Sept. 2020 Oracle

ORACLE

the

Stratford High School • Friday, September 11, 2020 • Vol. 48 • Issue 1

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Look into the process of how schools are reopening.

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Check out the in-depth feature to learn about COVID-19 by country.

06

See how the recruiting season has changed for athletes during this pandemic.

@SHSOracle @StratfordOracle www.shsoracle.org

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The Oracle • September 11, 2020

News in Brief

STRATFORD

New Teachers

Henry Thomas - Physics and Athletics Nicholas Leonard - Math Sean Plake - Health Science Brett Nixon - Social Studies Veronica Brittain - CATE Miguel Gusart - Spanish Connie Rossi - Social Studies Meagan Hudek - Testing Coordinator Shane Bryant - Science Brittney Christie - English Ashley Wilson - CTE Nayan Patel - Science Amy Dillon - Math Makayla Randle - SPED Kate Evetts –Dyslexic Specialist

LOCAL

Sept. 2: The Houston Health Department is launching a new COVID-19 antibody survey and are looking for households to participate in their test run. The department is hopeful that the survey will help identify the impact the virus has had in the community by taking surveys from people who were tested positive previously.

Continuing Through the Chaos

The SBISD Board of Trustees sheds light on their deliberation process while students get ready to go back to school for the first time since March.

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“I always try to remember that this s school begins in the midst of comes from a place of concern, hurt, the COVID-19 global pandemic, and anxiety and emotions that create the Spring Branch Independent angst,” District Superintendent Dr. School District Board of Trustees has Jennifer Blaine said. “I try to take a made a lot of decisions regarding the deep breath and remember that this reopening of the many schools under isn’t really about me, most of these their jurisdiction.

“The primary consideration made people don’t really know me, I try by the Board was the health and to take the personal out of it. People safety of all our students and staff,” have been functioning like this since Board President Pam Goodson said. the middle of March, people have lost The Trustees had to consider the their jobs, people are stressed out, perspective of the SBISD community people are worried, and people are as a whole, listening to concerns worried about their kids, because their from parents and kids haven’t been in school, administrators from “We have to think and they think their kids are each school and about every child” going to be falling behind.” taking them into close Vierra recalled the difficulty examination. and dangers of the situation, “When the board considers decisions in addition to trying to keep students that impact students, we have to happy and excited to come back to think about every child across the 47 school. different schools and their situations, “Most people would prefer if every not just the situations that might be single student could go back inclosest to home for Spring Branch person safely, but right now, some families,” Trustee Chris Vierra said. families don’t feel safe to do that, some During deliberations for the start teachers don’t feel safe to do that,” of the school year, the Trustees had Vierra said. “Since this is a constantly narrowed it down to a choice for changing situation, SBISD is doing students and parents across the the very best they can to support district: in-person or virtual learning. everyone’s needs.”

And while many of the responses to Even though the continuation of this plan were good, many were bad. sports for this year was based on the

news

WRITTEN BY MAGGIE VIERRA

University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) decision, the Board decided to continue SAC camps with safety protocols in place to prepare for the upcoming season.

“Extracurricular activities play a significant role in academic, social, and emotional development,” Goodson said.

“If the heat in Houston is so terrible, if these football players have no strength or conditioning at all and I put them on a football field at the end of August and beginning of September whenever the season starts, you know, [the athletes] could risk heat stroke, injury,” Blaine said, looking at the issue from a safety point of view.

As school begins amidst this pandemic, the Board of Trustees is on their students’ side first.

“I know that this year is going to be challenging for our students, and we just appreciate them being flexible and following the rules, but at the end of the day, we do what’s best for the students and what they need,” Goodson said.

While the district and its families can only hope for the best, they can sleep easy at night knowing that their students are in good hands.

The Fight for Human Rights

WRITTEN BY TAILOR WILLIAMS

NATIONAL

Starting from the killing of George Floyd in May, many more events have unfolded, shedding light on the reality of race relations in the United States.

Sept. 11: On this day of mourning, Americans remember the victims of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, into the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania crash site. Today, Americans mourn the lives of first responders and civilians lost in these gruesome and horrific attacks orchestrated by Islamic extremeist group, AlQaeda.

Masking Up in Stratford America

Building Principal Raymorris Barnes has been busy working with the staff in preparation for in person learning.

