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• Legal Abortion: Arguments Pro & Con

"The National day of What?" you ask?

Okay, well gather around children and let me tell you.

April is National Gay Pride Month, and every year since 1996, on a Wednesday, there is a nationwide Day of Silence. It is a student-led project where students, ranging from elementary to college, and teachers who are a part of, or support, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning community participate in this day by remaining silent. The purpose of our silence is to protest the discrimination and harassment faced by the gay community and their allies, caused by homophobia. It has become the largest student-led action towards creating a safer environment at schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

At Lowell, we only remained silent during school hours. After school we broke our silence together at a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) meeting to reflect upon the day. Most teachers at Lowell who participated posted signs in their classrooms that said, "Although I may not be silent, I support the Day of Silence." Several teachers attempted to teach class without talking. Students who participated or supported this event wore a pin, tag, or sticker that stated their reason for being silent. The tag I wore this year said, "Please understand my reasons of not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of all sexual orientations. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?"

This year, Lowell’s GSA had arranged to and notified people to wear their "Gay? Fine by me." T-shirts on Wednesday, hoping to raise greater awareness. I was pleased to see so many people sporting their "Gay? Fine by me." T-shirts, and many others with "Day of Silence" pins. During the day I was glad to see many people asking about the day and what was going on. Of course I couldn’t answer them verbally, so instead I handed them one of the many tags I was carrying with me. I had a field trip today to the Annual Hoover Orchestra festival and it was awesome to see many middle schoolers were also participating. The orchestra director at Hoover even made an announcement about why some of his students wouldn’t be speaking that day.

The Day of Silence is a great way to turn the silence that is forced upon the gay community into a tool to fight homophobia. There were about 50-100 participants at Lowell this year. Everywhere I looked, I could see at least one participant or supporter. However, we hope that next year even more will join us in trying to end the silence. I’d like to see it quiet enough to draw the attention of those who have never witnessed this event. It would be awesome to walk down the halls next time and hear only the voices of the teachers who need to teach.

For more information about the Day of Silence please go to http://www.dayofsilence.org

(BTW: due to special circumstances, next year’s Day of Silence is on a Tuesday. Weird… I know.)

Passing people
nurses, doctors, other visitors
her eyes scanning the walls
the elevator ride
too long for comfort
shifting from foot to foot
Dad leads the way to the others
the rest of the family
is waiting

no loud hellos, how are yous, pats on the back
Tension clung to the air

Through the final door and
raspy breaths suddenly whisper through the air
machines beeping
full of nurses all busy with
something.

Passing curtain walls
one two three
little dark cubicles
each with a bed and their own beeping machines
all occupied
four five six seven
…pause…
He’s in there.

Step – by – step
fear slips in through her feet

Tears already burning

Hands already shaking

Voice cracking

Grandpa…?

C’mon, just
just look at him,
look at his eyes without crying
his eyes
closed tight

Please,
Please open them for her

His eyes peel open
his eyes, so dull
no sparkle
no shine
no life…

a tear tumbles down her cheek
a tube down his throat inhales for him.
exhales…
another and another
tears keep falling

he was… so helpless
she… was so helpless

he helped raise this girl.
carried her and walked with her through her childhood.
picked her up when she fell.
bandaged her boo-boos and kissed them.
cooked for her and fed her and taught her her language and her music,
and her culture
and her life
and now she stands,
hands at her sides,
staring eye to eye,
helpless.

What can I say? It was an awesome show. One of the best Youth Speaks performances ever. The show was sold out; members of the Youth Speaks youth board, SPOKES, and "volunteers" had to sit on the floor, but that only made it better.

