Women In Politics Magazine: 100 Years of Women's Suffrage

WOMEN IN POLITICS MAGAZINE

100Â Years of Women's Suffrage

August 2020

A Word from the Vice Director Katherine Bronov Not everyone has the right to vote and can participate in fair and free elections. I have not experienced this and am lucky enough to be a citizen of the US, a country built on freedom, but this is not always the case for others.

On August 18th we will be celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the 19th Amendment, an addition to the Constitution that gave women the right to vote. As a young woman in the 21st century, I have taken this right a bit for granted, but as I read more and more history on the women’s suffrage movement I realize that bestowing women the right to vote in 1920 was ahead of its times. In the present, people around the world still struggle to gain their right to vote or the right to free elections. My parents personally experienced this as citizens of the Soviet Union, a communist country with “mandatory” elections that were predetermined even before people cast their votes. Now, as citizens of the US, my parents enjoy the right to vote and have subsequently given that right to me, something that I am very grateful for. While I enjoy my vote, voting equality still does not exist, even in America. Therefore as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of a woman’s freedom to

The women that still lack voting rights around the globe The people in our country that are suppressed and have a harder time making it to the voting booth Helping those that don't have free elections and are under authoritarian rule

vote we must think about: Unfortunately, in this voting cycle, I am unable to utilize this right, as I am still 17, but I will most definitely be on the sidelines doing everything in power to raise awareness for inequality in voting. Many are not as privileged as I am so I plan on using my vote to the fullest in the future and I encourage you to do so as well in the upcoming election.

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The Success of the Silent Sentinels

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Anna Cernich

Voice From the 05 AFuture

The Launching Pad for Women’s Suffrage Sara Keegan

Dahlia Gumaa

07 More Than Wives

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Andrea Montenegro

a Graph of 1 1 Stocks: the Market or of Feelings?

Manya Kodali

Statehood for Washington DC is Now Closer Than Ever Mary Corey

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Beating Covid-19: What These Countries Did Right Ella Stillion Southard

of the 26 Annexation West Bank: Implications and Repercussions Lily Veits

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Opinion: Tear Down Confederate Monuments Stella Kleinman

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Universal Health Care: Everyone’s Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Anna Pabst

The Success

of the Silent Sentinels BY: ANNA CERNICH

Acclaimed poet and early feminist

unheard of. Six days a week, the group

Emily Dickinson once quipped that:

used nonviolent direct action to achieve their dream of gender equality, holding silent protests in front of the White House

"SAYING NOTHING SOMETIMES SAYS THE MOST."

that would last for several hours in attempts to raise awareness and put pressure on President Woodrow Wilson who was opposed to the 19th Amendment at the time. The nightly vigils would continue for two and a half years until progress was initiated at the federal level.

Dickinson would not live to see the effects of the suffrage movement nor the magnitude of the fight for gender equality, but her writing and this statement suggest that the constitutional right to democracy, regardless of gender, had manifested itself in the hearts of brilliant women long before the passing of the 19th Amendment. One group of these women, the Silent Sentinels, found creative ways to demand justice during a time when women holding positions of political authority, or even

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rebelling against the norm of traditional housewife roles, was-

As America commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment on August 18th, we must also honor the triumphs of the Silent Sentinels, whose inaudible protests and mastery of civil resistance speak to the courage, wisdom, and resilience required to fight injustice to this day.

The Silent Sentinels were a sector of women in the National Woman’s Party, a group formed by feminist icons Alice Paul and Lucy Burns that sought a more radical approach to suffrage than the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Their ideas to bring about change were focused on garnering media attention, an approach that would be and is being continued today. The suffragettes realized that the best way to get elected leaders to work for change is to use the general public to threaten the positions they are elected to. The same phenomenon occurs today, with reposts and awareness about social issues being shared among millions using social media. Information, although incredibly simple, is one of the most effective ways to promote change. The National Woman’s Party recognized this, and their work would pave the way for future protests. The signs-

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were intended to pressure President

being arrested, the Washington D.C.

Woodrow Wilson into changing his anti-

jailhouse had started to overflow, so the

suffrage mindset, with messages like “Mr.

women were sent to the Occoquan

President, how long must women wait for

Workhouse. Conditions were terrible at

liberty” and “Mr. President, what will you

the workhouse; syphilis ran rampant and

do for human suffrage.” Their protest was

worms were a common topping with

so simple, and yet so effective. Making

dinner. The women refused to give in,

the movement even wittier (and more

remaining resilient and strong in the face

antagonistic), the women would use

of hatred. Frustrated and angry, the

direct quotes from Wilson’s speeches.

superintendent of the workhouse ordered

The women were promptly arrested for

the guards to brutalize the suffragists on

traffic obstruction after waving a banner

November 14th. Icons Lucy Burns, Dorothy

citing an excerpt from his speech on

Day, and Dora Lewis were beaten and

democracy: "We shall fight for the things

chained because they refused to accept

which we have always carried nearest

their alleged crime of standing outside

our hearts—for democracy, for the right

the White House fence silently. The

of those who submit to authority to have

American public noticed, and support for

a voice in their own governments."

the suffrage movement increased by leaps and bounds. Without voicing any

The women were able to protest freely, at

words, the women had successfully

first, but as their movement became more

garnered support and public outcry for

effective, the Silent Sentinels became a

the sake of justice.

major target for authority figures.

