By Patrick Kho, Year 11

Last Sunday, Broadway superstar Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed News that he had been sexually assaulted by Kevin Spacey in 1986. According to Rapp, Spacey had invited him to his apartment for a party, and at the end of the night, he picked up Rapp, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him. This all happened when Spacey was 26, and Rapp was 14 - under the age of legal consent.

Kevin Spacey is especially known for his enthralling portrayal of South Carolina Congressman turned Vice President turned President: Frank Underwood in the layered, fictional political drama: House of Cards.

Last monday, Spacey responded on Twitter, saying that he “deeply apologizes for drunken behaviour” and owes “the sincerest apology” to Mr. Rapp, failing to take personal responsibility for what Rapp says happened.

However, drunkenness wasn’t the only excuse Spacey used to deflect Rapp’s sexual assault allegations: he also decided to come out as a gay man in the same statement.

“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life,” Spacey wrote. “I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour.”

Coming out is a huge leap of faith. Everyone who self-identifies as LGBT may or may not choose to take it in their life. Doing so is generally considered an act of bravery, as LGBT people do not receive the same treatment as straight people in many countries, both legally and socially. Hence, coming out is normally met with compassion, kindness, and support by many, from straight and queer individuals alike. However, despite having enchanted the hearts of many through his fascinating work, Spacey’s coming out received a different reaction; it was deemed by many other as “the first bad way to come out”, an appropriation of the marginalisation the gay community faces today and among other things. But it wasn’t either of these - despite how shameful they may be - that should be most concerning. His untimely “coming out” adds fuel to the fire of something bigger. By coming out and apologising for allegations of pedophilia in the same statement, Spacey reinforces the myth that equates gay men and women with sexual deviancy.

Historically, disliked minority groups are often labeled by societies as dangerous to the most vulnerable members of a majority. As an example, Jews in the Middle Ages were accused of murdering Christian babies in ritual sacrifices. African American men in the United States were often falsely accused of raping white women and put to death for it. And in a very similar fashion, gay people have often been portrayed as threatening towards children - to the point where many have associated homosexuality with pedophilia.

Back in 1977, Anita Bryant, an American singer, formed a coalition called “Save Our Children, Inc.” as a response to a legislated county ordinance that banned discrimination in areas of housing, employment and public accommodation on the basis of sexual orientation. She warned that “a particularly deviant-minded teacher could sexually molest children.”

Likewise, the Boy Scouts of America only changed its historic policy that banned gay leaders and employees a few years ago.

Although the myth has died down in recent years, internet troll and former writer for the right-wing news source: Breitbart, Milo Yiannopoulos falsely suggested that such a connection between homosexuality and pedophelia is factual, in spite of the number of studies (and common sense really) that have proven this belief to be false.

This fear mongering tactic has been used for years on end to alienate the gay community from the rest of society. And despite its faulty logic, it has still persisted even though multiple investigations have found zero evidence to associate homosexuality with pedophelia.

It’s not clear whether or not Spacey knew about the historic demonisation of gay people. But one thing is definite: his untimely coming out will be taken advantage of by a number of individuals in the anti-gay movement. They will continue to preach their destructive narratives, relentlessly spreading the dogma that associates homosexuality with pedophelia. His tweet will prove to be devastating and detrimental to the LGBT community as a whole.

By Patrick Kho, Year 10

WARNING: MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD

So far, the first couple of episodes of Riverdale have been great (if you haven’t seen any of the episodes yet, don’t worry, you haven’t missed much and there’s plenty of time to binge-watch the first few episodes that are currently available). In contrast to the Archie Comics which it is based on, the show itself revolves around the drama of Riverdale High School and town, along with the mysterious death of Jason Blossom. In a nutshell, Riverdale is a great show for teenagers and adults alike to enjoy, a combination of Pretty Little Liars’ mystery and the prodigious, layered drama of House of Cards.

Alongside its heavy plot, Riverdale also includes a very diverse set of characters. A few of them include: Kevin Keller, a gay teenager, the son of a war veteran and sheriff; Reggie Mantle, whom, I can happily say as an Asian person myself, is one of the first Asian ‘jocks’ to ever be seen on a popular television series; and Josie McCoy, a black frontwoman of the band “Josie and the Pussycats” and the daughter of Riverdale’s mayor. It’s not difficult to find someone you can relate to among the diverse set of characters. The show is a testament to how far showbiz has come in terms of representation among minorities in America and around the world.

