Welcome back to class! discussion: how are we feeling?
+ Sept. 2021
A WORD FROM OUR EDITING LEADER Cedar roach
September has always been one of my favorite months of the year. From cooler weather to oversized plaid blazers to the perfect cup of tea, September ushers in the fall aesthetic of my dreams. Apart from bringing us idyllic scenery, September also marks the beginning of the school year for many Americans. After a year of Zoom classes and online exams, this year’s back to school is more important than usual as school districts attempt to transition back to normalcy. The reality, however, is that a transition back to “normal” is not a place that young students across the country want to go back to.
Undoubtedly, the last year and a half of the pandemic highlighted a whole host of social issues in
These topics and countless others throughout the pandemic heightened political awareness and activism for so many students and we discovered the issues with the old “normal.” With all the progress that we helped fight for, it’s hard to imagine, let alone advocate, for a fully pre-pandemic world.
America. Inside classrooms, the topic of mental health came to the forefront of discussion as students struggled with feelings of depression and anxiety during a tumultuous year. The summer of 2020 called attention to the fight for racial justice as the Black Lives Matter movement was felt all across the country. During the Presidential Election in November 2020, questions were raised regarding voter accessibility as the pandemic limited voting options for many communities. As COVID-19 disproportionately affected the disabled community, awareness was raised for the inequality that disabled individuals face daily. Fights for freedom in America and abroad, showcased the fragility of democracy and the role we each must play to protect it.
As we go back to school, we are given a chance to redefine what normal looks like for us. This month’s issue highlights that by celebrating how far we have come since the start of COVID and raising questions about where we still have to go–both inside and outside the four walls of a classroom. As always, happy reading! And keep up the good work!
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Contents 10 Ways To Step Up Your Political Involvement This School Year
BY: ANNALESE CAHILL
Opinion: The Politics of Critical Race Theory: Why We Need to Implement CRT in US School Curriculum
BY: ISABELLA RINALDI
The Growing Climate Crisis: What Can We Do?
BY: HANNA MATSUKAWA
Financial Literacy: The Core Curriculum is Essential to Healing the Wealth Gap
BY: MADDY LICEA
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Andrew Cuomo: From Esteemed Leader to Destined for Disaster
BY: MARY COREY
Politics in the Classroom: The Historical Scopes Monkey Trials
BY: VERONICA ROHLFING
The Delta Variant: What We Know and it’s Impact
BY: SARA KEEGAN
10 Ways to Step Up Your Political Involvement This School Year For young women interested in politics, different political sectors can be intimidating. There is often a bias that young people, especially women, face when exploring these opportunities. Young people can be overlooked because of the presumption that they are naïve, inexperienced, or uneducated. However, involvement among teenagers and young adults is crucial to local, state, and federal political sectors.
BY: ANNALESE CAHILL
Young people bring the passion, energy, and open mindedness needed to manage the ever-changing responsibilities of life in politics.
Even though you may not be looking for a full-time job, there are plenty of ways to increase your political involvement this school year. Taking a step beyond Instagram graphics will give you a deeper understanding of your interests, skills, and current events. Here are ten ways in which
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you can step it up this school year.
1. Read a Non-fiction Book Reading may not seem like an active form of political participation, but information is more effective than you realize. Increasing your knowledge on an
2. Volunteer on a campaign
interesting policy issue or a political ideology can give you a well-rounded
Most Americans only pay attention to
perspective on issues that you support.
presidential election cycles, but elections
You can understand the other side of an
happen every year in November at the
argument and use statistics to support
local, state, and federal level. No matter
your stance during conversations. Young
where you are, there are going to be
minds can absorb an incredible amount
races for councils, state legislatures, or
of information, so take advantage of
even congressional seats. Find the
that! Start by researching authors, issues,
websites for these candidates and email
or organizations that interest you, and
them to ask about opportunities for
read a few pages a day. Also, ask your
students. By phone banking, canvassing,
teachers and mentors for book
or volunteering in the office for a few
recommendations. They will be very
hours a week, you will make connections
impressed and excited to share with you.
with elected officials, staffers, and
It won’t be long until you are the expert
community leaders that will help you in
among your peers.
high school, college, and beyond.
