Telling the True Story: Tattler January-February Edition

FEBRUARY 2019

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Tattler Staff Editors in Chief Andrew Cha Sophia Saidi Emily Schrader Managing Editors Paloma Delgado Lee Schwartz Aidan Smyth Art Editors Daniel Navratil Julia Mencher News Editors Josh Garber Sasha Frank-Stempel Callie Wilks Feature Editors Isabel Danzis Grace Harrington Opinion Editors Daniel Navratil Lee Schwartz Sports Editors Kevin McAuliffe Tom Merritt Julia Taylor Style Editors Lauren Gips Tina Siyoum Backpage Editor Maggie Hodge Business Manager Tommy Turi Supervisor David Lopilato Cover Tori Creecy

Tell the True Story: Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Speed

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By the Tattler Editorial Staff On January 18, protestors and supporters of the March for Life event gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in what became a cesspool of hatred and political polarization. Indigenous rights activists, Hebrew Israelites and Trump supporting Catholic schoolboys engaged in a heated standoff that left many questioning the level of civility in our current state of politics. As videos of the confrontation rose to prominence on social media, false headlines ran rampant, with the media claiming that the schoolboys had mocked the Native American protestors unprovoked. In wake of such extreme showings of hatred, the Tattler Editorial Staff explores the political divisions in American politics and how they influence both speed and quality in media reporting.

The Dangers of a 4.0

By Emma Volkers and Margaret Riley

A Broken System: Inequity in the College Process

By Sophia Saidi, Aidan Smyth, and Jamie Murray

Sponsoring a Refugee Family of Ten

By Isabel Danzis

Moving To America: Challenge And Change

By Lilly Behbehani and Rachel Auerbach

Tattler Op-Ed Sparks Anti-Semitism Debate

By Josh Garber

Should the United States Adopt Medicare for All?

By Aidan Smyth and Connor Dickinson

MCPS students are pushed to get straight A’s and maintain the 4.0 average. But at what cost? The Tattler investigates competitive academic culture and its effect on students.

When so much of higher education depends on income, it seems as if students might be losing control of their college process and their futures.

Saint John’s Episcopal seems like any other local Bethesda church. But that changed when the church sponsored a refugee family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Three profiles tell the stories of B-CC students who immigrated from different countries, comparing their experiences in the US to those of their native countries.

An op-ed in the last Tattler edition was criticized for being anti-Semitic by some students and community members. Here’s what happened.

Two Tattler columnists debate the merits of a nationalized healthcare system. Is Medicare For All a cost saving solution or a detrimental burden?

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The #MetToo Movement: Voices Worth Hearing

By Fiona Kelleher

The #MeToo movement has brought with it discussions of what constitutes sexual assault. What is the current status of the movement and debate?

Trump’s Wall Is Starting to Crumble

By Daniel Navratil

With North Korea “no longer a nuclear threat” and ISIS “defeated,” Trump is fighting for his next manufactured victory at the southern border. He’s not winning.

Why I Didn’t March

By Emily Schrader

Women’s March doctrine promotes an intersectional brand of feminism. But after claims of anti-Semitism against the organizers, one writer argues the organization might not be as inclusive as it seems.

Dr. Jones vs. Donna

By Lee Schwartz

A professional leader deserves a professional title. See why Dr. Jones’ nickname “Donna” must end.

Malaika’s Thoughts

By Malaika Bhayana

Tattler columnist Malaika Bhayana has a LOT of opinions. In these hot takes, Malaika delves into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, women in STEM and our education system.

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I See the World Differently and That’s Okay

By Nicky Schmidt

B-CC senior Nicky Schmidt was in first grade when she realized she couldn’t learn in the same way as her classmates.

Why Is This Still a Thing?

By Tattler Staff Writers

From dress codes to not being allowed to eat in the media center, why do these things still exist?

Blackfishing: The New Blackface?

By Semhal Negussie and Monique Boateng

Social media influencers may be appropriating black culture. Learn about the “new blackface” and its implications.

AirPods: An Elevated Existence

By Vanessa Pontachack

Don’t read this article unless you have AirPods.

In Sports

Dream Chaser: Coby Sultan Goes Pro The Guttentag Brothers Sports Recruitment Updates

By Lee Schwartz and Bennett Schwartz

By Hanna Ostros and Julia Taylor

By Kevin McAuliffe

HARVARD PHOTO BY DANIEL NAVRATIL, PAINTING BY YAEL CHIAPPORI, AND SIGN PHOTO BY EMILY SCHRADER

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OPINION

Tell the True Story: Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Speed

BY THE TATTLER EDITORIAL STAFF For many of us here at the Tattler, the most memorable moment during had been participating in the Indigenous People’s March in Washington, a less-than-super Super Bowl was The Washington Post’s spot. The adD.C. The video was immediately re-posted along with comments criticizvertisement consisted of moving still images of tragedy and triumph, the ing the boys’ disrespectful behavior and identifying Phillips as an Omaha touching tributes to journalists killed in the line of duty, and those mesleader, activist, and Vietnam veteran—which was later revealed as being sages: “Knowing empowers us. Knowing Helps us Decide. Knowing Keeps incorrect. Phillips was never deployed to Vietnam although he did serve in us Free. Democracy dies in Darkness.” For journalists around the world, the Marines. these sentiments hit home. But that night, Donald Trump Jr. sent out a After the initial shock on Twitter, a longer version of the video emerged tweet criticizing the advertisement: “You know how MSM journalists could showing that it was Phillips who had approached the boys. This altercaavoid having to spend millions on a #superbowl commercial to gain some tion followed a heated dispute between the teens and a group known as the undeserved credibility? How about report the news and not their leftist BS Black Hebrew Israelites, who were shouting toward the students. for a change.”

The whole situation has sparked debate between the right and the left, The Washington Post is just another example of MSM? “Undeserved with the former saying that the group of boys was unfairly blasted due to the credibility?” Really, Mr. Trump? Arguing that The Washington Post is tryone-sided narrative that was presented and the latter insisting that the boys’ ing to buy $5.25 million dollars worth of “undebehavior was racist and insulting toward Phillips served credibility” is absurd. In fact, it was actually and others involved in the Indigenous People’s Jeff Bezos, not The Washington Post, who bought March.

The more that the mainstream the spot for the advertisement back in 2013.

One thing is obvious: there is a lot more to this media goes chasing after the That being said, the media makes mistakes. We complicated story. And while there are glaring isare well aware of the mistakes we make at the Tatsues within the videos that should be addressed, speed-addicted “sidestream” tler. You all are sure to let us know when we make some have found it concerning that certain news media, the more the unforced mistakes, and as a media publication, we apprecioutlets and individuals seemed more interested errors rack up. ate it when you do. in sharing the video and condemning the actions But, not all mistakes are created equal. And, of the boys than attempting to provide a more inthere is an error-prone trend in media coverage depth understanding of the situation. that gives absurd assertions like Donald Jr’s just enough sunlight to peek Let’s face it, news spreads like wildfire. And now, in the age of technolothrough the cracks. What is this trend you ask? The unforced error. gy, it’s easier than ever to share a picture, a video or even your own opinion.

What makes an error unforced? News outlets will undoubtedly make Everyone wants to be the first to a story, often at the expense of accuracy mistakes in pursuit of an important story: a misquote here, a false attriand quality of a story. bution there. These are not what we mean by unforced errors. But when a Now, many media sources are saying that the students from Covington media outlet gets things wrong in a story that never needed to be covered in Catholic High School were in fact trying to alleviate a heated situation and the first place, this is an unforced error. And the more that the mainstream that they were in fact chanting along with Phillips and not mocking him. media goes chasing after the speed-addicted “sidestream” media, the more This is obviously not the case. Now, in a complete reversal of how the story the unforced errors rack up. was originally portrayed, Phillips has been wrongly depicted as the aggresThis brings us to the viral standoff at the Lincoln Memorial. What do you sor in the situation and the students as the heroes. get when you mix MAGA hat wearing teenagers, a Native American man In this digital age, it’s important that news sources don’t fall into the with a drum, and radical Hebrew Israelites? Nobody really knows. trap that social media has set up so deceptively. We must double check our But, in wake of the confrontation, social media erupted, and a video was facts, rely on trustworthy stories, read through what we write more than sent around depicting the Catholic schoolboys surrounding Native Amerionce or even twice. The integrity of journalism does not rely on breaking a can veteran, Nathan Phillips, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Phillips story first or catching the public’s attention. It’s about telling a story well.

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ILLUSTRATION BY ARDYN KESTERMAN

FEATURE

The Dangers of a 4.0

PHOTO BY SOPHIA SAIDI

BY EMMA VOLKERS AND MARGARET RILEY

Growing up in the D.C area, specifically Montgomery County, students are thrown into an immediately competitive environment.

Students are taught to strive for perfection and turn to comparing themselves to their fellow peers.

If a student does not have perfect study habits, straight A’s, and a plan for college, then they have nothing. From the outside, Montgomery County is seen as one of the best in the nation. From the inside however, the picture is not so perfect. Students are in a constant state of anxiety over their performance and results, believing that everything revolves and comes from their grades. While this pressure can lead to higher test scores, it comes with a dangerous price.

Author, professor, and psychologist Adam Grant has experienced the dangers of a 4.0 firsthand. Not only was he a self-proclaimed perfectionist, but as a teacher, he has worked with numerous students torn apart by fear of failure. After a traumatic event in which one of his students “tragically took his own life after getting a B in another class, [Grant] wanted to help students recognize that there is no reason to stress about imperfection.”

Grant took to The New York Times, releasing an article titled “What Straight-A Students Get Wrong.”

“I originally wrote the article [directed at] college students, but I think it applies to high school too,” Grant shared.

In his piece, Grant explores the benefits of “failure.” “Underachieving in school can prepare you to overachieve in life,” he writes, explaining how successful creative minds such as Steve Jobs (who finished school with a 2.65 GPA) and author of Harry Potter JK Rowling (who graduated from University with a C average) found value more in creativity than measured academic performance. Also mentioned in the article was a study performed

by Karen Arnold on students who graduated top of their class. Arnold found that “although they usually had successful careers, they rarely reached upper echelons.”

“Academic grades rarely assess qualities like creativity, leadership, and teamwork skills,” Grant said, things which are a necessity to be successful and progressive outside of the classroom and in the real world. This close comparison be6

tween grades and self-worth also leads to a decrease in appreciation for qualities such as creativity and individuality.

Almost every high school student strives to get good grades with the ultimate goal of getting into a “name brand” college. At B-CC, no amount of work seems to be good enough for teachers, college, or frankly students themselves. Even if it’s not verbally expressed, the

they lose track of the main goal, which is learning new things and being exposed to new ideas.

“People study for tests, but not to actually know the material,” said freshman Kai Murphy.

Since B-CC students are generally competitive, most want to not only achieve the highest grade possible, but earn the best grades among other students. This leads students to sacrifice things in order

“Underachieving in school can prepare you to overachieve in life.” majority of B-CC students only consider themselves to be smart and successful if they receive the highest grade or number of points possible in their classes.

According to freshman Safi Khana, “People kind of freak out if they have a B at anytime in the semester.”

Many students believe if they don’t have perfect or close to perfect grades, they have less of a chance for success in life, and in college.

Most of the time students are so focused on acing a test a class, that

to be the most successful among their peers.

“A lot of people study instead of going to sleep at night,” said junior Vivianna Arnold.

The competitive nature at this school in particular leads people to strive for better test-taking instead of better knowledge.

“If your goal is to graduate without a blemish on your transcript, you end up taking easier classes,” Grant said. “[But] if you’re willing to tolerate the occasional B, you can learn to program in Python while

struggling to decipher Finnegans Wake.”

It is clear that breaking this vicious cycle it starts with the way the grading system operates. Though curved grading systems are supposedly used to help reduce inflation, Grant found that “it arbitrarily limits the number of students who can excel.”

If your forced curve allows for only seven A’s, but 10 students have mastered the material, three of them will be unfairly punished,” Grant said, noting that he observed a “huge variation in overall performance among the classes [he teaches].”

Allocating space for a curve may also lead to a huge rise in competition between students themselves, as only a set number can actually achieve the highest marks. According to Grant, from the view of an organized psychologist, it sets the tone for a “zero-sum game” between students, meaning that “your success is my failure.” This attitude leads not only to a rise in pressure on students from themselves, but also from their peers, leading to a negative environment in schools.

Colleges and universities are not exempt from this trend. Grant encourages them to make it clear that “they don’t care about the difference between a 3.7 and a 3.9.” And to employers, Grant encourages emphasis on the value of skill over numerical performance.

In fact, “15% of [job] recruiters actively selected against students with high GPAs, [which he speculates could mean that the employers] are questioning their priorities and life skills,” said Grant.

A message to students everywhere, especially to those who strive only for the sea of green on myMCPS: your grades do not determine your worth, whether that be in college or in your future career. Cultivating curiosity and risk-taking skills is putting focus on the things that will not only help you succeed in the future, but motivate yourself to push your boundaries. “More time in the library means less time to start lifelong friendships, join new clubs, or volunteer” [Grant].

Academic performance is of course important and should be a priority, however limiting students to have grade perfection be their only goal also limits the way they value themselves.

A Broken System

Education is supposedly the great equalizer. But when so much of higher education is dependent on income, it seems as if students might be losing control of their college process and their futures.

By Sophia Saidi, Aidan Smyth, and Jamie Murray.

FEATURE

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HERE ARE FACTORS outside of the control of students that are influential in the college process. Many are arbitrary but maintain a strong presence throughout one’s educational career, one prominent factor being income level.

High income students enjoy innumerable advantages over low income students, impacting the opportunities available to respective demographics. The impact of income is wide-reaching and can manifest in different ways, each one putting a student in either a position of advantage or disadvantage when it comes to higher education.

INCOME INEQUALITY

BY SOPHIA SAIDI An anonymous B-CC student was in her junior year when she realized the education system wasn’t working for her. After watching her older siblings fail to get into the universities of their choice, she came to the conclusion that, despite intellectual capabilities, connections and money would always make it easier to get into college.

That year, she made the decision to attend Montgomery College after graduating from B-CC. Her senior year, while all her classmates stressed over essays, test scores, and applications, this student was already done with her college process. She felt disillusioned by the education system and thought there was no way a college application could accurately reflect her intellect.

This student’s sentiments about the college process are not unique. At B-CC, many students are convinced that a college application is not a valid representation one’s character or intelligence. Still, many B-CC students are willing to buy into the college process, funneling large amounts of money, time, and energy into securing acceptance into an esteemed college.

Instead, applying to college is a long and drawn-out process that, for many students, lasts for months on end. Every detail needs to be taken care of: the college visits, the essays, the test scores, the transcripts. The list goes on. For teenagers still trying to manage their high school academics, this may seem like a daunting task. Many of those who can afford it will hire college preparatory services to help navigate and manage their application process. But what about those who can’t?

This inequity is apparent within Montgomery County. Large disparities exist in the average income levels of schools across the county, which translates over to the academic achievement of the students at the schools. Walt Whitman High School, located in Bethesda, has the lowest percentage of students who are currently receiving or have in the past received FARMS: less than five percent. FARMS is the county sponsored free and reduced meal program provided to low income students. Furthermore, Whitman students have the highest average SAT score in the county, at 1289, exceeding the county average of 1126 points and the national average of 1060 points.