Every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Youth Speaks puts on a show called "Bringing The Noise" in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. The lineup for "Bringing the Noise" MLK is always full of incredible poets and performers. This year’s line up was no exception. We featured performances by Dennis Kim, Golda Sargento, Emiliano Bourgois-Chacon, Rickena Bates, Lauren Wingate, Jose Vadi, Miles Douglass, Dahlak Brathwaite, Dominque Jones, Josh Begley, Cameron Brown, Meilani Clay, Corina Paila, Dyanna Loeb, Natalia Banderas, Nina Rosenberg, Manon Bogerd-Wada, George Watsky, Trent Walker, Terry Taplin, Kathy Turchin, Nayeli Adorador, Katri Foster, Dalia Yedidia, Hazel Kleingrove, Susanna Myrseth, Rachel Acereto, Adriel Luis, Jocelyn de Leon, and Ruby Ching. There were several group pieces, a few musical pieces, including the one and only Jeremy Monangdo, who performed a self-written song, and a dance piece by Leah Joy. We had special performances by Imerald Bay, two dudes from Zion, and Unity and his DJ, Treat U Nice.

At 7:00, half an hour before the show started, the line to get in filled the Arts Forum lobby and out their doors into the streets and there were still people in another line trying to get tickets. 7:20, the auditorium was swarming with excitement as people began pouring in. The show started off with the traditional call of the griot by the Youth Speaks staff. From different parts of the room, each member of the Youth Speaks staff took turns busting out half a minute of poetry. There was a roar of applause from the audience as the last poet ended and DJ Funklor started rippin’ out the beats. The night’s MC, Ise Lyfe, strutted on the stage and started off the show,

"Everybody, Make Some NOISE!"

It was an incredible night. There was stuff from helluv intense poems, to some chillax comedic poetry. There were roars from the crowd before and after every performer. I got sucked into every poem, and I could tell everyone else in the audience was feelin’ it too. Every time something deep was said you could hear mummers of "MmM" through the room.

DJ Funklor usually does his annual tribute to Martin Luther King mix, but this year, a well-known intern at Youth Speaks, Matt Werner, oh excuse me�DJ Matt Werner did a tribute that was very well done. He came on stage with a red and black hunting cap; we heard some girls yell, "We love you Matt!", while some guys in the front joked, "Elmer Fudd!"
The night ended with Ise busting, and a bit of singing, a powerful poem in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was an incredible night, I can’t think of a better way to remember and celebrate the life of Dr. King and his dream.

The movie starts off in a small rural city in China, where much traveling within the city is done by boat. Liu Cheng learns that his son may have a chance of entering a renowned music conservatory in Beijing. As they prepare to leave for Beijing, the intricate relationship between the father and son becomes apparent.

Upon arriving in Beijing, Liu Cheng leaves his son for a moment. Xiao Chun’s wandering eyes fall upon a couple making out and inadvertently becomes infatuated with the lady.(Who is the directors wife!!!)

The next day, at the audition for the conservatory, Xiao Chun’s talents are exposed for all to see. Here we see how much of a prodigy he really is. But after placing only 5th, Liu Cheng over hears to professors talking about how his son should really have gotten 1st. The only reason he didn’t was because they didn’t pay a bribe! Determined as ever, Liu Cheng finally convinced Professor Jiang, an untidy musician who lives in a house full of cats, to allow Xiao Chun to be his pupil.

Xiao Chun begins studying with Professor Jiang, learning some life lessons along with his music as the professor allows bits of his past seep into their lessons. At home, Xiao Chun is delighted to learn that the lady with whom he had become infatuated lives nearby. She’s become a sort-of older sister to him over the course of the movie. She enjoys listening to Xiao Chun play the violin and he gladly plays it for her. But Xiao Chun’s infatuation with her leads to a crisis that later threatens his musical career.

Soon, Liu Cheng learns that Professor Jiang’s influence will not be enough to make his son famous. Things become very interesting when Liu Cheng decides to send Xiao Chun to another professor, Professor Yu (played by the director!!!), who has a better reputation than Jiang in turning his pupils into international stars. Xiao Chun leaves Professor Jiang with a bittersweet farewell and begins life with Professor Yu. From there, Xiao Chun battles with his new found rival, a fellow student of Professor Yu, learns of a tragic family secret, and struggles to learn why he plays the violin.

