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Back to Articles News Back to Sections A Divided America: Can We Actually “Build Back Better”? By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by POSO It’s over. At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, November 7th, the state of Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, was declared to 77-year-old, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., putting him over the 270 threshold of electoral votes needed to win the presidency. He would be announced as the future 46th President of the United States with his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, being declared the future 49th Vice President of the United States. Former Vice President Biden would only be the second practicing Catholic elected as President, and Senator Harris would be the first woman in the position of Vice President. This is not to mention Harris is of Black Caribbean and South Asian descent, which makes another first for an American VP. While this is a monumental win for Democrats, the results of the Senate and House races have made Americans, especially Democrats, question whether the country can actually “Build Back Better,” as well as whether the varying political visions of the Democrats caused the party to lose seats in the House. The infighting of the Democratic Party has been an issue over the last decade, recently exemplified when 29 Democrats, across the large spectrum of the party’s beliefs, ran to become the Presidential nominee for the party. The large spectrum of democrats includes the progressive, liberal, and centrist (or moderate) wings. In this election, the Republicans flipped 11 seats in the house for a net gain of eight, with 8 races yet to be called (As of 11/19/20). Polling suggested Democrats were supposed to gain 10-15 seats, but rather, they lost seats, putting Nancy Pelosi’s position as Speaker of the House in peril. The weakened majority in the House came as a shock to Democrats and Republicans alike. The progressive wing of the party was blamed for these losses based on polling, proving that the Democratic party is not shifting as much left as polls suggested. Many centrist Democrats pointed fingers at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that her self-described democratic socialist agenda caused voters to turn away from the Democratic ticket in the down-ballot races. Even some members of the progressive caucus such as California Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) concurred, stating, “I think Republicans did get some traction trying to scare people on this ‘socialist narrative.’” The results of the House races gave implications that Americans do not agree on policies such as Medicare for All (abolishing privatized healthcare), defunding the police, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a federal job guarantee. Representative Connor Lamb (PA-17), a centrist Democrat, claimed the progressive policies are “unrealistic” and that the false promises being made, cost Democrats in key races. He further went on to say that the Biden administration should keep the progressives at arm’s length. Additionally, moderate Republican and former Ohio Governor, John Kasich, who supported the Biden-Harris ticket, bluntly stated, “The Democrats have to make it clear to the far-left that they almost cost him this election.” The multiple accusations generated a defensive response from Representative Ocasio-Cortez stating to the Times , “I don't even know if I want to be in politics.” The deflection from the Congresswoman reflected the division within the Democratic party and displayed how the many sides of the party cannot seem to be, let alone act unified. Former Vice President Biden has pledged that he will be a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him. However, the divide within his own party might make it difficult for him to reunite the heavily divided nation. This becomes especially challenging with a divided Congress. The Democrats have a slim majority in the House, while the Republicans have a 50-48 majority in the Senate (as of 11/19/20), with two runoff races in Georgia taking place in January that will determine which party has the majority in the Senate. With President Trump refusing to concede, a smooth transition of power is unlikely to happen based on Tweets that he has sent. The lame-duck President has retweeted multiple times, “WE WILL WIN,” even though all major media outlets made the call that the former Vice President would be the projected 46th President. The former Vice-President will have adversities to overcome, no matter the circumstances in Congress. In order to “Build Back Better”, Joe Biden will need to reach across the aisle to work with both parties to amend the great divide in our country. The Biden-Harris Administration will be responsible for establishing new precedents for future generations. The former Vice President is known for his ability for working with the Republican Party, which is reassuring in our currently divided nation. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Juliana Silva By Juliana Silva Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Seratonin By Noorish Atif June 8, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Ode to the Cassiopeia Jellyfish By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original artwork by Luiginna Frederique The jellyfish cannot sleep Sleep, despite all odds, requires brains The jellyfish cannot fight back Fight, unsurprisingly, requires bones The jellyfish cannot feel warm Warmth, like most other things, requires blood The jellyfish floats It may be there, it may not Simply by existing, it will contribute Brainless, spineless, heartless That, for today, must be enough BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 7 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Holiday Films: A Bleak De-Evolution By Alain Deen Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Minnetonka Breezes Ah…the holiday season. A time for extravagantly decorated trees, gingerbread scented candles, family gatherings, and most importantly, holiday films. Watching a holiday film while drinking a warm cup of hot cocoa might be my favorite holiday activity of all time. Doesn’t everyone love watching Kevin defeat the burglars, Walter Hobbs discovering the true meaning of Christmas, and Kris Kringle winning the court case? I sure do. The first known on-screen holiday film was 1898’s “Santa Claus.” The film was approximately two minutes long, created in the UK. A film that long deserves a very in-depth synopsis, right? Just kidding. The film depicts the traditional aura of Santa Claus. He goes down the chimney, and leaves toys for the sleeping children. It is safe to say that the film industry has come a long way since then, especially in the holiday department. The mid to late 20th century presented itself with some of the best holiday films to date. However, after the 2010, in the holiday film department, it is a known fact that the holiday season saw a rapid decline in ratings and viewership. Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life are just some of the most influential holiday films of our time. Each film has a unique characteristic that you really could not find in any other holiday film at the time of each release. However, it is worth noting that each film has a similar message; Christmas spirit always wins. While it is a common theme, it takes great execution to pull it off. Some films hold the very same theme but have awful execution, making the five films mentioned above classics. Let us take a look at 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street. The film centers around divorced mother, Doris Walker and her daughter, Susan. Doris works at Macy’s and is in charge of organizing the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. When the man hired to play Santa Claus is found stone-cold drunk minutes before the parade, Doris hires a sweet old man to take his spot. However, she is startled by his claim that he’s the genuine article. The old man’s legal name is Kris Kringle, which immediately throws the other characters off. On top of that, Kris persuades Doris’ headstrong daughter, Susan, to develop a less rigid imagination, which she does. After about a month of confusion, Macy’s marketing tactics, and people attempting to prove that Kris was indeed not Santa Claus, an official court case was held. Doris’ love interest, Fred Gailey, serves as Kris’ lawyer. Against all odds, he uses his knowledge of the law and postal letters to Santa Claus to prove that Kris is truthfully Santa Claus, allowing the Christmas spirit to flourish. In my opinion, this film had near-perfect execution in its theme delivery. The writing, pacing, and performances were very convincing, allowing for a great film. It was a unique idea at the time, making the film an instant classic. As years have gone by, similar themes have been used in holiday films. For instance, 1994’s The Santa Clause employs a very similar underlying plotline. However, it isn’t as charming as Miracle on 34th Street due to the recycled theme. Recycled themes often foster the failure of modern holiday films. For instance, after Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, 3 new installments were produced. The ratings for each were significantly lower than the first two, starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci. For instance, Home Alone 3 has a 3.6/10 rating on IMDb. Most of the reviews complain about the film’s recycled plot line, bad acting, and lack of charm. Even worse, Home Alone 4 has a 2.6/10 rating on IMDb. Critics tore this film to pieces due to its lack of authenticity. Even the franchise’s latest installment, Home Sweet Home Alone has a 3.6/10 rating on IMDb. Critics emphasize the film’s lack of charm as well. Overall, it is safe to say that modern holiday films flop due to a lack of authenticity, charm, and ever-recycled plotlines. It is crucial for filmmakers to develop new themes for holiday films. If not, future generations would not have their own set of classics, as we do. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Angelina Gonzalez - Pop Art By Angelina Gonzalez January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Sienna Munro - Perspective By Sienna Munro December 16, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Chemtrails Over the Country Club: Album Review By Lucy Wu Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Original album by Lana del Rey On March 19, 2021, Lana del Rey released her long-anticipated seventh studio album, Chemtrails Over the Country Club. After a Californian escapade of late-night musings and love rock ballads in her previous album, Norman F*cking Rockwell, we return to an appreciation of the simple things in life through traversing the American Midwest in this album. Co-producers Jack Antonoff and Rick Nowels bring this vision to life with acoustic instruments to envelop her soft vocals, creating an atmospheric album dedicated to the nostalgic charm of folk Americana. 