At the same time, John F. Kennedy High 8

School, located in Silver Spring, has the highest following all the way through until after the stupercentage of FARMS students—80.6 percent— dents go to college. and an average SAT score of 961, well below the The process begins by identifying what types national average. Moreover, only 27.4 percent of of colleges students are interested in, doing reKennedy class of ‘18 graduates scored a three out search, and creating a list of schools. After develof five or higher on an AP test or a four out of sevoping a list, College Tracks helps their students en or higher on an IB test, in comparison to 82.7 request transcripts, register for tests, and talk to percent of Whitman students. counselors. Then, they provide support on the The disparity is obvious. Lower income stuactual application by looking over questions, ordents, on average, score lower on standardized ganizing additional information sections, editing tests. But why? It is not a lack of intelligence or essays, and submitting the application. ability, but instead a lack of This extensive and comresources and educational prehensive process acts as She came to the conclusion support. the support that others may that, despite intellectual It’s no secret to B-CC get from home or from hired capabilities, connections and services. This support makes students that money makes a difference. As a result of money would always make it a huge difference. College the huge financial commitTracks students have a coleasier to get into college. ment that many students lege enrollment rate of 80 and their families choose percent, in comparison to to invest in the college application process, the 57 percent of MCPS low income students widespread disparities exist between the abilienrolled in college. So while College Tracks is ties of low income and high income students to an incredibly useful resource for those who have be accepted into reputable universities. But to the access to it, the program is only a temporary attribute that as the sole cause for differences solution to a much greater problem. Income inin access to higher education would be a surequality continues to have a profound impact on face-level assessment. This achievement gap educational achievement, one that is only exacis much further-reaching than the cost of a erbated by the flaws in the college application standardized test or even a college tuition, and process. instead stems from the varying levels of educational support given to students of different income levels.

TUTORING SERVICES As a result, the achievement gap becomes a difficult problem to address because it is not

BY AIDAN SMYTH caused by one specific factor and is instead a culmination of disparities and inequities.

Tutors are widely accepted as helpful Still, this does not mean there is no solution. additions to the college process, aiding students It seems as if students’ accessibility to college with the SAT, ACT, and college essays, not to preparatory resources, in an attempt to commention with regular classes. But tutors are bat the achievement gap, is growing. In recent expensive, often costing over $100 per session. years, College Board redesigned the SAT in an Many students, even at generally wealthy schools attempt to level the playing field and began a like B-CC, are unable to afford tutors, and thus do partnership with Khan Academy to offer free not receive the benefits that they provide. And, online AP and SAT test prep resources. at least for the ACT and SAT, the benefits are At B-CC, College Tracks is a college and significant, meaning that socioeconomic barriers test preparatory service which assists lowfor students put them at a disadvantage in the er income and first generation students in college process. an effort to counter the effects of income inOne B-CC student who took the SAT twice equality. The organization was established in and worked with a tutor around 10 times saw 2003 by a B-CC parent who realized many of an approximately 200 point increase in her SAT her children’s friends didn’t have adequate score between the first and second test, citing the educational support at home. What started tutor as a big help to her. The cost of the tutor? as a small after-school project turned into a $150 per session. full-fledged non-profit spread throughout Another student at B-CC saw a tutor for the Montgomery County once they realized the ACT also about 10 times. However, her tutor was breadth of the problem. a family friend who volunteered his time, so she Patty Olszewski, College Tracks program didn’t have to pay. If her professional friend had director, explained the motivations of the ornot volunteered his time, the student would not ganization founders. have been able to receive tutoring due to finan“They thought, ‘this is not right, it just cial constraints. The student increased her ACT does not level the playing field for all these score by four points after the seeing the tutor in great kids who are applying to college,’” between her two tests.

Olszewski said. “They decided… to figure out Senior Jeremiah Samuel recalls his experia way to be part of correcting that inequity, ence with PrepMatters, a popular tutoring serso they started offering volunteer services.” vice located in Bethesda. Samuel went to PrepThe educators work primarily with low Matters for tutoring in AP Chemistry and Honors income students and students who are first Precalculus before beginning SAT test prep sergeneration to college. They also provide vices in the summer before senior year. Each sessupport to students whose parents went sion, both for AP Chemistry help and SAT prep, to college in other countries, as they might cost $200. Samuel saw the tutor about once evnot be familiar with the complexities of ery week. the American college application process.

In the spring of junior year, Samuel took the College Tracks works with these students free SAT offered at B-CC, his first time taking the throughout the entire school year, begintest. After doing SAT prep sessions once a week ning in the preliminary planning stages and throughout the summer and taking a practice

FEATURE

PRIVATE VS. PUBLIC SAT test with PrepMatters every other week, he took the test again in October, then for a final SCHOOLS time in November. There was a 150 point differBY JAMIE MURRAY ence between the first and last time he took the SAT. An an undeniable divide exists between “Doing PrepMatters just really helped me figstudents who attend private high schools and ure out the test itself,” Samuel said. “I don’t think those who attend public institutions. It’s no without them, I would have really been able to surprise that the quality of education at a priunderstand the...ins and outs of the test, how to vate school can be superior to a public school’s. take it.” The advantages of tutoring seem to be Because private schools receive $20,000 to in the knowledge gained about how to approach $40,000 in tuition from their students, their the test for Samuel. Indeed, he explains that “I students can access more resources, like needed someone to guide me.” smaller classes and deeper relationships with Tutoring services are unaffordable for a large their teachers. portion of the population, meaning that lower However, when focusing solely on the income students miss out on important test takresources given to private school students ing strategies and tricks mentioned by Samuel. regarding the college application process, I Tutors are yet another example of an area of the found that there were even more resources college process in which wealthier students enjoy inaccessible to students enrolled in public a leg up on their less affluent classmates, allowschool. I interviewed my twin brother, Evan ing them to put together a stronger resume that Murray, to compare the difference in resourcmay not necessarily represent a stronger or more es given to private school students versus qualified student. public school students.

The college essay aspect of a student’s appli“Landon definitely helped me more than cation is vitally important and another reason B-CC could have,” Evan claims. “There’s more students may seek private tutoring. According room to isolate yourself at B-CC. I’m sure that to a representative from the University of Michithere are resources at B-CC, but you would gan, students are able to differentiate themselves have to fight for them. At Landon, there’s from other applicants and demonstrate their constant academic support and counseling, desire to make an impact on the world through and you’re required to meet with your advitheir essays, something that colleges and universor and college counselor.” sities find extremely valuable and attractive in After my conversation with Evan, I was potential candidates for admission. able to see the advantages he had over me Senior Yasmin Behbehani saw a tutor to in the application process. At Landon, Evan help her with her college essays. Behbehani said was given two counselors: an advisor and a that her tutor “helped me in some ways, but she college counselor. The student to advisor rafrustrated me sometimes because it seemed as tio is 1:8, and this alone allowed for his advithough she wasn’t trying to help me make my essor to understand him and his needs better, say unique.” Instead, “she would make it sound ultimately creating a better support system. like I was someone else,” which Behbehani did Evan was required to meet with his advisor not want. She wanted her essays to reflect her twice a week during his entire high school own person and to be authentic. career, and his advisor wrote his college let“It’s one thing to have someone look over ters of recommendation. your writing to check for errors, but it’s another Although Evan was not required to when they are trying to frame you as the person meet with his college counselor, Evan and colleges want to see rather than the person you his college counselor met multiple times to want colleges to see,” Behbehani said. help identify what he was looking for in a If college essay counselors and tutors are doschool, his academic and extracurricular ing a significant amount of achievements, the writing, however, or are “It’s one thing to have someone and to help him at least providing an ample with small tasks, look over your writing to check amount of direction to the such as linking his student receiving help, the for errors, but it’s another when Naviance Account colleges are not really able to to his Common they are trying to frame you as see what the student is capaApplication. the person colleges want to ble of producing and what he Evan was also or she really hopes to accomgiven packets of see rather than the person you plish. information diswant colleges to see.”

Willcox responded that closing his stats, the wealth of applicants can making it easibe apparent in essays in which students aren’t er for him to identify what schools were aware of the privilege that they are displaying, safeties, reaches, and targets. In addition such as if the student writes about skiing in the to his two counselors, Evan was required Alps again. However, sometimes it is hard for to go to multiple private school college Willcox to tell of an applicant’s socioeconomic events and fairs to meet representatives background, or to tell if his application has been and demonstrate interest in schools. doctored by outside services.

B-CC has a similar system, though Students of high income can already receive far less rigorous than Landon’s. The stuhelp from tutors with their test scores; college dent to counselor ratio at B-CC is about essay tutors are another way for students of high 1:250, making it a far less personal expeincome who are able to afford these services to rience based on numbers alone. At B-CC, increase their chances of getting into a selective there is no requirement to meet with university, even if the tutor may be compromisyour counselor on a routine basis—in fact, ing the student’s own vision in the process. most students just see their counselors for scheduling purposes. Your counselor

also writes your letter of recommendation, but it is more or less transcribed from your personal reflection, as counselors don’t get to know their students as well. While there are resources to help students find what interests them, there are no designated human resources assigned to any one student. And although college representatives visit B-CC to meet with students, no student is required to meet with any representative. At Landon, they are.

After my conversation with my brother, I found that at Landon, there is less room for students to slide through the cracks. Despite students at B-CC receiving similar resources, no student is required to access these resources and no designated adult is required to motivate or support the student in the college application process.

Finally, I asked my brother if he thought he would be attending the same university he is now committed had he finished his high school career at B-CC instead of Landon.

Evan scoffed. “Are you kidding me? I have no idea where I would be if I was still at B-CC. But it definitely would not have been Elon. I probably wouldn’t have ended up anywhere good.”

Despite efforts to narrow the achievement gap, there remain significant disparities in access to educational resources between lower income and higher income students. Income correlates strongly with test scores, tutoring services, and preparatory resources. The benefits they bring are often inaccessible to low income families, and private schools offer college resources to a degree unheard of in public schools.

The importance of the income achievement gap cannot be understated. Colleges and universities are increasingly important as the value of a high school diploma continues to diminish, making it harder for men and women who have a high school degree to enter the workforce and earn a living wage. A college degree has become quasi-necessary for people looking for high-paying employment in the job market over those who have only a high school degree or less. But the college or university that a person receives his or her diploma from holds weight in the market as well.

Generally, a degree from a renowned institution, such as Princeton University, will look better on a potential employee’s resume than a degree from a community college or a lesser-known four-year institution. However, at the same time, the educational system, and the college admissions process in particular, is set up in a way that makes it difficult to distinguish between those who are true learners and academics and those who are simply the product of an affluent background with the resources to essentially buy themselves admission into a college or university.

DANIEL NAVRATIL CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY 9

FEATURE

Sponsoring a Refugee Family of Ten

BY ISABEL DANZIS Local Bethesda church, Saint John’s Episcopal has recently sponsored a refugee family of ten from the Congo in coming over to the United States. The idea of potentially sponsoring a refugee family was brought to the Church’s attention by two parishorners, Melanie and Rick Folestad who had worked with refugee families before.

“We started doing this about two and a half years ago when we started setting up apartments for families. It was just Rick and I looking for something to do after the kids left for school,” Melanie Folestad said.

Setting up apartments entails furnishing the apartment so it’s livable but there never is any interaction between the family and those who set up the apartment. They continued to set up more and more apartments and gradually more and more people in the congregation began to be involved in this too.

“We did it two more times and also other people in congregation started to do it on their own too,” said Folestad.

“I took that information to the vestry in September of [2017] and said, ‘It looks like there’s a real desire to do something like this. If we do participate, we need to provide financial support’. I needed the vestry’s approval to take on a project like this and for their help with fundraising,” Folestad said.

The vestry approved the plan and fundraising went quickly. Once fundraising was over, the church waited for a family.

St. Johns was able to sponsor this family through an organization called the Lutheran Social Services (LSS).

“My role was to coordinate with Lutheran Social Services, which is the resettlement organization,” said Christianne King, a parishioner who played a big role in this sponsorship. “Lutheran Social Services has set up a program called the Good neighbors program, which tries to get community groups, churchs, synoagues and any community association to sponsor a family.”

St. Johns decided to take on the highest level of commitment that LSS offers.

“We made the commitment after furnishing

Saint John’s Episcopal seems like any other local Bethesda church. But recently, the church stepped out of the religious sector to sponsor a refugee family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It’s a family of ten from the Congo,’” Derse said.

Since the family was much bigger than expected, aid was needed from outside of the St. Johns community.

“We said wow, that’s a challenge. That’s a bigger family than we anticipated but we want to do this. How can we make it work? So I had the particular job of reaching out to other partners...

We knew about these organizations through the Refugee Sponsors Network which exists in our area,” Derse said. “It’s all the faith communities involved in refugee work, so we had a big network of other people that we could reach out to for advice on what we needed to do and the best way to support a family.”

Because of the unexpected size of the family, finding suitable housing was an issue.

“In Montgomery County there are rules about the amount of space you have to have per person...that means no more than two people in more than one bedroom,” King said. “There are no apartment complexes that have four bedroom apartments, much less five.”

Because of these regulations, it was obvious to

“We said wow, that’s a challenge. That’s a bigger family than we anticipated but we want to do this.”

As more people grew involved in helping refugee families, the movement gained attention in the St. Johns community.

“One of the things that we began to notice was that there was an energy around this; people were very interested in trying to be involved in a project like this and were very concerned about refugees,” Folestad said. “I sent out an email to all of the people who had been involved and said, ‘If we wanted to, there’s an opportunity for us to get more involved.’ Right now all we’re doing is setting up these apartments and we could do an actual relationship with the family and be involved with them for a year,” Folestad.

This commitment however, is much greater than just setting up apartments.

“It’s a much bigger project; [it] needs people to help find employment, and getting education and tutoring and language skills and health and medical needs” Folestad said.

Because of the commitment this project requires, both enthusiasm from church members and its board became essential to its execution.

Folestad took a survey of all the people who were already helping out with setting up apartments to see how willing they would be to embark on a mission like this.

10

several apartments through the church and then having people say, ‘Well what happened to that family of 11? Did they like the books we chose out for them?’ So everyone wanted to sort out how we could stay more involved with the families,” King said.

For several months, the church awaited a family, having little idea of who would arrive.

“When we first decided to sponsor a family Lutheran Social Services said, you’ll probably get a family from Afghanistan or Syria and it will probably be 4 or 5 people. And we thought we [could] handle that,” said Anne Derse, a Deacon and St. John’s Community Life coordinator.

However, right around that time period, the current administration made drastic changes to United States immigration procedures.

“When we were ready for a family last spring, those arrivals dried up. It had to do with some changes in the US government policy and slowed down the number of arrivals dramatically, which was distressing to us,” Derse said.

Despite these setback, LSS eventually contacted the church with news of a family.

“After about 9 months, we got a phone call and they said ‘Well we do have a family for you, but it’s not four or five people from Afghanistan.

the people involved that a house was going to be needed and based on the experiences of Temple Beth El and the Bethesda Methodist Church (who had sponsored Congolese families of similar size) that the closer the family was to the community the better. This is simply because the amount of aid the family needs at the beginning is hard to provide, if they live far away.

“We looked a house on Bradley Boulevard and we looked at a lot of another houses but either the landlord wasn’t willing to rent to a family of ten or they didn’t respond or they were too expensive,” King said. “We finally got the lease on a house that had five bedrooms.”

Since the arrival of the family, things have gone relatively smoothly. The church’s main focus is on trying to get the family to self-sufficient this is done through small acts, like teaching them how to ride the bus instead of a parishioner driving them around. The kids in the family were enrolled in MCPS’s Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Support (METS) Program, which is for kids that have experienced interrupted education. As a religious organization many members of St. John’s feel as if it is their duty to help out their neighbors and this is one way to do that.

FEATURE

BY LEE SCHWARTZ It was pouring rain, but we all sat dry and warm inside the Round House Theatre. That night B-CC’s Minority Scholars Program was hosting a discussion and viewing of August Wilson’s play “Gem of the Ocean.” I found myself sitting next to the teacher chaperone silently, listening to the discussion, the only white person in the room. Yet, I was inspired by the group before me and the work they do.

For those just like me who had never heard of this group, this is the MSP. B-CC’s chapter of the Minority Scholars Program had been present since 2010, but in my four years at this school I had never seen or heard of it. Part of that may be because I’m white, but also because this group does not get enough attention.

In the theatre, the spokesperson for Round House reviewed August Wilson’s work as a playwright. Over the squeaking of wet shoes and raincoats, we learned about Wilson’s crowning achievement, the “Century Cycle.” The “Century Cycle” is series of ten plays charting the African American experience throughout the twentieth century. With overlapping settings and characters, the plays present a timeline of lasting struggle and oppression. “Gem of the Ocean,” the play we were about to see, was the first installment of the series, representing the decade 1900-1910.