Given the very diverse cast, the writers of the show have clearly chosen to raise awareness about certain critical social issues that society faces today, one being racism. Being a woman of colour, Josie and her family received a lot of hate mail from strangers when her mother first took the position of Riverdale’s mayor. Owing to the rise of racial tension that followed with the recent American transfers of power, it makes sense for writers to acknowledge the sad – but realistic – outcome of a woman of colour taking on a leadership position. Having experienced marginalisation and discrimination throughout most of her life, Josie is rather defensive and quick to reject anything that could possibly threaten her and her band’s success. When Archie, the handsome white boy-next-door talks about writing songs for the Pussycats, Josie is quick to defend her position as a diva of colour and sassily rejects the idea. The scriptwriters reveal the shocking and unfortunate outcomes of a black woman achieving success in the current American social situation – hateful remarks and harassment from strangers – and that perhaps, society has not progressed yet until the point where people of different skin colours can live in harmony.

Apart from Riverdale’s prejudiced community, high school doesn’t really seem to treat women well either. The American footballers of Riverdale have a habit of befriending or flirting with girls on one day, then slut-shaming them on social media the next. Sadly, no one really knows the bare truth that these girls didn’t have anything to do with these boys. Students at Riverdale think that if the popular jocks say something, it must be true. It has become such a habit for them that they include a book filled with records on whom they have flirted with, disrespected and incorrectly labelled as promiscuous. One of their victims, Ethel Muggs, was shamed simply for not having a skinny figure. Despite being of a normal weight, the footballers of Riverdale did not hesitate to reduce her to a “big girl” simply because of her lack of physical conformity. Thankfully, we see Betty and Veronica, our two main heroines, fight against the disrespectful behavior of the Riverdale jocks. Although being extreme in the method (handcuffing him to a hot tub and boiling him, while pouring syrup on his head), Betty and Veronica were able to expose the truth about the behavior of a number of the football players, as a result, many of the members were kicked from the team. Hopefully, as a result of the writers and directors of the show displaying that women are able to stand up for themselves, many high school and college students can fight against their harassers. If Betty and Veronica can do it, so can the young women of this generation. They have the ability to fight against the current social system and can in fact achieve an environment that truly allows them to thrive. In addition to this, the show has highlighted the real problems of slut-shaming and harassment that is present today, in schools and in our lives.

Apart from being extremely entertaining to watch with the mysterious themes and countless plot twists, Riverdale addresses current pressing social issues. It exposes the current prejudiced environment and tells young and powerful women that they have the ability to stand up for themselves and fight against the sexism and harassment that is prevalent in schools around the world. The representation of many distinct groups of people allows the characters in this show to be relatable, and exposes many viewers today to a more diverse community, promoting tolerance and acceptance in our lives. As a show, Riverdale intends to inspire many people to stand up for their rights and to accept others no matter how different.

By: Patrick Kho, Year 10

Today, the ubiquitous $20 bill is used to purchase things like fresh pepper grinders, fire extinguishers and cast iron skillets. Thus, given the great things that this bill does for the American people each day, it’s only fitting that the portrait of an influential historical figure should be celebrated on such a sublime piece of paper. Anything otherwise is a blatant insult to the American currency. Today, the inspiring story of an orphan, turned soldier, turned president is celebrated on that exact $20 bill.

Andrew Jackson is an image of hope for lower-class Americans. A man that legally opened the door for any American, of any economic background, to participate in politics. A man who proved that through hard work, your dreams can be achieved. A man whose image is proof of the American Dream itself. As the founder of the Democratic Party, Jackson practiced the same great philosophy that is held by many politicians today: to be the voice of the people. America’s 7th president did a lot in his lifetime, and his work still reflects on what his political party does today.