Unjustified arrests increased by the day, but on November 14th, 1917, the injustice peaked. Commonly known as the “Night of Terror,” November 14th is notorious for evidencing the bigotry of those in power at the time. As more and more women were-

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The Silent Sentinels established many

his cabinet cave-in to their demands for

different firsts, paving the way for future

equal representation using only the silent

civil rights movements and evidencing

treatment. Their relentless creativity,

how “saying nothing sometimes says the

paired with a passion for democratic

most.” They were the first to protest

equality, secured a female voice in

outside the White House, a tactic that

America and opened up the door for

would be used by Martin Luther King Jr.

women to change the world. The Silent

and different activist groups to put

Sentinels’ contribution to the suffrage

pressure on lawmakers and the President.

movement, and to women’s history as a

The Sentinels were the first to master the

whole, cannot, should not, and will not be

art of antagonization through civility.

forgotten.

They essentially made President Woodrow Wilson and-

"TO ASK FREEDOM FOR A WOMEN IS NOT A CRIME. SUFFRAGE PRISONERS SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS CRIMINALS. " - MARY WINSOR PENN

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A Voice from the Future Views of the Women's Suffrage movement from some very familiar faces

BY: DAHLIA GUMAA The women’s suffrage, as we all know, was a decades-long fight for women’s right to vote in the US. Beginning in the mid-1800s and continuing on until 1920, the long fight for female voices is in the office is long overdue, but never forgotten.

Starting in 1848, it began with a group of mainly female abolitionists, their mission was to expand women’s rights. It was finally agreed by the delegates of the Seneca Falls Convention that women should be seen as individuals with their own political identity. Throughout the 1850s, the women’s rights movement began to flourish but slowly died down as the rise of the Civil War began.

By 1890, the National Women’s Suffrage was formed, with the notorious Elizabeth Cady Stanton as the organization’s president. Finally, on, August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, all American women officially had the right to vote.

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“Everyone deserves justice, and everyone deserves equal protection and prosperity in our country.”

- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the women’s march 2019.

This legislation allowed access for women

"I'm surprised at how much has changed,

to be able to work in the government, as

but how much has not changed," the

well as becoming lawmakers as decades

former and first African-American first

passed. Soon enough, we’ve seen many

lady, Michelle Obama said in an

accomplishments from many women in

interview on the "Today" show. "That's

office, one notably being Hillary

what happens with change. Change is

Clinton. "If there is one message that

not a direct, smooth path. There's going

echoes forth from this conference, let it

to be bumps and resistance. There's

be that human rights are women's rights

been a status quo in terms of the way

and women's rights are human rights,

women have been treated, what their

once and for all," - Hillary Clinton at her

expectations have been in this society,

first UN speech in Beijing, 1995.

and that is changing," she said.

“When women succeed, communities flourish, and when women lead, countries grow stronger.” Nancy Pelosi stated on her website. As the only woman in U.S. history to hold the position of speaker of the United States House of Representatives and is the highestranking woman elected official in US history, it’s clear she understands the long path it took for a woman to lead in such a

In conclusion, the women’s suffrage was a long hard fight for women’s freedom of speech, but also the beginning of a longlasting era of female empowerment. As women, we’ve come a long way in this country, but there is still a change that needs to be done. Representation from more females in office, as well as equity and equality between the sexes, is more than just a must in today’s world.

high position as such.

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More Than Wives BY: ANDREA MONTENEGRO-POLANCO

“BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN THERE’S A GREAT WOMAN.” Looking back at American history, it is true that many successful men, by and large, had equally successful wives. Dolley Madison. Jessie Benton Fremont. These women were innovators for the future of women in politics, yet they are honored only as an ornament to their husbands’ accomplishments. Despite playing an instrumental role in the success of their

Dolley Madison met “the great little

husbands and leading equally impactful

(James) Madison” by chance during his

lives, wives are often written-off as

time in Philadelphia for a congressional

secondary characters in the tale of time.

session. The pair was married in 1794, at

There is more to these women than the

which time Dolley began her transition

men they were married to. They were

towards becoming one of the most

more than wives.

popular socialites in Washington. When her husband was appointed secretary of state in 1801, she began her work as hostess of the White House for the widowed president, Thomas Jefferson.

Dolley’s extensive knowledge of networking and foreign decorum through hosting would later prove to be a valuable asset during her husband’s presidential campaign.

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Being known to be more genial than her

difficult, Dolley returned to the capital in

“quiet” and “shy” husband, the soon-to-

1844 and stayed there till her last days.

be first lady was very involved in James’

She continued to play an important role in

campaign and is credited as being

Washington’s social circles, befriending

largely responsible for his win in the 1808

and counseling other first ladies and

election. Charles Pinkney, Madison’s

holding an honorary seat in Congress. Her

opponent, said this about Dolley’s efforts:

death in 1849 was considered to be the

“I might have had a better chance had I

end of public figures from the founding

faced Mr. Madison alone.” During James’

era. Dolley Madison would go down in

presidency, Dolley served as a bridge

history as the “first first lady” and showed

between political parties, connecting

that women, specifically wives, could

delegates and swaying them towards

wield great political power.

support for her husband.

She is widely remembered for saving George Washington’s portrait during the War of 1812. Despite finding The White House in shambles upon the retreat of British forces, Dolley continued to host gatherings in hopes of preserving the “American spirit”. After her husband’s death in 1836, the widow took a step back from the public to handle her family’s worsening financial situation, for which her son was largely responsible.

Though times were-

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Jessie Benton Fremont met John Charles Fremont, a Lieutenant for the Corps of Topographical Engineers, during her years in boarding school, secretly marrying the young explorer and topographer in 1841. Despite reluctance from the Benton family initially, Jessie’s father, Thomas Hart Benton, helped fund his son-in-law’s first expedition in 1842. Jessie remained at home, working as a hostess to her father and occasionally translating Spanish documents for the Department of State.

