The article that interested me most was "The Online Gene Test Finds a Dangerous Mutation. It May Well Be Wrong." by Gina Kolata. This article caught my attention because I find the study of genetics to be fascinating. I think it is important for people to understand what is going on in their bodies. If theirs a mutation in my body, I'd want to know about it. I think getting tests like these are important, but they can't always be reliable because of false positives and unregulated testing protocols.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/sports/lebron-james-lakers.html?rref=...
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is “LeBron James Joining Lakers on 4-Year $154 Million Deal” by Marc Stein and Scott Cacciola. I think it is interesting that James decided to switch teams for the third time in his career since most professional basketball players (or athletes in general) would stay committed to one team. James left “...his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time and join one of the league’s glamour franchises,” the Lakers. The Lakers did not win a championship for 52 years. With James as their new addition and asset, they hope he will lead them to victory and success. It will be fascinating to see what is to come of the Lakers, as well as the Cavaliers. It is also interesting that James's deal with the Lakers involves free agency, meaning after his third season, he can take up offers from other teams even if he has a contract. This fact intrigues me because so many teams see James as an amazing asset and hero for their teams, and James tries to take advantage of his opportunities. All in all, James is eager to join the Lakers and made a deal that kept his options open and gave him freedom to do what he pleases.
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base by Noam Scheiber. Supreme Court’s decision to diminish the labor union’s ability to spend money on progressive causes and candidates is intriguing. It is interesting that majority of the court chose to cut out some of the union’s spending because unions have had to divert more and more of their budgets to defensive battles, leaving less to spend elsewhere. Many public unions were forced to fundamentally rethink their spending. Debates in labor unions took place about what to cut spending on. A group called Mi Familia had to scale back some of their programs and actions, such as those involving education, health care, and voting and worker rights. Mi Familia Vota were now more focused on elections by helping people becoming citizens and registering to vote. It is interesting to me that one decision made by Supreme Court can affect so many people and ways liberal groups and organizations spend money. It is fascinating that focus of spending can shift instantaneously. Some unions were not willing to be persuaded; for example, the American Federation of Teachers promised to continue funding certain groups such as America Votes. All in all, the loss of union money may be less detrimental to Democrats and progressive causes than the loss of union members, and Supreme Court should not intervene so heavily into how unions choose to focus their spending.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/sports/lebron-james-lakers.html?rref=...
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is LeBron James Joining Lakers on 4-Year $154 Million Deal by Marc Stein and Scott Cacciola. I think it is interesting that James decided to switch teams for the third time in his career since most professional basketball players (or athletes in general) would stay committed to one team. James left “...his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time and join one of the league’s glamour franchises,” the Lakers. The Lakers did not win a championship for 52 years. With James as their new addition and asset, they hope he will lead them to victory and success. It will be fascinating to see what is to come of the Lakers, as well as the Cavaliers. It is also interesting that James's deal with the Lakers involves free agency, meaning after his third season, he can take up offers from other teams even if he has a contract. This fact intrigues me because so many teams see James as an amazing asset and hero for their teams, and James tries to take advantage of his opportunities. All in all, James is eager to join the Lakers and made a deal that kept his options open and gave him freedom to do what he pleases.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/mpr-raccoon-building-climb.html
The article that interested me this week was that a baby raccoon climbed to the top of a 25-story office building in St. Paul, Minnesota. It interested me because it is not everyday that a baby animal climbs an office building. Since the raccoon was so young, it surprised me that it didn't die, because of the fact that it didn't have any food or water. The raccoon was also not in her natural habitat. While some people were hoping for the raccoon to be rescued, a majority of citizens did not want the raccoon to be saved because of it being known as "vicious creatures" that carry rabies.
@[email protected]
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Emergency Rooms Run Out of Vital Drugs, and Patients are Feeling It by Katie Thomas. Pfizer is a major manufacturer for medications. Plant problems caused shortages in drugs that patients needed, such as morphine and diltiazem. I find it intriguing that Pfizer had shortages all at once. The company even had to provide cracked syringes to hospitals. It makes us realize that we are vulnerable. If the facility that is responsible for allowing hospitals to help patients has big problems, then the patients are negatively affected. It is unfortunate that drug shortages are unpredictable because patients must take alternative drugs that work less. Health care should be about saving lives, not risking them. It is both intriguing and frustrating that the market is at fault; companies are obtaining low profit from cheap prices for parts that are difficult to make. Usually as supply decreases, demand and price increase; however, in this case, as supply decreases, demand increases and price is still low. Do only health professionals and manufacturers find this interesting? No! Every person should be aware and engaged in this subject matter because anyone can be affected by drug shortages. Pfizer is taking steps to correct all the wrongs by investing a lot of money. Although manufacturers like Pfizer have to struggle with shortages and lack of profit, it is evident that everything revolves around the patient’s well-being.
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base by Noam Scheiber. Supreme Court’s decision to diminish the labor union’s ability to spend money on progressive causes and candidates is intriguing. It is interesting that the majority of the court chose to cut out some of the union’s spending because unions have had to divert more and more of their budgets to defensive battles, leaving less to spend elsewhere. Many public unions were forced to fundamentally rethink their spending. Debates in labor unions took place about what to cut spending on. A group called Mi Familia Vota had to scale back some of their programs and actions, such as those involving education, health care, and voting and worker rights. Mi Familia Vota is now more focused on elections by helping people becoming citizens and registering to vote. It is interesting to me that one decision made by Supreme Court can affect so many people and ways liberal groups and organizations spend money. It is fascinating that focus of spending can shift instantaneously. Some unions were not willing to be persuaded; for example, the American Federation of Teachers promised to continue funding certain groups such as America Votes. All in all, the loss of union money may be less detrimental to Democrats and progressive causes than the loss of union members, and Supreme Court should not intervene so heavily into how unions choose to focus their spending.
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Emergency Rooms Run Out of Vital Drugs, and Patients are Feeling It by Katie Thomas. Pfizer is a major manufacturer for medications. Plant problems caused shortages in drugs that patients needed, such as morphine and diltiazem. I find it intriguing that Pfizer had shortages all at once. The company even had to provide cracked syringes to hospitals. It makes us realize that we are vulnerable. If the facility that is responsible for allowing hospitals to help patients has big problems, then the patients are negatively affected. It is unfortunate that drug shortages are unpredictable because patients must take alternative drugs that work less. Health care should be about saving lives, not risking them. It is both intriguing and frustrating that the market is at fault; companies are obtaining low profit from cheap prices for parts that are difficult to make. Usually as supply decreases, demand and price increase; however, in this case, as supply decreases, demand increases and price is still low. Do only health professionals and manufacturers find this interesting? No! Every person should be aware and engaged in this subject matter because anyone can be affected by drug shortages. Pfizer is taking steps to correct all the wrongs by investing a lot of money. Although manufacturers like Pfizer have to struggle with shortages and lack of profit, it is evident that everything revolves around the patient’s wellbeing.
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Emergency Rooms Run Out of Vital Drugs, and Patients are Feeling It by Katie Thomas. Pfizer is a major manufacturer for medications. Plant problems caused shortages in drugs that patients needed, such as morphine and diltiazem. I find it intriguing that Pfizer had shortages all at once. The company even had to provide cracked syringes to hospitals. It makes us realize that we are vulnerable. If the facility that is responsible for allowing hospitals to help patients has big problems, then the patients are negatively affected. It is unfortunate that drug shortages are unpredictable because patients must take alternative drugs that work less. Health care should be about saving lives, not risking them. It is both intriguing and frustrating that the market is at fault; companies are obtaining low profit from cheap prices for parts that are difficult to make. Usually as supply decreases, demand and price increase; however, in this case, as supply decreases, demand increases and price is still low. Do only health professionals and manufacturers find this interesting? No! Every person should be aware and engaged in this subject matter because anyone can be affected by drug shortages. Pfizer is taking steps to correct all the wrongs by investing a lot of money. Although manufacturers like Pfizer have to struggle with shortages and lack of profit, it is evident that everything revolves around the patient’s well-being.
The article I read was "what it costs to be smuggled across the U.S. border. I chose to read this article because there are a lot of people that do not like immigration to the United States. These people go through some much to get here, it costs thousands of dollars in bribery and in transportation, and most nights they do not even get food because of the lack of money. The conditions these people are put through are horrendous. When these people are crossing over they start to worry about the Trump administration policy and how they are going to be affected. They might get sent back home and all they went through would've been for nothing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/movies/snapchat-3d-bitmoji-animation-...
The article that I read was "How Snapchat Makes Mini Movies in Augmented Reality" by Reggie Ugwu. The author starts off by giving a background of Snapchat. Snapchat is a social media app used by many teenagers. The article focused mainly on a new feature. The Bitmoji Augmented Reality. This is basically a 3D cartoon of yourself doing actions through your phone in a sort of virtual reality. Apple has still yet to release this feature on their own camera, so how did Snapchat do it so fast? Snapchat developers previously came from companies such as Google and Amazon, so its no wonder that top animators from multiple extraordinary companies created this technology before Apple. This article interested me because it affects me directly and I use this augmented reality feature.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/style/is-it-canceled.html?hp&acti...
In his piece “Everyone Is Canceled,” Jonah Engel Bromwich explores the culture of “cancellation,” or when people decide they no longer decide a certain celebrity. Although the term has already proliferated social media, the rhetorical dangers of it cannot be ignored. As Bromwich notes, the term is closely related to the current culture of celebrities being almost sold as commodities, which almost dehumanizes them.
This culture of dehumanizing real people, as well as collectively seeking to socially destroy them only promotes negativity on social media. In addition, although “cancelling” someone initially seems like it gives a voice to the people, as Bromwich mentions, cancellation is not necessarily uniform. Therefore, those with a louder voice(more followers) could potentially facilitate cancellation, leading to the same social hierarchy as beforehand. In conclusion, instead of spreading negativity on social media, we should instead cancel the word “cancelled.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/us/after-40-days-apart-and-a-missed-f...
This article about reunited an immigrant family is what caught my eye this week. I think the recent policy of separated parents from their children at the border was terrible, and I am happy to start seeing stories about their reunification.
This caught my eye because it sort of reminds me of a modern day Great Depression. It is said to see how bad of shape that part of the country is. It makes me realize how grateful I am to be in the situation I’m in. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/27/lens/photographing-community-industri...
A Space Force? The Idea May Have Merit, Some Say by Helene Cooper
https://nyti.ms/2KfQl4u
As someone who is interested in space law and space technology, the concept of a space force is exciting. The proposed 6th branch of the military is ambitious, but I am not entirely convinced. Helene Cooper presents arguments both in support and against an independent space force, and both sides are compelling.
Ever since Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down for the last time in 2011, ending the program, the American government has lost its dominance in space. Other nations such as Russia, China, India, and Japan have made serious advances in space technology in the past years, and companies such as SpaceX, Rocket Lab, ULA, and Orbital ATK are providing an increasingly competitive environment. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that our current president, who has a tendency to make some ambitious claims, would try to attempt to restore an American dominance in space.
The Air Force already has its Space Command, which oversees the military’s operations in space, and so creating a space force would be redundant.
Space also provides a much less profitable ground on which a space force could grow. The Navy operates in the sea, the Army on the ground, the Air Force in the air, but what could a space force do beyond orbital reconnaissance and anti-satellite missiles? We’re never going to see X-wing dogfights in space or orbital warship battles; space is just not practical for warfare.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/us/after-40-days-apart-and-a-missed-f...
This week I decided to read about a family who illegally crossed the border to look for an asylum. Ludin, the mother of 2 children, a 9 year old daughter- Keyri and a 17 year old son- Elmer were separated from each other and placed to different parts of the country. Federal immigration officials had taken her children and put them among 2000 other children who were also separated from their parents Ludin was placed in detention among other women going through the same thing.She thought she would never see her children again. Ludin's brother was killed and her husband was in the United States for the past two years. But when criminal gang threatened to kill her son, Elmer, she decided to cross the border and seek an asylum. 40 days later they were finally reunited but their case is still pending. This interested me the most this week because I think it is very sad that they were separated for 40 days just because they wanted safety for their son and even still their case is pending.
Summer Solstice 2018: The Search for Life in the Galaxy
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/learning/summer-reading-contest-week-...
I read the New York Times article, “Summer Solstice 2018: The Search for Life in the Galaxy,” by Shannon Hall. It talked about how very small planetary specifications can drastically alter whether or not a planet could or ever will support life. One such feature discussed that I found very interesting was the axial tilt of any given planet. Earth for example, has a tilt of 23.5 degrees. This, like many other things about Earth, is right in the center. Mercury and Uranus are on opposite sides of the tilt spectrum, with the former barely leaning at .03 degrees, while the latter is almost on its side at 82.23 degrees. Dr. Heller argues that it is vital that a planet have some sort of tilt, because without one the night side of the planet would freeze off all greenhouse gases and lack the capacity to hold water. She states that the optimal range would be from 10 to 40 degrees. I found this article very interesting because it further demonstrates how utterly unique our planet is.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/learning/summer-reading-contest-week-...
Summer Solstice 2018: The Search for Life in the Galaxy
I read the New York Times article, “Summer Solstice 2018: The Search for Life in the Galaxy,” by Shannon Hall. It talked about how very small planetary specifications can drastically alter whether or not a planet could or ever will support life. One such feature discussed that I found very interesting was the axial tilt of any given planet. Earth for example, has a tilt of 23.5 degrees. This, like many other things about Earth, is right in the center. Mercury and Uranus are on opposite sides of the tilt spectrum, with the former barely leaning at .03 degrees, while the latter is almost on its side at 82.23 degrees. Dr. Heller argues that it is vital that a planet have some sort of tilt, because without one the night side of the planet would freeze off all greenhouse gases and lack the capacity to hold water. She states that the optimal range would be from 10 to 40 degrees. I found this article very interesting because it further demonstrates how utterly unique our planet is.
There's No Right Way to Be Queer by Joanne Spataro
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/opinion/theres-no-right-way-to-be-que...
For my NYT article, I wanted to read about something relating to LGBT, especially since it's pride month. As a member of the community myself, I felt that it would be a fitting and interesting read. The title "There's No Right Way to Be Queer" caught my eye, so I decided to give it a read. The details in the article have a point. For my own example in addition to those presented in the article, when people hear the word "gay", they often associate this with young white males or "twinks", when in fact there are many older gay men. These include celebrities, politicians, military, and more. The LGBT community is a diverse group of people, and we should not be lumped into one stereotype. The writer herself is lesbian and tells in the article about how before she came out she lied about being straight because she was so afraid of being found out. Even though it's 2018, the supposed year of change, there are still many people who, like the writer, are closeted and scared of coming out. There is also a lot of stigma surrounding LGBT despite it being 2018; my friend at school came out as trans this year, and although he received a lot of support, he also received a lot of backlash from various people. This is something everyone needs to work on. Hopefully one day, LGBT will be ingrained in and a fully accepted facet of society.
Secrets of the Y chromosome by Natalie Angler
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/health/men-y-chromosome.html
I found this article the most interesting because there are many things I want to know about how genes work and what benefits there are, if there are any. It also does much more than make a male into a male. It impacts health in many hidden ways.I never knew the Y chromosome could be so beneficial. An example of that would be that it engages in stopping cancer growth and keeps arteries clear. Although, there is a negative to having this chromosome. It seems to show that Alzheimer's disease, leukemia, and many other unfortunate disorders seem to be at elevated risk. Lars Forsberg, an associate professor of medical genetics at Uppsala University in Sweden stated,“The loss of the Y chromosome with age explains a very large proportion of the increased mortality in men, compared to women." It's crazy how many things the Y chromosome can do.
Is Acne Cool Now? by Andrea Cheng
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
I never thought of acne being cool, it just shows that people really do not take care of their skin. I never knew that not having health skin would ever be cool. I have acne and I never thought of embracing that i have acne simply because I really do not care if people judge me from having acne. When i was first getting acne on my face I was worries that everyone would start insulting me again but this time for the acne. About a month after I started not caring about the opinions of others.
The article "I Was Fired for Making Fun of Trump" was written by a caricaturist who had been fired from his job at "The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" because his caricatures ridiculed Trump's character and criticized him too harshly. In my opinion, this unjustified dismissal is a part of a general tendency that threats our freedom of speech and as a result puts us in the danger of totalitarianism.
The freedom of speech and the right to criticize the government are recognized from John Lock's philosophy until these days as a necessary term for democracy. The natural human right for freedom includes the right to express any thoughts and opinions you have without getting punished because of them.
Trump's racist attitudes and vulgaric behavior, and mostly the rejection of people who try to criticize it (as described in the article), seem to have the ability of dragging humanity back to the dark times in history when a tyrant got too much power and forced his extreme policy over the people under his rule. Without the right to protest, people wouldn’t be able to prevent disasters caused by a dictator.
Even though Trump was elected by democratic elections, incidents like this one indicate there is a serious danger of losing significant parts of individual rights. Reading this article, I couldn’t help feeling that supposedly trivial incidents like this one may bring back the totalitarianism to the modern world.
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Is Acne cool now?
This week I decided to read about the problems and solutions the world has come about on the subject of dealing with Acne. Coming from personal experience, I didn’t deal with a lot of acne until recently this year and I feel for the people that have struggled with this skin condition for longer than I have. I found this article interesting to me since I can relate to this personally. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, and especially for the teen age, as I am a teen myself. This article has taught me that so many people feel depressed because of something that everybody experiences at least once in their lifetime is taught to be looked on as an imperfection. The stories of the doctors explaining that celebrities are now making acne a bigger issue, as in advertising their own acne that they have dealt with to connect with the rest of the world. Society has taught us humans to believe that we should spend money on products and techniques to “fix” and “perfect” our skin to the upmost quality. It’s wonderful to see a community forming over a common problem in the modern age and what’s always been a problem. The importance of this article is that it teaches teens that they don’t need to hide their beautiful faces just because society has taught them to be ashamed for having a human flaw. Everybody should read this article because it was a really nice eye-opener for me. It made me feel more confident about what I look like.
The article that interested me most this week was about Kate Spade’s shocking death. This story really spoke me because me along with many other teenage girls loved her and her handbags. this really shows that no matter how good of a show someone puts on you never really know what is going on with inside, no one truly understands. It also shows that money can’t buy happiness because if it did Kate Spade would still be alive. This article made me think of my own life and how everyone has a story that I don’t know about, because they do not like to talk about it. This is why you have to be careful with everything you say or do towards others because you never know what’s going on or what could push them to the edge. Life has many unexpected aspects and I would never want to see someone’s life end because of it. Kate Spade was an inspiration, she created lovely handbags that many young girls still love today and it is truly devastating that she has died. @[email protected]
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html?auth=r...
In today’s society, people are judged on appearance and their social life. Many young teens around the world have insecurities they encounter in their everyday lives. The “perfect” body in the eyes of many today is clear skin, a thin body, long hair, and nice teeth. Many push themselves and strive to have the “perfect” body to fit in or to feel good about themselves. Appearance is a tremendous fear in many lives of young teens today. The first thing you see when you look at someone is their appearance. Having clear skin can be very difficult in the lives we live in today. Acne can appear due to stress, the food people consume, or even just hormones as you age in your teenage years. Having acne can cause you to feel differently about yourself and make a perosn feel less confident about their appearance. It is right to believe that everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin and not have to worry about judgemental remarks made behind your back or face to face. Acne should be embraced, not ashamed of. God made us in his own image, and He would not create someone to be ugly in His eyes. Acne is not something you should be embarrassed of.
[email protected]
How Saying #MeToo Changed Their Lives
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/28/arts/metoo-movement-stori...
Sexual assault, harassment and abuse is sadly very common nowadays. Even the slightest look you give that another person does not like, can be characterized as one of those. These incidents, although small, can really change a person and how they live their lives. Some are even too scared to speak up because they were abused or assaulted by a powerful person. The thing about most powerful people is that they think that by having money or power, they can do anything they want because they are respected by many and on the other hand, the person they assault is not, which is why many accusations put against them are denied. But, those that have told their story feel so much better because of how it impacts others and encourages them to speak up as well. Many think that this is something that only occurs to women, but the truth is it can also happen to men. These men and women have a lot on the line when they finally come out with their story. Some lose their jobs and others lose their careers, but what really matters is what they gained, which is respect from many and they have inspired other victims that have been sexually assaulted, abused, or harassed to also tell their story and not let the abusers get away with it. This article interested me the most this week because it has taught me to speak up and stand up for what I believe is right, or wrong.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
Kate Spade, a fashion designer, dead at only 55 years old! This is truly a shock to many. I was never really into purses or fashion like this but, Kate had many talents. Kate’s purses that she created were truly a piece of art. Kate’s purses were for all women and always were fun and creative. Kate created the company with a man named Andy, her future husband. Kate had made $28 million dollars in sales the year before being awarded, “best accessories designer” in 1999. The part that interest me most is that mental health happens to everyone, even people like Kate Spade. She had a amazing life, having a daughter and having her business. Even her ex-husband, who still supported her.
@[email protected]
Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
This week I decided to read about a health article. I am always interested in reading about heath, people healthy lifestyles and anything in that topic. What caught my attention was when I read the "Ebola" title. I remember when Ebola was introduced and everyone was freaking out about it. Reading this article made me very happy because Africa was one of the few places Ebola had a large impact on. Knowing that the disease is slowly being cut off is making me very happy. More than 11,000 people were killed each year. Since there is very poor heath service located throughout Africa, people are likely to get infected easily. Having much more information about the disease there has been many more cures.
https://nyti.ms/2KgnBvm
The Last Of The Tiger Parents
I am half Asian and half Hispanic and they are two disparate lifestyles. My father is more lenient, he grew up with captivating Sunday cartoons, while my mom was forced to learn the piano and take swimming. I have to take Math and English tutoring, even though they are my best subjects, and nevermind I'm years from taking the actual SAT, I still take tutoring sessions. Every time I ask for a break I my mom says that I’m only great in my school but averge in the world. After a great session of no, I am sent back to my crippling Kumon. I won’t lie. I don't love it. Eventually I’ll appreciate it all, but there are currently many moments of resentment. As a child who's going through the strict and demanding way of the Tiger Parent, giving it up seems like a valid choice. But I doubt it. My child may feel the same way, but the tiger way prepares for the future. You may not need everything taught, but at least it’s there. Learn everything now, so you don’t have to later. -Mom
Yoon says that kids should grow up in a less stressful and kinder enviroment, but that isn’t real life. Honestly the competitive spirit that they drill into our heads leads us through life. We’re normally limited to being lawyers, doctors, businessmen, or any job that they can proudly brag to the rest of the family, but they have always wanted what they think is best for us. It may not be a carefree childhood, but the path they pave seems pretty great.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/us/rare-alligator-stolen-florida.html...
This morning, I was driving down the road at saw a billboard about a missing alligator. I thought it was strange and did not think much of it but later saw an article on it on the New York Times’s website. I wanted to learn more about the alligator and what had happened to it. As a kid, my favorite animals had always been alligators which was another reason I decided to choose this article. I discovered that the alligator that had been stolen from an animal sanctuary, Snowball, was a leucistic alligator. This means that he is not only albino, but also has blue eyes. I found this extremely interesting because I did not know that alligators could have blue eyes and I also realized that Snowball is 1 out of 10 gators like him in the whole world. Not only was Snowball stolen, but a fire had also occurred at the sanctuary, killing forty three other reptiles. I am confused as to why someone would steal a gator, especially when they know they can not sell it because they would be caught. Alligators are genuinely cool animals in my opinion and stealing one is not okay. Reading about how strong of a connection Mr. Keszey had with Snowball is so touching and I truly hope that he is found soon.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000005973497/26vid-immigration.html?...
In this video the headline was "What Immigration Detention Is Like For a 14 Year Old." This grabbed my attention instantly for many reasons. First is that this is a international crisis that affects people from all over the world, it affects me and you and everyone in-between. For that reason alone I felt that I have to educate myself on worldly matters like this immigration crisis. Secondly, when I saw this I knew that this guys story needed to be heard and people need to make sure that this will never happen again. This guys story is traumatizing and it makes me so sad that people let this happen to a 14 year old. In the short clip called "What immigration Detention Is Like For a 14 Year Old" it grabbed my attention instantly.
@[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
In Washington D.C, President Donald Trump announced to the public that the problem relating to North Korea and their nuclear weapons has been resolved. North Korea has always been seen as a threat to the United States because of their advanced nuclear weaponry. However, Donald Trump wanted to clarify the situation by speaking with the leader of North Korea which is Kim Jong-un. According to the article, "North Korea’s state-controlled news media described a step-by-step process to dismantle its nuclear weapons, with the United States rewarding it at each stage, something Mr. Trump has seemed to reject in the past." This quote explains how North Korea agreed to a plan that will begin to take down parts of their nuclear bombs and other products. Even though President Trump mentioned that he resolved the problem, there still have been some concerns in the community. For example, North Korea has not started to take down their 141 nuclear bomb sites or their nuclear weapons yet. This makes the people of the United States question North Korea and whether or not this act will be done. Regarding the 10-15 years that will be needed in order for these nuclear weapons to be dismantled, I believe that both leaders agreed to a plan that will positively impact the environment and people. I am glad that nuclear weapons are being handled by the government because of the large issue that it has become.
It’s just a tad bit scary to see Donald Trump envy a dictator such as Kim Jong Un. President Trumps face is shown in this political cartoon on the slots of the slot machine, all three slots have his puckered face on them. Kim is sitting on top of all his earnings. Trump and Uns meeting made the Pentagon and North Korea agree to cancel a large-scale and long-planned military exercise that was set for August. Now that North Korea is pretty much in the clear and that Kim now has that large amount of money he can sleep on… what if he tries something? !SKEPTICS! The illustrator of this cartoon Heng really captures your attention with the big round bulbs on top of the slot machine. Kim Jong Un also looks like his smirk could be hiding something. The Trump and Kim “summit” can be very very beneficial to the United States, only if Kim, Trump, the Pentagon, and South Korea keep their word. If not that long ranged and long planned military attack might happen.
Gang ‘Hunting’ for Rivals Is Said to Have Mistakenly Killed Teenager - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/nyregion/justice-junior-bronx-stabbin...
This article interested me the most because it shows how atrocious the world is now. An innocent 15 year old boy was brutally murdered all because some guys in a gang mistook him for someone in their rivals gang. Lesandro Guzman-Feliz was dragged from a bodega, and stabbed repeatedly with knives and machetes. The video of his death was shown online and then soon went viral. People all over were angry and disgusted by this action, calling out to get justice for him. Even famous people like the rapper Cardi B, the basketball star Carmelo Anthony, and the Yankees pitcher C.C Sabathia. The cruel men are now arrested and have been charged with assault, manslaughter, and second degree murder.
I cannot imagine the pain that his family and friends are feeling. He was taken from them in a brutal way, that no one should go through. His friends and family said he was a good kid and never did anything bad. Lesandro aka Junior wanted to be a police detective and was in a program for high school students. Now he can never live out his dream to be a police detective because his life was taken from him. My question to the world is how could a person so good be taken from this world in such a painful and sickening way?
As a basketball player myself since childhood, I find this piece about the great Lebron James, whom I idolize, the most intriguing to me this week; since it reminds me of the time when I played basketball myself. Ever since I was in kindergarten, I’ve been shooting hoops during my memorable lunch times at school. Later, I developed to be the best basketball player in my class, which influenced me into joining a competitive basketball league. However, like James, I had some of the least competent players on my team. But, that didn’t stop me from striving to win every game until the last second. James said, “It’s my job to make sure that we’re as laser-focused as possible, do my job and continue to instill confidence in my teammates until the last horn sounds,” This quote lead me to recall to the time when I would tell my exhausted teammates, “Keep up the aggression, keep pushing!”, because I believed that there was always a chance for a resurgence to win the game. Lebron James, even to this day, is an idol to me as he constantly shows his determination, even through injuries, to win his games. For example, in game one of the NBA Finals this year, he received a shot to his face. This lead him to bear a bloodshot left eye, which abated his ability to see clearly during the finals. But, notably, he never gave up and just kept pushing. In conclusion, I am sympathetic towards the amazing Lebron James and wish that he will continue to inspire other children in a positive fashion.
As Search for Thai Boys Lost in Cave Hits Day 5, a Nation Holds Its Breath https://nyti.ms/2KrMSQq?smid=nytcore-ios-share
5 days searching for a group of teenage boys who are trapped in a cave. This article interested me the most this week because it is such a lamentable event that these poor boys and their families are living. This situation kind of reveals how naive these boys were when they decided to go inside a cave knowing the variety of risks during the rainy season. I cannot imagine the pain and desperation that their families are living, and most importantly I cannot come to think if they are still alive. Being 5 days stuck in a flooded cave without food,and maybe they are even wounded. One of the things that interested me the most in this article was the respect and the speed in which the authorities and rescue teams are working towards saving these children even though they do not know if they are still alive. This shows the strength of a community and how everyone can unite and work towards something so valuable and amazing such as saving lives. Moreover, I liked how the leader said to the rescuers to think that the children were their own to speed up and increase the possibility of finding these children alive and most importantly getting to find all of them and not just some of them. This also teaches how some have the religious belief and others do not, but still they unite towards a really important goal, their community.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
I choose the article “Is acne cool now?”. I choose this story because as someone who has struggled with clearing up my skin I thought I could relate to this article. This talks about celebrities or public figures who have shown their followers what their skin looks like behind the makeup and photoshop. I think this is a good trend because it shows teens with who struggle with acne that it is a completely normal thing to have. It also shows that we shouldn’t be so self conscious about our imperfections as many people, even celebrity’s have acne.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The death of Kate Spade, an American fashion designer who was only 55 years old, was what interested me most in The Times this week. Kate Spade was a influential fashion designer known for her sophisticated handbags and other fashion accessories throughout the 1990s and beyond. I found this article interesting for many reasons because I know that I, like many other women in my day in age, have owned something by Kate Spade. Not only that but the cause of death for the beloved Kate Spade was suicide by hanging. It was a shock for many people to realize that someone as wealthy and successful as Kate Spade, decided to take her own life. It goes to show how money and success are not everything. In fact, it was revealed that she suffered from severe depression although I'm sure that not many people knew that besides her family due to her exciting and colorful outlook on how the fashion industry should be. What interested me the most was to learn that she had had a 13 year old daughter. The realization that a 13 year old girl has to grow up without a mother is just as much a tragedy as Kate Spade's death. This tragic death has opened up my mind to realize that you can never truly realize what is going on in someone else's life. The only thing you can do is be supportive, loving, and accepting of those around you because you never know what could happen.
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The article I chose this week is, "Is Acne cool now". I chose this article because I felt it was quite relatable since everyone has acne, just some get it worse than others which then in public kids get sadly bullied for what they cannot control since it's acne. In this article it was about a girl embraced her acne to the world and stopped caring, she said and I quote " I realized that my appearance wasn't the thing that made e who I am, which minimized the importance I put on the spots on my face." After in the article it went deeper into the subject of acne talking about how skin positivity which i just found more interesting because it went deeper into the movement and spread of acne popularity and why it was considered unpopular to begin with, which was because people judged other people for their appearance thinking you look unhealthier with acne. This is why I found this article so interesting since it was quite powerful for Hailey Wait to embrace her acne to her social media which is mainly why I loved this article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/10/smarter-living/improve-self-control.html
The article I chose to read was " Struggle with Self-Control? Take Yourself Out of the Equation by Tim Herrea.
In the article "Struggle With Self-Control" it talks about how your smartphone may be a distraction while at work. If you get a bunch of notifications at work you should put it in a desk drawer. If you are focused at work you can get more things done without being distracted with your smartphone. Having family and work obligations can take the fun out of hanging out with friends. The author suggests going to the grocery store with your friends and they can help you out.
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The article I choose to read was “Hero or Villain? Death of Rapper XXXTentacion Divides the Internet” by Ben Sisario.The death of the rapper XXXTentacion took many people by surprise, fans were completely devastated, family and friends felt pain in their hearts. What hurt more was that there were still so many others bringing negativity in a mourning place. There where many people that had negative comments people going far as saying that they were happy that Jahseh Onfroy, his birth name, was dead. When viewing the comments of these awful things like he deserved to die and others celebrating his death, I was completely disgusted. Many people were quick to bring up his mistakes, not even knowing the full story just throwing it out into the argument, ignoring the fact that he tried his hardest to fix his life by give back to people and donating as much as he could, making himself a better person. XXXTentacion made music on important topics like depression, he understood what it was like to have a negative mind towards himself like many others, and was able to help his fans with it all. Yes, he made his mistakes in his past but he was able to pay for his mistakes. No, Jahseh Onfroy didn’t deserve to die, he deserved to live on he helped the people around him. Before anyone wants to bring up his allegations, try to understand his past and try to understand his want to be a better man. To answer the question of this article, Hero or Villain? To me Jahseh Onfroy was a hero.
The article that I read this week was "Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You're Rich)" by David Leonhardt. As the title of this article suggests, many people think that going to good colleges will cost them a lot of money. While going to a good college does cost quite a bit, lower-income students and their families pay very little of the total costs in the end. Financial support at most colleges works in a way that makes it so that each family only has to pay what they're able to pay. Because of this, many more students are able to go to better colleges.
Although financial support does help students a lot, most students will probably have to get a part-time job or a loan to make it through college. While having to balance work and school can be tricky, only having to have a part-time job so that you can pay a fee of around $7000 to go to school is a lot better than having to pay a fee of around $70,000.
‘The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet’
I was intrigued by the title. The article is about a luxurious trip to space that could happen in the near future. It is regarding a station that can hold eight passengers, who pays $55 million to hover 250 miles away from Earth. This is clearly a ‘luxury that only the one percent of the one percent can afford’. I feel that this universe belongs to every single person, so it is unfortunate that only the most privileged money and power-wise are able to enjoy such an experience. I also question the need for the ride to be so luxurious, especially since it makes the already expensive experience even more exclusive. Simply going into space—the equipment, intelligence and manpower required—that in itself would already cost tons of money. I wonder how necessary it was for Axiom to include things like walls lined with a padded, quilted, suede-like fabric, internet connection, and custom-designed leisure suits. That money could perhaps have been spent better, doing more research, building more stations, so that more people could share such an experience too. I feel it is inevitable that one day humans might have to migrate far away from earth to a new habitable planet, and we have to be prepared for it. We should continuously improve our technology and ensure we can leave if that day ever comes, building up our money and resources. Thus, this ‘luxurious trip to space’ makes me wonder how wisely we are using our resources.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/health/depression-suicide-helping.html
The article that I chose to read was “What to Do When a Loved One Is Severely Depressed” by Heather Murphy. I chose this article because I even have friends that can be depressed and go through hard times. Heather Murphy talked about the deaths of Kate Spade, famous for her line of purses, wallets, etc., and the death of Anthony Bourdain, known for being a celebrity chef, author, documentor, etc. She made the point that “Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.” I agree 100 percent with that statement, everyone has there down feelings and even suicidal thoughts, but we need to go find someone to talk about them. If we keep our emotions to ourselves, the anger and frustration will built up and then we could potentially lose control. It is always important to be there for your friends and loved ones, even if the signs of suicide or depression are not obvious. Just your presence alone can change their life, they can feel loved and cared for, and I would never want to see a loved one hurting. Even if the person jokes or brings up death, you should take it seriously. If you know someone who is hurting or debating over life or death, you can take initiative and call 911 or the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK, because death is never the only option.
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Today, I read the New York Times article, "The Digital Sex Lives of Young Gay Teenagers" by Jack Turban. This piece discussed how some gay teenagers use some forms of social media to meet someone they may like. For instance, the article told a story about a mother who found her son running up the stairs claiming he was raped by a man who broke into the house. The authorities were called, and the man was arrested. It turns out they met on a social media app called Grindr. This is a online dating app used by most adults, but mainly for sexual purposes. One question. Why is a 15 year old boy on a dating app? The parents should've been monitoring their son. This event would've never happened. As for the "rapist" in question, he should've known better. He is a grown adult. Both parties are at fault here. That's why parents should be on high alert for these types of apps. Kids may not know who is on the other end of the screen. Hopefully parents can use this article to spread a message to their children, and stop a future event like this one from happening.
The thing that interested me the most in the Times this week was this story. I felt it gave a very empowering message to both parents and minors out there. I enjoyed reading this article, I will now always think twice of what I say or do on the internet.
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The article that had interested me this week was”A Beginner’s Guide to Taking Great Video on Your Phone.” By Terry Sullivan. This article caught my i while I was looking for articles on the topic of “Technology.” This article caught my eye because I absolutely love taking composing pictures, and videos on my phone. Although I already know some great tips about taking video, from family and family friends, I had really wanted to know what professionals had to say about recording video on your phone. This article surprised me as I had found myself looking up recommendations for products, and movies shot only on an iphone. I think this article is a great read for almost anyone who is interested in recording video on their phone.
Personality typing is a concept that hasn’t yet failed to intrigue me. I recently came across an article titled “Are You a ‘Type D’ Athlete? Relax and Ask for Help,” and although I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an “athlete” at the moment, you never know where life may take you, right? So, I clicked on it. And I learned a few things; first of all no, I am not a Type D, but if I were, I would also be at higher risk for heart disease! I think categorizing yourself as one of the A, B, or D Types is something that any given person can apply to their life -- aside from the heart-disease aspect. Classifying yourself as one of the types encourages self-reflection which might leave you with an undesired reality check, but hey, it is healthy to get to know yourself and the way your mind works. Isn’t that an fascinating concept, learning how your clock ticks? This is helpful for anyone, notably for athletes, to consider how key personality traits may affect how you respond to training or competition seeing as improvement is heavily concentrated on strengthening your weaker areas, which you might find difficult if you relate to the Type D personality traits.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/well/move/are-you-a-type-d-athlete-re...
How Argentina Lost Its Way
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/sports/world-cup/argentina-lionel-mes...?
This week, what interests me the most is Argentina losing to Croatia with 3 goals. It was very unexpected because Argentina is a team with high hopes in World Cup and Croatia was way more worse than Argentina last year. Another reason why Argentina lost to Croatia is because Argentina had a defense left exposed, a midfield that was overrun, and an attack that was blunted. Sampaoli, coach of Argentina, made it clear that only one person should take responsibility for the fact that Argentina was now on the brink of elimination and its him. He told us there was no plan B, to be used in an emergency, because he has not yet settled on plan A. Although they have great players like Lionel Messi or Sergio Aguero, the formation wasn't good enough to defeat to Croatia. Argentina's loss was not only because of the coach, it was also the cooperation between the players mainly Messi. He has spent so much time away from Argentina that he somehow lacks the requisite passion to represent his nation. In the case of losing a match to Croatia, it was also because of the defense was easily able to handle and there was also a lack of scheming midfielders.
The Golden State Warriors were not perfect they've lost 24 games during the regular season. They endured injuries and bouts of complacency and didn't chase records. The result as the same. Third time in four seasons, and for the second year in a row, the Golden State Warriors are N.B.A champions. They demolished the Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-85, on Friday in the at the Quickens Loans Arena. "To win in a sweep feels pretty good," said Kevin Durant, who was named the M.V.P. for the second straight year. The Cavs emptied there bench in just four mins left. James finished with 23 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds and would have been his last game with the Cavaliers. I chose this article because this is Lebrons last game with the Cavaliers.
The New York Times article "He Wore It First" talks about how the dad style is coming into trend from the 1990's. Kanye is the one who started this trend through his clothing line (Yeezy) then other designers and big brands like Balenciaga, Brunello Cucinelli, Noah, and many more followed. Seniors men's wear editor at the Trend Forecasting Firm WGSN states "There's something uniquely American about it." So why is what dads wear being turned into a trend you ask? Emily segal a founder of the Design And Technology think tank says "Brands are trying to produce mystery in this overexposed atmosphere" The article also talks about how "30 is the new 20" implying how its acceptable to keep up with the newest trends just like all the teens. In my opinion you can do that at any age without worrying about what others think as long as you're happy. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/13/style/dads-are-cool.html
It’s truly intriguing to see just how similar today is compared to the times leading up to WWII, or even during WWII. Today I watched We Reimagined Trump’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ as a 1940s Propaganda Film made by Taige Jensen, Japhet Weeks, and Leah Varjacques. When I first heard about the Zero Tolerance policy the US was instating on the border I was mortified, mortified that the leaders of the US were able to separate kids from their parents, and somehow justify this as an act of protection. This video sheds light on just how similar this policy is to what we as a country did back in 1943, in the midst of WWII, when we forcefully interned hundreds of thousand Japanese-Americans. As a country, we stripped upward or of 120,000 US citizens of their rights in fear that they would potentially betray their country if the Japanese ever invaded the US. Today we are forcefully stripping human people from their children as punishment for them fleeing their country to try and find a better life for themselves and their children. These children, some no older than 3 years old, were torn from their parents because we feared that they might be drug traffickers, rapists, and killers. We separated kids from the parents and traumatized them because we were afraid of those who have lost everything, those who were seeking refuge from a country that was built by refugees. If we can’t recognize how we, as a country, were founded, then how are we ever going to truly know or see the American Dream?
“Review: Free to drive, Saudi women still must take a back seat to men by Margaret Coker. ” Allowing Saudi women to drive seems to be the act that liberates them from the feudal and repressive clutches of their society and I choose to believe that this is indeed the ‘great feminist leap’ towards women empowerment and gender equality. However, this is simply a fraction of a larger societal construct that devalues and discriminates against women and I really hope that its the beggining of a structural change that gradually allow women to climb the societal ladder and achieve their place within the Saudi society, and practice their Islam as they see fit.
While I think this is a revolutionary change, there are opposing voices deeming it to be far from the liberation of male domination and oppression. However, we must acknowledge that Saudi feminism is different from Western feminism but they are all just as powerful in the respective societies.
Reading this article had me pondering about how the world can achieve gender equality. Is it still a pipe dream? Although women empowerment efforts have occurred incrementally in recent decades, not every country or continent is contributing to the change. As global youths of today, let’s care and stand up for the girl who is denied equal education, the girl who wants to play football too, the girl constantly watches her back fearful of discrimination and abuse, those around us whose voices should be heard. Let them rise.
Tennis is a gentleman’s sport, the ball people are a luxury of the sport. the recent conflicts of if they are skilled enough has made some new rules in the tennis world. the old rule did not state how they had to get the ball to the player. some of the recent ball boy’s and ball girl’s have not been skilled enough to get the ball to the player, having to delay the match so the player or the ball person can go get the ball. The most recent rule being that the ball boy or girl has to roll the ball to the player to avoid delaying the match and to avoid conflict.
I have been playing tennis for eleven years and they’re are so many rules and regulations to the sport, this rule I do believe to be beneficial because stopping every minute to chase the ball down is a hassle and is a waste of time.
I decided to read the article "XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20." This article interested me because of the responses to his death that I've seen. Though some people are glad and say he deserved it, a lot of people are heart broken. He wrote meaningful music that touched on hard subjects like depression and suicide. I personally didn't listen to all of his music, but I can say that I've heard a fair amount, and really enjoyed it. Nowadays most artists rap about sex, money, and drugs, but he wasn't like the rest. I think it is a tragedy that his life ended this way right when he was starting to try to fix his wrongdoings. I feel that no one should be killed for what they've done, especially in such a brutal way.
“Review: Take the Next Trolley to ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’”
My Henrietta pussycat puppet, similar to that featured on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, is a constant reminder of morals I strive to live by. As a child, I often watched reruns. No matter the difficulties in school or how many times I moved, Mister Rogers was always there. As I grew older, my appreciation for the power of his words exponentially increased.
Exploring the NYTimes, the name of Mister Rogers captured my attention. With the power to evoke a nostalgia and gaiety in multiple generations, the article explains how Mister Rogers responded to the challenges of his time by simply talking about the plight. Carefully wording the conversations to help children understand the issue and formulate their own ideas, Mister Rogers explained that we should love others even if they are different.
After reading the article, I wonder how Mister Rogers would respond to the dilemmas in society today. Would Mister Rogers want children today to grow up in an environment where people that are different are feared and immigrant families are torn apart?Thinking on our own, we must come up with opinions and talk about societal events with children today, just as Mister Rogers did in the past. Mister Rogers inspired me to speak up and support what is right.It is crucial to encourage kindness, emotional validation, and intellectual vitality in children and an appreciation for others, no matter who they are.
Kindness is always key.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/style/canal-street-fashion.html
Gentrification has always been a prominent, yet understated, problem that plagued urban cities. The streets of Chinatown has been replaced by corporate hotels and hipster cafes, sweeping away small businesses and rent stabilized apartments. Reading the originally titled article “Canal Street Cleans up Nice,” made my heart hurt to see my community, which fights against gentrification, glossed over. Written by Hayley Phelan, the article now reads “The Gentrification of Canal Street.”
Phelan emphasizes that these shops bring a new level of sophistication and success to Canal street, only quoting from the high-end jewelry shop owners and shops from Canal Street Market. However, she ignores successful businesses already there, like Popular Jewelry, which has celebrity and millionaire customers. Furthermore, the article received major backlash from it’s readers commenting on the lack of research conducted. Gentrification affects many low-income Americans, and Phelan indirectly commented on the issue without considering the majority of the effectents.
The stereotype that the the community is scary and relies on cheap LV bags to make a living is being perpetuated by this article and it’s racist. Chinatown is beyond a single story. I respect many works published by The NY Times, but this article was very disappointing and maddening to read as a 15 year old girl who grew up in Chinatown.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/lens/an-underwater-photographer-docum...
These pictures, taken by Michaela Skovranova, are absolutely breathtaking and remind us of the many great things that this world has to offer. The world by itself is just so amazing and provides us with so much beauty and resources that it is so hard to believe that we put it through so much crap that we are damaging the way that we are. These pictures magnify the what this world is and what it does for us. When you look at these pictures you not only see a beautiful landscape, but you also see a bustling environment and habitats that scream life and prosperity. When we look at these pictures and we see such a functioning domain, you can't help but reflect on what we as a human race are doing for our domain. Are we treating our domain right, and are we trying to be as eco-friendly as possible? What can we do to make sure that the earth will continue to hold and possess such beauty that is not only pleasing to the eye, but is also a territory that holds a large diverse amount of organisms that add to the diversity that this world carries? These images act as a serene reminder of what our home is capable of and what we need to do to keep it this way for years to come.
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What interested me this week is the article, "A Clarinetist’s Girlfriend Didn’t Want Him to Leave. So She Crushed His Dreams," written by Sarah Mervosh. As a musician, anything that brings classical music to the forefront interests me. As such, when I saw the title of the article, I was immediately intrigued. As I read through the article, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. The idea that someone would ruin someone’s potential career so they could stay in a relationship astounds me.
The article talks about Eric, a Canadian clarinetist who had applied for a position to study under a prestigious clarinet professor, Mr. Gilad. When his application had gotten rejected, he continued studying in Canada. However, he re-applied years later to the confusion of Mr. Gilad, who was under the impression that Eric had turned the offer down. This prompted an investigation that led them to find out that Eric's ex-girlfriend had impersonated both Eric and Mr. Gilad. Emails that were sent to Eric and Mr. Gilad were shown to have been sent from fake email addresses.
This interested me both as a musician and a person for somewhat different reasons. From a regular person’s standpoint, it’s interesting and a little disconcerting to hear that someone would be capable of doing this in the first place. From a musician’s standpoint, it’s frightening that something like this could happen to me. Overall, this article was very interesting and entertaining.
"Astonishing Admission of Cheating Rocks Australian Cricket"
Being a Pakistani, the sport of cricket has proven to be my life's medicine. The victories of the national team frequently provide a sense of joy and pride for my nation and identity. Meanwhile, in Australia, cricket is worshipped, and as per the article, the captain of the Australian national cricket team is the second most important job in the nation. The fact that cricket is loved so strongly there really emphasized the magnitude of the ball tampering incident involving Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, and David Warner. The fact that Smith instructed the youngest member in the Australian side, Bancroft, to rub the ball with sandpaper was just plain disappointing. The goal was to alter the condition of the ball to aid the Australian bowlers against a tough South African batting side. Smith had been floating on a cloud, already being compared to the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, but he threw his golden opportunity away. He committed a blatant act of cheating, and ultimately faced the tough consequences. This incident forces supporters like me to ask questions, and it represents the change that cricket is undergoing. Politics, corruption, and cheating have damaged the "gentleman's game", and are compromising the spirit of cricket. Being a passionate fan of the sport, I hope that the integrity within cricket isn't forgotten, and that the beautiful game lives on.
“Mo Salah Gives Egyptians What We Need”
Before I read the op-ed “Mo Salah Gives Egyptians What We Need,” I thought Salah was a top soccer player but nothing else. After reading and some research, I was left in complete awe.
In 2017, Salah not only leaped to a word top 3 soccer star from a little-known player but also became a unifying force of the world. In the English Premier League, Salah broke 11 records and was named the Player of the Year. But, all these aren’t comparable to the positive changes he initiated worldwide through his noble spirit.
Starting in 2011, the “Arab Spring” happened in Egypt. This movement didn’t bring democracy as it hoped, on the contrary, “the country was falling apart” as military coups took place one after another and “despair ramped.”
All these changed when Salah appeared.
In last October, Salah led Egypt into its first World Cup since 1990, becoming a national hero. Yet, he refused gifts of villas from billionaires, yet donated to local hospitals. He participated in an anti-drug ad for free, and the detoxification hotlines received 4 times more calls.
The nation sees Salah as “the light for Egyptians who have suffered for so long,” said an Egyptian.
Salah’s positive influence went beyond his nation as his spirit reduced hostility towards Muslims due to terrorist attacks in the west. According to BBC, Salah helped increased attendances at mosques and improved Isam’s image.
Let's cherish Salah’s spirit to create a more positive world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/business/media/anthony-bourdain-dead....
Anthony Bourdain hanged himself. Allow me to repeat the words, for I still cannot believe it myself. Anthony Bourdain, renowned chef, author of "Kitchen Confidential, and host of "Parts Unknown," took his own life. The man's job was to travel around the world, meet new people, and eat delicious food. That sounds like a dream life to me. Yet he felt so much pain that he was driven to suicide. The man who seemingly had everything didn't have enough to save his life.
I can't even begin to imagine the grief of his loved ones, or the impact this will have an already suicidal and depressed people. They might think that if depression beat him, what hope is there for them?
The answer: I don't know. I don't know why Bourdain committed suicide. I don't know why he didn't reach out to a loved one. I don't know how to explain to people who think about killing themselves that it isn't worth it. How can I be expected to? I don't know what they're thinking.
But I do know one thing: if you thought the above, remember you're loved. You may not realize it, but it's true. Reach out to your family. If you don't have any, reach out to your friends. If you don't have any, reach out to G-d. Go to your local church, synagogue, or mosque. Pray and find fulfillment in His love. Because if you ever feel as if all hope is gone, He will surely never abandon you and will return to you reason to live in this world. Remember that
I think that Kate Spade’s suicide was very tragic and unpredictable by the public eye. When I think of a 55 year old woman who has a very successful company and a young daughter, I think of how great of a life she must be living. That is how I think most people would have felt, but in reality people’s perceptions were a lie. She hung herself with a belt only to be discovered by her housekeeper at 10:10. I do wonder how a 55 year old mother could leave her 13 year old daughter with that grief for the rest of her life. I
https://nyti.ms/2l5iYq9
That fourth slice of pizza.... those thousand-dollar rare sneakers drops… my phone vibrating in my pocket during class… at times it seems life itself is an endless struggle against an endless stream of temptations. Inevitably, it’s often a losing battle: the reason I clicked on the article in the first place was because of the picture of that amazing, gooey brownie.
Herrera’s piece summarized some recent research studies related to self-control. Of particular note, to me and perhaps to every human on earth, was the finding that the best way to succeed against temptation is to avoid facing it in the first place. Herrera mentions that in order to get rid of temptation is to get rid of the object that is causing it.
The suggestion has personal resonance. Though I always intend not to touch my phone during class, somehow the devilish device keeps crawling back into the palm of my hand. Well, just last month, I inadvertently left my phone in my locker. After the initial panicked annoyance, that study hall was the most productive I’d ever had! And because my phone stayed in my locker all day, I was more engaged than I’d been for as long as I can remember.
Greater focus is the space in which greater things can happen. Perhaps for me, it can mean better grades in the short-run. But multiply that increased focus a million-fold, and we’ll be better able to tackle climate change, and Alzheimer’s, and all the other challenges we cannot afford to ignore.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
The topic interested from the New York Times is the unfortunate death of one the big rappers XXXTentacion. This topic caught my attention because it has impacted many people from across the world. XXXTentacion’s death had been all over magazines, social media, news and other ways of communication. Not only the reason that he was only twenty years old but he was a very influential person to young adults. His music reflected and still reflects on his many mistakes he made throughout his short life. Yet he was a young adult who did those mistake he learned from them and made music, made himself a little better to help those not go down his wrong path. This NY Times article also interested me in the point that he had many things to look forward to just as all those other teenagers out there. I am sure that it did not go by his mind that, that night he would be shot after going to that dealer. That is why when anyone has a dream they should go for it because it may never go through anyones mind that there life ends. Many of XXXTentacion’s songs had to do with how he was becoming a better person and how he was going to attend school again to receive his GED those were all dreams he had and now those dreams remain dreams. Thats why if anyone has a dream work very hard for it and make that dream that you have become real and not maintain as a dream. This article was inspirational to many teenagers including me.
Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Woman into Adulthood, is Dead at 55
By Jonah Engel Bromwich, Vanessa Friedman, and Matthew Schneier
The death of Kate Spade has interested me the most this week in The Times. I say this because she was not only an inspiration to those her bought her designs, but to all the young girls like me who want to be involved in the fashion industry. She was very loved by her family and an inspiration to her 13 year old daughter. Though her beautiful fashion designs were so bright,fun,and colorful,she was suffering with depression . She sadly died from suicide and her depression had caused it. Her legacy will live on forever.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/world/europe/trump-migrant-children-u...
