Women in Politics Magazine: Thankful

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A WORD FROM OUR WRITING LEADER: ELLA STILLION SOUTHARD

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope everyone takes the time to embrace your present with gratitude. You, as an individual, have much to be proud of, and we, as a community, have much to celebrate.

As many of our writers will discuss in this issue, the morality behind Thanksgiving’s origins are highly contested. If you are one who finds the holiday to be undoubtedly problematic, think of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to slow down and spend time with the people you love, rather than celebrate the holiday itself. Use the time off to check in with yourself. What can you do for the rest of 2021 to take care of yourself? To finish the year out strong? How can you show yourself some grace, as we are still in the midst of an unrelenting pandemic? These are just some of the questions I will be keeping in mind for myself during this November holiday season.

In the realm of politics, it is easy to lose sight of what we do have. The focus oftentimes, is on the fight for x policy, or the anger towards this person. We passionately raise questions like, why don’t we have free and accessible healthcare for all? And why does the United States have the highest population of billionaires, but the minimum wage hasn’t been raised in 10 years? These are all worthy quarrels, but they are also draining. When reflecting with gratitude, remember the potential this nation holds, and the powerful righteous capabilities humans possess. Ground yourself in hope and prepare yourself to rise above the power of ignorance. Remember why you fight for the ideals you do. Keep those who inspire you close.

Time with your extended family also means more potential for political conflict, as Annalese explores in her article. As daunting as these confrontational encounters can be, I would again remind you to stay present in the moment and realize that division in opinions unites all of us under a similar inclination to understand our world, to think critically, and use reason to guide our existences. Use this as your compass, and remember that that compass exists (hopefully) in others as well.

From all of Women In Politics and I, we hope you have a wonderful November and Thanksgiving if you celebrate. We are thankful for your consistent support. It means more than you know. Take the time and think, what are you thankful for?

With love, Ella Stillion Southard :)

Table of

CONTENTS

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WIP Team Thanks

BY: EVERYONE!

How to Bridge Your Family Politically at the Thanksgiving Dinner Table

9 11

BY: ANNALESE CAHILL

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In the Name of Charity: How Is BLM Accomplishing Its Goals?

BY: VERONICA ROHLING

The Abraham Accords

BY: LILY VEITS

Thanksgiving’s Problematic Origins: The History We Were Never Taught

BY: ISABELLA RINALDI

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A Thanks To Our Earth

BY: SARA KEEGAN

Editorial WOmen In Politics Team: Why are you thankful?

BY: EVERYONE!

Karla Vazquez, Ambassador I am thankful for my family, their support, and all the opportunities I’ve received this year.

Laura Malone, Ambassador

Ella O’Connor, Social Media

I’m thankful for the lifelong friendships

I am thankful for the support

I’ve made through youth organizations

that my family and friends give

like Women in Politics.

me! I’m so lucky to have them!

Christine Corry, Magazine Manager

I am thankful for the inspirational women I have the honor of working with

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at Women in Politics!

Hanna Matsukawa, Magazine Writer I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to live abroad this year, and as a result, to grow and learn more about the world.

Delfina Cerdán, Ambassador I am thankful for the support I’ve received this year and for the opportunity to connect with people with similar interests to me.

Michela Rossettini, Researcher I am thankful for the opportunity to study what I love and what brings me joy, in a city I love, surrounded by empowered women.

Lior Cooper, Editor I am thankful for all that has turned out well this year, despite the pandemic

Hazel Smith-Foley, Tik-Tok/ Instagram Reels I am thankful for the opportunity to advocate for what I believe in through

Ninoshka Chaver, Ambassador

Women in Politics!

I am thankful for being a part of this organization and being able to have a support system around me!

Cedar Roach, Editing Leader I am thankful for the women in my family who came before me and shaped who I am today!

Sage Lahmers, Writer I am thankful for the people in my life who have supported my hopes and dreams.

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Ella Stillion Southard, Magazine Writing Leader I am thankful for the opportunity to work towards my dreams, with the

Monica Salinas, Ambassador

support of people I love!

I am thankful for the academic opportunities I have been given through this year.

Veronica Rohlfing, Magazine Writer I’m thankful for all of my family’s support in my decision to move far away from home.

Jessica Yao, WIP Slack Moderator I am so thankful for my family and all the new friends that I have made this past year. Most of all, I am grateful for the memories I have made and the love that I have received.