Though the “Century Cycle” outlined the 20th century experience for African Americans, we are now in the 21st century, and many of the problems are the same. This isn’t to say things haven’t improved, but the MSP is still hard at work against the things bent on keeping minority students oppressed. After spending the time attending meetings and community events, I’ve learned a lot about the MSP: what they stand for, and what our decade of the “Century Cycle” might look like. Here’s our decade story: the story of the MSP. B-CC became the third MCPS school on board with the MSP in 2010. The club was originally founded at Walter Johnson High School by Michael Williams, an MCPS teacher, and by our own Mr. Robinson. Speaking with Mr. Williams, the co-founder explained a lot about his own experience as a student of color.

“The problems are the same” he said. 20 years after Mr. Williams was a student, he sees the same patterns. Minority students are subject to the tracking system that keeps them in lower level classes. When actually put into higher classes, they are often the only people of color in the class, isolated. Based on this gap, the MSP was created to diversify the upper level classes, advocating for the kids that cannot advocate for their own skills. The MSP was created to address this opportunity and the achievement gap in MCPS. At the B-CC chapter, students that make up this club are extremely passionate about what they do. Although senior member Josh Townes admits “I first went to the meetings just for food,” he soon found out the meetings contained more than snacks. At meetings, the MSP discusses a multitude of issues facing minorities, and not

just as B-CC students. The club is a place to share ideas, be creative and discuss issues. It is what made Townes stay with the MSP and eventually become a member. It is also what attracted sophomore member Zoë Shelton. “People that I admired were in MSP. I just saw that they were talking about real issues, and it was not superficial,” said Shelton.

Outside of the meetings, the club creates initiatives like diversity night every year, and reaches out to do volunteer work, tutoring, mentorship, and guidance within the school community.

Shelton comments that the club strives to “...find ways that we can execute ideas. College visits, … field trips, outreach into the community, etc.”

They want to bring awareness to issues facing people of color to the whole school.

Most importantly, the club serves as a community to those in it. Senior member Kwame Amankwah’ayeh explains that when he first moved to DC, “everything culturally was so different… I never knew anyone… I love branching out and having familiar faces I relate to.” The MSP is a great place to hang out, talk, and make friends. For many, it is a family and community like no other. Shelton reflects that she “...met so many different people that [she] didn’t know remotely went here.”

Maybe I’m not a minority, but I realized I want to help. I started attending meetings and events after school with the other members, events in which I would sometimes talk to no one because I was the only white person. It was tense and uncomfortable. Yet I feel I deserve to squirm in my seat at the MSP events because I know the minorities in my IB classes have done it for so long.

Maybe for an entire meeting I just listen; listen to the discussions about the school’s white Bethesda lense, knowing I am the white Bethesda lense. But the members appreciate I’m there.

Some of them have grown to be my friends. The tension exists, but now we laugh at it. Our partnership is necessary to understand each other.

I continued to attend meetings because I acknowledge the tension and still want to learn about my own privilege, and to interact with different people. I can now see the amazing things the MSP does, and am passionate about what they advocate for. It is this sentiment that I want to convey to other B-CC students that are not minorities. Tension should not stop you from joining the MSP. On behalf of the MSP, sophomore Zoë Shelton says “I want everybody to know that this is not only for black people...we love everybody here and it is a safe space for everybody.” The MSP has come a long way at B-CC, long enough that no one should be afraid to join the club.

August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” shows us a century of the African American experience. As we go into the last year of our own decade, we see it isn’t perfect. It is still far from it. But as our own “Century Cycle” begins, I have hope for the future. The MSP has shown that to me. They have yet to do more amazing work at our school—don’t let it pass you by.

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PHOTOS BY CAMILO MONTOYA

A Decade Of Change: The Minority Scholars Program

Moving To America: Challenge And Change

BY LILLY BEHBEHANI AND RACHEL AUERBACH

Any student at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School will be familiar with the everyday challenges of an American high school, from social conflicts to academic rigor. For students who have immigrated from different countries, however, these struggles are only exacerbated as they confront the realities of adapting to American life.

Camilo Montoya, Carla Hahn, and Owami Masiyandima have all uprooted their lives in different countries to come to the United States, where they settled in Montgomery County. In an area that prides itself off of being diverse and inclusive of everyone, Montoya, Masiyandima, and Hahn have all felt the opposite. Struggling to find their place in a bizarre new setting, these three students have endured a high school experience far different from most others.

Photos By Sophia Saidi 12

CAMILO MONTOYA

NICARAGUA AMERICA

FOR MOST, THE name Camilo Montoya probably sounds familiar.

Montoya is a junior at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, well-known for his impressive videos on B-CC TV, short documentaries, shot-put and discus skills on the track team, and easygoing personality. However, unknown to most, he also has a unique story to tell.

Montoya’s family moved here from Nicaragua after his father was offered a job in the United States. Montoya was thirteen years old, which placed him in the sixth-grade class at North Chevy Chase Elementary School. Departing from Nicaragua, Montoya was leaving behind his extended family, friends, and a tight-knit community filled with almost everything he had known. Montoya’s first year of middle school was filled with cultural barriers, social difficulties and a frustrating struggle to discover his role in this bizarre new area.

Camilo Montoya soon realized that his presence in an American school forced him to mature far quicker than the average thirteen-year-old. Montoya recalls how he was seen almost as a representative of Nicaraguan people, “I was a thirteen year old and I had to represent all of Nicaragua.

Everytime I did something people were like ‘Is that what people in Nicaragua do?’” Unlike most of his peers, Montoya felt enormous pressure to work hard, get good grades and act in a professional manner at school to prevent people from creating negative stereotypes of Nicaraguans based on his behavior.

One of the biggest challenges he faced was one that most students are familiar with: making friends. Due to noticeable differences in the language and culture between him and his classmates, Montoya struggled to make strong connections with his peers. In school, people would ask Montoya to teach them Spanish curse words, leaving him with a disheartening feeling that he could offer his classmates nothing more than funny vulgar language. “People were surrounding me, asking me so many things, but they never really actually cared about me,” said Montoya.

As he struggled to meet new people and make friends, he noticed that he was floating alone in a unique spot between the privileged Bethesda kids and other immigrants in the area. “We came here legally, in a plane in really good conditions...I wouldn’t fit in with other immigrants, but I also wouldn’t fit in with people from here. Because the immigrants saw

FEATURE

CARLA HAHN

DENMARK ARGENTINA MEXICO AMERICA

me as this really privileged kid, and the kids were here thought of me as different. So I was in the middle the whole time.”

But with film, Camilo has found a way to navigate this “middle” while in America. At the beginning of this year, Montoya officially started a Latinx video agency called OkayLatino, which promotes local Latinx artists and events. OkayLatino’s main goal is to preserve, support, and develop Latin American culture. After five years in America, Montoya is staying true to his Nigaracuan roots and is reminding people through OkayLatino how rich Latin culture truly is.

WITH A FATHER in the Danish ministry, Carla Hahn, a junior at B-CC, has lived in much more of the world than the average Baron. From Denmark to Mexico to Argentina, Hahn had to adapt to different school systems and different cultures around the globe.

Hahn moved to Maryland from Mexico City, Mexico when she was 16 years old. Her daily schedule in Mexico was pretty similar to most of students at B-CC: wake up, go to school, go home and watch Netflix. Unsurprisingly, uprooting her life to come to America had its fair share of social and academic challenges.

Like Masiyandima, Hahn was shocked by the size of B-CC after coming from a small private school with only 200 students. The academic rigor of B-CC was also a challenging surprise, “Its harder to get good grades here.” said Hahn. Her old school was known in Mexico City to be one with a rigorous curriculum, but it paled in comparison to the aggressive course load of the IB program she endures at B-CC. In addition, she found that the American school environment made it surprisingly difficult for a new student to find a group to hang out with.

“When you’re in an international school, people are used to accepting new people. But when I moved here, people weren’t really like that. People had their own cliques, from like middle school, and it was hard to come in.”

She explains.

The move to suburban Bethesda from a big city like Mexico City was also a challenging adjustment. In Mexico, there were always fun activities or opportunities nearby for Hahn to partake in. “Mexico City is so big

OWAMI MASIYANDIMA

SOUTH AFRICA AMERICA

and there’s so many different parts to it that you can literally do anything whenever. And here, there’s not really much to do.”

Hahn feels a sort of nostalgia whenever she thinks about Mexico City.

Out of everything she misses, she feels the strongest about losing the culture of Mexico. Describing people in Mexico as more open, friendly and accepting, Carla reminisces on living in such a vibrant and happening community.

OWAMI MASIYANDIMA IS your average full IB junior at B-CC, grinding through pages of IB History notes and trying to stay on top of both schoolwork and extracurriculars. This undeniably rigorous year also happens to be Masiyandima’s first year spent in the United States.

Masiyandima moved to Bethesda from Johannesburg, South Africa, right before her junior year of high school. In her native country, she attended a small private school that offered a preparatory IB program and spent her time playing volleyball, basketball and hanging out with her friends.

Although she was surprised by the enormous size of B-CC, she was familiar with many other aspects of American high school life from TV shows and movies. “I really wasn’t that shocked. On TV, like on High School Musical, I could see a hectic American school environment so that part wasn’t that surprising to me.” Masiyandima explains.

Although she quickly adapted to life in B-CC, Masiyandima faced challenges in making friends with people who had gone to school together for years. While moving to Maryland, Masiyandima left an area where all her closest friends lived within five minutes from her house. “Here, everyone knew each other already for a really long time. It was a bit weird.”

Adapting to a school full of unfamiliar faces in a new area took some time and effort, but Masiyandima has also enjoyed some of the new opportunities an American life provided her with. “I can do more stuff in America. I couldn’t really walk to school or walk to a restaurant because everyone just drives in South Africa. Now, everyone’s close by and it’s safe to use public transit.”

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NEWS

Longest Ever Government Shutdown Hits B-CC Families

BY SASHA FRANK-STEMPEL The partial federal government shutdown, after lasting a record-breaking 35 days, ended following an agreement that was reached between Congress and the president. This agreement does not conclude the original fight over the wall, as it only provides funding for an additional three weeks unless both parties can reach a long-term agreement. The shutdown caused furloughed workers to miss two paychecks, and though many struggled to make ends meet, government workers are slated to receive back pay in their paychecks around the start of February.

The shutdown began December 22, following the inability of the House and Senate to agree on the $5.7 billion that Trump had requested. In a meeting with Democratic leaders just before the government shut down, the president claimed he was “proud to shut down the government for border security,” although as the shutdown dragged on for several weeks, he began to shift the blame onto Democrats.

In the House, Nancy Pelosi, who was just elected as Speaker of the House following several years as Minority Leader, proposed two different bills aimed at providing funding to the parts of the government which are currently shut down.

One was a short-term measure, which provided $1.3 billion in funding for the border wall and funded the Department of Homeland Security through February, and another that would fund the government until the fall. On the Senate side, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to put bills like Pelosi’s to a vote, explaining that “the Senate will not waste its time considering a Democratic bill which cannot pass the chamber and which the president will not sign.” While Trump promised to keep the government open

for months or years until he got a funding bill that included the full $5.6 billion for a wall along the southern border, he signed this temporary measure, giving time for Congress and the White House to negotiate.

As the shutdown reached three weeks, federal workers began to speak up against having to work without being compensated. Protests sprung up at locations across the country, including at the Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where dozens of Transportation Security Administration held signs and protested having to work for more than three weeks without re-

“This one seems to be all about politics, with no obvious end in sight, and is much more disheartening.” ceiving a paycheck.

Due to the shutdown, 800,000 federal workers were made to either work without pay or were sent home.

As a state bordering countless government agencies in DC, Maryland was been disproportionately affected. Maryland has been the third-hardest hit state, behind DC and New Mexico, according to a study by Wallethub. As a seriously affected area, Montgomery County Public Schools worked to help families affected by the shutdown. On January 16th and 18h, the county held a jobs fair for furloughed federal workers, giving them the opportunity to interview and

apply for open positions within the system, such as substitute teacher, bus driver, or maintenance staff. The county also offered access to its Dine With Dignity program, which allows students with negative lunch account balances to purchase meals at school, later asking them to pay for whatever part of the meal they can afford.

Immediately following the shutdown, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the shutdown cost the US economy a total of $11 billion, although it predicts that up to $8 billion of that could be recouped in the coming months. The back pay for workers who were furloughed will help with making up the gap, but there are others who have been hurt by the economy who won’t necessarily recoup the lost funds.

Some government contractors are not guaranteed to receive back pay, and some of these contractors lost their healthcare coverage during the shutdown. In addition, there are the businesses, especially in the DC metro area who rely heavily on the patronage of government workers, who have missed out on much of their usual business over the past month.

One B-CC parent who was furloughed for the over four-week stretch explained that compared to the last shutdown, “this one seems to be all about politics, with no obvious end in sight, and is much more disheartening.” Even before the budget impasse, employee morale among federal workers had been down, especially in agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Ultimately, this government worker says, due to the hundreds of thousands of workers who are unable to work as they normally would, the shutdown’s biggest victims are all Americans, “because their interests aren't being advanced during this time.”

One Crime, Two Court Dates?

BY DAN SHAPIRO If a student is caught drinking alcohol in school, is it fair for the student to be disciplined by their state, their school, and their parents? Or are the disciplinary actions pursued only by the school sufficient?

A fundamental right guaranteed by the 5th Amendment of the United States Constitution states that no one “shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”

In other words, this “Double Jeopardy” clause grants Americans the right to not be tried twice in court for the same crime.

In 2015, Terance Martez Gamble, a previously convicted felon, was pulled over for a traffic stop.

During the encounter, the officer found a gun and marijuana paraphernalia in Gamble’s car.

Gamble was convicted for possession of a firearm (illegal because he is a convicted felon) by courts in both the Alabama state judiciary system and the federal judiciary system. He accepted a plea bargain deal for the state charge, and he is currently fighting the federal illegal possession of a gun charge in court.

Gamble’s legal team believes that him being 14

convicted by the two judicial systems for the same crime is a violation of his rights guaranteed by the Double Jeopardy clause. Gamble’s motion to dismiss his charge in federal court was denied by a federal district court and he appealed to the 11th Circuit Court, who upheld the district ruling.

In June 2018, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case: Gamble v. United States.

The motion to dismiss the charge was denied because an exception to the Double Jeopardy Clause is that the state and federal governments currently can prosecute an individual two separate times because the state and federal governments are considered to be “separate sovereigns” or independent government bodies. This precedent was established in Abbate v. United States (1959) and it is the basis for why Gamble was able to be prosecuted twice for one crime. Gamble’s lawsuit brings about the question: should the Supreme Court overrule the “separate sovereigns” exception to the Double Jeopardy Clause?

If the United States government wins the case, the separate sovereignty clause will be reaffirmed and the current policy will remain intact.

However, if Gamble wins the case, there will be both positive and negative consequences.

Eliminating dual sovereignty would lead to more guilty pleas. Since lawyers know that the plea will not be used against their client at a later time, lawyers would be less hesitant to have their clients plead guilty. However, defendants would bargain and plead guilty in jurisdictions with fewer harsh laws to avoid prosecution in jurisdictions with harsher laws.

In addition, laws will be drafted more carefully, so they accomplish the goals of each sovereign and avoid potential double jeopardy conflicts.

Cooperation between state and federal law enforcement will improve as they have to collaborate to prosecute in the right jurisdiction.

On the other hand, different jurisdictions would compete with each other, as helping the other jurisdiction directly inhibits their own prosecution. Investigations would be rushed so prosecutors can be the first to press charges. Finally, the federal government attempting to take jurisdiction in local matters would inhibit states’ rights.

The Supreme Court will reach their verdict on Gamble v. United States in the coming months, and whatever their decision is, the implications are significant and widespread.

NEWS

Tattler Op-Ed Sparks Anti-Semitism Debate

BY JOSH GARBER An article in the December edition of the Tattler published before winter break received significant attention from the B-CC community.

Aidan Smyth, a managing editor of the Tattler, submitted an article in which he sought to shine light on the United States’ and Israel’s restrictions on free speech.