What interested me the most in times this week was an article called U.N. Rights Chief Tells U.S. to Stop Taking Migrant Children From Parents by Nick Cumming-Bruce.The reason I chose this report out of all the others is due to the issue itself.The issue first started to gain popularity as the number of migrants being removed from his/her parents has grown significantly over time.This-to me-shows how much our current US President cares about human rights.He keeps saying that he is doing a great job (mostly in making the United States the “Big Dog” in the world) when really, he is damaging what actually makes America great.He relentlessly uses his platform to put down people, organizations, countries, etc…Anyway, the article has the thoughts of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights. Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein says, “The thought that any state would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable”.I absolutely agree with him.As a human being, how can you seperate families. Especially separating a child and his/her parents.This scene is uncalled for, no one should be doing that.Due to this issue sparking comments on the wrongdoing of human rights, even former first lady Laura Bush called the separations “cruel” and “immoral”.My final thought on this great article by the reporter, is that as Trump continues to take helm of our politics, our society falls apart.
55 year old, Kate Spade’s suicide was a sudden and tragic event that had a very hard impact on the public. She was seen by most as a very successful businesswoman and mother to a beautiful daughter. That changed when she was found dead by her housekeeper at 10:10 am with a scarf around her neck from her suicide. When I first heard about her death I thought “How could she leave her daughter like this. She didn’t deserve to have her mom die this way.” and then I realized that there might’ve been more to Kate’s life then anyone,other then Kate, could’ve known. Now when I think of her, I wonder why she would be so depressed to end her own life, and leave her family with the grief. I also wonder how many other people are thinking the same question.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
In a country where women were not able to vote until the roaring twenties of flappers and bikinis, materialistic sexism is vested in our social institutions. In the article, authors Haag and Buckley report that a fundamental part of our discerning society is being dismantled: Miss America is ending the swimsuit competition.
At the crux of the #MeToo movement and under a presidency stained by numerous sexual misconduct allegations, Miss America has evolved to meet society’s desire for reform. It demands that women be judged by the content of their character rather than the gap between their thighs or the girth of their torso.
I personally reacted to the argument of Chaz Ellis which defended the swimsuit installment on the basis of “physical fitness.” Hypocrisy is rooted in the reality that women in physical fields are generally undervalued and the argument is thus a lie.
The country’s progressive strides have been lodged by an ethical conundrum; female empowerment is juxtaposed to its objectification. The world we want our sons and daughters to live in is dominated by the exploitive traditions of a male hierarchy.
The authors show that Miss America is redefining its own values. I hope that this will pave a path to a more equitable future for all. It is healthy to let the conversation objectively flow from the organization’s executives, to the public. Fans of the Miss America pageant will be the final judge.
“I Escaped North Korea. Here’s My Message for President Trump.”
I, like the rest of the nation, watched with bated breath as President Trump and Kim Jong-un shook hands during the first ever US-North Korea summit last Tuesday. And I, like the rest of the nation, had a lot going through my mind. Whether it was relief that this was actually happening, or suspicion as I read the signed policies, the strongest emotion I felt during this summit was actually not from any action or speech by the leaders. I felt most deeply moved when watching NK defector Yeonmi Park’s message to Trump.
It was gut-wrenching to hear Park describe the Holocaust-like conditions in NK. She urges Trump to hold Kim Jong-un accountable and to bring human rights to the forefront of their conversation. When listening to Park, I realized the power of narrative media in its ability to emotionally affect me, but also in writing policy.
So often, conversations on abstract national issues fail to retain human qualities. Hypotheticals and policies can be created without much consideration of the nuanced effects on certain overlooked groups, as their voices are usually suppressed or disregarded. This is also more recently illustrated by the heartless executive order that separated thousands of families at the border. Narratives, like Park’s and of the separated children, provide the emotion and experience crucial in composing effective policy, but which can be lacking in these sanitary, diplomatic meetings.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
North Korea blowing up a nuclear test site is a great gesture to indicate that the nuclear threat to the United States is possibly over. Despite this gesture, cynics believe that North Korea’s nuclear threat is not completely over as President Donald Trump may suggest to the American people. Many experts believe that Trump should not believe everything that is said by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un. This destruction of one nuclear test site may give President Trump and the United States a false sense of security. Kim Jong-un should not be trusted by the United States due to the secret nature of the train ride that journalists had to endure to the nuclear test site. The journalists were taken on an eleven hour train ride and were not permitted to lift the blinds up to take a picture or video. This indicates that North Korea could still be hiding things that they do not want the outside world to see. For this reason, some experts believe that there are other nuclear test sites hidden in other parts of North Korea and that the one that was blown up was just one of many they could have. President Trump definitely made positive strides in repairing relations with North Korea. Currently, there is not enough evidence to suggest that North Korea's nuclear threat to the United States is over, but Americans should be encouraged by the initial progress that President Trump has made.
The article that most interested me in The Times this week was "Inside the Former Walmart that Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children by Manny Fernandez. I chose this article because I heard about how the children were being split from their families since they crossed the border illegally. It's sad to think about how the families must feel at this moment. At one point, Walmart was, a shopping center, then another point where it was a shelter to those young boys who crossed the border illegally. It is sad that these children are going through a lot and being split up from their parents. They should be able to be with their parents and get to leave together without worrying about each other.
Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
This article from The times caught my eye. Kate Spade, a successful woman who created and built a fashion empire, was found to have committed suicide in her home. This article focused mainly on Spade's rise to success and all her accomplishments, being a inspiration to many. Now, this lead me to question why someone, who practically had everything, would think to end their life? Spade was revealed to have been suffering from a great depression for quite some time. This goes to show that maybe money really can't buy happiness. People may appear to be happy on the outside because they "have it all", but may not actually feel that way on the inside. This reminded me of the tragic death of Robin Williams. He too, was loved by many and very successful, but that didn't mean he didn't feel sadness like the rest of us. Even though Spade was loved by everyone, she didn't have the love from the person that mattered most: herself.
https://nyti.ms/2HWoNz2
What interested me the most in times this week was an article called U.N. Rights Chief Tells US to Stop Taking Migrant Children From Parents by Nick Cumming-Bruce.The reason I chose this report out of all the others is due to the issue itself.The issue first started to gain popularity as the number of migrants being removed from his/her parents has grown significantly over time (2,000 in the past 6 weeks as said in the article).This-to me- shows how much our current US President cars about human rights.He keeps saying that he is doing a great job (mostly in making the United States the “Big Dog” in the world) when really, he is damaging what actually makes America great.He relentlessly uses his platform to put down people, organizations, countries, etc... Anyway, the article has the thoughts of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights.Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein says, “The thought that any state would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable”. I absolutely agree with him.As a human being, how can you seperate families.Especially separating a child and his/her parents.This scene is uncalled for, no one should be doing that.Due to this issue sparking comments on the wrongdoing of human rights, even former first lady Laura Bush called the separations “cruel” and “immoral”.My final thought on this great report by Mr. Cumming-Bruce is that as Trump continues to take helm of our politics, our society falls apart.
Reading the Times’ article “Where Boys Outperform Girls in Math: Rich, White and Suburban Districts” made me reflect on the little bubble I call home.
I live in a district studied in the article. Home to manicured lawns and country clubs, it’s a predominantly white suburb. I had never considered that girls here trailed boys in math: we constituted half of the calculus classes and the majority of math club leaders.
However, I soon realized a gap does exist. At honors night, boys seized most math awards. At the state math championship, they took home all top ten prizes. A study in the article even found that in my district, girls vastly outperformed boys in reading, but in math, they were behind.
This gap isn’t due to inherent inferiority but tradition. With manicured lawns and country clubs come male breadwinners, female homemakers, and implicit bias. No matter how many glass ceilings we shatter, stereotypes remain rooted deep in our parents’ minds. They ship their sons, the future scientists, off to math camp and daughters, the future delicate housewives, to the ballet barre. (In my own family, my twin brother did math drills while I did pliés in a tutu.) Parents teach boys to embrace math as a natural skill and girls to shy away, nudging them towards other pursuits. Without motivation or support, girls fall behind, widening the gap.
It may not seem like it, but gender disparities exist in our own communities. But by acknowledging this gap, we’re one step closer to progress.
Your headline says
Summer Reading Contest, Week 1: What Interested You Most in The Times This Week?
The above is incomplete.
You have forgotten to ask the question "Why?"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/opinion/saudi-arabia-women-driving-fe...
"Who Really Put Saudi Women Behind the Wheel?"
As I come of age, I won't be under the shelter of my protective Asian parents. Instead, I'll be out in the wild, having to face injustice because of my gender, and left to protect myself. The thought of it scares me. The first time I felt I was held back because of my gender was back when I was a freshman. I wanted to go to the US, all alone when I was 15, to attend a music camp that I auditioned to. I got in with my own talent and my hard work. After I told my good news to my dad, he tried to make me not go, after he agreed I could go before I started my application process. His reason was that I was a young female, which made me believe if I were a male, he’d happily let me go. I felt frustrated about the fact that even though I had a great opportunity, I was held back because I was a female. I felt that he wasn’t happy for my success- he underestimated my talent, agreeing to me because he thought that I wasn’t good enough to go.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/sports/world-cup/peru-quechua.html
This Thursday, Peruvians suffered a national loss: elimination from the World Cup. While France’s win was no surprise, I, like many others fans of cheesy Hollywood plots, cheered for the underdogs. As Peru’s players made desperate attempts to score, I found myself yelling “Shoot!” alongside the broadcasters.
Meanwhile, Luis Soto reacted to the same game, only he spoke (or screamed) in the Quechua language. From the article, I discovered that Quechua people make up a small fraction of Peru’s people yet suffer from deep poverty and discrimination. This suppression spans across various indigenous groups, from the Aborigines in Australia to the Native Americans in the US. In fact, the socioeconomic marginalization of natives is so widely accepted that TV shows such as the Netflix comedy “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” portray characters like Jacqueline, an affluent housewife who abandons her Lakota heritage to transform herself into a “successful” white woman. She remains unhappy despite her wealth. Soto receives almost no monetary compensation yet is content broadcasting in his own tongue. His efforts remind us to fully embrace our identity, not be reduced by it.
The 2018 World Cup momentarily bridged the diverse Peruvian population and brought them on the same side of the bleachers. This may have been Peru’s last match, but hopefully it’s just the beginning of healing and progress within the nation’s people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article this week in the New York Times that had interested me the most was "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55." As a frequent consumer of many of Kate Spade's products including purses, eyeglasses, and jewelry, I was personally quite devastated and impacted by her tragic death. Her death is another example of the fact that wealth and fame does not give a person happiness in their life. As it stated in the article, you cannot walk a block in New York without seeing one of her handbags. Very few people were aware of the battle with depression and anxiety that Ms. Spade faced, however, growing up in today's society has me quite familiar with these serious topics. Like many people today, she tried to cover her struggles with her colorful, creative, and uplifting designs. I feel that in light of Ms.Spade's tragic suicide, we need to bring more attention to mental illnesses including depression and anxiety in day to day life. We need to make these topics apart of the conversation in society today being that it has impacted almost everybody in one way or another whether it be losing a loved one to suicide or having these suicidal thoughts yourself. In the final analysis, we need to see Kate Spade's death as a reminder of the reality of mental illness in our world today, and we must keep Mr.Spade's legacy alive through her designs and products.
The article that really caught my attention was “Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55.” Just by reading this article, I realized so many important things we can learn from Kate Spade and her lifestyle. Kate Spade was brave and adventurous in making her fashion line and by creating it, she created a whole new lifestyle for women. She was not just a great business person, but a great people person as well. She gave people what they wanted at prices they could afford. What really stood out was the fact that her fashion line supported “economic equality for women.” This basically means that she supported the idea of women having the same amount of access to the same amount of money as men. So, even though she was making money with her brand, she was also helping other women obtain the same right to wealth as men. However, the most important thing that stood out to me was the fact that Kate Spade was depressed. We sometimes think that just because a person is rich that they can just buy their way out of their problems. The sad truth is that everyone, even famous people, can suffer. Depression and other mental illnesses do not target people of a certain social status, they can attack anyone at any age! What I took away from this article was that we will never know how much someone else is suffering until we actually live in their shoes. For it is not the life we live that affects us, but the situations we have to get through.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/us/liberty-city-school-walkout-miami-...
The amount of controversy on gun violence sparked my interest when I read the title. It is sickening that a school has been placed in a location that is considered dangerous for a student to walk off campus. Across the nation there are schools that have scheduled walk outs that occur effortlessly, and safely. Teens should get to express their opinions freely without having to worry about the dangers of them doing so. Just because there are different colors of skin involved in a protest does not mean it is dangerous. The fact that there were 4 high school kids shot near school grounds is appalling. Administration needs to realize if they cannot do anything about gun restrictions, the least they can do is relocate the school to a better, safer environment. Some students were unable to participate in the protest because they would not be welcomed by the local gangs. What kind of school has gang territory near them? I don't see a problem involving the kids amount of class-time, but with the level of safety their school has. However, the students are doing a great job with the amount of awareness they have caused. Organizing clubs and safer protests are exactly what that school needs and i am glad to see a positive outcome.
"Antarctica is Melting Three Times as Fast as a Decade Ago"
I find it hard to believe that "human-influenced" climate change continues to be a debatable topic. Science has served more as a political "plank" (part of a politician's overall platform) than as fact. The article states that "60-90% of the world's fresh water is frozen in the ice sheets of Antarctica." Many "non-believers" deny the fact that this is an issue despite the fact that we are expected to witness a mass extinction within the next 50 years because of the melting of Antarctica (along with other factors).
The article continues to state that if all of Antarctica melted, it would be enough to raise the world's sea levels by roughly 200 feet. This is a serious issue. The human race is only stimulating climate change by allowing the increased emission of greenhouse gases and mass deforestation. This is not something that will happen within a decade, year, month, or day, so the current society does nothing but observe as we destroy our planet. This is only a factor that leads me to despise our society. We, as a whole, fail to notice and mend the common problems seen in everyday life. Whether you would like to believe it or not, we (the entire human race) are the cause of a massive increase in the speed of climate change. We must act upon fact rather than political stance and create the opportunity for a better future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/climate/antarctica-ice-melting-faster...
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
Jahseh Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion, was a very influentical rapper. He touched the lives of many people struggling with personal and mental issues with his motivational music. As a young stressful girl, I looked up to his music when I was feeling down. His music talked about depression, anixety, and suicide and wayss to cope with these mental issues. His music also made people feel like they were not the only ones feeling this way. Music has been known to help people cope and escape their mental issues.
Although he was facing charges for abusing his ex-girlfriend, he did his best to try and change his image. While he was in Deerfield Beach, Florida, he was planning a charity event for children. He life sadly came to an end. This article interested me because I have always enjoyed listening to Jahseh's music and it has helped me realize that I am not alone in this world. Thiss article also helped me to apperciate all the little things I have in life and to always be kind to everyone because your life can easily be taken away from you.
“Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55”
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
Kate Spade was a very popular and unique fashion designer. She was known for her bright colors and quirky bags. She was 55 when she hanged herself in her Manhattan apartment on June 5th. It came to a shock to many people, to hear that she committed suicide. Her 13 year old daughter must be so distraught. Kate left her daughter a note explaining that is was not her fault for her mother’s suicide. As a thirteen girl year old that must be so terribly hard to go through the rest of your teenage years without your mother. Many young girls depend so much on their mothers growing up and going through high school. Teenage girls see their mothers as mentors, and to not have that must me so rough. Through Kate’s bright style, it would come to a surprise to anyone that she was suffering depression. Her husband says that Kate had been seeking help to cope with her depression for years. Kate’s tragic death has been a shock to the fashion community and to many people. Her work was truly one of a kind and she will be missed by many.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/republicans-family-separa...
Just as anything else in this world, actions should be done justly and legally. Some Republicans claim to have a "zero-tolerance" for illegal immigrants. As a scare tactic for immigrants, these supporters of "zero-tolerance" have decided it was best to separate children from their parents as punishment for illegally coming to the US. It has become a growing problem of illegal immigration to the US due to problems arising in other countries. Though the choices of these immigrants are illegal and should carry repercussions for their actions, how is it just to separate a mother from their child? There is no guarantee these children will ever return to their families once the entire legal process is finished. There is a hypocrisy in the words spoken by the supporters of the "zero-tolerance" family-separating ordeal. These supporters are aware of the human rights issues taken places and of the heart ache parents are facing as they risk their lives trying to escape the dangers and utter poverty in homeland's. Just as stated in the article, we shouldn't be talking about mothers taken from babies and the president tweeting politically incorrect statements about illegal immigrants when we can't speak about low unemployment rates. In order to create real change in society, we should be considering every factor of our actions, not only in the US society, but also to those immigrants searching for freedom.
Suspect, 22, Is Arrested in Killing of Rapper XXXTentacion
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/arts/music/xxxtentacion-arrest-murder...
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The article that interested me the most this week was finding out who XXXTentacion murderer was. The reason it interested me so much was that there were many people saying that they killed XXXTentacion, for what reason I do not know why. This article also interested me because like many others I listened to his music, it was very sad to hear that he had passed away, and he was very influential to many people. XXXTentacion was killed Monday and the murderer Dedrick Devonshay Williams was found on Wednesday. But there is also one other man they are trying to find that was involved in this case. From this article I also learned that XXXTentacion had been on trial for some things and that the murderer was sentenced with first degree murder. This was a very sad tragedy and we will forget him.
This courages raccoon can serve anyone a lesson to better themselves and to aim high when working in accomplishing something huge. The small animal started at the bottom of the building, just looking to get away from whatever it was; but once it stated climbing up it didn’t be stop. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors were just the beginning of an adventure for the raccoon. This article caught my attention because one would have bebe though that something so small can make up so high. We often find ourselves underestimating creatures like raccoons. We think that all they are capable of is to scavage for food in our garbage cans. It’s never good to underestimate anyone, especially not a raccoon, never knowing that you can learn from it one day.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/style/zara-jacket-melania-trump.html?...
During these times of heated debate about immigration and the separation of families at the border, it was intriguing to read about the first lady's jacket. It is interesting how the conversation has changed from what will happen to those kids detained without their parents to whats the meaning of Melania's jacket. It all feels like we live in a reality TV show. All of us are being distracted by a new silly, unimportant event in every episode. Who cares what her jacket means. I Don't Care, Do You?
The article that really caught my attention was “Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55.” Just by reading this article, I realized so many important things we can learn from Kate Spade and her lifestyle. Kate Spade was brave and adventurous in making her fashion line and by creating it, she created a whole new lifestyle for women. She was not just a great business person, but a great people person as well. She gave people what they wanted at prices they could afford. What really stood out was the fact that her fashion line supported “economic equality for women.” This basically means that she supported the idea of women having the same amount of access to the same amount of money as men. So, even though she was making money with her brand, she was also helping other women obtain the same right to wealth as men.
However, the most important thing that jumped out at me was the fact that Kate Spade was depressed. We sometimes think that just because a person is rich that they can just buy their way out of their problems. The sad truth is that everyone, even famous people, can suffer. Depression and other mental illnesses do not target people of a certain social status, they can attack anyone at any age! What I took away from this article was that we will never know how much someone else is suffering until we actually live in their shoes. For it is not the life we live that affects us, but the situations we have to get through.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/world/asia/shimla-india-drought-water...
Abi-Habib and Kumar describe an unfortunate reality of the lack of a human necessity in Shimla, India with this article. To think access to clean water is a pressing issue in 2018 is not only heartbreaking but enraging as well. What saddens me the most is the fact that the majority of those affected take out their justified anger on the wrong people. Key people, or civil servants that open the water valves at specific times, are being accused of corruption when instead their employers, government officials, should be the ones to blame. I was enraged to learn from Mr. Chawdhry that nearly five million gallons of water are wasted a day through leaking. India is growing in its presence in the modern world, but its government officials, local and state, lack in providing the nation’s growing population with a basic human need. My father, a Pakistani immigrant, tells me about how Pakistan, India’s closest neighbor, suffers from corruption of politicians leading to the deterioration of public infrastructure.In order for these nations to be on par with developed countries, it is essential for them to solve internal issues such as access to clean water. With the updates to the archaic system estimated to be completed by 2023, I hope that government officials take the time to listen to their citizens and focus on improving day-to-day functions in India.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-Korea-denucle...
Mr. Trump sees the end to nuclear threat despite unclear path. Trump declared that North Korea is no longer a threat to the United States before two sides had yet to create a concrete disarmament plan. Mr. Trump even expressed his willingness to withdraw American troops stationed in South Korea since the end of the Korean War 65 years ago. He was trying to negotiate the relationship between the United States and North Korea because the withdraw of the American troops would create an opportunity for North Korea to act more effective against South Korea. The motivation of this action was based on economic problem according to Mr. Trump which might not be considered as a big reason. In contrast, President Obama stated that North Korea was the biggest and most dangerous problem, thus made Trump's statement seems to be inconvincible, and made people more concerned about the status of the United States. According to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic minority leader, North Korea still has nuclear weapons, it still has ICBMs, so the United States is still in danger. He thought Trump's thinking of North Korea as simple because it has not yet become a reality. Also, a critical question asked by Kelsey Davenport "what comes next?" To follow on the negotiations to close the gap between the United States and North Korea as long as possible is important in order to maintain U.S safe.
Can One Suicide Lead to Others?
mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/health/suicide-bourda
Suicide is a heavy topic. I find that the way suicide is publicized very intresting. The United States has a very funny way of showing awareness for this topic . By putting other people's intended deaths into the media for thousands to see. Instead of trying to prevent the situation, they are causing the society to accept it as the norm instead of a serious problem. This publicity encourages people to act impulsively and harm themselves in ways that are saddening and even hurtful to others. People have been found to commit suicide in " clusters" after the fact that it has been publicized. The media has a way of influencing thoughts and actions. Covering suicides allows people to think that it is okay and adds negative thoughts that can be acted on impulsively. While suicide is mostly impulsive and anonymous and has no definitive cause, stopping the spread of it in the media and educational awareness can help prevent it from happening.
The article that appealed most to me, "Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children", previewed one of the latest political controversies. Ever since President Donald Trump enforced the rule that all people crossing the border illegally may be subjected toward arrest, (which can ultimately lead to the separation of families) has also caused many to worry about the fate of these poor children who are being torn away from their only sign of hope and familiarity. I liked how this article gave way to a vivid description, which broadened my understanding on the daily life for these abandoned children. In Brownsville, Texas a former "Walmart Supercenter" is being used to house the 1,500 migrant children, whose parents were attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. As made clear, this shelter has been transformed from a shopping center into a safe-haven for young boys aged ten to seventeen- with classrooms, bedrooms, and other efficient spaces for the youth to enjoy. Although the daily life in the shelter was seen as an overall safe and warm place for children to temporarily live, doesn't mean these children will adapt to a "normal" lifestyle, since they are without their parent(s), or they are not in a familiar environment. The shelter had also been cited with thirteen deficiencies. This fact worries me since the staff working at this shelter should be experienced with children, and especially aware.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/arts/music/xxxtentacion-death-reactio...
The death of rapper XXXtentacion has caused a lot of controversy over social media. There are people on one side of the spectrum who are commemorate the dead rapper, and calling him a hero. Then on the other side others brought up his destructive past. The reason I picked this article was because I believe that even though XXXtentacion did some horrific things in the past, he was changing for the better, and genuinely trying to become a better person. I think that people should give him respect for trying to change his life around by doing good like giving to charity, and those in need. Overall I don't think people should define this talented rapper over his past.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
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The death of Kate Spade, an influential designer, has interested me the most in this weeks New York Times. Kate Spade was an important and inspiring role model for young girls and women. I believe she showed people how to be creative while struggling with an inside force such as depression. Kate’s shocking death left our country dumbfounded which leads to show that she was struggling internally. This shows our world that even successful influencers have problems of their own. Kate Spade was looked up to by many people and most known for her designer bags. It is ironic that her popular handbags have made so many people happy while she was sadly secretly battling a mental illness for many years. Ms.Spade was attending treatment during the time her depression was very severe. Hopefully her death has caused the world to change for the better.
https://nytimes.com/2018/06/20/world/canada/canada-marijuana-legalize.html
I read this article and found it ironic that the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, would argue that legalizing marijuana is necessary to protect the young people from the risks of illegal drugs. I don't see how giving easier access to a drug, makes it less likely young people won't use it more often. I believe the government is doing it in order to regulate it and make money from taxing sales. I agree, there may be medical reasons that require a person to use marijuana, but I see no benefit to making it legal for individuals to use it as recreation. I think it will lead to more crime and agree with the person in the article who said it will lead to a bunch of young potheads hanging around everywhere. One individual in the article even said youngsters and tourists from the United States would travel there so that they may use marijuana on a recreational basis. The proponents of legalizing marijuana only seem to be doing it for the financial gains. There will be a lot of money made my legalizing marijuana, but the question is, at what cost to the younger generation? Here in California, the same argument was made to legalize marijuana for recreational use. I believe that it was a mistake, and we will not realize the consequences of that mistake until it is too late.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/health/depression-suicide-helping.html
Depression is becoming very common in this generation. Many people are trying to figure out many ways to reach out to those who have depression. The devastating loss of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain has really opened up peoples eyes of how one can be very unhappy even if the person is deemed to have everything. If someone does mention suicide, we need to take it seriously and tell someone. It is also good to be there when they need to talk People need to let their feelings out and vent about about a certain situation that is happening in their life. I had some trouble with mild depression because of certain events happening in my life. I didn't want to talk to anyone and I could barely leave my bed some days. My doctor and family recognized my actions and recommended a therapist. Recommending one to see a therapist can greatly impact a person because talking to someone can really help express the emotion inside of you. What did not help is when I did confined in someone; they told me that other people had it worse. That is not something to say to someone that is struggling with depression because it shows that what they are upset about doesn't really matter. Depression is becoming a widespread illness which is causing suicide. Knowing the signs and how to help a person is extremely important to help a person which can have a domino effect of helping other people.
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“For Survivors of Childhood Cancer, Walk”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/well/childhood-cancer-survival-deaths...
The power of exercise. Some may under mind the power exercise has. In this bustling society, many people ignore the abilities that exercise holds. Most people would agree that exercise can improve health but argue they do not have adequate time to set aside for exercise. But I know most people, including myself, may not have thought that exercise can increase the lifespan of those who have been through one of the most traumatic experiences and battled childhood cancer.
Many victims of childhood cancer find it hard to find ways to move around because they may have had amputations or other residuals that make it difficult for them to exercise. Victims of cancer are at risk of their cancer returning. Exercise provides these people with the gift of time. Exercise can help with heart function, allowing the victim’s body to regenerate, become stronger, and become more stable.
I believe that we can lend a hand to someone we personally know who has battled cancer by encouraging them to exercise. These men and women, boys and girls, have been through so many hardships and exercise can provide them with the time they most definitely deserve.
@[email protected]
Georgia’s Prime Minister Resigns After Protests and Party Infighting
Last week, I arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia hours after the country’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, resigned. World events often feel like mere theoretical occurrences, something far away that I read about online or in the newspaper. This time, I read Ivan Nechepurenko’s article as my plane taxied to the terminal at Rustaveli Airport. Heightening my interest was the fact that I was going to spend the next few days with fellow teen entrepreneurs, Georgian high school students who I would be leading through a three-day “start-up weekend.” As Nechepurenko notes, the PM’s resignation came amidst growing mistrust with his political party, the Georgian Dream Party. As I later learned in Tbilisi, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s founder and Georgia’s richest man, is no more revered than the ex-PM. To Georgian youth, Ivanishvili’s hilltop mansions serve as an obnoxious daily reminder of Georgia’s struggles with the ex-USSR and current Russian government, chiefly the disparities in wealth in the post-Soviet period. My Gen Z cohorts, budding capitalists with great entrepreneurial spirit, don’t admire Ivanishvili’s wealth, as it came from exploiting Georgian raw materials and cooperating with Russian banks. Their pessimism about their leaders notwithstanding, I was inspired by their hopeful outlook toward the future, as their vigorous protests have engendered widespread support across Georgia.
Girlhood Across America, Capturhttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/t-magazine/justine-kurland-girl-pictu...
Photographer Justine Kurland spent years taking photos of runaway girls that she met over 2 decades. My idea of what life is like as a runaway was shown in some of the photos. How are the girls surviving? I see them washing up in the dirty water and wearing ripped up clothes. What surprised me about the pictures was how the girls were working together, and eating ice cream from dairy queen. I wonder where the girls are today, the story talks about one girl today, but not others. I hope that they found help, and found their families when the pictures came out and hopefully reunited with them. It is so sad to think that so many girls were runaways back then and are still runaway or being kidnapped nowadays. It also seems weird that Ms. Kurland would publish the picture of the little girl using the bathroom in the woods although I know it is to show how rough it is for the girls and how they struggle.
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"Black Hole Drags Star to Dusty Death"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/science/black-holes-stars-arp-299.html
The article that interested was "black hole drags star to dusty death." This article caught my eye because I understood what a black hole was but not the type or amount of power it has. On Thursday June 14th, astronomers said that they had seen a giant black hole ripped apart a star in a nearby galaxy. One half of the star became just a light of heat. The other half had spit out at a quarter of the speed of light. It was located about 150 million light years from the constellation Ursa Major. Black holes are gravitational pits that are said to be so deep and so dense that even light can't escape from a black hole.
This has got me interested and curios if it is so powerful as is in is said to be can it suck up a whole planet. I mean it is portrayed all very strong but what if it were to be able to suck up a whole planet. And if so would are own planet Earth be in trouble. The only thing that I believe the black hole not being able to suck up planets is the distance from the planets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html?register...
"Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55"
The tragic death of this influential woman has helped to show that not everyone's emotions are easy to see. We never know what someone is truly going through. In this case, Kate Spade who seemed to be a bubbly, optimistic person was suffering from severe depression. By looking at her iconic, colorful handbags and other accessories, you would never assume that she was deeply unhappy. We tend to cover up emotions with an artificial happiness; this prevents those in need from receiving the help they need such as therapy, medication, or a friend. Often, those who depict themselves as the happiest people in our lives are going through something unknown. Suicide and depression are monsters in the world we live in today and continue to get worse. More and more lives are being lost, including icons such as Kate Spade. Depression has become a common issue that is too often not payed attention to. It can influence your mind to make extreme decisions involving life or death. Hopefully suicide and depression awareness is affected through this influential designer's death.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/us/harvard-asian-enrollment-applicant...
It didn’t come as a surprise to me that Harvard rated Asian-Americans lower on personality traits. As to why that would be the case, the reasons could be either cultural effects on Asians or that Harvard admission has biased opinions against Asians. Culturally speaking, Asian kids are brought up to be hard-working and persevering. As discussed in the article, Asian-American applicants are often described as “busy and bright.” However, this stereotype although in general sense might be true, and seems rather complimenting at first sight, can create a negative influence on Asian students. Stereotype strips away an individual's identity. Most Asian kids don’t fit perfectly into their stereotype roles. People have to realize that, like any other person, an Asian-American, too, has a unique personality.
I applaud American universities’ efforts for admitting students based not only on their grades, but also extracurricular activities, sports, personality, and overall. However, this system far from perfect—this very much subjective admission process creates room for biases and stereotypes. For me, judging if a person’s personality is “good” or “bad” is just not right. To thoroughly eliminate biases, including implicit ones, admission department should spend more time to get to know a person wholly, rather than making snap judgments to represent a full, unique, and fascinating individual.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/opinion/why-is-fixing-sexism-womens-w...
As a woman in today’s society, per people’s suggestions, I should shoot for a low class income, rent out an disheveled, fixer upper apartment for some $200 maximum dollars and settle in with my a few of my beloved cacti and torn beanbag. Maybe then a nice middle-class male will come along and bring me out of my premature mid-life crisis rut. Perhaps a cordial plumber or contractor, they usher.
But why does a woman in today’s society have to be solely dependent on a man who she might stumble into at a late night sketchy bar or as my friends propose, in the best case scenario, at the hospital, a mecca for quintessential men? And why have men conditioned women to believe that they are in any way less capable?
To set the record straight, I don’t want your generous subsidized income offering or your old, rare, ‘vintage’ shoes from the thrift store down the road. In a world full of adequacy, as a female, I should not be disquiet with fear, worrying about backlash for forthrightly saying that I want to shop for business suits Saks or perhaps some charming flats at J. Crew.
It is not our job. Our femininity does not hold the hand of just there-mediocrity. So men, swallow the pride.
Yes, that is a Porsche parked next to your 1984 Civic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/well/depression-sleep-chronotype-circ...
This article interested me considering that I am a night owl. This article states that if you are a night owl then you have a higher risk of depression. It also stated that everyone in the beginning was free of depression. At the end, “early birds were 12% less likely to develop depression, and night owls were 6% more likely to develop it.” This was out of 32,740 and 2,581 people developed depression over the course of 4 years. This interested me because I love staying up late and hate waking up early. Guess I’ll try and get more sleep now!!!
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/world/africa/algeria-exams-cheating-i...
The article titled "Algeria Answer to Cheating on School Exams: Turn off the Internet" has raised some fundamental issues that schools in the US have failed to address. The Algerian government has become so concerned with cheating on the baccalaureate exams (nationwide standardized exams) that it has shut down the entire countries internet during the examination. Similarly, Ethiopia, Iraq, India, and Uzbekistan have shut down their internet during testing to prevent questions being posted online. Recently, several western nations have elected to employ rudimentary measures by banning smartwatches from being worn during similar state exams. These measures represent a sharp contrast from their eastern counterparts as western nations would not entertain such a draconian measure of shutting down the internet. Thankfully western countries are not willing to curb civil liberties in the attempt to reach some unattainable goal. The premise that government should ensure that there is fair and honest testing is misguided. That responsibility clearly resides with the test providers. The questions could be varied between test participants while retaining difficulty or the test providers could report suspicious behavior on social networking sites. Although these measures of preventing cheating are not a fix all, they are far superior than an authoritarian government overreaching into civilian life.
Struggle With Self-Control? Take Yourself Out of the Equation
In this article he expresses how self-control is more than just deciding not to do something. For instance, if you want to avoid eating a certain food you are craving, you can't just decide not to eat that food. To help avoid the food, you must take it out of the bigger picture. With that being said, maybe move away from an area that the food is being consumed in. An example of this is the bag of potato chips that your friends are eating, but you told yourself that your diet will not allow you to eat the chips. To not eat the chips, you decide to move away from the chips while your friends are eating them, or you can decide to eat something else healthier in place of the chips. People can work on their self-control by simply take the temptations out of your life. You don’t have to completely forget about these temptations because they will always be there, but start cutting back on them to create a habit. The habit will soon become a part of you, and you will soon stop craving your temptations. Rather than procrastinating your urges to avoid the temptations, face the issue head on. By doing this, you will increase your ability to have a stronger sense of self-control, and you will start to not crave your temptations. Self-control is not learned in a matter of seconds or minutes. Indeed, it does take time, but you will be able to gain the self-control you have always been striving for. @[email protected].
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
Women’s bodies are often victims of critique and criticism. We often blame this issue on the media, or celebrities who are supposed to “define” what the female body should look like. We even blame beauty pageants for selecting women representatives based on physical appearance, but not for long. In their piece, Matthew Haag and Cara Buckley discuss the Miss America Organization’s decision to ban the swimsuit competition. Though swimsuits have been synonymous with the competition for almost a century, the organization wants to “redefine its role in an era of female empowerment and gender equality.” Perhaps Haag and Buckley’s article resonated with me because, as a young woman myself, I, too, fear my insecurities. I avoid wearing crop tops or bikinis, worrying that my physique doesn’t live up to the standards of a “perfect” body set by beauty pageants. Haag and Buckley’s piece reinforces how second-nature it has become to judge someone— especially a woman— based on body figure. Without any knowledge of the other person, we often make conclusions about their health, beauty, and even their value in society. Haag and Buckley’s article has opened my eyes to how fundamental equality regardless of physical appearance is, and to how the Miss America Organization aims to create an increasingly progressive world where women are not judged by looks, but by character.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/opinion/kate-spade-depression.html
I chose this article because I thought it contained a very interesting point of view from the author Daphne Merkin, who had also suffered from depression. Because of this experience, she was able to make a very unique connection with Kate Spade. In the article, she observed that looking at Spade’s bright and colorful designs could never even begin to show signs of serious depression in her life. Merkin also poses the question: how could someone who had it all take her own life? As she considers Spade’s massive successes in all aspects of life, she also understands that a mental illness like depression can easily be hidden by anyone with any life. The author also rushes to Spade’s defense, claiming that this choice was not selfish as some suggested it was. Rather, she considers it the designer’s final attempt to escape her life without necessarily ending it. I was fascinated by Merkin’s thoughts of depression as she explained that it seems to be farther away from the human instinct of self preservation as one takes his/her own life. This, above all, is the reason why suicide seems so “out of character” for its victims, like it seemed to be for Spade. The instinct to “fight” and live life is overpowered by the instinct of “flight,” the desire to find a permanent escape from the many horrors we face. Finally, Merkin reflects on her own life, realizing that it is only right to fight the good fight of life.
N.F.L. Players to Trump: Here’s Whom You Should Pardon
This week, I was interested in an article written by NFL players: Doug Baldwin, Anquan Boldin, Malcolm Jenkins and Benjamin Watson. Using their platforms as celebrity athletes they argued that President Trump should use his executive power to help those who were victims of injustice. In response, President Trump told them that instead of protesting, they should send him names of people they thought were treated unfairly and he would use his clemency power to pardon them. However, I agree with the players in that a few pardons is not going to help the greater issue of injustice, and that something must be done to resolve it, like prison reform.
"As Americans, it is our constitutional right to question injustices when they occur, and we see them daily." This statement is true for all of us, but it is especially relevant to what is happening in the NFL right now. Players are no longer allowed to kneel during the anthem and exercise their constitutional right to protest. However, the players are merely standing up for the people that can't stand up for themselves; those subjected to injustice.
President Trump has immense power that should be used to improve the lives of the many, not the few. Instead, he sits back while injustice runs rampant in a country that was created centered around justice and equality. The players are fighting, as citizens, for something the government should have done long ago.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
What interested me the most in the times this week was the article on the Warriors Dynasty. The article instantly caught my attention because basketball is something I am heavily involved in nearly everyday. Weather it is watching regular season game or playing in one of my own, I am always involved with. Most of my family also lives in the Bay Area which makes a majority of them Warriors fans. We are always getting together for Warriors games making the team a big part of our life. It not only brings us together, but allows us to have a good time in the process. Speaking of good times, the Warriors just won another championship! The dynasty has begun! Winning three out of their last four consecutive championships has shown their dominance throughout the league. There is no answer for the warriors finishing the final series 4-0. They have proven to be a dominant third quarter team which won them almost all of their games. The Warriors also put their shooting on display while efficiently putting up high numbers and taking advantages of mismatches and missed rotations using the three pointer. Kevin Durant has proven to be the best scorer in the league once again as he continuously scored on each defensive assignment given to him. Klay showed his dominance with his ability to guard the best offensive player on defense and still drain three's on the other end. The Warriors are just getting started.
In her Opinion video, “I escaped North Korea. Here’s my message for President Trump,” a young North Korean, Yeonmi Park, delivers a simple but powerful message to the American president: “While you have Kim Jong Un’s attention, use it to free North Koreans.”
Her directive comes in the wake of a summit that was widely regarded as a major breakthrough, but which Park derides as a failure. “I’ve seen this show before,” she says bitterly, referring to a similar meeting in 2000 which ultimately accomplished little. Her pessimism comes from experience: Western negotiations hardly alleviated the effects of a famine which she barely survived but left three million others dead.
Despite her traumatic experiences, she speaks with an earnest composure, the marks left by her childhood limited to her thin hair and profile. Her well-being betrays her strength, honed from years of fighting for her own life and her people’s.
Ultimately, Park argues that Trump’s approach to North Korea, which revolves around denuclearization of the peninsula, is a political and moral mistake. For the current generation of the oppressed and downtrodden, what difference is there if Trump withdraws from joint military drills, or Kim Jong Un forfeits his nuclear arsenal? Because their fate, which is to die in poverty and obscurity, wouldn’t change. Instead, we should use the opportunity to persuade Kim to finally improve the welfare of his citizens.
After all, she says, “What can be more urgent than human life?”
Where a Taboo Is Leading to the Deaths of Young Girls https://nyti.ms/2JZRCw6
This is the article that I found most interesting this week. Even though in our current societies having your period is still kind of a taboo, where people find it embarrassing or gross to talk about, it was shocking to find out that it is seen as such a serious taboo in other parts of the world. I think people should start to understand that menstruation is something that every female has to go through, and is a sign of being able to reproduce. It should not be a taboo, nor should it be a reason to die for. Even though it is a tradition in Western Nepal, I think that it is a tradition that needs to be changed. The experience of being sent into isolation every month would not only be traumatising, but would probably pose psychological harms to these women. The new laws punishing those who force a mesntruating women into seclusion is a great and important step towards breaking this taboo, but for a tradition that has lasted for hundreds of years in a place where technological communication is probably limited, the best way to break the taboo would probably be through educating the villagers about menstruation and dispelling their misconceptions. Of course, this is not something that can be accomplished overnight, but I hope that places like Western Nepal will start to be more accepting of the processes women go through and their rights.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/mpr-raccoon-building-climb.html
The news is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're going to get. As of late, the chocolates have been predictable, leaving a bitter taste in our mouths. With each of the government's antics being less and less of a surprise, many Americans have become discouraged, some even outraged.
However, with every dark tunnel comes a light at the end of it, and this week, it might just come in the form of the "Daredevil Raccoon". Just as every horror movie usually has a designated comic relief character, the raccoon allowed all of us to have a little laugh in the midst of crises and despondent news. Before even reading the instructions to the Summer Reading Contest, I was distracted by the article of the raccoon that headed the page. Searching it up led me to a hilarious revelation, and I was greatly entertained by videos of concerned and astonished news anchors raving about the little animal.
This interested me the most this week, because I realised how such a quirky tale could really make a difference. A humorous story like this was able to allow many to set aside their political differences and social beliefs and laugh together over something so simple. In times as tense as now, it’s always good to have something reminding us that there is still pureness in the world, and this article did just that.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/lens/iceland-fairy-folktales-elves-ph...
Bego Antón has spent quite some time learning about mythical creatures and has even traveled to Iceland to do so. Antón has taken photographs and has been told stories by many people within Iceland of the mythical creatures they believe in. Antón in 2013 ended up finding a website for an elf school in a place called Reykjavik. The myths and creatures believed in could get people to do things they wouldn’t have before. For example Antón was told by Olga, a woman in Iceland, when she was nine years old her horse was slaughtered for food and she refused to eat it but after her father told her that the horse had known she ate meat that not eating it would be a dishonor and thus she ate and has eaten horse ever since. There are many stories that show how people believe in these creatures and the influence it has on their lives. It is really quite interesting to imagine what it must be like to genuinely believe in mythical spirits and creatures living in our world. That they have an influence on things that happen and what we do or don’t do. I'm not sure if i believe in these creatures and spirits but is intriguing to consider that they are in our world. All my life i have really been into art and for some reason i am drawn to drawing out mythical strange creatures, so the idea of them being in our world somehow is extremely interesting. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to explore this idea.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005940613/i-escaped-north-ko...
This video interested me the most in the New York Times this week. In this video, Yeonmi Park mentions how she escaped from North Korea and its atrocities. She compared the brutal leader of North Korea Kim Jong-Un to Hitler, a totalitarian dictator. Kim Jong-Un starves his people on purpose, runs concentration camps, and has even assassinated members of his own family. I wouldn't have thought to compare Kim and Hitler. Park describes her life in North Korea. Her childhood is a sharp contrast to many peoples' childhoods (including mine). Up until she escaped from North Korea, her life was torture. While children in America (and other places around the world) enjoy eating candy and treats, Park ate dragonflies in order to survive a famine that killed millions of people. She faced many hardships and witnessed her father being deported to a prison camp for ten years, for informally trading for food for his family. She urges President Trump, who has Kim Jong-Un's attention, to help free North Koreans from this brutal dictatorship and to fight for human rights for North Korean citizens. This video made me step back to appreciate the freedoms I have living in the U.S. Despite knowing of the horrors in North Korea prior, watching this video made me realize that it is of the upmost importance to help North Koreans obtain human rights and freedoms that Americans have.
The ‘Sex Cult’ That Preached Empowerment
NXIVM has a charismatic leader, pretentious jargon, a herd of unquestioning followers, and other trappings of a typical cult. However, the most interesting part of this otherwise vanilla cult are its teachings. Rather than prophesying apocalypse or instigating race wars, NXIVM simply promises to help women take control of their lives.
This article caught my eye for a variety of reasons, but what kept me reading was how NXIVM deceived otherwise normal women into joining with their warped brand of empowerment. My personal definition of women’s empowerment is closely intertwined with feminism. Feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal standing in society, and women’s empowerment is how to achieve that goal. Despite supposedly empowering women, NXIVM teaches stereotypes about women being disloyal, overemotional, and immoral. To join, women must provide compromising collateral, entrapping themselves within the group. New recruits are even known as “slaves,” with their “master” being whomever recruited them. Slaves must maintain skinniness and obey and care for their master. This blatant terminology reveals that the group’s goal is to control, not empower.
This despicable cult shows that posers and chimeras are teeming in today’s post-truth world, ready to dupe everyday people. The lesson here is to think critically and to recognize a scam from shady organizations or biased news sources.
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"What Drove a Man to Set Himself on Fire in Brooklyn?"
This April, civil rights lawyer David Buckel surprised many people across the nation when he set himself on fire in Brooklyn after emailing the news media to inform them of what he was going to do. His suicide, as his email revealed, served the purpose of calling attention to pollution and global warming. Buckel's political self-immolation stood out as it is a rare occurrence in the United States and possibly even the first related to environmental issues.
Although he was known to be an environmental advocate, many, especially his friends and family, couldn't understand why he took such a drastic--and sudden--measure (he never revealed his plan to anyone or said his goodbyes). This is exactly why I found this article so interesting. His point may have been just that: to surprise the world with an intense and unexpected action. Most people don't notice global climate change, and some even dismiss the idea of it as "fake news," and, as a result, the consequences of the culmination of the damage caused by humans will come as a surprise to them. This article in itself is proof of the neglect of environmental issues. Global warming and pollution have been threatening our environment for years, but so little time and energy is spent on these issues that it took a man setting himself on fire publicly to get people's attention. If this doesn't bring awareness to the issue at hand, there is no hope for the environment.
Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55
By Jonah Engel Bromwich, Vanessa Friedman, Matthew Schneier
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The sudden death of Kate Spade shocked people worldwide. I was most interested in this article because Kate Spade was a very influential person who suffered from a powerful illness called depression. This article states how many girls look forward to receiving one of her handbags to show their maturity and bring them joy. Although Kate Spade brought others joy, she seemed to have a hard time finding it herself. Many saw her as having everything she could ask for in life, a beautiful 13 year old daughter and a thriving company. However, on June 5, 2018 Kate Spade no longer felt that happiness inside her and decided to take her life. Kate Spade hung herself and was later found by her housekeeper. Her death is an eyeopener to all that suicide is not ok. People today believe there is no longer help for them, we need to make known that there is. We are shown that people who seem to have perfect lives could be hiding something deeper inside. Kate suffered from severe depression, which is a common illness today. I feel this tragic event will help inspire those who suffer from mental illness to seek the help they need. Kate was known for her impact in fashion, but I hope to see an even bigger impact in suicide prevention. The death of Kate Spade is not an event that should be forgotten.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/world/africa/algeria-exams-cheating-i...
Cheating has been a big problem in not only the United States but the whole world. Technology has helped people cheat tremendously. In Cario they take one our out of the day and shut down everyone’s connection to the internet so people can take tests and not be able to cheat using an electronic device. Not only does it shut down the test takers network, it shuts down everyone’s. I believe that someone’s network shouldn’t be shut down just because other people in the area are taking tests. I believe that there shouldn’t be stricter rules on devices in class during the test if this is becoming such a problem. The rules can be told before as a warning to the people that take the tests. If the rules aren’t abided by,consequences should be held. The people not taking the test shouldn’t have to worry about when they weren’t going to have signal during the day when it getting shut down is irrelevant to their situation
The removal of the swimsuit portion of the "Miss America" pageant, interested me the most. This is because the way women are viewed in society needs to change. The pageant is a scholarship program, and scholarships should be based on merit, not looks.
Some people tried to justify the need to have the swimsuit competition by saying that it was about "being physically fit and leading a healthy lifestyle." Everyday millions of women struggle with their body image because they only see naturally skinny girls representing them in the media. The average size of a woman in the USA is around a size 14. The models portrayed are about a size 4. There is such a difference in the way most women are actually shaped, and they way they are taught they "should" be shaped. Each body is different; what may be possible for one person, may not be for another. A bigger girl can be just as healthy, or healthier, than a super thin one.
The removal of the swimsuit portion shows the advancements being made to better society. The focus is turning to how the women are bettering themselves and those around them, instead of how sexy and skinny they are. All bodies are good bodies, and women shouldn't be judged on theirs for a scholarship, unless it is sports related of course.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/nyregion/metropolitan-diary-the-hill-...
No one enjoys walking up hills, especially not when strapped with heavy baggage. I can vouch for this as I walk up countless hills from the school bus stop every day with much boredom. While hiking up streets, my mind focuses only on raising one foot, then the other to barely drag myself home and in front of the blissful air conditioner. So, when I came across Ruthie Klein’s tale, “The Hill at 187th,” I was intrigued. What happened during Klein’s regular walk up 187th that she felt the urge to suddenly write a story? It was just an encounter with an elderly lady. Nothing momentous, right? But no, it was beyond a simple encounter.
When Klein was unable to speak Spanish to the lady who addressed her, the question was asked, “‘Your mother didn’t teach you Spanish?’” A question that could spark a million different reactions. But Klein simply shook her head, a possibly unexpected response. I initially viewed the lady as impolite in assuming that Klein was of Hispanic descent, but Klein took no offense and instead expressed regret for not being able to respond in Spanish.
I read as Klein didn’t dwell on the experience in order to focus on her climb “breathing hard, bags in hand.” That is exactly what we need. To step up and take on the diversity, the opinions of others, the languages, whether it be English or Spanish, and the cultures without the unnecessary confrontations.
With tension and security threats around the world, it is reasonable to imagine that a third world war is inevitable. However, due to easy communication and transportation, connectivity is very high, causing world leaders to meet and make agreements very often.
The article "Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path," explains how a recent meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un seems comforting and hopeful, however, writers Peter Baker and Choe Sang-Hun quickly reveal it may be a false sense of hope. The sheer destruction of nuclear weapons proves just how much of a threat they are to mankind as a whole. The title of the article instantly made me at ease knowing everything was safe and that I could "sleep well tonight". But what made this article the most interesting piece this week is just how contradictory that initial feeling is to the truth. As I read, my feeling of comfort deteriorated, quickly falling apart into pure hopelessness. The fact that our own president is relaying stories differing greatly from the press of other countries was unsettling. Fearfully, the article illustrated just how fragile world peace is at this moment in time. Also, it showed how not only are we on completely different pages with North Korea but that things may be worse than the government is allowing us to see. After all, the safety of billions of people around the world lies in the hands of some of the most erratic leaders of our time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20
The article that I immediately decided to comment about is "XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20". The article is about the death of rapper and lyricist Jahseh Onfroy, or stage name XXXTentacion. His death affected me greatly since I was a HUGE fan of his music. His music describes various mental illnesses, feeling lonely, and even just wanting to end it all. That is where I really connected with his music. At the time I was trying my best to overcome the death of a loved one and pretending that everything was ok but it wasn't. Whenever I was feeling sad and depressed I played my favorite tracks of his music. However, most of his music wasn’t about the sad things in life but made me get into a good mood and want to live my life like there was no tomorrow. It felt like there was someone out there who had the same thoughts I had at that moment in my life and that I wasn't the only one. He helped me push through a dark time in my life. I hope we all look at the good things that Jahseh did because everyone deserves the chance to change rather than believe what society thinks of them.
“How to Talk About the World Cup and Sound Responsibly Smart”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/sports/world-cup/how-to-watch-world-c...\
The World Cup interested me most in the New York times this week. The World Cup is when countries go head to head for 90 brutal minutes playing soccer, or what other countries call fútbol. The article I read was helping people not only understand the terminology of the sport, but also know what teams were still in the World Cup and the popular teams. This year’s World Cup is being held in 11 cities in Russia.
The most intriguing part of this article was the statement about how this year could be Lionel Messi’s and Christino Ronaldo’s last World Cup. This would up set the teams because they are two of the biggest names in soccer today. If they leave, other big names like Neymar and De Bruyne will come up and be the new top athletes.
Another interesting part of this article was the picture of the Nigeria kit (the uniform of a team). Like all of the teams, the colors in the flag are used as the colors for the kit. I believe the lime green, white, and black jersey, and the black with a lime green floral design on the warm up uniform, represents the culture of the team perfectly.
Week 1 ~ 6/21/18 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/us/koko-gorilla-death-sign-language.html
What interested me in the times this week was an article titled, “Koko the Gorilla, Who Used Sign Language and Befriended Mr. Rogers, Dies at 46.” This article interested me because she made an impact on millions of lives. Koko had learned over 170 words in sign language before the age of 4 years old. She was so talented that she made it on the cover of National Geographic in 1978 and in 1985. Koko even made up new words all by herself. Koko is a Western lowland gorilla. They’re lifespan is usually around 30-40 years. These gorillas are an endangered species. Unfortunately, Koko died in her sleep on Tuesday morning.
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Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in 'This Cultural Revolution' (6/21/18)
Hearing that the Miss America Organization removed swimsuit made me incredibly relieved. My mother competed in our local and state pageants when she was eligible, allowing me to be immersed in the pageant scene when I was young. I had competed when there was a Little Miss competition and then later in life I competed as a teen. This was a facet of my life, and I was fully aware that if I ever competed for a Miss pageant, I would have to parade around in a bathing suit. When I was young, I didn't have great self esteem and couldn't picture myself in a bathing suit while many people watched me. I was uncomfortable with the thought as I evolved into a teen. I thought, "well, I'm going to have do it whether I like it or not."
