Type
Topic
Country
The concept of love
My first word was love. Under the flickering lights of North Shore Hospital on March 10, 2002, I met the one person whose love for me is unconditional. As I tore my eyelids open and glanced the kind, raven-haired woman, I immediately noticed her smile, which stretched for miles past the horizon. I truly believe that one person molded me into the person I am today. As I grew up, I became afraid of my own reflection, until I realized that the only things I should see staring back at me are the doting eyes of my grandma. Many years later, I returned to the hospital. One week away from losing my...
Current Events, Climate Change and Your Health
With the two climate strikes that happened in September, important conversations are happening about what needs to be done to improve the planet for future generations. Surrounding the dates of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, strikers across the world demanded climate justice for everyone. The demands included an end to the age of fossil fuels, as well as an energy revolution with climate justice and equity as its driving factor. The climate strikes — which have involved everyone from school-aged children to senior citizens — show that climate change is no longer an issue that can be...
Being a Muslim girl in America
Live Life to the fullest
Live life and live it to the fullest!!! This statement is the most overused yet motivational line that is used in the 20th century of life. It has been used so much that it lost its value, its significance that it’s just that a statement that is used with the hope that it will bring someone some light, some energy, something for people to feed on, to read on . This is more than a statement its a feeling that cant truly be described. BUT I am here to say that this statement is…..well…. actually… true. I know this because I’ve experienced it…I actually felt it and lived it. I was in Florida on a...
Why Body Positivity on Social Media is More Important Than You Think
For a long time, the socially accepted beauty standard looked like this: blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and legs with a noticeable gap in between them. Victoria Secret angels, runway models, and TV ads plastered this image of perfection to the American public for decades. With the rise of social media, it seems that these images are nonetheless inescapable. Lately, however, it seems that women are starting to push back on this type of marketing. While certainly not the only culprit, this type of unrealistic beauty standard that is largely still being advertised adds to feelings of self pity...
From Where I Stand
Which College Will Divest Next?
Signs and protestors proclaiming “Injustice is not an investment,” “Climate change is not a game,” and “We’re still here”... The heated adrenaline is almost palpable if you step onto college campuses today. The kids are asking for divestment. According to Fossil Free, universities have divested around $14 trillion to date. Divesting means that they will actively sell shares in companies that spark environmental or social concerns. In the words of 350.org, this implies “a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all,” “no new fossil fuel projects anywhere,” and “not a penny more...
The Lesson in Listening
The Human Struggle for Acceptance
Try to Remember
What Do You Really Want?
Then Read It From the Bottom to Top (A Reverse Poetry)
I am a nothing So I refuse to believe that I am just as worthy as she is I am not as beautiful nor strong. And nothing you say will make me believe I am graceful and steady on the inside And my heart is right because painful broken society-implaced beauty. Is always more important than inner beauty because remember how you look on the outside matters. No longer can it be said that I am a somebody. I don't matter. So don't try to convince me this ugly lie: I am beautiful. (Read it now from the bottom to top)
Civil Disobedience
There is a strenuous debate over whether civil disobedience is an effective way of bringing about change or not. The general assumption is that civil disobedience effectively brings change to the society. However, it is my point of view that civil disobedience is not an effective way. To exemplify this, climate change is one of the most urgent, difficult, and side-lined issue in modern U.S. history. Government is our leader who needs to balance the economic growth and the climate change. For all the events that news can accommodate, unfortunately, climate change has been side-lined. When the...
True Terror
What is True terror? You may think that it is when a war is declared or a shooting etc. But I think true terror is when it involves yourself. If it doesn't Directly affect YOU then it cannot be described as terror. You may be scared but not in terror. Now terror does not have to be lethal or frightening. It can be as simple as your computer being taken away. And that’s what it was for me. That was the moment that I experienced true terror. We had just moved to Worthington two months ago, and all I did was play on my computer. My dad got fed up and started unplugging the cords powering the...
Hey kids.
We cannot emphasize enough How it’s a problem, too much to bluff. Innocence is swept away, All because the older ones have a say, A say for us girls, and even the boys. However, it’s always the girls that are sensualized toys. At a tender age, be it nine or twenty, you would think they’d leave us be We should be open and not forced Into this over sexualized society where all they see are curves, chest, hips, legs, and the symmetrical face already. They crave beauty. They desire with lust. Well how can we trust? We’re so young, we may not even be ready. For such comments and looks. We still...
Living my teenage years through historical and political events
Your teenage years are supposed to be a time for you to figure out who you really are. It’s also a time where you often feel lost and confused. However, with everything that’s been going on (Covid-19, protests for the death of George Floyd, etc..), these influential teenage years have become extremely dense. Many students haven’t been able to get their prom or graduation. Others are struggling to attend online classes in a home that doesn't have the necessary technological facilities. This is what makes this time so unique; it affects all of us, crossing societal and economic borders. Though...
Being an autistic teen in quarantine and staying occupied.
My name is Alex. I am autistic on the autism spectrum disorder. This is what it's like for me in quarantine using my own words. Quarantine has been tough a little bit. I miss talking to people face to face outside of my parents at home. At first I hated the thought of having to stay home more than usual. It was interesting at the end of last school year with "crisis school" as they called it. It's been a little hard for my mental health too, as I have other mental health issues. There was no fancy celebration for my eighth grade promotion due to the pandemic, so my mom had a lot of family and...
Shadows of Indifference
A night, midnight blue, one with no stars An eye peering through the opening, clouds reflected in gaze And blank stares, pearly white - drenched in tears The pendulum’s swinging, completing its endless cycle Hushed whispers ripple the surface, then back again An unfathomable abyss and death’s glare upon us with wings of black silk shadowing A mirror with many faces, broken shards blemishing beauty A girl, no two. Nameless, shamelessly looking. Dreaming- As the sweet, soul-sucking vortex redeems her again Walls encroach upon the silent dreamer as she remembers Transparent glass walls that cut...
Tik Tok is Harming the Earth
I am ashamed to say, but being in quarantine I can say I spend majority of my day scrolling through tiktok. TikTok has played a major role in the entertainment of Gen Z and actually has good impact such as educating in politics and raising awareness of topics that don't get much coverage. On the other hand, TikTok is harming the earth without even knowing. Fashion is a major niche of the platform and many creators promote their favorite affordable clothing stores such as Aliexpress, Shein, and Zara. The issue with these affordable brands are the ethics and sustainability. Many of these brands...