In this article, Smyth presented his opinion on the current status of free speech in America with regards to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Smyth’s article was in response to the Trump administration’s relatively new policy in which the definition of anti-Semitism when considering cases of discrimination against Jewish students was altered. Under the new definition, questioning the legitimacy of the state of Israel constituted anti-Semitic speech. In his article, Smyth criticized this new definition and the institutions that prohibited free speech associated with this issue.

This article was well-received by some parents at B-CC, some of whom even sent emails to Dr. Jones applauding the school newspaper for exploring a contentious issue that they believe has been left in the dark. One parent who agreed to share their email wrote, “As a community member I would like to thank Aidan Smyth for writing and to thank the Tattler for publishing

sion that followed the publication of his article, asserting that he thinks “the discourse is a good thing.”

Ben Moran, a junior at B-CC, recalls that many of his friends were debating the article the day after it was released. Moran described the discussion as “dismissive and heated...None of us knew what we were talking about, so we got mad at each other for making heated claims without evidence.”

On January 2nd, a few weeks following the publication of the article, sophomore Jonah Blumenthal and his parents invited fellow students and parents of the B-CC community over to their house to share their concerns about the article.

About 20 people attended this meeting, including students, parents, an alum, and Alan Ronkin, a regional director for AJC, a global Jewish advocacy group.

“After reading this article, I felt as though there was another side that had to be heard,” Blumenthal said. “I was concerned that those supporting my side of the argument would not get a voice, and my parents and I collaboratively decided to run this meeting to help those in support of the state of Israel educate themselves, eventually learning how to defend their viewpoints in future situations.”

Blumenthal was mainly concerned with how

“None of us knew what we were talking about, so we got mad at each other for making heated claims without evidence” his excellent article.”

Another parent who preferred to go by the initials O.A. wrote: “I commend the bright and articulate student for his thorough research of the subject, and for reaching to his own conclusion that is contrary to that of the mainstream media.”

But, while a few parents applauded this article, other students and parents were frustrated with the publication of this article.

Before it was published, the article prompted debate among several members of the Tattler staff. One Tattler staff writer, who preferred to remain anonymous, was displeased with the image that was originally attached to the article.

The image contained a star of David, a historically Jewish symbol, over the American flag. “Often, many anti-Semites who say that the Jews control America and control the media and politics.” He “found this to be an unfair representation of the Jews and it could leave the reader with the image that the Jews control the American flag and America.”

When this concern was brought to the editors, the image was immediately replaced with a more appropriate image.

As the edition was being finalized and sent to the printer, the Tattler staff continued discussing the content of the article. Soon after the article was publicly available, students also began debating key components of the article, speculating on whether or not it was anti-Semitic.

Smyth has been pleased with the type discus-

the article approached the controversy. “On college campuses, there is a lot of violence and anti-Semitism around those who support the state of Israel,” Blumenthal said. “I was concerned that the article had very harsh and polarized opinions that would lead to other students becoming more aggressive and showing more hatred towards those on the opposing side.”

Aaron Knishkowy, a junior at B-CC, who was present at this meeting, said they discussed “a wide variety of topics ranging from issues they had with the article to past anti-Semitic incidents that had happened at B-CC to what the proper response to the article should be.”

According to Knishkowy, a big concern that was brought up during the meeting was the lack of clarity about the type of article that the Tattler was including in the magazine. This was in part because the article did not have a heading that should have presented itself as an opinion article. “Some people were worried that the article could be perceived as news rather than an opinion piece,” said Knishkowy.

One of the Editors-in-Chief, Emily Schrader, understood this concern and said that she has received a lot of feedback about labeling. “We want to make it to be clear which articles are opinion versus news or feature. We also want to be clear that we publish all opinions, and the opinion pieces that run in the Tattler reflect the beliefs of the writers rather than the editorial staff,” Schrader said. “Currently, we label opinion pieces as such within the table of contents, but we are

debating the best way to extend that to the page of the article.”

Knishkowy further found problems with specific content in the article. “One of my biggest [concerns] was about the Marc Lamont Hill firing.” This was a case mentioned in the article where a CNN contributor was fired after a speech where he discussed the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“In [Smyth’s] article, it said that [Hill] was fired for denouncing Israel’s human rights abuses, when in fact he was fired for calling for a ‘free Palestine from river to sea,’ a saying that references the area from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. The issue with this statement is that it’s the same phrase the terrorist group Hamas uses when talking about the annihilation of Israel,” Knishkowy says. “As a Jew who supports Israel and human rights, [Knishkowy] found [a particular quote] to be chilling: ‘when did it become anti-Semitic to support human rights.’ Hill was not fired for, as the article put it, ‘speech critical of Israel.’ [Instead], he was fired for repeating a slogan that has historically been used to rally support for a movement that aims to kill millions of Jews.”

Smyth recognized the concerns regarding this section of his article after hearing the feedback about it, and he admits that he probably should have included the entire story in the article, but he still stands by the arguments in his article. “To make it more clear, it would have been good to include the official reasoning for Hill’s firing,” Smyth said. “Because the fact that we’re having this conversation now about one specific part of the article and not discussing the broader point that I wanted to make is a problem.”

Several IB Anthropology students organized a conference entitled Humanity, Civility, Humility on January 4th, which coincidentally addressed similar topics to ones raised by responses to Smyth’s article. The conference spread over three periods and featured many speakers from distinct backgrounds. Yasmin Behbehani moderated a session on the topic of “A Crisis in our Humanity.” The guest speakers that spoke at this session include Monsignor Filardi, the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda, Maryland; Rabih Torbay, the President and Chief of Operating Office of Project HOPE,an organization that provides solutions to health problems; and Rabbi Stephanie Crawley, a Rabbi who has served as a Jewish educator and musician around the world.

While she says the students created the conference prior to the publishing of the article, the article was mentioned in many different sessions.

In her session, someone brought up the article.

Yasmin recalls that “Rabih Torbay read Aidan’s article and he said, ‘I understand why this student would get negative feedback. But, this story isn’t about Israelis or Palestine, it is about our First Amendment rights as American citizens.’”

Nevertheless, some attendees of the meeting at Blumenthal’s house plan to contribute a response article that clarifies their positions on some points broadly mentioned in Smyth’s article and introduces their side of the debate.

Blumenthal said, “the group decided it would be most effective to the students take initiative and having a student writing an article rebutting the original article.”

15

OPINION

Medicare Why Medicare for All Is Right for America

BY AIDAN SMYTH That there remains a debate over Medicare For All and whether or not the United States should adopt a nationalized healthcare system is a testament to the power of right-wing lobbyists and the overwhelming amount of influence that the healthcare industry—and other interest groups—wield in our “democracy.” Despite the overwhelming odds, since Bernie Sanders’ populist 2016 campaign, the issue of Medicare For All has been catapulted into mainstream political discourse.

In the 2018 midterms, Medicare For All was seen by many on the left as a litmus test for candidates seeking election to Congress, and it will undoubtedly remain this way in the upcoming 2020 primaries. According to exit polls conducted by NBC, 41% of voters in the 2018 midterms listed healthcare as the most important issue to their vote, beating out immigration, which only 23% of voters cited as their primary concern.

Concerns about the U.S. healthcare system are well-founded. Although the U.S. is the wealthiest country in the world and one of the most developed, Americans endure higher costs for healthcare than citizens in all other developed nations and, in turn, see worse results. The United States has higher infant mortality rates and a lower life expectancy than all other comparable developed countries, and, even though Americans use healthcare services at roughly the same rate as citizens in other countries, costs manage to be far higher.

And healthcare costs per person in the United States have been rising steadily for over 50 years.

Faced with additional increased costs in housing and education while seeing their wages not keep up with inflation, it is no wonder that the American people are becoming more and more frustrated with their healthcare system.

One reason for higher healthcare costs in the United States is the fact that the U.S. healthcare system operates with for-profit insurers that spend 11% of their money on administrative costs, compared to 1.1% by Medicare, which is government-run. The U.S. government is not allowed, by law, to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, leading to massive price gouging. Drug prices are astronomically higher in the U.S. than they are in other countries; in fact, Americans pay two to six times more for drugs than the rest of the world.

Medicare For All is a common sense solution to our healthcare crisis. Approval among the 16

American people is growing, with 70% of Americans now supporting Medicare For All. Even 52% of Republicans support the policy. At this point, to oppose Medicare For All is radical.

A frequent assault levied on Medicare For All is that the government cannot possibly afford it. Medicare For All is expensive; that is true. A study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University posits that Medicare For All would cost $32 trillion over the next 1o years. Pundits have repeatedly used this statistic and thrown it in the face of anyone who supports the policy.

But what they conveniently do not tell you is that the same study found that, over the same period, our current system would cost the American people approximately $34 trillion, meaning that Medicare For All would save the U.S. $2 trillion.

The $34 trillion statistic comes from both private and public spending on healthcare, meaning that it encompasses what Americans are paying in premiums and deductibles to private insurers; with Medicare For All, the burden of payment is shifted to the public system. A more comprehensive and recent study from the Political Economic Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, entirely ignored by the mainstream press, finds that the savings would actually be over $5 trillion. So the question then becomes, how can we afford not to do Medicare For All? Another attack on nationalized healthcare is that it would raise taxes on the average American. The PERI study, lauded as the “seminal analysis” of Medicare For All, analyzes Bernie Sanders’ Medicare For All Act, a bill introduced by the Vermont senator in 2017. The report finds that, though Americans’ taxes will be raised, the majority of the burden falls on the wealthy. And the result will actually be net savings on healthcare for 80% of Americans.

Families who do not have health insurance and make $35,000 would pay healthcare taxes of around $600 under Sanders’ plan, while middle-income families who make $60,000 and spend up to $10,000 per year on healthcare under the current system would spend only $900 in taxes for Medicare For All. Premiums and deductibles would disappear under the Sanders plan as well.

Small business owners—a class of people for whom the Republican Party and conservatives claim to champion—have, for the past 30 years, identified the cost of healthcare as their most pressing concern. Many employers have stopped providing healthcare for their workers altogether

due to the increased costs, shifting the burden onto the working class. Medicare For All would eliminate this issue.

Though critics argue that services will be rationed under a Medicare For All system and that wait times will increase, it turns out that these arguments are misguided. For starters, the U.S. already rations care: patients who can afford care get it, while those who cannot afford it are out of luck. It does not seem fair to ration care to citizens on the arbitrary basis of their level of income. With regards to wait times, the amount of time a patient has to wait to see a doctor is not a product of nationalized healthcare. Rather, it is the product of any given system’s efficiency and ability to manage its incoming and outgoing patients. In fact, a 2014 Commonwealth Fund study discovered that, out of 11 wealthy nations including Great Britain and Sweden, the United States ranked last in terms of healthcare efficiency. On the other hand, Britain and Sweden, each with a form of nationalized healthcare, ranked first and second, respectively. The U.S. actually ranks around the middle of the pack for wait times when compared with 10 other developed countries, not first.

With about one third of the country either uninsured or underinsured, it is obvious that the United States has a problem with healthcare.

Despite establishment politicians on the left and right berating it for being “too expensive,” it is also undeniable that the economics of Medicare For All check out. Medicare For All will provide high quality care at a fraction of the cost of our current system, leading to better health outcomes as citizens are able to receive preventative care and treatment when they previously may have been unable to.

The U.S. fetishizes being different from Europe and other nations around the world. We love feeling independent and superior. But every other developed nation is laughing at us, not revering us. We’re the richest country in the world and yet we cannot provide healthcare as a right to our citizens. We pay twice as much for healthcare and receive worse outcomes. And still people are against Medicare For All, with no other alternative proposed, in the face of overwhelming evidence in its favor. It’s about time that we pull our heads out of the sand and get behind Medicare For All.

OPINION

Two Tattler columnists debate the merits of a nationalized healthcare system. Is Medicare for All a cost saving solution or a detrimental burden? Read their arguments below.

for All?

Increased Taxes For All, Quality Healthcare For None

BY CONNOR DICKINSON Surely progressives have good intentions when they campaign to expand healthcare access for all Americans. The most outspoken Democrats on this issue have argued that a single payer system would be beneficial for the American public, as it would be less expensive, improve quality of life, and fill the policy vacuum to create a health reform bill. They say that other nations such as Denmark, Canda, and Britain all have single payer systems that work “efficiently,” so undoubtedly, the United States could too. In the eyes of progressives, Medicare for All is a logical and ethical solution to the complex American health care issue. Yet while the idea might sound nice, it is an impossible and highly impractical solution.

Unfortunately, many progressives fail to understand how detrimental Medicare for All would be to our nation. The quality of healthcare would

outrageous amount to cover Medicare for All, but the quality of healthcare would diminish. In Canada and Britain one can see that a private healthcare system facilitates a lack of competition that results in far worse quality treatment. In Canada, the average wait time to see a specialist is 10 weeks and according to the Toronto Sun, over one million Canadians are waiting to see a doctor for medically necessary procedures.

In Britain, the National Health Service issued a statement last year declaring it was overwhelmed, facing serious shortages of necessary medicines and medical devices, extreme overcrowding in hospitals, and an average waiting period of over eight weeks for patients. Public healthcare systems result in rationing care and volatile quality of service at times of economic decline. This is often because governments attempt to reduce spending in times of economic hardship and introduce austerity measures, both of which result in slashes to the healthcare indus-

“Single payer healthcare has failed in every state that has attempted to implement it, running severe deficits and leading to increased taxation that would be felt the most by middle class families and small businesses.”

be diminished, taxes would skyrocket to pay for Medicare, and our deficit would expand exponentially.

Medicare as it exists now already costs the American taxpayers roughly one trillion dollars, and and it only covers about 15 percent of the total population. Charles Blahous, PhD from the University of California Berkeley and an adjunct researcher at Stanford University’s Hoover Institute, published with his colleagues a study revealing the 10-year cost of universal Medicare to be 32.6 trillion dollars. The study explained that to come close to paying this enormous price, the federal government would need to raise taxes by over 15 percent and implement a payroll tax of roughly 10 percent. But even with those tax hikes, Medicare for All would still heighten our already absurd deficit.

Not only would Americans have to pay an

try that are often are felt harshly by the average citizen.

Yet we don’t have to look far to see how government healthcare has failed; we can simply look at the Department of Veterans Affairs or states that have attempted to implement their own versions of universal healthcare.

In California, progressive Democrats recklessly passed the “Healthy California Act” in the state senate, despite having no way to fund the policy or even consulting with Governor Brown.

The plan essentially outlawed private health insurance and created a system in which all Californians would be covered by the state government without having to pay premiums, deductibles, or co-pays.

The policy sounds nice, but in reality the plan would cost up to 400 billion dollars annually according to the state’s financial analysis. That fig-

ure is more than double the state’s annual budget of 183 billion dollars and would be paid for by a 200 billion dollar tax increase that would come in the form of a raised income tax and a 15 percent payroll tax. A tax hike of this size would only intensify the out-migration of California’s middle class and expand the state’s financial issues.

In Vermont, single-payer healthcare failed immensely. The state’s attempt at single-payer healthcare named “Green Mountain Care” became so unpopular that prior to full implementation, voters scrapped the plan. Single-payer healthcare was expected to cost the state an extra three billion dollars annually, while the state’s total budget is roughly five billion dollars.

The government of Vermont attempted to finance the plan through a payroll tax of 11 percent and income tax hikes. This increased taxation hurt small businesses, the middle class, and state-based industries, resulting in an immediate state-wide rejection of single-payer healthcare.

Within three years, the plan was erased and the first state to enact single-payer healthcare was back on its feet. Colorado voters soundly rejected single-payer healthcare with 79 percent of voters in 2016 rejecting a plan similar to Vermont’s “ Green Mountain Care” that would heighten taxes while running an extreme deficit.

The case against Medicare for All is undoubtedly stronger than the case for it. It is apparent that single payer healthcare has failed in every state that has attempted to implement it, running severe deficits and leading to increased taxation that would be felt the most by middle class families and small businesses. Studies from universities and think tanks alike show how on a national scale, Medicare for All would simply exacerbate our deficit and result in increased federal debt.

