He Talon Gripping News - Onteora High School
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he Talon
Gripping News
Volume III Issue II Onteora High School Boiceville, NY 12412 January 2021
Ulster transportation assistance to he Kingston Common Coun‐
those under treatment. he Risk cil and Ulster County Legisla‐
County News Mitigation Team will receive ture approved the agreement,
funding to expand and reach but the Kingston School Board
other parts of Ulster County. did not due to concerns about
By Sophia Roberts the length of time the commu‐
Lastly, the budget emphasises nity "would be shouldering the
2021 Budget Outline: creating workforce housing and burden of taxes not paid on the
investing in new infrastructure, full value of the Kingstonian,"
In early December, Ulster including a nearly $3 million according to board member
County Executive Pat Ryan and upgrade to the Maltby Hollow Robin Jacbowitz. Many feel as
Ulster legislators prepared for Bridge in Olive. though it would be too great a
2021 by creating and adopting disadvantage to the Kingston
the 2021 budget. he main fo‐ Essential services such as the school district if those living in
cuses of the budget are mental ones above will be expanded luxury housing do not have to
health, public health, education, without raising property taxes pay their full share of school
infrastructure, economic devel‐ (for the ninth consecutive year) taxes.
opment, social services, and a or proposing layoffs, and the Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Green New Deal for Ulster overall budget is a 2.6% de‐ he developers of the Kingston‐
County. he new initiatives pro‐ crease in spending from the ian responded to the Board vote Following negotiation of the tax one of the project's largest sup‐
posed in the 2021 budget can be 2020 budget. Ryan signed the stating that they were "disap‐ breaks, the next step for the porters, believing that the
broken down into "Building a budget on December 15th fol‐ pointed in the outcome and Kingstonian will be site-plan project "will have no negative
People-Centered Economy" and lowing unanimous approval by frustrated with the process." approval and securing of i‐ tax implications, only positive!"
"Investments in Community the Ulster County legislature, he developers stated that "in nances. It also faces a lawsuit Six of the nine Kingston Board
Care." ater some amendments to the end, the School Board just iled by a real-estate investor of Education members oppose
Ryan's original budget were could not understand they were with extensive holdings in Up‐ the project. Residents seem
To build a people-centered made. turning down additional rev‐ town, Neil Bender, who is seek‐ split, with some critiquing the
economy, Ryan has proposed enue, not adding a burden." he ing to overturn a planning project's design and tax breaks
reimagining the Hudson Valley he Kingstonian: project can move forward with‐ board ruling that the project and others praising the addi‐
Mall; diversifying and expand‐ out the Board of Education's would not pose a signiicant en‐ tional public parking, new jobs,
ing the economy by spending A $60 million, 143-unit housing approval, but it is unclear vironmental impact on the area. and new development.
$5.3 million to support eco‐ development has been pro‐ whether that will happen at this
nomic development; revitaliz‐ posed for the municipal park‐ time. Kingston Mayor Steve Noble is
ing Tech City by creating studio ing lot between Schwenk Drive
spaces for artists, designers, and North Front Street and will
manufacturers, and others; ex‐ span Fair Street Extension and
panding green career training an empty parcel occupied by
and opportunities; and using Herzog's warehouse. his
100% green energy by 2030. project, the Kingstonian, is
hoped to help revitalize Down‐
A top priority for "Investments town Kingston but has faced
in Community Care" is Mobile much criticism since its propos‐
Mental Health expansion. his al in 2017.
includes the placement of a full-
time social worker in the Emer‐ Controversy over the project
gency Management Depart‐ has arisen for a number of rea‐
ment and allocation of $871,664 sons. Fourteen out of the 143
to Mobile Mental Health, which housing developments are to be
provides free assistance to Ul‐ affordable, which angered those
ster County residents in crisis. who believe that that number
should be larger given the af‐
he budget also includes a focus fordable housing crisis in Ulster
on breaking the cycle of inter‐ County.
generational poverty by person‐
alizing support for adolescents Additionally, there is concern
and investing in education. over whether the project should
receive the requested payment-
To tackle the opioid epidemic, in-lieu-of-taxes agreement that
the county will provide housing would save the project $30 mil‐
and childcare vouchers and lion in taxes over 25 years. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, Courtesy of @ulstercountyexecutive on Instagram
2 January 2021
change itself " rather than adopt ship for immigrants. have a varied and diverse out‐
Onteora's Hopes for the one of the more "'moderate look on the future. While most
plans to combat the crisis." An‐ Biden supports ending the re‐ young people are interested in
Biden Administration other senior, Emily Peck, told strictive asylum policies which seeing progress made on cli‐
me that she "would like to see a Sophia lamented, and, in addi‐ mate change, immigration, and
serious climate policy that in‐ tion, he supports temporarily the ongoing COVID-19 pan‐
By Nelson Del Tufo elected president are not con‐ vests heavily in renewable re‐ halting deportations, increasing demic, students also mentioned
ined to people of voting age. sources." the annual number of refugees a great deal of topics that don't
he years of the Trump admin‐ Over the course of the last four accepted into the country, and dominate the headlines. For ex‐
istration have been nothing if years, it has been common to Biden has publicly stated that maintaining the popular DACA ample, several students ex‐
not controversial. From cam‐ hear frustration about the di‐ he supports drastic measures to program. pressed support for the legaliza‐
paign promises about border rection of American policy vo‐ ight climate change and wants tion of marijuana, a topic on
militarization to the violent calized throughout the halls of to use the Green New Deal -- a Beyond this, however, the Biden which Joe Biden has dragged
clearing of protestors from Onteora High School. sweeping proposal to ight cli‐
Pennsylvania Avenue, President mate change and overhaul the
Trump embraced his culture- Ever since Biden's election in country's energy infrastructure
warrior persona and, in so do‐ November, however, the tone of -- as a "crucial framework" for
ing, inspired an intense dislike these discussions has shited h i s c l i m at e p o l i c y. h i s ,
from many Americans. from outraged to pragmatic. however, notably implies that
he general consensus seems to Biden does not plan on sup‐
his backlash to the president be that change is in the air, so I porting the actual Green New
manifested itself in President asked a few of my more politi‐ Deal legislation.
Joe Biden who, over the course cally inclined classmates what
of his campaign, was perceived they would like to see from the Immigration is another subject
as something different to every‐ Biden administration. which Onteora students express
one but Trump-like to no one. a great deal of passion about.