He is ready to support and protect his students this fall by enforcing the use of masks and abiding by CDC guidelines.

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he year 2020 has been rough, to and around the nation. current events. say the least. Losing Los Angeles President Donald Trump faced major Unfortunately, many of the protests Lakers legend Kobe and his criticism from fellow politicians for all around the world became violent 13-year-old daughter Gigi was the calling the protestors “thugs” as well as tensions rose between activists and first sign of trouble, since then our as quoting 1967 Miami Florida Police White Supremacist organizations. world has only spiraled further out of Chief Walter E. Headley with, “when Peaceful protests spiraled into chaos control. the looting starts, the shooting starts,” as groups were forced to disperse Only shortly after Kobe’s death, on his Twitter. when cans of teargas were set off on COVID-19 hit America, and any the people. sense of normalcy was flushed One disturbing example of the down the drain. Along with sudden transition from reflective the many hardships, the issue prayer and grief was in Aurora, of police brutality and racism Colorado during a violin vigil for grew to prominence. On May 25, Elijah McClain. While protesters Minneapolis PD officer Derek grieved, Aurora city police broke up Chauvin placed his knee on George the gathering with teargas and riot Floyd’s neck while he cried, “I gear. can’t breathe!” and “I want my On June 8, Officer Derek Chauvin momma!” for 7 minutes and 46 was finally charged with murder seconds until he died. and manslaughter in relation to The next day, protests erupted George Floyd’s death, much to the across the nation amidst many relief of activists and the Floyd states having continued restrictions Calls for Change Ring Nationwide family.

Black Lives Matter protestors pose over the on social distancing. Although the Despite the small amount of progress mural located in Acres Homes, a historically majority of these calls for change that has been made since the peak of black Houston neighborhood. The Acres Homesthe protests, organizations like Black began peacefully, chaos erupted community was in favor of this mural showing Lives Matter, the NAACP, and the shortly after cities called on their police officers and even the National solidarity with the movement.

ACLU have no time to celebrate any Guard, in some cases. small victory, there is still too much The names of Breonna Taylor, Black Lives Matter protests popped work to be done in the fight for social Ahmaud Arbery, Elijah McClain and so up in many other nations in support of justice and racial equality. many others rang through the streets the movement taking over American

life Glowing up in Quarantine

The Oracle • September 11, 2020

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WRITTEN BY VERONICA DE SILVA

Around the world, social media encouraged people to seek to change their lives for the better while they were in lockdown for COVID-19.

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t didn’t take many days until after social media began getting plastered with posts about taking this quarantine time to “glow up.” New social media phenomenon, TikTok, was the outlet for a lot of this. Many people’s “For You” pages filled with videos of new workouts and diets. One of the most popular trends was called “What I Eat in a Day” where people would post a montage of all the foods they’d eat on a typical, quarantined day in order to stay healthy.

From this, recipe videos boomed.

New and undiscovered creators saw their interactions boom, one of them being fitness influencer Chloe Ting. Her Two-Week Challenge took off in popularity and her combined views total grew from about 20 million to over 1 billion in a short period of time. Stores saw a lot of their workout equipment fly off the shelves and many fitness creators saw huge growth in their followings.

But “bettering yourself” also meant using quarantine as the time to focus on mental health. The Washington Post reported that meditation apps like Headspace spiked by over 25% after lockdown began. Sudden isolation was very difficult for many, so taking care of themselves internally was important. Even if it meant just spending your time doing something you love.

Three seniors, Hiba Hassen, Lauren Cutherell, and Paulina Sanchez spoke to The Oracle just a bit more about their own experiences with quarantine, what they did to improve themselves, and if it worked:

Q: What activities did you partake in during Quarantine?

Hiba: I baked a lot, like, a ton.

Lauren: I did some cooking from Harry Potter cooking books and focused on dancing on pointe at home.

Paulina: I started my workout journey.

Q: What inspired you to try and better yourself during lockdown?

Hiba: There was so much time to kill, so I wanted to try baking. My really motivated cousin definitely inspired me to help her and do something new.

Lauren: I’m a massive Harry Potter fan. And with all of the free time I thought, why not pick up a new hobby

Changing for the Better

Senior Hiba Henssen teaches herself how to bake during quarantine, after being motivated by seeing baking videos online.

Mandating Masks in Stratford America

too? For dancing, I was inspired by my dancer friends who continued the initiative to practice during lockdown.