Not only would Medicare for All further our nation’s financial issues but it would without a doubt lead to lower quality care. Veterans Affairs hospitals are notorious for their horrible treatment of patients and I don’t understand why a government monopoly of healthcare would result in better treatment of our current veterans.

Nations with single payer universal healthcare systems have far worse quality of treatment and longer wait times than their American counterparts. Lastly, one should remember that healthcare is a privilege, not a right, and while Medicare for All may sound nice, it would be a costly nightmare. For the betterment of our country both financially and from a quality of health coverage standpoint, Americans must reject the faulty plan of Medicare for All. 17

OPINION

Bernie Sanders: Not As Progressive As You May Think

BY ARANZA LARA ARIZPE Bernie Sanders. The image that comes to mind when hearing his name is that of a progressive and energized man. We see him as the avid supporter of universal health care and a vocal advocate for both free college and income equality. Admiration for the Vermont senator’s charismatic persona arose particularly during his 2016 presidential campaign and since then has persisted, especially among teens. However, although Sanders has inspired many and contributed to building a more just society, he unfortunately holds a questionable stance when it comes to guns.

Many Bernie Sanders supporters are not familiar with his position on guns and how he has repeatedly shown a lack of interest in gun reform.

In the 1990s, he voted against the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act on five different occasions. The bill was altered multiple times, but the final version was passed in 1993 and es-

tablished mandatory background checks on individuals before they could buy a firearm. As he had done with older versions of the bill, Sanders voted in opposition.

Bernie Sanders’ unsteady attitudes towards gun legislation are also shown through his history with the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The act protects gun manufacturers from accountability in lawsuits over gun violence, and Sanders helped to pass the bill in 2005. Years later, at the time of the 2016 presidential elections, Sanders faced backlash and criticism from Hillary Clinton and her supporters because of his record with gun legislation. He admitted that he would be willing to take action or support laws that would reverse gun manufacturers’ exemption from legal responsibility.

Upon visiting Bernie Sanders’ official website, the “issues” page presents the thirty four “most important” problems that the U.S. faces according to Senator Sanders, and what his proposals are to solve them. In this list he includes “com-

bating climate change to save the planet,” “fighting for affordable care housing,” and “reforming Wall Street.” But nowhere, in the thirty four issues, is there any mention of gun violence or any gun related concerns. It is conspicuous how destructive and present guns are in America, and the fact that Sanders avoids mentioning this topic is of great concern. Not only does the lack of mentioning ignore the prominence of gang-related violence and gun accidents, but it leaves out a problem that many of Sanders’ young supporters consider absolutely critical: mass shootings.

Even though Bernie Sanders might not be a radical gun lover, his actions have certainly lead progressives to believe that his position on guns may be of concern. If rumors are true that he will be running again for president in 2020, his young audience must determine whether this drawback will diminish their support, and, for some, whether it will alter their vote.

BEWARE: ECONOMIC RECESSION IMMINENT

BY JOHN MARDER The U.S. economy has been growing for almost eleven years, which makes the current expansion one of the longest in history. But now, the stock market is flailing, trade disputes with other countries are tense, and the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. While the economy is in the best shape it’s been in for years, major headwinds are emerging that some fear could lead the country into a recession.

The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the Great Recession, was the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression in the 1930s. It took a massive and unprecedented government stimulus program to allow the economy to recover, which included bailing out large corporations and cutting interests rates to nearly zero. Regulations were also passed to ensure that the conditions that led to the crisis would not occur again, although some of these measures have since been repealed. While the recovery was slow, these methods were largely successful, and as the economy picked up pace in the past three years they were scaled back.

That brings us to the first area of concern that some have for the economy. Because the pace of growth has started to tick up, and taking Trump’s tax cuts into consideration, the Federal Reserve has been raising interests rates to prevent the economy from overheating.

An overheated economy occurs when growth is uncontained, resulting in high inflation that can make products more expensive for consumers and businesses. But, there are fears that the Federal Reserve is overestimating the health of the economy and raising interest rates too quickly. High interests rates help to limit inflation, but they also take a toll on businesses—particularly small and midsize companies. These high interest rates make it more expensive to borrow money, making it more difficult for owners to grow their businesses.

Another factor taking a toll on businesses is the increasingly restrictive 18

trade environment. With the U.S. still caught in a trade war with China, tariffs are being placed on all sorts of products—from soybeans to appliances. While the tariffs that the Trump Administration has placed on foreign goods, like steel, help some companies, they are offset by tariffs that other countries impose on U.S. goods. Additionally, tariffs raise the cost for resources that businesses need, cutting into their profits.

The declining profits of companies are also hurting their stock performance. Investors are wary to put their money into a company that isn’t growing. While the recent stock market drop-offs are largely a symptom of other economic problems, they can spread to other parts of the economy. A bad stock market can hurt consumer confidence, causing them to spend less on products.

In addition to these challenges, the U.S. economy still faces the government shutdown.

Nevertheless, there have been recent positives. Gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of economic growth, increased 3.4% in the third quarter of last year, and growth is expected to have remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2018. Additionally, the U.S. added 320,000 jobs in December. The unemployment rate increased to 3.9%, but this is largely a result of more people entering the workforce than people being laid off.

These signs are positive, but we have to remember expansion can’t last forever.

The business cycle lasts about 4.5 years on average, and the current expansion is entering its eleventh year. In a survey of 134 executives of large corporations, more than half predicted a recession to begin in 2019.

But, any recession that does occur is unlikely to be as severe as the financial meltdown that occured in 2008. In that downturn, a huge credit crisis had been building up for years. Still, as 2019 begins, businesses and individuals alike may have to start preparing for a recession.

OPINION

BY FIONA KELLEHER It has been over a year since Tarana Burke’s “Me Too” slogan emerged on the internet, creating a revolutionary hashtag enabling women to speak out about being the victims of sexual misconduct and sexual assault. Following the takeoff of the movement, thousands of women have described their dates gone wrong, recounted inappropriate experiences with co-workers, exposed people abusing their positions of power, and created a larger discussion on assault and rape. The movement has brought many issues women face to light, and hundreds of men have been fired, or even prosecuted for their actions. However, now that the men of 2019 have seen the impact #MeToo has had on those accused, the movement has led to discussions of what is considered sexual assault in a time where everything is out in the open.

Aziz Ansari, an actor and stand-up comedian, was accused of sexual misconduct when an anonymous article was published describing how he behaved inappropriately on a date. The woman who wrote the article claimed Ansari had taken her to his apartment and made sexual advances toward her. She said she felt pressured so did not say anything at first. Later, after things got out of hand, she continuously tried to push Ansari away before leaving in a frenzy, feeling shocked and violated. The detailed account led to much backlash and commentary on dating culture and the #MeToo movement. Bari Weiss, a New York Times Op-Ed writer, claimed that “Aziz Ansari is

guilty of not being a mind reader,” promoting the idea that if the conduct was not opposed it is not considered sexual misconduct. At the same time, Lindy West, also a New York Times Op-Ed writer and activist, wrote that assuming is not enough, and unless there is 100% consensual agreement, any sexual advances are not acceptable. After a year of criticism, Ansari has come back to stand up comedy, and is continuing to face controversy

“Although there are different levels of sexual misconduct, all unwanted advancements are unacceptable, which is why the #MeToo movement presses on.” and protest—similar to other cases. Has he come back to the limelight to soon? Should he even come back at all? Ansari’s behavior appears to be in the much-discussed “grey zone” in which it is not clear what constitutes sexual misconduct.

This is where the controversy lies.

In our society, there are verbal and physical expressions which clearly show when one is saying no. Verbalizing discontent with a sit-

uation or pushing someone away are actions which everyone should interpret as discomfort or nonconsensual. Beyond these obvious signs of discontentment is where black and white fades to grey, and the threshold of controversy begins.

Is it considered sexual misconduct or assault if a person never said no? Although the bar of what is acceptable fluctuates based on the people involved in a situation, respect must be abided by men and women alike.

The issues dealt with by the #MeToo movement did not fall from space. They have been prevalent for a long time, but the movement revealed the extent to which women are the targets of sexual misconduct and sexual assault, and how often they have been reluctant or afraid to let others know what happened to them. Now women have taken to social media to voice their experiences, as was apparent in the Ansari case, revealing how often men have disregarded women and failed to treat them with respect.

“Gone too far” is how some people now describe the #MeToo movement, saying that men’s behavior is being restricted since the #MeToo movement began. But isn’t that the point? The desired outcome of the movement is to change behavior. Although there are different levels of sexual misconduct, all unwanted advancements are unacceptable, which is why the #MeToo movement presses on. As it does, society will improve. People are beginning to understand that sexual assault and misconduct have been atrocities throughout history, but only now are women’s voices being heard.

19

PAINTINGS BY YAEL CHIAPPORI

The #MeToo Movement: Voices Worth Hearing

OPINION

Trump’s Wall Is Starting to Crumble With North Korea “no longer a nuclear threat” and ISIS “defeated,” Trump is fighting for his next manufactured victory at the southern border. He’s not winning. By Daniel Navratil

As the February 15 deadline for Congress to agree on a long term spending plan looms ahead, Donald Trump continues to demand $5.6 billion of funding for a southern border wall—well, just a fence, now.

Over the past year, President Trump has gradually ceded ground on his fantasy of a sky-high concrete-fortified border, abandoning his promise that the Mexican government would pay for it, redefining it as a “fence,” and demanding only a quarter of its estimated cost from Congress.

As he gears up for a reelection campaign, Trump is desperately looking to distract Americans from a presidency dogged by investigations and scandals. Claiming he solved the problem of illegal immigration—even if his solution is a watered-down version of the original “build a wall” plan—will appeal to his base and could push him past the finish line in 2020. Doing so, though, means that he needs to move the goalposts, changing what it means to have built the wall.

He’s started to do just that.

President Trump’s calls to construct a wall separating the United States and Mexico started in 2014, when he tweeted “SECURE THE BORDER! BUILD A WALL!” Then only a catchphrase invented by his political advisors to remind him of his ‘tough on immigration rhetoric,’ Trump’s saying quickly morphed into a full-fledged campaign promise, drawing chants from tens of 20

thousands at his rallies.

He doubled down on his wall proposal in 2015, tweeting that “it’s not a fence... it’s a WALL, and there’s a BIG difference!” and in 2017, repeating the same line in a news conference. However, in the past few months, Trump has started to refer to the wall as a “steel barrier,” a “structure,” and even a “fence.” In an effort to manage expectations, Trump is setting up his base to accept even the smallest progress on border security as a win.

His plan is working; at rallies, supporters who used to chant “build the wall” hold signs that read “FINISH THE WALL.” But Trump’s fantasy of a border wall has never taken any substance beyond a simplistic rally cry. The $20 billion border security “solution” wouldn’t even stop half of illegal immigrants, who enter the United States legally but overstay their visas. The wall would also be ineffective in stopping drug smuggling; according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the drugs that enter the U.S. from Mexico are mostly smuggled through land border crossings staffed by agents, not open sections of the border.

Even members of President Trump’s team view the wall as little more than a scheme to animate his base. Former chief of staff John Kelly said that Trump’s statements about the wall were not “fully informed” and that his administration abandoned the idea of a “solid concrete wall ear-

ly on.” Trump’s current acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney views the idea of the wall as “childish,” saying in 2015 that “the fence doesn’t solve the problem.”

Trump’s desire to call an issue solved and slap his Trump brand on it goes beyond the United States’ immigration problem. On June 13, 2018, one day after his meeting with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump tweeted that “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea.” But satellite images of the area from November show that the state is not dismantling or even stalling its nuclear program, but actually expanding sites for constructing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States.

In another national security blunder, the President abruptly ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops from Syria last month, declaring that “we have won against ISIS.” But a suicide bombing by the terrorist organization that killed four Americans in Manjabi just weeks later is a stark reminder of ISIS’s ongoing threat.

President Trump’s immigration solution—a wall, or his watered-down “fence”—won’t solve anything. As with North Korea and ISIS, though, Trump will claim a victory from whatever he gets out of the political stalemate. We shouldn’t let him.

Trump’s Changing Claims About the Wall Donald Trump’s promise to build a southern border wall defined his historic presidential campaign.

But the details of the proposal have been unclear, ever-changing, and oftentimes contradictory. Here’s a breakdown of how his claims have evolved over time.

WHAT IS IT?

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?

June 16, 2015 Presidential candidacy announcement

September 14, 2015 Speech in Dallas

June 16, 2015 Presidential announcement speech

“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border.”

August 25, 2015 Twitter “Jeb Bush just talked about my border proposal to build a ‘fence.’ It’s not a fence, Jeb, it’s a WALL, and there’s a BIG difference!”

“So, let’s say it costs $4 or $5 billion. Our trade deficit with Mexico is $53 billion. So $4 or $5 billion is peanuts.”

October 7, 2015 Twitter “You mean to tell me I can’t take $7 billion and build a wall?”

“I will build a great great wall on our southern border and I’ll have Mexico pay for that wall.”

March 30, 2016 Town hall on MSNBC “They will pay in one form or another.”

October 14, 2015 Speech in Richmond, Virginia

January 15, 2019 Twitter

“If the wall costs $6 billion to build, and you know we’re talking about 1,000 miles, it’s 2,000, but you need it on 1,000.”

“Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe!”

March 31, 2016 Memo posted on campaign website Trump writes that Mexico will “make a one-time payment of $5-10 billion” to fund the wall.

February 9, 2016 Interview on MSNBC

January 14, 2019 Press conference

“The wall is probably $8 billion.”

August 28, 2017 White House news conference “It may be through reimbursement, but one way or the other, Mexico will pay for the wall.”

“If I build this wall or fence or anything the Democrats need to call it...”

February 17, 2016 Town hall on MSNBC “The wall is going to cost... maybe $10 or $12 billion.”

January 8, 2019 Oval Office address “At the request of Democrats, it will be a steel barrier rather than a concrete wall.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION AND INFOGRAPHIC BY DANIEL NAVRATIL

January 11, 2018 Interview with the WSJ November 2, 2017 Interview on Fox News

“They can pay for it through, as an example, they can pay for it indirectly through Nafta.”

“First of all, they say the wall is going to cost $40 billion— the Democrats are saying.

We’re talking less than half.”

January 12, 2019 Interview on Fox News

January 18, 2018 Tweet

“Whether you call it a steel barrier, wall, doesn’t matter.

But we need a very strong structure.”

“The $20 billion dollar Wall is ‘peanuts’ compared to what Mexico makes from the U.S. NAFTA is a bad joke!”

January 10, 2019 Statement to press “Obviously, they’re not going to write a check, but they are paying for the wall indirectly, many, many times over, by the really great trade deal we just made.”

21

Why I Didn’t March

PHOTO BY EMILY SCHRADER

BY EMILY SCHRADER “We saw the city transformed into a sea of pink this past January.”

That was how I began my first article of 2017, a reflection on the exuberance of the first Women’s March — and the grassroots organization that tied it together.

This year, my city transformed into a sea of pink once again. But, as a Jewish woman, I no longer felt welcome.

Controversy began during early organizing meetings, when lead organizers allegedly told activist Vanessa Wruble that “Jewish people played a large role in the slave trade.” Wruble was forced out of the organization shortly afterwards. She asserts that her Jewish identity was the reason for the split.

It continued when Women’s March co-president Tamika Mallory attended an event led by Louis Farrakhan, the virulently bigoted leader of the Nation of Islam. In 1984, he called Adolf Hitler “a very great man.” In 1991, he wrote a book that academics called the “bible of the new anti-Semitism.” This year, he compared Jews to 22

termites.

In an Instagram post, Mallory embraced Farrakhan, referring to him as the “GOAT,” or “greatest of all time.” Later, facing criticism, she failed to specifically condemn him.

I cannot view these incidents as subtle, excusable instances of prejudice. They are the opposite: Symptoms of growing anti-Semitic rhetoric on both the left and right.

Yes, the movement was never about the leaders. But they have become figureheads of an organization that claims to represent all women, while refusing to condemn anti-Semitic speech.

Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour have no right to define my ancestors out of their doctrine. Their words carry no credibility if they support anti-Semitic conspiracies. And they have no power to claim ownership over the women’s movement.