As the book closes on these Onteora students are undeni‐ hroughout the Trump admin‐
four divisive years, the hopes ably most passionate about cli‐ istration, stories about ICE
and convictions of disgruntled mate and environmental policy. raids, detention camps, and --
Americans everywhere are di‐ Early on in his administration, infamously -- child separation Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
rected at President Biden and President Trump made a great at the border, regularly shocked
his administration as they begin show of rolling back environ‐ the public. hese dramatic administration has kept mum. his feet, even as the proposal
to translate hopes and convic‐ mental regulations and exiting headlines struck a chord with According to NPR, Biden has has become more popular than
tions into a concrete agenda. the non-binding Paris Climate many, and over the course of intentionally avoided calling ever.
Accord. Many of the students the last four years, the chorus immigration a top priority, as
Expectations for the newly who gave statements about calling for immigration reform he and his team believe the is‐ Liam Bertheaud, a sophomore,
what they wanted to see from has grown. sue to be too divisive. It seems told me that some of his top
"he general the Biden administration saw
these actions as utterly wrong‐ Sophia Roberts, another senior,
likely that the Biden adminis‐
tration will focus on reversing
priorities were electoral reforms
-- such as the abolition of the
headed, but they wanted some‐ was especially passionate about Trump administration border electoral college -- and a focus
consensus thing more than simply a return the topic. In addition to her policy rather than overhauling on education. Max Mielcarek, a
to Obama-era posturing. support for climate policy, she the system. senior, got really into the weeds:
seems to be told me that she hoped to see an He told me that he would like to
Natalie Horberg, an Onteora se‐ end to ive Trump administra‐ Something less tangible that see "a defense budget cut that
that change is nior, hopes to see the Biden ad‐ tion immigration policies that students want to see from Biden would go towards funding
ministration "implement cli‐ make the asylum process more is a different style of leadership. housing and urban develop‐
in the air" mate change policy that actually difficult. She also stressed the Donald Trump's presidency was ment to bolster the rental as‐
relects the scope of climate need for a faster path to citizen‐ deined by breaks from the ex‐ sistance program."
isting norms in the realms of
both foreign and domestic poli‐ If the years of the Biden Ad‐
cy. Abroad, this strained rela‐ ministration are anything like
tions with our allies. At home, the last four, much of the Presi‐
news cycles were dominated by dent's time may be occupied by
petty and sometimes bizarre crises as they occur. It remains
conlicts between the president to be seen if any of these opti‐
and his political enemies. mistic predictions about Biden's
tenure will come to pass, but
he manic nature of the execu‐ the recent Senate elections in
tive branch has been exhausting Georgia will make legislating on
to watch at times, and many these issues a real possibility, as
students at Onteora want Biden Biden takes office with Democ‐
to put this sort of posturing to ratic majorities in both cham‐
rest. bers of Congress. Similarly,
Biden has tapped a number of
Clara Mead, a junior, hoped Obama-era veterans to head ex‐
that Biden would provide "dig‐ ecutive departments, and the
niied leadership to unite our past experience of these civil
d i v i d e d c o u n t r y, " w h i c h servants may lead to a more ef‐
summed up the general consen‐ fective execution of new laws or
sus among the students whom I policy changes.
discussed the topic with.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Overall, students at Onteora
January 2021 3
rized vaccines from working. travel bans in an effort to con‐ forts. Since then, the variant has
COVID-19 Update: A Newly While some mutations, such as tain the spread of the new vari‐ been discovered in 21 more U.S.
the 69/70 deletion, presumably ant. Nonetheless, the presence states.
Discovered Variant in the lead to a structural change in of B.1.1.7. has been detected in
the virus's spike protein, the B. Japan, Spain, Sweden, France, he new SARS-CoV-2 variant is
U.K. 1.1.7. variant does not have Canada and nearly 30 other a constantly changing situation,
enough mutations in the spike countries. Many of these coun‐ but scientists are racing to de‐
protein to evade natural or vac‐ tries have implemented a new termine every nuance in the B.
By Shane Stackpole genome that were not present cine-induced immunity. More‐ surveillance system in order to 1.1.7. variant that may signii‐
in the initial genome of SARS- over, FDA-authorized vaccines detect the unique genetic muta‐ cantly change the performance
On December 11th, the U.S. CoV-2. While SARS-CoV-2 ac‐ are polyclonal, meaning that the tions present in the B.1.1.7. of SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Anthony
Food and Drug Administration quires approximately one new immune system produces anti‐ variant of SARS-CoV-2 in indi‐ Fauci remarked that the new
authorized the Pizer-BioNTech mutation in its genome every bodies that target several sec‐ viduals traveling to and from variant is something "to follow
COVID-19 vaccine for emer‐ two weeks, B.1.1.7. is the only tions of the virus's spike the U.K. very carefully" and that "we're
gency-use mobilization and dis‐ variant to acquire this striking protein. looking at it very intensively
tribution in the U.S. According number of mutations. On December 29th, the irst now."
to the CDC, approximately 18.5 In early December, the Prime U.S. case of the B.1.1.7. variant
million people, including front- Scientists have expressed par‐ Minister of the U.K. instituted was identiied in Colorado
line medical workers and politi‐ ticular concern in one strict lockdown restrictions and through genetic sequencing ef‐
cians, have received one or both mutation, named N501Y, found
doses of the vaccine thus far. at position 501 in the receptor-
Distribution will continue in binding domain of the virus's
the coming months, which is spike protein.
essential in establishing herd
immunity and slowing the hrough intense research, sci‐
record-high hospitalization entists speculate that the N501Y
rates across the nation. mutation provides B.1.1.7. with
the ability to bind more tightly
While things are inally looking to the ACE-2 receptor, thus in‐
up ater ten grueling months, creasing the new variant's abili‐
there are obstacles to cross and ty to invade a healthy cell.
hurdles to jump, making the Nonetheless, there is not
distribution process more chal‐ enough evidence to validate this
lenging than one would expect. concern; moreover, it's un‐
known whether the N501Y mu‐
One drawback, in particular, is tation translates to any serious
the latest variant of the SARS- clinical differences.
