April 2021 by The Affair Magazine

CURRENT AFFAIRS IN A WAY YOU'LL LOVE

Sahithi Lingampalli

founder tech and design co-director art co-director

vice executive layout co-director

Kavya Gurunath

Shrawani Pradhan

vice executive science co-director

Geethikaa Tarra

art & media, opinion codirector

Inchara J

science, layout co-director

Vrinda Gandhi

vice executive marketing/finances director

Neve Walker

politics & world events director

Samita Pandit

lifestyle co-director

Taruni Manam

vice executive lifestyle co-director

Manushri Bapat

art & media director (on break)

Nivi Chozhan

tech co-director

Evelyn Chen

art co-director

Harvi Karatha

editing co-director

Uday Lingampalli editing co-director

Aathmika Radhachandran public relations co-director

Ashmita Annamalai

public relations co-director

COVER ART BY SAHITHI LINGAMPALLI

Cindy Zhang

opinion co-director

Tiffany Fang

podcast director

Parker McElroy

politics co-director

WRITERS: Alda Nasywa Analiese Maciel Anvitha Mattapalli Arabi Mahnujam Archini Desai Ashmita Annamalai Asic Cindy Zhang Geethikaa Tarra Grace Yoon Hafiza Samath Inchara J Juee Deshmukh Kavya Gurunath Laya Vijay Mridula Divakar Neve Walker Nivi Chozhan Parker McElroy Sahithi Lingampalli Samita Pandit Tiffany Fang Taruni Manam Thejo Tattala

EDITORS: Aarav Navani Anvitha Mattapalli Arushi Patil Cindy Zhang Dominique Suniadji Harini Akurathi Harvi Karatha Inchara J Jason Liu Jeet Parikh Kavya Gurunath Laya Vijay Manushri Bapat Mridula Divakar Myint Myat Theingi Neve Walker Nivi Chozhan Samita Pandit Shoffana Sundaramoorthy Taruni Manam Tiffany Fang Uday Lingampalli

LAYOUT DESIGNERS:

Arushi Patil Harini Akurathi Inchara J Karen He Leesha Pilla Sahithi Lingampalli Tiffany Fang Tristan Castro PUBLIC RELATIONS: Aathmika Radhachandran Aarya Ravishankar Frank Granada Grace Yoon Laya Vijay Nivi Chozhan Sierra Tan ARTISTS: Cal Shin Koh Evelyn Chen Sahithi Lingampalli Sharon Pan Thejo Tattala

ART & MEDIA

51 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

DAVID DOBRIK: THE SEXUAL

53 THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON

ASSAULT SCANDAL

ADOLESCENTS

“CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” HATE

55 ORBITAL MECHANICS, EXPLAINED

THE PORTRAYAL OF AUTISM IN THE

59 LIFESTYLE

MEDIA 17

61 EARTH DAY

POETRY MONTH

65 ICED COFFEE MADE EASY

POLITICS

69 WHY JOURNALING IS HEALTHY

THE #STOPASIANHATE MOVEMENT

WHAT WAS THE LAVENDER SCARE?

GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED

75 OPINION

ISLAMOPHOBIA IN FRANCE

77 NOT AMERICAN ENOUGH

AUTISM AWARENESS AND

83 WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS

ACCEPTANCE IN POLITICS AND

84 SHOULD WE RAISE MINIMUM WAGE?

SOCIETY

85 SHOULD WE PAY PEOPLE TO VOTE?

TECH & DESIGN

87 WHAT IS PERFORMATIVE ALLYSHIP?

AUTISM-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY

89 HAS CANCEL CULTURE GONE TOO

THE ARTEMIS SPACESUIT

71 WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH AUTISM

FAR?

MAGIC LIQUID REPLACING FOSSIL FUELS

SINGLE EMOJI, DOUBLE MEANING

SCIENCE

THE COVID-19 VACCINE: MAKING LIFE NORMAL AGAIN

collab with @dearasianyouth on page 77! Not American Enough by Tiffany Fang

David Dobrik: The Sexual Assault Scandal A section debriefing the situation involving David Dobrik and Durte Dom, famous youtube stars and the importance of speaking up for sexual assault.

pp. 7

The Portrayal of Autism in the Media An article looking into how autism has been portrayed in the media, and the impacts and influence it has on society.

pp. 15

“Call Me By Your Name” Hate An article breaking down Lil Nas X’s new song and the level of hate it is getting. It will present the lyrics clearly and show how they don’t live up to their satanic and occult reputation.

pp. 13

Poetry Month The relevance of poetry month and a few prominent poets meriting recognition. Also includes reader submissions!

pp. 17

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault & R*pe

Art by Sahithi Lingampalli David Dobrik: arguably one of the most famous and most-loved YouTubers online. Dobrik first rose to fame after filming vines with his friends, and quickly grew an audience on Youtube after Vine had been discontinued. In his short vlogs, he mostly films his friends who later nicknamed themselves the “Vlog Squad”, a group of creators who film content together. He and his friends often film themselves going to parties, playing bizarre pranks, and even giving away very expensive cars. Essentially, his videos are short-form comedy videos that contain skits and snippets of numerous famous individuals, making his videos very entertaining for his young adult demographic. But no matter how real his life may seem, edited videos online never reveal the whole truth. This raises the question: How far has David Dobrik really gone to keep his vlogs entertaining and exciting?

David's Background David Dobrik has been long-renowned as Youtube’s very own “golden boy”, which by definition means “a boy or man who is popular, admired and successful whose faults are often overlooked by others''. Many YouTubers do absurd things to gain more views, popularity, and money, and unfortunately, Dobrik is no exception. In fact, there is an alarming amount of deleted footage that captures the numerous offensive

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sexist jokes and pranks rik has done such as g his friends to make such the n-word twice in a vine ing the camera towards n, urging his friends do n a vlog, making fun of the nese people speak in a candy-tasting video with y, and repeatedly directing ate sexist jokes towards d members Corinna Kopf y Hanna, none of which were ght to the public’s attention article titled “A woman on YouTube star David hannel says she was r*ped Squad member in 2018 the filmed a video about group published on Insider, many of Dobrik’s audience and tainting Dobrik’s clean image forever.

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e discusses the sexual at took place behind the a vlog that Dobrik posted on 8, 2018, titled, “SHE NOT HAVE PLAYED WITH h evidence from Hannah m chosen by Insider), the aced sexual assault from s Zeglaitis, also known as om” for the sex addict that he played in Dobrik’s

After sitting down, one of the girls informed the vlog squad that “she had to let [them] know” that she “didn’t know any of [the vlog squad members]”. The vlog squad then cracked some jokes. Dobrik voiceovers that “after a couple of minutes of talking, it was clear there was no five-some happening”. However, the video then transitions while Dobrik voice-overs that “by some stroke of luck and master negotiating, Zeglaitis made progress”, suggesting that the girls did not want to participate in the situation at all. Shortly after, the vlog cuts to a clip of Dobrik filming him and his friends making jokes after opening Zeglaitis’s room where he was supposedly having a fivesome with the college girls (who were previously introduced in the vlog). According to Jeff Witteck, one of the vlog squad members who opened the door to “do a headcount for the vlog”, claimed that Zeglaitis and the other college girls were not actually in the room shown in the video (the room is dark and does not show any people) and were simply faking it for the sake of comedic content. But according to one of Hannah’s friends, the room was not empty, and Hannah and another girl were in the room with Zeglaitis. The next clip reveals Zeglaitis, sweating and shirtless. Dobrik proceeds to ask if it was Zeglaitis’s first threesome, to which Zeglaitis agrees with and thanks Dobrik for arranging the entire situation.

The scene switches again one final time to Dobrik, Smith, and Calvillo in the car where Dobrik says that “Dom just had a threesome and I think we’re all– ” and Smith finishes his sentence by saying “going to jail.” Dobrik laughs and repeats, “I think we’re all going to jail.” Calvillo then jokes, “See you in 20 years.” The vlog was taken down a couple of hours later at Hannah’s request.

Victim's Story the

Hannah, one of the college girls invited to Dobrik’s apartment to have a supposed fivesome with Zeglaitis, had reached out to a writer at Insider magazine to write the article that revealed much of the information that was hidden behind the scenes of the original vlog. She and her friends talked to the writer at Insider by recalling both their own perspectives of the situation and showing proof of text messages

and DMs as well. Hannah and her friends’ recollection of the night reveal much more than what was shown on camera. According to Hannah, her friends had been texting Zeglaitis the day before they were invited to the Vlog Squad’s apartment. Hannah herself was unfamiliar with the members of the Vlog Squad, but she tagged along with her friends as they had promised Zeglaitis that they would come to their apartment. Hannah told Insider that she instantly felt very uncomfortable and that she felt a lot of pressure from the YouTubers to act a certain way to provide interesting “content” for their videos. Immediately, Zeglaitis began hitting on Hannah. Throughout the night, Zeglaitis continued to hit on Hannah and make her feel uncomfortable, continuing to call her “baby”, asking her to become his “Instagram girlfriend”, and repeatedly asking her to kiss him. As the night continued, he took her into a private pitch-black bedroom and forced her to kiss him. Later on, some of the members of the vlog squad went out to buy alcohol for the college girls to drink, who were underage at the time. Hannah and her friends continued to drink and became very drunk as time went by. Hannah’s friend, Audrey, told Insider that much of the alcohol was encouraged by vlog squad members in an attempt to get her drunk for the vlog. A couple of minutes later, Zeglaitis led Hannah and Audrey, both very intoxicated, into a dark bedroom where he had sex with

both girls. Hannah could not recall any of this the morning after which is the only reason why she gave Zeglaitis consent to post the vlog. Shortly after, Audrey told Hannah that she had witnessed Zeglaitis r*ping Hannah while she was unconscious and blacked-out at the time and that she had “finished him off” so that he would stop assaulting Hannah. Hannah could not process this and laughed it off but later had a panic attack about the situation repeating “I was r*ped” over and over again. On November 28, 2018, the vlog with Hannah and her friends came out, which was really difficult for Hannah to process. “It’s difficult to describe how it feels knowing that millions of strangers have seen a video of me in a night that affected me and traumatized me in nearly incomprehensible ways, not knowing that anything was wrong,” she said (Tenbarge). In February 2019, Hannah finally reached out to Zeglaitis through a long text message explaining the pain that she felt and told him about her wishes of taking down the video to help herself heal from the trauma that she faced. His only reply was “Okay, I respect your wishes. The video's down.”

history

Alleg

Unfortunate time that accused of such disgus esty, a vic titled "DUR Story” in J involving se She explain uously aske him, and to She explain her and tou while pinnin no one had similar to t faced. At th video, she r from Dobrik Zeglaitis and also discred the video w now gaine viewers, man her and prai In June o titled “HE T HER!! (SUPE tricked on members, S out with Ja comedian, Francois wa be pranked surprisingly,

gations

ely, this was not the first Dobrik or Zeglaitis were f condoning or curating sting situations. Ally Hardtim who posted a video RTE DOM EXPOSED: My une 2017, told her story xual assault from Zeglaitis. ned that he had contind her to kiss him, to touch overall do things with him. ed how he sat on top of uched her nonconsensually g her arms down, and that helped her in the moment, the situation that Hannah e time that she posted the received a lot of backlash k fans, defending him and d calling Ally a liar. Dobrik dited her claims at the time was posted. The video has ed more traction from ny of them now supporting ising her for her bravery. of 2017, David posted a vlog HOUGHT HE WAS KISSING ER CRINGEY)” in which he ne of the vlog squad Seth Francois, into making ason Nash, a 45-year-old for a fake commercial. as unaware that he would d into kissing Nash, and this was not the first time

that Dobrik had tricked Francois into making out with Nash. Francois was originally told that he would be making out with Corinna Kopf wearing an old man’s mask for the vlog. Corinna then left the room to switch outfits with Jason Nash. Wearing the old man mask, Nash entered the room and started to make out with Francois. After about 20-30 seconds, David revealed that Francois was not kissing Kopf but Nash instead, leaving Francois both shocked and appalled. On February 12, 2021, Francois spoke to the hosts Ethan and Hila Klein of the H3H3 podcast, telling them about the sexual assault he faced from the vlog squad members, speaking about the negative impact that it had on him. “I was touched by someone I did not consent to,” he told them. It was also apparent that David had tried to hide this entire situation after he began deleting both vlogs and clips from his podcast. Both of these videos have been taken down and can no longer be found on Dobrik’s channel. Another incident was revealed recently, on the Frenemies podcast, Trisha Paytas told Ethan Klein of the inappropriate pranks that he played on her including one where he flew to Nash and Paytas’s vacation hotel to scare them. In the video, David hid in the hotel room while Paytas and Nash were having sexual relations in their room until Paytas walked into the

bathroom where David jumped out with his camera, filming Paytas while she was completely nude and without her consent. Although Paytas’s body is blurred in the video, Paytas told Klein that she did not consent to him posting the video on the internet, nor did she consent to him intruding on her privacy. He had still posted the vlog titled “I SNUCK INTO THEIR HOTEL ROOM!! (SURPRISE)”. Both of these videos have been taken down and can no longer be found on Dobrik’s channel.

the

Apologies Dom Zeglaitis was the first member involved in the sexual assault situation to voice his thoughts on the Insider article after it was published. Instead of addressing the situation, however, he went indepth into his past and overall claimed that he was“the polar opposite” of what people were saying about him (“addressing the drama…”). Numerous viewers were angry with

Zeglaitis’s lack of sorrow, and over 116,000 of them disliked the video. The most-liked comment on the video says, “Man just own the fact that you deserve to be in jail for your actions.”. Another comment is angry with “the fact he’s calling him raping a woman ‘drama’” and that he “deserves prison time”. David has not only tried to hide evidence of his past actions but has also stayed silent for years, waiting for the numerous allegations and drama to blow over as if hoping that everybody will forget what he did. Throughout his entire career, Dobrik has never taken full accountability for his actions, has never spoken out about the accusations he has faced. Dobrik posted his first-ever apology titled Let’s Talk on March 16, 2021. This video was posted only days after he began to lose large sponsorships that had previously endorsed his videos, raising suspicions from his audience that his apology was ingenuine. In his video, he claimed, “Consent is something that's super, super

important to me whether I’m shooting with a friend or shooting with a stranger, I always make sure that whatever the video I’m putting out, I have the approval from that person who consents.” He alluded to Zeglaitis when he said “I chose to distance myself because I “don't align with some of the actions and I don't stand for any kind of misconduct, and I've been really disappointed by some of my friends and for that reason, I’ve separated from a lot of them.” The issue with this statement is the lack of mentioning that he himself had curated such an environment for his friends to conduct certain actions and also encouraged such actions to occur for his content. In addition, he turned both his comments and video ratings (likes and dislikes) odd, which many viewers perceived as cowardly. Many viewers were also unhappy with the fact that David had posted his apology on his smallest platform, his podcast YouTube Channel, with only 1.7 million subscribers compared to

his main vlog 18.4 million su that he was n actions and wa and testing th angry people re

After receivin and losing eve after his first ap with a new a week later on 3/22/21. He ad allegations th apologized for victim’s state believing Dom his head arou childhood frie this way” (“3/2 seemed to say claimed to ap were still no statements as many to loo actions and assertion that improve from t currently has o over 160,000 d

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Dobrik 500,000 sub Insider article entire YouTube monetized by Y

channel totaling up to ubscribers, suggesting not truly sorry for his as trying to clear the air he waters to see how eally were with him.

g even more backlash en more sponsorships pology, David came out pology video about a his main channel titled dmitted to a lot of the at he received and not acknowledging the ements and instead as he “could not wrap und the fact that his nd would hurt others 2/21”). And although he y all the right things and pologize, many people ot accepting of his s it was difficult for k past such terrible blindly accept his he would grow and this situation. His video over 700,000 likes and dislikes.

rmath

k has since lost over bscribers since the was published, and his e channel has been deYouTube itself. Add-

itionally, many huge brands such as Hello Fresh, HBO Max, DoorDash, Audible, Dollar Shave Club, Honey, Chipotle, and Bumble have informed the public that they will no longer be working with Dobrik as his actions do not align with their companies’ values. Dobrik has also stepped down from his camera and photo-sharing app Dispo shortly after its new launch in March. The second apology video on his main channel has over 150,000 thumbs down but over 700,000 thumbs up: an 82.2% like to dislike ratio. This high like to dislike ratio shows that still a majority of his audience has accepted his apology and is okay with the crimes that he committed and condoned, traumatizing the lives of many people. Although Dobrik apologized for his actions and was not the one who conducted the sexual assault, he still condone the environment in which it occurred in and gave a platform to a man who had a history of r*ping and sexually assaulting various women. He continued to stand up for the predator and refused to believe the women who were brave enough to stand up for himself and tell their story. His apology also does not take back what happened to the women who were r*ped and sexually assaulted. It does not erase the pain and trauma that they will have to face for the rest of their life. His refusal to stand up for or believe these womens’ stories was also extremely harmful.

