the nepotism that used to dominate recruitments. She said, “We’re always eager to express and learn side-by-side, and I hope that the dance culture at Stuy will only continue to grow once I leave.”

Though Stuy Squad hosts a variety of dance forms, each having its distinguishing look and cultural background, the K-pop dancers ultimately see their art form as one of many that have taken root at Stuyvesant and are here to stay. “In the end, it’s just one big dance community,” Hwang concluded.

Courtesy of Christine Kim

Initially an Asian phenomenon, Korean pop music (K-pop) gained global popularity over the last decade for its stunning audiovisual elements and charismatic members.

K-pop has developed its own culture, one that celebrates hard work, talent, and a sense of community. It combines synchronized dances, iconic fashion trends, and catchy melodies into thematic music videos. At Stuyvesant, the dance culture has evolved greatly with the influence of K-pop groups like Bangtan Boys (BTS) and Girls’ Generation on the American entertainment industry.

In an e-mail interview, senior Shaney Hwang shared that her dance career began with a goal to learn all the K-pop choreographies. “All I knew was that while some girls wanted to grow up as princesses and fairies, I wanted to become a K-pop star,” she said.

“When a day went poorly, I would turn on some music and practice for hours until my breath was taken away—that was the feeling I craved endlessly.”

Her passion for dancing to Kpop was not looked upon favorably by her teachers in middle school. For the annual talent show, Hwang and her friends performed Electric Shock by a group called f(x). As the Korean lyrics blasted through the speakers, the teachers watched with distaste and frowns. “Even five years ago, the back-

lash from America on K-pop and Korean culture merging into our country was beyond ridiculous,” Hwang said. “[The faculty was] just really narrowminded, and I wasn’t fazed by their discrimination against me because I knew it was their loss.”

Now in 2018, K-pop has made a powerful entrance in international music industries. Artists like Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, PSY, and most recently, BTS have made it big on the Billboard charts. Hwang said, “I’m so shocked and grateful to see that in 2018, BTS is killing the American music industry, and even more groups are blowing up across the world. This is the progress that I’ve always wanted to witness.”

Stuyvesant’s dance culture, which Hwang described as “unparalleled,” shares many elements with the culture of K-pop. Like the artists who train alongside each other for years before debuting, “everyone is so eager to improve and so determined to learn from their fellow dancers,” Hwang said.

Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly), there is a darker side to the booming music industry. Many idols have forced themselves or have been forced to undergo extreme diets and hours of practice to create a perfect debut image for their groups. According to Koreaboo, one of the most remarkable transformations was undergone

by BIG BANG’s T.O.P., who reportedly lost around 20 kg (around 44 lbs) in 40 days by surviving on yanggaeng, a red bean jelly, and drinking water, on top of strenuous exercise and dance rehearsals.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 12

Editorials STAFF EDITORIAL

The Spectator

The Effect of Implicit Biases in the Classroom

At Stuyvesant, teachers reign supreme in the classroom. From having the freedom to structure the curriculum as they wish to enjoying discretion in grading, most teachers have carté blanche in the ways they want to teach. While this can often be a good thing, as it allows teachers to personalize their classes and cultivates a rich diversity of teaching styles, it can also manifest in negative ways. Many teachers are often guilty of playing favorites and rewarding students they favor with higher grades.

Asking teachers to stop playing favorites, however, gets more complex when implicit biases are taken into account. Certain teachers’ unequal and unconscious treatment of students of different races, genders, religions, or ethnic groups is one of the many elephants in the room at Stuyvesant.

Students in various classes across multiple departments have complained of the existence of a “Jewish curve,” “white curve,” “girl curve,” and “feminist curve,” to name a few.

Teachers favor certain subgroups of students, often singling them out in the beginning of the year and offering them extra attention throughout the semester, largely because of factors that a student cannot control.

To be fair, teachers don’t do this with malicious intent. Rather, these

By WILLIAM LOHIER with additional scathing commentary by EMILY XU Dear white people, In recent months and days— scratch that—since long before we were even born, y’all have been acting foolish as hell. The product of your foolishness? Name basically any problem our modern society faces, and it probably started when some entitled white dude thought he had a good idea.

Now, the result of white people’s foolishness can range. On a macro level, we have things like the forced migration and subjugation of millions of Africans, global warming, and Trump. But we, as students, also have to deal with white people’s foolishness on a daily basis.

In fact, we are writing this column with the express purpose of calling out white people on their bullshit, and perhaps, in doing so, alleviating some of the deeply internalized trauma that they’ve caused us.

On any given day, our messages with each other look a little something like this: “White people suck….”

“Omg u right [thumbs up emoji].”

“Like actually, they’re so entitled. Like I deadass got interrupted like three times today by [white male teacher]” “[angry emoji] Yeah maybe if [white male teacher] exerted his white privilege a little less and taught more, we’d actually learn something.”

And not to call out [white male teacher], but this is a real problem.

Despite white people’s knack for taking what isn’t theirs, white privilege is possibly the best kept secret from white people. In fact, while messaging [white male student], he told me flat out that he doesn’t even believe white privilege exists or, to put it in his words: “economic priv-

curves appear to be real-world manifestations of teachers’ implicit biases, something that is extremely difficult to root out—and something that is extremely human.

Of course, this is not to say that there are no instances in which a curve is appropriate. When used properly, curves help make sure that students get the grades they truly deserve. Notably, this is not always the grade students receive. For example, a student who puts hours of effort into mastering redox reactions but just can’t master them, shouldn’t necessarily fail a class as a result. In a fair grading system, the effort a student puts in should be taken into account.

Teachers should undoubtedly give struggling students who put in the effort a curve or some other form of extra credit. However, teachers should be sensitive to their personal biases. They should avoid giving a curve to the more vocal student who struggles, while giving another quieter student who puts in the effort nothing. Appearances can often be deceptive. It is important that teachers make sure the recipients of a curve are qualified. This should be assessed via more student-teacher interaction, with teachers acquiring an understanding of how their personal biases shape their views.

Favoritism aside, teachers also

tend to call on students in class and force them to represent their demographic; they may call on a person of color in discussions about race, or an L.G.B.T.Q person to weigh in on issues of gender. While this is meant to give often overlooked and unheard demographics a voice in the classroom, it often forces minority students to represent their entire race, gender, religion, etc., which is an arduous task many feel they are unfairly burdened with. In addition, it can reduce students’ classroom contributions to stereotypes that don’t reflect their complexity.

Teachers must be sensitive to how a student’s identity shapes his or her classroom experience. Teachers should avoid calling on the token *insert demographic* kid to answer questions on his or her demographic. They should avoid playing favorites with certain racial, ethnic, or religious groups, or curving a grade based on anything other than an accurate understanding of the student’s efforts in the class. As a Stuyvesant community, we should be more sensitive about how student identity is a factor in the classroom.

If teachers become aware of their own perspectives - conscious and unconscious - then we will become a more fair, moral, and progressive school community.

The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

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bigots than other groups. However, when [white male student] brought up Oprah and Obama as evidence that “systemic racism doesn’t exist, at least in America [upside down smiley face emoji],” my bullshit-ometer went off, leading me to two effects of white privilege.

As white people, you get away with tomfoolery that none of the rest of us can, not only cementing power structures that keep people of color oppressed, but feeding into your own sense of entitlement and superiority. As a Black person in this country, I know that I can be shot, profiled, or wrongfully arrested at any time, and Obama becoming president did not magically change that. And saying Oprah’s success proves that there’s no systemic racism is like claiming Howard Schultz, the president of Starbucks who grew up poor, is proof that poor people aren’t systematically disadvantaged or like saying that because one person finally read the Sports section of The Spectator, it suddenly became interesting.

Karen Lohier* Chen William Liana Chow Emily Xu Liam Elkind

PHOTO GRAPHY PHO ET DO I TG OR RA SP H Y E DTing I T OChen RS Ting

Nancy Cao Elena Sapelyuk* Xin Italie A RKaia T DWaxenberg I RE CTO RS Klaire Geller A R Anika T D I R E CTO RS Hashem Yujie Fu Darren Liang Christine Jegarl L A Y O Vivian U T E Lin D I TO RS Dahae Choi L A Y Christina O U T E DTan I TO RS Xinyi Gu Katie Wu Tina La C O Michelle P Y E D I Lin TO RS Jeanette Cheung CO PY E D I TO RS Michelle Lai* Fionna Du Jonela Malollari Kate Johnston B U S I N EZoe S S Orlin M ANAGE R

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A AD DV V II S SE E R R

Kerry Kerry Garfinkel Garfinkel

We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and length. © 2018 The Spectator All rights reserved by the creators. *Editor-in-Training

* Managing Board ** Editors-in-Training

Dear White People

ilege, maybe, but racial privilege?

Nah b.” While this conversation was frustrating as hell because arguing with white people is always frustrating as hell, it did show us that while as people of color we both have to deal with the complexities of respectability politics, some people just…don’t. Hence, this column and today’s topic: white privilege.

For those unfamiliar with the term, white privilege is generally recognized as the rights, advantages, or immunities white people receive simply based on their race.

This can be as specific as not having to fear the police, knowing that you won’t be denied a job opportunity because of your race, and having role models in basically every field, or be as broad as the fact that whiteness is considered the norm and as such, white people get to consider themselves “normal” and their experiences universal. While white privilege comes as a result of living in a racist society, not all people who benefit from it are racist.

In fact, one tell-tale sign of a nonracist white person is when they acknowledge their own white privilege and actively work to change the oppressive power structures in our society.

White privilege also does not mean that white people are automatically better off. You can benefit from white privilege and still be disadvantaged in other ways. There are obviously white people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or have mental or physical disabilities. White privilege just means that even if you do experience those other disadvantages, you experience them as a white person, which means that you will not have to face the same challenges that people of color face.

Breaking down my conversation with [white male student], I realize that I may have been a little harsh. I understand that for you white people, it can be difficult to deal with the fact that you are perhaps more inclined to be racist

ARTS & E N T E AR RT TA SI N&M E N T D TI A T IONR M S E NT E NT E R E D I T Chen** O RS Thomas

periences as a Black person in this country who experiences microaggressions every day, [white male student] assumed he knew more than me about something he had never experienced. White people, you need to listen to the experiences of minorities because you do not have any primary knowledge relevant to the topic. Not only might you learn something, but listening to minorities is the only way to learn something other than your own opinion.

It is this sense of entitlement to my experiences that manifests in countless classrooms throughout Stuy. It is well known that in [Eurocentric A.P. History course], white people, especially boys, often dominate discussions. This is also true of both white students and teachers in basically every other class ever. Even in clubs like Debate and Model U.N., white people often dominate because they are more comfortable voicing their opinions regardless of their validity.

While this phenomenon may seem innocuous, it is part of the

[Black teacher] simply because you can, that’s when white privilege is actively harmful, perpetuating systems that are already in place to exclude minorities. This is why denying the existence of white privilege is not only ignorant, but racist.

So, white people, I understand that you’ve been taught all your life that it’s ok to interrupt other people. But please try to understand that your experiences aren’t universal, and sometimes you do, in fact, benefit from things that you can’t control. Go out there and do some research! Do you really know how racism is defined? Did you skip the reading when your teacher assigned M.L.K.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”? Reexamine your actions and how they are affected by your whiteness. You benefit in so many ways that other people don’t, and the first step in changing that is being aware. I know this realization is hard, but hey, at least you’re not disadvantaged by things (like your skin color) that you can’t control. How terrible would that be, right?

“While white privilege comes as a result of living in a racist society, not all people who benefit from it are racist.

In fact, one tell-tale sign of a non-racist white person is when they acknowledge their own white privilege and actively work to change the oppressive power structures in our society.”

The fact that [white male student] felt confident in using this logic to tell me that I am not at a disadvantage because of my race is perhaps the root of the problem.

As opposed to listening to my ex-

reason why there are so few minorities in STEM or academia. When our voices aren’t heard, when your white privilege is used to feed your sense of entitlement and silence the rest of us, when you make fun of

Remember, racism exists in America!

A Well Meaning Student of Color

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 13

Opinions All the Things Depression is NOT.

By JENNY HUANG Often highly stigmatized and avoided topics, depression and suicide have garnered new attention as modern day media, pop culture, and literature feature individuals suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.

While this exposure is certainly effective in dispelling some of the stigma surrounding mental

line communities form around depression blogs and posts that portray the emotions associated with mental illnesses. These online communities feature a huge following of teens feeding off each other’s emotions with black and white photos, dark poetry and prose of pain, and quotes of psychological torment. Vivid images of crimson blood seeping through cut wrists, or silhou-

Katherine Kibatullin / The Spectator

illness, some methods of exposure through literature and social media have led to an overly idealistic, even romantic, perception of these issues.

Instead of depicting the devastating suffering associated with diagnosed depression, depression has become regarded as a “beautiful suffering,” ultimately ending with a “beautiful death” that downplays the severity and ugly nature of the mental illness. Individuals afflicted with depression are similarly idealized; the criss-cross scars on their wrists are symbols of beauty, strength, and vulnerability.

They are depicted with a mysterious, cold, and emotionless facade, but are fascinating and “aesthetic” nonetheless.

The idea of “beautiful suffering” is perpetuated by an ever-growing teen culture on social media. On-

ettes of a tormented but mysterious girl with a single streak of tear down her face, are accompanied by quotes like “Maybe I do wish I were dead,” or, “Sadness comes out at night.”

It is wrong to describe a picture of self-mutilation and psychological struggle as “aesthetic,” but these black and white photos of girls with tears sliding down their cheeks and scars lining their bodies accompanied by a haze of cigarette smoke promote the idea that perhaps those scars are beautiful and mental deterioration can be aesthetic. These photos, combined with moving quotes, add a mysterious allure around the concept of death and portray the bodily scars as tokens of strength, a dark secret, that no one else could ever understand apart from the online community of similarly depressed teens.

Online poetry dealing with self-harm has also helped make pain and depression an

Andrea Huang / The Spectator

It is wrong to describe a picture of self-mutilation and psychological struggle as “aesthetic.”

art form, attracting thousands of readers by equating the act of cutting oneself to playing a violin or painting on a canvas of flesh. The razor, an instrument of self-harm, becomes a violin’s bow, sliding over skin, likening the beauty of creating music to inflicting physical pain on oneself.

Teen writers dealing with the topic of suicide on social media choose to romanticize death by suicide by taking a philosophical approach: “And that’s why we think death is a part of life.

We could be right. But it may also turn out that death is far bigger. Maybe the door leads to something greater.” This quote emphasizes the allure and mystery of death; it depicts a sickening fantasy that death is, perhaps, the road to an intriguing “life” beyond, one that anyone can be a part of if one is willing to let go of one’s current mundane life. To impressionable teens who are most vulnerable to emotional turmoil and instability, the affirmation that self-harm, depression, and death could be anything artistic or the path to something “far bigger” encourages them to welcome dark emotions and believe that life exists in death, art in pain.

Works of literature glorifying suicide and depression are not phenomena unique to the modern era. For instance, one of the most renowned works of literature worldwide, William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” tells the story of two lovers who commit suicide for their love.

While the purpose of suicide in Shakespeare’s work was to emphasize the beauty and power of

nal suicide scene involving Hannah Baker slitting her wrists had caused a spike in suicide rates as well as suicide method search results in teens after its premiere.

It is important to understand that depression and suicide are neither beautiful nor mysterious, not are they tools to achieve what cannot be achieved alive.

Depression is a serious, clinically diagnosed mental health disorder that impairs the way individuals think and function in their everyday lives. Individuals commit suicide not because of any ulterior motives, but because they can not function with the pain and mental deterioration of depression anymore. The roman-

“depressed.” Although both require emotional counseling and acceptance, it is still important to understand the difference between the two very different conditions to avoid making generalizations or assumptions about mental illness altogether.

We should not trivialize depression or individuals who perceive themselves to be “depressed,” since both involve strong emotional conditions that are overwhelming to deal with alone. Public facilities, such as schools and colleges, should have counselors who are capable of offering help to and acceptance of individuals who cannot deal with the emotional turmoil

Online poetry dealing with self-harm has helped make pain and depression an art form.

love, it has turned suicide into a tool for achieving forbidden love through the final act of defiance: death.

Most recently, the popular Netflix TV show, “13 Reasons Why,” has also been accused of glorifying the act of suicide.

The show revolves around the suicide of Hannah Baker, who releases 13 tapes that detail the reasons why she commits suicide. In each of the 13 tapes, she accuses different individuals of causing events leading up to her death. Although the show has brought more attention and awareness toward depression and aims to prevent issues such as depression from being trivialized, the suicide-tape idea also depicts a dark “revenge suicide fantasy,” implying that one can derive satisfaction from the guilt and horror of their “tormentors.” Alarmingly, statistics from National Post showed that the fi-

ticization and glorification of depression and suicide leads to the trivialization of these mental disorders by implying that there is beauty in suicide.

In an attempt to identify with the same pain, strength, vulnerability, and yet at the same time, beauty surrounding it all, teens drastically change the idea of depression from a mental illness into a culture of self-pity and try to live up to the standard of “beautiful suffering.” The glorification of suicide feeds a completely different understanding of depression as a mental illness that one cannot help but be continuously afflicted by, versus the everyday “just being depressed” emotions of frustration, anger, or sorrow that tend to last for a limited time period. It is difficult to draw the line between actual clinical depression and the strong emotional instability of an individual who claims to be

themselves, whether it is clinical depression or just suffering from overwhelming emotions that have the capacity to become depression, if untreated.

In terms of regulating social media blogs or posts that romanticize suicide, there is very little we can do to prevent the actual glorification from happening, as they are private blogs. However, the topic of glorification of suicide and depression should be made more prominent through media whenever relevant literary works or shows dealing with these topics arise. In knowing and recognizing what glorification of depression is, along with its effects, teens may have a better understanding of their own emotions as well as the true nature of clinical depression to avoid being a victim of the idealistic take on mental illnesses around them.

Page 14

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Opinions Forgotten Asians

By KAYLEE YIN

Sophia Zhao / The Spectator

Growing up looking more like my mother, a Chinese immigrant, than my father, a Cambodian refugee (whom my sister resembles), I never had to face the seemingly endless stream of questions on ethnicity that the other half of my family had to deal with. Growing up looking Chinese, I never had to take a second look at who I truly was. I wasn’t bombarded with questions like “What’s your ethnicity?” or “Are you Asian?”– –questions that my sister and father were so often asked, simply because they did not look stereotypically Asian.

Throughout my life, I have always followed my mother’s Chinese traditions. When I was younger, I grew accustomed to the Chinese culture that I was exposed to at home, eating only Chinese food, speaking only Chinese, and celebrating only Chinese holidays. I was so used to being only Chinese that I failed to see the importance of recognizing the other half of my heritage. I didn’t even know what month the Cambodian New Year was in, and I never bothered to learn a single word in Khmer. My father didn’t mind that I was so disconnected from his Cambodian side, as he saw no point in embracing a culture so foreign to Americans. When asked about my heritage, it never comes to mind that I should mention that I am also half Cambodian. I didn’t want people to think of me as less Asian or to ask me what Cambodia is, oblivious to the fact that it is a country in Asia.

This dilemma over my ethnicity—a conflict that I have faced for much of my childhood—is the result of the Asian American monolith that has been instilled in the minds of so many Americans for countless years. This belief fails to recognize the true diversity that is implied when someone says that

she is Asian. It has suggested that all Asians are fair-skinned, short, and small-eyed, imposing the model minority myth upon every Asian American and ignoring the existence of essentially every nonEast Asian.

The Asian American identity is multifaceted, but through the many stereotypes and myths that have been associated with having such a background, the phrase “Asian American” has evolved into an umbrella term.

“Asian American” has managed to obscure, rather than explain, the many ethnicities that exist in Asia. The term has become homogenizing, melding together the various ethnicities that pervade such a continent as a single identity. And while stereotypes may have a negative impact on the East Asians who are targeted by these stereotypes, often creating pressure and evoking a sense of insecurity, West and Southeast Asians aren’t even acknowledged.

It doesn’t matter if I’m from the Philippines, Uzbekistan, or Bangladesh—either way, most people wouldn’t know that I’m from a country in Asia because I’m not Korean or Japanese. Most people wouldn’t recognize me as Asian, and if they did, they’d ask me why I don’t look Chinese. My skin color will be invalidated and used as proof that I’m not really from Asia. My history isn’t known by the rest of the world, and neither is my culture. People don’t know who Pol Pot is or what the Cambodian genocide was, but they know that Mao Zedong did things in China and that Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea.

Asia is so much more than just China, Korea, and Japan; Asia is a continent made up of 48 different countries, 48 distinct ethnicities, over 2,000 dialects and languages, a vast array of skin colors, and an innumerable number of cul-

tural traditions. To stereotype and generalize Asians is to ignore the diversity of such a beautiful continent. It is to ignore the existence of the billions of people that live in Asia and to overlook the thousands of years of history involved with each and every Asian country.

