INTERNATIONAL DATELINE Washington International School -“Journalism Governs Forever” - April 2018
Finding a Home Away From Home: Freh & Freh
By Val Deshler and Ananiya Neeck
As the 2017-18 academic year draws to a close, seniors prepare to transition to the next chapter in their lives. Some of us, as in every graduating class, will stride confidently into the major of our choice at university. Others will deviate from the beaten path, venturing to different corners of the Earth to explore, volunteer and gather work experience. That being said, we find ourselves entering a particularly charged and polarized sociopolitical climate. Our progression through high school has not only seen two opposing presidential administrations, but also a historically vast amount of movements, debates, and developments concerning social and cultural issues. Often centralized, although not limited to, are discussions of race relations and systemic civil violations, gender disparities, sexual expression and fluidity, and immigration reform. As a member of an IB educated, international community, WIS aspires towards a holistic worldview and a tolerant social rhetoric. Yet with these divisive political themes dominating our news and media consumption, formulating our own, clear, personal perspectives can be complicated. We decided to personalize some of this discourse and turn to two special members of our own community. Freh Tesfaye and Freh Ashina are two incredibly strong women in the WIS community who are also mothers, first-generation international immigrants, hard working members of the Ethiopian community, and oftentimes, the best part of our day, as the baristas of the IB café. Today, ideological dilemmas about minorities and strict immigration regulations under the Trump administration are debated in the news from theoretical and structural perspectives. In sharing our talks with about their experience of American life and their beloved home country, this discourse can be put aside to
make room for tangible experiences with close, real friends who have been here for us through bitter and sweet. Freh Tesfaye immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in 2005, looking to find better job opportunities. While her initial experience here was positive, she began to feel the thousands of miles of distance from her beloved country. “It was my first time being without my family, so I was confused, but I accepted that I had to work,” Tesfaye said. Similar to Tesfaye, Freh Ashina immigrated to the U.S. by herself 14 years ago, although she had family in Freh Tesfaye in the IB café D.C.. She grew up in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. She describes it as being always crowded with big markets. “Some parts of D.C. look like that and remind me of home,” Ashina said. Back in Ethiopia, Ashina completed high school, going on to attend college, where she earned a diploma in accounting in her native language, Amharic. When she came to the United States, she had to learn English, which was the first lesson she pursued. “I can write and read but when I speak people cannot understand me
PLAYlist DATELINE
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because of my accent, and I struggle to understand them,” Ashina said. Another new challenge Ashina faced was the long working hours, working up to 14 hours a day in kitchens when she first moved to the US, something which she was not used to and was an exhausting experience. In Ethiopia, she had done bookkeeping in a government agency dealing with agriculture. In the U.S., she worked in the back of kitchens and had no days off. “To survive here, you have to accept the environment, and be a hard worker to change yourself and your family,” Ashina said. Ashina’s first job was at a steakhouse in the M Street Mall. She worked there for three years there before starting at Panera Bread, a popular American chain restaurant, where she met Tesfaye when they interviewed on the same day. She soon began working as a barista in the IB Café at WIS. She loves everything about WIS, especially the community. “The kids are really respectful. Sometimes when I see [them] I say, are you sure they are teenagers? They’re so mature and respectful, and their minds are grown up. The teachers and administration are all good people,” Ashina said. Here, due to the language barrier, Ashina has not been able to pursue any work involving accounting. “I want to start buying books and start somewhere, learn something,” Ashina said. Tesfaye has worked at WIS for
four and a half years. When asked about what her favorite part about working at WIS is she declares, “I love talking with kids, you guys.” However, with a mischievous eyes and a bubbly laugh, she warns us not to ask her which student is her favorite. Tesfaye comes to WIS from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then goes directly to work at the Panera in Dupont Circle, catching a bus and metro to get there. There, she works tirelessly from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., taking a metro bus home. This exhausting work schedules encompasses a single wish for the future: to bring her two-year-old daughter to join her in the United States. “I want nothing else more than her,” Tesfaye declares. Ashina also has a daughter, a seventeen year old high school senior, who she loves dearly and describes as a good student. Her one wish is for her to go to a good college. While the United States has been their home for almost fifteen years, Ethiopia continues to hold a significant place in the hearts of both Tesfaye and Ashina. Tesfaye’s love for Ethiopian food also persists, as she describes her favorite Ethiopian dish, injera with shiro, a stew atop a light flatbread, remarking how she gets hungry just talking about. What Tesfaye misses the most about Ethiopia is her family, especially her mom and dad. Ashina misses the traditionally close bonds in Ethiopia, including her parents and sisters. “I miss the society. You are never alone. It’s like being a part of a family. I miss that a lot. In D.C., I live alone, and sometimes I don’t even know who my neighbors are,” Ashina said. Immigration is a complicated experience, culturally, financially and emotionally. While Washington D.C. has the largest Ethiopian communities in the United States, WIS has provided a sense of community for Ashina and Tesfaye through forming close bonds. We know we speak for all class of 2018 when we say there are no words to express our love, admiration and gratitude for these two ladies, nor to convey how much we will miss them next year.
MESSAGE from the EDITORS As we finish off our last semester at WIS, we would like to thank all of the students who have submitted content to Dateline this semester. In this age in which fake news, echo chambers, and corporate interests have muddled our sense of “truth”, we remain committed to delivering the truth to our community and opening important lines of dialogue. If you would like to join our staff, come to B4 in the Mansion basement on Mondays at 12:05! Check out our beautiful website (www. wisdateline.org)!
Scan and listen now!