Donate:

www.rainn.org/donate

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

(Call Me by Your Name)” Hate “Montero

The recently released hit song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X has received numerous criticisms and hurtful comments, which flooded many social media platforms over the past few weeks. Some made accusations of his artistic vision and labeled the music video as satanic, highly inappropriate and sacrilegious. Many swore to boycott the song, and Nas X nearly got sued by Nike for the “Satan shoes'' he wore in the music video, despite increasing Nike shoe sales. However, supporters of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name), have made many defenses for Nas X. Explaining that the video is not insulting any religion or supporting satanism. Many supporters stated that the only “satanic” element in the video is the appearance of Satan. Also, as Nas X got many hateful statements, he made several humorous remarks in response. Posting several tweets such as, “my bad bro @god,” and, “omg if you roll down your window at chic fil a playing call me by your name they give u a free sandwich and a lemonade.” Following his example, his fans also made many amusing videos about “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”

Later on, Nas X informed many news platforms about the true meaning of his symbolic music video. The allusion of the glamourized version of the Garden of Eden is not present to insult Christianity, but there to match the song lyrics, “If Eve ain’t in your garden you know that you can call me when you want.” This implies Nas X will be waiting until the object of his affection will accept their true identity. His song partially refers to the 2017 film, “Call Me By Your Name,” starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet. Besides, other queer elements are embedded into the “double entendre” lyrics and certain scenes of the music video. Many supporters of Nas X stated that he was simply embracing his identity in his music video.

Nas X created this song believing it would hold great significance not only to him but to the LGBTQ+ community as well. While explaining the idea behind his song to Genius, Nas X stated, “In life, we hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want the world to see. We lock them away. We tell them no. We bash them. But here, we don’t. Welcome to Montero.”

After Nas X embraced his sexuality back in June 2019, he became one of the most prominent public figures representing the LGBTQ+ community. Nas X stated that he grew up in a religious home that made homophobia driven by fear. After releasing his song, he said it was “the most real and the most vulnerable … I’ve ever been on a song,” to Genius when explaining the meaning behind his song. Although Nas X puts up a brave front for the audience, he did admit that it was getting hard to stay positive amidst all this negativity. Unfortunately, this scandal has poorly affected Nas X’s mental state. But many supporters are moved by the good intentions behind his song, "Montero (Call Me By Your Name).

written by Grace Yoon edited by Kavya Gurunath layout by Harini Akurathi art by Thejo Tattala

In today’s world of pop culture, people are constantly attempting to expand the horizons of media, often going into sensitive topics, or ones that haven’t been spoken about. Although this can be good in reference to some topics, the media ends up spreading more misinformation than awareness, in an attempt to make it more ‘likable’ to the general public. Some of the most overlooked cases of misinformation in the media are seen with the depiction of disabilities and mental illnesses due to the lack of education about such topics: specifically autism. Autism is defined as a broad spectrum of conditions that are characterized by social challenges, repetitive actions, and struggles with speech. As a spectrum disorder, autism cannot be classified by one set of strengths, weaknesses, or characteristics: what one person with autism might struggle with, another might excel in. Just by this definition of autism, it’s clear that there is so much room for error, especially since the media is known to emphasize and play upon stereotypes. There have been several strides in the inclusivity of autistic characters and actors. However, there are still many discrepancies. The media often takes on one specific portrayal of autism, and fails to represent other areas of the spectrum, usually being on either extreme of the spectrum. This is especially seen with the trope

of the ‘autistic savant,’ or a person with autism with great skill in one specific field, as seen in “The Good Doctor” or “The Big Bang Theory”. Even though this trope isn’t necessarily inaccurate, only about 10% of people on the autism spectrum have already been represented by this trope, so overly displaying this one portrayal is damaging to the other members of the spectrum. Today, one of the most damaging representations of autism is in Sia’s new film, “Music.” First off, people were angry about the fact that Maddie Ziegler, a neurotypical dancer who is known to work with Sia, was chosen to play an autistic character, when an actual member with autism could have been cast. This is problematic, because the whole point of such films is to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for people with autism. And the best way to do that, is to have an actual member of the spectrum contributing. In addition to it, the way Ziegler is acting “like an autistic person” very much follows the stereotypical mimicking of people with autism the same way they have been bullied and mocked their whole lives. Such actions can be considered

offensive, and memories for th

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his, scenes in “Music” int and isolation of the er, which is known to with autism. This is gerous because such killed members of the led to significant autistic people. It also restraining autistic essary and are loving t true, considering the s that occupational provide with sensory

e both negative and ts on society due to f autism in the media. e repercussions are mmon stereotypes, on the range of autism eople to mistreat or ith autism. Those with face so much by going not being neurotypical. portrayal of autistic ables people to harass spectrum. It pushes to force themselves to he media stereotypes, owledging their place

in the spectrum, which can be hurtful. There are both negative and positive impacts on society due to the portrayal of autism in the media. Some negative repercussions are sustaining common stereotypes, misinformation on the range of autism and leading people to mistreat or isolate those with autism. Those with autism already face so much by going into the world not being neurotypical. The media’s portrayal of autistic people only enables people to harass those on the spectrum. It pushes autistic people to force themselves to be a part of the media stereotypes, instead of acknowledging their place in the spectrum, which can be hurtful. There are both negative and positive impacts on society due to the portrayal of autism in the media. Some negative repercussions are sustaining common stereotypes, misinformation on the range of autism and leading people to mistreat or isolate those with autism. Those with autism already face so much by going into the world not being neurotypical. The media’s portrayal of autistic people only enables people to harass those on the spectrum. It pushes autistic people to force themselves to

be a part of the media stereotypes, instead of acknowledging their place in the spectrum, which can be hurtful. However, there are also several positive effects including the promotion of inclusion and acceptance, education over a variety of disabilities, showing what autistic people can do and allowing autistic people to feel represented. At the same time, these positive effects can only be successfully seen, if the media portrays autistic people with respect and accuracy, unlike what Sia did in her new movie. In the end, the media needs to take responsibility to display every aspect of the spectrum accurately and positively, to decrease the negative repercussions of the portrayal of autism in the media.

written by Vanathi Kanth edited by Dominique Samantha, Uday Lingampalli, & Manushri Bapat layout by Karen He art by Evelyn Chen

poetry mon by Ashmita Annamalai, Alda Nasywa, & Juee Deshmukh The word “poetry” derives from the Greek and it means to “make”. Poetry is a genre of literature that uses an aesthetic language quality which is bound by its elements, such as rhythm, mantra, rhyme, line, and verse. Poetry is also considered as an expression of emotions, imagination, ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Poetry is estimated to have first appeared between 15000 and 13000 BC. Early usage of poetry has been a key part of ancient holy books. Some sources claim poetry was even used in the times of cavemen -- though they are well-known for their primary use of pictures. Ever since the end of the 14th century, Chaucer has been known as the Father of English poetry. Poetry is closely related to musical traditions and ancient poetry is believed to have been read or sung as a means of remembering history, genealogy and law, as recorded in many famous translated works such as The Odyssey. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), a celebration of poetry takes place each April. In 1996, the

Academy of American Poets was established to celebrate the amazing wealth of emotions, humor and human experience found in poetry and hope that with Poetry Month, there would be an increase in awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

5 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month 1. Sign Up for A Poem a Day 2. Share a Poem 3. Watch a Poetry Reading 4. Do Some Poetry Exercises 5. Write a Poem of Your Own

Of course, you don't have to only celebrate poetry in April. National Poetry Month is just one of the many programs that American Academy of Poets launched in order to raise awareness . Therefore, to keep the celebration going, consider other programs or becoming a member of the American Academy of Poets and enjoying literary opportunities throughout the year.

3 Notable Amanda

Amanda S.C Angeles, youngest in her work ha perform fo Manuel M Clinton, Ma Gorman re We Climb,” on Januar symbolizes United Sta politically. G young wom her empow on issues o

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Thomas Ste critic born highly rega Land,” talks succeeding of Eliot’s po of a Worl Victorian-e successfull portrayed f making him

e Poets Gorman

C Gorman was born in Los California. She is the naugural poet in U.S history; as gotten her invitations to or famous people like LinMiranda, Al Gore, Hilary alala Yousafzai, and more. ecited her poem, “The Hill at Joe Biden’s inauguration ry 20th, 2021. The hill s the rough path that the ates climbed socially and Gorman is an inspiration for men and people of color, and wering literature sheds light of all sorts.

earns Eliot was a poet and in St. Louis, Missouri. His arded poem, “The Waste s about London’s aftermath g the first World War. Many oems express the adversity d War I generation with era morals. T.S Eliot has y and authentically feelings of the early 1900s, m a remarkable poet.

Nikki Giovanni Nikki Giovanni is a poet and children’s author born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Growing up, she had access to authors such as Richard Wright and Langston Hughes. Giovanni’s most admired poem, “Nikki-Rosa,” is a “reminisce of her childhood in a close-knit African American home” (Poetry Foundation). “Nikki-Rosa” broadened her appeal and was published in Black Judgement. Nikki Giovanni earned multiple awards in her lifetime and used her literature to spread messages to society regarding the Civil Rights Movement.

Not all remarkable poets have to be famous. In honor of poetry month, we had our magazine audience submit their own beautiful poetry. You can read them on the next page. Enjoy!

Edited by Manushri Bapat, Myint Myat Theingi, & Mridula Divakar Layout by Sahithi Lingampalli Art by Sharon Pan

reader subm Adrija Jana, 16

West Bengal, India Scream of Silence The sickly sweet smell of excess male perfume The strong rotten smell of drunken breath Assault her senses A brutal assault He comes closer She's suffering from the cramps of her monthly cycle She's tired from the hard labour of the household She shakes her head no It goes unnoticed He comes closer It is unravelling She starts chanting "No, no, no" like a mantra Deaf ears are oblivious The back of her knees hit the bed He comes closer. She screams "No!" But the hand is strong, too strong The scream is muffled, the tears are free But water can't soak a rock

A few bangles break The shards jabbing into her heart, twisting Rivulets of blood flow out More bangles break Bangles tight and loose He comes closer.

She screams no more It's eerily silent She's no more with him She's lying on her father's lap She's playing with her little brother She's reading his very first love letter"I'll never let any pain touch you..." He comes closer. The thread breaks Was it weak? Who knows? Maybe, beaten down And worn out through the years Now it is no more.

Catherine Rasgaiti Washington, USA My History Textbook My history textbook Looks a thousand years It’s crumbling to pieces And it’s even growing m

The cover is so worn You can barely read the The pages all fell out And that’s why I failed th

Vasundhara Choudha Chandigarh, India

Spark A Light of Hope! Whenever you feel the hope left! Remember on a foggy sun, the moon and st had no hope! Remember in winter se snow covered grassla had no hope! Remember in autumn the tree without any had no hope! Remember the caterp was about to bec butterfly also had no ho But all of them shined,

missions

is, 16

old,

old!

blossomed, bloomed and bounced back in an incredible manner! Just because they still had faith on themselves and the almighty! There's always sunshine after storm! You just have to be faithful and patient!

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Because of a shooting in the village And from the woman rested only the image Of one more victim Of the sick system

Stephânia Moinhos Garcia, 18 São Paulo, Brazil A Memory from Camboja There was this guy That stepped on a landmine His friend ran to the village To tell his mom about the damage He went there and said That he saw him dead She let herself cry But she knew, deep inside, Those were the scars of a war Nobody wanted anymore It took men and sons Destroyed the beloved ones But it wouldn’t matter for much time As days later she would also die

Michigan, USA City of Broken Dreams Welcome to the city of broken dreams, Where nightmares freely roam the streets, For At the junction of Shattered and Hope You will see the blood of our children Etched into the road, For At the intersection of Fear and Government You will see our women Full stripped of consent, For At the terminal of Religion and Tolerance You will see men Discussing each other's

Murders in conference. But the worst of it all lies at DoNothing and Passerbys, Where you stand as the Real culprits, willingly turning a blind eye.

Sanam Marjan, 16 Dhaka, Bangladesh Caged I have seen my loved one drowse into temptations and freedom; Staying out, Speaking whatever came out of them Wearing things I wasn't allowed to touch Living their lives to the fullest; I have seen my same reflection onto the Mirrors of my room, I have seen my shadow dance across the enclosed walls, Ihave heard the echoes of my voice against my head Shouting to get out. My soul ached while craving to be touched, Dry eyes dying in the dire need of tears,

'Someone get me out from my mother's rib cage Someone get me out from my father's expectations Someone get me out from the portrayal of perfection played to my sister, I am losing my air--' I screamed Deep inside me knowing How they shouldn't hear, if they did, if I get caught I would lose, The last freedom of thoughts I am alive But from my mind Waiting for the labyrinthine of protection to end Holding onto life knowing my time will come. But I don't know how to act when I get everything I once criend for and done, Because bird with stones trampled onto its wings Never got to know how to fly, Dying in the hands of their prey the next minute that they are out and alive Caged.