3. Join Model UN (united nations) Most likely, your school has some sort of Model U.N. or debate club where you can participate in mock debates and parliamentary-style discussions. If you are interested in public service or political leadership, this is a low-stake way to learn about the decision making of an elected official or leader. You can also learn about current events, foreign policy, and the legislative process with peers and mentors to consult. This is also a great way to become a creative problem solver.
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4. Follow your favorite Officials/organizations on social media Monitoring content from your local, state, and federal officials in a great way to know what is happening in your community. The national news is helpful, but this will aid you in understanding how policy makers are directly impacting your life. Being able to identify your elected officials and their policy will also help you have more productive conversations in your community, especially if you are interested in lobbying change or starting a petition in your area. Following other organizations is also a great way to stay updated on your issues of interest.
5. Grab a cup of coffee with your community leaders
6. Create a linkedin account
Whether it be a pastor, city council
For those who are not familiar, LinkedIn is
member, CEO, or elected official, many
like a professional Facebook. Your profile
leaders are very excited to talk to young
reflects your work experience, and you
people about political efforts. This is also
can create posts about your personal
a great avenue to network and gather
achievements and updates. You can also
information about your interests. If
follow public figures and organizations
someone has your dream job, reach out to
that post articles about events or policy.
them! If you are passionate about a local
Linking with people on this platform will
policy issue or curious about a day in the
help you stay connected with people you
life, it is very likely that this person would
meet in your activities.
love to talk to you about it. You may be young, but your voice is very powerful!
7. Write! Writing is the most important skill you can ever develop in politics. Words are powerful, and your thoughts matter. By writing a letter to an elected official or an opinion editorial to your local newspaper, you can amplify your voice. This helps mobilize people around a certain policy issue, or it can persuade a legislator to create a bill.
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Don’t keep your opinions to yourself. Reflect, educate yourself, and write it down.
8. Attend events in your community A community barbecue might not seem very political, but this is where you are going to be able to learn the most about your community. Step out of your comfort zone. Try to meet people with a different perspective than you. You may meet someone with the same passions as you, or you might meet someone who is
10, Read, Not watch, the news every day
struggling with an issue that you know how to fix. Use your education to empower your community. If you have a spot at the table, you can use your voice to share the struggles of people that don’t. The best way to learn about these hidden struggles is through community involvement.
If you are looking to become more involved politically, this route is the most important. Television news from all sides have used fear mongering as a tactic to increase viewership. Reading the news is the most effective way to gain unbiased information about current events. Research to find one unbiased news
9. run for student government
source at the local, state, and federal level. Check each of these sources once a day and look at the headlines. Scan a few articles everyday that interest you,
Your school also probably has a student government organization into which you can be elected to represent your class. These positions allow you to meet more students in your grade and work closely with your school’s administration to create changes that help your peers. For example, if you want your school to be
and you will be able to keep up with the world around you. Reflecting upon current events is crucial to academics, community involvement, and any other political activities that you will do during the school year. Reading the news is a surefire way to boost your involvement in all other sectors.
more sustainable, you can use this platform to implement compositing in your cafeteria. Student government is a great opportunity for students who like public speaking, leadership, and hard work.
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OPINION:THE POLITICS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY: Why We Need to Implement CRT in US School Curriculum
By: Isabella Rinaldi
The recent rise in the nation’s reflection of
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an
racism following the murder of George
intellectual movement founded in the
Floyd has brought the Critical Race
1970s by legal scholars as a framework for
Theory, 40 year old framework for systemic
legal analysis; it’s now a method of
racism, back into the spotlight. Many
examination that helps us understand
activists, politicians, and scholars have
systemic racism in US society today. Its
sought to implement Critical Race Theory
premise suggests that, considering there is
into US school curricula, which would only
objectively no biological difference
help to better educate students about the
between races, race is a social construct.
country’s racist past, but also help them
When we understand race as a social
better identify and understand the
construct, we can determine that racism is
systemic racism that is woven in our
not only a product of individual bigotry,
institutions and policies today. However,
but is also embedded in our legal systems,
the debate on Critical Race Theories'
institutions, and policies: hence, systemic
potential role in US school curricula has
racism. CRT not only identifies these
prompted major disputes between
issues, but offers tools and strategies, such
legislators, parents, and school districts
as to curtail and uproot racism itself.
nationwide.