CoV-2 virus that was irst iden‐
tiied in the U.K. and is now As of right now, there is no evi‐
rapidly spreading to other dence indicating that the B.
countries. While the news of 1.1.7. variant results in a differ‐
this new variant, officially ent set of symptoms or more
known as B.1.1.7. or VOC adverse symptoms than in other
202012/01, is alarming, the strains of SARS-CoV-2; howev‐
variant is one of many that have er, this implication is not off the
arisen during COVID-19's exis‐ table, and scientists are rigor‐
tence. ously investigating whether the
variant has a signiicant effect
In fact, most viruses -- notably on the severity of disease in in‐
Inluenza, HIV, and MERS -- fected humans.
have a wide variety of variants
that emerge due to genetic mu‐ A troubling observation is that
tations. When a virus replicates, another mutation, named
it may spontaneously and quite D614G, provides the B.1.1.7.
randomly make a "copying er‐ variant with the ability to prop‐
ror" in its set of genetic compo‐ agate at a faster rate in lung ep‐
nents. ithelial cells. As such, scientists
suggest that the B.1.1.7. variant
Some viral mutations can have of COVID-19 is more conta‐
virtually no noticeable effect; gious and can spread faster than
for instance, mutations that previous ones. Some studies in‐
produce a different three-letter dicate that the B.1.1.7. variant
codon that translates for the has increased the transmissibili‐
same amino acid will have no ty rate of COVID-19 in the U.K.
impact on the protein's func‐ by 56%, and the number of dai‐
tion. However, a series of muta‐ ly cases has skyrocketed to
tions can lead to signiicant al‐ roughly 40% more positive in‐
terations in a viral protein's dividuals than before the new
structure and function. variant's emergence.
In the case of the SARS-CoV-2 As of yet, there is no evidence
B.1.1.7. variant, researchers dis‐ indicating that the B.1.1.7. vari‐
covered 23 mutations in its ant would inhibit FDA-autho‐ Courtesy of Tahlula Potter
4 January 2021
Georgia Senate Runoff he Day hat Tested Our Democracy
Elections: First Jewish and
By Ori Grady domestic terrorism." - Raven privilege is in our society." -
Black Senators Elected from Ryan (Senior) Seren Kravig (Freshman)
January 6th, 2021 will be re‐
Georgia membered as one of the most
disturbing days in U.S. history.
"Reading a book when I got a
text from my friend telling me
"I was at work. My boss turned
her phone to me and said,
It let a mark on the world and to look at the news."- Madelynn 'they've breached the Capitol.'
By Nelson DelTufo favor of a public healthcare op‐ certainly let a mark on U.S. cit‐ Taylor (Sophomore) Shocked." - Alana Wood (Se‐
tion. Needless to say, both are a izens across the country, includ‐ nior)
hough Joe Biden and Kamala far cry from their Republican ing our Onteora students. he "I was standing around with
Harris were declared president- opponents. siege of the Capitol Building some friends ater skiing while "I was horriied but also
and vice president-elect on No‐ will be discussed for years to we celebrated someone's birth‐ shocked, it just didn't sink in
vember 7th, this was far from he victories come as somewhat come. It challenged our consti‐ day." - Nelson Del Tufo (Senior) for a while what was
the conclusion of election sea‐ of an upset. Ater months of tutional democracy, which was happening." - Sophie Frank (Ju‐
son. Not only would the presi‐ neck and neck polling, the race built to protect us from events "I was in my room on Insta‐ nior)
dential election be drawn out was tight, but Republicans were like this. It's an event that won't gram, and I started seeing pic‐
for months due to President favored due to their historic be forgotten as reactions to it tures popping up, and I saw "I was at home with my family
Trump's allegations of electoral edge in the state. his rapid will be documented forever. everyone's stories so I looked it watching the news, and when I
improprieties, but the outcomes about-face away from the GOP hat's why we have compiled a up. I was reading about it, and I saw it, the only thing I could
of several congressional con‐ has been attributed in great part list of responses to the question was very surprised as to what think about was how disap‐
tests would be in question for to gubernatorial candidate Sta‐ we asked our Onteora commu‐ happened because that was pointing and embarrassing it
just as long. cy Abrams who, despite losing nity: Where were you when you something way bigger than just was for America to be seen like
her bid for governor in 2018, heard the Capitol was breached, protesting. When my Mom and this." - Allie Cannon
he most notable of these pioneered a new strategy in and what was your gut Dad got home, I started talking (Freshman)
drawn out congressional races Georgia. reaction? to them about it. hen I started
were undeniably the twin bat‐
tles for Georgia's two Senate Ms. Abrams focused on turning
seats. Not only were these races out historically underrepresent‐
consequential because of how ed voters of color rather than
much power senators have to appealing to an increasingly
inluence legislation, but they small number of white moder‐
would also decide control of the ates, and she successfully built a
United States Senate. If the De‐ coalition that has only grown in
mocratic candidates both won, the last two years. his mix of
the Senate would be split 50-50, urban liberals, Black voters, and
and the Democratic Party disillusioned suburbanites
would hold a majority by nature broug ht toget her by Ms.
of Vice President Kamala Har‐ Abrams might not have been
ris's tie-breaking vote. enough to propel her to the
governorship, but it seems to be
Early in the morning on Jan‐ enough to turn the once reliably
uary 6th, the long and bitter red Georgia into a bona ide
election season came to a close. swing state.
he two Democratic chal‐
lengers won their runoff elec‐ Georgia's political landscape is
tions against incumbent Repub‐ not the only one to have
licans and guaranteed Democ‐ changed as a result of these
ratic control of the Senate. elections. On January 20th, Joe
Biden was inaugurated as the
Raphael Warnock, an Atlanta 46th president of the United
pastor, defeated incumbent States, and this ushered in full
Senator Kelly Loeffler, while Jon Democratic control of the leg‐ Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Ossoff, a documentary ilm‐ islative and executive branches.
maker, congressional aid, and "I thought that the hypocrisy of to watch the videos posted "Home. I was disgusted that the
former candidate for Georgia's heoretically, whatever agenda the situation was unbelievable." about it." - Erin McLaughlin storming wasn't being treated
6th congressional district, de‐ the Democratic leaders wish to - Shayne Durkin (Junior) (Freshman) as it is, domestic terrorism" -
feated incumbent Senator pursue could be enacted, or at Olivia Weiss (Sophomore)
David Perdue. the very least, brought to the "I was playing Minecrat. I "Shock and disappointment." -
loor of Congress for a vote. It thought it was quite dumb." - Emily Baker (Sophomore) "I was with my friends, and we
Ossoff, a 33 year old Jewish remains to be seen what will Holly Wotherspoon (Senior) watched the news in horror on
man, will be the youngest De‐ come of this, but longtime De‐ "I was at my house, and I hon‐ my laptop." - Layla Sprague (Ju‐
mocratic senator elected since mocratic policy goals--such as "I was at Hertz dropping off a estly wasn't surprised. Trump nior)
Joe Biden in 1973, while criminal justice reform, student rental car." - Logan Storey supporters can be really crazy,
Raphael Warnock is a Black loan forgiveness, and healthcare (Freshman) and I know that for a fact be‐ "I was at the ski mountain with
pastor who preaches at the for‐ expansion--are within reach cause I live with some. I think I c o m p a n y, a n d I w a s n ' t
mer pulpit of Reverend Dr. thanks to Georgia's newest sen‐ "I remember that ater a class I also realized the amount of surprised, but it still felt
Martin Luther King Jr. Both ators. looked at my phone and saw white privilege displayed when surreal." - Axel Roberts (Senior)
candidates are unabashed liber‐ this massive riot, and when I they stormed the capitol, and
als, being pro-choice, in favor of looked at the news, it just got the fact that they were just let in
marijuana legalization, and in worse. I was disgusted by the also shows how much white
January 2021 5
Top 10 Events of 2021 So Far
By Ava Maki more comfortable margin early with the result of last year's
that morning. With these victo‐ election and that Raffensperg‐
Although frequently overstated, ries, the U.S. Senate has lipped er's data is incorrect. his
2020 was clearly a pretty event‐ blue. would have ranked higher, but I
ful year. Between the early pan‐ think Americans are pretty used
ic over a potential war with 7: he Weekend Gets Plastic to this kind of thing by now, so
Iran, the election, and the out‐ Surgery the wow factor has kind of sim‐
break of the coronavirus, I mered down.