David Dobrik & the Sexual Assault Scandal

Yurieff, K. (2021, March 22). Social media star David Dobrik steps down from his buzzy app Dispo amid controversy. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/22/tech/david-dobrik-dispo-stepping-down/index.html. Los Angeles Times. (2021, March 23). YouTube star David Dobrik apologizes to woman who accused Durte Dom of r*pe. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-03-23/david-dobrik-apology-video-durte-dom-vlog-squad. Asarch, S. (2021, March 25). A history of 'Durte Dom' in David Dobrik vlogs shows a pattern of inappropriate behavior disguised as comedy. Insider. https://www.insider.com/david-dobrik-vlogs-history-durte-dom-character-accused-r*pe-2021-3. Li, J. (2021, March 26). David Dobrik Controversy: How Insider's Kat Tenbarge Learned of Ex-Vlog Squad Member Accused of Sexual Assault. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/david-dobrik-controversy-how-insiders-kat-tenbarge-learned-of-ex-vlog-squad-member-accused-of. Tenbarge, K. (2021, March 16). A woman featured on YouTube star David Dobrik's channel says she was r*ped by a Vlog Squad member in 2018 the night they filmed a video about group sex. Business Insider Australia. https://www.businessinsider.com.au/vlog-squad-durte-dom-rape-allegation-david-dobrik-zeglaitis-video-2021-3. Wong, W. (2021, March 23). Sponsors drop YouTuber David Dobrik after his former collaborator is accused of r*pe. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sponsors-drop-youtuber-david-dobrik-after-his-former-collaborator-accused-n1261719. "Aggy", J. A. A. (2021, March 24). David Dobrik has lost 300,000 subscribers in the aftermath of his sexual assault scandal . Sports news. https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/david-dobrik-lost-300-000-subscribers-aftermath-sexual-assault-scandal. Porter, J. (2021, March 26). YouTube demonetizes David Dobrik's channels over Vlog Squad sexual assault allegations. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/26/22351945/youtube-demonetize-david-dobrik-vlog-squad-sexual-assault-allegations. Lawmakers accused tech CEOs of being evasive and condescending at E&C hearing; CEOs seemed to barely restrain their exasperation with gotcha yes/no questions. Techmeme. (n.d.). https://www.techmeme.com/210326/p1. Centennial Beauty. (2021, March 26). Insider Journalist Kat Tenbarge Responds To Jeff Wittek's 'MY TRUTH' Video. Centennial Beauty. https://centennialbeauty.com/insider-journalist-kat-tenbarge-response-jeff-wittek-my-truth-video/. Dodgson, L. (2021, March 25). A former member of David Dobrik's Vlog Squad says he was sexually assaulted during a video shoot. Insider. https://www.insider.com/seth-francois-accuses-jason-nash-vlog-squad-david-dobrik-assault-2021-2.

“Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” Hate

Mogg, K., & The Huntington News. (2021, April 1). Column: Lil Nas X embraces queerness in new single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”. The Huntington News. https://huntnewsnu.com/66165/uncategorized/column-lil-nas-x-embraces-queerness-in-new-single-montero-call-me-by-your-name/

The Portrayal of Autism in Media

Gambacurta, C. (2020, January 06). AUTISM REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA. Organization for Autism Research. Retrieved from https://researchautism.org/autism-representation-in-the-media/ Wilson, B. (2020, June). How Has Autism Been Portrayed in the Media? Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. Retrieved from https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/faq/autism-portrayal-in-media/ Oliver, D. (2021, February 04). Sia, facing backlash from autism community, adds disclaimer to 'Music,' deletes Twitter. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/02/04/sia-adds-disclaimer-golden-globe-nominated-music-amid-backlashautism-community/4386251001

Poetry Month

5 Ways to Celebrate World Poetry Day: Proofed's Writing Tips. Proofed. (2021, February 25). https://getproofed.com/writing-tips/5-ways-to-celebrate-world-poetry-day/. Academy of American Poets. (2021). National Poetry Month. Poets.org. https://poets.org/national-poetry-month/. Academy of American Poets. (n.d.). About T.S. Eliot. Poets.org. https://poets.org/poet/t-s-eliot. Amanda Gorman. (n.d.). https://www.theamandagorman.com/. Biography. Nikki Giovanni. (n.d.). https://nikki-giovanni.com/biography/. Poetry Foundation. (n.d.). Nikki Giovanni. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/nikkigiovanni#:~:text=The%20prose%20poem%20%E2%80%9CNikki%2DRosa,beloved%20and%20most%20anthologized%20work. Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, April 20). Poetry. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry.

The #StopAsianHate Movement An overview of the recently covered Asian hate crimes, resulting in a movement set on ending Asian hate for good.

pp. 25

What Was the Lavender Scare? A brief explanation of the period in the ‘50s and ‘60s when LGBT people were prosecuted, as well as a timeline of some major events.

pp. 27

The New Normal: Government-sanctioned Islamophobia in France An outline of the new Islamophobic legislation in France and a description of the global effects that this will have on Muslim communities.

pp. 29

Autism Awareness and Acceptance in Politics and Society An overview of Autism Awareness Month as well as how autism is currently portrayed in politics and how it is represented by society.

pp. 31 24

the

layout by inchara j.

edited by harvi karatha, parker mcelroy, neve walker, & myint myat theingi Due to the fact that the statement about COVID-19 originated from China, hate crimes against Asian people have increased dramatically, especially in bigger cities such as NYC and LA. Out of 3,800 attacks on AAPI (AsianAmericans and Pacific Islanders), 2,600 were Asian hate crimes. Out of those 2,600, 126 of those incidents were against defenseless Asian women over 60 years old who could barely speak English. Based on the AntiDefamation League's most recent annual survey, Asian-Americans have suffered the largest spike of harassment and hate online. Some experts believe that Donald Trump’s irresponsible remarks such as calling COVID-19 the “China virus” and “Kung Flu” fueled much of the hatred against the Asian community. These hate crimes brought horror to AsianAmericans across the United States. Akin to what the police do with most hate crimes, they ignored this serious issue.

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One of the more memorable hate crimes is the Georgia shooting of six women. During the March 16th in Atlanta, Georgia shooting, six out of eight people were shot at a massage parlor, and 8 of them were of Asian descent. Robert Aarong Long, a white American man, fatally shot eight AsianAmericans at three different massage shops. Although Long claims that his crimes were not racially motivated, many believe this mass shooting is once again of another hate crime. Since the Georgia shooting, more hate crimes have occurred across the United States. A 75-year-old woman was brutally assaulted in San Francisco. On March 21st, three different assaults took place in New York City; a 54-year-old woman was beaten, and two women were assaulted while on their way to an antiAsian violence protest.

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ianHate marches were throughout the United Canada as a response to hate crimes. This activism eyond marches as Tammy threatened to vote against inees for President Joe ministration. As a result, Asian-Americans were to higher roles in t. In addition, thousands of ded multiple social media with #stopasainhate and ate while informing many icans to be more cautious out in public. Many stars ties with a platform have speaking about this issue. , we must unite to Hate. Lana Condor, the All the Boys I’ve Loved d the following: ``Wake sian friends and family are ed, homefed, sick to their

art by evelyn chen stomachs and wildly angry. Please please please check in on us. Please please please stand with us. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren't publicly grieving on social media." Cynthia Choi, the co-founder of Stop Asian Hate, shared some steps that inform people on how to help. First, support those who have experienced or witnessed acts of hate towards the AAPI community. Secondly, be informed about what is happening. Thirdly, be civically engaged in your local community, and ask your elected officials what they are doing to address racism. Last but not least, you can donate. Unfortunately, the situation right now with AsianAmericans all over the world proves to be a problem that we simply can't ignore. Call out racism towards the Asian community when you see it. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

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The rights of queer individuals have been at the forefront of government debates for a while now. Because gay marriage was legalized in America in 2015, people in the United States now feel more comfortable coming out and being themselves. Although it is still not completely safe, it used to be even worse. Many countries all over the world have laws that prohibit homosexuality, but being gay started to become legal in the United States in 1961, when Illinois officially decriminalized sodomy, and “ended” with gay people being allowed (mostly) the same rights as straight people in 2015, when gay marriage was legalized. There were many dark periods in American history that led to these advancements, unfortunately, including the AIDS epidemic, the Stonewall Riots and the Lavender Scare. Most people appear to know the broad strokes of the AIDS epidemic (whether or not they know that it relates to LGBT people is a different story) and the Stonewall Riots, but not many people seem to know anything about the Lavender Scare. To understand the Lavender Scare, we

must first understand the political climate of the time. Picture yourself in the 1950s. The Cold War is still going in full force, and Senator Joseph McCarthy just announced that Communists have infiltrated the government and are stealing topsecret information. This is terrifying in-and-ofitself, but then he uses this opportunity to tell you that, since being gay is frowned upon, any and all gay people that you know can be easily blackmailed into doing Russia’s bidding. Thus begins the Lavender Scare, a period where the illusion of keeping the government safe from enemy infiltration was used to fire, blacklist and persecute people who were even slightly suspected of being LGBT. It all commenced

der Scare? with keeping LGBT people out of government positions, eventually spreading to almost every sector of the workforce, which essentially doomed gay people to homelessness and seclusion from society. President Eisenhower signed the first executive order for this dark stain on history, aimed at weeding out federal employees suspected of pushing the Communist agenda, but it only spread from there. Tiplines were set up to report individuals suspected of being gay, homes and establishments were raided, and many people interrogated for the names of any other LGBT people that they knew. When gay people were fired from their jobs or evicted from their homes, they were pressured to keep the reason hidden from their friends and family out of fear of further prosecution. Students were taken away from their education and questioned for hours about their sexuality and the sexualities of their friends. The LGBT people of this generation had to hide who they are, and many are scarred to this day. This fear and terror gripped an entire community for 42 years until

President Clinton rescinded the policy, but the damage was done. Countless individuals were fired, blacklisted and killed as a result of being outed to their peers and sent to live on the streets, all because one man ignored all of the evidence and decided to use his power to proclaim that all gays were Communist spies, and were responsible for any possible downfall faced by America during the Cold War. Just because the world has made leaps and bounds in the realm of queer rights does not mean that the fight is over. Hate crimes are still prevalent in many communities, and internalized and externalized homophobia and transophobia still makes kids and adults terrified to come out because of possible backlash and discrimination. Talking about the issues of the past is how the world, as a whole, can learn how to do better in the future, because we need to change how the global collective deals with past mistakes, and this is how we start.

written by Parker McElroy edited by Shoffana Sundaramoorthy, Uday Lingampalli, & Neve Walker layout by Arushi Patil

The New Normal: Government-Sanctioned Islamophobia in France France has been constantly attacked for preaching secularism and freedom of expression while simultaneously marginalizing the Muslim community. A catalyst for this uptake of restrictive policies was the 9/11 attack. It led to the banning of veils and niqabs in France, blatantly displaying a sense of deep-rooted communalism that has been prevalent for at least a decade: an attitude that is not going to disappear anytime soon.

In fact, the news has been flooded with the announcement of the partial approval of banning minors from wearing hijabs in public this month, which is only a small aspect of the separatism law that was passed in the Senate. The law additionally outlines the following: homeschooling will be severely limited, religious practices will be subject to serious oversight, and stringent measures will be imposed in order to reduce the prevalence of forced marriages. While at first glance this seems rather beneficial to the country, the debates and agreements that allowed such a law to be passed must be scrutinized. President Emmauel Macron said that this law is aimed at "free[ing] Islam in France from foreign influences" (euronews), suggesting that people who pratice Islam are forced to abide by the religion’s rules and are oppressed. President Macron even stated that young Muslim girls are not subject to proper education since they are forced to take religious classes.

The law would also allow local authorities to practice more aggressive methods of restricting freedom of expression as they can temporarily shut down religious organisations or demand to speak to couples even if they only suspect that the organisation is promoting radical views or that the woman is in a forced marriage, respectively. This increased freedom to interrogate people who are simply suspicious will most definitely affect the Islamic community due to the encouragement of racial profiling and the false preconceived notion that Islam is oppressive. The fact that the bill itself is highly vague, giving local authorities the ability to make impromptu decisions, will certainly contribute to discrimination of Muslims in the nation. On the other hand, many government workers have argued that this law has the potential to do some good. For example, a report in 2003 put nearly 70,000 women at risk of forced marriages, and the number has been predicted to climb ever since. NGOs across the country are determined to save such women who are forced to procure a visa for the groom and consummate their marriage. The NGO Voix de Femmes has reported that it frees at least 200 women annually from such catastrophic situations, which the new separatism law can help decrease (reuters). Additionally, increasing oversight online and monitoring the financials of religious organizations will help the government

shield the nation from future radical terrorist attacks, increasing overall security. Lastly, oppressed girls and women will be guaranteed a way out. Another major argument that the government posed is that France is not the only country trying to create such laws. India, a relatively conservative country with a large Muslim minority, has introduced several laws that would protect women from forced marriages (canopyforum). While this has helped curb honor killings in India, it is only one part of the story. Inter-religious marriages are often subject to extreme scrutiny even if they are consensual, and the rising popularity of love jihad (the unsupported claim that Muslim men are trying to threaten India’s security by wooing Hindu women) has shown that such laws are destructive and are barely effective. The separatism law has been deemed discriminatory worldwide, and while some of the aspects included can potentially be beneficial, the idea that all Muslim women are oppressed is dangerous and will lead to more violence and discrimination instead of more security.

written by Mridula Divakar Edited by Arushi Patil, Harvi Karatha,

& Neve Walker

LAYOUT BY HARINI AKURATHI

What is Autism Awareness Month? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects nearly 1 in every 60 children. It involves challenges in social interactions, delayed verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours. ASD affects people of all ages, and the severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The United Nations declared April 2nd to be World Autism Awareness Day. The purpose of this day is to ensure that all persons with disabilities get full and equal access to all human rights, and fundamental freedoms. The Autism Society of America celebrates this day along with Autism Awareness Month, as part of their Celebrate Differences Campaign, a campaign designed to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of autism, as well as sharing the stories of people with autism. Why Autism Acceptance is Important in Building an Inclusive Society Autism awareness and acceptance are critical in building an inclusive society since ASD is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. ASD is not fully understood as its symptoms are unique to each individual. This causes many stereotypes to arise, which in turn causes discrimination. Awareness of autism symptoms and of the condition itself can help healthcare professionals, schools and organizations better understand how to break down the