Managing Editors Ananiya Neeck and Val Deshler Publications Editor - Charlie Lane Arts - Holden Davitian Global News - Lucy Porter Food - Marta Maliszewska Opinions - Julia Brownell Sports - Saul Pink WIS News - Celeste Bloom With help from... Sofia Sanchez, Constantin Velev, Torin O’Brien and Ainhoa Petri-Hidalgo
GLOBALnews
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
A Changing Ireland remained illegal, the law was changed to provide exemption for the pregnant women– if having the baby would be a threat to the mother’s life, the baby could be aborted. The vote was seen as a huge victory for Irish pro-lifers. However, ever
the X-Case. In December of 1993, a 14 year-old girl was raped and impregnated. When she attempted to travel to London in order to get an abortion, the Irish Attorney General got an interim injunction, requiring the family to return home. It seemed an abortion would be impossible. However, the 1983 legislature holds the pregnant woman’s life equal to the foetus,
Abortion has been illegal in Ireland for over 150 years. The Offences Against the Person Act in 1861 made it a crime both to have an abortion and to help someone have an abortion, or “procure a miscarriage,” as the legislature reads. Both infractions can lead to life in prison. This was the law for Anti-8th protesters in Ireland - iTV more than 120 years, and any abortion, since the eighth amendment was passed, no matter how it would affect the mother, pro-choice Irish men and women have was illegal. been protesting the remaining anti-abor This remained unchanged until tion legislation. 1983. A referendum was held on abor Since 1983, many cases and tion, and two-thirds of the Irish populace special examples have put pressure on voted against it. Though most abortions the government to change the legislation. One such groundbreaking situation was
and the girl revealed that she had contemplated suicide during the pregnancy. At the risk of the death of both the girl and the foetus, she was allowed an abortion. The legislature still prohibits abortion in cases of rape, incest, inevitable miscarriage and fatal foetal abnormality. Pro-choice activists still believe there
By Torin O’Brien
Ireland is currently amidst political turmoil surrounding legislature prohibiting abortion. Ireland’s laws have prohibited abortion for more than a hundred and fifty years. The current legislation governing Irish citizens, their eighth amendment to their constitution, claims “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.” This means it is illegal for women to have abortions unless pregnancy or having a baby will pose an immediate threat to their lives. History
The Rohingya Crisis
By Phoebe Thomas
The Rohingya crisis is a humanitarian crisis that is not being talked about enough. It is a refugee crisis located in Myanmar and Bangladesh, where over 500,000 Rohingya Muslims have been forced to leave Myanmar due to its recent surges of violence. As the violence deepens and tensions rise, more and more vulnerable people are at risk, drowning, dying of starvation and disease, or being abused while trying to escape persecution. The Rohingya people are a Muslim ethnic minority group in Myanmar, accounting for almost a third of the population. Their conflict with Myanmar’s western Rakhine State is part of a long historic migration crisis, with the Muslim Rohingya people forced to flee since the late 1970s when Myanmar’s government introduced discriminatory policies. The Rohingya people have been in the western region of Myanmar for centuries, with origins in the 15th century when Muslims came to what was formerly known as the Arakan Kingdom. Immigration continued while Rakhine was governed by British India under colonial rule, however, since their 1948 independence, Myanmar has refuted the Rohingya’s claims and denied them confirmation as one of their 135 ethnic groups. The differences between the groups are obvious, with differences in ethnicity, linguistics, and religion dividing the two and portraying the Rohingya as illegal immigrants. However, the renewed violence, an example being the military firing indiscriminately on unarmed civilians and
the increase of sexual violence against the Rohingya, has strongly caught the media’s attention, with an increase in reported rape, murder, and arson against the Rohingya people causing a renewed and growing exodus. Amidst the growing and effective institutionalization of discrimination, through restrictions on marriage, family planning, education, freedom of movement, employment and legal status, Rohingya insurgents (rebels) attacked dozen of police posts and an army post on August 27th, prompting the Rakhine state to fire back with a military counter-offensive against the Rohingya people, amid charges of ethnic cleansing against Myanmar’s security forces. The forces justify their actions as a bettering campaign to reinstate stability in the Myanmar’s western region. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize winner and importantly Myanmar’s de facto leader, was greatly criticized for her stance of silence on the crisis. Only after unrelenting criticism did she come forward with a statement, declaring that Myanmar’s government “had already started defending all the people… in the best way possible” and that “we know very well, more than most, what it means to be deprived of human rights and democratic protection… So we make sure that all the people in our country are entitled to the protection of their rights as well.” The refugees are in critical condition. Most, if they survive the journey from Myanmar’s Rakhine state to Bangladesh, predominantly in the Kutupalong
area, are forced to take shelter in squalid refugee camps where most get less than 1-litre of water a day and have limited medical supplies. The lack of supplies has built the market for smugglers who are paid to transport the refugees who are at significant risk for exploitation. In Bangladesh, the conditions are squalid at best and the journey is perilous. Unfortunately for them, that isn’t even the worst part – many are forcibly returned to Myanmar and up until recently held no citizenship and were lost in the disorder of the crisis. In Malaysia, the great increase in the proportion of refugees from Myanmar has had little effect on the government’s attitude towards them. At present, the Rohingya still have no legal status and are unable to work, with the government regarding them as illegal immigrants if they take note of them at all. In Indonesia, although the number arriving is fairly small, the government has provided them with emergency assistance and the necessary protection, however, hold no plans to relax immigration restrictions amid fears of an influx of people. Finally, in Thailand, the Rohingya are at great risk as the country is a hub for regional human smuggling and is a common transit point. The Thai government cracked down on the smuggling rings after discovering mass graves in alleged camps controlled by gans, who held hostages inside, however experts say that punishing traffickers only disrupts networks but doesn’t shut them down. In December 2016, sanctions against Myanmar by the US were lifted by US President Barack Obama, who saw the country as making great strides in improving human rights. Obama’s action
is lot of progress to be made. Moving Forward Circumstances like that in the X-Case have induced another referendum. On September 27, 2017, the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, declared that a new referendum surrounding the potential legalisation of abortion would be held in 2018. On January 29, 2018, the government formally announced that the referendum would happen in late May of 2018. Why the delay? Varadkar claimed: “Any amendment to our constitution requires careful consideration by the people. They should be given ample time to consider the issues and to take part in well-informed public debate.” The vote represents a massive step forward in Ireland’s progressive ideas. Currently, polls suggest that more people support lifting the amendment than keeping it in place. The country’s traditionally conservative Catholic ideals have been radically progressing over the past few years. In addition to the announcement of the referendum, Ireland also legalized gay marriage in the past five years– barely more than twenty years after they decriminalized homosexuality. Perhaps Ireland’s advances toward becoming a more tolerant nation will be replicated worldwide. came to be seen as premature, as were put in place amidst a crackdown on the Rohingya. In September 2017, $32 million was committed with the aim of supplying food, medical care, water and shelter for the Rohingya, however, there has been no talk of reimposing sanctions. Priscilla Clapp, a former US diplomat criticizes the outlook which places sole blame on Myanmar as she believes that it oversimplifies and misrepresents the country’s historical ethnic diversity. She made a strong statement, persuading the general public to aid the Rohingya people. She says, “an international response that consists primarily of assigning blame for this humanitarian tragedy is no longer tenable. It is time for the international community to organize a realistic, workable solution,” – a view shared by international advocacy groups such as the Arakan Project, Fortify Rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The resentment of the Rohingya group has occurred for many generations and cannot be ignored, they argue. Annan’s advisory commission published its findings in late August 2017, after a year of investigation. It recommended that Myanmar lift restrictions on movement and citizenship. “Tensions remain high and they risk becoming worse. Violence won’t bring solutions to the acute problems that afflict the Rakhine State,” Annan said.
