Student by day | writer by night
In mid-March, my junior year of high school came to a screeching halt. We were out of school for two days due to “cleaning” that had to be done as a safeguard against COVID-19 (just a few days ago, it had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization). Two days became two weeks, …
In the final scene of The Truman Show, Truman Burbank bangs on a massive painted wall in tears. He feels helpless as he is overwhelmed by the realization that his entire life has been staged; hidden cameras have followed and recorded him since birth, broadcasting his life on a 24/7 television show for the whole …
In one of my final assignments in middle school, I wrote that “armed with determination, optimism, and focus, I’m prepared to take on anything. As a high schooler, I’ll push myself as much as it takes to reach my goals. I believe that if we work hard enough, we can accomplish anything.” I’ve clung stubbornly to this …
Whenever I enter a conversation, I witness the clash between identity and ideology. During seminars, I side with females; in a room filled with white people, I often feel guarded. We tend towards those who are similar to us. Perhaps, however, the problem is more specific: politics impact our daily social interactions. Awareness is important, …
In 2015, Hilary Clinton was accused of “shouting” about gun violence. “I’m not shouting,” she responded. “It’s just when women talk, some people think we’re shouting.” Clinton’s comment alludes to the double-standard that is experienced by many women vying for leadership positions. The result? An unlevel playing field that hurts qualified women. Sexism has been …
Study hard, get good grades, get into college. In an increasingly competitive society where acceptance rates of top colleges dip into the single digits, this is the formulaic path with which my generation is perceived to be obsessed. Many of us are seen as “grade-grubbers,” vessels of human beings who study robotically with the sole …