All posts by Faith Collins

News

Human trafficking pandemic plagues Texas

Salma Valadez

Staff Writer

The pandemic of human trafficking has plagued our nation for centuries. Unfortunately, the prominent issue of this modern-day form of slavery has gone neglected and left many of those most susceptible to falling victim to the human trafficking industry – the third largest international crime industry – uneducated on the reality of its commonness. Texas specifically ranks second in the nation for the most human trafficking activity, especially in the San Antonio areas.

A21 Freedom Chasers is an organization dedicated to abolishing the modern-day form of slavery commonly known as human trafficking. Cecilia Lopez, an active member of the organization’s branch in the San Antonio area, shared information regarding the status of the human trafficking industry in San Antonio.

“I have seen the problem of human trafficking increase, and the dynamics of recruiters change while I have led the A21 Freedom Chasers in 2015,” Lopez said.

The ploys used to lure potential victims into the human trafficking industry have evolved due to an increase in technology usage. While in-person tactics at locations such as malls, bus stops, and school walking routes still occur, a majority of traffickers now use various social media platforms to recruit both male and female victims.

“A young person may think they are speaking to someone close in age to them, who can relate to their feelings or need and even be romanced online. In reality, they are being lured. Traffickers are extremely patient when it comes to luring their victims because if they are successful in luring this young person, they know they will potentially gain over $6k a year from selling them for sexual favors.” Lopez said.

It is also important to remember that the stereotypical portrayal of victims locked up in chains represents only 5% of all human trafficking victims.

“This is why being aware of the red flags is so important.With that said, some victims are allowed to attend school and live at home, and are expected to show up for their pimp during certain hours of the day,” Lopez said.

Another reality that goes neglected is the fact that previously recruited adolescents involved in the industry are used to lure other children and teenagers.

“The victim is promised not to be sexually abused any longer if they can recruit another person,” Lopez said.

The city of San Antonio is a part of Trafficking Triangle, an area between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio in which heavy human trafficking activity occurs.

“We do know that I10 has been named the most trafficked highway in the U.S. – which leads us to believe we don’t fall too far away from Houston, being that Houston and San Antonio share highway I10.What also makes that assumption grow is that San Antonio also has I35 that runs through it.” Lopez said.

The A21 Freedom Chasers Organization is one of many organizations in the San Antonio area that aims to abolish the modern-day form of slavery known as human trafficking. One of the ways A21 Freedom Chasers achieves this goal is through educating the public, both adults and children, on the human trafficking industry.

“We offer a course for high school students, and adults, called Bodies are Not Commodities that walks through the issue of human trafficking at a global level,” Lopez said.

The organization also offers ways for youth to get involved and spread awareness to help bring an end to human trafficking.

“We spread awareness by hosting the global Walk for Freedom in San Antonio, and we use the power of social media to shed light on what human trafficking is and make reference to any news around it,” Lopez said.

News

Student reaction to Kavanaugh confirmation

Taylor Breig and Jennifer R Gardner

Staff Writers

Despite controversy, Brett Kavanaugh, was confirmed into Supreme Court on October 6th by a 50-48 senate vote. Many citizens voiced concerns of Kavanaugh’s confirmation into office due to the allegations of sexual assault made by a professor at Palo Alto University, Doctor Christine Blasey Ford. Because of the case, many citizens debated about how assault allegations should be handled .With a new Supreme Court Justice on the bench there is both excitement and concern raised on what Kavanaugh will do while on his term.

An area of concern for some is abortion, women’s’ rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, assault charges and accusations.

“Odds are he’s gonna be a conservative Supreme Court Justice but something that’s very common is for people to gauge it incorrectly,” AP government teacher Bryan Taylor said.

Taylor shared how Bush’s appointee John Roberts, considered conservative, was the man who saved Obamacare, and Barack Obama’s appointee Elaine Kagan turned out to be more conservative than first predicted.

“The big issue is Roe V Wade and abortion. I would not be shocked at all if Brett K votes to save Roe V Wade and does not overturn it. Supreme Court Justices, [are] always very hard to predict in that the seat actually changes their perspectives,” Taylor said.

Doctor Ford’s allegations caused multiple repercussions in recent times, including within the #Metoo movement.