Paulina: I was bullied a lot about my weight when I was younger. It used to let it get to me, but after lockdown started, I decided to use the hate as motivation. I wanted to feel stronger physically and mentally.

Q: Did you see any changes in yourself after quarantine?

Hiba: I now have a new skill that I am not only good at, but I LOVE to do. I wasn’t so bored all the time. And I am also feeling really proud of myself.

Lauren: I learned to love baking, especially if it’s associated with something I love. Dancing wise, I became much more patient with our situation and progressed with pointe.

Paulina: It was a hard process, but I definitely think I’ve gotten better at loving myself and trying new things. I now have more bursts of energy throughout the day and am much more productive.

WRITTEN BY GRACE HARE AND CARSON BLEVINS

As the mask-wearing debate carries on around the country, students and teachers face the danger created by those who refuse to wear one.

“A week ago, I laughed at the idea of a mask, I wanted to be independent. I did not realize that the cost of such independence was the lives of others.”

These words, uttered by Red Cross chairman John A. Britton in 1918 during the San Francisco flu, maintain relevance today as people of all ages suffer under this strange new outbreak of coronavirus across the world.

At the beginning of the pandemic, President Trump’s first statement on the virus was aired through CNBC. “It is completely under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control.

It’s going to be just fine,” said Trump, in response to the first cases arriving in the United States.

Now, as many people enter their seventh month of quarantine, coronavirus cases have reached more than 6.1 million people in the reported cases for the US alone.

No one could have guessed a year ago that for summer 2020, the must-have accessory would be the face mask. Sported by celebrities, store owners, political leaders- the mask is now a necessity.

For Baskin Robbins owner Mrs. Phyllis Read, wearing a mask is the only way that her employees can safely maintain their jobs and she can maintain the day to day function of her business.

“The virus spreads through the air as we talk. If you’re wearing a mask you’re doing your job to protect others, and when other people wear masks then they can protect you. This is the only way we will be able to get back to normal,” said Read.

For many business owners like Mrs. Read, the success of their business depends on people fulfilling their civic duty to protect one another.

“Our business is following all of the guidelines for reopening. We have to get our economy back, and this is how. Because of the shutdown, so many people

lost their jobs. If we delay opening our economy, we are all going to suffer a lot,” said Mrs. Read.

Under the direction of building principal Mr. Barnes, our school is fulfilling its responsibility by mandating students to wear masks and requiring everyone to fill out a form to verify their health before coming on campus.

The mask is now a part of the student’s dress code and is an expectation for every student resuming oncampus instruction.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, people have objected to mask-wearing as an infringement of their rights.

Some might argue that the nationwide mask mandate is a “violation of their freedom” or their right to choose.

“The wearing of masks has become a catalyst for political conflict, an arena where scientific evidence is often viewed through a partisan lens,” Tara McKelvey with BBC news reports.

Safety and public health is a US issue, not an individual one. As students resume in-person instruction, it is more important to take into consideration the vulnerability of people around you, especially those who might be susceptible to catching COVID-19.

Masks were created to protect individuals surrounding yourself, people who might have parents with autoimmune diseases or are mothering a new baby.

“Wearing a mask to school is nothing more than asking you to wear a shirt to class,” School nurse Connie Hamon said.

Part of this new mask dress code includes banning any patterns or emblems deemed inappropriate for class. However, Stratford themed pattern masks are allowed, and some flower and fabric patterns are allowed.

To an extent, students will be able to use their maskwearing as a way to express themselves as part of their everyday wear.

“Stratford is taking this issue seriously and in Masking up for Good an abundance Stratford students and teachers will now wear masks and face coverings of caution we to school to ensure everyone inhave many new protocols person can have a safe and relaxed learning environment. in place,” Ms. Hamon said.

Some of these include asking students to stay home if they exhibit symptoms, adding staff and extra caution to the care of the janitorial staff, implementing two isolation rooms for students who exhibit symptoms, and adding hand sanitizing stations throughout campus; every effort is being made to prevent any student catching the coronavirus.

With all of these changes in place, our campus is making every effort to protect its students and staff.

Now, the difference is up to you. This school year will certainly be unconventional, but it is up to us to make the effort to make this year great.

