DECEMBER 2021
THE CHARIOT
DELIVERING GUNN’S CULTURE AND POLITICS
P6 | THE FOREVER WAR: LOOKING BACK ON AFGHANISTAN Examining the Military-Industrial Complex’s Role and America’s True Intentions
P14 | GABBY PETITO AND RACIAL FAVORITISM The Media’s Case of “Missing White Woman Syndrome”
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INTRODUCTION
THE CHARIOT 21-22 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Neha Muthiah SENIOR EDITOR Bess Olshen SENIOR LAYOUT EDITOR Chris Lee CONTRIBUTORS Katie LaWer Chris Lee Yoonseo Lee Stella Manning Neha Muthiah Bess Olshen Isha Sinha GRAPHICS Ella Koehler Michelle Koo ADVISOR Justin Brown Supported by the
Cover: Sgt. Jaerett Engeseth via DVIDS
LET TER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Reader, After over a year of online school, The Chariot’s publication is back! If you are new to The Chariot, welcome. We are Gunn’s decades-old nonpartisan social and political magazine. We are committed to sharing unique perspectives on important issues to make social and political discourse more critical and open-minded. This year, we are bringing The Chariot back to its mission: providing relatable and accessible commentary to the students of Gunn High School. We have expanded our editing process to ensure that every article published was taken to its best. Perhaps the most significant transformation you will observe this year is our layouts. Our layouts and graphics teams have been hard at work to make sure the formatting of our issue is as attractive and interesting as its
content. In keeping with recent tradition, this issue features a quick semester news recap and selected responses from a student opinion inbox. Our articles dig deeper into social and pop culture events to reveal systemic injustice and to critique the systems we rely on through various perspectives. We are dedicated to showcasing a spectrum of opinions, and we would appreciate your contributions! If you would like to write for our magazine, create graphics, discuss articles, or join our meetings, feel free to email us at gunnchariot@gmail.com. We hope you will find our issue to be thought-provoking. Sincerely, Neha Muthiah Editor-in-Chief 21-22
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IN THIS ISSUE... NEWS 04-05 POLITICS 06 LOOKING BACK ON AFGHANISTAN 10 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR LEADER 12 THE RISE OF MASS INCARCERATION IN THE U.S. SOCIAL AND CULTURE 14 GABBY PETITO AND RACIAL FAVORITISM 16 SQUID GAME: A HARSH DOSE OF REALITY 18 BRITNEY: UNVEILING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OPINION INBOX 19 CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT CHARIOT
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NEWS
SEMESTER NEWS RECAP Important news stories from the semester compiled by The Chariot.
Source: AP
Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen revealed company documents to the Wall Street Journal. She later testified to a Senate Commerce subcommittee alleging that the company chose to ignore information indicating their products were destructive to democracy, negatively affected mental health,
were used by human trafficking rings, and were designed to amplify misinformation. Facebook has discredited Haugen as a low-level employee who had only been with the company for two years. Lawmakers across the political spectrum seem to agree that Facebook must be regulated, but they have not proposed a solution.
ABORTION
Source: AP
Texas’ passed Senate Bill 8 prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected— approximately six weeks into pregnancy—without exceptions for abuse, incest, or fatal birth defects. Prohibitions apply to individuals that perform or “aid and abet” a restricted abortion in the state. Ordinary citizens are entitled to at least
$10,000 from any violating individual. The Supreme Court refused to block the law in a 5-4 decision and is expected to issue a final ruling soon. Modeling the citizen enforcement provisions of Senate Bill 8, Ohio legislators have introduced House Bill 480 to prohibit abortions at any stage of pregnancy in the state.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Source: Mandel Ngan
Despite a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, President Biden endured months of negotiations to pass his keystone infrastructure bill. His initial $3 trillion proposal was split into a bill centered on physical infrastructure and job creation (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and a social safety
net bill (Build Back Better). The $1 trillion infrastructure and job creation bill passed the House and Senate with 13 and 19 Republican votes respectively. In the House, a group of progressives known as “The Squad” voted against the bill, arguing that provisions did not go far enough and that Build Back Better must be passed too.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Source: Flickr
World leaders signed a new climate pledge after two weeks of negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland. While certain nations agreed to more ambitious emissions reductions—net-zero pledges, methane cuts, and phasing out deforestation— scientists and climate activists like Greta Thunberg argue that the commitments are not enough to prevent the worst
damage: intensified storms, heat waves, and droughts. The measures would achieve 1.8ºC warming by 2100, an improvement from the current pace of 2.7ºC but above the crucial threshold of 1.5ºC. Wealthy nations including the United States rejected a compensation proposal for “loss and damages” for climate-related damage in developing countries.