West and Southeast Asians are not an anomaly; they may not look like what people think looks Asian— being fair-skinned, short, fragile, small-eyed, and so on—but they are Asian. These words could be used to describe the typical Asian that Americans have grown to become so familiar with, but they would never have the capability of encapsulating the real Asian.

At Stuyvesant, a high school comprised of an Asian majority, awareness of the existence of smaller Asian nations is crucial in allowing students to acknowledge the true diversity among their peers. This idea should be brought into the light through the way that history teachers choose to execute their lessons. Teach-

ers who give insight on historical events should focus more on the history of smaller Asian countries, especially since much of what is known about the rest of the world has become common knowledge.

Beyond the level at which we are so used to, society as a whole needs to work toward recognizing the underrepresented Asians, the ones who don’t come to mind when people think of the ideal Asian. Rather than asking blatant and insensitive questions such as “Are you Asian?” to people who don’t look like the stereotypical Asian, people should be more open to representation by inquiring about what their cultural traditions are like or the challenges that they’ve faced as an underrepresented Asian. It shouldn’t be assumed that every Asian is Chinese, Korean, or Japanese and that if they aren’t, then they probably are not Asian at all. Our society cannot continue to let Asian Americans feel as if they are compelled to fit in a narrow set of

Elena Sapelyuk / The Spectator

New Shows, New World

By ANTA NOOR This past year, Netflix has released a wave of new shows targeting teen audiences. Shows like “On My Block” and “13 Reasons Why” have generated a large amount of buzz among teenagers. These shows received favorable reviews from critics and teenage viewers because they exposed many real issues that teens deal with in their lives.

The big issue that “13 Reasons Why” tackles is bullying. The main character in “13 Reasons Why,”

Hannah, endures various forms of bullying from her peers: from sharing inappropriate pictures of her on the Internet without her consent, to her friends spreading false rumors about her, to being sexually harassed. “13 Reasons Why” is an important show for teens and young adults because it brings into light an issue that is not often talked about publicly. According to StopBullying, “[As of 2014], about 49 percent of children in grades 4-12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month.” According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, about half of young people have experienced some form of cyberbullying, with up to 20 percent experiencing it regularly.

Shows like “13 Reasons Why” are important because they give a real life look at what it feels and looks like to be bullied. Instead of just reading statistics, kids can watch how bullying affects others and realize how some of their actions are harmful. Not only does the show leave a lasting impression, but “13 Reasons Why” elicits conversation among a mixed audience of teens, teachers, and parents about how to end bullying.

According to author Julia Glum of

a Newsweek article, teens in Michigan’s Oxford High School started a project called “13 Reasons Why Not” to talk about bullying and suicide prevention.

In an article by Anna Silman in “The Cut,” teens talk about the way they approached their friends on issues like bullying and suicide after they were introduced to the show. One teen from Iowa observed, “We had a boy commit suicide at our school, and no one knew how to handle it. [After watching the series], my friends and I would sit down and, honestly, we’d ask each other, ‘Have you ever had these feelings before? Have you ever gone through something like this?’ It’s weird to sit down and have these conversations with your friends, after watching a show that was so powerful. I feel like the show is making people talk about it, and it’s a positive thing if it’s making teens have conversations with their friends and family and peers about tough subjects they wouldn’t talk about otherwise.”

Another show that targets a teen audience is “On My Block,” which zeroes in on issues that are relevant to teenagers, such as love and friendship. Four best friends start high school together as a

pack. Over the course of the show, two of the four friends develop feelings for each other and struggle with how to handle them, all while trying to navigate their first year of high school. One of the four, Cesar, is affiliated with and later taken into a gang, which changes his outlook on life. As a part of the gang, Cesar believes that he is stuck there for good and can’t break out.

The show is unique in that one of its main themes is gang violence, a problem many Americans often overlook or underestimate. According to Helping Gang Youth, in the U.S., “40 percent [of gang members] are juveniles (under 18)” and there are about “400,000 teenage gang members.”

According to Teen Help, teens join gangs for prestige, tradition, or a sense of belonging. As the show features a diverse cast and is set in a predominantly Black/Hispanic neighborhood, it highlights the issue of gang violence, which is relatable to many teens throughout the country. “On My Block” reveals challenges and problems many people are struggling with and helps to give realistic solutions to those problems.

These new shows, which illuminate many different issues that

stereotyped standards that either validates them as a “true” Asian or completely deprives them of their heritage.

As for myself, I’ve learned to love and appreciate my multiethnic heritage. Every day I am exposed to more insight on the history of my southeastern country, the endless hardships that my father encountered, and the significant traditions that have shaped my father into the man he is today. Having parents from both a well-known Asian country and an almost invisible Asian country has allowed me to realize the existence of Asia as a whole and has given me an entirely different perspective on the undeniable reality of what it means to be Asian. Today, I am no longer afraid to embrace the other half of my heritage that I had once been ashamed to even mention, and I am eternally grateful for the ways in which being half-Cambodian has impacted me.

teens face now, are extremely important. The shows also highlight what the characters do to overcome these problems, such as when Cesar’s friends try to help him leave the gang.

These shows have encouraged and empowered students to stand up and fight for what they believe in, like in Oxford High School’s attempt at suicide prevention. Recent marches and protests, like Stuy’s own “Stuy Says ENOUGH!” walkout have been student-led. In light of recent shootings, gun violence protests have become more prevalent with kids at the center fighting for what they believe in. While the shows don’t have a direct impact on student activism, there seems to be a correlation between the rise in popularity of these teen shows and student activism.

The popularity of these new shows along with the influence of marches, walks, and protests have had a valuable impact on Generation Z kids. Gen Z students are smarter, safer, and more mature, and they want to change the world.

The new wave of shows and ongoing activism has fueled these Gen Z kids to want to make the world better.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 15

Tiffany Yu / The Spectator

Opinions

By BRIAN MOSES President Trump has made headlines recently, with his bombastic trade rhetoric drawing the ire of allies and adversaries on the world stage. Specifically, he has called the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) “the worst trade deal ever.” This deal, signed three decades ago, reduces tariffs and regulations on produce traded between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Outside of the headlines, the Trump Administration has battled nations from South Korea to the tiny African state of Rwanda to, in his words, put America first.

Trump’s main gripe concerning trade is that the U.S. has a trade deficit—it imports more goods than it exports. Imports are goods crossing from other countries into the U.S., and exports are goods or services that the U.S. sends to other nations. Tariffs tax these imports, with the intent of reducing them. The idea behind this is that if goods from another nation become more expensive, people will decide to buy locally produced goods instead. Local workers would be required to produce those goods, creating jobs.

But as many have noted previously, these aggressive trade policies can hurt America both economically and politically. Tariffs translate into higher prices for consumers and manufacturers of goods. If a tariff of 25 percent is placed on steel (as President Trump did earlier this year), then the price of steel increases. As a result, the price of making cars in America increases, and so the price of purchasing a car increases.

People might buy fewer cars, and car manufacturers in the U.S. could lose their jobs due to decreased demand.

Another aspect is the issue of trust. When America presents other nations with ultimatumsa or tries to force them into lowering

Trump’s Trade exports, they become more suspicious of the U.S. These trade relationships with other countries, especially allies, are important. Last year, the U.S. exported $2.4 trillion worth of goods and services to other nations while importing $2.9 trillion, a shortfall that is hardly overwhelming.

Having a trade deficit is to be expected for a population that has immense purchasing power, like that of the U.S. The trade deficit is also not necessarily a bad thing.

Sometimes, there are imported goods that cannot be replaced by domestic production. For example, 80 percent of U.S. guacamole is imported from Mexico, a demand that could not be replaced by production from within the U.S. Raw parts for constructions like cars, airplanes, and buildings are often cheaper abroad, and using imported goods lowers the final cost for consumers.

That is not to say that protective tariffs are always detrimental.

Protective trade measures in response to unfair action by other nations can be reasonable. For instance, President Obama raised steel tariffs on China by a whopping 500 percent in 2016 in response to China “dumping” massive amounts of steel into the U.S. market.

In this respect, an aggressive trade stance toward China, as the president has displayed so far, could be beneficial. According to a report by Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, the U.S. loses between $225 and $600 billion in intellectual property (IP) yearly, with China accounting for the large majority of those losses. To avoid eyewatering tariffs, many American companies are forced to “partner up” with Chinese firms when selling in China, which often results in the transfer of IP to their Chinese counterparts.

Another more illegal method of IP theft comes from statesponsored hacking of U.S. corporate secrets, despite an agreement signed in 2015 to prevent that kind of activity. China enacted a new law in 2017 allowing security reviews of tech-related products and services that impact China’s “national security,” a vague definition which regulators in China will likely exploit. This hacking costs the U.S. about $400 billion yearly, according to an estimate by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

In an aggressive trade policy, China subsidizes its exports while using tariffs to block imports, a policy that has hurt U.S. manufac-

turing jobs. Recently, it was forced to decrease subsidies on a wide variety of exports by the World Trade Organization. According to data from The New York Times, America’s average import tariff is just nine percent, among the lowest in the world, whereas China’s is 27 percent. All of this is part of China’s broader economic policy to push exports and limit imports in pursuit of breakneck economic growth, often at the cost of U.S. jobs and environmental conditions in China.

Yet, it appears unlikely that raising tariffs in response to Chinese abuse would lead to a trade war. A trade war would have to be started by China, which knows the risks of provoking one. 3.1 percent of China’s GDP (the total size of a nation’s economy) relies on trade with the U.S., compared to 0.7 percent for U.S. reliance on China. In a serious trade war, China would run out of items to put tariffs on fairly quickly, whereas the U.S. would have no such problem.

Tariffs, bombastic language, and Twitter are all very dangerous tools that President Trump has misused in the past. However, if used properly, they can right wrongs and ensure that trade is conducted in a more fair and equitable manner.

Shuhong Jiang / The Spectator

Is it Time to Lift the Veil of the Freemasonry?

By ANNE RHEE Italian banker Roberto Calvi was found hanging on the Blackfriars Bridge in London on July 17, 1982. Calvi had been the chairman of Banco Ambrosiano, an Italian bank that had collapsed four years prior because of illegal currency dealings. The Roman Catholic Church had been a heavy endorser of the bank and faced large losses. When the coroner declared that Calvi had not committed suicide, but had been murdered, many suspicions were pointed at the Mafia and the Freemasons. The latter theory seemed more relevant, as Calvi at the time was the Grandmaster, or the head, of a notorious Masonic lodge called P2, or Propaganda Due. In fact, the Freemasons have been linked to multiple scandals in the past, mainly because they have remained largely unknown due to their oath of secrecy.

The Freemasons are one of the oldest brotherhoods in the world, but one of the things that sets them apart from other fraternities is they have no standardized beliefs. This is because in the Freemasonry, the leaders refuse to have an oligarch who unifies all the lodges and their beliefs

together. Furthermore, the lodge leaders don’t tell their members what to think about Freemasonry, preferring freedom of opinion to standardized teaching.

When masons are asked how they define freemasonry, they call it “a peculiar system of morality with strange symbols.” Many outsiders have compared freemasonry to religion, as there are many similarities, such as there being a hierarchical leadership system.

But there are also key differences, like the masons’ lack of willingness to openly encourage others to become a mason. Yet when it is compared to religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, freemasonry is discriminated against

Because of the potential danger that the freemasons could bring, the government uses the masons’ secrecy to their advantage by spreading propaganda that creates fear toward masons. During WWII, Hitler sent 200,000 troops to kill Freemasons, and the masons were criminalized along with the Jews. Hitler claimed that the Freemasons were part of a movement with the Jews and were one of the reasons that they had lost WWI. An Islamic movement in 1998 claimed that the Freemasons were all part of a large conspiracy that wanted to control the world.

The fear that the government initiates feeds conspiracy theories and further accentuates citizens’

forward to offer an explanation to the government, media, and general public about why Calvi was killed, the curious public decided to blame the two most secretive groups prominent in Italy: the Mafia and the Masons.

The media began supporting the stigma around Freemasonry in early 2004 due to an unfortunate shooting incident during an initiate ceremony. A New York Masonic lodge had been situated inside a bar, and many of the people at the bar would often volunteer to help the masons with new-initiate ceremonies. In one case, the new initiate was supposed to stand in front of a ledge of cans, and a person at the bar

“Part of what makes Freemasonry so special is that it has remained in the dark for so long, and as a society, it is key for us to have diverse beliefs, even if they remain hidden.”

in different ways, as less is known about it.

Instead, Freemasonry is often criminalized by the government, influencing the general public to do the same. Governments have never liked hidden groups that could have some influence in regulating the people, as they create the possibility of citizens rebelling. Historical precedent supports this, as powerful revolutionary and political figures such as George Washington, Simón Bolívar, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (the founder of Turkey) have been contributing masons.

fear of the unknown.

Furthermore, people tend to model whatever emotions the government models. One example is Kevin McNeil-Smith, who runs a website called Freemasonry Watch, dedicated to conspiracy theories and alleged explanations of political scandals. He is one of the many examples of paranoia that has developed around the Freemasons. When people refuse to take responsibility for their actions, secrecy is immediately blamed, and this is the case of Roberto Calvi’s death. Since no one had immediately stepped

would shoot blanks at the cans.

But instead, the person pulled out a loaded gun and actually shot the mason. The media took advantage of the incident to denounce the Freemasons, but the general public didn’t know that the entire incident had been misconstrued.

In fact, real Masonic rituals do not involve shooting loaded guns, and the lodge’s master did not disclose as to why the man had shot a loaded gun rather than the unfilled gun.

Even in the current age, the media plays a prominent role in forming people’s opinions the

freemasons. A 2015 BBC documentary about Freemasonry only sparked further insults against the masons; the documentary itself seemed biased, over-dramatizing the situation and constantly repeating that it was a “secret” society, as if the only notable element about Freemasonry was that it remained unknown.

Yet modern Freemasons don’t enjoy living in a world where they are labeled as evil. In fact, English masons perform an annual public ceremony to prove that they aren’t evil. In the widely broadcasted ceremony, their higher Masons read speeches dedicated to the history of their founding and sing songs which resemble anthems.

As stated by the Grandmaster, or the Duke of Kent, “People can see that our normal business is as we describe it, they may be persuaded to shed any unreasonable worries they still have.”

Secrecy is not an evil thing, but when one is secretive, humans tend to misinterpret the secrecy as a sign of guilt. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Freemasons should completely expose all of their secrets right away. A mason stated, “If everybody knew what a Freemason was without joining, what would be the point of joining?” Part of what makes Freemasonry so special is that it has remained in the dark for so long, and as a society, it is key for us to have diverse beliefs, even if they remain hidden.

As citizens ruled by a government, this does not mean that we should mirror the government’s beliefs.

Instead of relying on conspiracy theories or skewed media coverage to provide ourselves with an explanation, we shouldn’t be scared to face the unknown and should look for the truth behind the unknown even if we do fear what we will find.

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The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Opinions Trump’s North Korean Policy The Long-Term Danger of Trump’s Madman Strategy

By JONATHAN SCHNEIDERMAN

By JULIAN GIORDANO Former U.S. presidents have taken ineffective approaches to diplomacy with North Korea, letting it grow its nuclear arsenal and become increasingly erratic and hostile.

When Donald Trump was elected president, he seemed to exacerbate relations with North Korea, threatening the country with “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if it continued its nuclear testing. Indeed, it appeared as if Trump was worsening the situation.

That is, until early 2018.

In February, the Winter Olympics were hosted in South Korea, and North Korean athletes (as well as Kim Jong-un’s sister) attended in a diplomatic move. Since then, the prospect of negotiations between the North and South has dramatically increased and recently climaxed in the Panmunjom Declaration on April 27, where both nations pledged to work on ending the Korean War, and even hinted at a North Korean denuclearization and removal of some of the over 20,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. For the first time ever, a North Korean Supreme Leader and American President are scheduled to meet and discuss possible compromises.

With so much progress being made in such little time (and after decades of standoff and disagreement), many people believe

strategy is one big bluff, a bluff that North and South Korea can see through. Trump’s threats are irrational and unlikely to happen, and he has contradicted them by suggesting the removal of U.S. troops from South Korea and by calling for peaceful negotiations.

This has decreased Trump’s authority and reliability and made him seem uneducated. In this sense, Trump has strayed from past U.S. Presidents by not having consistent policy, but merely a set of straggling ideas. A lack of strong foreign policy in the Koreas has decreased Trump’s political influence in the region, and South Korea, Japan, and China have lost trust in American leadership. In the absence of a strong U.S. influence, North and South Korea have taken negotiations into their own hands, and this has proven remarkably successful.

Both Koreas have always been incentivized to end the Korean War. South Korea is threatened by the North’s nuclear arsenal, and North Korea is endangered by U.S. nuclear power and a lack of resources to steadily maintain its dictatorship. There are also benefits from mutual cooperation, which could improve the overall economy and could bring a general stability to the region. Now that the Koreas can openly negotiate terms to a future agreement, they are more likely to reach a peace or even gradual denucleariza-

In just the past few days they have set their clocks to the same time zone, a move that couldn’t have even been imagined a few months ago.

Donald Trump is to account for the new openness to negotiation. His Madman Strategy of threatening mutually assured destruction seems to have paid off, with Kim Jongun backing down and engaging in talks with Moon Jae-in.

But in reality, the Madman Strategy hasn’t succeeded. Counterintuitively, its failure has backfired to improve Korean relations— albeit at the cost of the U.S.’s international standing.

Since his inauguration, Trump has advocated for a unilateral policy of “America First.” In less than a year, he has backed out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), left the Paris Climate Agreement, and alienated the U.S. from other nations with his fiery rhetoric. In addition to his isolationist policy moves, Trump has become known for making empty threats—many of which he contradicts just months after making. An example of this is Trump’s recent attempt at renegotiating the U.S. into the TPP, which just months earlier he had said was a bad deal that needed better negotiation.

The Madman Strategy is no different. The

tion. In just the past few days they have set their clocks to the same time zone, a move that couldn’t have even been imagined a few months ago.

The world should be very optimistic about the recent Korean negotiations, but should also be wary of the conditions that caused them: a lack of international trust in U.S. leadership and influence. If Trump continues his America-first, non-interventionist strategy, the U.S. may reach a point where other powers such as China are able to gain a bigger foothold in international relations.

China has already established the One Belt One Road Initiative, which recreates the Silk Road in an attempt to rebuild the Chinese economy and influence throughout Asia and the Middle East. If more countries lose faith in U.S. foreign policy, China is more likely to gain influence, which will break down U.S. hegemony.

The backfiring of the Madman Strategy has proved successful, but Trump will have to toe the line between interventionism and non-interventionism to maintain both trust in the U.S. and a global political equilibrium.

Michael Hu / The Spectator

After watching numerous U.S. presidents’ failed attempts at ending the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear program through various diplomatic means, President Donald Trump has decided to take a different approach: to make it clear that there will be nuclear war-“fire and fury like the world has never seen”―should the DPRK continue the program. He has called Kim Jong Un, the DPRK’s Supreme Leader, “Little Rocket Man” and the nuclear program “a suicide mission.” Because of the apparent recklessness of Trump’s approach and his apparent willingness to go to nuclear war, some observers have called his approach the “Madman Strategy.”

Many observers, particularly liberals (including myself), believed for some time that this strategy was dangerous and likely doomed. By taunting Kim, we warned, Trump was playing with fire; he was going down a path of mutual escalation that would lead almost inevitably to nuclear war, an outcome that would be devastating for the North Korean people and horrifying for any U.S. ground troops, and that would send shockwaves through international politics.

It seems now that we may have been wrong: Kim and Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), met on April 27 for a groundbreaking summit that resulted in a declaration announcing intentions of unification and total denuclearization of the peninsula. While some have argued that this summit had nothing to do with the Madman Strategy and that it is entirely the result of the ROK’s diplomatic efforts, this is extremely unlikely. Certainly, President Moon’s efforts played a significant role―the Madman Strategy was by no means the sole reason for the summit―but the U.S. is such a giant in the international stage, and has been as much in Korean politics since World War II, that the idea that Trump’s threats are an incidental element of the talks just doesn’t make sense.

Sure, it could, in theory, be the case that the president’s threats of nuclear annihilation against Kim had nothing to do with Kim’s decision to make a stated effort toward reconciliation with the ROK, but it’s simply not plausible.

Kim and Moon also agreed to meet again in autumn, while Kim and Trump will meet sometime later this spring. Just how successful these meetings will be remains to be seen, but it has become quite clear that Trump’s Madman Strategy may very well work.

We should all hope that it doesn’t.

The benefits of the Madman Strategy resulting in success are clear and great: peace would be brought to what has for many decades been one of the most constantly at-risk places on Earth, the DPRKROK border; a brutal and isolationist regime might finally open up to the global economy and cultural sphere, and a state whose very existence is against the global liberal order would finally stop having nuclear weapons. In short, the Madman Strategy, if successful, would dramatically improve the state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula, transforming it from one of constant nuclear danger and instability to one of relative peace and stability. If the DPRK predicament existed in a vacuum, I would be rooting strongly for the Madman Strategy to succeed.

