DIVERSIVITY
Anything!
6/20/21
Our Mission:
At Diversivity, we strive to create a more inclusive community that embraces diversity amongst different identities and cultures. We hope to do this by providing a safe platform for teens to share their perspectives, stories, and thoughts, while also advocating for solutions to issues relating to race relations, global events, identity, and more.
Team Message:
As members of Diversivity, we wanted our electronic magazine to be a safe space for people from a multitude of backgrounds to share their stories, opinions, and perspectives about a diverse range of topics. We believe that writing is a powerful tool that can help create a more inclusive and diverse world. Each month we hone in on a certain theme, opening up submissions to anyone who wants to write about their experiences. However, this month we had no theme, encouraging submissions about any topic. We believe it's important for every voice to be heard and we hope that our e-magazine can accurately portray the various ideas and discussions it covers.
Chief Writers:
Katie MacDonald Hillary Xu
Writers:
Michelle Li Rehana G. Durga Mannam
Chief Editor: Rhea Kaw
Director of Graphics Design: Harshana Jawahar
Graphic Designer: Megha Patel
THE INTERNET AND VACCINES
Despite decades of research on the safety of vaccines and countless independent reviews testifying to their effectiveness, there is a growing number of American parents who are anti-vaccination. They argue that vaccines are linked to neurological diseases like autism, overwhelm the immune system, and contain several chemicals (e.g. thimerosal and mercury) that are harming their kids. However, these beliefs have no scientific basis and were proven false time and time again. Most notably, a 2013 report published in The Journal of Pediatrics by Dr. Frank DeStefano, a medical epidemiologist and the director of the Immunization Safety Office at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that there was no evidence of a connection between vaccination during the first 2 years of life and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or regression.
Comprehensive scientific studies prove the lack of a causal relationship between vaccines and autism. The Lancet (a peer-reviewed medical journal) even withdrew Wakefield's 1998 study—the research that started the anti-vaccination conspiracy —due to its many scientific flaws. Yet the number of anti-vaccinators continues to increase. Fueled by the internet’s culture of inciting fear and surface-level arguments, misinformation about vaccines is as prevalent as ever. Social media’s algorithmic targeting results in the spread of provocative content; emotional stories of kids developing autism after receiving their vaccinations (especially when told by celebrities) get a lot more likes and attention than technical scientific studies. Thus, in our current online culture, falsehoods (which are inherently more emotional and provocative) prevail over the truth, resulting in dangerous consequences when translated to reality. The internet is a tool that amplifies and empowers certain messages, but it doesn’t differentiate if that message will hurt society. In this instance, the proliferation of the anti-vaccination conspiracy has undermined many people’s trust in science, endangering public health when individuals don’t vaccinate their children. Matters of public health affect all Americans, with issues like vaccination transcending individuals. This debate has gained momentum because of the recent COVID-19 vaccines, and anti-vaccinators will only become more contentious in the future. In hopes of maintaining herd immunity for existing vaccine-preventable diseases, it’s up to the government, the medical institution, and individuals to address misinformation about vaccines.
FRIEND AMONG STRANGERS A twinkling star in a sky of darkness, A ray of hope in a life of despair, Shining despite the waves of crushing anguish. Running outside, tears of laughter streaming down our young faces. Even just for a second, forgetting about the stresses of a teenage life. Even just for a second, searching into your eyes and seeing happiness. Laying in the grass together, gazing at the sky, Creativity and togetherness calming the anxiety. When I look in the sky, As I look to the stars for guidance, I think of you. Your strength, your light, your spirit. A flicker of flame in a never-ending tunnel of shadows, A golden sunrise halting the dead of night, A friend, among strangers.