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CRT is vital to the growth of the nation
The issue is, their argument against
in order to surpass its bigoted past
implementing CRT in the US curriculum
toward a more equitable society.
is merely presenting itself as an
Implementing CRT in K-12 classes to
argument about power; ironically
address our history of racism, our
proving the ideology of CRT as well.
current systemic racism, and create a
On January 12, 2021, Keith Ammon, a
united future. Nevertheless, Republican
Republican member of the New
states and their parents and school
Hampshire House of Representatives,
districts beg to differ. As of June 26,
introduced a bill that was constructed
eight states and their legislators have
to forbid “race or sex scapegoating”.
abolished some or all parts of Critical
According to Ammon, “using taxpayer
Race Theory teachings in K-12,
funds to promote ideas such as ‘one
enacting laws to penalize schools or
race is inherently superior to another
teachers teaching CRT. Kimberlé
race or sex’ … only exacerbates our
Crenshaw, a founding critical race
differences.” Clearly, this argument
theorist and Columbia Law School
exhibits a lack of knowledge on what
professor, says that CRT is a discipline
exactly CRT is and its purpose in an
that seeks to understand how racism
educational setting and we can see
has shaped U.S. laws, and how those
that anti-CRT advocates only wish to
laws have continued to impact the
conceal our racist past out of fear of a
lives of non-white people. Today,
falling white supremacy.
schools are primarily funded through property tax, which consequently results in poorer students to have worse education; this, in turn, creates a ripple effect, hindering students of color from succeeding and moving forth in their careers and education as opposed to their white peers. This structural racism is evidently embedded in our policies, creating generations and generations of people of color inherently poor.
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Since the country’s founding, America has been notoriously avoiding our past of racism by teaching kids around America a sanitized version and racial illusion of history. In many textbooks today, slaves are referred to as “immigrants”'. Our history curriculum is flawed and depicts a false narrative of our racist past. Many Republican Legislators have also persistently claimed that CRT’s framework shames only white children, therefore creating more segregation. This failed rhetoric is only showing once again how CRT is misrepresented and used as a political tool rather than approached as a framework for education. Implementing CRT is not about making kids feel bad, but teaching them our unsanitized history, and helping them reckon with how to overcome these issues caused by those living in the aforementioned sanitized history.
Vida A. Robertson, director of the Center for Critical Race Studies expresses the importance of implementing CRT in US school curricula by conforming, “The goal of CRT is to equip students with the ability to change the systems, structures and institutions that maintain racial inequities,”. Passing bills that abolish CRT only confirms the ideology that racism is embedded in laws and policy in the US today. CRT is our first step toward leading and creating a more united and equal future.
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WHAT CAN WE DO? Climate change is one of the most pressing
By: Hanna Matsukawa
Scientists have looked at the devastating
issues of our time. Since scientists first studied
floods, fires, and increasing temperatures
global warming in 1896, the state of our
around the world and have pointed to
environment has grown increasingly worse.
climate change. In August 2021, as the
Carbon emissions are reaching dangerous
world was forced to reckon with this
levels, global temperatures are ascending, and
growing climate crisis, the United Nations’
increasing natural disasters pose a deadly
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
threat to all.
Change (IPCC) released its Sixth
Global warming has raised temperatures and produced drier conditions, escalating the spread and damage of wildfires. As of August 2021, California had at least 6,000 wildfires burning over one million acres across the state and polluting the sky. A heatwave across the Mediterranean has caused wildfires in Greece and Italy. Recently, the fires spread to the south of France, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. As Turkey began to
Assessment Report on the future effects of global warming. According to the new IPCC report summary, “human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.” The increasing droughts, heatwaves, and hurricanes are caused by climate change and, subsequently, by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels.
control crippling wildfires that started in late July, the country was hit with a flash flood in August that killed at least 77 people. Germany was hit with catastrophic flooding in July, killing over 150 people. India, China, Japan, countries in the Caribbean, and more have also experienced deadly floods this summer.
