Empathy is traditionally described as ‘putting yourself in another person’s shoes’. In selective empathy, one empathizes only with those whom he/she feels deserves it or perceives as such (Vinayak). On September 10th 2025, many of us saw the murder of known debater Charlie Kirk.  There were reactions all over social media ranging from shock to disbelief to sadness to joy.  It struck me how everyone reacted.  I found myself in a light state of mourning for the unnecessary and brutal loss of a human life.  To process, I interviewed a politically active and emotional friend.

1. Do you think Charlie Kirk deserved to die? 

Nariah: “No. I don’t think he deserved to die, it’s not in my personal beliefs, death shouldn’t be praised, in any way. He was human, just like everybody else.” 

2. Do you think many others share your opinion? 

Nariah: “Online, I didn’t see many people  celebrating his death, but they did remember the beliefs he stated before he died. A guy I follow, Dean Withers, an activist for the Democratic party, began crying on camera after learning of his death, and people thought he was moving to the Republican side, which is completely false. But it shows that empathy was there. He was scared for his friend who was at that campus, it obviously brought a lot of emotions.

3. What have you seen about him online?

Nariah: “I have seen edits of him dying, and his actual shooting. His death video has been surfing around and it's not necessarily a bad thing since media censorship is active, but a kid shouldn’t have to see that.” 

4. Would you call yourself empathic? 

Nariah: Yes. Definitely. I’m left-leaning for a reason. But both the Democratic and Republican parties are un-empathetic at times. Ultimately, they are both run by rich people, who seem to be only interested in themselves. 

5. Do you think he died a martyr, & do you think he deserves a day to be remembered? 

Nariah: No. He didn’t die a martyr. And, absolutely not, he doesn’t deserve a day. How long did MLK Day take to even get on calendars? It took 32 years for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a federal holiday and another 17 years for all 50 states to recognize it. 

6. Piggybacking off of the last question, do you think you would still feel the same way about Charlie if he were a Black man? 

Nariah: Yes. Realistically, he wouldn’t even be able to be a Black man due to Charlie’s racism towards Black people, but yes.  Like that time he said, If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, boy, I hope he’s qualified.

7. Did you know he didn’t believe in empathy? 

Nariah: Yes, yes, I did know. Thus why, when people don’t have empathy for his death, it's understandable.  And everyone was talking about that time he said during one his debates, “I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”

8. Online, did you see more people saying “Good Riddence” or “RIP Charlie 🕊️” ?

Nariah: It was an equal balance, but more people were saying he didn’t deserve to die, but that he had very questionable morals; I agree he has questionable morals yet violence is, still, never the answer. 

9. Do you think empathy is declining or rising in people? 

Nariah: I see a lot of empathy in people nowadays, but empathy seems to be more practiced by young people.

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About an hour and a half after the news of Charlie Kirk getting shot on a college campus, his death began to spread across social media. Videos of people running off campus, influencers talking about him and what happened, and people spreading around news that he died. This was way too much for me, until I found out he actually died that day. I called my mother first, telling her the news, and all she said was “Somebody got him.” 

After about another hour of scrolling through TikTok, I hit CNN news. It was a live police chase of the suspect for his death. A few more scrolls down, I found videos of people who called the whole thing “wild” and I found the situation out of the normal range of events for a random day in September. My mind then began to jump from area to area, thinking of why people would celebrate a human life being taken. Of course, these people are entitled to their opinion, just like Charlie was, but I wondered if it ever got to a moment in time when people were just making too much fun of him. Then I opened Instagram, and it consisted of people joking about his shooting, people already making memes. But on the other side, there were people making videos of how they stood behind Charlie, and that he was a “good man.” I was conflicted about how to feel, but I knew where I stood about how he died. Then the video began to spread. His death was so quick, it was almost unbelieveable. Seeing such a brutal, quick and bloody death on a phone really struck me. 

What I felt about him dying was a strong sense of empathy, but most of that’s gone now. Why? Well, the first reason is from all the things he has said resurfacing on the internet, and people trying to give others reasons to not mourn at all. The second reason is called selective empathy. That's “when we show kindness and understanding to some people or situations but not to others” (Hall). This idea changes the way that some people think about empathy, possibly making them remember that one time they felt rapport towards a friend or a family member. That’s empathy, but that was chosen to be given based on people’s beliefs and backgrounds. So how exactly does Charlie Kirk’s death show aggressive examples of selective empathy? Let’s get into the screenshots. (Names and profile pictures have been blurred for privacy)

This is the exact comment that was on a video, posted just a few hours after the shooting. This person could have likely not liked him at all, and could have wished death on him every day. Who knows? But that doesn’t change the fact that this person isn’t in the right at all for saying this. Where is their empathy? Most likely not there due to the fact that “Our biases, backgrounds, or personal feelings can shape who we show empathy toward” (Hall). The whole idea of a person with biased empathy is someone who only feels empathy towards people they share things with, whether that be race, political views, gender, or personal beliefs. When they meet another person with differences from them makes them not want to care. This can be seen here: 

You can clearly see they don’t care about Charlie dying, and I saw many of these comments. Along with comments saying people were conflicted and didn’t know how to feel. People here most likely didn’t know Charlie on a personal level, and they knew they didn’t agree with him. Free speech protects the right to a biased opinion, even in an Instagram comment section. Charlie had free speech too, of course, but what do you think people begin to think of him after he abuses that line? After he decides to say the most dehumanizing things about women and then say “Free Speech exists?”

In his death, you result with people who feel more safe without him on Earth, and people who genuinely didn’t mourn at all. You get people who feel more at peace. So what does this mean? This means that even though people didn’t have empathy for him at all, they still had an emotional impact due to his death, even if they didn’t have a very negative reaction to it. In a study reported by Yiyi Yang, they found that “Behavioral studies have found that when watching an immoral person experience bad things, people feel less empathic than when watching a moral person experience the same things” (Yang et. al). You can see this in every person who celebrated his death, along with the people who celebrated MLK’s death, calling him a “troublemaker” (National Museum of African-American History and Culture).

In conclusion, even though I didn’t agree with him politically, personally, or in any way, shape or form, “Charlie Kirk Day” or anything that honors him as a martyr should be private and kept personal; instead of showing his death to the world, and comparing his to MLK’s or JFK’s assassinations is ridiculous. 

This selective empathy was just a snippet of what our generation has happening on a daily basis, such as a moment on the stairs. Someone walking down slowly, because they’re sick and it hurts to move. Somebody walks behind them, giving them the “side-eye” and telling them to “move their feet” instead of just walking around and actually listening to them when they were trying to give an explanation to why they were going a bit slower than usual. But then that same person used to care a year ago. It’s moments like this that really bring the sense of community down. That feeling of “Hey, I get what’s going on, and I understand.” Let’s play “Where has it gone”: 

• To their friends? Definitely. 

• To their family? Most likely, yes. 

• To the girl who fell on the stairs? Definitely not. They don’t know her, why should they care? Ding, Ding, Ding! 

Empathy is in the same boat as selfishness; it’s a human thing and happens naturally, but it gets to a point “when you lose your humanity, it's wrong” (Nariah). As people, we automatically empathize with people, and it’s hard to get rid of, but what happens when people like Charlie, who didn’t empathize with anybody from Gaza or any victims of gun violence? A person who openly was alright with gun violence, and said it was fine to lose a couple people to it, even though it became the thing that killed him? Irony, right, but really think about it.

Let’s think back to the movie, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. We all know the story, an orphaned child, turned bell-ringer, an immoral person by the name of Frollo put him there, and watched in happiness as Quasimodo was ridiculed and mocked. We all felt bad, right? What about when Frollo fell? How did you feel? Happy for Quasimoto? Exactly. Empathy doesn’t just mold what you believe, it molds what you grieve. What you feel daily, because you’re human. 

Works Cited

CDC. “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics.” Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, 17 Apr. 

2024, Article. 

“Do Bad People Deserve Empathy? Selective Empathy Based on Targets’ Moral 

Characteristics” PubMed Central, 5 Dec. 2022, Article. 

Leff, Frances. “On the Death of Martin Luther King, Jr.” The American Journal of 

Nursing, vol. 68, no. 7, July 1968, p. 1522. DOI.org (Crossref), Article.. 

“Mourning the Death of Martin Luther King Jr.” National Museum of 

African-American History and Culture, Article. 

Stein, Chris. “Charlie Kirk in His Own Words: ‘Prowling Blacks’ and ‘the Great 

Replacement Strategy.’” The Guardian, 12 Sept. 2025. US News. The Guardian, Article. 

“What Is Selective Empathy? 7 Signs Your Empathy Might Be Biased.” The Minds 

Journal, 6 Dec. 2024, Article.

Introduction

An economic recession is a financial crisis that will impact most aspects of people's lives but is discussed by the public very little. Despite this, the internet has begun taking an interest through silly videos describing how ‘we’re so back’. Whether it’s maxi skirts coming back into style, or artists releasing music meant for clubbing, trends that signal a recession are coming back and people are buying. But knowing the pop culture trends that signal a recession  isn’t enough. And as the amount of searches for the meaning of a recession rises, so does the problem that there’s a clear lack of knowledge on the topic. 

What is a Recession?

An economic recession is defined as “a general decline in economic activity and a widespread drop in spending” (TD 1). However, a recession is much more than just the definition. It typically begins a chain of events that lead to unemployment and a lack of excess spending from consumers. Recessions can be caused by many different factors, but these are some of the big ones. 

Natural disaster - Something big that shakes a community, like a flood or a tornado, can also shake up the economy, either by destroying homes and business, or requiring people to put their funds towards rebuilding.  “The resulting instability and uncertainty can send companies and people into a panic. When companies and people become more conservative about spending, the economy can contract, as seen in the short-lived 2020 COVID-19-induced recession”’ (TD 3).  COVID-19 was a major example of disaster striking the economy, leading to a drop in spending, as well as a drop in earnings. “To summarize, the net U.S. Real GDP losses from COVID-19 are estimated to range from $3.2 trillion (14.8%) to $4.8 trillion (23.0%) in a 2-year period for the three scenarios” (Machado et al. 4).

Overheating economies - if an economy grows too quickly, the demand for goods skyrockets, growing more expensive. When business owners start to overcharge, because of the price of labor or tariffs, people become less inclined to spend money. Not only do businesses start to change their prices, but they also begin to stop hiring and start laying people off. And with fewer people working, and consumers spending less, the economy begins to decline, which starts off a recession. “In short, overheating means that the economy is operating at its limits, and that productivity is not keeping pace with demand” (Mironenko 4).

Lipstick Index

The lipstick index is an economic theory that proposes that when in a recession, there will be boosted sales in affordable luxury goods like lipsticks, nail polish, and perfumes because  people will usually buy “affordable luxuries” (as experts call it) to get small doses of dopamine from these purchases while not breaking the bank. Experts use the lipstick index to forecast recessions and bear markets. This theory was coined in 2001 by Leonard Lauder, billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder empire, while the U.S economy was in a recession, though company sales were rising counteractively.

 Although Lauder is credited with this idea, the same pattern can be found tracing back way farther to post WWII when luxury brands like Channel and Dior started marketing towards women who couldn't afford expensive bags and clothes and started promoting cheaper goods like lipstick and perfume. Overall, the lipstick effect might be a recession indicator but it also shows part of human nature and how our brains blank out when it comes to money. 

Fashion and Trends

Gen Z seems to have fallen in love with the extravagant 2000s (Y2K) style. The brand Hollister recently dropped a 2000s anniversary line which included references to their old clothing items. The line was very popular among the new generation, selling out quickly in multiple stores. It seems that as the economy drops, so do the jean waistlines, as lowrise bell bottom jeans are back in style. For example, 2008 was a peak year for the style but not for finances, as the stock market began to crash.  This crash was due to banks lending out too many variable interest rate loans, which indirectly correlated to the economic downfall in 2008. Y2K was popularized at first, because the items were originally 7  more accessible and cheaper, and seemed an ideal situation for teens and young adults as the economy was crumbling, and the same may be happening currently. 

Similarly, going back to the 1930s, when the Great Depression hit the USA, the skirts became shorter due to the lack of fabric materials. A similar thing happened in the 2000s, when the Y2K style popularized mini skirts, a trend that’s making a huge comeback today. Beyond fashion, there are microtrends, such as the infamous ‘Labubus’ which actually tie back to the lipstick index, with people buying tiny trinkets for their expensive purses without spending too much money. While the Y2K style is loved by many and itself causes no harm, the unhealthy beauty standards from the 2000s have also been creeping their way back into society to where young girls are participating in harmful and toxic tactics to try to achieve the near impossible ‘ideal skininess’ of the 2000s. Celebrities are using the diabetes medicine Ozempic to lose weight and some of them, like Lizzo, who were known for their body positive image, have been criticized for adhering to these standards and using the medicine to lose weight. While all of these trends and ideals may not be directly related to recessions, they all somehow resemble past events which were related to a past recession.

Will a Recession Happen Soon?

Although it’s hard to predict a recession, economists have begun to examine the patterns to attempt to predict one. Influencers in particular, have started to label things as ‘recession indicators,’ from silly things like Sonny Angels, to things like the length of skirts. An expert from The Wall  makes his opinion known, “For a time during the housing crisis recession in 2008, the economy felt stable, even as we entered recession.” Today is similar. While the gross domestic product is still rising, driven by the AI boom, “nearly every other measure of economic activity has stagnated or is in deep decline.” The United States may already be in recession. But “we don’t feel it yet” (Mathis, 3). He makes a great point, the ‘eye of the storm’ might just be where the U.S. is right now. We don’t know it, or we pretend not to know that a big recession is catching up to us. Another expert backs this up, saying “This recession, when it lands, will not be a repeat of 2008. The dangers are different — and in some ways, more permanent. In past crises, job losses came from factories shutting down or banks imploding. This time, layoffs are happening in sleek glass towers and corporate boardrooms. Artificial intelligence has given companies a new way to cut costs. No need for pink slips or awkward meetings — just one software update and an entire department disappears. The human cost is invisible but immense. People aren’t just losing their jobs; they’re losing their purpose. And this time, there’s little guarantee those jobs will return” (Ghlionn, 4). We agree with him, there’s a very strong chance that a recession is coming due to a number of factors, and that’s unfortunate. The only way to get through a recession is to stay vigilant and not give into fear or despair, and that’s what we   need to do.  Lean on community, focus on finding the good, and look for opportunities to adapt to the new world.

Works Cited

Chase, Whitney. “The 2000s Are Back, and So Are It's Body Issues.” sarahleerecovery, 28 February 2024, https://sarahleerecovery.com/y2k-fashion-and-body-issues/. Accessed 15 October 2025.

Fahmy, Gabrielle. “Labubu craze could be a recession indicator, economist says.” New York Post, 9 August 2025, https://nypost.com/2025/08/09/us-news/labubu-craze-could-be-a-recession-indicator-economist-says/.  Accessed 15 October 2025.

Lerman, Rachel, and Elena Lacey. “Six recession warning signs Americans can watch for.” The Washington Post, 14 October 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/14/recession-indicators-warning-signs/. Accessed 15 October 2025.

Lerman, Rachel, and Elena Lacey. “Six recession warning signs Americans can watch for.” The Washington Post, 14 October 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/14/recession-indicators-warning-signs/. Accessed 15 October 2025.

Machado, Juan, et al. “The Impacts of the Coronavirus on the Economy of the United States.” The Impacts of the Coronavirus on the Economy of the United States, 2022, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7725664/.  Accessed 24 October 2025.

Mannion, Mary, and Seth Carlson. “What is the Lipstick Index? | Chase.” Chase Bank, 5 June 2025, https://www.chase.com/personal/investments/learning-and-insights/article/what-is-the-lipstick-index. Accessed 15 October 2025.

Mathis, Joel. “Is the US in recession?” The Week, 24 October 2025, https://theweek.com/business/economy/us-recession-signs-jobs-costs.  Accessed 3 December 2025.

Mironenko, Peter. “The unpredictable consequences of economic overheating.” The Bell, 28 June 2024, https://en.thebell.io/the-unpredictable-consequences-of-economic-overheating/. Accessed 15 October 2025.

“The next recession: A unique economic challenge ahead.” The Hill, 17 November 2025, https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5608486-ai-jobs-relevance-recession/. Accessed 3 December 2025. 

Reddy, Karina. “1930-1939 | Fashion History Timeline.” Fashion History Timeline, 5 April 2019, https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/.  Accessed 15 October 2025.

Yeon, Madison. “StyleThe Party Girl’s Guide to Recessions, Hyperpop, and Y2K.” Trillmag, 31 August 2024, https://www.trillmag.com/lifestyle/style/the-party-girls-guide-to-recessions-hyperpop-and-y2k/. Accessed 15 October 2024.

In 1985, American cartoonist and graphic novelist, Alison Bechdel, presented the world a precise criteria to determine whether or not she’d watch a movie, this is known as the Bechdel Test.

Alison Bechdel was born on September 16, 1960 in Lock Haven Pennsylvania. She decided to take her stories and experiences of growing up in a rough environment and being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and turn them into small comics for the world to enjoy.