In 1843, during John’s second expedition, Jessie intercepted a message from her husband’s commander ordering him to return from his expedition. Knowing that this order was a ploy from political opponents against Western Expansion, this “mistake” solidified John’s legacy in American history as “The Pathfinder” and protected his career. From this point forward, Jessie would become very involved in her husband’s career, most notably documenting John’s expeditions.

Her writings were published and helped make John very popular with the American people. From that point on Jessie became her husband's writer (and ghost writer), editor, secretary, and political advocate.

Banking off of his newfound stardom, John started his political career and, in 1856, ran as the Democratic party’s first presidential candidate. Like Dolley Madison, Jessie was very involved with her husband’s campaign. Many wanted “both the Colonel and his Jessie” in office. Despite her husband’s defeat, Jessie continued her career in politics.

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During Lincoln’s presidency and the Civil

Though Jessie maintained a lower public

War, John was given command as the

profile after these occurrences, she was

head of the Western Department.

heavily involved in the Sanitary

Missouri, being a slave-state in the Union,

Commision, a relief organization working

had massive inner turmoil which both John

to provide a clean, healthy environment in

and Jessie had to handle. In 1861, after

Union Army camps. Volunteers of the

discussing with his wife and abolitionist

Sanitary Commission, mainly women,

Edward M. Davis, John issued a

worked in camps as nurses and managed

proclamation which declared martial law

fundraising efforts. After the war, her

in Missouri. All of this was done without

family faced difficult economic problems

Lincoln’s authorization. President Lincoln,

due to John’s failed investments. In these

weary of the proclamation, asked John to

years, she “outshined” her husband by

undo his order. Instead of following the

continuing her work as an author and

president’s advice, Jessie traveled to

earning an income to support the family.

Washington to defend her husband’s

Despite Jessie’s step-back from the public

proclamation. Though Lincoln thought her

eye in the years leading up to her death in

to be a “great female politician”, John

1902, she would be remembered as an

was relieved of his command shortly after.

outstanding example of the voice women

Jessie would go on to publish The Story of

could have in politics.

the Guard, which recounted her husband’s experiences as head of the Western

In conclusion, these two women, who

Department and restored some public

played such a large role in the success of

trust in him.

their husbands and created a legacy for themselves, are not as well-known as their spouses. How can we change this trend, which has occurred so often in history? A good way to start is by honoring these women for being individual trailblazers.

Being a woman in politics is more accepted than ever, so it’s important to remember the amazing ladies who helped us get to where we’re at now.

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STOCK MARKET: A GRAPH OF THE MARKET OR OF FEELINGS? BY: MANYA KODALI

"As a wise TikToker once said, the stock market is a graph of rich people’s feelings."

According to Ryan Detrick, a senior market strategist at LPL financial, “Big 50-

As the sound behind her video implies,

day rallies in the past have taken place

Talia isn’t completely incorrect; but, while

near the start of new bull markets, and

this comedic line certainly oversimplifies

the returns going out a year were quite

the markets along with their relation to

bullish.” Furthermore, Wall Street firm

the overarching economy, there is some

Stifel expects the S&P 500 to jump

truth to her words.

another 8% by the end of August due to an expected recovery in gross- domestic

Despite the ongoing socio economic

product and surplus liquidity (when cash

turmoil in our country - over 100,000

deposits exceed withdrawals, leaving

coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S.

central banks with a larger amount of

alone, ongoing protests transforming the

available assets).

very structure of the nation’s police, a deep recession, record job loss, and the upcoming tumultuous election - the stock market has never been better.

June and July have seen historic gains along with the stocks’ best 50-day rally in history with the S&P 500 soaring 40% from its record lowon March 23.

These gains are not necessarily short term as much of the public fears. On the

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contrary, they paint a positive outlook for the future of investors.

And yet, the general public faces a bleak outlook for the foreseeable future. As the government touts a faster-than-expected reversal of the unemployment rate, which fell to 11.1% in June, a deeper look at the numbers contradicts this favorable headline. The June jobs report was based upon surveys conducted mid-month, before the recurrence of virus flare-ups in a majority of states which caused further layoffs. Moreover, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, long-term

Of course, this decrease is partially

unemployment (those who have lost their

dependent on each state’s benefits, but

job for more than six months) has

the average American will see a reduction

increased by 227,000 from May to June,

of around 61% for roughly $380 per week,

and the number of permanent job losses

making it likely that consumer spending

has increased to 2.9 million people total

will take another hit.

in June. And, during the first week of July, 1.3 million people applied for

The reversal or complete halt of many

unemployment benefits, according to the

state’s reopenings as cases rise in July has

Labor Department; while this number is a

many economists worried; various

decrease from the week prior, it is still

businesses may be unable to withstand a

almost double the pre-pandemic record.

second closure, potentially leaving thousands of workers unemployed with

The CARES Act, the federal relief law

few prospects for reemployment. KGNS

enacted in March, has resulted in the

News writes that credit card data

average American receiving roughly $980

gathered from J.P. Morgan Chase and the

per week from unemployment benefits.

Bank of America shows consumer

According to CNBCÂ Bank strategists, the

spending has steadily dropped towards

additional benefits have played a key role

the end of June, even with the stark

in restarting consumer spending which

turnaround of the unemployment rate,

drives the U.S. economy.

both in states with and without severe

However, this additional federal

outbreaks.

supplement is set to expire at the end of

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July; an extension is unlikely with

So why, even as many signs and

Republican opposition, and without one,

economists point to a poor economy and

citizens will see a significant decrease to

bleak future for the average American

their benefits.

citizen, is the stock market doing astonishingly well? Nir Kaissar, an opinion columnist at Bloomberg News, puts it in simple terms.