ASTROWORLD
Source: Jamaal Ellis
Ten people died and hundreds more were injured as a result of Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival. The crowd surged toward the stage at the concert, suffocating and trampling attendees. Many have pointed to Scott’s incitement of violence at previous concerts, blaming him along with concert organizers, who overbooked and
packed 50,000 people into NRG Park. Lawsuits on behalf of victims currently total over $3 billion. The incident is currently being investigated as a criminal case involving the narcotics and homicide divisions of the Houston Police. –Compiled by Neha Muthiah and Bess Olshen.
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POLITICS
The Forever War: Looking Back On Afghanistan Source: Massoud Hossaini
collapsing nation safely. Recognizing both the economic and human costs of intervention, we must examine the causes of the “Forever War” and how society can prevent further needless bloodshed.
Katie LaWer Chris Lee “I was not going to extend this forever war, and I was not extending a forever exit,” President Biden said on August 31, 2021. This speech marked the end of the War in Afghanistan, for which American taxpayers footed a daily bill of $300 million over the past 20 years. Despite objectives to bring freedom and democracy to a struggling nation, the product of military presence was pitiful: Afghan forces fell to the Taliban instantaneously and efforts quickly shifted to ensuring that Americans and allies could escape the
THE FOREVER WAR The war in Afghanistan responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks, when Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. As a result of this tragedy, President George W. Bush vowed to “win the war against terrorism” and called for the Taliban regime to “deliver to the United States authorities all the leaders of Al-Qaeda who hide on your land.” After the almost-unanimous congressional decision to approve Pres-
ident Bush’s war declaration, the United States began to drop bombs on Afghanistan on October 7, 2001; 12 days later, the US army invaded with ground forces. For the next few months, American troops occupied Afghanistan in the pursuit of collapsing the Taliban and Al Qaeda. In April 2002, American forces began to focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan, after experiencing some victories in achieving the war agenda set forth by Bush. The President called for Afghanistan to be rebuilt as Europe was after World War II, leading Congress to appropriate over $38 billion in aid. During the next four years, significant progress was made, including the establishment of a reconstruction framework, constitution, and president. Friction soon arose at the 2006 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit when 26 countries
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agreed that Afghan forces should be- lives—the majority Afghan civilians works to increase political support gin to take increased control of the and service members—over the 20- for military spending, giving companies broad control over U.S. military nation. “Our progress in Afghanistan is year intervention. endeavors and risking the initiation real but it is fragile,” US Defense Secof wars to serve corporations’ greed. retary Robert Gates said. “At this time, MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX According to a 2019 Sludge review, many allies are unwilling to share the nearly a third of the Senate Appropririsks, commit the resources, and follow through on collective commitments The war never truly delivered on its ations Subcommittee on Defense— to this mission and to each other. As a promise to deliver freedom and de- in charge of drafting sections of the result, we risk allowing what has been mocracy to Afghanistan. Despite de- annual defense spending bill—own achieved in Afghanistan to slip away.” clining public opinion of the “Forever stocks in top defense contractors. Opposing international opinion, War,” congressional representatives California Senator Dianne Feinstein the United States continued to send prioritized personal interests over and Maine Senator Susan Collins— both members of the subcommittroops to Afghanistan, with 17,000 and those of the country. tee—own $650,000 and 30,000 personnel de$101,000 in defense corployed in February and porations respectively. December of 2009 reOSAMA BIN LADEN HAD BEEN ASThe impacts of spectively. this conflict of inOsama Bin Laden’s SASSINATED AND REASONS FOR terest are apparent. assassination in May CONTINUED U.S. PRESENCE WERE BEFor instance, while 2011 made the end of many Congress memthe War in Afghanistan COMING INCREASINGLY UNCLEAR. bers claimed that the seem within reach once United States should again. The direct victory against a terrorist leader brought a Dwight Eisenhower coined the adopt fiscally conservative policy in sense of justice to victims of the Sep- term “military-industrial complex” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tember 11 attacks. 1961, describing the symbiotic rela- same members advocated for the However, the cycle of promise lead- tionship between the United States 2022 National Defense Authorization ing to conflict continued. Even as po- military and government. This network Act to increase military spending by litical candidates across the ideological of defense lobbyists and corporations $27.5 billion from the previous year. spectrum advocated for the end of the war, no realistic exit appeared feasible. Finally, on April 14, 2021, President Joe Biden announced the definite end of the War in Afghanistan. Unlike his predecessors, Biden made it clear that the withdrawal was unconditional, and would not hinge on the reduction of attacks by the Taliban or the state of peace talks. He instead pointed to other ways the United States could help promote peace without having troops in the region. The President supported his deciRoy Blunt Dianne Feinstein John Hoeven sion with the same objections he had made as Vice President: Osama Bin MO (R) CA (D) ND (R) Laden had been assassinated and reasons for continued US presence were $100,000 IN $650,000 IN $250,000 IN becoming increasingly unclear. DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE Ultimately, the United States spent FIRM STOCKS FIRM STOCKS FIRM STOCKS over $2.3 trillion and lost 121,999 allied Source: Sludge
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE
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POLITICS
MEDIA MISINFORMATION The military-industrial complex further attempts to directly influence public opinion through media misrepresentation. Six corporations currently control 90% of the news viewership market, compared to 50 in 1983. These six companies have gained immense power to shape the narrative through their reporting and messaging. The military-industrial complex has taken advantage of this by forming tightly knit relationships with media corporations. Boeing and ABC/Disney have an interlocking directorate, where board members of one company also sit on the board of another; Raytheon and General Electric, which owns NBC, has another. Through these relationships, defense corporations misinform the public and set a false narrative of military progress. For example, media outlets claimed that the Taliban only had control of 44% of districts in Afghanistan in 2018. However, a report by the New York Times the same year revealed that they actually held over 66%. The
9/11/2001
Al Qaeda hijacks four US airliners and crashes them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. A fourth plane crashes in a field in PA.