“I think it would hurt the me too movement more because of the lack of details she’s able to provide. So now as justification for anybody else [to say] like ‘oh she’s making it up anybody can be accused’ and that’s gonna be the go-to for people who aren’t on the me too side.They’re just going to start making the argument or point to her as a reference that ‘anybody can say anything happened fifty years ago when I was in high school; offer minimal details and [that] you’re basically just gonna try and sabotage people’s lives. [So] I think it’ll be used to hurt that effort in the long run,” Taylor said.

Some may question Ford’s motives because of her timing.

“[Doctor Ford] obviously seems very credible, she seems like a mature person. I almost certainly doubt that she’s making it up. Some people think there’s a conspiratory theory that maybe she’s making it up to sabotage him [but] that’s almost certainly not true.” Taylor said.

A possible reason for suspicion can be linked to Ford’s refusal to give evidence for her case such as therapy notes, polygraph materials, and communications with the Washington Post and there only being one eyewitness, Mark Judge, who has already stated in a letter he wrote, that he does not recall the event nor has he seen Kavanaugh behave in such a way as described by Ford.The FBI has been unable to properly interview and investigate those in Ford’s life who may have known about her assault. Kavanaugh’s claim that he has never been heavily intoxicated, was contradicted by two of his former college roommates in an article by the Washington Post.The roommates claimed they can testify about Kavanaugh’s past drinking habits. Some however, have voiced rebuttals towards an article like this.

“If you go back in my life and talk [to] every single person that ever met me, some people are gonna say good things and some people are gonna say bad things. Brett Kavanaugh was a more of a heavy drinker than he ever admitted. I think he tried to downplay it [but] I think it was pretty obvious that he was a wild party boy.” Taylor said.

The most difficult thing about sexual assault cases is that sometimes the assault happened years or decades ago, which can be frustrating for both the victim who has had to live with this experience, for juries who may believe what the victim is saying but know there is little evidence to support it, and for the person on trial who might have forgotten the event making it harder for them to defend themselves.

“It sucks because if they don’t have that physical evidence anymore and then it happened it’s definitely way harder to accuse somebody. You just have to trust them. There’s not a way to be 100 percent sure when there’s no evidence physically,” senior Jules Recio said.

With the lack of evidence, this leaves room for bias and sometimes even harassment for the person who is bringing up the charges. This is especially prevalent in the workplace. According to a survey done by the National Public Radio Inc located on their website, it was found that 81% of women have experienced sexual harassment while at work.

“Now you have men that are assaulting women at work and they’re getting in trouble but not by a lot.The woman is still getting blamed and not believed and that’s what’s aggravating,” AP Spanish teacher Yolanda Faraklas said.

A common problem when people come forward with charges of sexual assault that are less recent or in some cases decades old is they are harder for people to judge.

“It’s a tough situation because it’s so long ago and there’s such a lack of details that it’s always gonna be a ‘he said she said’ scenario and it’s impossible for either side to prove their case,” Taylor said.

Although this case of accusation has brought a stall on the inauguration of Kavanaugh, all who have been affected in some way, can agree that this case brought a turning point into what is considered just and morally correct within the judicial system. Multiple cases of rape and sexual assault have gone untouched or the assaulter has gone free without repercussions.

“It can represent [us] in two ways. One could be that we let a potential molester [be] a judge while the poor victim gets nothing but backlash. The other way is that we allowed an induction of a Supreme Court judge to be stopped because of allegations that may or may not be true. Either way, America isn’t looking too good for itself,” junior Abigail Hardy said.

It is of the utmost importance to report as soon as any assault happens. People need to tell somebody, anybody, and not feel shame or fear for getting the help that he or she needs.

“It varies from person to person. It is our job to support assault victims as they try to heal. For some, that means sharing their story in a public setting, perhaps in an attempt to hold their assaulter accountable or to prevent others from becoming victims. For others, it is addressing the issue in a more private setting,” English and Literary magazine teacher Robert Beckwith said.

Opinion

Assault rifle ban expired nearly a decade ago; Why has it not been renewed?

Seva Hester

Editor-in-Chief

On a day which should’ve been filled with worship and love, it was instead filled with terror and death. On October 27th, 2018, 46-year-old Robert D. Bowers armed with four guns, went to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11 people and injuring six. A legally-obtained AR-15 was one of the four guns used.

