Women In Politics Magazine: Liberty From Covid

July 2021

Ella Stillion Southard In May, when the CDC announced that masks were no longer required in most indoor and outdoor settings for vaccinated people, I was just as shocked as the next guy.

Already??, I thought. Of course I trusted science, that’s why I was wearing a mask in the first place, but this seemed a little abrupt. Were they sure? Then again, what do I know. AP Biology isn’t exactly the equivalent of a science degree. Alas, I have come to the obvious conclusion that this is the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. Less masks, less quarantining, less temperature checks, less fear, and more normalcy. Whether I was prepared or not, this is where we are; at the gates of a “post-Covid-19” world.

Correction: America.

Among the 195 countries in the world, the US is one of eight countries who have achieved a rate of over 90 doses per 100 people in the nation, the New York Times vaccine map shows. 46.4% of Americans are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. AP News reports that 1.1% of hospitalized people for Covid-19 are vaccinated. 0.8% of Covid related deaths in May were those who were vaccinated. The death toll in the weeks of June has been averaging under 500 in the entire country, compared to 3000+ average in January, according to the New York Times. The U.S is doing better, and it’s only up from here.

While I, and many others, have enjoyed reaping the benefits of vaccination, and being a member of a nation who has the wealth to distribute such a luxury, let us not forget the US experience is a rarity and privilege. This “post Covid world” that news outlets and people alike continue to reference is simply not a reality for the entire world. It’s a reality for the American world. In our respective community bubbles, you and I as Americans are emerging into a state we call “normalcy”, where people can see your whole face at the grocery store and you no longer feel guilty for eating at restaurants indoors.

Over a hundred nations can not say the same. African nations who were relying on India’s production of the vaccine have been forced to slow distribution because of India’s own domestic Covid crisis. Less than one percent of the entire continent is vaccinated. As of May, Latin America single handedly accounted for 35% of the Covid global deaths alongside a raging anti vaccination campaign. Although nations like Chile have a higher vaccination rate, South and Central America has witnessed rampant vaccine doubt. Even the leader of a large country, Brazilian President Bolsonaro, said that the Covid vaccine could turn you into a crocodile or cause you to grow a beard. Evidently, America’s Covid conditions are favorable.

That being said, there is of course much work to be done. Just because the U.S is rich, and somewhat efficient, doesn’t mean that vaccine and Covid inequalities aren't breeding within our grounds. The existence of wealthy American corporations doesn’t mean that Black, Latinx, other POC, poor, rural, and Native American communities in the U.S aren’t being disproportionately affected by Covid and the vaccine rollout. Let us remember that healthcare in this nation is structured in favor of those who can afford it, not for those who need it most. It shouldn’t have taken a pandemic to come to terms with the reality that a nation’s wealth does not correspond to equal opportunity -- in every capacity, but especially healthcare.

As we — as individuals, communities, families, and residents of America— reflect on this fast approaching “post Covid” reality, embrace it! Celebrate it! You survived. You took care of yourself, in whatever capacity that was for you. Go hang out with your friends and hug your family (if you are vaccinated of course). However, don’t let it blind you to the reality of your privilege and position in this world. Let it empower you to advocate for the other global citizens who are experiencing the exact opposite situation as you right now. Those who don't have the economic condition to receive the vaccine, or don't have a government who is interested in funding the distribution, or the healthcare infrastructure to support the consequences of Covid and not being vaccinated.

As you flip through this month's magazine, many of our writers’ reflect on our global standing as a nation (with the Fourth of July coming up) as well as the world post-Covid.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, love your neighbor, and check your privilege.