military-industrial complex continues Veterans like Zeller have a right to work to obscure the results of mil- to express their frustration: all seritary operations to justify continued vice members deserve a safe exit intervention. considering the tremendous risk President Biden’s announcement to they undertook for their country. permanently remove all troops from However, the frustration with the Afghanistan also sparked a fury from American government’s treatment the media that was not representative of veterans stems beyond the exit. of public opinion. While 70% of AmerThe military-industrial complex icans supported threw innothe decision to cent individuPROGRAMS ACROSS THE remove troops, als in the line of POLITICAL SPECTRUM FEAprograms across fire to greedily the political maximize profit TURED WARMONGERING spectrum feaby taking adPUNDITS INSISTING THAT tured warmonvantage of the THE UNITED STATES CONgering pundits unity 9/11 ininsisting that the spired. When TINUE TO ENGAGE IN United States they realized CONFLICT. continue to enthat the pubgage in conflict. lic was not fallMedia outlets also portrayed the ing for their schemes, they utilized withdrawal as disorderly and unpre- the press—an essential component pared. MSNBC featured the opinion of democracy—to attempt once of First Lieutenant Matt Zeller. “They again to mislead the people. didn’t plan for the evacuation of our While women’s rights and democraAfghan wartime allies—they’re trying cy were used as excuses to enter Afto conduct it now at the 11th hour,” he ghanistan in 2001, veterans and their said. “We had all the people and equip- mistreatment are used in the present ment in place to be able to save these day as an excuse to stay. The military-inpeople months ago and we did nothing.” dustrial complex only cares about social
The United States launches “Operation Enduring Freedom” and begins a bombing campaign against Taliban forces.
10/7/2001
12/1/2009
President Barack Obama announces an escalation of US military efforts in Afghanistan. 90,000 troops are deployed during the year.
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issues when doing so benefits them.
FUTURE STEPS The military-industrial complex ultimately views the end of the Afghanistan War as a defeat: defense contractors and corrupt politicians continue to search for ways to misinform the public and increase profits. In order to ensure that an event like Afghanistan does not occur again, there are various steps Americans should take. First, we must work to educate every American on the military-industrial complex and its influence. Collective resistance is not possible if the majority does not know what occurs behind closed doors. Second, Americans should scrutinize politicians and determine whether they are using their power in accordance with public interest. The military-industrial complex would hold severely limited influence without the political capital to push through legislation. Americans should ensure politicians know that having close ties with defense corporations is not an option—they must be held accountable.
American forces kill Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, in Pakistan.
5/1/2011
Source: Biden White House
President Biden addressing the nation regarding the unfolding situation in Afghanistan on August 16, 2021. Finally, even in times of crisis and great emotional distress, blind faith in “experts” is not an option. We must question the narratives set forth by corporate media and attempt to find the unskewed facts of a story. This can be accomplished by diversifying our media sources. While mass media seemed united in their efforts to enter Afghanistan in 2001 and stay in 2021, smaller, independent news organizations often reflected the true feelings of the American people and brought forth key pieces of information that had been overlooked by others.
4/14/2021
President Biden announces complete US troop withdrawal by September 11. He assures Americans that the US will still assist Afghan forces through other means.
Ultimately, the military-industrial complex will continue to lobby for more spending, endless interventions, and lives sacrificed for profit. Although the system may seem powerful and beyond reform, the weakening and eventual downfall of the military-industrial complex is a movement all must support. –LaWer, a sophomore, is a contributor. Lee, a sophomore, is the Senior Layout Editor and Publicity Director.