EXPECTATIONS Verse 1 The shadows of a long day Trace back to the tired place I’ve stood for years. If I’m supposed to run away, Will that save me from my tears? Yesterday’s drama became old. People laugh then turn away. Rumors dry up quickly . I was the only one who stayed. Pre-chorus There are expectations you can’t reach. People you can’t please. I held on to my dignity, So now I’m lost in a sea of misery. But tell me, Chorus If there are stars in the sky Will they shine tonight? If there is hope in your eyes Will they reflect off of mine? And if we walked to the end Where would we begin? Verse 2 They say not all who wander are lost. But how come the compass always points north? I paid the price, what did it cost? First, second, third, but never fourth. The creek dried up. The swings started to rust. The tree bent over. My dreams became dust.
Pre-chorus There are expectations you can’t reach. People you can’t please. I held on to my dignity. Were these measures necessary? But tell me, Chorus If there are stars in the sky Will they shine tonight? If there is hope in your eyes Will they reflect off of mine? And if this is the end Would we meet again? Bridge Secrets locked in my vault. I’m captured by my faults. Was everything a lie? Defined by the night, Today’s ghost, tomorrow’s light, Watch as the sun paints the sky. Paradise Paradise Chorus If there are stars in the sky Will they shine tonight? If there is hope in your eyes Will they reflect off of mine? And if we stayed till the end Where would we begin? Would we meet again?
REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS MATTERS
The United States Congress met for the first time in 1789, established by Article I of the new Constitution. From 91 members in the 1st Congress to 535 members in the 117th Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate embody representative democracy. It is the voice of the people, creating legislation that impacts everyday Americans. As Greenberg and Page observe, “Congress is the branch of government closest to the people, and its members are supposed to be broadly representative of the American public.” [4] What happens if the demographic makeup of Congress doesn’t match that of the United States? Members of Congress still look a lot like they did in 1789, but without the white wigs: majority white, male, Chrisitian, old, rich, heterosexual, and college educated. Descriptive representation (i.e. statistical representation) as defined by Greenberg and Page is when “representatives reflect the demographic makeup of their constituents'.” [4] 232 years after its first session, Congress has not yet achieved descriptive representation. Women make up 51% of the U.S. population, yet only constitute 24% of Congress. [4] Minorities (i.e. African American, Latinos, Asians) represent almost 1 in 3 Americans, yet only compose 28% of the House and 11% of the Senate. [4] The average age in Congress is around 60, but the median age of the U.S. population is 38–the difference of an entire generation. [8] According to a 2019 report on the 116th Congress by the Pew Research Center, 23% of American adults identify as unaffiliated with a religion (i.e. atheist, agnostic), but these 75 million people are only represented by one person (0.2% of Congress). [3] In regards to education, The Library of Congress reports that 96% of Congress members have a college education, but Census data shows that only 36% of Americans age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree. [1, 9] In light of all these demographic disparities, perhaps the most telling of Congress’ mismatch with the public is in wealth: “three-quarters of senators are millionaires, as are almost one-half of members of the House,” but the median income of U.S. adults is slightly under $50,000. [4, 9] Perhaps if Congress looked more like America, it would pass legislation that could benefit more Americans.