However, despite the great impact he had on the government today, Andrew Jackson was also an ethnic cleanser, a racist and a slave-owner. He founded the Democratic Party, which in its early days, stood for the cruel treatment of black Americans and the Ku Klux Klan. As president, he forced thousands of Native Americans to travel west, where many froze to death or starved. His social policies were considered controversial even to the already racist, white majority of the 1830s. This is precisely why he will be replaced with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.

Thanks to the many requests of activists, it was on the 20th of April, 2016 that the (now) ex-secretary of treasury, Jack Lew, announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. But reports say that it would take more than a decade for anyone to hold the portrait of a civil rights leader, abolitionist and former slave, who will also be the first coloured person and female on any American dollar bill (for reasons such as counterfeit prevention).

There are a million reasons why Harriet Tubman is incomparably more qualified, worthy and deserving of having her portrait on the $20 bill. Her story is a brave one, and she certainly made America the loving place of acceptance and freedom that it is today. Harriet was born a slave in Maryland, and suffered brutal conditions for 19 years. Courageously, she ran away from her plantation to Philadelphia, the promised land. But with her determination and the desire for her people’s freedom, she went back to other plantations (including her own), and helped hundreds of slaves escape from their cruel owners through the Underground Railroad, a travel route controlled by many of those who were anti-slavery. She also worked as a Union army scout and fought for the imposition of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Harriet Tubman was an influential woman who still inspires many civil rights activists today. Being the first coloured person and woman on a paper bill, she would give many American people of colour an image of hope that they have always longed for. She adds flair to the group of historical figures whose faces are immortalised on money, all of which are white men. Also, with the dispersion of immigrants through America, it will prove to be worthwhile for these types of people to feel empowered and have brave role models on paper bills, such as Tubman herself. Americans of minority backgrounds, specifically those who are black and female, will be proud of who they are, and see that the contributions of coloured and female Americans can finally begin to be held in the same regard as the white founding fathers. While Jackson was a president with good values, who for many people stood for freedom and truth, his faults shone darkly beneath his exterior.

Andrew Jackson shows many Americans that no matter who you are, through hard work and diligence, you can make your dreams come true. For that, the American people should thank him. But we still cannot forget the terrible crimes he committed on Native and African-American people during his presidential term. On the contrary, Harriet Tubman was an inspiring and amazing woman who made America what it is today. As a civil rights activist and abolitionist, she gave women and minorities the rights they have today that allowed them to prosper and succeed. She fought for the freedom of her people and wiped out the demon of slavery from her country. Tubman has inspired and influenced many people in the past and today. Having her on the $20 bill would give the recognition that her work deserves. Her image on the $20 bill will symbolise how far America has progressed with equality among people of different ethnic backgrounds. From African Americans being slaves in the 19th century, to beginning to be seen as equals in the 21st today, America will prove that it has the ability to truly become the loving place of acceptance it always dreamed of being.

By Gabby Uy, Year 10

What does it mean to be Chinese?

Ask the movies and they’ll tell you that we like maths. We’re quiet, we’re good with chopsticks and we speak in rapid incomprehensible gibberish. Ask me, someone who is 100% Chinese by blood, and I probably won’t give you a much better answer: while I can be fairly quiet, maths is one of my weaker subjects, I have terrible chopstick etiquette and my mastery of Hokkien is limited to a smattering of numbers and the ability to tell when my parents are angry at me. However, I can understand Tagalog just fine and have lived in Manila all my life. Throw globalisation, pop culture and an international school into the mix and you get an amalgamation of conflicting identities, as well as a whole lotta confusion. Really, I have no answer for you.

So it’s pretty funny how a single sitcom can explore this contentiously complex question head-on, bring light to Hollywood’s pallid excuses for its lack of diversity and still leave viewers clutching their sides with laughter. I’m talking about Fresh Off the Boat - the ABC comedy based on the memoir of Taiwanese-American celebrity chef Eddie Huang. Released in February 2015, the series chronicles the daily struggles, triumphs and hilarious antics of the Huang family, who move to Orlando to pursue the proverbial American Dream.