think it's safe to say that every‐
one has been personally im‐ 9: Earth's Abnormally Fast Ro‐
pacted by 2020 in one way or tation
another. Many, including
myself, are hoping for a year of If you've already started out the
good health and peace. Howev‐ on divorce. Although many the‐ ally think it's hilarious so it rests new year on a sour foot, no
er, things so far haven't exactly ories have surfaced, the main in the top three. worries! Scientists say that in
been favorable. So, in light of reason for divorce has been 2021 the Earth will be spinning
the new year, I will be ranking speculated to be Kanye's spiral‐ 4: Dr. Dre Shares Recovery faster than it has been in the
the top ten headlines making ing mental health and an un‐ Photo Ater Aneurysm last 50 years. his year is on
their debut in 2021 so far. likely affair. his will be Kim's track to be one of the quickest
Ater suffering from a brain an‐ ones to date. Scientists are now
eurysm, Dr. Dre shared a heart- considering the addition of a
warming message to his Insta‐ "negative leap second" to com‐
gram followers on the 5th. At pensate.
this moment, he is stable and
lucid, but the cause of the an‐ 10: Youtuber CallMeCarson Ex‐
eurysm is still unknown. Dr. posed For Grooming Minors
Dre has stated he's thankful for Canadian singer he Weeknd
the care he's receiving and will has recently debuted his new
be back home soon. Although face to the shock of some fans.
I'm personally not a fan, Dr. He posted a photo showing off
Dre comes in at number four his post-op features, horribly
because he seems like a nice botched from his alleged
Courtesy of Zach Calinda guy. surgery. Despite fooling thou‐
sands, this was in fact a publici‐
1: Protesters storm the Capitol third divorce. 5: New Coronavirus Strain ty stunt to promote his new
music video. his headline
Provoked due to Congress be‐ 3: Kanye West and Jeffree Star's would have ranked higher if I
ing set to conirm Joe Biden as Affair wasn't so mad that I fell for it.
the president-elect, a mob of ri‐
oters in favor of President Ranked slightly below the di‐ 8: Trump's Tape
Trump stormed the Capitol vorce reports for invalidity, Popular Minecrat Youtuber
building later that day. Pro‐ coming in at number three is In the call between President CallMeCarson has been under
testers pushed through barriers the alleged affair between Trump and Georgia's Secretary ire for grooming accusations
and fought against police, at‐ Kanye West and makeup Youtu‐ of State, the president encour‐ made by Twitter user Miniborb.
tempting to breach the ber Jeffree Star. It's not clear aged him to "ind him 11,780 Fellow Youtuber Daniel Keem
building. hey ended up being where this rumor originated, votes." In this call, Trump has has since interviewed other on‐
successful, and they spent their but allegations have been made been found on record request‐ line inluencers who testiied
aternoon writing on folders all over social media. Although Since very late 2020, talk about ing Republican Brad Raf‐ against CallMeCarson as well.
and stealing podiums. his this headline has no evidence to a new strain of COVID has fensperger to ind him votes to Although no legal intervention
public display let one woman prove it to be genuine, I person‐ been circulating non-stop. his overturn his defeat in the presi‐ has taken place, CallMeCarson
fatally shot, a police officer new and improved virus has dential election. Trump urges has been under intense critique
beaten to death with a ire ex‐ about 23 genetic changes. It that the people are unhappy by others on social media.
tinguisher, and three other re‐ may spread faster, but it does
lated fatalities. Although a lot not appear to cause reactions
can be said regarding this group more severe than the ones we've
of people, I will say that this seen before. COVID 2.0 comes
comes in at number one purely in at a happy medium, relieving
because it's so hard to believe those at risk, but bitterly disap‐
that this actually happened. pointing those who thought
"mutating virus" was way cooler
2: Kim Kardashian and Kanye than it sounded.
West Divorce
6: Senate Flips Blue
Reports of Kim and Kanye's di‐
vorce were announced on the On the 6th, Democrat Jon Os‐
5th of January. Ater being dis‐ soff was declared the winner of
cussed over the past couple of his Georgia runoff. his comes
months, the Kardashian-Wests ater Democrat R aphael
inally bit the bullet and settled Warnock won his race by a
6 January 2021
ing about literally anything Bonus track: "Good Days" -
Music while also feeling like the main SZA
character of some romantic
Reccomenda- drama (but not the Netlix
kind). What I mean is… it's I won't say much about SZA's
tions good. It's a rainy day song, if latest drop because if you
you will. You'll like it. I think. I haven't already heard it, I am
don't know you… or do I? slightly concerned for your
By Mikayla Stock well-being.
he song sounds like drinking a
"Solo Dolo, Pt. III" - Kid nice little school-appropriate
Cudi mocktail on the beach while a
cool breeze drits over your Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Straight off of his latest album shoulders. Listening to it is also
Man On he Moon III: he Cho‐ a cheaper option than therapy, Alex, Reggie, and Bobby. hree only 16 years old. All of the ac‐
sen, "Solo Dolo, Pt. III" takes and I can conirm that it does in of the members died ater a hot tors do their own instrumental
listeners on a journey through fact help. Maybe that's why dog incident in 1995. In 2020, and vocal performances, which
Cudi's personal struggles that you'll catch me listening to it Julie plays their CD, and the is hard to come by these days. If
have emerged as a result of iso‐ approximately 10 times a day. boys, as ghosts, reintroduce my explanation and praise
lation. Julie to music a year ater her didn't sell you yet, one of the
mom's death. actors is BooBoo Stewart, who
he track stems from what feels plays a ghost skater. What more
like a moment of solitude, re‐ Julie is the only one that can see could you ask for?
lection, pain, and denial all "Moonlight on the River" - the boys, but everyone else can
wrapped up in an honest ex‐ Mac DeMarco see and hear Luke, Alex, and
pression of his struggles with Reggie when they perform, so
addiction, loneliness, and the they form a band with Julie
human experience. I don't know how, why, or when called Julie and he Phantoms.