One thing that is a part of the competition is a platform; either a nonprofit or a social issue that concerns the contestant. Only teens and misses must have a platform, and many women, including myself, would often have a platform dealing with positive body image or being woman role models. It struck a chord with me; if we are trying to promote how beautiful we are no matter what we wear or how we look, how can we compete in a pageant that has women walking in bikinis? And what message is that sending to young girls? I felt that swimsuit needed to leave!
So, when hearing that the new executive board removed swimsuit, I was excited and ready for the change!
“Warriors in Full Dynasty Mode, Sweep the Cavaliers in the N.B.A Finals”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
The thing that I found most interesting was that the Warriors lost 24 games in the regular season. Which for the Warriors is unlikely. The Warriors usually have perfect rosters, but they had lots of ups and downs. Even though this all happened, they all worked hard to win the N.B.A Finals as a team. The Cavaliers on the other hand were not doing too well. LeBron was the only person on his team that really had a drive to win. Kevin Love and J.R. Smith are normally helpful towards LeBron’s success, but they were both not on their game. In game one, J.R. Smith dribbled the wrong way in the closing seconds of the game. I was personally laughing because he is a professional player. In a way I understood, everyone has their moments and J.R.’s moment was in a very important game. In my opinion, the first game is always the most important. It will set up how the finals can go. As for the Warriors, they were hot. They were all working as a team and played their hardest. The Cavaliers were not and that is why they got destroyed. The finals this year were insane! People were going crazy. I was surprised that the Cavaliers didn’t win a single game. So, my final opinion is that the Cavaliers could have done better, but I am very happy the Warriors won, knowing the fact that they had a rough and rocky regular season.
I found the article about the raccoon interesting in this week’s article. For starters, this raccoon had a strong skill at climbing, because the building was very tall. The raccoon may not have been able to understand what it was actually doing, but people got a real kick out of it and enjoyed seeing it (It seemed to bring a welcome distraction to the residents in the city and for those working in the plaza). In addition, I was a surprised when I read that the raccoon didn’t use the ladder that the people had brought for it to use. But when I saw that raccoons are good at climbing, it made sense that it would rely on its own skills. The raccoon might have also been scared when it saw those people coming, perhaps thinking it would be harmed or caged. Also, the people who were rescuing this raccoon had a lot of courage because this animal could have bitten them and given them a disease. On the other hand, I enjoy being around animals and feel compassion for them when they are in dangerous situations. I was glad to see that she ended up being ok in the end and had a person who would take care of it until they let her go. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/mpr-raccoon-building-climb.html [email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article that caught my attention the most this week was “Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55.” I wanted to read this article because I have always been impressed by her talent to design handbags. I also considered her to be a role model to women because of her ability to create her own brand and form a company that catered just to women. It was interesting to learn that when she was younger she was not really into fashion. She studied journalism in college which led to a job as a fashion editor for a magazine. This job sparked her interest in fashion and more particularly to design handbags. Throughout her career people considered her to a be happy and carefree person. However, when I read this article I was surprised to learn that despite her success at creating a fashion empire, she suffered from depression and was going through marital problems prior to her death. This shows that mental health can affect any individuals despite their socioeconomic background. I have come to learn that those who suffer from depression have severe mental pain and their brain convinces or tells them that death is the answer. I wish that she could have received the help and continuous support from others in order to have prevented this tragedy. Kate Spade touched so many women with fashion and now maybe her death will create continued awareness of the mental health crisis in our country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
I was most interested in this article on the shocking, sad death of designer Kate Spade. My reasoning for this interest varies among confusion, sympathy, and realization. For decades, it has been known that Kate Spade is without a doubt one of the most successful designers in the world of fashion, selling millions of handbags, wallets, etc. to consumers worldwide. Thousands have been inspired by her work and ambition, hoping to one day end up with a lifestyle such as hers, lavish, luxurious, and affluent. One would never assume that someone who seems to have the world at their hands with a family to love could possibly despise the thought of living a life of longevity, but the sad truth is depression can strike even the "happiest" of people and can almost be invisible. This article explains all about her well-known successes and proves that money and power is not the key to a happy life. Sometimes, suicidal thoughts overpower achievements and accomplishments, causing a decrease of people's view of how much they mean. This tragedy served as an awakening to suicide for millions of people, including myself. If we stop remaining silent about this, the lives of people we love and care about most could be saved unknowingly. @[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/well/family/why-teenagers-become-alle...
Lisa Damour’s article titled “Why Teenagers Become ‘Allergic’ to Their Parents” addresses an important aspect of the maturation process. Although she provides insight, the article focuses on parents’ concerns. The article details how a child’s view of their parents changes during adolescence. But parents see the world as a more dangerous place as a result of their children becoming older. Therefore, they deviate from normal behaviors. A visit to friend’s house at age 10 barely raises an eyebrow. The same visit at age 15 will promote more scrutiny. How long will you be gone? Who will be there? For the teenager who has made this same trip a dozen times, the parent’s behavior appears irrational. Parental adjustments that must be made in response to their child’s increased mobility can be very difficult. The parent’s anxiety confuses the teenager. They feel more capable now of taking care of themselves. When parents express heightened concerns, teenagers dismiss these stances. Parents respond by labeling the teenager as naive. The teenager counters by accusing the parent of being a helicopter parent. These differences are deeply entrenched in our society. The quote, “They think they are right and are quite sure of it” has been rightly or wrongly attributed to Aristotle in the 4th century BC. My belief is parents and teenagers can survive this process because they always have before.
“Daredevil Raccoon Climbs Minnesota Skyscraper and Becomes a Sensation“
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The raccoon that towered a 25 story building is a symbol of courage and determination. A little creature who is seen as dirty and unwanted can accomplish enormous treacherous adventures, imagine what humans could do if we all had the same motivation. Just by the physical features of a raccoon one would not expect the animal to be able to accomplish such ambiguous goals. People are quick to give up on goals they are fast to walk away from their work. Determination is defined as firmness of purpose, resolutioness, the process of establishing something exactly typically by calculation or research. Its is difficult to have the patience to develop determination, one must have the right mind set in order to create determination strong enough to complete one’s desired goals. The raccoon is only a simple animal that had the intellect to climb a building for no reason in particular, the creature had no benefit from climbing the 23 stories yet the mission was accomplished. Human beings have goals that are usually beneficial, either in a personal or commutative way. Its is difficult for people to find motivation let alone determinations, to motivate oneself to become determined is the key to accomplishing your goals. This raccoon should be a inspiration to become motivated and determined to finish their goals for self satisfaction.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article that interested me the most this week in the Times was , "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead At 55" I chose this article because Kate Spade had a huge impact on the fashion industry and suicide came to a shock to not only the fashion industry but the whole world. I also decided to read this because suicide has a big issue in the current world that we live in. This topic has interested me so much in the past and to be able to read more about it and go more in depth with suicide was intriguing. I feel that by reading this article it gave me more knowledge on Kate Spade's background and some reasons why she did what she had to do by deciding to kill herself. The one part that interested me the most was how she still managed to keep this 20 million dollar brand going and yet still have depression with her. This interested me because by having the severe depression that she did have and keep this brand thriving just kept me wondering how she did it. I can see that with all this stress she would have had how suicide would have been the option for her but I totally disagree. In conclusion, the part that interested me the most was how she kept persevering and pushing through to keep her brand going even with the depression.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/sports/nba-finals-sweep.html?rref=col...
This article really caught my eye because basketball is something that I have always loved throughout my life. I am the youngest of nine children, six boys and three girls. The six boys portion of my family really made me have a deep interest in all sports from a young age, especially basketball. as well as keep up with all the other college and NBA teams that play. I watched every single game of the NBA finals this year, and the Golden State Warriors won in a 4-0 series sweep. The article that I read talked about how the Golden State Warriors compared to previous teams in the NBA finals. Since they gained a great player, Kevin Durant, along with other great players on their team, such as Stephen Curry, people have begun to think that the NBA not a competition to them anymore, but in my opinion, I don’t think that is necessarily true; there has multiple teams in the past that done the same thing that Warriors have done, and there are teams out there that have beat the Warriors throughout this season. The Golden State Warriors are a great team and will continue to be for more years to come, but they still have competition in the NBA because after all, they are all professionals and are there for a reason.
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What interested me the most in the times this week is how Billy connors, the Yankees pitching coach, died at the age of seventy - six. not only was he a pitching coach, but he was a very good pitcher himself, when he was playing baseball during his major league career. it’s fascinating how he died out of the blue, and how he died was not announced. He was a remarkable pitching coach not only did he teach new pitches, but he also rebuilt pitchers mechanics. He was a pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and the Yankees. This interests me because I am a big baseball fan. It is always sad to find out when someone in the baseball community has passed. Especially when it was someone who made a big difference in how a team performs. The pitching coach helps out the main position on the field and to lose a valuable coach like that can hit a team very hard. Billy connors was a man who always put his athletes first before anything else. He knew what his job was and he always followed through on getting it done. This is a very upsetting loss in baseball pitching coach history.
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
Have you ever wanted to be involved in a pageant, but thought you weren't pretty or slim enough? Don't worry because as of this week, the Miss America Organization has eliminated the swimsuit competition, making pageants based more on ideas and intellect. This portion of competition has become very contradictory in our society. Some people say it treats women as an object and can deter participation in pageants. While others argue it prepares women and encourages them to be physically fit and self-confident. I think that a fitness portion should be shown because of its relevance in today's society, but I think there are better ways to show fitness than walking down a runway in a bikini. Contestants can promote health by sharing ideas about health plans or modeling athletic wear with an athletic routine like the teen contestants did. Health can’t always be determined by a person’s outward appearance. People shouldn't feel they have to conform to a certain ideal because it’s the social norm. I believe that the Miss America Organization is on the right track to promoting positive ideas about self-worth and body image. All people deserve to be treated with equality and respect and the quality of their ideas shouldn't be judged on how well they look in a bikini.
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"ABC Plans a ‘Roseanne’ Spinoff, Without Roseanne Barr"
When I heard that ABC had cancelled Roseanne, I was surprised. I'd pretty much given up on corporations stepping up to try and make a difference. After all, wasn't it ABC who refused to air an episode of Black-ish referencing the anthem protests in the NFL? And Roseanne had such high ratings, something uncommon these days for cable TV shows. Regardless, I was happy that someone was finally being held accountable for their words. But when I read this article, it all made sense: of course a big company would like to appear politically "woke". Yet, they also would like to keep the profits coming. Keeping their image clean, and their pockets full. How shocking.
U.S. Prepares Housing Up to 20,000 Migrants on Military Bases
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/us/politics/trump-immigration-bord...
So now it has come to this. After disturbing images of children in cages and audio of children crying for their parents, the executive branch of the U.S. government has come up with the most imbecilic solution yet; housing migrant families on military bases. How tone deaf is the executive branch of government? Just imagine the optics: families being led around and guarded by armed soldiers in camouflage. Are they gonna dress them up in orange jumpsuits like Guantanamo Bay? Can’t wait for those pics.
Chaos, upon chaos, upon chaos is what I see. The U.S. military, the finest fighting force in the world, is now being asked to house, feed, treat, etc., immigrant families while they go through criminal deportation proceedings. That’s on par in absurdity to the idea of giving a firearm to a 2nd grade math teacher to fend off a school shooter armed with an AR-15. Ah sorry, that proposal also came from the executive branch. As this tragedy unfolds with fresh news everyday, I’m just bracing myself for what comes next.
As mentioned in the article, this administration asked a federal judge to modify the Flores settlement so that entire families can be detained. With the rush of immigrants coming to the border during this season, this is going to get out of control quickly.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/science/extinct-gibbon-china.html?rre...
The article that caught my eye while I was strolling through the pages was the 'Extinct Gibbon Found in Tomb of Ancient Chinese Emperor’s Grandmother'. The first reason why I decided to click on it was because it was related to science. I have always loved and had a strong passion towards science. Even when I was young I wanted to do something that involved science in some way. Another reason why it drew my attention was because it is so amazing how something that could be extinct in a tomb for around 2,200 to 2,300 years old could still have an impact on the world today. Researchers say, “Understanding past extinctions will help us to predict how vulnerable current species are, and therefore help us to protect them more effectively.” It's so wonderful how something no one knew about yesterday could help save a whole species from becoming extinct. The last reason is because it is kind of like a mystery. I mean researchers have theories about why the gibbon was buried in a tomb with a grandmother, they say it was the woman's pet. However, we have do not know for sure if that is correct. It is also cool how the scientists have discovered the reason for the distinction could have entirely been based on the fault of a group of humans.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/health/youth-risk-depression-suicide-...
In the New York Times this week, the article that caught my attention was Jan Hoffman’s article, “Sex and Drugs Decline Among Teens, but Depression and Suicidal Thoughts Grow”. This particular article stood out to me because it emphasizes the activities that have declined instead of focusing on the reasons why thoughts of depression and suicide are increasing. As an individual in the midst of their adolescence, I believe the prominence of social media and the longing for perfection contributes to the growth of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Everyday, people are targeted in advertisements via social media or other sources of media like television. In these advertisements, the individual is portrayed perfectly using various tools of photoshop and other editing devices. These altered pictures give false images and mislead consumers. People start comparing themselves to the individuals they see throughout the media which leads to lowered self esteem. However, the media is not to blame as the sole reason for depression and suicidal thoughts, it is a factor along with life at home and genetics. Hoffman’s article is crucial for the public because it emphasizes topics people tend to avoid. I was stunned after reading the factual evidence behind the story's topic and feel more informed after reading the article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
‘It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug’, an article by Britt Julious, talks about the re-made prom created by Chicago's Gay and Straight Alliance, which is described to be changing around a lot of regular prom, to create a more 'unique' style to the not-so traditional prom. To the people who attended, they felt safe and welcomed in a prom that erased any potential hate that traditional proms seem to still give out. Personally, I think the whole idea of the Gay Straight Prom was a great idea for those who still don't feel like they're safe in their regular proms. At the same time, I find it heartbreaking that regular people who love the same gender are unable to have as much fun at proms as straight people can. Proms are supposed to be the final dance at the end of the year, where everyone can come, no matter who they are, to have fun. But I feel as if this prom was able to comfort those who don't feel like they belong in "regular proms". Maybe some day, we will reach a point where LGBTQ+ people don't have to be shamed or pushed away from regular celebrations anymore.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
What interested me the most this week was the article, "Is Acne Cool Now?" This is because I found it to be the most relatable and inspirational. As a teenager, I have been struggling with acne for awhile. This movement of skin positivity is helping many people, including me, accept their acne. Having influencers like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Lili Reinhart, Lucy Hale and SZA post pictures embracing their acne helps with acceptance. It shows that pictures, that were most likely edited, are unrealistic body standards that we should not give ourselves. Another thing that interested me is that there is a 63 percent increased risk of depression in someone with acne compared with those with clear skin. I hope that this movement of body and skin positivity improves people's confidence and mental health.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/world/asia/mattis-south-china-sea.html
This week i took interest in articles regarding the South China Sea, primarily because its been a topic that has not recieved much attention even though it is a ticking time bomb. The issue of China using military force to guard their islands is a way for them to showboat the power they have over the area, and quite frankly, after the way that the government of the United States was reluctant to intervene with China's actions in fear of starting conflict with them, it has dug the U.S. into a deeper hole, China has engaged the United States in a real world game of chess, and as of right now, we are in check. unless the U.S. decides to buckle down and make some serious moves, we are gonna have to submit to China as the #1 global superpower.
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in 'This Cultural Revolution' by Matthew Haag and Cara
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
The article that interested me most in the times this week was the swimsuit competition ending in the Miss America Competition. Over many years, this aspect of the popular contest has been very controversial. Although this portion may have started out with good intentions, it quickly became a way for women to show off their bodies. The perfect "body image" was crafted, and all these women strived to look a certain way just to walk around a stage in a pair of heels and a barely-there bathing suit. Despite the fact that many women have stated throughout the years that they would love to be a part of the program but didn't want to be in the swimsuit portion, nothing ever changed. The topic had been brought up many times, but now is the first time anything drastic has been accomplished. I believe that this change is going to make a huge difference in the way women are viewed overall and in the way women view themselves. The directors are now telling all of the people in America that women should be "judged" based on their intelligence and personalities, not their bodies. It will focus in on the woman on the inside, not the one that people see on the outside. This showed me, growing up in the world we live in today, that it is okay to be myself. Personality is the key.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/science/extinct-gibbon-china.html?rre...
The article that caught my eye while I was strolling through the pages was the 'Extinct Gibbon Found in Tomb of Ancient Chinese Emperor’s Grandmother'. The first reason why I decided to click on it was because it was related to science. I have always loved and had a strong passion towards science. Even when I was young I wanted to do something that involved science in some way. Another reason why it drew my attention was because it is so amazing how something that could be extinct in a tomb for around 2,200 to 2,300 years old could still have an impact on the world today. Researchers say, “Understanding past extinctions will help us to predict how vulnerable current species are, and therefore help us to protect them more effectively.” It's so wonderful how something no one knew about yesterday could help save a whole species from becoming extinct. The last reason is because it is kind of like a mystery. I mean researchers have theories about why the gibbon was buried in a tomb with a grandmother, they say it was the woman's pet. However, we have do not know for sure if that is correct. It is also cool how the scientists have discovered the reason for the distinction could have entirely been based on the fault of a group of humans.
Article link: Barred From Stadiums at Home, an Iranian Activist Enters a New World in St. Petersburg
https://nyti.ms/2HUhK9Q?smid=nytcore-ios-share
This article was of great interest to me as equality has been a greatly discussed topic in recent years, with people talking about the gender pay gap as well as the persistence of discrimination in several countries. After reading the article, I realised how much I take things for granted. While Singapore is country which is relatively conservative, women still enjoy much freedom in comparison to countries like Iran. There aren’t any rules which prevent women from entering stadiums. Instead, like everyone else, we are allowed to enter the national stadium to watch matches. There is no need to travel to another country just to watch a match. The fact that such a law exists in Iran makes me wonder why such laws still exist and if changes will be made, especially since more women are now willing to speak up. I greatly admire Sara’s determination to make changes in her country. Her actions remind me of the people behind the scenes, the activists who have and will continue to fight for our rights despite the possible repercussions. It is probably not easy to call for change in a country with little freedom of speech. Being willing to do so says a lot about Sara and her courage. I can only hope that I will be as brave as her so that when the time comes for change, I will be there to help fight for it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
Kate Spade was one of the worlds most famous fashion designers with her work. Her handbags and other products of hers were iconic in the fashion world. This article is interesting to me by how Kate started her designs on a piece of paper with scotch tape. She took something small and built a fashion empire from it. With her tragedy came a lot of questions. She is a successful woman with everything in her fashion industry. Why would someone with her caliber do this to themselves? She was depressed and living without her husband for 10 months. When she first started her career she was an assistant at a magazine company. Overtime she started to not like the handbags that were coming out. Joe Zee met with her before the start of her company and helped her start it with her husband. Once Kate's bags hit the shelves of the stores they were a a statement piece in everyones closets. Kate’s company was getting awards for their great fashion designs. It seems interesting to me by how she became so popular in a quick amount of time. Her handbags and other accessories are my favorite things to buy because of their sleek and beautiful design. No other handbags compared to the ones she designed. Her tragedy will be one remembered by designers all around the world and it's a shame she had taken he down life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/books/review/lissa-evans-roshani-chok...
While Young Heroines Who Are Not Saviors, but Not Saints is a very informational and well-written piece, but sometimes the allusions were a bit overwhelming and I would get lost on what was trying to be said. Such as when she started with allusions and references to other books, and then the repetitive characterizing of Chokshi’s writing which would normally be helpful but it came out to be a little complicated because so much had already happened. I understand that allusions must be made so that there is a reference to what is being said and everyone can understand it, but some things must be left up to chance. The focus is being spread out too thinly among weapons or characters in another book, which distracts the main point of the article, which forces readers to re-read it to understand. Beyond all this though, I do agree that the Chokshi’s book does help you truly experience the Hindu culture instead of drilling facts into your head. Her writing gives a colorful image of what Hinduism is; reading, visualizing, imagining really gets you to want to learn more. Everything she said about the structure of the book and the great presentation of a non-common religion was very true. Overall it was a great piece and she really captured the essence of the book, the writing was flawed but could have easily been an amazing piece with a couple fixes.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article that interested me most this week was, "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55." Kate Spade was a very famous, influential, and successful woman whose death shocked many around the world. In our society, people often believe that money and fame are the keys to happiness. They believe that the rich and famous are the happiest people because they have everything they could ever want. However, that is not always true, and Kate Spade is an example of that. Materialistic objects don't always bring people true happiness. When people genuinely enjoy their lives, it is often because they feel loved in the world around them. However, even in you are loved tremendously, you may not always feel as if you are. Kate Spade's death also brings attention to mental illness in our world. Kate designed handbags made of colorful and cheerful designs, which most people would take as a sign that she is content with the life she is living. Many people suffer from mental illnesses, even if it isn't always visible to the public eye. They put on a happy face and go on with their lives, even though they are suffering on the inside, sometimes enough to the point where they take their own life. The subjects of suicide, depression, and other mental illnesses should be a reminder to the world that we must be kind to each other, and be very careful in how we speak and act.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/opinion/children-parents-asylum-immig...
This opinionated article caught my eye as I was scrolling through the list of various options to choose from. Most of the articles could be considered as first world problems, however this piece of writing was one of many few that suggested the real issues of our country.
The authors(s) of this piece have gave their honest opinions on our current president, Donald J. Trump, stating that his actions were "immoral" and "heartless". Whether you are a republican or a democrat, it is needless to say that separating young children from their parents is
outrageous.
No child should be taken away from his/her parents without there being a valid reason and the issue of immigration is not one of them.It was only until the United Nations human rights office called this new practice a serious violation of the rights of children until this matter came to a halt.
Our current president has made both positive and many negative impacts on our country. Even though as a teenager and considered as adolescent, I can still see
how inhumane the immigration policies are and instead of our country focusing on the real issues, they are much more concentrated on our media which portrays irrelevant topics in regards to popular culture.
This articles gave multiple ways on how the people of America can change the future which is in desperate need. We as the citizens can make America humane again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/technology/deep-learning-artificial-i...
"Is There a Smarter Path to Artificial Intelligence? Some Experts Hope So"
This article about artificial intelligence was interesting to me because I'm very curious about AI and what will become of it. This article is about how the approach to AI that is presently the most popular is suspected by many to have limited potential, and it talks about some of the alternatives that might be more useful and effective in the future.
I have seen and heard a lot about deep learning, the type of AI that is currently popular, from people who use it. I've seen it used and explained in a lot of applications, such as facial recognition, playing video games, identifying music and creating music, to name a few. Because I've seen it used, it's interesting to hear about its flaws and limitations. I can definitely see how it can often be quite fallible and can hit a technical wall, like the article mentions, where it can't do any more. On the other hand, the article describes some promising up-and-coming programs that should be able to succeed where deep learning has failed. The capabilities that these new programs already have and will likely continue to develop are pretty incredible: the ability to recognize abstract concepts, for example.
Because AI is already so important, and will likely become even more prevalent, it's fascinating to look at its progression and development as it happens.
Though many of us may not remember when Crispr first became a world fascination around 5 years ago, it still is— because of what it may do. Firstly, Crispr is part of the bacterial immune system which fights viruses. When researchers discovered this, they decided that this could work on other organisms, like humans, because it allowed genes to be edited. And what’s special about Crispr is that this technology can target particular genes to perhaps eradicate the risk of genetic disease. Sounds brilliant, right?
It’s actually not that easy. As I read in “A Crispr Conundrum: How Cells Fend off Gene Editing,” by Carl Zimmer, researchers have recently discovered that human cells actually fight off the technology. What happens is, there is a protein called p53 whose job is to protect the cell from cancer through preventing mutations. Since Crispr edits the DNA, p53 thinks it’s a mutation and resists it, which weakens, and may even kill the cell.
So, researchers have begun working on solutions, through mutating p53 itself. If p53 was mutated, then it wouldn’t be able to recognize and fend off Crispr. However, that also won’t work perfectly: if the guards at the gate are gone, who’s going to fight an actual harmful mutation?
Researchers are still working on this, but like every other technology in this world, it will work soon. Through reading this article, I discovered what it actually takes to research; it’s not just the scientific achievements teachers like to explain in class.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/us/politics/fbi-ig-report-house-heari...
This article is a interesting read and pick due to our current issues politically in the United States and due to the theory of history possibly repeating itself. In this article the idea of a republican strategy of attacks being foreshadowed toward the Mueller investigation. However the article also suggests the justification of Trump firing his attorney general and the investigation into the campaign ties to Russia. This is interesting to me because it reminded me of Watergate in 1972. We often hear about Watergate, with the theory of history possibly repeating itself I think it is interesting to ask yourself the similarities between now and corrupted government in 1972-73. Continuing to read the article I became more intrigued as it brought up James Comey, the FBI Director at the time showing clear bias towards Trump and against Clinton yet, failed to mention his investigation into the Trump Campaign. Although there was no evidence of bias in the decision of the investigation there were questions of credibility. Which sparked interest to the idea of Watergate in terms of secrecy in politics/ government, and powerful people misusing power which happened in Watergate and may just be happening again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/movies/incredibles-2-seizures-epileps...
The article that interested me the most this week was about the newly long-awaited “Incredibles 2” and the dangerous effects it can have on those with epilepsy. Many people might not even have a single thought about this while watching a Disney film, and in fact, that was the case for Marcos Gardiana. He is a huge Incredibles fan, but unfortunately he suffered a seizure while in the theater from a recurring scene that included flashing lights. He has been hospitalized and his friend had reached out to Disney to inform them about the danger. Apparently, many movie theaters were warned about this, and posted signs outside the theater including the one that Gardiana attended, but he did not recall it. This article specifically interested me, because I recently saw the movie and thought those scenes were dangerous and disturbing to watch. This is important to those that suffer epilepsy and I think that Disney should include this warning on the screen before the movie, instead of posting a sign. This will make moviegoers more aware of this and prevent victims of epilepsy from having seizures. Also, they will not have to deal with hospital expenses and possibly be in bad health as Gardiana was. If Disney does not bring more awareness to this issue, they may be sued and lose viewers of Incredibles 2.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/business/media/anthony-bourdain-dead....
The article that interested me the most this week was, "Anthony Bourdain, Renegade Chef Who Reported From the World’s Tables, Is Dead at 61", by Kim Severson, Matthew Haag and Julia Moskin because it was a dedication to Anthony Bourdain's awesome lifestyle. Whether he was eating noodles with the president in Vietnam or eating the food of my people(the Sikhs) at the Golden Temple, he always sought out diversity in the places he went . He touched so many people with is words, including me. I was one of his biggest fans, watching his shows everyday, waiting to see where he would take us (the audience) next. It was not just tasting food for him, he would explore the culture of the people of the nation. He would show the world what they are missing out on. Eating the food was just an excuse for him to get through to the people who were from a different culture and allow them to show the true culture of the society, without having an outsider there. He would make them feel comfortable, like they were talking to one of their own. He would be able to get the true culture of the society and help show the rest of the world how beautiful a place is.
No one in the world would be able to predict the events that would have happened to Anthony Bourdian . He would bring light and joy to everywhere he went. He was open about everything, including his drug addiction problem. Anthony was a true hero.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/world/asia/shimla-india-drought-water...
“Deadly Tensions Rise as India’s Water Supply Runs Dangerously Low.”
I became drawn to India’s plight after previously hearing about global water shortages. It reminded me of my house’s well, which broke and resulted in low water levels. For weeks we had to buy drinking water and limit bathroom use. Is that what it feels like to not have water? For us, it was a mild inconvenience that we knew would end. In other places in the world, people are not so fortunate to have the resources that can end their water troubles. I could almost feel the anger and desperation of the town residents described in the article. Remaining water is strictly regulated and monitored. They try to drag out this supply, but they will run out eventually.
These water pipe systems are archaic. Is the way we think about this resource archaic as well? Throughout our daily rituals, we tend to waste large amounts of water. Should conserving water top our list of global concerns, on par with issues such as racism? If so, what can we do? Let’s start with simple steps: make sure faucets are turned off or raise community awareness of local water issues. Although some may say that we shouldn’t waste time on this issue because we have enough water for our generation, this attitude causes harm. Take a step right now that may cause a ripple of difference. In time, that ripple may join others and form a tide of change in our water policy.
"How Snapchat Makes Mini Movies in Augmented Reality" by Reggie Ugwu serves up a heaping spoonful of semiocapitalism that I find interesting.
Augmented reality (AR) features a new way for capitalism to destroy our relationship with objectivity - except this time, it's not afraid to admit it. Ever since its creation, Snapchat promoted innovative ways for people to communicate. The concept of a temporary "snap" seduces users into expressing themselves within their own, unique, form of reality. Recent updates illustrate that the simulations do not end there.
The "3D Bitmoji" is an upgrade to what the late Jean Baudrillard refers to as the "third order simulacra." The purpose of technology is no longer a presentation of the truth, but rather a perversion of it. The “Hot Coals” animation is supposed to be "a universal story about facing your fears," however, the animation seems to be more of a contrived meme. It's supposed to describe a "mood or status," but does so through an unrealistic experience. As many Baudrillard scholars would put it, viewers do not appreciate the animation for its message, but instead, the idea of its message.
Towards the end of the piece, Mr. Ugwu questions the future of AR. Of course, Mr. Blackstone doesn't intend on pursuing "life-like virtual avatars" since for us, technology is constitutive of what we consider "life-like." He suggests getting a cup of coffee to access authentic experience, but is that really enough to redeem us?
Is it too late?
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
What interested me the most this week was the article, "Is Acne Cool Now?" One reason this article interested me was because I found it to be the most relatable and inspirational. As a teenager, I have been struggling with acne for awhile and I definitely understand that it brings a lack of confidence. This movement of skin positivity is helping so many people, including me, accept their acne and other blemishes. Having influencers like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Lili Reinhart, Lucy Hale and SZA post pictures embracing their acne helps with acceptance and relatability. It shows that pictures, that were most likely edited, are unrealistic body standards that we should not give ourselves. It also shows that celebrities are relatable and they are not perfect either. Another thing that interested me is that there is a 63 percent increased risk of depression in someone with acne compared with those with clear skin. This was an interesting fact that I was very surprised to hear. I would really like this percent to decrease and maybe acne acceptance and skin positivity will do just that. I really hope that this movement of body positivity and skin positivity improves people's confidence and mental health.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/opinion/trump-pardon-nfl-players.html
Donald’s Trump's suggestion that he pardon a few people will not solve every problem the football players are aiming to resolve, such as unjust prison sentences, however, he is still able to resolve several of their issues.
The football players say that there are people in prison who have been sentenced to an unjust amount of time, and some who no longer should be held because of their advanced age. Elderly people will make up 28 percent of the prisons' populations next year. They also say that elderly people are not as much of a threat to the law because of their age, and offer a solution to decrease prison populations. They suggest that President Trump should build on his recent decrease of Alice Johnson's sentence, and release any drug offender over the age of 60.
I say that the football players are correct in their assertion that there are several prison sentences which are unjust, however I do not believe you can simply allow prisoners walk out due to their age. I believe that a better solution would be to instead just shorten prisoners' sentences for less serious crimes, and instead of just letting drug offenders walk out, they should require them to get on-going support so they don’t revert back to their former way of life.
This issue is very relevant because there have been several unjust actions within our justice system, and these football players are hoping to put an end to this injustice.
XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot dead at 20
by Jone Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
The death of XXXTentacion, an influential rapper has interested me most in the New York Times this week. This very controversial rapper was gaining an immense amount of popularity in the last year and a half with his fast growing music career. I found this article very interesting because I, like many teenagers worldwide was a big fan of his music. XXXTentacion or Jahseh Onfroy was a very young and gifted musician, but without a doubt was troubled and made a lot of mistakes. Jahseh did very bad things, but he was working on bettering himself by holding charity events and giving to the less fortunate. His music reflected who he was and how he felt and I think that played a major role in the new person he was trying to become. XXXTentacion died a tragic death at a young age, without the chance to better his name and a become the person he wanted to be. Close to the end of his life he said, "I want to make sure that my life made at least five million kids happy," and he had every intention on carrying that out and spreading his message through his charity and music. This article and his life helped me better understand that we have to act now, because we do not know what will happen tomorrow, we can not wait to do the good.
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For as long as I can remember, suicide and depression have been a pretty common topic that pops up quite often. In my opinion, depression has almost become so common, that many are not even shocked when they find out someone has committed suicide. Depression is almost normalized in society and it seems to be less of a concern than it used to be. It often saddens me to think about how many people commit suicide yearly and how often I hear yet about another person who suffered greatly from depression and later on, took their own lives. This article instantly caught my attention because hearing that someone I care for and love is suffering from depression, has always been one of my worst fears and I would want to prevent it happening in any way I can. When someone you love is depressed, all you want to do is help them but helping someone who cannot see the good in their lives, is not easy. As the article states, it is important to be around the person who is depressed even if it seems like they do not want you around. It is hard to tell when someone is depressed because not all people show it. Many may put on a fake smile everyday and act like everything is okay even when it may not be. That is why it is important to look out for the signs that may lead to depression. For example, no one knew Kate Spade was depressed because no one really payed attention and this ultimately lead her to pass away.
@[email protected]
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"Melania Trump Wore a Jacket Saying 'I Really Don't Care' on Her Way to Texas Shelters"
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/us/politics/melania-trump-jacket.html
I was quite shocked and left speechless after seeing such a news article. After a couple of days of huge controversy regarding the Trump's "Zero Tolerance Policy" toward undocumented immigrants, I was dejected by the fact that hundreds of family will be separated. This morning, Melania Trump visited Texas shelters on the rising concern of undocumented immigrants, and all I can say about her fashion choice displaying "I really don't care. Do U?" is completely blatant. This does not seem to be a mere coincidence or containing no hidden message, but rather, shows her cold-hearted personality. Her fashion choice can be inferred that she wore the jacket to express President Trump's view toward illegal immigration. Furthermore, it is ironic how she wanted to offer "help to [the] children to reunite with their families as quickly as possible," when she wore the jacket saying "I really don't care." Overall, it is necessary to bring order and peace back to our societies, away from the mass confusion that is influencing the people’s viewpoints on undocumented immigrants.
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This week I read an article titled, "When the Robot Doesn’t See Dark Skin". This article talks about a controversial but important issue that exists within America today. We are moving into a world of technology that uses it in activities like law enforcement, border control, school surveillance and hiring. In Buolamwini's article, she exposes the tribulation that women, especially black women have to face at the hands of black women. This racism inspired her to establish the Algorithmic Justice League. Personally, I strongly agree with her research. America has come a long way from its past, but racism is still prevalent in our society and we have to do all that we can in order to minimize it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article that interested me most in the Times this week is called “Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55.” This article interested me because Kate Spade was a very strong and influential woman who had a serious underlying mental illness. Many people think that since she was so rich and influential that she was happy. This occurrence shows the seriousness of mental illness and that money cannot always buy happiness. Very few people actually knew what Kate was going through and her suicide came as a shock across the country. As a teenage girl, I am very familiar with her colorful and uplifting works. Kate Spade’s handbags may have looked happy, but what the public did not know was how she was struggling with depression. This article in the New York Times and Kate Spade’s life story is a great example of how we can not always know what is going on in another person’s life or how they are internally struggling, despite how they present themselves. This article is also a reminder that society often focuses so much on superficial objects, such as the handbags, that we neglect the deeper problems of emotional distress. Kate Spade’s accessories may have made a huge impact on people across the country, but I hope that her death will make an even bigger impact to emphasize suicide and depression awareness.
The article "Do You Like Your Name?" by Arthur C. Brooks gives insight on how younger people feel about their not so modern names. I know multiple people who have names like this, and this article caught my attention because it allows me to know how they might feel. Ever since Brooks was a young boy, people have made fun of him for his name. I believe that an "older" name always has meaning behind it.
Brooks said his name comes from his grandfather, which his parents obviously wanted to pass down. People have even laughed in his face when he told them his name. Imagine how that makes a little kid feel? It most likely lowers his self esteem. It makes them feel bad when another child makes fun of them, but an adult most definitely makes them upset.
Brooks said that in 2013, his name was no where near being one of the top 200 boy names. Having an older name can make you unique because no one really has it, but it can also make you feel lonely because no one else has the same name as you. I remember that when I was younger I always wanted someone to have the same name as me, I thought it would be cool. It wasn't until 7th grade when I found 2 other girls that had the same name as me.
Lastly, Brooks mentions the name his mom wanted to name him, Chester. He is happy that he was named Arthur instead of Chester, saying "on second thought, Arthur’s not so bad." Just keep in mind, your name was probably one out of 10 your parents wanted, and they picked yours, the one liked best.
Review: The Uffizi Gallery Gathers Some Heavy Hitters in a New Room-
Art. Man’s way to show thought and progress through the ages. As time passed, art became more detailed, focusing on the individual, rather than a still object. This movement, known as the Renaissance, was started in Italy by the masters: Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Specifically, Michelangelo and Raphael are two of the most noticeable of the artists in this period. Centered at the Palazzo Pitti in the city of Firenze, these two make their statement in the art world just as modern designers do today. Interestingly, their famous pieces are to be moved to the Galleria degli Uffizi, the epitome of Florentine art. Housing such pieces in this haven will provide a new contemporary perspective merging past and present in creating a modern interpretation.
Growing up around beautiful art, sculpture and an art-loving family, this has been a catalyst for the way I live my life today.
I have a passion for the for the arts and humanities, specifically, the Italian Renaissance. This article is so important to me, with its historical significance and role it plays in today’s society. My grandfather had an appreciation for art in his later life, and taught his ideals onto my mother, and later, me. He also taught me that there was a value in art: not its monetary value, but its symbolic, historic and emotional value. This was a refreshing article, as it focused on culture, rather than the turmoil in current events.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/05/opinion/columnists/what-c...
This article immediately caught my attention because, like many other soon-to-be-juniors in high school, I’m obsessed with the idea of college. What I ended up learning from it, though, didn’t just have to do with collee admissions.
One piece that suprised me quite a bit was the chart regarding the “six representative families” and their relaive median incomes. The group “very affluent” had a much lower average income than I expected. Not that $246000 isn’t a whole lot of money- but I was prepared for the very affluent class to be making, on average, at least half a million annually. Another thing that suprised me is the median income of the middle class family. $75000, especially when coming from a dual income home, seems frighteningly low to be the 50th percentile to me. It made me realize that all of the kids my age planning how they’re going to make six-figure salaries as adults should probably get a reality check, myself included.
In addition, it was interesting to learn that parents who have two kids in college simultaneously will pay less for both of them than expected. It was also curious that the colleges that charge more money for low-income students to attend are also the ones who admit more low-income students. It makes sense, but was something I had never considered before.
All in all, this article was enlightening, both about college and American economics.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
After reading the article "Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path" by Peter Baker and Choe Sang-Hun, I chose to write about it because it reminded me of the famous quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". I personally believe that history is repeating itself right before us, yet the media has sugar-coated the diplomatic acts performed by the DPRK in order to make it seem like there is no threat at all. For example, after North and South Korea's choice to participate under one flag at the recent Winter Olympics, many people considered it to be a turning point for peace. In reality, this is most likely nothing more than a ploy by North Korea to cover up their human rights violations with positive media presence. Nazi Germany, a similarly cruel regime, hosted the Olympics at Berlin in 1936. Little to the knowledge of the many nations at those Olympics, Germany would soon cause the Second World War. It also seems that President Donald Trump has been fooled by the charm of the North after the US-NK joint summit, as he recently stated that North Korea is “no longer a nuclear threat” despite the fact North Korea still has nuclear bombs and missiles to launch them. It is my hope that people will take off their rose-tinted glasses and notice that there is still a threat to world peace that must be dealt with.
An article that caught my attention when searching through the New York Times this week was the article 52 places to go in 2018. This may sound more like an list than an article, but I assure you that it’s not. The article not only offered great vacation destinations, but also facts and descriptions of many interesting places that one most likely wouldn't consider going. When I think of a vacation, my mind will often jump to the common paradises like the Caribbean, Hawaii, or Costa Rica. This article opened my eyes to the plethora of beautiful places to visit such as Gangwon Province, South Korea; Glasgow, Scotland; and the Cambodian Coast which looks absolutely stunning.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/climate/antarctica-ice-melting-faster...
This article is centered around the pressing issue of climate change, and addresses some of the key arguments about it. The piece discusses how ice caps in Antarctica are melting at an even faster rate than years before, and also mentions the key differences between East and West Antarctica in relation to those melting rates. As someone who identifies as an environmentalist, this article really resonated with me. While this article is extremely factual, it provides the necessary evidence to prove to leaders and citizens that climate change is still an environmental issue that must be deeply considered. Many people believe there is already enough data, but this article brings up a critical point that evidence needs to be continuously collected so leaders from the government and the EPA won't cut funding for important environmental organizations that are working on climate change and other related research. The world knows that we are in an environmental crisis and climate change is a driving force behind this crisis. More work must be done to not only open the eyes of “non-believers” but also protect the natural world. My hope is that in the future more articles like this will continue to be released, because articles like these are not only for the environmentalists and science enthusiasts like me, they're for everyone concerned for the well being of our planet.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/sports/spurs-forward-kawhi-leonard-tr...
The article in The Times that interested me the most was called "Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Wants Out Of San Antonio" by Marc Stein. This article really grabbed my attention because basketball has always been a huge part of my life. It's something that I have grew up around and it's made me a big, big fan of basketball. Anything related to basketball makes me really ecstatic. I love not only playing the sport but also watching it. Watching the NBA gives me an unexplainable feeling. It's something I can spend the entire day doing and not get tired of it. What makes the NBA so interesting is being able to watch athletes be able to play on such a high scale and that is a phenomenal thing. Watching them play really motivates me to get better and improve my game every single day. Even though the Spurs are not my favorite team, Kawhi is one of my favorite players and I really respect him and his game. He plays with passion and that is what makes him as good as he is. Leaving San Antonio will hopefully benefit him and give him a better opportunity to play with a better team.
I chose the “AT&T Wins Approval for $85.4 Billion Time Warner Deal in Defeat for Justice Dept.” because I have always been interested in business rules and how monopolies are stopped in this country. This article in particular goes in depth into how the judge, Richard J. Leon, determined that the merge between AT&T and Time Warner is not a monopoly. He believes that the choice of the consumers and their options are not in question in this case. Out of the articles on the New York Times, this really struck me because it affects many US citizens’ lives, and this very important for the American public to be informed about. Time Warner Cable and AT&T are very large influences on the American people, with millions of users, and the New York Times did a great job of explaining how this merge was determined that it was not a threat to the American economy. Also, the authors of the article explained how the media companies need this merge to compete with companies such as Amazon and Netflix. Major network companies such as Comcast are struggling against the others who can distribute and create content, which much of the American public does not know that these companies are affecting their TV networks. The Times also highlighted how people saw it as a monopoly, and where people are worried about the US's anti-trust laws. This article truly caught my attention out of the others because it could impact consumers in the US, and many of them did not know that the merge is in the works.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
Kate Spade became one of the worlds most famous fashion designers with her work. Her handbags and other products of hers were iconic in the fashion world. This article is interesting to me by how she started her designs on a piece of paper with scotch tape. She took something small and built a fascinating fashion empire from it. With her tragedy came a lot of questions. She is a successful woman with everything in her fashion industry. Why would someone with her caliber do this to themselves? She was depressed and living without her husband for 10 months. When she first started her career she was an assistant at a magazine company. Overtime she started to not like the handbags that were coming out. Joe Zee met with her before the start of her company and helped her start it with her husband. Once Kate's bags hit the shelves of the stores they were a big hit. In a short time they were getting awards for their great fashion designs. It seems interesting to me by how she became so popular in a quick amount of time. Her handbags and other accessories are my favorite things to buy because of their clean and beautiful design. No other handbags compare to the ones she designed. Her tragedy will be one remembered by designers all around the world and it's a shame her life had to come to an end so soon.
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Every generation has its nicknames. So when I saw the article "The indoor Generation" I thought it was just another nickname for Genz kids. Upon further reading, I realized that it was not targeting one generation but everyone that is mostly indoors throughout their daily life.
What both interested me and surprised me is that the air quality inside is worst then it is outside. No one ever talks this though, which I think is what makes it so surprising. "8 out of 10 are unaware that indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than outdoor air." Another thing that is interesting about this article is that by being inside we are screwing up our internal clocks. The article states that the amount of light we think we need to see is much less than what our circadian clock needs. Being outside for just 30 minutes is all your body needs to regulate its internal clock.
In other words, go outside. Your body needs the sunlight to be more productive, and by being outside you reduce your risk of getting asthma from being in a moldy damp house. There are many ways listed in the article on how to make the air inside healthier and how to get more direct sunlight.
Donald Trump’s long discussion about immigration and family separation seen in the article, Trump Returns to Tough Talk on Immigration, a Day After Retreating on Family Separation. Since Trump's entrance into presidency, there has been worldwide discussion on his capabilities to be America’s next president. Donald Trump has shifted the public’s view on himself recently with his changing viewpoint on immigration and family separation. Donald Trump recently said that democrats are to blame for the separation of families and “destruction of lives.” However, with Donald Trump’s agreement with the intolerance of separation of families, he also ridicules a country from which the families of discussion come from, Mexico. He stands to view that Mexico does nothing to prevent illegal immigration into the United States, but rather takes our money and provides the U.S. with illegal drug trafficking, which seems quite contradictory. However, Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the separation of families, which led to “more than 2,300 children” being placed in detention facilities. Even with great strides to reunite the previously separated children with their families, it would prove quite difficult. Increased discussion has developed on how to reunite the illegal immigrant families, but as well, how to prevent illegal entrance from countries such as Mexico for the future. Learning more about the government and especially our president fascinates me on a daily basis.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
"Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path" by Peter Baker and Choe Sang-Hun was an article that got my full attention. With all that is happening in the world, something that would not be good is worrying about nuclear war, or any war. So now that this agreement has been made, the weight has been lifted off of many shoulders for those worrying about it happening. In the recent months, I have been quite worried and fearful of that possibility even becoming part of my reality. However, with this new statement, I feel as if my fears left and there was a bit more peace in my day. It may not be on my mind every second of every day but it would worry me and leave me worried and even scared. With this article coming out saying that North Korea is not our top worry and threat I do wonder what our greatest threat may be.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005940613/i-escaped-north-ko...
I Escaped North Korea. Here’s My Message for President Trump
Sure North Korea is famous for its nukes, dictator, and the abuse of human rights, but how much of this is true? If you just watch this video, you could easily understand it as inside view of the harsh living conditions in North Korea. But what happens behind the scenes? The woman speaking could’ve been offered a big load of money to shoot this video to catch the media’s attention. I’m not saying that the information in the video is all wrong, but it might have been modified and exaggerated in some sort of way.
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When I stumbled upon the title of article, "The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet," I was taken aback by how straightforward it was -- both about our planet and people who are drowning in money. So, naturally, I clicked on it, and tried to imagine I'm making six figures while I read it. The article explored a new space race: the tourism space race. With new technology, NASA-trained pilots can bring citizens up into space for a vacation!
Exploring the sky above us seemed like an impossibility just a century ago, but today celebrities are dropping 50 million to see the planet from a different perspective. Personally, I have always loved flying. The feeling of looking out the window at city blocks that are the size of Lego's is incomparable to any other experience I've had in my life. It is truly magical to see that your little world is just one of the billions out there. Going up into space and seeing the entire world at your feet is a huge level up.
Of course, I can only imagine what a trip like that would be like. While I'm burying myself in debt for a higher education, the first flights will be transporting the richest of the rich into zero-gravity. Maybe by the time I'm going through a midlife crisis or collecting retirement money, they will be somewhat affordable. Although I would do almost anything to see the planet from space, some dreams must stay dreams, at least for now. After all, I have my imagination to picture the view, which is all I need.
We all need a break from our routine day to day lives that consist of all the conflict going on around us. Over the past month or so, millions of people have been watching the NBA Finals as a break. Watching these teams go at it head to head is very exciting to watch and experience. Anybody can watch, so it is an amazing tool to bond with other fans if they are complete strangers or your best friend. I feel that the NBA Finals is an awesome way to experience something new. Watching teams compete for what they have been dreaming about is truly awesome to watch, because of how much work they put into their game. Whether they slam a nasty dunk or hit the game-winning three-point shot is a feeling you can’t get anywhere else. This is why sports are such a good way to spend your time because of the new experiences and new people you meet, whether they are a fan of your team or not. Plus, anyone can enjoy the thrilling experience of a sports game like the NBA Finals, so why not?
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name...
The article that really interested me was called "Do You Like Your Name" by Arthur C. Brooks. This article really got my attention because I could relate to it very well. When I was young I too hated my name and always wondered why my parents named me Sharanjeet. Second of all it was too long and many people had a difficulty pronouncing my name. I would have to literally correct them everyday and eventually it became a habit and I do not mind at all. As I got older I figured that my name was very unique and that it means "one who attains the Guru's shelter." Furthermore, it defines my religion as a Sikh. Therefore I started loving my name and realized that not only my name was pronounced, but there were others who's name got mispronounced. I realized this when I entered middle school and did not mind correcting my name if it did get mispronounced, but literally now it does not really get mispronounced which is good news.
The article was stating the reality because people do act that way. When we sit down and think about it, it concludes that a person's name matches their personality and if that same name was given to another person it would not suit them. Therefore everyone's name is unique in its own way and so don't judge it.
Being an athlete, I was very interested in the article written about Giancarlo Stanton and his recent success with his new team, the Yankees.
The article I read described a forgettable game he was having at home until the last inning. With two outs and an 0-2 count, he blasted a home run giving his team the lead.
Considering my situation as a high-school ballplayer, I can use this story as an example to stay positive and to have a short memory if I am having a rough night at the plate.
What interested me the most this week in the New York Times was the article Black Hole Drags Star to Dusty Death, by Dennis Overbye. This article was very interesting in my point of view. I have always been very fascinated in all sciences and I believe that this article shows how difficult science is to understand. Science is very complex and can explain most of the world's mysterious, beautiful, and exotic things.
Science has developed beyond measures over the years and this article shows that humans are the reason we got here. Yes, technology helped, but it is only because of the people that we developed that technology. As said in the article, "All this happened out of human eyesight." The reason the world is so technologically advanced is because of people who take the time to observe and record scientific data.
The main reason this article really stuck out to me is because of the fact that the whole ripping apart of the galaxy was viewed from the human's eye.
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"Mo Salah's Return Isn't Enough as Russia Hands Egypt a Crushing Loss"
https://nyti.ms/2JUqsen
As many people look at the shocking failure of Egypt after their first two games, Russia's display may be the real surprise. Before the 2018 World Cup Group Stage even started, Russia was ranked in the bottom quarter of teams. Traditionally, Russia isn't a super team. They have no superstar players or difference-makers on their roster. However, Russia has shown that this may not be the case. Denis Cheryshev already has 3 goals in 2 games. His first two, came as a substitution late in the game. The pure passion of having home field advantage every single game is what may be pushing this team forward. Their +7 goal differential over two games surely puts them through the group stage. Russia still has to face the favorite in their group, Uruguay. If Russia comes out the winner of this match, their legitimacy will become even greater, and considered a serious threat to other teams in the elimination rounds. Russia's performance is only seeming to repeat history. In the past, countries with oppressive governments have won before. Italy, under Mussolini, won the 1938 World Cup. In 1978 Argentina, under a military dictatorship won as well. However, Russia becoming champions may be a bit of a stretch, considering the superpowers of Belgium, France, and Germany ahead of them. If their quality of play continues further, it may not be such a stretch.
"Do You Like Your Name"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name.html
What interested me most in the times this week was an article called "Do You Like Your Name". In the article, the author discussed his struggle with the fact that certain names are associated with an age. With his name being Arthur, people assume that he is much older than he is. Although I do not have the same struggle as him, I face a different one- my name is extremely popular.
Yes, people with uncommon names would disagree with me and say that having a popular name is not an issue. When my parents named me Olivia in 2001 they thought that Olivia was a unique name- and it was at the time. My mom told me that she found Olivia on a list of Shakespearean names when she was looking for what to name me. In Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night", one of the main characters is named Olivia. So, it can be assumed that this name was first familiarized in the early seventeenth century, so it would be odd to predict that a name from 400 years ago would be at the top of the charts today, right? In New York, Olivia has been the most popular baby name from around 2015 to now. In the country, Olivia has been at least the fourth most popular since ten years ago.
To answer Arthur Brooks's question, I love my name, but hearing parents screaming my name on the daily, and me whipping my head around every time, is something I would rather not happen.
The article that interested me the most this week in the New York Times was "Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You're Rich)". It was very interesting to see how, with financial aid, students who come from lower income families are able to afford to go to a school that most people would think are outrageously expensive. This article lets students know that there are ways to go to schools that are generally perceived to be very expensive. It was very interesting to learn about how the cost of colleges differs depending on a student's income.
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Finding hidden stories, biographies, or obituaries sparks the same dazzling adrenaline, I imagine, the swashbuckling pirates of childhood tales feel when discovering timeless treasures. For instance, this week in the New York Times, “Overlooked No More: Amrita Sher-Gil, a Pioneer of Indian Art” by Tariro Mzezewa exposes a once hidden story that paints inspiration—something worth even more than the grandest treasure chest.
During my scavenging of history, there are two groups I’ve heard little about: Indian women and female artists. As a member of both groups, the lack of representation can feel daunting. Amrita Sher-Gil, however, smacks these doubts away with her brushstrokes. Mzezewa’s article uncovers Sher-Gil’s unwavering security as an Indian, a woman, and an artist. Her “fundamentally Indian art” often explores herself, as in “Self-Portrait as Tahitian,” and the underrepresented Indian women around her, as in “Three Girls.” The article is a direct assurance of the importance diverse art and diverse artists.
Altogether, the New York Times’ remembrance of Amrita Sher-Gil weeds through the acres of European male artists and allows the diversity of art to continue to grow in a time where I and countless others need this assurance.