In a nation where Jews make up just 2.2 percent of the population and are targets of rising hate crimes on all sides, I refuse to march. In a year when 11 Jews are gunned down in a house of worship, I refuse to march. In a school where my sister once found a swastika scrawled on her desk, I refuse to march. Because anti-Semitism

must be condemned wherever it exists. And that includes social justice movements.

I am not suggesting that Jewish women should retreat to spaces only “good for the Jews.”

That would only isolate the Jewish community and escalate rising tides of anti-Semitism.

We must be patient enough to place ourselves in difficult spaces and join uncomfortable conversations, to not let the false conflation of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism distance us from our activist partners, to acknowledge our own privilege in social justice circles.

But this controversy goes beyond “sticking it out” for the sake of unity. Our Jewish community — even for a day — cannot excuse the same anti-Semitic rhetoric that has oppressed Jews for generations. We have to learn where to draw the line between discomfort and bigotry.

I do not judge my Jewish peers who marched to make a statement. But I have no desire to join an event where the overarching principles are dictated by Farrakhan supporters.

I am careful about which organizations align with my values. Women’s March is not one of them.

OPINION

A Show of Solidarity, But Not for Everyone.

Allegations of anti-Semitism clouded the 2019 Women’s March. Amidst continued controversy, three Jewish women recount their experiences with the march—and the organization behind it.

Sophie Bennett

Dani Miller

Nina Lane

The Field School

Winston Churchill High School

Washington Waldorf School

YOU SAID YOU MARCHED WITH JEWISH RELATIVES IN 2017. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT EXPERIENCE?

WAS THERE A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE FIRST WOMEN’S MARCH YOU ATTENDED AND THIS YEAR’S MARCH?

“It was great seeing all these women, who were not necessarily outspoken feminists, coming down and affirming that this is not just something our generation feels is important. I felt very supported. It’s so wonderful to have a community advocating for your rights...It made me more empowered to run for student government at my school. I was the only female to run, out of eight people.”

“Obviously the first march was very much a singular message. Even though people were there, fighting for different issues, we all wanted to be there to stand up against Trump, and to stand up against the wave of sexism taking over politics. We felt so hopeful after the march—and that wave stayed...This year, there was a lot more controversy about whether or not we were even going to go. Even when I was there, the energy was not as high.”

HOW DID YOUR JEWISH COMMUNITY REACT TO DEBATES ABOUT INTERSECTIONALITY AND EXCLUSION IN THE WOMEN’S MARCH ORGANIZATION?

HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ATTEND?

“I have grown up going to Jewish camp, and I have friends who felt it was important to go, to show that we were gonna march anyways— and have intersectionality be an emphasis. But because of that, because the women who lead the national Women’s March claim to strive for intersectionality, that’s why it was so particularly disappointing and upsetting to hear news of Tamika Mallory’s involvement with Louis Farrakhan...I just decided it would be better to not go.”

“The controversy was a little too much to ignore. As a Jewish person, it made me feel a little unwelcome. I really felt uncomfortable going. For a while, I wasn’t going to go. Even up until the night before. But as I was talking about it...I was thinking about how it is still important that we show unification as a movement. Some things just feel bigger than me. I could even make a statement, being a Jewish woman at this march, here regardless of how many people want me to be here. I was like, you know what, I have to go.”

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO SAY THAT NOT MARCHING ONLY SERVES TO DIVIDE THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT?

YOU SAID THAT YOU INITIALLY FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE ANTISEMITISM CONTROVERSY. DID YOUR FEELINGS CHANGE AFTER THE MARCH?

“Some people see being so careful about how we move forward with social movements as their weakness. But I think it shows the thoughtfulness of people involved...When the suffrage movement was starting up in the United States, people were worried that we couldn’t have voting rights for both black people and women. There was an attitude of hostility between the two, because it felt like one or the other. But it is not one or the other, because there are so many people who exist in the intersection. It’s hard for me to accept that sentiment, that we just have to move forward and get through it, because that can lead to neglecting more issues down the line.”

“It was just a weekend of pure activism and good people. At the end of the day, strip away all the controversy and that’s what it’s about. I don’t regret it. I think that I made a statement by being there. I think that I know who I am and what my values and beliefs are, and they don’t change by supporting this march.”

DO YOU VIEW THE WOMEN’S MARCH ORGANIZATION AS REFLECTIVE OF THE LARGER WOMEN’S MOVEMENT? “I would always caution against that. Being dependent on one organization means that you are banking on that organization’s success, or the success of its goals...Yes, we shouldn’t completely rely on the Women’s March. But I don’t think we have outgrown it.”

IN YOUR OPINION, WAS CRITICISM OF THE 2019 MARCH JUSTIFIED, OR UNFAIRLY LEVERAGED? “Jewish women need to be able to say when they don’t feel represented by a movement.

How are they going to be liberated if a movement isn’t even for them? I do think that the organization is flawed, and anti-Semitic leaders need to be taken out of their leadership positions…I care more about the movement than a few people leading it. It’s not about them to me. That’s not why I’m there. I am not there to support Linda or Tamika or Carmen. I am there to support my values, and myself as a Jewish woman.”

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE WOMEN’S MARCH? “I marched the first time, the one right after the inauguration in 2017. I felt like it was really powerful to see all these women and people from all walks of life coming together, saying that this is not okay. I did not march the next year, and I did not march this year.”

WHAT MADE THE ORIGINAL WOMEN’S MARCH MORE POWERFUL FOR YOU? “[At the first Women’s March], they had no idea how many people would show up. After they had that much success, they started to build a brand. The organization did not exist at the capacity that it does today. And everyone was angry. I don’t want to say completely angry—angry and hopeful—but everyone was there for the same reason.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE APPARENT LACK OF UNITY IN THE WOMEN’S MARCH? “What upsets me most about the march is that it does not really stand for any one thing. I really don’t like that [the march organizers] have used the Women’s March platform to push their own political views that don’t have a lot to do with legislative action that helps women.

Their positions are kind of exclusive too, for people who don’t fall into their explicit doctrine of 26 things you have to agree with...It gets things very complicated and messy and, again, exclusionary. You can’t participate in something if you don’t check off all the boxes.”

AS A JEWISH WOMAN, HOW DID YOU REACT TO ACCUSATIONS OF ANTISEMITISM AMONG WOMEN’S MARCH CO-CHAIRS? “In my Hebrew school, the question they just threw on us was, ‘Even if it’s not a perfect movement, does that mean you should sit out, at the cost of somebody else benefitting from it?’ ...But I really think it cannot be that hard to say, ‘I don’t like Louis Farrakhan because he’s an anti-Semite and a homophobe.’ If you really want to be inclusive and intersectional, you also have to be able to condemn something.

Because if you think something that helps one group helps another group, a thing that hurts one group will hurt another group. Above all, what I dislike about Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, is the hypocrisy behind their whole doctrine. It’s inclusive, but it’s not. It’s intersectional, but my friends aren’t allowed.”

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“DONNA” Professional leaders deserve professional names.

By Lee Schwartz

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”

OPINION

the students have known her as a hardworking leader and advocate for the school. But, our fearless leader hardly has a name that lives up to her work. To the B-CC student body, our principal is “Donna.”

Unless you’re a freshman, you are probably very familiar with the informal use of Dr. Jones’ first name. Originally used ironically, “Donna” has caught on to the point where students drop the name without second thought. It’s easy to go along with it—I myself have referred to Dr. Jones as “Donna” multiple times. And at first, there was nothing wrong with this. But as I consider the implications of calling our principal by her first name, I now correct myself for the habitual usage of “Donna.”

Dr. Jones is in a position of authority. She is a doctor, who worked to get her PhD, and is now our principal. Sophomore Zoë Shelton believes, like many students, that “Respect is earned and [Dr. Jones] has earned respect. You can see that in her titles.” She is committed to helping students pursue excellence at B-CC, and does not deserve to be called “Donna,” even ironically.

Though maybe funny and harmless in nature, the use of the name is inherently disrespectful.

Many claim that using “Donna” is a sign of familiarity and friendliness with the principal. I believe that people convince themselves of this, but that isn’t the truth. With other teachers in the school there may be a sense of kinship, but this

does not make students address them by their first name unless the relationship is a unique one, like a coach. This particular practice is only reserved to Dr. Jones.

Others might argue that they use the name “Donna” because she is the principal and it’s humorous to refer to the highest in command by their first name. It is natural for students to not take their principal seriously, but this is no excuse to disrespect her. Senior Gabriella Capizzi agrees that “...the students don’t really have a great impression of Dr. Jones.”

After school dances were banned in 2016, the students were taken aback. Capizzi says “Dr. Jones tried to take more aggressive measures and give the student body a chance to redeem themselves, and when they didn’t, she acted.

Which surprised people.” Since this action, students have become more and more disrespectful to the principal. But, Dr. Jones is in a position of authority and has to make tough decisions. All of her actions have been taken to benefit the student body.

Former principal of B-CC Mrs. Lockard had a different style of leadership. Retiring in 2015, the principal described herself in Bethesda Magazine as a “warm demander.” When Dr. Jones arrived at B-CC as the new blazing leader of the student body, kids were unprepared for the change in climate. Capizzi believes that “It comes as a shock to students because she is actually using her au-

thority for something good and is demanding of the student body.”

This makes it easy to soften Dr. Jones’ authority by using her first name. They feel less threatened by her when she is simply “Donna.”

To be fair, students do not mean harm by calling Dr. Jones by her first name. It is just a subconscious habit at this point. But it is a habit that is inappropriate, and must be broken.

There is also something to say about Dr. Jones being an African American female principal. Maybe subconsciously, we treat Dr. Jones differently because she is a minority in a position of power. I can’t help but think that if Dr. Jones were a man, or white, we would not address her with the same casualness. She is B-CC’s first principal that is a female of color. B-CC has only had one other African American principal, a leadership spanning only 3 years, and that was more than 20 years ago. Shelton says, “I just think it’s because she’s black. People don’t think she’s legitimate.” The truth behind that statement is blurry, but it is an easy argument to level.

The student body’s opinion of Dr. Jones is complicated, but the principal’s name doesn’t have to be. Like student Zoë Shelton suggests, the use of Dr. Jones’ first name is “A simple representation of how little respect they have for her.”

For those who mean no harm by the use of “Donna,” try your best to break the habit. We owe at least that to our hard working principal.

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PHOTO BY PALOMA DELGADO

This article is long overdue.

Four years overdue, to be exact. Since Dr. Jones started as the B-CC principal,

OPINION

Malaika’s Thoughts Tattler columnist Malaika Bhayana has a LOT of opinions. In these hot takes, Malaika delves into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, women in STEM, and our education system.

ILLUSTRATION BY YAEL CHIAPPORI

BEWARE THE CULT OF ALEXANDRIA OCASIOCORTEZ I love Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

She is a breath of fresh air in a world of politics that often feels inaccessible. She feels promising for a new age of progressivism. She is my personal role model. But I feel the need to call her out on some of her recent comments and explore the hypocrisy that will lead to difficulties down the road if left unaddressed.

She claimed that the Defense Department had wasted enough money over the past two years to fund two-thirds of Medicare for All. However, after investigation into the sources that she cited, it was evident that her math was a little fuzzy.

It was a small error, one that could have been solved with an apology and done away with rather easily.

But her response to this issue worries me.

When she was called out for this on Anderson Cooper’s show on CNN, she said, “If people want to really blow up one figure here or one word there, I would argue that they’re missing the forest for the trees. I think that there’s a lot of people more concerned about being precisely, factually, and semantically correct than about being morally right.”

It’s this line of thought that scares me. People need to be worried about being precisely and factually correct because without that, we are on a slippery slope to Trumpdom. What he says, backed up by false claims and statistics, is what he believes to be morally correct. His current crusade to “Build the Wall” is backed by sketchy statistics and false equivalencies. But this doesn’t mean that Cortez’s “Medicare for All” should also be backed by sketchy statistics and false equivalencies, no matter how good of an idea it is.

This is the point where far right can meet far left and we should hold everyone to the same standard of truthfulness, no matter which side of the aisle they are on. I’m not comparing Cortez to Trump, as he seems to exhibit a pattern of being factually incorrect whereas Cortez seems to have made an honest mistake. Nevertheless, we need to learn to be critical of those who hold a cult-like following. Cortez has a cult 26

of personality surrounding her, one that holds the exact same populist appeal that Trump held in the 2016 election. These cult followings often lead to dubious actions and statements being ignored and brushed over. In response to Cortez’s comment, many progressives weren’t critical of her because she continues to be a champion of our beliefs. But it is important to remember that if the same error were committed by a right wing congressman, we would harp about their spewing of falsehoods, and that seems to be indicative of a larger issue within our political climate.

WOMEN IN STEM: DO WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE? For decades now, we’ve been hearing about the lack of women in STEM careers. Recent efforts to increase female participation in math and science, though, have led to an influx of women in STEM fields.

But there’s a pervasive feeling that young women face when deciding to go into STEM or not: As a woman, do I have an obligation to go into STEM? As I talk to female B-CC students who excel in STEM,

I realize that many girls do feel a sense of inadequacy until they enter higher level STEM classes like Calculus and AP Physics. But once they reach these advanced math and science classes, I’ve noticed a phenomenon of females believing that if they should enter STEM fields in college or professionally, it’s not for themselves but for females as a whole.

Unfortunately, people believe that STEM fields are harder, and hold mathematicians in higher regard than historians, for instance.

While both fields are equally difficult, fewer people are naturally inclined towards the sciences, which adds to this sense of obligation. Will you spend your whole college career as an English major telling people that you “could have been a physics major?” Or are you a “woman in STEM,” and therefore must be brilliant? It’s not just the external validation of intelligence: it’s the feeling that you have to represent other women in an otherwise a male-dominated field.

THE FAULT IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM When did high school stop being a time of discovery? When did

we stop allowing students to explore their interests and instead pigeonhole them into the STEM or humanities track by the time they hit junior year? And why does our grading system reward students who pick classes that suit their natural talents as opposed to pushing them to learn how to think differently? Whilst doing my compulsory college blog reading, I often read something along the lines of “Don’t bother trying to be a well-rounded student, make a spike instead. Become really good at just one thing.

Win a national contest in physics or in writing. Colleges want a well-rounded student body, not well rounded individuals.” As colleges become more selective and competitive, students find themselves having to pursue one interest and reject another. Additionally, our grading system doesn’t help the issue, encouraging students to take classes where they’ll receive an easy A. This system is awful for nurturing intellectual curiosity, but it has an impact on future career opportunities as well. The liberal arts model is based on the idea that students should receive a balanced education, which is crucial for the changing world we live in. Jobs such as computer programming and financial analysis are expected to take a dive in upcoming years. Instead of training kids for jobs that may be all but obsolete in ten years, we should train them to be able to think critically in all fields. Of course, it’s easy to say there is an issue. It’s much harder to propose solutions, especially when, in the absence of grades, there would be no real way to evaluate student engagement with the material.

One solution that has already been implemented in some colleges is the use of pass/fail classes in which students don’t receive a letter grade but rather a “pass” or “fail.” This system allows students to take classes that they excel in but also take risks in classes they don’t. It’s been proven that creativity thrives when the motivation is internal rather than external or grade-based. Pass/fail classes are one of the many needed reforms to our current educational system. If we continue down our current path, colleges will have well-rounded student bodies that have no idea how to face a changing landscape.

OPINION

Failing to Accomodate: Dealing with Learning Disabilities

BY MALAIKA BHAYANA

I See the World Differently and That’s Okay

BY NICKY SCHMIDT

We’ve all heard the stories about a few kids scamming the accommodation system in order to get extra time on standardized testing. It’s become somewhat of a punchline, just “fake” ADHD and miraculously your ACT scores will soar sky-high. But these few kids, who take advantage of the system, make it much more difficult for students with learning disabilities to get the help they need without being mocked and treated with skepticism by their peers and administrators alike.

