GOING BEYOND THE HASHTAG OF #STOPASIANHATE
By Helen Gao
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Ever since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, the number of anti-Asian attacks has significantly risen in the United States, increasing the cry to end violence against Asian Americans. Many individuals have used the #StopAsianHate hashtag in order to spread awareness, but has it really been enough to support the Asian community?
According to an article in Newsweek titled “'Stop Asian Hate' Goes Viral As People Speak Out After Atlanta Shootings”, a series of mass shootings known as the Atlanta shootings occurred at three massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia, during which eight people were killed, many of whom were Asian women.
Additionally, there have been many other instances of anti-Asian violence, including numerous attacks on Asian elders. After these occurrences, the #StopAsianHate hashtag went viral on Twitter, as numerous users including celebrities and politicians demanded an end to Asian discrimination. The goal of this hashtag has been to spread awareness about the anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice around the world.
Bayside High School junior Abigail Jung, an Asian American herself, relates to anti-Asian attacks personally. Jung has seen the way these hate crimes have affected her and her friends daily lives, stating, “We second guess going on the bus, hanging out in the city, and going to the park because we are afraid of what could happen to us.”
Additionally, Bayside High School junior Isabella Wooten states that it is very disheartening to see the discrimination and violence against Asian Americans. “As a black person, I understand and empathize with the Asian community and how they fear for their grandparents.”
According to the Hollywood Insider’s article titled “#Stopasianhate: Increasing Anti-Asian Racism and Attacks – Go Beyond Performative Activism and a Hashtag”, one way to further help the Asian community is to learn more about the history of systemic racism and the struggles the Asian community has faced.
Although Bayside High School Physics Teacher Mrs. Norwich believes that the #StopAsianHate hashtag is a good way to show support, she also says that people could further contribute by “supporting Asian owned businesses and nonprofits that are supporting the cause, contacting local and state governments to show support and passing legislation to fight hate crimes, and attending anti-hate rallies.”
However, Bayside High School Video Journalism Teacher Mr. Fodera believes that the hashtag has done nothing to make a real difference. Mr. Fodera stated, “I know that some of my friends, who are extremely active members of the Asian community, have suggested ways to further the community such as supporting local Asian-owned small businesses and tipping generously or attending Bystander Intervention classes and/or any Rally Against Hate demonstrations that are organized. Dedicating time and energy is always more effective than a hashtag.”
Some organizations that support the Asian community are the Asian Mental Health Collective, Stop AAPI Hate, Gold House, and Hate is a Virus. There are also many donation websites, like GoFundMe, where you can directly donate money to the victims of the Atlanta Spa shooting and other anti-Asian attacks.
MUSIC GENRES CREATE
DIFFERENT MINDSETS
By Julia Ramsaroop
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Many people listen to music as a source of joy and satisfaction, a tactic used to distract people from their current life by getting themselves into a different mood with music; however, there are numerous mental advantages too. Music can loosen up the brain, invigorate the body, and even assist individuals with managing pain. If you have ever felt pumped up while listening to your favorite song or been moved to tears by a delicate live performance, then you can understand the power music has on our emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
Researchers claim that classical and meditation music have the best mood-boosting benefits, whereas metal and hard electronic music were considered to have the opposite effect. A recent study conducted by Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab International has proven that instrumental, classical, or ambient music can reduce anxiety by up to 65%. Music can certainly have an impact on one’s mood, making them happy or distraught depending on the lyrics and/or melody throughout the song, proving that the genre of music makes a difference on one’s mindset.
Bayside High School sophomore Gregory Miller adds, “whenever I listen to simply instrumental music, I can feel my anxiety going down and really having the ability to focus more on the present than worrying about the future.” Bayside High School sophomore Allison Smith agreed, stating that “classical and meditation music is relaxing and sharpens my focus.”
In addition, different genres of music have shown to affect the emotional regulation process for individuals. According to an article from Science Daily titled “Music Listening Habits Tell About Mental Health”, “Brain imaging reveals how neural responses to different types of music really affect the emotion regulation of individuals. The study proves that especially men who process negative feelings with music react negatively to aggressive and sad music.”
On the contrary, an article from OpenMinds titled “5 Positive Effects Music Has on Your Mental Health” states, “Researchers from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behavior and Development have found that music increases memory and retention as well as maximizes learning capabilities. Our brains trigger particular emotions, memories and thoughts, which often leads to more positive effects toward mental health.” This explains that songs such as “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion, “Peaches” by Justin Bieber (feat. Daniel Caesar & GIVEON), “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat (feat. SZA), and “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande will “get your brain and body moving, making you amped up and motivated to enjoy what’s ahead.”