But nothing exists in a vacuum, and actions set precedents that can have implications far beyond their context. And a world in which the Madman Strategy succeeds is a world in which the Madman Strategy be-

comes a standard tool in international politics. Having seen Trump’s success, other leaders, including future presidents, would have the incentive to emulate him and apply his strategy again in the future, creating a world in which threats of nuclear war are thrown around, as they have been by Kim and Trump, in the hope that they will never be occasioned to follow through on them.

Such a world would be the international relations’ equivalent of a scene in a Quentin Tarantino movie, in which all the characters have guns pointed at each other, just hoping that no one will shoot. Such structured systems of international politics are unpredictable and extremely dangerous. At best, they lead to widespread domestic fear, which can lead to hysterical movements like McCarthyism; at worst, they lead to all-out war, like it happened in Europe in 1914. The difference, of course, is that World War I Europe didn’t have nuclear bombs; today’s world does. It is true that the fact that today’s weapons are nuclear makes them less likely to be used―that was the basic theory underlying Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) during the Cold War―but MAD also relied on a collective understanding that nuclear weapons are a last resort that no one has any desire to use.

Trump’s strategy, in contrast, has been to make it clear that he is more than willing to use nuclear weapons.

Unfortunately, there has been little discussion of this in the news media. Most discussion of Trump’s strategy has centered around speculation as to whether it will succeed or whether it is the reason for the current round of talks, with those answering “yes” to those questions tending to support Trump and those answering “no” tending to oppose him. There has been little discussion about the consequences of the strategy should it be successful. As a result, the widespread picture that has emerged of a successful outcome to the strategy has been rosy―an avoidance of nuclear war and nothing more. Such shortsighted views of policy are dangerous, and they lead to irresponsibly-made policy.

Hopefully, Trump’s strategy will somehow prove to be both unsuccessful and not disastrous. Trump should carefully pull out of the peace talks, taking care to be extremely polite to Kim as he does so. He should work with Kim to make sure that the dissolution of the talks is accompanied by little fanfare―perhaps a short statement in which all parties involved express mutual respect and regret that this round of talks couldn’t work out. Talks could then be reapproached in a few years, either by Trump himself or by his successor, should Trump no longer be serving by then. The latter would be preferable, as any interaction that Trump has with the DPRK will probably be inextricably tied to his Madman Strategy, but time could erode that link. Alternatively, Trump could pull the U.S. out of the talks and hand them completely over to the ROK and the DPRK, waiting until the last minute to put the necessary U.S. stamp of approval on them. This would not be optimal, as it would minimize U.S. influence on the talks. However, because it lacks the potential for fierceness that dissolution has, it may be the best choice.

Ultimately, Trump must find a way to set whatever solution eventually comes about from the Madman Strategy. He must make sure that in bringing about peace in the Korean Peninsula, he is not creating a world of violent chaos. He must make sure that future leaders do not follow in his brash footsteps. He is set to meet with Kim in a month; he is running out of time.

Korean Negotiations: A Product of Trump’s Incompetence?

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 17

Opinions Trump and Politics: Deconstructing Business Deals For A Greater America

By ROHIT ROY

Ever since he announced that he would be running for president, Donald Trump has faced an unprecedented amount of criticism for his past actions. The mainstream media excoriates him, perpetually reporting on Russian collusion and obstruction of justice. In a recent development, The New York Times reported that the Trump Organization’s business records have been subpoenaed as part of his inquiry into Russian interference in the presidential election.

Democrats have incessantly monitored all of the allegations made against Trump, and this is no exception. In light of this speculative evidence, many believe these business records can answer the question of whether or not real estate investors used Trump-branded properties to launder the proceeds of criminal activity around the world.

Journalists at The New York Times hired former British intelligence official Christopher Steele to investigate President Trump’s possible ties to Russia. In an investigation, bankrolled by Democrats, he found information that led him to believe that President Trump, then a candidate, might have been involved in foreign corruption. Steele uncovered a series of activities involving bribery, money laundering, and racketeering.

Prosecutors pointed to a string of bankruptcies Trump faced in the 1990s into the 2000s, which left him with few investors and trade partners from whom he could get his “traditional” sources of financing.

Democrats argue that this desperate need for an investor may have served as a motivation for Trump to resort to unconventional methods, looking for financing by using offshore accounts in Russia and former Soviet republics.

To support these claims, Steele pinpoints the records of Trump projects primarily in New York and Florida, which have relied heavily on foreign cash. Much of this foreign cash was outsourced from wealthy Russian businessmen via wire transfer loans. Since then, many of these Russian capitalists have been arrested for criminal activity. Along with accounted loans, a significant amount of money was funneled through offshore shell companies, a medium often used to conceal the trail of cash flow, making it difficult to determine the source of financing.

Although this may sound incriminating, this evidence is far from enough to prove that the Trump Organization or its business partners knowingly abetted criminal activity. A large organization with over 30,000 employees and $9 billion in revenue cannot be expected to keep track of every buyer in a Trumpbranded building. Even with this in mind, prosecutors say the board of directors routinely dealt with individuals whose backgrounds should have raised red flags. However, in the competitive nature of the contemporary business world, maintaining a large business like Trump Organization requires venture capitalism.

Essentially, increasing the revenue of such a large business warrants a great deal of risk-taking. And although Trump may have taken part in illegal dealings, there is no conclusive evidence for it, making him a victor in his audacious act of venture capitalism. Moreover, according to Trump’s business record, he was not present for many of these meetings, suggesting he did not know of his buyers’ backgrounds or ever meet with them in person.

An outstanding scenario in the case against Trump includes his dealings with Bayrock Group, once a prominent investor in the Trump Organization. The representatives

of the distinguished Russian organization were provided with luxurious offices in Trump Tower. The prosecution states Trump bribed Bayrock board members with extravagant amenities and indulgences in exchange for Bayrock serving as an essential investor in the Trump Organization. Trump, however, is not guilty of any bribery; it is a textbook case of corporate bootlicking. Businesses tend to treat their investors very well in order to keep them content, thus increasing the likelihood of them remaining an investor. Seeing that Trump did not give large amounts of cash to any Bayrock board members, these allegations made against Trump for blackmailing and bribing Bayrock Group for investments are ludicrous.

The firm was partners with Trump between 2002 and 2006, primarily supplying funds for the development of the Trump SoHo in Lower Manhattan, along with other real estate developments. What caught Mr. Steele’s eye was the principal of the operation, Felix Sater, who was recently linked to organized crime and is currently serving a sentence for felony assault and racketeering involving a $40 million stock fraud scheme. However, while dealing with Trump, Sater appeared to be a successful entrepreneur with a clean record, suggesting that Trump and his board had no knowledge of his criminal activities at the time. Furthermore, his image as a prolific and successful venture capitalist made him an attractive investment for the Trump Organization.

In another case, Belgian authorities convicted a financier recruited by the Bayrock group for executing a $55 million money-laundering scheme. A further study of this case revealed that a former mayor of a city in Kazakhstan laundered millions in stolen tax dollars, which was invested in Trump’s real estate in SoHo. This anonymous family has

denied all charges and claims it is a victim of political persecution.

One major fact that Democrats overlook about this particular case is that Belgian “authorities” convicted this financier without an admission of guilt or a proper jury to convict him. The judge of that trial is said to have suddenly moved into a new penthouse a few months after convicting the Kazakh financier. This penthouse is valued at over 30 million euros, far more than this judge can afford. Moreover, this property was commissioned by the PPF Real Estate Group, a Russian real estate group that is a major rival of Bayrock Group. This all points to corruption. Furthermore, as this trial happened after Trump ended his association with Bayrock Group, it suggests that he again had no knowledge of any illicit activity.

Trump’s business career, which has lasted nearly half a century, is comprised of countless business deals. Only a small fraction of these deals allegedly involved Russian businessmen with criminal backgrounds. Therefore, Trump’s involvement in Russia only played a minor role in making Trump Organization the $10 billion company that it is today. Along with dealings that included Russia playing a tiny part in the larger scheme of things, there is no evidence suggesting the fact Trump had any knowledge of illegal activity or participated in clandestine business deals.

In fact, his business deals often involved so much money, marketing, and consumerism that the Trump Organization single-handedly improved the American economy.

Trump dominated the stock market, increasing competition against him.

Competition against powerful businesses prompts stockbrokers and investors to increase involvement in the market, increasing economic activity. The prodigiousness of Trump’s stock warranted an enor-

mous amount of business, strengthening the stock market by an overall of three points in 2010, demonstrating the energizing effect Trump had on the American economy. As Trump emerged as the probable Republican nominee, he was approached by many businessmen and politicians of Russian backgrounds, all hoping to gain influence ahead of the election. It does not make logical sense for Trump’s campaign to knowingly deal with them, as it would warrant more scrutiny, which Trump already had enough of. It is much more likely that a campaign worker made an independent decision to “clear the air” with Russian businessmen and politicians, triggering an onslaught of criticism surrounding the “collusion” scandal.

Trump does have a controversial past, but that is simply a side effect of being a businessman of his magnitude. Democrats constantly castigate him for making executive decisions for his personal benefit.

These allegations are exaggerated, for Trump resigned all roles from Trump Organization a week prior to his inauguration, most likely in an effort to give his undivided attention to carrying out his vision of “Making American Great Again” and eliminating any speculation that he would be making presidential decisions in his company’s best interest. He also donated his presidential salaries to the National Park Service, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services. All Americans should realize President Trump is an ardent American who will do anything it takes to fulfill his presidential ambitions, which includes leaving his business life behind to focus on making presidential decisions in the national interest, rather than foreign ties forged by business ventures of his past.

Art Asian American Heritage

By THE ART DEPARTMENT

Alisa Chen / The Spectator

Serena Chan / The Spectator

Angel Zheng / The Spectator

Tony Chen / The Spectator

Raihana Sultana / The Spectator

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 18

Arts and Entertainment fashion

By JEVINA WONG

Music

negative opinions are overreacting, and that this was simply “cultural appreciation.” But let’s break this down.

As an Asian American scrolling through Twitter and reading the articles, I was greatly disheartened. I found Daum’s choice of dress slightly off-putting, the pose insensitive, and the fact that many Caucasians saw nothing wrong with it even more dismaying. The Asian Americans who spoke up were painted as the bad guys, attacking a poor girl who just wanted to look beautiful at prom.

The comments gave me the overwhelming sense that Americans were focused on cheering this girl’s “bravery” without any incentive to understand why Asian Americans were so offended by her outfit.

For us, it’s a losing uphill battle if no one’s willing to listen. Articles written by USA Today, The New York Times, and Fox News all seem to be in defense of Daum, who is “standing up for [herself],” highlighting more instances of support than protest, and implying that we were wrong for causing this debate.

Daum claims she didn’t intend to cause any harm. Most of the time, those who culturally appropriate don’t aim to; but having committed such a transgression, it is the responsibility of the transgressor to realize why she has offended so many. The dress itself is beautiful. Its origins are ambiguous, but the dress has been linked to activism and women’s liberation in China. In modern times, it is worn by brides, marking the coming-of-age and maturity of Chinese women. In her article “That ‘Racist’ Prom Dress Debacle Is a Lot More Complicated Than You Think,” writer Venus Wong explains, “Had [Daum] demonstrated any previous interest in learning Mandarin or in gaining a deeper knowledge on the heritage of qipao, I would have gladly been more understanding—instead she referred to the qipao as ‘a gorgeous dress I found for my last prom’ in a tweet, stripping it of its cultural identity until it was time to justify her choice.”

Of course, the qipao does not retain the same cultural significance as Native American garments, like buckskin dresses and moccasins, which have been met with a history of oppression and appropriation. But it’s not just “a

f------ dress.” Before wearing them and commenting on them, white people should try to understand that traditional garments like the qipao are important to the identities of Asian American women.

Cultural appreciation would have demonstrated a deeper understanding in her follow-up statements, instead of disregarding the opinions of Asian Americans just because it is an article of clothing.

In response to many Asian Americans, Americans have begun to fire back, asking if Asian Americans having Western names, wearing Western clothing, or speaking English is appropriation. However, there is a difference between adapting to American society and showing outright disrespect for a culture. Twitter user @efemona_ explains it best: “Cultural appropriation isn’t just about invention…[it’s] ideas and practices and items that are specific to a culture, an ethnic identity.” She clarifies that history and culture are not the same thing, as languages and names aren’t culturally sensitive. It is necessary to regard the “history of the culture in which it comes from and wear it when culturally acceptable.” Some Asian Americans argue that the qipao should be worn in a traditional setting, like a Chinese wedding or festival where the wearer would be given the direct permission to wear one as a guest. But, like many others, I find that given that the qipao dress is worn at formal events, prom isn’t an inappropriate setting to be wearing it, unlike Halloween or a funeral. It is okay for people of different ethnicities to appreciate the clothes of another culture for the right purposes.

But the real problem here is the pose. The teens were replicating a meme from YouTube channel h3h3 Productions. But being in a Chinese dress and showing her “appreciation of Chinese culture,” Daum should have been much more aware of how the bow-like pose looks with it. Smiling broadly in such a pose while in what also looks like an Asian squat was insensitive and greatly discredits her claim of “appreciation.” Visually, it is a disrespectful parody of Asian women in qipao. Like Wong explains in her article, given that she already wasn’t of Asian descent, she didn’t even give a single thought to the cultural context of the dress. Asian Americans have

seen these poses used for prerogative amusement by Americans.

To all the white people who have been simultaneously supporting Daum and bashing us on Twitter: who are you to tell us Asian Americans how to feel? You may not agree with our views, but you have no right to tell us that we are being “overly sensitive,” having had no experience living in a country as a minority, where we are subject to discrimination and intolerance. Asian Americans themselves have differing opinions, but we respect each others’ various voices. The berating of Asian Americans for speaking up is extremely disrespectful in itself, because if your argument is that we should embrace all cultures, we are just as entitled to our beliefs because this matter has to do with us. This response from white people to Asian Americans is even more offensive to me than her having worn the dress in the first place.

Growing up Asian American, it is very apparent from a young age that in order to assimilate into American culture, we must sacrifice our own. American-born citizens and immigrants are mocked and ridiculed for having different facial features, accents, cuisine, and customs. We are taught to embrace white culture, because they won’t embrace ours. Asian Americans wouldn’t attempt to wear something like a qipao to school on Lunar New Year, let alone prom. We’d be viewed as too different or even “fresh off the boat,” a term that degrades those who are unfamiliar with American culture. So forgive us if we find the double standard all too unfair when a white girl wearing our culture is suddenly “cute” and “unique.” This is a problem that transcends Daum’s actions and speaks to the greater discrimination of our country.

Netizens from mainland China have also joined the discussion, but they praise Daum. They have thanked her for her appreciation and do not understand why Asian Americans find her wearing the dress to be anything but beautiful. Daum and many other Twitter users have used this as a defense, because if mainlanders themselves are loving it, aren’t the Asian Americans the ones being ridiculous?

But that’s just it. China mainlanders are from China and constitute the racial majority. To them, it is

just an American girl appreciating Chinese garments; but to us, it is a Caucasian being praised for wearing our culture when that praise would not be extended to us. Using the opinions of mainland China as an argument to override those of Asian Americans is invalid.

But what can we do? Cultural appropriation is a buzzword that can lead to some understanding, like the Jenner sisters’ retraction of clothing using hip-hop icons like Tupac, but will at other times lead to eye-rolls from Caucasians.

Daum getting away with cultural appropriation is an example of white privilege, which seems impossible for Asian Americans to combat. But is imperative that our voices grow louder and that we argue our opinions until we can’t be ignored. Daum’s prom dress should inspire us to engage in a takeback of our own cultures that America has told us to shove to the back of our closets.

We should wear our qipao dresses and the like and teach America to embrace them, because discrimination against our cultures cannot be stopped unless we are proud of and empowered by it. And to Keziah herself: this was not “negativity.” This was not “hate.” We are not “overly sensitive.” For many Asian Americans, this is our truth.

Our voices are part of our culture.

If you truly appreciate our culture as you say you do, you should listen and understand.

Serena Chan / The Spectator

Prom pics have been flooding our feeds. The hunt for the perfect prom dress is crucial. For Utah teen Keziah Daum, it was a “modest neckline” that led her to choose a qipao, a traditional Chinese dress, for her prom dress, and this has caused an uproar on Twitter.

The 18-year-old posted four pictures of herself in a vibrant red qipao, grinning with her date and friends on Sunday, April 22. Since then, her tweet has amassed 18,000 replies and another 20,000 replies on user Jeremy Lam’s retweet of her post, with the comment, “My culture is NOT your godd*** prom dress.”

Daum has been accused of cultural appropriation, which, according to Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.” But she has also received tremendous support from some Asians and many Caucasians. Many Asian Americans found her blatant disregard for Chinese culture to be offensive, as the qipao shouldn’t be worn for the sake of being “unique” or even “exotic.” Some weren’t offended by the dress, but rather by her pose in the pictures, as she and her friends had their hands in a prayer-type clasp that resembled a bow. At the same time, other Asian Americans argued that America itself is a melting pot and that those who were offended should be “honored” that she was appreciating Asian culture. The same goes for many white commenters who thought this was an example of multiculturalism and that many Asian Americans were being “overly sensitive.”

Following the backlash, Daum posted many defensive tweets, such as, “To everyone causing so much negativity: I mean no disrespect to the Chinese culture. I’m simply showing my appreciation to their culture. I’m not deleting my post because I’ve done nothing but show my love for the culture.

It’s a f------ dress. And it’s beautiful.” Many Caucasians applauded her decision to not apologize for wearing the dress. Judging from her Twitter account and her retweets, she does believe that she has been attacked for no reason, that Asian Americans who have voiced their

In the Defense of “Overly Sensitive” Asian Americans

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Playlist

By THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, we are recognizing the Asian American artists who too often go unrecognized. In fact, of all of the songs we have included in playlists this semester, we only featured one by an Asian American artist. This statistic is unacceptable given both the demographics of the school we claim to represent and the impact Asian Americans have had on all genres of music. From Hip-Hop to Dream Pop, Asian Americans have made lasting contributions to every musical genre and continue to pioneer and create new sounds and ways of expression.

“Boyish” Japanese Breakfast Indie Rock “Girls Like Girls” Hayley Kiyoko Dream Pop “Paper Planes” M.I.A Hip-Hop

“Adult Crap” Joanna Wang Alternative Folk “29” Run River North Alternative/Indie “My Song 9” Nova Heart Indie “Rich Youth” Hayley Kiyoko Pop

“Circumstances” Nive Nielsen & The Deer Children Folk “Yellow Alert” Awkwafina Feat.

Dumbfoundead Rap “Wonder Woman Main Theme” Tina Guo Pure Instrumental

“Galaxies” The Mountain Brothers Hip-Hop (90s) “The Worst” Jhene Aiko R&B “Borders” Amber Liu R&B/EDM

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 19

Arts and Entertainment

Stuyle Corner SUMMER STYLE

By JULIA PANAS

Over the years, the Pulitzer Prize in Music, awarded to an American artist for meritorious work that has been performed first in the United States, has been given to composers from the classical or jazz genres. However, the 2018 prize was awarded to Kendrick Lamar for his album “DAMN.” provoking controversy about the prize’s direction and purpose. Granted, it is human nature to ostracize or even be repulsed by a break in tradition. But that is a naive reason to ignore the background issues brought to the table in “DAMN.” that are being exposed in the discord.

The fact that there was outrage in the first place underlines hip-hop music’s struggle to be recognized as a “real” genre, even though it has existed for

A breakaway from the typical morning breakfast cart coffee haul is sweeping over Stuyvesant.

Milky boba drinks are replacing iced coffee as the typical student vice. This is no spontaneous eruption of crazed love for bubble tea.

It’s simply that the bubble tea chain Jupioca has opened up a shop conveniently along most Stuy students’ morning commutes.

The store opens at 8 a.m. during the week. Having first period free, I made the spontaneous decision to enter Jupioca one morning on my way to school. Waltzing in through the door meant immediately being greeted by dozens of drink options displayed upon screens overhead. Jupioca is primarily a juice bar, and the array of smoothies and fruit and vegetable juices listed have eccentric names. I was almost tempted to dish out $6 to $7 for an “Eye-Opener Juice,” half-convinced that the puree of apple and carrots would cure my fatigue and nearsightedness.

Instead, I paid about $5 for a real breakfast of champions: a large taro bubble tea. Taro is the default flavor I resort to when I’m indecisive, and Jupioca is definitely not for the indecisive; while there are fewer bubble tea options than there are other juice options, even the bubble tea comes in a variety of fun flavors (Honey-Kumquat, anyone?). The drink was as it should be, with sweetness, ice, and flavor balanced to the orderer’s preferences. The tapioca was delightfully chewy and not rock-solid.