I came across "Moonlight on he ghosts then run into a situ‐
he listening experience is as the River," but all I know is that ation where they have to ind
raw and tender as a lump at the something about it just bleeds and fulill their uninished busi‐
back of your throat, and despite nostalgia for me. To put it in ness in order to stop receiving
the overall dreamy sound, more simple terms, it's basically harmful jolts that could cause
Cudi's lyrics certainly nod to one of my many comfort songs. them to cease to exist.
the all-but-ethereal reality of
addiction and lonesomeness. DeMarco's lyricism is always a I've developed a deep love for
work of art, but something this show ever since I irst saw
about this track particularly
resonates with me. Julie and he it, and it's deinitely become a
comfort show. You'll easily fall
in love with the characters
he song is essentially about Phantoms through their show and the ac‐
DeMarco's estranged relation‐ tors through their frequent In‐
ship with his father, and it goes Review stagram livestreams. he plot is
on for roughly seven minutes, both entertaining and nerve-
with a wildly grand instrumen‐ racking. he attention to detail
tal for the last three minutes of By Ella Williams is captivating, and it's nice to
the track. he vocals lend them‐ see references to previous
selves as somewhat raw, quiet, Have you been longing for nos‐ episodes throughout the show.
and reminiscent of a broken re‐ talgia over quarantine? Are you
lationship for the irst part of a mentally unstable teenager? here's drama, romance, family
the song. he last few minutes, Allow me to introduce you to issues, gay representation, and
however, expose how DeMarco your next obsession: the Netlix amazing music. he talent is
may be feeling in a way that can or ig ina l, Julie and he unbelievable from the boys and
Courtesy of Wikimedia only be expressed through mu‐ Phantoms! from Madison Reyes, who is
Commons sic.
I know what you might be
thinking: "Isn't that a kids
show?" While it is directed to‐
"he Gold - Phoebe Bridgers wards kids, the show has gained
Version" - Manchester a large teenage and young adult
Orchestra, Phoebe Bridgers audience. he fact that it's a
kids show fulills the desire for
nostalgia without watching the
I could go into some deeper redundant plots of your child‐
analysis of this song, but I hon‐ hood favorites.
estly think you should just lis‐
ten to it and maybe go cry in a he show consists of nine 20-30
ield. minute long episodes directed
by Kenny Ortega. It follows a
his is the type of track that band, Sunset Curve, and a girl
makes me want to go on a walk named Julie Molina. Sunset
on a misty day and start weep‐ Curve has 4 members: Luke,
January 2021 7
he Queen's When she is adopted, her
adopted mother, Alma Wheat‐
ley, brings her to chess tourna‐
Gambit ments around the country, all of
which she easily wins.
Review he series may seem like a clas‐
sic feel-good sports story at
By Emily Peck irst, but there are actually
many more layers. Beth strug‐
As I watched Beth Harmon's gles with addiction, irst with
opponent move a piece, my painkillers that help her play
heart dropped. I had no idea chess and then with a variety of
what the move meant, but substances when someone she
Beth's eyebrows were furrowed, cares about passes away. She is
so I knew it couldn't be good. also obsessed with winning and
hen Beth lited her head and has a hard time letting people
plucked one of her pieces from into her life. Beth's layers are
its place, moving it to check her best described by Executive
opponent. I let out a sigh of re‐ Producer William Horberg:
lief. Beth won, as always. "She has so many colors and so
much complexity; she's broken-
While her opponent stomped hearted yet tough, she's brilliant
off, likely to complain about yet kind of nerd-y, she hates
losing to a girl, Beth gracefully losing almost as much as
accepted her win. his is the Michael Jordan, she's got addic‐
magic of he Queen's Gambit: tions, she's almost alien in her
Beth's raw chess talent wins her outsider-ness, she's generous
every game, and her power -- w it h A l m a [ h e r a d opt e d
over men and chess -- is addict‐ mother], she's a loner but trying Courtesy of PxHere
ing. out all of these various relation‐
ships with men." get he Queen's Gambit off the election season. Or maybe sured that the chess games were
he Queen's Gambit is based on ground. everyone wanted to escape the legitimate. hey employed the
Walter Tevis's 1983 novel of the I got the chance to ask William p andemic re a lit y and b e former world champion Garry
same name, and the Netlix Horberg a few questions about But no one anticipated it being whisked away to the sixties. Or Kasparov and New York City
miniseries set during the Cold he Queen's Gambit, and his such a worldwide sensation. maybe Beth Harmon sparked chess coach Bruce Pandolini as
War centers on orphan chess pride in the series was evident Horberg said that "ater 20 years something deep inside many consultants on the games in the
prodigy Beth Harmon. Beth, from his answers. Horberg irst of being told it wasn't commer‐ people. Horberg seems to think series. "Organizing all of those
played by the rising star Anya pitched he Queen's Gambit to cial," no one expected he so, telling me, "I think she is a chess tournaments to be both
Taylor-Joy, is orphaned ater a the marketplace 20 years ago, Queen's Gambit to become as unique creation, and that's why authentic and still entertaining
car crash kills her mother, and but it wasn't the right time for popular as it has. he series sat audiences have responded so was a big focus for us," says
she learns chess at the Methuen he Queen's Gambit as a movie. atop the Top 10 Netlix Chart strongly to her, especially as Horberg.
Home for Girls from a kind and Fast-forward 20 years and with for 22 days, and it was only beat played by the equally unique
taciturn Janitor named Mr. the change from a movie to a by Tiger King's 27 day streak. Anya Taylor-Joy." he chess in he Queen's Gam‐
Shaibel. From there she is mini-series, Horberg and Di‐ Maybe it was such a hit because bit captured people's attention
quickly recognized as a prodigy. rector Scott Frank were able to people needed a break during When I watched Beth elegantly so much that "since its release,
defeat her opponents and ob‐ numerous chess board manu‐
sess over becoming a world facturers have reported big
champion, I was drawn into her surges in sales, with increases
world. he men in Beth's life a ny w h e r e f r o m 2 1 5 % t o
seem to be caught in her 1,000%," according to he
gravity, and she was so sure of Guardian. And many of these
her abilities. All these attributes chess sets are likely bought by
made Beth very different from women, as he Queen's Gambit
the standard woman in ilm. made chess -- an extremely
Horberg remarked that "there male-dominated sport -- entic‐
aren't enough stories that let fe‐ ing to girls and women.
male characters have this much
of a rainbow of colors to play." Ater watching, or more likely
binging, he Queen's Gambit,
he Queen's Gambit is also dif‐ most people are let yearning
ferent from other popular series for more. I was too, so of course
because of its focus on chess. I asked William Horberg if we
he series made chess seem will ever know the rest of Beth's
thrilling in a way that few knew story.
it could be. Watching Beth's fa‐
cial expressions shit and her "his is Beth's story," Horberg
hands delicately move pieces to replied. He noted that adding
dominate the board was fasci‐ on to the series would take
nating, even for someone like away from its "perfect ending"
myself who knows very little and leave fans "more unhappy
about chess. But the creators of than satisied with the result."