Most indubitably, Ella Stillion Southard

Contents Don't Tread On Me: The

For the People, By All

1

People: The Female

4

Debate Over Vaccine Passports

ANDREA CHOW

Founders of America

CEDAR ROACH The Constitutionality of Gun Violence Prevention

9

Exit Stage Left: Netanyahu’s Fall From Power

HANNAH LAUFER

7

LILY VEITS

The Heartbeat

18

Returning to Normal:

Law

SARA KEEGAN

Confronting and Coping with the Aftermath of COVID Anxiety

GRACIE RUANA

14

Breaking Down the Palestinian Ethnic Cleansing

REINE SAAD

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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY ALL PEOPLE:

the female founders of America BY: CEDAR ROACH As July arrives, certain sights in America are to be expected. Fireworks will probably set off as “God Bless the USA” plays in the background. People will gather for the traditional backyard barbeque and cornhole competition. Most of all, feelings of patriotism and freedom will fill the homes of many Americans across the country. The Fourth of July is undoubtedly a time of fun and celebration, but behind the American Flag paper cups and unhealthy amounts of iced tea, sits a rich history of people who fought for the freedom that we now celebrate. While the Founding Fathers’ role in American Independence is frequently highlighted, there is a group of women whose roles were just as vital in bringing us to where we are today. Here are just a small number of the Founding “Mothers” who should be highlighted this month.

MARY HAYS MCCAULY Mary “Molly” Hays found herself in an unusual place during the Revolutionary War. The wife of a Revolutionary soldier, Molly followed her husband onto the battlefield. In 1778, her legacy was cemented during the Battle of Monmouth as Mary Hays worked in difficult conditions, bringing water and supplies to dying soldiers on the field.

However, her work to provide American independence did not simply stop there. After watching her husband become injured in battle, Mary heroically took over his position manning a cannon, and began to fire the machine herself. George Washington himself recognized her bravery by designating her as a non-commissioned officer, and “Sergeant Molly” became a frequent nickname for the hero.

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PHILLIS WHEATLEY

From the start, the odds were stacked against Miss Wheatley. A slave - taken from her home in West Africa at the age of seven - Phillis Wheatley faced challenges that the average woman, let alone man, would never have to experience. Despite this, Wheatley grew up to be the first published African-American poet. Her words were her major contribution to the Revolutionary cause. She called for freedom for all during a time when legislation only protected the freedom of some.

MARY KATHERINE GODDARD

Often referred to as “the woman who signed the Declaration of Independence”, Mary Katherine Goddard was a writer and publisher during the founding of America. Her publishing company was the second place to print the Declaration of Independence, and the only publisher in Baltimore to remain open during the Revolutionary War. She actively used her role and influence to persuade women to dedicate themselves to the Patriot cause in whatever way they could. Her work allowed her to become one of the most influential publishers during the War. She later went on to be one of the first female employees of the U.S. Government as she served as Postmaster of Baltimore.

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ABIGAIL ADAMS

The wife of John Adams, Abigail is probably the most recognizable name on this list.

However, her accomplishments extended beyond being the wife of one of America’s Founding Fathers. Abigail Adams, filled with her own ideas of freedom and independence, used her position to advocate for women’s rights during the Revolutionary War. In a letter to her husband, Adams wrote “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” She fought hard and often for equal rights for women, especially when it came to education or property rights. She may be remembered as the wife of John Adams, but her true impact was being a champion for women’s rights.

In their own way, these women were trailblazers. They fought for equality for all, rather than just a few. The fight for female equality is far from over, but we have certainly come a long way since the days of our Founding “Mothers.” This July, let us embody these women as we look ahead and continue to fight for equal rights.

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DON'T TREAD ON ME:

THE DEBATE OVER VACCINE PASSPORTS BY: ANDREA CHOW For so many months, America has collectively been dreaming of the promised land at the end of the pandemic. Some dreamt of a simple return to normal, where loved ones embraced each other in hugs and the massive stress and anxiety of a pandemic could be lifted. Others dreamt a little more ambitiously - plotting for international escapades and adventures in faroff lands the second it becomes feasible.

And as everyone knows, to travel abroad you must have a passport to show. But should America begin requiring a new type of passport one to show a vaccination record?

It depends on who you ask.