To say that the show and its nearly all-Asian cast has been successful would be an understatement. Fresh Off the Boat has obtained over 4 million viewers worldwide, as well as a whopping 93% on Rotten Tomatoes as of 2017 - it’s relatable, it’s heartwarming and just plain funny. And I mean really, really funny. I’ve witnessed many a Chinese Polite Fight and Success Perm in my life and watching these inside jokes play out on television is like looking into a funhouse mirror - hilarious, personal and uniquely reflective. Casting directors often argue that Asians can’t be “bankable” stars, but as long as Fresh Off the Boat exists, we can be assured that this is far from the truth.

But the name itself is a bit of a political hot potato, so it’s no surprise that the show is one too - and its humour is where a lot of the controversy has arisen from. Critics have complained that while characters remain well-rounded, the show often blows up existing Asian stereotypes for the sake of comedy to the point where more sensitive viewers take offense. The perpetuation of typecasts can’t be good for Asians in Hollywood, or Asians anywhere else for that matter. In effect, the show runs the risk of furthering existing stigma - jokes are about exaggeration, but when this contradicts a pro-diversity message, you’ve got a problem. Should hard-earned digression from prejudice really be sacrificed for the sake of an inaccurate and hyperbolic portrayal?

However, the reason why the show isn’t representative of Asians worldwide is that it was never meant to be in the first place. It only aims to document one man’s experiences, not those of a community 4.5 billion people strong. Whether viewers believe that the show’s entire content is - or should even be - applicable to half the world’s population is entirely their choice.

And surprisingly, according to Huang, none of these “more sensitive viewers” are actually Asian. My Chinese peers and I, on the other hand, rejoiced at the airing of the pilot episode. Honestly, it isn’t hard to see why: Fresh Off the Boat is probably the most realistic portrayal we’ve had on mainstream television since… well, you get the idea.

Characters shatter the Asian cookie cutter mould - to quote the Guardian, “no one is characterized into neat stereotypes”. Jessica Huang is your typical Chinese tiger mom, but she enjoys mac n’ cheese and Denzel Washington movies. Yes, Emery values his grades, but he isn’t quiet or shy. Asian characters are three dimensional; they aren’t simply Extra #6 or the butt of the joke - yet they never forget their roots.

Ironically, a significant reason why the Chinese community has responded so enthusiastically is because of how uniquely relatable the allegedly racist cultural references are. Just like the Huangs, my parents expect good grades (B for bad!). Just like the Huangs, sibling rivalry is rampant in our family. And yes, just like the Huangs, we do take home the free hotel shampoo. Would I still relate to the show if none of the cultural clashes, none of the inside jokes and none of the common experiences existed? Probably not, because Fresh Off the Boat would simply be a comedy about a quintessentially “white” middle class family wearing Asian faces. To claim that cultural background is irrelevant would only be to perpetuate Hollywood’s diversity problem; your race shapes your upbringing, your lifestyle and your values, yet it does not define who you are or what you can or cannot do - and Fresh Off the Boat captures this perfectly.

At the end of the day, as Huang put it; “I want Asians in rollerblades, I want Asians in mountains, I want Asians flying planes and I want Asians driving garbage trucks. I want us to be viewed as whole people; not people who can only do this or only do that.” I’d like to think that we can do so without forsaking what it means to be Asian - whatever that might be to you.

by: Xiying Tham, Year 7

Happy Lunar New Year everyone! As of January 28th, it is now the tenth year of the zodiac cycle: the year of the Rooster. Though you may be familiar with the 12-year zodiac cycle that assigns a different animal to each year, did you know that each year has its own element?

Roosters in their Elements

The Lunar calendar has five elements: wood, fire, earth, gold and water. Each element re-occurs every 60 years. Here are the birth years of the different element Roosters and their defining personality traits:

Wood Rooster: 1945, 2005. Overconfident and unstable, but very energetic!

Fire Rooster: 1957, 2017. Responsible, hard-working, and trustworthy.

Earth Rooster: 1909, 1969. Caring and trustworthy; popular amongst friends.

Gold Rooster: 1921, 1981. Brave, persevering, and determined.

Water Rooster: 1933, 1993. Smart, tender, and trustworthy.