“Enjoy yourself and make this a great year,” Ms. Hamon said. “If your favorite activities are on hold, find new ways, explore new options, develop new hobbies and talents and most of all keep a positive attitude!”

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The Oracle • September 11, 2020

C O V I D

A C I R E F AM

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he United States is now officially the country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world, reaching 6.40 million. Still, the U.S. is far ahead of Brazil, another country struggling to control the Coronavirus, which has had 4.05 million cases.

Despite restrictions from the local, state, and national levels of government like enforcing social distancing, the wearing of masks, promoting good hygiene, and even the shutting down of

O S E T A TED ST

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many public places, cases in the United States have remained above 30,000 cases every day since rising to 50,183 cases on September 4.

The U.S. restricted the entry of people who had traveled to high-risk countries in the past 14 days such as China, Iran, Brazil, Italy and many more. Although recommendations and travel restrictions were instituted and the development of a vaccine is continuing, cases in the U.S. peaked on July 17 to 75,821.

T O TA L C A S E S : 6 . 4 M I L L I O N TOTAL DEATHS: 188,000

L I Z A R B

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razil has been an epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic in South America since the spring, now leading into the summer and fall. Brazil confirmed 1,138 COVID-19 cases on April 1.

Since then, daily confirmed cases have not dropped below 1,000 with the peak cases in one day reaching 69, 074 on July 30. Brazil’s strategy to combat the pandemic led by President Jair Bolsonaro has been shaky and uncertain.

Although Brazil had been able to curb early problems

by following guidelines and warnings by Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mondetta in March, President Bolsonaro and Brazil have been through 2 health ministers, political controversy, 4 million cases and over 100,000 cases since. Brazil’s government instituted travel restrictions, socialdistancing, mass layoffs of workers, and re-opening restrictions, and these simple policies have helped as the number of COVID-19 cases have plateaued and even decreased in recent weeks in Brazil.

T O TA L C A S E S : 4 . 0 5 M I L L I O N TOTAL DEATHS: 125,000

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The Oracle • September 11, 2020

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ION T A N O NAVAJ

he Navajo Nation has been struck harder than any other state in America by COVID-19.

Throughout May, they had a higher infection rate than New York, with 23 cases per 1,000 people, higher than New York’s 18 cases per 1,000 people. To combat this, they instituted the strictest stay-athome orders in the country, preventing anyone from leaving their home unless they were essential workers or in the event of an emergency.

Furthermore, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez instituted 4 57-hour weekend mandatory curfews dating back to April with 32-hour weekend lockdowns still

T O TA L C A S E S : 9 , 8 7 1 TOTAL DEATHS: 503

STRATFORD

Sixty-eight percent of Stratford students are returning with in-person school. Additionally, once students return to school, the navigation of the halls of Stratford will be different too.

The middle stairwell is going to be used for students going up, while the stairwells at the end of each hallway are to be used for students going down. Also, when walking from class to class, students are to stay on the right side of the hallway, away from the middle.

NGDOM

I K D E UNIT

To account for extra spacing necessary during lunch, extra seats will be provided with canopies by the south entrance (the entrance from the senior parking lot). Another change to lunch will be the lunch line. Students will pick up grab-andgo meals, instead of waiting in the long lines. Although Stratford will look different this year, students should be reassured that teachers and administrators are doing all they can to keep the community safe.

continuing into September.

Daily curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am has been another mandate put in place.

“We implemented some of the most stringent public health orders in the U.S.,” President Nez said. “This was not a special formula.

We simply listened to health care experts and relied on the data.” It seems these strict precautions are working.

In August, the curve of cases in the Navajo Nation flattened to about 50 cases per day, showing the benefits of obeying government recommendations that could lead to a decrease in the number of cases.

68% In-Person 32% Online Virtual

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eemed by the CDC as a high level risk for COVID-19, the United Kingdom is currently in a Level 3 Warning which means citizens should avoid non-essential travel and adhere to all social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines. The UK got its first case all the way back on January 29, 2020, and

by March restrictions were being instituted throughout the country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, laid out measures to prevent contact and transmission of the virus telling citizens to stay at home except to exercise, buy

T O TA L C A S E S : 3 4 2 , 0 0 0 TOTAL DEATHS: 41,537

In-Person

food, and go to work if they absolutely cannot work at home. On March 27, Prime Minister Johnson tested positive for coronavirus and was out of work for weeks as his condition worsened, although he eventually recovered. Not only was the UK ‘s response and regulations to COVID-19, fast and effective, but the UK is also responsible for the finding of the use of the steroid, Dexamethasone, to be effective in slowing death of COVID-19 patients.