What interested me the most in the New York Times this week was an article called "A Very Hungry Black Hole Is Found, Gorging on Stars" by Dennis Overbye. This article interested me because black holes have always fascinated me. To think that something can just disappear into a black hole and never return is mind-blowing. Where does it go? What is it like inside a black hole? I have so many more questions about black holes, and every chance I get, I like to learn a little more about them. The specific article that I read was about a very large black hole that is many times bigger and brighter than our sun. The things that this black hole can swallow in just a few days fascinated me. Overall, I loved reading this article, and it was very interesting. ([email protected])
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
What interested me the most is this article about this year's NBA championship. This interested me because I wanted to know other people's thoughts about the championship and the excuses Cavs fan came up with for their lost. As stated in the article, the Cavs lost Game 1 which took away most of Lebron's hopes. I agree that this was one of the reasons the Cavs lost. During game 1, Lebron realized that he alone wasn't enough to win the championship. Another reason was the injury Lebron had from game 1. Playing with an injury is not easy. I am dumbfounded by how Lebron was able to put up with the pain. An injury should've stopped Lebron from playing the upcoming games. This season wasn't a real win for the warriors. The only tough match they had was with the rockets.
Although I am a warrior fan I am not happy with the win. The final was very disappointing. Looking from the warriors perspective, they had no choice to go all out on the cavs because if they didn't it would've disrespectful to the other team.
"Where Boys Outperform Girls in Math:
Rich, White and Suburban Districts"
Growing up in an NYC all girls school, the idea of boys outperforming girls in math didn’t occur to me for some time. I grew up sheltered from sexist rhetoric about girls in STEM, and in this environment I decided that STEM is exactly what interests me most. The naiveté ended at my first robotics competition in 5th grade when I overheard a boy proclaiming that my team didn’t stand a chance because we were all girls. As we grew up, many female friends rejected math and engineering. Even in my New York, all girls community, sexist ideas about girls’ academics continue to hold sway.
I am writing this now from a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina, participating in an exchange program at a coed school for the first time. My school in Argentina is predominantly rich, white, and suburban, exactly the demographic discussed in this article. However, on a recent test here scores completely opposed the trend from the Times study. Only girls here acheived scores higher than 90%. Nearly every boy scored less than 85%. From this, it seems like sexism and gender stereotypes are not setting these Argentine girls back in math. Why then, can't we achieve the same? As a girl who loves STEM, I have high hopes to see the gender achievement gap in math come to an end across the US. I want to be part of a generation where more girls are proud of loving math, across all demographics, at home and in Argentina!
The week of June 22. The article that interested me the most was the,"In Trump’s America, the Conversation Turns Ugly and Angry, Starting at the Top", by Peter Baker and Katie Rogers. I liked this article because it reminded me of the election this year. This election was very vocal and people freely spoke what came to their minds. I cannot believe how brutal everyone is to each other nowadays online and President Trump is not the only one. It is not just Republicans badmouthing society, it is also the Democrats. No matter what, everything is offensive nowadays. I am very passionate with people speaking their minds of how they feel because this country is free. Everyone deserves to speak their mind, even the President. He definitely makes colorful remarks but he does his job and he is moving the country forward just as he should. I liked the article because it is very debatable and people have different views of President Trump’s choices of words. If everyone was so critical of Trump and everything he is planning to do then how was he elected? President Trump was elected because of his plans for the country, his language is just a part of his personality.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/us/immigration-deported-parents.html
Donald Trump’s “zero-tolerance policy” separating innocent children from their parents, torturing them, and throwing them into shelters away from their families has negatively impacted many migrants. This is recognized by Miriam Jordan when she wrote the article “I Can’t Go Without My Son”, where a mother mourns over the separation from her child.
From Guatemala, Elsa Ortiz and her son, Anthony, traveled down the Rio Grande and into Texas where they planned to meet up with Elsa’s boyfriend, Edgar. When they arrived in Texas, they were soon arrested by an immigration officer. They were taken into custody and separated, not knowing when they would see each other again. Anthony was taken to a house in Texas and Elsa was deported back to Guatemala, knowing it might be impossible for her to see her son again.
I have never had a large interest in politics. Although, when I read about Trump’s “zero-tolerance policy”, I became interested in reading more about his recent decisions. I am extremely against his ideas to separate young, innocent children from their parents. It is heartbreaking to see blameless kids crying for their parents, knowing they might never see them again. I am saddened by the way children are being treated and I pray for it to end soon. This topic has inspired me to research more to investigate ways for stopping this destructive matter.
“Do You Like Your Name?”
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name...
What interested me most in The Times this week was an opinion-based article that spoke about names. What I like about the article is that it stays true to the way people actually think. I couldn’t agree more that names have an age attached to them, I do the matching in my head all the time. What I find most interesting about names is that the face usually matches, so when you hear the name it’s alomst as if you could’ve guessed it before being told. I seem to gravitate, without even knowing, to people with the same name to the point where, when I meet the person, I’m saying to myself, “Are you serious?” or “What are the chances?”
Considering that I grew up in a spiritual household, I personally like my name because of the meaning behind it. Christopher, deriving from the Greek name Christóforos, means “Christ-bearer”. My mother’s name is Christina and my brother’s name is Christian, so all of our names do not stray far from what means “Follower of Christ”. While it may seem neat that all of our names have the same root, Christ, imagine the struggle we go through when someone is calling for Chris in the house and all of our heads turn simultaneously as we say, in harmony, “Yeah?”
“Vaping Can Be Addictive and May Lure Teenagers to Smoking, Science Panel Concludes”
The words “vaping can be addictive” should surprise me, but it doesn’t. When plenty of my peers at high school indulge in the activity on a consistent basis it doesn’t surprise me that over a long period of time it can become hooking. Based on a teenager’s perspective so many kids are vaping because it seems cool to do so and people don’t see it as being as dangerous as smoking a cigarette - no tobacco equals safe. This may be the reason why 11% (1.7 million adolescents) of all high school students vaped in December 2017.
Although, Professor Leventhal of the University of Southern California and his group, after reviewing all studies on youth and e-cigarettes concluded that there was no significant evidence that linked e-cigarettes to using tobacco, a new report from the British Royal College of Physicians proves that there are other risks. They found new proof that e-cigarettes have substances, as well as nicotine, that are possibly toxic. Teens my age are breathing in metals and chemicals that we don’t know the long-term effects of.
It captivates my attention because as a teen it scares me to think of all the risks my fellow high school students accept in partaking in vaping.
Week of June 15
This week what interested me the most in the New York times was the article Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children, by Manny Fernandez. I took interest in this article because I personally had no clue this was going on in America. As the average American teen born and raised in America, by parents also born here, this topic has not always been a concern to me. All that I really knew about immigration before this article was: immigration happens often, legally and illegally, and that it is a hot topic in politics. The part that was surprising to me is what actually happens to the children in these situations. I always thought of immigration as a family affair or a young adult coming over by themself. This article explains how most children are separated from their parents and end up in shelters such as the one in Brownsville Texas. In my opinion these shelters are a great idea considering the other option is setting up tents in areas that can reach up to 100 degrees. These shelters in and near Brownsville are providing jobs for a poor city where the average income per household is only $34,578. It is also giving abandoned buildings such as stores and schools a new purpose.
Review: ‘In Venezuela, Empty Rooms Tell Stories’
The 3AM journal on my bedside table captures my occasional insomnia and cluttered thoughts. The ragged stuffed bunny on my desk conveys my profound attachment to childhood memories. Photographer Mariana Vincenti said it best: “your room holds what you are.” These stories gathered from mementos may not be explicitly expressed but are strongly implied.
What resonated with me from Remy Tumin’s article was the powerful way in which little details scattered around a room could embody personal values: the bookshelf bearing different novels, the religious cross dangling on a wall, the birthday balloons situated beside a marked calendar, respectively translated into an avid reader, a devout Catholic, an organized socializer. At times, it was striking to see how rooms failed to reflect individual passions, like that of an artist’s who slept on a plain mattress within the confinement of unadorned white walls. Perhaps this was a depiction of the monetary struggles endured during times of economic strife. Even then, there’s a story to tell.
It’s hard to imagine what is lost when intimate belongings are left behind. As Venezuela faces severe political turmoil, there’s a tradeoff between survival and preservation of the sentimental facets of life. After seeing this Times article of stirring photographs, I understood how rooms can humanize their owners by revealing emotional vulnerabilities that one may not externally impart onto others.
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What interested me the most in the NYTimes this week was an article called “The Juul Is To Cool” because it is interviewing highschool students about what they think about the juul. They also talked to the company that invented the juul asking them their thoughts about underaged kids purchasing their product. I disagree with stores that sell the product to uneraged teens. It is no point in having a juul because they are not good for you to do at all.
In the article, when they interviewed high schoolers asking them how they felt about the juul, most of them said they liked it but had admitted to getting caught with it in the school restrooms and classrooms. I see no purpose in having a juul period. Each pod contains 5% nicotine, and if you juul frequently then you possibly overdose on the nicotine in the pods. You are also at a higher risk of catching nicotine poison which can be indicated by vomiting, gas, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, and outrages headaches.
In the interview, the company said they could do nothing about teens purchasing the juul. They said the juul originally was made to decrease the amount of cigarettes people smoke each day or to stop them from smoking at all. I think they should do background checks on people before they purchase a product like this. Stop letting children get a hold of these dangerous e-cigarettes.
What interested me in the times this week was the article, "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55". I was interested in the article because it shows that money and fame don't define happiness. I believe that people often mistake money for happiness when that is not the case. Along with money and fame came lots of stress and hard times for Ms. Spade. We see only what the media portrays, so we never know what really goes on in peoples lives. Mental health plays a large factor in this situation. Ms. Spade was struggling with depression and, even though she sought help, things weren't getting better for her. We only view what people want to show, so we never know what really takes place in peoples lives.
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the thing that interested my this time week was the video hat I watched on Donal Trump talking about keeping families together when he depots the immigrants. I believe that if you come to the country illegally not paying anything to be a citizen here then you should go back the the place that you came from.it doesn't matter if you are a child or an adult if you enter the county illegally then you need to leave. I also believe that a child traveling on his own is a very scary experience, so I think that it is a wonderful idea that he isn't splitting up the families. But like he said in the video that for 60 years this has been going on and no one has done anything about it.
The morning I read this article, my dad had told me he was going to vote for the splitting of California into three states.
The only thought I had was a glaring question of Why? There seemed to be no solid reason to support such a split of our state. Hence, this article caught my eye. After reading the article “Do Californians Want Their State Split in 3?”, I can say I have a little more clarity and understanding. The points made about smaller government being easier to run provided some clarity into that mindset. However, I still believe the split is a callous decision.
Hatred of change aside, the splitting poses obvious problems. California has always undoubtedly swung Democratic, but given this new change, certain states have the potential to swing Republican, and given our position at the federal level of government in our country, that outcome is something many Democrats would likely not be keen on. Furthermore, state tuitions brought to us by the UC programs would go away. Students in NorCal wishing to attend a SoCal undergrad college would have to pay the out-of-state tuition, and that’s something that would directly affect me and many of my peers. If that’s not enough reason, the process in itself would be intricate and tedious, and could affect anything from education to plumbing.
But as for whether the golden state will be split or not, only time will tell.
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What interested me the most in this weeks NY times is “Marijuana in New York: Here’s How the Laws Are Changing” because I agree with the new rule to the fullest. I don’t think marijuana is a problem and it should not be considered a drug. It's more of a plant, but people use it in their own way. Nowadays, people use all types of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and crack. Now that’s drug use. Marijuana is used the most only because it does not cause any harm to anyone. It might make you feel some type of way, but it’s not harsh.
Legalizing marijuana is a good idea because it would decrease the amount of people going to jail per year. The current marijuana arrest increased around 17,500 people per year. That’s a lot of people going to jail over something that’s used on a daily basis. Most of the marijuana use happens in the community where there are a lot of black residents, but African Americans aren’t the only people to use it.
Marijuana cannot be smoked if you’re in public, if you’re on probation or parole, and if you’re a threat to society. You will be charged with a criminal court ticket if you break any of those rules, which means you HAVE to show up to court and issue a plea. The price of the ticket shouldn’t be more than $100, but it is ultimately up to the judge. Taking a step into letting it be legal is good enough. People just have to follow the rules. I believe they should implement this everywhere.
The video that interested me the most was "Trump Signs Executive Order to End Family Separation". Mr. Trump did this so he can stop illegal imigration.
The wall Trump is building is a very contversal topic and half of the world thinks it should happen and the other half thinks it should't. even though the wall is expensive it has many benifits. The wall is doing its job and keeping illegal immagrants out of the United States.
Illegal Immagrants hurt our economy instead of helping it. They immagrants basically live here for free and dont pay taxes. They get money by working but they arent taxed on anything which is unfair to the people in this country. Also the population increases enormously.
Yes, it is sad that they are being sent back and most families were torn apart. But Mr. Trump is doing all he can to reunite families and do the best for this country. By signing this order Mr. Trump is reuniting families but he is also forcing illegal immagrants out of this country and by doing this he is helping our country.
This video is interesting because i am very interested in pollitics and doing good for the country we live in.
The thing that interested me the most in the times week was the video of Donald Trump telling people that he was going to not separate families who're immigrants. I liked this article because it shows how caring Donald Trump is towards the families by not separating them. Also shows that he wants to get his point across about the immigrants coming here illegally.
I believe that this is a great idea because it brings people out of the country illegally and they get to stay with their families, the only down side to this is when immigrants are deported they go back to their homes which are surrounded by war and violence. There are multiple opinions on this topic but I believe that the immigrants that are here illegally should be sent back to the place they came from because they are basically living in the country for free without paying anything. when everyone else has to pay for everything.
I believe that it is a wonderful idea to send people with their families. it is very scary for a small child to travel without their family so I think that its great that he isn't splitting up the families.
When I first learned about the role of the President of the United States, I envisioned someone who knew everybody in the country and listened to all of their concerns. They didn’t try to start problems; their job was to stop them. As I learned about the realities of politics, I became aware of presidents who certainly did not meet my initial expectations — President Trump being one — and the essay, “Trump: Trying to Remake America in His Own Image,” resonated with me the most this week. It raises the question — how much is a country is defined by their president, a figurehead?
This New York Times opinion discussed an issue that I became especially concerned with following the G7 Summit: that Trump is isolating America from the rest of the world. As the essay notes, Trump is making unprecedented moves in terms of alliances, issues like climate change, and the economy.
I understand that Trump can take advantage of the power he has, but it worries me that he is promoting an overly selfish attitude that “America is the best” and is seemingly rolling back Obama-era policies for the sake of undermining Democrats without thinking of the long-term consequences on a global scale. When people think of America, they now think of Trump. They see an unpredictable, disunited country starting unnecessary conflicts. I believe the American people should be more informed of Trump’s actions; as citizens, we cannot let one figure define us. We must continue standing up for what we believe in.
“Mammals Go Nocturnal in Bid to Avoid Humans”
Mammals going nocturnal sounds oddly familiar, maybe because it’s possible for us to go nocturnal, too. Just like how the coyotes, elephants, and tigers avoid humans, humans also attempt to avoid problems that seem insuperable and other people whom they detest. As Julia Jacobs claims, “[avoidance] isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Generally, society applauds those who confront their hardships headlong. Stories of rags to riches and defeating evil villains are appealing to all audiences. Moreover, avoiding and sidestepping have become the acts of cowards, and society dictates that we should somehow be ashamed. This disapproval of avoidance stems from the implied idea that we avoid because we are afraid.
Reading Jacobs’ article, I realized that the driving factor changing the animals’ way of life might not be fright. In some ways, the avoidance even looked like a wise decision. Suddenly, I remembered Michelle Obama’s famous line from the 2016 Democratic National Convention, “When they go low, we go high.” In an era when we are incessantly confronted with the most absurd, disturbing behaviors, it may be wise to separate and keep a distance. Avoiding is not necessarily an act of fear but a way to maintain dignity. The mammals’ nocturnal transitions present to us that avoiding while maintaining dignity is another plausible way of “coexistence” in a complicated society.
"Harvard Rated Asian-American Applicants Lower on Personality Traits, Lawsuit Says"
This article by Anemona Hartocollis guides us through the statements made by both Harvard and the opposition on the topic of discrimination against Asian-American applicants.
Havard is accused of using subjective measures like character, personality and promise to dissuade Asian- American students who would have gotten in on merit. Harvard says that this ignores intangible data and simplifies the very complex application process. However, whenever interviews are carried out by alumni, their scores are equal to whites, but whenever the admission's office carries out interviews, Asian-Americans receive the lowest score of any group. The evidence shows a clear trend, and "balancing" the applicants would prove advantageous for Harvard because after all the group that would be most affected by increased Asain- Americans would be the white majority. I think the article does a good job at presenting many different pieces of evidence of Harvard discriminating, but it does it in a way that seems unobtrusive and manageable.
The Glamorous Grandmas of Instagram
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/style/instagram-grandmas.html
Sweat trickled down my face as my dad was preparing the galbi (korean barbecue) on the outdoor grill. My two cousins screeched as my uncle sprayed them with a hose. I don't recall every detail from the day my extended family got together a few years ago, but the one thing I distinctly remember about that day was my grandma and her outlandish outfit. A multitude of colorful birds draped her shirt as she flaunted matching pants. Her red polka dot sunglasses stood out like a sore thumb. As I watched her prepare the table, I could only think about how ridiculous she looked.
As I stumbled upon the article of glamorous grandmas on Instagram, who have hundreds of thousands followers, I realized my momentous misconception. The amount of courage as well as self-confidence it takes for my grandma, as well as the multitude of glamorous grandmas around the world, to keep on dressing stylish at their age must be enormous. I came to realize that style doesn’t diminish with age and that anyone can be a trendsetter. Stereotypes can be misleading and even discouraging as these flashy grandmas are breaking the mold on what it means to be a older women. I have a newfound respect for my grandma and I plan to compliment her extravagant outfits everytime I see her. I don’t know how social media savvy she is, but if she is up to it, maybe I’ll convince her to make her own Instagram account.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-rul...
What interested me most in the Times this week was an article by Cecilia Kang, Edmund Lee, and Emily Cochrane about the AT&T and Time Warner Cable merger. I found this article to be quite interesting mainly because of the immense amount of scrutiny and controversy which had surrounded the merger. Politicians and consumers alike held a great amount of doubt about the merger as they were fearful of there being a monopoly in the entertainment industry as well as the telecommunication industry. Specifically, consumers were bothered that AT&T could potentially give preferential service to Time Warner Cable customers who also signed on to their cellular plan: thus negatively impacting those not subscribed to AT&T for cellular. The merger was so much under scrutiny that it almost did not take place as a judge earlier blocked the merger from taking place as described in the article. This ruling was eventually overturned and the government acquiesced to not appeal the matter further paving the way for the merger. It will be interesting to see how this merger between giants in the field of entertainment and telecommunications will shape the stock market, industry overall, and most importantly the consumers.
The article that interested me most this week was “Video Games Are Destroying the People Who Make Them.” I liked this article mainly because of my passion for video games and my future of being a gamer. This article definitely opened my eyes to what happens behind the game creation process and the game creators’ health.
During the game process it takes so much commitment and dedication. As a little kid I always dreamed of being a game creator or artist for the video games that I played. I realise now you have to be really dedicated to the job and be ready for many many late nights. The time spent on video games is insane compared to computer games on a website. There's more debugging and editing in the code to make a video game come to life. Not to mention all the updates that are needed if these bugs are not caught. The artists have to make new skins and clothes for every update.They make the background for the actual creators so they can get to the coding process behind the characters’ moves.
The gaming process is a lot harder than I thought, and I'm very thankful for that article. It proves that gamers work harder than we think. We wouldn't have these bomb video games that are produced for us if it wasn't for those countless hours they put in. These creators deserve much more credit than they get. The article opened my eyes and showed me what actually goes on behind the screens and mind of the game creators. This article is definitely going be my favorite for a while.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/opinion/world-cup-russia-torture-puti...
Although everyone has heard about The World Cup, they have not heard about the torturous acts. The games are supposed to be fun, but not for many Russians who have been tortured and harassed. In the article “The World Cup is Fun. Except for the Russians Being Tortured”, I learned about a 26 -year-old man, Mr. Pchelintsev, that was tortured and then told his lawyer about the incident but then was tortured again about the statement. These acts of torture are inhumane. Although Vladimir Putin has given the Russian security free rein in The World Cup, this should not mean that’s its okay to torture.
Listening to the news for the past year, You always hear some talk about Marijuana and the Federal Legal trouble that has been happening. Many of these Dispensaries are all cash-based, No credit cards, No Checks just cash. The reason is banks will not fund or let dispensaries bank with them. “We can get fined for moving a light switch without telling the city building department, but we can’t get a bank account,” That’s how bad the system is for these business owner just because of the Type of business they are in and how most banks are managed Federally they follow after the views of the Government. Since the banks won't provide these despenerys with banking ‘’Marijuana entrepreneurs are left to pay in a decidedly more manual way”. Here is what one entrepreneur has told the times, “Imagine feeding $20,000 of cash through a machine, one $20 bill at a time,” said Ms. Gates of the tax payment process. “It can take two or three hours each time.” I believe that the government needs to step up to the plate and come help these people and become closer to build a good relationship between them and the dispensary owners to help both out in the long haul and bring economic stability for them. You would think that the Gov. would want an easy and correct way to report/Track taxes.
“What to Do When a Loved One Is Severely Depressed” by Heather Murphy has caught my attention this week, because I myself have witnessed a friend being severely depressed, and even had suicidal thoughts at one point.
At the time, I didn’t know what to do or how to comfort them, so all I did was to try and say some positive things, which didn’t seem to really work. After reading this article, however, I will now consider saying things such as “It’s okay to not feel okay” and continue to acknowledge more of their feelings while still trying my best to comfort whomever is in need of it.
Audiobooks, Not Print
This article piqued my interest because as a young reader myself I recently got into reading e-books, and I got to redeem my first ever audiobook! I think that comparatively, audiobooks are very convenient and my first experience with it was pleasant. When I read the article however, I was very surprised. I had always thought of audiobooks as podcasts and did not think of the implications of publishing books only via audiobooks. In this letter, Mr Goodman introduces himself as “one of an estimated 48 million Americans with hearing loss”, and the problem with audiobooks surfaced for me—audiobooks are off limits to, well, deaf readers. When I read the original article that was referenced in this article and learnt that A-list authors are gradually publishing audiobooks instead of hard copy/e- books because of how convenient they are, I also understood where they were coming from. It is hard to compromise but I think at times, doing so is necessary. I understand that sometimes doing what is popular is important and it will definitely reap great returns but in the process we forget about others and their needs as well. This is something that as humans we inevitably forget to do as well and perhaps this article/letter comes as a timely reminder for us to try to look at the bigger picture and be more sensitive to others. With what is happening around the world today perhaps we could all be more loving and considerate as humans and be kind to others always!
Everyone knows about twitch and almost all teenagers know of it because of Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. Twitch being one of the biggest websites to stream video games, it’s extremely entertaining to see people who are “good” at a video game play, but within this article it talks about how Amazon; a company that has bought out twitch to increase their profits, wants to tighten the grip on their website and not have any other websites try to beat them out. Such as, Youtube Gaming being one of those companies, with YouTube gaming you’re able to perform the same things: stream,sponsor,support, and have a good time. With experiences with myself, I have used twitch to stream and it is a very fun experience. Although, other websites are on the rise to try and beat out Twitch Tyler Blevins claims that “Everyone is on twitch”. He is right about that statement, everyone is basically on Twitch because of him and lots of other streamers.
You know that Eagles had defeated the Patriots in super bowl 52 but President Trump has uninvited the Eagles to a annule visit testing the Eagles Patriotism.I do not agree with the author because he states that “His distraction tirades over kneeling during the national anthem are now serving to undermine one of our democracy’s greatest strengths — freedom of speech.” (Cutler) So basically the author is stating that kneeling during the national anthem is a good way to show freedom of speech beside the fact that when you do that you are in the worst way possible disrespecting the people who fought for you freedom. Cutler also said “
He has no right to question the patriotism of other Americans.” (Cutler) Yes, of course he can. He is the President and when people disrespect the country they deserve to be penalized and thats coming from me, and as long i as i could remember i have been an eagles fan. I also disagree with the author when he says that “ The Eagles did a favor not going to the white house”. (cutler) How is this a favor creating beef between An NFL team and the president.
The rapidly industrializing country overtook the United States as the world’s biggest source of carbon emissions in the mid-2000s, and has doubled its output since then.
In 2014, China released 10.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry; the United States released more than 5.2 billion metric tons that year. (New York Times Climate Team)
I did not expect to hear this kind of statistic. it was mind blowing how much we actually pollute our environment. I have also read on other posts about global warming and climate change and the most significant one to me was the post about how much pollution raising livestock actually causes. They say that livestock and agriculture is responsible for more than 50% of the world pollution.
Everyone in the world knows the name Ronaldo. Possibly from magazines, social media posts, or you’re just an avid fan of the beautiful sport, soccer. Ever since the start up of his world class soccer career people all around the world knew Ronaldo was something special. “Ronaldo is not the same player he was in his 20s. He is more efficient now — deadly so, at least through two matches — and aware of what he can do.” Before Ronaldo was a world renown name he was still growing or “evolving” as stated in the article. Throughout a World Cup game Portugal vs. Morocco Ronaldo made all but one noticeable play and that one play was the most important of the game. Ronaldo’s goal off of the set piece corner kept Portugal in the standings for the glorious opportunity of winning the World Cup.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name.html
This article intrigued me because it reminded me of a story my mother told me, about my sisters' birth. They’re twins, and my parents had already picked two names, Christine and Irene, but not which name would go on which baby. Initially, the sister who is now called Irene was named Christine and vice versa. But even as newborns, my parents thought that the names did not fit the babies and switched them.
What's interesting is that they had no prior perception of the names Christine and Irene, as they had never met anyone with these names before. A person that knows many Christines and Irenes may have a certain fixed image of the name. But even without this stereotype, my parents thought that the name somehow was not right. As a child, this never failed to fascinate me.
It is only now, through this article that I realize that humans almost have a sixth sense when it comes to names. But it also raised questions. Why do people tend to look like their names? Does your name shape who you become? Does the perception of a name change to depending on the people around you?
Fortunately, the article provided me with some answers and reassured me that I am not the only one that is curious. In fact, there is an entire field dedicated to studies on names, onomastics. I felt relieved to know that my childhood wonders were safe in the hands of onomasts working hard to reply to the world’s many questions.
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White People Are Noticing Something New: Their Own Whiteness
https://nyti.ms/2McgrFQ
In this day and age most people consider most things to be racist or something along those lines. This article went over something that most people nowadays don’t seem to notice. That would be that some people believe what they believe by default. If you were introduced to your family and only interacted with them you would get used to them. Now spread out and interact with some friends. They would have different ways of thinking and doing things that they got from their family themselves. Now think about introducing another that has a completely different way of thinking. You would see them say no to your favorite foods to eat something else. You would assume something is wrong with them and “segregate” them from you. All of this ties back with how white people tend to think that all black people are trying to cause issue and such. The rumors, gossip, news, and general group thinking ideology tend to make people’s thoughts become “corrupted”.
The late XXXtentacion once stated “when you have that genuine love for someone and they are your source of happiness they become your drug.” “ she was my drug and i overdosed” X was accused of battery but in many senses people saw him as a kind gentle man. Fans grieve the famous rapper XXXtentacion, in such a sense that the happiness and love they had for him became their drug. Mourners stand outside and sit on the curbs where he was shot, leaving teddy bears, drawings on the sidewalk, flowers. X had a rough past but he has developed as a writer and a musician,and had made an effort to better himself.
As a sixteen year old girl, having the chance to once meet X, he was very kind and showed great love and devotion for his fans. He brought his full self to the concert I was at and made it an unforgettable night for me and many others, who truly got to see the kind side of X. His music has impacted my look on life in many ways because the songs he writes relates to the people within ten years of my age group maybe even beyond that. X did not deserve to leave this world this way, his memory will stay alive through me and millions of other x fans around the globe.
Rest in peace XXXtentacion.
I feel that with all the is happening in the world, it is easy to start feeling sad and depressed, anxious about what the future can hold. However, it is stories like Daredevil Raccoon Climbs Minnesota Skyscraper and Becomes a Sensation by Matthew Haag and Christina Caron that can give you that little spark of happiness that you may need to start the day. A story about a young raccoon with one goal in mind, to climb a 25 story building. The article talks about the long journey of one determined little raccoon climbing up the 25 story UBS Plaza building. With just about how today’s news is going at these times, it wouldn’t be surprising to have heard that some strong gust of wind would’ve sent the poor little creature plummeting down a couple hundred feet to its demise, but instead this story had a happy ending, almost as if this little raccoon knew that we could all use a little happiness in our lives right about now.
This 2 year old raccoon was able to endure above all the odds and do the impossible and make it to the top, where it was eventually taken in by Wildlife Management Services and released in a nearby suburb, where it could go lead a (hopefully) long and prosperous life of doing whatever it is that raccoons do. If this raccoon can go above all odds and climb this 250 story building, what’s keeping us from doing something, big or small, that could impact others and bring them a little light in these dark times?
As Auto Industry Transforms, Ford and Volkswagen Consider an Alliance by Amie Tsang
Everyone has seen the commercials for car companies about how there car/truck is better than all the other companies by dropping a big piece of concrete in the bed, but what most people don't know is that some car manufacturers are coming into an alliance. Right now Ford and Volkswagen are coming together to start making vans they plan to do this by 2020. Why though, Ford and VW are the ¨world's biggest car manufacturer¨ to most people Ford and VW are two completely different people and don't fuze together. But maybe together they can contribute to the biggest thing right now in automotive history with the self driving car.
"A Dream Interpretation: Tuneups for the Brain" by Benedict Carey is a very thought-provoking article to read as it talks about the subconscious of the human mind, and how we fail to see the wonders it possesses. Everybody dreams, but not everybody can wake up and clearly remember every microscopic detail that they dreamt of. Dreams are often linked to the senses of the body, and to memories that we often associate with certain items. While most people rely on a certain aspect of a dream, and take it as an omen, dreams are simply just fragments of our human mind. This article is incredibly fascinating as it also speaks of lucid dreaming, and how through carefully observing that, we may come one step closer to the real reason behind our dreams.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/15/business/pregnancy-discri...
At a time where developed countries have struggled with falling birth rates, corporations have rolled out policies boasting childcare benefits to create a comfortable environment for working mothers. It was devastating to read this article to find out that despite these policies, the work environment for pregnant women remains hostile. The stigma against pregnant women remains rooted in work culture and unfairly punishes the courageous women who make the decision to enter motherhood.
I don’t think we need to experience it for ourselves to know how difficult it is to become a mother. Not only do mothers undergo physical pain and discomfort for nine long months, but they also have to fork out time to take care of their children after they are born. Instead of condemning working women who have made the choice to bear children, we should applaud them and give them due respect. They are the brave souls who are willing to undertake the burden of childcare on top of their work.
This blatant discrimination in the workforce forces working mothers to make a choice between their careers and their children. However, that choice shouldn’t need to exist at all. A woman is perfectly capable of executing her job while taking care of her child. The thing that companies need to recognise is that the presence of another life in a woman’s stomach does not suddenly strip her of her ability to do her work.
https://goo.gl/uab6ea
Why Do Black Kid’s Books About Black Hair Draw So Much Attention and Controversy?
I think little kids are the purest out of all of mankind. Why? They can’t see or understand racial barriers... well, at least not until they grow up. In the beginning of the article, the author, Natasha Tarpley, vividly describes the times her imagination flowed freely whenever her mom did her hair. That all came to an abrupt stop as she started to grow older. As she grew, she was teased about her hair and felt too different. She wanted to fit in and change herself to hide her racial differences (the biggest one being her hair). To be honest, I’ve felt the same way. This article really called out to me because it set out to describe experiences that I have already lived. As an Asian girl, there were a lot of expectations and stereotypes that I was “supposed” to follow. One big one that I absolutely hated, was that Asians were supposed to have smooth hair. My hair is very frizzy and poofy, and I used to despise it. I wanted to hide it, because I felt that I was judged about it. This didn’t bother me when I was small, but as years passed by, a lot of people started to grow judgmental towards me(including myself). My era of self-consciousness eventually passed, but to this day, I still see things I want to hide when I look into the mirror. This story described a doppelgänger of my past. What made me choose this passage was because it seemed to reassure me that I wasn’t alone.
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'What To Do When A Loved One Is Severely Depressed' by Heather Murphy interested me the most because it provided us with ways that could help someone get out of depression. Over 50 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depression, because they might not get the help they need, or they don't know what to do. This article might help people throughout the world fight depression, or even help if a loved one has it.
Illinois Prohibits Guns on Campuses. Teachers Are Training to Use Them Anyway
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/us/guns-concealed-carry-illinois-teac...
“There’s a suspicious person on campus. Lock down, lock down,” abruptly blared out of the speakers as everyone fell silent, looking towards our stunned teacher. A moment later, our active shooter drill preparation kicked in as we huddled into the corner and the teacher locked the bulletproof door. I could sense my friend next to me, shivering uncontrollably, as she repeatedly whispered, “everything is going to be okay.”
That was back when I lived in New Jersey and luckily, this false alarm was my first and hopefully last experience associated with possible gun violence. As I read through this article on teachers in Illinois training with firearms, I couldn’t comprehend the reasoning behind arming educators to react to violence with violence; instead of coming up with solutions to prevent school shootings. Teachers training for a possible shootout is absolutely ludicrous and shows how warped the minds of gun advocates have become. Common sense would say that the more guns in an area, the higher the possibility a gun will be used. Even in the Parkland school shooting, the armed school resource officer did not engage the shooter and stayed outside the building. What makes people think that teachers will be able to safely confront an active shooter?
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'Is Acne Cool Now?: How celebrities and influencers are changing the stigma of having acne'
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
Acne throughout the ages has become a prominent and dreaded part of growing up, more so the trouble to hide it. The article “Is Acne Cool Now?”, resonated with me because I have invested ample amounts of my time and effort into covering up the bumps and discolorations in my skin that I am all too familiar with the daily struggle. I’ve been called vain for spending hours getting ready, taking tons of pictures until one is perfect, and refusing to leave the solitude of my house if my skin is acting up. Although I hear when my friends and family assure me I look fine, my mind refuses to truly listen to their words. While social media can be a platform where makeup tutorials and face-tuned skin can deepen the insecurities of young teens such as myself, it can also be a place where influencers lift up their followers with completely normal skin conditions and encourage them to accept their flaws. Seeing celebrities such as Lili Reinhart, Kendall Jenner, and SZA embracing their not-so-perfect skin yields a more confident and self-loving society where I won’t need to feel insecure about doing everyday things without caking my face first. This movement of straying from being "photoshop perfect" and striving to be content with yourself is one of the most healthy and impactful trends that I have experienced on social media.
"Thursday’s Summer Solstice and the Search for Life in the Galaxy"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/science/summer-solstice-2018-meaning-...
The article i found interesting this week was about the science behind Thursday's Summer Solstice, and the requirements for a planet to support life. I have always been interested in science and had always enjoyed reading anything about science. Astronomy is among my top three favorite topics in science. I enjoyed reading about Galileo's discoveries on how the planets revolve around the sun and not the earth. This article was on how the earth sits on a tilted axis, and this is the reason the solstices exist. The article also spoke of how the tilt also allows the planet to support life and explains all the sciences behind it. The tilt allows for water and seasons to exist on the planet, which are needed for life.
"‘It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug’: Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
Prom is a major event for a big number of high school students. Teens fuss over what to wear, how to ask their date out, what they would do post-prom and strive to plan the perfect night that they dream about. However, for LGBTQ+ students, it can be a tricky thing. Even if you want to take your same-sex date to prom, school rules can pose as a barrier or your peers can turn your prospective magical night into a dreadful one. Why should your sexual orientation or gender make your experience at prom any less magical that anyone else's? A "Gay and Straight Alliance Prom" allows LGBTQ+ kids to feel less self-conscious when they are dancing with their partners because they are surrounded by people who have experienced the same fears. In the future, I hope that it will be just prom and won't be labelled "A Gay and Straight Alliance Prom" to make it LGBTQ+-friendly.
The article that caught my eye was In Praise of a Wearing a Dress Again and Again. The “courage” actress Tiffany Haddish demonstrates to defy “regular” celebrity clothing norms in the public eye delivers an important message to society. As you may know in today’s society the clothes you wear impacts the way you are seen by others. As the article states you seem to be a “failure of being not rich enough or powerful enough” but this actress believed differently and therefore wore a beautiful white dress to four public influential events.
Any celebrity wearing clothes more than once can be seen not “rich enough” but the truth is celebrities are humans just like you and me with more influential power in the world. They are role models to society and impose social norms for the public and this is what essentially separates celebrities norm “regular people.” They are praised therefore the expectations for their fashion are more demanding. Tiffany is seen as a role model for being brave to defy what it is expected of her just because her spotlight in the media world. She states this “approximately $4,000 dress was the equivalent of “a down payment on a car, that’s a medical bill. So, even though everyone says I shouldn’t wear the dress in public again, I’m wearing it.” She also talks about how she appreciates the beauty and time put in the dress that it wouldn’t be fair to only wear it once just because everyone tells her to do so. Work it girl!
After looking through the various categories of the New York Times, the category that interested me the most is the section of science. I choose to read the article, “Sea Stars Started Dissolving. What helped some of them survive?” (June 18, 2018) This article brought my attention because of the love I have for animals, big and small.
The most interesting part of this article is the deadly disease that was spreading throughout the sea stars. This contagious disease starts to rot off parts of it and slowly dissolves the animal after a few days. As a result, the sea star wasting syndrome has reduced the population of Sea Stars by more than 80 percent. Scientists are trying to find cures to help save the population of sea stars.
The reason this article was so interesting to me is because of the huge effect it has on sea stars. After reading the title, I had so many questions. The fact that this syndrome has had such a large impact on the decrease of the population was astonishing. I find to be that articles about science tend to have my interest at heart. It raises awareness about different topics of the world and further expands your knowledge.
Along with this article there are many articles that fall into the science category. You can choose from a range of topics including, mammalian smelling systems to space rocks. The best thing about the New York Times is the wide range of topics and diverse articles. There is so much to learn from each category.
Is Acne Cool Now?https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
This week in the NY Times it explained that many people, mainly teens, should not be afraid to embrace their acne. Over a quarter of teens suffer from acne, but is considered socially unacceptable to show it, in fact, many people with acne are bullied and more than sixty percent develop depression. I think that this is interesting because in this day and age people are expected to live up to unreasonable beauty standards, both men and women alike. Only few actually do fit the mold that the media has set, but still people go to ridiculous measures to conform to these impossible standards. Most people experience the misery of acne, and the NY Times tells us that more teenagers have decided to go against the beauty standards and accept their acne. I think that this is interesting because when people embrace their flaws, others will follow their lead, and the world might become a more acceptable place.
"Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55"
I really liked this article because out of all the violent topics about wars across nations, this was about a woman who had a war inside of her. She was sad and everyone thought she was fine. Personally, I really like this article because I like all the products Kate Spade made. When I was younger my mom would go inside her store and purchase purses and I would get a keychain because why would a 7 year old need a purse. As I got older I got a wallet and it was one of my favorite things in the entire world because it wasn't super expensive, but it was very appealing to the public eye. I think her suicide taught a very big lesson, no matter how much money and power someone has, that doesn't always mean there happy and satisfied with their life. For me, this article made me check in on everyone around me just to make sure their okay and I'm sure if people could go back they would do the same with her.
"Trump Retreats on Separating Families, but Thousands May Remain Apart"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/trump-immigration-childre...
It is truly heart breaking to know that an attempt to living the "american dream", or finding what you think would bring a better future for your family, can cause such a dispute throughout America. Coming from an immigrant family, I believe that what is happening is disgraceful to our country, and sadly the fault is on President Trump. I really could not imagine being taken away from my parents, especially considering the age of most of those children and how all of them are being treated. I do not understand why they think that the solution to our problem is to separate thousands of innocent children from their families, as if they were at fault. Although, the most interesting part is that today President Trump signed an order that would stop families from being separated from each other, but just because of the pressure that was held upon him by everyone who thought the policy was wrong, including his wife and daughter. This article was the most interesting to me this week because many people do not know that everyone can make a contribution to fight for a cause they believe in. One of the main reasons why President Trump signed the order was because of the voices that spoke up to make this come to an end. Or at least for now, because those families are not reunited and we do not know if they will ever be.
"'Incredibles 2' Moviegoers Warned About Possible Seizures"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/movies/incredibles-2-seizures-epileps...
I opened this article because it made me extremely curious about seizures being a problem from the new movie, Incredibles 2. I did see this movie and I thought it was very good, but how can it cause seizures? The article stated that the movie contained a lot of flashing lights that caused seizures for people with epilepsy. Because of this problem that occurred, several movie theaters are putting up signs warning people about the possibility of having a seizure if you have epilepsy. I overall thought that this story was very interesting because I had never heard of this problem before.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/nyregion/100000005959180/deadly-shooting-i...
It is odd to me that people are going numb to the cries of their misfortunate fellows. They refuse to help those in danger and consciously ignore warnings about potential threats. Let’s take a look at the mass shooting in New Jersey in which 17 were injured while the suspect was killed. In fact, this incident was by no means unprecedented. Mass shootings have been sweeping the country recently. Nevertheless, something wasn’t right about the New Jersey shooting.
Usually, I would hear about these kinds of catastrophes through the media, along with people’s grief and remorse. Yet, such empathy disappeared in the recent shooting in NJ, as if no one was paying any attention to it. Perhaps, after so many shootings happening in America, people’s tears have dried out, leaving only indifference.
Before the shooting, New Jersey’s residents were warned by their mayor and the local police of the danger. It was later proved to be a worthless attempt since people were neglecting their own safety.
“We both were warned that someone had planned to come and do harm but took the risk anyway,” Becke Singleton said. “I’ve been going to Art All Night for years and it’s always been a safe place.”
And that statement from the interview published on NY times has spoken to us. Is this the future we truly want to live in? “Hey, my son has been shot, well that is normal here in NJ.” .
Review: “Watching the World Cup in a War Zone, Where Every Goal Matters”
The World Cup is an event that I enjoy watching with both my family and my friends. I have stayed out late more than once till well past midnight to catch the matches together with my friends. Before I read Jeré Longman’s “Watching the World Cup in a War Zone, Where Every Goal Matters”, I have never once considered how it would be like for soldiers in a war zone during this season.
Longman’s article provided me with an alternative perspective of the World Cup. To me, and I believe, to many others, it is a moment of celebration whenever a goal is scored especially when the play was good, regardless of whichever team scored. However, to Ukrainian soldiers who have fought against the Russians and had scars to prove such violence, there might be principles restricting them from catching the World Cup held in Russia this year. Despite so, there are many who are indeed thankful for the temporary peace as many will be watching the World Cup, especially when Russia was playing.
This article reminded me that there are multiple perspectives towards everything. Something one thoroughly enjoys might be something that reminds others of unhealed wounds. It is easy for me to forget the sufferings that others are going through around the world when our privileges are always handed to us on a silver platter. After reading Longman’s article, I hope that I will be more aware and appreciative of what I have.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/business/video-game-addiction.html?em...
As I write this, my younger brother plays video games on his tablet behind me; in a trance like state, determined to get to the next level, or defeat the next boss. Taken out of the context of video games, overcoming obstacles and persevering through challenges sounds like a great thing, however now after reading this article, it has opened my eyes to the dangers of just how addicting these games can be. Since 7:00 this morning, straight from his bed, he launched into gaming on the computer, only for that to be pushed aside by his tablet, held about two inches away from his face. I’ve read about the dangers of blue light on sleep cycles, and how screen time can lead to mental health problems, but I hadn’t yet put two and two together; that the victim of the video game industry’s scheme of “can’t put it down” was my own brother! By reading the victims’ stories in the article I realized that video game addiction isn’t just older men in their basements, it’s kids, and teens, young adults in college, or adults with jobs, and each case adds to the long list of people who can now receive medical treatment. I hope to paraphrase this article for my brother so that maybe next time I ask him if he’d like to go for a bike ride or play Frisbee, he’ll think twice before replying, “Wait, one more level.”
"Immigration Myths and Global Realities"
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/20/business/economy/immigrat...
As I read Eduardo Porter and Karl Russell’s report, “Immigration Myths and Global Realities,” I was struck with the source of the hatred embedded in American society: fear. Fear is the overwhelming emotion consuming thousands around the world, often founded in inaccurate assumptions. Irrational fear of immigrants is the cause of the present human rights crisis at the U.S-Mexico border, where thousands of children have been forcibly separated from their families.
The discrepancy between how many view the amount of immigrants and their employment and benefits compared to the reality of American communities exposed in the study featured shocked me.
The fear of being overwhelmed by “aliens” contradicts the founding ideals of democratic societies like the U.S. once known as melting pots of culture. Although discrimination always existed, now fear predominates what it means to be American.
What’s more upsetting is, even though the U.S. refuses to accept immigrants, we do nothing to alleviate the stimuli that force many to flee their native countries and seek asylum. Porter and Russell explain how economic instability and climate change only increase immigration; yet the U.S. backed out of the Paris Accords and threatened to withdraw from NAFTA. The U.S. is tumbling down the moral ladder as it disregards its ideals and grows increasingly divided.
“Colleges Grapple With Where or Whether to Draw the Line on Free Speech”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/education/learning/colleges-free-spee...
The first Ammendment is where the United States holds it’s morals, and this includes the freedom of speech. We are the home of possibility and the land of freedom. Yet, colleges have been found struggling with whether freedom of speech on campus is a threat to student safety and inclusion.
My family is genuinely open to the discussion of our own views. Rarely agreeing, I have learned to listen to what others have to say with an open mind. Whereas at school I often find my peers arguing over political viewpoints. These conflicts seemingly make limited progress due to the participants being closed minded. They hear each other but they do not listen. Reading this article showed me that many young adults have similar habits and carry them through college. It is the corruption of our youth; we are incapable of responding to conflictions without violence. I never used to understood why my mother was such an advicate towards listening to others opinions, even when their opinions appeared wrong to me. But after reading this article I now realize that my mother was only teaching me to be open to interpretation and to generate my own opinions.
I found the compelling words of Van Jones, which ended the article, astoundingly blunt, however they left me with a feeling of confidence and reassurance in our generations potential.
'It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug': Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
An article that I read this week that I found really interesting was "'It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug': Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom". Recently, in Chicago, a special gay and straight alliance prom was held. Over 100 students attended this special prom. At most high school proms, a girl is crowned prom queen and a boy is given the title of prom king. That wasn't the case at this special prom, though. At this prom, Carlos was named prom queen and Jovanny was named prom king. At this prom, students could choose which category they wanted to enter.
I think that having this special gay and straight alliance prom is a great way for LGBT+ students to not only know that they have a community of people just like them but to also tell LGBT+ students that there are people who will support them, no matter how they identify. As a LGBT+ student, I think an LGBT+ prom is a great idea and I would love to see a prom like this at my school. Slowly but surely, the LGBT community is becoming more accepted around the world. I think gay and straight alliance proms are a great way to help gain support for the LGBT community.
"Immigrant Children Cry Out in Audio Recorded at Detention Center"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/us/immigrant-children-detention-cente...
This isn't a left or right issue, this is simply a human right's issue. Cries from children after being torn from their parents sounds awfully familiar. It's terrible, horrendous, and no one should ever have to experience any of that. It's quite ironic that history is able to repeat itself, especially inside of America. The same America where we stood up to injustice and for human rights, yet we don't always follow through when it concerns our country.
Imagine being the age of 4, being unaware of the circumstances surrounding you, and having someone rip you out of your parent's arms. You're completely stripped of your identity and not even seen as a human being. You're thrown into a facility with other children that are equally as confused and afraid. You just don't understand why you were separated from your parents, while the government sees your parents as a threat.
These families that take a chance at crossing the border are escaping terrible circumstances in their homes. They cross the border to seek any opportunity for a better life and separating children from their parents is completely inhumane. Change needs to happen and it needs to happen right now.
Is Acne Cool Now?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
Wow! I could really relate to this article. What interested me the most is that acne can cause you stress or depression. Your appearance can define who you are. Hailey Wait, an 18- year-old student and influencer endured lots of shame for her acne. She mentioned that she was hiding her face but seven months later she posted her face on Instagram to 15,000 followers. Later she realized her account is now at 151,000 followers.
I learned that beauty comes from within and that it is what is on the inside that matters most. I suffer from acne and I will no longer feel embarrassed about it.
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“‘ I can’t go without my son’ a Mother Pleaded as She Was Deported to Guatemala”
Today is June 17, Father’s Day. On this special day, I came to a realization how important a parent’s love and guidance is. They have raised me with important values and given me my true identity. The government’s intentions, to increase the amount of jobs, are valid. However, their way of addressing the problem is inhumane and pure cruelty. Families are torn apart and children are stuffed into shelters traumatized. The government has no legitimate plan for the children. In several cases, families had no goodbye. The government has even lost track of some families after separation. Illegal immigrant rates could have been decreased in different ways. Stricter boundaries are necessary, but separating families is absurd. Families should stay families no matter what the government decides to do. There is no benefit in separating a family. Love is what unites the world. I am grateful to live in a privileged community with immigrant parents, who worked hard and legally got to the US for my family to have a better future. Yes, illegal immigrants should not be allowed in the US, but we would let them be a family if we are true humans. The government has the power and will to rip a child out of a mother’s arms. It shows what this world has come to. A world with no love, just pure selfish acts of cruelty. Moral values should have more importance over political concerns in any circumstance.
"Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
The article that interested me the most this week, was the article written by Peter Baker and Choe Sang-Hun, about the meeting between North Korea and the United States. I was mainly interested in this article because I find this peace summit, to be incredibly similar to the historic visit of former President of The United States, Richard Nixon to the Communist country of China.
While President Nixon and his cabinet members, may have exaggerated the positive effects of the visit, it laid the foundations for future negotiations between the Chinese and U.S. governments. These negations eventually leading to the interdependent economic relationship shared by the two countries today.
I'm enjoy History, and find US History to be an enthralling edition to any source of news media, such as the New York Times. Right now I see this meeting between two world leaders as not just a peace visit, but as an example of successful diplomacy, preventing a negative chapter in US History. Until concrete evidence is presented, stating that the North Korean regime is no longer a threat to Democratic values, President Trump will be incorrect in his statements, of North Korea no longer being any threat. But with this first meeting there may be more to come, possibly leading to a trade relationship between North Korea, and Western nations.
Did Mexico's Revelry in World Cup Win Over Germany Cause an Earthquake?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/world/americas/mexico-soccer-world-cu...
On late Sunday morning, people all over Mexico City were tuned into the Mexico vs. Germany soccer game. Many didn't think Mexico was going to win, but a lot still had hope. In the first half of the game Mexico scored and everyone went crazy. That was just part of the celebration that day. When the game ended people all over Mexico City were beyond happy. They all hugged and celebrated together that it even made a small unusual earthquake. Many say that the win brought them all together again. Since its been all crazy with elections and everything else going on. Its funny how a soccer game can bring people together and make them forget about all the other things going on around them.
I liked this article the most because it shows that anything can bring people together as long as its done as a whole. People in restaurants, bars, and anywhere else were filled with people chanting "MEXICO! MEXICO!" Authorities even had to shut down many streets, because of crowds of people celebrating. Even the Mexican president tweeted about it. It was a memorable moment for everyone there. Many people now are feeling like anything is possible, and that amazes me. Mexico's win had a huge impact in people that no one thought would happen. Ever since then, i am now wondering what else could be possible, and bring people together.
"Anthony Bourdain, Renegade Chef Who Reported From the World's Tables, Is Dead at 61"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/business/media/anthony-bourdain-dead....
The article that I found that interested me most was " Anthony Bourdain,Renegade Chef Who Reported From the World's Tables, is Dead at 61." In this article it shows us the life that Anthony Bourdain lived. Anthony Bourdain traveled the world and taught us to come together as one and not to fight. He wrote two novels and one of his novels lifted him up into a TV star. His show was based on going around the world and eating their foods but not only that, he also discussed the politics that went on in those areas. His mother said that she thought and expected him to be the last person to committ suicide. His girlfriend said that once she found out the news she was very devasted. He has a daughter that is the age of 11. Anthony was open about his addictions in the past with drugs as he wrote in his novel. He became interested in food when he was a teen. Anthony Bourdain was part of a movement which was called the #MeToo movement. This movement was about the abuse of women. His girlfriend was abused and he said that being a part of this movement shaped his perspective on the abuse of women. His lasting work was with President Obama in Hanoi where they ate noodles. Anthony Bourdain proved that you could go anywhere and say anything on camera.
"The World Cup Isn't About Football. It's About Everything"
By Musa Okwonga
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/opinion/world-cup-2018-offsides.html
The 2018 World Cup in Russia has finally begun. The article "The World Cup Isn't About Football. It's About Everything," really interested me because of the fact that I never thought of the World Cup in an economic, political, or social aspect. The World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events around the world. This event connects all different countries together through a common love for a simple game, fútbol, or as Americans call it, soccer. Countries want the honor to host this tournament. Countries host in order to boast, and make a statement about its place in the world. Countries see the political gain of hosting one of the most watched event. They want to be able to show the world the strength of the home country. Not to mention the economics of hosting the games come at a great cost. Countries spends millions to put a bid package together for the FIFA World Cup, but it ultimately costs over one billion to develop the infrastructure for items that will only be used for a short time during this event. The country wants to be able to prove their power and strength during these games. The FIFA World Cup is an amazing experience for the world to watch and connect with one another every four years, but the economic aspects outweigh the political gain for the country hosting.
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52 Places to Go in 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/travel/places-to-visit.html
This article interested me most this week because I love learning about different vacation spots. One of the things I enjoy doing most during my spare time is researching different cities all over the world and learning about their culture and traditions. Whenever I travel, I’m particularly interested in the various foods they have to offer, the history behind each city, and the architecture. I have a never-ending list of places I want to visit at some point in my life, and this article is contributing to that.