I was able to enjoy the drink seated

at one of the yellow swivel chairs toward the front of the place, using the wooden countertop to check over an assignment for the last time.

Later that afternoon, I returned with a friend. We were both rather hungry, and fortunately enough, Jupioca also happens to sell food items. Bowls of featured poke tend to cost around $12, but we were interested in trying an acai bowl at roughly the same price. I was drawn to the novelty of the Blue Mermaid Bowl, so we split an order of the creamy light sapphire mix containing blue majik—the sea algae powder that gives the bowl its pretty hue—pineapple, banana, coconut, bee pollen, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and granola. It’s a refreshing dish that definitely hits the palate with a lovely ratio of different textures and distinct sweet flavors, but even after considering the tendency of Manhattan locations to inflate prices, I don’t think I would buy food from here often due to the cost.

It may be tempting to compare Jupioca with the Kung Fu Tea that’s only a block or two away, but I believe that such a comparison would be unfair. Both locations do sell bubble tea, but Kung Fu Tea specializes in the sale of the drink, while Jupioca leans its marketing more towards fruit juices. Kung Fu Tea also doesn’t sell food, even if that specific location near Stuy just so happens to have a separate business within the same room selling Eggloo waffles. However, I do recommend that die-hard Kung Fu Tea fans pay a visit to Jupioca and try a fun flavor (or five).

DAMN. A 2018 Controversy.

Music

By LAURA ILIOAEI

to combine an above-the-knee A-line with a fitted top (such as a white tube top or simple red tank) and a delicate, light-colored cardigan (think cream or white). Another idea is to wear a body-hugging mini skirt with boots and a loose and colorful graphic tee tucked in for that easy, vintage vibe.

Of course, a list of summer clothing is incomplete without mentioning dresses. Styles sported this season are typically fitted on top with a fun and bouncy skirt. Some trends to try out are strappy backs, wrap dresses, button-downs, and delicate floral prints. To add another dimension, layer a jacket on top, such as a modern white denim, western caramel suede, or even a statement two-tone tweed. A personal favorite summer look is to combine a pretty dress with an edgy leather jacket. Contrast will always make an outfit more interesting and unique.

One style to pay special attention to this season is separates.

Separates are basically dresses, but cut up into a top and a skirt.

These are so great because of the freedom they offer—you can opt to wear them as a dress or simply use one of the parts in another outfit. For example, pair the top with jeans and layered necklaces. Another idea is to use the skirt as a beach coverup over your favorite one-piece.

Their versatility makes this item a must-have for your vacation wardrobe.

One last tip—have fun with it! Summer is all about being happy and easygoing, so open up your closet and reach for the sun.

To continue reading about summer trends and styles for accessories, swimwear, and more, pick up the next Spectator issue for the continuation of this column.

By LAURA ILIOAEI

Megan Huange / The Spectator

The sun is out, the birds are singing, and we have officially found the need to turn on the ACs in our second home again.

Only weeks ago we were still wearing our puffy parkas and coats, and suddenly it’s 90 degrees at lunchtime. All of which means it’s shorts season! As well as the season for skirts, dresses, rompers, and any other summer item you can dream of. With the change in weather comes a change in style, so I’m here with some pointers for what to wear when it’s too hot to stay inside.

The summer palette is all about playing with colors. Other than the bright hues characteristic of this season—yellows, pinks, reds, and blues—lavender is also expected to make its way into our closets and our hearts.

The delicacy of this color gives it that pretty, flower-like vibe, yet simultaneously evokes the sunset feel of cool summer nights. To make it stand out, use lavender in places you normally wouldn’t expect. It would look incredible in a statement leather jacket or a pair of denim shorts. It would also work well as an unorthodox color in makeup—think a matte pink-lavender lip, soft sparkling lavender blush, or blue toned all-around eyeshadow. The options are endless.

In terms of texture, light and thin fabrics are the go-to for time in the sun. Chiffon is perfect in the sticky weather because of its cool and wispy qualities, and it flutters beautifully in the rare summer breeze.

Personally, I love it because it is reminiscent of late walks on the beach, with wind rippling through your hair and sea salt clinging to your skin. Due to the flowy nature of this material, chiffon is flattering on al-

most any body type. It would go flawlessly in a breezy dress, especially a maxi-length style with a fitted bodice for contrast. Alternatively, it would be very nice for a loose floral-printed blouse or ruffled off-the-shoulder top.

In my opinion, the most essential summer item is the wellloved black tube top. There is nothing more classic and universal than this simple accentuating top, which matches every outfit and looks put-together in every occasion. For a relaxed vibe, you can pair this top with light mom jeans, casual sneakers, an accentuating belt, and hoop earrings. To make it more elegant, wear it with a neat, solid-color mini skirt, nude block heels, and a pretty necklace. Whether it’s to the shopping mall, a birthday party, or the café down the street, you can count on this timeless item to get you there.

Denim is very popular in everything from jackets to the classic denim shorts. For jackets, a cropped style is always a go-to. Try one with a frayed, unfinished lower hem for that carefree summer look. If desired, you can add a personal twist to any denim item by wearing an unconventional color instead of the typical blue. For example, red is powerful and easy to match up with tops, yellow is bold and gives off a strong summery mood, pink is pretty and romantic—the list goes on.

The must-have item for this season, however, is the denim skirt. They are as fun as skirts come, casual for their reminiscence to jeans and shorts, yet can also be worn semi-formally with the right outfit. Washed black, white, pale blue, button-down, zip-up—with so many styles to choose from, there is a denim skirt for everyone. Some suggestions for how to style it are

The Juice On Jupioca

nearly half a century. Despite having surpassed rock as the most popular genre of music in America, it continues to be slammed even by its supporters as nothing more than a speaker’s voice with instrumentals, lacking the musical complexity necessary to win a Pulitzer. This narrowminded stereotype prevents individuals from acknowledging that rap is capable of being more than some sort of accompaniment to movement on the dance floor. In fact, it is capable of highlighting and illustrating various themes through its own rhythms and poetry.

But perhaps it is the evocative narratives of Lamar’s artistry that leave his critics in discomfort and guilt-induced rage. “DAMN.” is a muckraker of tracks that expose social corruption within American society. The first track alone

covers racially charged themes: police brutality, the unfairness of the justice system against African Americans, and how African Americans are perceived as menaces to society. These themes are often brushed over because race elicits awkwardness (for white people in power), and people choose to evade this awkwardness even if it’s at the expense of human life. “DAMN.” not only addresses the elephant in the room, but pulls it by the ears and causes it to scream and cry for everyone to hear, even those trying to plug their ears. Call it a disruption, call it an outcry, but these are themes that are real and raw, and the occasional 10-second headline on the news just can’t substitute Lamar’s messages in that same time interval.

Those who criticize the Pulitzer judges for not choosing a

piece that is more “traditional” fail to realize that “traditional” is a label that doesn’t exist. Have they forgotten that even within the classical music community, iconoclasts have existed? Take Igor Stravinsky, for instance: his infamous ballet, The Rite of Spring, was so unorthodox upon its release that a riot took place in the theater. But as the decades passed, he came to be known as one of the musical geniuses of the 20th century with other famous composers enabling his influence to weave its way into their own work. Likewise, Lamar is experiencing that same phenomenon. He is an innovator in his own respect, and it is not far-fetched to believe that in the years to come he will be regarded as a pioneer, opening the doors for future rap/hip-hop artists whose works are worthy of the

Pulitzer Prize.

The genre of a musical work does not affect its level of “goodness.” It does not affect how worthy it is of praise.

“DAMN.” possesses the integrity and musical ingenuity that used to define the Pulitzer Prize. The novelty of its tracks and themes should not provoke doubt in the future of music. It is an innovative reminder of how change is inevitable and provocative. Perhaps Lamar himself was aware of this prior to even having won the award, for in the track “ELEMENT.,” he exclaims, “I don’t give a/I don’t give a/I don’t give a f***/I’m willin’ to die for this s***… They won’t take me out of my element,” suggesting that he is devoted to his craft and dedicates his entire being to it.

And that in itself is worthy of its own accolade.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 20

Arts and Entertainment Stuy’s Take On:

The 2018 Tonys

By THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT While it might not be as spectacular as watching “Hamilton” (or perhaps, even STC’s “1776”) with your own eyes, the 72nd Tony Awards will be hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles, just a few train stops away at Radio City Music Hall. Here are our analyses of some of the most notable nominated musicals and plays and our breakdowns of which have a chance of taking a few awards home.

Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical

By YASMINE CHOKRANE When word first came out that the 19-year-running animated series “Spongebob Squarepants” was being adapted into a Broadway musical, the only thing that could describe the initial reactions was pure skepticism. But with 12 Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, “Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical” has surpassed everyone’s expectations.

The show begins like any other day under the sea, but when a volcano threatens to erupt and destroy a completely panicked and anarchized Bikini Bottom, it’s up to Spongebob (Ethan Slater), Patrick Star (Danny Skinner), and Sandy Cheeks (Lilli Cooper) to save

the day. In a certainly pleasant surprise, the show rejects traditional Broadway standards, making a name of its own.

Rather than a single composer designing the soundtrack, the show incites a mass artistic collaboration amongst stars from both the past and the present, including Panic! at the Disco, John Legend, and David Bowie.

As such, the variety of songs is an impressive feat, from upbeat songs such as “Best Day Ever” to more touching ones like “(Just a) Simple Sponge” to even a rock-infused song in “No Control.” In addition, this musical is clearly dressed to impress with its eccentric costumes, such as hats made of plastic utensils and colorful foam tubes, and innovative set pieces, including an amalgamation of ladders

jumbled into a circle, forming a volcano’s rim, making Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design certainly plausible wins for this show.

With an authentic take on well-known characters, comedic sound effects, plenty of sensational break-out performances (including that of Best Leading Actor-nominated Ethan Slater), and an ending that may make you shed a tear—I certainly did—“Spongebob Squarepants” is both light-hearted and sentimental. Guaranteeing audience turnout from those that grew up on the franchise and intriguing those that yearn for escapism, the show is guaranteed to catch more than just a couple of Tonys this year.

AIR DATE: Sunday, June 10, 2018 TIME: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM NETWORK: CBS

Angels in America

By ISABELLE SANDERSON What is it that makes something worthwhile time and time again? That makes it grab your heart by the strings until tears sting your eyes and you can no longer identify what it is you’re feeling? This may specifically be the case for “Angels in America.” This story has already been told through a novel, movie, opera, and a few Broadway shows, and yet it’s always different. As the adult version of that childish story you still live by since the time you picked it up in first grade, it’s that eternal relevance that makes “Angels in America” such a success. The story centers around two couples during the ‘80s struggling with AIDS, drugs, and sexuality. One couple is straight, with the husband, Joseph Pitt (Lee Pace), a lawyer, and the wife, Harper Pitt (Denise Gough), addicted

to valium. The other is comprised of two gay men, Louis Ironson (James Mcardle) and Prior Garfield (Andrew Garfield), the latter of whom has just contracted AIDS. The couples meet and soon Louis and Joseph are engaged in a sexual relationship, with their partners struggling in the hospital or hallucinating in the park.

Nominated for 11 Tonys, including Best Revival of a Play, Direction of a Play, and Score, “Angels in America” has attained a record number of nominations for a play. This is not at all new to the story, having won several Tonys the first time it premiered in 1993, except now the play has modernized its sets with newer technology and incorporates a new star-studded cast. Even still, “Angels in America” manages to pertain to our current social world, creating the perfect play for all time.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

By MIRANDA LEPRI The journey into the wizarding world continues, now on Broadway. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is a two-part stage sequel of the iconic series by author J.K. Rowling. Rowling herself wrote the play, and its 10 nominations and enthusiastic public response are a testament to the cultural influence of the novels. “Cursed Child” takes place 19 years after the events in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” following an overworked Harry (Jamie Parker) and his son, Albus (Sam Clemmett), who finds himself

never able to meet his father’s expectations.

Lauded for its diverse casting (most prominently, African-English actress Noma Dumezweni, who plays Hermione Granger, now Minister of Magic), as well as a modern perspective that appealed to fans, the play risked harsh criticism in an attempt to reopen a story that has been so firmly cemented into the minds of millennials. However, the play has been graced with stunning reception, and the more nuanced look into a world that captivated millions has certainly caught their attention again. “Cursed Child”

dominates in Best Play, and even managed to snag a nod for Best Choreography, despite the fact that the category has historically been dominated by musicals. Though it may have been impossible to expect the play to live up to the cultural legacy of Rowling’s novels, it didn’t have to. “Cursed Child” took the world of Harry Potter in an entirely different direction, and while not every fan may have agreed with the way it altered the Harry Potter realm, it certainly made the play a work that stands entirely on its own.

The Band’s Visit

By LUCY LU Intimate, tranquil, and charming isn’t how one would typically describe Broadway, but “The Band’s Visit” is just that.

An Arabic band that intends to buy tickets to Petah Tikva, a cultural city in Israel, ends up in Beit Hatikva, a town in the middle of nowhere with nothing going on. A bus out of the town will not arrive until the next morning, and so the band

members spend the night with the Israeli townspeople.

This new musical has received 11 nominations, one of which can be attributed to Katrina Lenk’s portrayal of Dina, a charismatic yet sharptongued café owner who reminisces about better days. Another nomination went to the general-like band leader Tawfiq (Tony Shalhoub), who hides a painful past behind his rigid behavior and mannerisms. There

is an air of incompleteness in the characters’ lives, each in their own ways. The soundtrack transitions between humorous exchanges (“Welcome to Nowhere”) and breathtaking vocals that reveal what each person longs for and lacks (“Omar Sharif ”). Barrymore Theatre, where the musical is performed, is relatively small, but its intimacy only adds to the shimmering allure of it all, enrapturing even the audience in the back row.

Mean Girls

By JEVINA WONG Tina Fey has done it again.

Most have watched her iconic 2004 film “Mean Girls,” the pinnacle of teenage girldom and coming-of-age that emblazoned “fetch” and “On Wednesdays, we wear pink” into popular culture. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book of Musical, and Score, Fey has brought North Shore High to Broadway in a bright, hilarious, and heartwarming fashion.

Kenya native Cady Heron (Erika Henningsen) is thrown into her first day of high school without any experience of public education. Helping her navigate the threatening terrain are the edgy and artsy Janis (Barrett Wilbert Weed) and her “too gay to function” sidekick Damien (Greg Henson). When Cady is noticed by the alpha girl clique, the Plastics, vicious Queen Bee Regina George (Taylor Louderman) finds Cady pretty enough to take in as a harmless pet, but Janis sees this as an opportunity to get dirt on the all-too-powerful squad. Before long, Cady becomes a Plastic herself and must learn how to separate herself from the poison of popularity and find her true identity.

Fey’s adaptation only improves upon the original script, presenting refreshing quips while retaining fan favorites and launching a further exploration into bullying and peer pressure while seamlessly incorporating smartphones and social media.

Fueled with explosive choreography, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin’s score is full of catchy melodies with highlights of rock in “Apex Predator” and African themes in “It Roars.”

Secondary Plastics dumb Karen Smith (Kate Rockwell) and desperate-to-please Gretchen Weiners (Ashley Park) shine in their solos that spotlight different facets of the teenage girl experience. Park’s performance is especially notable, with her nomination for Best Actress in a Featured Role giving her the potential to join the two other past Asian American Tony-winning actresses. Topping it all off is the video-designed set that allows for smooth transitions between the African savanna, the school hallway, and even the mall. “Mean Girls” packs a punch in every category and should be receiving at least as many Tonys as Glen Coco did candy canes.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 21

Arts and Entertainment Music

By THOMAS CHEN and BEN PLATT Every May, while we students are stressing over AP exams, Europeans are drinking, dancing, and living the life at the Eurovision Song Contest. For the uncultured readers: Eurovision is basically the “gay Olympics” for Europe (and a few select other countries), having created icons such as Céline Dion and ABBA. The contest is inextricably popular for several reasons: the zany songs, the bombast of the technical productions, and the occasional memes (for instance, Epic Sax Guy). This year, the contest took place in Lisbon, Portugal, with entries from 43 countries.

While we definitely loved watching and listening to most of them, these are ten performances that particularly stood out to us.

“A Matter of Time” Sennek BELGIUM Despite not qualifying for the final, “A Matter of Time” still remains one of the most polished and dramatic songs that competed this year. The song’s constantly changing tempo and Sennek’s soulful vocals captivates listeners, creating a mysterious and unique aura. It’s honestly a shame her presentation was quite frankly boring and seemed a bit disconnected to the audience on stage, as this James Bond-esque song was one of the more sophisticated and interesting ones this year.

formance and launch her into a well-deserved second place finish. With a song that could potentially be heard on the radio, Foureira ultimately delivers one of the all-around best performances this year.

“Lie to Me” Mikolas Josef CZECH REPUBLIC With a youthful presence, Mikolas Josef delivers a bright and upbeat pop song that landed him in sixth place. Donning a nerdy hipster outfit and backpack, Josef utilizes acrobatic backup dancers, contrasting with his compelling singing. Reminiscent of Ed Sheeran’s “Sing” and, strangely, the theme song of the “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” this catchy song will be stuck in your head for days. And even despite an injury preventing Josef from doing any of his dancers’ stunts himself, he still managed to be vibrant and energetic, especially with his brave, if not cringey, backpack dance.

“La forza” Elina Nechaveya ESTONIA

Singing an opera song in Estonian at a contest dominated by pop music may be a questionable choice, but Estonia’s “La forza” manages to defy all expectations. Mixing pop tones with this classical opera song, Nechaveya clearly displays her capabilities as she effortlessly belts out and sustains high notes. Accompanied by the pastel colors and bright red flowers projected on her 52square-meter-dress, she creates an ethereal performance, breathtaking both to watch and to listen to.

“Monsters” Saara Aalto FINLAND Perhaps one of the most famous singers heading into Eurovision due to her runner-up sta-

“So wake me up when it’s all over…”

Tim Bergling, more commonly known by his stage name Avicii, was an innovative DJ who brought his own special twists to club music. While he may be considered a “progressive house” music artist, he took the experimental nature of progressive house into genres that artists normally wouldn’t think to mix with a typical house track, having implemented genres such as country, bluegrass, and pop with the synthesizers and drops of EDM (electronic dance music). Sources may claim that Avicii’s unique style began with his “Levels” album released in 2013, but arguably it existed even before then in his first album from 2011, “Strictly Miami.”

The gates of fame opened for Avicii when he collaborated with David Guetta on the single “Sunshine” in 2012. The song was a hit, managing to earn Avicii a Grammy award for Best Dance Recording. Due to this achievement, he was able to establish a large fanbase in America despite initially being based in Sweden.

As a result, his popularity soared and he became the first DJ to perform at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall during the Fuse Mu-

“Together” Ryan O’Shaughnessy IRELAND

Ireland has not had a great record in the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years, with “Together” being its first song to qualify for the final since 2013.

Yet this song clearly deserves its placing—it’s a simple love ballad, yet O’Shaughnessy’s delicate and sweet vocals really make the song stand out. It’s not really creative or unique, yet the song manages to retell a love story in a fresh, relatable way. The heartwarming performance is especially notable for its inclusivity, focusing on a gay couple of two young dancing lovers.

“Toy” Netta ISRAEL This year’s utterly bizarre winner of Eurovision was from a country that’s not actually… in Europe. Israel is allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest because it’s a member of the European Broadcasting Union—in fact, Netta Barzilai is the fourth Israeli winner of Eurovision. Replete with creative and eccentric chicken noises and Japanese imagery, Netta sings over an electronic dance beat about female empowerment. Her simple lyrics of “I’m not your toy / You stupid boy / I’ll take you down / I’ll make you watch me” make this humorous song easy to

relate to. Thanks to Barzilai’s victory, Israel will host Eurovision next year, as is tradition for the country of the Eurovision victor.

“Non mi avete fatto niente” Ermal Meta & Fabriazo Moro ITALY

In a time of political turmoil and fear, the message of “Non mi avete fatto niente” seems more important than ever.

The fast-paced song describes the pointlessness and pain of war and terrorism, advocating for world peace instead. Though most of us probably lack the capability to comprehend the song’s Italian lyrics, anyone can hear the emotion and anger in Meta and Moro’s raspy, yet harmonious voices. In fact, the duo seems to focus on spreading their message more than winning, making Italy’s entry admirable and inspiring.

“My Lucky Day” DoReDoS MOLDOVA

“My Lucky Day,” which bizarrely tells an ambiguous story of love triangles, affairs, and eventual threesomes, seems like a tacky pop song a few decades too late. And yet, DoReDoS still manages to spin their song into

a carefree, fun experience. With their bright blue and red velvet suits and yellow daisy dress (the colors of the Moldovan flag), and a creative staging involving another trio of lookalikes popping in and out of doors and windows, DoReDoS turns this cheesy song into a guilty pleasure.

This infectious song may not be as meaningful or emotional as others from this year, but it undoubtedly just screams “Eurovision.”