Before continuing with this analysis, it’s important to note that “vaccine passports” are not a particularly new concept. The United States has always required vaccination or protection against diseases (and their subsequent records) before traveling to areas of the world with high risks for that disease. To travel to Tanzania, you need malaria shots first. So why is needing a COVID vaccine to see the Taj Mahal any different?

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Others worry about the United States’ track record of experimenting on Black and Indigenous communities of The COVID vaccine is uniquely controversial because of the political and information maelstrom that has surrounded the pandemic since its origins. Highly politicized, American

color under the guise of “medicine.”

Is the vaccine even safe? The CDC and the broader scientific community say yes. It’s up to us whether or not we choose to believe them.

citizens landed themselves on polarized ends of a belief that falls largely along party lines.

Those in opposition to the COVID passports argue that it is a violation of Constitutional liberties to mandate vaccinations. There are many situations in which someone could object to vaccinations, such as religion or medical restrictions.

Should the government be able to limit their right to travel or receive services from businesses? And what if someone’s highly personal medical information gets leaked? There are also less-conspiracy-fraught alternatives to a vaccine, such as quarantining or producing a negative COVID test before and after travel.

Operation Warp-Speed, the project to develop and approve a COVID vaccine at record speed, raised hesitancy among a demographic that has deep distrust in public health.

Some believe that the pandemic is simply unreal, or a conspiracy.

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Proponents of a COVID vaccine passport argue that public health is just that public. Social contract theory at its most fundamental level argues that the sacrifice of some civil liberties is not only appropriate but justified to uphold the benefit of the common good. In this case, the common good is virus safety. A potential economic risk is that people won’t feel truly safe or comfortable until we can confidently assure ourselves that vaccines have got us to herd immunity. And if we can’t trust our neighbors to protect their own health by receiving a vaccine, then we can’t trust that our own lives are not in danger.

Several local governments have already passed resolutions or made promises to block or uphold vaccine passports. But the question is whether or not it ultimately becomes a reality in the United States.

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EXIT STAGE LEFT: NETANYAHU’S FALL FROM POWER BY: HANNAH LAUFER

The tense relations within the Middle East, specifically between Israel and Palestine (which is recognized as a state by the UN), has recently dramatically worsened under the influence of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The prime minister's 15 year rule has come to a tense, climactic conclusion. His leadership as the Prime Minister and leader of the Israeli opposition has never seen the type of extreme violence as it has in the recent weeks.

Netanyahu's power trip began to turn sour in recent years with allegations of corruption and bribery. Consequently, the Kennset began the democratic process of voting Netenyahu out, (at this point there has been four elections in two years in an effort to oust him). In the midst of the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, people came out to vote in droves. Then, in May 2021, violence broke out in Israel, allowing Netenyahu to claim special emergency power; making this precarious situation more difficult and placing opposition leaders in a tight spot unable to officially kick Netenyahu out of office.

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The underlying threat of violence has

Later that week violence broke out

existed within the confines of Israel and

between police and local Arabs,

Palestine for well over 80 years. This

pushing the nations into their most

outbreak of violence began on May 6th

recent war and one of the deadliest

with Palestinians protesting the Israeli

conflicts these nations have seen. The

Supreme Court’s decision to evict six

Gaza Health ministry has claimed that

Palestinian families from a local

at least 243 citizens have been killed,

neighborhood. Tensions were high, and

including over 100 women and

just as the local enforcement thought

children; Israel conflict claimed that

they were doing their job, Palestinians felt

225 were killed. According to the

slighted. The enforcement’s control was

Health Ministers of Israel, 12 Israelis

tied to much deeper grievances held by

were killed, two being children.

the locals, sparking the outbreak of

Although, this is not the only damage

violence. In the words of Anshel Pfetter, a

these countries have seen, the Gaza

political biographer and commentator, “

strip has lost approximately 17

Netenyahu did not invent the tensions

hospitals, infrastructure, such as water

between Jews and Arabs… but over his

pipes have been destroyed; this

long years in power, he's exploited these

contaminated water serves over

tensions for political gain.”