Salonee Raheja, Graphic Designer, Board of Directors I am thankful for the support of

Emma Pham-Tran, Ambassador I am thankful for the connections I

my family and close friends in an unusual yet exciting year.

have made through various leadership opportunities this year.

Isabella Rinaldi, Magazine Writing Leader I am thankful for my supportive and loving family who have made me

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who I am today.

HOW TO: By: Annalese Cahill

The Thanksgiving dinner table often

Current events are the fuel for

becomes a forum for political

uncomfortable conversations that have

deliberation in debate. Last year, the

been happening for years, but all adults

presidential election had just passed.

would agree that the past

Political tensions were high, and far too

administration complicated the

many Thanksgiving dinners were tainted

dialogue for everyone. With these

by disagreement and tension.

circumstances at hand, families must work to find ways to open dialogue with

This year, tensions are still high, but now

each other.

in different ways. New Texas abortion laws have dominated national conversations. Shootings have increased in many cities around the country.

Abortion and gun control are known as the two most divisive issues in the United States, and these current events have just added fuel to the fire. Controversies about the Biden Administration and pulling out of Afghanistan are also on the mind of many. To be blunt, we have all been on the other side of a, “Get that orange Cheeto out of office” or, “Did you all see Sleepy Joe on the TV the other day?” comment. These comments are hateful, ignorant, and unproductive.

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The most important step to moderating

The first solution to inappropriate

at the dinner table is to remember the

comments is to change the subject. It is

implications of Thanksgiving. Of course,

likely that most people at the table are

we must acknowledge America’s

going to be sick of talking about politics.

oppressive past with Native Americans.

People love talking about themselves. If

Many Americans are aware of the

someone starts to stir the pot, the

sugarcoated and pacifist image painted

biggest form of rebellion can be to take

over the true history of Thanksgiving.

the high road and ask someone else

However, there is a reason that families

how their job is going or any other detail

still choose to gather together; it is not

about their life. Do not enable or

to honor the oppression and violence

empower ignorant statements. Remind

against Native Americans in the country’s

your family that you are there to spend

past. The reason that Americans still

time together and catch up, not talk

gather for Thanksgiving is to reflect on

about gun control. Conversation starters

our lives and learn to become more

could relate to pets, school, work,

grateful family and friends. For the

relationships, and hobbies. Time with

purpose of this conversation, it is

family is small, and it should not be

important to remember the ‘thanks’ part

spent in a resentful rage.

of the holiday. Acceptance that your family might disagree with you is extremely difficult. More often than not, there are the people that we love unconditionally, and it can be hurtful and confusing when we disagree on important values. But try to remember that you are together to celebrate each other, even when these differences arise.

Another solution can be pointing them to the facts. If someone says something that you know to be false, you can say something like, “I’m not sure about that, I read on BBC that this is actually what happened” or, “I would love to send you this really interesting link about this topic that I was reading the other day.” This can diffuse a conversation by placing

However, this does not mean you must dismiss a comment from your aunt or uncle about your “young and impressionable mind being corrupted by politics in the media.” No matter your age, your opinions still hold value and should not be dismissed because of your age or political affiliation.

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the responsibility on another source. It can be intimidating to correct your grandparent or older relative, but it is never wrong to share information. That way, you don’t have to be the one to correct them.

A third alternative is to destigmatize

Overall, your challenge is to avoid a

politics by sharing your personal

boisterous and chaotic debate among

experience. For women in politics, there

the whole table this Thanksgiving.

are often a lot of assumptions about the

America is at a crucial time where we

work we do or the way we think.

are becoming increasingly divided by

However, sharing your experiences on

the day. This is happening primarily

political work can be enlightening to

through social media forums, but this

those who do not understand the ins

anger creeps into real interactions

and outs of life in politics. Share your

among people as well. By engaging in

experiences with your Model UN club at

angry debates, your family is letting

school and how you were encouraged to

division win. On a holiday focused on

research a policy issue and collaborate

thanks, this is not productive. You have

with others. Share your experience

the power to be a leader in your family

door-knocking on a local campaign and

that encourages adults to lead with love

talking to voters. Adults are often

and understanding for each other. You

impressed and interested when young

have the power to inspire others to be

people choose to get involved. This is a

more mature in their interactions with

way to get them to gain respect for your

others outside of the family. Do it!

actions and opinions without using a

Ensure that your Thanksgiving table is

polarizing topic.

one of true ‘thanks’ this year.