1. “White Dress” Through her lyrics, Lana takes us back to her roots when she worked as a waitress playing her guitar before her fame as a songwriter and artist. Her raspy vocals, contrasted by her sweet tone throughout the song, make it engaging even beyond her lyrical storytelling. If you listen to any song on this album, listen to this one because it represents the takeaway of the entire album: nostalgia for a past life. Best Lyric: When she whisper-yells “down at the men in music business conference” in the middle of the chorus, I feel that my life is complete. Rating: 9.3/10 2. “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” In our “little red sports car,” we take a trip through 1950’s suburbia and reminisce about summers spent under the “white picket chemtrails.” At this stage in her life, Lana deeply longs for the stability and normalcy of living in a Levittown, presenting this through her soft “feminine” vocals, layered harmonies, and descriptive lyricism. We experience her dreams of domesticity through “doing the laundry” and lavish in the simplicity of wearing “jewels in the swimming pool.” However, her little riffs present in her music video are missing in the actual track, leaving a little more desired sonically. Still, her dreamy performance is alluring and makes the title track one of the best on the album. Best Lyric : “My moon’s in leo my cancer is sun” references her contrasting zodiacs and her unpredictable personality. Rating: 8.2/10 3. “Tulsa Jesus Freak” And now we try to find our way back to the ranch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, through a sultry yet divine song. Unlike the rest of the tracks in the album, this is much less folk and much more pop, closer in style to her previous works. Her purposeful use of autotune in the verse adds an interesting twist to an already memorable song before she seduces us and says to “stay close to Jesus.” Did I mention the beat, lyrics, and everything about this song is just catchy? She even nails the subtle Southern accent and adds an audio snippet of her laughing, which I find endearing. This track introduces the line “no more candle in the wind,” to show that she isn’t fragile, but stable instead. Best Lyric : “White hot forever and ever and ever, amen” is a catchy yet evocative line in the chorus. The original album was supposed to be named White Hot Forever before it was changed, but this lyric in the song is still a great tribute. Rating: 8.7/10 4. “Let Me Love You Like a Woman” While some of her tracks are enhanced by the minimalism in the lyrics, this one suffers from being overly simplistic. Rather than be enchanted by her voice and pleas for us to “talk about the good ol’ days,” I was distracted by the monotony of lyrics and the underwhelming instrumental production. Still, her tone quality and control in her voice perfectly complement the soft country vibe she exudes. Knowing what she is capable of, I expected more from her quality of songwriting, which is why this track proved to be particularly lackluster compared to the others. Best Lyric : “We could get high on some pink champagne” has such an excellent visual quality to it and stands out among the rest of the lyrics. Rating: 5.3/10 5. “Wild at Heart” Leaving Calabasas, California, we escape to the Midwest to abandon the “coffee pots and Insta’ thots” in search of limitless freedom instead. The backing track is the same as How to Disappear, a beloved song from her previous album, Norman F*cking Rockwell, making this song a continuation. In conjunction with the lyrics, this contributes to her growth from the last album to this one. The unexpected tempo and style change from the verse to the chorus is ambitious but welcome as it aids to advance the song. Similarly, her layered vocals in the chorus are resoundingly confident. Best Lyric : “The cameras have flashes, they cause the car crashes” alludes to Princess Diana’s tragic death as her car crashed because of the paparazzi flashes; it explains why she wants to get away from the fame. Throughout the track, we also see Diana’s influence in the line “no more candle in the wind.” Rating: 7.8/10 6. “Dark but Just a Game” To continue the theme of rejecting stardom, we venture into a darker side of the music industry. “The faces aren’t the same, but their stories all end tragically” references the media icons throughout history, including Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, who suffered from drug abuse and depression. While the lyrics preach of denouncing fame and glory for constancy in life, the production with heavy bass and drums doesn’t match the innocent folk aura of the album in the slightest. Quite literally the black sheep of the album, though, it provides a taste of her old alternative rock style of music and is a refreshing change of tone, making it an edgy hit. Best Lyric : Her melancholic attitude makes a welcome comeback when she sings, “nothing came for either one but pain, but ____ it” Rating: 8.5/10 7. “Not All Who Wander are Lost” We journey back to Lincoln, Nebraska, where the skies are blue, and the sun is bright. Her voice is impossibly ethereal and gentle, like the warm breeze that brushes your arm as you walk through the countryside. Paired with the acoustic guitar in the background, her harmonies in the bridge are glorious to listen to. Like the girl next door, this song is simple, sweet, charming, and understated but naturally fades into the background and is slightly forgettable. Best Lyric: Circling back to the underlying theme of religion, “you talk to God like I do” pays homage to her past and current work, understanding her relationship with God. Rating: 6.7/10 8. “Yosemite” Again, we find ourselves in California, but this time we’re Yosemite on what I picture a misty and rainy evening. Her breathless and fragile falsetto serves as the backbone for this emotional piece. But just how she sings, “isn’t it cool how nothing here changes at all,” the song itself barely changes at all. The production is the same, and the chorus is frankly too repetitive. The guitar plucking keeps the song moving, but it still drags on and on and on. And while the bridge somewhat salvages the subpar performance, it leaves the aftertaste of untapped potential for this song to be breathtaking. Best Lyric: “Honey, you made me feel I’m invincible” is gratifying to hear since the whole album reflects on not becoming the “candle in the wind” that burns out. Rating: 