800,000 people, and schools have been destroyed, putting 600,000

His aversion to long lasting peace and aim for violence or slight political gains has left many feeling as though this outbreak of unrest was somewhat intentional. As the government continued with the ‘exile’ of families located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Muhammed Deif (head of Hamas) released a statement saying, “This is our final warning, if the aggression against our people in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood does not stop immediately, we will not stand idly by.”

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students out of the classroom.

Both sides at this time claim victory.

THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION BY: LILY VEITS

The President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) has previously stated before Congress that “I have never believed in the general practice of carrying weapons. I do not believe in the general promiscuous toting of guns. I think it should be sharply restricted and only under licenses.”

The NRA later aided in the drafting process of the National Firearms Act, which mandated owners of certain firearm classifications to register their weapons with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Needless to say, the NRA’s vision of federal firearm legislation in the early twentieth century could not be more incompatible with the current attitude espoused by the NRA of today. This statement disavowing the “promiscuous” carrying of guns was made by Karl Frederick in 1939--a stark contrast to the twentyfirst century agenda, which doesn’t hesitate to vilify those who may question their messaging. In the words of Oliver North, “our opponents call themselves gun control advocates. They are not.

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They ought to call themselves what they really are: the vanguard of the disarm America movement. … They want to disarm you. No Second Amendment, no individual freedom, no civilian ownership of firearms period.” This wildly divisive rhetoric is used to discredit those who advocate for gun violence prevention.

Overall, it boils down a remarkably complex issue to the assumption that the Second Amendment is limitless.

It is not.

Even this acknowledgment--especially when coming from the “violent Left”--is enough to whip up the gun lobby into a collective frenzy. What gets lost in the intensity of political rhetoric is the validation of gun violence prevention measures from the Supreme Court; more impressively, from conservative justices.

Here's the Legal rundown: Modern America has two major Supreme Court decisions centered around the Second Amendment: District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v Chicago (2010). The rulings of both cases affirm and codify an individual’s right to keep and bear arms by examining the Constitutional limitations on the ownership and sale of

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firearms.

In the Heller case, the Court examined the constitutionality of D.C’s restrictive handgun registration rules. The District of Columbia prohibited unregistered handguns, and very seldom allowed citizens to register handguns; thus, it was nearly impossible for law-abiding citizens to own such weapons. It was not concerned so much about the Constitutionality of registration but the underlying question of gun ownership. The Court concluded that the Second Amendment "protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

While this ruling once again affirms an In layman’s terms, the decision confirms an individual’s right to firearm ownership. While the Supreme Court generally holds back from commenting extensively on issues not directly involved in the

individual’s right to bear arms, Justice Alito, in the Majority opinion,discussed firearm regulation, stating : “We made it clear in Heller that our holding did not cast doubt on such long standing regulatory measures

case at hand, conservative justice Antonin Scalia emphasized in the majority opinion that “Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.

'prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill', 'laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and

[It is] not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.” The Court listed examples of restrictions it called “presumptively lawful”;

government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms'. . . .

We repeat those assurances here.

imposing conditions on the commercial sale of firearms and forbidding possession in “sensitive” places, such as schools, among others.

Despite municipal respondents' doomsday proclamations, incorporation does not imperil every law regulating firearms.”

Post-Heller, the United States witnessed another Second Amendment case: McDonald v Chicago in 2010. It arose from a challenge to a Chicago ordinance that banned private handgun ownership in the city, and the ruling officially incorporated the Second Amendment.

Cries from powerful PACs that any law dealing with gun regulation is inherently antiSecond Amendment are not only intentionally inflammatory, but intellectually dishonest.

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To balance empowering the working-class with mitigating the uniquely American epidemic of gun violence is not as difficult as it seems. While the phrase “common-sense gun laws” is often criticized as being too vague, there are some defining legislative characteristics: universal background checks, waiting periods, and red flag laws are concrete measures that have remarkably wide support. None of these measures actively harm, let alone disarm, the American people--particularly communities of color, which are often those most impacted by gun violence.