New daily cases have been steadily decreasing since May 31.

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The Oracle • September 11, 2020

ATHLETEOFTHEWEEK

Senior wide receiver Ben Moseley makes his leap to Division I college football after announcing his commitment to Brown University.

Tackling COVID-19

sports

This fall, the Football team is doing all they can to ensure their season goes to plan.

WRITTEN BY HARRIS TIMMRECK

The COVID-19 of the masks,” Senior pandemic has caused linebacker, Drew Arend said.

WRITTEN BY REED HOWELL PHOTO BY NATHAN SICILIANO many problems in “Most of the time, I bring Although Stratford has yet to against the Jersey Village Falcons 2020, especially for more than one mask, so I can start fall athletics this year, when he successfully pulled in a high school athletes change out the sweaty ones.” one player has already one-handed catch from QB Dylan trying to salvage their With the increased risk of been able to do great Shoemake. seasons. However, spreading the virus indoors, things. Senior wide receiver Despite having his entire senior this fall the football players and coaches have Ben Moseley season ahead of him, Moseley team is finding ways made a point to adapt with has officially is already looking forward to to keep themselves on new precautions while committed to play his Division I college football the field. lifting. football at Brown career, “I like the tough One of the many “In the weight room, we University in the competition and playing precautions the team do not use every rack like Ivy League. Playing with good players,” he said. has taken is making we normally would to social Division I college While Brown University sure they are six feet distance. After each station, football has been has not had the most success apart at all times, we wipe down all the a major goal of in their last few seasons, only breaking distance Working It Out equipment to ensure his since he can Moseley remains optimistic during drills outside. Coach Reed and the rest of the no spread of germs and remember. about his time there, “I like “Without a doubt the football staff are working hard to ultimately to help get us “I didn’t know the school and the coaches. coaches are enforcing make sure they have their season. our season,” sophomore for sure but I always hoped I think the team is getting Everyone is wearing their masks, JV linebacker, Charlie social distancing I would,” said Moseley. better,” he said. as they work to improve and get Baird said. guidelines,” senior Reaching the collegiate ready for the upcoming season. right tackle Connor Coach Rankin and his Rushing to the level is never easy, especially Able said. “They are team have worked very Division I football.

Endzone being very helpful and transparent of hard to keep their practices going According to Moseley the key to After getting second team what is going on and how we need to by taking precautions and following making it is simple, “working hard All-District last year for his 35 adapt to it.”

CDC and UIL guidelines. Thanks to and making big plays in games,” he receptions and 587 yards To ensure players and coaches the masks, constant social distancing, said. and 6 touchdowns last safety, masks are mandatory wiping off of all the weight room Moseley has played wide receiver season, Moseley during all practices, no matter how equipment, and always using hand on varsity since his sophomore year, hopes to build on uncomfortable wearing one may be in sanitizer, things are looking good this challenging him to face strong teams his success and the summer heat. season. Although the decision to have in one of the most competitive UIL carry his team “Although the masks are pretty a season is not directly in the hands of Districts in 17-6A. His favorite moment to a winning uncomfortable, I’ve gotten more used players, the boys are doing what they playing Stratford Football took place season in 2020. to it and I’m more conditioned because can to prove they can handle it.

Recruiting Season in Flux

WRITTEN BY NATHAN KEYWORTH

As this years football season gets ready to kickoff, student-athletes face the adversity of pursuing the next level of play, while battling back towards what was considered normal.

The Spartan football team has seen a lot of competitors leave their footprints on the field. Those players have earned different awards and proved their value through their feats. Their names are left behind in those dusty trophy cases visible in the cafeteria and the front office, along with the positions that defined them as athletes. Many have passed through Stratford, but not everyone has received a scholarship to play football on the next level.

The process was easy enough before. This year, however, we have seen the rise of COVID-19, and it has changed life as we know it. The way we do things has been changed, while the way we interact with each other has – for the most part – changed as well. Of course, the way an athlete would earn a scholarship has been altered, too.

Defensive Coordinator Alex Reed wanted to clarify that an athlete does need to put in a lot of effort to receive a football scholarship.