Features
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Science: The Great Equaliser
By Katrine Westgaard
Society has perceived science throughout history as a male dominated field. Though there are many influential women in science, a divide between men and women in how they are viewed by the scientific community still remains. Therefore, many women were discouraged from pursuing the STEM fields as a career option. Without female role models to inspire them, younger generations have tended to choose other disciplines of study. At WIS, however, women dominate the science department and classrooms. The female science teachers at WIS have had to face obstacles and overcome societal pressures throughout their career. Though there have been improvements made to how women are treated in science and society there is still a stigma regarding women’s value in the scientific community. Margaret Hoeger, a chemistry teacher at WIS, always felt as though her community including her teachers and peers supported her. However, Hoeger recalled that her fellow colleagues and friends did not always have the same experience as her. One of her colleagues, a female professor, was told that when publishing articles she should not hyphenate her name. If she had hyphenated her name the scientific community could have known that it was a woman writing the piece and henceforth not have read it or perhaps believed it had less value than other pieces. Sadly, this advice was not missguided. Most of research funding is awarded to men as opposed to women, according to an article written in The Conversation, The study highlighted that “around 75-85 percent of the funding was awarded to male principal investigators.” In addition to this, the women that do get funding often are given less money than their male colleagues. This unequal treatment and underlying sexist behavior is just one of the many obstacles that women
in science, and many other fields, have to overcome. When dealing with harassment and degradation, it takes courage and discipline for women to speak out against injustices that they themselves are experiencing or that they have witnessed. Emily Veres, a Biology teacher at WIS, told of an incident in one of her first teaching jobs where she was being discriminated against based on her gender. When a male colleague was making her life difficult and targeting her she decided to take a risk and tell the school. The school was not supportive and she eventually decided to leave. What was difficult was that speaking out put her entire career in jeopardy. By accusing a stronghold in her school community of such behavior she was at risk for not getting a letter of recommendation for another job or of being branded as “difficult”. When asked about how she dealt with it, she said, “Very carefully. But ultimately you have to remind yourself that you’re here for the kids and no matter what craziness has happened in a staff meeting or in something that has happened in between classes or the day before, when you step into your classroom it’s your job to be a good role model for them.” In being a good role model for future generations, it’s important to remember that science is not something that should divide people, but rather bring them together. One thing that Hoeger and Veres definitely have in common is their love of science. Both felt that science was never something they actively chose to pursue but rather was something that chose them. In their minds, science is a field that has always been filled with wonder and excitement, whether it was biology or chemistry. Their passion for science is infectious. For this reason, they encourage
people of any genders and backgrounds who are interested in science to pursue it. In looking towards the future for science, Hoeger believes that it is crucial that there are a diversity of people solving problems, no matter their background or gender. Similarly, Veres highlights the importance of diversity in the sciences. “If we can’t value the knowledge that all members of our community bring in whether they identify as female or identify as male, regardless of their sexual orientation, or their cultural or ethnic background. If we can’t value knowledge from anybody then that’s going to be hopeless.” For this reason, science lies in the hands of the future generation, male or female. When asking a female science student at WIS what she thinks about the adversity she might have to face in the future because of her gender, she seemed generally optimistic. Lucy Porter is a student at WIS who has aspirations to become a surgeon and has always been interested in pursuing science as a career option. In her pursuit of a career in science, Porter has not felt as though being a woman has limited her in any way. However, she is in no way unaware of the barriers that women have had to face throughout history, but she has found many role models both in her teachers and in the female scientists who have come before her. The poster that hangs in the Carriage House where the science classrooms are located has pictures and descriptions of influential women in science. When looking at this poster, Porter feels as though it portrays that “there are influential women who have changed the sciences forever and it shows that if they can do it you can do it too, and that is something to work towards.” Despite the abundance of female science teachers and students at WIS, for the physics classes this trend is not applicable. With a majority of male students
in the physics classrooms and only male physics teachers it raises the question regarding why fewer women choose to study physics. One female physics student at WIS, who has chosen to remain nameless, believes that there is an intimidation factor which has accumulated as a result of a historical bias against women. Throughout history, particularly in physics, the main problem solvers and discoverers were men. This history has in a sense already preset women’s knowledge of physics. However, according to the student this pattern of women not pursuing physics at WIS has been changing, and that today more than a third of her class consists of young women. Despite theses changes to the norm at WIS, there seems to still be a stigma around women in science particularly in physics. When presented with the statistic that only 11.1 percent of physicists and astronomers in the world are women, and that only 7.9 percent of mechanical engineers in the world are women, the student said she felt the following way; “As a female physics student [it does not make me feel] very confident about my future in physics… But since we are a minority it makes me want to push more to break that standard.” In looking towards how women have and will continue to “break that standard” set in place it is important to look at science as a field. According to the students and teachers at WIS, science should not be a field which is influenced by gender biases, and people’s pursuit of science as a career should also not be influenced by their race or their sexuality. In science, your background does not matter but rather your tenacity and ability to solve problems determines your success as a scientist. For this reason science is ultimately a great equalizer. No matter who you are, if you love science, past misconceptions and societal biases do not influence how good of a scientist you are or can be.
Meal Prep Ramen - When Gourmet meets Cheap
By Marta Maliszewska
Have you ever wanted to go to Japan? Imagine wandering around the capital, maybe taking a trip to the business district, getting off at Tokyo Station and exploring. Now imagine it’s fall, and the weather has been mild all day, but now it’s late afternoon, the sun is setting, and you’re starting to wish you’d brought a jacket. As you stroll through streets lit up once by neon arcades stuffed with smiling animals, buildings that disappear into the sky, and billboards flashing in pinks, greens, and blues, the last thing you want to do is go back to wherever you’re staying. You window shop, take to the smaller roads with streetlights and apartments and try your hand at a claw machine. Before you know it, it’s dark and decidedly cold. Backtracking through the smaller alleyways, all of a sudden you’re hit with a tantalizing warmth floating through the air. The rich scent of roasting meat and spiced broth draws you in, and you a little bar-like booth with six stands notice up ahead. It’s jam-packed with people. You hurry to reach it and squeeze through the clear door. It’s very suddenly warm, the kitchen is right in front of you, and a few people are bustling around behind the
counter. One is stirring a giant simmering pot on a stovetop, and heat is bouncing off the walls of the room. You have to wait a bit before there’s a free stool, but once you finally have a seat, a huge bowl of steaming soup is waiting for you. The broth is hot, salty and complex, like the smoked, fatty flavor of bacon, the twisting, smooth taste of soy sauce, and the comfort of chicken noodle soup combined. The thick cut of crispy pork belly sits on top, it first crunches than melts in your mouth. Bright, bitter bean sprouts balance out the heaviness. It’s perfectly simple yet tastes strangely intricate. Comforting yet adventurous, it’s ramen. I’m not talking about the little packets you can buy at CVS for less than a dollar that college kids are known for eating, and that you’ve probably tried, if not for the price or because of laziness, then out of curiosity. I love traditional, Japanese ramen with a passion. It’s probably one of my favorite foods. I have incredible memories tied to it. But it’s not very practical. Who has the time to make broth over several days at home, to go to a specialty store for bean sprouts and whatever else they put in the soup to makes it so amazing? Not anyone taking the IB.
Pork Belly Ramen - Marta Maliszewska At the same time, people are always saying eating healthy and balanced meals will make you feel and focus better. So it’s hard when you have a passion for food and want to eat healthy, but you don’t have the time or energy to put effort into it. But there has been an incredibly genius trend lately that might allow making good ramen on a daily basis possible. It started with adding things to cup ramen to make it more substantial and even healthier. Soft boiled eggs, mushrooms, bok choy, chicken, tofu: all of these things can be added to make a bowl of noodles and flavoring seem gourmet. Then people took this trend one step further. Why not combine ramen
with the meal prep trend that’s spread like wildfire? Fancy-ramen-for-lunch was born. It’s simple: just take any toppings that work together and with ramen (almost anything if you think about it) and dump some hot water over the dried ramen in the package so that it’s partly cooked. Put the toppings, ramen, and flavor packet into a plastic container (or a mason jar if you really want to stick with the trend). When you get to lunch, fill your container up with hot water and shake. Instant ramen is meeting the aesthetic obsession. And it tastes amazing. To see the recipe go to www. WISDateline.org!