Total disarmament of marginalized communities has long been a goal of gun control in America; contextually, this is one of the reasons why the NRA of old engaged readily with gun control policies. But the gun violence prevention work of today-particularly that which focuses on addressing the root problems of this epidemic--commonly aims to instead address dangerous legislative loopholes that allow white supremacists, across-theboard extremists, and the otherwise severely mentally ill to gain access to firearms.

Despite media coverage of almost exclusively mass shootings, a vast majority of gun violence is “smaller-scale”-- though the lasting damage on communities impacted is anything but. Urban gun violence and gun suicide rarely, if ever, get the same media attention allotted to mass shootings. And, for all the NRA’s talk of defending the public at large, the group almost never mentions underpinning issues like

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the cyclical nature of poverty and violence or even police brutality.

While the neoliberal ideal of disarmament, with its long history of racism and selective enforcement, is thoroughly flawed, the American political sphere should re-evaluate the nuances of Heller and McDonald for our country to hopefully mitigate something that decimates the lives of so many.

While, in many respects, the oligarchical nature of the National Rifle Association’s lobbying habits are comparable to those of Lockheed Martin or Roche Holdings, the NRA’s vehement opposition to any and all laws regulating firearms have and will continue to pose a threat to the safety of all Americans.

The NRA sells itself as a group that has the interests of the American people at heart.

However, let us not forget that at the end of the day, their pockets hold infinitely more weight than the opinions voiced by the masses. In order to continually empower the working-class and ensure the safety of our communities, the citizenry has an obligation to continue to check the power of PACs like the NRA, who wield such undue influence over policy-making.

Everyone has the right to live free of the fear of gun violence, in whatever form that takes. It’s time we start acting like it.

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RETURNING TO NORMAL:

CONFRONTING AND COPING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF COVID ANXIETY BY: GRACE RUANE

In a world where mental illness has been borderline romanticized and fetishized by popular culture, the lines between performative mental health awareness and genuine mental health awareness have become more and more unclear. As In a culture that appears more and more “woke” as days go by, we hear terms like “anxiety” and “depression” all the time.

We see campaigns like #mentalhealthmatters trending on social media, and we share infographics to our

America begins the healing process coming out of a pandemic, the negative impacts COVID has had on Americans’ mental health has taken a backseat in the overwhelming side-effects of COVID survival. Let’s talk about it.

social media in an effort to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness. However, like most social media campaigns,

In March of 2020, a small survey revealed that 38% of people felt tired or lacking energy, 36% reported trouble sleeping, and 25% were feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. Similarly, 24% reported

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT ANY OF THESE WORDS MEAN?

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difficulty concentrating, 43% reported overwhelming feelings of nervousness, 26% reported being unable to quell their worries, and 35% reported difficulty relaxing at all. These numbers were overshadowed by the romanticization of the 2020 lockdown, coupled with the misconception that it would allow people to slow down and become the best versions of themselves.

Keeping the mental welfare of the American people in mind, HealthAffairs.org has called on the Biden-Harris administration to consider five crucial public health policies in order to restore and continuously improve Americans’ mental health. Let’s check them out:

1. Investment in Public Health Media Campaigns:

As mental health is not a topic that is widely discussed across the nation, many people do not know they suffer from mental illness because they have never been formally diagnosed. Investment in public health campaigns would benefit the American people in the following ways: (1) it would normalize distress, (2) it would promote self care, (3) it would allow for effective communication regarding prevention or treatment strategies, (4) it would destigmatize mental illness, and (5) it would provide people access to effective mental health services.

2. Rapidly Expand Mental Health Screenings:

For the past two years, the world as we knew it has continuously been changing.