“The funny thing about a football scholarship is you earn it,” Reed said. “This is not something you apply for by writing an essay. It is something that takes years to accumulate.”

A scholarship is often accumulated through many years of hard work on and off the field. It takes keeping your grades up during and out-of-season, as well as exemplary performance during the season.

While it may seem simple on paper, the reality is

quite the opposite. Student-athletes often find their time eaten up by everyday activities. School for eight hours, homework for three after, on top of practice. With COVID-19, that process is only further complicated, and today’s athletes looking to advance to the next level are certainly experiencing that difficulty.

Coach Reed also cleared up any confusion about how athletes can put their names out there.

“With us losing Spring Football, which is the time of the year when college coaches get to come to Stratford America and watch us practice, Coach Rankin went out and acquired Virtual Combine,” Reed said. “This is a tool that allows student-athletes to promote themselves with videos both on and off the field. They can put all of their information, GPA, and Test Scores for example, while also uploading actual game film and anything else they believe can help promote themselves, like working out in the weight room, running or throwing routes, and running through some drills.”

Senior running back Darese Steptoe expressed his thoughts on all the hours spent developing his skills.

“You have to know what comes with playing football first; I wouldn’t say it’s a struggle,” Steptoe

Preparing for War

said. “You just have to love the process, meaning you have to love practice, Running back Darese Steptoe workouts in the morning, gets ready to get going over plays, things like that.” back into the game after a quick While many athletes break while the recognize that difficulty, defense does its many others still find themselves drowned in job against the things to do and utterly Jersey Village overwhelmed with the Falcons. responsibility of their roles.

Still, they dredge on among the hours of work that colleges demand even before students can be considered.

Senior Keaton Klasing has had to finalize scholarships during this new COVID-19 era, like so many other current high school athletes, and faced similar challenges.

“The difference with COVID-19 is the communication,” Klasing said. “Since COVID-19 started, there are better ways to contact coaches, making it easier for me to get to know them. They want to know that you want to play for their college and not just for the scholarship.”

All in all, it is still possible to get a football scholarship. An athlete just has to go out and earn it.

perspectives Balancing Sports and Politics in 2020

The Oracle • September 11, 2020

Among the controversy of the Black Lives Matter movement, pro-athletes have received much criticism from fans about bringing politics into sports.

WRITTEN BY JACKSON ALLRED AND HANNAH MORRIS

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his past year has presented the entire world with Oakland Athletics were two of the several baseball teams a range of social and political events that is nearly who elected not to play during some point from August incomparable to any other time in human history. As 26th - August 28th. Although both teams were scheduled a result, professional athletes have utilized their platform to play at Minute Maid Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day to voice their opinions on these current events. Nearly (August 28th), the Astros and Athletics jointly walked off every postgame interview or virtual press conference with the field in protest following a moment of silence, draping a professional athlete has included dialogue regarding the a Black Lives Matter shirt across home plate as they COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, exited. Professional athletes and sports organizations’ and the 2020 presidential race. recent addressment of current racial inequality and police In recent history, this wave of athletes using their brutality has generated a substantial pushback from fans platform to speak on social and political affairs has who disagree with the political presence in the sports been widely attributed to former San Francisco 49ers’ world. Phrases like “Keep politics out of sports” and “Shut quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In August, 2016, while his up and dribble” have sparked a polarization between teammates and opponents stood with their hand over sports fans who are content with the political dialogue in heart on the sideline, Kaepernick began sitting on the professional sports, and those who are not. bench during the National Anthem in response to police This disagreement has begged the question; are athletes brutality. As a result, his actions and sports organizations just in their pursuit quickly drew national attention. to voice their opinions on political and societal There was a mixed reaction issues? Although the answer to this question is from Kaepernick sitting during ambiguous, if we look at other entertainment the anthem. industries’ involvement in similar affairs, we Many praised his actions will be able to recognize that the answer to this for raising awareness on question is a clear “Yes.” police brutality, while others The reality is that social and political issues interpreted it as a disrespectful in the real world are all around us, even if we gesture to the United States’ don’t want them to be. For example, music and military and law enforcement. film are two common forms of entertainment But nearly a week after he sat that humans utilize for both enjoyment, and during the National Anthem, for the opportunity to venture away from Kaepernick knelt; it became the world around us for a short period of an image that would alter time. However, almost every song, album, all professional athletes’ documentary, or feature film in today’s world involvement in current events contains stories, emotions, and struggles that for years to come. have originated from the world around us.

