Issue #8

2 EDITORIALS
Athletes
deserve
freedom of
expression
too
BY FATIMA SAYED ELTAYEB
Editorials Editor
Many people believe that athletes
and celebrities shouldn’t talk about
politics because it ruins the industry.
This has prevented public figures
from being able to express themselves
freely without backlash.
Recently, more and more people
have been pushing for public figures to
use their platforms for good use and to
spread awareness about current events.
On the other hand, there has been
a new vendetta against celebrities and
athletes speaking out against political
issues and it’s affecting their free
speech.
The International Olympic
Committee revealed its policy on no
demonstrations on the field of play,
during official ceremonies and at the
podium.
Black Lives Matter apparel was
added to the list of banned items,
and this caused outrage in many
communities.
Many users on TikTok and Twitter
argued that BLM is not a political
issue, it’s a human rights issue.
The ban on BLM apparel was
completely unjustified.
This is not the first time athletes
were permitted from expressing their
freedom of speech.
Former San Francisco 49ers
“ It’s a fight for
equal human rights
and an end to police
brutality.”
--MICHAEL BEKELE
junior
quarterback, Colin Kapernick protested
the oppression of black people in
America by taking a knee.
He faced extreme backlash from
fans, coaches and politicians as well.
By the end of the 2016 season,
Kapernick opted out of his contract
after being blackballed by NFL coaches.
Politicians such as former President
Donald Trump called for any athletes
that kneeled to be fired.
“As an athlete myself, I think that
it’s important to give everyone an equal
opportunity to express their emotions
and opinions. BLM has never been
a political issue and it shouldn’t be
considered as one either, it’s a fight
for equal human rights and an end to
police brutality,” junior Michael Bekele
said.
Other athletes such as NBA star
Lebron James went under scrutiny for
kneeling during the National Anthem
and wearing BLM apparel.
People want to silence public figures
for speaking about important issues
because they don’t want to acknowledge
the oppression against minorities.
The IOC intends to ban anyone that
doesn’t abide by the rules, and this
has led to many people boycotting this
year’s Olympic games which take place
in Tokyo on July 23.
Protesters marched in D.C. in support of Palestinian rights after the terror attacks that took place at Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheik Jarrah.
Israeli government is killing
Palestinian civilians and
nothing is being done
BY FATIMA SAYED ELTAYEB
Editorials Editor
Although a ceasefire has taken
place between Israeli and Palestinian
forces, the damage has already been
done. Over 230 people have been
killed, thousands have been injured
and over 50,000 Palestinians have
been displaced due to Israeli airstrikes
in Gaza.
The recent surge of violence
resulted after Palestinians were
forcefully removed from their
Jerusalem homes in a neighborhood
known as Sheikh Jarrah. Hundreds
of Palestinians are facing eviction
in Sheik Jarrah due to the influx of
Israeli settlers.
In attempts to protect their
homes by praying, Palestinians were
attacked by Israel forces at Al-Aqsa
Mosque. Over 200 Palestinians were
injured due to Israeli forces using tear
gas, rubber-coated bullets and stun
grenades inside of the Mosque.
The violence didn’t end there.
Israeli forces launched airstrikes
and missiles towards residential homes
with families trapped inside.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant
group also launched airstrikes towards
Israelis, resulting in the death of many
Israeli civilians.
Information regarding the crisis
quickly spread on social media
resulting in political leaders such as
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-
Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders to
call out for peace.
Many were critical of the Biden
Administration’s approval of a $735
million weapons sale to Israel.
The United States has been an ally
to Israel for a very long time, and the
United States has stood in support for
Israel numerous times despite trying
to negotiate peace between Israel
and Palestine. During the Third Arab-
Israeli War, the U.S. backed Israel, and
they have also given Israel significant
economic assistance and military aid.
Social media users, especially on
TikTok, have been cracking down on
people who support Israel.
One person that came under
serious fire was Andrew Yang, who
tweeted about his support for Israel
and condemned the Palestinian
government.
“I’m standing with the people
of Israel who are coming under
“More
and more
Palestinians
are
becoming
refugees
and are dying due to this
problem.”
--RAHIEL BERHE
sophomore
bombardment attacks, and condemn
the Hamas terrorists,” Yang tweeted.
“The people of NYC will always
stand with our brothers and sisters in
Israel who face down terrorism and
persevere.”
Reporters asked Yang why he hasn’t
addressed the innocent children and
civilians that are dying in Palestine
and why he hasn’t condemned the
Israeli government for the airstrikes
they launched on residential homes in
Sheikh Jarrah.
To add to the blow, Yang attended
an Eid event even though he completely
disregarded the deaths of innocents at
Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Despite the deaths of many innocent
civilians and children in Palestine,
many countries have turned the other
cheek and have yet to condemn the
Israeli government for their terrorist
actions.
“This whole thing is really confusing
but I do know one thing. More and
more Palestinians are becoming
refugees and are dying due to this
problem,” sophomore Rahiel Berhe said.
It is conflicting when you hear and try
to understand both sides of the story,
but looking at the facts, you’ll be able to
see the problem very clearly.”
Regardless of the ceasefire, the
situation between Israel and Palestine
will not end soon. Palestinians will
continue to fight for their righteous
land, and Israel will continue to push
for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
The recent attacks on Palestinians
by the Israeli Defense Forces has not
deterred countries from supporting
Israel. The United Arab Emirates plans
to continue its billion-dollar gas deal
with Israel.
The actions of these countries shows
that the death of innocent people does
not matter to them, and it is a sign
that the world will ignore yet another
genocide.