A few places mentioned in this article really stood out to me. For example, Baltimore, Maryland is a place I never knew I would add to my list, being that it is fairly close to where I live. I was intrigued by learning about the Light City festival that takes place in April. I’m easily fascinated by colorful lights and can watch a light show for hours. This festival reminds me of the World of Color show in Disney California Adventure Park. It was one of the most spectacular experiences in my life. I will never forget all the fantastic colors and the emotions I felt when watching it. Another location I was surprised to learn about is Gansu, China. Although my family is from China and I study the Chinese language at school, I’ve never heard of such a place with rainbow striped mountains. I definitely need to visit these places.
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
In the past 6 months of 2018, great strides have been taken in the advancement and in increasing the awareness of the patriarchal patterns present in our society, in addition to attempting to correct those patterns. There are so many ideas and notions that are instilled in society today that have patriarchal roots, in both the minds of men and women, that we don’t even recognize and tend to just accept them sometimes. However, especially in the past year, there sort of has been a cultural revolution in the making to reshape the way that society things. The thing that interested me the most about this article is that we learn about past cultural revolutions all of the time, but it’s such a different feeling when you realize that you are living through one that will be talked about in future history classes. Just the title of this article evoked a lot of different thoughts, but throughout the article, it is fascinating to learn that the majority of the board of Miss America is made up of females and the push from former contestants is what allotted for this change in the competition.
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
For years, the Miss America pageant has attempted to market itself as an empowering experience for women, highlighting the competitor's intelligence and talents, and providing thousands of dollars worth of scholarships annually. However, it is hard to see all of the good that this beauty pageant can achieve when its primary focus is just that- beauty. Recently, the organization has taken a significant step away from their centralized focus on beauty by abolishing the swimsuit portion of the competition first at the Miss America national competition, and later across the state and local competitions associated with their name.
The swimsuit competition has been controversial since its instatement in the 1920s, however in today's #MeToo era, I believe that this gesture was more necessary than ever. We must raise the next generation of girls to stand up for themselves, their bodies, and their worth beyond how good or bad society tells them they look in a bikini. And young boys must also learn to respect all aspects of a woman, not just the parts that they find physically appealing. Becuase of this, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that The Miss America competition has abolished this outdated and objectifying practice, and I hope that other pageants with soon follow suit.
I decided to read the article "XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20." This article interested me because of the responses to his death that I've seen. Though some people are glad and say he deserved it, a lot of people are heart broken. He wrote meaningful music that touched on hard subjects like depression and suicide. I personally didn't listen to all of his music, but I can say that I've heard a fair amount, and really enjoyed it. Nowadays most artists rap about sex money and drugs, but he wasn't like the rest. I think it is a tragedy that his life ended this way right when he was starting to try to fix his wrongdoings. I feel that no one should be killed for what they've done, especially in such an immoral way.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
The article that interested me the most this week was "Miss America Ends Swimsuit competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’". The competition has decided to remove the swimsuit section. This article caught my interest because this is yet another step in ending the idea that women
exist in this world solely to cook, clean, mother children and look amazing while doing it. Just the other day a boy in my gym class flat out told me, along with his male friends, that women are only good at providing for men. As a female I was obviously frustrated with his words and I’m still shocked by how comfortable he felt saying that to my face. I can’t help but wonder whether or not his views on a woman's purpose stem from his family and their opinions, or if he came to this conclusion himself. How is it logical that a women with the ideal ‘perfect’ body, in the voters opinion, can be the face of a country full of women with a variety of body types. Looking at the list of winners of this competition is there really a variety of body types? Even girls who DO have the ideal body could experience apprehension about strutting across that stage with their body for show. We should raise our children with confidence in their skin and we should raise our children to not diminish that confidence. I think the decision this article spoke about was necessary in the movement towards gender equality.
‘Incredibles 2’ Moviegoers Warned About Possible Seizures:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/movies/incredibles-2-seizures-epileps...
The article that interested me the most this week was an article on the new Incredibles 2 movie. A young 27-year old male named, Marcos Gardiana, and his girlfriend were very excited to see the movie. Several years ago, a car accident caused Gardiana to develop epilepsy. Gardiana was expecting to go to the movie and enjoy himself but instead ended up having a seizure. The many flashing lights in the movie triggered his photosensitive epilepsy by causing the brain to become too excited and set off the seizures. "It was unclear whether the Walt Disney Company, which did not respond to requests for comment on Monday, had warned theaters about the danger". The Walt Disney Company didn't even bother to comment on what happened to Gardiana but, there were supposed to be signs to warn viewers about the flashing lights in the movie. Gardiana replied that there was no sign to warn him.
The Epilepsy Foundation heard about the situation and decided to get involved. They posted that Disney should post warnings on their main page about the movie but Disney hasn't since. I believe that Disney should put out warnings for the movie so that no one else has to end up in the hospital.
Hurricanes Are Lingering Longer. That Makes Them More Dangerous. https://is.gd/2YMBL8
Apparently, hurricanes are moving noticeably slower in the 20th century than in the 18th and 19th centuries. The temperature difference between the tropics and poles are the main source of power that moves the hurricane along its path. This creates wind called "steering winds". The bigger the difference in temperature, the stronger the steering winds. Our unending use of unnatural resources lowered the temperature difference between the tropics and poles, which weakens the steering winds, which causes hurricanes to slow down critically. Slow hurricanes might sound less of a threat, but it can actually make them more dangerous. Slower hurricanes means that they stay in one place for a longer time, which can lead to larger amounts of flooding and devastating damage. You can look at the studies on Hurricane Harvey for an example. Even if the increase of flooding and damage sounds bad, I think that there are a few pros in it as well. If slower hurricanes actually stay in one place longer, than that means that it won't effect the surrounding cities as much. I also think that there is a chance that a slower hurricane can give people more time to pack and evacuate. Slower hurricanes have an increased damage rate, but it has a smaller area of destruction. I think that slower hurricanes are bad news that can be good.
"Trump Retreats on Seperating Families, Signing Order Them Together"
As it is heard and seen all over the news for many years, illegal immigration has been a major problem in the United States. Most of us have been raised by our parents and have a bond that is truly unbreakable. It is unbelieve and completely unthinkable to what extents we would go for them, these people are no different. They came to America with good intentions for their children and to give a life that is well deserved, but they did not do it in a way that is legally or morally right. In this article writeen by Maggie H. and Michael S. it discuesses more about the "zero tolerance solution" that Trump thought would be effective. How inhumane and arrogant could you be, to put children in that situation? In this case, it is not only the adults being affected, but innocent children, to be specific around 2,300 children. Imagine the trauma these young children had to go through, being taken away from the only thing that they did have and the only thing that truly matters, their parents. I do agree and support that our borders should be monitored and strengthened, but it is not necessary to torture those in the process. However, please take a minute and ask yourself, when the children were taken away from families and mentally traumatized, did that action change anything at all? Did that action truly stop what needed to stop or did it just create yet another social problem?
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What I found very interesting this week was the topic about the raccoon that managed his way to the 23rd floor building in Minnesota. Just to think when reading it my first reaction was, how? It's crazy that he was able to manage his was to the top of the building with out falling off. But I'm still curious on how and why he would make his way up there in the first place, like what would intrigued him to want to go to the top a ginormous building in anyways. Any who that is why I thought the topic about the raccoon was so interesting.
Trump-Kim meeting https://is.gd/WW8cnT
It's a good thing that both sides (U.S and North Korea) are willing to negotiate after many years of doing nothing except threatening each other. It really surprised me that Trump and Kim actually negotiated with each other without bombing each other. I think that it's very meaningful and important that they finally decided that enough was enough and actually met each other to compromise and to bring the two nations closer. As a Korean that is currently living in the U.S, I feel more at ease and much more comfortable, knowing that the two nations are trying to resolve all these issues. It makes me feel very happy to know that they are both trying their best to forget the past and to help each other. However when I reached the section, where "freeze for freeze" was taking place, I started to feel a little wary. When I read the word “freeze” I immediately thought of ice, and if you leave ice out, it melts. In the same way the “freeze for freeze” sounds like a temporary support, to prevent this nuclear war. However ice can be used in different ways, and hopefully our nations, that previously clashed, can use the ice abundantly. I feel that when trump and Kim met, it left a positive outlook, but it came with hidden side effects.
Article: Google will not renew pentagon contract that upset employees:
In the Terminator movies, the US military develops an AI called Skynet that goes rogue and causes the nuclear apocalypse. This scenario sounds fictional but how close is it to reality? The times recounts Google refusing to renew a Maven contract from the pentagon to improve drone strike accuracy. This article to me is incredibly important because it is another case of preventing progress with AI.
Google is hurting more lives by not continuing with the program because with AI less troops would be required leading to fewer casualties. Our enemies would surrender faster leading to shorter wars and fewer casualties. Further the technology used for the strikes is the same used in Google images so you can look up cute pictures of cats. So the tech is out there, and other companies are more than willing to develop the tech. Science and by extent technology is inherently amoral. When nuclear technology was developed it created both the atom bomb and nuclear energy, a good and a bad. AI is no different, and the amount of benefits developing AI would bring are innumerable like self-driving cars, better medical care, and a more efficient economy. If America chooses to hamper technological progress, than other countries like China are more than willing to lead and reap the benefits of the AI economic revolution. Therefore Google should not be so quick to refuse the deal, and instead should embrace AI.
‘It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug’: Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
The article I found that interested me most was “‘It felt like I was wrapped in One Big Hug’: Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom.” At a recent prom in Chicago, a gay and straight alliance prom was held. At most proms, it is normal for a boy to be crowned prom queen, and a girl to be crowned prom queen. Things went down differently at this prom. Jovanny was crowned as prom king. As for prom queen, Carlos was elected. To qualify for queen or king at this school, you had to write your name on a slip of paper and put it in one of two bowls, king or queen. At this prom, you were allowed to put your slip in whichever bowl you felt you associated with.
I think this act shows a leap in human and gay rights. Rather than having to identify and be crowned as the sex you were assigned at birth, you have a choice. I think more schools should take inspiration from this act. We’re slowly getting better at introducing and respecting gay rights, and acts like this help.
"Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/us/family-separation-migrant-children...
Central American families suffer the political stress of the countries that trigger the mass immigration of families to the United States. One of the biggest issues is the separation of families that is being suported by President Trump, thousands of teens and children are kept away from their families as if they were delinquents. Furthermore, the shelters that are providing help are ironically making their situations worst. There has been a myriad of reports accusing the shelters' staff of prevailing the children from their medecines, using verbal and physical violence, and even the lack of supervison. However, some reporters that were granted access to the shelters described these as a place where children could go to classrooms for six hours a day, and that the food is not bad. This article interested me the most this week because I feel that America is simply not at its best, and in my opinion, it is because of the president. Thousands of families are being separated, I cannot imagine being taken away from my mom at such a young age. Most of the children in the shelters are between 10 to 17 years of age. I think that it is really important for people to read this article because of how it describes the situation that thousands of people are living, and in some way, we can help them by being informed.
"North Korea Blew Up Its Nuclear Test Site. Here’s What the Videos Show."
After hearing and witnessing so much controversy about the USA North Korea summit, I was interested in seeing what results it would bring to the world. This article seems to be be an immediate response from North Korea to what happened from the agreement at the summit. North Korea destroying it's only nuclear test site certainly seems to indicate that the summit did indeed end with a positive outcome. This article also caught my attention because my mom was born in South Korea, so it is good to see that my relatives living there are seeing some good done to there neighboring side.
On June 13th 2018, President Trump declared that North Korea would not be a nuclear threat to the Unitd States any longer after a brief meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore. However, I personally feel no safer after reading this article than before I did, when I did not know about President Trump and Mr. Kim Jong-un's meeting. The two political powerhouses both have not given straightforward and correlating responses to their agreements, if there were any concrete agreements made at all. The United States will not truley be safe from nuclear threat until both of those leaders reach an arrangment that gets rid of the nuclear weapons in North Korea for good, and also removes the trade tariffs on aluminum and steel that the US currently has inplace as economic weapons.
“Immigrant Children Cry Out in Audio Recorded at Detentions Center”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/us/immigrant-children-detention-cente...
Families who want nothing more than a better future are willing to take the dangerous journey across the border to provide for their children despite the enormous risks. The biggest threat however is the United States Border Control, where if caught, families would be split up. Parents get sent off to prisons and put on trial. And for the kids? They’re thrown into cramped cages where they are expected to face the terrible conditions of a detention center organized by Trump administrations, and according to the article, there are “unmistakable sounds of frightened children”(Fernandez). Interestingly enough, this article also reveals a much more important question. Why does one man get to decide who lives a better life? In attempt to improve their quality of life, relationships are being torn apart. It is shocking that this “process” has been passed through so many people, and no one in our government fails to see its flaws. Maybe if they stop labelling every person who crosses the border into the U.S as a criminal, they will see that our system is the problem, not the families who are looking for a better life.
Families who want nothing more than a better future are willing to take the dangerous journey across the border to provide for their children despite the enormous risks. The biggest threat however is the United States Border Control, where if caught, families would be split up. Parents get sent off to prisons and put on trial. And for the kids? They’re thrown into cramped cages where they are expected to face the terrible conditions of a detention center organized by Trump administrations, where according to the article, there are “unmistakable sounds of frightened children”(Fernandez). Interestingly enough, this article also reveals a much more important question. Why does one man get to decide who lives a better life? Only trying to improve their quality of life, relationships are being torn apart. It is shocking that this “process” has been passed through so many people, and no one in our government fails to see its flaws. Maybe if they stop labeling every person who crosses the border into the U.S as a criminal, they will see that our system is the problem, not the families who are looking for a better life.
“Reaching Out to Younger Hearts and Minds About L.G.B.T.Q. People” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/arts/lgbtq-literature-teens-and-young...
I find it very important to spread the message about the LGBTQ community. Many people are still closed off to the idea that love knows no boundaries. Most people weren’t raised in a society where sexual orientation and gender identity were openly discussed. As this article states, it is important to educate young children about gender and sexual minorities the same way heterosexuality has always been pushed on kids. Most adults and teens now grew up with an education system where they were told you have to love a certain gender or you’re not normal. But, pushing the idea of LGBTQ into mainstream media like on TV shows and movies or in children’s books lets people know their feelings are completely valid. Though in today’s society the last thing we need is another dividing factor, many people are against this idea spreading through the media. This article sparked my interest because this is something that affects many people around me, especially in my school community. The implementation of new sexual education curriculum is a very important and revolutionary idea, and it shocks me that it was rejected by schools. I think spreading the message to the youth, though it won’t make an immediate impact, will lead to a much more educated and accepting America.
"What to Do When a Loved One is Severely Depressed"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/health/depression-suicide-helping.html
After witnessing so many of my close friends experience mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, self harm, and suicidal thoughts, these topics had become extremely important to me. From experience, I understand how difficult it can be to stand by a loved one’s side and continually support them in hopes of their recovery, therefore, the article, “What to Do When a Loved One is Severely Depressed,” by Heather Murphy had specifically caught my interest. Although we may not think much of it, simply by showing up to be of assistance at our loved one’s side can help to make a tremendous difference in his or her life. We must remember, however, that while we are at his or her side, it is not always the best decision to try and give them personal advice. Instead, we must acknowledge that the other is experiencing pain in order to assure them that their cry for help is being heard. We must learn that it is okay to ask what the other is feeling, even if that entails the question, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” In the end, the most important idea to remember is that individuals are fully capable of recovering from mental illnesses, such as depression. All it takes is some time and support from loved ones in order to make the journey to recovery slightly easier.
[email protected]
“Parenting the Fortnite Addict”
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/family/parenting-the-fortnite...
Fortnite is said to be a very addictive game in which some of my freinds play for up to 4 hours a day and even more. I think Fortnite is a good game to connect with your freinds and play together. However, though it is a very fun, addictive, and exciting game it is easy for teens and even adults to play and excessive amount of this game. Often times I will reach out to my freinds and ask if they would like to FaceTime. But they usually tell me “I can’t talk right now I’m playing fortnite”. And this Leeds to them playing many more rounds of the game. I think fortnite is a fun game, but, I also think parents should limit there kids playing time if they notice it is excessive
“Parenting the Fortnite Addict”
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/family/parenting-the-fortnite...
Fortnite is said to be a very addictive game in which some of my freinds play for up to 4 hours a day and even more. I think Fortnite is a good game to connect with your freinds and play together. However, though it is a very fun, addictive, and exciting game it is easy for teens and even adults to play and excessive amount of this game. Often times I will reach out to my freinds and ask if they would like to FaceTime. But they usually tell me “I can’t talk right now I’m playing fortnite”. And this Leeds to them playing many more rounds of the game. I think fortnite is a fun game, but, I also think parents should limit there kids playing time if they notice it is excessive.
"How Tech Companies Conquered America's Cities"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/technology/tech-companies-conquered-c...
Technology is booming, but so is the political power of major tech companies. Farhad Manjoo's article blames social media has caused abandonment of local political issues, as a shift in the public view brings concerns over national issues to the forefront. Furthermore, Manjoo suggests that governments are being controlled and manipulated by 'evil' tech companies. He cites the campaign of Domino's Pizza to fix American roads as an example of tech companies overstepping their boundaries, in order to possess undue political power.
The perspective presented by Manjoo is eyeopening, as he explores the unexpected consequences of technological advancements. However, I disagree with his assertions that tech companies are manipulative, but rather I believe that they are working for the greater benefit of the general public. Technology enables the common citizen to have a voice and express concern for national issues, which echoes the foundational values of the United States. Furthermore, if governments are not able to carry out their explicit duties, like road maintenance, they have failed their people. Therefore, the United States should be applauding tech companies for their quick action in picking up the slack of failed government systems in order to benefit the common people.
[email protected]
"A Volcano Turns a Town Into a Cemetery"
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/19/world/americas/guatemala-......
As the world is engulfed in many issues, ranging from political corruption to the wars raging in foreign lands and even such natural disasters as a volcanic eruption, one must always appreciate the beauty of life, no matter how hard it may be. At this time, there are those that now lie under feet of ash and debris, encased in a cold tomb of rock, and they now do not possess this simple joy of living.
We as human beings are blind in a sense, for indeed, while we say that we can extend empathy, one can hardly do so towards something that is not in front of their face and in their lives personally. This is the same case with this volcanic eruption, for while the authorities of Guatemala now dig vigorously into the ground looking for survivors, we here in America stand by, doing nothing to help these people when they need us most. This news is possibly more grand than a more simple matter like that of the world cup in which takes up much of our attention, yet is crammed into one small article, surrounded by other stories begging for our attention and filling the week's conversations rather than this event. Going back to a point I previously made, we need to appreciate more so what we have and live our lives rather than ponder over small problems, for one never knows when that volcano, that gunshot, that knock of Death will be on our own doors.
“An Underwater Photographer Documents a Meditative World”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/lens/an-underwater-photographer-docum...
I have grown up being able to travel the world, and out of everything, the ocean is what draws my attention. I have always dreamed of being a marine biologist, and have wanted to study the fantastic creatures that call the sea its home. However, the photography from Ms. Skovranova caught my eye because it is different from other underwater photography. I love the vibrancy of the ocean, but truthfully that is not all there is because we have only explored 5 percent of the ocean! Ms. Skovranova’s art captures the vastness of the sea and gets me thinking about the unknown, but also the discoveries that are capable of being made beneath the surface. In addition to all of that; the photography is impeccable. The photographs presented are incredible because even though an algae bloom ruined her plans, she made art out of the vast ocean. Her photography depicts the tranquility of the ocean, and this unique style caught my eye as well as many other, I’m sure. I hope that more photographists can find inspiration from Ms. Skovranova’s art because looking at nature and being able to find serenity in it is awe-inspiring.
I have always had a love for the ocean, but this article provided a whole new perspective on the sea, as I can now view it as a meditative world.
"XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
As almost everyone on social media knows, 20 year old XXXTentacion was found shot and killed in his car on June 18th. XXXTentacion or "X" was a controversial rapper whose songs talked about very dark and depressing things. Teens connected with his music because they thought what he said expressed exactly how they were feeling. Unlike all of the "RIP X" Instagram posts, this article shed light on what people have chosen to forget about X. Although he has attempted to reform it, X has a horrible past. He was arrested for charges including "aggravated battery of a pregnant victim and false imprisonment" (Caramanica). It's crazy how many people have posted something about X's influential life on their social media and have completely forgotten his past. According to the article, his girlfriend claimed that while she was pregnant, she was, “punched, strangled, kicked and head-butted” (Caramanica). Sounds awful. Yet surprisingly, even some young famous girls have posted about the good he has done for them, such as Skai Jackson (only 16) aka the girl from "Jessie," which is a Disney Channel show! Bandwagoners who have never listened to X's songs have also chosen to join in on praising the life he had. X didn't deserve to die, but his life definitely doesn't deserve to be idolized.
“Do You Like Your Name?“
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name...
A person's name describes who they are or sometimes where they came from. Reading this article caught my eyes because, me personally I love my name it might be a very common name, but I don’t think I would change it. I can also tell why many don’t like their names, it could be because it’s too feminine or too masculine. It might even make them look older. A name could mean everything to someone in today’s world. Having a common or unique name describe how a person really is if you think about it. One onomastic ( are people who study the history and origin of a proper names) came from the economist David Figlio, found that most boys that have a feminine-sounding name “.. tend to misbehave disproportionately upon entry to middle school compared with boys with more traditionally masculine names.” Many of course do change their name to something they wish they would of been called in the beginning. Even if you don’t like your name or if it doesn’t suit you, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Like everything in life it could of been much worse.
"Mammals Go Nocturnal in Bid to Avoid Humans." https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/science/animals-human-nocturnal-study...
Recently, studies that have been performed prove that many animals are changing their natural and instinctive behaviors in order to abstain from human contact. Some of the many species that are currently evolving in this manner of human separation include coyotes, elephants, and tigers. In California, coyotes are beginning to sleep during daytime hours and roam the streets at night. Also, on the other side of the world, the same effect is impacting the African elephants and tigers. The article presented helped me to understand that the negative human interferences species are undergoing are forcing them to change their lifestyle in such dramatic measures that lives should never have to be adjusted to. As a human population, we can decrease our hostility towards animals and stop them from changing their lives forever.
(English teacher @[email protected])
Mammals Go Nocturnal in Bid to Avoid Humans
Humanity's negative impact on animals and the natural world, through deforestation and other exploits of natural resources that we have no absolute custody over, is a important topic in our changing world. We live in an era where global warming and the depletion of the earth's raw materials is sure to shape our future as a species. With this problem of our currently weakening earth, we face a moral dilemma; we share this earth with others.
The issue here is that mammals are configuring their sleeping/hunting cycles to mitigate the possible encounters they might have with humans. This could be for a multitude of reasons including fear or disruption of prey. In the article, as stated by an ecologist who led a study on this topic, we are still figuring out the effects of disrupting an entire ecosystems circadian cycle. One can only assume that the effect is unsatisfactory just through pure logic.
Having a close family member as an environmental lawyer I hear all about native species and ecosystems in ruin through human neglect or influence. It's hard to find the right answer here because both humans and animals should be able to share nature. Unfortunately you cannot observe something without impacting it in any way. I think we would all love a world where humans and the still natural world co-exist in harmony.
"IBM Unveils System That ‘Debates’ With Humans"
For many years, I have read a variety fictional books and watched many movies about robots and how they will someday be thinking for their own. I can't even believe after all these years of fantasizing, that now it has become a reality. I look at the most recent tech articles in the NYT, and I read "IBM Unveils System That "Debates" With Humans." I found this interesting because I was unaware that our technology was advanced enough to have such intellectual conversations with humans.
Metz and Lohr stated "At an IBM office in downtown San Francisco, Noa Ovadia, a college senior who won an Israeli championship in 2016, squared off with IBM’s program, called the IBM Debater" and this took me by surprise. I was aware that we have been using devices such as Apple's AI, Siri, and Amazon's AI, Alexa, which carry out simple requests, but a system that debates with humans; now that's on a different level. I knew that AIs would one day be at this level but never expected it to be this fast. IBM's Debater proves that over the years all humans have made huge improvements in the world and will continue with future generations.
The article that caught my attention the most was "Sex and Drugs Decline Among Teens, But Depression and Suicidal thoughts Grow" By Jann Hoffman. This article was interesting because teens who suffer from depression are more common than teens who suffer from drug use/addiction. Depression and suicidal thoughts are so normalized that it is almost weird for someone to not feel this way. Teenagers put their physical and mental health at risk in an attempt to fit in with this "social norm". It can be hard to fit in at a high school but it is even harder to be yourself. In a world that encourages kids to be creative and independent then feeling by your peers can have a huge impact on his or her life.
One of the main leading causes of this is the amount of pressure that schools put on their students this day in age. Schools have raised their standards to such an extreme that makes it practically unattainable for teens to live a happy life in and outside of school. Their increased levels of anxiety make it harder for them to perform adequately. Not only does the school work put ridiculous amounts of stress on the student's livelihood, but so does the participation in other activities, fitting in with a community and making friends. Teens avoid coming to school because they are afraid of being bullied and harassed by other classmates. The fact that students feel targetted or threatened in a learning environment proves that there needs to be drastic changes in our society.
"5 Cheap(ish) Things for Bike Commuting Bliss"
I like this article not for its lovely recommendations for bikers since I’m not one of them, but because it reminds me of my life back in China. There is a big difference between where I live now and my city in China. One distinction is that no one seems to ride a bike around my area, and I figure the reason is that bikes can’t get you anywhere in a huge suburban area, especially when there are few bicycle lanes. But in the place where I live in China, you can see bicycles frequently showing up on the streets. When the rest of world is suffering from the rush hour, being stuck on the crowded roads, bikers have a more convenient and flexible way of commuting, one that will not bring worries about where to park, and even more to its benefits, it is eco-friendly. A new notion has been popular prevails in China— shared bicycles, which is similar to city bikes in New York, but it’s easier to get access to. You only need to scan the QR code on the bike with WeChat, an extremely popular chatting app, and there you go, you would be able to use the bike. This article brings back some interesting memories of my home and that’s why I like it.
"Video Review Will Make the World Cup Better, but Not Quieter"
https://nyti.ms/2HY1xRc
The biggest sporting event in the world takes place this summer and there has been a lot of controversy regarding the use of Video Assistant Referee or V.A.R. This technology has been used in Major League Soccer and also in Germany's Bundesliga, but that has done nothing to prevent the frequent questioning of a referee's decision. A prime example that Christopher Clarey provided was the debatable penalty awarded to Antoine Griezmann who some believed was not a penalty at all.
There will always be people who criticize the referees and the issues involved the game will continue to be prevalent, such as, offsides that aren't flagged or falsely given penalties. However, the V.A.R. can help the referee make tough calls and with the aid of other referees, there can be less controversy involved with the game. This technology can be very beneficial to the World Cup, since the entire world are watching the games and the right decisions need to be made on such a grand stage. Regardless, everyone makes mistakes and there will always be errors in the beautiful game. We've already seen a lot of decisions that can go against or benefit a team in this tournament, for example, the penalty awarded to Peru when they faced Denmark. It's clear that the use of V.A.R. despite its high-tech capabilities will continue to produce mixed reactions and not solve the unfair parts of soccer matches.
"Incredibles 2 Sells a Record-Setting $180 Million in Tickets"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/movies/incredibles-2-box-office-recor...
The ticket sales for Incredibles was amazingly high over the first weekend in which it just came out. It was one to set an all time record in animation releases for the most profit in the first week. Many people explained how it was a must see as soon as it came out. The audience in attendance was not only young children, but many adults also wanted to see this movie, this is due to the children who watched the first movie are now young adults and still wanted to see their childhood favorite movie come out with a sequel. Incredibles is not only a child's favorite now, but it is also shown to be many adults favorites as well. In seeing this movie, the adults could relive their childhood and what they loved about this movie. Incredibles is not only a movie a about superheroes, but instead it shows the power of a family working together and helping each other. It shows the strong family values that all American families should want to accomplish with trust and love. It shows a much deeper message than just a family of superheroes, it instead also shows how people should work together in helping one another.
@[email protected]
"Warriors, in Full Dynasty Mode, Sweep Cavaliers in N.B.A Finals"
When the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals it came to no surprise for basketball fans. What was the big surprise was the sweep. What interested me the most about this article and in the NBA finals it self was that Cleveland gave up almost after the first half of game four. As an avid fan of the NBA to see a team give up in the NBA finals is boring to watch. However, since the addition of Kevin Durant to the team with the best record in NBA basketball ever, makes the whole league boring to watch. With the teams being so lopsided having four all stars on the Warriors and only Lebron James and Kevin Love on the Cavs, it is not enough to beat them. And at the rate the Warriors are going it looks like they are no where near stopping now
Where a Taboo Is Leading to the Deaths of Young Girls
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/world/asia/nepal-women-menstruation-p...
As the topic of this article covers a very common body process occurring in nearly half the population, I was horrified to learn that discrimination could take place even regarding this. Menstruation is a human process, and is already explainable by science in this day and age. It hurts to know that people in the world who are not exposed to education can be restricted to a scarily narrow mindset, and lack of said education even results in deaths over something as natural as menstruation.
My heart goes out to the citizens who are supporting the law in abolishing this tradition, especially as many seem to have been through personal heartbreak (like the in-laws of the dead girl) to finally realise the flaws in their traditional system, yet it was already too late to save a life. And I hope that aside from the law being successful in abolishing this life-threatening cultural practice, those who have been exposed to the outside world can do their best in spreading awareness within their society of how this culture practice is outdated, and derogatory to the females, who go through such stressful processes like menstruation and childbirth to bring life into the world, yet get treated as though they were unclean or contagious.
"The World Cup Isn't About Football. It's About Everything."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/opinion/world-cup-2018-offsides.html
The World Cup is the most highly anticipated event of all of sports. It is the period of time where people from all ends of the globe to support their own countries. Many people who don't follow the World Cup, believe that it it all about football, or soccer, but that is not the case. From the players that participate in the competition, to the fans sitting at home, the World Cup impacts everyone.
There are many components of the World Cup that prove that the World Cup is much more than just a tournament. For example, the location of the 2010 World Cup showed the world that an African country had what it took to provide the world with a wonderful event. This discredited all of the stereotypes and assumptions that were placed on African countries.
Many people support their countries even though they do not follow football. This is due to the growing nationalism in many countries. Countries like Panama, who are new to the World Cup atmosphere, have thousands of fans showing up in Russia to support their countries. That is why this article interests me. I love to see the world come together to celebrate the best sport, and the best event.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/10/theater/tony-awards-live.html
This year in theatre musicals and play cover such a wide variety of subjects and topics. The new wave of young Broadway fans were estatic to see shows like "Mean Girls" and "Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical" because they were major influences on television as they grew up. The sweep for musicals was taken by "The Band's Visit", the tale of the happenings in Israel when an Egyptian police orchestra comes to visit. Their overwhelming victories felt similar to the cast and crew of "Hamilton" just two years ago; this time Middle Eastern actors could portray their own ethnicity and have it be celebrated. "The Band's Visit" may have been overlooked by many teenage theatre lovers, but any seasoned Broadway fan knew that this show was something incredible.
The live performance by Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub mesmerized the audience; "Omar Sharif" transported the audience back to Dina's small cafe in Israel as she recalled the Egyptian actor on television. Lenk's voice hypnotized the audience and viewers at home, her performance won her the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and rightfully so.
The show wants to send the world a message of unity and peace, something we need. I feel so strongly about this musical and its heartwarming message, even as someone who had only heard of it after it was nominated for so many awards. "The Band's Visit" is the hidden gem that deserves every moment in the spotlight.
"Parenting the Fortnite Addict"
As someone who isn't personally gripped by either the allure of Fortnite or the grievances of parenthood, my fascination with Lisa Damour's article lies in her recommendations for parents seeking to rid their lives of the 'self-destructive black hole' that the viral game represents. It wasn't so much because her pitch was some genius take on the issue - like a siren's call that parents, unable to resist, would change their views entirely at the snap of a finger - but rather because I found myself whole-heartedly disagreeing with the methods she presented (sorry!).
This might have something to do with my Asian upbringing; I remember going through every trick in the book, everything Damour cited from scientific opinion to empirical evidence and such, trying to earn myself 30 extra minutes on the computer. The fruitlessness of my exploits still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to this day. I can still vividly recall those dreaded words, delivered with a mocking cheerfulness, that took a little boy's dreams and mercilessly tossed them out into the cold: "Nice try".
I've found that parents, usually irrationally, are inclined to despise every facet of pop culture - perhaps due to the impressibility of kids - and won't be dissuaded by evidence. But they SHOULD let kids be taken by their rap music, video games, and celebrity news, ONLY because they'll come to outgrow it on their own, and trying to restrict that culture will only make it worse.
1
The Perils of Having a Brazilian World Cup Baby
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/opinion/brazil-world-cup.html
Imagine being pregnant one of the best times of your life. Your team is also in the World Cup and your life is just so amazing right now. Until you realize all anyone is focused is on my the World Cup. This article interested me is because for the past few days I've been waking up to screams from my family screaming about some game in the World Cup. Yes, I know it sucks but what interested me the most was how this woman was kind of worried for the birth of her baby, in Brazil, during the World Cup. It interested me how she was also born during the World Cup while Brazil was playing versus the U.S.S.R. As the article captivated me, even more, she goes on to tell that the players were playing scrappy like they had never played. During the time of her mother's labor, when she was halfway out Socrates a famous soccer player scored a goal. Brazil ended up winning that game. I like to think about it as she was the miracle baby for Brazil to win that game.
"The Perils of Having a Brazilian World Cup Baby"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/opinion/brazil-world-cup.html
Imagine being pregnant and your soccer team being in the World Cup, probably the best time of your life. But not really since that is what everyone is focused on. What interested me most about this article is that I can somehow relate to this, just that I'm not pregnant and my team isn't in the World Cup but still. For a few days now I've been waking up to scream from my family from every single game. Well, Vanessa Barbara is pregnant in Brazil while Brazil is due to play June 22 while that's also the baby's due date. Vanessa was also born during the World Cup game of Brazil versus the U.S.S.R. I'd also like to think that she was the miracle of that game because her mother was left all alone while in labor because everyone was watching the game. Vanessa came at the time where Socrates pulled through and scored a goal for Brazil after they were playing like they never played before. The most interesting part about this is that Brazil ended up actually winning that game. Maybe the same will happen with Vanessa and her baby but hopefully, they pay attention to her.
RE: If the Robots Come for Our Jobs, What Should the Government Do?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/upshot/if-the-robots-come-for-our-job...
The concern over the rising anthropomorphic ability of machines brought a controversial topic—Will robots eventually take over human’s job. Electronic game Detroit: Become Human by Quantic Dream introduced a world that robots do vast of labor works (e.g. housekeeping). In that world, the homeless rate of the U.S. grows to around 30 percent. Some homeless set up signs like "real human song for 1$". The conflict between robot and human has grown to an extreme rate. Will such scenario, a scenario that new technologies replace human-operated jobs resulting in social unbalances, happens in the real world? Back in the nineteen century, products from the industrial revolution also took people’s jobs. Coachmen were no longer available, and people no longer needed to sit in front of the waving and iron machines. People did lose their jobs. Did they bring social chaoses? No. The industrial revolution created new jobs. Jobs such as train drivers were innovated due to the advantage of new technologies. Back in 2018, although robots have the trend to replace some jobs (e.g. service operators), new jobs will also be created. Back to the title, in my opinion, while maintaining the unemployment rate, the government are supposed to encourage the development of new technologies with no need for unemployment concerns.
"Parenting the Fortnite Addict"
As someone who isn't personally gripped by either the allure of Fortnite or the grievances of parenthood, my fascination with Lisa Damour's article lies in her recommendations for parents seeking to rid their lives of the 'self-destructive black hole' that the viral game represents. It wasn't so much because her pitch was some genius take on the issue - like a siren's call that parents, unable to resist, would change their views entirely at the snap of a finger - but rather because I found myself whole-heartedly disagreeing with the methods she presented (sorry!).
This might have something to do with my Asian upbringing; I would go through every trick in the book, everything Damour cited from scientific opinion to empirical evidence and much more, just to earn myself an extra 30 minutes on the computer. The fruitlessness of my exploits still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to this day. I can still vividly recall those dreaded words, delivered with a mocking cheerfulness, that took a little boy's dreams and mercilessly tossed them out into the cold: "Nice try".
I've found that parents, usually irrationally, are inclined to despise every facet of pop culture - perhaps due to the impressibility of kids - and won't be dissuaded by evidence. But they SHOULD let kids be taken by their rap music, video games, and celebrity news, ONLY because they'll come to outgrow it on their own, and trying to restrict that culture will only make it worse.
XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot dead at 20.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html
I chose this article because XXXTentacion is a rapper and many people like his music. He was shot and killed during a robbery and many people were shocked to hear the news of his death. I was also sad when I saw people posting on social media that he died. He was accused of abusing his girlfriend and some people hate his music but he Inspired a lot of people and I think that he didn’t deserve to die because he is just 20 when he died.
"A Volcano Turns a Town Into a Cemetery"
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/19/world/americas/guatemala-...
The article I chose caught my eye in light of recent events that took place in Hawaii. Recently, the explosion of the Kilauea volcano that erupted without much warning left the small, quaint town covered with spewing, fast moving lava. Subsequently, just yesterday, a Guatemalan village was left speechless when the Fuego volcano erupted once again without warning, leaving many dead and others left without any possessions. In the article, a survivor by the name of Hilaria López Hernández said, '"The volcano would grumble and make noise. We never thought it would take our things and leave us with nothing.”' It seems frivolous that scientists and meteorologists alike are able to predict a hurricane before it strikes land, giving many time to escape before the ruthless disaster, but what about tornadoes and earthquakes and tsunamis and volcanic eruptions? No person is perfect and technology cannot always be relied on, but if volcanologists have as many tools as they say they do to predict when a volcano might erupt, then how come hundreds are left dead in Guatemala and farmers are left without their crops in Hawaii? Mother Nature has no intention of slowing down; our scientists need to be quicker.
The article that interested me most was "Do you like your Name" by Arther C. Brooks.
This article was hilarious to read, especially since I find myself being a name-judger, snickering about odd names like "Timotheus" or any Shakespeare worthy syllabuses. Hearing from the perspective of a "autonomomisist", I couldn't help but feel twinges of guilt whenever the author (Arthur) expresses melancholy regarding his name.
Having spent most of my childhood roaming youtube and watching Disney, name jokes are no stranger to me. I remember loving a sketch I saw on YouTube about name stereotypes—"Agatha" being such an ugly name that her considerably uglier and talentless sister named "Jessica" was favored over her. Yet I know that this phenomenon is sadly untrue, having had many experiences. Intriguingly, (as mentioned by Mr Brooks) I've also noticed how a person often embody the characteristics of a name. All five Ashleys I've known had similar personalities. Of course I wondered about this oddity—where on earth did such stereotypes come from? For me, the way I perceive names has been engraved in me since young from the media I've seen. My name is Joey, for a girl, and people has commented that it was a name for a bubbly, tomboyish person. Why? Because a young kangaroo is a joey and Joey (like the iconic Tribianni) is a traditionally boy's name.
And yes, I giggled at the name Arthur because it reminded me of the spectacle clad rodent from the hit cartoon show "Arthur".
The article that i chose seemed to be a varied widespread problem around the country. Issues towards suicide and depression have continued to grow because of the media. The media tends to be a very influential source that people often base most of there life on. For example, if someone were to see two men kissing on social media they would automatically be very bias and judge mental towards the action that they saw. Thus, the impact of social media and related sources tend to have a large impact on social norms.
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The article that i selected has been varied as widespread throughout the world. Suicide and depression seems to continue to grow because people tend to be very bias nowadays. Sex and drugs have been declining because more people seem to be influenced in the media. This tends to lead further into the actions of violence, depression, and suicide. The media tends to impact deeper into the lives of people. For example, if someone were to see an image of two men kissing, they would automatically be judge mental towards the action. Thus, the continuing pressure to conform to social norms is often too much for people to handle.
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Article: Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
Kate Spade, a designer you may know from her very popular handbags, has died recently at the age of 55. This event has left many people in shock. The New York Times article ",Kate Spade, whose handbags carried woman into adulthood, is dead at age 55," explains Kate experienced depression, which led to her decision to commit suicide. One thing that questioned me is how someone this talented and successful could be going through such a hard time in their life. It is interesting how she created a well know brand name through her many struggles she faced. Mostly because she is a role model for many young women and she knew what fashion needed.
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Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
Have you ever wanted to be involved in a pageant, but thought you weren't pretty or slim enough? Don't worry because as of this week, the Miss America Organization has eliminated the swimsuit competition, making pageants based more on ideas and intellect. This portion of competition has become very contradictory in our society. Some people say it treats women as an object and can deter participation in pageants. While others argue it prepares women and encourages them to be physically fit and self-confident. I think that a fitness portion should be shown because of its relevance in today's society, but I think there are better ways to show fitness than walking down a runway in a bikini. Contestants can promote health by sharing ideas about health plans or modeling athletic wear with an athletic routine like the teen contestants did. Health can’t always be determined by a person’s outward appearance. People shouldn't feel they have to conform to a certain ideal because it’s the social norm. I believe that the Miss America Organization is on the right track to promoting positive ideas about self-worth and body image. All people deserve to be treated with equality and respect and the quality of their ideas shouldn't be judged on how well they look in a bikini.
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I decided to read the article "WWWTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20." This article interested me because of the responses to his death that I've seen. Though some people are glad and say he deserved it, a lot of people are heart broken. He wrote meaningful music that touched on hard subjects like depression and suicide. I personally didn't listen to all of his music, but I can say that I've heard a fair amount, and really enjoyed it. Nowadays most artists rap about sex money and drugs, but he wasn't like the rest. I think it is a tragedy that his life ended this way right when he was starting to try to fix his wrongdoings. I feel that no one should be killed for what they've done, especially in such an immoral way.
"Trade War, World Cup, XXXTentacion: Your Tuesday Briefing" by Chris Stanford
This Monday June 18th a tragic incident happened where we lost one of our favorite rappers Jahseh Onfroy a.k.a (XXXTentacion). This incident took place in Deerfield Beach, FL. He was shot and killed in an apparent robbery. I chose to write about him because he was such an inspiration for me and many others. His songs were amazing, heart touching, and based on real life situation. He was a legend for me and many others who loved him and his music. In such a short amount of time he became the most popular music artist and touched the lives of millions around the globe. His music was heart touching because his lyrics are related to real life." A young artist gone to soon."Trade War, World Cup, XXXTentacion: Your Tuesday Briefing" by Chris Stanford
This Monday June 18th a tragic incident happened where we lost one of our favorite rappers Jahseh Onfroy a.k.a (XXXTentacion). This incident took place in Deerfield Beach, FL. He was shot and killed in an apparent robbery. I chose to write about him because he was such an inspiration for me and many others. His songs were amazing, heart touching, and based on real life situation. He was a legend for me and many others who loved him and his music. In such a short amount of time he became the most popular music artist and touched the lives of millions around the globe.
"What Kate Spade Stood For"
The famous designer, who died Tuesday, played an important part in the story of American women in fashion and beyond. She was found dead in her home. Her ideas turned into a billion dollar brand. She was loved by many people. I chose to write about her because a renowned fashion designer died in a apparent suicide. She died by hanging herself with a scarf attached to the door knob.The sister of Kate Spade says she may have taken her own life because of a mental illness. She believed Spade suffered from bipolar disorder, but the police believes she suicided because of money and martial problems. Kate Spade started her career by first working at Mademoiselle magazine as an accessories editor. She then launched her company with her husband Andy in 1993. She won multiple awards by the Council of Fashion Designers. She sold her company to Coach last year for $2.4 billion dollars. She will be missed. Her death was a tragic event to the fashion world.
"When Nationalists Don't Like the National Team"
In today’s age of ubiquitous media, it seems as if hateful rhetoric is everywhere, including soccer. Being the universal sport, it was meant to be jovial and spirited, yet I now thought the opposite. To me, the sport had become overshadowed by politics. But in his June 12 piece, Musa Okwonga reminded me of the spirit of soccer with an example close to my heart — the German national team.
As a child, I was enthralled while watching the team, but seeing Jérôme Boateng, a black man, and Mesut Özil, a Muslim like me, resonated with me the most. I’d imagined the exuberant, patriotic joy all Germans would surely feel watching them. However, as I grew older, my image was blemished by the reality of xenophobia.
In his article, Mr. Okwonga shed light on the far-right’s rise in Germany and its seeping into soccer. Racism had seemingly tarnished the ideals I believed the sport was built on, with prejudice towards players extending throughout countries. And if successful, those minority players are regarded as outliers and anomalies.
After this, it'd be easy to forget my first image of soccer: a unifying sport for everyone from everywhere. It would be easy to cower from insatiable racists. But Mr. Okwonga’s words taught me a powerful lesson. Soccer is driven forward by skill, no matter who possesses it, as exhibited by the Germans. He writes, “Elite sporting achievements often come at the humiliating price of diversity.” Let them pay.
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As the tensions in Cenral America intensify due to violence, the United States is seeing a drastic amount of immigrants seeking asylum. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that illegal immigrants are not welcome in our country. Him and his administration have implemented the “Zero Tolerance Policy”, which is now separating innocent children from their parents. The article “Republicans Move to Defuse Family Seperarion Crisis Theough Legislation”, demonstrates the inhumanity filled by the President and his staff, as they do not care that families are being separated. This crisis will be interesting to see on how it will be resolved.
Furthermore, the President blames the Democrats for this crisis, but in reality it is his fault due to the “Zero Tilerance Policy” his administration implemented. Based on this article it is seen how he rejects the idea of hiring more immigration judges as he believes it corrupt the system. It interesting how the President rejects the ideas of his own party to hire more judges which further reveals how the President does not care about families being separated.
The Minnesota Raccoon
The article I recently read for the first week was the Minnesota Raccoon that climbed up to a five story building. What interested me in this article was that raccoons are known to be feisty creatures so it was odd to me when I heard about this. I chose it because I personally think raccoons are very cute and I thought it was so funny when I saw the video of it climbing. The ending of this article made me smile because I knew he raccoon was released back into the wild and nothing harmful happened to it. In the end of was very excited about this article and I am so glad I read it.
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
Have you ever wanted to be involved in a pageant, but thought you weren't pretty or slim enough? Don't worry because as of this week, the Miss America Organization has eliminated the swimsuit competition, making pageants based more on ideas and intellect. This portion of competition has become very contradictory in our society. Some people say it treats women as an object and can deter participation in pageants. While others argue it prepares women and encourages them to be physically fit and self-confident. I think that a fitness portion should be shown because of its relevance in today's society, but I think there are better ways to show fitness than walking down a runway in a bikini. Contestants can promote health by sharing ideas about health plans or modeling athletic wear with an athletic routine like the teen contestants did. Health can’t always be determined by a person’s outward appearance. People shouldn't feel they have to conform to a certain ideal because it’s the social norm. I believe that the Miss America Organization is on the right track to promoting positive ideas about self-worth and body image. All people deserve to be treated with equality and respect and the quality of their ideas shouldn't be judged on how well they look in a bikini.
Article: A Tennis Reporter Turned Graffiti Artist Draws on French Open Memories By: Ben Rothenberg
Since the age of 6 I have played tennis I have played tennis, now I'm 14 and have had love for the sport for 8 years. If someone told me to give them 3 words to describe tennis truthfully I would say quaint, respectful, but very ruly. The reason I say that for example is because unlike the other sports tennis is meant to be filled with a level of respect on and off the court, also it is quaint because when you think of tournaments like Wimbledon they keep it very classic, and it is very ruly in my eyes because in this sport there are rules on and off the court that are strict and that everybody must obey. The reason this article caught my eye is because it goes against those 3 words I described tennis to be. Graffiti would never in a million years connotate to tennis, but somehow it has made it's way into one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year The French Open. Through reading this article I was shocked until I saw that lot of the buildings at the French Open site were being torn down which brought a huge sense of relief to me while finishing this article. If I could be in Paris, France for a day I would love to right on the French Open walls because it is outside of the normal and would break a lot of barriers in the sport of tennis to me.
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"6 Therapists, Psychiatrists and Counselors Talk About Treating the Suicidal"
As a formerly chronically depressed teenager tormented by bouts of anxiety, the title, although hidden under the jumble of other issues plaguing America, instantly grabbed my attention. I wanted to know what professionals had to say about people like me.
First, it is important to note that I received the medication and therapy that I desperately needed because I simply had the money and connections to do so. My therapist proudly framed several degrees in his welcoming room, awash with a warm glow. My psychiatrist hung medical degrees and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins next to his framed diploma. Quite frankly, something extraordinarily tragic or unpredictable would have had to happen for me to relapse.
Very naively, I assumed that those resources and that expertise were all available to the majority of mentally ill Americans. I had no idea that people identical to me in all but social status are utterly helpless to the destructive forces of mental illness. I only struggled for a few months with no perception of a light at the end of the tunnel. The fact that our government refuses to aid children and adults alike is incredibly unsettling, forcing them to endure for years, assuming they can survive it all, what I could only endure for a few months. I easily could have been the kid forgotten by a government with no support system, falling with no one to catch me, and that terrifies me.
I read the article"Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path". I chose this article because i think it is very important to know what is happening in other countries that can effect our lives today. In the article it explains that President Trump is trying to denuclearize North Korea but he may be getting a bit ahead of himself claiming that, "There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea” when the deal isn't even finalized yet. Personally i think that the denuclearization of North Korea is a step in the right direction for the US but we shouldn't assume that this deal will go smoothly and there could be some serious drawbacks for the USA.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
"Warriors, in Full Dynasty Mode, Sweep Cavaliers in N.B.A. Finals"
As a long time Warriors fan, I feel that this time the Warriors easily battled and won the Cavaliers. 108-85 is a little bit disappointing for the Cavaliers. But, if you think of it from the Cavaliers' side, in my opinion, I feel that LeBron is the one always having to "carry" the team to victory. But, I also feel that this was the most boring NBA Finals. The Cavs gave up too easily after the end of the third quarter, which was a little disappointing. Curry did an exceptional job at leading the team with 37 points, and KD with triple double as well as MVP for the second straight year in a row. Cavs, step up your game! Go Warriors!
Review: What Did The Romans Ever Do For Us?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/opinion/what-did-the-romans-ever-do-f...
Honestly, I’ve never had a big interest in history. So, it may seem odd for me to choose an article that solely focuses on history. However, just last week, I embarked on a plane that led me to the biggest adventure of my life- traveling Europe- with my last stop being Rome. Throughout each stop in Rome, a tour guide explained the history of each place. However, even with the Coliseum right in front of my eyes, it all seemed so unreal, like it never really happened. Ever since seeing these Roman wonders, I’ve gained a new interest for history. So, naturally, when looking for an article, this one definitely interested me the most.
The title instantly caught my eye because it really made me think- how could something so long ago truly help us right this minute? After seeing how different the architecture was from our own and hearing about how different their lifestyle is from a present-day Roman herself, it truly had me pondering the question. I was glad to see that the author agreed. As I read the article, it was easily pieced together. I had never thought about the peace the “violent” Romans had nor had I compared them to the USA because of the vast differences I saw between the places with my own eyes. This article helped me realize the similarities and capture the questions that were on my mind, so I really enjoyed and found interest in it.
The article "Lebron James: The Strange Thrill of a One-Man Show" caught my attention due to my interest in basketball and watching the recent NBA Finals. Lebron has shown his skill and proven that he can lead an entire basketball team to victory. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first games, the spotlight was on James and people were eager to see what he could do. With impressive stats throughout the NBA Final games, it is evident that Lebron James is one of the best basketball players of all time.
Being one of the greatest players of all time is a challenge that Lebron accepted. His focus and confidence brought the team together and Lebron played with strength and courage. After reading this article, I realized dragging a team to a championship is one of greatest achievements of all time and Lebron surpassed this by defeating the Golden State Warriors when they had a 3-1 lead in 2016. After proving himself on the Miami Heat and then the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron is not a force to be reckoned with.
During the 2018 NBA Playoff season, Lebron averaged 34.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9 assists a game. These stats are incredible, but Lebron outplayed himself when playing the Warriors averaging 40 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.5 rebounds. After viewing Lebron's statistics and watching him carry a team by himself brings me to the realization that he is one of the greatest people to ever pick up a basketball.
These places are very beautiful. Everyone can travel anywhere that they want. I liked all these places but I love the seas. I like to enjoy the fresh air, the noise of the waves, the tide, feel the water hitting your feet and walk in the sand.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/travel/places-to-visit.html
The article that interested me most in the New York Times was “LeBron James: The Strange Thrill of a One-Man Show”. I find this article very interesting, as well as relevant due to the fact that the NBA Finals just concluded. It is no secret that LeBron James is practically carrying the weight of the Cavaliers. He returned to Cleveland, promising to bring them to an NBA Finals victory. LeBron did just as he promised. However, LeBron can only carry the Cavaliers for so much time. The city of Cleveland is thankful for LeBron keeping his promise, and seem to fully understand that it is his time to go. In the game of basketball, a team effort is necessary to succeed. LeBron James consistently shows the highest stats of any player on his team. In order for LeBron to keep succeeding, it is necessary for him to be surrounded by players closer to his level of talent. He played with the Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals, patiently. He suffered an eye injury through the series, and played with a hand injury without bringing any attention to it until the series had concluded. The past 2018 NBA Finals is not a fair representation of LeBron James’ talent. He is a legendary player, and deserves to work with a team to an NBA Final win, instead of carrying the team to and through it. It is time LeBron James respectfully moves on to a new team, so his ‘One-Man Show’ can come to an end.
Elephants Are Not Just Adorable Animals
My sense of smell got progressively worse throughout the past three years. It is still a mystery for me. I currently do not have a sense of smell, and I am learning how to adjust my ways of life so that I can still be able to sense danger using my other senses. Still, I have become even more curious than ever as to understand the biology of olfactory sensory which is one of the reasons why I decided to choose Elephants and their noses as my concept for this week.