“Storm” SuRie UNITED KINGDOM SuRie’s powerful voice made her a fan favorite heading into the competition, but lackluster song lyrics that were pathetically cliché sunk her performance into 24th place—only two away from last. Her performance was also hurt when a political activist stormed the stage during her performance, grabbed the microphone from her, and yelled, “Modern Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom! War is not peace.” However, her ability to finish her performance in spite of being interrupted shows just how strong she is.

Appreciation For Avicii

In Memoriam

By LAURA ILIOAEI

tus on “The X Factor UK” two years ago, Saara Aalto had high expectations coming into Eurovision as the Finnish entry, and she definitely met those expectations with a song meant to be an LGBTQ+ anthem. Despite her lackluster placing as 25th overall, with an incredible voice and a technically innovative set that involved her being spun upside down on a wheel, Aalto clearly deserves some credit for her exciting performance.

Michael Hu / The Spectator

“Fuego” Eleni Foureira CYPRUS

Eleni Foureira delivers a searing performance as the representative from the tiny island nation of Cyprus. With a squad of female dancers and powerful choreography, Foureira easily invokes thoughts of Beyoncé. Her strong vocals and red-tinged set complement the rest of her per-

Our Favorite Visionaries from Eurovision

sic Week Festival. (Of course, seats were sold out.)

In 2013, Avicii released the single from the album of the same name that would give him universal recognition as an artist: “Levels.” It was a simple loop of several notes on repeat in succession, with the occasional “Oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah. Get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no, no. I get a good feeling, yeah,” thrown in, taken directly from R&B artist Etta James’s “Something’s Got A Hold On Me.” Such stylistic choices were simple, yet fresh enough to yield international admiration and approval, as “Levels” played (and is still played) in clubs across the globe. It also earned Avicii his second Grammy for Best Dance Recording.

This gave Avicii a chance to expose more of his

individuality within his music. He released t h e

sing l e “Hey Brother,” ini-

Darren Liang / The Spectator

tially confusing fans.

The song’s genre is defined as “dance/electronica,” but it is

evident even before the chorus that it is no traditional techno beat one would start shuffling to at a concert event. The song adapts country and pop elements while still retaining some of the dance/electronica, much like how other singles within that shared album, “True” expose how genres that may seem to mix like oil and water are capable of blending in beauteous harmony.

That same year, Avicii also embarked on an original project: “Avicii x You,” an opportunity for his fans worldwide to be able to collaborate on what would become the single “X You.” Over 4,000 artists from 140 countries joined in the effort. Within the first month, nearly 13,000 samples were given as submissions.

Avicii mixed and remixed these samples, before adding in his own vocals to create the finished product. The result was not just a single, but a symbol that unified both the artist and his fans.

Avicii did not only reach out to individuals through musical innovation, however. He was a philanthropist as well: he founded the “House For Hunger,” a charity dedicated to hungerrelief efforts in America. Even a tour was held for the sake of raising money and awareness for the cause. All profits went

toward the charity’s efforts, and Avicii raised millions in contributions. Consequently, Avicii was not only able to give the gift of his craft, but he was also able to give back to others with what he had earned with his talents.

Unfortunately, stardom brought the artist extreme pressure that he had initially tried to suppress with booze. However, his alcoholism eventually had caught up with him, forcing him to retire from touring in 2016 due to the damages he had placed on his liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Two years later, Avicii was found dead in Muscat, Oman, on April 20, 2018, presumably of a suicide caused by self-inflicted wounds from a broken beer bottle. He was only 28 years of age, and had intended to release more music this year.

Avicii’s death stresses the importance of recognizing the fragility of the human mind.

No matter what greatness it can achieve, no matter what boundaries it may break, it still possesses a vulnerability that needs to be acknowledged, and weaknesses that cannot be ignored.

For when these sensitivities are swept under the carpet, the energies that are one uses to contribute to the world may end up consuming them whole.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 22

Arts and Entertainment Cheap A$$ Food: Bar Pa Tea

food

By JEVINA WONG 85 Kenmare Street New York, NY 10012 I immediately tagged one of my friends after watching Bar Pa Tea’s Facebook video, in which they neatly swirled out cream-colored soft-serve,

topped with a heaping pile of luscious tapioca pearls. Bubble tea ice cream.

A fusion of the Taiwanese classic and the American trend of ice cream everything (egg-waffles, tacos, and the like), it seems like the perfect fit for both a Stuy student’s palate and the Instagram aesthetic.

Located right between China-

town and Soho, Bar Pa Tea retains the compact bubbliness of a traditional bubble tea place while adding an upscale city feel with the gleaming white tiles and neon white and hot pink light decor.

Tea Latte Soft Serve $4.50+

Jevina Wong / The Spectator

Asian Americans in Hip-hop

Music

By ANDREW WARGO When asked to think of a rapper, an Asian American isn’t the first image that comes to mind for most people. Despite this viewpoint, Asian Americans have been involved in hip-hop for decades, and there has been a massive increase in the popularity of Asian rappers. However, there still hasn’t been a single Asian American hip-hop artist who has managed to truly break into the mainstream. To understand why they haven’t achieved great success in the genre, we need to look through the history of Asian Americans in hip-hop, and understand both the stigma they face and the opportunities they’ve had.

The story begins in Riverside, California, 1984, with three members of the U.S. Air Force.

After meeting at the March Air Force Base, David “Mr. Hixx” Hobbs, Yuri “Amazing Vee” Vielot, and Christopher “Fresh Kid Ice” Wong Won formed the group 2 Live Crew, which helped pioneer the genre “Miami Bass,” known for its high tempo production and sexually explicit lyrics. Later, Fresh Kid Ice, whose family immigrated from Hong Kong, became the first Asian American rapper to achieve success solo. In 1992, he dropped “The Chinaman,” an album that celebrated his Chinese heritage, becoming the first popular music artist ever to do so. “The Chinaman” sold 200,000 copies, peaking at #38 on the Billboard charts, and set the stage for future Asian American artists.

Ten years after 2 Live Crew was formed, three Asian American classmates at Penn State University formed The Mountain Brothers. Whereas 2 Live Crew had one Asian American member, the Mountain Brothers was the first all-Asian-American rap group, consisting of Scott “CHOPS” Jung, Christopher “Peril-L” Wang, and Steve “Styles Infinite” Wei. The Mountain Brothers released two albums, “Self Volume 1” and “Triple Crown,” which show-

meaning both.

I also wouldn’t recommend the holiday flavor if it has anything to do with rose. Their Valentine’s Day Rose Green Tea was so overpoweringly flowery that it felt like I was drinking Mario Badescu Rose Water Spray.

Overall, the soft serve has its flaws, but the healthier ingredients, subtle flavors, and tapioca are the stars, not to mention the marble tables and good lighting for that top-notch photo. While you’re there, be sure to grab a Black Tea Latte ($4). It tastes as lovely as the ice cream and will have you walking out as happy as the bear

Jevina Wong / The Spectator

Bar Pa Tea offers two flavors of their Tea Latte Soft Serve, black tea being its menu staple, and the second spot rotating between oolong tea and a holiday special. When the oolong tea is being served, they also offer a black and oolong tea swirl. The establishment’s goal is “flavor over sweetness at Bar Pa Tea, creating a more healthful alternative to the original beverage without compromising the distinct taste.”

The milk flavor with a slight roasted tea taste is indeed very prominent in the soft serve. And while the ice cream isn’t the creamiest, it is not as overwhelmingly sweet as classic American soft serve. Keep in mind that when filling the cup, they leave a sizable hole in the center and it’s not the biggest bang for your buck. I tried both the black and black/oolong swirl and found the flavor of black tea to be delightfully strong, but in the swirl, there was no noticeable oolong taste.

What really adds to the ice cream is the bubbles. Additional toppings, like Oreo crumbs and bubbles, are $0.50, so if you want the full package, you’ll probably have to dish out at least five dollars. It’s around the same price as a large bubble tea, but it’s half the size. I tried a Stroopwafel with mine, but aside from the photo op, I wouldn’t recommend it. The cold ice cream hardens the otherwise chewy cookie and makes it much less enjoyable. The novelty of the bubble tea ice cream is its saving grace, but aside from the tapioca, the other toppings are not worth it.

The bubbles are very high quality in comparison to those you might find in a bubble tea shop. Bar Pa Tea is quick to advertise that the bubbles are “free of additives and [the] drinks sweetened with pure cane sugar instead of corn syrup.” Their bubbles taste much fresher than bubbles at a bubble tea shop and are very round and chewy, with the perfect level of sweetness. They also have miniature bubbles available, which are considered their “signature.” The slight tastelessness of the mini bubbles makes them underwhelming, but they complement the regular bubbles well.

You can have the bubbles individually, in a combination at either the top or bottom of the ice cream, or “mixed,”

cased their lyrical, jazzy, laidback style. Despite commercial success, the group consistently had to deal with racism and stereotyping. After signing to the record label Ruffhouse (making them the first Asian American act to sign to a major label), executives displayed ignorance about their Asian background.

Retired Columbia professor Daisy Nguyen’s article “The Color of Rap” describes an instance where an executive said to CHOPS, “There’s only one problem. You’re Asian.” Other executives wanted to use stereotypes about Chinese culture as a marketing tool, suggesting the use of karate outfits and gongs for performances. Despite this, the group couldn’t just find another label, as their Asian identities were an economic risk in s u ch a homogenous genre.

T h e group also had trouble booking shows, often needing to hide their Asian identities.

The troubles they had cooperating with their label and venues led to them leave Ruffhouse and eventually to disband.

T h e

stream with his singles “Learn Chinese” and “Senorita,” but failed to achieve the success he desired, losing his record deal in 2005.

Why was it so hard for these rappers to achieve mainstream success? MC Jin and the Mountain Brothers both garnered significant critical acclaim and popularity, but were unable to break through, instead falling into other jobs or roles. The answer is not simple, and still affects artists trying find their place in the mainstream today.

A large part lies in the record industry’s business executives’ ignorance of Asian culture, leading to both poor marketing decisions and lack of respect for their artists. The musicians rejected the use of their cultural background as a marketing vehicle, leading to a lack of proper marketing and promotion.

The racial stereotypes present in our society also hurt the image of Asian American rappers. Hip-hop was, and still is, a predominantly Black and Latino genre of music, and the stereotypical Asian American is in many ways the antithesis of Black and Latino culture.

Asian Americans, the “model minority,” are supposed to keep their head

Darren Liang / The Spectator

last maj o r Asian American act of the late ’90s and early 2000s was MC Jin, known for his lyrical ability, energetic production, and use of Cantonese in his songs.

Jin broke out onto the scene following his success in BET freestyles, earning a record deal with Ruff Ryders. He came extremely close to breaking into the main-

down and remain complicit in white power structures. However, the intrinsically rebellious nature of hip-hop meant that Asians who participated were, and still are, seen as cultural appropriators or completely out of place. Pop culture made the idea of an Asian rapper almost seem oxymoronic, and trying to market to an audience that sees

you as a joke is almost impossible.

Resistance also comes from Asian families, which are traditionally socially conservative.

“The Asian stereotype is real.

The whole guilt trip, like we came on a dinghy from Hong Kong to give you a better life, we work at a friggin’ sock store, and we want you to become a doctor so you can take care of us for the rest of your life,” Asian American rapper Awkwafina said in an interview with journalist Elyssa Goodman. She goes on to say that the reason there aren’t any other notable Asian women in hip-hop is due to the fact that women who come from those communities are taught to be less outgoing. Despite these cultural setbacks, Awkwafina has managed to unapologetically put herself out there, and her example will hopefully inspire other Asian American women to join her.

Enter the internet, where the new wave of Asian American hip-hop artists has increasingly been able to confront and overcome the challenges faced by older generations of Asian American rappers. The internet has opened up hip-hop to a much larger audience, with variance in race, economic situation, and location. This new audience means that anyone can market themselves to people more willing to give them a chance. Asian American rappers have become more unapologetically themselves, using Asian influences and challenging stereotypes in their music. The advent of social media and the internet is also attacking the stereotypes of the model minority and the place of Asian Americans in society.

Rappers like Awkwafina have been able to use the internet to go viral and develop a dedicated fan base. Her song “My Vag” became a viral feminist anthem, fighting the fetishizing nature of the hip-hop industry. Ricegum, an Asian American YouTuber, has been able to take advantage of the viral nature of the internet to release songs that rack up

millions of streams. Virality ignores color or culture, and has shot these rappers past the barriers that would traditionally bar them from success.

The ability for Asian American rappers to market their music to other Asian Americans has created a new place for their artistry. Traditionally, hip-hop hasn’t been a prominent music genre in Asian, white, and brown communities, and the internet has allowed artists who would have been rejected in the ’90s to thrive in the modern day.

Year of the Ox, Far East Movement, and Dumbfoundead are all examples of Asian American rappers and groups that have embraced their Asian heritage in their music. Far East Movement’s album “Identity” draws largely from Korean culture and music, Dumbfoundead raps in Korean and battles with the idea of the model minority, and Year of the Ox references Asian culture consistently. The spread of hip-hop to Asian communities and the ability to market their music to both Asian Americans and overseas audiences has allowed modern artists to thrive and explore their own identities.

New Asian American rappers have also been able to avoid the pitfalls of major labels.

Dumbfoundead created the label BORN CTZN to promote Asian and Asian American artists. 88rising is an up-and-coming label with artists like Rich Brian, Joji, and the Higher Brothers on their roster. The ability for Asians and Asian Americans to seize business opportunities and promote their own culture has allowed, and will continue to allow, a new wave of Asian and Asian American artists to step into the light.

The entrance of these artists into the scene is indicative of a greater cultural shift. The diffusion of culture and breaking down of historical stereotypes has opened up an entire new audience to Asian Americans in hip-hop, which is bound to have truly monumental effects on the genre.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 23

Arts and Entertainment The Years in #AsianExcellence—A Timeline

By JACQUELINE THOM

1993 Connie Chung became the first woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News and the first Asian to anchor one of America’s major network weekday broadcasts. Chung worked as a correspondent for CBS in the early 1970s before becoming an anchor for NBC’s morning program. In 1997, after leaving CBS, Chung co-hosted ABC News’ “20/20” program with Charles Gibson with various guest-hosting stints on “Good Morning America.” Chung briefly hosted her own show, “Connie Chung Tonight,” on CNN, but it was unsuccessful.

After a hiatus that lasted several years, she returned with her program “Weekends with Maury and Connie,” co-hosted by her husband, Maury Povich.

Besides Chung’s extensive work as a reporter and news anchor, she has also been both widely praised and criticized for her rapid-fire, no-nonsense interviews. After Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose were fired from their news networks due to allegations of sexual harassment, Chung also opened up about her experience with being sexually harassed every day when she first started out as a local television host.

2002 MC Jin, a Hong Kong-American rapper, rose to the spotlight with his seven-battle winning streak and induction into the Hall of Fame on BET’s rap and hip-hop show “106 and Park.” On the same day of his induction, Jin announced that he signed with the Ruff Ryders label, becoming the first Asian American to sign on with a major U.S. record label. Since Jin’s early days as a rapper, he has released popular albums like “Homecoming,” “Hypocrite,” and “XIV:LIX” while retaining his story-telling style of music. Even then, his individual songs vary, with singles like “Busta Rhymes” evoking Young MC and others coming close to a rap version of Twenty One Pilots.

2008 2012 Nora “Awkwafina” Lum gained over two million views on her music video, “My Vag.” Lum has established herself as an enthusiastic rapper, television host, and actress. She has appeared in the film “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” and has upcoming roles in the all-female spinoff film, “Ocean’s 8” and in “Crazy Rich Asians” alongside actress Constance Wu.

May 2015 Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei raised headlines with the extravagant gold gown she made for Rihanna at the 2015 Met Gala. Guo graduated with a degree in fashion design in 1986 and from there found work in one of China’s first privately-owned manufacturing companies, Tianma. After leaving the company in 1997 and forming her own brand, Guo gained more success as she completed commissions for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, debuted her “One Thousand and Two Nights” collection at 2009’s China Fashion Week, and was nominated for a Hong Kong Film Award as the costume designer for the 2014 movie “The Monkey King.”

Guo’s dresses feature elaborate designs with heavy, trailing trains or complex skirts that often incorporate the color gold and draw from Chinese culture. They vary from dark, form-fitting, and geometrically-styled to loud pieces following themes like l’heure bleue and most recently, forestry and roots for her Spring/Summer Haute Couture show.

Three-time runner-up of the tennis Grand Slam tournaments and winner of 34 top-level singles titles, Michael Chang, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. His professional tennis career started at the age of 15 when he became the youngest male player. At 17, he became the only Asian male to win a major championship, the 1989 French Open title. With over 80 games under his belt, Chang was extremely successful as an Asian athlete and led a new generation of tennis players like Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, and Andre Agassi.

February 2015 “Fresh Off the Boat” aired on ABC and became the second show on American network primetime to star an Asian American family since Margaret Cho’s single 1994 season of “All-American Girl.” The show’s first season focuses on a young Eddie Huang (Hudson Yang) as he navigates being Asian in his new white-dominated neighborhood. His story makes for a hilarious sitcom that is all too true, with a strict mother trying to stay with her Taiwanese roots and a dad who enthusiastically embraces all things American.

Like Eddie’s father, Randall, we too have always wanted to open up a Western steakhouse restaurant in Orlando named Cattleman’s Ranch. The show greatly appeals to Asian American audiences with its take on cultural appropriation that doesn’t fail to point out that we’re just as “American” as everybody else living in the U.S.

May 2016

William Yu, a 25-year-old fed up with the fact that only one percent of leading roles go to Asian actors, started the #StarringJohnCho movement.

The project featured John Cho, a Korean-American actor, who Yu meticulously photoshopped onto the cover art of several blockbuster films like “Jurassic World” and “The Avengers.”

Following Yu’s lead, Bonnie Tang, a New York City high school junior, started the #StarringConstanceWu hashtag and Twitter account, photoshopping the Chinese-American actress and “Crazy Rich Asians” star into movie promotional posters like “The Hunger Games” and “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.”

Despite film moguls’ claims that there aren’t enough Asian American actors to front major film releases, several Hollywood diversity reports show that the case is quite the opposite and thanks to Yu, Tang, and the Asian community, the topic of Asian exclusion from Hollywood has remained a persistent conversation since.

August 2018 “Crazy Rich Asians,” based on Kevin Kwan’s book of the same name, will be released this August. The film, directed by Jon Chu, is the first American movie to have an all-Asian cast and appeals to audiences with its references to “rich people problems” and the familiarity of Asian family culture. In the film, Rachel (Constance Wu) accompanies her boyfriend back to his home in Singapore but realizes that he is the son of an extremely wealthy family with crazy family dynamics and a very disapproving mother who doesn’t want her son marrying a “regular girl” like Rachel.

Israt Islam / The Spectator

Page 24

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

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The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 25

Humor These articles are works of fiction. All quotes are libel and slander.

Kidnapped Student Receives Only Streaks Snaps

By DANIEL KNOPF

Tragedy befell senior Alex Whittington after he was suddenly kidnapped on Thursday as he was walking home from school.

It appears that two masked men offered him extra credit if he went with them into an alley, and there, they comically knocked him on the head, leaving him unconscious. “When I woke up, I was chained to the floor in this dark, grimy, soulless place, so I automatically assumed I was back at

Stuy,” Whittington said. “Some masked guy originally wouldn’t give me back my phone, but when I told him I was gonna lose all my streaks, he promptly returned it.”

Whittington then quickly sent out a mass snap saying, “lol I just totally got kidnapped can someone call 911 lmao” with a picture of him using the dog filter on only half of his face. He also added a video of his Bitmoji twerking in a chicken suit to his story with the caption “constant mood.”

When he received responses

to his plea for help, Whittington was dismayed to see that they were all streak snaps. “Half the snaps I got were just normal things that people had felt the need to add ‘gn streaks’ to at the end, to let everyone know they were mass snaps,” Whittington said in disgust. “One person just sent me a ‘S.’ What benefit do I get from a ‘S’?”

Luckily for him, Whittington had Snapmap on, so his mother was able to track him down quickly when he didn’t show up for dinner. For the first time in

Feature: An Interview With Samuel Drupe, Overnight Billionaire

By HELENA WILLIAMS

Sunjung Bok / The Spectator

Samuel Drupe was once just another breakfast cart owner, until his introduction to the capitalist policies of Stuyvesant High School’s coffee-selling scene earned him an enviable fortune.

“I didn’t even know horizontal integration was possible within the caffeine market,” sophomore Ellen Jasa admitted. “Is this going to be on the APUSH exam?”

Drupe allegedly got his idea by attempting to revive a student who had passed out from a lack of caffeine while waiting in line.

“I told him that he owed me $8 for his cappuccino with five extra shots when he suddenly sat upright and blurted out, ‘BUST THE TRUSTS!’” Eyewitnesses say that the student, who has been identified as Max Pome, proceeded to recite the entirety of a Facebook study guide by heart before finally waking up.