In 1983 She started a comic strip called, “Dy**s to Watch Out For” (DTWOF). This comic strip was extremely different for its time. It portrays a set of diverse lesbians just living their life. Bechdel thought this representation for not only women, but queer women, was very needed for this time. This comic still has an impact today. In 1985, a new issue of the comic came out that got people rethinking how they view their favorite movies. The comic issue became known as the Bechdel test, which created the Bechdel criteria for female representation in films.  The Bechdel Test includes the following:

• There must be two female characters

• They must have names

• They must talk to each other about something other than a man

This criteria may seem easy to some, but a lot of common family movies actually don't meet this mark.

Historically in films, women are portrayed as inferior, weak, and fragile compared to the male lead. Women are seen as prizes, objects, and helpless damsels that need to be saved. For example, the “Damsel in Distress” archetype, like King Kong’s Ann Darrow for example, had been used for years, arguing women are in need of a man, when in reality, that’s not the case. These women are typically fair skinned, small, and meet the beauty standard of the time- which often excludes diversity.

This low standard for women began to change as women started to leave their mark on society. Women such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Barbra Streisand started to lead in their own movies and put their names in the headlines. All of these women have faced their own controversies and backlash from the media and even their own employers, but they also gave women characters to  express their voices. Audrey Hepburn grew up malnourished and that impacted her body through adulthood; she starred in hit movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady. Marilyn Monroe endured many scandals, including one with President JFK; she was also a major sex symbol of the time and many people didn’t take her seriously. However, she  kept herself booked by starring in movies such as Some Like it Hot and How to Marry a Billionaire, and her name stayed in the headlines. Barbra Streisand was hated for being Jewish, but that didn’t stop her from making hit movies like Funny Girl and A Star is Born.

The Bechdel Test has brought awareness to this issue of underrepresentation of women in movies. For years, women have had to fight cultural and political gatekeepers to get recognition.  The struggle for women to show their worth beyond merely being a pretty face is one that still resonates today with many women. Audrey Hepburn changed and challenged the beauty standard while also portraying independent female leads. Girls and women today are more encouraged to love themselves, and fight the unrealistic beauty standard that still lingers in the world. Marilyn Monroe fought and exposed the sexist film industry by creating Marilyn Monroe Productions; moreover, she fought for equal rights for African Americans and women with her friend: Ella Fitzgerald. Girls and women today are influenced to fight back against racism and sexism.  Similar to Marilyn, Barbra Streisand fought to spread awareness about discrimination against women by founding Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, and working with politicians to speak out against issues regarding women’s rights and making sure women get the healthcare they need. Girls and women today are motivated to speak out against something that clearly isn't right. 

The concept and standard for women has spilled itself into our favorite childhood movies, including the movies of today.  Movies like Spider-Man, Star Wars, and most Disney princess movies have a scene where the female lead is in danger and has to be saved by the male lead. The movie industry has a strong pushback when it comes to change and diversity, with some recent exceptions with the Hunger Games, Barbie, Frozen, and Moana.   However, exceptions to the Damsel in Distress don’t undo the decades of damage where girls, boys, women, and men all watched females be degraded, put-down, underappreciated on the big screen.  

The Bechdel Test has brought awareness to this issue of underrepresentation of women in movies and shines a light on how women are portrayed in movies. This is important because the way women are treated is just not right. The point of view that movies seem to have on women is outdated, and needs to be called out. The next time you watch a movie, think about whether it passes the Bechdel Test or not and discuss your findings with friends, family, and your school community. And if you’re feeling bold, use your voice on social media and tag the professionals affiliated with the film.

This is a list of films that fail the Bechdel Test:

• Ratatouille

• Shrek

• The Avengers

• Toy Story

• Oppenheimer

• Back to the Future

• A Minecraft Movie

• Mulan

This is a list of films that pass the Bechdel Test:

• Little Women

• Sinners

• Black Swan

• Coraline

• Hunger Games

• Barbie

• Frozen

• Moana

A new law in schools in states like Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Utah, and more are experiencing “bell to bell” phone bans inside schools meaning students cannot have access to their cell phones until the school day is finished. This law was passed to provide students with better academic progress, communication skills, critical thinking, time management, creativity and curiosity, and many other skills needed for a successful year in school. But are there any downsides to the phone ban inside schools?

While many students would agree that there aren't many positives on the phone ban, there are a few. “At Ballard High School in Louisville, where just 31 percent of roughly 2,000 students meet state reading proficiency standards, 891 books were checked out in August, compared to 533 last year — an increase of 67 percent” (Miller). Ballard is not the only school that has seen a rise in student independent reading. “Students are also doing less scrolling and more page-turning at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, where voracious readers have already borrowed more than 1,200 books during the first 17 days of the school year” (Miller). In many schools in Kentucky the phone ban has made students more eager to read books, pay attention in class, and on school work. 

While students are reading more s because of the phone ban, there are also negatives. With the phone ban for JCPS, it also comes with the ban of many personal items such as smartwatches , wireless headphones, and personal computers. Many students are wondering about how they are going to capture moments and memories in school. As students, we want to capture what school was like, and nothing compares to the personalized photos we can take with our phones.. “"We always have our phones," said 17-year-old Sabrina Cruz. "Now it's like, we can't even have our phones, so like, can we even remember this moment, like, ten years from now?  Sometimes I wish I had my phone" (Dokoupil). Parents and guardians are also showing concerns about how to reach their kids in an emergency. Many schools are saying they will have it under control, but that is not easing many people's nerves. “My grandson had his in an active school shooting event. Being able to read his text was critical. They should have their phones. The relief we felt being able to communicate with him was incredibly important. We would have gone insane. Police were everywhere, information was so limited” (Eng). This communication is a factor that many guardians take into account. In the world today, anything can happen, and kids not having their phones are becoming a concern for many people if something were to happen during school hours. 

We conducted a survey asking students about their opinions on the phone ban. Here's our questions and the data we gathered.  (Please take our survey.) 

Students

• Do you feel less distracted in class?

• Is there an improvement in your grades?

• Do you feel more or less safe at school following the ban?

• How has the ban affected your stress levels and mental health?

• What is your general opinion on the phone ban? (Do you think phones should be banned in schools or not?  Why?)

• Do you think your classes as a whole are more engaged since the phone ban?

• How are your relationships with teachers since the ban?

• How are your relationships with friends and peers since the ban?

• What, if anything, has the phone ban hindered in your ability to be successful in school?

Teachers

• How has the ban changed your teaching methods?

• How was the teacher perspective incorporated into the development of the policy?

• What are the benefits and drawbacks of not being able to use phones for quick research, educational apps, or other in-class activities?

• How consistently is the school's cell phone policy enforced across all the classrooms and grade levels?

• How does the school support teachers when they enforce the policy, especially when students and parents complain?

• Following the ban are there any changes in the level of student engagement and participation during class?

• What is your opinion on the ban? (Do you think phones should be banned or not? Why?)

Based on the responses from our forms, teachers were in favor of the phone ban saying that it has a better influence on students and their lessons. They say students are more focused and "hands on” with activities. “It's made classroom management easier. The only way it's impacted my lessons is that I will not allow students to use their phones to communicate with their groups, set dates on their calendars, or conduct research” (Anonymous). Teachers have had a positive outcome from the ban on phones, but what do students have to say? Students say that they haven't felt a major change in classrooms and feel like they feel more distracted or the same prior to the phone ban, and that there isn't a major change in their grades. The phone ban has affected the mental health of students “Very much it’s [affected] the way I learn because I normally have my MacBook Air to use for school and it’s harder to use a Chromebook because I have adhd, and it’s annoying how the school bans websites that are useful and then websites that are even worse they don’t ban. It’s just so confusing. I also check the time with my Apple Watch and phone and my mom and parents like to check up on me and it’s just a whole thing that really stresses me out” (Anonymous). Students also say that they feel less safe in school based on the ban of phones or personal devices because of not being able to directly contact people in an emergency or in general. 

The phone ban through schools across the country was aimed to get students to focus and prevent bullying. Many people disagree with the ban while many are in favor of it. For academic strategies, communication skills, and many others, students can benefit from the phone ban while there are downsides to the ban. Students are able to use and learn self discipline when it comes to their behavior and academic success.

The Festival of Faiths in Louisville is an annual celebration hosted by the Center for Interfaith Relations, which promotes understanding across different religions and spiritual traditions across the world., and invites those to be more inclusive. This year's theme, “Sacred Belonging” explores finding your place in the world. The 4-day event includes musicians, poets, artists, and panelists- all aimed at introducing international ideas of religion and faith.

Arriving at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, I made my way into the theatre, and toward the left side of the audience, where the stage-crew just finished setting up the couch that the speakers would sit on. The seminar we attended was “The Beauty of Radical Inclusion”. M. Shadee Malaklou (Founder and Inaugural Director of the bell hooks centre at Berea College and panelist at the event), quoted bell hooks, “radical inclusion is “All of who I am, spiritual seeker, writer, critic, etc. was a seed planted in the soil of Kentucky” .

As the lights dimmed, two speakers walked out and stood at the podium. They introduced the meaning of radical inclusion, and put the audience's attention toward an offering bowl on the right side of the podium. They called for a moment of silence, and as they struck the bowl the audience was silenced. As I scoured the crowd, I saw a mix of people from all different areas and cultures, really a “melting pot” of humans. The gong of the bowl simmered down and the room was still silent, some people sat with their eyes closed, and others surveyed the audience like myself. A few coughs or sneezes were heard, followed by snickering from people in the crowd. After a few minutes of silence, the bowl was struck again and the speakers continued. 

The moderator of the event, Janan Sarwar, doctor and local public speaker, took the floor. She introduced the three main speakers of the event, and sat down on the couch next to the podium. 

The first of the three main speakers was Simran Jeet Singh. Singh is assistant professor of Interreligious Histories at Union Theological Seminary and author of the national bestseller, “The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life”. In his speech, Singh told about his experience as a high-schooler in San Antonio during 9/11. He recalled seeing the report of the suspected terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, and as stated by him in an interview with Harvard Divinity School, “It was a man who was wearing a turban, who had a beard, who had brown skin just like me. I knew in that moment that life would not be the same, and it wasn’t” (Kelly). Despite the racism he faced, Singh focused on Sikh teachings, which taught to find the good in every person and situation. 

The next speaker to talk was Matt Webber, Harvard graduate and author of the Christopher Award-winning book “Operating on Faith”, as well as “Fearing the Stigmata”. Webber started his speech by talking about his issues fitting in among the community at University of Virginia. When he started working, the only person he knew was President James Edward Ryan, and since he never attended school at UVA, he felt disconnected from the campus, and felt awkward (even sharing photos of him looking like a deer in headlights on campus). Webber said during COVID, he felt more out of place and disconnected than ever, so he started an initiative, and began working as the campus mascot for UVA, the Cavman. As said in an interview with UVA, “This experience as a very old and very tall Cavman performer in 2020-21 made me realize the power of symbols in service of the public good” (Hoxworth). Webber used the symbol of the mascot as a way to connect people during a time of helplessness. By visiting hospitals and nursing homes, participating in kid parades, and community picnics, Webber was able to unite people through the symbol of the Cavman, and ultimately helped himself realize the importance of community through kindness and empathy to others. 

The third and final speaker of the event was the founder and inaugural director of the bell hooks center at Berea College, M. Shadee Malaklou. Malaklou focused her speech on honoring the late Gloria Jean Watkins, who went under the pen name bell hooks. Hooks was an American Author, educator, and social critic, best known for her work regarding race, feminism, and class. According to Malaklou, who was a lifelong student of hooks, “[bell] was a great many things, but the way in which many remember her is as someone who could translate the feminist theory of the academy into the public interventions we needed in the moment.” Malaklou honors her legacy by propagating her teachings, as well as founding the bell hooks Center at Berea College in Kentucky, which now serves to inform and teach about the historically underrepresented people in history. Her reflection of hook’s legacy transitioned into her personal story about coming to Kentucky, where she felt a wave of connection to the state. In the interview with LPM,  “People in Appalachia understand the lie of a progress narrative that has only ever served to divide us… I can walk into the bagel shop [here in Appalachia] just like I'm being interviewed for CNN or in my muumuu or in my pajamas or in my hospital gown, and I am treated with the same dignity and respect” (Ayisha).

Leaving the auditorium, we followed a guide up to the fifth floor of the building, which has a balcony that overlooked the lobby, now more filled up since I entered. The guide led us into the top balcony of the biggest auditorium in the building, which gave an overlook onto a stage that was currently being cleaned. They sat us down with every other high school that had attended the field trip. Some students took this time to eat, and after they were done the guide, as well as the one of the Directors of the program began to talk. The directors asked questions about the panel, and asked students their thoughts and opinions.  A few students spoke up, talking about their positive experience with the panel, and how Signh’s story related to them, and how they felt targeted in their own life. For the majority of the discussion, positive comments were made regarding the event, and even afterward, leaving the Center for the Arts, I overheard a crowd of people discussing the importance of their messages, and how it affected them, in a positive way. I, myself, walked away with the difference in understanding inclusion, and how it can mean different things to different people. Some people may consider it to be showing empathy to others, while others feel it represents those not usually represented. In either view, radical inclusion is, in my opinion, a necessity to a successful and welcoming society.

Works Cited:

Hoxworth, Laura. “Class of 2025: Matt Weber.” Virginia.edu, 17 Apr. 2025, education.virginia.edu/news-stories/class-2025-matt-weber. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.

Jaffer, Ayisha. “Founder of Berea’s Bell Hooks Center M. Shadee Malaklou on Love, Justice, and Radical Inclusion.” Louisville Public Media, LPM - Louisville Public Media, 13 Nov. 2025, www.lpm.org/news/2025-11-13/founder-of-bereas-bell-hooks-center-m-shadee-

malaklou-on-love-justice-and-radical-inclusion. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

Kelley, Sarah. “Fest Feature: Simran Jeet Sing Embraces Love in the Face of Hate - Center for Interfaith Relations.” Center for Interfaith Relations, 17 Oct. 2025, www.centerforinterfaithrelations.org/2025/10/17/fest-feature-simran-jeet-sing-embraces-love-in-the-face-of-hate/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.

There are around two hundred and eighty high school students at the J. Graham Brown school, making up the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior grades. All of these students spend most of their day, five days a week, on the third floor of the Brown School building on South First street. They move from class to class, talking about whether it’s a Blue or Gold day and if they’ve started studying for their next test yet, noise filling the halls they walk through. The two floors below them are full of middle and elementary students, following different routines and talking to different teachers, but bearing the same title of “Brown School Student”. 

J. Graham Brown is the only traditional public school in the JCPS system that teaches grades K-12 and their title as a Magnet School also contributes to the distinctive feel of the school. High school students at Brown have an experience that is completely unique—there is truly nowhere else they could find a high school that would be the exact same as Brown.

“I like the community that Brown has to offer—I mean, one of the reasons I came here is because it’s such a small school…it’s not something that you can really get at another school, and I find that really intriguing,” says sophomore Kennedi West when asked about what she likes about the Brown School. Brown isn’t just different on paper—the students are experiencing how different it is every day. West is just one of the eight students I interviewed to get a look into the Brown high school experience—the other students spanning all four high school grades and with varied backgrounds when it comes to how long they’ve been at Brown. Cameron Sharpe, a senior who has been at Brown since sixth grade said, “You definitely find those people that you’re good with and you can be yourself with, and since everyone’s been together for so long it kind of just makes it easier.”

Junior Nathan Morton has been at Brown even longer than Sharpe, and he agrees that there’s something special about the Brown community. “I think that it’s a unique experience compared to other schools,” he said when asked about it. “I’ve been here since Kindergarten so I don’t really know exactly what it’s like at other schools, but I think that since we’re smaller I can interact a lot more with my teachers and have a lot more personal connections in school than I would at other schools.” Freshman Dolly Harland seemed to agree when asked about her experience at Brown and of high school so far, saying, “I’ve been here since 2nd grade and I’ve always felt pretty much at home. I like that I know everybody and what a unique experience that is. I feel like a ninth grader—I feel like a part of a group.”

Junior Lucy O’Brien also had some things to say about the uniqueness of Brown, saying, “I feel like when people talk about the traditional high school experience it’s all about football games and big schools and big classes and a lot of social events like Prom and Homecoming. But at Brown, since we’re a K-12 school, we really have a different day-to-day life than other high schoolers. I wouldn’t say we have the traditional glamorized high school experience, but I also wouldn’t say our experience is bad. I feel like high school should be about just making memories with your friends and the people around you and things like that.” Brown’s lack of a football team and its smaller size are often some of the first things brought up about it, and this fact was clear across all my interviews. As senior Evangeline Condra put it, “We don’t get football games, we don’t get Friday Night Lights, our homecoming is in February, and we’re a lot smaller.” She even went on to admit that sometimes she wishes Brown was more like a regular high school. There are downsides to being different that can’t be ignored. However, Condra didn’t seem to be too frustrated by those downsides, concluding that, “I guess the high school experience just means having fun, not wasting it…it’s always better with friends.” She seems to agree with O’Brien that the community students find at Brown is more important than any football team.