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U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres
Soon after the new IPCC report came out,
has called the IPCC report, “a code red for
the U.S. Senate passed a $1 trillion
humanity.” The report lays out possibilities
bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes
for a future that will undoubtedly be
funds for action against climate change
affected by global warming. Extreme
and relief from climate change-induced
droughts, heavy precipitation, and tropical
natural disasters. Some examples of where
cyclones will only continue and global
funding would go include restoring coastal
temperatures will keep rising in the next 30
habitats and expanding clean energy. This
to 50 years. Perhaps the most serious part
new infrastructure bill has yet to be passed
is that the IPCC reports, “Many changes
by the House of Representatives, but
due to past and future greenhouse gas
nevertheless, it is a huge step forward in
emissions are irreversible for centuries to
American climate change politics.
millennia, especially changes in the ocean, ice sheets and global sea level.” Despite society’s increasing efforts, there seems to be little humanity can do to save the earth from our destruction.
As the Senate has shown us, climate change is a bipartisan issue, it is a global human issue. Minimizing personal carbon footprint through actions like reducing plastic bag usage, responsibly using
While completely preventing a future
energy, and finding sustainable and ethical
harmed by climate change is impossible,
ways to shop does reduce carbon
there are some things we can still do to
emissions, after all, a little goes a long
lessen the intensity of impending disaster.
way. However, countries and large
Though emissions need to be cut by at
corporations also need to step up and find
least 7% yearly, and scientists have been
ways to drastically cut their carbon
warning countries to start slashing their
emissions. Reducing or eliminating the
carbon footprint for decades, reducing
extraction of fossil fuels, using clean
CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions
energy, and investing in good public
to at least a net-zero balance can still
transportation are just a few of the many
decrease the effects of human-induced
ways countries can cut their carbon
global warming in the coming decades.
emissions. Companies can follow environmental regulations, invest in clean energy, and use sustainable materials to become green. We all need to do our part for the environment before this climate
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crisis spirals entirely out of our control.
Financial Literacy: THE CORE CURRICULUM IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALING THE WEALTH GAP The United States of America: land of the free along with an abundance of opportunity. However, opportunity does not look the same to everyone in the U.S., especially for minorities and women. The wage gap by gender remains prevalent in the U.S.- for every dollar a man earns, a woman earns 82 cents. However, if we provide men and women equal access to the tools to optimize their financial opportunity, this wage gap could look
BY: MADDY LICEA
significantly different. Implementing financial literacy as a requirement in American public schools is an essential component of healing the wage gap.
Financial literacy is the understanding of the backbone of currency along with its functions; a concept with which any person needs to be equipped to make sound financial decisions on which one could survive and thrive. A report conducted by World Bank Researchers and a business research professor at George Washington University found that women significantly trail men in the understanding of financial concepts.
While there are many solutions to help close the wage gap, financial literacy requirements are the most effective method. When all students are required to have a firm understanding of the tools and functions of finances- we could heal many of the social factors behind this wage gap. If students were taught the tax benefits they could receive through a 529 college savings plan they could utilize every penny they intend to use for education.
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An aspect of the wage gap is social expectations. Woman's place is on wall street and it's time we tell everyone. Many social norms just associate men with financial understanding, many on Tik Tok associate certain types of men as “finance bros.” Social stereotypes associate men with money. When young girls are growing up, not only do they witness these stereotypes, but also a lack of examples. Girls grow up seeing men on currency but no women, they see who the top 10 richest people in America are who are all men except for Alice Walton, who inherited her father's company, they see the top three richest women in America and see women who have gained their fortune through inheritance from their father or a divorce. While there are an abundance of women who earned immense power and wealth in the financial world, they are not given near the media coverage as the women previously mentioned.
With these role models, young women see that they can only build a fortune through divorce or inheritance- a discouraging and disappointing message which is simply not true.