After watching the video “Inside the Nose of an Elephant” by James Gorman and Christopher Whitworth, one can conclude that Elephants have more talents than one can believe possible. Although this video has only shown that Elephants have a unique sense of smell, one can interpret that their unique sense of smell is just scratching the surface of their abilities. If humans can concoct more research towards the anatomy of Elephants, we can understand the true importance of their existence. However, just by this video alone, I am inspired to research more information on Elephants.
Therefore, since Elephants are even more powerful than I ever knew before, James Gorman’s and Christopher Whitworth’s video interested me the most in the New York Times this week.
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The article that interested me the most this week was, "Warriors in Full Dynasty Mode, Sweep Cavaliers in N.B.A. Finals." This article was the most interesting one to me because it talked about how a motivated team worked together to win the N.B.A. finals. The best part was that the team won all four games back-to-back not letting their opponents take a single win. It was pretty interesting how both of the teams were in the finals for the last four years and how the Warriors won three championships in the past four years. Players like LeBron James and Steph Curry are inspiring since they both worked very hard and worked with their teams to play their best. i like how LeBron James did not give up and was motivated to play his best and help lead his team even if it meant playing a long time. Even though the Warriors are not my favorite team in the league, it is still nice how they managed to play in the finals for the last four years and won two championships in a row.
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Correction: Conversion Therapy Ban-California Story
The article I read was about the protest on the banning of correction therapy for LGBT peoples. The article was nice, and I liked having a way to know what was going on. The part I hated was that there was protest for it being banned. I did not realize that correction therapy was even still around until a few months ago, and that honestly terrifies me. The thought of it just fills me with fear, and finding out that there's a protest to get rid of what fills me with fear makes me disgusted. In it, one man stated he needed it to be able to be with his wife and that he didn't want to be gay. There's nothing wrong with being gay, bi, lesbian, pan, a, etc, and him saying that makes me feel sad that he goes against it. Mainly, it was being protested for religious reasons, and as a pan-romantic Christian myself, I understand that in the bible its wrong to be with the same gender. But, it is others choices. They shouldn't force others to their way. If someone honestly is okay with the LGBT community but doesn't want to be a part of it, then fine, they can go through that. But, I don't want that to be in California. I don't want it in the State Of Jefferson if that ends up happening. I'm at least happy the article was informative and wasn't choosing sides. I would have been really angry or happy if it was, but I know that in this situation choosing sides in the article is not appropriate, so thank you. I loved the article!
Caliphate Chapter six: Paper Trail
I had stumbled onto this audio series by chance a while back but only listened to the 6th chapter yesterday. Out of everything else I read on NYT this week, it was definitely what interested me the most.
While all the previous chapters had been very interesting, this chapter revealed a surprising turn of events when the host discovered a major loophole with the story she had been told. As I listened to how she and her colleagues then set out to uncover the truth, I was really captivated by how complex this one single story was. There was so many people she had to contact and factors to consider in trying to piece together all the bits and pieces of the story.
Besides the content, this podcast also sparked my curiosity about journalism. There were so many things going on behind the scenes that I never would have imagined. The many steps and stages in her journey easily goes to show how difficult and secretive journalism can be and how easily an overlooked loophole could just throw off an entire story. It also showed me how tough ethical journalism is, communicating with many people, being really cautious about whatever is bound to be published, having to redo everything if something was wrong with the story, etc.
This chapter has given me much insight into something I had always been intrigued by but never really been able to explore the true heart of.
Having grown up in a middle class Southern Californian neighborhood, it is often easy for me to overlook the issues of others. As a student, an athlete, and a part-time tutor, I occasionally find myself absorbed in my own problems. However, reading about the struggles of Rohingya refugees in “Race Against the Rains” gives me perspective. The Rohingya refugees escaped Myanmar to find a safe haven in Bangladesh. However, they were met with the threat of monsoons and flooding that puts their lives on the line. The refugees and aid groups are working tirelessly to try to ensure that some damage can be eliminated, but monsoons season is looming. I could never understand the fear of not knowing if you’ll live another day, but learning about current events makes me want help, and inspires me to work towards change.
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The article I read this past week was about the Minnesota raccoon that climbed a 25-story building in St. Paul. This interested me because I had never heard of such thing in all my life. A raccoon climbing a skyscraper throughout the day and night? How odd! I also thought it was interesting because it was a happy story that I have not been used to hearing lately in the news. It had a happy ending and made me smile!
Article: Is Acne Cool Now? By Andrea Cheng
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
I selected this article because I have struggled with acne in the past. I never became depressed from it but it did bring down my confidence. My mom would bring me to the dermatologist a lot and none of the creams helped. Finally the dermatologist prescribed me with Accutane. I found myself more confident and wanting to post more pictures of myself on social media with a clear face. It's not that I did not like myself and I did not let the acne define me, but when you see post on social media and all the clear skin, you don't feel as good as you should. The article does define acne as a medical condition so why would you not take care of it as you would with any other medical problem you have.
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Government corruption is a concept many tend to stray away from. Many people choose to shut their eyes and ignore the depravity happening around them, rather than facing the truth. But what is the truth, you ask? The answer varies in each individual. For many, the truth is hidden, blinded by the fact that our government is one that works. But this powerful system is infiltrated by corruptive actions.
In the article, "How Trump Came to Enforce a Practice of Separating Migrant Families" , Davis and Shear explain Trump's policy to separate the children of illegal immigrants from their parents. The act is meant to enforce our laws by ensuring that no American citizen is at risk. However, this act is also immoral. Political beliefs aside, diplomacy is something that everyone deserves. Without this act, the parents would have eventually been separated from their children by being prosecuted. Though, the two-party system creates irrationality because of the necessity for one party to reign superior. Michelle Obama has a unique take on this when she tweets, "Sometimes truth transcends party" (@MichelleObama). As she refers to this act, she emphasizes the importance of morals, political party aside.
Though, government corruption is not a new notion. The Watergate scandal of 1972 proves this when one party attempted to spy on the other. Our government contains loads of power. So the question is: How much trust should we put into it?
"Simply Perfect: Justify Wins the Triple Crown" is the article that grabbed my attention this week. It is an amazing feat to pull off the triple crown as only 13 horses have ever achieved this. On top of that Bob Baffert is only the second trainer to win two triple crowns. This article caught my attention due to the horse's similarity to California Chrome who was favored to win the triple crown in 2014 but failed. This horse was special to me due to its owner who is from Yuba City. So, reading this article reminded of California Chrome. Also, the achievement by Justify is a symbol of national unity. In a time when America is divided, Justify brings us together to celebrate his accomplishment.
The article that caught my attention the most was "Sex and Drugs Decline Among Teens, But Depression and Suicidal thoughts Grow" By Jann Hoffman. This article was interesting to me because teens who suffer from depression are more common than teens who suffer from drug use/addiction. Depression and suicidal thoughts are so normalized that it is almost weird for someone to not feel this way. Teenagers put their physical and mental health at risk in an attempt to fit in with this "social norm". One of the main leading causes of this is the amount of pressure that schools put on their students this day in age. Schools have raised their standards to such an extreme that makes it practically unattainable for teens to live a happy life in and outside of school because of their increased levels of anxiety. Not only does the school work put ridiculous amounts of stress on the student's livelihood, but so does the participation in other activities, fitting in with a community and making friends. Teens avoid coming to school because they are afraid of being bullied and harassed by other classmates. The fact that students feel targetted or threatened in a learning environment proves that things need to be changed in our society.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
In the article "Trump Sees to End North Korea Nuclear threat" the North Korean summit is discussed. More specifically how Trump reacted and what was done, and how he thought it went compared to how other felt. Trump declared North Korea as no longer a threat despite them still possessing nuclear weapons as of now. I chose this article because North Korea is a popular topic in the news as of right now and I find it very interesting how they have agreed to a meeting so this article about the meeting seemed perfect for me.
The article “sex and drugs decline among teens, but depression and suicidal thoughts grow” written by Jon Hoffman. As self explanatory the title of the article may be, the factors behind the situation were definitely harder to grasp as for the dramatic increases and decreases. It is truly difficult for an individual to see how mental health amongst the teenage groups have grown throughout the years. Yet till this day little attention is given to this topic. Many want to approach the situation once the worst has approached. As the statistics rise it is an example to show what has been or is missing in the lives of these teens going through such a state of mind. It is definitely something that no one is to be complacent about.
"Governors refuse to Send National Guard to Border, Citing Trump's Child Seperation Policy" by Matthew Haag
Coming from a family of military background this article about the National Guard caught my attention. I understand that illegal immigrants have to go back to their countries, but many of them have been here for so long that they now have children who were born in the United States. Shoud we still deport parents who are illegal to this country and leave their children here? Is that humane of us to do?
The governors of Maryland, Delaware, Massachussetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia and North Carolina refused their soldiers to help secure the United States' border with Mexico. Becasue of this, President Trump deployed troops to the border. Some governors still refused.
Why should we seperate families? Did they do us harm? I say, deport the ones who have committed crime.
I decided to read the article "WWWTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20." This article interested me because of the responses to his death that I've seen. Though some people are glad and say he deserved it, a lot of people are heart broken. He wrote meaningful music that touched on hard subjects like depression and suicide. I personally didn't listen to all of his music, but I can say that I've heard a fair amount, and really enjoyed it. Nowadays most artists rap about sex money and drugs, but he wasn't like the rest. I think it is a tragedy that his life ended this way right when he was starting to try to fix his wrongdoings. I feel that no one should be killed for what they've done, especially in such an immoral way.
"Exercise vs. Standing? You Probably Need to Do Both."
I chose this article because the title interested me, and I like to work out. Reading this article gave me a wakeup call. I have realized the obvious. Sitting around is so unhealthy for us. The sad part is that we all do it, and it happens all of the time. Many individuals don't realize that sitting on their phones or watching television is only hurting their health. In contrast, people can take a short walk every day, or at least a few days a week, to keep their blood flowing a bit more, and increase their heart rate. Exercise is a very important thing for everyone because it helps you in the end. Moreover, it can reduce disease and illness. In my opinion, everyone should exercise each week. It not only helps your physical health, but your wellbeing as well. We all sit around way too much, and this needs to change. There are various methods to help one exercise. For example, there are many apps and websites that can guide you through the process. In addition, you can go to a gym and exercise on your own, as well as take classes. Also, you can buy your own equipment to work out in the comfort of your own home. Although this all seems self-explanatory, people don't realize how easy it can be. Personally, I believe that taking a walk is the easiest, and most efficient way of exercise. Educating people on health and exercise is extremely important, and we need to continue to spread the information.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/opinion/the-dangers-of-denying-pain.h...
I am eleven. Summer tastes like cosmic brownies and cartoons. And then. It tastes like gravel. My knee is all cut up, and my scooter is ripped out from under me, its back wheel dipping into a pothole. It clatters a few feet in front of me, helpless, its wheels still spinning forlornly. I cry and cry and cry. Mom slaps Neosporin on my cuts and helps me up, and after a popsicle break, I am back out again, scootering until dinnertime, until the sun slides underneath the horizon, until I fall off again.
I am seventeen. Summer is there, somewhere. The school year has been scarred with tests - practicals and whole chapters we’re supposed to have taught ourselves. It has been marred by hysterical sobs, because people wield their words like blades. Because sometimes, I can’t explain it, but it hurts.
Why do we teach our children to see hurting as being weak? Fitzgerald exposes the gruff way America addresses the "boo-boos" - the physical, as well as the emotional. We must tell our children: It’ll hurt. Your head will hurt, your toes will hurt, your mind will hurt. We must coax them to ask for Neosporin, for Band-Aids, for someone to talk to. We must "take care". Replace the "suck it up" with "I understand".
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
This Article stated that President Trump declared that North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat to the U.S. Because I believe that President Trump did a good job at the historical summit in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Since people living in Hawaii or Alaska or people living near North Korea could live in peace not in fear of nuclear missile attacks.
As a high school student, I am used to sitting still for 7 hours a day for 5 days a week. However, after sitting in classes for long periods of time, I feel myself become uninterested in the topic and less productive the longer that I sit still. During classes, I find myself sometimes asking to use the restroom, just to take a break from sitting passively in my class. Often times at the end of each school day, I feel lethargic and desperate to stretch. This is why the article "Is It Actually Smart to Sit Still?" seemed very interesting to me. The article stated that exercise throughout class periods could increase students' concentration and attention spans. Brief amounts of time for exercise and stretch breaks during class has always been something that I wish could be implemented into our school systems. Studies have shown that even just a few minutes of movement during class periods could increase students’ productiveness and motivation in the classroom. Studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine showed that students who are regularly active “show greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed and perform better on standardized academic tests than children who are less active.” Students today are the future. I believe that we should listen to these studies and do all that we can in our schools to make students the best that they can be.
XXXTentacion, Rapper Accused of Violent Crimes, Shot Dead at 20
The article that I found most interesting was about Jahseh Onfroy’s death. I have been a fan of X’s music for so long. I don't side with the decisions he made in the past, but we all know he was working on bettering himself. I was shocked and devastated when I heard about his death. He didn’t deserve to die especially at such a young age. I respect him for spreading so much positivity. He definitely inspired me to live more positively. He was an artist who touched millions of people with his music. Even though he isn’t in this world anymore his music will be forever remembered.
I read the article, "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead At 55" In this article we find out the Kate Spade,the designer of many accessorizes, killed herself. She had a thirteen year old daughter and a husband. This makes me very sad because I am the same age and I would be devastated if that happened to my mom. It is very sad that Kate Spade did this to herself and I hope her daughter and the rest of her family will be ok. Kate spade had been going through depression and I hope others going through it get help.
"In the Philippines, Dynamite Fishing Decimates Entire Ocean Food Chains" by Aurora Almendral
I am half Filipino from my mother's side and I have never been to the Philippines, so this article about Dynamite Fishing in the Philippines really caught my attention. I was told different stories about the Philippines in different point of views. For example, "a lot of families are still in poverty", "you can get shot on the streets", or it may turn around and someone might say something like, "It's beautiful, you should go visit." Just like the United States, we still have people in poverty, we have murders and robberies, but we still have locations that are just so beautiful! Not every country or state is perfect, we all have our flaws.
This article made me feel upset because it is true that what the fishermen are doing is wrong, but they are only doing it so they can feed their families. It may be the fastest way for them to make money without having an education, but it is not the only way for them to make money. The effects of dynamites being thrown into the ocean include, coral reefs decaying, and without coral reefs, for fishes to feed on, fishes are dying; acidity is spreading and babies may be born with birth defects. Sooner or later the sea life may go extinct in the Philippines and then maybe the world! What should we do to stop this madness!
The article I chose to read was "Antarctica Is Melting Three Times as Fast as a Decade Ago." It is sad that Antarctica is melting as fast as it is today. I think global warming does have a big impact on how the continent is melting at a faster rate, then it did years ago. It is also raising to sea levels rapidly, which is also not good for the earth. Greenland has also lost many ice layers which contributes to the rise of the ocean.
"Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path" was the article to catch my attention this past week. Our presidents lack of concern when the agreement has not been disclosed to us is certainly worrying. It seems too simple, a short statement that both parties have not even described to the public. I can only hope that all of this confusion will clear as time passes. As of now, it seems to me that we are hardly in any less danger than before the meeting and agreement took place.
I read the article, "Antarctica is Melting Three Times as Fast as a Decade Ago". At the rate Antarctica is melting, the sea level could rise six inches by 2100. This may not seem like very much, but it could do a lot of damage. This article made me realize how much we need to change about our planet, especially the amount of greenhouse gas in the air. The sea level is rising faster than scientists predicted, and we have to act now.
Is Acne Cool Now?
The article in the New York Times that interested me this week was about the physical aspect of acne. In this article, the story of a girl named Hailey Wait was revealed and summarized how Hailey felt about her acne. Acne is a very popular physical property that many teens are very conscious of today in our society. She began to be exhausted in the process of trying to cover up her acne, so she revealed her face without any makeup or filter on Instagram so that all of her followers could see her face as her natural self. The important lesson that was shown throughout this article is that your appearance doesn't define you. Acne used to be something that many people were ashamed of. Many people struggle with the reality of having acne, but your appearance should never be a main focus. This article made me realize how important it is to be positive and confident no matter what you look like. Social media sets a very high appearance standard for all of us, and your appearance does not define you as a person. Many teens may experience bullying because of acne. Acne is a stage that we all go through as we grow up, and it is normal to have acne. Acne may become popular in future generations. Hailey Wait has an amazing story that will allow future generations to start to feel comfortable with their appearance even though they have acne. This article is a eye opener for all teens, and it is an inspirational story.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/science/black-holes-stars-arp-299.htm...
The article I chose for this week in the New York Times was "Black Hole Drags Star to Dusty Death". I chose this article because science and outer space is interesting to me. If you think about it black holes are quite a scary concept. When something is gulped up by the black hole it is pretty much impossible to escape it. The article informed us that not even light could escape a black hole. But this certain star that was swallowed by the huge force was split in half and that one half just so happened to get trapped in the black hole. What interests me most about this topic though, is that we don't know where the star could be. It's a mystery! Although, from Albert Einstein's predictions it's pretty much just a black void of nothing. So the star basically just disappeared. That is why this article interested me.
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What interested me this week in the New York Times, was the article, “They Started Out Afraid of the Water. Now They Are Saving Lives.” This article interested me because of the title. How could someone go from being afraid of the water to then saving lives in it? The answer is as simple as this, strength and courage. In Grover Cleveland high school, the majority of the students are minority’s. Half of the population being male and the other half being female. You wouldn’t think that an ordinary school like this would have such an amazing lifeguard class but it does. The class provides the skills needed for saving lives from the water. Almost all of the students who take the class go on to being actual lifeguards. Not only do the class provide and important skill for society but it also provides jobs for those in need. @[email protected]
Artists Who Lose Their Vision, Then See Clearly
The article in New York Times that I was interested in this week was about Artists who as they aged, started to face visionary difficulties, but still wanted to continue painting. Art has always been one of my passions and seeing how these artists, even though they were aging and it was becoming more difficult to do what they loved, were able to just believe in themselves and trust their skills. I couldn’t even imagine the emotional strain the artists felt to be restricted with the things they could do with art. Although their strength began to weaken, the artists still remained hopeful and turned to artwork as a source of freedom from their disabilities that are holding them back. The works that the artists did in their later years showed beauty in the knowledge of what the artists were able to design with their limitations. These artists realize that their disabilities shouldn’t define them or their work as artists and they show this by their beautiful and inspiring works of art that they produce. As someone that loves art and painting, I know realize that if you truly have a passion for something, you won’t let any disability or limitation stop you from doing what you love. The artists spoken about in this article can be a true inspiration to those debating whether to give up their dreams just because of one setback or limit they are facing in their lives.
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“Review for: “BTS Becomes the First K-Pop Act to Top Billboard Album Chart”
Growing up, no music in languages other than English would be heard. A Spanish song would be played on the radio once in a while, and skipping it would be the first thing that came to mind. My thought process would be, “I do not know what they are saying, so what is the point of listening to the music?” When PSY’s song “Gangnam Style” blew up in 2012, that is where the majority of the American scene got their first glimpse into this foreign music genre: K-Pop.
The obsession with this foreign music genre came out of nowhere, but knowing nothing about the language and having zero clue on what they were saying did not stop me from listening to it nonstop since PSY’s song. As time went on, by late 2013, the K-Pop universe had introduced me to BTS, where I knew that my life was never going to be the same. Being a part of their fan army for so long, this past year really showed all of the hard work and dedication that they did to get to where they are today. Hearing that their album “Love Yourself: Tear” was the first non-English album to become No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, I was the one in “tears” of how proud I was of them. My childhood self would have never expected this to have happened, and I know he would be looking at BTS in complete shock, thinking how crazy is it that a Korean album is No. 1 on the American charts, and my present self thinks the same way, just from a different perspective.
"Sex and Drugs Decline Among Teens, but Depression and Suicidal Thoughts Grow"
Ask almost anyone in our small town high school and they'll tell you that they're under ridiculous amounts of stress. Within our grade alone, depression and suicide have become a normal thing to the point where it's strange to not be depressed. With the added pressure to not only do your best in school but also participate in extracurriculars, do well in sports, and accumulate community service, it's no wonder teens are stressed out of their minds. Add onto this the need to "fit in" and "be cool," and you have a perfect recipe for teens feeling like death is their best, or only, option.
Our school is especially affected. Due to the rigorous nature of the courses offered, on-level classes are about as challenging as honours classes at most schools, while honours classes tackle AP standards and AP classes are on the more challenging end of college-level courses. We expect ourselves to achieve an A in all of our classes, and anything less is seen by us as almost failing.
To cope, our grade as a whole has adopted a nihilistic mentality of "nothing matters in life" because if we try to face the stress and anxiety and pressure head on, it's almost inevitable that it will lead to us falling deeper into a pit of depression. But we laugh about mental illness, effectively erasing the problem. We make jokes about depression and suicide and stress and anxiety, because we all feel the same.
"IBM Unveils System that 'debates'" with humans by Cade Metz and Steve Lohr
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/technology/ibm-debater-artificial-int...
As a regular user of technology, and as a person who tries to stay up to date with the latest advancements in technology, I can safely say that developing an AI that can debate with humans is on the less exciting end of the spectrum. What is more fascinating is the implications behind the technology that goes into creating such an AI.
In the light of such technological progressions, the advancement of AI in particular, a new question is revealed. The question being just how far humans will go into developing machines that mimic human behavior. Continued advancements in AI could "lead to machines that can hold a completely convincing conversation" (Metz). A robot that could carry on a completely natural, human like conversation is quite an interesting idea but also somewhat of a disturbing one. The development of technology like the IBM Debater reveal how the creation of a full blown humanoid robot is realistic and likely closer than we think. Even the renowned scientist Steven Hawking in an interview with Wired addressed the issue saying "...we also need to be mindful of its very real dangers." Technology is very quickly catching up the capabilities of the human mind and there is no way of knowing if it will stop there. Which brings up the problem that an unchecked research into AI could potentially replace humans.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/sports/yankees-nationals-juan-soto.ht...
This week in the New York Times, the article, "34 days later, the Yankees lose a game that was halted by rain", caught my attention. I knew this game was made up much later after the day it was scheduled and delayed because of rain. But I did not know all of the oddities that came as a result of the game being continued 34 days later. One of the most interesting things that came as a result had to do with the Washington Nationals rookie, Juan Soto. When the game began in May, Soto wasn't in the MLB yet, and then when it was continued in June, in which he hit a two run home run. Although he played before the make up game, this was technically his first major league at bat because the game began back in May. He had hit five previous home runs in past games, but because it was his "first at bat", it was also his first major league home run. This is quite interesting that Soto's first home run in the MLB came after he had already hit five home runs. This is possibly one of the oddest things I have ever seen or heard of happening in baseball.
This week in the New York Times, the article, “They Started School Afraid of the Water. Now They Are Saving Lives” drew my attention. The title of the article is what grabbed my attention. The fact that someone could go from being scared of the water to then saving lives in it is astonishing.
It’s amazing to see that just an ordinary school could have such an amazing impact on society. The swim class offers a variety of students the opportunity to learn life saving skills when it comes to swimming. With half of the class being male and the other half being female, the majority of the class at Grover Cleveland high school is made up of minority’s.
It gives everyone a chance to take a risk and join in on life guarding. It’s amazing the number of people who actually do take up life guarding after the class. The class offers the opportunity to learn something new while at the same time provide the skills for jobs in the future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/sports/world-cup/mo-salah-egypt.html?...
This week in the New York Times, the article that grabbed my interest the most was, "In Cairo, All Roads Lead to Image of Salah". The reason that this article interested me the most was because of the fact that currently, the World Cup is taking place in Russia, but also the fact that I had followed Mohamed Salah's PL season as well as his season in the Champions League. The name Mohamed Salah became a name that everyone in the soccer world could not keep out of their mouths during the 2017/18 English Premier League season. Between Salah breaking the EPL single season scoring record, being awarded the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, and winning the EPL Golden Boot, Mohamed Salah gave fans all around the world everything they wanted to see, and more. With these great accomplishments, nobody thought that Mo Salah would still be hungry for more, but they were all wrong. In his first season with Liverpool, he managed to lead his team to the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Mid-game after a cheap tackle by Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos, Mo Salah was taken off the field with a serious shoulder injury. Now weeks after the Champions League final, Salah is looking to come back stronger than ever from his injury, and lead his home country of Egypt to a World Cup championship.
“Natalie Portman, Jonathan Safran Foer Target Factory Farming”
(https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/06/19/arts/ap-us-film-eating-anima...
I chose this article because it is something that resonates with me and my lifestyle.
I loved how the article mentioned that the documentary will be showing different types of farm, one being a factory farm and another being a free range farm. I like idea because of the documentary being like a conversation, and not showing the horrors of the industry, since it’s very unlikely for a meat eater to want to sit down and watch a documentary like that.
The articles states that it’s very unlikely for someone who's been eating meat their whole life to cut meat out of their life in just one day. It’s more likely for a person to cut out meat gradually over a few weeks. Another way (that I did) was to cut out the meat you eat the least then after a few days cut out another meat, and so on.
I agree with Portman when she says that there could definitely be an end to factory farming soon with the new generation of people making other changes around the world everyday. This new generation that I’m apart of are not afraid to speak up for what we feel is unjust. Just this year we have seen many examples with this like the #MeToo movement and our marches for gun safety. Relating back to this article just this year I’ve seen so many people realize how unjust the meat and dairy industry is, leading those people to go vegan (myself included).
Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path
Prior to the historic meeting, the world had been living in fear and trepidation of North Korea’s unpredictable behavior.Trump’s bellicose threats towards the regime resulted in the population believing that North Korea posed a nuclear threat. However, credit needs to be given to Trump, who despite his unconventional diplomacy, has led a historic meeting between the US and NK. At the end of the meeting where he had made some concessions, Trump announces to the world that it can sleep well without any fear of being attacked by the North Korean regime. Is KJU to be trusted? What intrigues me is despite the meeting between these two leaders, “denuclearization” remains an aspiration. Trump remains oblivious to the fact that despite their brutality, the North Korean regime survives because of their misdirection and lies to the world. What appalls me is that Trump could make such an announcement so nonchalantly after a very brief meeting. Isn’t it too early for him to assure the world that it can be at peace from North Korea's nuclear arsenal? To me, this summit could be seen as a win for NK. It establishes itself as an “equal” power on the world stage and a chance to prop up their regime. Trump praises this oppressive ruler who has perpetrated brutality and has blatantly violated human rights. However, maintaining a positive relationship with NK is the first step in ensuring a safe world for all citizens.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name.html
This week, the article entitled "Do you Like Your Name?" by Arthur C. Brooks intrigued me the most. I found this article to be both factual and entertaining to read at the same time by including jokes like, " 'Well we thought on naming you Chester.' You know, on second thought, Arthur's not so bad." as well as statistics like, "79% like their name". Additionally, studies have shown that many people 'look' like the name they are given. That being said, I felt connected to this article personally because my name is Elizabeth. To me, Elizabeth sounds like an old name that a British queen would use. I can reassure you I am not a British queen nor do I even look like one. Unlike Brooks however, my name is very popular. According to time.com, my name was the 9th most popular girls name in 2003, or the year I was born. This makes me dislike my name even more because of how many people have the same name. I find having a unique name that only a few people have to be much more likable than a common name like Elizabeth. Moreover, when Brooks discusses about how he could have possibly been named Chester, I thought about how my parents said I would have been named Elijah if I were born a boy. While Elijah is a lovely sounding name I am very glad I had been born a girl. In brief, I believe there are interesting statistics on names that anybody born with a name they dislike can relate to.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/sports/stanley-cup-washington-capital...
This week in the New York Times, the article, "The Washington Capitals, After Years of Frustration, Win the Stanley Cup" interested me the most. This article interested me because the Washington Capitals is by far, my most favorite NHL team. They were victorious against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3 as the final score. The Washington Capitals have never won a Stanley Cup until now. The team captain and my favorite player, Alexander Ovechkin, has played with the Capitals for 13 seasons now, and has scored more than 600 goals in his career with Washington. He is one of the most oldest NHL players still playing today, so it was great seeing him holding up the cup for the very first time and seeing how excited he was. Ovehkin also was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. It was also nice seeing the rest of the team holding the cup because they did great as well and contributed a lot to the team. Braden Holtby, the Washington Capital's goalie, played amazing throughout the playoffs. He made great saves and played his heart out until the last second of the final game. The team owner Ted Leonsi, acknowledged Holtby Playoff MVP afterwards. Overall, the Capitals played a great season and I can't wait for the next season!
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The article in New York Times that interested me this week was,''The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet''. This article interested me in a couple ways.
One way the article was amusing is that a company called Axiom Space is giving an eight day trip to space to people with boat loads of money. The adventure cost $55 million per person and you also have to go through 15 weeks of training to go on this trip.
Another reason this article is interesting is, the passengers will be staying in the "Starck'',you will be surrounded with white cushions as the walls. The article states that the builders want it to look like a nice cozy egg but the down side is it can get claustrophobic. A fact that shocked me is that there will be wifi and you will be able to call and text.
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Texas Deputy accused of molesting and threatening 4 year old (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/us/cop-molests-girl-deport-mother.html)
After reading this article I felt something I cannot explain. The betrayal and dishonesty that this poor four year old girl felt is truly heartbreaking. It is a shame that such a highly respected male figure used his power to degrade a young girl and her mother, let alone a child who cannot yet comprehend what was happening to her. This article showcases the ugly that happens in this world every single day.
These kinds of articles intrigue me because I'm always interested in finding out what some men do what they do. I ask myself the question "why is being a woman so hard?" and "who are the people that make being a woman hard?" This article shows that in some cases men are a big factor in why some women live their lives in fear or regret. The poor four year old girl and her mother will never be the same after these tragic events that occurred. This article touched on the deep sadness and disturbing details that went on during this time. The author highlighted the traumatic events that will forever change how that four year old girl sees the world for the rest of her life. As a young woman in the world today, my goal is to always make people feel as though they are wanted and needed in this world, no matter the circumstances. That should be every woman's goal.
Drowning at Midlife? Start Swimming
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/well/mind/midlife-crisis-swimming-exe...
While I definitely have many more years before I hit midlife, something about this article just clicked with me. I've been swimming since 5 years old, and have been competitively swimming since 8. I've had many achievements in my career- even rising to top 15 nationally when I was younger- but occasionally I find myself caught up in the whirlwind of trying to balance the competitive aspect of swimming and the real reason why I loved swimming so much, which was because I loved the water.
Since my usual practices consisted of a mixture of sprints and long distances, which was normally paced, I never had the time to just swim and appreciate the sport. I ended up tearing my shoulder because I overworked it, and because I couldn't swim, I fell into a funk.
Recently, I've been given the OK to start swimming- not competitive, of course, and I've been swimming at the pool in my gym. I feel horrible every time I realize I can't go as fast as I used to, but now, I'm starting the rekindle my love and passion for the sport. Hopefully, when next season starts, I'll step on the blocks again with a new mindset.
Athens, Rising
goo.gl/R8QWgL
This article interested me because it describes the cultural and economic flourishment of Athens, Greece. The writer describes her past experiences backpacking in Europe and finds herself in Athens. At the time, the city was not the thriving tourist destination that it is today. After the author left, the city succame to a crippling economy. Recently, the author returned to Athens to find a center of culture, food, and tourism. In Athens, the arts are being encouraged with the opening of many new galleries and museums. New media festivals and concerts are also popping up around the city. The author then interviews some of her old friends about their lives during and after the crisis. They speak of starting magazines and opening restaurants and eventually finding success in the new atmosphere of the city. Overall, Athens has gone through hard times but has emerged victorious.
Video Game Addiction Tries to Move From Basement to Doctor’s Office
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/business/video-game-addiction.html
I didn’t know how many hours or even days I had been sitting there, but when I finally stumbled out of that gaming cafe, I was disoriented and exhausted from focusing so much on the glowing screen. I could imagine what an addict of drugs or alcohol felt like as I constantly craved for my next round of battles. I knew I needed help but telling someone that my favorite pastime of gaming was ruining my life wasn’t easy. In addition, coming from a Korean culture where E-Sports has become a respectable means of entertainment and making a living, everyone around me was gaming.
People told me I was lazy and childish but I knew deep inside me there was more to my constant obsession than immaturity. This article on game addiction and the WHOs classification of a “gaming disorder” struck a chord in me as I knew deep inside that my passion for games was more of a addiction than a method of releasing stress or craving for a rush of excitement. I imagine that there are millions of others out there like me who need professional help and it comforts me that the medical community is finally acknowledging the need to tackle this serious addiction to games. I believe with this significant move by the WHO, I may be able to way to break my shackles from gaming and spend my time more productively.
5
The Case for Lowering the Voting Age
(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/06/learning/the-case-for-lowering-the-vo...
Every single teenager in the United States has heard the statement that teenagers are too immature or are not smart enough to be involved in the "adult" world. In the article about lowering the voting age, Kathryn Zaia mentions the reasons why lowering the voting age is not necessarily a bad thing-after all teenagers these days are under more pressure than ever before and have more responsibility.
This was an interesting topic because this is a topic that every teenager has at once thought about, especially with people coming to our lunchrooms to urge the seniors to vote. Zaia mentions a small suburb in Maryland that lowered its voting age, and the results were substantial. The amount of voters after the age was lowered rose by four: a phenomenal amount. This was very interesting because my whole life I had always heard parents telling their children that other adolescents were too immature to know the right thing. Because this essay brought a new light into the idea of younger voters, I was very intrigued by the post.
The Case for Lowering the Voting Age
( https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/06/learning/the-case-for-lowering-the-vo... )
Everyday hundreds of teens around the world hear that adolescents are too immature to know what is good for them and what they know. Kathryn Zaia proves these parents and adults the opposite: teens do know what they need.
In Zaia's essay, she mentions a small suburb in Washington named Takoma Park. After the voting age was lowered, the amount of votes rose by four. This was a substantial change in the votes in Washington; with more votes, the district will have a better view of what is needed for the suburb as well as a larger voice, as not only the opinions of the older generation is taken into account but also the younger generation.
Today high school students across America are undergoing the largest amount of stress recorded as well as responsibilities. Every high schooler has seen the booths in their school cafeterias urging the seniors to vote, but what about the others?
This is a topic that has crossed the mind of each and every teenager at least once, yet there is no answer or mention of it by others. With Zaia's essay, the question is finally answered: adolescents do indeed have the ability and maturity to vote.
The article that interested me the most this week was one about the death of a young rapper XXXTentacion.It brought up a lot of questions in my own head because I had seen a lot of things were people saying he deserved this, he was a bad person and other things and it made me think. If someone lives a life accused of many crimes including assault and other violent crimes does it one make it ok for people to say they deserved death. Also why are some famous people excluded from this were they can commit acts of crime violent or not and still not face the same critisme as others.After thinking about it I think it mostly stems from the fact that preference is key and majority rules. Because many famous people have committed many crimes that the public has chosen to forget not to say anything he has done was ok but to bring up the question of why do people chose to forgive some and cast out others. He was 20 at his time of death so he could have turned his whole life around and maybe become a different person but from his death I have seen many attacks him which I can only imagine being hard on his family have they have lost someone and because of his actions and his public lifestyle many critics him. The article really made me think about the difference in the death of someone in the public eye and how it depends on who they were as a person. Something I had never really thought about because with most people in the public eye when they pass people mostly only say good things.
Tony Awards 2018: ‘The Band’s Visit’ and ‘Harry Potter’ Prevail
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/10/theater/tony-awards-live.html
After watching this year’s Tony Awards, I was very disappointed myself. Many amazing musicals had been nominated for awards, yet one musical dominated and others that, in my opinion, shouldn’t have won the certain Tony. Mean Girls and Spongebob the Broadway Musical both were nominated for 12 awards, and each got “robbed” of awards. Luckily, Spongebob did receive a Tony for best scenic design in a musical, which was very well deserved. Mean girls, on the other hand, didn’t win any awards which was very disappointing since it had 12 nominations.
In my opinion, the award that disappointed me the most was the winner of Best New Musical. The nominations were The Bands Visit, Spongebob, Mean Girls, and Frozen. In my opinion, either Spongebob or Mean Girls should have won this award. These two musicals had many great reviews, amazing musical soundtracks, extravagant sets, and multiple nominations. Don’t get me wrong, The Bands Visit is a very well written musical, yet I don’t agree with it winning New Best Musical, and I wasn’t the only person disappointed with it. Fans of the other three musicals went all over saying how their musical should have won. Yet, I believe that all of the nominated musicals who won did deserve their awards and won them fair and square.
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Exercise vs. Standing? You Probably Need to Do Both.
While it has always been known that sitting down all day is inferior to the health of an individual's body, I was unaware just how much it could affect one's well being. The experiment that this article was written about was made up of three different groups of people that sat in a chair for various periods of time. The people who sat for 14 hours a day experienced very negative symptoms as a result. These men and women "showed greater insulin resistance and undesirable changes in their cholesterol levels." They also had blood markers "showing detrimental changes to their endothelial cells, which line our blood vessels, including our arteries; when those cells are unhealthy, the risk of cardiac disease rises" While I always figured sitting down simply made people gain weight, in reality it id do much more complex and detrimental to their health.
If Americans were to read this article, I believe it would change their views on sitting and maybe even change their daily rituals. Simply pacing back and forth while on the phone, or moving around while doing any small task can make a huge difference when it comes to your health. For me, I know that obtaining the knowledge from this article will be beneficial. Instead of my laziness overpowering the small urge in me to be active, I will fight the lethargy and stand up, because that's what my body needs!
Where Boys Outperform Girls in Math: Rich, White and Suburban Districts
The extent of the affect that stereotypes have is something that most people don't think about. Kids are shaped into a certain way without them realizing because of the stereotypes being fed into them. At two ends of the spectrum, the rich and the poor, education is perceived differently. Although as a society we are saying that it does not matter what your gender is 'you can do anything, gender does not matter' but that is not what is being seen. In higher income households parents and kids see of the stereotypes more, the parents enrolling the kids in activities that are traditionally for a specific gender and the kids seeing how the dad is working in math or science fields. While in low income men perusing education are seen as not masculine so the boy have lower grades in math. High income households saying that they don't believe in stereotypes but their actions say something different. Girls are discouraged and the boys are encouraged, not only by parents but also by teacher that underestimate the females. It is interesting to see how much gender can play a role in education and how time is invested more in one gender because of where one lives. Parents treating their kids differently because of one big reason, money, high income households invest more in boys because they earn more money and low income invest more in their daughters because females get more job opportunities in the working-class.
Antarctica Is Melting Three Times as Fast as a Decade Ago
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/climate/antarctica-ice-melting-faster...
In a world increasingly divided by everything from politics to wealth to race, it seems as if it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a common purpose for people to unite under. However, the purpose is one that has been right under us our entire lives- literally. The earth is suffering from the consequences of our actions, yet efforts to try and contain the damage is nowhere near the level it should be at. At the end of the day, regardless of where any of us are from, how much money we have, or what political side we support, we would not be able to survive if the earth did not exist.
This article addressed one of the most critical aspects of human damage- the melting of ice in Antarctica. Scientists are estimating at least six more inches of seawater by 2100, a rate that has tripled since 2012. Clearly this is an issue that impacts every single person in the world, especially the coastal areas that coincidentally tend to have the richest proportions of the population. However, people are far too caught up in their own lives to consider the future, one that they consider themselves too old to live to. But in reality, many children born now and in recent years will live to 2100. Our children, our grandchildren, and entire generations will be around. We need to start uniting to protect the earth.
After all, we only have one.
Parenting the Fortnite Addict
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/family/parenting-the-fortnite-ad...
I loved this article because Fortnite has changed the world even if you don't play games. From massive stars like Drake new stars have came up like Tyler Blevins. The game is just massive making 223 million dollars in just one month. Not many companies make this much money in just one month. Playing games is not addiction, it is more of a lifestyle if you ask any gamer. Some play games to get out bad times that they are getting threw. Games have brought people together and some people have found new friends.
Fortnite involves guns, but does not have blood or any major violence. I disagree with Lisa, fortnite is not a addiction for many, but just to connect with friends. I can agree winning in the game can give you a rush and addiction. I do agree that parents should put limits on their kids. Too much of anything can be bad for a person. They should not limit them like putting a tracking app on your kid's phone. Parents need to look for better ways to stop kids from playing to many video games causing an "addiction". Epic games, the creators of Fortnite knew that their game would be successful as it tapped into the rising Battle Royale genre. I love the way Epic Games make their money because the game is free. They make their money threw "skins" which does not affect the game play. I think this game has more potential than most games.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/fashion/weddings/mayor-peter-buttigie...
This article talks about Mayor Pete's marriage. Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana and on June 16, he married his boyfriend Chasten Glezman. The article talks about their relationship, when and how it started, their first date, and the wedding. The reason this article interested me is that around the world not many gay marriages are legal and out to the public yet. A long time ago, being gay wasn't accepted and now, there is more of an understanding and acceptance towards it. The support from the people was positive as well, and it is really nice to see the change from before, and now. The married couple also attended a Gay Pride Week block party after the wedding and according to the article, the Mayor briefly spoke, "We know that only a few years ago this wouldn’t have even been possible. So, thank you for everything you’ve done to make sure this is a welcoming community," he said, "And happy Pride!"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/world/asia/shimla-india-drought-water...
This week in The New York Times, the article "Deadly Tensions Rise as India's Water Supply Runs Dangerously Low", caught my eye and it's about how people from Shimla, India are struggling to get water because the water supply is running very low. Many residents are blaming the key men, who open and close the valves that supply each neighborhood. Because of the shortage, about 30% of the city's hotel bookings have been canceled. The city's pipe system also leaks about five million liters of water a day and about half the population is facing extreme water scarcity. I was interested in this article because not only India is facing water scarcity in the world and I wanted to see what solutions people came up with to solve the problem. Throughout the article, one thing I found horrifying was "But the city’s ancient pipe system also leaks five million liters of water every day" "A $105 million, World Bank-backed upgrade of the system, including a pipeline drawing water from a nearby river, is scheduled to be finished in 2023." So, does that mean that until the pipe systems are fixed in the year 2023, there will be many deaths caused by water scarcity? However, I was also happy to hear that "the water crisis has eased since last month".
https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005940613/i-escaped-north-ko...
For this week the New York Times I was interested in the article "I Escaped North Korea. Here's My Message For President Trump." because I have always been curious about the concentration camps in North Korea. After watching the video about Yeonmi Park, I felt lucky that I was born in a rather peaceful country. I am not the type of person that would watch news about politics or military. I try to ignore every post about poverty and animal abuses because I know that I can't do anything for them. More likely is that I never let myself watch videos that will make me sad or disappointed in myself or the world. The video talks about North Korea president, Kim Jong-un being very cruel to his own citizens and that Trump should put pressure on Kim Jong-un's raising power. I personally think that President Trump might focus more on making America great again instead of putting pressure on Kim's power.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/business/media/anthony-bourdain-dead....
The death of Anthony Bourdain is shocking and upsetting. He was a culinary icon and an amazing role model. He is considered to be one of the greatest chefs of all time. He had so many great things in his life: money, a family and his own TV show. His suicide was unexpected and tragic.
He essentially had my dream job, traveling across the world and trying traditional delicacies from different countries. He was admired for being able to share a meal with someone and talk about politics in the country, which made the show particularly interesting.
One thing that stood out to me in this article is what Bourdain said about eating in a foreign country. Having my own food blog @thefantasmicfoodie , I agree that instead of trying one of the abundant fast food chains that I have easy access to in New York City, it is preferable to try something unique to that region of the world when traveling.
I also learned new information about Anthony Bourdain’s family that I did not know before. I was unaware that his mom Gladys Bourdain is a writer for The New York Times. Perhaps that is where he got his love for food journalism. In addition, his wife Asia Argento accused Harvey Weinstein of rape. Anthony Bourdain was extremely proud of her and he was an advocate for #MeToo movement, which is focused on speaking out against sexual assault. He will be missed.
The "Women of the Philharmonic Can Play It all. Just Not in Pants" article interested me the most this week in The New York Times. I was surprised to find out that women are required to wear long black dresses or skirts that touch the ground. I would presume that since it is 2018 and so much has changed especially gender equality that women would be allowed to wear pants. Well women are allowed to wear pants to work just about anywhere just not if they play in the Philharmonic. Some of the Women who have played in the Philharmonic are taking action, but taking action to have this regulation changed isn't as easy as it sounds. Women in the past also wanted to see this rule changed and not only women but men as well, they wanted to see the "top-hat era" gone as well. However, having this rule changed was difficult for they had to come up with a new uniform that was elegant for an occasion. Men have tried creating new uniforms in the past and it worked only for a few months before it became outdated and they would have to go back to their original uniform. Women are, as of right now, in the works of having a new uniform created. Unfortunately, women have had mishaps happen to them while performing because of their original uniform, however women are now able to wear nice black pants while performing because of it. So, that became another win for the women!
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
This article interests me because I’m a basketball fan and basketball is my favorite sport. I love the thrill of the playoffs but the warriors and Cavs have been going against each other for the past four years. I believe that LeBron James can’t beat the super team warriors by himself, and that he can’t drag the Cavs to the finals. He’s the best player on the Cavs with 51 points in the first game but they still lost to a blunder cause by JR Smith. George Hill made a free throw that tied up the game and when the Cavs got the rebound Smith didn’t go up for the basket but Instead went to the halfcourt line. He thought that they were up, but they weren’t and then they got destroyed in overtime. Lebron was the first player to have 51pts in a playoff game but still lose. But he let his emotions get the best of him and he punched a white board following the loss and hurt his hand. Game 1 was a pivotal game for the Cavs and they made the mistake of losing. Then the Cavs got swept and Thebes warriors won. As a basketball fan and player I believe that just one player can’t carry a team to victory. Every player has to chip in and play their part in order for the team to succeed. I believe that lebron is going to go to another team with better talent than the Cavs, possible the Lakers, Rockets, or 76ers. This will be the only way for the warriors to lose. This was my opinion about the NBA finals. What was yours?
This week in the New York Times, the article that interested me the most was 'The Racist Trope That Wont Die" by Brent Staples. I found this article interesting for a few reasons.
One reason I found this article interesting was the scientific data that backed up the main points of the article. For example,Brent Staples talked about a study where white college students were shown photos of Black and Latino boys. When looking at the boys, the students saw black children as more capable of committing crimes.
The second reason I was interested in the article was because as a young African American, the idea that African Americans are targeted, worries me.
The last reason the article interested me was because it talks about modern day issues in America that need to be addressed. In the article it states "The only real hope of doing that is to openly talk about the powerful, but submerged forms of discrimination..."
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/dining/anthony-bourdain-ethnic-commun...
The depictions of Anthony Bourdain from other minorities’ perspectives are very much unsurprising, but in a good way. The combination of Bourdain’s genuine curiosity and his idea of completely submerging oneself into a different culture by eating their food made the show unique in its complexity of including a humanitarian point of view of the regular people, which I came to realize after rewatching his show and reading this article.
Although I had an general idea of who Bourdain was before, I was unaware of the extent to which he went to represent people all around the world, including Palestinians. After reading that he openly spoke about his criticisms of the treatment of the Palestine people, I have a newfound respect for him for being so blunt despite going against political opinions of the general public. As advised by my father, I try not to explicitly express my opinions on a Palestine-related topic like Bourdain did, but I would certainly give a big bow to Bourdain for being honest and passionate in what he believes in.
When I heard of Bourdain's passing, I felt strange, like the feeling of my heart dropping. And this article precisely explains why. His presentation of foreign people around the world was done so well that it feels like us minorities just lost one of our best representatives. But we have to continue on like always, and for Mr. Bourdain himself, keep his legacy alive.
“The Personal Wake-up Call to Prayers, a Ramadan Tradition, Is Endangered”
The ghostly howl could be heard in my dream. I was dead asleep hallucinating that I was a reporter barraging President Trump with questions about his convoluted immigration policies when the sacrosanct wail struck me. Then suddenly I woke up from my slumber and went to my hotel room window to see what was going on. It was a little past 4am and speakers blared the adhan, or Islamic call to prayer. I never realized that I would witness it myself on my trip to Dubai. The echo was pervasive but there was something enchanting about the call to prayer that made me feel like God was near.
The article about wake-ups calls made by town criers becoming endangered piqued my interest greatly as I was able to experience this unique tradition on a trip to the Middle East in 2017. As I read through the article and watched the short accompanying video, I felt a pang of sorrow for the town crier Mohammed Shafiq as he has spent over 60 years carrying on this sacred tradition that he learned from his father. Now that the trappings of modern society have engulfed his culture, the need for someone like him has diminished and the time-honored tradition is dying out.
As someone who is not particularly religious, there was something about the morning wail that struck a chord in me. It felt both spiritual and entrancing in a way words can’t describe. I had no idea what was being said, but I felt its aura.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
The word 'gay' have been used as an insult by a widespread of people around the world. There are homophobic people who would go to their full potential to oppose against the LGBTQ+ community. However, there are those who believe that love is love and fight for the rainbow community. With time, more and more people are starting to accept the members of the LGBTQ+ Community and have put in their best effort to make them feel more human and loved.
For High School students, prom is the time of the year where one gets to feel magical and have the best time of one's life. Proms consists of an overwhelming majority of the students being heterosexual and leaves those who aren't to be isolated. Britt Julious's article highlights of the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance prom where all is welcome. It definitely caught my eye as it is something that would be considered to be not traditional in our so-called society. Being a student from a third world country with LGBTQ+ friends who are acred to come out, it is no surprise that the traditional proms itself are very rarely accepted by the people. So, one can only imagine how low the chances are to provide a prom for the LGBTQ+ students in third-world countries. This article have not only given me an insight of how to promote the rainbow community for the better but have also given hope.
The Millionaires Are Fleeing. Maybe You Should, Too.
https://nyti.ms/2MyB5B0
Why do people value millionaires more than normal citizens? Are they more important?
Currency was introduced in the Commercial Revolution. Money brought social change, the power shift from nobles to merchants. This was a harbinger of the effects of money on humans. Wealth represents power in society. Economics is always tightly connected to politics.
Nobles do not exist in most democracies; today we pursue social equality. The existence of nobles opposes our goal. Ironically, affluent people have more power than necessary and governments are unable to limit them. Normal people treat them differently. Millionaires play the role of nobles. That is not what we expect in a democratic country.
Observing the actions of millionaires helps us understand. Millionaires obtain more information; thus, they can predict upcoming events. But, they not only sense the problems, they contribute to the results. If a country has poor diplomacy, its economy will suffer. Local millionaires will decide to emigrate because shrinking markets limit opportunities. Although a country’s economy will suffer, emigration of millionaires exacerbates economic decline.
“Money is not omnipotent, but without money everything is impossible.” People desire to be rich which makes us materialistic. Maybe I am too naive, but I do not think it is worthwhile to sacrifice others’ families for wealth.
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"For Germany, a Defeat Both Stunning and Foreboding" by Rory Smith
( https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/sports/world-cup/germany-mexico.html )
This morning, I saw a meme of a big German Shepard frightened by a small, chirpy Chihuahua, and that pretty much sums up Sunday's World Cup game of Germany versus Mexico, where Mexico won 1-0.
Smith explains that it is not uncommon for reigning champions, like Germany, to lose in a group stage game of the World Cup. However, Germany is not known to be careless early in the tournament and underestimate their opponents. For Mexico to emerge as an underdog could be a game changer for other unpopular teams, and for the teams that are the faces of the World Cup, like Brazil and Spain. How did Mexico pull the dub? Mexico's coach, Juan Osorio, apparently spent six months conceiving a game plan specifically for Germany. He even predicted the substitutions Germany would make once they started to lose.
For a high school soccer player like myself, strategy is key to winning. It's not easy to figure out what is going on in your opponent's mind. Even if you decipher the rival team's configuration, you never know if your teammate will get injured, or if the other team might gain a penalty kick. If Osorio predicted exactly how Germany was going to play, he's either a genius or incredibly lucky. Maybe both. Either way, Mexico surprised myself and thousands of others once the buzzer went off and the score was sitting at a shutout against Germany.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/world/asia/us-trump-north-korea-credi...
The article "Trump’s Promises to Kim Jong-un Leave U.S. and Allies Scrambling," by Helene Cooper and Mark Landler, had great significance to me. I emigrated from South Korea to the United States 12 years ago. This article talks about what President Trump gave up to Kim Jong Un and it seems like the President got nothing in return. I am not certain that he did not get anything out of the summit, but I hope that the North Korean issue will be resolved to. This article caught my eye because I have been keeping track of what is happening on the Korean Peninsula.
In the New York Times this week, the article "My Not-So-Bad Birth Defect" interested me the most. In the article, the author, Kristopher Jansma, shared his struggle with Poland Syndrome. Poland Syndrome is a birth defect that results in a missing or underdeveloped pectoral muscle. While reading the article, I was inspired that Mr. Jansma chose to embrace his birth defect. In our world today, people tend to pass judgement based on appearance. Society has created a stereotype for the perfect person, and as a result, many people feel pressured to look or act in a way that portrays society's ideals. Instead of embracing individuality, we put labels on people who do not live up to society's standards. In his article, Mr. Jansma states, "I've never seriously entertained the thought of plastic surgery or going cyborg. I think of my missing muscle less as a defect and more as an inexorable facet of what it is to be me." This, to me, is a perfect example of what society should be promoting. Instead of attempting to become the "ideal person", we should be embracing our differences because they are what make us unique.
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The Ascension of Cauliflower by:Anahad O’Connor [https://goo.gl/4RpYvj]
Cauliflower pizza! I know right it’s crazy. I thought that the rise of cauliflower was interesting because I never thought that cauliflower was ever going to get that popular. And because of how popular it got, I kind of want to try the cauliflower rice now, because if it’s that popular it has to be good.