Another important aspect of the Brown community that was brought up in practically every interview is the teachers. When asked about her favorite part of school, Condra said, “I feel like I have a good connection with all my teachers.” Condra went on to explain her interest in history and the way the teachers at Brown have helped her learn more about it. “Shoutout to the Murph Dawg, shoutout Jake Amettis, and you know what, shout out Mr. Boles from 8th grade.” Fellow senior Sharpe brought up teacher Norah Wakefield and the way she supports her students, saying, “She has a fun little segment called Waking up with Wakefield every morning where we kind of just get to say good morning to everybody and hear what everyone’s looking forward to in the week.” Every teacher at Brown brings a different approach and perspective to the classroom, but the personal relationships formed between them and their students seem to be the same across the board.

There are, of course, downsides that come with any high school as well, and Brown is no different. Even just finding the energy to get up and head to school every morning can be difficult. West touched on this when asked about the hard parts of coming to school, explaining that, “I’m here for seven hours, and as someone who does a lot of extracurriculars, I’ll stay here until around 9:30 at night, and that’s very draining, especially because there’s still stuff I have to do at home.” High school isn’t just sports games and dances—there is plenty of work involved, in every class, every day. When questioned further about the amount of work she has, West talked about just how much she has to keep up with as a high schooler. “I mean, there’s just a lot, school wise, social wise, and honestly everything wise. Because, at the start of the school year, there’s just so much stuff—I mean, on the second day of school, we got a field trip form—like there are events happening left right and center and games that you have to go to and assignments and tests. It’s just a lot.” West’s fellow sophomore Kyle Tunstull said she has felt a change in her workload since entering high school, going on to say, “I definitely feel like it got harder. I think I still have the same amount of pressure, there’s just more work and things I have to do to go along with it.”

Quite a few of the other students I interviewed also mentioned this, talking about the pressure they put on themselves, in addition to the pressure school already brings. Brown has high standards, but the students’ standards for themselves are often higher. This is not always the case, though—Morton brought up the standardized tests high school students have to take and the way those affect them. “I think that a lot of [the standardized tests] are really put on the students,” he tried to explain, going on to say, “I know they specifically say they aren’t doing this, but I think that a lot of the time we just kind of become a test number to them as opposed to them focusing on actually interacting with us and helping us learn more stuff.” Tests like the ACT, PSAT, and SAT are taken by students starting even their freshman year, and the stress and pressure those tests bring is clear.

For all the stress it causes, though, how important is high school really? Whether they were a freshman just starting to make plans for their time in high school or a senior trying to make the most of the time they have left, all of the students I interviewed had thoughts on the importance of high school. It’s hard not to, with how much it is talked about in all forms of media. “I watched far too many movies growing up—I mean, still do—and watching those movies honestly kind of gives you an unrealistic idea of what it’s like to be in high school,” West said. What with the unrealisticness of those types of movies in general, combined with the unique experience at Brown, they truly did not provide an accurate depiction of the kind of high school West would experience. West went on to say, “Before going to high school I thought it was going to be so difficult, and that there would be so much drama and like parties or whatever. And it is kind of that, but in a completely different way. Now, I think the high school experience is kind of an entire transition from being a kid to trying to become an adult.”

Transitional certainly seems to be one of the most apt words to describe high school. Both of the seniors I interviewed brought up this aspect of high school, which is understandable, considering they are preparing to enter a very important transitional phase. “I guess it’s just kind of about figuring out who you are?” Sharpe said after being asked about what high school has meant to him. “I think it’s about really discovering who you want to be and what you’re interested in and what path you want to pursue.” Condra agreed with this sentiment, going on to say, “I mean, I was a different person in elementary and middle school, you know. I think high school is when you mature. I wouldn’t say you peak in high school—I mean, some people do—but I think for everyone else it’s really just maturing.”

There are plenty of other factors when it comes to the importance of high school, though. Morton touched on how he thinks high school is going to shape his life once he’s graduated, saying, “I think that it has made me discover a lot more subjects I’m interested in. I feel like if you asked me in middle school what I like would’ve had no clue what to say. I think that high school has definitely helped me hone in on what I like.” O’Brien also brought up what she considers high school’s later effects to be, explaining that, “For me it’s all very important because it’s gonna guide me to where I want to eventually go in life, hopefully. I feel like all the decisions I make in high school now can potentially help me in the future, whether it be what classes I’m taking, or what colleges I’m applying to, so I do think it’s very important.”

Sharpe focused more on the impact he thinks the social aspect of high school will have on his life, saying the community he has found over his time in high school is what stands out to him the most. “I feel like that’s most important cause in two years I’m not gonna remember who wrote the constitution or you know things like that, but I’ll have these people that I can fall back on when I need them the most,” he explained. Mia Regojo Vazquez is coming from a completely different place than Sharpe, as she is just starting her high school experience as a freshman and he is finishing up his, but she is definitely excited to find the community Sharpe talks about. “High school has always been something I’ve been looking forward to, and I really like the freedom we get, especially at Brown,” she explained. “I feel like the teachers and administration really trust us so that’s definitely something I’m really excited for.”

Whether they’ve been looking forward to high school for years now, or they’re starting the final lap of their high school experience, all eight of the students I interviewed are a part of the Brown High School community. At the end of the day, despite all of our differences, we're all in this together.

On Friday, 11/21/25, Brown School students gathered to celebrate the diverse population of our school. Students from all grade levels participated in the Parade of Nations, representing countries all over the world. Each representative was called by name, courtesy of announcer Mr. Jake Amettis, and waved their flag to raucous applause. Once all the participants were seated, teachers were presented with their awards. Ms. Sherri presented  The Global Classroom award to Ms. Cheri Graf, Mr. Andrew Boles, Ms. Stacy von Roenn, and  the Cultural Ambassador Award to Ms. Tara Davis. Several students were presented with awards as well, including high school students, a kindergarten student, and several middle school students.

Once all awards were given, classes were sent back so presenters could prepare for the Multicultural Fair. Moonbeams and Fireflies were allowed to explore first, immersing the Kindergarten classes in cultures around the world. These are accounts from the authors, who presented at the Fair:

Alix: I represented Ukraine at the Fair, which was a wonderful experience. Dr. Mary set up the whole event with student help, including Asha (11th grade), Millie (9th), and Petra (9th). I was able to wear something from my own culture, and connect with other students and staff by telling them about my family–something I don’t often get to do. I was grateful for food and water from Dr. Mary, because it was definitely an intensive speaking experience! Students really seemed interested in the information, and I felt really proud of my culture the whole day.

Mena: I represented Iraq, which was really cool! I loved introducing my culture to the elementary and kindergarten students. I also had an activity at my booth, coloring in stencils! It was so much fun helping the little kids and talking about my country of origin. For the Fair, I had to create a presentation, which gave me the opportunity to learn more about my country than I ever had before! I’m really thankful for the food and water generously provided by Dr. Mary and the PTA, since being at the Fair meant we missed lunch. I’m also thankful for the break we got, because while talking to the kids was fun it also got a little overwhelming at times. 

Countries represented:

• El Salvador

• Guyana and Barbados

• Philippines

• Bolivia

• Cherokee Nation

• South Korea

• India

• Cuba

• Mexico and El Salvador

• Turkey

• Russia

• China

• Colombia

• Pakistan

• Eritrea

• Ethiopia

• Japan

• Thailand

• Belgium and Hungary

• Puerto Rico

• Iran

• Iraq

• Egypt

• The Netherlands

• Ireland

• Morocco

• Nigeria

• Myanmar

• Kenya

• Namibia

• Venezuela

• Guatemala

• Vietnam

• Liberia

• Peru

• Fiji and Somalia

Clubs represented:

• ASL

• BSU

• ASA

• HSA

The Shadow Children Series

Do you prefer a short but riveting story that will make you root for the hero more than ever? Do you love dystopian, high-stakes worlds where one mistake may cost you everything? The Shadow Children series may be your next read.

Welcome to the Shadow Children series! This series will capture readers on the first page, and keep them reading up until the last page of the last book. The series is incredible, best for children in 3rd grade and up. With short chapters and loveable characters, it’s worth reading!

The first book, Among the Hidden, follows a shadow child named Luke. He’s an illegal child, who was not supposed to be born due to the laws about having too many children. The Shadow Children's existence isn’t talked about as much as I would like, but one’s interpretation could be that they’re born because people want to have free will. 

 As Luke grows up, more and more people, known as Barons, move in. The Barons are exceptionally rich people who can afford almost everything. They aren’t an exception to the laws though. He’s no longer allowed outside, then he’s no longer allowed to be downstairs, until finally he’s no longer allowed to exist. 

Until he finds someone who’s like him. Soon, Luke’s willing to risk his life for a taste of freedom. In this book, Luke is wrestling with this question: are you willing to fight to exist?

No one shouldn’t be allowed to live because of factors outside their control. Neither should the government have a say of who should or who shouldn’t live due to their birth status. No one should have to fight to prove they are worthy of living.

The Plot

I was assigned this book in 3rd grade, and I ended up loving it a lot more than I thought I would. Luke is relatable! He’s kind and sweet, but like everyone, he has his flaws. He is incredibly anxious for himself, but once he’s locked in the attic to keep himself safe, he becomes bored and irritated. Like anyone would if they’re trapped in a room with nothing but the same books they’ve read three times over. 

Jen is everything Luke isn’t. Headstrong and careless with the rules, she’s a perfect foil to our protagonist. When Luke breaks into her house, her first instinct is to attack him rather than hide. Some may interpret that Luke would have gone and hidden, but Jen did not. She’s upfront and honest with him, almost a little too honest. She immediately figures out he’s a shadow child and accepts him as a friend. 

When he meets Jen, another Shadow Child, it’s a bittersweet moment. Even if he did break into her home. Both know that if they’re caught, they die. But Luke can’t stand to be alone with his thoughts any longer. Despite being in such a high-stakes situation, he’s willing to risk everything just to be with someone like him. Jen is welcoming him with open arms, knowing his situation, even if she doesn’t seem sympathetic. 

The conclusion is horrible, yet truthful. Luke isn’t ready or willing to fight yet, not like Jen is. Jen wasn’t prepared enough and put too much faith in people who were too scared to fight. We shouldn’t ever be scared to fight for our existence, but the truth is, some people are. We have to be able to bring courage to people as well, in the same way Jen brought courage to Luke.

Jen is the embodiment of fighting for basic rights, and in the first book, Luke is the embodiment of people too scared because of the consequences! Both people are understandable in this scenario. It’s a dangerous world, and Luke could easily get killed if he’s even seen. But Jen wants freedom. So does everyone. She’s brave enough to put her foot forward and try, even if she might fail. 

We should strive to be like Jen, especially in this day and age. Anyone who reads the Shadow Children series will see similarities to our world now. It’s also an amazing read that’s shorter than a lot of heavy-topic books nowadays. Everyone should at least give this series a try. 

My Rating and Commentary

I rated this series a 4/5. I took a point off for two reasons: I’m personally a huge fan of worldbuilding. Worldbuilding is explaining the world in the book, covering why everything is there, why some things are the way they are, and laws. That’s more on me, but why do people choose to have the shadow children? Free will? An act of defiance? I don’t know, because the book doesn’t explain it. Also, why did the famines happen? The book doesn’t go into huge detail with that either. Nitpicky, maybe, but I love explanations for things in books. 

The other was the fact that it switched point of view between four characters. This is a seven-book series–the author could have had each book have a different character narrating it. Going from Luke to Nina to Trey and back to Luke was jarring for me as a reader. This is a whole series critique, not an Among the Hidden critique. I loved Luke, and having two books with him being the narrator and then that aspect being changed? It was weird!

Onto my adorations of this series. I adored the characters. They all had reasonable explanations for their actions, and even the characters the audience is supposed to dislike I ended up feeling the most for. Actions were explained, you could root for the characters, and you never knew who was bad and who was good. The characters were complex and I loved it!

Another high praise from me is that there were developments for characters I never expected. Luke’s older brother, Mark, was mentioned a few times throughout the series. In the fifth book, Among the Brave, the whole book is told from the most anxious character in the series, Trey. Mark also gets a huge role in that book, helping Trey. They become one of the brave, giving both of them an entire character arc. Even the side characters get a main story, making it a well-rounded series. My favorite side characters are Trey and Nina!

Last but certainly not least, the plot twists. I couldn’t piece together the end of the book to save my life, but it was so fun when I got to the end. Bits and pieces are shown throughout the book, so someone who’s observant would be able to pick up on what the twists may be. It was so exciting for me to be blown away by how the plot went. 

The young make the changes here, and it’s amazing for that to be showcased realistically. They still need help, they still rely on each other, and they don’t face these things alone. I feel too many books show that children can make a change without anyone’s help but their own. It’s not true. Even a child from a crazy fantasy is going to need help eventually. I’m so happy that this series shows that relying on help isn’t a bad thing, especially if the kids ask for adults. This series will hold a place in my mind for the rest of my life–one of those rare gems that I don’t see talked enough about. 

We all love books, right? Or, if you don’t, you probably like stories. Stories are how we learn about the world, and can help us learn about ourselves. Those stories, those explanations, are what became the mythologies we know and love. Now they have become cornerstones of creativity; nearly every book or trope or overarching theme can trace itself back to those ancient myths.

Because stories are so important, one would expect an author writing a story for children and young adults to do everything in their power to ensure their book doesn’t negatively affect their audience. Many authors write about complex topics in simplified ways with simple themes, in order to introduce their young readers to these topics in a safe environment.

And yet, some authors go too far, twisting a good lesson into a bad one.

Such is the case for this book. Medusa, by Katherine Marsh, of the Myths of Monsters series.

Now, when I first picked up this book, I found the synopsis childish, though perhaps with a good message to teach young girls. The classic ‘You-Can-Be-Anything’, Girl Power themes that have existed in popular media for countless decades. I expected little going into this book. Despite my standards being lower than a professional game of limbo, it appears they were too high a hoop for this book to jump over.

Let’s start with the premise; Ava Baldwin is in seventh grade; she lives with her parents and brother, Jax (short for Jaxon); She feels immature and left out by her two best friends. After a boy in her grade bullied her, she caused him to freeze up. Fearing she may have caused what she thought was a seizure, she confessed everything to her mother. Her mother then immediately enrolled Ava and Jax into the Venetian boarding school she used to go to- Accademia del Forte (Latin for ‘Academy of the Strong’).

At the Accademia she meets Fia (another newbie), Layla, and Arnold (two second-former or second-years, what they call eighth graders). Ava discovers that the Accademia is run by the Greek Gods and that it’s for descendants of monsters. She also finds out she’s related to Medusa, the hideous gorgon. She meets Athena (who is a major jerk), and she and her friends find out the principal (Orion, the hunter guy who Artemis fell in love with) and most of the teachers are jerks. They discover that Medusa is nice, that she is a goddess descended from Zeus and Metis (making her Athena’s full-blooded sister) and that she is destined to overthrow Zeus one day, so he turned her into a gorgon and made everyone hate her. The school gets flooded by Poseidon, and Zeus holds a council to decide what to do with Ava and her friends. It ended in a tie because Athena wasn’t there so Ava lives another year. Ava, her brother, and her friends have to do community service (like organizing the library) in order to make it up.

And that’s it. That’s all that happens. That is how the book ends.

This book is a self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ book, but really this book’s ‘feminism’ is just an excuse for the main characters to get away with everything. Fia argues with and insults a teacher, unprovoked, over a ‘misogynistic’ statement. The book praises her for getting a demerit (essentially a strike, three demerits means getting expelled). Ava assumes Owen (the boy who bullied her, who she then froze accidentally) is misogynistic. While it may be reasonable to assume Owen is misogynistic if most of his victims are women, Owen only ever had one shown instance of real bullying, when he interrupted her and chose Athena as the topic of the project they were doing. Medusa does nothing to make the reader trust her, and yet we’re supposed to have faith in her immediately. The most ‘trustworthy’ thing she does is inform the protagonists that she only turns men to stone, when she could easily be lying! In the original myths, Medusa turns people to stone indiscriminately. Why would Ava, the protagonist who claims to have researched Greek mythology, take her at her word?

Inaccuracies are also prolific. Fia argued with the teacher, who just so happens to be the muse of history, over the story of the Titanomachy, the ten-year war between the Olympian gods and their titan predecessors. In the actual myths, both gods and goddesses participated. We’ve lost the epic play detailing what happened, but we have scraps and bits telling us the gist (basically what I’ve just told you). The goddesses Hera, Demeter, and Hestia played a big role, but this book essentially stomps all over that! From what scattered fragments we have of various plays we can piece together that it was the goddesses who convinced various titans to ally with Zeus, and it was the goddesses who smoothed out relations with the neutral titans and witnesses after the war. Clio is villainized for no reason! Clio, as the muse of history, is a goddess of inspiration. For some reason, she sucks up to Principal Orion when in reality it should be the other way around. It feels more misogynistic than feminist to have a powerful female figure bow down to a male that has nothing to do with her, and I fear she may have been included to serve as nothing more than a secondary antagonist for Ava and her friends, a mere obstacle to overcome in order to achieve their goals.