Exposing women to financial literacy at a young age provides encouragement and the resources to be successful. Many could argue that women are not as prominent in the financial industry due to a lack of interest, which could not be further from the truth. Women make up 46% of financial service employees, but only 15% of financial executives. The financial industries expectations are set against women, the wage calculations are designed by men, for men.
As one compares female to male wages, the wage gap expands as degrees earned increases, which is yet another discouraging message for women who are interested in the field. Women want to be in the financial industry but have to break through a thick glass ceiling in such a male-dominated power dynamic. If we start providing women with exposure, opportunity, and encouragement in the financial industry at a young age, we can break this glass ceiling. It is time we give every child in the United States the tools to be financially successful. It is
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time women get their voice heard in the financial industry and it all starts with understanding through education.
Andrew Cuomo: From Esteemed Leader to Destined for Disaster By: Mary Corey
Political dynasties have been a part of American politics since the country’s founding. From the Adams to the Kennedys to, more recently, the Cuomos, many of America's most influential political figures have come from a long line of political power. But, as is the case of Andrew Cuomo, generations of power can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
The Cuomos have long held great political power in the New York Democratic Party; a Cuomo has run for statewide office in every election but one since 1974. As the son of former New York governor Mario Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo has been involved in politics from a very young age. He served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001, and then made his first run for office in 2002, in which he didn’t even make it to the general election. On his second try, Andrew Cuomo was elected New York attorney general in 2006, and then ran for governor and won in 2010. His time as governor is generally considered productive, signing legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in New York in 2011, banning fracking in 2014, increasing the minimum wage, and overseeing large tax cuts.
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Recently, the roles of governors across the country changed drastically, unprecedented management of the Covid-19 pandemic was placed in their hands. As New York City became an early epicenter of the pandemic, Cuomo was thrust into the spotlight. Throughout his increasingly popular press briefings, Cuomo criticized Trump for his lack of leadership, and was considered- at least be liberals-to be a voice of reason during such uncertain times. Many Democratic Party insiders believed this to be the moment Cuomo was made for, where he would finally get the recognition he deserved.
However, even at the peak of his popularity, Cuomo was not without his critics. Many accused him of causing unnecessary deaths among nursing home patients due to a controversial state policy that sent infected people to nursing homes. In addition, the FBI launched an investigation into claims that Cuomo’s administration had been under counting nursing home deaths. These scandals prompted a discussion regarding the possible over extension of Cuomo’s emergency powers, one of the several things that began to isolate the governor from his party.
Then in late 2020, the first sexual harassment allegations broke. On December 13th, 2020, Lindsey Boylan took to Twitter, accusing Cuomo of sexually harassing her and kissing her against her will. On February 24th, 2021, Boylan elaborated on these allegations. Allegedly, Cuomo’s behavior during her time at the state’s economic development agency was inappropriate, inviting her to play strip poker with him on a government plane in 2017, then kissing her on the lips without warning in 2018. Although Boylan was the first woman to come forward, she was far from the last. Only three days later, on February 27th, Charlotte Bennet shared her story in an article published by the New York Times. Bennet Claims that on June 5th, 2019, she was alone with Cuomo in his state Capitol office when he asked her personal and invasive questions about her sex life. He allegedly asked her if she thought age mattered in romantic relationships, whether her relationships were monogamous, and if she had ever slept with an older
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man. Bennet was extremely uncomfortable with these questions, she took them as the governor trying to initiate a sexual relationship with her.
Anna Ruch also went to the New York Times with her story. On March 1st, 2021, the New York Times published Ruch’s experiences. Reportedly, Cuomo Placed his hands on her lower back and face, asked if he could kiss her, and kissed her on the cheek at a wedding reception in September 2019 . Ruch’s allegations were the first to come from someone who wasn’t a current or former employee of the Cuomo administration. A former Cuomo press aide added to the growing list of allegations on March 6th, claiming Cuomo had invited her to his hotel room in 2000. He reportedly gave her an uncomfortable hug, which she pulled away from, but was aggressively pulled back into. On that same day, Ana Liss, who worked as a policy and operations aid for Cuomo from 2013 to 2015, came forward with her story in an article for The Wall Street Journal. She alleged Cuomo had asked about her relationship status, called her sweetheart, touched her lower back, and kissed her hand.