As people continue to return to work and “normalcy,” mental health screenings are incredibly crucial. These protocols can be easily carried out by using tools that are validated to identify anxious or depressive symptoms. Not only are these screenings crucial for the American people as a whole, but especially for highrisk groups (members of the LGBTQ+ community, frontline workers, those struggling with low income, those who are socially isolated, etc.). Not only are these people disproportionately affected by COVID-19, but they also suffer from added stressors that are very likely to worsen pre-existing mental illnesses that arose as a result of the pandemic. This approach can be implemented by public officials funding the necessary workforce while simultaneously removing any obstacles to accessing treatment (i.e. social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners, mental health counselors, and trained mental healthcare providers).

The final step in this process requires screening and referral systems being implemented specifically for children and adolescents.

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According to the CDC, visits to the emergency department by children younger than age 18 for mental health issues increased by more than 40 percent when comparing the period from March to October 2020 to that same period in 2019. In a national study, more than half of young adults (ages 18–24) surveyed at the end of June 2020 reported depression, and one-quarter reported having seriously considered suicide in the past month. The solution to this problem is quite simple: improve mental health services for children and adolescents by leveraging pre-existing infrastructure (i.e. pediatricians’ offices and schools) to dramatically improve access to screening, education, and referrals.

3. Target Key Interventions:

Based on evidence gathered from previous pandemics, the fallout regarding post-pandemic mental health is by no means immediate. In fact, studies show that psychological distress does not become evident until months (or even years) after the virus dissipates. Thus, it is crucial to begin public health interventions early, followed by providing long-term follow-up treatment to prevent protracted symptoms as much as possible. Policymakers can facilitate this by continuing policies implemented during the pandemic (i.e. insurance coverage for telehealth, copayment waivers, and license reciprocity to enable telehealth across state lines).

4. Increase Capacity:

It is no secret that there was already much room for improvement in America’s mental healthcare infrastructure pre-pandemic. As we begin to enter a postpandemic world, now is the perfect time to expand pre-existing resources to provide Americans with the widespread, accessible care they deserve. This can be done simply by investing much more into mental healthcare (i.e. social work, psychiatry, psychology, and peer counselor workforces). In addition to expanding resource access, it is crucial to diversify these workforces so that people may feel

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more comfortable with their mental healthcare providers. Research suggests that health disparities may be reduced when people from marginalized groups receive care from people who look like them or share some key identities and experiences.

We can improve this by implementing the three R’s: recruitment, retention, and reduction.

Recruit and retain underrepresented students, while reducing financial barriers to advanced degrees in mental health services.

5. Prioritize Mental Health Research and Surveillance:

Given that this pandemic is unlike anything this country has seen in the 21st century, it is important that we learn as much as we can in order to both identify possible future risks and understand long-term trajectories. This can be done by collecting extensive, highquality representative data. Collecting such data allows us to both identify high-risk individuals and guide the dissemination of various resources to mitigate any and all possible risks. We can use this research to improve upon our resources accordingly, bolstering our responses to future crises.

Though America’s future remains uncertain, it is important to remember that simply surviving a pandemic of this magnitude is something to be celebrated. At the height of the pandemic, stigmas of laziness soon arose if people were not picking up new hobbies, learning how to cook, or engaging in gruelling at-home workouts to preserve their preCOVID physique. This is where common misconceptions of “self care” transition from seemingly harmless to incredibly harmful.

Recently, I have been seeing a lot of TikToks where influencers document their self care routines by sharing video compilations of their incredibly healthy breakfast, incredibly healthy workout set, and incredibly healthy journaling session. While these videos are an effective way to connect with viewers on a more vulnerable level, they can also be incredibly harmful. It is important to remember that your self care routine does not have to fit any sort of beauty standard. Just because you do not make whipped coffee in a perfectly manicured mason jar does not mean you are not taking care of yourself.

Whatever your self care regimen looks like, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

You are loved, and you are resilient. Your light shines brighter than you will ever know; and you are never, ever alone. Remember that nothing in nature blooms all year; and even if you feel like right now may not be your time to bloom, you may look back someday and realize that all along, you were blooming.

