Issue 1

Thomas Edison High School • Volume 53• Issue 1• 5801 Franconia Road • Alexandria, VA 22310 • November 4, 2016

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Thomas A. Edison High School

current

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what’s inside NEWS:

Admin Spotlight (3) Standardized testing (5) Colin Kaepernick (5)

FEATURES: Imperfection election (6-7)

OPINIONS: Rape Culture (8-9) Charging Phones (9)

SPORTS: Fall Wrap-Up (10) Male Cheerleader (11) Column as I see ‘em (11)

ARTS: Whitewashing (12) June 2016| The Current | 2

The Current is a student-edited publication serving the Thomas A. Edison High School community.

The Current Editorial Board

Online Editor Ryan Pinkney Arts Editor Jillian Brooks Arts Director Joel DeSante Business Manager Spencer Parker Faith Janecke Copy Chief Will Dobson Adviser Carl Irvin

Editor-in-Chief Justin Askenazy Managing Editor Ryan Pinkney News Editor Camryn Anderson Opinions Editor Jessica Cruz Features Editor Lexy Thomas Sports Editor Will Dobson

Staff Writers & Photographers Mikias Abebe

Faith Janecke

Spencer Parker

Joel DeSante

Theresa Collins

Jeffrey Aguilar

William Rash

Eric Thurman

Mollie Coogan

Aya Zaraket

The Current is the official newspaper of Thomas A. Edison High School published quarterly by the journalism staff. It serves as a vehicle for student expression and is an open forum of issues of interest and concern to the school community.

Year-long subscriptions are available for $20. Subscription forms may be ordered via email at edisoncurrent@gmail.com. Subscription forms may also be picked up in room C-215.

The staff is deeply committed to a code of journalistic ethics that demands the exercise of accuracy, good judgment, and impartiality. The content of The Current is determined by the editorial board.

Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff of The Current, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors or staff members. Signed editorials and letters to the editor reflect the views of the authors.

The Current solicits advertising, but reserves the right to reject any material deemed libelous, disruptive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

Letters to the Editor may be submitted to edisoncurrent@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

With any general questions regarding The Current, please email edisoncurrent@gmail.com

Letter from the Editor: The first quarter has now come to an end, and with it comes this year’s first copy of The Current! In this issue, we tackle the topic that has garnered endless headlines over the past year: Tuesday’s presidential election. As part of our coverage, we include a timeline of both campaigns and offer our endorsement of the candidate we think is better suited to win the

election.

In addition, look for opinions editor Jessica Cruz’ take on the proliferation of rape culture in America, as well as a story about the JV Cheer squad’s new male member.

Don’t miss the chance to vote on Tuesday if you can!

Justin Askenazy Editor in Chief, The Current

news

Edison welcomes new administrators Lexy Thomas features editor

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Edison High School

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ith the start of a new school year, Edison has gained three new administrators: Eileen Temprosa, Belinda Williams,and Sal Olivo.

Temprosa is currently an assistant principal and the new freshman class administrator.

Before coming to Edison, Temprosa worked at Alexandria City’s T.C. Williams High School, Minnie Howard campus as an administrator.

After spending time at Minnie Howard, she then transferred to the alternative school for T.C. Williams, where she worked for a year.

Temprosa is originally from Long Island, New York, but later moved to Virginia, where she started her teaching career. She has also lived in Arizona and Texas. “Virginia is by far my favorite out of all the places I have lived,” she said.

“I love to travel,” said Temprosa. She has visited many places, such as New Orleans, Puerto Rico and Belize.

Temprosa also said she is very family oriented. “ I love my nine nieces and nephews, but I can’t forget about my two lovely cats Dixie and Mazie,” said Temprosa.

“I love Edison; there are so many friendly people,” Temprosa said. She wants to be a positive leader at Edison and hopes to maintain the relationships she has already created. “ Being an Eagle has been an honor,” she added.

Olivo is also a freshman administrator and the assistant principal for the Edison Academy. Prior to working at Edison, Olivo was a social studies teacher and depart-

The 2016-17 Edison Administration team poses outside the school. Administrators from left to right: Belinda Williams, Nancy Dolan, Deborah Guillen, Eileen Temprosa, Tim Boyd, Pamela Brumfield, Sal Olivo, Mark Nocera and Greg Dombrowski to be even more united than it freshman daughter who goes ment chair at West Potomac already is,” said Olivo. to the University of Alabama” HS, where he also coached Williams is one of the new she said. their track team.