On March 9th, the Albany Times-Union reported
So where does all this leave Andrew
the accusation of an anonymous sixth woman.
Cuomo? A report released by the State
This staffer accused the governor of
Attorney General, Letitia James, detailed
inappropriately touching her at the governor’s
the 11 women’s claims of various degrees
mansion after she had been called there to
of sexual misconduct and harassment by
work. The next allegations came on March 12th
Cuomo. Amidst calls for resignation, by
in a piece published by The Cut, written by
people as high up as President Biden
Jessica Bakeman. Bakeman claims that during a
himself, and talk of impeachment, Cuomo
holiday party at the governor's mansion in 2014,
resigned on August 10th, 2021. Cuomo
Cuomo grabbed her and pulled her
could still face criminal charges, with
uncomfortably close to him for a photo. On
numerous prosecutors throughout the
March 19th, 2021, the first allegation from a
state holding ongoing investigations. The
current Cuomo employee was released. In a
future remains a mystery. Because the
New York Times piece, Alyssa McGrath claimed
State Assembly decided to drop their
Cuomo would stare at her body, call her
impeachment proceedings, Cuomo could
beautiful in Italian, and often make suggestive
technically make another run in the future.
comments towards her. The last allegations
For now, lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul
came on March 29th when Sherry Vill alleged
will become New York’s first ever female
that Cuomo had taken her hand, and pulled her
governor.
in for a kiss after a tour of flood damage in her town in 2017.
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POLITICS IN THE CLASSROOM: THE HISTORIC SCOPES MONKEY TRIALS By: Veronica Rohlfing The standard American classroom is often portrayed as an apolitical atmosphere where teachers provide students with textbook knowledge and proven fact. This idea that “politics have no place in the classroom,” seems to be a common misconception about our schools. Historically, several points of contention have erupted across American legislatures and courtrooms to change what— and how—material is presented.
For example, the Butler Act of 1925 prohibited Tennessee public school teachers from teaching about evolution. According to a 2005 NPR timeline, the law prohibited “any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible.”
Due to the surmounting tensions between Christian Fundamentalists and Scientific Modernists regarding how to teach the origin of mankind in schools, this act garnered attention from the ACLU. They asked for teachers to volunteer to break the law in order to bring it to court. John Scopes did just that, and was indicted. His trial was essentially a publicity stunt, in which vendors sold stadium-food and even Bibles outside the courthouse. His was the first trial to be nationally broadcast on the radio.
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The Scopes Trial was neither the first nor last time that politics would interfere in the American education system, but the ruling in Epperson v. 3-time Presidential Nominee William
Arkansas signaled a shift in the nature
Jennings Bryan led the prosecution.
of American public schools. No longer
According to Britannica, the judge
were schools allowed “to prohibit, on
refused to challenge the Butler Act’s
pain of criminal penalty, the teaching of
constitutionality, as it was Scopes
a scientific theory or doctrine where
on trial and not the law itself.
that prohibition is based upon reasons
Barred from utilizing expert
that violate the First Amendment,” as
testimony from scientists, the
explained by Oyez.
defense called upon Bryan himself to testify as a biblical expert. He proceeded to incorrectly answer their questions and contradict his own statements, much to the amusement of the attendees.
Nonetheless, Scopes was found guilty of violating the Butler Act, and was fined $100. It wasn’t until 1967 that the act was overturned, according to the Public Broadcasting Service. A year later, SCOTUS unanimously ruled in Epperson v. Arkansas that antievolution laws violated the First Amendment. Specifically, the Establishment Clause, which states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
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Today, many states have imposed laws that limit teachers’ abilities to teach certain subjects. Earlier this year in Oklahoma, the Governor signed a bill that restricts the way that teachers are allowed to discuss race and gender. The text states that teachers can’t teach concepts such that “any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish… on account of his or her race or sex.” It also bans institutions of higher education from enforcing mandatory gender or sexual diversity training. Many see this as a necessary law to reinforce racial equality in curriculums, while others see it as an unnecessary jab meant to keep teachers from discussing how race functions in society.