The last Americans leave Afghanistan, following a highly criticized withdrawal process. This officially marks the end of the War in Afghanistan.
8/30/2021
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2024:
POLITICS
The American People’s Choice for Leader Isha Sinha
The 2020 election is one that Americans will never forget. It was followed by an explosive debate over election results, violence, and an uprising that some call an insurrection. With the next election around the corner, is it possible for it to fall in 2020’s footsteps? One message is certain: the upcoming election will affect all on the scale of conservative to liberal. Trump’s determination to win a second term has been a continuous topic of discussion amongst Americans, with opinions on the matter varying significantly. Some believe that Trump will do so, including former White House
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows: “I don’t viously taken an oath, as a member speak for [former] President Trump, of Congress, or as an officer of the but I do speak to him all the time, and United States, or as a member of any I can tell you if I were a betting man, I State legislature, or as an executive or would bet, I would go all in on the fact judicial officer of any State, to support that he’s going to run.” the Constitution of the United States, While many hold a similar view- shall have engaged in insurrection or point to Meadows, rebellion against others disagree. the same, or given AFTER THE CAPITOL AT After the Capitol aid or comfort to TACKS ON JANUARY 6, attacks on January the enemies there2021, THERE HAS BEEN 6, 2021, there has of.” MUCH DIVISION ON been much division Most Democrats WHETHER TRUMP IS EVEN on whether Trump is believe that the even eligible to run amendment proELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR A for a presidential vides grounds for PRESIDENTIAL POSITION. position. the argument that Some point to Donald Trump is not Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amend- eligible for the presidency, raising the ment, which states, “No person shall question of whether the Capitol attacks be a Senator or Representative in should be considered an insurrection. Congress, or elector of President and While some agree that an insurVice President, or hold any office, civ- rection occurred on January 6, many il or military, under the United States, Trump supporters have voiced their or under any State, who, having pre- opposing opinions. This fundamental
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REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRAT
question has made the consideration of mind that there is no correct answer una second Trump term all the more polar- til the actual election; all the population izing. can do until then is raise the question. If not Trump, who else? Our next pres- Now is a better time to do so than ever, ident must be one to guide America out as the next American election will affect of a struggling the global popeconomy after ulation tremenTHE VALUES OF THE POPULA COVID-19 and dously, whether a polarizing poit be through TION REGARDING THE PRESI litical scale that the topic of imDENT REMAIN THE SAME: THAT continues to dimigration, vacciTHEY GUIDE THE AMERICAN vide the popunation policies, POPULATION IN THE RIGHT DI lation, which is or abortion. not an easy task. While the RECTION AND ALLOW FOR A Democrats 2024 election BETTER FUTURE. speculate that may seem in the Joe Biden will distant future, not run for re-election, due to his old age the importance of this election cannot and a quote from the President himself: be overstated. For all on the political “Look, I view myself as a bridge, not as scale, this next election is extremely inanything else,” he said. “There’s an entire fluential. generation of leaders you saw standing For Republicans, it is important to rebehind me. They are the future of this gain political control over the Executive country.” and Congress, while for the Democrats, While many believe that Biden’s rhet- the next presidency may be the one to oric has indicated he will not compete pass climate change and rein in Repubagain, it is widely suspected that Trump lican states. Recently, growing polarizawill run. This is the viewpoint of Jason tion has caused important issues to be Miller, a former top adviser to Trump: “I held off due to different political factions think ultimately in 2024 President Trump being unable to reach a consensus. Thus, does run again–at least that is my hope. the president of 2024 must unite our poBut I don’t think it will be against Joe litical differences while still keeping them Biden. I think it will be a [Vice President] under consideration. Kamala Harris or maybe a [Governor of Ultimately, the result of the upcoming California] Gavin Newsom” election will be influenced by everyone’s Across political lines, the values of the decisions, and the choice that we make population regarding the president re- will forever be reflected in American hismain the same: that they guide the Amer- tory. ican population in the right direction and – Sinha, a freshman, is a contributor. allow for a better future. Those who cast their votes every four years have these intentions in mind. While people from all political factions have speculations on who will run, it is important to keep in
Michelle Koo
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POLITICS
“WE’LL GO AFTER THE RACISTS”: A POLITICAL HISTORY OF MASS INCARCERATION Bess Olshen “Everybody said that criminal justice reform couldn’t be done, but I got it done,” President Donald Trump declared with the passage of the First Step Act in 2018. Earning an 88-12 vote in the Senate, the bipartisan legislation allocated resources toward drug treatment and re-entry and commuted the sentences of 721 federal inmates. Three years later, the United States remains the largest incarcerator in the world. According to The Sentencing Project, 2.12 million Americans are in prison. One in 81 Black adults is serving time in a state prison. These figures are no accident. They are the results of decades of systematic oppression by opportunistic politicians.