“the stock market is not a barometer of the country’s health — politically, socially, or even economically. Its sole function, as wonky as it may- sound, is to quickly, accurately and unemotionally tabulate investors’ consensus view about the health and prospects of publicly traded companies.”

Rather than being a graph of rich people’s feelings, as Talia stated, or a

longest period for which both numbers

representation of the country’s overall

have been available.

economic health, as much of the public believes, the stock market essentially

The most reliable relationship to be

records investors’ level of certainty on

found is actually one that shows a

the economic future of companies.

divergence between the economy and the markets. Kaissar’s analysis shows that

In fact, it’s quite clear that the

the S&P 500 outpaced GDP growth by 13

relationship between the stock market

percentage points just one year after

and the economy has rarely been

severe inflation in the 1950s; yet, it

reliable. The correlation between annual

lagged GDP growth by 5 percentage

returns for the S&P 500 and inflation-

points in the 1970s. During the 2000s, the

adjusted gross domestic product was

S&P 500 fell behind GDP growth by 5

only 0.09 between 1930 and 2019, the

percentage points and surpassed it by 10 percentage points over the last ten years. To simplify the markets, show little to no positive correlation with economic

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growth and are instead typically paradoxical.

The unique circumstances of today’s markets and economy also account for some of the great disparity between investor outlook and the realistic future for citizens. The Federal Reserve’s timely interjection has propped up the market; Jerome Powell, chairman of the Fed, has introduced around $3 trillion in stimulus into the economy through purchasing Treasuries and bonds.

Powell has further calmed investor fears by committing to continued stimulus in order to keep bond markets running properly and has lowered interest rates to almost 0. The unprecedented propping up of the stock markets have had direct impacts on bond prices and investor outlooks.

With the nature of the pandemic, businesses and society at large have sought novel ways to remain in communication - rushing to a handful of companies that have benefited substantially while leaving behind large sectors. Thus, the markets aren’t completely disregarding the economic wounds but rather reflecting the fact that many of the sectors considerably harmed carry little weight in the index.

Combining these various analyses and quirks of the market, a clearer picture begins to appear - one that shows an inherently amoral market. As most citizens struggle in the face of a grim future, stocks’ skyrocket. The markets are going to continue predicting an impressive future while ignoring a great deal of evidence on the contrary.

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THE LAUNCHING PAD FOR WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BY: SARA KEEGAN

August 26, 1920, was a day of utter and complete change around the nation. Women cheered of glee and celebrated in unison, knowing the 19th Amendment had finally been passed into American law.

Women were granted the right to vote after centuries of having to silence their voices in the belief that they were “insignificant” to their male counterparts. Although we learn about the Amendments in US History, many would agree that they know nothing about the fight women initiated and conducted in order to vote and achieve equality. The Seneca Falls Convention was that starting point for women’s equality and began an American feminist movement that banded women together.

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The Seneca Falls Convention began on July 19, lasting two days. These two days were full of discussions, writing, and organizing in hopes of invoking change in the way the government treated women. Taking place in a small chapel in Seneca Falls, New York, many participants did not expect a large crowd.

However, about three hundred women showed up the first day of the convention, taking many aback, and giving them hope that had never been felt before about change in laws dealing with equality.

Led by one of the meeting’s organizers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, women from local areas discussed their beliefs on women’s rights in the United States, while also organizing actions that would push the government to make changes in their delegacy.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an extremely well-educated woman who continuously utilized her voice to uplift and fight for those who were silenced. Stanton vowed that she would lead her own convention one day, prompting a national fight for women's suffrage. Eight years later, this promise was fulfilled. She created the Seneca Falls Convention, with the aid of her close friend, Lucretia Mott. During this two-day convention, the Declaration of Sentiments was created, which consisted of American women’s demands and struggles in an unequal society. This Declaration asserted equality for women in all aspects, such as politics, family, religion, and jobs.

During this two-day convention, the Declaration of Sentiments was created, which consisted of American women’s demands and struggles in an unequal society. This Declaration asserted equality for women in all aspects, such as politics, family, religion, and jobs.

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even greater awareness about the Composed by Stanton, she included a crafty quotation directly from the Declaration of Independence writing,

inequalities women face daily.This amendment granted women the right to vote. Equality had not been fully reached; however, a huge stride had been made, exhibiting how helpful a nationwide

“We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal.”

movement could be in influencing a government’s decision. Without the Seneca Falls Convention, no awareness surrounding the disparities between men and women would have been addressed, resulting in no fight for

This beginning phrase directly referenced and criticized the Declaration of Independence, highlighting how women had been discriminated against since the beginning of colonization in the United States. With the inclusion of nineteen struggles women faced daily and eleven resolutions, citizens around the nation could clearly see how frustrated women were. After the Seneca Falls Convention, protests sprouted across the nation, all calling for one thing: Women’s Suffrage.

Feeling inspired after the Convention, Stanton traveled nationally, participating in conventions and discussions. At an event in 1851, Stanton met Susan B. Anthony, who held extremely similar beliefs. The two hit it off quite quickly and immediately began working on speeches, events,

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and books. They formed a powerful partnership that led them to spread

change. Although advancements have been made since the 1920s, the United States is still a place of immense injustice and inequality. Women continue to fight for rights that are not instituted into our government, such as the wage gap between the working man and woman. This sense of motivation to band as one in order to push for change was not instilled in Americans until the Seneca Falls Convention, and historians would agree that this Convention was the starting place for not only the entirety of the women’s rights movement but more specifically, the institution of the 19th Amendment.