Senior Nicky Schmidt, who was diagnosed with a visual processing disorder, receives extra time, calculators, and different color paper for all her assignments. But getting the help she needed was far from easy. Schmidt recalls her childhood at the French International School where teachers and students would often mock her for her accommodations. One math teacher stood up in front of the class and told everyone: “Nicky gets extra time, so after everyone finishes she’ll have an extra minute to complete her test.” Nicky recalls the sense of fear associated with receiving that extra minute, as every student would turn around to look at her. The teacher would time the extra minute on his phone. Unfortunately, this was far from unusual. Another teacher once overheard Nicky being mocked for the trouble she has when spelling. The teacher, instead of intervening, decided to chime in, adding “Nicky probably can’t even spell her own name.”

Nicky felt like all of this might change when she switched into the Montgomery County School System, but her first interaction with the administrators was not what she had hoped for. “One of the administrators asked me if I really wanted accommodations, telling me that it would make it difficult to get into college if I had a record of accommodations.

I felt so let down by the school. Here was an administrator telling me I

“I felt so let down by the school. Here was an administrator telling me I shouldn’t get the help that I need to do well in school.” shouldn’t get the help that I need to do well in school.”

Another student, Katie Manyin, discusses her dyslexia and the difficulty of dealing with teachers. She describes it as always having to be “on”; there was absolutely no guarantee in any class that the teachers would remember that she needed help, and, even if they did, there was always the possibility that they would be extremely difficult about it. She recalls an experience where the teacher said that she would be “watching me [Katie] to make sure she didn’t abuse her accommodations.” Katie says that this was unprompted, as the teacher had no idea what type of student Katie was. The teacher’s first assumption was that smart kids who receive good grades must not need accommodations and are faking it to do better in school. But what many of these teachers don’t understand is the amount of time and effort that goes into getting accommodations, such as the countless doctor’s reports that these students have to submit in order to qualify for accommodations.

The effort doesn’t stop there, both Katie and Nicky describe having to work for hours to achieve the things that take their classmates minutes.

And for that, people often assume that they aren’t smart enough to comprehend rigorous course load. But that’s far from the truth, visual processing disorder helped Nicky with an internship at NASA, where she created three dimensional drawings which depicted the payload she helped design. It was launched into space this summer. The spatial recognition strengths associated with her visual processing disorder was an integral part of this. Katie says that her difficulty reading and processing words has led to phenomenal verbal skills. More than anything though Nicky and Katie wish that their peers and teachers would understand that equality is not the same thing as equity. They don’t get there accommodations to put them ahead but they get them to try and level the playing field.

I was sitting in my first grade class and we were reading a book out loud. I would look at the pages and I could see the words, but I could never piece together the jumble of letters into phonetic sounds. At the beginning, it seemed that most of the kids in my class struggled as well, but towards the middle of the year everyone seemed to be getting the hang of it. Except for me. I still could not read or follow along. When I looked at the letters, they made no sense to me. I remember fearing that my teacher would call on me and I would have to read out loud. It was in this first grade class that I came to one of the most significant realizations of my life—there was something different about me.

I was diagnosed with a visual processing disorder when I was in third grade. This means that I have difficulty conveying my thoughts when I have to use symbols like letters or numbers. I thought I would have to drop out of school and say goodbye to any hopes of a successful academic career, but my neuropsychologist told me and my parents that this was just a speed bump in my education. “Things will get easier from now on,” he told me. “The things that you excel at are things that you need in college and in the workforce. You will struggle in lower school and high school with spelling and mental math calculations, but just remember that you are exceptional at understanding logic and at problem solving.”

Since my diagnosis, I have encountered many people who are quick to judge my intelligence. Not too long ago I was babysitting a seven year old boy in my neighborhood and he was asking me why I use accomodations with my homework. I explained to him that I learn differently than most people. He then turned around and told his brother that I was stupid because sometimes it’s hard for me to tell my lefts from rights and he couldn’t understand why I had a problem with that.

People automatically assume that because I lack basic skills in certain areas, I don’t make up for it in others. With my visual processing disorder, I cannot memorize anything that is a symbol and does not have a picture that goes along with it. This makes math, spelling, and memorising facts very difficult because there is no image to go along with the sounds, symbols, dates and names. To help me spell and do mental math calculations, I have to come up with rhymes or songs that help with memorization. Just because I think this way does not mean that I have trouble with every subject. Because I am such a visual learner, I am able to excel in subjects like geometry; it is easy for me to imagine the shapes. I also excel in subjects that involve technology and design because I think in 3-D and understand complex systems.

Another assumption that people have made is that I don’t work hard enough if they see that my work is incomplete or not as good as theirs. It is frustrating to hear my friends talk about how they got a 17/20 on the history multiple choice test and how bad that grade was. Meanwhile, I got a 13/20 on the same test because I can’t memorize dates and names no matter how hard I try.

People with learning disabilities are some of the hardest working people I know. It takes me three times longer than my peers to complete an assignment or test. Because of this, I spend every night and most weekends working, even though this might not reflect in my grades.

Students with learning disabilities are often gifted in ways that are not rewarded by our educational system. What is taught in school is often not what children with learning disabilities excel at. I have come to truly value the way my mind works, and would rather be a systems thinker than a speller, unlike what our high school values. I hope that one day the world will stop using the label “learning disabled,” and start to celebrate how we are all different thinkers. Everyone has things they don’t do well, and other things that they do very well. Our current educational system values certain types of learners over others, something which inherently sets up a system of discrimination.

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Dream Chaser Coby Sultan, a former B-CC student, discusses his experience moving to Europe to play professional soccer.

By Lee Schwartz and Bennett Schwartz

Coby Sultan graduated early during his junior year to move to the Netherlands in hopes of becoming a professional soccer player. Coby normally would have graduated in the class of 2019, but instead graduated with the 2018 class as a seventeen-year-old. This past winter break, Coby returned to visit B-CC, and spoke with the Tattler about his experiences and future plans.

Growing up in the United States, Coby played for many club teams at the highest level, including the Potomac, Bethesda, and Olney soccer clubs. He ended his career in the U.S. at the Baltimore Armour Academy. Despite his soccer potential, Coby never played for B-CC’s soccer team. The highly competitive teams he played on in the U.S didn’t allow Coby to play high school sports, wanting him to focus all of his time on the club team.

From that point, he decided to continue his soccer career abroad. Coby realized that the typical American college and professional system is very physically oriented, while abroad, the technical side of soccer is valued more. Not being the biggest player (standing tall at 5’8”), Coby decided Europe was the best option to follow his dream. He gained interest from many clubs across Europe, and Coby eventually decided the Netherlands was the best fit both academically and athletically. He is now a freshman at Maastricht University in Maastricht, Netherlands. At his new school, Coby currently plays for the VVV-Venlo u19 academy, a team just under the VVV-Venlo professional team, which is currently placed 8th in the Dutch first division.

Coby had a packed schedule junior year at B-CC, with two extra classes on weekends to graduate early. The former B-CC student said, “B-CC prepared me in content, but not the best in time management.” He admitted to having saved a lot of his work for the last minute, and now regrets this practice.

But at Maastricht University, his former schedule of nine classes a day has shortened to four classes. Coby is studying life sciences, including physiology and nutrition. Part of his interest in these subjects stems from his passion for soccer.

Coby claimed: “...if I know more about the human body, I can use that to help myself in training and on the field.”

But Coby’s journey is not at all easy. He not only attends college alone in a foreign country, but he also lives in an apartment on his own. According to Coby, B-CC students never think of “how underprepared most of us are when it comes to living on your own in the real world.” Coby heavily emphasized the initial struggle of having to live on his own, from cooking meals to just cleaning his apartment. “Learning to rely on only yourself can be a challenge initially” he said. But 28

“It was hard making friends since everyone sees the new guy as just another person trying to take their position.” overall Coby said he is “extremely grateful for his opportunity” and the only thing he wishes to do more besides sleeping is seeing his family. Coby currently sees his family “once every four months” along with occasional visits from his father, who occasionally takes business trips to Amsterdam.

In the Netherlands, Coby now has to compete every day of every week, fighting for a starting spot on the academy team. Initially Coby said “it was hard making friends since everyone sees the new guy as just another person trying to take their position.” Once on the field, everyone is fighting for their chance to compete on the professional level, and at the end of the day most players only will care for themselves. Many don’t see each other as teammates, but rather “the person your going to have to beat if you want to make it.” Though as time passed, Coby said people began to “warm up to [him]” and now “the team can feel like a second family at times.”

Amazingly, Coby Sultan is the only American on the team. He admitted: “It’s very strange, as not everyone speaks English, and the trainings are done in Dutch.

I feel a bit left out sometimes, and the players seem like they don’t want me to be there.” But at the end of the day, Coby said “hard work and endless hours of practice is what it's going to take.” With college and practice everyday, Coby is still chasing the dream of becoming a professional soccer player, and with the work he’s put in so far, he just might achieve it.

SPORTS

SPORTS RECRUITMENT

BY KEVIN MCAULIFFE

Many people have played team sports at some point in their lives, but few have the resolve and determination to excel at an individual sport. With swimming and tennis there is no one to blame but yourself, and all the pressure is on your shoulders. These three Barons have excelled in their respective sports, and are taking their talents to the next level. Each athlete has done well in the classroom too, and all three will be attending great academic schools.

Gabi Meisel

Will Tenpas

Zoe Howard

Another one of B-CC’s familiar faces is taking her talents up to Bates College in Maine.

Gabi Meisel has been swimming for many years, and all her friends will tell you she is one of the most dedicated people they know.

Gabi fell in love with Bates when she stepped on the campus. She says that “the school has an exceptional coaching staff and incredibly supportive team that I can’t wait t o be part of. I am confident that I will be able to achieve my academic, personal, and athletic goals at Bates. Go Bobcats!” Gabi is sure to continue her successful swimming career in college, and she will be no stranger to the everyday grind and early morning practices.

B-CC’s star swimmer, William Tenpas, has commited to Duke University to continue his time in the pool. He is known for his chlorine-bleached hair and his blazing fast times in the water. His friends are always amazed at how he manages to keep such incredible grades while missing so much school for swim meets. Will says he “chose Duke because of the combination of academics and athletics.”

He was impressed by all their facilities during his visit and he “can’t wait to get the opportunity to compete in the ACC.” The ACC is one of the top athletic conferences in the whole country. Will looks forward to finishing out his senior season for B-CC on a high note.

The girl known around the school as our Baron tennis prodigy is taking her talents to Princeton University. She has excelled in the classroom and on the court during her last four years of high school. She played for the B-CC tennis team in 9th grade, but with such a grueling national schedule, she had to quit the high school team. Zoe says she “chose Princeton because she fell in love with the school, and it felt like the best university for her to thrive both academically and athletically.” She is also “excited to play for a coach who has competed at the highest level of collegiate and professional tennis.”Attending an Ivy League school is an incredible accomplishment for any high school graduate, and Zoe is not only going to attend Princeton, but she will also be playing tennis with the best of the best.

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OPINION

BY HANNA OSTROS AND JULIA TAYLOR The Guttentag brother trio, Eli, Drew, and Ike, are a powerhouse on the B-CC Varsity Wrestling team. Senior captain Eli has been on varsity for all four years and placed third in the state both his freshman and junior year. Sophomore Drew and Freshman Ike have also excelled in their wrestling careers thus far, with Ike winning Youth State for Maryland this past year and holding a record of 33-2, and Drew boasting an impressive record of 39-7. Though the Guttentags have been dominating the DMV wrestling scene since Eli first started wrestling in second grade, it was on January 26 that they truly cemented their legacy. With a win over Richard Montgomery, Eli became the winningest wrestler in B-CC history, surpassing his former teammate Gabriel McAndrew to reach a record of 147 wins and only 17 losses.

But of course, this success didn’t come easy.

Few sports are as mentally and physically draining as wrestling. Leading up to weigh-ins, wrestlers have to endure periods of extreme dieting in order to make a certain weight class. For Eli, “the hardest part is maintaining energy and focus throughout the long season. There’s very little let 30

up and practice everyday combined with the dietary aspects of the sport is draining.” But hard work clearly pays off, as Eli won one of the most prestigious tournaments in Maryland, War On The Shore, this season. While at times challenging, he loves that wrestling combines the best parts of both individual and team sports. Though the familial aspect of the team makes matches fun, when it comes down to it, “it’s all on you, and that’s awesome.”

For some, having three brothers close in age practicing and competing side by side could bring about challenges, but according to Ike “there’s no tension.” Rather, Ike asserted that “there is most definitely competition. We’re always comparing our accomplishments and opponents, and sometimes we even wrestle each other.” Drew and Ike also agreed that balancing schoolwork as well as wrestling can be hard at times. “Dietary restrictions for cutting weight can be frustrating and tiring, and adding practice everyday makes school work hard to keep up with.”

But, the brothers emphasized that going through the same experience together is helpful, as they motivate each other to stick with it. Eli said the encouragement mostly “revolves around comparing our matches and accomplishments, but it

also includes holding each other accountable and pushing each other.”

Additionally, the boys stressed that the sport has brought them and their family closer together. While their dad spends hours coaching them and looking at future opponents to give them advice, their mom has always been their biggest supporter throughout the years. The brothers’ interest in wrestling actually stems from their father, who holds a deep-rooted love for the sport and was a high school wrestler at Sidwell. From a very young age, the boys recalled their father introducing them to the sport and encouraging them to follow in his footsteps. Along with his father, Eli’s involvement and achievements within the sport encouraged Ike and Drew to pursue it further.

Under the lead of Eli and the Guttentag brothers, B-CC wrestling has dominated this winter season, currently holding a record of 23-7 and 11-3 in Montgomery County and winning the regional championship last week. As the team pushes forward, these three are definitely a powerful force to be reckoned with and B-CC is lucky to have them.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL NAVRATIL, SOURCE PHOTO FROM THE SENTINEL

How Eli, Drew, and Ike Guttentag—who have a combined record of 219 wins and 26 losses—came to dominate B-CC wrestling.

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WHY IS THIS STILL A

As time passes, society progresses more and more into the future. Ideas that are outdated get left in the past. An into the future. But sometimes, what should have been renounced long ago continue to be prominent in moder moving society, sometimes we must question why some ideas persist despite them being obsolete. Essen

The Language Lab

Dress Codes

BY NATHAN MESSER

BY HANNAH HOLZER

Whenever I think of a huge waste of money, I always think of the Language Lab. As a person who took Spanish for five years, I frequently visited the lab with all of its audio equipment. My teachers always made sure to emphasize how much money the room cost. We used to go there and proceed to just do activities we could do in class. Most of the time we had to talk to another student in Spanish about a certain topic. Something we did throughout the year in class. It would usually just end up being a huge waste of time; some of the audio machines wouldn’t work and people would spend most of their time messing around and not doing the work they were supposed to do. I remember one of my teachers telling us the room cost around three thousand dollars which was a huge investment for the school. I immediately questioned why, as I always loathed going there. With the equipment constantly breaking, the room definitely needs to be frequently fixed. The overall cost does not justify its function, so why is the language lab still a thing?

Imagine this: You’re a 14-year-old girl walking down the middle school hallway towards your 5th period class. Lunch has just ended and the initial rush of students leaving the cafeteria has slowed to a trickle of slower walkers, including yourself. Suddenly, your eyes lock with a teacher standing outside the door to her classroom. Her eyes run up and down your body until finally locking in on your Abercrombie jean shorts—your favorite pair. Her eyes bulge and a look of horror spreads across her face. Knowing what will ensue, you avert your eyes and quicken your pace, attempting to make a run for it. But it’s too late. She calls out to you and motions you toward her. You try to offer her a polite smile, but it fades as the condescension begins.

“Your shorts are way too short for school, young lady. I mean, they’re really revealing,” she scolds, before ordering you to put your hands by your sides so she can inspect the reach of your fingertips. Meanwhile, a classroom of students watches from the open door across the hall as you are lectured and instructed to change into gym shorts, or longer clothes from the lost and found. If you refuse, you will be sent to the office—never mind the fact that you will be missing even more valuable learning time than you already have. If you accept, your outfit will be hideous and you will be further humiliated in front of your peers.