“Law and order” rhetoric took hold in the 1950s and 1960s as lawmakers depicted civil rights protesters as criminals. This rhetoric was supported by FBI reports of rising crime rates as the Baby Boomer generation came of age. In 1966, then-presidential candidate Richard Nixon blamed this rise on the “corrosive doctrine that every citizen possesses an inherent right to decide… which laws to obey.”
ACCORDING TO THE SENTENCING PROJECT, 2.12 MILLION AMERICANS ARE IN PRISON. ONE IN 81 BLACK ADULTS IS SERVING TIME IN A STATE PRISON.
Media reports sensationalized riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. with racial imagery. By 1968, 81% of surveyed Americans
Michelle Koo
agreed that “law and order has broken down in this country,” the majority blaming “Negroes who start riots.” Widespread racial tensions facilitated the Republican Southern strategy in an effort to gain electoral support among white, conservative voters. Put simply by Nixon, “We’ll go after the racists.” In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared the War on Drugs. Reagan directed Department of Justice resources toward street crimes, particularly drug law enforcement. At the time, less than 2% of Americans viewed drugs as an important issue facing the nation. To justify heavy spending, Reagan launched a media offensive centered on the use of crack cocaine. Stories propagated by his administration featured clear racial subtexts, referring to “crack babies” born in inner cities. Although crack cocaine is chemically identical to powder cocaine, crack users were disproportionately African American and of low socioeconomic status. By 1988, a majority of
CHARIOT Americans believed illegal drugs were the country’s greatest problem. As drugs gained public attention, Congress passed increasingly punitive sentencing policies. The 1984 Sentencing Reform Act established mandatory minimum sentencing, requiring judges to impose harsh penalties for drug offenses. The 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act created a 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, requiring 100 times the quantity of powder cocaine to trigger the same mandatory minimum sentence. The Anti-Drug Abuse Reauthorization Act in 1988 excluded offenders from federal benefits including student loans, increasing the difficulty of reentry into free society. Although the War on Drugs was initiated by Republican politicians, Democrats matched their fervor for harsh sentencing. In his 1992 presidential campaign, Bill Clinton claimed that no Republican could be perceived as tougher on crime than he. Prior to the New Hampshire primary, Clinton returned to Arkansas to oversee the execution of Ricky Ray Rector, a Black man who had suffered parental abuse and a serious undiagnosed learning disorder as a child. This tough-on-crime approach enabled Clinton to shape him-
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self as a “different sort of Democrat” in million on lobbying federal legislators, winning the general election. pouring an additional $10 million into In 1994, President Clinton signed campaign contributions. These compathe Violent nies successCrime Confully advocate trol and Law for policies A PUNITIVE SYSTEM FOR Enforcement that increase DRUG CRIMES ONLY SERVES Act, bipartiincarceration TO SACRIFICE VULNERABLE san legislaand immiAMERICANS AS POLITICAL tion drafted grant detenPAWNS AND LINE THE POCKwith the help tion; the priof Joe Biden. vate federal ETS OF THE MORALLY CORA significant prison popRUPT. c o nt r i b u to r ulation more to mass incarthan doubled ceration, the law increased funding for between 2000 and 2010. policing and prisons, authorized the In addition to financial contribudeath penalty for large-scale drug traf- tions, the “revolving door” forefronts ficking, and introduced a three-strikes corporations in setting policy. After policy that required life sentences for securing the GEO Group $6.9 million certain repeat offenses. By 2001, the in state funding, former Florida Senate United States had the highest incar- President Joe Negron was hired as the ceration in the world, with African company’s general counsel. This reAmericans comprising more than 80% cycling of legislators, agency officials, of prison populations in certain states. and industry members enables private Recognizing the expenses associat- prison corporations to expand under ed with mass incarceration, politicians reduced oversight. over the past decade have softened Admittedly, many Americans suptheir rhetoric in favor of “smart on port harsh sentencing laws to miticrime” policies. In the 2020 presiden- gate the detrimental effects of illegal tial election, both candidates painted drugs on users and their communities. themselves as reformers. Neverthe- Even the punitive 1994 crime bill reless, the prison-industrial complex— ceived support from Black leaders as the network of an imperfect solution to devastating companies that levels of urban crime. Mass incarcercurrently profit ation, however, has failed to address from the prison the causes of drug crimes—insuffisystem and their cient treatment for drug addiction relationship with and limited economic opportunities— the govern- while imprisoning generations of Black ment—remains Americans. $35 MILLION an obstacle to Harsh sentencing laws persist not to reform. protect communities, but to increase IN POLITICS Since 1989, the profits of the prison-industrial the two largest complex. A punitive system for drug private prison crimes only serves to sacrifice vulnercompanies in the able Americans as political pawns and United States— line the pockets of the morally corrupt. the GEO Group people sentenced to private prisons in 2019 – Olshen, a senior, is the Senior Editor. and CoreCivic— have spent $25
PRIVATE PRISONS BY THE NUMBERS
115,428