Before working as a teacher, Olivo attended Nutley High sophomore class administrators. She is also one of Williams had many jobs, such School in New Jersey where Edison’s assistant principals. as cooking for a restaurant he was editor in chief for his Williams has been an assistant and working as a security school’s newspaper. principal for 14 years. Before guard at a Smithsonian mu“I am really into trivia,” he said. “In fact, I was on a game coming to Edison, she worked seum.

Williams said she loves show called ‘Who Wants To Be at JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church.

Edison because the students a Millionaire.’” In addition, “I really love to cook and are so nice and fully engaged Olivo loves to eat and cook. bake,” said Williams. Her and focused on their learning.

His favorite dishes to make favorite dish to bake is a “Every school has its own are chili and soup and his 7-Up pound cake. “I never culture and from what I have favorite food is pizza. bake from a box; everything seen so far it is evident that Olivo said, “Edison staff is made from scratch,” she the students and staff at Edis impressive in the Academy added. Williams also loves to ison love to take care of each and on the school base. The read her favorite book, “The other,” she said. “It’s kind of teachers are very experienced Color Purple.” Williams said like a community because the and it has been a pleasure that this book is important to students do so many activities getting to know them.” her because she had to re-read and events together.”

Olivo wants to continue it in college and it was the Williams’ plan is to build to build on to the strong first time she she realized that relationships while she is tradition of success that has there was more to just reading working at Edison. Additionalready been established at words on a page. ally, she hopes to strengthen Edison. “I think that it is During her free time she the Middle Years and AVID also important that we keep enjoys spending time with her programs. Overall, she said building connections between husband and seventh grade she wants to continue to the Academy and Edison as a daughter. “While we are tocollaborate with staff, students whole in order for our school gether we love to Facetime my and the community.

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Come visit our website for more Edison news and feature stories!

Go to www.thecurrentonline.org.

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featured content from our website

Standardized testing fails the test

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tandardized testing is an large part of being accepted into college.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) has been used to determine how ready students are for college since 1926, while the American College Testing (ACT) has been used since 1959. Both tests are taken into consideration when students apply to colleges by the admissions team.

Bubble answer sheets have become the torment of many students when they go to take standardized test.

Over time the value of SAT and ACT scores has decreased solely because students realize that their scores are not the only factor when they get accepted into colleges, but it is still important to recognize the negative effects such testing

Google Iamge

Jessica Cruz opinions editor

Bubble answer sheets have tormented many students when they go to take standardized tests. Besides being used on standardized tests, teachers regularly use bubble sheets for their class tests. rest of their lives. can have on students.

Secondly, there are many Firstly, a great deal of stress can be caused to students who students who think there is an immediate correlation genuinely feel pressured to between their intelligence achieve a good score on either and their SAT/ACT score. test. This stress can get out Because of this thinking, of control, especially when many students end up having the student feels like one test less faith in themselves and score is going to determine how successful they are for the that could potentially affect

their academic performance.

If a student believes they are doomed to fail, then they are less likely to try to succeed.

Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to accurately measure everyone’s intelligence or college readiness with the same test. This can be detrimental to people who do not process information in the standardized manner that we are expected to.

“I feel like clearly it’s not a good way of measuring a student’s intellectual ability or readiness for college,” said senior Savannah Kent.

“Teachers and colleges have been stating how the SAT is not being valued as much as it was 4 or 5 years.”

In short, while standardized tests benefit colleges who are trying to recruit well-balanced students, they may be less beneficial to the students themselves.

Is sitting through the national anthem the best way to protest?

Justin Askenazy editor in chief

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cross the sports world, a new trend has emerged: athletes protesting racial relations in the United States by sitting or kneeling during the playing of the national anthem. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick birthed the idea; other NFL players, women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe and even high schoolers have followed suit.

Kaepernick’s reasoning is that he refuses to show support for “a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” While his cause is noble, and his concerns about violence against blacks are certainly legitimate, his method of protest leaves much to be desired.

By not standing during the anthem, Kaepernick and the other athletes are disobeying

Colin Kaepernick has led a new movement to protest national policies by sitting down during the national anthem. Kapernick plays for the San Francisco 49ers. not only common tradition, case, these athletes’ protests but the United States Flag are indeed disrespectful toCode, which dictates proper wards the flag and the country practice related to the Pledge it represents, the country of Allegiance and the anthem, which gives them the freedom among other rules. How can to protest peacefully and me they expect people to respect the freedom to opine about it. their viewpoints when they In essence, they are protesting themselves flout the law? their ability to protest.