This movie totally makes you want to learn how to play a violin! Or, at least it makes you want to have such great passion and love for something as Xiao Chun does. The emotions in this movie unfold slowly so it doesn’t seem too cheesy; they tug at your heart until you fall in love with the movie. It ends with a total tearjerker that got me sniffling. The only thing I can complain about is how relationships were portrayed. The movie just touches a bit on each relationship between the characters, it’s hard to measure how deep the relationships actually are. Other then that, "Together" was totally awesome! It has a great selection of music and the perfect cast for the characters. Y’all have got to see it!

Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s in Chinese, but with English subtitles. =)

Web site: http://togethermovie.com

A slow ploop, ploop, ploop sound woke Nalia up. It was still dark, but at the edge of the sky, Nalia could see just a tiny bit of glowing from the rising sun. She looked around wondering what had woken her up. Ploop. A drop of water fell on her nose. The rain had stopped and water, now, was dripping from the trees. As Nalia stood up, she could hear the city waking up with her. A few roosters were crowing, shopkeepers were opening up their shops, beggars were already claiming street corners, and merchants with their horse-drawn carriages were searching for places to set up. Turning quickly, to get away from the main streets, Nalia stumbled into a young man walking by. ” Oh, sorry.” Nalia muttered and walked quickly away. She sprinted off through the city gates, leaving the young man staring at where she had stood.

“Now where do I go?” Nalia sighed as she strolled across the bridge, “Father must have his men looking for me.” Stopping at the middle to stare into the water, Nalia gazed at her reflection. “I look like a beggar!” Nalia laughed out loud. Relaxing a little bit, she continued across the bridge. As she walked past a tree, Nalia thought she heard footsteps behind her. She whipped around and stood ready to sock whoever was behind her, but no one was there. Getting a little nervous, she picked up her pace, trying to find an open area. She still had the feeling she was being followed.

Nalia finally came upon a clearing. She walked straight through it. When she was about to head into the trees again she swerved around quickly. There was the young man she had bumped into earlier, just about to run into the trees. The two just froze there as sunlight began to pour in between the treetops. Suddenly, Nalia turned on the balls of her feet and broke into a run through the trees.

“Wait! Don’t go!” The young man cried as he sprinted after her. “It looks like you might need some help.” He continued, catching her arm as he caught up.

“Well, I don’t! And you best leave me alone if you know what’s good for you.” She turned away and continued running to nowhere in particular.

Suddenly, she ran into someone else.

“Leave me ALONE!” Nalia yelled, not knowing who it was. Nalia just turned away and continued walking. Then there was another person and another and another. Her father’s men surrounded her. Panicking, Nalia blindly fled right into the arms of one of the men. “Let me go!” She yelled, kicking at her captor. The arms around her tightened as she was dragged back toward the other men. Suddenly, the grip around her loosened and her captor fell to the ground. In his back stood a dagger deep into his body. Sickened by the sight, Nalia could not move. She could hear yells in back of her, as she struggled to reach a tree nearby. She turned around to see why the other men hadn’t come after her and saw the young man. He was fighting all of the men, and winning.

I lay down on the carpet in my room holding the phone against my ear. ” Couples who go to different schools…that’s why I think they’re crazy!” he says. I laugh and he continues. “I mean, if I had a girlfriend, I would want to spend every moment with her; wouldn’t you?” I nod and realize that he can’t see me over the phone and say, “Yeah, I guess.” I feel very happy and relieved as we continue to talk about relationships. I feel nothing. I am only talking to a good friend on the phone. I sigh and close my eyes while he talks.

I open my swollen eyes, tears still filling them and running down my face. He sits next to me. “I love you and I’ll always be there for you.” But why now?! All I want is to be left alone! I love you too, but please…please leave me alone! But I don’t dare say that out loud. I just bury my face in my arms and sob. He leans over and kisses me on the head. If I wasn’t crying, I would have shown surprise, but I am crying and all I can do is sob.

A kiss on the cheek is my goal for today. Today is Tuesday. Tuesday means he has fencing and fencing means he has to leave early. If he is leaving early, that means my dad won’t be here to see. We search the shelves of the library looking for a book with our friend. He turns around. He has to leave. Oh! Not yet not yet! Now’s the time. It’s now or never. Just do it before he goes! I work up my nerve while I try to keep him from leaving. A quick peck on the cheek and we both blush, but he has to leave and I watch him go. I turn around and my friend didn’t even notice what I just did.