Autism Awarenes in Politics a

Written by Ashmita Annam Edited by Tiffany Fang, Uday L Layout by Tr Art by Eve

barriers that people with autism face. People with autism also face workplace discrimination, as many companies do not know how to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. Autism acceptance is working to reduce this discrimination to allow people with autism to have the same opportunities as everyone else. How Autism is Represented in Media and Politics In the media, autistic individuals are portrayed as lesser beings than “normal” people. Their characters are used to affect the main character or entertain the audience, and their internal experiences are downplayed in

ss and Acceptance and Society

malai and Arabi Mahanujam Lingampalli, & Parker McElroy ristan Castro elyn Chen

favor of showing “behaviors.” This negative light is manipulated by the media to be perceived as positive by, for example, showing the audience what it is like having an autistic sibling, “to let the main characters ‘earn goodness points’ by being kind to the people with autism, and to provide entertainment via amusing social misunderstandings” (Bartmess, 2015). However, under the pleasing facade is the battering of disabled individuals. This is done by not allowing the general population to see the range of characteristics on the autistic spectrum, omitting certain groups of people from the media, perpetuating the stereotype of “mute”, false

information, and not showing the beautiful things people with autism can do. Autism is additionally presented as a debt the individuals have to pay, as they are shown to make things harder for their caretakers, and must make up for it by becoming more neurotypical or possessing a special talent. Character growth is also suppressed in autistic individuals, and makes autism seem like a “mystical disability [for the audience] to compensate” (Bartmess, 2015). This conveys that autistic individuals cannot just be people (Bartmess, 2015). In politics, many of the stereotypes displayed in the media are utilized to favor a political individual over another, in regards to representation. What You Can Do To help provide a positive platform for those with disabilities, we can educate ourselves, speak out for disadvantaged or underrepresented social groups, disregard media stereotypes, rely on research and science as opposed to opinions, factcheck and use media to promote an accurate and positive representation of autistic individuals (Wilson, 2020). Not only during Autism Awareness Month, but at all times, we must work together to bring wonderful people, such as those with autism, into the light.

the #stopasianhate movement Editors, T. (2021, March 23). 68 Ways to Donate in Support of Asian Communities. The Strategist. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html. Gonzales, E. (2021, February 19). Calls to #StopAsianHate Take Over Social Media. Harper's BAZAAR. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a35549052/stop-asian-hate-campaign/. Gupta, M. S. (2021, March 27). What You Need To Know About The Stop Asian Hate Movement. Augustman. https://www.augustman.com/my/culture/events/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-stop-asian-hate-movement/. Ramirez, M. (2021, March 26). Asian American activists are demanding equal civil rights, better education in schools after Asian hate attacks. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/26/stop-asian-hate-asian-americans-across-us-demandreforms/6990150002/

what was the lavender scare? Chakraborty, R. (2019, November 04). When Florida had a committee to terrorize gay people. Vox. Retrieved from: https://www.vox.com/2019/11/4/20947565/florida-committee-terrorize-gay-people History.com Editors. (2017, June 28). Gay Rights. History. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/history-of-gay-rights#section_6 CNN Editorial Research (2021, March 25). LGBTQ Rights Milestones Fast Facts. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts Lim, K. & Kravoc, J. (2019, June 09). The lavender scare: How the federal government purged gay employees. CBS News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-lavender-scare-how-the-federal-government-purged-gay-employees/

government sanctioned islamophobia in france Canopy Forum. (2021, March 22). "France's New Marriage Laws Could Trigger Islamophobic Abuses" by Matthew P. Cavedon. Canopy Forum. https://canopyforum.org/2021/03/22/frances-new-marriage-laws-could-trigger-islamophobic-abuses/. Hardach, S. (2009, September 2). New school year puts French on forced marriage alert. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-forced-marriages/new-school-year-puts-french-on-forced-marriage-alertidUSTRE5812SG20090902. Tidey, A. (2021, February 16). Here's all you need to know about France's new separatism law. euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/16/here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-france-s-controversial-separatism-law.

autism awareness & acceptance in politics & society Autism Society. (2021, April 08). Autism acceptance Month. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/ Copeland, J. N. (2018, August). What is autism spectrum disorder? American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrumdisorder#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,are%20different%20in%20each%20person. Flint, R., & Bird, N. (2019, September 6). Autism: People face 'daily discrimination' in work. BBC News. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49523283 Total Spectrum. (2019, March 27). Autism awareness and why it is important. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.totalspectrumcare.com/autism-awareness-and-why-it-is-important/ Wilson, B. (2020, June). How Has Autism Been Portrayed in the Media? Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. Retrieved from: https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/faq/autism-portrayal-in-media/ Bartmess, E. (2015, December 18). Autistic Representation and Real-Life Consequences: An In-Depth Look. Disability in Kidlit. Retrieved from: https://disabilityinkidlit.com/2015/12/18/autistic-representation-and-real-life-consequences/

Tech and The Artemis Spacesuit The xEMU is the first new spacesuit in decades, and how its built will pave the way for sustainable space travel and more affordable space travel. This would be a feature on the tech in the suit.

Fossil fuels may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to this magic liquid! pp. 41

Researchers have developed a liquid that can absorb and store solar energy for upto 18 years. This is revolutionary because storage is the main issue with solar energy, which is why it cannot be used for large-scale projects. Are we leaning towards a better quality of life? yes!

pp. 39

d Design Single Emojis, Double Meanings

pp. 43

An article explaining how different generations use the same emojis to express different emotions. Nowadays, young texters are using emojis with certain emotions to express emotions that are much different.

Autism-Friendly Technology About how technology helps kids with autism improve many facets of their life!

pp. 37

How

Technology

Technology is a huge aspect of our lives, and we’ve made huge advancements with it as well. Technology can help with communication, schedules, decision making, motivation and social networking (Autism Speaks, 2018). Here are some forms of technology that help improve the lives of kids with autism.

Communication & Vocational Assistance Issues with communica-tion are one of the first symptoms of autism. Each child may present these issues differently, as well as have various levels of difficulty with communication. Some kids may have trouble carrying out conversations, others have trouble with their facial expressions or gestures, and others may be entirely non-verbal. One technique involving technology to help with communication are apps or devices that can vocalize speech for children, who can type or identify pictures (Hobbs). These apps include things like TouchChat, where pictures are displayed, and the person can select images to form sentences, which the device will speak out loud.

Schedules Many kids with autism feel comfortable with a daily schedule, and being prepared for what comes next. They like knowing how their day will be going — which is why apps that can connect pictures with words, and give visuals for their day are helpful. Charts that display anything from an evening personal care routine, to brushing their teeth, can help guide kids with special needs — as well as possibly make it more engaging through the use of games, rewards or stimulating graphics.

Decision Making Making a choice can be hard, more so for children with autism. Having choices visually has increased in simplicity, with smartphones in our daily lives. Things like pulling

Help

ps Kids with up a menu is easier, and technology also allows for a huge range of tools. Using devices to aid with decision making also helps improve self advocacy among kids, as they will be available at any time, and are easy to use.

Motivation Learning can also be hard for kids with autism or special needs — this is why the use of a reward is helpful. With visually engaging apps and games, good behavior and achieving goals can easily be rewarded. These apps and games can also be used to calm down kids who are anxious or upset as well!

Social Networking It can be hard for kids with autism to also make friends in person, due to the anxiety they may

Autism

face from having to make eye contact, as well as starting a conversation or maintaining it. Using social media can help them make friends, and also slowly begin to exercise the skills they need to branch out in person!

written by Sahithi Lingampalli edited by Shoffana Sundaramoorthy, & Uday Lingampalli

layout by Arushi Patil

art by Sharon Pan

the artemis spacesuit By 2024, NASA’s team plans to send the first American women and American men to the moon’s surface. Equipped with the many enhanced features of the Artemis space suit, astronauts will be able to move freely with great mobility to work and collect samples from the moon’s surface. Engineers are hopeful that this design will uphold lunar weather, eventually, to be used on Mars.

gloves

The infamous moon landing with Neil Armstrong and other astronauts displayed how these men bunnyhopped to get around. However, the new suit lets them walk on the moon. Additionally, the spacesuit has evolved to let the user use their fingers to pick up lunar substances like rocks and minerals. The gloves will also have heaters for fingers while maintaining efficiency to conduct experiments.

written by nivi chozhan edited by harini akurathi & jeet parikh

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communica backpack

The backpack, called the Portable Life Support System, accompanies the suit to be able to absorb carbon dioxide from space and transform it into life support for about six days before it inevitably cannot keep working. The pack allows astronauts to have breathable oxygen, and removes any other waste gases like CO2, odors, and moisture, essentially keeping a steady temperature inside the suit. It also warns if the system is failing or is on the brink of failing to work.

pressure garment

The pressure garment inside the suit allows for the moonwalker to freely. In addition, it protects them from space’s extreme temperatures of minus 250 degrees to 250 degrees. The suit is designed to withstand these extreme temperatures. The pressure garment contains four parts; the helmet, the upper torso, lower torso and cooling garment. In particular, due to new bearing placements in the suit, the upper torso allows the astronaut to lift anything above their heads therefore increasing their mobility. Through many missions to lunar surfaces,

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ut communicating with ol back at Earth and the ng you while you're on a hat would happen? To mishaps, the previous ed the spacesuit to have adset on their “snoopy owever, astronauts that the headsets omfortable and sweaty, ophone attached to it h their voice while they Thus, the Apollo team w audio system that has ophones. They precisely ser’s voice and allow ning in to carefully m and have a better mmunicate.

geable parts

o cut down on cost, the to make parts from the reusable. This also helps ain parts can be used in tions such as on the Mars. To explore Mars, s from the suit can be suitable for the to accommodate the carbon-dioxide. During a , the outer garment

used could potentially keep the astronaut from hypothermia, and in the summer season it will keep them from overheating. With new and improved pants and boots in the lower torso, it allows moonwalkers to move in a gravity free zone. The visor on the helmet will protect the pressurized bubble from dents, scratches, and other wear it incurs from harsh planetary body conditions (Melton 2019).

spacesuit testing

In order to test that the suit actually works, NASA had to test it and make sure there were no hazards. With the new suit, they recreated a spacecraft on Earth, testing the material and how everything worked. However, since Earth has gravity and space doesn’t, it’s hard to fully test the space suit out. Thus, the team plans to send the suit off to the International Space Station to prove that astronauts can use the suit. Once it is certified and approved, NASA has plans to send humans with the suit to the lunar surface by 2024. The Apollo team has masterfully constructed a beautiful space suit that astronauts of all sizes, whether they are male or female, can use. The enhanced features allow for extra movement and to explore places we have never been to!

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Fossil Fuels may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to this magic liquid! Written by Grace Yoon Edited by Dominique Samantha & Jason Liu Layout by Tristan Castro Art by Sahithi Lingampalli Many people are unaware of this magical liquid that can make fossil fuels a thing of the past; this fuel source is called solar thermal fuel. Solar thermal fuel is composed of nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon, that absorbs sunlight and stores the solar radiation for months or even years, which is ultimately released back as heat and energy. The sunlight required for the magic liquid, notably,only takes 5% of the available light to work. Jeffery Grossman stated, “A solar thermal fuel is like a rechargeable battery, but instead of electricity, you put sunlight in and get heat out, triggered on demand.” Solar energy has already been seen as one of the cleanest and renewable power sources. With further development of solar thermal fuel, the power source can be more practical

since it can store solar energy for over a decade. What’s more, the fuel is reusable and releases energy without the emission of greenhouse gases. This fuel keeps developing in Professor Jeffrey Grossman’s laboratory and many other labs, as well as universities worldwide. Although this is not a fully developed technology, it has a wide usage range of heating and other possible appliances. Grossman stated, “You could use that thermal energy for your water heater, your dishwasher, or your clothes dryer. There could be lots of industrial applications as well.” The number of applications that can use this cleaner energy source is tremendous. The energy used by appliances for sterilization, cooking, distillation and other commercial uses accounts for 7% of the total energy usage in the

European Union. Professor Kasper Moth-Poulsen claimed he and his research team had developed a prototype system to experiment with solar thermal fuels. The sunlight that hits the transparent tubes would rearrange the bonds between carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen, creating a fuel source that makes the norbornadiene compound convert into a quadricyclane compound. As a result, the thermal energy can be stored in uninsulated

tanks inside buildings and can be reused multiple times by collecting solar energy. Moth-Poulsen and his team reportedly ran through this system 125 times without significant degradation. He also estimates that solar thermal fuel can store up to 250 watt-hours of energy per kilogram. Through his experimentation with this magic liquid, Moth-Poulsen wrote multiple research papers that caught the attention of many investors and companies that gave solar thermal fuel a chance of commercialization. However, even this magic liquid has its disadvantages. Some examples being: the considerable installation fees, limited availability of installers, thermal fuel being less efficient in the winter and is unable to be used at night. Moreover, the cost of the commercial version of solar thermal fuels is unclear. Other issues can also arise as more prototypes and experiments are created but the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages as the magic liquid would be environmentally friendly, renewable, reduce the number of fossil fuels used and be cheaper in the long run. Solar thermal energy will hopefully replace fossil fuels for good after further research on how reliable and discovering the extent of its powers.

SINGLE DOUBLE

Emojis serve as a fun, silly way for people worldwide to communicate how they’re feeling. Almost, if not all brands of cell phones have a vast selection of emojis that their buyers can use, and they range from simple smiley faces to tongues sticking out. They can even be used to show what food is on your mind. Cool, right? But the meaning behind these ordinary emoticons can get a little more complicated, depending on who is conversing with you.

We all know that Gen Z is social media-oriented; we were the first generation to grow up with cell phones, and we have been subject to technology for a lot of our lives. Because of this social-media-oriented culture, trends have erupted and spread like wildfire--this is where you may find an explanation for the variety of meanings behind emojis. Older generations like Gen X and millennials are less disconnected from social media; most of them using only one site like Facebook, whereas teenagers use platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Because Facebook is more conservative in that more adults are on the app, there is a lower chance for adults to find themselves immersed in the “teen lingo” of today. However, teenagers are surrounded by their peers on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat and can create and participate in new global-wide trends. One of the most influential pieces behind the variety of meanings behind emojis is the platform I just mentioned: TikTok.

TikTok is a well-known platform that has influenced the way adolescents use emojis. It has led to many new interpretations of different emojis. For example, a TikToker might post a video making a joke about an emoji expression and influence a whole comment section of users. Or a video explaining what emojis to use for different scenarios gains a lot of views, so people start utilizing those emoji combinations. When young TikTok users communicate with older generations, they might witness the use of emojis that are rather unfitting for the conversation. However, for the younger texter, the combination of emojis that they just used might seem suitable for the discussion.

Social media platforms have induced imaginativeness in younger generations. A simple crying face now depicts laughter among adolescents, leaving adults perplexed at the new interpretations. Generation Z is still on the search for novel and unique ways to express different emotions. Thankfully, companies are responding to the appeals and releasing emotions that are apt for teenagers’ use. Beware, millennials, because the next generation is about to express complicated feelings through a plain yellow face.