“You do what you gotta do to

prepare, right?” Pome said. “I was told I missed a bullet point on the Gilded Age, so I’m going to have

to review the whole guide again, right after I get the complete portrait of Teddy Roosevelt tattooed on my lower back.”

Bullet point or no, Pome’s words had an impact on Drupe’s

policies. “I was attempting to drag him out of the way when he started talking about Andrew Carnegie.

I ended up deciding to make a few changes to how I run things.”

None of the other coffee sellers were prepared when Drupe started offering coffee that was five cents cheaper than theirs, causing all Stuy students to flock to Drupe’s cart. He was soon able to buy out the other carts in the Tribeca area and proceeded to hike up costs to levels that made Starbucks even greener with jealousy. He is reported to be turning a profit twice the value of the United States’ federal debt daily, distressing Stat and Macro students alike.

“I don’t understand how someone can make so much money from selling coffee to Stuy students,” an anonymous AP of Safety reported. “It’s not like I don’t confiscate every cup I see.”

Drupe also talked about his plans for the future.

“Once I’ve set aside enough to live on, I intend to donate my remaining money to philanthropies, such as offering Stuyvesant teachers monetary incentives to double homework assigned during AP season. They really are very underpaid.”

Choubaralian Creates New Heelying Class

By DANIEL KNOPF

Cam i

lla C

hen

g/T

he S pec

ta

tor volved, rollerblading became less popular, and a dashing young man doing a spin

stop right in front of you no longer had the same panty-dropping effect as it used to.

Vasken was contemplating this problem while talking to his closest friends, high schoolers, when he suddenly saw a glorious sight: senior David Power gliding out of a cloud of Juul smoke in a pair of Heelys, like Nathan Chen but with more privilege. After he promptly confiscated Powers’ shoes right off his feet for being a “safety hazard,” Choubaralian decided to try those bad boys on.

It was love at first man-sized-footin-shoe-made-forchildren. Vasken immediately knew that Heelys were just what he needed to bring the spice back into Stuyvesant’s physical education curriculum, and, well, the rest is history.

muttered something about long commutes, and fled the scene.

The mother-son duo finally reunited, and Alex sent photographic evidence of the occasion with the caption “#momgoals” to the rest of his 948 streaks. Unfortunately, his mother soon began a scathing lecture about the importance of getting home on time. In the middle of being yelled at by her, Whittington apparently tried to return to the kidnappers rather than endure his mom’s nagging.

Overconfident Freshman Takes Bio SAT Early

By TONY MOH After taking less than a year’s worth of biology, rising sophomore Khan V. Dent stated that he was “overqualified for the Biology SAT” and that the “test was going to be a cakewalk.”

Despite having (as sources discovered) a meager 75 average in (regular) biology, Dent repeatedly denied claims of failing tests, instead blaming his poor performance on caffeine deficiency (despite coming in half an hour late to period 10 biology every day).

Dent also told interviewers that he stopped paying attention the moment they finished the twoday lesson about the reproductive system.

“I don’t even know why we bother anymore,” Dent said. “I already took a week’s worth of prep that one time in middle school. And, like, this stuff about the reproductive system and making babies? My dad already taught me this, like three or four years ago? Easy stuff, man.”

When questioned about the upcoming lessons about ecology, Dent brushed off the remarks, responding with, “You mean the thing with the animals? It’s simple, you know? ‘Circle of Life,’ the stuff with the animals eating the stuff or something. Something like that. I’m sure they’ll give a 50-point curve for those questions anyway.”

In a follow-up interview, Dent stated that he “learned more from the graffiti on his desk than from the actual teache r , ” listing off his secret desk gur u’s incredi b l e teachings, including

such revolutionary discoveries like “plants are green,” “dead animals smell bad,” and “8==D”.

Piling onto his ever-growing list of biology knowledge, in the heat of the moment, Dent boasted that he could list every single cellular organelle off the top of his head in reverse alphabetical order, as an example of his p r o f i c i e n c y in the subject.

“Let’s see,” he said. “There’s the mitochondria…yeah, that one. I knew that one even before school started. It’s the one that makes the energy or something,

Dent also told interviewers that he stopped paying attention the moment they finished the two-day lesson about the reproductive system.

ya know? And there’s also the, uh, the round one, and the wrinkly one.”

After 20 more minutes of intense concentration, the interview had to be cut short when Khan’s answers eventually turned into repeating “that thing” over and over again. In his closing statement, Dent told reporters that he had also scheduled an early AP Biology final for the end of the month “for an easy 100, lmao”.

Darren Liang/ The Spectator

Nobody thought Vasken Choubaralian could get any cooler, but then one day he glided into the atrium in a sleek black pair of Heelys, wearing a pair of clout goggles and a muscle tee while taking a massive hit from a SING! USB. Along with the normal panicked shouts of “Choubs Choubs Choubs,” the senior class collectively gasped in awe, because Vasken Coubaralian had just opened his new Heelying class.

Choubs first started the rollerblading class back in the 1990s when rollerblading was still in. The goal of the class was to teach students how to roll into a girl’s DMs, both figuratively and literally, since Stuyvesant students are notoriously bad at romance.

“Because of all that daddy Vasken taught me I was able to mack on two CONSCIOUS girls at SAP,” Randy Higgins (‘16) said.

Successes like Higgins’s used to be the norm for the graduates of the rollerblading class, but as the wheels of time re-

his life, Alex was glad that his parents forced him to add them on all forms of social media.

After threatening Moran into giving her all the keys to the building, Alex’s mother bravely took the service elevator to the mythical penthouse, determined to rescue her little nugget. She then informed the kidnappers, who were shockingly revealed to be elitist members of Bronx Science’s fight club, that she would be speaking to the manager, at which point they promptly peed their pants,

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 26

Humor What the Sterrs SHOULD Have Named Their Child •

Renee Kim blessed the Humor department and the world on April 29 with the greatest idea since the beginning of time: that it was our Holy Duty to take the initiative and come up with a legendary name for what will surely be a legendary human being. That future legend, composed of 17 percent human material and 96 percent pure mathematics, was born on May 5. Tragically, May and Brian Sterr did us horrendously dirty by wasting the opportunity of a lifetime and giving him a completely normal name.

Here are a few examples of what it could have been:

•

• • • • • • • • • • •

Polye Sterr Lacklu Sterr Young Sterr Dump Sterr Gang Sterr Hip Sterr Ham Sterr Disa Sterr Mon Sterr Roo Sterr Ghost B. Sterr

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lob Sterr (see also: Oi Sterr) Twinkle Twinkle Little Sterr Holli Sterr (is 4 basics) Go FaSterr I’m gonna be late for school Toasterr (strudel) Filibu Sterr Weather ForeCa Sterr IPrayYourFatherWillPassMeThis Seme Sterr Mayor DeBlasio Keeps Schools Open After Yet Another Nor’ea Sterr Pop quiz: Which U.S. President Was Famously Known as a Trustbu Sterr Brian Moran: Harve Sterr of cell phones I’m failing physics: What is a Resi Sterr Live long and Pro Sterr Math Gives Me a Stomach Ul Sterr Turkey Ba Sterr (That Girl) is the Gun to My Hol Sterr

(And because we got a little over-excited about the Sterr puns)

Angel Zheng / The Spectator

By WE THE PEOPLE

• • • • • • • • •

The Fault In Our STERRs Sterrivative Sterrlock Sterr oid Unsterrappreciated Sterrvival of the fittest Sterr Fry Sterrio Hearts (Feat.

Adam Levine) Sterr num

• • • • • • • •

Sterrbucks Sterrp Yourself HySTERRical Sterriously Yesterrday (all my troubles seemed so faaaarrrrrr awayyyyyyy) Sterrm und Drang Eggs are fertilized by the Sterrm Cell

• • • •

Masterrbation Masterrchism MasterrCard Basterrd

And finally, what you’re all thinking: Please Exsterrminate These Puns.

How to Win Senior Assassin

By MOHAMED ELEISH and OMAR ALI

didn’t hear that here), and bingo— you’re out of their pursuit and in a whole new world of lamb over rice deliciousness.

Step 6: Know the right time to make your move (and no, I’m not talking about promposals).

Like the wild lion in the African savanna, waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting gazelle, you must slowly creep up on your victim without inciting suspicion. If necessary, get down on all fours to avoid attention and make your way to your target. Once you are within the required distance of your victim for the kill, wait until he senses your presence—then deal the final blow and walk off in celebration as you establish your role as the alpha.

Step 7: The best defense is a good offense. It is critical to arm yourself properly—invest in a military grade paintball gun and harness the skills you’ve been developing for four years: sneaking contraband items into school.

Learn up by watching all 57 “Mission: Impossible” movies, play the theme song to hype yourself up, and go get ‘em, tiger.

Aries Ho / The Spectator

Step 1: Stealth is key. It is essential that you conceal every inch of skin on your body. Despite 90 degree weather, you must wear long sleeves, a hoodie to protect your neck, long socks, and long pants (extending past the shoe).

Make like a naked mole rat and pull the drawstrings on the hoodie all the way to conceal your identity completely. Layering up in the heat will only serve to your advantage: as you begin to sweat profusely, you will become slippery and can avoid your assassin more easily.

If you’re feeling frisky, invest in a Hazmat suit. Not only will you stay unidentified, but you’ll look fashionable as hell.

Step 2: Be prepared. Carry at least 15 highlighters on your body at all times and keep your eyes peeled. If necessary, sign up for some ninja classes led by none other than Mr. Quang; he will be extremely delighted to educate you on how to climb walls and scale the ceilings. Wearing a ninja costume to school and prancing around the hallways never hurt anybody—dressing for the occasion is always important.

Step 3: Always vary your schedule. NEVER show up to class on time and NEVER leave a class on time (not that you did before). Keep in mind that the other players are also time-constrained, which you can use to your advantage. Second-term seniors have classes to cut and tests to make up; they clearly don’t have all day for games and shenanigans.

Step 4: Use your surroundings. If you are in the hallway and beginning to suspect that an assassin is about to make her move, grab the nearest teacher and use him as a human shield. If that option is far from reach, enter the closest classroom. If you’re given a questioning look by the teacher or the students, allow them to carry on and let them know that you’re there to learn. Who knows, it might just be the class you were cutting!

Step 5: A quick getaway. If you think you are being followed, pretend you’re Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out and, as the movie title suggests, get out of there faster than you dropped that elective last term. Show track what they missed out on. One of the quickest escapes is through the secret halal cart vent on the 11th floor (you

Undead Art

Darren Liang / The Spectator

Upcycle your spectator collection this summer!

Annie He / The Spectator

...from coming out with another season of suicide promoting garbage.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 27

Sports Boys’ Golf

Boys’ Tennis

Eagles Hope to Compete in Championships

By YUKAI LIU After losing only one game this season, the Eagles, Stuyvesant’s coed boys’ varsity golf team, traveled to Pelham Bay Park on Tuesday, May 8 to compete in their second-to-last game of the year. Facing Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the Eagles swept all of their matches in a 5-0 victory.

In three of the five matches, senior and captain Christopher Chan, sophomore Alex Camaev, and freshman Declan Stacy won every single one of the five holes.

Senior Jeffrey Luo won four out of five holes, and in the closest match, junior Simon Tsui won two holes, only one more than his opponent. To win a hole, a player needs to get the ball into the hole in fewer shots than their opponent.

Ahead of the match, two golfers from Stuyvesant’s team, Camaev and Chan, were chosen to compete in the 2018 PSAL Coed Individual Championships on May 9. Chan has won all eight of his matches this season, including his match on Tuesday. Chan finished in second place in the 2018 PSAL Coed Golf Individual Championship which he won the year before, qualifying for the state competition.

“My goals for the season are

to finish undefeated and finish top five at State’s,” Chan said when asked about his goals for the remainder of the season. “I am preparing for Individual’s by practicing as much as possible.

On school days, I try to go to the driving range, and on weekends I try to practice on the course. I also am trying to focus on putting, which I have had trouble with,” Chan said. When asked about the New York State Federation High School Championships, coach Emilio Nieves said, “I expect [Chan] to contend for first place once again.”

On May 17, the Eagles played their last game of the season against first-place undefeated Hunter College High School.

They lost 3-1 with Chan being the only Eagle to win his match. Tsui ended with a tie and the rest of the team lost. As a result, the Eagles finished third in the Manhattan division and are scheduled to play Robert F. Wagner Jr. in the first round of the playoffs. “In terms of our chance to win a championship, it will be difficult, but I have seen some improvement of our freshmen (Ethan Machleder and Declan Stacy), so if they continue to improve, we will be a difficult matchup for our playoff opponents,” Nieves said.

Underclassmen Step Up as Hitmen Make Playoffs

By NOAH GRENERT

Sophomore Joshua Melamed hit a high, spinning a lob over the head of one of his opponents.

The ball struck the hard court just before the baseline and swerved to the left, causing the Eleanor Roosevelt player to completely whiff on his swing. The rest of the Stuyvesant boys’ varsity tennis team also played at a high level, trouncing Eleanor Roosevelt 5-0 on Monday, May 7. The win put the Hitmen at 5-4 and guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs.

Freshman Harrison Saladini won 8-0 in first singles, while freshman Arie Golubenko won 8-4 in second singles. Sophomore Jeremy Lee won 8-5 in third singles, and Melamed, along with senior and captain Stefan Engquist, won 8-3 in second doubles. “[The underclassmen] have been doing great. They can play tennis. Joshua and Arie have a great skill set,” coach Marvin Autry said. Juniors Robin Han and Nicholas Chan also won 8-3 in first doubles, giving Stuyvesant the 5-0 sweep.

“Nick and I are extremely proud of our team’s performance.

The underclassmen had a big gap to fill in our team. However, they stepped up and were able to win their matches, allowing our team to continue to win against other

teams,” Han said. This season, Melamed has had four doubles victories in five matches, and Lee is 2-0 in his singles matches.

Sophomore Sujay Sharma, who is ranked eighth in New York State and 124th nationally, is an impressive 5-0 in PSAL singles matches.

These underclassmen have saved what could have been a losing season for the Hitmen.

After a 4-1 loss to top-ranked Beacon High School on Wednesday, May 9, the Hitmen finished their season 5-5, fourth in their division behind Beacon, Bronx Science, and the High School of American Studies. Now, the Hitmen are looking to the playoffs.

“We should make it out of the first round, but it will be a challenge to make it out of the second round,” Autry said. And even if the team does accomplish this, it will most likely have to face off against Bronx Science or Beacon, teams who have finished top two in the division for the past four years, in the final. According to Han, they both have nationally ranked players, and unlike Stuyvesant, Beacon recruits tennis players. The Hitmen have lost to each team multiple times during the regular season. “No. Not with what we have now,” Autry responded when asked if the Hitmen had a chance against either team.

However, Engquist thinks that the Hitmen are capable of winning the championship even if it may be unlikely. “Bronx Science and Beacon are tough competitors, and we have struggled against them in the past, but our new guys this year have already beat some of their strongest players this season,” he said. Sharma has beaten two Bronx Science players this year and blanked Beacon’s first singles player 8-0, the first matches the Hitmen have won against either school since the beginning of the 2017 season. Stuyvesant players had lost 25 straight matches against players from either team before Sharma’s victory on April 11.

Regardless of the struggles of the current season, players and coaches are enthusiastic about next season because of all the young talent on the team. “I’m extremely confident in our team’s ability to do well next year. We will have the majority of this year’s lineup for next year, and with a little more practice, we have a chance to beat strong teams like Bronx Science and Beacon,” Han said.

“With Sujay, Harrison, and Albert going into next season, [provided] they all come back, we would be a very strong contender for the championship,” Autry said.

Sports Editorial

Shohei Ohtani: The Two Way Star

By MAX MAH April 3—It was an auspicious night in Anaheim. After less than a full inning, the Angels found themselves tied with the Cleveland Indians 2-2. Cleveland’s starting pitcher, Josh Tomlin, was battling against the Angels’ lineup. The Angels loaded the bases with two outs.

The powerful voice of Angels’ announcer Victor Rojas then called out, “Designated hitter…number 17…Shohei Oooohtani!” The fans stood and roared for the rookie phenomenon.

Donning the red Angels’ home jersey, armed with a black Asics bat, and protected with arm and ankle guards, a towering but lean 6’3”, 189-pound Ohtani shyly approached the left side of the plate.

With his head down, he tapped the dirt off his cleats with his bat before he entered the batter’s box.

Ohtani maintained a veteran approach at the plate in this key situation, working the count before an eventual past ball brought one run home. The count was now 2-2 with men on the second and third bases.

Tomlin took his sign, came set, and threw a curveball low and inside. Ohtani, poised with his hands loaded and his weight back, drove the bat through the zone. Off the crack of the bat, the ball sailed.

“That’s out toward right center field,” Rojas said. Hands high on the follow through of his swing, Ohtani eyed the ball as it flew and landed in the first row of the outfield seats—a three-run home run, his first in the majors. “Big Fly, Ohtani-san,” Rojas called out in excitement.

The fans erupted as he rounded the bases, still with his head down as he adjusted his helmet. Taking it off once he entered the dugout, he noticed his teammates were all concentrated on the game, ignoring his feat. Ohtani, playing along, waved his hands and high-fived a

line of imaginary teammates. Soon after, his team broke out of the ruse, swarming their new rookie and patting him on the back. When they emerged, so did a wide smile across Ohtani’s face. He high-fived superstar Mike Trout, Luis Valbuena, and the rest of the team before they ushered him back out onto the field to receive his standing ovation.

Since his arrival in the Major Leagues, Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani has shocked the baseball world. Following the April 3 game, Ohtani homered in each of his next two. To date, he has compiled five home runs at the plate and a 3-1 win-loss record on the pitching mound.

Ohtani has truly broken out and shone through in his role with the Angels. He has displayed versatility, breaking the lines of specialization to a certain position or skill that have dominated baseball in the 21st century; he is thriving both as a pitcher and as a hitter, something no one has done since the legendary Babe Ruth himself. He is proving the skeptics and analysts wrong and is being widely accepted by his teammates and by California. For much of the public, he came out of nowhere to push the Angels in the postseason conversation. But in reality, Ohtani made a name for himself in Japan long before he came to America.

Ohtani was born in Oshu, a rural city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Despite being only a roughly three-hour train ride from Tokyo, the area is a stark contrast to the bustling, metropolitan aura of Japan’s capital. Oshu’s vast land area is covered with green rice fields that extend for miles, with clusters of majestic trees and homes here and there. The area is well known for its various historic temples and shrines and its high-grade Maesawa beef.

The humble area seems like the last place one would expect to find an MLB star in the making.

Ohtani is the youngest of three Ohtani was used both as a pitcher children. His athleticism, in part, and a right fielder for his strong was passed down from his parents. arm and asserted himself as one of Ohtani’s father played in Japan’s Japan’s premier players (toward the semi-professional industrial league later end of his career in Japan). back when he worked at a MitsubiEach year, Ohtani performed shi manufacturing plant, and his better and better; he won a plethora mother was a national-level bad- of individual awards and was voted minton player in high school. into numerous All Star Games, all Growing up, Ohtani was a while his salary grew to match (100 “yakyu shonen”—the Japanese idi- million yen a year). Ohtani also om for a kid who lives and breathes played in various international tourbaseball. Taught by his father, naments, such as the World BaseOhtani demonstrated an aptitude ball Classic and the Premier 12, for the game at a young age, as a member of the Japanese as well as a golden arm. national team. In these During the national tournaments, he high school chamfaced top-notch pionship tournaMLB players, ment, the Sumproving to MLB mer Koshien, scouts that he Ohtani set the could handle record for the the Major fastest recordLeagues. ed pitch by a O h t a n i ’s high schooler breakout year at 99 mph. was truly 2016 Once out both as pitcher of high school, and a hitter, as Ohtani was set he performed on pursuing a on an unprecprofessional caedented scale in reer in the United both categories.

States, wanting As a pitcher, he to come straight built off the preto the best comvious year with a petition available. career low ERA However, he was (earned run averheavily pursued by a age) at 1.86. He top Japanese team, the went 10-4 overall Nippon Ham Fighters, and while striking out he finally gave in, becoming Darren Liang / The Spectator 174 batters, with the team’s number one draft four complete pick in 2012. games and one shutout to boot. As This was a strategic decision, a hitter, he hit .322 with 22 home as Ohtani was able to avoid the runs and 67 RBIs in 104 games. rigors of climbing through the mi- Ohtani lead his team to the Japan nor leagues in the US, where many Series that year, and the Nippon young prospects are ground down, Ham Fighters won the championinjured, and ultimately unable to ship against the Hiroshima Toya make a career in the majors. In his Carp, four games to two. five years in Japan’s Pacific League, By 2017, Ohtani had comOhtani honed his skills toward his piled a career 42-15 record on the development as a two-way player. mound, a 2.52 ERA, and a 1.08

WHIP (walks and hits divided by number of innings pitched—the number of batters who get on base per inning) as a pitcher. His average fastball velocity clocked in at a jawdropping 102.5 mph, well into the upper echelon of MLB pitchers.