He walks away quickly. No hug goodbye. I’m not sure if I did the right thing. Maybe I should have just said we needed to take a break, not a breakup.

There is a reason why I have a best friend. She told me not to do it. She told me I would regret it. I regret what I did. One week later was too late for another chance.

The last dance of the school year, he goes with this girl. But during the first slow dance they don’t dance. He likes her, right? Why don’t they go dance? I walk over to him and give him a little shove towards her. “Go, ask her to dance.” I watch him walk to her. I watch him dance with her. I’m happy for him. I’m happy for him. I’m happy for him. Right? Then why are these tears burning in my eyes? I move through the crowd of couples and out of the dance. I step outside into the cold evening fog, slink into the shadow of a tree and sob. I cry ‘til the song is over and a fast one begins. By the time I walk back inside, no one could tell I had just cried. The next slow dance, I dance with him. We don’t hold each other close like we used to. A nice arm’s distance away and we just watch each other as we dance.

I snap out of the daydream as the phone rings. My heart beats a little faster. That’s gotta be him. “Hello?” “Hi, sorry I didn’t call you last night.” “It’s ok!” It’s very ok. He calls me every night and we talk for hours! Tonight I sit in my bed and we talk about video games. I hold the phone closer to my ear and listen to his voice. Time seems to slow down a bit, just so we could talk longer, maybe forever.

I pull off his jacket and toss it to him, “Sorry I kept it for so long, I keep forgetting to bring it with me when we go out.” He just laughs and shrugs, “Whatever, we see each other often enough.” I smile. “We see each other more now than when we were together!” We both laugh. We walk through the mall like a couple, but we’re not a couple.

We were a couple. Now we are a couple of best friends.

Minesweeper is this little game that comes with most computers with Windows 98. In this game you want to find all the hidden mines, but without uncovering any of them. You click on little squares that give you numbers, telling you how many mines there are in the eight squares surrounding it. Some squares will uncover more than just itself when clicked; they also uncover the squares around them that don’t contain mines. When you think you have found a mine, you can right click on it and the computer will mark that square with a flag and that way you can’t accidentally click on it and blow up. Which leads to dying. When you uncover a mine, you die. Blow up and die. The computer will show you where all the mines were, and if you had marked any squares, it also shows you if you mis-marked a square. To win the game, you must uncover all the squares that don’t contain mines.

On the top part of the game window are two numbers and a cute smiley face between them. The number on the left is the number of mines you haven’t "discovered" in the field, and the number on the right is how much time you have taken during the game. You want to win the game as quickly as possible because your score is how long you take to win. The smiley face doesn’t really have a function. Well, it kind of does. Clicking it restarts the game, but you can always hit F2 to restart the game. The smiley face is there to keep you company. It smiles at you while you play the game and gasps every time you are about to click a square and smiles again if you uncovered an empty square. When you win the game, it puts on some nice shades acting cool like he won the game, but when you die he dies too. I think he is like some kind of motivation to win, ’cause you don’t want to kill the little smiley face!

This game is great for when it’s late at night and you can’t seem to concentrate on writing your essay due the next day. When you first start playing, you get addicted to it and are determined to beat the high score. After a while you become bored with it, but as soon you get bored with your essay, Minesweeper becomes very inviting again. Some people may become completely addicted and drag their friends with them into their addiction. Then you may set up competitions, if you have two computers or do this over the phone, racing one another. (Warning: people who do this may be considered nerds.) I have recently had a whole phone conversation about Minesweeper and my scores with a friend, so I guess I fall into the nerd category.

Minesweeper is a simple and entertaining game. Play it when it’s late at night or when you’re bored during the day. Become the Minesweeper master. I used to think this game would prepare me to be some sort of Minesweeper in the Army. Just imagine, we could save the world from being blown up by clicking on some squares.