Another victim of this inaccurate mythology is Athena. The goddess of wisdom and war, more trusted by Zeus than her own brothers, his right-hand; Athena is a perfect goddess for a feminist book! However, instead of becoming a mentor to Ava as she is known to do for many mortals (men and women included, depending on the version) Athena is villainized. She’s the main antagonist of the book, sabotaging Ava every chance she could get. The only reason she stopped is because Hestia threatened her and Ava revealed the truth about Medusa’s lineage.

While we’re on the topic of that reveal, the third and final reason I despise this book; this book is so messy that it’s both rushed and drags on endlessly.

Ava acts incredibly childish in some parts (as is expected for someone of her age), and yet in others she figures everything out. Even then, her conclusions are so far-reached the audience can’t figure it out on their own! Part of the beauty of writing is figuring out each and every plot point, planting the seeds for the plot-twist for chapter 31 all the way in chapter 10! Part of the beauty of creating a world is laying out hints and clues to every twist and turn, giving your readers a shovel and a map to find the treasure you've buried! When a twist comes out of nowhere, and your readers can't find hints in the chapters they've read, then a twist doesn't feel shocking, it's unsatisfying at best and anger-inducing at worst.

The pacing is awful. Some parts drag on for ages, and yet others seem too rushed. It's hard to connect with the characters, I could go on and on but we’d be here all day. It’s a shame, really, since the author seems to be experienced and has managed to write good books before! This series is by far not her best work. It’s clear she has some good ideas, because the premise of this book is interesting! It reminds me of Percy Jackson, but with the spotlight on monsters instead of gods. This could have been a chance to spread the word about some obscure myths, maybe even instill a life-long love for mythology in a child as Percy Jackson did, but the execution was just awful.

Would I recommend this book? Surprisingly enough, while it is a horrible book, it is a very good example of what not to do when writing, so you should read it if you want an easy ‘A’ in a book-critiquing assignment. Otherwise I would recommend not wasting your money. 

Rating: 1.5/5. TL;DR There is much room for improvement, but the premise is interesting.

Women Talking

Sarah Polley’s Women Talking explores the horrible reality that many women face in isolated environments, including some religious colonies. The movie is based on the real story of women and young girls in a Mennonite Colony (an isolated, religious colony where men are entirely in control; it’s made to prevent any contact with sin), who are routinely assaulted in their sleep by the men of the village. They are forbidden to represent themselves in court, made to submit to their husbands, and beaten frequently. While the men are away on trial for assaulting them, the women are left to decide whether to leave, stay, or stand and fight. The women hold a vote to decide which route to take, which is ultimately split between staying and leaving. In order to solve the problem, a few women from each side of the issue are chosen to hold a discussion and reach an agreement.

One of the major conflicts centers around two young girls grappling with the heavy discussions around them. They act like what they are–children– throughout the film, presenting a simple, horrible fact to the audience: the children are victims too, they’re not mature, and they’re not able to be blamed for what happened. Numerous scenes show the true brutality of the assaults, including a woman waking up in a pool of blood in her own bed, thinking God is punishing her. One woman in particular fights to stay, but never gives a real motivation. She argues and insults the other women, who slowly persuade her by telling their stories. In the end, she goes home and endures her husband’s abuse so the other women can escape. Her character arc shows the audience an example of how serious the abuse is, and that it won’t change, no matter what. The gravity of the situation increases when it’s revealed that a woman committed suicide prior to the story due to the severity of the abuse. Another has to walk barefoot in the middle of the night for days, with her child on her back, to get to a doctor. The women can’t read or write, they can’t drive, they have no autonomy. The abuse these women face extends past physical pain, preventing them from leaving. When this is brought up, the women ask the male school teacher for a map and start plotting their course out of the colony. They decide that even though it will be difficult, they can’t allow their children to suffer any longer.

The cinematography in Women Talking is remarkable and shockingly intentional, down to every last detail. The lighting of the film is a paramount achievement in cinema culture, giving an eerie, yet hopeful atmosphere to the topic. Each prop and building is old and rusted, or the wood is dry and ashen. The precise, high-quality images that perfectly show every line on the characters’ faces lets us know exactly how they feel at every turn. Polley is able to call forth nostalgia, as well as a certain dream-like quality to her work through the yellow and blue tints onscreen. Women Talking is a work of art in every regard, from costumes to lighting.

The men in the film are important in the narrative as well, though this may sound counterintuitive. Polley makes the powerful choice to include a transgender man, as well as a male school teacher in the film, as the only male faces shown. The women are given the vast majority of the movie to speak, uninterrupted, about their experiences and plans for the future. When the teacher interrupts, he’s told to be quiet and listen. Polley’s decision to include him indicates her belief that men must also be part of the solution, meaning that men must be educated on feminist issues and advocate for them. The transgender character, who only speaks when he is addressed by his chosen name, is most likely meant to be a statement about the importance of being able to choose when you speak, and to only speak to those who respect you as a person. His experience with the violence reflects the reality that queer people are often mistreated and then ignored. Small, but crucial details about his character show Polley’s attitude towards the queer community; he’s kind to children, he has an actual personality aside from being queer, and he always offers to help the women. 

Today, we face a problem with women’s voices being taken away from their own issues. President Trump recently hosted a women’s health conference, without a single woman present. This is the second time he hosted such an event, and he continually surrounds himself with people attempting to strip women’s rights to abortion, safety, and even common medications like Tylenol. In 2025, we need to encourage female participation in debates that affect them, and let women speak for themselves.

I give Women Talking five stars.

Twelve Angry Men (1957)

Twelve Angry Men has been adapted from a play into a movie, which became a hardhitting classic. Regardless of which version you see, they have one major thing in common: twelve jurors are tasked with deciding the fate of a young man from Puerto Rico, charged with murdering his father. At the beginning, the Judge reminds them that a person should only be convicted if there is proof beyond a shadow of a doubt. The movie very intentionally stays in black and white, despite color technology being available and somewhat popular at the start of filming. The movie is quite old, but it still leans into topics we debate about today, such as how to qualify a defendant as truly guilty.

At the start, all the jurors are locked in a deliberation room. They are distracted by their numerous plans for the day, as well as other frivolous things, clearly not taking the problem seriously. When they take the first vote for the unanimous decision, all but one juror votes to convict the boy. The other jurors explode in anger, but the 8th juror, who said not to convict him, claimed that he was unsure if the boy was guilty. The crime of murder could be punished with death, and the 8th juror said that a boy shouldn’t be killed over evidence with holes. Over the next few hours, he set out to systematically prove not that the boy was innocent, but that there was room for doubt in his guilt.

As the jurors slowly change their minds, one by one, it becomes apparent that all of them already believed he was guilty before listening to the evidence. One of the jurors was an immigrant himself, who changed his mind after another juror began insulting immigrants. The first to change his mind was an old man, who got tired of listening to racist remarks from the others. A few changed their minds due to pressure mounting on them from the others, but most were convinced by the 3rd juror bursting out in rage and spewing racist rhetoric. They all stand and leave him to sit alone, showing that he is isolated in his beliefs. 

It quickly becomes apparent in the film that each juror represents a part of the human psyche. Each position taken is supposed to reflect the human process of making decisions, and how we feel entitled to determine the fate of other people without having experienced their circumstances. We are allowed to reflect on our own thinking through the film, and consider how we discuss issues that don’t directly impact us. The film encourages us to have empathy and not to quickly assess the fate of others.

The movie’s main relevance today stems from the concept of innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. No child should be convicted for a crime that no one can even prove was committed.

I give Twelve Angry Men 4 stars.

Comparison

While Twelve Angry Men has a positive message, it is distinctly missing the voice of the character affected by the jurors’ decision. This can be interpreted as a depiction of reality, in which young people aren’t trusted to speak for themselves or make a defense. In addition, minorities face more discrimination than Caucasian people in America, so they are often accused of lying when simply defending themselves. This reflects the fact that the 8th juror is only deemed trustworthy when the majority of the room already agrees with him.

However, while we can see this as a metaphor in Twelve Angry Men, I prefer Women Talking due to its inclusion of the women in the decision making process. Spotlighting the people actually affected, forcing all other parties out, is a more effective way of spreading the message than through metaphor. It inspires me to watch more Sarah Polley movies, but also, to make sure that the perspectives of people affected by an issue are represented when discussing solutions.

Works Cited:

Chang, Justin. ““Women Talking” Explores Survival, Solidarity and Spirituality after Sexual Assault.” NPR, 20 Jan. 2023, www.npr.org/2023/01/20/1149753059/women-talking-review-sarah-polley. 

‌Ebert, Roger. “12 Angry Men Movie Review & Film Summary (1957) | Roger Ebert.” Rogerebert.com, RogerEbert.com, 29 Sept. 2002, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-12-angry-men-1957. 

‌Scott, A.O. ““Women Talking” Review: The Power of Speech.” NY Times, 3 Mar. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2022/12/22/movies/women-talking-review.html. 

The 1990s was when Jazz Rap and Boom Bap were at their peak, and a time when Hip-Hop groups such as Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, De La Soul, and the group I'll be reviewing today, A Tribe Called Quest, were thriving. With A Tribe Called Quest being pioneers of Jazz Rap and worthy adopters of Boom Bap, The Low End Theory, their 2nd studio album, was bound to be a classic. Today it’s often cited as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time, with Billboard ranking it as the 13th greatest rap album (Billboard), and Rolling Stone magazine ranking it 9th (Rolling Stone).

Highs 

Production: The production on this album is some of the best of the 90s, from groovy jazz chops to body-moving drum breaks, Q-Tip provides beats that are both impressive in complexity and minimal enough to leave room for their respected MCs to drop some of the greatest verses in all of hip-hop. 

Favorite verses: Busta Rhyme’s verse on ‘Scenario’ is the perfect showcase of his skill when it comes to lyrics, flow, and energy, a true masterpiece of rap. Phife Dawg’s verse on ‘Buggin’ Out’ flows with an aggressive confidence that hits the listener in the chest. Charlie Brown’s verse on ‘Scenario’ is an energetic and fun performance which shows off some amazing flow and lyrics. 

Overall

Overall, this album is a masterclass of hip-hop. The Low End Theory is one of few classics that define the 1990s rap scene; from lyrics to production, this album is perfect. A well deserved 10/10

Lows

N/A

Favorite Tracks

1. Scenario (feat. Busta Rhymes, Charlie Brown, & Dinco D)

2. Excursions

3. Buggin’ Out 

4. Butter

5. Verses From the Abstract (feat. Vinia Mojica, Ron Carter)

Works Cited

A Tribe Called Quest. The Low End Theory, 21 Sept. 1991.

REEF. “A Tribe Called Quest “the Low End Theory.”” Hiphopnostalgia.com, The Source, 1991, www.hiphopnostalgia.com/2014/02/a-tribe-called-quest-low-end-theory.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

Scott, Damien. “Best Rap Albums of All Time: 100 Greatest in Hip Hop.” Billboard, Billboard, 11 July 2024, www.billboard.com/lists/best-rap-albums-all-time/. 

Weingarten, Charles Aaron,Mankaprr Conteh,Jon Dolan,Will Dukes,Dewayne Gage,Joe Gross,Kory Grow,Christian Hoard,Jeff Ihaza,Julyssa Lopez,Mosi Reeves,Yoh Phillips,Noah Shachtman,Rob Sheffield,Simon Vozick-Levinson,Christopher R., et al. “The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time.” Rolling Stone, 7 June 2022, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-hip-hop-albums-1323916/. 

A world where everyone has magic, and those who don’t are hunted. The kingdom of Ilya is a dystopian world where the extraordinary is the ordinary and the ordinary is abnormal. It sounds like a great premise, right? That’s because it is! A dystopian society mixed with fantasy makes for a very interesting world. However, Powerless dropped the ball when it came to actually executing the idea. 

Powerless by Lauren Roberts is a book that had great potential but did not do well overall. The characters had enough going for them to make them interesting, but the whole thing was overromanticized to where it made the book almost impossible to focus on the important action going on. Some of the scenes are also really similar to the series Hunger Games, which isn’t a problem until you really examine it. It feels like a fanfiction–the interviews felt straight out of the Hunger Games. Paedyn is really good at archery, her father trains her, and her father died earlier in her life. Sounds a lot like Katniss. It doesn’t feel all that original, which can be a problem if you’re expecting to read a book that’s supposed to be original.

Other problems include a lack of worldbuilding, especially when it comes to the government of the world. The only food that is specifically mentioned that is edible are sticky buns, which are bread rolls coated in honey. It also doesn’t go in depth in the actual world, and some things that are relevant to the second book are never mentioned in the first book. For example, Ava! Who is that? Apparently, Kai’s younger sister. She died a while ago. No one knows she’s a person until the second book, but she holds a huge importance to Kai and Kitt, since, y’know, she’s a younger sister to them. Kai and Kitt are the princes of Ilya, by the way. I would imagine she’d be a little more important to mention, since she’s a princess, especially in the first book. 

The main character, Paedyn Gray, is an Ordinary. She is struggling to survive in the slums of Ilya and steals for a living. She meets Kai Azar, the Enforcer who is tasked with killing Ordinaries to rid Ilya of the “disease-ridden” people. Ordinaries are people without magic and since everyone has magic, they are the problem. However, in a fight that is started by a Fatal, she takes down someone and saves Kai. Earning the name the Silver Savior, she is put into the Trials, a fight between Elites to see who is the best. (Elites are people with really strong magic.) The rest of the story is her falling in love with Kai and participating in the Trials, but the Trials themselves aren’t that impactful unless it serves the romance.

I came into this story to see why it was so popular. Now that I’m finished reading the first book, I’m still wondering why it’s as popular as it is. The problem of the book is that it is romanticized and shallow if you actually start to think about it. 

Plot

I was expecting a lot from this book because I was recommended this by a friend who has given me good recommendations in the past. I read this book and had to pause several times to look at the vocabulary, characters, and get over my sheer annoyance at this book. I read a lot of books because of the characters, but these characters did not get on my good side. That’s hard to do, because usually every character has a story and something riveting to keep me there. Not this book. 

Honestly, a lot of plot points that I saw was how deeply “in love” Paedyn and Kai were with each other. Kai protects her from Ace, an antagonist, and treats her stab wound. Paedyn comforts him from a nightmare, which, to the surprise of no one, is seeing Paedyn die. Kai loosening up her corset dress to let her breathe when she’s having a panic attack. All of these sound sweet but it’s completely overridden by weird bantering and their “hate” for each other. If you don’t like someone, just stay away from them…

I can sum this up in a paragraph: Paedyn is a thief, Kai is a prince who’s also a killer. Paedyn steals from Kai in the early chapters and also saves him when he’s attacked by a Fatal. She’s elected for the Trials, which I’ve explained before, and fights to survive alongside Kai and other characters. She finds a group called the Resistance, which are trying to fight so Ordinaries can exist with Elites and stop being killed. Paedyn helps them, but it turns out their leader, Calum, was bad. Paedyn kills the king and then leaves Ilya after that. 

That was rushed, wasn’t it? It’s because all of these plot points, all of these wonderful ideas that could have told an excellent story, were saturated with Paedyn and Kai’s obsession-not-obsession with each other and the lack of depth in these characters. Yes, there’s more to the story, but characters that deserved more spotlight didn’t get it. Then the author added a weird love triangle between Kitt, Kai, and Paedyn halfway through the book that wasn’t a love triangle but definitely a love triangle. To explain, Paedyn has to get close to Kitt to help the Resistance. It’s heavily implied that Kitt starts to like her and it creates tension between him and Kai. However, Kitt barely acts on these romantic feelings even though they’re there, so there’s no reason for Kai to get so jealous, at least in my opinion.

This book tries so badly to address feminism too, but the lines feel out of place within the book and you can tell what they’re trying to do. A lot of good books I read either ties things together neatly or uses subtlety to get a point across. Powerless shoves things in your face until you can’t breathe and it seriously bothers me. 

My Rating and Commentary

I give this book a 2 out of 5. I haven’t read this bad of a book in a long time. One of the few saving graces it has for me is the magic aspect and my adoration for two characters, Kitt Azar and Jax Shields. Even then, they have their downfalls. I’m going to go over worldbuilding, characters, overall plot, and the writing style of this book. 

I get that every author has a different writing style. I’ve seen it, I can identify it, and it usually doesn’t bother me. Powerless uses the words huff and smirk more times than I will in a lifetime. I’m not kidding when I say I saw the word smirk three times in two pages. Kai seemed to be smirking the entirety of Powerless. The characters were also huffing out every word. I do not hear people huff as much as I read those characters huffing. Synonyms are a thing, and Powerless did not use them. There was also a lot of unnecessary swearing, which can take the charm out of a book. You don’t have to use curse words to convey that a character is angry! This is the more nitpicky part of the review, I’m aware, but vocabulary is insanely important to me within a book. 