OPINIONS
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
The Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century
By Maxime Rotsaert
A few months ago, news surfaced that the recent US election, where the controversial Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, was influenced by a Russian hacking and propaganda campaign. This shocked the world: could a nation really have corrupted an election in the US, the birthplace of modern democracy and historically a nation more famous for influencing elections abroad than being tampered with at home? I thought about the situation and, realizing that the Russian government likely acted to lower US influence or harm the country, I initially wondered why Americans could not do the reverse: influence Russian elections to depose Putin and elect a positive, friendly new government. It would certainly make world security a lesser challenge. But would that even be possible? By forcibly promoting democracy, wouldn’t the US be undermining its own democratic values? I began to realize, with this vote and other controversial polls like the Brexit referendum, the Catalan referendum, and the French/German elections, that maybe democracy is not the best system, especially in our era. It has several fatal flaws which, even more so today, make it both a fundamentally insecure and practically inefficient form of government. Although I do not propose an alternative to democracy, I want to point to several flaws in the democratic system which, when compared to recent changes in our society, make it at least worthwhile to question the system and its worth. Perhaps the most underlying issue with the democracy is representation. The Merriam Webster’s dictionary lists democracy as meaning, “a: government by the people; especially rule of the majority or b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.” Two central tenets here are the principle of a system of representation and of majority rule. But are these concepts valid? Are majority rule and universal valid concepts in today’s world of demographic changes, migration, and increasingly extremist
ideologies? Catalonia recently voted to secede from Spain in an allegedly illegal referendum which has severely destabilized the region. While the vote had an overall majority of pro-independence supporters, only forty-three percent of the population voted, partly as a result of Spanish attempts to prevent the poll. This throws into question whether the vote was “democratic” because of the conflicting statistics: should the result be accepted because the people who actually voted clearly indicated their will, or should it be denied because not enough people actually voted, perhaps boycotting the process to indicate disagreement? More importantly, there was a conflict before the vote on who would be eligible to take part. The referendum only allowed those considered “Catalan” to vote. It seems right, as it was the fate of Catalonia that was being determined, but Catalan independence would certainly influence the rest of Spain, even the European Union, in a meaningful way. But would including those be valid when they have no Catalan identity? Even within Catalans, there is a divide between those who were born in the country and speak Catalan and those who arrived there for work or other reasons. These latter people, when polled, tend to oppose independence, while the former support it–leading to native Catalans wishing not to include them in the referendum. Another thing to consider is that the referendum was illegal according to the Spanish constitution, which states that Spain is indivisible. Even if the vote represents the Catalans, it could be considered undemocratic by violating the rule of law in Spain, which would attack one of the pillars of democracy in the country. In the UK, one of the main concerns relating to the Brexit referendum was also who should be allowed to vote, or at least how weighted their votes should be. While the majority of people voted to leave the EU, more than eighty percent of those 18 to 24 wanted to remain, while sixty percent of pensioners voted to leave, according to Time Magazine. Because the UK has an aging population, this meant that the old overruled the young. Some,
Educate Gun Owners Like Drivers
By Julia Brownell
As a student currently attending Drivers Education, I am scared to death of driving. Almost every Saturday at 9:00 a.m, I show up at WIS, and for three hours, about 20 other students and I listen to a police officer list the numerous ways we could die or injure another in a car crash. Not only do they describe these scenes in impeccable detail, but they also simultaneously play exceptionally disturbing videos to almost purposely put the fear of God in us. Although Driver’s Ed destroys my appetite for the remainder of the day, I do believe it is vital. Along with learning the essential rules of the road, Driver’s Ed permanently burns the consequences of reckless driving into our brains and prepares us for the enormous responsibility that comes with maneuvering a car. In the state of Maryland, it is required for students with their learner’s permit to attend 30 hours of in-class lessons as well as six hours of behind the wheel instruction. These rigorous courses are designed
to make the roads a safer place to travel for everybody. The primary purpose of a car is to get from point A to point B quickly and efficiently, though there can be some horrible ramifications. The U.S. population has been growing at a steady rate, yet the number of motor vehicle deaths has halved since the early 1970s. This is largely due to multiple laws put into place to regulate the use of cars, as well as mandatory Driver’s Ed in most states. In 1965, breathalyzers were first introduced and used by police officers to test for drunk drivers. In 1984, the state of New York was the first to pass a law making seat belts mandatory. Although car accidents remain a great cause of death in teenagers, the figures have shown notable improvement. Society places an enormous emphasis on the importance of training and protecting its drivers in order that they can responsibly handle these potentially dangerous weapons, but where is the same push for
like Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, though, have argued that this is wrong, as the old will likely not live to experience the vote’s results for as long as the young. Indeed, the Huffington Post reports that as many as 120,000 leave voters may now be dead, and it is reasonable to assume that, if the vote were carried out with the same people, voting the same way, in just a few years, the result would change simply because of dead “leave” voters. In the reverse scenario, where minorities are weighted more to avoid the so-called “tyranny of the majority,” there is the US’s electoral college which won Trump the election despite a majority of voters supporting Clinton and an even greater majority opposing him.This throws into question not only the principle of representation but of majority rule itself. Is it right to accept a vote where most people voted for one option, but those who will be most affected by that vote voted for the other? Is it wrong to have a president elected against the majority opinion because of a system that supports minorities? Democratically, this creates a conflict of where to draw the line, what population to exclude from referendums or elections, or how to weigh different opinions. In today’s world, where everything is interconnected, where there are huge migrant communities, and where there is an aging population, democracy needs to be selective, and it is important to consider the implications. A second problem associated with the democratic system, though more tenuous, is the idea that democracy does not lead to decisions being held for the benefit of the voters themselves. Many have seen the results of the US election, of Brexit, of the Catalan vote, of Colombia’s referendum on peace with the FARC, and have argued that because these referendums yielded “wrong” results, democracy is flawed and leads to bad decisions. This argument is difficult to substantiate as it is not easy to determine what a “right” decision is for a country–which is precisely why some states are resorting to referendums for decisions. Also, arguing that democracy doesn’t work because most people voted the other way is a form of sore-losership, in that it constitutes blaming the game as unfair because on has lost. I am not using these arguments, but rather three compelling reasons why democracy is not always healthy in this way.