Representation is the first step to fighting for change that directly affects Americans. The effect on public policy is tremendous. Laws are made based on the interests of the majority, causing those demographically overrepresented in Congress to have more power. Focus on issues distorted to accommodate for the interests of the overrepresented. Laws are passed that benefit the rich, such as tax cuts for the wealthy and setting a low minimum wage for the service industry. Men make decisions that impact women; there was not a single female Supreme Court Justice at the time of Roe v. Wade in 1973. Michele Swers, a political scientist at Georgetown University, found that Female House members introduce and co-sponsor more bills related to women’s and children’s issues (e.g. family leave policy, violence against women) than their male colleagues, which have a direct impact on half of the U.S. population. [5] As Greenberg and Page conclude, “there are clearly times when Congress seems to be too influenced by business interests, the wealthy or other groups with a large stake in a particular issue.” [4] Demographic representation does make a difference. Diversity of representatives leads to real differences in legislation passed. A descriptively representative Congress would more accurately represent the public and advocate for various demographic groups. A recent example of the importance of representation in lawmaking is the CARES Act, meant to help everyday Americans during the pandemic. But loopholes written into the law allowed for the rich to escape taxes, using tax breaks to offset losses by avoiding paying taxes in other years. The Tax Policy Center found that these tax cuts will “predominantly benefit households with more than $1 million in income”, but the people who really need economic assistance during the pandemic are not millionaires. [6] Coincidence that many members of Congress are millionaires, and would thus benefit from this loophole? Another example of Congress’ conflict of interest concerns focusing on and passing laws that benefit seniors. James Curry, associate professor of Political Science at the University of Utah, finds that “older members of Congress are more likely to introduce bills on lower-profile senior issues, meaning the disproportionately elderly Congress may give Seniors a leg up in policymaking.” [2] Laws concerning social security, medicaid, assisted living for seniors, and later life care are passed at higher rates, benefiting elderly populations. Lack of representation concerning LGBTQ+ rights has disastrous consequences, as seen in recent legislation passed prohibiting healthcare for transgender youth (HB 1570, Act 626) in the Arkansas State Legislature or the proposed Texas bill that would force transgender youth to play sports based on their birth gender (SB29).
As Greenberg and Page summarize, “The demographic disparity between the American population and the makeup of Congress, then, suggests a violation of the norm of political equality.” [4] Without a Congress that is demographically representative of America, the U.S. can never truly be a representative democracy. Works Cited [1] "116th United States Congress: Introduction." Library of Congress, 2019, guides.loc.gov/116thcongress-book-list. Accessed 18 June 2021. [2] "Does Diversity in Congress Translate into Representation?" Niskanen Center, 30 Jan. 2019, www.niskanencenter.org/does-diversity-in-congress-translate-into-representation/. Accessed 18 June 2021. [3] "Faith on the Hill: The Religious Composition of the 116th Congress." Pew Research Center, 3 Jan. 2019, www.pewforum.org/2019/01/03/faith-on-the-hill-116/. Accessed 18 June 2021. [4] Greenberg, Edward, and Benjamin Page. The Struggle for Democracy. 12th ed., 2018. [5] Kliff, Sarah. "The Research Is Clear: Electing More Women Changes How Government Works." Vox, 8 Mar. 2017, www.vox.com/2016/7/27/12266378/electing-women-congress-hillary-clinton. Accessed 18 June 2021. [6] Matheson, Thornton. "Who Benefits from the CARES Act Tax Cuts?" Tax Policy Center, Urban [7] Institute & Brookings Institution, 17 Apr. 2020, www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/who-benefitscares-act-tax-cuts. Accessed 18 June 2021. [8] "National Population by Characteristics: 2010-2019." United States Census Bureau, 2019, www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-national-detail.html. Accessed 18 June 2021. [9] "U.S. Census Bureau Releases New Educational Attainment Data." United States Census Bureau, 30 Mar. 2020, www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/educationalattainment.html. Accessed 18 June 2021.
Verse 1 I walk to the balcony With my hair flying. It’s been another restless night. Then I see it, the sudden crash. The water splash. Now everything is a blinding white. Chorus And I saw the ship go down, And I watched the lights go out, And I stared at the stars in the sky. If this is an old page, Will I wake up tonight? The wet kiss of the water Feels so real. Is this where I will pace, panicked? Forever on the Titanic. Verse 2 I sit on the stairs With the unfinished tears. And I wait. I can still see it, the sudden screams, The RMS teams, But it’s already too late. Chorus Cause I saw the ship sink down, And I watched the lights blink out, And I stare at the night sky. If this is an old page, Will I wake up tonight? The wet kiss of the water Feels so real. Is this where I will pace, panicked? Forever lost on the Titanic. Outro I walk to the top And I sit down. I flip to the very next page.