Worldbuilding had so much potential. A king that was killing everyone that didn’t have magic. Elites being the best of the best. Ordinaries hiding in plain sight. But we barely get anything about the government aside from kings, queens, princes, and rich families. Words such as Fatals are explained so flippantly, and they aren’t that important to the story. (Fatals are people with extremely powerful magic.) They’re there to help the Resistance, that’s it. We don’t get a Fatal with an actual personality or an explanation on why they exist. We barely get a difference in what Elites are and people who just carry magic. The Trials feel ripped off from the Hunger Games, which is fine until you see there’s interviews, votings, and all of that. It feels too close to the Hunger Games to be authentic. To me, it was a literally magical Hunger Games that was way too focused on romance. The Trials aren’t even necessary! Why would Elites go in and kill each other if they want to keep them alive? Make it make sense. 

The overall plot felt weak because it was neglected in favor of the romance. The importance of the Trials, figuring out how the government worked, even when it came to the Resistance–all of it was shoved aside so readers could see Paedyn fall in love with Kai. I believe the Trials were only involved so Kai and Paedyn could get those cliche moments you see in movies. Protection, bandaging wounds, dramatic fainting… things you’ve seen before. If Kai didn’t protect Paedyn, she’d be dead. Boom, story over. It might have been a better story that way too! Fueled by rage, Kai could face his father and finally say enough was enough. He could have still loved Paedyn and I fully believe he is smart enough to figure out she was an Ordinary. He could easily start a rebellion because people are on his side. But no. Since Kai is so obsessed and in love with Paedyn, he can’t let her go. But he hates her too? Huh? He follows her around like a puppy! Paedyn is will-she-won’t-she, which felt so weird in this book. The Trials didn’t have as much significance as they should have. They’re the focal point of this book, but they did not feel important. The plot felt everywhere when it should be RIGHT THERE. 

Finally, the characters. Oh my goodness gracious. These characters were shallow, underdeveloped, and the two main characters were what the reader is supposed to care about. Adena, Paedyn’s best friend, is mentioned only a few times throughout the book, and we’re supposed to be sad about her death in the end! She can be summed up in five to six words: nice, a tailor, and boy-crazy. Adena deserved so much more. Jax is supposed to be the adopted brother of Kai and Kitt, and though he’s one of the better characters, he can also be summed up rather quickly. Friendly, childish, but weirdly mature. I ADORED Jax as a character, but he could have gotten so much more. How does he interact with Andy, another character who has few words to describe her? How does he change after Ace’s murder attempt on him (spoiler, he doesn’t)? 

Other characters are there to be hated. Ace is perceived as cold and a woman-hater as a way to get readers to despise him. I find this cheap. Ace could have been cold because the slums had given him a harsh life. If the author is so desperate to keep him misogynistic, then it should be more subtle. Not outright calling women awful names. Misogyny isn’t often bold statements–it’s quiet moments that catch you off-guard. Ace deserves more as a character. But nope! We don’t get any reason on why he objectifies women or why he’s so cold-hearted. Even if he was an antagonist, he needed more than being a woman-hater. He could still have that trait and be a well-written character. We can all still hate the guy, even if his villainy isn’t outright stated!

Paedyn and Kai are supposed to be these super in-depth characters, but the romance ruins it! Most of the potential bonding that happens between characters is neglected so they can banter and tell each other how much they hate each other. It’s supposed to be seen as hot and alluring for some reason. But connection is important so the romance can actually build. Paedyn is supposed to be suffering from grief from her father’s murder. Kai is supposed to be this awful monster. They don’t talk about this much to each other, if at all! I don’t see one thing about Kai being a killer aside from him saying he likes torture and being sarcastic. Paedyn actually is a decently written character in the grieving realm. I could feel sympathy for her pain. But all of that is forgotten when she looks at beautiful Kai and his beautiful body. It rubs me the wrong way. 

The book could have been so much better than it was. It reeled me in for the idea, but it left me feeling like I wasted my time in the end. It was upsetting to see such good ideas be overlooked because of Kai and Paedyn’s relationship. I think Lauren Roberts has good story ideas outside of romance. Her ideas with magic are fun and part of the reason I even picked the book up. I fully believe she can and will write better books in the future. But Powerless did not take me by storm like it did with the media. 

Works Cited

Roberts, Lauren. “Powerless (the Powerless Trilogy, #1).” Goodreads, 2024, www.goodreads.com/book/show/75513900-powerless.

A character who is willing to do anything for love. A daunting villain who isn’t what he seems. The Magnificent North, where magic and curses seem to be eyeing you, watching your story unfold. While trying to escape murders and attempt the way of a princess, Evangeline Fox is unlike any character I’ve read about in a long time. 

This book was honestly something I wasn’t expecting much out of. I’ve read enough romance books to see the same tropes used over and over again–the tall, muscular “bad boy” with the extremely hostile female main character that becomes an idiot when the love interest is around. I hated reading the same things in different worlds again and again, but then I was given Once Upon A Broken Heart. 

The story follows Evangeline Fox, a girl who prayed to the Prince of Hearts to stop her stepsister’s wedding. But Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, a Fate, turns out to be cruel and mean to everyone, including her. He does stop the wedding by turning everyone to stone. Evangeline decides to drink a goblet that will let everyone free, and turns to stone herself. That’s the immediate thing about her character: Evangeline is a kind-hearted character who cares. I don’t see that very often in modern books! 

The plot is essentially Evangeline going to the magical Magnificent North to fulfill a prophecy. She marries a prince, she becomes the “murderer” of said prince, and follows Jacks around to continue the deal she made with that prayer I mentioned earlier. I would never call this book a literary masterpiece, like I would the Hunger Games, but it was such a fun and wild read. The vocabulary is flowery and fun to imagine, the characters are memorable and well-developed, and it’s clear who you should be rooting for–but end up wanting the other character to succeed. 

There are also a ton of plot points flung in that you wonder where they came from, but overall, you don’t care, because it totally makes sense at the moment! Vampires, for example. Garber has a pretty fun twist on them, going more in depth with them in the second book. The interpretation of dragons was also really cute. Tiny dragons? What more could my fantasy-loving heart ask for? Also, romance! The way it was written didn’t make me want to tear my hair out because of cheesy lines. And if it was slightly corny, it made me giggle rather than cringe away from it. The morally gray villain is actually morally gray. His actions clearly showcase he is a bad guy, but also balances those actions out by showing he cares for those he’s close with. He is absolutely ruthless to the main character, which makes everyone hate him at first (I mean, who wouldn’t), but then, you can slowly see him warm up to her. If you love slowburns, guess what? It goes across three decently sized books. These guys don’t even kiss until the last book. This is a true slowburn. 

Plot

I was recommended this book by a friend, and I was seriously doubtful that it would be good. I mean, come on. She told me it was a morally gray love interest and I was already a little wary. I even put down the book for a while because I wasn’t sure if I could read it. But then I decided to give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did. Evangeline is a fresh slate from what I had been reading: a kind character who puts her motives up front. I was used to characters who hated even the idea of romantic love simply because they could survive without someone else. Evangeline wants true love and she makes that known within the first chapter! This book was also simple enough for me to see it as brain candy. 

While the plot definitely takes a backseat to romance, it’s still there and noticeable enough for me. The plot points were her following Jacks (literally and figuratively) and yes, admitting how attractive he was. I’m usually a big hater on that, but it was written in such a way that it felt natural. You know how you might dislike someone, but no one can deny their beauty? Kind of how this goes. Jacks, the love interest, is also seen as a jerk throughout the series, as he should. He also makes his motives clear and upfront instead of keeping everything secret. 

As much as I love this book, the plot is kind of everywhere. Prophecy? That doesn’t get mentioned much. Oh, why do vampires exist? Who knows, that was just thrown in there for fun. What are the rules of magic? Only a few I can think of. The magic, while fun, feels random, which I love. I do like fantasy worlds with complex rules and made up languages for elves, but sometimes just getting strange things thrown at you is alright too. I’ve already explained the general plot, but let’s get into detail!

That prince Evangeline married is Apollo, and you guessed it, a love triangle happens between Jacks, Evangeline, and Apollo as soon as Apollo is cursed by Jacks. Jacks cursed him so Evangeline could fulfill the three kisses Jacks forced her to give to people (which is one of the things that really confused me–why are we doing that again?). Apollo is actually pretty important to the series. He becomes the main antagonist in the later books, but he gets put into a cursed sleep in the first book, making everyone think he’s dead. Evangeline is the convicted murderer, which then the book gets invested on how Jacks will protect her now. Then he gets cursed. Then he’s the “nice guy” everyone shudders away from. Add the evil stepsister, Marisol, to the mix, who Evangeline didn’t realize was evil until later. Like I said, this book is literally everywhere. 

Despite that, the characters are simply loveable. LaLa is Evangeline’s best friend who is trying to keep her alive at all costs, because she hasn’t had a mortal friend in so long. Evangeline is a kind-hearted soul, always hoping for the best. Jacks, while an irredeemable jerk, wants to love and be loved in return. Tiberius wants to keep his brother safe. Apollo wants the love of his life (in the first book). Chaos wants his family back. The characters are fun and all twine together to make this insane plot easier to follow due to their motives, which is why I enjoyed all the books. 

My Rating and Commentary

It’s that time! I rate this a ⅘ stars, but I can totally see why this wouldn’t be someone’s cup of tea. Not everyone likes things popping out of nowhere, and I get that. But the characters! The fun! All of that called to me in this book, but the romance especially. It felt new, refreshing, and not as cliche as other books I’ve read. The only other romance novel that made me feel this way was Borrow My Heart by Kasie West, and this book probably rivals that. Let's go over worldbuilding, characters, plot, and vocabulary. 

The language in this book is flowery and descriptive, but not to its detriment. I learned new words from this book and it actually made me wonder what the book was trying to say. What does a lucky night smell like? I never wondered until I read this book! I aspire to write like Stephanie Garber one day–I highly enjoy her writing style. She makes you think, but not in a complex way. More of a “I want to know what that feels like” kind of thinking. Highly entertaining. 

The plot is why I took a half a star off. As much as I love the wild ride this book is, it is not coherent at times. The events make sense when you read it, but if you try explaining what’s going on to someone who’s never read the book, you’re probably going to get a few confused faces and maybe even a scoff. Some things do feel out of place or that things just popped out of nowhere. While it makes for an exciting story, some things should be mentioned earlier, like people having a second heart. Why didn’t I know that until book three? Overall, the plot felt cracked and rather feeble compared to other books I’ve read. 

Worldbuilding is also kind of weak. Some things I should know in the first book I don’t until book three. We don’t get an explanation of why vampires exist, only that they’re important to this half-baked plot. Everything we should know about this cool fantasy world is slowly put in with the second and first book, but then by the third, it’s like it’s trying to pour everything on you at once so you understand what’s going on. Honestly, if this series were to have a downside, I’d just say the third book in its lack of depth compared to the other two. It feels out of place and upsetting, even if the end is the most amazing thing. 

The characters are why I gave it such a high score. I don’t think people realize how long it's been since I’ve read a kind female main character. Usually, they’re oversexualized or angsty or just a dull character. While I do not mind angsty female main characters, I do love finally coming across a character who does nice things without an ulterior motive. Also, Jacks is shown to be a bad guy! By being a jerk to everyone and being okay with murdering people, he’s actually a bad guy. He’s a well-written character with drastic flaws–but it balances out with Evangeline. The side characters are also amazing! LaLa is so sweet yet a total BOSS. She injured Jacks with a butterknife. A butterknife! She’s a relevant character and has a story of her own. Every side character should have a story, and LaLa does!

I loved this series because it was different from what I usually read. I know not everyone would love this book, but I feel that everyone, especially adolescents, should give it a shot. If you want a breath of fresh air from shallow characters and the average fantasy world, pick up this book. You’ll be excited and raring for more by the first page.

Background

Ants From Up There is Black Country, New Road’s second studio album, released February 4th, 2022, a release date which, for the quality of the album, is surprisingly close to the release of their first album, For the First Time (released February 2, 2021). Immediately upon its release, Ants From Up There received amazing reviews, solidifying the band as one of the greatest in not just the British indie rock scene, but the global indie scene as well. Ants From Up There does an amazing job of blending a plethora of sounds and instruments, which works to create a cinematic feeling for almost every song on the album, an element of the album which is consistent, but still not repetitive. This album being the band’s big break led to a major problem for the band moving forward, as the lead singer/songwriter of the band, Isaac Wood, announced his leaving from the band just a few days before the album’s release, which, (in my opinion) effectively removed a large chunk of the soul that the band once had. Despite this challenge, the band continues to release new music, with new lead vocalists which, naturally, gives the music a different feel than it had before.

Pros

This album does a great job at being sad, something that I usually search for in music. You can truly feel the raw emotion being emitted from every song, whether that's from the delivery of the vocals, the instrumentals, or the lyrics themselves, this album flawlessly delivers a beautiful, depressing, yet hopeful sound.

Cons

Some of the songs can feel slow at the start, but they eventually reach the climax and it pays off, the songs just ask for a bit of patience. 

Favorite Tracks

1. Goodwill Hunting

2. The Place Where He Inserted the Blade

3. Haldren

4. Basketball shoes

5. Concord 

Overall

I personally love this album, as it has some of my favorite songs of all time. It's full of cinematically depressing sounds and brilliant writing which all follows a theme of feeling disconnected and distant from your lover, which throughout the album is discussed via the metaphor of being an “ant” looking up at and chasing a plane (or a concord, as the album says), which is meant to represent his love interest, hence the title of the album: “Ants From Up There.” This metaphor is paired with beautiful imagery of “chasing hills” to catch the best glimpse of the plane as possible, representing the lead singer’s obsession with this love interest, as he would go through extreme lengths just to look at her. 10/10.

Background

For his 4th album release, Son of Spergy, Daniel Caesar chose to explore and mend his familial relationships through music. On the album, he includes features from a wide array of artists, among them his own father and brother. His father, Norwill Simmons is even more than just a featured artist and former gospel singer though, his face is on the album cover and his nickname ‘Spergy’ is the reference to Caeser in the album’s title,  ‘Son of Spergy’. Every other artist featured is an amazing choice as well, among them, my favorites are the melancholic chords from Bon Iver on ‘Moon’ and ‘Sins of the Father’ as well as Yebba and Blood Orange on ‘Touching God’ who are both good friends with Caeser in real life and have been featured on some of his other projects in the past. This whole album is an attempt at coming to terms with religion and his family, his heavenly father and real father, as well as his wishes to become a father one day. Son of Spergy is a beautifully produced album by an artist who knows exactly what he wanted it to sound like and executed that vision flawlessly. 

Favorite Songs

• Moon

• Who Knows

• Baby Blue

• Sins of The Father

Overall Thoughts

At first listen, knowing only a few songs by Ceaser, I expected incredible production on each song, and he delivered. Each song is unique, and displays his wishes in a different way each time. He builds and shows a wide range of emotions through the use of instruments and backing vocals alone, combining his roots in RnB with the soulful music of a church, which coincides with the topic of his father, the gospel singer who comes up repeatedly within the album. Mix that with Ceaser’s comforting voice, and you’ve got an artistic display of…something. That’s where this album starts to drift off, and in turn lowered my opinions of it. The lyrics don’t fully match up to the story he’s attempting to display. He has lots of stories to tell and it feels at times that he’s running out of time on every song. In my opinion it should be longer, his music is amazing! Without looking too closely the lyrics are fine, and at times indeciperable without reading them, but there are songs that have interjections that don’t really make sense to the rest of the song. For example, in the song Baby Blue, he sings a touching love song. It’s romantic and beautiful, but at the end, he brings in Norwill Simmons with a sermon like outro. Simmons' voice is wonderful, but this song wasn’t the one to put him on. Other than a few small things like that, (which I only noticed through looking at the lyrics) this album is an amazing display of Ceaser’s talent and masterful storytelling skills, and I truly hope it isn’t his last.

Imagine, if you will, the government has taken all the people you love. You’re all alone and you have to figure out a way to survive. Natural disasters and the fear of people keep you silent, however, all you crave is the normalcy of your friends and family. This book has all of that in it, but it’s not just a survivalist story. It’s a story of how our own minds can be the most dangerous thing while being completely isolated in the wilderness. 

The book Alone is an absolutely amazing novel when it comes to exploring the psychology of being completely, well, alone. It makes it clear that the most horrible thing of the whole situation is that this little girl is isolated from society, refusing to give in, but desperately missing the people she loves most. Unlike other crazy fun fantasy books I’ve read (looking at you Once Upon a Broken Heart and Percy Jackson), this book hit a lot closer to home and made me reflect on myself as a person. Few books have ever gotten me to do that, so what’s the difference with Alone?

Alone is told through the eyes of a twelve year old girl. Maddie has had her whole world ripped apart in a single night, and it shows how resourceful she is. However, instead of blowing up helicopters like Jess in I Am Still Alive, or quietly revealing how badly you’re hurting in Don’t Let In The Cold, Alone addresses teenagers as a whole. Why do you feel like it’s better to isolate yourself? 