The first is that voters tend to vote for their personal interests, which do not always match those of the country. In the US election, for example, the percentage of Trump voters increased by income level, partly as a result of Trump’s proposals to cut taxes–which would help the rich by giving them more money but leave the poor with less access to services. Rich people tend to vote against taxation because it is in their personal interest not to be taxed and because they can afford the consequences of less taxation (think a worse education system, which does not affect private school children), but repeated studies show that the poor depend heavily on those social systems that are funded by taxes and that most governments would be unable to function without tax revenue. Whether the principle of taxation is right or wrong for the country, the statistics show that there is division by personal interest, and because there are conflicting views on whether taxation is right, one of the two groups–the rich or the poor–must be going against the national interest. If an entire demographic is voting against the national interest because of their personal interest, then democracy is flawed by the effect of egoism: the placing of one’s good over everyones. It follows that if the majority of people vote for one interest over another and that that interest is wrong, then democracy brings the country the worse choice. The second way is that voters can and often are influenced by feelings over reason, leading to “wrong” vote results. I did my extended essay on the role of a very emotional event–an assassination attempt on Bob Marley–on a Jamaican election, and I know, by consulting political science works and descriptions of that election, that emotion can have a tremendous effect on voter behavior. Anger or fear are especially powerful emotions that can lead to voters losing their reasoning. This is especially distressing considering recent events, such as the rise of far-right parties in Europe and of the alt-right in the United States, which is a group mainly formed out of the fear and hatred of its members for foreigners, minorities, etc. Also distressing are reports which show that the appearance of candidates for elections is far more important to results than the candidates’ policies themselves. Before recently, this would not have mattered as much, because candidates were
training gun owners? Unlike a car, the sole purpose of a gun is to kill. Regardless of whether it is for protection or hunting, each and every firearm is meant to end lives. Weapons are melded together from scraps of metal, just like a car, but their goals are so very different. Nationally, the number of motor deaths is roughly the same to that of guns, yet almost all car accidents are unintentional. The same can be said for only 1.8 percent of gun deaths. In 2014, gun deaths exceeded that of cars in 21 states and, our city, the District of Columbia, according to the Violence Policy Center. Between the monumental school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec.14th, 2012, and the recent high school shooting in Parkland, Florida this Valentine’s day, over 400 people have died in more than 200 school shootings, according to the New York Times. This staggering figure continually raises the question of stricter gun laws, though our politicians chose to send out the infamous “thoughts and prayers” tweet rather than making a change. This extremely controversial topic o regulating guns begs me to
question what is wrong with our nation’s policies and priorities. If there are numerous regulations to get a driver’s license with the intention of moving around, then why is the process of buying a deliberately dangerous object so much easier with only a quick background check and absolutely no required courses? Personally, I do not see a need for civilians to own guns at all. However, I do understand that there is a hunting culture in the United States, that people have the need to feel protected, and believe they are entitled to gun ownership through the Second Amendment. I am also realistic about the political hurdles it would take to change the views of some lawmakers who are beholden to the gun lobby. Nonetheless, as I sit through hours of classes designed to learn to maneuver a machine that is almost vital to the movement of modern life, I find it absurd that such a class is not required to own and operate a machine that causes such pain and suffering to children and their families in schools all around our country.
Continued on page 8
ARTS
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
“The Laramie Project” Review
By Holden Davitian
One of the things I love the most about seeing plays is watching how so many pieces come together at the perfect moment to create a story. Each light, sound queue, line, movement and prop has their own purpose and specific moment on stage. When I go see professional plays, I really enjoy them. However, I don’t connect or resonate with them like I do when I see plays at school. When I am able to see my peers transform and portray a completely different character, I not only enjoy the piece more, but also feel immensely proud of their dedication to the role and the play itself. I have seen multiple plays at WIS over the past few years. Each year, I walk out of the Black Box amazed at how each of the little pieces that the cast and crew have poured so much thought and time into the production, have come together to create two hours worth of incredible entertainment. Although entertainment is a driving factor as to why one sees a play, the plays at WIS allow the audience to reflect on, inquire into and get involved with the story. Now that I have explained why I
simple way. The play dealt with the actual murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, specifically love WIS plays, I want to renear Laramie, Wyoming, which was flect on the most recent play: The Laramie denounced as a hate crime. However, it Project. The reason why I want to discuss focused equally on the events that led up to the murder and the events that followed, exposing the existing homophobia in Laramie. By doing such, the message of the play developed into not just an interpretation the horrendous murder that occurred, but how certain actions built up to it and how the community coped with it. Like I said, the depiction of the story The Laramie Project - Washington International School was done in simple yet thoughtful way. this play is because, like I said before, I The stage itself which consisted of wood think that one of the most moving things paneled floors, a couple of basic wooden about the plays at WIS is how the characfurniture pieces such as a benches and ters and stories resonate with the viewers. chairs and a plain white backdrop allowed “The Laramie Project” sparked an interest the audience to really focus on the characin me and to many to continue the conters and their words instead of an over the versation regarding how we treat others top and complex set. and to discuss how this play was able to Regarding the clothing, it was change or reinforce our own perspectives very simple and subtle as well, approon current issues in such a profound yet priately portraying the 90’s style which
Shakespeare Theatre’s “Hamlet”
By Ester Luna
actor playing Ophelia, it would have seemed like Hamlet was toying with her, while Oladejo practically makes Urie chase her. The modernity of this “Hamlet” production is also shown through the set, which, designed by John Coyne, is mainly made of metal, gray and rather plain, accentuating the large political emblems often attached to various staircases and panels. There are three small television screens hanging center stage, that can be raised and then lowered back down depending on the scene. They are used as security cameras (especially in the beginning when the officers and Hamlet see the ghost of the deceased King of Denmark), or as a general news channel flashing the faces of important characters during their appearances. Costumes, designed by Jess Goldstein, are sleek and professional, usually consisting of blazers and pencil skirts for women, and suits for men. However, two notable exceptions are Hamlet (who wore gray skinny jeans and cardigan), and Ophelia (donning a shirt and a flowy skirt with leggings underneath it). This choice served to further differentiate the two young adults from their often controlling, politics-obsessed parents and entourage. The only negative about Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is the sheer length of the play, which not even the extremely strong cast and modern set full of bright screens and the large, moving panels can distract from. Despite the actors’ unwavering energy and focus, the first act in particular dragged. Having never seen a production of “Hamlet”, but being aware of its major plot points, I found myself growing bored as scenes progress slowly, filling with extended dialogue before reaching their climax. Additionally, most of the comic relief in Hamlet rests on the characters of Rosencrantz (Ryan Spahn) and Guildenstern (Kelsey Rainwater), but, in this case, the choices they can make regarding physical humor are more restricted; when they join Hamlet in the castle, they are expected to follow the a strict, modern etiquette, which provides
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further insight into the unspoken oppression this particular production places on residents of the Danish court thanks to its contemporary, politicized setting. Though Michael Khan keeps this production from feeling excessively dark or upsetting, I still would not recommend the play to children younger than middle schoolers. Because of its extensive coverage of the themes of mental health and death, Shakespeare’s elevated language, and an Act I that, in my opinion, lasts unnecessarily long, “Hamlet” is no easy play to watch. However, for theatre-goers interested in Shakespeare, and more specifically in his tragedies, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s tragicomic “Hamlet” was definitely worth an evening at Sidney Harman Hall.
Where’s Sami?
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Set in a contemporary Denmark ruled by a fascist government, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Hamlet”, directed by Michael Khan, explores the themes of family, love, mental health, and death through a compelling cast, including a Hamlet who finds comedy in his darkest moments, and a strong, confident Ophelia.Michael Urie is a powerful Hamlet, as his deep emotional connection to his character gives him the ability to turn the dramatic, conflicted prince into a playful young man whose words easily resonate with people today. Urie does not impersonate the young prince as the angsty, brooding Hamlet we often see, but rather gives him a lighthearted, almost sassy side, constantly shifting his weight from hip to hip, and darting around the stage while saying his lines. He delivers a sizable part of the famous “To be or not to be” monologue casually reclining on the floor, twirling a pistol in his hands with an idle smile. I find Urie’s “antic disposition” scene particularly thought-provoking, because even as Hamlet descends into madness, he preserves his humor and subtle cynicism, which makes it quite difficult to decipher whether, as the play progresses, his madness continues to be an act, or is starting to become real. Before watching Oyin Oladejo play Ophelia, I had been under the impression that Hamlet’s love interest had to be tiny, naive, and meek. But Oladejo’s Ophelia is the complete opposite: tall, strong, and quietly confident, her stage presence constantly commands attention, even when she is silent. Ophelia’s scenes with Hamlet are particularly intriguing to watch because of the strength she exudes, both physically and emotionally. Oladejo is not the typical Ophelia who blindly believes anyone she talks to, which creates a push-and-pull dynamic between her and Hamlet. Though Ophelia certainly has feelings for him, she is smart enough to refrain from responding to his frequent declarations of love, and avoids displaying her attraction to him too openly. There are moments when, had it been another
is when the events that the play is based on took place. As the outfits consisted of mainly jeans, t-shirts and sneakers, they really emphasized how the events that occured in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 did happen and that stories that seem very distant and unbelievable, like this one, are actually very real and possible. One of the biggest aspects of the production that distinguished “The Laramie Project” from other plays I have seen is that there wasn’t a “lead” or main character. Each cast member had equal importance, especially since almost everyone played at least 2 characters. I think that this part not only shows the wide range of abilities of each of the student actors, but it also proves that the play didn’t need a ton of people, props or an overproduced set to get the message across. Each role was an equally important role, thus emphasizing the importance of each person involved in the murder of Matthew Shepard. Overall, I strongly believe that “The Laramie Project” was a one-ofa-kind production which successfully transmitted the story of what happened in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. From the set, to the clothing to the characters, The Laramie Project was subtle and simple, but simultaneously packed with emotion and intensity.
