February 2018

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To some, awards shows mean three hours of unbearable boredom, but for others it is an exciting way to watch favorite performers receive recognition for their work throughout the year. With the Academy Awards coming up in one month and the Grammys crowning Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Alessia Cara, and Ed Sheeran with top honors last Sunday, this time of year brings speculation, celebration, and frustration over who should win. According to a Westerner survey of 115 students, 77% of students watch award shows. Recognizing any number of things from musicals to movie music composers to best TV show, which particular award shows people tune in to depends on their personal interests in the forms of entertainment being honored. “I mainly watch the MTV Music Awards because I love music, but I don’t watch the Tonys because I’m not into musicals,” junior Megan Schore said. Some people avoid watching award shows because they seem like op- 10 entertainment February 2, 2018 W and the award ARE THE GRAMMYS, EMMYS, AND OSCARS WORTH WATCHING? portunities for already award show fun is by predicting the winners. “Before the winner of the nomination goes to... successful people to pat themselves on the back. [is announced], I like to guess which one However, they simply will win,” junior Maja Kozerski said. aren’t captivating for But many can agree that it’s always exciting to see your favorite celebrity win an BY KARA DEMPSEY people who aren’t deeply immersed in that field. “I’ve seen most award. “I like watching award shows be- entertainment editor award shows, but I can never sit all the way cause I get to see some of my favorite artists through any of them because it does get perform, and it’s even better if my favorite boring,” sophomore Caroline Barnett said. artists win an award,” Kunz said. While many admit to watching and enjoying award shows, there are still certain aspects that push viewers away. “A ‘bad’ part of award shows are when the host tries to be funny, and it just comes out very awkward, not funny at all, and kind of annoying,” Schore said. Award shows, however, give performers a chance to be recognized for facing a lifetime of challenges in a difficult career. In reality, “not all [nominees or winners] have always been rich. They had to work hard for what they have now, and some people deserve recognition for that,” freshman Sadie Kunz said. Not everyone who watches award shows finds meaning in them, but “regardless of genre, it’s incredibly hard work. From cinematography to costume and set design to acting, all aspects require huge dedication and a monster work ethic,” English teacher Angelica Corbett said. There are even small things about award shows that make watching them worthwhile. A simple way to make watching an Even if your favorites don’t take home a trophy, seeing them live – instead of in scripted situations – can be exciting enough. “I like to see how some of my favorite celebrities dress in the award shows and just in general,” Kozerski said. “[Award shows] should be significant because they determine some of the best artists, actors, movies, songs, and albums from a very talented circle of people,” Kozerski said. If you are looking to be entertained by the best of the best, award shows “may convince viewers to listen to certain artists more, watch the nominated and winning movies, and form an opinion on them, so they gain more popularity and respect,” Kozerski said. Some may dislike award shows because they are used for more reasons than simply presenting awards. “Awards shows are for entertainment and more often than not they turn into personal platforms for the winners to discuss the controversy of the day. And I don’t think that’s what an awards show should be about,” Corbett said. BY CORINNE BELLOT reporter Outside influences such as peers, celebrities, and social media all affect the choices students make about clothing. Often, students see the same brands constantly worn and advertised and begin to believe that these clothes, while more expensive, are better. However, others believe that clothing quality is what’s key, whether it contains a popular logo or not. When visiting the mall there are many brands and stores to choose from, but there seems to be an unwritten list of popular stores that students frequently visit, depending on each person’s style. Some popular brands that students are inclined to buy from come at a steep price as well. “I tend to wear Nike shoes a lot because I think they’re comfortable,” sophomore Amanda Byrne said. Similarly, “I wear Fabletics a lot because I love their clothes, not only to work out in but also to wear to school,” senior Nicole Taneva said. Sport brands aren’t the only ones with loyal followers. “I like skate brands so I wear a lot of Supreme, Thrasher, and RIPNDIP,” senior Nathan Gramith said. Students tend to be walking advertisements for many of these different