STATEHOOD FOR WASHINGTON DC IS NOW CLOSER THAN EVER BY: MARY COREY

As the 2018 midterm elections came to a close, Washington was starting to look very different. The 116th House of Representatives would soon become known as the most diverse house in our nation's history. Upon the election of these congressmen and women, the House of Representatives switched from a Republican majority to a Democratic one.

Eleanor Holmes, Washington D.C’s lone nonvoting delegate, quickly secured a promise from Democratic leadership that a bill regarding D.C statehood would be brought before the House for the first time since 1993. The last time a bill like this was brought to the floor of the House in 1993, it was struck down with a vote of 153-277. On Friday, June 26, 2020, a historic vote took place when the House of Representatives approved a bill to grant statehood to the nation's capital, Washington D.C.

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The votes for this bill fell mainly along party lines, with support from Democrats and opposition from Republicans. All Democrats, except for one, voted in favor of the bill and it passed 232 to 180. House Democrats have many reasons to support statehood for Washington D.C. They believe that the 700,000 people currently residing in Washington D.C deserve a voice in Congress as citizens of the United States.

D.C residents are experiencing the exact “taxation without representation” that our founding fathers revolted against. Not only do House Democrats disagree with Republicans not supporting statehood for Washington D.C because of the unfair taxation D.C residents, they also disagree because it silences a large community of minorities. The population of D.C is larger than that of both Wyoming and Vermont and consists mainly of people of color so it is vital that they have a voice in our government.

D.C does not have control of its budget because it is not a state; as a result, there is underfunding in many areas, including abortions and reproductive health, which are traditionally supported by Democrats. In addition, Washington D.C is governed by House Rule, which allows Congress to invalidate any law D.C’s government passes, further limiting the power D.C citizens have in their government. House Republicans have their own reasons for disapproving D.C statehood.

Some believe Washington D.C becoming a state would be

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unconstitutional.

But the main reason for their opposition to the bill is political. The two representatives D.C would elect to Congress should the bill become law are all but guaranteed to be Democrats. Many Republicans see this as the power grab by the opposing party, including President Trump who promised to veto the bill should it make it through the Senate.

Although this bill will surely fail to make it through the Republican- led Senate and past our Republican president, the passing of this bill by the House shows that it will be a high priority for Democrats sometime in the future should they control both chambers of Congress and the Presidency.

Since this bill has a fair chance of becoming law in the not so distant future, what would it actually do?

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First and foremost, this law would establish Washington D.C as the 51st state in the union, changing the name to “Douglass Commonwealth” in honor of Fredrick Douglass instead of “District of Columbia”. This would give the people living in D.C representation in Congress and the same voting power all other citizens of the United States currently have. To adhere to the rules laid out in the Constitution, a small capital district would remain.

This would include mainly government buildings, such as the White House, that surround the national mall. Lastly, this bill would work to repeal the 23rd amendment. This amendment gave citizens of the District of Columbia electors in the presidential election and would no longer be needed if D.C were to become a state.

Statehood for Washington D.C has been a topic of discussion for years now, but the idea recently gained political traction due to the Black Lives Matter movement’s resurgence. People of color are done being silenced, and lawmakers are becoming more ready to help work to make this country a better place for all of its citizens, not just the rich and white. But the citizens of this primarily minority city can’t make change if they don’t have a voice in their government. As we approach the presidential election in November and Biden continues to beat Trump in the polls, statehood for D.C seems closer than ever. By giving a voice to these people who fight in our wars, pay our taxes, but still aren’t represented in our government, we move one step closer to true equality.

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Beating Covid-19: What These Countries Did Right BY: ELLA STILLON SOUTHARD It is no secret that the United States is handling the Coronavirus pandemic

the economy over human lives without

poorly. It is the richest nation in the world,

realizing that in order to reopen the

with some of the smartest and well-

economy (people getting back to their

funded medical professionals, yet the U.S

jobs, consumers feeling comfortable

has the highest case count with over

enough to spend money, companies

130,000 Americans dead, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal government is delegating almost complete control over the individual states’ responses to the states themselves, therefore there is no universal nationwide response. Some of the state governments like those of Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Arizona reopened too soon and never took serious enough precautions in March or April - as a result, now they do not have the privilege of reopening bars, restaurants, and parks, like other states can. Rather than act on reality and public safety, certain states’ leadership is choosing to act on their own impatience and desires.

Governors like Brian Kemp, Ron DeSantis, and Doug Ducey are prioritizing

buying and selling goods), they will need healthy people to do so. Although the leadership is very much to blame for the failure during this health crisis, one can’t help but to look at our healthcare system. We can talk about how much Trump has failed the country for forever, but at the end of the day humans have always been unreliable. Humans contain a moral compass and can make decisions based on their own feelings — systems, however, cannot. The country can change policy, and a good place to start could be expanding our perspective to a world view. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is not just a wake up call that who you vote for matters, but also that the nation could

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card. It contains the person's entire put aside our pride and look at the handling of the pandemic in other countries and see what we can learn from them. Not only could we look at their responses, but also how their healthcare structures aided the leaders into a

health history and payments, which allows the Ministry of Health to track trends of what services are being used the most throughout the country, so that they can adjust prices in order to adhere to the annual budget.

somewhat smooth recovery.

