December 18, 2024 Volume 8, Issue 3 @thenuevacurrent
The Student Newspaper of The Nueva School San Mateo, California
America, Fragmented Community members explore what America means to them. COLLAGE BY ANWEN C.
Red, White, and Who? As the country begins the presidential transition, Upper School members reflect on who and what make up the collective American identity By Gabriel B. Features Editor, Natalie L. Managing Editor, Alexis C. Staff Writer
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Inside this Issue:
ollective pronouns to refer to American nationality—we, us, our— sounded just a little bit different the day after the election; more resonant for the winners, more fragile for the losers. The results were concrete, official confirmation of how “we” do not all view “our” country the same way and are split between party coalitions backing deeply polarized candidates. Republican candidate Donald Trump won with a decisive 312 electoral votes and 49.9% of the national popular vote, Listening and learning
Students and staff develop Nueva’s first suicide prevention mental health conversations.
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while Democrat Kamala Harris conceded the race with 226 electoral votes and 48.4% of the popular vote. The election invites in its aftermath a consideration of what it means today to be an American and belong as an American. As history teacher Tom Dorrance framed it for the school community, belief in the very democratic process that revealed Americans’ differences is core to the national identity. Dorrance delivered a speech entitled “On Democracy and
Our Town On a bare stage, with mimed props and a few strings of fairy lights, Nueva thespians put on the slice of life, beautiful play.
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Democratic Values” at the all-school assembly the day after the election, and faith in democracy and in common humanity came across as central themes. “Freedom has been a cornerstone to what we consider American identity, and I think we associate freedom with democracy,” Dorrance said. Conflict over freedom, however, is a consistent pattern in U.S. history. Dorrance argues that supposed efforts to secure an in-group’s freedom have often involved oppression of an outgroup.
The Evolving Science of Science Friday A thorough protocol of review lies behind the long-running institution
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Nativist prejudice toward immigrants offers both an ongoing and long-running example. “The starting point for understanding [American identity] is as something that is contested, and something that people fight for recognition of and fight to deny recognition of,” Dorrance said. “That struggle, I think, lies at the heart of understanding American identity.”
Continued on Page 10
Student Standoff: What The UnitedHealthcare CEO's Assasination Means For America The recent shooting created massive ripples online. Two students share their perspectives.
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Gold to Grit A season defined by injuries leaves the 49ers hopeful for a stronger 2025.
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