Famous Roosters

You’ve got some famous company! Here are just a few examples of celebrity Roosters:

Zayn Malik

Alicia Keys

Jennifer Lopez

Britney Spears

Roger Federer

Justin Timberlake

A Rooster’s Guide to their Lunar Year

Did you know that Rooster Years are supposedly bad for Roosters? This is a Chinese belief: when it’s your zodiac’s year, you don’t actually have good luck. This is because the God of Age, Tai Sui,  is said to not like people who are turning 12, 24, 36, and other multiples of 12. But this shall not slow you down! Here are things that are lucky for you Roosters.

Lucky Numbers: 5, 7 and 8.

Lucky Colors: Gold, brown, and yellow - it may be time to update your wardrobe!

Lucky Plants: Cock’s comb and gladiola. Spruce up your gardens with these plants to ring in a lucky new lunar year.

Your General Guide to the Year of the Rooster

Red is a color used by many people during the Chinese New Year because it wards off evil, and has long been a symbol of good luck and fortune for the Chinese. You could wear anything red, but there is one rule that you should follow: wear something red that is bought by a spouse, family member or friend!

As the Rooster’s good friends, people born in the Year of the Ox or Dragon will have a great year. Support your Rooster friends and your luck may rub off on them too! However, Rabbits, Dogs and Roosters - beware. Since it’s the Rooster’s year and you are their ‘enemies’, you should stay aware and work hard. Remember to take care of yourself - stay hydrated and make sure you manage your time well so you can stay well-rested and on top of your work!

恭喜发财！Happy Lunar New Year, BSM!

Words by: Paolo Vera, Year 13

SPOILER ALERT: If you aren’t caught up with the TV show, please don’t continue reading this post…

Okay, so the Philippines isn’t exactly Westeros. There aren’t any dragons flying over us – just delayed PAL flights – and winter is definitely not coming anytime soon (or ever). However, the politics in our country does resemble the feudal system present in the world of Game of Thrones. Like in Westeros, where Lords and Ladies are given dominion over certain areas of land, provinces in the Philippines tend to be dominated by a single family. You may have even heard the term ‘dynasty’ thrown around. This, however, is not the only parallel between the Philippines and Westeros. The current presidential race is starting to shape up strikingly similar to the events on the show:

Vice President Binay – Is he as rich as a Lannister?
Binay isn’t the most liked man on social media right now. Facing numerous graft charges and countless political scandals, the Binay family is in a bit of a mess. However, like the Lannisters, the Binays are currently in power and – if the allegations are true – have access to a ridiculous amount of money. Both the Binays and the Lannisters are also known for worming themselves out of difficult situations, so don’t count the VP out yet; after all, he is known for his cunning. Just like the Lannisters during the War of Five Kings, Binay pulled a surprise comeback in the 2010 Vice Presidential elections and beat out current Presidential opponent Mar Roxas for the VP slot.

Mar Roxas – Stag of the ruling Liberal Party
Okay, so even though he’s not the most popular character on the show – definitely not popular with his daughter Shireen – Stannis Baratheon is technically the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. As his older brother King Robert had no rightful heirs (his “kids” being born out of #twincest), Stannis is second in line to the throne, which is why the honorable Ned Stark endorsed Stannis’ claim. Like Stannis, Mar is also backed by a powerful endorsement, that of current President Noynoy. Mar also has some serious experience in his tenure as a public servant – serving as a Congressman, a Senator and in numerous cabinet positions across three presidencies. Indeed, it is Stannis’ military experience that compels Ned to support him, thus drawing another parallel between the two pragmatic men.

Grace Poe – Winning back the throne for her father  
It’s no secret that the 2004 Philippine Presidential elections were probably rigged. Ex-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo isn’t known for her honest, trustworthy character, after all. It is hence widely believed that Grace’s father, “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe Jr., should have won the metaphorical “Iron throne.” Although FPJ did sue GMA for electoral fraud, the Supreme Court – filled with Gloria’s cronies, go figure – ruled the case in favor of GMA. Tragically, FPJ died later that year. Fast-forward to today, and Grace Poe, FPJ’s adopted daughter, is taking the political scene by storm. Topping the 2013 senatorial elections, the neophyte senator has now thrown her hat into the ring for the 2016 elections. She is, after all, topping every single survey published. Grace has been frequently compared to another powerful, strong-willed female character looking to restore her family name…none other than the Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen. Both of the two feisty females have spent a long time away from home, with Grace working in the USA and Khaleesi busy liberating Slaver’s Bay in Essos. But make no mistake, these women mean business – even if both ladies lack in ruling experience.