When COVID-19 hit, the government

Taiwan is among the most successful

began to alert citizens through their ID

countries in handling the spread of the

card based on travel records and past

Coronavirus. Taiwan had seven deaths

respiratory infections or autoimmune

throughout the entire country with a

diseases. By contacting the most

population of 24 million people.

vulnerable populations, Taiwan was able

In comparison to the United States,

to effectively track down a large amount

Taiwan only had .03 people die per

of cases before it had the chance to

100,000 people, while the United States

spread. Although the U.S. does keep

had 36 people die per 100,000 people,

track of medical records electronically as

according to Johns Hopkins.

well, the country does not allow for the sharing of records across different

It is no coincidence that Taiwan was so successful. The country has been

vendors. By investing in real time medical alerts, the United States’ healthcare

preparing for another pandemic since the

system could function quicker and more

2003 SARS outbreak. They had the

efficiently. The whole response is being

infrastructure and plans ready the

run by President Tsai Ing-Wen, who

moment the virus hit. The citizens also

instituted a travel ban from Wuhan, China

have developed a “mask culture” in most

within days of discovering the new virus,

parts of East Asia, where if you don’t wear a mask, some people might look at you oddly. Aside from those smaller reasons, the most significant piece of this puzzle is Taiwan’s digital healthcare system.

Contact tracing, isolation, and mass testing are all essential to stopping the spread of the virus, but doing so in a timely manner is very difficult. Taiwan’s

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system assigns every citizen a health ID

distributed necessary resources to prevent panic buying, supplied affordable masks everywhere, and required businesses to test temperatures

and to disinfect everything. President Tsai

country also had intense contact tracing by

Ing-Wen is an international example of

forcing everyone to carry around their

not only what a President can do, but

government ID so they could be scanned

what a woman can do when faced with a

everywhere they went. After a surprising

crisis. Taiwan organized a beyond

surge in cases, the country made citizens

exemplary COVID-19 response while advertising their modern healthcare system to the international community.

who tested positive to stay in the hospital rather than self-quarantining at their own home, CNN reported. By being quick to contain the spread, Singapore was able to keep the economy afloat by keeping

Looking south of Taiwan, the country of Singapore outperformed most of the world with their COVID-19 response as well. Singapore, like Taiwan, still held the horrific memory of the SARS outbreak in 2003, so the country was ready to deal

businesses, schools, and other institutions open. Although the country is topping out at about 45,000 cases with the population of 5.8 million, the mortality rate is <0.1% of confirmed cases according to Time

with the virus. Within the first day of

Magazine, and that is all thanks to

discovering the first case in Singapore,

Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare system. Singapore

the country began contact tracing

operates on five principles for their

immediately. The response was led by the

healthcare system.

Ministers of Health and National Development team, therefore there was an immediate response. In early April the parliament passed â&#x20AC;&#x153;circuit breakersâ&#x20AC;?

1. Promote good health for everyone

measures which provided financial relief

2. Promote self-reliance rather

to those in need, guidelines for in-person

than reliance on welfare or

meetings, and put a limit on certain

insurance

activities for citizens. The largest piece of

3. Provide good and affordable

COVID-19 relief legislation, however, addressed the upcoming election. The COVID-19 Special Arrangement Act allows for people stuck in quarantine to still be able to vote as well as allows candidates to stay in the race despite

healthcare for all Singaporeans 4. Rely on competition and market forces to improve services and efficiency 5. Interfere directly with the

illness. The Parliament arranged for the

healthcare sector, when necessary,

votes to be counted safely to ensure the

when the market fails to keep

election will continue to be fair and

prices down.

democratic. Beyond parliamentary action, Singapore made it a societal norm for people to wear masks. The

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Despite involving the private sector in healthcare, the country still operates on a universal healthcare system. Their goals are to never deny someone care, to keep the prices reasonable, and to not overstep government interference. This blended model allows for the low mortality rate because their hospitals have the funds and system to take care of everyone. This just shows that it’s not impossible to have a system in America that plays into Republican ideas (take responsibility for your own health, less welfare) and Democrat ideas (super affordable healthcare, welfare for everyone) of a healthcare system. Once again, the country is being led by a female president, who had taken the virus response head on.

It is America’s habit to claim ourselves the best at everything. While we have very many accomplishments, in this crisis it’s essential to look around and ask ourselves, “How can we handle it like them? How can we zoom out for a second and model our Coronavirus response after New Zealand, Iceland, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, or Greece?” We can possibly even dig a little deeper and question how their systems support or allow these responses. Unification as an international community (resourcefully, not physically) would be an extremely effective way for the United States to save lives. When this is all “done” (who knows when), it could also be in the country’s best interest to reevaluate our own healthcare system and how it serves its own people in need.

After all, we are the greatest nation in the world...right?

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Annexation of the West Bank; Repercussions/Implications BY: LILY VEITS

The year was 1917.

The world was submerged in utter chaos from the first World War, and many countries were coming to terms with a new reality of ‘total war.’ In the midst of global conflict, Britain penned the Balfour Declaration. This was a declaration of British support for an establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

The Balfour Declaration was opposed by the Ottomans,

Map of Israel Today

who controlled the land. It was resisted by Palestinians, who feared for the sanctity of their homeland and culture. Later, this British policy was also opposed by some Zionists, who accused Britain of favoring Arabs.

Middle Eastern nations are certainly no stranger to foreign colonization and unwanted influence, but this particular decision has led to one of the most convoluted, tense, and bloody conflicts that seemed to have no end in sight. Every move either group made fell under immense international scrutiny, and failed peace summits combined with massive amounts of displaced Palestinians made for an explosive combination.