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SOCIAL & CULTURE
Source: Squid Game Store
... a harsh dose of reality introduced: the VIPs, who don designer clothing and jewel-embellished masks. While the contestants are quite literally fighting for their lives, the VIPs observe from above, viewing the carnage as entertainment and placing bets on who will survive. Squid Game brings forth aspects of society that we often overlook. For instance, regardless of which political party is in control and the different events throughChris Lee out history, average citizens have not widely benefited The Netflix original series Squid Game instantly from the western brand of capitalism. According to the became a hit with audiences, gaining 111 million views Council on Foreign Relations, income inequality has within a month of release and becoming Netflix’s most continuously grown in the United States, becoming successful debut. While some watched the show for worse than nearly every other developed country in its creative set design and skilled actors, these are the world. As an increasing number of Americans fight over a smaller portion of the US “wealth pot,” elites not the primary reasons for the immense coalition have continued to grow their fortunes; they of viewers the series has garnered. Rather, avoid accountability by corrupting instithe dystopian world of Squid Game resTHEY AVOID tutions like democracy so that they onated with audiences: although the no longer work for the people but premise of the show initially seems ACCOUNTABILITY against the people. disconnected from reality, it is in BY CORRUPTING The Biden Administration’s fact an almost-perfect depiction INSTITUTIONS LIKE two infrastructure proposals perof today’s capitalist society. DEMOCRACY SO THAT THEY fectly encapsulate what American The plot of Squid Game cendemocracy has become. The biters around Gi-Hun, an unemNO LONGER WORK FOR partisan infrastructure bill known ployed and divorced dad who THE PEOPLE BUT as the “Infrastructure Investment agrees to participate in a series AGAINST THE and Jobs Act” was hailed by many of games to obtain a lucrative cash members of Congress as transforprize of just under $40 million. The PEOPLE. mative legislation that would rebuild game is more insidious than a simple recollapsing infrastructure. However, the act ward, with participants fighting to the death. does not invest enough to truly fix aging roads and As the storyline progresses, participants are subjected to increasingly dangerous games; those that fail are bridges, and instead serves as a vehicle for harmful brutally shot and promptly incinerated. Additionally, practices like asset recycling, where private sectors the moderators structure the games to encourage lease public infrastructure from local governments for antagonistic behavior between contestants as peo- a duration of time. When for-profit institutions take ple are eliminated, which increases the prize. Amidst control of public works, it results in infrastructure that unrest and violence, another class of individuals is is not functional for the people it is meant to serve.
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Restrictions on what private corporations can do ity. Although this may be true to a certain extent and with these facilities are sparse and—unlike a publicly a reality for some, it simply is not relatable to the vast owned system—citizens have no reliable way of keep- majority, as an elite status relies on inequality. ing them accountable. This dynamic is exactly what Squid Game portrays: In contrast to the bipartisan support that the Infra- after the VIPs gain immense wealth through exploitstructure Investment and Jobs Act received, President ing people who are simply trying to put food on the Biden’s social safety net table, they fund a series of bill “Build Back Better”— deadly activities as an act with key provisions such FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO THE COR of cruel charity. They claim as broader Medicare covthat the games give those erage, paid parental leave, RUPT INSTITUTIONS THEY HAVE who were irresponsible and higher taxes for the ul- CREATED BUT INSTEAD TO OUR IN another chance and that tra-wealthy—garnered bi- ADEQUACY AND UNWILLINGNESS all contestants decided to partisan opposition. While participate out of free will. TO PUT FORTH ENOUGH EFFORT. Republicans and DemoThe only concern held by crats were quick to point members of the VIP is evadto issues like the growing ing legal accountability. federal deficit as an excuse, this was not the true reaAs high schoolers, it may seem like there is little that son for resisting legislation that would greatly benefit we can do to address corporate money in politics or most Americans. Rather, this bill worked against the a Congress that does not work for most Americans. interests of Congress members and their elite donors; However, in the face of such severe injustice, acting after all, practices like raising taxes and paying new as a bystander is simply not an option. Squid Game parents would only hurt profit margins in the eyes of achieved global success because it exposed how the these wealthy few. world works and who actually holds the reins. With While members of the 1% work endlessly to ensure such a profound work and newfound momentum that the system benefits them, they also attempt to against the status quo, it is our duty to continue this create a false narrative for the countless Americans discourse. Furthermore, we must actively seek soluwho continue to struggle. Elites claim that if an individ- tions to the problems we face today, and not let the ual fully dedicates themselves to a cause, they would series act as yet another trend. Ultimately, Squid Game be able to achieve success. Failure is not due to the serves as a warning, but warnings do not last forever; corrupt institutions they have created but instead to we must continue to advocate for the average Ameriour inadequacy and unwillingness to put forth enough can and ensure our nation does not become a macroeffort. Those at the top portray their for-profit corpo- cosm of Squid Game. rations as a means for average Americans to achieve – Lee, a sophomore, is the Senior Layout Editor and success; according to them, working will allow us to Publicity Director. climb the social ladder and lead to economic prosper-