TITANIC
I Am Not You You tell me to look past my sadness, But obstacles only make me stronger. That sadness shapes my strength. Yes, it holds power over me, Yet I wear it as a badge of honor. You tell me to stay quiet and proper, But my voice brings me strength. That voice is my guidance, my power, my essence of being. My voice carries courage when I feel hopeless. My voice is a catalyst of change that will never falter. You tell me to accept despair, But I know better than to give in. If it only takes one person to inspire change, Why can’t that be me? You tell me to strive to be perfect, But what if my imperfections create my best attributes? That imperfect way of learning that I have, Just lets me connect to my lessons. That imperfect laugh of mine, Lets me be honest and open. That imperfect anxiety of mine, Is what makes me tenacious to defy all odds No, I am not what you tell me to be. I am not you, and I never will be. Because imperfections make us different, And my differences are what make me– me.
Crises Expose the Tension between Capitalism and Democracy In both the Great Recession (2007-2009) and the Coronavirus Recession (February 2020-Present), millions lost their jobs and financial security seemingly overnight. Families were displaced from their homes, job security vanished, and medical care became unattainable. These economic crises demonstrate the failure of our current capitalist economy. Essential services, such as healthcare and housing, are private businesses in the United States. When economic crises occur, private businesses suffer without support from the government. In the Great Recession, the Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy due to the subprime mortgage crisis. Similar to the catastrophe of 2008, the American Hospital Association reports that three dozen hospitals declared bankruptcy due to the financial strain of COVID-19 in 2020. Even though it’s been 12 years since the Great Recession, the American economy was still not prepared to provide a safety net for businesses and individuals. These recent crises suggest that the current system of minimal government regulation of the economy does not function optimally. Thus, some degree of government regulation is necessary to ensure that people can still afford basic goods and services and essential businesses don’t go out of business. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, the price of hand sanitizer skyrocketed. Unchecked by government regulations, people capitalized on the demand, hoarding supplies to sell. Amazon eventually addressed this price gouging, but not before a 16 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer was marked at $30. If the government had a regulation system to prevent the inflation of essential goods, more people would have had access to hand sanitizer (and toilet paper).
To prevent future economic meltdowns, the U.S. needs not only substantial regulatory systems but also strong crisis management systems. For example, when the next pandemic happens, a well-planned and executed crisis management plan can ensure that fewer people are displaced from their homes and everyone has access to basic necessities. Emergency shelters, food distribution centers, and supply stockpiles can be planned in advance. This type of early planning is better than late intervention. After the economic recession started, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 sent $600 stimulus checks; The CARES Act in 2020 sent $1,200 stimulus checks. Although this money helped individuals, the amount was unsustainable and further rounds of economic stimulus packages had to be sent out, such as Biden’s latest $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. These economic crises reflect the tension between democracy and capitalism. Democratic government will never be fully compatible with a capitalist economy; their logic, values, and methods are inherently opposing. Democracy is centered around the common will of the people, while capitalism is centered around the will of a few rich individuals and the “invisible hand” of the market. Democracy values compromise, while capitalism values profit. Capitalism, at its core, results in unequal distribution of wealth and thus an unequal distribution of political power. However, in order for democracy to flourish, there must be political equity. These fundamental differences mean that democracy and capitalism will never be compatible, and future economic crises will further test the strength of our democracy.
To Be Different To be different, I ask myself A needle in a pile of a thousand haystacks. It is easier to fit in, To stifle an entire identity, just to receive praise. A society that values conformity more than identity. A life of fighting to be you, just to doubt. To be different, I ask myself If it is worth it. To fight every day, with a dying flame To be limited just the same. To push past the tide, To open your eyes To the power you hold To the person you withhold.