A total of 157 mass shootings have taken place in the United States since
the 1966 shooting at the University of Texas.The numbers of shootings per year has climbed higher and higher in recent years, with investigators reporting that a total of 305 guns have been used. Out of that, 175 weapons were legally obtained whereas 52 were not. For the rest of the weapons, it is unclear how the shooter got ahold of them.This sudden spike in mass shootings is our government’s fault.

In 1994, there was a bill passed that put a ban on assault rifles called the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, prohibiting the sale and purchasing of semiautomatic assault rifles. 10 years later, in 2004, it expired. There has been no action to revive the bill since then.This is extremely concerning. In recent years, over half of all mass shootings were executed out with an assault rifle.Although there are gun laws that prevent people from purchasing one, most of the time they are not enforced.The reason why the ban was never renewed is because it was created under a sunset provision act, meaning that bans under this act will expire after a specific amount of time unless they become formally renewed. Again, how come the government won’t renew the ban? Do they not care about the safety of the students? School is no longer a safe place, nor are bars or nightclubs or even stores.There will always be the fear that someone can come in at anytime with a gun and harm people. This is not okay.

Graphics by Sytha Beth Ortiz and Seva Hester

In total, since 1966, there have been 21 mass school shootings ranging from elementary school to college campuses in the United States. The most common weapon, in recent years, is the AR-15, a military assault rifle similar to an M16. AR-15’s can be equipped with legal “bump-fire stocks,” which allow the semiautomatic weapons to fire like automatic ones. School shootings aren’t the only places where AR-15’s are used. In the Las Vegas shooting in 2016, the shooter used AR-15’s with the bump-fire stocks, allowing him to kill and injure more people.   

  There is no way we can get rid of the 2nd Amendment, but the least we can do as a country is stop making it easy for a civilian to purchase an assault rifle. Nobody should be scared of getting shot or killed wherever they go out in public. We need to change the system as soon as we can or else it’s going to be too late.   

Opinion

Women take extra precautions in everyday situations

Faith Collins

Online Editor

Earlier this summer, I applied for a job at a pool company that required its employees to work alone. I arrived at the interview prepared and genuinely wanting the job to help my parents with my first car. My boss introduced himself to me with a warm smile and I finally calmed down enough to shake his hand and greet him. I later learned that he used to be
a youth pastor at my church, and that explained why he was so welcoming and effective with teens. I felt comfortable with the job and I never thought I would want to leave.

Then, I started taking night shifts that ended anywhere between 8-10pm, which meant I would be left to an open space, at night, by myself.This severely upset my parents and they pushed for me to email my boss that I couldn’t take any- more night shifts.This overwhelmed me and put an immense amount of stress on my shoulders because I knew there was no way I would ever email my male boss that I couldn’t work due to paranoia. Additionally, a female friend of mine also worked for the same pool company, and she had no problem working shifts at night. I didn’t want to sound like I was complaining about hours or that I was making up excuses for being too lazy to work. How was I supposed to express this to my boss in a way that he could understand?

At this point I mentioned this to a male friend in a conversation, and he told me that it had never occurred to him how girls can easily feel unsafe in common situations like these.This surprised and sparked envy in me, that boys my age never had to worry about these very common instances that may make some- one of my gender feel insecure with her surroundings.

Rowan Blanchard, an American actress who is known for her star role on an influential Disney show called “Girl Meets World”, is appearing more frequently on social media timelines with her political stances and activist views. Earlier this year she appeared in a video filmed by Vice with other teen actresses in the same industry as Blanchard. In the video, Blanchard reveals how a similar incident happened to her, and that when she turned to a male colleague, he was shocked to hear what went on behind the camera with women in the workplace. Blanchard followed up with “I fantasize about being shocked” after she talked about being “immune” at this point with stories she hears about in the news in correlation to the #Metoo movement.

A social media study was taken earlier in the month on Twitter by a user who asked women the question: “What would you do if all men had 9 pm curfew?” to which multiple women responded with activities such as running at night and traveling the world solo.Women were stoked to imagine a world without worry or fear of assault after 9:00. One user replied, “I would sit alone on a deserted beach with my feet in the water. I would travel the world – think of all the places I could go if I weren’t worried about solo travel.”