if you think you have found Sami, snap us a pic... the first 3 winners will recieve a sweet treat.
SPORTS
PAGE 6
THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Cross Country: An Underrated Sport
By Celeste Bloom
There is the tense moment before the gunshot, the rush while running, and the free feeling when you cross the finish line, so cross country shouldn’t be such an underrated sport. At WIS, if student fervently supports a team, it is almost always for soccer or basketball. People will wear WIS colors for these more popular sports, filling the bleachers will a sea of red, blue and white. An ice cream truck even arrives. At cross country meets and championships, this is not the case. Cross country may be more of a participant sport than a spectator sport but many on the team argue that it requires the same, if not a greater, amount of effort than soccer or basketball. Our runners deserve more support which, in this case, means joining the team and running alongside them. Currently the cross country team is lacking girls and was not able to qualify as a team for PVAC Championships. To be able to qualify, the cross country team needs at least five girls. Currently the team has two girls, Madeline Connolly and Elsa Coony. According to Coach Gary Piligian, Connolly and Coony both placed in the top five which would have given the girls team high placing if they had just had three other runners. Joining cross country would not only benefit your health, but it can also be socially and academically advantageous. When you join cross country, you are promising yourself a healthier lifestyle. According to the American College of Cardiology, being a runner can lengthen your lifespan due to a 35-45 percent lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. “I’d be a fat slob without cross country” Coach Piligian said. In addition, being part of cross country helps you relieve stress. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America(ADAA) says, exercising on a daily basis is just as effective as medication for anxiety and compares running regularly to taking aspirin for a headache. “It’s a way to get fresh air
and clear your mind” runner Madeline Connolly said. Now a sophomore, Connolly started cross country in 7th grade. A study from the ADAA found that regularly running can decrease the risk to develop anxiety or depression by 25 percent over the next five years. Running also helps you manage your diet. “Everything I eat is monitored” runner Alejo Gonzalez explains, “I need to focus on the right about of fruits, vegetables, carbs and even water.” According to the New York Times Well section, a “Runner’s diet” guarantees a healthy and energizing diet. Further-
WIS runners at Cross Country meet - Gary Piligian more, running increases nutrition intake. helps you cultivate friendships. “I have gotten closer to Elsa Coony through Elsa Coony, a sophomore team member cross country.” Connolly said. When says that running burns a lot of calories Connolly is not running, she supports allowing you to eat heavy meals like other runners on the team by cheering pasta. them on. As Juniors and Seniors at Cross country also brings WIS start to tackle the IB, sports start coaches and students closer together. to become secondary. “At the start of “One of the reasons I decided to coach the year there were a few seniors, then was to get to know students outside of all but one quit” Coony said. However, the classroom, without the academic unbeknownst to these upperclassmen, pressures” coach Piligian said. participating in a sport, such as cross Coach Piligian is also the math country can be academically beneficial. teacher of Connolly and Coony. Connol A study at the University of ly says she feels closer to coach Piligian Kansas states, “ students who exercise because they have cross country in regularly, such as runners, have a higher common. GPA and are more likely to graduate It’s not just individual relation-
Why College Football Players Shouldn’t Get Paid
By Saul Pink
As we reach college football bowl season, we see thousands of passionate fans pack stadiums to witness young men take the field and hope their months of constant hard work pay off. These players play every week on national television and stand on the sidelines next coaches with multi-million dollar contracts. All this publicity and money makes it clear that college football is a billion dollar business. In 2015, 231 NCAA Division I schools made a combined revenue of $9.15 billion off of their athletic programs. Texas A&M and the University of Texas each made over $180 million off of student athletes. College football powerhouse, the University of Alabama, makes over $80 million per year from football
than non-athletic students.” This better performance is due to higher blood circulation in the brain, which improves cognitive behavior and mood, making students approach challenges more optimistically. Coach Piligian, who is also a math teacher, agrees with this statement. The National Institute of Health says running can increase your creativity as well, and get rid of writer’s block. According to David Hindley, a Guardian reporter and a runner himself, “running helps me create a productive space for mind-wandering, where thoughts crystalize and ideas incubate”. Cross country also helps you manage your time more effectively. Gonzalez explains that meets can end as late eight in the evening, leaving no time to procrastinate on homework. In addition, Cross Country
and their legendary coach, Nick Saban, gets $11 million of those dollars. The athletes at these big-time Division I schools devote their bodies and their time to the teams, yet they do not get a nickel of the money the school makes. This raises the question: should college athletes get paid? Sure, the schools make tons of money off of the athletes, and the players pour their heart and soul into the team. Maybe it isn’t fair to some of the players that they do not have a salary. But, let’s not forget why we love college sports, let’s not forget what makes college football so much fun. It’s the passion of the players. When these players take the field, they play with pride. They want to win to make their school proud, to make their family proud, to make themselves proud. The
athletes play with fire, and they live in and for the moment. When star Louisville quarterback, Lamar Jackson throws a pass, he’s not thinking about million dollar signing bonuses or contract extensions. He’s thinking about winning the game for his own good. When watching an NFL game, you’re not gonna see all the crazy things you see NCAA fans do. You don’t see the hilarious signs that we all love, you won’t see students screaming their school’s fight song after a win, or even a loss. So, for the passionate fans of college football, players getting paid would take a lot of the fun away from the game. Another thing to take into account is the NFL. The popularity of the NFL is declining due to its corruption, and it’s strong focus on money. People still love the NFL, but not as much due to all the evidence of concussions and the whole Colin Kaepernick controversy. This is only watch college football.
ships however, the entire team becomes closer as a whole and is often told to “run in a pack”. Cross country at WIS is an inclusive sport. There are no tryouts unlike soccer, basketball, volleyball and there is no pressure of winning or losing the game for the entire team. “There’s no one to blame but you and there’s no one to stop you but you,” Coony said. Self improvement is key in cross country, even if it’s only by a couple seconds. “Every meet, I want to beat my previous time and set a new personal record at the end of each season” she said. In addition, it is the only sport at WIS that is mixed gender. Girls and boys will practice together even if they do not run side by side during meets. “I think there are a lot of girls who aren’t on the team who should be, and I encourage girls to join,” Gonzalez said. He thinks that the girls even accomplished more than the boys this season and should have a shot at competing. Sophomore Runner Elsa Coony During cross country, the action is hidden, the trails can take runners into forests and up hills. Connolly said, “sports like soccer and basketball are designed for people to watch, there are stadiums with bleachers”. However there is an advantage to this, running does not require equipment such as rackets, balls or even a court, if you feel like going for a run, you can just do it. Therefore, due to its physical, mental, academic and social benefits, cross country is just as rewarding as the more popular sports at WIS and should be treated with the same importance. If the team deserves better, more people should join to show their support. Rising freshmen, especially girls, should put on their running shoes and get the cross country girls competing. Like Madeline. Connolly said, “every sport should have a fan bus.”