THE THIEF WHO STOLE THE STARS
Verse 1 They no longer sparkle in the sky. Do they, the stars are night. Don’t you wonder where they’ve gone? When they once stood for something so bright. Chorus People come to trust that There’s something out there waiting for them. And the ones who don’t know who they are Learned it hard. People come to believe that There’s someone out there wishing for them. And the ones who were chased in the dark Never again had faith in a place afar. People come to hope that There’s a star shining for them. And the ones who stepped too far Are caught by the thief who stole the stars. The Thief Who Stole the Stars Oh
Verse 2 You no longer believe in everything. Do you, once time has taken its toll. Don’t you wonder if others feel the same? When your target has drifted from the goal. Chorus People come to trust that There’s something out there waiting for them. And the ones who don’t know who they are Learned it hard. People come to believe that There’s someone out there wishing for them. And the ones who were chased in the dark Never again had faith in a place afar. People come to hope that There’s a star shining for them. And the ones who stepped too far Are taken by the thief who stole the stars. The Thief Who Stole the Stars Oh Bridge So now we smile at the moon And admire her beauty instead, Cause the stars have gone to sleep. When once across the sky they would spread.
Chorus People come to trust that There’s something out there waiting for them. And the ones who don’t know who they are Learned it hard. People come to believe that There’s someone out there wishing for them. And the ones who were chased in the dark Never again had faith in a place afar. People come to hope that There’s a star shining for them. And the ones who stepped too far Are broken by the thief who stole the stars. The Thief Who Stole the Stars Oh Chorus People come to trust that There’s something out there waiting for them. And the ones who don’t know who they are Learned it hard. People come to believe that There’s someone out there wishing for them. And the ones who were chased in the dark Never again had faith in a place afar. People come to hope that There’s a star shining for them. And the ones who stepped too far Are stolen by the thief who stole the stars. The Thief Who Stole the Stars Oh
SHOUTOUTS
Here are some of the organizations we have collaborated with and their missions in conjunctions with ours!
MediGuide
x
Diversivity As a youth-led medical organization, MediGuide strives to educate the youth about the medical field and the right steps to take towards a successful medical career. We hope to spread information to diminish the knowledge gap between middle and high schoolers and help them with medical-related topics, events, and questions. This is because we have come to realize that the knowledge gap in the medical field leaves much space for questions and confusion. Not much is known about the steps to achieve a successful career in medicine, and we work towards helping others have a clearer view of their path. We host medical programs and offer proactive and quality education in a safe environment. MediGuide also offers several other opportunities, such as mentorship, volunteering hours, and leadership opportunities. At MediGuide, we prioritize your future, and we make sure to answer all your questions in a timely manner. Diversity strives to create a community that is more inclusive of people of different identities and cultures. It provides a safe platform for teens to share their own thoughts, perspectives, and stories while advocating for solutions to issues related to race, global events, identity, and more. At MediGuide, we strive to impart knowledge on the medical field to many students interested regardless of differences in race, identity, and culture. We hope to provide a safe platform where students can freely discuss their doubts and questions about the medical field while interacting with students of different backgrounds, improving their communication and leadership skills.
First Wisdom Club x Desi Girl Thoughts x Diversivity First Wisdom Club has a message of sharing smiles, positivity, and wisdom using art to help with that. It’s a page to spread happiness, raise awareness, share wisdom, and share stories about people who are making a difference in the world. The Club enjoys using humor and art to share those messages.
------
Desi Girl Thoughts is a page that proves that all people have similarities and can resonate with one another regardless of their color, culture, background, or country. It’s a page that is followed by a diverse community. Just like First Wisdom Club, Desi Girl Thoughts also shares smiles and wisdom but is centered around South Asian women.
I have made friends from places all around the world because of Desi Girl Thoughts. I formed relationships with these people because they are passionate about similar causes, and we have many similarities, though we have different backgrounds. Thanks to Desi Girl Thoughts, I have learned about how passionate people are about raising awareness. Individuals around the world have been able to relate to my posts which demonstrates that people can resonate with one another despite their differences. I even became friends with the members of Diversivity thanks to Desi Girl Thoughts!
THANK YOU !!
Instagram: @diversivity diversivityorg.wixsite.com/diversivity