3.8/10 9. “Breaking Up Slowly ft. Nikki Lane” After finding the joy in freedom and stability within ourselves, we’re left with a dilemma: breaking up slowly. While the emotional persuasion is there from their vocals, it doesn’t hide the overly simplistic lyrics or instrumentals. Personally, when other artists are featured on a track, the track inadvertently is not my favorite to listen to. Still, this track strikes a nice balance between Lana and Nikki as they lament about “breaking up slowly.” Best Lyric: “George got arrested out on the lawn, we might be breaking up right after this song” is actually quite funny to visualize, although I’m not certain if its intent was to be woeful. Rating: 5.5/10 10. “Dance till we Die” Before we finish the journey through Midwest America, we make a quick detour for a bar “that stays open just for us” to go “Afro-Caribbean two-step” dancing. While I feared this song would be lackluster like some of the other slower tracks, it has an optimistic sentiment and manages to build on itself. The production is minimal throughout the verse, but the subtle saxophone in the background makes it jazzy and weird in the best way possible. Ultimately, the upbeat bridge provides a meaningful contrast to the lull to the verse and chorus. We grow nostalgic for musical idols like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, who are now Lana’s friends. Best Lyric : “Clementine’s not just a fruit, it’s my daughter’s chosen name” catches us off guard since it’s an oddly personal declaration in the middle of a song about dancing, but I find it endearing that she included it. Rating: 7.2/10 11. “For Free ft. Zella Day and Weyes Blood” To end the experience, we reflect on the entire voyage through a gentle cover of Joni Mitchell’s folk classic, For Free. The subtleties in the song are conveyed through the meaning of the lyrics, which initially seem unassuming and quite literal. However, the fact that she sings only one of the three verses, not to mention that the original song is not even her own, bothers me as this song ends the album. But perhaps, she wants us to understand her growth as a person was made possible by other artists, so she pays tribute to that idea through her inclusion of other musicians to end the album. Best Lyric : “Now me I play for fortunes, and those velvet curtain calls” perfectly encapsulates everything Lana wishes to express through the album: she makes music for money and fame. Still, she longs for the time when she played for nothing. Rating: 4.6/10 Reflections: The album can be summarized as “no more candle in the wind.” She doesn’t want to be fragile and vulnerable as she was in her previous hit album, and we can clearly hear this in her choice of lyrics. Sonically, she celebrates newfound freedom and independence with minimal acoustic instrumentals and a nostalgic folk production in this album, which is distinctly different than anything else she has produced. We dream of past lives and simpler times, and she captures the feeling of longing for rural America perfectly. While some lyrics were undoubtedly less memorable than others, and some quite profane, her voice has matured, and her confidence as an artist is even more prominent than before. With each listen, the album only continues to grow on me as I, too, find myself daydreaming about chemtrails over the country club. Final Ranking: White Dress 9.3 Tulsa Jesus Freak 8.7 Dark but Just a Game 8.5 Chemtrails over the Country Club 8.2 Wild at Heart 7.8 Dance Till We Die 7.2 Not All Who Wander Are Lost 6.7 Breaking Up Slowly ft. Nikki Lane 5.5 Let Me Love You Like A Woman 5.3 For Free ft. Zella Day and Weyes Blood 4.6 Yosemite 3.8 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Israel-Hamas War: Choose Peace, Not Sides Editorial Staff Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by OnOurSleeves.org As of early October, the conflict referred to as the “Israeli-Palestinian War” has shaken the Middle East and devasted Muslim and Jewish communities globally. Arguably, the conflict would most appropriately be referred to as the “Israel-Hamas War,” as it is not a war between the two countries; it is a war between Israel and a terrorist group based in Palestine. Although October 7th, 2023, marked the start of the recent Israel-Hamas War, the root of this conflict can be traced back decades. According to the Center for Preventive Action, in 1947, the United Nations implemented the Partition Plan, dividing Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The plan heightened tensions between Arab groups that opposed the plan and Jewish groups. When Israel declared independence in 1948, it resulted in the Arab Israeli war which ended in Israel’s victory. As a result, the region was divided into the State of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homes. According to U.S. News, following Israel’s attacks on Egyptian and Syrian forces in 1967 was a Six-Day war that resulted in Israel gaining control over Gaza, the West Bank, and the Sinai Peninsula. Between 1987 and 2000, there were two Palestinian uprisings against the Israeli government, referred to as Intifadas according to U.S. News. In 2006, Hamas rose to power after an electoral victory against Fatah, the previous political party. So, the question is: what is Hamas, and how did it rise to power? Hamas was founded in 1987 and is considered a terrorist organization because of its persistent violence against Israel. The organization was founded as an Islamic resistance organization to conquer Israel and establish an Islamic homeland in its place. According to the Center of Preventive Action, this organization has been governing Gaza after winning elections against Fatah and forming a government. It is important to note that Hamas’s rise to power can be attributed to the political instability of the Palestinian