A similar law in Texas “ban[s] lessons that cause students to feel discomfort, guilt or distress on account of their race or sex,” according to NPR. Teachers would be required, according to the bill, to discuss social and political policy “without giving deference to any one perspective.” While many agree that classrooms should be apolitical, many teachers worry that this bill will force them to engage in morally questionable conversation about topics like slavery, the Holocaust, Indian Removal, etc. as they will be required to cover all perspectives on the issue.
As public opinion continues to shift and sway on controversial issues, classroom curriculum will continue to change. It’s nice to believe that “politics don’t belong in the classroom,” but there is both historic and modern evidence to suggest otherwise.
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The Delta Varient: WHAT WE KNOW AND ITS IMPACT BY: SARA KEEGAN
As vaccinations were distributed, Covid-19 cases decreased worldwide, and mandates loosened, it seemed as though the world was headed towards normalcy once again. However, as we took many steps forward, it seems we are abruptly taking double the steps back
Beginning in January 2021, the CDC announced their discovery of the Delta Variant, a new strand of SARS-CoV-2. It is regarded as the most contagious and
Thus, despite the immense progress that
severe of the COVID variants, leading
had been made worldwide, the Delta
many healthcare workers to become
Variant made many uneasy about what
worried over its own impact on vaccinated
was to come, and if it could possibly lead
and unvaccinated individuals.
to yet another lockdown.
As of August 2021, the United Kingdom is said to have the most number of reported cases, totaling about 273,000. In second place comes the United States, with roughly 100,000 reported cases. Many of these cases have been said to be much more severe than any other strand of COVID, even for people vaccinated.
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Such documentation has led many healthcare workers to believe that the only way for humans to be most protected is through vaccinations, as those who were unvaccinated suffered more severely. Thus, efforts by the CDC and officials have been extensive in pushing for people to get vaccinated in order to ensure safety and good health for the overall population. Being vaccinated greatly lowers one’s risk of hospitalization if diagnosed with COVID, which is incredibly important to lower the number of cases and deaths. The discovery of the delta variant and its existence globally has led many to ask the same question; will this be a repeat of what the entire world went through in 2020?
Will students of all ages be impacted if the variant worsens? Many governors and education officials have announced that schools will be going entirely back in person; however, with the delta variant looming, many are unsure if this will stand for the coming months. The CDC has now recommended that students and teachers eligible should get the vaccine to decrease the likelihood of the variant being spread. In addition, the CDC has strongly recommended that students wear masks, no matter their vaccination status. However, with states like Iowa and Texas that banned schools from requiring masks, this is unlikely.
This poses a difficult situation for students, parents, teachers, and the government on what should be done to keep the school body as safe as possible. For now, schools nationwide are planning an in-person learning experience, where students are back in classrooms and logged off of Zoom. The CDC and education boards of individual states are taking all measures to prevent any spread of the variant in the schools and allow children to learn in person once again safely. However, if cases continue to increase, schools could return to virtual sessions and hybrid formats. Therefore, it is detrimental and highly recommended by healthcare
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professionals to get vaccinated, stay informed, and be safe.
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!
Christine Corry
Sacramento, CA | 17 years old
SRETIRW
Magazine Manager
Ella Stillion Southard Athens, GA | 16 years old
Annalese Cahill | Isabella Rinaldi | Hanna Matsukawa | Maddy Licea | Mary Corey | Veronica Rohlfing | Sara Keegan
Editor Leader
Cedar Roach
SROTIDE
Writing Leader
Maci DemMott | Oliva Massey | Ella Grady | Kaylyn Allingham | Lior Cooper | Lila Rowland | Sanjana Patel | Shannon Courtney
Magazine Design Leader
Sara Keegan
New York, NY | 17 years old
Rachel Baumann | Jessica Salazar | Katherine B
SRENGISED
Dallas, TX | 18 years old
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