This is a situation most teenage girls are all too familiar with, commonly known as being dress coded. This outdated obsession of imposed modesty, specifically on girls and women, dates back thousands and thousands of years, originating in Greece around approximately 400 or 500 BC. According to a Marie Claire Magazine article, during that time, “Greece became an increasingly patriarchal society, and Greek women first began covering their breasts.

Although schools vary in their dress code policies, across the board one thing remains the same: female students bear the brunt of these systems. Common requirements include limits on skirt, shirt, and pant length, banning ‘revealing,’ ‘suggestive,’ or ‘vulgar’ clothing. These guidelines inherently target females, particularly those of a certain ‘curvier’ body type. While most schools will claim that their dress codes are neutral, girls will still have their learning time interrupted just to be told that they’re “distracting” their male counterparts and be forced to change. They take the focus off of classroom material and teach students from a young age to sexually objectify their peers based on what they wear.

Discrimination based on size, or sizeism, is also particularly prominent in schools with dress codes because it is much harder for girls to cover up if they have ‘more to show.’ A low cut shirt may seem harmless on one person, and the same shirt may seem much more revealing on a curvier girl. As if middle and high school girls aren’t already insecure enough about their bodies, schools are teaching young girls that they should try harder to hide themselves in order to meet someone else’s standards, rather than simply wearing whatever they like and feel comfortable in.

Not only are school dress codes outdated and discriminatory, but they’re not realistic anymore. Girls are sexualized from a young age, but if they are perceived to act upon that sexuality by showing more of their bodies, they are punished. They are told “be yourself, but not in that skirt” or “express yourself, but maybe with a cardigan on.” The unfair societal expectations set up for girls in schools are obvious and it begs the question: Why are school dress codes still a thing?

Eating in the Media Center

BY EVAN SCARUPA AND PABLO LOPEZ FERNANDEZ You have an essay past its due date, a project due next period, and a cumulative test in two days—needless to say your plan is to go to the media center during lunch for the next few days to catch up. You already know the rules: no eating in the media center. The second you take out your lunch, the two lady librarians are on you like a pack of bloodhounds. But you’re starving. Yes, you understand that people will spill crumbs onto the floor and whatnot, but they act like all hell will break loose by letting people eat their lunch in peace.

So the question is: Why is no food in the media center still a thing?

Almost everyone agrees that not being able to eat is the most annoying part of the media center (apart from the fact the printer is never connected to the computers). And with the media center being one of the most popular places to have lunch in the school, this rule has become a burden to many students.

If the school wants to encourage studious behavior, allowing food to be eaten in the media center is one progressive step that the school could take.

Many media center staff take drastic measures to prevent people from eating in the media center. Some of the teachers roam around the room at lunch making sure no one is eating, and if they catch someone, that person may be kicked out.

We understand that the media center is one of the only carpeted rooms in the school, but the floor isn’t utilized for anything but for walking and standing. If the rule about not eating in the media center must stay, there should at least be either a designated media center eating area, or another room where students are able to study and access academic resources while eating.

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A THING?

nything still relevant gets carried on rn society. In order to be a forward ntially: Why is it still a thing?

Cultural Appropriation

BY EMMA VOLKERS Cultural individuality is what separates us; it’s what sets us apart and how we discover our identities and truths. Cultural identity is so important, so why are we still appropriating cultures that we do not belong to?

During the 19th century, the idea of “blackface,” or a white person darkening their skin to portray a caricature of an African American, first came to popularity. This practice was used most commonly in comedic theater, encouraging derogatory African American stereotypes such as ‘the happy-go-lucky darky on the plantation.’ White minstrels would darken their faces and entertain an all-white audience, going so far as to conduct serious opera and theatrical shows in the makeup.

This spread continued as blackface entered the 20th century in full swing, separating itself from the theatrical world and becoming a practice of its own. British television adopted the practice until 1978 to avoid the hiring of African American actors and musicians all over the world. Instead, they produced music videos using the blackface technique so as to not hire black dancers and backup singers.

At the same time, Japanese, French, and British toymakers released characters with large, neon-pink lips, dark skin, rings in their ears, and wide, crazed eyes.

A quote from Phillips and Reed argues that the practice “is not only about whites assuming black roles, nor about exaggerated performances of blackness for the benefit of a racist audience. Rather, it is about performing a version of blackness that constrains it within the boundaries legible to white supremacy.” The purpose of blackface is simply to “display Blackness for the enjoyment and edification of white viewers,” says John Strausbaugh, author for The New York Times.

So why are people still taking part in an age-old practice of dehumanizing and humiliating those of another race?

These acts of cultural appropriation do not stop at blackface. We are still constantly seeing appropriators across our media today, from the classic braided hairstyles of African American women being worn by their white counterparts, to the traditional clothes worn by Native Americans, Chinese, and Indian citizens ripped off as cheap halloween costumes for young children.

In a day and age where the battle against racism, sexism, and religious intolerance is being brought ever-presently to the surface, why are we sitting back and tolerating the appropriation and exploitation of the different cultures that make our world so unique? The truth of the matter is: these practices are not “honoring” or “appreciating” a culture, they are examples of minorities being exploited for the things that make them who and what they are. We should always celebrate the differences around us, whether it be race, religion, or cultural practices, but that does not justify the mimicking of them. As we enter the year 2019, it is time to look back and see what needs to be changed from years before. We must ask ourselves: why is cultural appropriation still a thing?

Blackfishing: A Modern-Day Blackface?

BY MONIQUE BOATENG AND SEMHAL NEGUSSIE This past November, model and popular social media influencer Emma Hallberg made headlines for her Instagram posts. Numerous news outlets have reported on the “drama” surrounding the Swedish influencer. Despite Hallberg being the face of this surprisingly common trend, many women are following in her footsteps. What exactly caused Emma Hallberg, a teen Swedish model, to become one of the most disliked influencers?

Hallberg, along with many other white influencers, has been accused of ‘blackfishing’: a term coined by the black community to refer to nonblack people posing as black on social media.

Blackfishing is a play on the word ‘catfishing’—when one uses a false identity online to lure others into scams or relationships. Although blackfishing is not done with romantic intent, deception remains the ultimate goal. These catfishes gain popularity, or internet ‘clout’, as a result of their “black” internet personas. Hallberg currently has over 283 thousand followers on instagram and her account continues to grow despite being exposed for blackfishing. Before becoming a social media influencer, Hallberg was seen with much paler skin, straight hair, and thin lips. Now, she is seen posing in instagram photos flaunting textured hair, dark skin, and big lips, all of which are afrocentric features and present a stark contrast from her natural, eurocentric appearance. These features led many of Hallberg’s followers to believe she was black or biracial, and a number of her photos were re-posted by popular black beauty pages.

Some argue that Hallberg, because she never explicitly claimed to be black, does not deserve the backlash that she received. However, Hallberg’s presence on beauty pages that cater to black men and women made it clear she was aware of how others perceived her. Hallberg was even seen liking a number of these posts without making any clarifying statements about her race.

When accused of blackfishing, Hallberg took to instagram to explain.

In a set of instagram stories, Hallberg attempted to dispute accusations of blackface and cultural appropriation.

She claimed to have never gotten spray tans or taken “melatonin” (yes, she said melatonin). She also showed pictures of her father and brother (both of whom are nowhere near as dark as her) to show how they tan easily, just like

her. Hallberg revealed that she sleeps in braids to curl her hair, and that her mother has naturally curly hair. She can also be seen in a Youtube video applying makeup, using a foundation four shades darker than her face, although, according to Hallberg, her face is significantly lighter than her body because of the skin care measures she’s taken to remove acne scars. Despite the many posts that justify her change in appearance, many doubt her likeness to black women is unintentional.

Although Hallberg is the most well knowing Instagram influencer when it comes to blackfishing, many other non black women have fooled their Instagram followers as well. A thread posted on Twitter went viral for calling out ‘blackfishes’, exposing a plethora of women guilty of impersonating black women. Among these women is another Instagram model, twenty year old Aga Brzostowska. In an interview with BBC Radiobeat, Brzostowska admitted to using makeup to make her skin look darker, but claims she never did so with the attention of appearing black. Like Hallberg, Brzostowska denied accusations of blackfishing despite having visibly darker skin, plump lips, and braids.

But why is this such a problem?

Shouldn’t black women be happy others like their features so much?

No. And here’s why.

Blackfishing is extremely disregarded by the black community and has even been referred to as modern day blackface. While not as explicit as it once was, this form of caricaturing black women is not a compliment.

In fact, it’s rather insulting. Features black women have so often been teased or bullied for are suddenly seen as attractive and profitable once they are denoted as ‘trendy’ or ‘fashionable’ by a white woman. Even in their own community black women can see their features being mocked. In fact, one black man commented on one of Hallberg’s posts saying she looks “good af” and “black women are monkeys which is why nobody likes them.” How can black women be expected to appreciate the popularization of their looks among others when the same features are seen as negative qualities in themselves?

Appreciation and appropriation are two very different things and the latter can be seen in this case. Using black culture for social and economic gains further oppresses black women. To appreciate a culture is to have genuine respect and adoration for it—without using it for benefits, that is.

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AirPods: An Elevated Existence

BY VANESSA PONTACHACK AND OLIVIA ANDREASSI This year it seems like the whole world got AirPods for Christmas, with their popularity making them difficult to find on shelves during the holiday season. The tag #AirpodsforChristmas became one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter, which, at first, made fun of AirPod users. Overnight, though, an outpouring of funny memes took over Twitter, attributing AirPod ownership to wealth and internet clout.

B-CC senior Erik Ter-Gabrielyan claimed he uses his AirPods to “flex on broke boys,” gaining a higher status than those around him.

But, like anyone who knows anything about being poppin’ is aware of, popularity brings out the haters. AirPod users know no exception. Senior Lily Lester believes “they’re kinda dumb.”

“If I’m being honest, you’re paying more than one hundred dollars to have the same headphones without the wire,” she said, comparing the $30 wired EarPods to the $159 AirPods.

Just saying, that sounds like something someone who can’t afford AirPods would say. It seems as though AirPod users have an elevated understanding of the world that outsiders just couldn’t possibly understand.

“I’ve entered a new plane of existence,” senior Raul Zambrano said. “One that transcends the comprehension of people who don’t own AirPods.”

Another senior, Isabella Hauter, said that, since getting her AirPods, she “feels wealthier, at the top of the pyramid, and is living [her] best life.”

So are AirPods worth the hype? AirPod users seem to unanimously say yes. It seems that no one can say otherwise without having known the life changing experience that comes with AirPod ownership. Maybe you truly do unlock a higher level of life with that $160 purchase. Or maybe they’re all just trying to pretend they don’t regret spending that much money on something easier to lose than a B-CC football game. Unfortunately, there is no way to know without dropping the cash and securing the invite to the private Facebook group. Maybe that will be the subject of a future Tattler investigation. But, until then, we are all left to sit in the shadow of the wireless that walk among us.

The Bird Box Phenomenon

ILLUSTRATION BY BELA OMOEVA

BY CAMILLE HALL AND CAT DESOUZA

The movie Bird Box is a newly released twisted thriller that Netflix first streamed on December 13, 2018. The film features an unknown force that kills whoever sees it with their own eyes; if you open your eyes, you die. This mysterious force is never actually explained in the movie, so we are only given clues as to what people actually see before they die.

Netflix announced on December 28th that more than 45 million accounts watched its original horror movie in seven days, making it a record breaking debut for the streaming service. It had the most successful week of any Netflix film.

Why was this movie such a big success? And what does this plot actually reveal about humanity?

The main character is a woman named Malorie, who is played by none other than Sandra 34

Bullock, and she must complete a trip to find safety alongside a river in the currently destroyed world. She not only must find this refuge with two young children, but all of them must also be blindfolded the entire time.

There were other movies released in the past couple of years that feature strong women. Each of the main characters were forced into horrific situations in which they were unable to rely on one of their senses. Hush, A Quiet Place, and now Bird Box include heroic, female protagonists that end up conquering their fears from whatever “monsters” are attacking them.

Inspired by Bird Box, people have started using the trending hashtag #BirdBoxChallenge to complete certain tasks while they are blindfolded. Netflix on Twitter released a statement, saying: “Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE

DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.”

And of course, we can’t forget about the numerous memes that were created from this movie.

Sandra Bullock herself was unaware just how big of an impact this movie would have on the public.

“Sandra loved the script, and as soon as she read it she knew she wanted to make the movie. But, she didn’t envision it being quite as huge as it has been,” said a source close to the actress.

She is hopeful that the movie has also opened doors up for other female stars within the movie industries.

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The Rattler: February Edition

BY WILL TENPAS

Construction Crew Successfully Moves Dirt From Left to Right Side of Field

Porta-Potties on Field Undergoing Test Run as Future Portables

After an arduous three month process, Clark Construction has successfully moved the pile of dirt on the left side of the field to the right side.

According to construction manager Clark McClarkerson, “we didn’t know if it would be possible, considering the challenges posed while crossing the field—like the mud, worms, and portapotty—but we successfully relocated the objective to the North end of the facility.” According to McClarkerson, the company had to hire four construction managers with PHDs in construction engineering, worm avoidance, dirt relocation, and big yellow machines, respectively, in order to get the job done efficiently and safely. “Without the experts, it’s safe to say we would have lost four to five crew members.” The next phase of construction will include digging a hole to put that dirt in and then relocating the removed dirt from the hole to the south end.

Estimated finish time is June of 2023, right in time for this years eighth graders to experience a home football game.

The porta-potties located on the field are currently undergoing a trial as classrooms. According to MCPS officials, “you can really cram ‘em together—vertically and horizontally I might add—and they have part of the word portable in their name. Plus you don’t need custodians to clean those bad boys—the truck just comes and vacuums them out.” One student noted “they smell better than the old portables, and at least somebody actually knows how to lock the door on these.” Class sizes also must be restricted when held in these makeshift classrooms—according to MCPS regulations, all porta-potty classes must be limited to 25 students—which makes for a more personal classroom interaction.

Andrew Cha Completes Promposal in 9th Grade The exciting night of prom is rapidly approaching, but for one B-CC student, there is no stress surrounding it. Senior Andrew Cha completed his promposal his freshman year.

“I had a break between tennis, publishing the school newspaper, and interviewing the alumni from my interested prospective colleges, so I figured I might as well get this out of the way.” The promposal, which took place between Cha’s self taught pre-lesson for his junior year IB history class and his time spent preparing to prepare his daily agenda, involved a tablet which Cha coded to say “Prom.” There was a checkbox under the phrase “Yes, I agree” and a check box under the phrase “No, I disagree.” When I pressed for further details about the event, Cha looked at his watch, screamed, and ran out of the room, saying that “I’m already 20 minutes behind schedule for my wedding preparatory plans.”

The Oscars Still Don’t Have A Host and I Have Some Nominees

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BELA OMOEVA

BY MAGGIE HODGE The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are a set of 24 awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry, given annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Each year, the Oscars choose a celebrity to host the glamorous night. This year, Kevin Hart was set to be the host until he stepped down after some controversial tweets from 2011 resurfaced. The tweets, some of which have been deleted, contain homophobic language such as "Yo if my son comes home & tries 2 play with my daughter's doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice 'stop that's gay'."

Hart said the Academy asked him to apologize or they would find another host. Hart said he chose not to issue the apology and step down instead, saying he did not want to contribute to "feeding the internet trolls."

Now, with a little less than a month to the Oscars, they are still left without a host. Luckily for them, I love sharing my opinion when no one asks for it. A few options that I know would be better than a homophobic, sexist, and unfunny comedian:

Mr. Lopilato: A great candidate because of his charisma, knowledge of pop culture, and his really cute baby.

Barack Obama: Who doesn’t love Barack? Even if you don’t agree with his politics, you can’t say that he wasn’t the coolest president ever.

Maya and Piero: An iconic duo who would be great hosts, rivaling Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Their great on-camera chemistry paired with that signature fist-bump would make TV ratings fly.

Oscar the Grouch: Not only does he share the name as the award show, but he is WAY funnier than Kevin Hart and has more fans.

Myself: While I have no experience hosting anything, and whenever I stand up to do a presentation in class I start sweating, I will gladly nominate myself to host the Oscars for the clout.