So what are some emojis with different interpretations? Take the ordinary smiling emoji. It’s the very first yellow face at the top of the keyboard. Older generations use this emoji to express happiness, joy or smiling. However, teenagers use it to express sarcasm or confusion. The skull emoji and crying emoji have replaced the laughing out loud emoji, conveying “I’m dead” or “I’m dying,” two common phrases used by Gen-Z adolescents. According to teenagers on TikTok, the conventional laughing emoji belongs to older generations and apps like Facebook. It seems as if older groups use certain emojis more literally, while younger people are more sarcastic.

written by Analiese M,aciel,, , Juee Deshmukh & Asic edited by Aarav Navani, Harini Akurathi, & Nivi Chozhan layout by Karen He art by Thejo Tattala

References The Artemis Spacesuit Melton, L. (2019, October 14). NASA’S Next Generation Spacesuit Gets 21st Century Upgrade. The Burnin. https://www.theburnin.com/science/nasa-xemu-spacesuit-next-generation-upgrades-artemis-missions2019-10/ Moran, N. (2021, April 15). Artemis Spacesuits. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/HWHAP/artemis-spacesuits Apple, C. (2020, May 18). Out-Of-This-World Fashions. Spokesman. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/may/18/mercury-artemis-spacesuit-fashions-through-years/ Kowsky, J. (2019, October 16). From Mercury to Artemis: The evolution of the spacesuit in photos. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/mercury-starliner-evolution-spacesuit-ncsl718296

Fossil fuels may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to this magic liquid! Tata Center. (n.d.). SOLAR THERMAL FUELS. TATA Center Technology + Design. https://tatacenter.mit.edu/portfolio/solar-thermalfuels/#:~:text=The%20solar%20thermal%20fuel%20is,in%20the%20 areas%20of%20heating Moore, A., & Hydrogen Fuel News. (2018, November 7). Revolutionary solar thermal fuel can store solar energy for over ten years. Hydrogen Fuel News. https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/revolutionary-solar-thermal-fuel-can-store-solar-energy-for-over-tenyears/8536313/#:~:text=The%20specialized%20fluid%20can%20reportedly,are%20environmentally%20friendly%20an d%20reusable Gibbs, W., & NBC News. (2018, November 4). Scientists are trying to bottle solar energy and turn it into liquid fuel. MACH. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/scientists-are-trying-bottle-solar-energy-turn-it-liquid-fuel-ncna930676

Single Emojis, Double Meanings Yurieff, Kaya. “Sorry, Millennials. The 😂 Emoji Isn't Cool Anymore.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Feb. 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/14/tech/crying-laughing-emoji-gen-z/index.html.

Autism-Friendly Technology Autism Speaks. (2018, September 2). How Technology Can Help. Retrieved from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/how-technology-can-help Hobbs, Katherine G. (2020, December 16). https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/assistive-technology-autism/

SCIENCE The Covid-19 Vaccine: Making Life Normal Again Overview of the Covid-19 Vaccine- The specific types and how they work in protecting you from COVID, benefits, side effects and why they are caused, who can get it, and how vaccination will change our recent everyday life.

pp. 49 Autism Spectrum Disorders This article will cover what autism is, the types of autism spectrum disorders and how they differ from each other, what they are caused by, how autism affects people, etc.

pp. 51

orbital mechanics: explained A feature on orbital mechanics, explaining what they are and how they’re useful for space exploration and more.

pp. 55

The Effects of Caffeine on Adolescents Many teens rely on caffeine to keep up with school and other demands, but how does that affect their developing brains? Do different amounts or types of drinks with caffeine affect brains differently? Are there alternatives to caffeine that don't affect the brain?

pp. 53

the covid-19 vaccine: making life normal again From the end of 2019 to the present day, the world has drastically changed. Today, people might be used to taking virtual tours or Zoom classes. Though, this habitual lifestyle is about to transition back to before, all because of a vaccine.

vaccine that is available to them. Both authorized brands provide two shots, taken twenty-one and twenty-eight days apart, respectively. According to the CDC, one is fully vaccinated two weeks after the second shot.

what is a vaccine?

how a vaccine yields immunity:

The treatmen obtaining the amongst pee effective meth

A vaccine contains “weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism,” or antigen, that triggers an immune response within the body (WHO, 2020). The weakened antigen evokes the immune system to respond to the antigen without actually giving a person the disease. However, not everyone can become vaccinated due to accessibility or underlying health conditions. That is when herd immunity comes into play. The term herd immunity refers to when “enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely” (Harvard, 2021). People unable to receive a vaccine can live amongst immune neighbors to reduce the susceptibility

from COVID complications serves as a c the pandemic wearing mask but can only one who is va roam around activities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vaccine stimulates the immune system "to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease" (CDC). Unlike the actual disease, a vaccine enables one to develop immunity against the illness, making it a vital and powerful medicine. The COVID-19 vaccination makes humans immune to, well, COVID-19. There are several different COVID19 vaccines. The CDC recommends the following authorized vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. Though some might prefer one over the other, all are safe and effective in reducing the risk of attaining the virus. One will want to receive the first brand of

of acquiring vaccinated pr singular perso others.

Benefit

written by juee deshmukh edited by shoffana sundaramoorthy, kavya gurun layout by Sahithi lingampalli Art by sharon pan

a disease. Getting rotects more than just a on. It saves the lives of

nt can keep one from illness and prevent it ers. It is a safe and hod to protect someone

D-19’'s life-threatening s. The vaccine also crucial tool to terminate c. Social distancing and ks are safety measures do so much. However, accinated will be able to and undertake more

what's the catch? Like most medications and treatments, this vaccine has side effects. According to the CDC, side effects include pain, redness and swelling on the arm, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea throughout the body. Each person has varying side effects depending on the strength of his or her immune system. While the accompanying reactions can hinder the ability to complete daily activities, these should disappear in a few days. The CDC recommends drinking fluids, dressing lightly and applying a wet washcloth over the arm where one was injected to reduce pain and discomfort. Though the aftermath of receiving the shot can be uneasy, the discomfort is only a sign that the body is building immunity.

Can i get it? Moderna’s vaccine has an 18 or older age requirement. Pfizer has an age requirement of 16 or older. People 15 years old or below are not eligible to get vaccinated. However, on April 9, Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech requested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand the age range. According to Healthline, “a clinical trial showed that the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe

and effective for younger adolescents” (Radcliffe, 2021). If the FDA approves vaccination for adolescents, it is only a matter of time before children get back into classrooms and meet up with friends.

A final note

The benefits of attaining the COVID-19 shot outweigh the side effects. An authorized vaccine and herd immunity lowers the chance of acquiring the virus. A simple one or two shots will pave the way to re-opening in stores, schools, traveling, and other activities and places that the past year of quarantine disabled. In public, people will follow safety measures and be more cautious and sanitary. Although daily life may never shift back to normal, the vaccine is a step towards living normally. So, if the online school feels natural now, be prepared for a significant reversal soon.

nath, & inchara j. 50

Understan Acceptin

WHAT IS AUTISM CAUSED BY?

Genetic Factors Gene changes resulting in autism can be inherited from parents. It is not required for the parent to have autism in order for their child to have autism. Gene changes can also occur in embryos while development occurs. Currently, scientists have identified 100 genes linked to autism. Many of these genes are important for communication between neurons or affect how other genes are expressed. A mutation in one of these genes could increase the risk of autism. Common mutations are present in 1% or more of the population that tend to have less of an effect, though many of these together could result in autism. Rare mutations, which less than 1% of the population acquire, have a strong effect and more of these are linked to autism.

There is no one, definite cause of autism. Autism tends to be caused by a combination of various genetic and environmental factors. These factors simply increase the risk of having autism. Not everyone affected by these factors will have autism.

Environmental Factors Many environmental factors affect the risk of developing autism. Older parents, birth complications, pregnancy complications and multiple pregnancies all increase the risk of the child developing autism.

April is Autism Awareness month. A month where people champion the acceptance and support of people with autism. This article is intended to spread understanding on Autism Spectrum Disorder.

WHAT IS AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. Individuals affected by ASD have difficulties with social interaction, speaking, nonverbal communication and tend to exhibit repetitive behaviors. However, the symptoms of ASD vary by person. According to the CDC, one in every 59 people has autism.

nding and g Autism HOW DOES AUTISM AFFECT THE BRAIN? Although autism affects early brain development, neuron communication, and communication between different parts of the brain overall, it affects every person differently. Therefore, there is no single pattern to how autism changes the brain. We can only observe trends on how the brains of people with autism differ from people without autism. Children with autism could have an enlarged hippocampus. The hippocampus is the area of the brain that stores and forms memories. The enlarged hippocampus could cause difficulty in using memories to make decisions and repetitive movements in people with autism. People affected with autism may have a different amygdala size. Some studies say that the amygdala is larger than usual, while some say it is smaller. The amygdala controls emotions and memories. It is also important in social function. Amygdala size and functioning problems could lead to autism. People with autism also have more brain tissue cerebellum, which helps in cognition and social interaction.

WHAT ARE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS? Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that includes different disorders, all with varying levels of challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. 1. Asperger’s Syndrome Asperger’s is milder when compared to the other ASDs. People with Asperger’s can handle day-to-day life and can be very intelligent. They have social struggles and become obsessed with topics that interest them. 2. Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) - This disorder is more severe than Asperger’s but milder than the autistic disorder. 3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) - This is the severe end of the spectrum and is the rarest. Children affected by this disorder develop normally and then rapidly lose social, mental, and language skills (Hoffman, 2016).

written by KAVYA GURUNATH edited by AARAV NAVANI, INCHARA J., & ASHMITA ANNAMALAI layout by LEESHA PILLA art by SAHITHI LINGAMPALLI

Written by Anvitha Mattapalli Edited by Harvi Karatha, Inchara J, Jeet Parikh Layout by Tristan Castro Art by Evelyn Chen Caffeine is found in the seeds and leaves of many plants and is added to coffee and chocolate. About 73% of all children intake caffeine daily. Kids tend to stock up on caffeine before a sports match or pulling an all-nighter, for caffeine temporarily increases energy and heart rate levels as well as mood. However, excessive intake of caffeine can negatively impact adolescents with the consequences varying based on gender, age, weight, etc. During childhood, important connections in the brain are being formed, and caffeine often decreases its efficiency and even disturbs this process. Short-term effects of caffeine intake include insomnia, diuresis, cardiac arrhythmia, nervousness, restlessness, excitement, and inexhaustibility. For every 10 milligrams of caffeine a teenager consumes, their ability to sleep for 8.5 hours decreases by roughly 12%. This can be detrimental as sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. Moreover, an

increase in caffeine consumption results in a decrease in bone calcium: this leads to bone loss and a higher chance of osteoporosis. Excess caffeine intake in a limited period can result in death. Davis Allen Cripe, a 16-year-old who was not under any drugs and had no health conditions, lost his life after consuming a cafe latte, a Diet Mountain Dew, and an energy drink within two hours. This is one of the most fatal cases of caffeine intake in adolescents. Other cases include hospitalization due to cardiac or neurological conditions triggered by caffeine. Caffeine is addictive for many individuals. Suddenly stopping the consumption of caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms that include headache, fatigue, depression, sleepiness, a reduced attention span, nausea, and anxiety. We all know caffeine for being in coffee and chocolate, but caffeine is also found in energy drinks. One of the

most common misconceptions about energy drinks is switching them up with sports drinks, like Gatorade. Energy drinks have caffeine and guarana while sports drinks have carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. One energy drink can have 14 soda cans worth of caffeine, which is why healthcare professionals strongly disapprove of the inclusion of energy drinks into a child’s diet. There are alternatives to caffeine like peppermint tea, chai tea, water hydration, and fruit smoothies. However, the most effective and healthy ways to gain energy aren’t drinks like the ones stated. Get enough nutrition, exercise, and sleep!

orbital m The moon rotates around the Earth as the Earth’s natural satellite. The Earth orbits the Sun, creating seasons as human life knows it. Orbital mechanics is the application of math to help spacecraft launch and is based on orbits. The history of orbital mechanics and whether it should be studied or not is controversial, however, orbital mechanics help to calculate trajectories and understand the motion of planets. The history of orbital mechanics is bleak and filled with controversy. The controversy mainly came from the church, because when orbital mechanics was first discovered, it disproved the widely believed fact that our universe was geocentric. Geocentric meaning the Earth was in the center of the solar system, not the Sun.

Thus, studying orbital mechanics became shunned upon, since it went against traditional Christian (not current) beliefs and was marked as heresy. Johannes Kepler, an astronomer, was the first human to create a model of the orbit of a planet with high accuracy. Nicolaus Copernicus was the first man to suggest that the Earth was not the center of the solar system and Kepler worked off of this, creating Kepler’s laws, which are used in orbital mechanics today. Isaac Newton helped orbital mechanics grow by defining gravity and its laws.

echanics,

explained

Kepler’s laws are a huge aspect of orbital mechanics, and can be described as follows: The Law of Ellipsis: The path of the planets about the sun is elliptical in shape, with the center of the sun being located at one focus. The Law of Equal Areas: An imaginary line drawn from the center of the sun to the center of the planet will sweep out equal areas in equal intervals of time. The Law of Harmonies: The ratio of the squares of the periods of any two planets is equal to the ratio of the cubes of their average distances from the sun.

The first law is simple to understand, as one can refer to the graph of an elliptical shape and imagine it as the orbit of a planet, with one of the foci being the Sun. The second law pertains to the speed of a planet while orbiting, and sums up that a planet will travel quicker when near the sun and decrease in speed when further away from the sun. The third law is a comparison between the period of an orbit to the radius of an orbit. The third law is different from the other two in a way that doesn’t describe motion, but rather compares two necessary elements- periods of any two planets and the cubes of their distances- of an orbit.

written by

Inchara J.

edited by

Kavya Gurunath, Laya Vijay, & Jeet Parikh

layout by

Inchara J.

art by

Thejo Thattala

Orbital mechanics is necessary when it comes to space travel and exploration. It is used for calculating trajectories, including maneuvers and plane changes that can be used to predict propulsive maneuvers (accelerating spacecraft). Orbital mechanics also helps physicists discover types of orbits, and helps engineers operate satellites and other important spacecraft. Satellites assist in our GPS receivers and orbits are applied to both this and classifying minor planets.

Celestial mechanics deals with the motion of objects in space. While it is incredibly similar to orbital mechanics, celestial mechanics is more generic, and orbital mechanics pertains to problems mainly spacecraft-related. However, much of orbital mechanics is based on celestial mechanics, but the application and Kepler’s laws are what make the two differ. Orbital mechanics will definitely play a big hand in future space exploration. With all the space missions set in the near future, orbital mechanics is a subject worthy of learning, and with a better understanding of it, space exploration will be able to exceed our expectations more than ever.