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THE HEARTBEAT LAW BY: SARA KEEGAN

For decades, the topic of abortion has been widely disputed. There is a significant divide in this country on whether or not abortion should be a legal practice. This discussion all began after the monumental Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade. In this case, the justices concluded that under the Due Process Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, pregnant women have the right to privacy and choice of whether or not to have an abortion. Though this may seem like it completely legalizes abortions, there were slight differences in the case’s conclusion that provides states with leeway in determining its legality.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, no state may regulate the abortion decision. However, in the second trimester, the state may impose regulations on abortion related to maternal health. Lastly, in the third trimester, once the fetus reaches the point of “viability,” a state may regulate abortions or prohibit them entirely, as long as exceptions are made for when abortion is necessary for the health of the mother or infant. This means that states do have a large amount of power in their hands, and on May 19, 2021, Governor of Texas Greg Abbott

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used such power.

Governor Abbott signed legislation that sets a ban on abortion the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks. There are exceptions for medical emergencies, but none made for victims of sexual assault.

This signed law would be entitled the “Heartbeat Law,” becoming a disputed name in current news. Many argue that at the time of six weeks, a large number of women do not even know they are pregnant, leaving them no freedom to choose whether they would like an abortion or not. In addition, this law allows any private citizen to file a civil lawsuit against abortion providers.

There has been a wide range of reactions to this bill, a majority being immense anger and frustration. Yet again, a woman’s body and her choices are being determined by a white man in a position of power. Even in the state of Texas, a majority Republican and pro-life state, arguments against this bill have grown. In a study conducted by the University of Texas, 69% of Texan voters believed that abortions should be legal, especially in circumstances where a woman has been sexually assaulted.

Americans from around the nation have expressed their frustration, believing the law to be a direct violation of Roe v.

Wade and the right to privacy.

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One notable expression of anger against this bill has been Paxton Smith, a valedictorian at her high school who utilized her speech in order to make a stance against the law. She bravely stated, “I have dreams and hopes and ambitions. Every girl graduating today does...we have spent our entire lives working towards our future and — without our input and without our consent — our control over that future has been stripped away from us.” Smith received countless notes of support, many praising her for taking a stance and showing her disappointment in the Texas government.

For women across the nation, the Heartbeat Law has been yet another attempt to take away their freedom of choice, leaving women in a place of anger and distrust in their own government. The Heartbeat Law shows Americans the vast discrepancies and divides in beliefs between states and government leaders, further quieting the voices of women amidst the chaos of legislation and government policy.

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BREAKING DOWN THE PALESTINIAN ETHNIC CLEANSING

BY GUEST WRITER: REINE SAAD

Tensions between

an area by those of another''

Palestinians and Israelis have

and this is exactly what is

always been on the rise,

being done to the

however, recently the

Palestinians, especially since

tensions have turned into

some of the families being

violence. Over the past

expelled from their homes

month, Israelis have forced

have lived there for decades,

Palestinians out of their

and have inherited these

homes in Sheikh Jarrah (a

homes from the families

neighborhood in Jerusalem)

before them.

to allow Israeli settlers to live there instead. Many refrain from labeling this as ethnic cleansing due to its heavy connotation. However, this is a form of ethnic cleansing because by definition ethnic cleansing is the “expulsion or killing of members of one ethnic or religious group in

With these illegal actions and crimes against humanity, came Palestinian protests across the different neighborhoods in occupied Palestine such as Damascus Gate, the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and Jerusalem.

All uniting for one cause: to end this apartheid.

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As Palestinians protested, Israeli forces attacked protestors who were peacefully protesting in Al Aqsa Mosque and detaining many. This Mosque is very significant as it is one of the holiest sites in Islam and been around for decades being in one of the oldest cities of Jerusalem, and for it to be attacked the way it was especially in the month of Ramadan where many were peacefully praying was seen as a inhumane by many.