Expectantly, various men found offense in this thread and felt the need to respond negatively. However, there was also a small (though appreciated) percentage of men who realized the uncomfortable positions that women are put in on a daily basis by men. One male user in particular commented that he “regularly visits other countries by himself, walking city streets after midnight while listening to music on [his] headphones while not speaking the language. [It] never occurred to me that this was a gender privilege.”

Although this thread was only referring to men as the predators, there are also other people to be aware of if you’re ever alone.The thread was not blaming solely men, or blaming anyone at all.The question was simply intended to provoke thought, so that people would listen to women about some of their grievances, and hopefully come to a realization or understanding of what we have to go through.This was accomplished as another Twitter user asked what he
and other men could do differently to prevent putting women in uncomfortable situations without the intention of doing so.Women already have the common sense that they were raised with to carry pepper spray, walk with their car key sticking out of their hands, and other methods of fending off potential threats. However, men should also have to do their part in ensuring a feeling of comfort when around women, even in situations you would consider normal. What is a normal situation for a male, is most likely not the same for a female.

I shouldn’t dread the future conversation with my boss, and I shouldn’t have to lie to him when I give my reason for leaving.

Opinion

Dangers of Juuls/ E-Cigs

Emily Bayardo

Staff Writer

The development of e-cigarettes has grown exponentially, with the introduc- tion of new smoking alternatives such as the vape came the birth of the juul.This device contains much more risk potential than any other alternative. Juuls have gained rapid exposure and popularity amongst teenagers and young adults within the past two years. Juuls seemed to be everything that old vapes weren’t. However, there’s a catch.

Although juuling is considered to be an “alternative” to smoking, the effects it has can be far more lethal. The company JUUL states that a single juul pod holds about the equivalent amount of nicotine- to a pack of 20 cigarettes. Meaning that the device delivers a heavier amount of nicotine to the body.

Unlike other e-cigarettes, the nicotine packs a punch and is about 5% of the weight. By number, 5% may not seem like much, however, compared to other alternatives such as vaping, the juul contains about 40% more nicotine than other e-cigarette.

The drastic amount of nicotine that is inhaled while using juuls has begun to worry doctors about the effects the juuls really have on developing adolescents. Their main concern was about the chemical effects in relation to the teenage brain. Pediatrics conducted research and stated the chemical has the ability to completely rewire the teenage brain and even encourage them to try cigarettes.These concerns suggest risks pertaining to excessive juul usage.

Pediatrics had administered a case study about an 18-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with a disease referred to as “wet lung” within only weeks after she had taken up using e-cigarettes.

Doctors believe that the girl’s lungs had an allergic reaction while ingesting the chemical, causing her respiratory system to shut down. Because of this, she had been forced onto a breathing machine until her lungs had fully recovered. This case study truly displayed the deadly impacts the chemical can inflict on the body.

The e-cigarette is a long thin rectangular shaped device that looks equivalent to an everyday USB flash drive. The device can fit right in the palm of the hand and go easily undetected in public allowing for an inconspicuous puff of the device. The juul contains a simple two-part system: the e-cigarette portion which holds the battery and the temperature regulation system. The other portion is the pod system where small cartridges can be disposed of and replaced quickly and efficiently. These cartridges are filled to the brim with a substance which is basically liquid nicotine.

Many teenagers and young adults are drawn to test the waters with the device, especially with its “attractive” flavors like mango, creme brule, mint, cucumber and so on, the buyer has a range of variety to choose from.With such variety, the device becomes marketed more so to teenagers than smokers who need an alternative to quit.

So what really is the hype behind juuls? Many individuals say that juuls are great due to its efficiency. Some share they felt it was easy to charge, obtain, and restock on pods. The device is very low maintenance which is what it has such a large appeal to its buyers and users.

The trend of juuling is at an all time high which concerns many doctors and parents. Although there is talk surrounding a pod system with less nicotine, juuling should be avoided.The health risks are far too fatal to take up as just a mindless “hobby.”

Sports

Volleyball advances to state tournament; Football finishes season undefeated, 10-0

Joseph Till

Sports Editor

Volleyball

For a second straight season, the Lady Panthers reached the state semi-finals. To get there it only took them six total sets to beat Reagan in the rst round and Clemens in the second. ose two wins set up a matchup with our rival, the Brandeis Broncos. In a thrilling game, the Panthers won 3-1 a er three straight points gave us the 25-23 scoreline in game four.