References The Covid-19 Vaccine: Making Life Normal Again

Basics of Vaccines | CDC. (2012, March 14). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vpd-vac-basics.html Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine. (2021, April 12). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html Different COVID-19 Vaccines. (2021, April 13). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, April 9). Preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preventing-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus How do vaccines work? (2020, December 9). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work Radcliffe, S. (2021, April 12). Pfizer, BioNTech Seek Emergency FDA Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine for 12- to 15-Year-Olds. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/pfizer-biontech-seek-emergency-fda-authorization-for-covid-19-vaccine-for-12-to15-year-olds#Vaccinating-children-gets-us-closer-to-herd-immunity What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine. (2021, March 16). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html

Autism spectrum disorders

Askham, A. V. (2021, February 4). Brain structure changes in autism, explained. Spectrum | Autism Research News. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/brain-structure-changes-in-autism-explained/ DeWeerdt, S. (2018, May 30). Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism. Spectrum | Autism Research News. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/memory-hub-underlie-social-cognitive-quirks-autism/ DeWeerdt, S. (2020, August 6). Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism. Spectrum | Autism Research News. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/amygdala-the-brains-threat-detector-has-broad-roles-in-autism/ Hoffman, M. (2016, December 30). What Are the Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-spectrum-disorders What Causes Autism? (n.d.). Autism Speaks. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-causes-autism What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? (n.d.). American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder Zeliadt, N. (2021, January 8). Autism genetics, explained. Spectrum | Autism Research News. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/autism-genetics-explained/

orbital mechanics, explained

Kepler’s Three Laws. (n.d.). The Physics Classroom. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-4/Kepler-s-Three-Laws Orbital Mechanics. (n.d.). PRe-Engineering. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from https://tylerbirch.weebly.com/orbital-mechanics.html Wikipedia contributors. (2021a, January 29). Orbital mechanics. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_mechanics Wikipedia contributors. (2021b, January 30). Celestial mechanics. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_mechanics

the effects of coffee on adolescents

Amy Morin, L. C. S. W. (2020, February 3). Learn If You Should Let Your Teenager Drink Caffeinated Drinks. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-caffeine-on-teenagers-4126761. Joy, K. (2017, May 31). Parents, Perk Up to the Dangers of Caffeine for Teens. Caffeine and Teens: How Much Caffeine Can A Teenager Have? https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/parents-perk-up-to-dangers-of-caffeine-for-teens.

Lifes Earth Day

An overview of what Earth Day is and things you can do to help save our planet.

page 61

Why Journaling is Healthy An article that talks about the benefits about journaling and why teenagers/students should journal as well as a couple stationary/material

page 69

style Iced Coffee Made Easy Three simple iced coffee recipes you can make at home with basic ingredients.

page 65

What it’s Like to Live with Autism Diving deeper into the lives of people with autism and how they live and go about things that all people do.

page 71

Earth D Ever since 1970, April 22 has marked the day to embrace and give back to our planet. Each year, individuals participate in events like composting, donating to numerous conservations, or spreading awareness through social media. However, how did Earth Day begin?

Before the first Earth Day, American Citizens were unaware of the harm automobiles and industries presented to the environment and health. But in 1962, Rachel Carson’s bestseller, Silent Spring, “raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health” ("The History of Earth Day," 2020). Additionally, Senator Gaylord Nelson

Day of Wisconsin witnessed oil spills in Santa Barbara and started making the public conscious of pollution. Senator Nelson recruited a young activist named Dennis Hayes to teach students at the nearby college campus about the environment. Senator Nelson and Hayes decided that these “teach-ins” would occur on April 22 for large student engagement. The effort broadened and aligned a wide range of groups and organizations, eliciting national media attention. The name “Earth Day” motivated 20 million people to “demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development,” and combat pollution and the spoliation of the environment ("The History of Earth Day," 2020). Due to the massive support on the first Earth Day, the government passed numerous environmental acts by the end of 1970. This significant event also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In 1990, Earth Day went global and mobilized 200 million people in 141 countries. The worldwide campaign

shed light on environmental issues and recycling efforts. As the years passed, the focus of Earth Day varied from global warming to climate change. Today, a young and frustrated generation is rising, speaking up about a clean environment, and facing humankind’s most pronounced obstacle.

kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (Ritchie, 2020). To put that into perspective, the production of 100 grams of chickpea protein emits only 0.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (Ritchie, 2020). In hindsight, swapping that portion of meat on your plate with a side of veggies could be far more sustainable in the long run.

With growing support for Earth Day and initiatives that support environmental preservation, you may be curious as to how you can help the movement. Efforts to support the event don’t have to be wide-scale but can include small shifts in our lifestyle, such as implementing more plantbased meals, reducing the use of plastics and increasing consciousness of overconsumption. Switching to a plant-based diet or reducing overall meat consumption can lower our carbon footprints, and can even offer long-term health benefits. Though all types of meat emit more carbon dioxide than vegetables, beef seems to be the worst offender with the production of 100 grams of beef protein emitting 35

Opting to reduce the use of disposable (single-use) plastics can also alleviate pollution pressures on the environment. Single-use plastics that are thrown away to be “recycled” are not biodegradable, and they are transported to landfills where they sit for years on end, degrading into tiny, plastic particles, while releasing toxic chemicals in the process (Lindwall, 2020). These plastic particles can contaminate the soil and water of nearby habitats, thus influencing the health of wildlife and human societies. The only way to prevent these

consequences is to stop using disposable plastics and alternatively choose glass, metal or ceramic tableware and bottles. In addition to opting for more sustainable materials, becoming more conscious of our tendencies as consumers, and being sure to curb overconsumption is increasingly important. According to Net Impact, “80% of the world’s natural resources are used by only 20% of the world’s population.” Developed countries account for much of this use, as many citizens can spend money more frequently on clothes, makeup, shoes, and similar items that are discarded without good use. Purchasing quality goods, and using them for longer

periods ensures that resources aren’t being used on such a large scale. Starting small with these few suggestions, changing our lifestyles to be environmentally friendly seems much more achievable. Encouraging others in your community to do the same, and becoming an advocate for the environment that surrounds us truly embodies the essence of Earth Day.

written by Juee Deshmukh & Archini Desai edited by Taruni Manam, Harini Akurathi, Laya Vijay, & Jason Liu layout by Arushi Patil art by Thejo Tattala

note:: The measurements in this recipe are suggestions. You can do more or less based on your preference. Try not to stray too far from the quantities in order to prevent your iced coffee from tasting different!

Many people need an instant energy-boost during the day to keep them active. Iced coffees are great drinks that are both refreshing and have an instant effect on the sharpness of your mind. Here are 4 easy recipes that you can make at home as a little pick-me-up!

Vanilla-Cinnamon Iced Coffee Ingredients/Materials: ⅓ or ¼ cup milk of your choice 2 tbsp Instant Coffee 3 tsp sugar ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract ¼ tsp Cinnamon 4 Tbsp. (¼ cup) Hot Water Glass Stirring Utensil Ice

ICED C process 1. In your glass, place 3 teaspoons of sugar as well as 2 tablespoons of instant coffee. 2. Add 1/4 cup of hot water to this mixture and stir until you get a smooth, liquid consistency. 3. Add in the milk of your choice and pour as desired. 4. (For a stronger coffee add ¼ cup milk and for mild coffee ⅓ cup milk) 5. Add in 2 tbsp. of creamer (If you go over 3 tbsp. it will overpower coffee) 6. Stir, add ice, and enjoy!

COFFEE Cold-Brew Coffee Ingredients/Materials: Large glass (holds 3-4 cups of hot coffee) Coffee bean grinder, if you are not using ground coffee 1 ½ cup ground coffee or ¾ cup coffee beans 3 cups water (more if you do not like your coffee too strong) Coffee strainer/filter Stirring utensil Refrigerator Ice Optional: half-and-half/cream/milk

process 1. Place the ground coffee into your container and steep the grounds. In other words, pour the water into the container to soak the layer of coffee grounds. For the best results, let the coffee soak for 1220 hours. You can do this overnight. 2. Layer the opening of your container with a coffee strainer (or filter). 3. Pour your steeped coffee mixture into the filter. Though time-taking, this makes your result rich and flavorful. Stir well. 4. Transfer your coffee to a jar and refrigerate for 1 week. 5. To drink, pour half a glass of water, add ice cubes (I prefer 5-6), and fill the rest with your cold brew concentrate. (Optional) Add a couple of tablespoons of cream, half-and-half, or milk. 6. Enjoy!

iced-mocha Ingredients/Materials: 1 tsp. Cocoa Powder 3 tsp Sugar ⅓ or ¼ cup milk of your choice 2 tbsp of instant Coffee 4 Tbsp. Hot Water 2 tbsp creamer of choice Glass Stirring Utensil Ice

process 1. In your glass, add 1 tsp. Cocoa powder, place 3 teaspoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee. 2. Add 1/4 cup of hot water to this mixture and stir until you get a smooth, liquid consistency. 3. Add in the milk of your choice and pour as desired. 4. (For a stronger coffee add ¼ cup milk and for mild coffee ⅓ cup milk) 5. Add in 2 tbsp. of creamer (If you go over 3, it will overpower coffee) 6. Stir, add ice, and enjoy!

written by

Geethika Tarra & Thejo Tattala

edited by Dominique Samantha, Taruni Manam, & Ashmita Annamalai

layout by Inchara J.

Why Journaling is Healthy

written by Laya Vijay & Ashmita Annamalai

edited by Harini Akurathi, Tiffany Fang, & Samita Pandit

Our minds process around 60,000 thoughts a day. Close to 80% of those are negative and 95% are a repeat of the day before. As the world continues to test our perseverance by battering our emotions time and time again, it's difficult to stand firm. The overpowering thoughts will begin to bottle up in our chests and will only cause us to explode. Every little thought that crosses our mind will drown us out, hindering us from reaching our full capacity to move forward. The best way to release a bit of our inner stress and/or anxiety is to pour it out. Many resort to violence and others to deterioration. Yet fighting negativity with negativity does not balance out the forces. Instead, pour it all out on paper. That’s all it takes for some positivity. Just a pencil and paper. Writing the ups and downs of your life can lighten your mood and significantly improve your well-being. Journaling helps to prioritize problems, fears, and concerns, track

daily symptoms as a way for you to recognize triggers and learn ways to better control them, and provide an opportunity for positive self-talk and better self-understanding (Watson, Fraser, Ballas). As confessions of struggles and fear surge out of your mind, a sense of security is established as the way you express yourself won’t be faced with judgment or punishment. In this way, journaling proves to be therapeutic and ensures tranquility. It can indirectly strengthen your immune system and help manage stressful events and experiences, decreasing the unsatisfactory symptoms of stress. Recording details of day-today events can have a positive effect on your psyche as it boosts your overall sense of gratitude and assists with a feeling of groundedness and connectedness. It propels you toward your goals and brings your vision to life. Along with improving your memory and enhancing your creativity, it facilitates learning by creating a record of the lessons and

key ideas you have discovered and helps engrain them in your mind. Additionally, it helps you to discover your voice, making you a better writer and communicator. Finally, journaling leaves a written record of your experiences, which can be helpful today and precious in the future (Ackerman 2021).

The benefits of journaling are quite clear, but often, picking up a pen and a book can seem like a daunting task. Here are some helpful tips on how to start. Journaling is frequently associated with a pencil and paper, but different sources can be used. You can use computers for everyday journaling due to the efficiency, or download apps on your phone to take with you on the go. Remember that journaling doesn’t have set rules and you can do whatever works best for you. Set realistic standards. The amount of words you write doesn’t matter, your goal should just be to get some ideas down. If you are struggling to find things

to write about, try thinking about what you are grateful for. These positive thoughts will not only give you something to write about but will also help put you in a good mood for the remainder of the day. The timings at when one should journal are heavily debated upon, as there are benefits on both sides. Some strongly believe that journaling right in the morning is the way to go. Once you start your day, journaling may be pushed to the side and forgotten about, but making sure to write in the morning ensures its completion. Another advantage is that when you are tired, your brain is much more creative so new ideas may pop up in the morning rather than at other times (Greenawald 2021). However, others believe journaling should be something that can be done at any time. Writing in the evenings is beneficial for reflecting on your day and working on your to-do list, and goals (Dee 2020). Make sure to try both types and continue with whichever method is most effective. Finally, don’t worry too much if you miss a couple days of journaling. The worst thing you can do is get discouraged and stop writing overall. Just continue wherever you ended off and continue to work towards making journaling a habit.

All in all, journaling is both an effective and positive way to deal with negative emotions, as well as providing an enjoyable journey that many can look back to years in the future. So, pull out a pencil and a paper and start your journaling experience. Release your pent-up emotions and pour them onto the sheet, immersing yourself in bright positivity. All it takes is that pencil and paper to better your day. Just that paper and pencil. Stationary Supply Suggestions: To help you get started on journaling, here is a list of some suggested supplies that will ensure a fun and positive experience! 1. A sturdy notebook (Moleskine Notebook) 2. A pencil (mechanical) 3. An eraser (Staedtler Mars Plastic) 4. A pen (Muji 0.38 or Pilot G-2 0.38) 5. Fun decorations (stickers, washi tape, etc.) As you get deeper into the world of journaling, try getting creative with multi-colored stationary supplies and other art materials! Have fun!

layout by Leesha Pilla art by Evelyn Chen

What it's Like to L One in 59 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Yet, even as a common condition, stereotypes hit autistic individuals in all aspects of life. Not every individual with ASD is affected in the same way, and therefore, it can be difficult for non-disabled individuals to empathize with people with autism. However, learning more about the lives of autistic individuals and understanding that they are still human beings can help bring awareness along with aiding and creating a more inclusive society. Feelings and emotions compose a significant part of an individual’s life. People with autism perceive and communicate emotions differently than those without autism. Some of them cannot always understand expressions, body language or sarcasm the same way those without autism can. This makes it more difficult for these individuals to understand the mood of the environment which could ultimately cause them to do things that may seem “irrational” in the situation. Their blunt responses combined with their lack of eye contact may seem rude, but it needs to be understood that

Live with Autism they are only trying to communicate their thoughts and feelings the best that they can with others. Eye contact can actually make individuals with autism focus less on what is being spoken, and their facial expressions may also seem overly tense and unnatural. However, we must understand that their methods of social communication are not driven by negative intent. Bright lights and noises also create challenges for autistic individuals with sensory issues. Some individuals have a strong sensitivity to touch--any form of touch can lead to an unpleasant experience for them. Hypersensitivities can make someone with autism feel overwhelmed, and hyposensitivities related to the under-responsiveness of signals that help control balance and coordination can lead to perceived clumsiness. When they are overwhelmed, uncontrollable physical and/or verbal meltdowns can occur. Furthermore, it is tougher for people with ASD to obtain jobs and careers, especially if the employer does not take their condition into consideration. . Additionally, individuals with autism can experience anxiety and

impulsivity (Firman 2019) just as regular individuals do as well. Autistic individuals also tend to “become fixated on one thing, and in that moment, nothing else matters — it’s the most important thing in their life” (Firman, 2019). Regardless, their single-mindedness should not be considered a weakness and should rather be looked at as a strength. The positives and miraculous characteristics of people with ASD are almost never discussed. When it comes to judging people; autistic individuals do not merely glimpse at the surface and make negative judgements the way that people without autism often do. They see right through other individuals and in return, they also appreciate an individual’s true nature. They break free from societal expectations and simply live in the moment. They are able to notice the beauty in small things in ways that others do not. Their attention to detail nurtures a strong memory capacity and enhances their creativity. They are less materialistic and value what they have (Rudy 2019). Autistic individuals are also intensely passionate about their interests and their level of dedication soars beyond the roof. It’s harder for autistic individuals to fit in with society and relate to other people, and their efforts are worth standing ovations. Yet, their own way of thinking and living makes them unique and brings diversity to our

communities. They have the capability to do miraculous things, even if the path they take slightly differs from that of others. Although autism is considered a “disorder,” if people could view it as a “superpower” and help these superheroes develop and grow in a welcoming environment, those same superheroes just might help save society one day.