Courtesy of Zach Calinda he Queen's Gambit also en‐
8 January 2021
If We Make it hrough
December
By Mikayla Stock ahead of me.
My life, along with the lives of
he holidays are usually regard‐ many others my age, will
ed as a joyous time for all who change drastically within this
partake in the multitude of ac‐ new year we face. From gradu‐
tivities coinciding with the sea‐ ating high school and leaving
son. Whether you spend hours for college to turning 18, the
frolicking in the blanket of events that will take place in
snow adorning the ground or 2021 always seemed like a dis‐
eating your weight in raw sugar tant story to me during my
cookie dough, nothing seems to younger years -- a story that
capture the bliss of December seemed like it would never be
quite as well as the waves of my own.
nostalgia that accompany the
winter days. he feelings of ea‐ Being stuck at home over what
gerness, delight, and magic that is soon to be the past year has
join with the festive atmosphere lent me a lot of time for relec‐
of the season hold themselves as tion, but when the holiday sea‐
so vivid, bright, and permanent son came around I started to re‐
during the years of childhood. alize that for the irst time that I
was experiencing a genuine dis‐
In my own younger years I was satisfaction with aging.
given my greatest memories of
the holidays as they shined their As I remembered back to the
light within my mind for years lovely festive times of my
following. I couldn't possibly younger days, I became increas‐
imagine a time where I didn't ingly uncomfortable with my
feel the warm fuzziness of De‐ own existence as a human
cember for the rest of my life. being. Life had, for the most
part, begun rendering itself as
It wasn't until the ever-so-re‐ overwhelmingly disappointing,
markable year of 2020 passed and I became incredibly hard
that I realized my story was be‐ on myself for seeing it as such. I
ginning to change, and upon was healthy, I had a roof over
many moments of contempla‐ my head, my family was safe,
tion, I concluded that I wasn't and I wasn't struggling in some
feeling too satisied with a new momentous way, yet I still felt Courtesy of Natalie Horburg
narrative. like the world that I had always
known as my source of comfort I found myself so overwhelmed verse the clock and would never youth, your youth, and every‐
It's no secret that as time goes was inally caving in. with the realization that times be able to, but to make it one's youths are nowhere but in
on life becomes more hectic were changing and the fact that through December was to inal‐ the present moment, regardless
than ever before, and to manage Remembering times when I was I wouldn't be able to reverse any ly accept that my reality would of the time of year or the way
that stress as a teenager in the as happy as I used to be during of it. I missed being young and be changing regardless of how that nostalgia may threaten to
twenty-irst century has been the holidays made me feel so experiencing the joys of De‐ much I missed the younger ver‐ pull at your throat.
met with its fair share of chal‐ devoid of joy throughout the cember in the purest way possi‐ sion of myself.
lenges. whole of December. College ap‐ ble, and I missed the times So in this new year, I've vowed
plications, an abundance of when my mind wasn't so over‐ Over the winter break, with the to recognize every moment of
Experiencing the ups and homework, struggles with my taken with how affected by the help of my family and some progression as something not to
downs of aging is one thing, but own mental state, and the stress world I've become. much needed time to rest, I re‐ dread but to accept with full
actually realizing I was experi‐ of staying healthy further alized that, yes, my narrative force in the face of my changing
encing those ups and downs eclipsed what I hoped to be the As a result, an overwhelming was changing and, yes, the in‐ story. And from one young soul
caused me to view the holidays relaxing euphoria traditionally wave of emotion attacked me nocence of my youth was be‐ to another, I hope you will do
as a moment of darkness with associated with the season. with full force throughout De‐ ginning to feel out of reach. But the same.
the fear of an unknown future cember. I knew I couldn't re‐ to my surprise, it was all entire‐
ly okay. I am changing, you are
changing, and that's all we'll
"I missed being young and ever do.
I recently heard someone speak
experiencing the joys of about taking every day as it
comes in an effort to keep your
vibrations raised, and upon
December" learning such a concept I no‐
ticed what it was that I was do‐
ing wrong during my moments
of dreadful emptiness. My
January 2021 9
he Talon
Staff:
Editors-In-Chief: Emily Peck
and Sophia Roberts
Managing Editors: Sophie
Frank and Shane Stackpole
Copy Editor: Simon Rands
Layout Editor: Eva Donato
Assistant E ditor : Shayne
Durkin
Graphic Designers: Natalie
Horberg, Tahlula Potter, Zach
Calinda
Secretary: Laura Craig
Photographer: Bella McHugh
Copy Hands: Clara Mead, Nel‐
son Del Tufo, Ella Williams,
Eleanor Schackne-Martello,
Shayne Durkin, Sophie Frank,
Shane Stackpole
Layout Hands: Ella Williams,
N e l s e n D e l Tu f o , B e l l a
McHugh, Kelly Wen, Laura
Craig, Liam Bertheaud, Noah
Makowski
Student Journalists: Sophia
Roberts, Nelson Del Tufo,
Shane Stackpole, Ori Grady,
Ava Maki, Mikayla Stock, Emily
Peck, Ella Williams, Laura
Craig, Natalie Horberg, Sophie
Frank, Kelly Wen
Faculty Advisor: Elaine Con‐
roy
Courtesy of Ella Williams
Courtesy of Pixabay Courtesy of Depositphotos
10 January 2021
Contributing to the Community as a Student
By Laura Craig a little happier. My parents have taught me that
giving to others is a true git,
he feeling you receive when My family has put together an and that is why I was inspired
someone else's happiness is un‐ event for a couple of years now to start something of my own. I
containable is truly wonderful. called Miracle on Main Street. can truly say that the event
Just one selless act can make We work for months on end to spread holiday cheer during
someone's day. organize a free winter wonder‐ this difficult time.
land so that kids can smile and
During this holiday season, I families can celebrate together All I have ever wanted to do
decided to give back to my with the whole community. was help people and inspire
community. I felt that now, others to do the same. So far, I
more than ever, families are During this event I serve free have collected some donations,
struggling with hunger and food and drinks provided by lo‐ but not enough. We need to
stress because they are experi‐ cal businesses, and we also set help each other through these
e n c i ng h ard s h ip s du e to up activities for kids in the tough times. Oprah Winfrey
COVID -19. community such as crats and said it best: "To move forward,
face painting. We could not you have to give back."