While Kaepernick’s supBringing race into the porters insist this isn’t the scenario is disrespectful, as

well. Nowhere in the national anthem are the words “white” or “black” mentioned. The song is about our strength and freedom as a nation, not the police’s relationship with their communities.

I understand that they feel this is the best way to draw attention to their cause, and there is precedent for this strategy; Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously gave the “Black Power” salute during the anthem at the 1968 Olympics. However, these athletes should know that they are role models for younger children across the country. When kids see their heroes kneeling or raising a fist in opposition to the national anthem, they will likely do the same, often without knowing why. Such behavior only further polarizes communities and can damage the very relationships they are trying to heal.

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CLINTON

IMPERF ELEC T

Staff Editorial: We’re with her:

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ever before has America faced a starker choice in a political election: a demagogue who has managed to scare, offend or alienate over half of the electorate versus an uber-qualified career politician who has consistently remained above the toxic fray created by her opponent.

Never before has the answer been so clear.

Hillary Clinton is the only serious candidate on the ballot on Tuesday, and this can be seen in a number of ways.

First, she has shown she

April 12, 2015 Clinton announces her candidacy

Oct. 12, 2015 First Democratic debate vs. Bernie Sanders

Feb. 1, 2016 Clinton wins the Iowa Caucus

November 2016| The Current | 6

is prepared to tackle the challenges that concern a president. As someone who has been in or around politics for over three decades, Clinton has the experience necessary to work productively with other politicians and foreign leaders. She has communicated specific policy ideas, including offering free community college and providing illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

In contrast, Donald Trump has offered virtually no policy specifics. His health care plan is to repeal Obamacare and replace it with “some-

March 1, 2016 Super Tuesday primaries; Clinton wins seven of 11 states

July 12, 2016 Bernie Sanders endorses Clinton for president

thing terrific.” To defeat ISIS, Trump plans to “knock them out.”

On the policies he has communicated, he has consistently waffled. While calling Mexicans “rapists” in his campaign announcement, he proposed building a wall on the border and deporting all illegal immigrants.

Now, he said he may be in favor of a pathway to citizenship.

Trump also advocated banning all Muslims from entering the United States, a plan he has walked back by saying he just wants to have “extreme vetting,” another ambiguous idea.

Second, Clinton is exponen-

July 23, 2016 Clinton announces Tim Kaine as her running mate

July 28, 2016 Clinton accepts the Democratic nomination

Sept. 11, 2016 Clinton feels sick at a 9/11 memorial, reveals she has pneumonia

tially more qualified than her opponent to work in the Oval Office. In addition to having a front row seat to the inner workings of the White House as first lady, she has served as a U.S. senator and the Secretary of State, helping lead the country through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history. Trump, meanwhile, has filed for bankruptcy six times while leading the company he inherited from his father, and has failed in many of his other business ventures, including Trump Airlines, Trump Steaks and

Sept. 26, 2016 Clinton widely considered winner of first presidential debate

Oct. 9, 2016 A vitriolic second debate features discussion over Trump’s “locker room talk”

Oct. 19, 2016 Third presidential debate starts the homestretch of the campaign

Photos courtesy of Flickr and Wiki Media Commons

features

TRUMP

F ECTION C TION

Hillary Clinton the only choice the infamous Trump University. Do we really want our economy run like The Trump Organization?

Lastly, and most importantly, is the issue of temperament. Of course, it is saddening that in a modern election in the world’s greatest democracy, we have to discuss the candidates’ fitness to run the country, yet that is where they have taken us.

Trump would easily be the most crass and disrespectful man to hold the office of president. He has urged violence against those he doesn’t like, often uses profanity and

June 16, 2015 Trump announces his candidacy.

July 6, 2015 Trump promises to “build a wall”

August 6, 2015 First GOP primary debate

frequently insults women and minorities, the very groups he needs to win on Tuesday. His “Tapegate” scandal from last month, in which he bragged about his ability to sexually assault women, served to enhance the perception that he is the figurehead of the rape culture problem that is pervasive in this country.