The fourth (and riskiest) option would be to pull aside your relative and ask them to explain their side. In a private setting, talk to your loved one and ask them to expand on their opinion. If they are truly starting a productive conversation, they might share personal experiences, statistics, or extensions on their statements. You may even gain understanding that you didn’t hold before. But if they are not trying to be productive, they will probably shrug you off. This is the way to identify and shut down irresponsible deliberation with family.

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In the name of How is BLM accomplishing its By: Veronica Rohling Goals? and “build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”

In the past year and a half, calls for racial

The organization experienced explosive

justice have echoed across every corner of

growth after the killings of Eric Garner,

some of the world’s most powerful

Michael Brown, and most recently, George

countries. Multi-billion dollar companies

Floyd. Because of its rapid rise to

from Starbucks to AirBnB to Amazon have

popularity and the social movement

pledged support for racial equity, and

attached to its name, the organization has

donations to groups working toward

fallen under widespread scrutiny. Here, it’s

equality have skyrocketed. At the center of

essential to differentiate between the BLM

public attention (and donations) has been

organization and the BLM movement,

the Black Lives Matter organization.

because many who support the movement do not support the organization. Critics of

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The Black Lives Matter Global Network

the organization question whether it is

traces its roots to long before 2020.

adequately or ethically accomplishing its

According to its website, the global

goals. A 2021 BBC article cites several

organization was founded in 2013 after

public figures’ criticism of the BLM

George Zimmerman was acquitted of all

organization, including political

charges in the killing of Trayvon Martin.

commentator Carol Swain, who claimed

Their goals (as stated in their mission

that they were “using black people to

statement) are to “eradicate white

advance a Marxist agenda.”

supremacy”

In terms of their stated goals, BLM has

These candidates are Raphael Warnock,

taken several steps toward building local

Jon Ossoff, and Karen Carter Peterson.

power. In an interview for the AP, BLM co-

While all three of these candidates are

founder Patrisse Cullors claimed that in

Democrats, the BLM organization has no

2020, the group committed $21.7 million to

official political affiliation.

different chapters of the organization (as

In the organization’s 2020 Impact

well as 30 black-led organizations), and

Report, Cullors describes legislative

“ended 2020 with a balance of more than

activity, including calls for co-sponsors

$60 million.” In 2020 alone, the

of the BREATHE Act. This act “invests in .

organization raised $90 million, according

. . non-punitive and non-carceral

to the Associated Press.

approaches to community safety that would incentivize states to shrink their

A small group of the organization’s

criminal-legal systems and center the

chapters rejected their funding, citing a

protection of Black lives.” It was

need for more donor transparency. In

introduced to the House in 2019 and

accordance with their rise to prominence,

referred to a subcommittee, but no

the BLM organization has agreed to be

action has been taken since.

more clear about their funding and their

By using it’s position at the center of an

leadership. According to Cullors, the

explosive social movement, the Black

network requires that all spending be

Lives Matter Global Network has

approved by a fund that consists of

redistributed millions of donated dollars

representatives from BLM chapters.

to organizations across the world. Their

Additionally, BLM was granted non-profit

contributions are powerful tools in the

status in December of 2020, which will

ongoing battle for racial equity, and in

require them to publicly release information

the organization of community power.

revealing organizational structure,

While the organization’s founding goals

expenses, and employee compensation.

are lofty (it is no simple task to

In addition to funding local chapters and

eradicate white supremacy), it has taken

black-led organizations, the network also

several steps toward accomplishing

sponsors a Super-PAC (political action

them.

committee.) BLM PAC is relatively new, and has only supported three candidates thus far, according to the Federal Election Committee.

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THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS By: Lily Veits

Often, critiquing the Iraeli government is accused of being synonymous with antiSemitism; this could not be further from the truth. Israel’s history of colonization and ethnic cleansing remains one that, while condemned Pledging to normalize relations with Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain publicly declared a historic pro-trade agreement in

by the majority of the world, has yet to be effectively addressed by most American politicians.