A lot of people I’ve spoken to have told me that they prefer to not talk over meeting new people. And hey, no judgment, I’m the same way. Being reserved is different from being completely closed off to talking to people you love and care about. This book struck a different cord with me because I do that. When given an option, I usually will pick the option that results in me being by myself rather than spending time with my family or friends. Alone tells you how detrimental that is to a child’s mind, and basically sits the reader down to tell them why having a community is so important in this day and age. 

We’re constantly separated by various factors. But it doesn’t change the fact that we have to make time for the people we love. Maddie, the protagonist, is constantly in her head. She’s in survival mode most of the time, but the times where she’s thinking about her parents and her best friends? It’s honestly heartbreaking and it made me feel genuinely sad for the character. It also made me feel sad for myself. Why do we want to spend most of our time by ourselves? That question is up to readers who feel lonely. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they have no one to talk to or that they’re different from other people. Because this book tells you that there’s always someone who relates, always someone who cares for you, and there’s always time for you to spend time with someone. All while she’s trying to get through tornadoes, sickness, and fires. 

Plot

Alright! I found this book while scrolling on Amazon, looking for new reading material. This book caught me by its cover, and once I saw it I was immediately drawn to it. Add that it's a survival novel and they got me hooked. Received it for Christmas, and I kid you not, I finished it in two days. It was that good!

Like I mentioned before–the reason she’s left alone is because the U.S government calls for an evacuation due to an imminent threat. Her whole town is evacuated in the middle of the night except for her. Why, you may ask? Because instead of listening to her well-meaning parents, she sneaks away from home and stays the night at her empty grandparent’s house after trying (and failing) to set up a sleepover. 

After her initial “what happened” moment, she frees George the rottweiler, who becomes her best friend in the book, and plans out her way to survive. She survives looters, who she does not go to for help. That is actually huge in this book, as that could have been her way out. The rest of the book she nags herself about that. She survives a tornado, and an infection from an injury after the tornado, a wildfire caused by lightning, and because of her critical thinking skills, starvation. But this isn't an average survival novel, not at all. Those were not her biggest obstacles. 

Maddie, every single day, has to face the reality that she is alone. To some, this sounds like their biggest dream come true. But after one, two, three years, it chips away at Maddie’s mind. She agonizes over the fact that she can’t see her parents. She misses her stepbrothers and another major part of this book is one of her stepbrother’s essays. She’s asked what would be the hardest thing for a certain character to face: loneliness, fighting for survival, or something else entirely? She answers fighting for survival, but after two years of being alone, she realizes how naive she was back then. Maddie is constantly trying to stave off her loneliness, but to no avail. Books don’t help for long. George, while amazing, is a dog. Nothing compares to a loved one’s voice or a hug from her mother, at least to Maddie. 

What I loved most about this book is what I love about a lot of my favorites: it makes you think. It makes you reflect on yourself as a person and it makes you wonder what it would be like to be in Maddie’s scenario. I love her fights with herself, with religion, and with everything as a whole because it's relatable. With a lot of books out there being published about a female main character and her love interest being the hot guy everyone’s attracted to, this book wasn’t just a breath of fresh air–it was like drinking a glass of water you desperately needed. I seriously recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, action-packed novel. Maybe like me, you’ll be having the same reflections I did.

My Rating and Commentary

As per usual, let’s rate the book! I would actually rate this a 5/5, simply because this book made me feel emotions that don’t crop up while I read. The plot had the typical crazy things that happen in a survival novel (natural disasters, dangerous people, etc), but the plot was extremely easy to follow and it didn’t feel too overkill unlike other books I’ve read. It also felt original but with enough events I’ve read before with a new character experiencing them. It was an easy read in terms of plot. 

The vocabulary was also easy, but this book had a different way of writing than a lot of books I’ve seen! It was written as a poem! I usually hate poem-like books, as they aren’t my preference at all. But this book wrote it in a way where I didn’t have to wade my way through complex metaphors about how she merely got scratched by a dog. Maddie’s perspective through this was refreshing and unique, and probably the first book that is written like a poem that didn’t make me put it down immediately. 

The worldbuilding isn’t too weak as to ruin the story, and it’s honestly just enough for the story to get by. Maddie doesn’t know what’s going on in the world, only that everyone’s been evacuated. She doesn’t find anything out until the end, which makes sense for the way this story is being told. I didn’t feel like there was too much worldbuilding needed, as we are in the perspective of a girl that is isolated from the world. As this is not a fantasy book, it doesn’t need as much as other stories would, but holds up well in Alone. 

The characters are pretty much two. George, a dog, and Maddie, a girl. However, this book goes deep into these characters. George is a sweet and extremely loyal dog, as they all should be in a book like this, but he’s prevalent. He’s Maddie’s only friend and he’s a good one. Maddie, on the other hand, goes through some pretty big changes! She goes from a stuck-up, I’m-full-of-angst girl to a humble girl who uses her thinking skills better than I ever would in a situation like that. She’s intelligent, smart, and makes sure her buddy is taken care of. She learns how awful she had been to her family and regrets it. That's a change within a character and she is an excellent representation of a strong female main character!

I loved Maddie and I loved her dog (my favorite thing about him is that he lived). This book highlighted topics that are very real to us in an unrealistic environment, which I don’t see anymore with the dominance of romance books that are focused on lust only. This was an amazing book, and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in not only survival novels, but a peek into the psychological aspects!

Imagine, if you will, the government has taken all the people you love. You’re all alone and you have to figure out a way to survive. Natural disasters and the fear of people keep you silent, however, all you crave is the normalcy of your friends and family. This book has all of that in it, but it’s not just a survivalist story. It’s a story of how our own minds can be the most dangerous thing while being completely isolated in the wilderness. 

The book Alone is an absolutely amazing novel when it comes to exploring the psychology of being completely, well, alone. It makes it clear that the most horrible thing of the whole situation is that this little girl is isolated from society, refusing to give in, but desperately missing the people she loves most. Unlike other crazy fun fantasy books I’ve read (looking at you Once Upon a Broken Heart and Percy Jackson), this book hit a lot closer to home and made me reflect on myself as a person. Few books have ever gotten me to do that, so what’s the difference with Alone?

Alone is told through the eyes of a twelve year old girl. Maddie has had her whole world ripped apart in a single night, and it shows how resourceful she is. However, instead of blowing up helicopters like Jess in I Am Still Alive, or quietly revealing how badly you’re hurting in Don’t Let In The Cold, Alone addresses teenagers as a whole. Why do you feel like it’s better to isolate yourself? 

A lot of people I’ve spoken to have told me that they prefer to not talk over meeting new people. And hey, no judgment, I’m the same way. Being reserved is different from being completely closed off to talking to people you love and care about. This book struck a different cord with me because I do that. When given an option, I usually will pick the option that results in me being by myself rather than spending time with my family or friends. Alone tells you how detrimental that is to a child’s mind, and basically sits the reader down to tell them why having a community is so important in this day and age. 

We’re constantly separated by various factors. But it doesn’t change the fact that we have to make time for the people we love. Maddie, the protagonist, is constantly in her head. She’s in survival mode most of the time, but the times where she’s thinking about her parents and her best friends? It’s honestly heartbreaking and it made me feel genuinely sad for the character. It also made me feel sad for myself. Why do we want to spend most of our time by ourselves? That question is up to readers who feel lonely. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they have no one to talk to or that they’re different from other people. Because this book tells you that there’s always someone who relates, always someone who cares for you, and there’s always time for you to spend time with someone. All while she’s trying to get through tornadoes, sickness, and fires. 

Plot

Alright! I found this book while scrolling on Amazon, looking for new reading material. This book caught me by its cover, and once I saw it I was immediately drawn to it. Add that it's a survival novel and they got me hooked. Received it for Christmas, and I kid you not, I finished it in two days. It was that good!

Like I mentioned before–the reason she’s left alone is because the U.S government calls for an evacuation due to an imminent threat. Her whole town is evacuated in the middle of the night except for her. Why, you may ask? Because instead of listening to her well-meaning parents, she sneaks away from home and stays the night at her empty grandparent’s house after trying (and failing) to set up a sleepover. 

After her initial “what happened” moment, she frees George the rottweiler, who becomes her best friend in the book, and plans out her way to survive. She survives looters, who she does not go to for help. That is actually huge in this book, as that could have been her way out. The rest of the book she nags herself about that. She survives a tornado, and an infection from an injury after the tornado, a wildfire caused by lightning, and because of her critical thinking skills, starvation. But this isn't an average survival novel, not at all. Those were not her biggest obstacles. 

Maddie, every single day, has to face the reality that she is alone. To some, this sounds like their biggest dream come true. But after one, two, three years, it chips away at Maddie’s mind. She agonizes over the fact that she can’t see her parents. She misses her stepbrothers and another major part of this book is one of her stepbrother’s essays. She’s asked what would be the hardest thing for a certain character to face: loneliness, fighting for survival, or something else entirely? She answers fighting for survival, but after two years of being alone, she realizes how naive she was back then. Maddie is constantly trying to stave off her loneliness, but to no avail. Books don’t help for long. George, while amazing, is a dog. Nothing compares to a loved one’s voice or a hug from her mother, at least to Maddie. 

What I loved most about this book is what I love about a lot of my favorites: it makes you think. It makes you reflect on yourself as a person and it makes you wonder what it would be like to be in Maddie’s scenario. I love her fights with herself, with religion, and with everything as a whole because it's relatable. With a lot of books out there being published about a female main character and her love interest being the hot guy everyone’s attracted to, this book wasn’t just a breath of fresh air–it was like drinking a glass of water you desperately needed. I seriously recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, action-packed novel. Maybe like me, you’ll be having the same reflections I did.

My Rating and Commentary

As per usual, let’s rate the book! I would actually rate this a 5/5, simply because this book made me feel emotions that don’t crop up while I read. The plot had the typical crazy things that happen in a survival novel (natural disasters, dangerous people, etc), but the plot was extremely easy to follow and it didn’t feel too overkill unlike other books I’ve read. It also felt original but with enough events I’ve read before with a new character experiencing them. It was an easy read in terms of plot. 

The vocabulary was also easy, but this book had a different way of writing than a lot of books I’ve seen! It was written as a poem! I usually hate poem-like books, as they aren’t my preference at all. But this book wrote it in a way where I didn’t have to wade my way through complex metaphors about how she merely got scratched by a dog. Maddie’s perspective through this was refreshing and unique, and probably the first book that is written like a poem that didn’t make me put it down immediately. 

The worldbuilding isn’t too weak as to ruin the story, and it’s honestly just enough for the story to get by. Maddie doesn’t know what’s going on in the world, only that everyone’s been evacuated. She doesn’t find anything out until the end, which makes sense for the way this story is being told. I didn’t feel like there was too much worldbuilding needed, as we are in the perspective of a girl that is isolated from the world. As this is not a fantasy book, it doesn’t need as much as other stories would, but holds up well in Alone. 

The characters are pretty much two. George, a dog, and Maddie, a girl. However, this book goes deep into these characters. George is a sweet and extremely loyal dog, as they all should be in a book like this, but he’s prevalent. He’s Maddie’s only friend and he’s a good one. Maddie, on the other hand, goes through some pretty big changes! She goes from a stuck-up, I’m-full-of-angst girl to a humble girl who uses her thinking skills better than I ever would in a situation like that. She’s intelligent, smart, and makes sure her buddy is taken care of. She learns how awful she had been to her family and regrets it. That's a change within a character and she is an excellent representation of a strong female main character!

I loved Maddie and I loved her dog (my favorite thing about him is that he lived). This book highlighted topics that are very real to us in an unrealistic environment, which I don’t see anymore with the dominance of romance books that are focused on lust only. This was an amazing book, and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in not only survival novels, but a peek into the psychological aspects!

Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) is the general term for illnesses caused by one of two diseases: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Bluetongue Virus (BT). The primary difference in these two diseases is the species that is most severely affected. While BT is most common in domestic livestock, like cows or sheep, and often results in death among cattle, EHD primarily affects wild ruminants, such as Mule Deer, Pronghorn Antelope and most notably, Whitetail Deer. EHD was first reported in 1955, where 700 Whitetail succumbed to the disease in New Jersey, and 13 years later, 440 more died in Alberta during an outbreak. In 2007, the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study reported that an indicated 65,000+ whitetails had died of EHD in a total of 31 U.S states (Haas). Unlike BT, EHD is mostly harmless to livestock, and only really affects deer. The key to lowering rates of Hemorrhagic disease in Whitetail Deer is a community effort to maintain the environment and keep water sources clean.

Both EHD and BT have several subtypes and the severity of the symptoms depends on the subtype. Initially, both diseases are contracted from small, biting midges, or gnats. These insects originate from specific outside environments, predominantly poor-quality water sources (caused by animal waste, decaying vegetation, algal buildup, etc) and surrounding soil (Haas). Populations of these gnats spike during summer, especially in dry periods after rainfall meaning that the effects of EHD and BT go down during fall and winter months, and rise after drought periods (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife). These insects use deer and other animals as blood meals or as reproduction grounds. While both diseases are not contagious directly, gnats use asymptomatic deer as a receptacle until they interact with other deer, or other ruminants (sheep, cattle, horses, etc) where they spread further through bloodborne pathogens.

Most affected Whitetail are asymptomatic for the first 7-8 days after contraction. Symptoms include fever and edema (intense swelling), often drooling or running nose, and often there is swelling in the head, especially in the eye or mouth area. The term “Blue-tongue” comes from the change in color of the tongue due to lack of oxygen. A loss of appetite usually occurs, along with weakness in limbs or hooves. Deer affected by either EHD and BT often die within 8-36 hours of the initial symptoms.

Despite the large number of deaths coming from BT and EHD, there are little long-term effects of HD deaths on the ecosystem, as the population in deer still rebounds within a few years, and there are increased rates of immunity among fawns (Bureau of Wildlife). Because humans can't contract HD, there is no reason to worry about the effect EHD or BT has on venison; regardless, visibly infected or deer that were found dead should never be consumed. 

What is the Cure for Hemorrhagic Disease?

There is no direct cure for Hemorrhagic Disease, so prevention in the wild can be challenging.  The preservation of clean water sources can help lead to a decrease in midge populations, which can in turn lower the rates of HD; many public lands have resorted to putting beneficial bacteria and enzymes to water and surrounding muck to maintain clean water. Public land owners can help by eliminating midge breeding grounds, like still-water sources, and muddy areas surrounding ponds and rivers (Mossy Oak). Prevention of HD in domesticated deer is easier, however, with many owners tagging their deer, as well as stopping spreading means of sharing blood between deer, by using single-use needles and the proper disinfection of tools when used between different animals. 

The prevention of Hemorrhagic disease in Whitetail Deer relies on a community effort to maintain and keep water sources clean, and lower the rates of midge populations on private and public land, especially during drought periods. Although deer populations can retain a balance through repopulation, it's still important that we as a community lower the amount of death caused by this disease.

Works Cited

Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. “Hemorrhagic Disease of Deer.” Cwhl.vet.cornell.edu, 4 Nov. 2016, cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/hemorrhagic-disease-deer. 

Dragon Creek Ranch. “Big Whitetail Deer Buck.” Dragon Creek Ranch, Dragon Creek, 2026, dragoncreekwhitetails.com/pictures/big-whitetail-deer-pic-60.php. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.

Haas, Zach. “EHD-Fense Offers Hunters a New Way to Prevent EHD.” Deeranddeerhunting.com, 2025, www.deeranddeerhunting.com/content/articles/deer-news/ehd-fense-offers-hunters-a-new-way-to-prevent-ehd. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Hemorrhagic Disease - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife.” Ky.gov, 2019, fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Epizootic-Hemorrhagic-Disease-EHD-and-Blue-Tongue.aspx. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Mossy Oak. “EHD Treatment and Prevention.” Www.mossyoak.com, 9 Oct. 2019, www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/deer/ehd-treatment-and-prevention.

New York Bureau of Wildlife. “Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease.” Department of Environmental Conservation, 2021,dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/wildlife-health/animal-diseases

/epizootic-hemorrhagic-disease.

Strickland, Lew. “Bluetongue & Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease.” University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, 15 Feb. 2021. https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/wp-content/

uploads/sites/4/FactSheet_LACS-EHD.pdf 

Texas Parks & Wildlife. “The State of Whitetails|November 2019| TPW Magazine.” Tpwmagazine.com, 2019, tpwmagazine.com/archive/2019/nov/ed_1_whitetails/. 

In today's world, AI is everywhere. We see it on all our devices, in Apps, Social Media, Chat GPT, and in AI videos featuring Jake Paul, but that's not the only place AI is being used. We are seeing AI in places of work in healthcare, finance, marketing, transportation services, and those aren't the only jobs it can and will be used in.  “The International Labour Organization predicts that by 2045, nearly 50% of today's jobs could either be automated or drastically redefined. AI-driven technologies are set to embed themselves deeply into workplaces across every industry, reshaping how we work and what we work on” (Romford). AI technology is becoming more ingrained in our daily lives, but what  lasting effects will it have? A study done by UC Merced gives information on what Americans think about AI infiltrating the workforce and if there is a threat to their jobs.  “These results suggest that Americans’ beliefs about automation risks are stubborn, even when told that human-level AI could arrive within just a few years, people don’t dramatically revise their expectations or demand new policies” (Murray).  In short, many people believe their jobs won’t be threatened by AI.