Senior Emeogo Ogogor had the game-winning point. Following that win, the team was victorious in their match against the McAllen Memorial Mustangs winning 3-1. at set up a rematch against the Clark Cougars for the regional final. After losing the third set and falling behind 2-1 the Panthers rallied a comeback and won the fifth set for a 15-13 scoreline and won the match 3-2. Along with the win, the girls clinched their second straight state semi finals appearance.

Football

For the second year, the Panther football team finished the regular season with an undefeated 10-0 record.That record came along with a third consecutive district championship after with a come from behind 30-23 victory over the Brennan Bears.

They followed that win up with a 33-3 win over the Steven Falcons. The Panthers will play in the first round of the playoffs against the Reagan Rattlers at Farris Stadium on

Photos by Salma Valadez

Friday, November 16 at 7:30.

Opinion

Ohio State bleeds black and blue amid scandal

Joseph Till

Sports Editor

Much to the disappointment of Ohio State fans, the university suspended their head coach, Urban Meyer, and athletic director, Gene Smith for more than two weeks.The suspension came after an investigation from the school that found both Meyer and Smith, “Failed to take sufficient management action relating to Zach Smith’s misconduct and retained an Assistant Coach who was not performing as an appropriate role model for OSU student-athletes,” a statement from the school said.

Zach Smith is the now ex-assistant Ohio State coach who was fired almost a month earlier, on July 23, for domestic abuse accusations that arose from 2015. Smith was hired in 2012 by both Gene Smith and Urban Meyer.When he was hired in 2012, Gene Smith was unaware of a 2009 incident where Zach Smith was arrested for a felony assault on his then-pregnant wife, Courtney Smith. The incident happened while Smith was working as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Florida under then- head coach, Urban Meyer. Meyer said he did know of that event at BigTen media days on July 24, and that he and his wife, Shelley, advised Zach and Courtney Smith to seek counseling. Although Meyer did talk openly about the 2009 incident, he reiterated the fact that he knew nothing about the 2015 information. Other things he mentioned at Big Ten media days was that Earle Bruce, the former Ohio State head coach from 1979-1987 and Zach Smith’s grandfather, was, “the strongest relationship,” he’d ever had other than his father. Smith also played for Urban Meyer when the coach was at Bowling Green. Besides those things and a criminal trespassing misdemeanor that was reported by ESPN’s Brett McMurphy three days before his firing, Meyer claims that Smith was fired because it was “the best decision for the team.”

  Under these extenuating circumstances, the highest profiles connected to Ohio State’s athletics have crumbled when it comes to their overall knowledge and handling of this peculiar situation. Ohio State has been caught up in controversy before, but not for something like domestic abuse from a staff member in the middle of the #MeToo Movement where many high profile people across the country are losing their jobs from these types of allegations. Ohio State’s last head coach, Jim Tressel was given a five-game suspension following reports he knew of player involvement in NCAA violations. He resigned two months following the suspension.Those violations stemmed from players possibly receiving improper benefits from a local tattoo parlor. But, when it comes down to the wife and mother of a coach’s children getting beaten on multiple occasions by that same coach, the two men responsible for him are given a slap on a wrist with one not even getting suspended for more than two-and-half weeks.What does this say about an organization that made over $37 million from its football program last year and might be even better this season? That it values winning and the revenue from those wins over everything else. Ohio State has made their stance clear. After taking this investigation into their own hands, they’ll give two high-profile and handsomely paid men, who took multiple wrong steps in reporting and taking action involving questionable ethical behavior from an employee, with nothing more than a ‘don’t let it happen again’.

At the core of this firing and controversy are the young men involved.The coaches are supposed to be role models and demonstrate positive behaviors for their players.They should build up these players to be more than great athletes, but great members to society as well. How can this be done when we have certain people in power who refuse to take responsibility for their actions? In an interview following his suspension, Meyer reinstated that he has a strict, “zero-tolerance,” policy. If he did have such a policy, then Zach Smith would not have been on his coaching staff for as long as he was. Even if he had been adequately evaluated before being hired, questions about how his past could have come up and if he had taken the proper actions following those 2009 events. Depending on his answer then, and the answers that were given by both Urban Meyer and Gene Smith, maybe all this could have been avoided. Although that isn’t a guarantee, the missteps in their actions regarding these events have now been magnified and will forever be a part of their legacy. We must hold people in power to higher standards to show that one’s actions and behavior, no matter the time frame, have consequences.