As 2020 presents us with Meaning, two of our most favorite methods of an assortment of global and entertainment frequently use their platform to domestic affairs, professional address real-world issues and affairs. So, why athletes and sports leagues from should sports be any different? across the country have been If the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” following Kaepernick’s lead by addresses violence and murder during the speaking up on these matters.

Vietnam War, shouldn’t the MLB be able to Kneeling in Protest When the National Basketball commemorate the victims of 9/11 attacks by Former San Franscisco 9er’s Association (NBA) restarted their stitching the phrase “We Shall Never Forget” quarterback kneels during the regular season in late July after a on the side of their hats? And if Spike Lee’s four month hiatus, virtually every National Anthem, an act that “BlacKkKlansman” confronts racial oppression player and coach from all 22 teams created a large divide in the sports and white supremacy, shouldn’t the NBA be able world. Kaepernick played with the to put the words “Black Lives Matter” on the locked arms and knelt during the 9ers from to 7 and led the center of the basketball courts?

National Anthem. In response franchise to a Super Bowl in . The hardships and struggles that Americans are to the recent deaths of African Americans at the hands of law faced with have been integrated in every aspect enforcement, those players and coaches also wore shirts of our lives, thus, sports should be treated no differently. with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” during the pregame If our reality, in all of its glory and bleakness, holds no and National Anthem. bearing within the sports world, then icons such as Jackie In addition, weeks before the NBA restart, the league Robinson and Jesse Owens would yield no significance. and its players’ association approved of 29 different social Current affairs that require a collective awareness and justice messages that players were allowed to put on attention, can and must venture into the sports world; the back of their game jerseys. Almost every NBA player especially if its impact may be beneficial to our neighbor. agreed to place one of the 29 messages on their uniforms; which included Black Lives Matter, Vote, Say Their Names, etc.

NBA Makes a Stand Unlike the National Football Members of both the League (NFL) and the NBA, Major Boston Celtics and the League Baseball (MLB) has stayed Milwaukee Bucks kneel relatively quiet in recent months. during the National However, this all changed when Anthem just before their several teams elected not to play first seeding game on July in late August in response to the st. The NBA placed the recent shooting of Jacob Blake, phrase “Black Lives Matter” a 29-year old black man who on all three basketball was shot by police in Kenosha, courts at the ESPN Wide Wisconsin.

World of Sports Complex.

The Houston Astros and

ORACLE

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staff

Editor-in-Chief *Ana Sofia Meyer

Associate Editors *Jackson Allred *Becca Dawson *Nathan Siciliano

Photo Editors *Paige Clark *Kendall Koster

News Editors Laura Koerner Sophie Lasater

Life Editors Veronica Da Silva Nathan Seeling

Copy Editor Monica Deru

Sports Editors Reed Howell Jack Weatherly

Perspectives Editor Michael Benes Grace Hare

Reporters Harris Timmreck Lucas Bertram Mary Bulnes Maya Carlson Cameron Bailey Campbell Hayden Sydney Hayden

The Oracle newspaper is the official, schoolsponsored student media of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-251-3454.

The Oracle is published monthly by the Journalism Department and is also available online at shsoracle.org.

The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The Oracle serves as a public forum of student expression

Allison Howard Hannah Morris Selby Funk Kolbye Sangi Nathan Keyworth Winston Kibler

Photographers Kyle Zoboroski Ainsley Lewis Kate Sullivan Caroline Bustillo Kristina Hernandez Catherine McClees Andrew Cannon Mircea Tatulescu

Ads Editors Kate Delgado Maggie Vierra Jackson Cossey

Building Principal Raymorris Barnes

Advisor Janice Cummons

Social Media Dana Akkad Sara Zonana

Online Editors Tailor Williams Carsen Blevins

*Editorial Board Members

and is open to contributions submitted by the readers. Readers may submit material via e-mail to info@shsoracle. org.

All letters to the editors must be typed and contain the author’s full name, grade and signature.

Submitted material is subject to editing based on space and/ or content. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration or the school district.

Publication costs are covered through advertisements.

For more information, contact thestratfordoracle@gmail.com OR call at 713-251-3454

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The Oracle • September 11, 2020

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