2020. Just a few weeks later, Morocco and Sudan followed suit.

Additionally, over the past few decades, colonization has become more and more

Prior to either of the previously mentioned

entrenched in global agreements and

countries acknowledging an agreement to

attitudes towards the occupied land. May of

trade with Israel, the Abraham Accords were

2021 marks one of the more recent violent

signed into law on September 15th of 2020.

flare-ups; while Emirati politicians publicly criticized Israel’s disproportionate use of

The primary question in the minds of many

force, the United Arab Emirates continued on

foreign policy analysts and statesmen; If

with the diplomatic opening established by

normalization could be separated from the

the signing of the Abraham Accords. The hope

question of the colonization of Palestine--

of utilizing and fostering regional diplomacy

something that is, in many ways, inherent to

to de-escalate Israeli-Palestinian tensions has,

any dealings with the Israeli government.

for the most part, fallen flat.

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To say that Israel practices a form of modernday apartheid is not hyperbolic; Palestinians with Israeli citizenship are subject to discrimination where their education is concerned, as well as how they’re handled by the Israeli legal system.

The international community and human rights advocates have never been the only ones to acknowledge the continued colonization of Palestine as inhumane; Israeli-NGO DeColonizer urges Israeli citizens to acknowledge and uplift Palestinian narratives.

With the ousting of Netanyahu, many hoped that Israel would be more inclined to approach a two-state solution; or, at the very least, scale down the violent repression that has been a living reality for those living in occupied territories. Particularly, Netanyahu attempted time and time again to annex parts of the West Bank, despite international condemnation. Annexation, inherently, is a tool used by a settler-colonial state; condemnation of the expulsion of people from the land they inhabit is crucial for any state that calls itself democratic to acknowledge.

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ORGINS By: Isabella Rinaldi

Did you know Thanksgiving is in celebration of a massacre? Crazy, I know. Despite this centuriesold celebration’s seemingly festive narrative, the real story is one of tragedy. The narrative we were taught from a young age, like with much of American history taught to us today, is riddled with historic inaccuracies.

When we think of Thanksgiving we think of

The myth in this idyllic narrative is the idyllic portrayal itself. The narrative teaches that

buttery mashed potatoes, turkey, family, friends,

the friendly Indians, with undefined tribes,

and gratitude. Although this festive day never

welcomed the Pilgrims to America, openly

fails to bring loved ones together in spirits of joy,

teaching them how to survive, hunt, and

it has a shocking history that we never learned in

farm. Then they have a feast ….and then the

elementary school.

Native Americans disappear? This narrative

As the story goes, in 1621, friendly local Native

provides no further information as to where

Americans came to the rescue to help the

the Native tribes go, and just assumes that

struggling Pilgrims learn how to survive in the

they graciously hand off America to white

New World. Despite their differences, they came

people.In doing so colonizers were free to

together and enjoyed a feast of food. During the

create a “great nation” dedicated to

feast, the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared

liberty, opportunity, and Christianity, a

how thankful they were for one another, and

nation with which the rest of the world

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unity commenced.. The end!

would profit.

This falsified account is a foundational

The poignant inaccuracies in this story show

example of Manifest Destiny, a key pillar of

how absolutely misleading American history

US history. This bloodless narrative, where the

is. According to our elementary school

native people concede to colonialism, is far

narrative, history doesn't begin for Native

from the truth.

people until Europeans arrived. In reality, Historians have reported people living in the

In reality, in 1637 the Pilgrims found one of their fellow settlers dead on a boat. Instead of looking for a reason, questioning each other, evaluating evidence, they jumped to conclusions and blamed the Pequot Native Americans. Historians have agreed that in 1637, in what is now known as Connecticut, over 700 men, women, and children of the Pequot tribe gathered for their Green Corn Festival. English and Dutch settlers surrounded them before morning, demanding that they come outside. The first men to come outside were shot and clubbed to death while the women and children hid in their longhouse, and subsequently burned to death. The next day, the governor of Massachusetts celebrated this as a day of

Americas for at least 12,000 years; some Native traditions trace back to the beginning of time. These contradictions point to the white, colonialist supremacy that is still embedded in society today. It’s also important to note that the aforementioned interaction between Pilgrims and the Native Americans depicted in our history books is inaccurately portrayed as peaceful when in reality it was a massacre. This false depiction, crafted to romanticize Europeans and white folk, points to the common goal: white supremacy. Most poignantly, however, is the narrative's use of terms such as the shared dinner, or “feast”, in relation to colonialism when the colonizers wanted anything but peace.

thanksgiving. With encouragement, these Puritans went on a killing spree; Forcing Women and children of 14 years old into slavery. Since then, every massacre has been celebrated, being called Thanksgiving.