Furthermore, Trump has threatened to undermine the entire American democratic system after Election Day. He has repeatedly posited that the election is being rigged for Clinton by the media and voter fraud, a preposterous

February 1, 2016 Trump loses Iowa to Ted Cruz

February 9-20, 2016 Trump wins New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina

claim that insults the American voter. At the last debate, he promised to keep us “in suspense” about whether he would accept the results of the election. The next day, he said he would, but only if he wins.

This is not the way a free election works and for Trump to suggest that he would refuse the results is wholly unbecoming of a serious candidate.

Clinton has pledged to accept the results and is consistently mindful of being respectful of the entire electorate. As the first female

March 1, 2016 Trump wins Super Tuesday

March 4, 2016 Trump becomes the GOP nominee

July 16, 2016 Mike Pence becomes Trump’s running mate

nominee for president, she is poised to set a postive example for America and the world.

This is not to say that Clinton is the perfect candidate; she’s far from it. Her judgment in using a private email server should be scrutinized, and her lack of transparency should be questioned. But what should not be questioned is the danger America faces if it elects her opponent. Those in the Edison community who can vote should go to the polls on Tuesday and tell Donald Trump, “You’re fired.”

September 26, 2016 Trump and Clinton meet at the first presidential debate

October 7, 2016 Tape is released exposing Trump’s past transgressions against women

October 9, 2016 Trump and Clinton meet at the second presidential debate

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Rape culture: about one in three women have experienced some kind of physical or sexual abuse. ape culture blames This means that out of a rape on the victim. group of six friends, two of Rape culture leads them will have encountered people to ask what the victim someone who intentionally was wearing before the incicauses them physical and dent. Rape culture prohibits emotional harm. Every time men from appearing as vicyou walk down a hall, you may tims when they are assaulted. be walking past a girl who has Rape culture is wrong. her own somber experience to tell.

There is a notion that wom“It makes me fear for the en should take care of themsafety of my family memselves and while I know that bers,” said senior Kunal we have to care of ourselves; Kochhar. however, it just buries our Rape can never be caused entire gender in a deeper hole. by the victim. No means no.

The idea that women should If there is no consent, it is learn how to not get raped is rape. We all know that we just another way of blaming should stop teaching girls rape on the victim. how not to get raped and start “It’s not surprising really teachingboys to not rape. that rape culture exists in our In January of 2015, the society because we are not as Stanford rape case received an progressive as we actually like incredible amount of attento call ourselves,” said senior tion from the media. ForSavannah Kent. mer Stanford student Brock According to the World Turner was found penetrating Health Organization (WHO), the unnamed victim, although he claims to never have taken his pants off.

This incident happened out in the open, behind a dumpster.

Turner was discovered by two passersby, who stopped him until the police arrived at the scene.

The victim was unconscious the entire time.

Turner In January 2015, Brock Turner was arrested on was released rape charges. Turner was sentenced to only three after only three months in jail. months of jail Jessica Cruz opinions editor

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Put an end to the perpetual problem time. Three months of a socalled punishment as opposed to the lifetime of shame that the woman he raped will have to deal with. The victim has released a letter in which she spoke about how Turner’s actions have changed her life forever.

The letter, which the victim

the right to violate her. Rape culture encourages men like Brock Turner. It allows them to feel as if they have a right to do whatever they want with others’ bodies.

“Stereotypes for women and rape culture is so deeply imbedded in our society that it is so hard for us to remove

“It is so hard to remove ourselves from this society because we are a country of efficiency and impatience” -Savannah Kent directly addressed to Turner during the trial, began by saying, “you don’t know me, but you’ve been inside me, and that’s why we’re here today.”

The victim continued to give Turner a detailed account of the impact he had had on her.

The media often refers to him as the “ex-Stanford swimmer”, but that is not what we should be calling him. He is rapist and that is a title that he made for himself. It was a choice. It was not her choice to be violated.

Do not forget his face; do not forget his name. Make him know for the rest of his life that what he did has impacted someone else in the most negative way possible.

Do not let him leave your memory the way other rapists have. Once we ignore and forget, we allow rape to become normalized in our society.

Do not ask how much she had to drink that night. The only thing that should be considered is whether she gave consent. She was unconscious and he felt that he had

ourselves from this society because we are a country of efficiency and impatience,” said Kent.

While Turner’s crime shocked America, there is someone else who has been constantly displaying behavior that remains consistent with rape culture: Donald Trump.

The Republican presidential candidate continuously uses negative language when he refers to women.