Cultural conflict is often incited, not deterred, by foreign influence. Colonial nations who see smaller countries only from a strategic, one-dimensional perspective lack

26

the cultural and historical knowledge to adequately handle international crises.

The West Bank is surrounded by Israel on the

annexed territory. Most of the

north, south, and west. Jordan lies to its

international community views this

east-making the position of the West Bank

isolation as an aggressor’s move, which

even more precarious. In order to provide

would serve to little other end except

some context, it’s important to note Jordan-

agitation. David Mokovsky outlines the

Israeli relations within the context of Israeli-

plethora of uncertainties that quell

Palestinian relations. In 1994, both Jordan

enthusiasm behind Netanyahu’s decision;

and Israel cooperated to draft the Israel-

the lack of agreed map signals to the

Jordan Peace Treaty, which ended the

world that Israel does not even know what

formal war amongst the two. This certainly

exactly it will be annexing, while critics

did not mean that their relationship was

point to Trump’s influence emboldening

without strain; in 2019, King Abdullah

Netanyahu’s decisions.

described Jordan-Israeli relations as being “at an all-time low.” According to NBC in

Annexation’s consequences aren’t entirely

May of 2020, while Jordan is considered to

in the semi-abstract realm of international

be an ally to the West and one of two Arab

law; Aljazeera reports that annexation

states to sign a peace treaty with Israel, King

could possibly deprive Palestinians of

Abdullah cautioned that “If Israel really

agricultural land, primarily in the Jordan

annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead

Valley. Food insecurity is already a sore

to a massive conflict with the Hashemite

subject, and the 708 km Separation Wall

Kingdom of Jordan.”

damages food production and severely limits access to farmland.

Annexation, definitionally, is an administrative action and concept in

However, some would argue that

international law relating to the forcible

annexation is nothing more than putting a

acquisition of one state's territory by another

formal name to something that has been

state. It is illegal, and generally used through

happening for years.

military conquest. Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, and Russia annexed (to

As of now - July 12th - the first of the

global outrage) Crimea in 2014.

month timetable has come and gone, with various delays and little clarity offered to

Between 2.1 and 3 million Palestinian Arabs

the international community. Various

currently live in the West Bank. According to

European countries have stated that they

a policy analysis via the Washington Institute,

are opposing plans concerning

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annexation could lead to 4.5% of Palestinian

annexation; the Trump administration and

West Bank residents living in “enclaves” in

those in support of his Middle East Plan seem to be quite alone in their increasingly vehement support of Netanyahu’s policy.

Opinion: Tear Down Confederate Monuments

BY: STELLA KLEINMAN Statues most commonly depict General

“I really wish I knew what happened in Germany from 1933 to 1945, but there are no glorifying statues of Adolf Hitler in public parks!” said No One, Ever. Statues, monuments, and institutions named after people are typically erected to commemorate that person and celebrate their accomplishments. What message does the presence of a proud bronze Confederate leader sitting atop a horse in a Virginia cemetery send? It’s been 155 years since the last shots of the Civil War were fired, yet America remains divided over how to remember the losing side.

While slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction are all significant parts of American history, monuments honoring the lives of Confederates are inherently racist and should be torn down.

Robert E. Lee, General “Stonewall” Jackson, General Braxton Bragg, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In their statues, these men are depicted as military heroes fighting to keep their way of life. Though these men may have been brave and skilled, their objective for fighting was to keep African-Americans in bondage. Even Robert E. Lee’s great, great, great nephew, Robert Lee IIII, supports the removal of monuments honoring his ancestor. “Why are we protecting statues that symbolize oppression instead of protecting the people that were oppressed?” Lee asked.

From a historical standpoint, the names of Confederate leaders should be known, not praised. Their faces belong in museums, not parks.

There are over 1,500 public memorials to the Confederacy, 718 of which are aggrandizing statues and monuments.

Southern states, particularly Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina boast the highest numbers of Confederate memorials, most of which are on government property. In 2019, Georgia even passed a law prohibiting the destruction or relocation of such monuments.

Confederate apologists argue that their so-called heroes fought for the mythological “Lost Cause,” a heroic campaign to defend Southern homeland and states’ rights rather than the continuation of slavery. They denote that

28

these monuments represent heritage

enforce racist ideals and make African

rather than hate. These opinions represent

Americans feel unwelcome. According to

the current trend of interpreting history in

Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, an African-

the most patriotic way by overlooking the

American researcher and expert on

most extreme forms of racism. In fact, why

United States history, Confederate

is this group - who seceded from America

monuments “were never just symbols to

- celebrated as patriotic? Most historians

African Americans. African Americans

agree that the Civil War was mainly

linked their safety and continued

fought over slavery and that the decision

marginalized status in American society to

regarding what is and isn’t hateful to

the Lost Cause and their absence in

Black Americans does not lie in the hands

American Civil War memory.” She affirms

of white people. It is not up to white

that on numerous occasions, black

Americans to decide what is hateful to

Americans have been on the front lines of

another race and what is not.

decrying offensive historical monuments.

For example, in 1923 when the United

Contrary to popular belief, memorials of the Confederacy were not erected immediately after the Civil War. Instead, the majority of these monuments were built between the 1890s and 1950s, the Jim Crow era of segregation and hate crimes.

White women, specifically the United Daughters of the Confederacy, were instrumental in the institution of these monuments and operated with the intention to teach values of white supremacy and a “glorification of the cause of the Civil War.” The statues were strategically placed in public areas to

Daughters of the Confederacy advocated for a monument to the “faithful slave” in our nation’s capital, Mary Church Terrell, the daughter of former slaves, and the National Association of Colored Women aggressively opposed its construction.