The very intriguing article, “Trump Sees End to North Korea Nuclear Threat Despite Unclear Path”, demonstrates strong documentation for both sides of the argument. Some people tend to bicker about topics they do not know much about just because they always want their side to be right. Those who disapprove of Trump, bash everything he has done for our country so far, despite the efforts he is putting into making our country a safer place. This article did a fantastic job of showing what people are saying against his meeting with Kim Jong-un and how what he is doing really might be better for the United States. Despite the fact that there is no tangible evidence or verification that North Korea is denuclearizing, at least it is a start. People claim that they would like verification, but when asked how they would like it, they get offended or offer no advice. The article also explained that Trump is being somewhat cautious, so I do not understand what there is to be afraid of. Trump has explained to Kim Jong-un that he will not remove his troops from South Korea until North Korea has made a sufficient amount of work towards denuclearizing their country. I enjoyed reading this article and would highly recommend for it to be read, in order to demonstrate how Trump has brought about safety to the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/sports/vegas-golden-knights-washingto...
In “The Save of the Year Saves the Capitals” by Ben Shpigel, Ethan Miller’s photograph of the save shows Holtby’s goaltending skills and his incredible athleticism. This was in the final minutes of the last period of the game, and it may have saved the game for the Washington Capitals. It also shows the intensity of playoff hockey, and hockey in general. Alex Tuch, the player who took the shot, had a wide open net, and was almost guaranteed a sure goal, but Holtby stuck his stick out and somehow stopped the puck. A save of that magnitude is very rare and is exciting to watch, and the photograph captured the moment.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
This week I read the article "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55". This article is about Kate Spade who committed suicide on June 12, 2018. Unfortunately, suicide is becoming increasingly popular this year. This article connects to another article called "Anthony Bourdain, Renegade Chef Who Reported From the World’s Tables, Is Dead at 61". Both of these celebrities have achieved what once may have been called "the American Dream". So, many people might wonder why they were so unhappy. In the article about Kate Spade, it said: "Her name became shorthand for the cute, clever bags". This shows that she was extremely successful. Many celebrities such as Robert Williams, Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain have committed suicide for various reasons.
First They Came for the Migrants
By: Michelle Goldberg
It’s a domino effect. To get rid of immigrants will also rid of ourselves a part of our humanity. Everyday, raids are happening all over the U.S. Through these raids, families are being separated, lives are being lost, and cries erupt all over America.
Through this article, I began becoming more aware of the truth beneath the silver lining; in order for there to be immigration control in this country, there must also be consequences that we must bear as humans in partaking the act of separating families and friends from each other. Hundreds of parents are threatened with their children’s lives to not apply for asylum and to go back to the country they came from. They are issuing a death sentence to people who have barely escaped from one. They are giving the parents an impossible question: Freedom or their children. Why is it that others make the choice regarding a stranger’s life? Also, through these articles I begin to wonder, is the country which you were born in truly important? Through raids, children that were raised in America are being forcefully sent back to countries they hardly know because it was their place of birth. The country a person was raised in and have a life in represent a person, not a place of birth. As the golden rule states: How can we expect kindness when we give hate in return?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/opinion/stress-students-kids-brains-s...
This article interested me because i have always been curious about how much stress ok and how much is too much. I have started wondering this ever since i started sophomore year and me and my friends started taking harder classes. One of my friends started to spread herself super thin with all her activities and we could all tell. She was more moody and just didn’t feel like doing anything anymore. She used to love to go on runs and go to lunch but then towards the middle of the year it got so bad she wanted to quite everything and we had no idea why. Finally after cutting back on some activities she was becoming herself again. But we wondered why being stressed out affected her so negatively especially because that had never happened to any of us before which made me very interested in the subject. So when the article title talked about stress and how people need to find the sweet spot of not too much but not too little i found that hard to resist taking a look at the article. After reading more in-depth I also could identify that a lot of people in my class that i know have had this problem too. However i also wondered how a person is suppose to know when they are at their max before it becomes too much for them or if our students overall are being pushed too hard.
The article "The Stress Sweet Spot" interested me because stress is something that I along with many others deal with on a daily basis. I found it very interesting to read that stress can lead to everything from depression to cancer, because I never realized the serious negative effects that stress had on one's health. That being said, I learned that many of the factors that lead to stress can be addressed and fixed. For example, if a parent is becoming overprotective of their child, it can cause unnecessary stress on the child, but this can be controlled by the parents, taking a step back and giving their child the independence and space they need to be successful. I learned more about how stress can sometimes be good, and other times be overbearing; in that overall stress is our body's response to challenges, but it's how you are able to manage that obstacle that you will not face the effects of negative stress. Chronic stress was something that I learned from this article, and I became aware of what can happen overtime if you don't address the major stressors in your life, which eventually can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and the impairing of cognitive abilities. Their were also several studies provided throughout the article that helped to enhance what they were trying to prove about stress. This article overall, has helped me to gain more interest in the causes of stress and that how I handle and respond to stress can have a greater impact on my life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/health/depression-suicide-helping.html
This week I chose the article, "What to Do When a Loved One Is Severely Depressed." Most of the time the people who are hurting are the people who seem the strongest. This was brought to my attention from the suicides of Robert Williams, Whitney Houston, and Kate Spade. However, this was further exemplified over this past year when I had peers who have suffered from depression. I have often felt the obligation to try to do something to help them but I was unsure if what I was saying helped them at all. One advice the article suggested was to bring them to a therapist or psychologist. Although I didn't actually set up an appointment, I learned that by just talking to them, it made an impact. Often times a person suffering from depression keeps their thoughts and feelings bottled up. They may seem happy on the outside when they are with friends merely because laughing and smiling is a distraction from what they really feel. Therefore, by talking to them and breaking down their walls, it can make a difference. Even if their pain is at 100%, if talking can reduce it to 99% or 98%, that is an accomplishment. As said in the article, you can't always make the person come out of the state of depression but you can always try to help them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/lens/revisiting-the-images-of-alfred-...
The article "Revisiting the Images of Alfred Stieglitz’s Camera Work Magazine" caught my eye as I was looking through the articles. I love photography even though personally I am not very skilled. The capture of a moment in time and then preserving the photo throughout the eras and decades is astonishing and somewhat magical to me. In all honesty, I did not know who Alfred was, so I was oblivious that Alfred was one of the fathers of bringing photography into the art world. I googled him and was delightfully surprised to learn about his projects. Each photo from his work was filled with cityscapes or portraits of men and women of his age. Every single one is hauntingly beautiful as the eyes of each portrait stares back right at you. The article is simple, it talks about how two men are now working on a project to create a collection of his works yet there are difficulties in maintaining and protecting his work. I think the collection would be wonderful and would honor the beautiful works of Alred Stieglitz. Go check them out if you haven't! My favorite piece is "The Flatiron in the evening" because the photo creates a sense of a haunting yet beautiful mood of an evening.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/style/axiom-space-travel.html
Sheila Marikar
This week in the New York Times I saw this article about the potentials of space travel in the near future. The author first talks about the previous failed attempts of space travel and about the massive costs of it. The author then goes on to mention about Axiom (a space company)'s luxuries ranging from wine to cocktails to Wi-Fi. Axiom's owner is a former NASA veteran and he knows a lot about space and luxuries there should be too. Axiom plans to send its tourists by 2022 but maybe even earlier in 2020, that is, of course after eye-watering costs of the journey and weeks of intense space training. The rest of the article is about the perspectives and viewpoints of Mr. Suffredini, a former NASA veteran and his thoughts about the space program and about future life in space. I like this article because it gives me lots of details about the space travel program and even convinces me to try to go to space even more because of the luxuries it mentioned in the article. What I don't like about this space program though is that this program is quite expensive and maybe it's because there are few successful programs out there in space but hopefully the prices of these types of programs will go down as everyone deserves to go to space and not just the richest of the richest tycoons.
Though present situations in this atrocious place of a world seem debauched and inequitable, there are ideas that uplift and, in a way, annul the dreadful circumstances happening. Therefore, articulating that a decent deed can help make an appalling action not as cruel as it seems. In the article “Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children” written by Manny Fernandez, the author demonstrated an exemplar of the previous stated idea. In actuality, that is what interested me the most while reading the Times this week. I think the juxtaposition between ideas of life-threatening situations and a sane position in life is peculiar but also intriguing. It interests me to read how Manny Fernandez was able to make the imprisonment and division of young migrant children being separated by their care givers sounds almost acceptable. The author indefinitely equally showed both aspects of the story, which is why I am interested in the New York Times, because the news portion is not biased and is purely constructed on facts received from confidential sources. It interests me to read about the irony in this specific situation as it states that the young males are safe and happy, yet they are being forced to live in an old department store that does not include real beds and were forced to be separated from their care givers. Anyway, I enjoy the way the New York Times captures my attention, but ultimately does not let it go.
Heather Murphy penned a compelling article that I was completely and utterly fascinated by. "What to Do When a Loved One is Depressed" was an article that is discussing a topic that is incredibly important and extremely relevant to nearly all readers, including myself. Watching my sibling who doubles as my best friend struggle with depression was extremely difficult. I had no outlet to assessing her situation and understanding her struggle. While my sibling is in a much better place now, I feel Murphy's tips would have been really helpful during a very dark time. There were several important suggestions and comments made that would help transform the feelings and relationships of the person whose loved one is struggling with depression. The article was insightful in the sense that it reaffirmed many of the feelings felt when a loved one is dealing with something so traumatic. It described those emotions and the best ways to deal with those feelings and how to best be of help to the person that is struggling. Because of its relevance, I found that this particular article was the most interesting to me.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/style/black-panther-movie-cosplay.html
This week in New York Times I was interested in the "‘Black Panther’ Cosplayers: ‘We’re Helping People See Us as Heroes’" article because I recently watched the movie and have seen other people talking about it and how It is the first Marvel movie to have a mostly colored cast. The article talks about how because of the "Black Panther" movie, there are more colored cosplayers. It also talks about how some people still aren't inclusive of colored people even though it has been at least 50 years since the Civil Rights Act. I believe that stuff like this helps people accept others more because a lot of people's lives are influenced by the media and so people like to do what the media does and says is okay. Because of media like the "Black Panther", kids will grow up with both white and colored people as heroes. They won't listen to old opinions of people and types of people as much. These facts could help with opinions on different types of people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name.ht...
This week in the New York Times I was interested in the article "Do You Like Your Name?" because I have always wondered how my life would be different if I had another name. In reality, how much of your life is relying on your name? I would probably still go to the same school, live in the same city, and have the same friends if my name was different. After reading this article, though, I realized my future could be different if I was named something else. For example, I could live in another city or have a different job. I could even marry a different person based on their name, which is shocking as I did not originally think that our names have such an impact on our lives.
My friends have always discussed if our names match up to our face or if they suit us. Something that does not surprise me is that the answer is yes, your face matches your name. We also ask one another if another name would suit us, which often leads to disagreements within my friend group. I think this is because everyone is used to the names of their friends and the thought of another name associated with them is odd. When I meet new people, most of the time their names do not surprise me, which adds to the fact that most faces match up with their names. These facts show me how truly important names are.
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Euthanasia has been topic of controversy for many years now.
Diane Rehm, in her article “Let Dying People End Their Suffering,” makes an incredibly convincing argument that terminally-ill patients should have the right to end their suffering by proceeding with assisted suicide. Rehm primarily uses a pathos technique in her writing, by telling the stories of her husband and close friend, both of whom had suffered tremendously in the final months of their lives due to the removal of an End of Life Options Act in California. This article is especially of interest to me, as I am someone who lost a relative to Alzheimer’s, and therefore, I completely empathize with Rehm. I understand the severity of these diseases and the pain it causes in not only the patients but their families as well. Even people who do not necessarily fathom the impact these diseases have on people will sympathize with Rehm because of her diction and use of pathos argumentation.
Ever since I learned what the word 'college' meant, I've wanted to attend an institution of higher learning. I've been looking at colleges since the fifth grade, and as I got older and became more educated on the college process, the cost of attending college has been an unshakable fear of mine. The article "Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You’re Rich)" was not only informative to me, but also alleviated some of my fear pertaining to my college choice. David Leonhardt, provided examples of families that varied economically and came to the valid conclusion that people who are considered poor or middle class have a greater chance of paying less for college than a rich person would. He also shared how families that are considered poor would have a better chance at paying less to attend a more prestigious school, such as Yale or Stanford, than families that a considered rich because these schools have more money to provide in financial aid than other community and state colleges. The information provided by Leonhardt in this article gave me hope for my future because even though I am a student that excels academically, sometimes I feel like my academics won’t be enough to get me into the colleges that I want to attend.
( Part 1)
Though this article restored my hope for applying to colleges, I also noticed that David's article was centered around families that perfectly fit into the economic categories he examined when putting together his statistics. I feel that ,though these estimates were supposed to give people a range, his article failed to go into depth about how realistically every family is different and how tuition isn't the only financial burden families have to take into account when applying to colleges. Things such as food, clothes, and housing are just some of the small expenses that college students are going to need. I also feel that the article slightly lacks the realistic component because it estimates the numbers for paying off the school expense based on the assumption that the student will have a job when they get to college - which not every student will have. All in all, I think that David Leonhardt did an amazing job at informing students who might have reserve applying to colleges that the price of a college shouldn't deter you from applying.
(Part 2)
This week in The Times, I am most interested about the meeting between Kim Jong-un, the president of North Korea, and our president, Donald Trump, and what have we learned from this meeting. Since the meeting, Donald Trump has confidently said many positive things about Kim Jong-un about his credibility, the chemistry the two have, and Kim's willingness to to cooperate. Many people have criticized Trump for his respect of Kim and the promises he made to Kim about taking U.S. troops out of South Korea. Trump has already canceled one major training exercise and is now leaving the U.S. and its allies confused over what to do.
I found this interesting because the North Koreans and their nuclear weapons are a very serious threat to me and my home. I am worried that a bomb might fly over our heads and end all that we have and love and kill millions of lives. The result in a war between North Korea and the United States would be countless deaths and take away our comfort knowing that we are safe. I just really want to see where our relationship with North Korea is going and if I should be worried.
Concluding this week, I have enjoyed reading and learning about the meeting between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump. I hope that The Times can keep providing information about this problem and keep me up to date with what's going on in our world.
The article “The Ornithologist the Internet Called a Murderer” (https://nyti.ms/2K1hYBo) interested me because it highlighted two things. It showed how online comments and posts can affect the lives of different people. It also showed how people’s bias caused some scientists to be blamed for things that are commonly practiced in the scientific world.
The author, Kirk Johnson, mentions how a biologist named Christopher Filardi was threatened online for killing an animal for research. Filardi had found a rare, male moustached kingfisher and trapped and killed it so it could be preserved and studied by researchers. The public was outraged that such a rare, beautiful bird had been captured and killed, albeit for science, and labeled Filardi as a killer.
What caught my attention is how the animal’s appearance played an important role in the way people judged the scientist who killed the animal. The practice of using guinea pigs or lab rats for science has been going on for a long time, but people only seem to raise concern when more appealing or beautiful animals are affected. Would Filardi have been targeted if he had killed a rare but ugly looking animal for science? Probably not. For example, according to the article, when researchers killed a hog rat to study it, they did not receive rude comments or death threats, despite the rat being almost as rare. I believe that beauty should not play a role in deciding whether or not it is acceptable to kill an animal for science.
This week I have read the incredibly meaningful article by Andrea Cheng, "Is Acne Cool Noe?", that touched me very deeply. Fitting in is something I would do at any cost, even if it means changing myself for others. I know very well after reading this article and looking around me, that almost everyone is trying to fit in, to be accepted for 'who they truly are'. Except that when we change something about ourselves for someone else it's not really us. We've created another duplicate of 'the cool kids', the ones that we think fit in. But as I learned from the article and was hinted for a long time, not everyone everywhere will be happy with the way we are. So changing for someone is not something you should so when trying to fit in. If people around me can't accept me for who I truly am, the way I look and sound, they aren't people I should hang out with. Because with them I will never fit in.
This article really summarized my past and hopefully future. I have been so focused on how to fit in and never really noticed how much I was born to stand out, we all are. I got social media when I never really cared about it, I got my clothes from brands like Adidas and Nike when at first I didn't really care about what brand my clothing items came from. I changed and was influenced by my peers, like Ms. Wait. I hope that I will to, get to the point where I realized that I am who I am. W were all born do stand out, so why should we try to fit in?
What interests me the most in the Times this week is the article about E3 and Fortnite. Fortnite is becoming very popular and it was an overnight success, unlike Ninja aka Tyler Belvins. Fortnite is just becoming so popular nowadays that even Drake is starting to play it. This is quite interesting because just in April Fortnite made near 300 million dollars, which is more than enough money and then some. Fortnite is so fun to play because of the building mechanics in the game and how anyone just by playing the game a lot can get good at it. Most games you have to rely on your name but Fortnite is different your aim does not have to be that good, but your building has to be amazing but it helps if your aim is good. The whole one man standing aspect of the game is quite refreshing over the one whole teaming is going to win. Out of 100 people being the victor is an accomplishment alone. While playing the game you can always get mad and startup get so mad that you do not want to play anymore or you might break something. That is why I like Fortnite so much.
College essays, teacher recommendations, SAT scores, GPAs ... I think most high school students can recognize this list as the aspects of high school which everyone dreads doing, writing, and receiving. And, personally, I have to get ready to face these challenges as I approach my junior year. But why is this list recognized as dreadful, grim, and horrifying? The answer is stress.
What first attracted me to this article was the title. I thought to myself, "A sweet spot ... for stress? How could such a thing be possible?" But, to my surprise, there truly is. Throughout this opinionated article, psychiatrist Richard A. Friedman dives deep into thorough examinations of experiments and surveys associated with stress. At first, however, he addresses the basics of this phenomenon of "beneficial stress". Beneficial stress is a result of the stress "sweet spot" in which the person's body releases the perfect amount of cortisol and adrenaline, not only helping in the spur of the moment but also promoting resilience for whenever the person is in a similar situation again.
Overall, what interested me most in the New York Times this week was not only the aspect of the "Stress Sweet Spot", but the studies and surveys introduced throughout this article that allowed me to not only further understand the subject matter, but relate this article to my own personal life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/opinion/stress-students-kids-brains-s...
"Warriors, In Full Dynasty Mode, Sweep Cavaliers in N.B.A. Finals"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
The NBA finals article quickly caught my eye due to the fact that I was not able to watch Game 4 of the finals. This was a heartbreaking article in my eyes because I am an extremely loyal Lebron James fan. The 3 game lead that the Golden State Warriors carried worried me and I was sure of what would happen in Game 4, meaning I was fully aware that the Warriors would win the last game in the season. This would be the first time in which I've witness a 4-0 winning streak, which ultimately leads to a championship. Although I already knew the fate of the 2018 Finals, I was still hoping for a game 5. There was something else that stood out to me in this article though. The idea of James leaving his home town interested me. I've always wanted my favorite player to be on my favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers. This would bring glory back to the Lakers since Kobe Bryant retired in 2016. Also, the Lakers team is full of rookie players, first year drafted players, who are not experienced enough to hold a team together. James has the experience and the championships to show that he will undoubtedly improve the Lakers team working skills and the team's dynamic.
Sports, what I enjoy in life right now. Athletics push me to be the best athlete and person I can be. “Simply Perfect: Justify Wins the Triple Crown” says it all! The horse athlete, Justify, and the jockey athlete, Smith, accomplished something only 13 others have accomplished- The Triple Crown; the “Justify Camp” folks have much to be proud of.
I begrudgingly started following Justify during the Kentucky Derby; I knew nothing about horse racing, but someone was going to win! The relationship athletes/coaches make were evident - emotions were high for Smith as he spent one on one time with Justify after the race. Baffert, trainer, fought back emotions; the second trainer ever to win the Triple Crown twice. Lastly, the athlete, Justify, the second horse in history to go undefeated while chasing the Crown (Seattle Slew in 1977).
“The great ones, they just find another gear,” Justify’s trainer, Bob Baffert, said, adding, “If he was great, he’s going to do it, and that’s what it’s about.” In this sport, many must dig deep - the jockey must be focused, the horse must be on his “A” game (ready for the inside rail), the track must be perfect, and maybe a little luck. These horse athletes have a drive like a human. They want to win like I want to win when I step out on the mat/baseball field. It is true - the great ones find another gear!
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/sports/belmont-stakes-justify.html
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The article and video "I Escaped North Korea. Here's My Message For President Trump." interested me most from the Times this week because it is about a personal story and perspective of a North Korean girl who witnessed horrifing events that were caused by the North Korean dictators. Yeonmi Park talks about how these events effected herself, her family, and other North Koreans. Her goal is to convince President Trump to help North Koreans receive human rights, now that he is in contact with Kim Jong-un. I clicked on this link because it has a intreresting title and it is related to the popular news of the meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un. When I watched Yeonmi's video to President Trump, I was shocked and surprised about what was actually happening in North Korea, and how the citizens were treated. I felt misinformed and mislead about North Korea. I always thought North Koreans had it rough because they have very little rights and freedoms. My teachers and the news also have said that North Koreans are limited in certain resources like the internet or Google, and music, that many are very poor so beef, chicken, and pork are too expensive to afford, and that North Korea is intensely controled by being racially homogeneous. But I never knew or imagined that they were treated like this. Now both the article and video gave me a new point of view of North Korea and how human rights are very valuable and should not be taken for granted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
The article that interested me the most was about Kate Spade's Death. As a young teen I look up to successful women, wanting to be like them when I grow up. Kate was from a small town and explored the world and founded her own company. She gives me courage that I can explore out of my small town and dream big and maybe someday start my own company in fashion. I was very devastated when I heard about her death. Her death sends out a message to everyone worldwide. You should always ask if someone is okay or if they need a friend to talk to. Having someone to talk to can make them reevaluate life and not go down the suicidal path.
She needed someone to talk to or to ask how she was feeling and unfortunately she did not have anyone. She will forever and always be my idol .
I am no stranger to being treated as a second class citizen. I am one of six girls in my Calculus BC class and am often viewed as "inferior" by my male counterparts. Even though I am well aware that my status as a woman means I will have to work harder, I have decided to pursue my love of math in college. However, after reading the article “How Universities Deal with Sexual Harassment Needs Sweeping Change, Panel Says,” I was outraged that little progress has been made in preventing female harassment in STEM related fields.
These universities are aware that we live in a world where serial molesters groom little girls. These universities are aware of the “steep price” of six months in jail that Brock Turner had to pay for “twenty minutes of actions.” These universities are aware that 1 in 5 female students face sexual harassment from faculty members. And yet they continue to turn a blind eye for the fear of being held legally responsible? And at what expense? To protect their colleagues who have ruined the dreams of many aspiring women?
While the fifteen recommendations set forth by the National Academies may not be an end all solution to ending unwanted sexual advances, it is certainly a step in the right direction. I applaud the University of Texas system for implementing some of the proposed policies and hope other universities will follow suit. Hopefully, when I begin college in the Fall of 2019, I will step onto campus a little safer—treated as a first class citizen.
Coming from a family that loved watching and playing sports, the headtitle that immediately caught my attention was, "LeBron James Is Carrying the Cavaliers in a Historic Way." The article displays the statistics and insane accomplishments Lebron has achieved during 2018. Personally, I love Blake Griffin and completely support the LA Clippers but when looking upon Lebron James and how amazing of a basketball star he is, it's truly eye-opening. I wanted to read this article and write about it because I am passionate about the sport basketball, and I want people to enjoy Lebron James instead of hating on him because he isn't necessarily on "their team." So, the purpose of this article is to shed light on what Lebron James has done for the team and the game of basketball. Looking at the charts, "Lebron has contributed to 32% of the Cavaliers' stats" in terms of steals, blocks, or points. Additionally, throughout the course of history, no other player has led a team to the playoffs more than Lebron has with the Cavaliers. So, why did this article interest me and give me passion to share my thoughts about it? Because LeBron James will go down in history as one of the best basketball players, and I hope people will take the time to watch his gameplay. I'm glad this article was written because, all of the great basketball players deserve recognition for all they achieve, and i give my personal thanks to the authors, Adam Pearce and Joe Ward, for publishing such a great article.
I was first interested in the article titled, “There Are Good Men Out There.” I was intrigued by the fact that the article was specifically related to how today is Father’s Day. Within the article it described in depth how the gender rolls of society today differ immensely from the rolls of each gender even just a couple decades ago. I liked the article because it showed how men used to work and not really take care of the children like they should have, and it was mainly the woman’s job to take care of the household. Since the Great Depression and other events, women have been working more outside the house and men have been working more inside than they used to. The work of a couple is more equally split and not much segregation occurs. Within the article it explains this and adds pictures of new fathers learning how to do their jobs to add in a sentimental effect. This makes the reader feel for the author because she describes her childhood with an absence of the loving father most people know today. The required, slow transformation of society to more equally split gender roles is the main idea of the article. For many, this change is truly necessary and appreciated. This societal change also brings up a question of if there are better and even more impactful changes to come in our near future.
As I read the article,“A Gay Referee Tries to Find His Place in Hockey” by Jason Buckland, it became obvious that the sport that I love needs to change. I had no idea that there wasn’t a single gay person in or even associated with the NHL. The NBA and the NFL have already welcomed their first gay players so why can’t the NHL? I’ve been playing hockey for the past 12 years and have often ignored the homophobic language because trash talk is so ingrained in hockey’s culture. Search “NHL Chirps” on YouTube and you’ll see what I mean. In hockey, everybody pours their heart out on the ice and tempers flare, but after the game, we all shake hands and it’s over. However, making somebody feel unsafe through homophobic language is taking it way too far. After reading the article, it became clear to me how deeply words can actually hurt people. My heart breaks for Andrea Barone--a referee who quit hockey due to his sexuality. He must have felt so alone, which is something I am familiar with. Last season, I played on my high school’s varsity team and was one of the only two girls in the whole league. My teammates were very supportive of me, but somehow I still felt alone in my little hockey world. My issue is tiny, especially compared to Andrea Barrone’s but I can understand where he is coming from. Nobody should have to feel alone participating in the sport they love and for that, I hope that somebody in the NHL reads this article and allows it to open their eyes as it did mine.
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What interested me the most in The Times this week was the raccoon that scaled the 25 story office building in Minnesota. This article interested me because I love animals and I thought it was a really cute story. There’s a lot of bad press in the media and there are a lot of bad things going on in the world that people see on the media and it’s really nice to see a story like this come along. Seeing this story and then seeing it trending on twitter was extremely heartwarming because so many people working in that building took time to take pictures of the raccoon and so many people responded with positivity and they all just hoped the raccoon could make it up to the roof safely, and when he did everyone shared the excitement of him being able to climb the entire building.
The article that caught my attention the most this week was titled "Greek Government Survives Vote Over Deal to Rename Macedonia". The article focuses on the deal that has been reached between the countries of Greece and Macedonia. The deal focuses on the country of Macedonia changing its name in order to stop confusion with the Greek province also named Macedonia. Many Greeks argue that it takes claim for Ancient Greek history, for example, the ancient Greek ruler, Alexander the Great, was from the Greek province of Macedonia and not the country. This point of conflict began after the fall of Yugoslavia in 1991 and the formation/naming of the country of Macedonia. Macedons hope that this name change will pave a way for them to join NATO and the EU.
This article reminds me how nothing is permanent, not even countries. In history, we are always taught about the once mighty empire and nations, such as the Romans, and how they fell apart over time. Yet, in our short lifetime, we often to do not get to see the world around us change or the ramifications. Often, I think about countries as being permanent things that will never change in my lifetime. This article just reminds me of how the world around us is, and will always be, constantly changing. This article also proves how history will always play a part in modern society and politics.
The incredibly written article titled, "My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me" presented a unique yet beautiful way to convey love. As a young teen in this era, love is a challenge that has evolved from the earliest years. The common goal is to find the perfect love and live happily ever after with that person, right? Wrong. I hate to say it, but 'perfect love' does not even exist. New York Times has an expertise way of showing the youth what true love looks like. Amy and Jason Rosenthal discussed appropriate arrangements for creating a new story after her fight for life after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Although it may take stepping out of your comfort zone, this article encourages us to discuss with our significant other our plans for life after one may pass. This may be a difficult conversation, so it is up to the reader to do so, or not.
This article gave me a different perspective on life: to live every day as it were going to be my last. As mentioned in the article, Jason presented a Ted Talk on how he handled his grievances and how we could fill the blank page after such a devastating loss. His Talk made me emotional; especially when he described carrying his dead wife from their bed to be cremated. I highly encourage anyone suffering a death or loss to read this article and watch his Ted Talk because I believe by doing so, I understand life better than before. It's incredible to be moved in a powerful way, so much to be wanting to be a different person.
The article that interested me most was on pregnancy discrimination. What struck me was my lack of awareness towards such issues women face.
The most primarily asked question is: What is the role of a woman? Traditionally, a woman’s role was to become a Mother to ensure the continuity of mankind. However, that does not necessarily mean that all there is to a woman’s worth is to be a Mother. History has shown that women are capable of juggling the responsibilities of being mothers and having careers at the same time. It is unfair for women to be forced to choose between either. However, pregnant working women are automatically robbed of their opportunities, and we all know this will never happen to men. Why then, do those who will never experience the plight of these women have the right to decide on the fate of their careers? Many employers turn a deaf ear to these women’s cries of help. They take a woman and her child’s safety as a joke, and are unaware of the seriousness of the situation until bad things happen, and the thought of that makes me really disappointed with the treatment of pregnant women in current society.
This may not be the case everywhere, however pregnancy discrimination still exists. The fact that I was unaware of this before drew me into the article. It made me realise that there are still many areas in which women are discriminated against, and there is much more we can do together to make a change for women worldwide.
The article that interested me the most this week is titled,'' He's got a Winning Record. So Why do the Fans want him Fired.'' I disagree with the fans because the coach shouldn't be fired because of what the fans think. The team still is on the coaches side and that is what should matter, not what the fans think because the coach is there to help the team and not who is watching the game. The Mexico national team has been winning 2 games every 3 ever since the big lost against Chile, 7 to 0, and I think that proves that the coach must be doing something right. I am one who thinks that the coach is not all responsible for his or her team's wins or loses, but it should be every player's responsibility also. This article interested me because the fact that fans from mexico will turn against there own teams coach is ridiculous to me.
Here is a poem I wrote in relation to the article I read! It is titled Change.
Change
I’m pregnant, that’s what she said.
The two words that brought so much joy,
Yet at the same time,
The two words that women feared to tell.
The blessing of new life these women share,
Shall soon turn to fear that threatens and scares.
She was once a star, valued by many.
Overnight, she is now worth less than a penny.
What sin has she committed?
No more bonuses, no more promotions.
Pregnant women turn slow and work slow,
Pregnant women are no longer committed,
Pregnant women are a burden to the company,
Discrimination is prevalent in the air.
So they come together, for one and for all.
To fight for themselves, and their new unborn,
In hopes of a better life, a better future.
And although justice may not be served,
They may not get what they deserve.
Against the odds pit against them all,
These women emerge stronger than before,
Remembering what they fight for.
1
Eyeglasses often seem like a chore. After all, who likes to put a piece of glass over their eyes just to see (view the world) like others? I, for one, choose not to wear glasses unless I must. However, after reading “A Simple Way to Improve a Billion Lives: Eyeglasses,” clearly that less fortunate people, aren’t even aware of how glasses can drastically improve their lives. Nor, do they have a choice in whether to wear eyeglasses.
One particularly surprising fact stated in the article was the amount of lost productivity due to lack of sight: 200 billion. Contrasted with the fact that the article mentions each pair of glasses only costs $1.50 to produce, it seems almost unreasonable that countries aren’t putting more efforts into solving this problem. I think it is necessary for glasses to be inexpensive – or even better, free. Eyeglasses in America can cost upwards of 100 dollars. Why should someone have to pay to even be able to use one of their five senses?
Any nearsighted person would be able to argue that school is heavily demanding on your eyes. Without good vision, constant notetaking and learning would turn into a challenging task, even for the best of students. Due to lack of proper eye care, one can argue that even the most hardworking students may not be able to bring out their full potential and fall behind their classmates.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/health/glasses-developing-world-globa...
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The article that interested me most in the New York Times this week was titled "Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution". Our world is made of up of differences. Each person, creature, and thing is different from the next. No two people are identical from their outward appearance to their biological makeup. Every body type is different yet beautiful and every woman is different yet beautiful. The swimsuit portion of the Miss America pageant focuses heavily on a women's outward appearance rather than all the qualities that make women beautiful. Being beautiful is not just about what's on the outside but it is what is on the inside. Stated by Leonard Horn, "The swimsuit competition has been controversial since the early 1920s, but it’s been retained because the majority of the people like it.” Yes, this portion can be entertaining to watch; however, other portions of the competition that focus on a women's character are just as or even more important. Miss America is an icon for many young girls across the nation, and good character is much more important than being able to rock a swimsuit. Young girls look up to Miss America to be a role model for them and as a guide for them. All women, no matter their body type, are beautiful and should be able to feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin.
When I reflect on my childhood, I think a lot about how imaginative I was. Daydreaming and fantasizing made up a big part of my life when I was younger. One of my longest lasting fantasies was basically me imagining what it would be like if I had a different name. When I read "Opinion: Do You Like Your Name?" by Arthur C. Brooks, I immediately got flashbacks to my imaginative fantasies about making up a new name for myself. The article states that 79% of people liked their names and despite the fact that I fit into that 79%, it didn't stop my younger self from renaming myself in my fantasies and imagining how life would be if I had a different name.
My name is Kara, a name that is not quite unique but not basic either. My younger self had come up with a name, "Alexa", for myself and started to create a persona in my head. I imagined the life that Alexa lived, the personality traits she had, and the things she was interested in. Looking back, I am not so sure why I chose to do this. Maybe I was just a young child who let my imagination run wild or maybe back then, I was not too fond of my name. In all honesty, I could not tell you.
Brooks explains why he had previously disliked his name and how he thought about how a person's name can have an effect on them and it caused me to wonder if many people truly believe that their name has all this power over them. Do people really let their given name control their ideas, feelings, and actions?
For me, it might have.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/learning/summer-vacation.html
This summer I am going to be reading the book divergent and I am really excited to read it. I watched the movie and I've heard that the book is really good. I'm going to be watching Netflix everyday and sleeping in. I'm going to be traveling to different states and maybe I'll visit Canada this year. I am going to visit my best friends and we are going to the beach.
The article that interested me the most this week is titled “Why You Can’t Really Trust Negative Online Reviews”. As one who appreciates the convenience of online shopping yet withholds herself from adding to the cart once swayed by reviews, this article proved itself worthy of my interest by highlighting the loopholes in negative reviews. For example, research shows that emotions, expertise and even companionship affects reviews. We have to keep in mind that reviews could be written by people with contrasting experiences and perspectives from those of ours. Negative reviews are more outstanding due to their rarity. Therefore, negative opinions would not necessarily reflect the general public’s, and may not be an accurate representation of the subject being reviewed. Worse still, there are countless fake reviewers out there paid to cough up reviews that should not even be accounted for.
The article shed light on how something even as convenient as shopping online can be deterred by the complexity of reviews. Frankly, it amazes me how simple decisions are effortlessly swayed by the opinions of others when we fail to consider the other contributing factors that dictate those opinions. The tips mentioned in the article need not only be applied to online reviews, but should be extrapolated to the countless dilemmas where we grapple with the conflict between our intuitions and the emotions of others.
The article, "Seizing Children From Parents at the Border Is Immoral. Here’s What We Can Do About It.", interested me most in The Times because it clearly shows the importance of keeping families together no matter the nationality. This article includes ways to help with this issue of separating families. It is inhumane to cause fear and anguish for these families. This article illustrates that in unity their is strength and that all people should have the same rights no matter their race, religion, or nationality. It is unbelievable to think that the government is separating families when they sacrifice their lives to come to the United States for a better future for their children, whether it is for a better education or getting away from violence in their country. This article includes different examples in which we as a country have the power to help these innocent children get back together with their families. As one people, we should know that not one race is superior and we should not discriminate others and not help. This article also interested me most because I can relate with them. As a Mexican-American I have also experienced times when people would not help my family because of their race and also because they could not speak English. We should always remember that we should help each other in times of crisis and create a better future where there is peace and where there is no fighting for superiority.
“How to talk about the World Cup and sound reasonably smart”
This article interested me the most this week because the World Cup kicked off this past Thursday and it has been 4 years since the last one. I remember watching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and seeing Germany win 1-0 over Argentina. Joy and euphoria amongst the fans was overwhelming and I could not help but be lifted by their spirits. It is amazing how one game can unite people of all countries and ethnicities and celebrate soccer. Now it is that time again. This article informed me of the rising players, teams and language related to soccer. I have a good base on understanding each of the teams participating and how likely they will succeed. Regardless who wins, I will relive the emotions I did 4 years ago and this upcoming World Cup only increases the excitement. I found this article to be the most informative yet about the World Cup and hope others can read it and enjoy soccer for themselves too
Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/miss-america-swimsuit.html
As a young girl, I looked forward to the one time of the year when the kitchen became my runway. I would parade past the dining room table in a swimsuit, dreaming of one day becoming Miss America. As I grew older, my dreams seemed more and more unrealistic as I realized that I didn’t exactly look like the pageant competitors. Being as pretty as Miss America seemed unfeasible and so it was a dream that I gave up.
However upon reading “Miss America Ends Swimsuit Competition, Aiming to Evolve in ‘This Cultural Revolution,’” my love for the competition has been reignited. Miss America is redefining the standard of beauty by insisting that, as cliche as it sounds, beauty truly is found on the inside.
Removing the swimsuit portion of competition will not only affect competitors, but it will help change how this world views women. And while this change may not be culturally catastrophic, it’s a start, and all great things needs to start somewhere. Girls will no longer dream of being as pretty as Miss America. They will trade in their heels for books and they will work to be as smart and kind as Miss America. There is so much our country could accomplish if we armed our girls with knowledge in place of lipstick. Women are powerful. Women are smart. We are strong. And it’s about time that the world took notice.
The article on New York Times that interested me the most this week is "How 'The Incredible s' got an upgrade" because if you haven't watched the previous version they were fantastic. I am planning to go watch Incredible s 3 and i want to know what it is going to look like. While i was reading this article the one difference that caught my eye was that they had gotten a bigger house and that the train that they stop is more futuristic. I honestly love seeing things being improved and more futuristic stuff. This article is definitely going to make me want to watch the new movie.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
As a teen who does struggle with acne, I can understand the struggles that Hailey Wait is going through. Hailey struggled with how she felt and how the acne made her look. Her self esteem had gotten low because when you deal with acne, you tend to worry about how others think about you. But, you should honestly just not care about what others think, just like Hailey did. She eventually got over her fear of others opinions about her acne. People in society today tend to judge others about how they look and if they have acne or not. Megan Collins has learned that embracing your acne is better for you instead of hiding it. I can agree with that. Now, lately there has been a lot more “skin positivity” posts on the internet. Celebrities have been more involved with the topic and that is a great thing. In all, acne and skin positivity has become a very important and controversial topic in our world today. So, it is up to us to fix this topic and to help other teens, adults included, to spread skin positivity and to start loving out skin and not being ashamed of it!
[email protected]
The headlines of the NY Times Business page "Just the Fear of a Trade War Is Straining the Global Economy" caught my attention. Trade wars have not happened for many years until today when Trump decided to impose it. I've read articles in the past about trade wars and their huge impacts on small countries.
The article specifically talks about how Trump's decision on imposing tariffs leave a huge impact on businesses both in and out of America. Apples imported from Mexico has decreases due to its increase in prices due to tariffs. Businesses that needs aluminium and steel are also facing a dire situation since they are mostly imported from America. China also is trying to fight back the trade war by increasing its tariffs on other goods. This shows that trade wars are a bad idea which doesn't benefit anyone.
Why is Trump taking this decision?", was the first thought I had in mind. There could be that particular reason where he wants to dominate the world, since he know America is a powerful country. Or he wants America to be secluded like North Korea. I actually have no idea.
The article is very educational about trade wars and its consequences.
"New Reality for High School Students: Calculating the Risk of Getting Shot" reveals the stark life that students face nowadays. As a student of a different nation halfway around the globe, it's easy to forget the hardships faced by students in other locations. This article served to remind me of the dangers students face going to school each day in what is commonly viewed as a "superior first-world country" in most other countries. I first clicked on this article with mild interest as firearms, viewed from an outsider's perspective, is something that provokes attention and entertainment. By reading this article, I was able to remind myself that guns, unlike the guns portrayed in pop culture, guns cause massive damage both physically and mentally. The author's use of interview clearly showed what the students were feeling, helping me understand the gravity of the situation. The article left me feeling both relieved and worried about my current situation. To think that I am living in a period where being in a mass shooting at a school is unsettling even if it is mostly happening in a different country. The fact that we face an era where school shootings are even a thing reveals the corrupt world we live in and instills the sense that we need to act to strive towards a future where the safety of students is ensured, not only at school but everywhere else. I felt that this article was meaningful in conveying a message about a nationwide issue that we must strive to solve.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/style/axiom-space-travel.html
Travelling to space for personal enjoyment sounds like a futuristic dream. However, a company is actually offering this fantasy, but only if you have the other childhood dream: having millions of dollars to spare. Axiom Space is putting together a luxury 8 day trip into orbit, for "only $50 million". With a price that low, what crummy amenities will buyers have to put up with as they exit the atmosphere? Well, a French designer managed to cut some corner by only decking out the room with "padded, quilted, cream-colored, suede-like fabric and hundreds of tiny LED lights that glow in varying hues depending on the time of day and where the space station is floating in relation to the earth". Might as well be a Super 8. Customers will also receive a NASA grade spacesuit and personalized space-leisure track suits that they can take home. Thank God there's wifi, so that anyone foolish enough to shell out a few million for this catchpenny trip can still tweet to their millions of followers about how they're just like us.
The article about the Raccoon interested me because it seemed like it would be comical and entertaining. I was interested because it sounds like such an odd thing for a raccoon to scale an entire building! I love animals and find them to sometimes be very hilarious creatures. Most people tend to think of raccoons as rodents, but this article shows they can be cute. I needed a good laugh today and this article accomplished just that. The title captured my attention and the article kept it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/world/asia/philippines-dynamite-fishi...
This article "In the Philippines, Dynamite Fishing Decimates Entire Ocean Food Chains" talks about how one person caused damage to marine life in Philippines. Since using dynamite is easier and more efficient than fishing with nets, this person decided to go with what's best for him. Although Philippines is known for its biodiversity in marine life, human activities are starting to bring down the title. Even after the dynamite-using fisherman was caught, he still doesn't think that the decline in fish population is his fault because it has been used since the times of his parents.
This article caught my eyes because this can be listed as one of the problems with narrow-minded parenting. This usually happens countries which aren't fully developed yet, including mine. The fisherman might have not gone to school so, even with lack of education, if his parents taught him how this method can affect the lives underwater and as well as on land, he might not even put dynamite as an option for fishing. This is not a government issue because the government can't control people's behaviors. One person's action can cause ripple effect to everything surrounding it; in this situation, I believe that using dynamite is effecting higher living of Filipinos by closing the opportunity of better sales which will be eventually invested into schools for education.
"An Underwater Photographer Documents a Meditative World"
As I was searching through articles and looking for something that piqued my interest, the more articles I saw, the more I tended to focus on the pictures. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Pretty soon, I ended up in the photography section and let myself roam, purposely not looking at the headlines.
I scrolled to a stop at the beautifully calming photo by Michaela Skovranova, which shows a humpback whale among white blurs and the deep blue ocean. How could I resist? My love for nature was calling. The headline did the rest.
While poring over the article about Skovranova's pictures and Bartkowiak's words, I realized another reason I was so drawn to the picture. I was reminded of the stunning beauty of the underwater world, which I had the opportunity to experience recently when I went scuba diving. Such magnificent creatures exist almost out of our sight, yet they are threatened by our pollution, global warming, and mass extinctions.
I try to appreciate our natural world as much as I can, because one day these species might disappear before we know it. The photographers who go to such lengths (in Skovranova's case, she went to Antarctica for the stunning shots) to capture nature are preserving a unique part of our world that may someday be missed.
"Daredevil Raccoon Climbs Minnesota Skyscraper and Becomes a Sensation" interested me the most because I love animals and i thought it would be a cool article to write about. Once i saw this article i just knew i had to read it. This 2 year old raccoon climbed a 25 story building. It amazes me that raccoons can normally climb almost 30 feet high when i can climb about 8 feet up with no harness, but raccoons climbing a building is definitely different. Lots of people thought this was an interesting view. People scattered the streets with binoculars. Some scared that it'll fall off the ledge that it is on, others not scared if it falls. This little raccoon would climb up and down. Finally, making it to the roof, someone caught the animal with cat food and a trap, and released it back into the wild. I'm glad that people thought it was an entertaining view, but I was worried it would fall. ([email protected])
I've always thought I was relatively average in terms of health. It didn't take long for all of that to change. Two weeks ago, I opened my eyes and found myself in a pediatric hospital with a piece of paper in my hand. It was a diagnosis...my diagnosis, for depression.
I never bother with the depression sob stories that are all over the Internet, nor did I think any of that could ever concern me. To me, being sad was a standard, something I faced every day. That didn't mean I was any different. Everyone had their days. Once I realized it was a topic relevant to me...I avoided the sob stories like the plague.
I almost clicked out of this article, too. It didn't seem any different than the other thousands of articles by people who pretended to know what people like me were feeling, when they were only scratching the surface of the pain. But this, I realized, was different. This was real.
What mainly caught me was the line, "We don't have a good language for taling about sadness or depression...which are two countries that have a common border." That line told me that this was an article by someone who really understood. It opened my heart. I felt more willing to listen. Not only that, I WANTED to listen. I'd never reread an article so many times in my life. This one touched upon something that has become a part of who I am, and gave me insight into what I can make of it.
This week, the article “‘It Felt Like I Was Wrapped in One Big Hug’: Inside the Chicago Gay and Straight Alliance Prom” has interested me the most. Teachers and students all came together to organize a prom to celebrate those in the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. community and give them an opportunity to socialize with others who struggle with similar hardships. The students were able to let loose, dance, and be themselves without the fear of being judged or made fun of. Students and administrators traveled hours in order to be involved in the magical event. The main goal of the event is for students to be present; therefore, admission prices were adjusted based on what the students were able to afford, along with transportation being provided. The first Gay and Straight Alliance Prom was eight years ago, and each year more and more students become involved and are able to experience the beauty that is associated with the event.
I love the concept of the Gay and Straight Alliance Prom because it creates a space for L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. teenagers to connect and bond with one another and it allows them the freedom to express themselves. I think this event should occur in schools throughout the world. Although there has been a great amount of progress with the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. community throughout the years, I still believe more can be done to make these people feel accepted and unified. The Gay and Straight Alliance Prom is a big step towards further advancement in this community.
Everyone either loves or fears thunderstorms. Some people may hate the loud noises of thunder while others may love to watch lightning strike. You’ve probably seen paintings of thunderstorms before, specifically of lightning, but are they accurate?
In an article titled “Do You Really Know What Lightning Really Looks Like” Steph Yin gives her perspective on lighting in paintings versus photographs. “Notice the difference between the imagined and actual renderings,” she says. “There aren’t enough veins of electricity in the paintings.”
The article includes numerous photographs and paintings of lightning. Yin explains why the paintings are inaccurate. “While painted lightning strikes had 11 arms at most, photographs showed lightning splitting into as many as 51 fingers. Actual numbers could be even higher… because some tendrils may be too dim for cameras to register.” Of course not even a photograph can be 100% accurate, but it’s much more accurate than any painting has ever been.
This article caught my eye since we had a thunderstorm recently. The lightning was really fun to watch, and I even got some photographs of it! I’ve always been a person who likes looking at pictures and paintings of lightning, and I never really noticed this small detail. I find it fascinating that I’ve never noticed this difference before, and I’m definitely going to pay more attention to it in the future.
What do you think about the difference in veins of lighting in paintings and photographs?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/travel/places-to-visit.html
What intrigued me the most in the NY Times this week was the 52 places to visit in the world because I personally love traveling with a passion. Some places that I saw, I had never heard of before but now I definitely want to look into them more. The place that caught my eye was Südtirol,Italy. The mountainous area with a view of greenland and snowy parts is just beautiful. I would love to to take a trip there and explore the different retreats. It's also pretty interesting how German culture has fit its way into the area. This will be a nice change from other places I have visited in Italy. Since there isn't a lot of tourism, staying there would be peaceful and calming especially when getting away from stressful things. Italy wasn't the only place that interested me out of all 52 destinations. I enjoyed looking and reading about Ypres, Peru, and Iceland. The diversity and culture of all these places definitely make me want to travel more to places, especially out of the ordinary areas.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/style/axiom-space-travel.html
What interested me the most this week in the Times was the article "The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet." At first, I thought it to be a joke or honestly just something funny that I could laugh at. However, it seems that people with a daunting 55 million dollars just laying around will actually be able to travel to space for 12 days as soon as 2020. I can't begin to explain how ridiculous the idea of spending a two week party in a cramped room (easily confused with a padded room from an asylum) is, not to mention the "mouth-watering" frozen meals made of God knows what. It's baffling to me that a person could be so bored with Earth that they would actually waste money of such big proportion, money that could be used to fix a lot of urgent problems the world is currently facing. Would you rather see Katy Perry living it up in space or someone being one step closer to a cure for cancer?
Overpopulation, poverty, and hunger are dominating Earth right now, so I guess the rich really should leave this wretched planet. There's probably not any of those problems in space right? Or, at least not yet.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/sports/stanley-cup-washington-capital... @[email protected]
The article that interested me the most in the Ny Times this week is the one about the Washington Capitals winning the Stanley Cup. The Capitals have never won the Stanley Cup, and the last time they made it to the Stanley cup was in 1998. The story of the playoffs and of the Stanley Cup Final was NHL Superstar Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has ranked among the leagues best players since his admittance to the league 13 years ago. Ovechkin has three Hart trophies to his name, which is awarded to league's best player. People often identified Ovechkin as the best player in sports without a championship, that is finally no longer true. The Capitals went in to the Stanley Cup after just defeating the offensive powerhouse, Tampa Bay Lightning, in the Conference Finals. Moving onto to the cup, they played against the Cinderella Story team, Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights are in their first season in the NHL, they had the most impressive and successful first season as an expansion team ever, and it's not even close. The young, fast Vegas team won the first game of the finals by a score of 6-4. With the results of the first game, it looked like the Capitals, and Ovechkin were looking at another disappointing end to their season. However, the Caps fought back, winning the next four games, and being crowned the Stanley Cup. I chose this because of my love for hockey.
The article that most interested me was How ‘The Incredibles’ Got an Upgrade. This article really interested me because I wanted to know what has been improved in CGI over 14 years because its been about 14 years since the first Incredibles . The article stats "The characters’ faces are more detailed, the action sequences more elaborate, the design richer and the settings more layered. So now the characters don't look like they freeze like if the CD is scratched the transition is much smooth now. After reading this article I want go watch the 2nd sequel to this movie to just see the differ and how the CGI has been improved
What really interested me in The Times this week was the article about ''Jury Awards $45 Million to Women Struck by Falling Shopping Cart'' by Jacey Fortin. According to the article a women named Marion Hedge on October 2011 was struck with a shopping cart which fell from more than seventy feet that was pushed off by two young boys. Mrs. Hedge now suffered from "serious brain damage and today she struggles with double vision, memory loss, and diminished cognitive abilities." Hedge later on sued the mall and the planned security service.
I one hundred percent believe Mrs. Hedge deserves the money. After all she did not sue the two young boys and she now suffers from several illness. To be honest I blame the security service. Mr. Moore (her lawyer) said "the security company knew about repeated instances of objects being thrown from the pedestrian walkways, presenting a danger to passers-by below that was never adequately addressed." Maybe they could of prevented all this if they took this information seriously and took actions right away. I think I speak for most when I say injuries and accidents in stores big or small can be prevented if the owners or the security teams in charge took the correct actions and be a little careful. Hopefully an incident like Mrs. hedge may never occur. And even if it does someone is looking at a lot of money.
June 16, 2018
The article that interested me the most out of all the other articles published by New York Times is the article "BTS Becomes the First K-Pop Act to Top Billboard Album Chart", written by Ben Sisario. One of the reasons this article stood out to me is due to how this boy band broke language barriers with their new album "Love Yourself: Tear". To explain, BTS' new album is mainly sung in Korean with only several English phrases at most. To see this type of music break into a English-dominated music industry and country is absolutely refreshing to read, not only because this Korean boy band made American history by doing so but also by showing that their music can overcome any prejudice comments. As America increases in nationalism and in opinions about supremacy, witnessing a different language influence/ impact Americans through music is one of the reasons why I had to write a review about this article.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/arts/music/bts-no-1-billboard.html
What interested me the most in the New York Times was the piece titled "By Land or by Sea, U.S. Open Golfers Got Creative About Their Lodging". I find a great interest watching golf and playing golf. When I found this article it caught my eye and I had to read more.The PGA golf players have found new ways to stay close to their families by staying in RV's and Boats. These famous golf players included Bubba Watson (RV), Jason Day (RV), and Tiger Woods (Boat). In the article Jason Day mentioned hows Watson walked on over to his RV and just started talking to him while eating a burrito. He said he talked to him for 30 mins. The reporter also mentioned how the children would knock on each others doors and play. I think this is a fun way to spend time with their families on the road.([email protected])
www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/travel/mexico-city-family-travel.html.
I know that I’m extremely lucky. I feel safe in my home, am receiving an excellent education, and my family has more than enough money. Nonetheless, when I read Shivani Vora’s article “From Pyramids to Chocolate, Mexico City Through the Eyes of Children”, I felt jealous of the Vora family's trip to Mexico City. However, it made me wonder just how differently local children view their own capital.
For Vora’s children, they were on a luxury vacation. But for Mexican children, it surely can’t be so glamorous. In Mexico, millions of kids go to work every day in order to support their families. Some can't find work and become homeless, and are surrounded by the violence and crime which plague Mexico City. According to Professor Víctor Inzúa Canales, “40% of homeless [Mexican] children are addicted to drugs and commit crimes”*.