He has gone as far as saying that “when you’re a star, they let you do it.” The critical word here is “let”. Trump seriously believes that women would just “let” him touch them inappropriately. Even if this comment was made 11 years ago, it still shows the kind of person he is today.

He has continuously treated women with disrespect; it did not stop 11 years ago.

Trump has been accused of many instances of sexual assault, yet he is still running for president. He has the audacity to stand up on stages and speak about how he is going Story continued on page 9

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he does claim that every woman who has accused him of violating them is lying, he has not apologized for the kind of language he uses when he speaks about women. America allows him to normalize this kind of behaviour.

Having a well-known figure that actively participates that push rape culture onto society only weakens society’s progression. Instead of working towards unity, his behavior sets back any work activists may have done.

Rape culture is also detrimental to men’s stance in society. We cannot act like rape does not happen to men, but somehow we do. If men do get raped and speak out about being raped, they get told that there is no way that could happen to a man. Just because the danger to women is more frequent and often

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to make America great again, but he is taking part in an issue that is making America worse.

The awful part is that America is letting him use his power as an excuse to sexually abuse women. His “locker room talk” exhibits the behavior that so many men feel they have the right to partake in.

His constant bashing of women allows others to conclude that if he does it, they can too.

There are women who geninuely believe that Trump is fit to run this country, and who do not recognize how damaging his behavior is to them. They are oblivious to the fact that they are victims of rape culture.

Not once has an apology left Trump’s mouth. He shows no remorse, never acknowledges that there are real issues going on constantly. Even if

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A woman holds a sign at a march against rape culture and gender inequality. Protests have become a common method of addressing this issue. more violent does not mean control over but nothing is we should disregard the dambeing done. The solution is to age done to men. stop letting victims feel that “I feel that is unfair,” said they are to blame for the acKochhar. “No matter the gentions of their violators. Rape der, rape is a horrible thing.” culture will only be eradicated This is something that we, through a conscious effort to as a society, actually have do so.

Admin enforces no charging policy

Camryn Anderson news editor

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t Edison, there is a school wide rule that students are not allowed to charge their phones. I disagree with this decision because it is not fair to students who need to use their phones.

Many teachers create activities that require students to use their phones in order to participate. If we are expected to use our phones in class, we should be given the freedom to be able to charge them.

If a student’s phone dies, they are not able to use it if they need it in class or if they need it for an emergency.

“If our battery is about to die then we should be able to charge it. What if we have to walk home or have somewhere to be after school where we need our phones?” said junior Christina Thomopoulos.

School administrators rely on teachers to enfore the no charging policy. It is standard for teachers to not allow students to charge their phones in their classrooms. help from her teachers. “I A number of students need to use my phone at the participate in extracurricular end of the day to tell my activities that require them to brother to pick me up,” said stay after school which proJuburi. longs the time that they need Most students and teachers their phone to stay charged. have different viewpoints on Junior Lujane Juburi said this issue. The teachers at she is always staying after Edison did not grow up with school for clubs or to receive

smart phones and advanced technology, unlike this generation. Nowadays, people rely on their cell phones for countless activities that would have never been done 30 years ago.

Teacher Chris Karayannis said that he agrees with the rule. “Unless you are using it for school related purposes, charging [your phone] with taxpayers’ money is completely inappropriate,” he said.

However, we are not using taxpayer money to charge our phones. We are required to go to school, so we don’t have a choice on where we can charge our phones during the day.

Students at Edison should be allowed to charge their phones while at school because it is a safety concern, they are necessary to daily life and teachers expect us to use them during class.

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Fall athletic season wrap-up

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While they had a tough season, Edison football kept their heads up and played through several injuries to important players. They look to build upon their successes next year.

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The volleyball team had a strong showing, finishing second in the conference this season. Lead by nine seniors, including Alyana Alvarez, pictured above, Edison volleyball played their way to a 9-5 record at the time of publication.

Erin Arnold believes this led the team to be more close-knit than it has in the past because of the mentorship of the senior cheerleaders. The squad finished in fifth place at the

according to junior Eric Jones, had another good season, despite the team’s relative youth.

The team was 3-3 at time of publication, and finished fourth in the conference. Ju-

“The team was really cohesive and we did some mad stuff on the field.”