I took it upon myself to start a host this event this year due to
non-perishable food item and COVID-19. he Phoenicia Food Pantry is
hygiene product collection that open on hursdays between 10
will help the families in need. Instead, we created a new event a.m. and 12 p.m. for donation
he food pantry is located in‐ called he Parade of Lights that drop off. Check donations are
side the United Methodist kept our community safe and also accepted by mail or at Ul‐
Church upstairs from the thrit happy. his event took place on ster Savings Bank, 58 Main
store in Phoenicia. he Phoeni‐ Main Street, Phoenicia on Sun‐ Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464
cia Food Pantry was founded in day, December 13th. he pa‐ made out to the "Phoenicia
the 1980's and is operated solely rade included different ire de‐ Food Pantry." It is a US 501(c)
by volunteers and through do‐ partments and police officers (3) Nonproit Organization, and
nations. It feeds 30-35 families from our community and peo‐ for more information call Jane
in our community each week, ple who decorated their vehicles To d d - D i r e c t o r a t
and the number of families is full of lights and joined the pa‐ 845-688-5828 or he Town
currently increasing. rade. I saw so many children Clerk's office 845-688-5004.
smile from their cars as they
A quote from Maya Angelou were waving at the passing ve‐
speaks to what I decided to do: hicles.
"When you learn, teach. When
you get, give." Ater years of do‐ his event couldn't have hap‐
ing good for the community pened without the people and
with my parents, I learned that irst responders who took the
sometimes, if you give someone time out of their day to help out
a little hope, they live their life and make a wonderful parade. Courtesy of Laura Craig
Clawsnaps
How have you coped with mental health in
quarantine?
Autumn Schouten, grade 11: Madeline Taylor, grade 10: Holly Wotherspoon, grade Sophie Frank, grade 11: Shayne Durkin, grade 12:
12:
"I have found distracting "Writing. But it isn't really "To cope while in quarantine I "he thing that's done the most
myself, especially late at night, working that well." "Lots of crying." have been watching lots of for my mental health is volun‐
with movies works. Besides that movies and TV, listening to mu‐ teering. It gives me a sense of
I oten let stress overwhelm me sic, and talking on the phone purpose and community that I
and just cry to let things go." Liam Bertheaud, grade 10 with friends whenever can devote myself to in multiple
possible." ways, and it's a good way to
Zoe Gabriel, grade 10: Kelly Wen, grade 9: "My sleep schedule has drasti‐ help others. It's helped my men‐
cally changed in a positive way. tal health for months now, and
"Working out." "Taking walks at night and And I drink tea now." I'm sure that it helps the other
stargazing." volunteers, too."January 2021 11
Boys Are Dogs, Cats Are Girls: A Philosophical Take on the Effects of
Internalized Misogyny
By Natalie Horberg that they are still crated stereo‐ order to dehumanize them. sort of feminism is promoted are three-dimensional beings,
types which bear little sem‐ wherein audiences are made to not because they are a threat to
When I was a kid, I sat in front blance to reality. Yes, dogs tend Examples of the latter phe‐ believe that a woman's power society. It is not that they are
of the T.V. to watch Scooby- to be more social, and cats tend nomenon are not hard to come lies solely in how sexy she is. In too independent yet too needy,
Doo help a gang of teens solve to be more independent, but by: Cats are oten paired with this sense, pop culture harps on but rather that -- just like most
mysteries or the mute Penelope that doesn't indicate any mea‐ eccentric older women, such as the idea that if a cat wants to other living beings -- they strive
Pussycat try to avoid Pepé le surable correlation to the in‐ witches or "crazy cat-ladies," live in a dog's world, she has to for a sense of self-governance
Pew, a French skunk, as he lust‐ trinsic behaviors of men and and the phrase "catight" has be the most objectiied version and also want to feel cared for
ed ater her. Sometimes, I'd lip women. long been used to demeaningly of herself possible. by those around them.
through channels, skimming refer to an altercation between
across Josie and the Pussycats, Although this anthropomor‐ women. Furthermore, when a In other words, if Catwoman It is possible that Americans
T.U.F.F. Puppy, Hello Kitty's phism of dogs and cats is debat‐ woman is expressing her anger, wants to play the same game as generally prefer dogs to cats for
Furry Tale heater, or he able, its possible impact is diffi‐ it is not unusual to hear some‐ Batman, she has to do it while a variety of reasons other than
Huckleberry Hound Show. cult to ignore. According to an one give a cat-like growl as a wearing high heels and a internalized misogyny. Perhaps
article from Nationalgeograph‐ sarcastic parody of her emo‐ skintight leather catsuit. it has to do with costs, or maybe
With so much content to digest, ic.com, in 2013, around 52% of tions. there is some distinct scientiic
it didn't take long for me to Americans preferred dogs and When it comes to complaints explanation. But philosophy
grasp the trend -- boys were 21% preferred cats.* Upon closer examination, it is about cats and women from isn't here to dissect all of that.
dogs and girls were cats; dogs apparent that these associations both cat-haters and Philosophy invites us to take
were a man's best friend and If we are to take these cultural between cats and women misogynists, they are usually risks by searching for our own
cats were ditsy little creatures stereotypes into consideration, speciically perpetuate the in‐ quite contradictory in a way explanations to great, seemingly
that belonged on the outskirts then the question must be herent ageism within misogyny; that is reminiscent of fascist unanswerable questions.
of popular entertainment. asked: Are Americans not very they broadcast the false belief logic.