During these Thanksgivings, the Puritans beheaded Native prisoners, along with Chief Metacom, whose impaled head was

Essentially, we have been lied to. In grammar school we often colored pictures of the Native Americans and Pilgrims eating a delicious feast in unison, however, the bitter truth is emerging, leading many schools to rethink how they are teaching Thanksgiving.

memorialized on a pole for 25 years.

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A Thanks to our

Earth The month of November calls for a reflection of everything we have to be thankful for. Some may thank their family, friends, belongings, pets, or job. However, something we all can collectively be thankful

By: Sara Keegan

for this coming month is the environment and the planet in which we inhabit. We must thank the lush forests, the sparkling seas,

of fossil energy, minerals, and

and the rolling hills that allow us to

metals from the Earth. We have

live and prosper.

destroyed over 80% of the forests located on Earth, and are

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In the last decade, we as humans

predicted to continue to lose

have become distracted by wealth

forests at the rate of destruction

and personal benefits. We have

occurring the past couple of years.

placed the health of our

Humans are using 50% more

environment on the back burner,

natural resources than Earth can

taking more care of our economy in

provide. With this current

the pursuit for the cheapest option

production, we would need 1 and a

of production available, no matter

half Earths, which we do not have.

the cost it takes on the

We, as humans, must realize that

environment. This is our home, so

we are responsible for this decline,

why are we, as inhabitants, taking

and we are the only ones that can

such advantage of the place that

make a change and begin to

keeps us alive? Every year, we

demonstrate prevention of such

extract an estimated 55 billion tons

decline.

Another great cause of concern is the

Fortunately, there are environmental

state of our large bodies of water.

organizations bringing awareness to

Though we are not able to easily see it,

this issue and attempting to petition

there are several extremely large

governments to take care of the issue.

garbage islands floating in the ocean.

However, it will be extremely difficult

This is because of inefficient waste

for anyone to get rid of the island, as it

management, resulting in tons of trash

is much too big for any sort of net or

being thrown into the ocean with little

ship to handle.

thought of the effects. This year alone, two million tons of plastic were thrown

This is why it is so important to

into the ocean. Yes, you read that right.

acknowledge, thank, and bring

Two million. This directly impacts the

awareness to our environment this

animals that live in these areas. Thinking

November. Though it may not be the

it is food, animals regularly digest the

first thought to come to your mind, if

plastic and toxic waste, resulting in a

nothing is done, the years on this

decline of species as they cannot eat

planet will become smaller and

these materials. Thus, the food chain is

smaller. In addition, take action. Join

impacted and animals slowly become

environmental organizations, donate to

endangered, and then extinct. The

charities associated with the

biggest issue of all is how we will fix

betterment of this planet, and make

this. Due to the fact it is in the middle of

changes in your own life to reduce

the ocean, no country is taking

waste and become more sustainable.

ownership of it and attempting to solve

Sub plastic for reusable materials, pick

the issue. Because of this, the garbage

up trash on the sidewalk, inform others

island remains, with extreme buildup

of the severe decline our Earth is going

occurring yearly and more animals dying

through right now. Become the

at its expense.

advocate for the Earth, who cannot talk and has been left behind in a growing pursuit for economic success.

So, make this November a time to continuously thank and speak about the Earth and environment that allows us to survive, because we surely do not thank it enough.

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Founder and Co-Exec. Director

Rebecca Joseph

Walnut Creek, CA | 16 years old My name is Rebecca Joseph and I am a high school 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, over a year 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 | 18 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!

Christine Corry

Sacramento, CA | 17 years old

SRETIRW

Magazine Manager

Isabella Rinaldi

San Francisco, CA | 15 years old

Lily Veits | Annalese Cahill| Veronica Rohling | Isabella Rinaldi | Sara Keegan

Editor Leader

Cedar Roach

SROTIDE

Writing Leader

Maci DemMott | Oliva Massey | Ella Grady | Kaylyn Allingham | Lior Cooper | Lila Rowland | Lily Sun | Bella Jasper

Magazine Design Leader

Sara Keegan

New York, NY | 17 years old

Rachel Baumann | Katherine B

SRENGISED

Dallas, TX | 18 years old

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