Customer service is a big part of many jobs. Being able to connect with real people has a major impact on how companies and different places of work function. AI isn't human, it will not be able to connect like a human will. However, AI is starting to take a toll on society's jobs. In the next couple of years, AI will be more advanced at learning and analyzing different data, taking over more jobs. “Globally, 62% of executives say that generative AI can disrupt how their organization designs experiences—and personalization is at the core of this evolution. Generative AI for customer service allows companies to move beyond simple answers and deliver proactive suggestions, tailored recommendations and even solve customer issues before they happen” (Finio and Downie). 

However, organizations and companies receive complaints worldwide because of generative AI answering questions about their company. Most of the time, AI can become more of a problem than a solution in the workforce. “Virtual Learning Assistants (VCA)  are more advanced than basic chatbots. Often used in e-commerce, VCAs are found in mobile apps or smart devices that use conversational AI, which combines Natural Language Processing Models (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) to create human-like interactions. A virtual AI agent can handle more complex tasks like placing orders, resolving account issues or offering product advice, often through both voice and text” (Finio and Downie).

AI is a wonder of a human achievement, but is it helping humanity?   Large-scaled job displacement across the world is happening due to AI’s cheaper cost than paying a professional workforce. 

Works Cited

Finio, Matthew, and Amanda Downie. “AI in Customer Service.” Ibm.com, 15 May 2025, www.ibm.com/think/topics/ai-in-customer-service. 

Murray. “People Don’t Worry about Losing Jobs to AI, Even When Told It Could Happen Soon | University of California, Merced.” Ucmerced.edu, 2025, www.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/people-don%E2%80%99t-worry-about-losing-jobs-ai-even-when-told-it-could-happen-soon. 

Romford, Jill. “What Jobs Has AI Already Replaced — and Which Roles Are Next as It Takes 

over the Workplace.” AgilityPortal, 2025, agilityportal.io/blog/what-jobs-has-ai-already-replaced.  

“What Is the AI Revolution and Why Does It Matter to Your Business? - WIZ.AI.” WIZ.AI, 4 Jan. 2024, www.wiz.ai/what-is-ai-revolution-and-why-does-it-matter-to-your-business/.

The Winter Olympics have come around again this year, and from February 6th to February 22nd athletes from all over the world gathered in Milan, Italy to compete for one—or more—of the coveted Olympic medals. The Paralympics will also be taking place from March 6th through the 15th. The Olympics are a showcase of the best athletes in the world at the height of their talent, and have a long history of attracting a huge audience of people, whether these people have been fans of these sports for years or have no idea what they are.

The Olympics are extremely unique in the way they bring the world together, which is one of the reasons the Olympic stage is so big. Because of the huge influence this event has, Olympic athletes have often used the global stage for subtle and not so subtle acts of protest and commentary on the state of the world. There is a long history of athletes protesting at the Olympics, and certain countries choosing not to participate in the games because of political issues.

One of the earliest examples of protest was in 1906, when long jumper Peter O’Connor climbed a flagpole to raise the Irish flag. This action stemmed from the enforcing of new regulations that compelled him to compete for Great Britain, since Ireland had no Olympic Committee. The green flag he raised displayed the words “Erin Go Bragh,” which means Ireland Forever. O’Connor won gold at three separate competitions, and he waved the flag at each of them. 

Another notable moment in the history of protesting at the Olympics is the entirety of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. These games were more than just a worldwide sporting event—the Summer Olympics were used by Hitler to show Nazi propaganda, causing significant conflicts. Movements to boycott the Berlin Olympics surfaced in multiple countries, with the debate becoming most intense in the United States because of the size of the team that they regularly sent. In the end, individual Jewish athletes from many countries chose to boycott the Olympics, but once the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States opted in a close vote to participate in December 1935, other countries fell in line and the boycott movement failed. This failure to take a stand was so pivotal that some observers at the time claimed if the boycotts had succeeded it may have given Hitler pause and bolstered international resistance to Nazi tyranny. 

There were still smaller acts of resistance though, such as the nine athletes who were Jewish or of Jewish parentage who won medals, or the accomplishments of Jesse Owens in winning four gold medals and setting Olympic records in all of his events. These successes taking place clearly contradicted Hitler’s belief in the Aryan race being superior. In the end, though, Germany emerged victorious from the Berlin Olympics, both on the field and off. On the field, German athletes received the most medals, and German hospitality and organization won the praises of visitors. All of the pomp and propaganda of these Olympics were merely a facade, though, hiding the racist and violently oppressive regime that was growing under Hitler. 

During the 1968 Mexico City Olympics one of the most memorable protests took place as two Black U.S. athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, stood on the podium after winning gold and bronze, respectively, in the 200-m race. The men raised their fists into a Black Power salute during the U.S. national anthem. This move, with their hands in black gloves, marked a silent expression of Black unity and power. 

This is not where the story ends, though—when considering these kinds of protests we cannot ignore the real life consequences that come with them. Smith and Carlos were condemned by the IOC for what the sporting body called a “deliberate and violent breach of the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit.” The athletes were suspended from the games and sent home for their defiant gesture, and they even received death threats. Their decision to protest would ultimately hinder their sporting careers, as the pair was criticised by the media and ostracized by the sporting community.

Not all political acts at the Olympics are even peaceful. On September 5th, 1972, during the Munich Games, the Palestinian commando group Black September seized the Israeli Olympic team quarters at the Olympic Village. They held eleven Israeli athletes and coaches hostage and eventually killed them after attempts to negotiate for their freedom failed.

It is also important to note that protesting is not always done by athletes alone, as seen in that example, and in many others. In 1976, in a collective show of solidarity, around 28 African countries boycotted the Montreal Olympics over the IOC’s inclusion of New Zealand. This came amidst the high tensions because of South Africa’s apartheid regime.

One of the most recent instances of protesting was Ethiopian runner Feyisa Lilesa’s actions at the 2016 Rio Games. Lilesa raised his crossed arms above his head as he reached the finish line of the men’s marathon, a nod to deadly protests taking place in Oromia, his home region in Ethiopia, despite fears it could have resulted in him being killed or imprisoned by the government when he returned home.

There are, of course, other instances of protest that have not been mentioned, but there are less than one might think. This is mostly because of Rule 50—a rule under the Olympic Charter which prevents all athletes from taking part in any "form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations”.

As clearly shown throughout history, though, Rule 50 is not always followed, and there is always the possibility for a new athlete to join the ranks of O’Connor, Smith, Carlos, or Lilesa in refusing to stay quiet. The Milano Cortina Games came around during a time of increasing tensions in countries around the world this year, which caused the possibility of this much more likely. Even at the opening ceremony there were minor tensions, with the crowd booing Vice President JD Vance during his speech. Anti-ICE protests led by students in Milan also started as early as the day of the opening ceremony in response to ICE coming with Team U.S.A. to Italy. Team U.S.A. was at the center of most tensions this year, with freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess, as well as figure skater Amber Glenn, all speaking out about the inner conflict they feel representing Team U.S.A. in light of the recent events in their country. President Trump responded to Hess’ comments, calling him "a real Loser" and saying it was "very hard to root for" him.

Most other attempts at protest were shut down by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) before they could occur. The Haitian Olympic team was forced to remove a depiction of Toussaint Louverture from their opening ceremony uniforms because the IOC determined that his presence on their clothing violated Olympic policies on political expression. Many Ukrainian athletes also attempted to speak out for their country, including Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was banned from wearing a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russo–Ukrainian War, as the IOC stated that the helmet violated the Olympic Charter's guideline on demonstrations and "political, religious or racial propaganda". In the end, the 2026 Milano Cortina Games were relatively unsurprising, although still very affected by the tensions around the world. The Olympics are a wonderful celebration of athletics and the variety of sports around the world, but we cannot ignore all of the outside tensions every country brings with them and the way that affects the athletes that represent them.

Works Cited

Syed, Armani. “A History of Political Protest at the Olympics.” Time, Time, 31 July 2024, time.com/7005819/political-protest-olympics-history/. 

“1936 Olympics: Berlin Games and the Nazi Regime  | Holocaust Encyclopedia.” Holocaust Encyclopedia, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nazi-olympics-berlin-1936.

“A Long History of Politics and Protest at the Olympics.” NBC Bay Area, 7 Feb. 2022, www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/a-long-history-of-politics-and-protest-at-the-olympics/2803756.

“Rule 50: A History of Protests at the Olympic Games.” BBC Newsround, 5 June 2021,www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57357068#:~:text=What's%20been%20said%20about%20the,what%20they've%20been%20about.

The Rocky Horror Show, created by Richard O’Brien, premiered “at the Royal Court Theater in London on June 19, 1973. The film adaptation—whose name was elongated slightly to The Rocky Horror Picture Show—was released in the United States on September 26, 1975.” “The Rocky Horror Show [is] a musical about a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who take refuge in the castle of cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter during a storm. After the doctor brings his new muscle-bound creation Rocky to life, the foursome becomes entangled in a love square, all while the castle’s alien butler and maid plot to return to their home in outer space” (Wakeman). I chose to write about this musical because of its cult following and the community surrounding it. This piece will address the key figures, influences, themes, and impacts surrounding The Rocky Horror Show.

“‘From start to finish, [Rocky Horror] is a lighthearted and very loving parody of horror movies of the 1930s and campy science fiction movies of the 1950s,’ says Jeffrey Weinstock, editor of the 2008 book Reading Rocky Horror: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Popular Culture. ‘It unveils, in a not very subtle way, the sexual subtext that existed within all those films’...” The show is very much a product of its time, “building on and responding to the 1960s counterculture movement, gay and sexual liberation, and second-wave feminism” (Wakeman). These themes of self expression and openness are why Rocky Horror has largely become a safe space primarily for those in the LGBTQ+ community, but, as creator Richard O’Brien explains, “it was never intended to [be that]; it’s just a musical comedy with no message, not trying to say anything. Simply to entertain, make us laugh, tap our foot, and to go home giggling. That was basically the premise, and it remains so” (Taylor).

There were numerous key figures in the creation of Rocky Horror, each having influences on the production that can still be seen today. Richard O'Brien is indisputably the most significant individual in the History of Rocky Horror, as he both created The Rocky Horror Show and played Frank-N-Furter’s hunchbacked butler Riff Raff (Taylor). “Richard's brilliance really was just, you know, it was really like reaching up a hand into the zeitgeist and just grabbing, you know, '50s horror movies, Sandra Dee, comic books and '50s rock and roll, and just hurling them all together with, you know, some fishnet tights thrown in,” explained Tim Curry, another notable figure when it comes to Rocky Horror. Tim Curry “played the cross-dressing scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter” (Gross), and O’Brien is quoted saying “I’ve often wondered, if it was any other performer, would we have had the same success? He really did step up. He just had this presence, this aura. I remember the women would be looking at him in his German Expressionist makeup and his ripped fishnet stockings, and they’d be saying he was attractive, and the men sitting next to them would surprise themselves by agreeing” (Wakeman). Another person that left their mark on the musical is Jim Sharman, director of The Rocky Horror Show who’s “unique vision was informed by the works of Kubrick, Jean-Luc Godard, Lou Reed, Andy Warhol, Weimar cabaret and German opera” (Moyle).

The Rocky Horror Show wouldn’t have the same campy unorthodox feel without the unique designs & production elements that went into it. Sue Blane, the costume designer for Rocky Horror, explained in an interview “I'm not really that interested in recreating a certain era when I design. I like to concentrate on minute details instead, like wondering what type of pen Dr. Scott has in his pocket, whether his tie has stripes or not, or whether he's got holes in his maroon socks. It also helps the actors tremendously in creating their characters” (Morrisroe). In an interview with set designer Brian Thompson, he discusses the fact that Rocky Horror, for the most part, lacked set design. “Once we hit on the idea that it was a derelict cinema we were able to fashion our ideas very cheaply. In a way The Rocky Horror Show is an example of anti-set design. All you are really presenting to the audience is a big white movie screen” (Morrisroe).

The Rocky Horror Show, and later The Rocky Horror Picture Show, provides a safe space for the “marginalized and disenfranchised” to this day (Wakeman). Admittedly, there are numerous aspects of the musical that are outdated. “In recent years, the film has drawn criticism for its use of dated and offensive terms like transvestite and transsexual, and for its depiction of sexual coercion, misogyny and disrespectful portrayal of disability” (Woelfle), but these shortcomings do not negate the acceptance and community Rocky Horror provides.

The Rocky Horror Show is a cultural phenomenon that wouldn’t be the same without the artists and performers that made it. The musical’s cult following truly embodies the musical’s message: “Don’t dream it, be it”

Works Cited

Gross, Terry. “Tim Curry remembers his first film role in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.'” NPR, 21 March 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5334567/tim-curry-remember-his-first-film-role-in-the-rocky-horror-picture-show. Accessed 28 January 2026.

Morrisroe, Patricia. “Brian Thomson Interview (1979).” Rocky Music, 1979, http://www.rockymusic.org/showdoc/BrianThomson-1979Interview.php.

Morrisroe, Patricia. “Sue Blane Interview (1979).” Rocky Music, 1979, http://www.rockymusic.org/showdoc/SueBlane-1979Interview.php.

Moyle, John. “Sharman relives his musical journey.” 9 News, 2 8 2008, https://web.archive.org/web/20090709132643/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=608067.

Taylor, Katherine. “Interview: Richard O’Brien of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The Big Takeover, 31 10 2025, https://bigtakeover.com/interviews/interview-richard-obrien-of-the-rocky-horror-picture-show.

Wakeman, Gregory. “'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' Started Out as a Critical Flop. Fifty Years Later, the Beloved Film Is a Cultural Phenomenon.” Smithsonian Magazine, 25 September 2025, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-rocky-horror-picture-show-started-out-as-a-critical-flop-fifty-years-later-the-beloved-film-is-a-cultural-phenomenon-180987393/. Accessed 27 January 2026.

It’s starting to feel like AI is found in everything that we consume, all our social media, ads in the superbowl and even our search engines.  And new challenges are presented with every new update made to ChatGPT. Excessive amounts of energy are wasted on every image generated, and AI is infiltrating the arts, making it impossible to tell what’s human and what’s robot. But is this issue as relevant as it seems? Should we be worried, or is it time to accept our fate? (Spoiler alert, it’s not.)

Recently, an AI generated artist named Xania Monet’s breakout single, “How Was I Supposed to Know?” made it into Billboard’s R&B Digital Song sales top 10, as well as No. 22 on the overall Digital Song sales chart (Melville 3). This is a cause for concern. Although her creator has called Xania an extension of herself, how much of that extension is trained on another human's hard work and creativity? Even her name, Xania Monet, is a combination of other female singers: Shania Twayne and Janelle Monae. These two women worked hard to make their names known and now they’re being thrown together and skewed to create an AI artist. If the use of generative AI in the songwriting process continues to grow and inspire others to create AI music of their own, this will lead to a massacre of their craft. The worst part? There’s a chance the average listener won’t even notice. According to a survey by French streaming platform Deezer, “97% couldn’t tell the difference between fully AI-generated music and human-made music in a blind test with two AI songs and one real song” (Deezer 5). What’s worse, “52% felt uncomfortable with not being able to tell the difference between AI and human-made music.” (Deezer 5). With these numbers, what’s stopping people from producing soulless AI-Generated music trained on stolen melodies and voices, and making more money than they need? Without the soul, there is no music. C.J. Farley, an author for TIME, shares a similar statement. “This practice anthropomorphizes AI in a way that’s unearned. They should be referred to not as AI artists or musicians, but as AI products” (Farley 6). AI can never be human, as it’s only capable of mimicking the human experience. And that experience is what separates AI music from real music. It can never be real. 

Not only is AI a thief to all human creativity, AI contributes to a massive amount of energy waste. To train generative AI, you need graphic processing units (GPUs) which are specialized circuits that were originally designed to help speed up the creation of photos and videos. And because the process relies heavily on GPUs, AI has taken hold of data centers, and as the Penn State Institute of Energy has discovered, “AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), requires enormous computational resources. Training these models involves thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) running continuously for months, leading to high electricity consumption” (Kandemir 4). As well as a massive energy waste, training and running AI models requires an absurd amount of water to simply cool down the hard drives. “Chilled water is used to cool a data center by absorbing heat from computing equipment. It has been estimated that, for each kilowatt hour of energy a data center consumes, it would need two liters of water for cooling” (Zewe 8). As stated by Adam Zewe, generative AI requires a large amount of resources to be ‘effective’. The very low payoff of ChatGPT is not worth the high price of the water and energy wasted. These data centers, which house a large amount of GPUs and require thousands of liters of water to continue functioning, consume up to 1,287 megawatts of electricity (enough to power about 120 average U.S. homes for a year) by just training models.  It takes very little time to waste all this water, and though it’s not a specified gallon per use amount, this process is wasteful and destructive and the usage builds on itself until we reach the point we’re at now. It’s clear that creating these AI artists damages far more than the creative process.