brands while at school, but popular clothing brands also target a certain audience through various advertising methods. “Recently, I have seen ads for lots of different clothing brands on Instagram as I’m scrolling through,” Gramith said. As technology has evolved, so have companies’ forms of engagement with potential customers. Although popular clothing brands are advertised everywhere, and many students wear them, most people also frequently wear XIAO LIN HE non-branded clothing. “I actually have a lot of off brand clothing because it’s essentially the same thing so I don’t really care if it has a special logo or not,” Byrne said. Similarly, Taneva agreed saying, “While I prefer Fabletics, I do own and wear some off brand clothing quite regularly.” Many parents question whether or not popular brands are worth the PAYING FOR AN image price, but so do many students. “For the most part I don’t see or feel a difference between brands except for that some gym shoes are a little different for the brand name, and better quality,” Byrne said. Fashion teacher Jennifer Chen says there are clues to look for that will help you know if the clothing you’re buying is going to last. The first clue is to look at how sturdy the sewing is at the areas that require the greatest range of movement. “Before buying, check the underarm seams or crotch seams because these are the areas where rips happen most frequently,” she advised. “If the garment has embellishments or buttons, check that they are sewn on securely. Often times with brand name clothing, you will notice a spare button sewn onto the inside tag of a garment.” The fabric itself can vary in quality. Yarn dyed clothes -- where both sides of the fabric retain the color because the color was dyed into the threads before being woven into cloth -- won’t fade as quickly as clothing where the color dye was applied only to the outside. “I would look for a fabric that washes well and doesn’t snag or rip easily,” Chen said. In such cases, the price is worth it, logo or not. “It’s the fact that the more expensive clothing will last me a longer time than the generic non branded clothing,” Taneva said.
W February 2, 2018 opinions 11 VIEW FROM THE BOARD OF STUDENT EDITORS EDITORIAL POLICY The student-produced newspaper of Maine West High School, the Westerner, is dedicated to maintaining the values of truth, integrity, and courage in reporting. The Westerner provides an open public forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion, as well as balanced coverage of issues of student interest. The staff encourages discussion and free expression between all members of the school and community and maintains its responsibility to inform and educate the student body. Unsigned editorials represent the majority viewpoint of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, which are subject to editing for length and clarity, must be signed by name and may be published upon approval from the editorial board. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the Westerner, nor should any opinion expressed in the Westerner be construed as the opinion or policy of the adviser, the Westerner staff as a whole, the school staff, the school administration, or District 207 school board. EDITORIAL BOARD: Editor-in-Chief: Catherine Buchaniec, Bhagirath Mehta Associate Editor-in-Chief: Matthew Montanile News Editors: Chris Rios. Ashley Dwy Features Editor: Linette Sanchez In-Depth Editor: Matthew Montanile Sports Editors: Amaan Siddiqui, Dominik Bronakowski Opinions Editor: Catherine Buchaniec Entertainment Editor: Kara Dempsey Photo Editor: Danny Fowler Art Editor Zac Abero Assistant Editors: Danny Daod, Natalia Wolny, Abigail Milovancevic, Maraya Adams, Suzy Linek, Nina Palmer STAFF MEMBERS Sarah Smail, Masooma Sultan, Malaika Zaidi, Ivonne Sanchez, Arline Vargas, Corinne Bellot, Jenna Robbins, Destiny Onyeise, Nana Agyarko, Jelena Pejovic, Monroe Torkelson, Vincent Parcelli, Sarah Lane, Alexandra Malewicz, Greta Sorenson, Xiao Lin He, Kevin Schill ADVISER:Laurie McGowan a tradition of racism America: the Racist. That is the unpleasant reality we don’t like to talk about. The skeleton in the closet. The cancer of our supposedly great nation. We are not a post-race society developed from an era following segregation; we are, instead, part of an epoch marked by denial and silent contempt. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, and today, we still have not fulfilled it. From the entertainment industry to our justice system, from presidential remarks to the very foundations of the social interactions we have at Maine West -- racism has pervaded the way our society currently functions, and has functioned since its foundation. When one goes to the doctor with symptoms of suffering, their claims are not rebuffed and minimized, yet that is exactly what America has done with its own systemic disease. Disregarded it with ignorance. Dismissed evidence of systematic disenfranchisement. Refuted the problem right in front of all of our faces. Racism in 2018 is not blatant displays of refused service or separate accommodations but rather a silent pestilence, interwoven into all aspects of our lives through stereotypes that feed off each 35% OF STUDENTS FELT LIKE THEY HAVE ACTED IN A MANNER THAT COULD BE PERCEIVED AS RACIST* other. According to a 2014 study from the Entman- Rojecki Index of Race and Media, 89% of black women in movies are shown swearing and acting in offensive behavior while only 17% of white women are portrayed in this manner. And we sit and watch. We accept it and let it absorb into our subconscious. Over the course of our lives, it has silently festered -- in some more than others. Yet, when revolution does rise, the cries of outrage ring even louder than the initial resistance itself. “All lives matter.” “Reverse discrimination.” “You will not replace us.” These are the chants of opposition from people who deny their position as a racist, yet fight against movements of egalitarianism. Furthermore, our current political climate has only exasperated the problem at hand by uniting America not through a shared goal of equality, but by the fear of people who look different. According to our president, those from Norway seem to be the ideal immigrants when compared to those from “sh****** countries.” Mexicans are criminals and rapists but white nationalists are “very fine people,” he said. These statements from those in the highest position of authority are the ones that make our allied countries wince, but our president is only the tip of the iceberg. The subtlety in which racism affects all of us is the paradigm of our ignorance of racism. No one is going to admit they are racist, for they might not even recognize the connotations their thoughts and actions have. The Asian student doesn’t have to be on math team or automatically know all the answers or get straight A’s. The black student does not have to play basketball or be a good dancer. Dark hair and tan skin does not mean someone speaks Spanish. Some generalizations do have a reasonable basis and in some circumstances prove to be accurate, but they should not be the foundation on which we base interactions with our fellow classmates and workers. We should caution ourselves on readily forming generalizations about our fellow human beings. We need to recognize that although we say we’re not racist, in some ways, we are. During incidents of large-scale violence, those in hijabs, turbans, and topis are the first to be suspected. Anti-semitism hauntingly remains a problem across the globe through denials of the Holocaust. Being on welfare is seen as being equivalent to being a minority. This is not a black vs. white problem. This is a problem of people of all representations, and before we can even make change, we need to to recognize that we have a problem. It is not the doctrines dictating our justice system that are flawed, but rather the applicability to our present day court and prison system that are corrupt. The bias found within each of us, including police officers, judges, and prison guards have led to a system of inequality. Although white Americans are statistically proven to participate in drug usage more often than those of other ethnicities, blacks are more likely to be incarcerated. These issues are not going to be fixed lightly and will require decades of not just a shift in laws, but a shift in mindset. Instead of denying our plague of racism, we need to take the first step in the road to recovery and say, “Hi, my name is America and I have a problem.” To recognize that when we look at lower A-Wing, we shouldn’t think of those with a darker shade of skin. To recognize not all minorities are firstgeneration, ESL students. To recognize that being white does not automatically make you Christian. To recognize that Hispanic does not mean broke. To recognize that having a different race, religion or creed should not mean being judged by the worst of one’s kind. Only after admittance can we start the process of fixing our relations, our institutions, and moreover, our way of life. “ *ANONYMOUS STUDENT RESPONSES FROM A WESTERNER SURVEY OF 115 STUDENTS Have you ever felt like you accidentally said something or did something that someone could have felt or perceived as racist? 18% OF STUDENTS STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN THE TARGET OF RACIST BEHAVIOR* I was taking attendance for a group of people that I didn’t know. There were two names left on the list, one I assumed to be traditionally prevalent among African Americans and the other common among white people. Seeing that there were two kids left, one black and one white, I assumed their names based on my stereotype. It turned out that I was wrong, and I awkwardly apologized to the two students. —A STUDENT RESPONSE IN THE ANONYMOUS WESTERNER SURVEY
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February 2018

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