One of the biggest headlines of this MLB offseason was the hype over this Japanese star when it was announced that he would be coming to the major leagues. At 23, with the title of ‘Japanese Babe Ruth,’ Ohtani represented tremendous talent to MLB clubs all around at the time.

While teams tried to attract Ohtani with larger and larger contract deals, the policy for signing foreign-born players under 25 prevented Ohtani from making the big money he was initially promised.

Despite this, Ohtani still decided to come to America. He wanted to prove himself on the biggest national stage, rather than wait two more years to make more money.

He signed with the Los Angeles Angels to avoid the big-market, national-spotlight East Coast teams and play in the West coast, attracted to the smaller market with less media attention and the close proximity to his home in Japan.

Despite a rocky Spring Training, Ohtani has blown away even the wildest of expectations. Entering the league, questions lingered over whether his high level two-way play would translate in the MLB, the highest level of and most rigorous competition in the world.

Through about a quarter of his rookie season, he’s emerged as a clear rookie-of-the-year contender.

Whether this level of production is sustainable long-term remains to be seen, but early results look promising as the “Japanese Babe Ruth” has lived up to his lofty moniker.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 28

Sports Girls’ Badminton

Girls’ Badminton Impresses Against Rivals and Wins it All

By ELIAS FERGUSON

The last match in the game against Seward Park Campus High School pitted juniors Eliza Wu and Tracy Chang of Stuyvesant against Jinhui Zhou and Keyao Li. It ended in favor of Stuyvesant, two sets to one. Wu and Chang, the third best doubles team in the league, certainly defended their title. Stuyvesant pulled ahead of their opponents quickly in the beginning of both sets. At one point, the Seward players hit the birdie out three consecutive times.

Coach Hugh Francis was especially happy about the timing of the team’s win. “It’s better [that we won now] because [winning] provides momentum for the playoffs.

Us ending like this shows that we are ending [the regular season] on an upward trajectory.” Defeating Seward at home secured Stuyvesant the sixth seed, with Seward taking the fifth. This means that the two teams won’t face each other until at least the semi-finals.

This is important because Seward knocked Stuyvesant out in the quarterfinals last season.

This season, the girls’ badminton team won the championship, defeating Seward, after finishing the regular season with a record of 9-1. In the final few games of the season, the team easily handled Martin L. King Jr. High School,

Inwood Community Campus, and the High School of Fashion Industries without losing a single set.

Just as Francis anticipated, the momentum from the win over Seward carried over to the first playoff game, with the team defeating John Dewey High School at home, 4-1. This game presented little challenge for the team.

The only dropped match was the first doubles match, which senior Janie Huang and senior and captain Mickey Yu lost to Qiling Hou and Zuying Wu Wu. Throughout the rest of the games, Stuyvesant played calmly and consistently. In the end, the John Dewey players were unable to hold long rallies with Stuyvesant.

Even before the final result was apparent, Coach Francis felt confident. He said, “I was reasonably confident; we haven’t played them in a few years.” He also remarked how his roster’s superior depth helped the team win, with the team having a large enough roster to play excellent singles and doubles players.

The team was even more dominant in the quarterfinals, defeating Flushing Campus High School 5-0 without dropping a single set.

Flushing were the third seed and undefeated blowout winners in their division but proved to be no match for Stuyvesant. Flushing’s seed position was misleading be-

cause their division lacked any real competition. The closest match was the second singles match between senior Ida Wang and Flushing’s Chen Xiang Wang.

The first set between the two remained very close the entire time, with Ida Wang ultimately managing to keep herself two or three points ahead and winning the set. In the second set, however, Ida Wang found herself eight points ahead early, but Chen Xiang Wang brought the score to 18-14 with a mid-set surge. Fortunately, the damage had already been done, and Ida Wang closed it out 21-16.

The win at Flushing meant the team faced Hunter on their home court. In recent years, Hunter had been a consistent finalist, and Francis recognized the threat, saying, “Hunter are perennial finalists; I am glad we scrimmaged them earlier in the season. We will have to play our very best if we are going to win on Monday.” Despite the threat Hunter posed, Stuyvesant won 3-2, sending them into the finals against Brooklyn Tech.

In an intense semifinal, Stuyvesant dominated Hunter in the doubles matches. The deciding match was the second singles match between Wang and Hunter’s Sandra Yu. Wang has been a consistently excellent performer throughout the season and did not disappoint. The players battled in

three close sets as their respective teams cheered them on, knowing the spot in the finals was on the line. Both Wang and Sandra Yu had impressive games as they tried to force the other to make a mistake. The flow of the game constantly switched from hard hits that produced some nice returns to clever, looping hits right next to the net. Wang finally triumphed by switching sides on Yu, making it impossible for her to get to the birdie in time.

At Franklin D. Roosevelt High School the team battled school rivals Brooklyn Tech for the title and won 3-2. Stuyvesant’s two doubles teams, composed of Huang and Mickey Yu and Wu and Chang, beat both of their Brooklyn Tech counterparts. Wang was Stuyvesant’s singles winner, beating Tech’s Zoe Chow on a long deuce.

Wu and Chang lost their first set to Tech, but in the next two sets were, at times, utterly dominant.

They started going on streaks, taking point after point with their brilliant teamwork and constant coverage of each other. The opposing Brooklyn Tech doubles pair was so stunned they even missed a high five after Chang buckled one of them with a great hit to the other side. It was Chang and Wu’s comeback win that won Stuyvesant the championship, and after the final point was won, the entire team

flooded the courts.

Though the game appeared to be an underdog story for Stuyvesant, Coach Francis said, “Based on reputation it was an underdog, but when you look at Tech and who they had to beat to get here, we were the best team they played.

We have beaten three undefeated teams to get to the final.”

He then looked forward to next season, saying, “I am optimistic about next year even though we are graduating three truly special seniors.” The seniors graduating this year are Wang, Mickey Yu and Huang. Huang and Yu have played as a doubles pair for years.

Along with Wang, they have been absolutely sensational. A special highlight this season has also been the rise to prominence of the new doubles team, Wu and Chang.

They will be around for another year after placing third in the individual doubles tournament when they had only worked together for a few months.

During the trophy presentation ceremony, the PSAL made a speech to Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech. He said, “There are no losers in the finals.” Whether or not that is true, in this final, the players of the Stuyvesant girls’ badminton team were certainly the winners.

Athlete Profile

On the Ice: Ejun Dean

By CELINA LIU

How did you get into competitive ice skating?

After a little less than a year at Chelsea Piers, my instructor asked me if I wanted to start doing small competitions since I had learned all my singles. I was excited to learn more challenging jumps, so I started doing some little competitions at Sky Rink.

What’s your favorite thing about ice skating? Your greatest achievement?

My favorite thing about ice skating is that it combines athleticism with grace. In a skating program, you have four minutes to tell a story to your audience through the music in an aesthetically pleasing way. However, you also get to challenge yourself by doing difficult jumps and spins.

The feeling of being in the air during a triple jump is really unlike anything else and is what makes skating so fun. My greatest achievement was probably making it to sectionals because I was able to see my hard work for the past seasons come to fruition.

Do you feel Asian Americans are underrepresented in the sport or that Asians are a majority in the competitive world?

I think Asians have grown to make up at least a half of the skaters in the competitive world,

Who is your favorite skater?

Favorite skater from the recent Winter Olympics?

My favorite skater from the recent Winter Olympics was Nathan Chen. He’s just an amazing skater who has every quad except the axel, something that has never been done before in figure skating.

Do you think ice skating should be a PSAL sport?

I think it would be cool if skating was a PSAL sport, but I think it would be unrealistic since it would be disadvantageous to those who couldn’t afford ice time or proper skates.

What’s one misconception about skating you want to disprove?

One misconception about skating is that it isn’t as physically demanding or difficult as other sports. When you land a triple jump, you come down with eight times your body weight on one leg while staying upright on a thin strip of metal. Skating long pro-

Tiffany Yu / The Spectator

How long have you been ice skating and how did you get into the sport?

I started skating when I was eight years old. Since my parents were usually busy during the summer, the summer skating camp at Chelsea Piers was a great opportunity to keep me busy.

but Asian-Americans still probably make up a tenth. Figure skating has always been popular in Japan, but the recent success of skaters like gold medalist Kim Yuna and Boyang Jin have inspired a new generation of Korean and Chinese skaters in Asia and America as well. You can see this in the recent USA team which had amazing skaters like Nathan Chen, Mirai Nagasu, and Maia and Alex Shibutani. Also, some of the skaters who represent other Asian countries, like Emma Jang of Taipei, are Asian Americans that are representing the country their parents are from.

grams is also like a combination of long distance running and weightlifting in that you have to have explosive power and stamina to complete one.

What inspired you to start your Parkinson’s disease fundraiser?

A family member’s recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s has motivated me to make a difference, little as it may be, to raise awareness and fundraise for Parkinson’s research. Using the resources at my rink, I was able to work with my figure skating club and the Michael J. Fox Foundation to do a fundraising event for Parkinson’s. The event will be a “skate-a-thon,” which is similar to a fundraising marathon with donors pledging an amount for every set of ten laps completed within 30 minutes. Just setting up the event and meeting all the people who have family members with similar diseases has been so motivating, so I’m really looking forward to the actual event.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 29

Sports Sports Editorial

By FRANKLIN LIOU and JOOAHN SUR

The 2018 NFL Draft is Now Officially Open.

The Cleveland Browns are on the Clock

Biggest Surprises

Cleveland Browns select quarterback Baker Mayfield first overall With the number one overall pick in the draft, there was no question that the Cleveland Browns were going to select one of the highly touted quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. Leading up to the draft, the two most likely quarterbacks to come off the board first were projected to be Sam Darnold and Josh Allen, who are believed to have the most potential out of the stellar quarterback class. However, instead of those larger signal callers, the team selected the 6’0” Baker Mayfield. Though he is the reigning Heisman trophy winner and the most accurate quarterback of the draft, his size, arrogance, and off-field concerns are alarming, and Darnold would have been a much safer pick. Though surprising, new GM John Dorsey’s gamble is not a terrible pick. At Oklahoma, Mayfield was known for his fiery personality and competitiveness, which will certainly ignite the locker room of a team with one win in its past two seasons. At worst, Mayfield will end up being Johnny Manziel 2.0: a talented but undersized quarterback whose immaturity and off-field issues made him the one of the biggest busts in history. At the same time, Mayfield has the potential to follow the footsteps of Drew Brees, another undersized quarterback who, unlike Manziel, will be a firstballot Hall of Famer when his career is over. Hopefully for the Browns, the latter is true, and Mayfield will finally end the franchise’s quarterback woes.

Derrius Guice falls to pick 59 Before the draft, LSU running back Derrius Guice was regarded as the second best running back in this class (behind Saquon Barkley). Many experts predicted that he would be selected in the mid to late first round. However, the first round went by, and Guice’s name had still not been called by commissioner Roger Goodell. On top of that, running backs Rashaad Penny and Sony Michel had been selected at picks 27 and 31, respectively. Additionally, in the first 11 picks of the second round, three running backs were selected, none of them Derrius Guice. Finally, the Washington Redskins selected Guice with the 59th overall pick of the draft. At the time, many analysts questioned the

teams that had passed on Guice, a first-round talent with a combination of power and quickness. However, many alarmed fans began to learn that Guice had fallen on many teams’ boards because of a poor attitude and personality, so poor that it dropped him all the way to the bottom of the second round. Though there were some pre-draft concerns about Guice’s attitude and immaturity, nobody expected his first round caliber talent to fall to the end of the second round. Unless Guice’s attitude creates significant problems for the team, the Redskins could have the steal of the draft.

Winners:

New York Giants After a disappointing 2017 season in which the Giants went 3-13, owner John Mara brought in fresh faces by hiring head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman, who were tasked with building a roster that would compete for a championship in 2018. At his predraft press conference, Gettleman said, “Because again, those three truths don’t change; you’ve got to run the ball; you’ve got to defend the run and rush the passer. So, everyone else wants to talk about skill guys, and I want to talk about hog mollies.” Gettleman and his staff certainly checked all of those boxes within the first three rounds.

At number two overall, the Giants found someone to run the ball in running back Saquon Barkley, who is one of the most NFL-ready running backs of all time. He impressed at his combine, showing that he is more than capable of facing NFL defenses. At number 34 overall, the Giants found a “hog mollie” in offensive guard Will Hernandez, who received first round grades from numerous scouts for his quickness and size, to make an immediate impact on their weak offensive line.

At number 66 overall, the Giants found someone to rush the passer in linebacker Lorenzo Carter, replacing former star defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul, who they traded to the Buccaneers earlier this offseason.

He has great range but will need to become stronger to start for the Giants this year.

At picks 69 and 139, the Giants chose defensive tackles BJ Hill and RJ McIntosh, respectively, who will generate a good pass rush up the middle. The Giants found quarterback Kyle Lauletta to be a potential Eli Manning replacement at pick 108. He is widely considered to be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the draft, and many

analysts considered the pick a steal.

Considering the fact that the Giants were able to plug many of the holes in their roster without sacrificing a lot of draft capital, Gettleman’s first draft as the Giants’ GM was certainly a success.

Chicago Bears In the 2017 draft, the Bears traded up with the San Francisco 49ers to select who they believe will be their franchise quarterback, allowing them to address other team needs in this year’s draft. They started by taking linebacker Roquan Smith with the eighth overall pick. The Bears needed to improve their pass rush and the linebacker position in general, and Smith’s athletic ability and knowledge of the game make him a great pass rusher and coverage backer. He should fit right into the Bears defense immediately and have an instant impact on their 2018 season.

The Bears also added center James Daniels with the 39th pick.

Daniels’s quickness and size make him an exceptional run blocker and, overall, a quality offensive lineman that should improve the Bears’ offense. At number 51 overall, the Bears selected wide receiver Anthony Miller. Miller is an extremely dedicated player, which makes him appealing for any team. He has a decent ability to create space and get open, but his hands are unimpressive. In the fourth round, the Bears picked linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe, who put up very good numbers in college. Experts say those stats will not translate to the NFL, but his speed and athletic ability will allow him to recover from mistakes as a young linebacker who I think could continue to put up those numbers with some NFL experience.

Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals went 8-8 in the 2017 season and lost their quarterback, Carson Palmer, with no backup plan. Due to the abundance of talented quarterbacks in the 2018 draft class, many expected the Cardinals to pounce on the opportunity to draft one of them. And that’s exactly what they did. Watching highly coveted UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen fall to the 10th overall pick, they traded up to draft him. Rosen is talked about as the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s draft class, and the only knocks on him are his delicate frame and his cocky personality. Nevertheless, the Cardinals were lucky to get a potential franchise quarterback at 10.

With the 47th pick, the Cardinals selected top wide receiver

prospect Christian Kirk to add to their arsenal of offensive weapons.

Though Kirk lacks speed, he should be able to thrive in the slot and complement the speedy receivers like J.J. Nelson and Larry Fitzgerald that the Cardinals already have. At number 97 overall, the Cardinals picked center Mason Cole from Michigan. He may not be an instant starter, but his position flexibility will be valuable to the Cardinals if they lose an offensive lineman due to injury during the season. In the fourth round at 134 overall, the Cardinals picked Chase Edmonds, an under-the-radar running back that has the potential to shine if David Johnson gets injured (again). He drew comparisons to the Falcons star running back Devonta Freeman based on his exceptional explosiveness. However, he faced weak competition in college, so his stats may have been inflated.

rusher with a ton of upside. However, the Saints gave up the 27th pick, a fifth round pick, as well as a 2019 first round pick—a huge price to pay to move up 13 spots for a pass rusher. On top of that, the rest of their draft was mediocre at best, and their selections are not expected to make huge contributions in their rookie seasons. If Davenport ends up becoming anything less than JJ Watt, the trade can be considered a huge blunder by the Saints’ front office.

Oakland Raiders Coming into the draft, the Raiders’ most pressing needs were on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at linebacker and defensive back. The Raiders held the 15th pick after a trade with the Cardinals, and many expected them to take Derwin James, who several experts considered the best safety in this draft Losers: class. Instead, Oakland selected ofNew Orleans Saints fensive tackle Kolton Miller despite The Saints’ 2017 draft class was the fact that their offensive line is definitely one for the ages. In the their biggest strength. In fact, they first round, the team selected shut- didn’t take a linebacker until the down cornerback Marshon Lat- sixth round, when they selected timore (11th pick) and offensive Azeem Victor with the 216th overall lineman Ryan Ramczyk (32nd pick). pick. And Derwin James? He went They selected safety Marcus Wil- to their division rival Los Angeles liams with the 42nd overall pick in Chargers at pick 17. In addition to round two and proceeded to take failing to fill their biggest needs, the the biggest steal of the draft in run- Raiders’ trade with the Cardinals was ning back Alvin Kamara in round 3 underwhelming as well. Everyone in (67th overall). These players, as well the entire world knew the Cardinals as their later picks, played vital needed a franchise quarroles in the Saints’ terback. And surprisimprovement on ingly, Josh Rosen, a disappointing considered 2016 season the best in which they pure passer went from 7-9 in this class, to going 11-5 was available and making at the 10th pick. a playoff So when the Carrun in 2017. dinals called, the And coming Raiders could into the 2018 have extracted draft, many a lot from them analysts had in terms of draft come to the concapital. Perhaps they sensus that the could have gotten a Saints could go a second round pick or a number of differfuture first rounder. Inent ways with the stead, all they got in return 27th overall pick– were third and fifth round receiver, tight picks, and they certainly end, offensive missed out on many tallineman, perhaps ented players throughout even a quarterthe draft with many puzback to serve as zling decisions. If you’re Drew Brees’s future Darren Liang / The Spectator a Raiders fan, you have replacement.

Into be pretty disappointstead, the Saints traded up with the ed with their 2018 draft class.

Packers and selected defensive end Marcus Davenport. On paper, it was a solid pick: a raw but talented pass

Girls’ Lacrosse

Huskies Finish Season with Second Round Exit

By JEREMY RUBIN, RICKY CHOI and EUGENE YOO

Led by senior and co-captain Leila Storkamp and her teamhigh of 34 regular season goals, the Huskies, Stuyvesant’s girls’ lacrosse team, appeared poised to upset the eighth-seeded Brooklyn Technical High School in the first round of the playoffs. However, a rough start doomed Stuyvesant, as the Engineers opened up the game early, pulling ahead to a 7-2 lead after the first period. They held their commanding lead throughout the game, winning it 11-5 and advancing onward to the next round of the playoffs.

Captains Inbar Pe’er, Sara Ng, and Storkamp have been forced to deal with numerous difficulties throughout the season. From the search for a new coach to inconsistent attendance at practice, the team has not had an easy season.

This hurt the team’s chemistry on the field. “Going forward, in future games, we could improve on communicating as a team on and off the field,” Ng said after a recent game. However, despite the struggles, they finished 7-5, not far off of last season’s 10-4 record. After a rough start, the team pulled it together at the end of the regular season, winning their last five games by a combined score of 69-8. Once the

team started to click on the field, they were deadly in all facets of the game.

One consistent part of the team was a strong offense, which averaged a robust nine goals per game. It helped the team remain in contention even while the Huskies struggled early on as a whole. Without Lucy Wang (‘17) and her 100 goals from the prior season, easily the top mark in the PSAL, questions about who would shoulder more of an offensive load remained heading into the year. However, Storkamp and junior Isabela Seitz’s combined 6 goals in their opening game against Long Island City in an 8-7 victory set the tone

for the season. To balance the offensive attack, Pe’er and Ng have been the backbones of a stout Huskies defense.

Taking an early look ahead to next year, the Huskies seem to be on track to keep their record above .500. Despite the loss of all three captains, they are the only graduating players from the roster, and members of the team have the potential to fill the seniors’ voids. Seitz will look to take over more of the scoring on the team, and a collection of upperclassmen will help her on that end. Similarly, after a freshman year in which goalie Evelyn Ma gave up 88 goals compared to 35 saves in the regular season, Ma

will have another year to develop and improve her game as the last line of defense.

The Huskies fought through a trying season and came out with a respectable 7-5 record and a playoff berth. While they would have liked to have gone farther, given the team’s second round exit last year, this might have been slightly implausible given the loss of Wang. The Huskies played with tenacity and grit using the cards they were dealt and finished strong to prove it.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 30

Sports Athlete Profile

PASS expectations, SET the standards, and KILL the competition.

Ray Jones

Shun Bitar

playing as well as the upperclassmen I saw in front of me.

Height: 6’0” (when I stand up really straight, but I’m quite the sloucher!)

Eye Color: Green, but they change color Hair Color: Everyone tells me something different; I’ve heard blonde, brown, strawberry blonde, redhead, you name it. I’d call myself brownish blonde.

DOB: (This is the only one so far I have an easy answer for) November 11, 2000 Spirit Animal: I think spirit animals are dumb.