The threat beyond The Wall: China
Creeping in from the north and slowly encroaching our land, China are basically the White Walkers. And we should be very scared. There is no magical ice wall protecting us from this threat.

Ultimately though, whether Stark or Lannister, Poe or Binay, in both Westeros and the Philippines, your last name in politics matters.

Written by Paolo Vera, Year 12

With the “Great Instagram Purge of 2014” and the addition of the infuriating Facebook messenger, it has been quite a year for App updates. However, none of these changes have been as socially revolutionary as the latest alteration of everyone’s favorite app, Snapchat. Without warning, Snapchat removed its most controversial and thought-provoking feature: the list of Snapchat best friends.

To say that this modification was unexpected would be a gross understatement. As per usual, people took to Twitter to express their rage. Perhaps our society was simply not ready for this drastic reform. Checking everyone else’s Snapchat best friends was a habit that we all did but refused to admit to. Snapchat best friends were a way for us to peek into the personal lives of acquaintances we rarely talked to; they were an indicator of who liked who, a barometer of online romantic relationships. In this way, Snapchat was vastly more personal than Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

However, the feature presented problems of its own: the notorious “psycho girlfriend (or boyfriend).” Because of the romantic implications often associated with Snapchat, people were often quick to jump to conclusions when they saw their significant other on some other girl/boy’s Snapchat best friends, deeming them unfaithful. Somehow, Snapchat best friends have become synonymous with adulterous relations – even when this might not always be the case.

Not to fear though, the creator of Snapchat has promised to bring back the best friends feature. Once again, we can find out who “bae” is talking to.

Photo from: Daily Mail

Written by: Arianna Bernas, Year 12

These days, the word ‘massacre,’ technically defined as “an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people,” is used quite lightly. Granted, the definition is ambiguous and tends to raise a lot of questions. What does brutal look like? How many is too many? And, more importantly, are massacres always indiscriminate?

 Early this month, we witnessed the “Charlie Hebdo Massacre” unfold when two gunmen intruded and open fired in the offices of the well known French satirical publication, Charlie Hebdo, and killed 12 employees. All the while, the gunmen screamed “Allahu Akbar!”, Arabic for “God is the greatest.” From this act of terror, a movement was born. Millions of people rallied in France in support of free speech, adopting the slogan, “Jes Suis Charlie,” which directly translates to, “I am Charlie.” In a matter of hours, #JesSuisCharlie was tweeted over one million times, garnering support from everywhere possible.

Sure, there is something beautiful and almost mesmerizing about the solidarity of it all. But if we force ourselves to look past the propaganda we see a movement without much substance -- a massacre that would’ve had a smaller effect had it been elsewhere in the world. Had a massacre of similar nature occurred outside of the West, would it be any different?

Yes, it would.

Take the Boko Haram massacre in Nigeria, for example. This one is more aptly named, with casualties of at least 2000 Nigerian villagers, including women and children (the gunmen of the Charlie Hebdo Massacre refused to shoot women). Just last year, 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram and made global headlines, even spurring the #bringbackourgirls social-media campaign supported by various celebrities and political figureheads. According to The Guardian, at least 27 Nigerians died per day due to Boko Haram related violence last year, proving that the genocide committed by the Boko Haram was truly indiscriminate. The victims were not cartoonists who continually tarnished the sacred images of religious figures under the pretense of freedom of expression - they lead their own lives and weren’t concerned with voicing their opinions on Islam.

Compared to the horrific violence in Nigeria, the Charlie Hebdo ‘Massacre’ seems miniscule. Therefore, wouldn’t it make sense that even more of the world would be united in solidarity, working together to aid those affected as best they can? Wouldn’t it inspire an even larger following than that of Jes Suis Charlie?

Shouldn’t it?