While there has been no immediate international intervention to end this conflict, many international actors have condemned the Israeli government's actions. For instance, Turkey and other regional countries as well as Arab countries such as UAE condemned Israel's actions with Turkey's president calling Israel a “cruel terrorist state”.

Additionally, state actors such as Russia, the US, and IGOs, like the EU and UN, released statements that they are “monitoring the situation and are concerned” for Palestinian evictions out of their homes who have lived there for generations. They also released statements voicing “opposition to unilateral actions, which will only

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escalate the already tense environment," the statement said.

As tensions have only continued to escalate; Israel began bombing Palestinians with airstrikes in highly populated areas on Monday May 10th 2021, leaving hundreds of people severely injured and without homes alongside over 200 people dead, including children.

Kids who had to bury their fathers and mothers, and other children and families who lost their legs and arms, and children as young as 2 years old being found and buried alive under the rubble from the destruction.

Unfortunately for Palestinians, this is not an unusual circumstance, this is simply a taste of what they endure and have endured since 1948, when the Israeli occupation began and thus their rights stripped

which is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic

away from them. The US has not

fundamentalist, militant, and

taken any definitive action yet despite all the thoughts and prayers

nationalist organization labeled as a terrorist group by the US, Canada

being sent Palestine’s way.

However, many are still demanding

funding Israeli military, and hence allowing the continuous death, destruction, and oppression of

and more has attacked Israel and sent out rockets. However, many

the US to take action as they are

Palestinians daily.

In response to this violence, Hamas,

people believe this to be Israel defending itself from Hamas’s attacks, such as President Biden himself, who early on in the attacks condemned Hamas’s attacks and supported Israel in its right to defend itself, and did not mention Palestinian human rights anywhere in his speech. Many Republicans have pressured Joe Biden to support the Israelis, however many others were angered by the lack of President Biden’s emphasis on the breaching of Palestinian human rights.

Furthermore, many Israeli citizens themselves have spoken out against the Israeli government's actions claiming it is not right.

The fact of the matter is that because of Israel’s actions, who initiated this by forcing Palestinians out of their homes, hundreds of Palestinians are dead.Around 2000 Palestinians have been injured, and around 72,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes.

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In Israel, around 13 people have been killed, two of whom are children. Despite a ceasefire being placed on May 21st to end the violence between both sides and the murder of innocent people, Hamas broke the ceasefire in June by attacking Israel which sparked the violence between the two sides.

The consequences of Israel’s actions ``damaged 17 hospitals and clinics in Gaza, wrecked it's only coronavirus test laboratory, sent fetid wastewater into its streets and broken water pipes serving at least 800,000 people.”

Sewage systems inside Gaza have been destroyed. A desalination plant that helped provide fresh water to 250,000 people in the territory is offline.

Dozens of schools have been damaged or closed, forcing some 600,000 students to miss classes,” the New York Times stated. Consequently, Israel faces intense international opprobrium due to their actions which has caused several nations, like the US, Australia, England, France, and Turkey, to stand in solidarity with Palestinians all over the world.

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Founder and Co-Exec. Director

Rebecca Joseph

Walnut Creek, CA | 15 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.

Please enjoy this issue!

Co-Exec. Director Katherine Bronov

Philadelphia, PA | 17 years old My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been passionate about politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye. WIP is a very special organization and fascinatingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this team and work alongside girls that are just as enthusiastic about politics as I am and recognize the shortage of women in this important field. Please enjoy this issue!

Ella Stillion Southard Athens, GA | 16 years old

SRETIRW

Writing Leader

Lily Sun

San Ramon, CA | 16 years old

Justine Simons | Sophia Laraki | Kalani Seymore | Kaylyn Allingham | Sanjana Patel | Sophia Escobar | Cedar Roach

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Sara Keegan

New York, NY | 17 years old

Rachel Baumann | Jessica Salazar | Katherine B | Rebecca Joseph

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SROTIDE

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