-Sophie Meyer

Eric Thurman

his fall, Edison fielded six teams, and they all competed with varying levels of success. The football team (1-8 at time of publication) has struggled, but have made steps to improve, and junior Daniel Lee says that they will come back strong next season.

A senior-heavy cheer team did their part in raising morale at football games and also put up a performance at the cheer competition, placing fifth in the conference.

Field hockey had another memorable season, according to senior Sophie Meyer. They played to an 11-5-1 record at time of publication and a respectable showing in the conference tournament, which culminated with them making regionals.

Golf had a strong showing this season with a rather young team, placing fourth in the conference.

Volleyball exceeded senior Amber Skaliky’s expectations, bump-set-spiking their way to a 9-5 record and a second place finish in the conference.

Last, but not least, cross-country had another strong season, and the boys finished with an upset for first place at conferences.

The football team, while they were not the greatest record-wise, played with injuries to several key players.

Lee referred to this season as “somewhat of a learning experience,” and said that it would be a stepping stone for next season given that they could build upon their successes this season. Lee said he thinks that while the football team did not always look incredibly successful, they were constantly learning, and will be able to put that knowledge to use next season.

The cheerleading squad was atypically senior heavy, with 11 out of 15 varsity cheerleaders being seniors. Senior

Eric Thurman

Edison teams close out strong seasons, compete in playoffs Will Dobson sports editor

competition, and Arnold said that “our teamwork improved dramatically this year,” which most likely played a role in their strong season.

A second place finish in the conference was where senior Sophie Meyer expected the field hockey team to end up, although a first place finish was initially the goal.

Meyer said, “The team was really cohesive and we did some mad stuff on the field,” as they played their way to a regional berth. The team had a record of 11-5-1 at the time of publication.

The golf team, usually small and always strong,

nior Thomas Ajello placed 8th individually in the conference, capping an excellent season for Edison Golf.

Edison cross-country, a perennial powerhouse in the conference, completed an upset at the conference finals meet. Senior Joseph McAlister said that the team is “in a good position for regionals and states.” He is optimistic that they have a shot at bringing home Edison’s first cross-country state title.

While some teams have been more successful than others, all teams had victories, and all plan to build on what they have done this year.

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Male cheerleader jumps on the scene

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his year, on the Edison Cheerleading team, there is a new addition: a male student, Kris Ruthrauff. While that may seem shocking or unorthodox to some, it’s actually relatively common in the sport. In fact, organized cheerleading started in 1877 as an all-male activity.

For Ruthrauff, this perception of the sport as an all female activity served as his inspiration to try out for the team. “It started out as a joke that I was a cheerleader, [in] elementary school. Then I decided, ‘You know what? If I want a world of equality, it

starts with the outlier,’” said are “the physicality, and the Ruthrauff. mix of it with the calmness.”

He said “Dohe was not ing nervous cheer during trymakes outs, and for me feel preparation produche simply tive; it looked up fills my basic moves schedon Youtube. ule,” Currently, Ruthhis favorite rauff moves are said, but are tumthat it is bling and still easy stunting. to manRuthrauff age his said his Kris Ruthrauff has become a “great asset time. “I favorite parts to the team” through his willingness to be an try to do of the sport outlier. as much

work as I can at school,” said Ruthrauff. This helps him balance schoolwork and his social life.

Cheer coach Cari Craft, said that to her, seeing a male student on the team isn’t surprising. “He’s not the first male cheerleader; it happens every four or five years.”

Craft said that Ruthrauff will be a great asset to the team, “especially when it comes to stunting.” She also said she hopes that his being a member of the team will show the student body that “anyone can participate in cheer and [that it] will open up the door for other males to try out.”

metrics rate him well above is one of the few defenders in league average, and he has the league who can only be been worth 3.4 Wins Above said to play sexy. Every ball Replacement (WAR) this seahit to Baez is a must see play, son, which is a solid rating. one that has a good chance Baez has been a strong of being replayed later that player for night on the Cubs all SportsCenseason, but ter. he has truly Baez not stepped up only makes to the plate plays on (pun intendballs hit to ed) in the him, he has postseason. repeatedly This postseataken away son for the stolen bases Cubs, Baez from the has hit .347, opposition an exemplary because of rate for a 23 his superiyear old on or tagging Javier Baez has been a key player in skills. He is the world’s biggest base- the Cubs’ run to the World Series. the first player He has been a strong presence on ball stage. to make a tag a However, both offense and defense. highlight play.