Paying the student athletes would also have a negative impact on the athletes’ college football experience. Most college football athletes choose what school they want to go to based on where they feel is the best fit and where they can develop the most in order to succeed in the NFL. If the NCAA were to start offering to pay these players, they would make their decisions purely based on what school would pay them the most. We need to remember that these are 18-yearold kids, not responsible adults. These athletes are going to choose the wrong school but stick with it just for the money, and that will come back to haunt them. What makes college sports awesome is the passion of the players, and if the NCAA were to begin paying these players, the passion would disappear, and college football would just become another boring professional sport.
WISnews
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Miss Congo Brazzaville puts her Heart on her Hand
By Nicolas Greamo and Adam Rehman
Miss Congo Brazzaville 2017 is giving a voice to the U.S. Congolese community. She is a spokesperson for an organization that provides shoes, books and other supplies to the widows, orphans and Pygmy people of the Congo. She is also in 8th grade. Clardav Goutou-Nkoli is reigning Miss. Congo Brazzaville and a student at Briggs Chaney Middle School.
cause of what she looked like, but instead because of what she wanted to do to help those in need. She said, “I believe that beauty is not only on the outside but how you can help improve the world.” When Goutou-Nkoli became Miss Congo Brazzaville she found an opportunity to join Le Coeur Sur La Main, an organization devoted to helping those who need it in the Congo. Le Coeur Sur
short stature, have frequently been the victims of violence and oppression in the Congo. Goutou-Nkoli, however, believes that many of the issues Le Coeur sur la Main is fighting in the Congo stem from the government. “I think the biggest problem is that, in the country, the government really doesn’t try that hard to work with the people to understand their pain, what they’re going through.” She also discussed the status of the healthcare system in the Congo, saying that, “the lack of medical attention is also a big problem.” However she also expresses hope for the future of the Republic of the Congo. She believes that if the Republic of the Congo would change how it is governed, many of the issues Le Coeur sur La Main are fighting would not be as common or as consequential.“I think that they could become more of a democracy, more than just one person because the
president of the Congo has been reigning for about 32 years, I believe, so I think that they need a change and a new set of ideas.” She says her rolemodels are her mother and Oprah. Both inspired her to choose the direction she has chosen for her life. “People who inspire me, are my mom because she is really hardworking and she does a lot for me to, you know, succeed and also Oprah, she is very inspirational for me.” She has a bright future ahead of her in activisim and academics. She also reflected on her dual role as an activist for many in the Republic of the Congo as well as a leader in the Congolese-American community. When asked where she saw herself in five to ten years, she said that, “I would see myself working with organizations still and I hope to be traveling back and forth between Congo and America.”
@WISDateline Miss Congo Brazzaville - Lillian Orloff She is the brandperson for the charitable organization, Le Coeur Sur La Main. Most recently, she was a keynote speaker for the DC GIN conference at George Washington University. “I’ve gotten to this point by basically working hard and prioritizing by having a goal that I can work to achieve,” she said. Goutou-Nkoli, as Miss Congo Brazzaville, gives a voice to both the Congolese-American community as well as those suffering strife and oppression in the Republic of the Congo. She never wanted to be Miss Congo Brazzaville be-
WIS Students Make Cleveland Park Businesses Blossom
By Saul Pink
At about 3 p.m. on every school day, many WIS students take a quick seven minute walk down to Connecticut Avenue and visit one of the many businesses located on that bustling street. A survey sent out to the WIS community shows that about 38 percent of students spend $1-$5 on Connecticut Avenue each week. That means that your average WIS student could spend close to $200 at these businesses every year. According to the survey, the most popular businesses for WIS students are CVS and Chipotle, large national chains. But, other small businesses such as Fresh Med and Firehook attract many WIS students. Students who participate in extracurricular activities and stay later after school are more likely to spend large amounts of money on Connecticut Avenue. “I spend a ridiculous amount of money on Connecticut during basketball season,” 9th grader Liam
@WISDateline
La Main can be roughly translated to heart on your hand, an allegory for the empathy and action-based work the organization does, according to Clardav. “I was introduced before I even ran to be Miss. I was told about the organization and I like their goals so when I ran for Miss I knew that if I were to win then that would be what I would be working on,” she said. Le Coeur sur La Main donates furniture, books and other items to widows, orphans and Pygmy in the Congo. The Pygmy people, recognized by their
Byrne said, “If I were to save all that money I could probably buy one of the restaurants!”
@WISDateline positive energy and good manners,” said Saleem Adimi, Fresh Med’s manager, “It is always good for business to have WIS customers”. Vace Italian Delicatessen is also a very important business in the WIS community. Yes, it is a fairly popular after-school destination for students.
Cleveland Park restaurants - Coldwell Banker
Fresh Med is one of the businesses that WIS students live by. You can get great food for under $5 and there are big tables where students can hang out and talk. “I appreciate [WIS students]
But, it’s real importance at WIS is every Thursday, when WIS orders over 30 pizzas to serve for lunch on the famous “pizza day”. This makes WIS one of Vace’s biggest clients as they give Vace a huge
order every single week. Along with all these positives WIS brings to the Connecticut Avenue businesses, there are also some negatives. For example, there are suspicions WIS students have issues with shoplifting, especially from CVS and 7-Eleven. Students have been asked to empty their pockets in these stores multiple times. Also students sometimes disrespect other businesses by making messes in restaurants and not cleaning up. The relationship between WIS students and Connecticut businesses tends to be mutual. The businesses may not survive without WIS students, and WIS students couldn’t survive without these businesses.