written by Ashmita Annamalai edited by Anvitha Mattapalli, Samita Pandit, Tiffany Fang, & Jason Liu layout by Arushi Patil art by Sahithi Lingampalli

References Earth Day The History of Earth Day. Earth Day. (2021, April 1). https://www.earthday.org/history/ Ritchie, H. (2020, January 24). You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local January 09, 2020 C. L. (2021, February 10). Single-Use Plastics 101. NRDC. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101 Consequences of Overproduction and Overconsumption. Net Impact. (2020, November 12). https://www.netimpact.org/blog/overproduction-overconsumption-consequences

Why Journaling is Healthy 403 Forbidden. (2018). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201805/keeping-journal-can-be-good-your-emotionalhealth Ackerman, C. E. (2021, April 15). 83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. PositivePsychology.Com. https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/ D. (2021, April 12). 17 Journaling Tips For Beginners. Vanilla Papers. https://vanillapapers.net/2019/11/13/journalingtips/ Greenawald, E. (2020, June 19). 8 Ways to Stop Thinking About Journaling and Actually Start Journaling. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/8-ways-to-stop-thinking-about-journaling-and-actually-start-journaling Hope, F. H. (2012, December). 80 % of Thoughts Are Negative. . .95 % are repetitive. Faith Hope and Psychology. https://faithhopeandpsychology.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/80-of-thoughts-are-negative-95-are-repetitive/ Journaling for Mental Health - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). University of Rochester Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx? ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1 Little Coffee Fox. (2021, January 20). The Best Bullet Journal Supplies (2021) | LittleCoffeeFox. https://littlecoffeefox.com/my-supplies/ Rutell, M. (2018, February 7). 6 Essential Journal Supplies You’ll Be Glad You Bought. Page Flutter. https://pageflutter.com/6-essential-journal-supplies/

Iced Coffee Made Easy Christensen, E. (2016, July 14). How To Make Cold Brew Coffee. Simply Recipes. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_cold_brew_coffee/ Taylor, K. (n.d.). Cold Brew Coffee (Recipe & Tips!). Cookie and Kate. https://cookieandkate.com/cold-brew-coffee-recipe/ Splawn, M. (2020, May 02). How To Make Starbucks-Style Cold Brew Coffee at Home. Kitchn.https://www.thekitchn.com/big-batch-cold-brew-coffee257177

What it’s Like to Live with Autism This is what it's like to live with autism. (2019, April 12). Best Life. https://bestlifeonline.com/living-with-autism/ Top 10 traits to appreciate in people with autism. (n.d.). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-terrifictraits-of-autistic-people-260321

OPINION Not American Enough pp. 77 A special collab between @theaffairmag and @dearasianyouth on the difficulties faced by Asian Americans, by Tiffany Fang

Has cancel culture gone too far? pp. 89 World Autism Awareness pp. 83

Should we pay people to vote? pp. 85

Performative Allyship pp. 87

Should we raise minimum wage? pp. 84

Dear asian youth, For many of us, we were born in this country, born American citizens, while our parents worked day and night, memorizing obscure historical facts about the racist founding fathers, to obtain a green card or American citizenship, a supposed physical record that they are loyal to this country. We as Asian Americans were introduced to American pop culture, American television, American food. We watched American shows, read American books, and listened to American music. In some ways, it was all we knew. In some ways, it is still all we know. The culture of our home country fades away with every year that we live in this new country, the country that we call our home; because for us, America has always been home. And despite the fact that we live here, that we speak the language that should be foreign on our

tongues, that we adapt and assimilate to American ways, and that our parents worked their fingers to the bone to obtain a certificate that is supposed to mark their loyalty to this country, we are still told that we are not American enough. Because in their eyes, we are the cause of the ongoing global pandemic that is forcing people to stay apart from their loved ones in addition to killing millions of people around the world. In their eyes, we are terrorists. In their eyes, we steal jobs from those who are “truly” American. In their eyes, we don’t belong.

not american enough

In fact, w where we cam only part of “No, not where where you g school you we we respond w correct. “I mean, wh Where did yo What languag inquire innoce impact of thes “China. Kor The Philippin Malaysia. Pa Singapore. Iran reply reluctan ashamed of o because we kn question in it have already of our ident who they th

by tiffany fang

@theaffairmag @dearasianyouth

edited by arushi patil, laya vijay, & cindy zhang artwork by sharon pan layout by sahithi lingampalli

we are constantly asked me from, as if that is the our identity that exists. e you were born. No, not grew up. No, not what ent to,” they retort after with what we believe is

here did you come from? our parents come from? ge do you speak?” they ently, not aware of the se questions. rea. Japan. Vietnam. India. es. Indonesia. Thailand. akistan. Saudi Arabia. n. Israel. Taiwan. Iraq,” we ntly, not because we are our home countries, but now that them asking this tself means that they y completely stripped us ity and painted us as hink we are: a stereotype.

“We speak English,” we add, and as if this is not enough for their inquiries about our “true” nature. We add, “Chinese. Korean. Vietnamese. Japanese. Hindi. Arabic,” knowing that this will satisfy the determination in their eyes to label us as different. Foreign. Visitors. Traitors. “Does it matter? I am as American as you!” we want to shout, frustrated that we are not accepted in a country that we accepted without hesitation. “But you see my yellow skin, my black hair, and my small eyes, so you will not believe it. In your heart, you will never believe it, for that is all you see.” And even though we feel this way, we keep our mouths shut. We do not shout because we are not angry. We are not outspoken. We are not loud. We remain silent. For a majority of us, exposure to American culture takes over our entire life. When we were young children, we spoke the language that danced on our mothers’ and fathers’ tongues. We ate the food that our grandmothers cooked for us, we practiced the Asian traditions that our ancestors passed down to us, and we wore traditional Asian clothing that were sported for generations during our traditional holidays. We knew that this was who we were.

That was, until that one kid with his big eyes and even bigger mouth pointed to us and laughed at the way our faces looked. Until the ignorant white kid ran up to us with his friends and came up close to our faces, pulling their eyes back while screaming, “Ching chong, ching chong!” and the tears poured out of our small, thin eyes. Until that really nice classmate who wasn’t so nice anymore after she scrunched her nose while making an offensive remark regarding the way our “weird” food smelled. Until our fellow peers eyed us in the corner when we wore our traditional Asian outfits on Culture Day. Until the boys and girls we wanted to be friends with mocked the way we pronounced English words because English was not our first language. Until the white kids refused to talk to us because we weren’t cool enough to sit with them at lunch. Until we gave up correcting our teachers when they mispronounced our names during attendance. Until we let the people who were so ignorant and lazy as to not even try to consider our feelings bully us into silence. Until we ourselves felt so isolated that we started to hate our faces, our country, and even our people. We hated ourselves for being different. But most of all, we hated that we could do nothing about the pain, fear and helplessness that we felt. For a majority of us, our first racist experience occurred when we were young. We may not have even really known that it was racist, but as we grow older and begin to understand life

a little bit more, the racist comments become more apparent as they press deeper and deeper into our skin, puncturing the same wound over and over again, leaving us to clean up and completely vulnerable in a pool of our own blood. Some of us may have told our parents about the words that these people so carelessly uttered. Others of us may not have due to our fear. Too scared that even our parents would not or could not do anything about it. Because just like us, our parents were bullied into silence, too. So instead of speaking up and trying to change the actions of the people around us, we started to change ourselves. We stopped bringing our “weird”-smelling food to school, and bought the greasy hot dogs and hamburgers from the school cafeteria instead. We stopped wearing our traditional Asian outfits on Culture Day, and wore trendy outfits that we bought from stores like Hollister and American Eagle instead. We shortened our names to three letter words or even took on “white” nicknames so that other people could pronounce our names. We continued to mold ourselves like clay until we were hardened and rigid to make the people around us feel comfortable, the very same people who pointed and laughed in our faces because we did not look like them. We kept telling ourselves that it was okay, that this was all okay, that we were okay. And we repeated those three words until even we believed it.

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Many of us st embarrassed personal diff peoples’ diffe parents s mispronounce scared that p judge our fam enough. Or w speak their n and other peo felt embarras speaking the around us. O their phones somewhere n embarrassed

our younger generation, ves that this was okay and may have been one of the l things to do. Because embracing our culture, ut our history, and loving n and American sides, we sh one side of us so far ell into oblivion. ve to know that it was not we did this. It was not our wanted to dye our hair ok more like Maddie from was not our fault that we he Disney channel shows simply had something to with the other American not our fault that we loved and accepted.

portantly, it was not our we felt ashamed of hat made us different.

tarted to feel ashamed or of not only our own ferences, but our own erences. Like when our spoke English but ed the words, and we felt people around us would milies for not being fluent when our parents would ative languages in public ople would stare, and we ssed that they were not language of the people r when our parents held up when we travelled ew, and yet again we felt because we did not want

to be seen as those Asian tourists. As many of us entered middle and high school, we were overtly aware of the way we looked and where we did and did not fit in. At this point, we knew how we were treated, and we knew that we fit into specific stereotypes and shriveled into the corner, hoping not to bother or be bothered. The middle and high school years encompassed the period of time in which we transitioned from childhood to adolescence— in other words, the period of time in which we explored our identities. The prevalence of social media had made it too easy to compare ourselves with other people and to discover even more differences that we had with other people. Collectively as young women, we are constantly on display for the judgmental eyes that follow us— specifically those of men. And as young Asian American girls, we grew up watching movies starring beautiful white female lead actresses, seeing magazines with white models on the front cover, and eventually scrolling past hundreds of social media posts of more beautiful white girls. We compared our bigger, flat noses to the small, perky

noses of Instagram models. We compared our flatter chests and behinds to the fuller chests and behinds of the women we saw in movies. We bought mascara and fake lashes in an attempt to make our naturally thin and flat lashes look as thick as those on other girls. We sucked in our stomachs in front of other people to convince them of our skinny frame. We got contacts and threw away our glasses so that people would stop calling us nerds. We bought lighter foundation and avoided the sun to keep our skin tones pale. We heard other teenage boys tell us that Asian girls “weren’t their type”, or that we were “not bad for an Asian”. As young girls, we tried to change everything about our appearance, but no matter how hard we tried to be different, we were still unsatisfied with what we saw in the mirror. We were crushed by the weight of the Eurocentric beauty standards that flooded our surroundings and drowned our selfconfidence.

And although we cannot personally speak for the experiences and feelings of our fellow Asian brothers, friends, and cousins, we are not blind to the treatment that Asian American boys receive. We see them comparing their smaller and supposed skinnier frames to the large, muscular bodies of white movie stars’. We see Asian American boys become insecure of their more “Asian” physical features. We see how Asian males are portrayed in the media as the nerds, the geeks, the ones that speak broken English in famous movies like Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han in Karate Kid, Ravi in Jessie, and Haka Arakau in The Cheat; and we know the damage that all of this causes. As young Asian American students, we compared our grades to everyone else’s. We felt constant pressure to not only receive straight A’s, but to go above and beyond for everything that we did. We felt like we had to pursue a career in STEM or medicine. We felt like we had to take the hardest math classes and receive perfect scores on every test we took. We felt like we had to be the best because of the suffocating pressure to be smart and successful. Overall, we as young Asian American people have struggled and still struggle with our identity, unsure of which parts of ourselves to reveal. It has been a constant battle with a country that shames us for being Asian but at the same time will never accept us no matter how American we act, talk, or dress. We still suffer in silence, despite all of the prejudice

that we face and the pain that we feel. We hide in the corner, refusing to speak up in fear that we will be silenced once again, the way we have been throughout our entire history in America. But seeing our fellow Asian elders being pushed, shoved, punched, shot, and abused in the streets of the country we have learned to adapt to and love like our own shook us up. Suddenly, the microaggressions, the racist stereotypes, and the ignorant statements and questions that we have dealt with our entire life came rushing forth all at once. The voices that have been screaming in the back of our heads for our entire lives finally broke free from years of being imprisoned by the very jail cells formed by white supremacy and years of oppression; the voice that has been screaming that those actions are not okay, and that they have never been okay. We have realized that we have allowed ourselves to be fooled that being treated as less than is not acceptable. We have realized that we deserve better than the racist comments that tore us down. We have realized that none of this was okay and will never be okay until we stand up and fight for what we deserve: equality. We have been told our entire lives that we cannot shout our thoughts and feelings, but instead should suffer in silence to remain safe. To remain seen by the public as the constant smart and hardworking race, to allow ourselves and our accomplishments

to be used as races. But “safe is surviving, not We have bee lives, causing u they bleed, to knuckles turn fr hide our const appear on our single person no

And it is tim silence to end.

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weapons against other e” is not enough. “Safe” living. en shushed our entire us to bite our lips until ball our fists until our rom golden to white, to tant pain until wrinkles tired faces without a oticing or caring.

me for that pain and

d generation, we have the biggest identity ook Asian, but we are We speak English, but eak Chinese, Korean, d so many more derive from our home many people, we will Asian. We do not know as when we look in the e been created at the ature, but we have also the country we were se of this mix of cultural , and traditions from ent cultures, we have nd who we are, who we y as, and where we

l to remember that ounded by a group of exist, white men who but privilege. But this also founded on the dom, liberty, equality, nity. To be American is same core values and

principles with the people around us. That is what brings us together as individuals. We should not let our differences drive us apart, but instead let our similarities bring us together. It is particularly difficult to do that when people refuse to accept our differences and ignore our similarities. But first, we must identify ourselves before we make sure that others identify us correctly. We are aware that it is somehow difficult for people to acknowledge that this country was built by the hands of minorities; that this country was formed at the expense of millions of black, Latino, Hispanic, and Asian lives. We must remember that millions of our ancestors have made it possible for our generation to live in the world that we live in today. These ancestors brought the core values of discipline, hard work, and frugality, yet were punished for their hard work with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and now with Anti-Asian Hate crimes. We must appreciate our parents who have also brought these core values of their home countries to America in hopes of giving us a new life. And with the combinations of both our origins and our current home, we are Asian, but we are also American. And we must be loud and proud. In our hearts, even though we have been taunted and told our entire lives that we are or are not this and that, we know our core values and traditions. That will never change. “What are you?” they will continue to ask.

To that, we will answer, “We are Asian. But we are also American. We are Asian Americans, and we are American enough.” “We are American enough,” we will repeat, our voices growing louder. “We are American enough,” we will shout, our voices piercing the years of silence. Because no matter what they say, no matter how they treat us, no matter how they look at us, we are American enough.