Entertainment

The Right to Study: A review on I Am Malala

Belen Cocke

Guest Writer

On October 9, 2012, on the bus ride home from her end-of-year exams, 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai was shot by a young, zealous Talib. She recounts how a bullet traveled through her left eye socket and into her left shoulder, leaving her severely injured. In her brilliant memoir, I Am Malala (Little, Brown and Company, 2013), the Nobel Peace Prize winner chronicles her fight for equal education for all children in Pakistan under “Talibanization”, a radical terrorist ideology that overtook and corrupted the Pakistani government from the late 1990s and still holds power today.

Rivaling novels that boast fantasy worlds and superhuman situations are typically more intriguing and fascinating than the day to day lives that fail to measure to the same caliber. However, I Am Malala is the exception. It is easily readable and hard to put down; her captivating tale of the struggles of a childhood under a suffocating regime is heartbreaking, and it forces readers, as students, to truly appreciate the education we are handed.

With school starting up again this fall, millions of students across the United States are buckling down for another year of studying, testing and examination. However, not everyone has the pleasure of being able to stress about algebra or history. For some, daring to go to school could cost them their lives. Yousafzai, since the tender age of 11, boasted progressive ideas that included speaking out against the anti-education torrents spread by the radical terrorist group, the Taliban. The Taliban is one of the many organizations of self-proclaimed “enlightened” Muslims, believing that women should not be educated and ordain a life of doing nothing more than marrying and bearing children. Yousafzai likens them to what “the West calls fundamentalists” (Yousafzai 93).

Due to Yousafzai’s courage and strength, she became a beacon of hope for young children all over Pakistan, conversing and debating with adults on national television, calling out the Taliban by name and demanding they allow girls to return to school. Even though this put her on the Taliban’s list, she felt it necessary and that if  “[she was] speaking for [her] rights, for the rights of girls, [she was] not doing anything wrong” (141). In the novel, it is addressed that many had believed the Taliban was long gone and that peace might finally return to Pakistan. However, the peace treaty signed in February 2009 between the Taliban and the Pakistani government had been “merely a mirage” (169). The Taliban was (and is) alive and well.

Much to the Taliban’s disappointment, Yousafzai survived and continues to contend for every child’s right to receive a quality education. Through her namesake organization, the Malala Fund, she fights for change through education and empowerment of local communities.

To elaborate, her memoir is beautifully written. She tells the intimate story of growing up, although her circumstances were drastically different than ours. Furthermore, she uses religion as a powerful contradictory and literary tool. The people who tried to silence her preach anti-Islamic statements, all the while operating under a guise of piety. They do not follow the Quran or Allah’s word; they use religion, a part of life even the least educated person subscribes to, as a manipulation tool. Yousafzai comments on this in her novel; the theme of religion and how differently it can be interpreted and twisted shines through: “Some people call themselves Muslim, but their actions are not Islamic” (283). Her style of telling this gripping story through heartfelt and seemingly innocent anecdotes makes her story all the more telling: the signs of corruption are evident, and ones even teenagers may be able to pick up on.

The lighthearted tone Yousafzai uses throughout her memoir is almost eerie in hindsight. We know the tragic outcome, yet reflect on how aloof everyone in the autobiography seemed to have been. That quality is what makes I Am Malala such a great read. This memoir is not only a look into a girl’s life, but a list of what not to do if similar situations arise in our own lives. Everyone, teenager or not, can serve to learn a thing or two from Yousafzai, and other people in her shoes.

Entertainment

31 Nights of Halloween

Salma Valdez

Staff Writer

One of the most anticipated Halloween traditions for many is watching the annual “13 Nights of Halloween” movie marathon on Freeform, formerly known as ABC Family, which airs from October 19th to October 31st. Fans of the event were ecstatic when Freeform announced earlier this year that the 13 nights would be turned into 31 nights which means even more spooky, chilling movies to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.