TheBackPage
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THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Look at What You Made Me Write
By Val Deshler
Within 24 hours of Taylor Swift’s debut of pop title “Look What You Made Me Do” from her 2017 album, “Reputation,” the star accumulated 43.2 million Youtube views; a record number for the site. The music video begins with a cliche clip of a Zombie-Taylor aggressively digging her way out of a grave, marked by a grand headstone in which “Taylor Swift’s Reputation” has been engraved. Therefore the song essentially presents itself as a rebirth single, in which Taylor quite forcefully spoon feeds watchers and listeners the totally original tune of a girl pop star who started out as a country singer: she’s not the good, sweet, bakes-cookies-for-Instagram, relationship girl anymore, no! She’s bad! A rebel…out for blood against all the people who have wronged her and caused her suffering throughout her $200 million a year career! And this isn’t necessarily a concept that requires interpretation: she quite literally includes a block of dialogue in the lyrics in which she states, “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead!” The star goes on to feature a plethora of versions of herself, characterizing each one through the outfits she wore in the respective music videos or at A-list events. The “new” Taylor, clad in an all black, leotard, mink coat hybrid contraption, stands upon a mountain of these old Taylor’s, crucified by a radiating teal “T”, and condemning them to the depths of the underground, erasing them, throwing a blanket over them so everyone forgets that they ever existed, even though she’s still generating income from the nearly 800 million views on 2009’s “You Belong With Me.” To clarify, in her obtusely un-artistic, inelegant, and frankly desperate wail insisting that she’s different now, she’s referring to the distance she wants to place between herself and curly-haired, guitar-lugging Taylor. In reality, nothing in the slightest makes her stand apart from the Miley Cyrus (recall: “Can’t Be Tamed”) and Katy Perry (collab with Migos? What?) bandwagon of quarter-life-crisis, “can-I-have-a-do-over”
artists. We get it. You cultivated your image, you got sick of it, you want to branch out, you’re being scrutinized by the public eye so you might as well do it with a bang. Congratulations! We still picture you in a yellow dress on a swing crayoning up an American flag coloring book with your quasi-friends of your equal complexion and occasional, token, diversity friend. Besides her identity crisis, there were other aspects of the single that caused the masses of fans and critics to flock to its youtube video. For instance, that fact that
Taylor Swift - before and after she used stupidly direct symbols to target different people who have caused any notable turmoil in her career. Granted, she’s been criticized ceaselessly in the media for being petty and selfishly opportunistic, using her relationships to garner pity and spineless fame. Anywhere online right now you can find analysis of the different hints she dropped in the visuals, using props, costuming and “hidden” messages to call attention to her feuds with, to name a few, the West/ Jenner/Kardashian crew, ex-boyfriend Calvin
The Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century
Continued from page 4
simply not as present in the lives of voters. However, in today’s media-dominated era, where everyone can see every candidate, and where messages circulate with ease, appearance and emotion are far more present in voters. As such, voters increasingly vote due to emotion or the image of leaders over their policies, meaning that votes are becoming increasingly irrational and thus that democracy is becoming dangerous–potentially putting completely irrational and incompetent people in power or leading to horrendously stupid decisions (my personal opinions of Trump and Brexit). A final problem with the democratic system in our century is its vulnerability to manipulation. With voters increasingly affected by media and with opinions easily transmissible through technology, powerful actors can use these platforms to sway voter opinion and change the outcomes of whole elections. The most blatant example of this is Russian involvement in the US’s last vote, where a campaign based on fake news, facebook groups, politicised ads, etc created opposition to Hillary and helped swing key states for Trump. There are other examples, though, like alleged Russian actions in Europe or even US
Harris, the VMA’s, the Met Gala, Apple Music, and so on. A fan favorite is her continuous inclusion of snakes, which has been a popular emoji to define her in the past years. And to be honest, rightfully so. They might as well put an all black, leotard, mink coat hybrid contraption on the snake emoji. I recently read a set of articles claiming that any backlash to emerge from Taylor Swift’s single is misogynistic, because she’s standing up for herself, and beefing with other artists and corporations through her songwriting, as several male artists have done and continue to do without being pegged as obnoxious and overbearing. I am going to start by stating that it is not misogynistic for me to hate a song because the song itself is terrible. Merely from an artistic standpoint, with no gender bias or stereotype attached, it is a redundant and
rigging of elections in Italy after world war two to prevent a communist takeover. Democracies are very vulnerable to these attacks because they rely on voters, who are those that malignant actors target. Conversely, it is very difficult to manipulate dictatorships or other undemocratic governments, because people do not vote and so only a select cadre of individuals have to be swayed, individuals which are unlikely to be moved because of their loyalty to their regime. It is true that the same media outlets can be influenced in authoritarian states, but because dictatorial or monarchical governments hold onto power regardless of the wishes of their people, influence has to be so strong that it causes actual revolt and risks people’s lives, while in democracies it only needs to prompt people to vote. Thus democracies are far more vulnerable to foreign influence than other systems, which is a significant flaw. In conclusion, democracy seems to be in crisis. Not only are globalization and changing demographics creating a representation issue which threatens the concept of voting, but media proliferation and social empowerment of the uneducated has led to democracy becoming increasingly vulnerable to electing unfa-
Disney-esque, crude blob of a single chord separated by a canned, relentless symbol-snare drum sound that sounds like she illegally downloaded it from someone, who recorded it with an iPad, froWii wii game of guitar hero. All tied together by her strange talk-sing-yell medley that I pray she didn’t intend as rap. Not to mention that lyrically and visually her messages were annoyingly bare and her fog machine was probably exhausted by the end of it. I don’t listen to Taylor Swift if I can help it, and I wouldn’t even grace this sad
vorable candidates. The media has also meant that democracy is easier to attack and manipulate, and thus that democratic countries are less politically strong that other systems. The situation is rather serious as the very meaning and validity of the democratic system is being tested. I am not proposing an alternative system, and the above discussion only seeks to point out the need for a rethinking of democracy in our era. I understand the values of democratic systems, and that
excuse for a song with any concern or attention at all, but when I read that people think Taylor Swift is a feminist, and that this single highlights that, I had to say something. She presents as a non-partisan artist, not revealing who she voted for, yet twitter-piggybacking on the zest of the women who marched in January to urge that she cares about women’s issues without having to attach herself to the progressive community. Again, a strategic move to keep a broad audience, but simultaneously suggesting that it’s likely her fanbase is widely conservative tween girls from Trump-voting, predominantly southern families. And she’s misinforming them about feminism. The pinnacle of her “empowering women” mantra occurred when she delivered a speech allegedly designed to reclaim credit and accountability for her own fame and success, after Kanye West alluded to her in lyric, “I made the (expletive) famous.” It was emotional, strong and forward, but soon after, audio evidence of Taylor Swift’s verbal permission agreement for his inclusion of the lyric was released to the internet. Her goal wasn’t to empower women- it was to use her position of fame to capitalize on female vulnerabilities and create pity, all while treading on the success of a fellow artist who has been innovating in the music industry since the 90’s. Don’t fall for the screeches of a woman who’s been referred to by white supremacist news industries as “Our Aryan Angel” (true story- check the Daily Stormer)- instead I recommend you spend your energy exploring and supporting other, more worthwhile artists who have managed to stay on the grid without evoking celebrity gossip headlines. See: up and coming, orthodox-muslim neo-soul artist, SZA, or our very own, home-grown rapper GoldLink. If worst comes to worst, settle back into 2016’s quality albums and make sure you haven’t missed any essentials: Kaytradana’s 99.9 percent, dvsn’s Sept. 5th, Blood Orange’s Freetown Sound, Isaiah Rashaid’s The Sun’s Tirade, Saba’s The Bucket List Project, or Jidenna’s The Chief. The “old Taylor” is dead to Taylor Swift, and the “New Taylor” is dead to me.
despite its shortcomings, it is the only fair and accountable form of government that has been devised. Churchill once said, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time… If the world has changed, this statement, at least, holds true.
Washington International School students and staff, stop by the Chipotle at 3420 Conneticut Ave, NW and show us your school ID on MONDAY, APRIL 30th through THURSDAY, MAY 3rd from v10:45 am to 10:00 pm and we’ll hook you up with BUY-ONE/GET-ONE FREE on your choice of burritos, bowls, tacos or salads. a valid, current ID must be presented to redeem this offer. Offer valid only during the offer period and only at the specificed Chipolte Mexican Grill locations, for a single free reguled-priced entréeitem per ID. Not valid for online, mobile, fax or catering order or Burritos by the Box. May not be comined with coupons, promotions or other offers. Void where prohibited. Additional restrictions may apply.