“It’s so hard to believe that the
people of Palestine are suffering and
nobody cares to acknowledge it,” junior
Firdaws Yahia said. “I will continue
to stand with the people of Palestine
because they have a right to their land.
Yes, people are dying on both ends and
it’s terrible, but in this situation Israel
is the oppressor and Palestine is the
oppressed.”
Israel is a nuclear super power,
and Palestine is a country desperate
for help. Countries need to stand in
support of Palestine in order to end the
ethnic cleansing of indigenous peoples
that has been going on for decades.
SEREENE DARWIESH
Wed., May 26, 2021
What is your
reaction to the
current state
of the Israeli-
Palestinian
crisis?
SEMIR ALI
freshman
I’m on the side
of Palestine. The
compression of
their land and
multiple killings of a
lot of their innocent
people, including children has been hard to
watch and it needs to stop. I approve all the
nonviolent means to stop the violence taking
place in Israel. #FreePalestine
SAM
WONDWOSEN
sophomore
Everything that’s
been going has
made very angry
because it’s so clear
that Israel is in the
wrong, but countries are still supporting them
even though they have literally killed hundreds
of Palestinians with airstrikes.
ASHLEY LUU
sophomore
Seeing that so
many people have
been affected by
this situation is
heartbreaking to
see. It’s just very
unfortunate and sad because so many people
are being hurt.
MATEO
CARRASCO
junior
I have been trying
to keep up with
news as much
as possible, and
from what I’ve
seen, I think that
Palestinians deserve our support. Watching
the news and hearing about all the people that
have died is so heartbreaking.
IMAN
HAMDELA
junior
I’m really
disappointed that
so many innocent
people have gotten
killed. I stand in
support of Palestine
because they are Indigenous to Jerusalem,
and the ethnic cleansing has gone on long
enough.
LIZZIE
EARHART
senior
I’m not very
educated on the
entire situation,
and I haven’t been
following the news
very closely either. What I will say is that it is
very upsetting to see the situation get so out
of and it always hurts to see civilians getting
hurt.
THE
A BLAST STAFF
MAKIN’ THE GRADE
CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF
Fatima Sayed Eltayeb
Adam Shawish
MANAGING EDITOR
Tyler Plank
NEWS EDITORS
Fatima Sayed Eltayeb
Adam Shawish
EDITORIALS EDITOR
Fatima Sayed Eltayeb
IN-DEPTH EDITORS
Uyen Huynh
Vivian Phan
SPORTS EDITORS
Evan Burita
Alex Burita
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Tyler Plank
PEOPLE EDITORS
Elena Leopold
Vivian Phan
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
Uyen Huynh
HEALTH EDITORS
Maram Ibrahim
Insaf Bouzana
ACADEMICS EDITOR
Thonny Anwar
SPANISH EDITOR
Mia Antezana
SPANISH ADVISER
Maureen Hunt
WEB EDITOR/MASTER
Ryan Lam
AD MANAGERS
Fatima Sayed Eltayeb
Adam Shawish
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Ryan Lam
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Rylie Zimmerman
STAFF WRITERS
Leon Arceo
Leen Alawneh
Limia Bahar
Rym Benouna
Nareg Boghosian
Lilli Dalrymple
Sereene Darwiesh
Daniela Dosen
Mary Endalkachew
Rudy Flores
Tyler Foti
Shane Gomez
Emily Ha
Sydney Long
Eldana Mengitsu
Andrew Nields
Wendy Raymundo
David Sewall
Abdul Siddique
ADVISER
Alan Weintraut
Annandale High School
Vol 66. Issue No. 8
4700 Medford Dr.
Annandale, VA 22003
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Annandale hosts vaccination clinic tomorrow!
clinic registration was also open to non-Annandale students, and their
base schools will provide transportation to the clinic. AOlivia Rodrigo impresses with new album Sour
A
CReproductive F
Annandale High School has partnered with the Fairfax County
Health Department, and Annandale has been selected to be a student
vaccination clinic on Thursday, May 27 from 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m. Students
ages 12 and up eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccinations will also be free
for all students. Registration closed last week on Thursday, May 20. The
Olivia Rodrigo showed the world that she isn’t just a one-hit-wonder
with her new album Sour. Fans instantly fell in love with the 11 song
masterpiece that’s filled with emotional songs that take fans through
levels of anger, grief and confusion. The album has received a high
amount of praise and has attracted a new spotlight to Rodrigo. She’s
performed on SNL, the BRIT’s and Vevo Lift. Her performances
displayed her talent for song writing and performing. Fans are excited to
see where see goes with her next project after the success of Sour.
Who’s Adrian?
The internet went into chaos after a teenage boy named Adrian advertised
his birthday party on social media. The flyer for his birthday went viral
and thousands of people began tweeting about “Adrian’s Kickback.” Many
people took the tweets literally and flew to California to attend Adrian’s
Kickback. The impromptu birthday was organized in Huntington Beach,
California and escalated into a small-scale riot according to police. Over a
hundred attendees were arrested with charges such as vandalism, failure
to disperse, curfew violations and illegal fireworks.
healthcare is at risk
On May 19, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed a law which would ban
abortions on pregnancies as early as six weeks. Many women don’t even
know that they’re pregnant at six weeks. The law also for citizens to sue
abortion providers. The Supreme Court also announced that it would be
hearing a case to decide whether states can ban some abortions before
viability which directly challenges Roe V. Wade. Over 15 states have
passed laws in attempt to ban abortion at or before 20 weeks.