government. Many supporters of the organization felt that Fatah was corrupt, and they needed new leadership; Hamas was promising to the younger population that made up the voting majority. Hamas’s rise to power can be compared to that of other leaders in politically unstable countries; it is ultimately an example of history repeating itself. Moving on to the present, a lack of understanding of the situation has caused many to view the conflict as one in which it is appropriate to “pick a side,” usually resulting in unnecessary tensions between Jewish and Muslim communities, and angry online and social media rhetoric and traffic. Even here in the US, there have been protests at schools and universities, business boycotts, and endless social media posts over people and groups being “Pro-Israel” or “Pro-Palestine.” Ironically, some of these protests have resulted in violence when that’s what people should protest against instead of favoring the individual countries’ plights. Understandably, those siding with Palestine feel that the Palestinians have been the most devasted by the conflict as they have suffered a grossly higher casualty rate than the Israelis. We can all agree that it is heartbreaking to hear about the innocent civilian lives lost in Palestine as a result of the conflict; however, the Israeli forces are not entirely to blame. Hamas has positioned itself behind Palestinian civilians, using them as a shield from Israeli forces. Unlike Hamas, the Israeli forces are not looking to cause harm to civilians, but they unfortunately have encountered them while trying to confront their target. Hospitals serve as an example of this, as Israeli forces have raided them throughout the war because of the belief that Hamas was using them as a war base. Apart from the high casualty rates, the issue of hostages has been prevalent during the conflict. In efforts to rescue Israeli hostages, Israeli forces agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages. It is uncertain that they will negotiate another deal as Hamas recently announced that there will be no more hostage releases until the end of the war. To have to bargain for human life is beyond horrific, but it goes to show that the conflict has little to do with Israeli and Palestinian civilians; it is about power, and the devastation Hamas is willing to cause to get it. Not only has the war caused catastrophic conditions for Palestinians and Israelis, but it has also impacted foreigners who unfortunately got caught up in the conflict. The notion that one of these groups was living peacefully before being attacked by the other is simply inaccurate. If we are looking to support a more accurate notion, we can acknowledge that both Israeli and Palestinian civilians had their lives significantly disrupted by brutal Hamas attacks. If you are someone without religious or familial ties to the situation, your perspective of the war may be limited to religious division and geographical conflicts, or what you have read in social media posts. We need to shift our perspective and think about the individuals grouped under the titles we hear repeatedly in the media. There are men, women, and children that make up the Muslim, Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian communities; they cannot simply be deemed enemies because of a war they did not start. Often overlooked are the attempts at peace and cooperation among the groups. For example, Jewish people living in kibbutzim, have taken in refugees, and provided medical attention for those impacted by the war. The Nova Music Festival held on the Jewish holiday Sukkot this fall, which brought a diverse crowd together to celebrate unity and love in southern Israel, is another example. Tragically, the event intended to bring people together but ended in a massacre of civilians by Hamas. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and the hostages, including Americans, who have not been able to return home. It would be unrealistic to expect everyone to support the United States’s position on the matter, but it is important to recognize that Israel is a US ally, so it is our country’s duty to aid them in their time of need. Some argue that the United States’s decision to aid Israel implies that they are against the people of Palestine, but it is important to not lose perspective when assessing the situation. The war has devastated both countries, but it is not between the countries. As Americans, we should be in support of both countries and against the terrorist group Hamas. The United States is a part of the United Nations, meaning that our country stands for the values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UDHR recognizes dignity, freedom, and peace as its core values, so as Americans, we should remember what we stand for as a country when assessing this conflict impacting millions globally. The details of this conflict greatly surpass the content of this article, so I would encourage you to inform yourself. Inform yourself to understand what the Israeli and Palestinian people are facing. We must remember that before countries and religious differences, we should support humanity. Let us choose peace, not sides. Sources: Why does Israel target Palestinian hospitals? Psyops, say analysts | Israel-Palestine conflict | Al Jazeera A Timeline of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict | Best Countries | U.S. News ( usnews.com ) December 20, 2023, Israel-Hamas war ( cnn.com ) What Is Hamas? | Council on Foreign Relations ( cfr.org ) Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Global Conflict Tracker ( cfr.org ) U.S. Ready to Back U.N. Resolution to Allow More Aid Into Gaza - The New York Times ( nytimes.com ) Israel Gaza: Hamas says no more hostage releases until war ends ( bbc.com ) Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations BACK TO TOP