Music should make you feel something, whether that’s an explosion of happiness or stomach-turning sadness, or any other emotion our messy, complicated bodies can experience. We experience everything in such a confusing and unique way, and it’s amazing to know that there’s someone out there who can capture the way you’re feeling and put it into song. ANd music brings people together, that connection, that understanding you share with the artist who performed a song that speaks to you. It’s a way to make friends and share things with them tha bring you closer together. That is why the listening experience and creative process of music is such an important part of culture. We’ve told stories through songs since the beginning of time, through hymns from church that preach the word of a book that’s connected communities, tribal songs passed down through generations that describe the core of a culture, to something as simple as a lullaby, a mother pouring all of her heart into the words to soothe her baby. Music has always brought humans together, and no AI voice could ever take that connection away.

Works Cited

Farley, C.J. “It’s Time to Rage Against the AI Music Machine.” TIME, 2025, It’s Time to Rage Against the AI Music Machine. Accessed 19 December 2025.

Kandemir, Mahmut. “AI's Energy Demand: Challenges and Solutions for a Sustainable Future.” Institute of Energy and the Environment, 8 April 2025, https://iee.psu.edu/news/blog/why-ai-uses-so-much-energy-and-what-we-can-do-about-it. Accessed 19 December 2025.

Melville, Doug. “AI Singer Xania Monet Just Charted On Billboard, Signed $3 Million Deal. Is This The Future Of Music?” Forbes, 27 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelville/2025/09/27/al-singer-xania-monet-just-charted-on-billboard-signed-3m-deal-is-this-the-future-of-music/. Accessed 19 December 2025.

Wendel, Jesper. “Deezer and Ipsos study: AI fools 97% of listeners.” Deezer Newsroom, 12 November 2025, https://newsroom-deezer.com/2025/11/deezer-ipsos-survey-ai-music/. Accessed 19 December 2025.

Zewe, Adam. “Explained: Generative AI's environmental impact.” MIT News, 17 January 2025, https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117. Accessed 19 December 2025.

On the morning of December 26th, 1996, 6 year old pageant star JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado. But who would take such an innocent, young life? The Boulder Police Department has received over 1,000 tips on the killing of Jon Benet and the media has had nonstop coverage for the 29 years since it happened. However, until this day, almost 30 years later, this question still remains unanswered, and the case unsolved due to the abundance of overlapping evidence and contradicting ideas, causing neither the police nor the public to come into an agreement and no official killer has been sentenced or even tried. Thus, it is declared it a “Cold Case.” 

The Life She Never Got To Complete

JonBenet Ramsey was born August 6 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia to parents Patsy Ramsey and John Ramsey who subscribed her to the pageant life pretty much since she was born, going on to win many major awards like Little Miss Colorado and America’s Royal Miss. The Pageant industry is known to be abusive towards kids, and the high pressure from JonBenet’s mother and the insane media attention did not make it any easier for her; however, no one would expect that a little girl so full of life would be found deceased on the morning after Christmas. 

The Scene 

On that fateful morning, Patsy Ramsey called the Boulder police department to report her missing daughter; she later found a ransom note demanding 118,000 for the release of JonBenet. Two officers were immediately sent to the scene, but still no child was found. John Ramsey and a family friend headed over to the basement and found a broken window, a suitcase, and not much later, JonBenet’s cold body tied up and with a slab of duck tape covering her mouth. The autopsy revealed that JonBenet’s cause of death was strangulation and a blow to the head. 1,400+ pieces of evidence have been released about the case which have raised suspicion on many people, causing many theories to arise; yet none of them seem to perfectly align or find a prime suspect. Many of these ideas say that JonBenet might have been sexually abused and some of the most popular ones name a family member as the killer of JonBenet.

Someone From The Inside 

As the Boulder Police Department investigated, they named JonBenet’s parents as suspects almost immediately as much of the evidence seemed to frame them. For example, some of the most obvious evidence includes the ransom note found by Patsy Ramsey, which matched her handwriting almost exactly; and the amount demanded for ransom was 118,000 which was the same amount as John’s bonus for the year. In addition, there were no footsteps found on the snow or specific signs of an intruder. Officer Linda Ardndt has also kept her suspicion of the family no secret as she has repeatedly mentioned how John almost immediately headed to the basement (a mainly unused part of his house) and found his child’s lifeless body and carried it upstairs despite being told not to mess with evidence.  However, in 1998 a grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy Ramsey for child abuse leading to death and accessory to a crime but the charges were declined by prosecutors on the case due to lack of major evidence. 

People have also accused JonBenet’s older brother, Burke Ramsey, of causing his sister’s death. The main idea is that Burke got into a violent fight with his sister and he somehow hit her in a way that killed her, which the parents hid in order to not lose another child. This theory is supported by the fact that an indent almost perfectly fit to a flashlight found on the kitchen table was found on JonBenet’s head during the autopsy, however, no DNA evidence of JonBenet or Burke was found on the flashlight. This theory becomes even more believable when the undigested pineapple in the child’s stomach, also found during the autopsy, is taken into account. Some suggest that JonBenet took a piece of pineapple from her brother and he struck her with the flashlight in a fit of rage, knocking his sister out and killing her. John Ramsey acknowledged this in the 2024 documentary, “Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?” where upright denied it and recalled multiple encounters where he and wife Patsy had to cover Burke’s eyes when passing by magazines in grocery stores because the magazines were filled with ideas about this theory and they wanted to protect him. CBS released a docuseries in 2016 that proposed the flashlight theory; Burke later sued CBS for $750 million to “redress the permanent damage.” To which a private settlement was set in 2019, with no public result.

Intruder 

Another possible explanation for the murder of Jon-Benet is that there was in fact an intruder. John Ramsey himself suspects a masked intruder who raped a 12 year old girl in Boulder a few months after JonBenet was murdered; this man’s name has not been revealed. Some other suspects include a mall Santa Clause and multiple people involved within the pageant industry.

With all this evidence, the Boulder police department has failed to find and charge a suspect within the past 30 years. However, the police department still hasn’t given up and advancements are made every day with this case, so maybe one day we will find out who killed JonBenet. 

Works Cited

“JonBenet Ramsey (Homicide).” City of Boulder, https://bouldercolorado.gov/jonbenet-ramsey-homicide. Accessed 9 February 2026.

“JonBenet Ramsey Murder Fast Facts.” CNN, https://www.cnn.com/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts. Accessed 9 February 2026.

Lovitt, Bryn. “Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? 8 Possible Suspects.” Rolling Stone, 12 October 2016, https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/who-killed-jonbenet-ramsey-8-possible-suspects-129125/the-brother-129299/. Accessed 9 February 2026.

Sager, Jessica. “Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey? All the Possible Suspects Investigated In the Pageant Queen's Unsolved Case.” People.com, 27 November 2024, https://people.com/who-killed-jonbenet-ramsey-possible-suspects-8752345. Accessed 9 February 2026.

“Why Is JonBenét Ramsey's Murder Still Unsolved? Reexamining the Death.” People.com, 25 November 2024, https://people.com/what-happened-to-jonbenet-ramsey-8751259. Accessed 9 February 2026.

Cambridge Dictionary defines fatigue as an “extreme tiredness,” but in the concept of engineering, it can mean a “weakness in something, such as a metal part or structure, often caused by repeated bending.” Black Fatigue would be a perfect example of this: a repeated action, such as microaggressions, systemic racism, and the general racial caste system in America, causing a chronic weakness in Black health: mentally and physically.

What is Black Fatigue? 

Coined in the book “Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit” by Mary-Frances Winters, where she describes this type of tired as “repeated variations of stress that result in extreme exhaustion and cause mental, physical, and spiritual maladies that are passed down from generation to generation” (Winters). Calling it a  “deeply embedded fatigue that takes inordinate amounts of energy to overcome,”  and “a near-impossible attempt to keep the optimistic attitude and a faith in the idea that ‘we shall overcome someday’” (Winters). A perfect example of Black Fatigue would be why Winters wrote her book, it was a “response to what [she] heard from Black employees in corporate spaces” (Winters). These employees, usually millennials, have to deal with everything from microaggressions to unintentional implicit biases to racial slurs. But, these employees remained silent, due to a fear of being called “too sensitive,”  losing  their job, or not being believed. These actions are the remnants of the anti-Black racism that’s still plaguing the Black community today. 

So, we’ve already established the true meaning of Black Fatigue: chronic, persistent exhaustion stemming from systemic racism. That brings us to the opposite of this spectrum of fatigue.

What is White Fatigue? 

Coined in a 2015 article, then book “White Fatigue: Naming the Challenge in Moving from an Individual to a Systemic Understanding of Racism” (ERIC). Joseph Flynn coined the term “White Fatigue” to give a name to the fatigue of “White students who have grown tired of learning and discussing race and racism” (ERIC). Even if the White students are aware of “the moral imperative of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices,” White Fatigue isn’t to be joined in meaning with White resistance, White guilt, or White fragility (ERIC). The differences in feeling (as compared to Black students) consist of white superiority, guilt and remorse or shutting down. Another perfect example of White Fatigue would be a group of white students going quiet during a presentation about white privilege and police brutality to Black people, or a white student backing down from a group after they decided to research white privilege and its effects on U.S. citizens. 

Most of the effects of White Fatigue barely compare to Black Fatigue, usually only leading to uncomfort, feelings of being overwhelmed, and a sense of exhaustion. 

How Have They Been Portrayed On Social Media? 

On platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (Who calls it X anyways?) and TikTok, the exact meanings of White and Black Fatigue have seemed to have become blurred. People have started to use Black Fatigue incorrectly, usually as a way to show “an exhaustion with both Black culture, and the prioritization of Black people” (Rolling Stone). Comments can range from, “It’s when I can hear you 10 aisles away in Walmart with your [f***ing] five kids,” to “When you have no home training and no idea how to act in public” (Rolling Stone). The whole idea surrounding people thinking, “We’re tired of the ghetto ratchet (using the word to describe Black people as “overly hood”) behavior,” only shows how Black Fatigue has been morphed into a shield for supposedly conspicuous racist rhetoric. 

On the other hand, White Fatigue has also been portrayed in a different way than its meaning online, usually as a way for Black people to say “You’re tired of us? We’re tired of you, too.” The only difference with how it’s portrayed is how White and Black Fatigue are talked about online in general. Black Fatigue is mostly called racist by Black people, but sometimes, White people agree with the mistaken meaning. White Fatigue’s mistaken meaning, mostly has little rebuttal, and only discusses widespread stereotypes about White people. Both were taken in by the internet and molded into apparent fatigue of how races act, showing how people can alter any word, event, thing, or even photo to try to change others’ narratives, especially to justify their horrific wrongdoings.

The Pejoration of “Race Fatigue”

The internet adopted a phrase that a racist molded into yet another form of hate speech. Then people began to fight back, posting photos and videos of racist White people, then saying they have White Fatigue. In this case, the internet took a phrase, and flipped it against the people it was originally for. Made for a minority, then used against them.

On platforms with Charlie Kirk-ifyed photos, Epstein jokes, racist videos of the Obamas being portrayed as monkeys, White people casually saying the N-word as if it’s “just a word,” and people in actual blackface, Black Fatigue can be felt even after you’ve scrolled away. Even offline, White Fatigue can cause you to pull away from the discussion about race and belonging after your only Black classmate said they feel like they don’t belong in class. So, even if you think you’re having Black Fatigue because you’ve met a Black woman who was “stereotypical,” or you think you’re gaining White Fatigue because you despise boiled chicken, you’re not. 

My advice to people in the United States, there never will be You vs. Them. There is no my gender vs. their gender, my wealth vs. their wealth, my knowledge vs. their knowledge, my age vs. their age. We all fall under the same government, and the same harsh political powers. We are all Americans. 

Work Cited

Jones, CT. “Black Fatigue: Origins of an Online Racist Punchline.” Rolling Stone, 2 July 2025, 

www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/black-fatigue-racist-punchline-hijacked-1235377440/.

The relationships you have as a child and as a teen with your friends,  family, and educators can affect how you generate and build your relationships when you become an adult. Healthy relationships with the people around you as a minor can have a very positive effect on your adult life, resulting in healthy relationships with co-workers, family, and friends. It can even alter the way you lead relationships or create intimate relationships with others. However, unhealthy relationships with family, friends, acquaintances, and educators as a child, can affect the way the child will view others later in life as an adult. The repercussions of child trauma, is the child could develop insecure attachment styles, difficulty with emotional regulation and communication, lower relationship satisfaction, internalized harmful dynamics, trust issues, hypervigilance, and even negative expectations.

 Some of the repercussions and ripple effects with childhood trauma are trust issues known as a symptom of childhood trauma, when a child’s need for safety is transgressed by the adults that are the primary caretakers that the child depends on. It can lead to the child believing that people in general are not safe..

 As Harmony United Psychiatric Care claims, “One of the most common effects of childhood trauma on adult relationships is trust issues. When a child experiences trauma, they may learn that the people they trust the most, such as parents or caregivers, can hurt them. This can lead to difficulties trusting others in adulthood, making forming close and meaningful relationships challenging” (Harmony United Psychiatric Care). Focusing on internalized harmful dynamics as another known associated symptom, is that the individuals could standardize unfit and maladjusted behaviors learned in the abusive childhood environments, such as manipulation, or emotional abuse. They could repeat these patterns in relationships, intimate or not, connections or acquaintances with other individuals,  not knowing  they are replicating these toxic, and unhealthy relationship habits into adulthood. 

This happens because these actions feel familiar, comfortable, and correct to them. More reasons is that they just learned these ways of relating from their parents because their parents were constantly fighting and then the child will subconsciously think that it is normal to have an abusive relationship. 

This also distorts their view of relationships because as a child they spent most of it in a toxic environment. The ripple effect of this is it can cause them to see toxic relationships whether it’s intimate, family, or friends as normal and acceptable relationships and then that is how they would repeat them in their own relationships as an adult. As Kaytee Gillis states, “There is a strong correlation between experiencing childhood abuse and entering abusive relationships in adulthood (Black et al., 2010). Individuals who were abused as children may subconsciously seek out partners who replicate familiar dynamics of control or manipulation. This phenomenon, known as repetition compulsion, reflects an unconscious attempt to master or resolve unresolved trauma from the past, albeit in a destructive manner (Levy, 1998).Not surprisingly, many survivors of childhood abuse find themselves attracted to partners who exhibit traits similar to their abusive caregivers. This attraction is not necessarily conscious or intentional but is rooted in familiar patterns of relating and distorted perceptions of love and intimacy” (Kaytee Gillis). 

Insecure attachment dynamics can lead to anxious and disorganized attachment patterns in the child's adulthood. This can develop or become a fear of abandonment, feeling distant emotionally, and even manifest into unhealthy relationships or chaotic relationships physically and emotionally.

  For example, mental abuse from your friends or physical abuse from your parents can lead to lasting effects leading up to adulthood and beyond. It may also lead to bad habits and disruptions, or delays in brain development and other long term effects. Such as PTSD, chronic anxiety, depression, heart disease, obesity, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem and self blame, dissociation, immune and stress- response system changes, and even cancer. 

As the Child Welfare Information Gateway states, “such as damage to a child's growing brain, can have psychological implications such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties. Psychological problems often manifest as high-risk behaviors. Depression and anxiety, for example, may make a person more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or illicit drugs, or overeat. High-risk behaviors, in turn, can lead to long-term physical health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity” (Child welfare information gateway). To broaden on the explanation of long-term effects of childhood trauma. Focusing on dissociation, which happens in cases of severe trauma. 

Which means some people may generate Dissociative Identity Disorder also known as DID and use this as a coping tool. DID is a complex psychological condition. In which an individual has two or more different personality states, mind sets, or identities. Which may take turns controlling the person's behavior affecting their actions and words.

The cause of this psychological condition is, it is often used as a coping mechanism in response to extreme traumatic events, especially during early childhood.

Works Cited

Administration for Children and Families. “Trauma.” Acf.gov, 2025, acf.gov/trauma-toolkit/historical-trauma-concept.

“Trauma.” Acf.gov, 2025, acf.gov/trauma-toolkit/historical-trauma-concept.

Gillis, Kaytee. “The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Relationships.” Psychology Today, 13 Sept. 2024, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-bruises/202407/the-impact-of-childhood-trauma-on-adult-relationships.

Harmony United Psychiatric Care. “How Childhood Trauma Affects Adult Relationships and Also How It Affects Behavioral Health - Best Psychiatry, Mental Health Clinic, Top 10 Psychiatrist in Florida.” Hupcfl.com, 25 Dec. 2023, hupcfl.com/how-childhood-trauma-affects-adult-relationships-and-also-how-it-affects-behavioral-health/.

“Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect.” Www.aaets.org, www.aaets.org/traumatic-stress-library/long-term-consequences-of-child-abuse-and-neglect.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Aug. 2023,www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037.

Nelson, Charles A, et al. “Adversity in Childhood Is Linked to Mental and Physical Health throughout Life.” BMJ, vol. 371, no. 371, 28 Oct. 2020, www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3048, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3048.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. “Effects of Childhood Trauma.” The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2018, www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects.