Parvi's Philanthropic Blog

Injustices and Historical Hurdles
An analysis of the systemic and societal issues that Black people face in America today, as seen in His Name is George Floyd.

Relevance to Glenbrook North Students

While Northbrook has a small black student body, it’s imperative that everyone become aware of the systemic oppression and the increased risk of fatal police violence that black people face. The first step towards any change is awareness, and all Glenbrook North students must be made aware of ongoing injustices. To read more about issues surrounding mass shootings, check out Kate’s blog.

Violence Towards Black People
- Explicitly public violence
  - Violence towards black people, but more often black men, throughout history has tended to be a large public spectacle. From public whippings and lynchings decades ago that inspired Billy Holidays’ “Strange Fruit”, to public police brutality captured on camera today. These violent displays of racism are so standard today there always seems to be a new video of violence circulating on Twitter or Instagram. This brings up the idea of “trauma porn” and how people indulge in watching videos of violence when it can be harmful to people in certain communities.
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Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

George Floyd's murder was extremely public and inhumane, part of what sparked the larger wave of the Black Lives Matter movement, however it brings into question how many more suffered a simmilar fate but didn't recieve nearly as much media coverage or awarness. What does it take to get the attention of non-black people on this issue?
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- Higher incarceration rates
  - In His Name is George Floyd, Floyd himself along with many of his friends struggled to stay out of prison. Instances regarding his drug distribution, addiction, and past criminal activity contributed to his issues with law enforcement. Later in life as he attempted to get clean and move forward, his felony conviction prevented him from getting a secure job, which eventually lead him to more drug use to cope with his depression. His trauma with police and prison also caused mental distress during his encounter with Derek Chauvin on May 25th, 2020, which was handled extremely poorly by the police present on the scene. Predominantly black neighborhoods are largely overpoliced and implicit bias may lead to harsher sentencing. The higher rates of incarceration of Black men create obstacles that can prevent many from being as successful as their counterparts of different races.
Bureau Of Justice Stats Special Report

Bureau Of Justice Stats Special Report

Black men have a 28.5% chance of being incarcerated while all men have a 9% chance. Men have a 9% chance of being incarcerated while women have a 1.1% Black men have the highest likelihood of being incarcerated out of any other demographic.

Systemic oppression that continues to harm black people includes housing racism like redlining, lack of support and resources for drug addiction recovery, the poverty cycle, and increased rates of policing and police violence in black neighborhoods and black people. All of these are seen in His Name is George Floyd, as Floyd’s ancestors struggle with the aftermath of abolition and reconstruction, creating a poverty cycle that haunts the family’s access to housing. The Floyd family lives in the housing projects of Houston, known as the Third Ward that’s notorious for drug addiction and criminal activity that traps its members in a cycle of policing and prison. The schools that Floyd attended were underfunded and neglected, making it difficult to succeed academically. Floyd had many instances with the police and prison that facilitated his fear of being killed by the cops, like so many black men are. The Third Ward is policed so much that people like Floyd were arrested for just walking home.

“Floyd had had learned that a consequence of living in the Third Ward was that the police were a constant and often hostile presence, showing up at all hours prepared to use force first and ask questions later…Floyd was arrested after police saw him walking in the rain through his old neighborhood. In their report, officers said they stopped Floyd in Cuney Homes because he ‘did not look like he was going anywhere imparticular [sic]’. Floyd served 35 days on a failure-to-identify charge”(118).
His Name is George Floyd

Act.tv

The video above explains systemic racism’s causes and how it continues to affect people today.

Higher Rates of Police Killings

Implicit bias and stereotypes can also play a role into the disproportionate amount of black people killed during police encounters. According to Healthdata.org, Black Americans are 3.5x more likely than White Americans to experience fatal police violence. The largest obstacle in understanding police violence is the large amounts of incidents that are underreported or falsely reported. The power that the police system holds often allows police officers to get away with false reporting of incidents with little punishment, encouraging potential corruption.

Across all races and states in the USA, researchers estimate that NVSS data failed to report 17,100 deaths from police violence out of 30,800 total deaths from 1980-2018 (the most recent years of available NVSS data), accounting for 55.5% of all deaths from police violence during this period. Using a predictive model, researchers also estimated the total number of deaths from police violence in the USA, for all races/ethnicities and all states for 2019, estimating an additional 1,190 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths from police violence from 1980-2019 to 32,000.
Healthdata.org

In His Name is George Floyd, many in Floyd’s community faced fatal police violence- an unfortunate side effect of living in an overpoliced low-income black neighborhood. The higher likelihood that Black Americans will be killed by police makes many fear for their lives around those who are meant to protect and serve, also seen in the book as Floyd has a panic attack and asks police not to shoot him multiple times.

‘Both hands!’ Lane shouted as he unholstered his gun, a SIG sure P320, and pointed it towards Floyd. Floyd’s eyes bulged in horror. It was as if the prophecy that his mother told him about what happens to Black men who get in trouble with the law was about to come true… ‘I’ll look at you eye-to-eye man.’ Floyd said. ‘Please don’t shoot me, man’” (231).
His Name is George Floyd.
May 10, 2023

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Review of: His Name Is George Floyd

The book I chose for my Gallery of Conscious is called His Name Is George Floyd by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa. The book details the life of George Floyd, explains how systematic oppression affected him, and how his murder changed America. The book was published on May 17th, 2022 to give readers a window into the life of a black man who grew up in the housing projects of Houston. These books fit the larger problem of police brutality, mass incarceration, and systematic racism.

New York Times

“The authors reflect on the irony of Floyd being killed after allegedly buying cigarettes with a fake $20 bill, given his family’s history with tobacco. Throughout, Floyd’s life is used to discuss issues such as racial terrorism, housing segregation, mass incarceration and racism in schooling. The point is driven home that his life and death were a result of the racism built into American society.”
– The Guardian

I chose to read this book because while I know about the basics of systemic racism and police brutality, it’s a complex subject with an extensive history that I would like to learn more about. Living in the Northbrook bubble for most of my life, I felt that it was important for me to read about the experiences of people different from what I’m used to. The book A Mercy by Toni Morrison focuses on power dynamics similar to some seen in His Name Is George Floyd, however in a much more explicit way and in a historical setting that lays the groundwork for modern-day racism. These power dynamics are also explored In the book when comparing the treatment Floyd receives for drug addiction versus Ross, his partner who is a white woman. After the death of George Floyd in 2020, I started to become educated on many of the systemic barriers black people had faced for generations, and this book helped me to see how they affect real people. So far, I’ve read to page 243 out of 380. This book is decently engaging, at times the subject matter can get sad and make me want to take a break for a few minutes. However, the injustices outlined in the writing evoke emotion in me that makes me want to keep reading.

“Floyd had learned that a consequence of living in the Third Ward was that the police were a constant and often hostile presence, showing up at all hours prepared to use force first and ask questions later…Floyd was arrested after police saw him walking in the rain through his old neighborhood. In their report, officers said they stopped Floyd in Cuney Homes because he ‘did not look like he was going anywhere in particular [sic]’. Floyd served 35 days on a failure-to-identify charge” (118).
His Name Is George Floyd

This passage strikes me as compelling because it’s so different from the environment that I’m used to, or anything I could even fathom happening. While I am aware the police are corrupt and often do more harm than good, being arrested for walking in your own neighborhood- or even anywhere in public- is outrageous. What’s even crazier is that he was forced to serve 35 days in prison. It really shows how much power the police have, and how easily they’re able to abuse it.

Intelligencer

“And now police assaults on black people for the most ordinary human behavior… It is as if we have re-entered the past and are living in a second Nadir. It seems the rate of police killings now surpasses the rate of lynchings during the worst decades of the Jim Crow era” (61).
Isabel Wilkerson, Where Do We Go from Here?

Everything Isabel Wilkerson says in Where Do We Go from Here? Can be seen multiple times in His Name is George Floyd, from the origins of slavery to reconstruction, to Jim Crow, and to civil rights and beyond. This is not the first time and certainly not the last time Floyd had been assaulted by police for doing “the most ordinary human behavior”. As Wilkerson explains, black people are watched with sharper scrutiny and are unable to live without harassment or discrimination from those who “serve and protect”. The end of Floyd’s life would also be the result of ordinary human behavior that was seen as a life-threatening situation by a police officer. The police have the power of justification that few tend to question. Many believe the police are looking out for the best interest of everyone, but in reality, their racism is hidden under a thin veil of “protection and justice”.

April 21, 2023

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Layalina

Layalina Iraq 2003 Set

Layalina Skokie 2020 Set

For my third SAMO, I decided to see Layalina, a play about a young newlywed Iraqi named Layal who plans to immigrate to Chicago with her husband Sahir in order to escape the political instability of Iraq in 2003. She lives with her parents, (Karim and Yasir), her queer brother (Mazin), and her six-year-old siblings (Marwa and Yousif). Shortly after her wedding, she finds out her parents had been denied a United States visa, shattering the idea that she would have their support during her transition to the United States. Yasir and Karim propose that Layal takes her two younger siblings to raise on her own in a desperate attempt to get them out of Iraq. Layal accepts this, however, just days before leaving her husband is murdered during a protest.

The second half of the play takes place in Skokie, Illinois in March 2020. Layal has been living as a single caretaker of her siblings for 17 years and is starting her own clothing company. Her brother Mazin had come to visit for the first time since she left. Even though it was implied that her brother was gay, he married a woman and moved to Australia. The distance and time apart along with the death of their parents in Iraq strained the family’s relationship. Layal lives with Marwa and Yousif, along with Amin (Sahir’s younger brother). Yousif and Amin are gay and Marwa is non-binary, but often assists their mom in modeling dresses for her company. The three are seen smoking weed and discussing taboo topics like sex. Marwa is injured during a Black Lives Matter protest which triggers an argument between Mazin and Layal. Mazin shamed Layal for allowing their siblings to “turn out like this”, referring to their non-traditional behavior. Layal expresses her struggle in raising her siblings without a support system and decided that she should let them embrace who they are. The play ends with family conflicts resolved, Layal and Marwa creating a gender-neutral clothing line, and a romance forming between Yosif and Amin.

Parvi and her mother.

Parvi in front of Layalina sign.

My mom and I drove to the Goodman theatre on the evening of Friday, March 10th to see Layalina. Afterward, my mom confessed how she cried a few times, which baffled me because I felt almost no urge to cry throughout the show. It was when I reflected on the themes explored in the play I realized that my mother’s experience wasn’t as different from Layal’s as I imagined. My family immigrated to the United States in 2007. My parents knew very little about living in the United States and had almost no family here. Growing up I never considered how hard it must have been for my parents to not only leave the comfort of their family but to also raise their children in an environment where the culture is vastly different from what they grew up with.

Violence During Peaceful Protests

While the police have been abusing their positions of power for decades, media coverage of police brutality has increased in recent years. In Layalina, there are two instances of police violence- one where Sahir was killed during a protest in 1993 Iraq, and one where Marwa received a cut on her arm during a protest in 2020. Unfortunately, police brutality is still killing thousands today all over the world. In Iran, women are being arrested and killed by the morality police for not following hijab rules, and just 2 months ago a peaceful protester was fatally shot near the proposed Cop City campus in Atlanta.

NDTV.com

Iran recently passed legislation that allows women to be arrested and punished for wearing revealing clothing or for not wearing a hijab. Thousands of women protested this rule by not following the guidelines and attending protests, where countless were arrested. The morality police are the one’s enforcing these rules and often use brutal force. One of the victims of Iran’s morality police was Mahsa Amini. Her death in police custody – which police claimed was because she fell ill – triggered widespread protests throughout Iran. Hearing the stories of Iranian women who encounter the morality police makes me incredibly sad, sad that in 2023 women are still being punished for existing.

“’Security forces have reportedly responded with live ammunition, pellet guns, and teargas’, she told journalists. ‘At least two people have reportedly been killed and several injured, and a number have been arrested.’”
Ravina Shamdasani, UN News

Another notable instance of police brutality took place this past January when environmental activist Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, also known as Tortuguita by friends and family was sitting cross-legged with their hands up when they were shot 13 times and killed by Georgia police at a “cop city” protest. The Atlanta police department has released very little information to the family, as there was no body camera footage of the event, and findings from the initial autopsy were withheld from the family. Not only did the police murder a peaceful protester, but they are refusing to give their family answers.

CBS News

Cop city is the nickname given to a training center that is proposed to be built in Atlanta, Georgia. The facility would be used to train law enforcement and firefighters and would include an auditorium, a mock city, vehicular training courses, and K9 kennels. The main critique of “Cop City” is the cost and environmental impact of building it, but also the possible consequences it could have on marginalized communities. This clip from Hasan Piker, a left leaning political commentator, explains the issues that many people have with the institution (explicit language).

Hasan Piker from the youtube channel HasanAbi (4:19-4:40)

Police violence is normalized to the point that hearing about someone else killed by law enforcement, and even seeing the brutal video isn’t surprising anymore. While police officers can provide safety and resources to communities, many people, especially black and Hispanic people feel terrorized by their violent methods and abuse of power. I’m very used to hearing about police brutality in the United States, but rarely hear about instances of violence in non-western countries. This reminded me that police violence may seem bad in America, but it’s much worse in other places like Iran where it’s not reported on as much.

You’re Not Alone

While some western countries are known to be relatively accepting of queer citizens, countries in places like Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia tend to either have oppressive laws or no stance on gay and trans people. Besides the laws, the social norm in those countries can involve shunning or even punishing queer people. This can cause turmoil for people living in anti-LGBT countries or with family who holds those values.

QUEERING THE MAP

Queering the map is a website that allows LGBTQ+ people all over the world to share their story experiences anonymously through the use of a map. When zooming into the Middle East (specifically Iraq), several stories stood out to me but these two provided the story of an Iraqi immigrant family in the United States and the story of a lesbian who presumably lives in Iraq. Living in the United States and with an open minded family, I could never imagine being this afraid of revealing my identity. Reading these stories was shocking, heart breaking, and made me realize how lucky I am to live in an accepting country. Hiding an aspect as significant as your sexual orientation or gender identity from your community can cause mental health issues and feelings of alienation. In Layalina, Mazin spends his entire life hiding his sexuality from his family and even enters a marriage with a woman. While he never formally told Layal, it’s clear that she knew about her brother’s sexual orientation and makes a large effort to break the cycle for her siblings, offering them an accepting and non-judgemental environment.

“Immediately upon our births, we begin to be socialized by the people we love and trust the most, our families or the adults raising us. They shape our self-concepts and self-perceptions, the norms and rules we must follow, and the roles we are taught to play…these messages are an automatic part of our early socialization, and we don’t initially question them” (17).
Bobbie Harro, The Cycle Of Socialization

While we are all products of our environment and we can’t help who we were raised by, it’s important to question things you accepted unconditionally earlier in life. In Layalina, Even Layal and Mazin were resisting the status quo in 2003, with Layal being outspoken and driven as a woman, Mazin kissing a boy, and both attending protests against the Iraqi government. Layal and Mazin had to accept that their siblings were breaking the cycle that they were socialized in by questioning their attitudes on recreational drugs, sexual orientation, and gender identity. As Layal raised her siblings in the United States, she realized that in order to be a good caretaker she would have to let go of the values she was raised with and let her siblings be themselves. When Mazin comes to visit, he struggles to do the same but eventually makes an effort to change his ways.

Layalina was an emotional play that made me reflect on my own privilege and made me consider the lives of people like me who don’t live in as fortunate circumstances. It made me look at my parents in a new light, realizing that they took a large leap into the unknown by immigrating to the United States. I feel thankful that my parents worked hard to give me a life that is vastly different from theirs at my age.

March 21, 2023

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The Harsh Reality of Trying to Create Change

An analysis of the issues brought up in Junk Raft by Marcus Eriksen.

Convincing and Artist Statement

The cover of Junk Raft

Junk Raft by Marcus Eriksen details the author’s journey of creating and traveling across the pacific in a ship made of plastic materials called JUNK. Eriksen had launched similar voyages like sailing down the Mississippi river on a raft called Bottle Rocket. He aimed to expose the scale of microplastic in the ocean to debunk the “great pacific garbage patch” myth. Throughout the book, Eriksen shared his stories about legislation and scientific conferences during his time at the 5 Gyres Institute. The largest theme in this memoir was the harm plastic does to us and the complex process of creating policy to combat it. Prior to reading Junk Raft, I never realized how many obstacles there are on the road to creating concrete environmental laws, like the needed support from a large group, attacks from large corporations, and misinformation pushed from the opposing side. Creating environmental policy is critical now more than ever as the climate crisis grows increasingly worse every year.

Marcus Eriksen, via the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

The most important themes in Junk Raft By Marcus Erikson include the process of “waking up”, becoming involved and making a difference in environmental movements, the social consequences that are involved with speaking against the status quo, and the unjust power of large corporations as they block environmental policy for their benefit. All of these themes expose the harsh reality of how hard it is to create change without pre-established money or power. Eriksen has been on the forefront of the plastic pollution issue and has impacted countless legislations, but even he, like everyone else had a waking up point that challenged his preconceived notions and drove him to take action. During his battles to pass legislation, he had numerous encounters with corporations and even other scientists who wanted to silence his research to maintain their power. People who spoke up against the status quo held by the revolving door and rich U.S. industry faced scrutiny and resistance in making a difference. This memoir will make readers passionate and angry about the blatant favoritism and free passes that large corporations get when they’re harming the environment. Everything seems to be related, as readers draw connections between which groups often resist the status quo, and which groups uphold it. The process almost became linear; research would emerge with evidence of an ingredient harming the environment or consumers, environmental groups would attempt to remove this from use or pass legislation banning it, and corporations would use their political power to pass counter legislation or discredit the work of the scientists. This all comes down to the United States’ pro-capitalist ideology that short-term profits take precedence over long-term environmental harm. Companies are able to maintain their power through the political revolving door, where they face little to no consequences for their actions.

Waking Up

“When I saw burning oil wells shooting hundred-foot flames into the sky and covering the ground with soot and petroleum for miles, blackening the skies to complete darkness at noon, causing dark rivers to run from my eyes and nose, I fell into deep, prolonged despair. My biophilia had been betrayed, and I believed humanity was self-destructive. I had no control over the future, and that was the core of my sadness. I had lost all hope” (114).
Marcus Eriksen, Junk Raft

Marcus Eriksen writes about his waking up point, which later triggered him to start the 5 Gyres Institute. (PC: Wikipedia)

“The mission of the 5 Gyres institute is to use science to drive change. In the last 10 years, I have published about 20 research papers which have helped to drive legislative policy, public education, and decisions made by corporations”
Marcus Eriksen, Youth Time Magazine

The 5 Gyres Institute specializes in research and education about plastic pollution. On their website they provide information about current and previous projects, educational resources, and their research papers. Ways to get involved include an ambassador, zero-waste parks, and trashblitz program. They also encourage going waste free and sell multi-use products.

In the Cycle of Liberation, Bobbie Harro explains the “waking up” phase of liberation as “experiencing the world differently than someone has before” (619). Eriksen had to traveled to Iraq during the Gulf War to reach his “waking up” point. He experienced cognitive dissonance, indicative by his sadness. However, he used this waking up point to launch his own research institution and dedicated his career to researching plastic pollution. Eriksen is an amazing example of someone who broke out of the cycle of socialization, and entered the cycle of liberation with full force.

The Consequences of Opposing the Status Quo

Rachel Carson went under scrtiny after publishing Silent Spring.

“When Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, she had no idea that in less than a year she would be sitting in front of a Senate subcommittee on pesticides, having rattled the chemical industry and kick-started the environmental movement… The industry was quick to retaliate and attempt to crush Carson’s credibility. DDT manufacturers such as Vesicol threatened lawsuits against her publisher and the New Yorker for defamation and sent letters accusing her of being a Communist sympathizer employed by the Soviet Union to undermine American business” (102).
Marcus Eriksen, Junk Raft

Marcus Eriksen has also experienced being defamed by large corporations to prevent the environmental policy from being passed, so he’s very familiar with the process.

PC: Alleghenyfront.org

“People who try to contradict the “norm” pay a price for their independent thinking, and people who conform (consciously or unconsciously) minimally receive the benefit of being left alone for not making waves, such as acceptance in their designated roles, is considered normal or a ‘team player, or being allowed to stay in their places. Maximally, they receive awards and privileges for maintaining the status quo” (19).
Bobbie Harro, The Cycle of Socialization.

This quote shows the extremes large industries will go to save their profits. Industries that already have monopolies on people and political power would rather allow the environment to degrade and people to suffer than work a compromise or lose some money. The well-being of the environment and the safety of people should come before profits in all circumstances. By allowing those with ill intent to influence environmental policy and publish biased “scientific” work discrediting warning signs of global warming, we are moving backward in the fight to prevent climate change.

Corporations’ Abuse of Power

“We had evidence from sewage-treatment plants that microbeads were escaping in wastewater effluent and that microbeads trapped in sewage sludge were being spread across cropland fertilizer…The 5 Gyres Institute team found a collaborator in the California senate, Richard Bloom, and worked closely with his team and other organizations to rally support for AB 1699 banning products containing microbeads of any kind from store shelves by 2019… Anna and I brought our concerns to the CEO of P&G and its director of sustainability, Len Sauers, who said ‘when you find our products out there in the environment, come back to us.’ We did…the legislative wheels were in motion. What we didn’t know was that the company had an alternate plan: expecting federal policy, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) which represents over 600 companies, got the jump on all of us by promoting an industry-friendly bill in statehouses across the United States… The loophole would allow all such bio-plastic alternatives, most of which likewise don’t degrade in the ocean, so the bill wouldn’t change a thing for the environment” (151).
Marcus Eriksen, Junk Raft

Eriksen has had first-hand encounters with the resistance from large companies who are trying to protect their profits. These companies have no regard for the well being of their consumers or the environment.

PC: Frank Sonnenberg Online

Out of the Three Modes of Character integration in The Thinkers Guide to Ethical Reasoning, the crimes described in the quote describe the Self-Serving Critical person, who “Develops intellectual abilities to serve one’s selfish interests without regard to the rights and needs of others, manipulates less sophisticated people, and results in those people being harmed (directly or indirectly). This makes them unethical, self-righteous, and self-deceived.” (8). Corporations with political power develop political and social influence so that they can serve their selfish interest- making as much money as possible- without the regard of others- the environment and those affected by climate change.

“Environmental issues have been present for a long time. Why do you think our current generation is much more proactive about fighting for environmental causes? What makes us different from previous generations?

Yes, because the threats are imminent. The near future will see overpopulation, resource scarcity and pollution as global crises. There is no precedent for this reality. In the past we always had somewhere else to go, someone else to conquer and take their land, water, oil, food, industry, etc. Now there’s no place to go. This generation realizes this in a HUGE way. But, we must show a path to a better future, otherwise, we kill hope. The circular economy is that path.”
Marcus Eriksen, Kablo

January 26, 2023

Uncategorized
SAMO 2: A Surprisingly Interesting Litter Cleanup
I’ve always enjoyed nature and admired wildlife, though I’ve never gone out of my way to visit a forest preserve outside of Northbrook. I would also never consider going to one in the middle of December. All that aside, for this SAMO two friends and I visited Catherine Chevalier Woods in Des Plains to clean up litter.

Parvi and Brooke at the entrance to the woods.
- The woods are a 30-minute drive away. As I drove us we almost got into a car accident on the highway and got lost near O’hare several times, but we made it alright.
- I registered as a Select Organized Litter Obliterator (SOLO) using the Cook County Forest Preserve Website. I narrowed down my location using this litter hotspot guide provided.
- This experience was totally free besides gas money to travel to the site or the cost of trash bags and gloves, which I brought from home.
- I would recommend this experience to other students. It got a little gross at times but it really opened my eyes to how much people disvalue wildlife and nature, and cleaning up litter benefits the woods.
The buck that was following us during cleanup.

Two female deer staring at us.

Brooke and deer.

As soon as we turned into the forest preserve we were astounded by the sheer amount of deer in front of us. It was the most deer I’ve ever seen in one place, and they weren’t scared of us. In fact, they were following us (at a safe distance) the whole time, presumably looking for food. We were uncomfortable being followed by the deer but continued to clean the trash anyway.
As for the garbage itself, the most common trash we found was:
- Fast food wrappers
- Cigarette buds
- Plastic bags
- Receipts
- Dog bones (the kind that dogs chew on)
- Plastic containers
Most of the items indicate that people often have picnics and socialize at this park. However, we found this trash far away from the gazebo where most people would sit. While I’m sure this trash wasn’t intentionally left behind, it still has an impact on the plants and animals of the area.
3 trash bags filled with litter in the garbage can.

Parvi holding a plastic container.

Brooke holding plastic.

Humanity’s Hindrance

Even though the spectacle of the deer was fascinating, it made me sad to see how the lives of these deer have been disrupted by human activity. Instead of living normally inside the forest, they became dependent on humans for food and were negatively affected by the trash in their environment. We even saw deer eating a large pile of trail mix that was dumped on the grass. Seeing all this made me wonder, how much better would wildlife be if all humans disappeared?

While researching this question I learned about the Chernobyl Accident; a huge radioactive disaster that created uninhabitable zones and triggered a mass evacuation in Ukraine in 1986. Years after the accident, the zone was less radioactive but still sparsely populated. Unexpectedly, nature flourished. While it’s unrealistic to have thousands of people evacuate an area under normal circumstances, seeing how much the area is thriving without human activity makes me wonder how much we burden the wildlife around us without realizing it.

“Researchers have found the land surrounding the plant, which has been largely off limits to humans for three decades, has become a haven for wildlife, with lynx, bison, deer and other animals roaming through thick forests. This so-called Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), which covers 2,800 square km of northern Ukraine, now represents the third-largest nature reserve in mainland Europe and has become an iconic – if accidental – experiment in rewilding”
UN Environmental Programme

The video below by Vsauce summarizes the incident and its effects.

Michael from the Youtube channel Vsauce.

Catherine Cavalier woods is supposed to be a sanctuary for wildlife, but instead, it’s been disrupted so much by visitors that deer now depend on food humans leave behind. I always thought that the Cook County forest preserves were pockets of nature that remained mostly unaffected by the surrounding suburbs. As Michael mentioned in the video, many animals are limited by humans and them thriving in our absence proves our impact is negative. Seeing those deer approach everyone in the area in hopes of food opened my eyes to how much people can distort the natural order of things. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, white-tailed deer live in forests and feed on the vegetation from plants and trees, occasionally feeding on grass as well. White-tailed deer are normally frightened of people and rarely approach them. Were the deer thriving due to the food humans left behind? Are they eating the wrong food and getting harmed? I am still perplexed by the behavior of the deer and haven’t been able to find a definitive explanation. After this experience, I have grown more conscious about how my actions may effect all the living creatures around me, even in small ways. I’ve grown intrigued by how human activity can disrput ecosystems and how to minimize the damage humans do to the environment.

The events in Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen slightly mirror the nuclear disaster that occurred in Ukraine. There’s clear evidence of a public health risk that has killed several people (the contaminated water of the springs), but unlike the Ukrainian government, Peter, Kiil, and Asklaksen ignore the safety of their visitors for money. While the health risk in Kirsten Springs is smaller than in the Chernobyl incident, the principal remains the same. The most powerful bureaucrats in the town want to keep profiting off of the springs at the expense of the health and lives of unsuspecting visitors. I believe the Ukrainian government acted correctly by evacuating the area and even restricting the number of people living there today to preserve the wildlife haven. They could certainly resume business in some parts of the area to make more money but they have put the well-being of the environment and the safety of people above profits. Today, I rarely see large companies in the United States, or sometimes even the U.S. Government, put the well-being of people and the environment above profits. Unfortunately, this is the reality of the society we live in. Like the powerful bureaucrats in Kirsten Springs, a select few people are responsible for some of the largest industries and political decisions in the United States and will often act in their best interest rather than the interest of their constituents.

”And what do you propose we do about the springs in the meantime? Shut them up, no doubt! Because we would have to, you know. As soon as the rumor get’s around that the water is dangerous, we won’t have a visitor left. So that’s the picture, Thomas. You have it in your power to literally ruin your own town” (29).
Henrik Ibsen, Enemy Of the People

The Pandemic and Outdoor Recreation

Even though it was cold and rainy, we saw several families in the woods. Some were walking with dogs, some were playing in the field, and some were driving deeper into the forest. This made me reflect on how my family hasn’t participated in outdoor activities together since before the pandemic. As it became more normal for us to stay indoors, we started translating family time into watching shows or cooking together. Reflecting on my own experiences, I began to wonder how the pandemic has affected outdoor recreation rates in the United State

Graph Via the Outdoor Industry Association

Contrary to my experience, the overall outdoor recreation rates have increased since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the Outdoor participant base has increased 6.9% since early 2020. After remembering how my friends and I felt during the pandemic itself, I started to understand why spending time outside had become more popular. Quarantine in Spring of 2020 caused a dramatic increase in mental health issues around the world. The stress of the period, isolation, and boredom contributed to the ongoing mental health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that the pandemic caused a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.

“Throughout the pandemic, nearly half (45%) of people in the UK told us that visiting green spaces, such as parks, helped them to cope… Connectedness refers to the way we relate to nature and experience nature. A strong connection with nature means feeling a close relationship or an emotional attachment to our natural surroundings.”
Mental Health Foundation

Spending time in nature helps us feel more connected to our surroundings and can invoke joy, creativity, and calmness. I never consciously realized how nature makes me happier. Looking back, I relate some of my happiest memories to when I’m at the beach on vacation, walking in the forest near my house, or exploring a new city. Covid has conditioned many people to unconsciously default to staying in the house, which can feel repetitive over time and contribute to depression. Struggling with mental health is common and it can often be difficult to cope with negative emotions, but learning how being outdoors can improve our state of mind has given me a new perspective and sense of hope. The next time you’re feeling down, consider going for a walk or sitting on your porch, you just might feel better.

The Cook County Forest Preserve system makes it easy for local residents to enjoy nature and its benefits for free. Not everyone has access to well-maintained trails, lagoons, or forests. While I was cleaning up trash, even though it was cold and wet and we were being harassed by an odd-looking deer, I felt more at peace than I do at home. The slight breeze, the sights of seven or eight deer around me, and the view of a lush forest allowed me to live in the moment and reminded me of my interest in wild animals. Overall, I would definitely do litter clean-up again. It’s even more fun with friends who share a passion for helping the environment.

Parvi and Brooke serving.
January 5, 2023

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SAMO 1: My First Art Museum
I’ve never been a fan of museums, or art in general. While I admire the effort of creators and respect those who enjoy it, I always thought art was boring. However, for this SAMO I decided to visit the Enter the Mirror exhibit (which focuses on contemporary social issues) at the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Chicago to broaden my perspective. Overall, the experience was enjoyable and resonated with me after I left.

Day at the MCA
- My friend Natalie and I had a parent drive us to the MCA (this was downtown on the day of the marathon, so getting there was tricky).
- Entry was free because we are students who provided a zip code.
- Got information on exhibits and timings through the MCA website.
- We spent most of our time at the enter the mirror exhibit, but also explored the rest of the museum.
- I would recommend the MCA to other CST students. The area is pretty and the content is interesting and diverse.
Parvi in front of Woman With a Camera

Parvi in front of A Book and a Medal.

Parvi next to America’s Joyous Future

Parvi next to WEARECLOSERTHANYOUEVERIMAGINED

Patricia Hearst-A Thru Z

Decoracion de Interiores

Cornered

Chainsaw Cut Cowboy Head

Various works in the Enter the Mirror exhibit.

Woman With a Camera

_{Parvi in front of Woman With a Camera as the slides transition.}

Woman with a Camera takes frames from the 1978 movie The Eyes of Laura Mars, in which actress Faye Dunaway witnesses horrific acts that happen out of sight to viewers. Anne Coiller’s portrayal of her eyes through a frame-by-frame slideshow adds an ominous element to the piece. The viewer is made uncomfortable because even though we aren’t seeing what the perpetrator is doing, we feel powerless and dreadful simply witnessing her reactions. The viewers are bystanders who can’t change the circumstances, but can only watch helplessly- an allusion to the bystander effect.
Watching the news often evokes similar emotions in me. There has been very little positive news in the last two years. Constantly hearing about death, war, climate change, and suffering may fill people a sense of hopelessness and dread (of course, simply hearing about horrible news is much better than experiencing the news). These circumstances are out of our control yet have a large negative impact on millions of people. For example, climate change has displaced many communities through severe hurricanes and flooding, and hearing about it is heartbreaking. The article, “Does Personal Action Matter” published by Climate Science states that no matter how much an individual tries, it’s almost impossible to get to the root of climate change without solid support or legislative action. This is also true for international war, neighborhoods in poverty, and the suffering of others. Only a select few have the power to create a lasting change, and that change often doesn’t represent the will of the masses.

“Our lifestyle choices can help to reduce carbon emissions, but a single person’s actions alone will not make a lot of difference. To have a significant impact, we will need technological innovation and structural changes, along with strong environmental policies that are adopted on a global scale”
– Climate Science

Is there a way to move past this evil, capitalistic system of power where only the wealthy have real influence? In my opinion, not anytime in the near future, or even my lifetime. Right now the obstacles to create change seem large and impossible to get by. However, I will continue to hold on to the hope to create a better world for everyone, because I never know what the future promises.

America’s Joyous Future

_{Parvi looking deeply at America’s Joyous Future, details of America’s Joyous Future}

America’s Joyous Future by Erika Rothenberg comments on how the U.S. government has a plethora of social safety nets but doesn’t attempt to solve the root of their issues. The line “Sunday Sermon 9 A.M.” is ironic when preceded by alcoholism, domestic abuse, eating disorders, drug addiction, suicide, and homelessness. As the lines between church and state become blurred, Rothenberg acknowledges that even though the U.S. has an esteemed global position, it still holds severe internal problems that aren’t being addressed.
When I initially saw this piece, I started to consider the lack of separation between church and state today. Prominent political figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene campaign on their faith and have gained immense support from fellow evangelicals. Traditional Christian values like banning abortion and homophobia have been emerging in legislation, which negatively impact millions across the country. An idea I’ve begun to hear about but am still unfamiliar with is Christian nationalism. The article, “Understanding White Christian Nationalism” published by Yale University describes the emerging signs of Christian nationalism in the U.S. The article mentions how historically, white Christian nationals have had more power than any group in the U.S. and have prominent political influence.

“White Christian nationalists take advantage of preexisting societal cleavages to mobilize supporters, channeling their fears into resentments.”
-Bart bownikowski

I often see fear-mongering about Christian ideals targeted toward younger people. For example, I discovered a religious speaker named Sister Cindy who travels to colleges across America and shames women for being sexually active or dressing provocatively. The video linked below expands on her efforts and motives.

While analyzing this piece, I started to wonder why people would want to impose their beliefs on people who don’t agree with them. It seems rude and counterintuitive. However, I now realize the way that many Evangelicals were raised has conditioned them to aggressively spread their religion. I remember freshman year when my then-Christian friend told me I was going to hell for not believing in God. When I asked them about it today she said the youth group she was involved in repeatedly told them these things and instilled fear. This is a classic example of the cycle of socialization, at least for those who have been following the same religious values since a young age. There are many who leave the cycle and have that moment of “critical consciousness,” however it doesn’t happen to everyone.

Thumbs up!

Parvi giving a double-thumbs up in front of the MCA.

I enjoy art a bit more after my time at the MCA. I truly appreciate how artists comment on social issues or portray their experiences in creative and meaningful ways. I feel that this experience broadened my view on art and exposed me to new perspectives on certain social issues. I am inspired enough to go to another art museum, which shocks me.
October 25, 2022

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Mash Blog: Open-mindedness and Personal Growth

An exploration of the process of expanding your worldview and challenging preconceived opinions.

“Almost inevitably, as we are getting ready, it becomes necessary to seek experiences outside ourselves in order to check our reality and to expose ourselves to a wider range of differences than we had before. We need to practice using our skills and tools with others, and experiment with expressing our new views and speaking out when we disagree instead of staying silent” (621).
– Bobbie Harro, “The Cycle of Liberation“

“As journalists, we love the difference. We love to fetishize difference. But increasingly, in this confusing world, we need to be the bridge between those differences.”
-(Jad Abumrad, “How Dolly Parton Led me to an Epiphany“).

“You go to a Dolly concert, and you see men in trucker hats standing next to men in drag. Democrats standing next to republicans, women holding hands, every different type of person smashed together. All of these people that we are told should hate each other are singing together.”
– (Jad Abumrad, “How Dolly Parton Led me to an Epiphany“).

“We may discover that we need to educate ourselves: read more, talk to people, bounce ideas and views around with others, begin listening to the news with new ears, seek expertise” (621).
– Bobbie Harro, “The Cycle of Liberation“

“The more students work at storing the deposits entrusted to them, the less they develop the critical consciousness which would result from their intervention in the world as transformers of that world.”
-Paulo Freire, QOTD

Photography by Tom Hussey, via Digital Synopsis.

“Can Trump Supporters And Immigrants See Eye To Eye? | Middle Ground” (4:49-6:19).

One of the issues I’ve seen the most in the U.S. is an unwillingness to listen to others. Some people assume they’re unconditionally correct and attack others with differing views. We are told things as we grow up that we accept with no question, which narrows our worldview. The first step to bettering ourselves and having a holistic view of the world is to start a dialog with those around us who have different identities and experiences. Those who have different experiences are our window into different parts of the world. In the Jubilee video, the Muslim woman and the Trump-supporting woman both saw a glimpse into each other’s lives and they were able to have a dialog regarding their experiences. If we enter a conversation with the attitude that the other person is wrong, there will be no growth. Hearing someone else’s experience may directly challenge your views, and while that cognitive dissonance may be uncomfortable, it’s a sign that you’re willing to evolve your pre-imposed beliefs. The woman looking back to the mirror in Tom Hussey’s photograph depicts how we develop different values and opinions over time, and how that change isn’t necessarily bad.

October 17, 2022

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10 Ways to Self Improve

We can all work on ourselves. In the end, I just want to be happy and healthy. These are 10 ways I can improve in the future.

Work harder on schoolwork: I need to study more for tests and put more effort into my homework. If I work harder I’ll see better results.

Put more effort into outfits: Stop dressing like a bum every day and wear all those cute clothes in my closet. It takes a lot of energy in the morning but I will feel better.

Create goals: Write down a goal at a specific time limit in order to have a reason to want to succeed. Make sure I follow my deadlines and achieve my goals.

Check-in on myself: understand when I’m having a bad time and work to fix it by doing self care or taking time for myself.

More motivation: Provide an incentive to study/ get something done, like allowing myself to buy something on my wishlist if I get an A on my test.

Keep self-control: Don’t give in to unhealthy impulses like not doing any work. Pushing myself harder will lead to better results.

Check-in on friends: Keep up with important relationships and maintain them. Make sure I’m being treated well by my friends.

Know my limits: Understand when I’m close to my breaking point and avoid destructive behavior. Keep a journal to understand my mental health.

Take care of myself: If I know I’m stressed or anxious, do something to reset my mentality

Less time on social media: the main distraction from schoolwork and hurting mental health

Be kind: Make someone’s day by doing a random act of kindness, to a stranger or a friend.

September 8, 2022

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