Choice Drink: Water. Hydration is key.

Favorite Food: Chipotle burrito, though a salad from Sweetgreen is a close second.

Do you play volleyball outside of school?

Short answer: no. There’s a team that’s somewhat famous (or maybe infamous) in the New York volleyball community called NYC Impact. For the most part, all the best players in the PSAL play on that team or on one of its rivals’. I considered joining in each of my sophomore and junior years, but never found the time with the heavy SING! schedule that went on concurrently. I’m sure that I’d be a lot better if I had made that team, but my teammates and I found other ways to improve outside of practice. We went to Columbus Park, recreation centers, and open gym events a lot, just trying to get as many touches on the volleyball as possible to get more comfortable playing, but more importantly playing together.

When did you start playing volleyball? Why did you stick with it?

Let me just preface by saying that when I was younger, my mindset was all sports, all the time. In middle school, I was looking for a new one. I went to all of the boys’ varsity volleyball games at my high school and got really excited about the sport, but in middle school we only had volleyball for girls. When I was in eighth grade, they set up a clinic that met once a week to practice volleyball. It was super low-key and not that legitimate, but it was a ton of fun.

When I decided to switch to Stuyvesant for high school, I found people on the volleyball team I could get more information from. I was already friends with Jackson Deysine (‘17), and he introduced me to more team members and convinced me to go to tryouts. I didn’t have the technical skills needed to be on the team, so I tried to make it on based on my athleticism and will. I stuck with it because I loved the team and loved the sport. I strived to improve because I imagined myself starting one day and

What is your strategy for constantly improving yourself ?

I think the most important mindset in sports is that you always need to play like there’s someone right behind you, ready to take your spot. I mean, at one point I was on the bench and working hard to try to earn my spot on the team, so now I play hard to keep it. Even though I know I’m our starting setter and that my position is pretty set in stone, I do my best to keep the mindset that I am still working to earn my minutes, and that helps me to get better. Also, just the fact that for each of my four years we’ve done a little better than the last has made me want to do my part in improving the team further and further with each game.

What’s one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced?

I think the biggest obstacle I personally faced was that I was almost cut from the team in my sophomore year. Choubs told me that he had come close, and that I needed to work hard to improve. That was a wake up call, and I’ve never forgotten that and never really felt secure in my spot on the team since then, which for me has been a really positive experience. I’ve worked my ass off at volleyball because I’ve always felt a little worried about my spot on the team, and it’s helped me to improve a ton.

Proudest memory?

At the Francis Lewis Tournament this year, we destroyed Cardozo in the semifinals to play Fort Hamilton in the finals. There were a lot of personal feelings between our team and theirs, and we’d also lost to them a few times in previous years, so that felt really good.

One funny thing that’s happened while playing: I take the games too seriously in the moment to laugh when stuff is happening. But one time Sam Kim fell on the floor and then rolled around there for a while, and Kevin Mitchell stepped on him. That was pretty funny.

Which of your teammates is the funniest?

It depends on context. Nick Kim and Scott Abramowitz are probably the wittiest. Justin Chan and Jerren Dang are both just total goofballs. The whole team is pretty funny to be honest. We have good banter.

Goal of the season: The season is over. But we wanted to make semi-finals because we made it to quarters last year.

Motto to live by: “One point at a time.” I say it all the time on the court.

Elena Sapelyuk / The Spectator

Elena Sapelyuk / The Spectator

How do you balance schoolwork and volleyball? Do you have tips for others who want to do the same?

Oddly enough, I’ve always done better in school in the spring during the volleyball season. I think it’s partially because I’m just more excited to go to school and partially because I have less free time to do work, so I am motivated to be more efficient. I’ll say that my advice is to manage your time. Everyone says it, but it’s true. You don’t need to work as hard if you work smart. That wasn’t meant to sound as suspicious as it did.

Biggest Obstacle?

The biggest obstacle I’ve faced as an individual player was finding a way to spike around blockers that are way taller than me, particularly teams like Fort Hamilton and Aviation.

As a team, we’ve been challenged all season long to get together, run plays, and function as one brain. The more we covered each other’s backs on court, the more we found ourselves winning against teams that are more athletically gifted than we are.

Height: 5’11” Eye Color: Dark brown Hair Color: Dark brown DOB: January 23, 2000 Spirit Animal: Pugs or raccoons or sugar gliders (Do I have to pick one?)

Choice Drink: Piña colada with basil Favorite Food: Japanese barbecue or Venezuelan arepas Do you play outside of school?

I play recreationally, and for a short period of time I played 9-man, which is a different sport, but requires the same skill set.

When did you start playing volleyball and why did you stick with it?

I took a crack at it in middle school, but I was all about basketball back then.

I started seriously playing volleyball my freshman year when I made the varsity team because my good friend Ziqi told me all about her love for volleyball, and it made me want to give it a try too. My freshman year was rough due to injuries, and I really didn’t get anywhere

Signature Move?

My signature play would be a two ball or first tempo middle hit. It is quick enough of an attack so that I only have one blocker marking me, but also high enough that I get to see the position of the blocker’s hands and the players on the court behind him. I can see the empty spots on the floor from up there, and I’m able to put the ball down 90% of the time.

Fondest Memory?

One of my fondest memories of being with the volleyball team was during my junior year at the Tottenville Tournament. It was our last tournament that year, and we managed to make it out of pool play for the first time and advanced from quarterfinals into semifinals against the top seeded team in the city.

We almost managed to take a set from them, but there were some technical issues and we ended up losing. Nonetheless, we left feeling really good about ourselves. Nick Kim, Tommy Min, Sam Kim, Isfar Patwary, and I all left together exhausted yet satisfied. I had some chill music playing on my phone, the wind was refreshing, and the weather was perfect as we roamed around the foreign terrain of Staten Island looking for food and a route back home. We got on some rundown train that took forever to start, took the ferry, and saw the Hudson and Downtown Manhattan. I also almost got run over by a car. While

“Shun’s a weeb.”

—Dylan Kim, junior

with volleyball, but the upperclassmen on the team took a liking to me and made me feel at home. I stuck around long enough to be able to appreciate the complexity of the game and compete at a high level where volleyball became fun. As soon as I realized the group we created had a shot at winning PSAL, I devoted everything to volleyball.

What do you do to improve?

I maintain my fundamentals while trying to learn more advanced skills; there are a ton of little techniques that you can utilize to score garbage points [and] small adjustments you can make mid-air to beat your opponents defense.

I constantly work hard at practice and outside of school to perfect my craft.

the trip would’ve been a hassle under any other circumstance, with my teammates there after a long day of volleyball, it was a unique life experience that I’d love to experience once more.

Proudest/Funniest Memory?

Winning two second place trophies with my team this year at the Francis Lewis Tournament and the Bronx Science Tournament. It was also great when our middle Nick blocked Staten Island Tech’s ace hitter. We’ve been trying to stop him for four years now.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Page 31

Sports Cricket

By AHMED HUSSEIN Cricket is a sport that is popular worldwide, second only to soccer, and it has been played in Britain and India since the 18th century.

The rules are simple. Two teams of

The Tigers Gain Traction

bowls that go past the batsman. If the batsman attempts a run, the keeper can throw the ball at the wicket and get the batsman out.

The sides take turns batting and bowling in a total of 20 overs (the cricket equivalent of an inning in

son opener to DeWitt Clinton High School, instead fighting hard but ultimately losing to Lehman Campus 52-51 two days later. This resilient mentality has helped the Tigers remain competitive in their Bronx/ Manhattan division.

“This has been a rebuilding season for us and it has shown in our play. But the new players we have have shown the three qualities necessary to help this team: dedication, passion, and commitment. ” —Vishwaa Sofat, sophomore and co-captain 11 face off on a circular field. All but four players remain in the field and attempt to catch any balls that come their way. The remaining four players, two batsmen, a bowler, and a wicketkeeper, make up a rectangular pitch in the center of the field.

The bowler throws the ball in an attempt to knock down the wicket that is behind the batsmen.

The wicket is one of a set of three stumps placed behind the batsmen.

It is approximately two feet high and 10 inches wide. The batsman protects the wicket by deflecting the ball away from it. He tries to hit the ball far enough in order to have time to swap spots with his fellow batsman. One swap of spots equals one run.

The keeper remains behind the batsman and attempts to catch any

baseball) with six bowls each. After the 20 overs have elapsed, the game ends, and the team with the most runs is the winner.

Stuyvesant’s cricket team, the Tigers, are currently in the middle of one of their best seasons to date but still have room to improve because of their inconsistency. Senior and co-captain Aryan Bhatt seems to have an explanation for the Tigers’ shaky start, though. “Our first two games were difficult for us; we were playing two of the stronger teams in our league, and it was a significant blow to our morale to get crushed twice in a row. However, since then, we’ve finally caught our stride, and it’s definitely been a huge boost to morale,” Bhatt said. The team did not lose hope after their inauspicious 94-23 loss in their sea-

Boys’ Handball

The third match began with Stuyvesant’s handball team, the Dragons, down 2-0 and only one match away from their season ending in this best-of-5 game.

With his back against the wall, third singles and sophomore Danny Wu felt the pressure to win this crucial contest. Unable to shift the momentum of the game, Wu lost the decisive game 21-8. After two more rounds, the Dragons lost 0-5, and their season ended with a first round playoff exit at the hands of New Utrecht High School.

The Dragons ended the 20162017 season deep into the playoffs, making it to the quarterfinals as the fifth seed last season. However, after their entire starting lineup graduated, the team was proud of what they accomplished this year. Coming into the 20172018 season, coach Bernard Feigenbaum believed the team would have to take a year to rebuild their lineup. However, this season did not feel like a rebuilding season, as they finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, second place in their Bronx/Manhattan division. Their only two losses came at the hands of undefeated Bronx Science. They were also able to clinch a playoff berth six games into the season, something Feigenbaum did not expect.

This unexpected finish was possible through a combination of hard work and improved play by upperclassmen. Senior and

“This has been a rebuilding season for us, and it has shown in our play. But the new players we have have shown the three qualities necessary to help this team: dedication, passion, and commitment,” Sofat said, when asked about his feelings on the Tigers’ season. However, along with senior and co-captain Bhatt, the two stress the importance of leadership for this team.

The Tigers are 3-4 this season.

While seemingly mediocre, the the team is going through one of its worst stretches in terms of opponents, playing numerous top-notch teams. Their current record is nothing to scoff at, as the Tigers are coming off a 0-11 season from last year.

Despite the inexperience, the future (and present) remain bright for Stuyvesant. Freshmen Parthiv Lodh and Sayan Shil have shown promise to become strong competitors in the league. Sophomores Debesh Halder and Rishi Bhatt have upped their game massively, with Halder bouncing back after a torrid debut season. Bhatt added batting to his large arsenal of skills, making him a dangerous dual threat. Sophomore Fatin Ahmed has also shown his impressive bowling ability in his first year for the Tigers, and junior Abdullahnayeem Mizan and senior Kartikay Sharma have held their own in the field, making some crucial fielding plays this season. With seven games remaining, the Tigers are on track to make playoffs, needing just three wins to qualify. After some rebuilding and a shaky start, the Tigers look to have found the answer to remaining competitive in this division.

Boys’ Volleyball

The Dragons’ Cinderella Season

By ALAN WANG and ANSH SHARMA

After losing their first two games, the Tigers have started to flourish in this crucial midseason point. “We’ve found a new batting order that’s worked for us, and now that our players have learned all the basics of the game (though there’s always room for improvement), we’ve started focusing on specializing different players to better suit their unique abilities and talents at practices, which has vastly improved our game,” Bhatt said.

The Tigers have worked hard in practice, and the newcomers have found their niches in the squad.

In their sixth game against Francis Lewis High School, their improvements shined through. They batted and bowled consistently and had good control of the field, helping them keep up with strong opposi-

tion from Francis Lewis.

With just six bowls remaining in the 20th over of the game, the team felt the pressure. Junior Ahamed Rashid and sophomore and co-captain Vishwaa Sofat were at bat to begin the over. Sofat had been at bat since the 11th over, and he was looking to end strong.

Rashid’s wicket was hit after two bowls with no runs. Freshman Sayan Shil stepped up, and the Tigers still needed eight runs in just four bowls. Shil and Sofat exchanged runs before Francis bowled wide twice (a wide bowl gives the batsman a run), making the requirement five runs in two bowls.

Things looked bleak for the Tigers before Shil sweeped a leg shot, adding four to the Tiger run total.

He now needed just one run to win the game and avoid a Super Over (each side gets six balls to score as much as they can), and he got it and the win. The Tigers edged it out, showing great composure to pull off the late victory. However, with the good comes the bad, and the Tigers experienced the bad against Bronx High School of Science.

The game started similarly to the Francis Lewis one before Bronx Science began to show their true talent against the Tigers, building a lead and ending the game 91-76.

Bronx Science exposed a major Tiger flaw: the team is much too young and inexperienced. Only six upperclassmen (four seniors and two juniors) are on the roster, and the lack of experience has shown this season. Many of the underclassmen have struggled to adapt to the poor pitches and high level of competition that the Tigers have faced.

captain Alvin Chen led the team as the first singles, finishing the season with a 3-2 record with 5 aces and 7 kills. “[Chen] was his best player [in handball],” Feigenbaum said. “[I like] how Alvin set the tone early.”

Almost half of the team is comprised of seniors (five out of 13), and they made up the majority of the starting lineup. Only three starters remained on the team. To amplify this problem, Feigenbaum will not return to teach at Stuyvesant next year, perhaps making this his last season coaching.

However, there are eight returners on the team that will have a full year of practice to improve their skills. Sophomore and third singles Wu, who went 5-2 in the regular season with 20 aces, junior and second singles Hongbin Ye, and sophomore and second doubles player Oliver Cai, will all return next season to lead Stuyvesant hopefully back into the playoffs.

While many wrote the Dragons off early in the year, they were strong contenders for the divisional crown throughout the season. When asked to reflect on how he thought the season went, Chen was proud of the results. “I feel like this team has progressed relatively well. We started the beginning of the season mostly with players without any prior handball experience, and we managed to come out second in our division for the playoffs,” Chen said.

Beasts Drop First Playoff Game After Undefeated Season

By JARED ASCH

The Beasts, Stuyvesant’s boys’ varsity volleyball team, were eliminated from the playoffs after a 2-0 upset to the Francis Lewis High School Patriots. The Beasts were expected to go farther into the playoffs this year, ranked as the fifth seed in the entire A division, the highest division in the PSAL. The Patriots, however, were able to utilize their serves more effectively than the Beasts, putting up four aces to Stuyvesant’s one. Stuyvesant kept each of the two games close, but was unable to finish off the Patriots, losing the first game 23-25 and the second game 21-25.

What really hurt the Beasts was the absence of two key players, seniors Shun Bitar and Tommy Min, which left the team without necessary power on the outside. The Patriots were able to keep the ball off of the floor, tallying up 25 digs and forcing the Beasts to make mistakes that culminated in a loss. Francis Lewis, on the other hand, played a competitive game, maintaining a strong presence on offense and keeping a solid defense and were able to come away with the upset.

The Beasts followed up their undefeated 2017 season with another winning streak, capping off the season with a convincing win in two games over Louis Brandeis High School. Throughout the 2018 season, the Beasts only dropped two games to their competitors, dominating opponents in the Manhattan A West division. The real challenge for the team both years has been

the playoffs. In the 2017 season, the Beasts were eliminated in the third round by Fort Hamilton, going deeper into the playoffs than they expected, making this year’s early loss to Francis Lewis surprising. Throughout the season, one of the primary weaknesses of the team was, ironically, their abundance of experience.

“They’ve played for so long that they didn’t do basic things such as calling the ball,” said coach

with Jones providing sets to Bitar, who racked up 63 kills for the Beasts.

Though the sting from this loss won’t fade any time soon, many are optimistic about the team’s success next year. The Beasts will be losing some key seniors, but the junior class is strong and should have no issues taking over and maintaining the success the team has enjoyed the past few years. Junior Jerren

Throughout the season, one of the primary weaknesses of the team was, ironically, their abundance of experience.

Vasken Choubaralian.

This year was expected to be a strong year for the Beasts, who had a formidable senior class. Seniors and co-captains Ray Jones and Shun Bitar were a dominant duo this season, with Jones coming second in the division in assists and Bitar excelling on the outside. Bitar was one of the strongest servers in the league, coming in second in the division in aces. In addition to their individual achievements, they made up a formidable duo together

Dang has been strong this season as a starting middle hitter, using his tall frame to accumulate nine blocks and 19 kills in the center of the court. Though he has been one of the only juniors consistently playing this year, the seniors are confident that the others can take over their role to lead the team even further into the playoffs. “The juniors are excited to play, so they’re looking to improve themselves,” said Choubaralian.

The Spectator ● May 25, 2018

Girls’ Fencing

Page 32

THE SPECTATOR SPORTS

Vipers Finish Third in the City After Fifteenth Straight Undefeated Regular Season

CALENDAR

may

26 Saturday

Coed Cricket vs. High School for Construction, Kissena Park

By ARIEL MELENDEZ The sixth floor dance studio was alive with anticipation. Junior Jane Rhee stood ready, sizing up her opponent. At the referee’s word, she immediately took control of the bout, dictating the flow of the first few touches. Suddenly, after a relatively long standoff, with both sides defending well, Rhee sprung forward and extended her arm, catching her opponent’s side with her épée. The Vipers, Stuyvesant’s girls’ varsity fencing team, erupted into cheers and applause on the sideline as Rhee halted to a stop about three feet away from the strip In their final home game of the regular season, the Vipers defeated the Long Island City Bulldogs 90-34, a significant improvement from the first time they faced LIC when they won 90-48.

The win maintained the team’s top spot in division 2 with a perfect 7-0 record. The atmosphere in the small dance studio was one of pride and camaraderie. Even in familiar territory, winning by a substantial margin, the Vipers maintained their enthusiasm and never took points for granted. Each and every girl received personalized and animated encouragement from her teammates.

This atmosphere was clearly crucial to the team’s success. In some cases, as with sophomore Charlotte Siragusa, senior and co-captain Katherine Huang, and freshman Alice Liu, the encouragement gave them the confidence and focus to donut their opponents, a flawless bout. Perhaps more significantly, this encouragement gave juniors Rachel Lee and Katherine Filosa the fuel to overcome a couple rough stretches. Lee, who opened the match, started off strong but began to fall behind against the opposition’s strongest fencer. However, with the unconditional encouragement of her teammates, she was able to come back, ultimately ending the bout with a score of 5-4 in her favor.

Filosa’s adept evasion but conservative approach offensively led to a particularly long bout. Her opponent began to get comfortable, control the flow of the bout, and get a few quick, consecutive touches on Filosa. Seeing their flustered teammate, the rest of the Vipers shouted words of approval as Coach Joel Winston advised Filosa after evaluating the issue. Immediately, Filosa started following her defense with counter-attacks, taking chances. Despite giving up six touches before getting her five,

she ended the bout strong.

As successful as this year’s team has been, this is nothing new for Stuyvesant girls’ fencing.

The Vipers have gone undefeated for more than fifteen consecutive seasons. At this season’s playoff game, the starting épée team was made up of senior and co-captain Sage Demopoulos, senior Taylor Kwok, juniors Clare McGillis, Anna Lanzman, and Rhee, while Hwang, senior Michela Marchini, and freshmen Palak Srivastava and Liu led the foil team. The team enjoyed a bye in their first round and went on to defeat Francis Lewis High School before losing two close matches to the Bronx High School of Science in foil and Hunter College High School in épée, ultimately finishing third in the city.

Despite final results, the palpable camaraderie that was so present in the sixth floor dance studio right before the playoff game was equally present in Demopoulos’s description of what made this year’s team special. The team has “become my second family,” Demopoulos said. “All our inside jokes and constant laughter […] just [go] to show how close-knit we’ve become.”

27 Sunday

Boys’ and Girls’ Outdoor Track PSAL City Championship, Icahn Stadium

28 Monday

Coed Cricket vs.

Lehman Campus High School, Kissena Park

31

Thursday

Boys’ JV Baseball vs.

Manhattan Center for Science & Math, Pier 40

WRAPUP Freshman Julianne Yotov, sophomore Angela Zhong, junior Clara Mohri, and sophomore Tina Zheng placed first in the 3000-meter run, 1500-meter racewalk, 1500-meter run, and discus throw, respectively, to become Borough Champions at the Girls’ Outdoor Track Manhattan Borough Championships.

The Peglegs, Stuyvesant’s boys’ junior varsity baseball team, defeated Manhattan Center for Science & Math and secured their fifth win of the season with a final score of 18-0.

The girls’ badminton team brought home the gold, placing first at the City Championships.

Stuyvesant’s girls’ handball team, the Peglegs, defeated Long Island City High School 4-1, ending their season undefeated.

Senior Michael Gillow’s walk-off double propelled the boys’ baseball team, the Peglegs, to a win over William C. Bryant 2-1.