The fact is that, while Jes Suis Charlie attracts more attention and followers everyday, the world becomes less concerned with the events in Nigeria. While? Obama has publicly condemned the actions of the gunmen in France? and pledged his support for? Jes Suis Charlie, the US has since provided little aid for Nigeria. No reinforcements arrived upon the events of the Boko Haram massacre, while 40 world leaders turned up in Paris to march in honour of the twelve cartoonists that had been killed.

I think it’s incredibly unfair. Yes, Paris may be the ‘new kid on the block,’ so to speak, having never really experienced Islamic terrorism. However, just because we’re more familiar with seeing images of Africa stricken with unspeakable amounts of violence, doesn’t make Nigeria’s story any less appalling or worthy of our attention. Charlie Hebdo has long been associated with acts of terrorism due to it’s infamously offensive cartoon depictions that most religious communities find extremely offensive - it’s former editor in chief was even on the Al Qaeda’s Most Wanted list prior to his death. We should’ve at least seen this coming.

It’s not just a case of unfamiliarity. The reason for the Nigeria’s lack of representation in the media is simple; the cartoonists were European and the Nigerians are not. ‘Colourism’ existed in the history of our many cultures, fair skinned people were seen as superior as fair skin has always been associated with cleanliness, while dark skin has always denoted impurity. I think that because racism has become intrinsic, we more readily empathise with people part of a race that continues to dominate our history, media and culture.

Perhaps the problem isn’t in the word as most of us may think. The ambiguity of ‘massacre’ serves a significant purpose. It remind us that all lives, whether it be that of a political leader, a middle-class French artist or that of a poor Nigerian villager, have equal value, and should therefore be treated as such; whether in life, or in death. However, to use it as lightly as we do is just as deadly as the event itself, for we are not only condoning horrific and unreasonable violence; we are silencing the voices of its true victims.

Photo by: Natasha Phillips 

Written by: Maddie Go, Year 12

People often say ‘finish with a bang,’  and that’s what fireworks do on New Year’s Eve.  Every year thousands of sparkles light up the night sky, their booms and crackles echoing for miles around.  My grandmother told me that the Chinese use fireworks to scare off evil spirits, and when I was a kid I absolutely loved them.  However, this New Year’s I found that fireworks aren’t all they crack up to be.

Firstly, there’s the problem of pollution.  After a firework show, I always look up and feel my stomach squirm at the sight of the thick smog left behind in the sky.  Being a good eco-warrior, I Googled what kind of substance fireworks emit.  To cut a long story short, there are a whole load of greenhouse gases packed into fireworks, along with other chemicals which fall into rivers or are inhaled into our lungs. Once they’ve burned out, fireworks really don’t do our ecosystems—or our health—any good.

Photo by: Vanessa Tan, Year 11

Photo by: Charmaine Singson, Year 12

And secondly, there’s the simple fact that fireworks are explosives that some people ignite right in their front yard.  Our family learned this as we drove home from a party this New Year’s Eve; everyone was tensely gripping their seats as we navigated through the smoke, praying that we didn’t roll over a leftover fusebox that would set the car aflame or something.  What’s more, the next day’s papers reported that, in an informal settler’s village in Manila, three were killed and 4,000 were left homeless due to a raging fire started by a couple of firecrackers.  This, above all, should alert us that we’re handling a lot more than just pretty lights here.

However, at the same time I know it’s hard to stop using fireworks; they’ve been part of our festivities for so long.  So maybe we could begin alleviating the damage they cause through three steps.  First, let the professionals handle them.  It may be exciting to light our own fireworks, but the outcomes could vary drastically, from a burned toe to an amputated hand. Secondly, restrict firework shows for large crowds or big events such as BSM’s Bonfire Night. This way you can have one show for hundreds to enjoy, instead of each household adding to air pollution. And thirdly, we should continue searching for ways to make fireworks more earth-friendly. Disneyland already uses compressed air to launch their fireworks—just the first step in the path towards a better celebration, the kind with a bang and without the backfire.

Photo by: Marianne Ayala, Year 12

Sources:                                    
Independent: Illegal firecrackers cause devastating shantytown blaze in Philippines that kills at least three and displaces 4,000 families
LA Times: Disney's Smoke-Free Launches
MNN: Are fireworks bad for the environment?

See the full article in the magazine here