Today, black Americans are forced to walk by towering statues of men who fought for their continuation of their subhuman status. Men who would look down on them as property. The existence of these memorials in public areas is a direct attack on American people of color and a failure to correctly educate our new generations.

29

Why is this group - who seceded from America - celebrated as patriotic?

The process of removing all public glorifying statues of Confederates is long overdue and must occur immediately. The statues can remain in museums for educational purposes, accompanied by accurate historical explanations of who is being depicted and what they fought for.

In an attempt to take power back from the oppressors, these racist memorials should be replaced with monuments of accomplished people of color and advocates for social justice, civil rights, and abolition. The United States owes memorials to people like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Katherine Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Maya Angelou.

Link to petition to remove public confederate monuments: http://chng.it/5DryFK2xtm

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UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE: EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS MEDICARE FOR ALL BY: ANNA PABST In recent years, there have been more and more mentions of Medicare for All in America. With politician Bernie Sanders taking the spotlight in his two bids for the presidency, there has been a mainstream push towards universal coverage. The idea first gained majority approval in 2016, with Democrats and independent party members favoring a Medicare for All plan. However, polling done by the Kaiser Family Foundation has shown that there is some confusion over what Medicare for All is. Medicare for All would be provided by the federal government using tax dollars to provide all American

31

citizens with health insurance. Some people believe that Medicare for All would allow people to keep their current insurance plans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; however, this is not the case. Medicare for All would replace existing health insurance and provide everyone with quality healthcare.

The money needed to supply Medicare for

Today, 32 countries offer universal

All would not come from a single action,

healthcare to their citizens. These

such as raising the taxes of everyday

countries include Australia, Canada, and

people. Instead, Sanders's proposal for

Germany. Developed countries with

funding involves several different taxes

universal healthcare tend to be ranked

implemented on employees, employers,

higher in terms of the standard of living

and the ultra-wealthy. These proposed

than those without. Countries with

taxes include a 4% income-based

universal healthcare tend to have higher

premium tax, a 7.5% income-based tax

life expectancies, some up to almost 10

for companies (raising the top marginal

years higher than the United States.

tax rate from 37% to 52% on incomes

Medicare for All not only lowers the total

above ten-million), and a 77% estate tax

amount spent on medical expenses, but

on estates valued over $1 billion. The 4%

it also saves lives.

income tax would hold the first $29,000 exempt from taxation for families of four.

As for how the 7.5% income tax on companies would affect small businesses, the first 1 million dollars in revenue is exempt from taxation. The 4% tax will save some families money. A family with an income of $60,000 typically spends just over $6,000 on private health insurance. If they were to pay a 4% tax on all income that exceeds $29,000, they’d be paying just over $1,200 annually for health insurance. As well as saving individuals’ money, Medicare for All would save the average employer around $10,000 per employee in terms of employer-provided healthcare. A Yale study also estimates that Medicare for All would save $5 trillion dollars in health expenses over a 10-year period.

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The Yale study previously referenced also found that Medicare for All would prevent 68,000 unnecessary deaths every year. Not only that, but Medicare for All would keep thousands — if not millions — of people out of medical debt. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy among individuals, with 530,000 families filing for bankruptcy every year due to medical-related charges. This pool of 530,000 people annually is made up of those with and without health coverage. In addition to keeping people out of debt or a state of bankruptcy, Medicare for All would insure 27.5 million people (as of 2018), a number which has likely risen dramatically with the repeal of Obamacare.

Of those uninsured, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) form a disproportionate group. African-American people are at higher risks for medical issues, whether it be high blood pressure (which has been linked to daily stress factors, such as the racism commonly experienced by these individuals) or even cancers developed from breathing polluted air. It is clear that Medicare for All is a necessary step in the fight for racial equality.

Another large concentration of uninsured people appears in the south. Obamacare greatly aided this group of people, but many still found they were paying more than they could afford, swinging their vote in Trump’s favor during the 2016 election. Trump disapproves of Obamacare, but has not replaced it with something of equal or greater benefit. The answer to rural America’s healthcare crisis might be Medicare for All. Southern states generally have lower-incomes, as the cost of living is much lower than that of more highly populated regions. This lower cost of living, paired with a tax exemption for the first $29,000 earned in a household of four people, creates a cheap and accessible health coverage solution.

Universal healthcare doesn't just help one political party — it helps all people preserve their right to live, unencumbered by medical debt.

The right to health insurance is undoubtedly a human right. It provides life-saving assistance to all people, regardless of class, race, gender, or age. Humans have been caring for each other since the dawn of time, and with new technologies available to help, there is no reason not to extend our altruistic natures to cover access to medical technologies. Medicare for All

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eliminates the future possibility of medical debt and unnecessary death for thousands of Americans. Everyone deserves to have access to life-saving and life-improving medical treatment, regardless of income. It is a vital step towards longer lifespans and higher standards of living for all American people.

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Rebecca Joseph Walnut Creek, CA | 14 years old

My name is Rebecca Joseph and I am a highschool sophomore from the Bay Area. I got interested in politics during my first year of high school where I joined the Speech and Debate team. From there I fell in love with the

world

of

politics,

but

soon

became

aware

of

the

lack

of

representation women were getting in the field. I wanted to be part of a community of teens who want to support each other and the younger generation to pursue a career in politics; however, I was unable to find anything, so I started Women In Politics. Now, four months later I have been blessed with an amazing team and I cannot wait for all we are going to accomplish.

Writing Leader Ella Stillion Southard Athens, GA | 16 years old

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