- Tiffany fang.

Edited by Cindy Zhang & Uday Lingampalli

Layout by Tiffany Fang

Art by Thejo Tattala

written By

Alda Nasywa

What is Autism? Autism is a brain development disorder that affects one’s ability to communicate and interact with other people. In addition, autism causes behavioral disorders and limits one’s interest. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions that are surmised to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. According to data released by the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, about 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a 10% increase from 2014, when the estimate was 1 in 59. Boys are also 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Additionally, data released by the WHO in April 2020 indicates that one in 270 people have ASD worldwide. These estimates represent the mean and prevalence rates reported. “Autism is not a disability, it’s a different disability” – Stuart Duncan

People with Autism often become the targets of bullying. This issue is so widespread that the United Nations has called on all member countries to take steps to raise awareness of autism in their communities. Held on November 1, 2007, the third UN general assembly established April 2 as World Autism Care Day, and was certified as an international holiday by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 2007. What you need to remember is that Autism is not a transmissible disease. Rather, it is a condition treated not by medicine, but therapy. Why is Autism Awareness day so important? On top of learning about autism, everyone should take real action to create a more equitable environment. The main way that is arguably a very common is to minimize triggers. Everyone with Autism is different, and sensory & routine differences, anxiety, and commucation difficulties are common triggers. Let’s turn April 2nd into a day not just for awareness, but a day on which to take real action too.

should we raise minimum wage? No. The current minimum wage in the U.S.A. is only $7.25. While raising the minimum wage seems beneficial at first sight, there are potential effects that are detrimental to society. Small businesses need every dollar of their profit to stay afloat. They may not be able to pay each of their employees the increased minimum wage. As a result, they will either need to shut down the business or lay off employees, contributing to the increasing unemployment and poverty rates. This disproportionately affects teenagers and young adults, who make up the majority of low wage workers. Hirers are already skeptical about hiring younger workers due to lack of experience, and this skepticism will only increase if they have to pay young workers a higher cut of their

profits. The same is true for lowerskilled workers. It will be more difficult for these workers to land jobs if they are unable to prove they are worthy of an increased minimum wage. Because of an increased minimum wage, prices will increase, quality will decrease, and/or quantity will decrease. This is because if companies are paying their workers more, they will need more money-primarily from their products--to profit. This can be seen in Oakland, California, where a 36% minimum wage increase in turn increased the price of a coffee cup by roughly 15%. Increasing the minimum wage aims to help amateur and younger workers as well as the underprivileged. However, its effects harm these groups instead as it increases unemployment, shuts down businesses, and increases prices.

written by Anvitha Mattapalli edited by Ashmita Annamalai, Cindy Zhang, & Tiffany Fang layout by Sahithi Lingampalli artwork by Cal Shin-Koh

written by Anvitha mattapalli and Sahithi Lingampalli Edited by Cindy Zhang, Myint Myat Theingi,

& Mridula Divakar

art by evelyn chen LAYOUT BY HARINI AKURATHI

No. It’s common knowledge that many western nations, including the U.S.A., have reached record low voter turnout rates in recent years. The votes received from the few people who participate in elections may not necessarily reflect the views and values of the entire population, ultimately making the government far less representative of the general public than it should be.. One proposed--and debated--solution to low voter turnout is paying citizens to vote. This solution, however, does more harm than good. In the U.S.A., everybody above voting age has the right to vote. This includes those who are not educated on politics, the candidates running for office, or current events. If we pay these people to vote, their vote may not correspond to their true values, but rather television advertisements or what their friends and family tell them. This will only further skew the results of the election.

Moreover, when people are offered incentives, they begin to work with motivation for the incentive instead of the purpose behind it. As a result, their motivation to do good by natural impulse decreases. An example of this is an experiment held in the United Kingdom, where after participants were paid to give blood, blood donations decreased. Since participants could receive money for giving blood, they did not want to give blood donations out of kind nature. There are strict laws preventing candidates from paying citizens to vote for them. However, if the government is paying people to vote, it will be far easier for candidates to get away with this. This is because candidates could claim that the government is paying people to vote instead of them paying people to vote for them.

Low voter turnout rates is a prominent issue in our society. Paying people to vote does increase voter turnout rates, but the effects of it will skew the results of the election until it is no longer representative of the population as a whole. While paying people to vote is not ideal, it is a start. It will take some time before we can come up with a solution that truly benefits society.

No. The main reason such an idea exists is because, theoretically, it is a potentially effective method to manage fluctuating voter turnout rates. Even though the 2020 voter turnout was high, numbers were still not ideal since only around 60% of the eligible voter population actually casted ballots (Foreign Policy).

One of the main reasons for low voter turnout has been linked to low family income. For example, families with 5 thousand dollars or less had the lowest voter turnout in their group (48%), whereas the group with 150 thousand dollars or higher had the highest voter turnout in their group (86%) in 2016 (EconoFact). This shows that high family income leads to higher voter turnout, perhaps because these families can afford education and hence know the importance of voting unlike poorer families.

Therefore, it is evident that providing a monetary incentive will encourage people to vote more, either because they can educate themselves better by being able to access electronics and the internet or by simply being able to afford transportation means to reach voting centers. Overall, this is a reasonable solution. However, there are a lot of factors that play into voting. First off, you need time, as well as skills, such as being able to read information on the election, and good health to travel if needed, all of which will not be solved by simply having more money. That is, even if one did have time, if they are unable to read, they cannot vote. If one could read, but couldn’t step outside of, say, a hospital, they cannot vote. Additionally, voting without proper knowledge of the candidates, measures, or propositions, can leave voters misinformed and reduce the accuracy of government representation, doing the opposite of what a financial incentive set out to do. Essentially, voting should remain the way it is — doing it as your civic responsibility and not for a reward. Yes, the government should invest in awareness campaigns and making voting more easy and accessible, but an incentive will simply make people vote for money instead of encouraging them to vote for representation.

Throughout this year, we have seen crime after crime committed against different genders, ethnicities and race. Racism, sexism, xenophobia and more have reared their ugly heads at the United States with increasing intensity. To be honest, it's hard to tell whether this is something new or if we are just old enough to acknowledge these issues. People of all races have come together to spread knowledge on BLM and racism against the AAPI community, but are all people doing it for the right reasons?

Performative activism refers to someone who is supporting a cause for social recognition or other benefits rather than for actual support of the cause. We see this all the time with companies. For example, a company can produce new products to support different causes like pride month to raise profit, not to support the LGBTQ+ community. Performative activism is known to be lazy and very surface-level.

Perform

ACTIV

Performative activism has taken a toll on social media this past year with peoples’ rights and problems becoming a trend. Over the past summer, Black Lives Matter became a trend. It erupted from police brutality, a pressing issue across America and around the world. By using social media platforms like Instagram, performative activists only adopted the aesthetics of BLM without actually making substantive change. It soon became just another thing to post on your story or just a day to post a black picture, but nothing more. Like any trend, it went out of style. We started ignoring police brutality like we did our entire lives until it was trendy. Police brutality is a complex issue that needs to be fixed on the federal level. Real action needs to be made, not a lazy attempt to be “woke”.

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VISM

Lately, I have been thinking to myself. What’s the difference between activism and performative activism, and how do I make a real difference? I think that the main difference is your mindset. When I do my research, write or work with others, I don’t think of it like I’m checking off a box. I don’t write articles about Black Lives Matter or xenophobia because I want others to form a specific opinion of me; I write these articles because I want to spread awareness about an issue I truly care about. I research ways to help improve the lives of others. Overall, peoples’ rights and struggles should not be a trend, and we need to stop acting like they are. We need to work to create real change and care for others 24/7, not just when it’s trendy. Together, we can make the world a better place; we just need people who are all in to help others.

written by Neve Walker edited by Anvitha Mattapalli, Harvi Karatha, & Cindy Zhang layout by Karen He art by Sahithi Lingampalli

has cancel culture LAYOUT BY LEESHA PILLA

WRITTEN BY ANVITHA MATTAPALLI

ART BY EVELYN CHEN

EDITED BY HARVI KARATHA, & CINDY ZHANG While cancel culture bloomed from good roots, it has grown into something toxic and harmful. Cancel culture is a new version of ostracism where a member of society is banned from social and professional groups due to their views. On one side, cancel culture holds people accountable for their actions and ensures that they receive the necessary punishments. This becomes essential when these people are celebrities that have an incredible impact on society and future generations. Cancel culture originally began to strictly condone negative behavior and encourage equality and justice.

However, the consequences given as a result of cancel culture can get out of hand. Cancel culture prevents people from learning from their mistakes. It expects people to already be “woke” simply because a part of society is. It fails to recognize that people aren’t “woke” by nature; it’s a lifelong journey

that everybody is at different stages. Cancel culture holds the power to damage one’s life, relationships, and social status, and when this affects people who are trying to learn how to be “woke”, cancel culture goes from an attempt at justice to a high expectation.

WRITTEN BY ASHMITA AANNAMALAI EDITED BY AARAV NAVANI, HARVI KARATHA YES As our current society surrounds itself with various discriminatory issues, being aware of what we think, say and do has become more important than ever before. However, an individual can only be so cautious when a certain level of ignorance rests in their mind. The cultural expectation is to be woke. If you are not 100% ‘woke’

gone too far? (which is not possible for any human being) or if one thing you say or do is misinterpreted, you could get ‘canceled’ or ostracized. This can cause people to suppress their voice when dealing with major social and political pressures, which could lead to mental deterioration and dangerous thoughts.

realize them, we make an active effort to improve ourselves. As opposed to expressing hatred, helping the individual understand their mistake and providing them with accurate information will help nurture a “justice culture”: a better alternative to society’s burdensome “cancel culture.”

Although cancel culture has been effective in calling out discrimination in regards to race, sex, age, religion and other demographic features, it has evolved into something much worse than a simple reprimand. ‘Cancelers’ do not take the extra time to understand the individual’s perspective and immediately begin bashing them while simultaneously encouraging the rest of society to do the same. Before violently expressing moral outrage, it’s important to read between the lines and consider to what extent the individual deserves to be held accountable for their misconduct.

WRITTEN BY GRACE YOON

No human being is born perfect. We all make mistakes, and when we

EDITED BY AARAV NAVANI, & HARVI KARATHA Cancel culture refers to the practice of denouncing someone or something for being offensive by society’s standards. Most people would agree that people should be responsible for their actionsespecially if they are celebrity role models for younger generations. Cancel culture has gone from enforcing responsibility to a modernday witch hunt. For better or for the worse, cancel culture holds great power in society. The strength of cancel culture can destroy someone’s career, social life and more. Lately, people have been trying to “cancel” everyday people as well. Through the chilling powers of the internet, strangers could find someone’s school, job, age and address in a matter of hours.

However, some “canceled” people did deserve the public backlash for their irresponsible and offensive actions. A surprisingly high number of celebrities are getting no more than a slap on the wrist for a crime that would sentence others to jail. For instance, David Dobrick got accused of raping a minor with his friends after

purposely intoxicating her to the point of being unconscious. Although he denied all allegations, there was evidence brought to attention by his former fans. Unfortunately, they were all ignored in the investigation. Because of the public outrage, David Dobrick lost multiple brand deals and his plans for the co-founded app Dispo went into turmoil. Many more celebrities were rightfully punished by cancel culture in some way. For example, James Charles was ‘cancelled’ after "sexting" multiple minors.

The debate of whether or not cancel culture has gone too “toxic” is very tricky. On one side, many people were rightfully punished by the public when the law did not or could not: for example, black-face or any other discriminating acts. Cancel culture also holds great power. Especially with the lockdown, people have more free time, which can influence people to look for a reason to cancel people.

Cancel culture should be a way of holding people responsible, and allowing them to learn and grow from their mistakes: not a way to punish anyone with a different opinion.

There are also limits to what cancel culture can do. Most times, celebrities are not really "canceled"; they are just temporarily set back. It ranges from losing deals, opportunities, or receiving hate comments. For instance, J.K. Rowling could not be "canceled," because she does not have a job where she can be fired from.

In contrast, cancel culture should not be "canceled" even with all its toxicity and restrictions. Without cancel culture, celebrities could get away with anything they want to do or say, even if it is incredibly offensive. Because "canceling" a celebrity can not be done alone, there isn't a real threat to someone getting wrongfully punished. Also, the good that can come out of cancel culture is another reason why cancel culture can be a positive thing for our society. Cancel culture is an effective tool for combating sexism, racism and other types of discrimination that we often see on the internet. Whether or not cancel culture is good or bad cannot be answered because there are many pros and cons to weigh.

references not american enough None

has cancel culture gone too far?

D’amour, A. (2020, April 2). Cancel Culture: The Good, The Bad, & Its Impact on Social Change. On Our Moon. https://onourmoon.com/cancel-culture-the-good-the-bad-its-impact-on-socialchange/#:~:text=Cancel%20culture%20has%20been%20incredibly%20effective%2 0at%20combating,getting%20away%20with%20doing%20or%20saying%20shitty% 20things. Brown, D., & USA TODAY. (2020, July 17). Twitter's cancel culture: A force for good or a digital witchhunt? The answer is complicated. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/07/17/has-twitters-cancel-culturegone-too-far/5445804002/

should we pay people to vote?

Titmuss, R. M., Oakley, A., & Ashton, J. (1997). The gift relationship: From human blood to social policy. Palmer, J. & Wilson, A. (2020, November 03). Historic U.S. Turnout still lags behind major democracies. Foreign Policy. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/03/historic-united-states-voter-turnout-2020-electionbehind-other-democracies-global/ Akee, R. (2020, September 24). Voting and income. EconoFact. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://econofact.org/voting-and-income

Performative allyship None

world autism awareness month

Villano, M. (2021, April 2). World Autism Awareness Day 2021: What you need to know. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/02/health/autism-awareness-daywellness/index.html World Health Organization. (2021, April 2). Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrumdisorders#:~:text=Epidemiology,figures%20that%20are%20substantially%20higher. Autism Speaks (n.d.). Autism Statistics and Facts. Retrieved from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-statistics-asd

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April 2021

Articles inside

World Autism Awareness

Should We Pay People to Vote?

Performative Activism

Not American Enough

Why Journaling is Healthy

Has Cancel Culture gone too far?

Iced Coffee Made Easy

What it's Like to Like to Live with Autism

Earth Day

The Effects of Caffeine on Adolescents

Orbital Mechanics, Explained

Single Emojis, Double Meanings

The Covid-19 Vaccine: Making Life Normal Again

Understanding and Accepting Autism

The New Normal: Government Sanctioned Islamophobia in France

Fossil Fuels may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to this magic liquid!

The Artemis Spacesuit

Autism Awareness and Acceptance in Politics and Society

How Technology Helps Kids with Autism

Poetry Month & Reader Submissions

The #StopAsianHate Movement

What Was the Lavender Scare?

The Portrayal of Autism in the Media

"Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" Hate

David Dobrik: The Sexual Assault Scandal