Baez has not He can catch a made a name for himself 90 mph throw from his catchbecause of his violent swing er and tag someone behind or armband accessories. Baez his back, and I can barely

catch a beach ball (especially at 90mph).

While run scoring has jumped in recent years, it appears as though defense has a knight in shining armor valiantly fielding routine grounders and snagging screaming line drives for the kingdom of Chicago. He is like Ozzie Guillen, legendary Cardinals shortstop and defensive wizard. Only, Baez does fewer backflips.

While his offense is not superb, he will launch clutch dingers every once in a while, even if it just leads to putting the San Francisco Giants even year magic to rest. Baez can take a pitcher deep every once in a while, but what he does best is flash the leather, and when leather is flashed by Baez, be amazed. Baez is on a mission to prove that offense isn’t all that matters in the bigs today.

Chicks dig the longball, I dig Javy Baez.

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Eric Thurman

Eric Thurman staff writer

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he past few years in the MLB have been dominated by a new crop of stellar young infielders, including Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Corey Seager. These young sluggers are all smooth-swinging, offense-first type players, but Chicago Cubs uber-utilityman Javier Baez is cut from a different cloth.

Baez, the National League Championship Series coMVP, is a 23 year old infielder who has just begun to make a name for himself in the league with his aggressive swings and highlight reel defense.

In a league fascinated by the long ball, Baez is well on his way to making defense great again. His defensive

Photo Courtesy

Will Dobson sports editor

Wikipedia

Column as I see ‘em: Baez proof that defense wins games

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ince the release of the film “Snow White and the Huntsman” in 2012, there has been a flurry of live-action remakes of classic Disney stories including “Cinderella” (2015) and “The Jungle Book” (2016) with more to come. “Mulan,” set for release in the winter of 2018, is one of the most discussed of these new films, but not for the best reasons.

When Jennifer Lawrence was reportedly being eyed for the lead role, Mulan, in September, Disney received signficant backlash from upset fans over the fact that casting Lawrence would be whitewashing the Asian character.

Disney has since confirmed that the cast will be entirely Chinese.

Although the opportunity for whitewashing was

The story of Mulan was based on an originial Chinese ballad, “The Ballad of Mulan.” Casting a white woman as Mulan takes away from the historical accuracy of the story.

November 2016| The Current | 12

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thankfully not taken, it brings to light a real problem in the media and in Hollywood.

Whitewashing in film is the practice of casting white actors in non-white roles. This practice has been occurring since 1944 with Katharine Hepburn playing Jade Tan in “Dragon Seed,” a movie set in a peaceful Chinese village.

Hepburn was white and asked to play the role. During the film, they taped her eyelids to achieve the stereotypical Asian look.

Sophomore Maria Pattison cited the Oscars, “with all the white nominees,” as an example of the lack of diversity in Hollywood. “So many people don’t even realize it’s a problem that they ignore it, and when people do bring it up they think that they’re making a mountain out of a molehill,” she said.

“We really need to work on it because little kids who don’t fit the stereotypical norm for

Courtesy

Jillian Brooks

Wikipedia

New Mulan movie brings to light a large problem within Hollywood

At Disney world, actors are cast to portray the characters in real life. To portray the character accurately, an asian woman was selected to play Mulan.

America don’t get the representation that other white children do.”

A recent example of whitewashing was the casting of Tiger Lily in “Pan” (2015). Tiger Lily was played by Rooney Mara, who is white, even though the character is meant to be Native American.

Similarly, Tonto from “The Lone Ranger” (2013) was played by Johnny Depp, another white actor.

Pattison said that the lack of diversity affects kids who never get to see someone who looks like them. Pattison herself is half Filipino and said she rarely sees other Asians in mainstream media.

Pattison added that she couldn’t recall the last television show or movie that had a Filipino main character and that when people of color see only whites cast, it “enforces

a mindset that says ‘Oh hey, white people are able to do and experience all these great things, whereas a person who is Filipino, for instance, can’t,’” she said. “ vWhile Hollywood certainly has a long way to go until it can be called diverse, it cannot go without saying that Disney is taking steps to diversify their lineup of Disney princesses.

The newest Disney animated princess is Moana, a Pacific Islander. Moana, set for relase on Nov. 23, follows Mulan and Tiana as a non-white Disney princess. She certainly looks different than the classic white characters, and the hope is that Disney will continue this trend of racially diverse princess in their animated and live-action movies.