fond of cats because, subcon‐ that old women are hag-like Undoubtedly, misogyny has
From a young age, we are con‐ sciously, they're not very fond and young women are too feisty Within anti-Semitism, a fascist been rampant in this country
stantly reminded that dogs are of women? Moreover, can for their own good. ideology, Jewish people are since its very beginning. Horrif‐
synonymous with companion‐ misogyny be blamed for the scapegoated for everyone else's ically insulting, unfounded
ship, loyalty, and masculinity, continuous merging of women Feline characteristics are also problems. Because this destruc‐ ideas have always been spread
while cats are synonymous with and cats? used to hyper-sexualize femi‐ tive, cruel conception is so about what it means to be a
elusiveness, self-reliance, and ninity in an alarmingly superi‐ wildly illogical, it's implications woman, and over time, these
femininity. Not only are offensive stereo‐ cial way. Consider Catwoman are fraught with paradoxes and ideas have sunk into the very
types about femininity infused of DC Comics, a morally am‐ inconsistencies. For instance, fabric of our culture. hey are
Even though these notions are into cats' image, but also cat- bivalent enemy and love interest when anti-Semites blame Jew‐ relected in television, movies,
deeply ingrained in our culture, like characteristics are com‐ of Batman who is almost always ish people for problems in the books, and the English lan‐
it is important to remember monly attributed to women in clad in a shiny black catsuit. economy, they characterize guage itself.
them as being clever master‐
Unsurprisingly, she was created minds. However, when anti- It is about time that this
mainly to give an element of Semites simultaneously claim shallow, unnecessarily harmful
sensuality to the series, and Bat‐ Jewish people are intellectually comparison between women
man co-creator Bob Kane even inferior, they are then contra‐ and cats dies down. We need to
wrote in his autobiography, Bat‐ dicting their own beliefs about stop anthropomorphizing cats
man and Me, "I felt that women how Jews are able to secretly -- or any animal for that matter
were feline creatures and men undermine the economy. -- as having personas which
were more like dogs. While correspond to stereotypes based
dogs are faithful and friendly, Pinning the responsibility for on any sex or gender, and we
cats are cool, detached, and un‐ an unfathomable number of need to do so by being unafraid
reliable. I felt much warmer problems onto a single group of to point it out in our own lives.
with dogs around me -- cats are individuals is always logically
as hard to understand as indefensible. But it is fairly How can we begin to confront
women are… We don't want common in everyday life, as centuries of misogyny if we
anyone taking over our souls, seen in the standard arguments don't try to identify it in what
and women have a habit of do‐ for disliking cats and women. we consume and what we be‐
ing that." People argue that somehow lieve -- in how we treat women
they are too independent yet and even how we think about
To those like Kane, it seems as too needy, too feisty yet too cats?
though the only way to redeem lazy, too dangerous yet easily
these so-called laws in women domitable. Within these com‐ *twenty-seven percent claimed to
-- or rather, the only way to plaints lie obvious contradic‐ be unsure of their preference
cope with their natural inde‐ tions that expose faulty reason‐
pendence -- is to emphasize it ing.
in a way that is synonymous
with promiscuity and animality But does that mean cats and
rather than actual autonomy. women must be immune to
self-contradictions in order to
By translating women's strength be acceptable? Of course not.
into glaring sex appeal that only Opposing traits exist within
Courtesy of Natalie Horburg exists to please men, a twisted women and cats because they12 January 2021
come linked to weakness -- for dards, he and his friends feel it havior directed towards rip out the roots of bad behav‐
What Does both men and women. looming over them. women. ior we've been taught to allow
our whole lives. But we have
Toxic he concept is being discussed When asked, he couldn't trace hese rigid standards we've our eyes on change and the
by social scientists and every this pressure back to one origin. been adhering to for genera‐ whole world talking, and that's
Masculinity person to ever have a Twitter Instead, he listed examples from tions hurt both men and a start.
account, but what is it like to childhood, such as watching women. It's an uphill battle to
Mean to You? actually live in a culture so
dominated by harmful ideals
football and being pushed in
the direction of typical male in‐
for men? terests.
By Sophie Frank
For my friends who are not He compared the standard for
When I set out to write an arti‐ men, it means fear. It means masculinity he's seen in the me‐
cle about toxic masculinity, I shame. It means looking over dia and in his own life since
knew I had to include as many your shoulder when walking childhood to indoctrination,
voices as I could. So this article alone because before you hit saying that he feels men are al‐
contains the experiences of double digits you were told that ways striving to meet a standard
many people, engaging in deep you had to be responsible for for masculinity, and it isn't al‐
conversations about the state of your own safety. ways effortless.
our world and answering this
question: What does toxic mas‐ It means crying to a teacher af‐ Always trying to meet that stan‐
culinity mean to you? ter recess in elementary school, dard makes men feel trapped.
begging her to tell the boy On social media, I found many
Toxic masculinity is a way we as who's been being mean to you examples of what men hate
a society teach men to act. he to stop and hearing, "he just about toxic masculinity, such as
key pillars are teaching men to likes you" in response. It means having to equate violence with
suppress their emotions, to learning to think that abuse masculinity, not being able to
maintain a tough or powerful means love. ask for help when they were be‐
appearance, and to think that ing bullied, the "bro code," and
violence or misogyny is an indi‐ It means always being punished the difficulty of speaking out
cator of power and strength. just a little worse than your when they witness abusive be‐ Courtesy of Tahlula Potter
male friends, always being
It's only recently that people asked to do more chores.
have started to really study how
pervasive toxic masculinity is in It means having school admin‐
our culture and what kind of istrators enforce an arbitrary
unexpected consequences have dress code for women while
resulted from raising genera‐ watching men violate it without
tions of men to have harmful consequence. It means covering
deinitions of masculinity. But up bra straps like one would
now, more than ever, people are signs of a zombie bite during
aware. the apocalypse.
In 2019, the irst-ever set of It means hating pink in elemen‐
guidelines for psychologists re‐ tary school, hating anything
garding toxic masculinity was "girly." It means learning to as‐
published by the American Psy‐ sociate feminine things with
chological Association. his weakness, to think them unde‐
huge step means that the con‐ sirable.
cept is now officially recognized
as harmful but treatable. he It means double standards and
guidelines focused on teaching gender inequality.
psychologists how to deal with
men who had been conditioned For my friends who are men, it
to conform to "traditional mas‐ means having a standard for
culine ideology." perfection that's hard to mea‐
sure up to. It means trying and
As for the manifestations of the oten failing to conform.
global discussion on toxic mas‐
culinity, it's everywhere. One Onteora student told me
that he plays sports even
A recent example is the now-fa‐ though he doesn't like them,
mous Harry Styles magazine that he plays because he feels
cover. Ater the singer did a like being athletic helps him it
photoshoot in a dress, backlash into the typical male mold. Men
qu i ck ly e nsu e d. C and a c e who aren't interested in things
Owens, a Republican commen‐ associated with the typical
tator, used her Twitter account stereotype oten feel
to call for bringing back "real "ostracized," my friend shared.
men" ater seeing the photos, hough in his social circles
sparking a conversation about there is an unspoken rule to
breaking gender norms and never discuss the pressure to
how looking feminine has be‐ conform to a rigid set of stan‐You can also read