Bayside High School freshman Isabella Diaz states that “a fun, versatile playlist is the key to a happy mood, which is why I often listen to the latest pop songs.” Bayside High School senior Adrianna Jones adds on to say “although I prefer a lot of popular songs, I also, once in a while, like to go into a calm state of mind by listening to some Beethoven or some form of instrumental meditation music.”
While music is listened to based on personal preference, music can not only move and engage your brain, but can also improve your wellbeing and prosperity. Rather than listening to music as pure entertainment, consider how it can increase one’s overall quality of life by bringing positivity, increasing one’s ability to focus, and decreasing stress levels.
COEXISTENCE OF HUMANITY AND
NATURE HARMS MOTHER EARTH
By Fiona Zhuo
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As the global recovery of humanity began alongside the recession of COVID-19, the devastation of our environment has worsened more than ever before.
According to an article from WCAX-TV titled “Also roaring back from pandemic: Earth-warming emissions”, carbon dioxide emissions have surged by approximately 5% worldwide especially across Asia and the United States as economies poured their cash into fossil fuels. This past year interval over the span of 2021 to 2020 has been recorded to be the second highest increase for carbon dioxide emissions in history.
As seen in an article from TIME titled “Global Carbon Emissions Set for Second-Largest Annual Increase in History in 2021 Despite COVID-19 Restrictions” by Ciara Nugent, in 2020, greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide) had plunged 5.8% worldwide due to restrictions that followed the COVID-19 outbreak, slowing down life and economic growth. This gave hope for many that there was finally a chance for the environment to repair and restore itself, undisturbed by human activity.
Unfortunately, this trend was soon reversed as the COVID-19 vaccine became worldwide and allowed people to work and meet up again. The economy reopened, many striving to “catch up” with what they had lost. As stated in an article from World Resources Institute titled “Responding to Coronavirus: Low-carbon Investments Can Help Economies Recover” by Helen Mountford, this can be compared to the soar of 6% in emissions after an economic rebound from the 2008 financial crisis, after economies utilized cheap fossil fuels to stimulate production. The same mistakes are made once again. People also want to move on and do more now, especially after virtually wasting a year of their life at home from quarantine and lockdowns. And according to Nugent, as a result of this, the rise in the use of fossil fuels for this year has been predicted to surge by 4.5%.
Bayside High School sophomore Isabella Pena says, “I found that commuting from Queens to Staten Island became much more difficult as traffic picked up again after lockdown restrictions became more lenient. I assume that as people started getting on the road again, carbon emissions have increased.”
Nugent continues on to state, “China’s government ramped up plans for new coal-fired power stations during the pandemic, a move climate campaigners say contradicts the country’s pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2060. China’s coal-fired power plants account for around one third of global coal consumption.” While Earth is at stake with a climate crisis, will China act on contradicting thoughts?
An article from The Guardian titled, “Carbon Emissions to Soar in 2021 by Second Highest Rate in History” by Fiona Harvey, states, “US President Joe Biden is convening a climate summit this week, with the leaders of 40 countries expected to attend, at which he will urge countries to come forward with strong commitments on cutting emissions this decade. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said this was an opportunity for countries to change course and put policies in place for a green recovery.”
According to an article from Environment America titled, “Report: Pricing Carbon Key to Taking on Climate Change: New Report Discusses Different Strategies and Opportunities for Putting a Price on Global Warming Pollution” by Andrea McGimsey, “The threat of global warming is immediate, but the world has more technological and policy opportunities than ever before to address the problem. Carbon pricing won’t solve the entire problem on it’s own, the report explains, it needs to be paired with other policies and investments that cut pollution, but it can be a major piece of the puzzle.”
Although the government is regulating innovations and developing technologies that can use clean energy, many people agree that it is not enough. Bayside High School College Composition Teacher Mr. Belinfanti says, “Some practical ways of reducing carbon emission would be for more and more people to carpool to and from work, especially if co-workers share the same work schedules. Also, if a certain locale is much closer to an individual than in "driving distance", people should walk or ride a bicycle to that locale, or use mass transit rather than drive their gas emitting vehicles… there could be a further push by the government to produce hybrid cars.”
The equilibrium between the coexistence of humans and all living things on Earth is being threatened. Humanity’s very existence has been alarmingly destroying nature faster than it can recover. We are destroying the only land, sea, and air that we have. Global warming, pollution, and the destruction of the environment will eventually lead to the downfall of our planet.