$ Michelle Koo Source: Netflix
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SOCIAL & CULTURE
GABRIELLE
PETITO Racial Favoritism and the Media’s Case of “Missing White Woman Syndrome”
Yoonseo Lee The countless cases of victims reported missing frequently unfold in tragedy. Most remain unrecognized from others in the crowd, and are referred to as just one in a thousand. Despite the tragic unsolved cases that have failed to attract publicity and attention from the media, the recent Petito case has. Since the moment Gabby Petito was reported missing to when she was confirmed dead, her case has been spotlighted with significant public attention. On August 27, Gabby Petito and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie adopted a “van life” lifestyle and embarked upon a cross-country trip to visit state and national parks. Soon, Laundrie returned to his Florida home alone without Petito. She was soon reported missing and speculations of her absence pointed to Laundrie, who declined all inquiries regarding his fiancé’s case. After further investigation, Petito was found dead near
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Laundrie was recently reported missing and eventually found dead when special task forces and police officials attempted to question him due to his identification as a “person of interest” in the missing homicide case. Gabby Petito has attracted immense media obsession through her social media presence provided with the wide availability of the case evidence, her unassisted mental health crisis, and the alleged media bias from the “missing white woman syndrome”. Petito and Laundrie shared their lives through social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Vlogging their van life and updating viewers about their cross-country trip, the couple seemed to be having the time of their lives. The two even announced major milestones such as their engagement on these platforms. When Petito was reported dead and officials announced Laundrie as a person of interest, the public was stunned by the unexpected accusation. Many individuals felt immediate curiosity to investigate further into the case, especially younger generations who related to Petito’s social media presence. Private investigators opened their own investigations as social media platforms sensationalized her case and content creators spread information about Petito. This type of attention was rare considering
CHARIOT that the case was yet to receive a formal investigation. Social media sleuths soon uncovered Petito and Laundrie’s abusive relationship. In an interaction with police, body camera footage pointed to domestic violence. Although THE Gabby Petito adINDIFFERENT mitted to being a EYES MEANT TO victim of abuse, PROTECT HER WERE law enforcement concluded that UNABLE TO the couple’s case RECOGNIZE HER was simply an exCALL FOR cusable quarrel; the indifferent eyes HELP. meant to protect her were unable to recognize her call for help. Because Petito was experiencing mental health issues that limited her from being cognizant of the nature of her relationship, she was unable to confront her abusive situation. As the tragedy of Petito’s relationship continued to unfold, the public began to view Petito as an emblem of police incompetence regarding mental health and domestic abuse. The public felt deep sorrow for Petito’s death when nothing had been done even after she called for help. People A MENTAL found it necessary HEALTH CRISIS to recognize how a mental health criTHAT APPEARED sis that appeared INCONSEQUENTIAL inconsequential EVENTUALLY LED TO eventually led to extreme casualEXTREME ties; they deterCASUALTIES mined that seemingly minor signs must be acknowledged while conducting further investigations on one’s situation. While Petito’s case is tragic, it is essential to recog-
17 nize that similar cases in the past have not received equivalent media coverage. According to the Black and Missing Foundation, a nonprofit organization which raises awareness about missing people of color, there are more than 600,000 individuals currently missing. Similarly, Wyoming’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force reports that throughout 2011 to 2020, approximately 710 indigenous people—mostly women and girls—were reported missing. All of these cases deserved media attention and justice. Compared to other missing women, Gabby Petito received extraordinary amounts of support from officials. Through Petito’s case, a pattern of racial favoritism became apparent amongst the missing population, referred ALL to as the “missing MISSING white woman syndrome,” where VICTIMS DESERVE certain victims are highlightATTENTION AND ed over others CLOSURE WITH due to their racial background. The JUSTICE. case of Gabby Petito along with others who fit her description have been overly spotlighted by the media from the start. Gabby Petito was a victim whom society remorsed for realizing that she was simply an ordinary young woman trying to live her best life. The Petito case reveals that media attention should not solely be about race, but also about safely returning people home. No family of a victim should need to advocate for more public attention or their importance as a person. All missing victims deserve attention and closure with justice. – Lee, a freshman, is a contributor.
Ella Koehler
18
SOCIAL & CULTURE
UNVEILING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Stella Manning The #FreeBritney Movement flooded pop culture with seas of baby pink and waves of support for pop star Britney Spears. Unbeknownst to many, the movement originated well before recent months. The celebrity was forced into a psychiatric facility after a highly publicized apparent mental health breakdown at the age of 26. One day later, a ruling put Spears into a conservatorship in which her father, Jamie Spears, became the foremost controller of her life. She struggled for thirteen years in the same constrained state. What was meant to be a temporary recovery for Spears extended into a yearslong struggle to silently fight for control over her life. Many fans expressed skepticism on Twitter regarding Jamie’s motives—did he intend to help his daughter or profit off of her? Judges on the conservatorship case initially believed that Britney was unable to take care of herself given her alleged mental health issues and past drug use. The “Britney vs. Spears” documentary reveals that ulterior motives—rather than concern for Britney’s health—dominated her father’s motivations for control. According to the New York Times, Jamie Spears was paid $18,000 a month by his daughter and earned 1.5% of gross revenues from Britney Spears’ Las Vegas residency—“Piece of Me”—which made $138 million. Although Spears was capable enough to creatively direct an entire tour, she was deemed unfit to care for herself by the law.
Systematic judicial issues prevented Spears from being able to remove her dad from the conservatorship. The pop star requested the removal of Jamie Spears as her conservator in 2014 due to his abusive tendencies. These were well-documented by her mother, and Britney’s lawyer eventually used the files to show Jamie’s incompetence. The courts understood her alleged mental illness absent its causes: the debilitating media pressure and her abusive father. They gave the very person contributing to her state full control over her life. Not only did the courts oversimplify her mental health issues, but they locked Britney into her legal situation. Spears revealed that she was never informed she could petition to end her conservatorship—a fundamental right the justice system should guarantee all conservatees. This and fear of her father trapped her in a legal cage. When she became aware of her ability to petition the conservatorship after 13 years of suppression, she finally filed for one. On November 12 of 2021, Britney Spears was released from her long-standing conservatorship. In an Instagram post, she reflected, “I mean after 13 years. . . I think I’ve waited long enough.” – Manning, a sophomore, is the Webmaster.
Ella Koehler
19
CHARIOT
CHARIOT OPINION INBOX A REVIEW OF THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY
“President Biden should have pulled out of Afghanistan more smoothly. The Afghan military relied on US intelligence too much so when American troops began to leave, they didn’t stand a chance. Overall, it was rushed and not well executed.” “COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES COULD BE A GOOD IDEA, ALTHOUGH REPUBLICANS WOULD HATE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM”
“In my opinion, a Trump presidency would have led to better results. First, vaccination rates and production were growing at steady rates. Second, Trump would have handled the Afghanistan crisis far more effectively since he has a precedent of success, such as killing the leader of Al-Qaeda. Finally, as a fiscally minded person, there would not be the high rates of inflation that we are experiencing now under Biden.”
WILL BIDEN WIN A SECOND TERM? 23.7% said “Yes” 47.4% said “No” 28.9% said “I don’t know”
“I think Biden made a difficult decision with Afghanistan that was needed. However, he could have publicly expressed the tough situation in a more empathetic and thoughtful way; this would have given Americans a deeper understanding of his thought process.” “BIDEN SHOULD STOP BEING A SELLOUT AND KILL THE FILIBUSTER SO THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE ANY EXCUSES ANYMORE. HE ALSO SHOULDN’T LISTEN TO THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN, WHICH ISN’T EVEN A REAL JOB.” Quotes and data taken from a form sent out to the Gunn student body with 38 responses. Layout inspirations from the Gunn Oracle News Magazine.
A F G H A N I STA N C O N G R E SS BIDEN TRUMP ABORTION S C OT U S T E C H T R U T H FAC TS B I G P H A R M AC E U T I C A L L I E S C O R P O R AT E M O N E Y E Q UA L L I B E R T Y M E D I A D E M O C R AT R E P U B L I C A N B I AS B U D G E T PA R T Y C O N T R OV E R SY A L L E C O N O MY C A P I TA L U N I O N A M E R I C A P O L I C E G LO B A L W O R L D R I G H TS S O C I A L I SM G R ASS R O OTS D E BT LOA N S I N F R A FA K E N E W S C OV I D L E A D E R E L E C T I O N D E B AT E POLARIZED POLITICAL DC O F F I C E R S U N I T E D STAT E S