When visiting a different country, I believe it is naïve and disrespectful to only tour the gilded side of its culture. There is more to Mexico than luxury hotels and museums, but from what they saw, Vora’s children wouldn’t know that. Volunteering in a homeless shelter, shadowing a craftsman, or talking with local children all would have added a valuable lesson on privilege to the Vora family’s trip. When planning vacations, parents should consider the significance of the trip on their children’s cultural understanding, and not just its “fun factor”.
*Source: https://tinyurl.com/ycxbmuqu
What interested me most in the New York Times this week was the article "Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You're Rich)". The title of this article caught my attention initially because the cost of college in the United States is presently an enormous issue, especially when compared to other countries. But, more specifically the words in parenthesis drew me to the article. The reality of the cost of college for "rich" people has recently come into my awareness, and though I appreciated the information given throughout the article, I wished the article would have focused more on this issue. I acknowledge that many people in the US are wealthy and can afford college tuition in full, and I also know that there are many people who are categorized as "rich" who struggle just as much with college tuition. There is a subset of students whose family makes just enough money to classify them as "rich" though not enough to ease the burden of financial stress. This reality often means students end up choosing not to attend the dream schools they were accepted to because the finances are just too great a burden. While I appreciate the perspective this article gives, a perspective which many aren't aware of, it reminds me of the overarching issue that college tuition is a burden for a colossal amount of Americans regardless of social class.
article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/05/opinion/columnists/what-c...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/mpr-raccoon-building-climb.html
Scrolling through the home page of the New York Times website, most of the articles had to do with politics, violence, or racism. These are, of course, very important topics, but the article that caught my eye was "The Week in Good News," where Remy Tumin summed up some of the fun and light-hearted news from the previous week. No gun violence, no death, no Trump. This article summarized seven of the "great things" written about during the week. One that caught my eye was "Daredevil Raccoon Climbs Minnesota Skyscraper and Becomes a Sensation," by Matthew Haag and Christina Caron.
The article describes the journey that a raccoon in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota took, from a "ledge 20 feet above a street" to the roof of a 25-story office building. On June 12th, the raccoon began its climb up the building. After traveling to the 23rd floor, but stopping, "officials baited live traps with cat food and placed them on the roof," hoping to bring the animal up to the top of the building where it could easily be rescued. After a long day and night, it made its way to the roof at 2:45 a.m. and was released back into the wild soon after.
This article interested me because of my love for animals. I find them humorous and entertaining, be it a pet dog, wild squirrel, or penguin at the zoo. My interest in animals and the fact that this was a nice break from politics and other negative news brought me to this article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/04/us/politics/trump-executive-power-rus...
The article written by Charlie Savage, "Trump and His Lawyers Embrace a Vision of Vast Executive Power", has piqued my interest. This is a very controversial topic internationally and involves President Trump. In the past year, President Trump has received a lot of attention from the media to either vilify the president or to endorse his sovereignty. This article presents a very controversial notion that the president is above the law and has complete jurisdiction over the country. President Trump claimed that he had the absolute right to pardon himself.
I believe that no one should be above the law, especially those who reinforce the law. Everyone should abide by the law to create a more strife-free nation. President Trump has been involved in many claims against him such as the allegations from Stormy Daniels. The controversy and dispute sparked by this topic is very interesting. I would like to see what this leads to.
“The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet”
What could possibly motivate someone to wear a 180-pound suit with diapers and drink tubes, rotate senselessly in a centrifuge, induce claustrophobia and risk death, all while coughing up 55 million dollars in the process? The answer is right above us: space.
For me, space is so alluring because it turns fears into works of art. Despite my thalassophobia, I still find myself attracted to the vast nothingness, the impossible emptiness of the skies. When I’m playing football at sunset on a cloudless night and look up at the infinite sky, I don’t feel distress or panic, even though I realize that I’m just a trivial speck of dust in the galaxy.
Philippe Starck, designer of a project aimed to launch millionaires into space, describes it as “a first approach to infinity.” Spending a split nanosecond in the blackness will result in instant death, and yet there’s just something so cozy about drifting in a spaceship with dangers all around but not within, the same coziness one feels snuggling under a blanket while a thunderstorm wages war on the world.
All of this is why the article “The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet” attracted me so much. Reading about how my seemingly impossible fantasies could come true was surprisingly relaxing and satisfying. I just have a small problem with the title; space travel shouldn’t be about escaping a miserable world, it should be about discovering and rejoicing in a new one.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/politics/trump-north-korea-denucle...
In my opinion, getting North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Um to stop using and creating Nuclear weapons is something that is very important to the world. This achievements marks that the world's and America's biggest threat has ceased to exist. Although Donald Trump thinks that North Korea has completely abandoned its usage of mass destruction weapons, is it really happening? North Korea still hasn't dismantled its 141 testing sites. I find the POTUS's confidence interesting because he says these comments with such authority and command, but what if they actually never happen. What would happen if North Korea chose to keep their weapons and changed their minds. The best part is seeing how the world would react if a change were to occur and what Donald Trump would do about it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/science/bird-eggs-shapes-flight.html
It has been quite a long time since I thought that bird eggs would be differently shaped. Although birds may have the similar body parts, instincts, and functions, now I learned that their eggs were never shaped similarly. "Why Do Bird Eggs Have Different Shapes?" by Steph Yin, was an eye-catcher as I was interested in birds and their characteristics. This article describes all the facts that I want to know. According to research, scientists conclude that the egg's shape shows a bird's flight ability, and strong fliers lay long and pointy eggs. Scientists classified the eggs with a computer program, the eggxtractor, which plots about 50,000 eggs of all major bird species. The shapes vary from round to ovals, from very pointy, to almost everything in between. One clear research shows why egg shapes might be so diverse. A hypothesis describes the nest location is really important. Cliff nesting birds commonly lay pointy eggs as the eggs might be bumped, and as the eggs spin in circles, it is very hard for them to roll off the cliff. Another detail shows that the birds lay eggs in shapes that pack together in different- size clutches. I always had the notion that all eggs were oval or some round, so this article has been very educational.
June 15, 2018
What interested me the most in The New York Times this week was the article "I Was Fired for Making Fun of Trump" by Rob Rogers. According to the sub-header, Rogers was an editorial cartoonist since 1993. Yet Rogers got fired this year for "making fun of Trump". Practically in political cartoons, they're made to lighten up the sinister topic. From what I understand, parodies were used multiple times that no one should get offended. Even president Donald Trump, as the official presidential voting of 2016 his campaign was backed up by parodies. Which drew attention to citizens of the United States, making him president to this day. Yet from the president's perspective, it's understandable. Not many would like to be made fun of, also Rogers was pretty indecent for saying he "blamed" Trump. That being said, the article "I Was Fired for Making Fun of Trump" has interested me the most this week in The New York Times.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/opinion/cartoonist-rob-rogers-trump-f...
nyti.ms/2JNMn2A
I think I can speak for all admissions consultants when I say that nobody was shocked by the recently-released Harvard investigation—revealing that Harvard rated Asian-American applicants consistently lower on personality traits.
Helping Asian-Americans beat the odds demands cynicism: Assume that admissions officers will view you in a certain light. So, actively combat their preconceived notions. Try football, join the musical, and study 14th-century French art if you want to render your reviewer speechless with all those broken stereotypes.
Admissions officers aren’t entirely at fault for these convoluted loopholes. I wish it weren’t true, but the overarching stereotype that all Asians are similar is rooted in partial truth, as is every bias. Is it racist to admit that most high-achieving Asians tend to have shared values...and play piano? Like many other Asian kids, I was shy outside of home; my first grade teacher almost placed me in ESL because I didn’t talk much in class. But to conclude that Asians broadly lack desirable personality traits is despicable—I was annoyingly outspoken and curious at home. Of course we possess personalities, despite not often meeting Western standards.
Asian discrimination in college admissions is yet another manifestation of cultures clashing, and some people seem unduly afraid of Asia’s rise, as if having too many Asian-American Yale students somehow harms America. Even though we love cheeseburgers just as much as kimchi.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/opinion/stress-students-kids-brains-s...
“The Stress Sweet Spot” by Richard A. Friedman interested me the most in The Times this week. He talks about how stress in the daily lives of young and growing people can be beneficial for them. There is a sweet spot where there is not too much or too little stress in one’s life. The young people can experience a lot of advantages by being in that spot of stress level. By avoiding stress and being shielded parents, young children can become incapable to face and overcome challenges independently since they are used to their parents always assisting them. However, there are negatives for being on the opposite side of the spectrum where there is a lot of stress in one’s life. This begins to affect one’s health such as experiencing sleep deprivation and insomnia.
I strongly agree with Friedman’s point on how some amount of stress is helpful and beneficial. I, myself need to experience some stress by facing challenges, to improve my skills or performances. It is an inevitable factor in life where I believe that humans are meant to experience to thrive in their lives. All the great accomplishments made in mankind’s history are through some sort of struggle and stress. That is why I strongly encourage that people should try to live their lives in that sweet spot of stress in order to witness progression throughout their lives.
The most interesting article in this week’s New York Times is Black Hole Drags Star to Dusty Death by Dennis Overbye. Black holes are intriguing because they are gravitational pits of eternity, where not even light can escape them. When scientists observed heat and light coming from a black hole region, they initially thought it was a supernova. However, it was concluded that a star actually fell into the black hole. A star passing too close to a black hole can be stretched and ripped by fierce tidal forces into a stream of hot gas. Astronomical findings are recorded often, but this kind of finding is very rare. This instance was the first time a star’s tidal eruption by a black hole was witnessed. The discovery is interesting because it means that there are many other phenomena hidden in space far away. It makes us realize that we know only a small part of the universe. Do only scientists find this interesting? No! The idea that a black hole can tear apart a star is amazing. When we look to the night sky, we don’t just see the atmosphere, we see stars that are so fragile in comparison to black holes. Imagine holding the Earth in your hand, and squeezing it so that it is the size of a peanut. Black holes are unbelievably dense. Now that we have the ability to view this occurrence, we can become more enlightened and look forward to more advancing technology. Just like a black hole, human curiosity and passion to uncover mysteries of the universe is eternal.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/it-felt-like-i-was-wrapped-in-o...
This article by Britt Julious is about a gay prom in Chicago’s South Side West Englewood neighborhood. About 150 high school students from all over the city, with varying gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and economic backgrounds, attended this prom. One of the people who attended this prom even commented, “It isn’t like those stereotypical middle-school dances. You know, where the girls have to wear these skirts or these dresses, the boys have to wear suits. You can come here in whatever you want. Slay however you want.”
The reason why I chose this article is that we are hearing more about these LGBT issues in Myanmar as our country develop more and open up to the world. Not so long ago, the government of Myanmar gave approval to held The & Proud Festival, an LGBT gathering, for the first time. However, homosexuality remains to be a crime in Myanmar since the Penal Code of Burma states that same sex sexual acts are punishable and could lead to ten or more years of imprisonment. Even though the majority of the people in Myanmar are still new to these types of events, I believe that we should acknowledge basic human rights and equality by allowing them to pursue their goals as their true selves.
Michael Tackett and Rachel Shorey perfectly capture the uncertainty regarding the reliability of young people to vote in their article, "Young People Keep Marching After Parkland, This Time to Register to Vote". Despite the clear resolve of the young voting population, many still doubt whether they will vote. Tackett and Shorey indicate that it is not possible to tell if a greater proportion of young voters will turn out. However, I disagree. I believe in our determination.
There are few instances in which young people have felt as impacted by the law as we do now. We are motivated by both fear and courage. Fear of another shooting and of having our lives torn apart propels us. But the courage demonstrated by the survivors of school shootings inspires us. Our generation is tired of waiting for older generations to fix the gun violence issue. For years they have shown apathy for the situation in their lack of action, and it's not because this is a new issue. Gun violence always been a problem.
People of color, but mostly Black people, have been fighting against gun violence for years. It just took white people as the face of the movement for the issue to finally be recognized. And now that it is, young people are prepared to make change. We will do it by protesting, communicating with our lawmakers, and making petitions. But most of all, we will vote.
So, Tackett and Shorey may be correct that we are doubted. But we'll prove them wrong.
The article I found interesting this week was the one about Kate Spade's suicide. I think this really put a message out there that the spotlight, money, and fame are not all that great and can cause or lead to many serious issues. Kate Spade will always be remembered by her fans and family for building an amazing brand of handbags. Her death was also another reminder of the cons of being in the spotlight or famous. In the article it said she was depressed there are many celebrities that suffer from depression and turn to drugs or death for a "release". Some examples of similar scenarios are Marilyn Monroe, Cory Monteith, Elvis Presley, and many other. From her death we have lost an amazing mind but gained more information about the hardships many of these designers go through.
The article I picked was "BTS Becomes the First K-Pop Act to Top Billboard Album Chart" by Ben Sisario.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/arts/music/bts-no-1-billboard.html
I picked this article because I love music, not just from South Korea, and its nice to see kpop grow globally around the world, after six years ago Psy's song and video "Gangnam Style" came out and became popular. Seeing BTS become more and more popular each day has been amazing and I can't wait to see more kpop groups from South Korea to be as successful and to come over and perform in America just like BTS. I'm not trying to say that they, meaning all kpop groups, have to follow the foot steps to success like BTS did, but I hope these kpop groups can debut in America as well! Also seeing so many Armys, BTS's fandom name, from America, and all around the world, supporting BTS so much is amazing and helping them win them win Top Social Artist two times in a row is also AMAZING!!! (Just a little shout out to all the Armys out there <3)
I can wait to see more from BTS in the future and hope to see more kpop groups (like Seventeen, Monsta X, and Exo just to name a few, cause although I love BTS, I also love these groups and more!) as well to come over to America and perform on tv!
Article : Is Acne Cool Now? By Andrea Cheng
Everyone knows that everything on the internet impacts the lives of young people. That is because in our present lives, the internet is something that is accessible to everyone. But I don't think everyone fully comprehends just how much it can influence someone.
In this article, I read about how social media has been spreading positivity for people with acne. Acne is a very common skin condition, yet there are many individuals who are still insecure to show off their natural skin. However, many celebrities have begun to show off their imperfections. Now, many people started to realize that they don't have to cover up and feel insecure anymore.
Nevertheless, I still feel like at some point, something like this can get out of hand and influence many people to do harmful things to themselves. For example, on social media, I have come across posts talking about body positivity, and although I believe everyone should in fact feel comfortable in their own skin, I do not agree that people should think that obesity is fine. Some people seem to be glorifying obesity a bit too much and this can cause huge problems because this makes the younger audience to believe something that can result to future problems. In conclusion, this article has caught my attention because it truly shows how the world is affected by technology. Spread positivity, not ignorance.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
The article in The Times which interested me the most this week was an article by Peter Baker titled Escalated Clash With Canada, Trump Is Isolated Before North Korea Meeting. According to the article, President Trump went on one of his famous tweeting rampages a few days ago. The President posted tweets which targeted Canada, Germany, and the European Union. The other main thing which the article talks about is President Trump’s affairs with North Korea. America’s strategy for dealing with North Korea was politically isolating it from the rest of the world in order to get their leadership to cooperate with ours. Diplomatic strength is highly dependent on who your allies are. If a country has more allies supporting it’s stances on certain issue, it naturally gains more influence over the opposing country. In a show of situational irony, President Trump’s upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un regarding nuclear de-armament will show him being politically isolated as well.
I read from the opinion page, "Top Colleges are Cheaper than you Think (Unless you`re rich) by David Leonhardt. This shows that depending on where you are in the social-economic class, schools that are high and that may feel impossible to reach are actually possible to go to depending on where you stand overall as a person to the country. For example, there are people who say "Oh, I`m poor, I would never make into Harvard." However, if you are in a low income class, the yearly tuition isn`t nearly as high as it is for other people.
What caught my attention this week was “Capturing the Strength of Women Who Survived Acid Attacks in Colombia” Why this interested me was because I never knew these attacks existed. I know very well that we don’t live in perfect world but, I didn’t know specifically that acid attacks are an actual thing. I didn’t even know after reading that these acid attack happen routinely. Especially to women since it shows that 87% attacked are women and 90% of the attackers are men said in the article. What all the acid attacks shows to myself that I really must pay more attention. Even with the attacks there are survivors. They are inspiring since even with the effect of the acid that splashed on their bodies they try to live their everyday life. The effect of the acid can deface someone or even blind them. The acid leaves behind scars which are not pretty. The reasons for the attacks seem very idiotic to me since the attackers are mostly people who were dating, or married to them but, then they broke up with them. For the ex partner’s revenge they throw acid at their ex lover to try to destroy their life. Even with the acid thrown at them the women still go out and live their lives. Even with the gazes from people and struggle to find a job they still keep on going. Although the attacks are awful I’m glad that I was informed of what’s happening. I love learning new things that happen in the world. Even if it’s not the best news.
(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/health/depression-suicide-helping.html)
One of the articles that really caught my eye this week would definitely be, "What to Do When a Loved One is Severely Depressed". The article shone a light on a personal matter of mine and how I could cope with it. After reading this article, I finally stop feeling so helpless with helping or even stopping a close relative from suicide. Aside from personal experiences, I believe these types of articles; emotional and personal ones, are sure to help people all around the world. Finally, it was relieving to know that people do recover from depression.
“Is Acne Cool Now?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
Acne had been one of my worst stressful problems I had ever faced. My face started to fill with acne at the age of 12 and continued to grow till now. It’s annoying, painful and the worst in my opinion. Sometimes, I just wanted to slice my skin off!
Therefore, when I stumbled upon this New York Times article this week, I was completely absorbed. Like the author said, “I was ashamed of my acne because of the shame people would place on it”. And I completely agree to this. Even though, I don’t wear makeup to cover up my flaws, I sometimes still feel naked and unconfident whenever people point it out. This article is the exact copy of my thoughts and feelings. Because, no matter how much I’m able to ignore the insults; one day, the insults still hit me like bricks. The way some people talk to me, the way some people look at me, I know that my flawed face disgusts them. Even though, people say, “Appearances don’t matter, and that you shouldn’t judge others by their looks”, that’s what people usually do. They judge someone as soon as they see them.
Above all, the author stated, “if you have it, there’s no reason to hate it”. Well, I don’t hate my acnes; I’ve accepted it though out the course of 3 years. But that doesn’t mean, I don’t want clear skin; everyone would love to have clear skin. At the same time, I agree and encourage those who have acne to embrace their flaws to the world.
article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html
This week I read about Kate Spade. I learned that she commit suicide at the age of 55. She had just recently passed away, on June 5th 2018. She was an American fashion designer. She is the owner and founder of her brand, Kate Spade New York. I am very interested in this topic because she was one of my favorite designers. I loved her purse collections and I believe she was very hard working. What interests me most is the fact that no-one knows the reason of her death. New York Police says she was found dead in her apartment hanging. Her husband, Andy Spade says, she seemed happy the night before and everything seemed ok. Later her husband reveals that she was very depressed and was dealing with anxiety. She was going to the doctor regularly to keep up with her medication. Andy and Kate had been living separate for 10 months. Police says Kate Spade left a note which indicates that the reason of her death was not her daughter. Andy says his main concern right now would be to take care of their 13 year old daughter and make sure she is ok.
"The Net Neutrality Repeal Is Official. Here’s How That Could Affect You. "
In today’s society, everything you could possibly want to know is accessible to you through world’s most extensive networking system, the internet. Up until now, the internet has been free of restrictions in order to give everyone an equal opportunity to utilize its resources, largely owing to President Obama’s policy of net neutrality. But with the repeal of this policy, internet providers now hold the power to monopolize the digital world by selling the internet in bundles, censoring online content, and by making high-speed internet only available to those who are willing to pay for it.
This article has exposed me to some of the subtle injustices done by our government. I understand that the FCC is trying to bring better products to the consumers by creating economic competition, but this may not be the case. By controlling one of the largest aspects of today’s modern society, broadband providers enslave us to their demands by possibly making a necessity in most households a hardship for some. Additionally, a decision concerning the economic interests of the people should respectively serve those who need the most support, the lower class. By appeasing the CEOs of big companies who already sit atop the social hierarchy, I see this as proof that our government is more concerned about supporting big business than serving its people.
“Is Acne Cool Now?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html
Acne had been one of my worst stressful problems I had ever faced. My face started to fill with acne at the age of 12 and continued to grow till now. It’s annoying, painful and the worst in my opinion. Sometimes, I just wanted to slice my skin off!
Therefore, when I stumbled upon this New York Times article this week, I was completely absorbed. Like the author said, “I was ashamed of my acne because of the shame people would place on it”. And I completely agree to this. Even though, I don’t wear makeup to cover up my flaws, I sometimes still feel naked and unconfident whenever people point it out. This article is the exact copy of my thoughts and feelings. Because, no matter how much I’m able to ignore the insults; one day, the insults still hit me like bricks. The way some people talk to me, the way some people look at me, I know that my flawed face disgusts them. Even though, people say, “Appearances don’t matter, and that you shouldn’t judge others by their looks”, that’s what people usually do. They judge someone as soon as they see them.
Above all, the author stated, “if you have it, there’s no reason to hate it”. Well, I don’t hate my acnes; I’ve accepted it though out the course of 3 years. But that doesn’t mean, I don’t want clear skin; everyone would love to have clear skin. At the same time, I agree and encourage those who have acne to embrace their flaws to the world.
Of course, we all know that men and women are different. The saying "boys will be boys and girls will be girls" haphhazardly sums up these differences, but until I read "Secrets of the Y Chromosome," I had little idea how genetically varied men and women really are. It turns out that the distinctiveness of each gender is more than skin deep, and is something that scientists are just beginning to understand.
When I was reading the Science Times last Tuesday, this article immediately caught my eye. Since gender is such a hot topic in todays day and age, I was interested to learn about the science point of view regarding this hotly debated issue. As I continued to read on, my curiosity only grew. How can it be that the X chromosome was named to be a mystery, while the Y chromosome was unimportantly given the next letter of the alphabet? Did men really have advantages in fighting off diseases that women lacked? How did evolution allow this "injustice" to happen?
The Y chromosome does more than just give men their masculine traits. It can decrease their risk of cancer, along with deadly types of brain plaque. As a man ages, the amount of y chromosomes in his cells declines. This could be a potential reason for why women often times out live their husbands. Males are at a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease too.
Well, at least women can say that our chromosome is "unknown." We might lack the protections that men have, but, its not like our world is ever fair.
“Opinion: I Was Fired for Making Fun of Trump”
It’s not new information that a lot of people are unhappy about the current president of the United States. His presidency is by far one of the most controversial throughout history and has created quite an uproar. Articles about Trump pop up constantly and many are repetitive and uninteresting. However, this article caught my attention in a slightly different and more subtle manner. The author, Rob Rogers, claimed he had been fired because of the comics he created for The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stating that the Trump humor was deemed unacceptable for the paper. The article overall has well made arguments but gives off a more looking-for-sympathy tone rather than a making-a-statement-for-change tone. The concept of the article and the problem of Trump influencing media and journalism provides a deeper purpose for this brief anecdote. He brings up a good argument when stating “management decided that my cartoons about the president were ‘too angry’ and said I was ‘obsessed with Trump.’ This about a president who has declared the free press one of the greatest threats to our country.” Considering that the first amendment is free speech and freedom of press, the paper has the right to print whatever they please, Rogers included. It intrigues me how the paper posts things simply to appeal an audience rather than voice the opinions of those who write it. Overall, Rogers makes prominent arguments but has a improperly applied tone.
For the past 16 years, I was raised to not “marry rich,” but rather, be able to take care of myself. Naturally, I keep an eye out for economic news and current events. When I saw a title for an article suggesting either an economic downfall or an extraordinary opportunity, I clicked on faster than the 2008 stock market crash. But when I was reading this article, I was surprised to find that (1) no mass of millionaires are really leaving a specific area or country, and (2) most countries’ economic blunders aren’t from the foreign millionaire class at all, but from their own residents.
Although the trends that the author cited, Mexico and Turkey, are not where I would invest my camp counselor wages, their mistakes are still a useful lesson to me. According to the author, “10 of the last 12 major currency crisis, began when residents started sending money abroad” (Sharma). It’s not hard to understand this statistic when you realize that the money that should have been circulating in a country was minimized until it became an insufficient amount to trade with. To counter this idea, the most successful countries in the world have residents investing abroad. So it’s safe to assume that the problem wasn’t the investments in foreign countries but the pace in which it took place. When I start investing my wages, I will be sure to dabble in a healthy mix of internal and external economies at a glacial pace.
“The Millionaires Are Fleeing. Maybe You Should, Too.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/02/opinion/sunday/millionaires-fleeing-m...
“Pregnancy Discrimination Is Rampant Inside America’s Biggest Companies” by Natalie Kitroeff and Jessica Silver-Green
This piece is a well-written article which develops a persuasive argument that companies and other institutions need to do more to accommodate pregnant woman and create an equal work environment, while also proving that outdated stereotypes promote mistreatment and injustice.
The authors use a variety appeals, thus creating a balanced argument. For example, the authors cite a sociologist, who states that “[e]ach child chops 4 percent off a woman’s hourly wages” while “[m]en’s earnings increase.” The clear inequality expressed by the percentages acts as a logos appeal, while the explicit citation of an authoritative voice of a doctorate supports the validity of the statistics. Through diction such as “according to,” the authors imply that there are multiple sides to the story, thus increasing the article’s accuracy and credibility.
This article sheds light on influential stereotypes. One executive asked a pregnant worker “repeatedly whether she had adequate child care.” The anaphora shows the obsession society has on stereotypes and its inability to see beyond them. As this article so articulately proves, a woman should not have to assume a stereotype, and employers should do more to support this idea.
The article “LeBron James: The Strange Thrill of a One-Man show” written by Scott Cacciola interested me. This article interested me because it was about the most intriguing player in the league and my favorite sport.
The article talks about how LeBron carried his team to the playoffs every year. It also talked about how his teammates not preforming well in general. The article also provided feedback back from other players and coaches. It even compared LeBron to many legends in the NBA. The couch of the Dallas Maverick ,Rick Carlisle, said “Every year his skills become more refined”. In this years final LeBron stepped up his game and averaged 40 point against the Golden State Warriors. Due to his historic stats and consistently putting his team on his back, I would put him as one of the greats.
What interested me most this week in The Times was the article titled "The Rich Are Planning to Leave This Wretched Planet" by Sheila Marikar. This was interesting to me because of course I have heard of people going to space I mean who hasn't, but its incredible how anyone who has the money can experience this is as well. Personally I have always thought that space is fascinating, just the thought of so many galaxies besides ours is incredible. So when I read this article about an eight-day trip to space of course I was astounded. The details of this trip had me quite shocked like for example the luxuriousness of the shuttle. In the article it states that " Mr. Starck (French designer) lined the walls with a padded, quilted, cream-colored, suede-like fabric and hundreds of tiny LED lights that glow in varying hues depending on the time of day and where the space station is floating in relation to the earth." This shuttle is clearly made for the best of the best. What really caught my eye about this article was the thrill factor not including the intensive training you must go through. For example being put into a human centrifuge or learning to adjust to zero gravity. For me the thrill factor is just seeing something so close yet so far away from earth, and seeing the earth outside of a ground level view point or in this case outside of the earth's atmosphere.
Article: "An Underwater Photographer Documents a Meditative World"
http://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/lens/an-underwater-photographer-docume...
There's nothing tremendously amazing then the ocean. There is so much to explore, that we yet do not know. We know quite a lot about animal life in the ocean, but we do not know everything. The ocean is enormous place, and not many people want to explore it.
This article about the ocean interested me because I have always loved the ocean and have wanted to learn more about it. Seeing the pictures that Michaela Sovranova appears to be the stars or a whale heading towards us, but behind the scenes of the pictures is just what it looks like under water.
The ocean is a quiet place for many people that explore the great big waters. But to people who do not explore the ocean, it can be a terrifying place because we do not know what is hiding in the waters.
This article reveals what it looks like under the water, and it is actually a beautiful place rather than a terrifying one that movies interpret. It is a unique place that needs to be explored more often, and the world needs to know what it is like.
In Rob Rogers's opinion piece "I Was Fired for Making Fun of Trump," the former editorial cartoonist of my local newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, argues that press freedoms should extend also to those who choose brightly colored ink and recognizable caricatures to express their opinions. I have grown up seeing Rogers's cartoons nearly every day alongside the opinion pieces collected from across the country. Seeing him fired simply because he disagreed with the philosophy of the new editorial board director and the President struck me as a gross betrayal of the first amendment freedoms this country enjoys. Even if my political opinions were to vary from Rogers's, firing him for his views is unacceptable. Rogers drew not just about the President, but also about issues facing Pittsburgh, such as gentrification and decaying infrastructure. The very nature of an opinion page is to showcase many different voices, and Rogers's firing stands in direct conflict with this fundamental function. His firing worries me for many reasons. This is a time when press freedoms are becoming more and more threatened, and even, and especially, an editorial cartoonist plays a vital role in the expression of ideas at a newspaper. I hope that Rogers makes good on his promise not to stop drawing his cartoons and continues to express his ideas, even as the Post Gazette loses sight of what a good newspaper can be.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/opinion/cartoonist-rob-rogers-trump-f...
Article Link: nytimes.com/trump-north-korea-credible-military-exercises.html
While scrolling through the New York Time’s website, the article Trump’s Promises to Kim Jong-un Leave U.S. and Allies Scrambling came to my attention. North Korea has been known as a communist country with powerful nuclear weapons. For years, North Korea has been considered a threat and they did not have a friendly relationship with the United States. However, Trump met with Kim Jong Un in Singapore to negotiate for denuclearization and peace this month.
After the summit, Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump signed a document agreeing to commit to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. According to the article, after this agreement was signed, Trump withdrew US forces in South Korea. Some are relieved that this agreement worked out. Others are preoccupied that North Korea will not follow through with the agreement for denuclearization.
This article allowed me to read about people’s perspectives regarding the results of the summit in Singapore. Last week my history teacher mentioned the meeting of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in class. While scrolling through the New York Times website, I chose to read this article because as a United States citizen, this is a major event could lead to peace after years of conflict with the US and North Korea. After I read this article, I learned about what was currently happening and I was able to understand how people viewed this situation.
Do You Like Your Name? by Arthur C. Brooks is the article I am writing about. I chose this article because it looked simple, fun and relatable. That's it. I don't really know much or for that matter care about politics. I'm only sixteen. In the other articles it appeared as if the authors tried too hard to sound important and smart. But I digress. In the article I am writing about the author, coincidentally named Arthur, expresses his "distaste" for his name. A name that was traditionally given to males during the early nineteenth century. A name which has tragicaly fallen from grace. I can't remember a time when the name "Jose" has ever been popular. To me the name is just so...basic. Stereotypical. Too Mexican. All things I am not. I was named after my dad. I assume he gave me his "tough Mexican" name because he wanted a "tough Mexican" son. I am THE softest person ever. And at this point I am more American than Mexican. My dad has always been a bit of a rough spot in my life, insulting me, and becoming upset if I didn't meet his extreme expectations. I guess I just dont want to associated with him or his name. A name I do like is my middle name, "Angel". It's soft, like me, and isn't "too Mexican". In the future I hope to change my name to "Angel Miron". Might as well ditch my dads last name while I'm at it. At least I wasn't named something like Ricardo or Don Ramon or whatever.
The article that I found interesting this week was the one about Kate Spade's suicide. I think this really put a message out there that the spotlight, money, and fame are not all that great and can cause or lead to many serious issues. Kate Spade will be remembered for building an amazing brand of handbags that were loved by many. But, she is also another cause of being in the spotlight ruining a life, there are many examples of this many turn to drugs, suicide, or other forms of release and comfort. Some examples of this are Cory Monteith died of drug overdose, was an actor on glee, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and many others. They all had issues maybe different then Kate Spade's but being out there in the spotlight getting hate from those who don't like her product it gets hard to deal with. But then again there are so many other factors that could have caused her to be depressed, and commit suicide. She will be mourned by her family and those who loved her designs and ideas for handbags.
Article: “When Your Jeans Become a #MeToo Talking Point”
Fashion trends are constantly evolving, but one aspect of fashion is unchanging: it always echoes the zeitgeist of the time. With sexual harassment accusations flying rampant, it is no surprise that clothing is acting as a form of protest.
Gabriella Meyer and Marta Goldschmied designed a line of denim apparel that incorporated laser-engraved newspaper articles about sexual misconduct in the workplace on them. This concept seemed strangely foreign because it addressed the issue at hand in such a direct manner, unlike other demonstrations involving fashion.
However, I quickly began to resonate with the idea. Being a young girl today means constantly hearing about gender inequality on the news, and thinking it is ingrained into our society. However, that is what makes this line of clothing so necessary. As Meyer said, “Our hope is that as the garment ages and the text fades, so do the issues we face with gender inequality and sexual harassment.”
The author of the article, Vanessa Friedman, makes a strong argument in favor of the clothing line by detailing how both women involved in designing it met, and how the notion blossomed in the first place. She also explores why the apparel might not be appealing to all people, allowing readers to form their own opinion. To many girls like myself, it is exciting to see how clothing can keep important issues in the limelight, and how we can directly partake in protesting.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/10/opinion/editorials/gun-vi...
What interested me most was the article about shootings since Pulse two years ago and how gun control is affecting the U.S. now. It said that on average, 96 Americans die from gun violence each day, and I was astonished by that number. I’ve stayed informed enough about things but I didn’t realise that the situation on gun control was having such a constant effect. The piece doesn’t exactly take an argumentative stance, more an informal one and that to me is the best part about it. News and discussions of issues such as gun control shouldn’t be argued over from an opinion bias. Being informed is what is important and what is lacking in the country currently on a variety of issues not just gun control. Overall, the article showed me a side of the issue of gun control I hadn’t seen before and informed me, which I am grateful for, and because of that, it interested me most.
Is Acne Cool Now? (link placed below) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/style/is-acne-cool-now.html This article interested me most in The Times this week mostly because of its title. When I first read the articles title, I was shocked and a bit offended. Acne should not be seen as something that makes you look cool or not. Acne is a skin condition and in a way a sickness. It is something that is seen in a negative light. Although acne isn't seen as something people want it is not something that should be judged by "cool" or "not cool". People in general are not fond of acne, and a platform as big as The New York Times should not be allowing for there articles to be named "Is Acne Cool Now?". Although the article was certainly filled with great material and made a great point, the title of the article seemed rude. Acne has filled many people with insecurities, and although more people have become accepting of it, many continue to struggle with insecurities from acne and do not find peace or comfort in a title like that.
The article on the other hand is very uplifting and sheds a lot of light on the new big push for self acceptance. The idea of being enough and loving yourself without changing yourself being spoken about on a platform that reaches so many is so amazing. The actual article interested me because it not only got professionals opinions about the acceptance of acne, it also got young peoples opinions about it. This article helped sine a light on self love.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/sports/lebron-james-cavaliers-warrior...
What interested me the most this week was the article LeBron James: The Strange Thrill of a One-Man Show. This article talked about one of the best players to ever exist, LeBron James. He has lead his team to a championship even when it looked like all hope was lost as stated by the article "In 2016, his team was down 3-1 against the Warriors and he hauled them back, with a much stronger crew around him, to win the series in seven games. LeBron defeated a team full of all stars even when it looked impossible. He is 33 years old and is still creating crazy statistics that most players can not create. This shows me that age does not matter as long as you work hard and are dedicated to what you are trying to achieve. This most recent season LeBron lost to the Golden State Warriors in the finals 4-0. Next season LeBron will work twice as hard to defeat the Golden State Warriors. This season LeBron has also lost one of his best teammates, Kyrie Irving when he was traded to the Boston Celtics but he never complained. LeBron just continues to work hard to be the best he can possibly be and hopefully carry his team to the next championship. I chose this article because it connects to me because LeBron James is like a role model. His work ethic is amazing and outstanding. I hope to be like LeBron and work as hard as I can to succeed in the future.
This year's champions for the NBA are the Warrior's once again. The Warrior's do have many player's who are talented and motivated to make history. The Cavaliers' coach, Tyronn Lue said "Sometimes you can give everything you got and still come up start," which is true. The athletes who have their ups and downs can realte to this. Kerr said "And we had more talent than they did, and talent wins in this league," which is a true life lesson. We all know that for almost everything you need talent and I guess the Warrior's had more talent.
In basketball you need a team and can't do everything by yourself. "He literally does everything out there," Thompson said. Yet Thompson even admits that James does everything for the team. The Warrior's work as a team and everyone is doing what they are supposed to do. No wonder why Curry and Durant don't want to go to a different team. Coach Kerr might be one happy and proud coach of his team. Now people might be curious about whether if James is going to a different team or becoming a free agent.
This article interested me the most because it kind of teaches you a lesson. That lesson is that if you have a talent and are seriously motivated than you can win and dominate many things in life or sports. Teamwork is everything. Also, to become one of the best, you have to climb that mountain to reach the top.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/sports/nba-finals-warriors-cavs.html
"Miss America Gets to Dress Herself," an article written by Vanessa Friedman, analyzes the meaning behind allowing contestants to choose their own evening wear. This article interested me for a few reasons, the most important being what this choice for contestants in the competition signifies. Finally having the ability to choose what your clothing expresses on an extremely showcased stage, that has had a very specific vision for Miss America in the past I might add, is a huge piece of evidence that our society is finally rolling with the punches. The unexpectedly strong voice of today's youth seems that it is being heard by the older generations who have had such an untouchable mindset for years. The idea that the "perfect American woman" has a tiny waist, luscious locks of hair, and a pretty smile, doesn't cut it anymore. Though that may not be obvious to everyone, I have a feeling that it will be in upcoming years. Choosing what you wear in a competition like Miss America means that you get to choose how you want to to present yourself to society. Contestants no longer have to show society the Disney princess version of themselves. They get to show the people that sometimes sneakers look better than heels. They get to show that sometimes women prefer slacks over a slim fitting dress. They finally get the freedom to show the authentic American woman. And that's pretty interesting to me.
Something that caught my eye in the NY Times while reading recently was a podcast, or rather a "popcast" as they call it about Kanye West's new album, "Ye." Over the course of the hour long podcast, host Jon Caramanica as well as 2 guests (one happening to have been at the Wyoming listening party for said album) discussed the guest's experience at the Wyoming listening party, the album's message, as well as the album's impact on Kanye's reputation. Personally, I'm a big fan of Kanye's music, and that's why a podcast like this is something that's more up my alley. I have listened to the Ye album a good amount of times, and hearing them on the podcast talking about the deeper meaning of the songs was pretty enjoyable for me. His social reputation isn't looking the best right now, and Caramanica even said that he was, in a way, confused about the album's message and Kanye's process of making it. Was Kanye talking about the twitter backlash he has been taking these last few months over the things he was spoken about? (Such as his support for President Trump) Or maybe it was about his experiences as a child and/or a father? These are some things we may never come to find the answer to, but sitting for an hour and talking about how everyone perceives the album might be just what everyone needed, so a big thank you to the popcast for this episode, it's just what we needed.
https://play.google.com/music/m/Dwj7zf2nab6qp6tuexunt3jkxqq?t=Kanye_West...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/sports/spain-portugal-world-cup.html
This week one of the biggest and most action-packed sporting events in the world kicked off in Russia. The World Cup brings 32 teams from all over the world to compete for a common goal. This tournament gives teams the opportunity to bring prestige and acclaim to their country and to represent them at a prominent level. The World Cup only transpires every four years making it even more significant and competitive. What interested me the most this week in The Times was the match between Spain and Portugal. What really captivated me about this topic was the remarkable way this match personifies the World Cup. I feel like this matchup really kicked off the tournament and showed audiences what the World Cup is really about even though it is just commencing. These two teams really proved that they could be contenders for the tournament especially Portugal who for a lot of people were not considered strong candidates in the competition. Portugal did not succumb under the pressure even until the last minute so they could ensure a tie and it says a lot about them as a team. Not to mention Spain has a roster of some of the greatest and most talented players on their team while Portugal has arguably one of the best players in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo epitomizes that statement by leading his team to a tie by scoring a hat trick and not relenting in the last few minutes. It embodies what the World Cup is about.
Fear of the unknown prevents us from making positive strides forward. We imagine worst case scenarios, and decide not to take risks. When it comes to the health of future babies however, any and all opportunities to improve their well being should be taken.
Clyde Haberman explores the moral issues that come with advancing technology that can prevent serious genetic birth defects. Scientists are able to prevent a child from having to suffer from a hereditary disease. This new technology is feared however, because of the ethical issues that it may cause. It has been suggested that future parents could choose specific characteristics about their future child, and essentially design them. This is a gross leap however, in assuming that humanity would abuse a service that was meant to prevent genetic illnesses, and instead turn it into a commercial business, creating a superficial human race.
New technology is always feared, because it can have hidden consequences. We cannot let this hinder us however, in progressing science and medicine, and creating a better future. This has the potential to save millions of children and family from unnecessary pain that these illnesses cause, proving its positive effect on society. This hesitation to proceed with this method is entirely paranoia about a faulty society that lacks the basic morals of accepting their healthy child, just the way they are. This is not an issue of vanity, but rather life and death, which is why it must proceed.
The Real Story Behind Frida Kahlo’s Style by Hettie Judah
Throughout the years I never really understood why Frida Kahlo was such a huge inspiration in the Latino community as well as around the world. I found this article very interesting because of the story behind Kahlo's amazing fashion sense and why she became such an icon. I never knew that Kahlo was disabled whatsoever, she seemed to be a perfect woman living her life through fashion. Kahlo was bullied because one of her legs was shorter than the other and would constantly be limping around. This didn’t stop her from anything, it actually encouraged her to start making her own clothing to wear. With the long skirts it wasn’t so noticeable that she was limping all the time. As years passed by Kahlo began to make her own blouses, rebozos and as well many more pieces for her to just wear. Due to this when people to met Frida they wouldn't think that anything was wrong with her because her style distracted her disability from being shown, which she liked. Reading about Frida Kahlo’s journey with fashion and her disability is honestly very inspiring because she didn’t let the bullying from her disability stop her from anything. Instead of being so ashamed about it, Kahlo turned that into a creation of her own sense of style. The main lesson that I really got from Frida Kahlo’s life is that everyone is able to turned something that they don’t like about themself into something amazing that you and others are going to love.
"What Anthony Bourdain Meant to People of Color" by Joumana Khatib was an emotional and thought-provoking piece. I was interested with the idea of Bourdain's legacy beyond the culinary world. I am a person of color myself, and the title pushed me to question what people of color were generally saying about Anthony Bourdain. The deaths of celebrities brings forth testimonies about their good character, and this was especially true for Anthony Bourdain. In his lifetime, he made it a goal of his to highlight cultures that his audience were not exposed to. I was not very familiar with his before his passing, but this concise article has opened my eyes to his life and how he used his fame to educate himself and others. The article proved that Bourdain entered other cultures with the mindset of a student instead of a tourist. He traveled the world to actively be a part of the cultures we was eating. The author of this article collected the experiences that people had with Anthony Bourdain and showed how he consistently came to people of color to learn about their culture, and how he advocated for them as well. As a white journalist, Bourdain understood the power he held and was able to tell the stories of those who often are ignored. The argument being presented here is not complex: Anthony Bourdain was a humanitarian and a voice for the silenced. The argument could be stronger, but the usage of other people's accounts of Bourdain as evidence is superb and effective.
The article that interested me the most this week was "Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Spewing Lava and Gases Near Homes in Hawaii". I find Hawaii's volcanoes very intriguing. The part of the article that I found most striking was the fact that due to small earthquakes, the volcano is expected to keep erupting. This interests me because I didn't realize that eruptions could be continuous and at the same time not violent lava shooting into the sky. Although the lava has begun to shoot up from different fissures near Leilani Estates, the lava flow is very slow and has allowed everyone to safely evacuate. It also amazes me that for people in Hawaii, this is a normal occurrence. I hope the best for everyone in Hawaii.
What I was most interested in New York Times this week was about the ending of Korea's nuclear threat. I like that the nuclear threat is ending at last. It has been along time since this conflict has been going on. The entire world is happy to finally see the two nations finally get along and create a team to fight terrorists threats around the world. I still can't trust Kim yet because he is a dictator and he is the king of country and he can't be trusted but I think to end all this we must trust him to end this.
"At Middlesex Community College, Extra Help for Asian Students" by Linda K. Wertheimer
As a student who is preparing to apply for an American university, I have always heard from my parents that “it will mostly be Asians who I would have to compete with”. Being an Asian myself, I have also believed on this statement based on my experience of attending a school in America several years ago: it was always Asian students who finished their work first and aced math exams. This so called myth of “model minority”, however, is a fallacy that has been deeply embedded in ourselves from a small misconception.
From this article, I realized that not all Asians managed to handle schoolwork outstandingly, but it was only those who had families with enough fortune to support their child. Other Asians such as Cambodians who had immigrant parents could not adjust to school because they had to spend most of their time earning money for tuition. Despite this fact, the school did not plan to give any support to these students because they “misjudged” them by their race.
The blame for this iniquity does not only go to the school, but it is also ours. Society tends to focus more on the rich than the poor, when it is the latter that desperately needs help. For myself, I thought that it is wrong to view every Asian student as a “competitor” but a friend who I can support when they need help. We should break any stereotype towards others and treat them as each different individual.
The article I chose was "Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Wants Out of San Antonio" by Marc Stein. I chose this article because basketball is my favorite sport. Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in the league right now. He is also one of the greatest defenders in the league. It is important for San Antonio to have him. He's the star for the Spurs, but that might change this summer depending on which team he chooses to join this summer. Some possible teams he could join this off season are the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, and the Los Angeles Clippers. It is up to him whether he wants to stay with San Antonio or go to a team that he thinks has a better chance at being a Finals contender or to a team that is going him a lot of money.
In his op-ed piece titled “How to Lose Mid-Terms and Re-elect Trump”, columnist Frank Bruni explores parallels between the behavior of Trump and his critics to highlight the counterproductivity of inflammatory criticism.. Bruni writes that, in response to Robert De Niro’s viral remarks towards the President earlier this week, “When you answer name-calling with name-calling and tantrums with tantrums, you’re not resisting him. You’re mirroring him” (Bruni). In this excerpt, Bruni highlights the irony in De Niro’s behavior. Though mainly through speculation, he uses this irony to create an argument that states “mirroring” might “permit them to see you as you see Trump: deranged” (Bruni). This argument is a logos appeal directed towards dissidents of his administration who behave with such antics, as it conveys the counterproductivity behind inflammatory conversation.The most interesting aspect of this article was Bruni’s mention of hyperbolic and outreaching comparisons and their effect on an individual’s credibility. He states that, though the president may have far right political ideologies, Trump is not “the second coming of the Third Reich” and in doing so “you lose many of the Americans you’re trying to win over” since it harms the validity of the speaker (Bruni). These exaggerated accusations and comparisons only deter from one’s credibility, and also, ironically, support Trump by resembling the “fake news” media that he so frequently lambasts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/opinion/sunday/good-bad-first-name.html
This week there were many good articles to pick from but the one that stood out to me was "Do You Like Your Name?", by Arthur C. Brooks. The reason for that was because I never really thought if I like my name or not. “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language”, said by Dale Carnegie. I personally agree and think my name is pretty nice "Harleen". Though it's a unique name in different countries. It is not that uncommon in India. 79% of the population likes their name. Meanwhile, 21% of the population dislikes their name. I'm one of the 79% of the population who likes their name. I'm so used my name I can't really imagine my name being something else. I have also became so attached to my name that I wouldn't want to change it. It's crazy because my name has became a part of me and is the only way I identify myself. I don't really have nicknames so people call as my full name. It was also stated that "People tend to look like their names", I agree because some people have said that I look like a "Harleen". A lot of my friend's name suits them. Their is a few that don't quite fit them, in my opinion. That is because there are a few people who have names that are known as "old" but their personality is fun and nothing like how their name sounds like. So, I agree with the quote for myself, as for other people I'm not sure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/opinion/children-parents-asylum-immig...
I was interested in this article about how children are being snatched from there parents at the border. I chose this particular article because of how cruel the idea seemed. This is happening due to Trump's decision of him trying to get rid of undocumented immigrants. He thinks that by sending away the parents, it'll stop everything when actually its going to create a bigger problem now and in the next years. This idea is rising to be a big problem and people want to do something about it. In this article, it shares some ideas on how to deal with this idea.
As someone who has an especially hard time going to sleep, I was excited to learn about the world of ASMR. ASMR is short for Autonomous sensory meridian response, meaning a pins and needles/tingling feeling that begins on the scalp and moves down to the base of the neck. From the sound of someone talking softly, to sleep triggers, to tapping on different surfaces, ASMR covers a variety of sounds meant to satisfy the listener and help them sleep. What interested me most in the New York Times this week was an article about how people are now getting better sleep after listening to the famous artist, Bob Ross, speaking softly and painting. Ross said in an interview for the Orlando Sentinel that, "We've gotten letters from people who say they sleep better when the show is on."
As unlikely as it seems, listeners might be unsettled by his voice or consider his videos a little creepy. The article mentions a meditation app that was inspired by Bob Ross' TV show, 'The Joy of Painting', to create audio stories similar to Ross' voice style. I decided to give his videos a shot and it helped me go to sleep almost immediately. Now when I get ready for bed, I choose an ASMR video, put my headphones on and let the video guide me to sleep. This New York Times article has helped me in my research to find convenient sleep-aids and choose a method that works.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/bob-ross-sleep-meditation-ap...
Some people may find the ocean’s strange landscape frightening, but photographer Michaela Skovranova’s photographs could change anyone’s mind. “An Underwater Photographer Documents a Meditative World” by Ania Bartkowiak showcases some of Skovranova’s best work and pairs them with interesting passages that move the reader and detail how Skovranova began her career. I have always adored the ocean and this article made me wonder how others couldn’t appreciate it as well. The photographs presented alongside the article depict a dreamlike world, they are very interesting to look at and I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in photography or the ocean.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/climate/antarctica-ice-melting-faster...
The article that interested me this week was "Antarctica Is Melting Three Times as Fast as a Decade Ago." I had always wondered as to what was causing only parts of Antarctica to melt. Parts of West Antarctica have been melting, while East Antarctica has remained intact. Humans have been releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases that have warmed the oceans around West Antarctica. This has led to the ice sheets near the shore to melt. Many people have doubted global warming because of East Antarctica. Instead of melting like West Antarctica, East Antarctica seems to be growing, but not at rate that helps balance the loss of the melted glaciers. This questions how selfish and dangerous the human race has become to the environment. People have become dependent on the immediate uses of resources without realizing the long term effects. If the glaciers continue to melt, the sea levels will rise and take control of coasts around the world. This is very interesting to learn about because despite knowing about the dangers of global warming, the world continues to fail at acknowledging the need for a solution.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/.../middlesex-cc-southeast-asian-stud...
When people think of Asians, they think of smart and technologically developed people. People visit countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore and realize how Asia is a powerful continent. However, the southeastern part of Asia is not developed in terms of GDP and technology. Many suffer from poverty and lack of education and children have to work at a young age to support their families.
I envisioned back to the time when I visited Cambodia to help impoverished children. Houses looked torn apart and children did not have much time to study due to helping their parents. That was when I realized, I took so many things for granted and felt unprivileged. I was pondering, how is it that we live so close to each other, yet we have the exact opposite lifestyles? There were a lot of emotions going through my head. I was thinking in the Cambodian people’s perspective and pictured myself selling food on the street to earn few dollars in order to help my family survive. Thinking back to this event, I was capable of understanding Ms. Mam’s difficulties and why she is not assimilating well.
For people like Ms. Mam who came from poor areas of the world, there should be more connection centers built in America to help them adapt to the new environment and recover from their traumatic experiences.
Almost everything that I have been doing for the past 15 years of my life has been geared towards getting into college. I performed to the best of my ability in everything that I did in hopes that my dream colleges would reward my efforts with acceptance into their campuses. I had always hoped that the combination of financial aid and other scholarships would dilute the price of college for me, but David Leonhardt's article, "Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You're Rich)" opened my eyes to the reality that college is ultimately both a learning institution and a business. The financial aid that colleges offer for economically challenged students gives them otherwise unobtainable opportunities, but the wealthier students must, in turn, pay a much higher tuition to balance out the money that was given out. Of course, this arrangement is logical, since affluent families are better equipped to afford such payments. Nonetheless, I had never realized the factors that colleges consider when offering scholarships or financial aid to students. As a student from a relatively affluent family who strives to attend one of these elite universities, this article was my wake up call. It showed me that in order to not graduate college with thousands of dollars of student debt looming over me, it is essential that I am beyond exceptional, because financial aid is likely not going to be an option for me, but I will still need all the help that I can get getting into college.
How would you feel if you got fired just for being pregnant? Many women every year are laid off because they are carrying a child. The article I read talked about how this discrimination is still a big issue and is actually getting worse. This is so interesting to me because it seems like women's rights are getting better, but after reading this article, I knew that society still has a long way to go. I believe it's very unfair that if a woman wants a kid, she gets punished because biologically, women carry babies, but the father actually starts getting paid more and earning more promotions. The fact that it's not a woman's fault that she has to carry a baby and it's usually only a few months for maternity leave justifies that there is no reason why a company should discriminate pregnant women. It's not fair that getting pregnant can change a manager, boss, executive, etc. mind to believe that these women are unreliable and not of use anymore. After reading this I really started to understand how bad discrimination is against women and that men are still valued more than women in the workplace. I believe that these kinds of situations need to be talked about more to make a change.
The article of this week that stood out to me was the article on Kate Spade. I didn't know much about her background but after reading this article its amazing how much effort she put into making her handbag company. It was a shock but also a message that someone whop had her whole life figured out and a very successful brand would kill herself. I think the message in this is that money, fame, and materialistic things don't make people happy they stress people out as well as make them depressed. All though I am a huge fan of her handbags and work, I will miss her work so much but this further opened my eyes to the real amounts of hard work put into a company and a brand. There could be an aspect of stress from her handbag industry causing her to be depressed but then only she could give us these answers. There are many similar situations of people who are in the spotlight turning to drugs or suicide for a sense of relief for example Cory Monteith from glee overdosed on drugs. I'm sure most of her customers are grieving my mom and I are for sure