Written, edited, and reviewed by members of KAMP student radio
This Week in Culture/Arts
Written by: Catherine Hill
Published: April 1, 2022
The music video portrays how the emotional strain of parentification inflicts upon older
siblings. The lyrics pair with the internal and external conflicts each character faces. The
younger sibling reinvites their older sibling to engage with their sense of childhood by
insisting the two play a game of hopscotch. Quickly, the game transforms into multiple mecha
battles as the two must defeat robots, demons, and ghouls.
The responsibility of caring for their younger sibling weighs heavily on the shoulders of the
older sibling. The older sibling groans, protests, and rolls their eyes at their younger sibling’s
playful antics. The older sibling conceals their emotions while their younger sibling openly
wails, pouts, and complains.
“Muddy hearts
Beanie babies lies
There's no lullaby
In this nowhere land
&
What's the meaning
When you have a broken home?
Home, home
Where's the love
When you were left on your own?
So alone”
The duck in the backpack symbolizes childhood. Although the older sibling must shove the
duck deeper into their bag, the toy still exists. Because the older sibling must resume the
responsibilities of an adult guardian, the older sibling must hide any evidence of
“childishness.” An established family dynamic prevents the older sibling from acting their age;
thus stunting the older sibling’s emotional and social growth, crucial to healthy childhood
development.
“Tumbling dice
Sentimental crap
Who's the smart
Leading daily cries?
There's no lullaby
In this nowhere land”
When a new guardian steps in to save their younger sibling, the older sibling is able to
delegate some of the responsibilities of guardianship to this new protector. The introduction
of this trustworthy guardian changes the dynamic between the siblings. Only after this
introduction is the older sibling able to allow themselves to play, as they might have without
an imposed upon the responsibility of guardianship.
Their arcs unfold as the older sibling allows themselves to play, acting closer to their age and
development as a child rather than upholding the weight of the world as a child forced into an
early adulthood.
“What's the meaning
When you have a broken home?
Home, home
Where's the love
When you were left on your own?
So alone”
Later, this shift in dynamic allows the older sibling to pull the duck out of their backpack and
lean into the toy as a metaphorical strength. Their arc peaks as the duck transforms into a
mecha bot to defeat the last enemy. Together, they soar into the stars in the night sky, leaving
a rainbow trail in their wake as the older sibling undergoes a final character revolution before
the two siblings conclude their journey to return home.
“Who said you're on your own?”
This Week in Politics
Written by: Mackenzie Cate-Tolson
Published: April 1, 2022
Will Judge Jackson Become Justice Jackson by Easter?
Monday, March 21st, 2022 started the historic Judiciary Committee hearing for Supreme Court Nominee Kantanji Brown Jackson. This hearing is led by Chairman Senator Dick Durbin and is made up of twenty-one other senators who are going to question Judge Jackson on things they think are important to know before voting on her nomination. Most Senators asked genuine questions that related to being a Supreme Court justice, while many in the GOP took this opportunity to try and make Judge Jackson's past judging record look bad so they have an excuse to vote no for her nomination. The senators at the center of the cruel questioning were Sen. Ted Cruz R-TX, Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC, Sen. Josh Hawley R-MO, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn R- TN.
Sen. Ted Cruz tried to claim that Judge Jackson had connections to putting critical race theory in the school where she is a trustee. He brought in books like “Antiracist Baby” and “Stamped (For Kids).” that he believed Judge Jackson had been allowed to place in the school. Judge Jackson replied that it wasn't her job to add books to the curriculum. Both Sen. Hawley and Sen. Cruz both tried to accuse Judge Jackson of being lenient in the sentencing of child pornography defendants. Judge Jackson denied the allegations and pointed out that “Congress tells judges what we’re supposed to do when we sentence and what I’d Say is that congress has to determine how it wishes to handle these cases.”
The hearing was not all bad for Judge Jackson, Sen Cory Booker, D-NJ, spent his allotted time for questioning praising Judge Jackson and the importance of having her as a representation for young African-American girls all over the country. This sentiment was beautiful and allowed
Judge Jackson to get a well-deserved break from the harsh questioning from other senators. Another high point of the hearing was that the Standing Committee had announced that they had given the rating “Well Qualified” to Judge Jackson, this is the highest rating that the committee can give to a judge.
The vote for Judge Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court will take place on April 4th and many Senators have already announced their votes. Senator Lindsey Graham has come out to say that he will vote no on her nomination even though he supported her and voted for her to be on D.C’s Circuit Court just last year. Senator Susan Collins R-ME will vote yes for her nomination which comes as a surprise since most GOP senators are going to vote against her nomination. All forty-eight Democratic senators are expected to vote yes for her nomination and the same goes for the two independent senators. The vote from Sen. Collins will be vital for Judge Jackson to be confirmed since she will only need the majority of the vote to be confirmed.
Written by: Rhiannon S. Cox
Published: April 1, 2022
Bill Banning Abortion Signed in Arizona
On Wednesday, March 30th, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill that would ban abortions after fifteen weeks with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Doctors caught performing the procedure would then be charged with a Class 6 felony and have their license revoked. Punishments for Class 6 felonies include fines, probation, and jail time up to five years (Tucson Weekly).
In 2022, bills similar to this have been proposed and signed in states across the country, with Idaho banning abortions after just six weeks. These bills are coming in anticipation of the weakening or complete overturning of Roe v. Wade, the case that secured women’s right to choose. However, some states have additional laws that uphold abortion rights even without Roe v. Wade, such as Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act which the Colorado General Assembly defines as “every individual has a fundamental right to use or refuse contraception.” While states like Arizona are eagerly awaiting the removal of women’s reproductive rights, others are working to ensure their future.
For more information on the above stories look to the resources below:
Culture/Arts
SIAMES “NO LULLABY” (Official Animated Video)
Politics
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/22/1087967982/judge-ketanji-brown-jackson-confirmation-hearing s-what-happened-on-tuesday
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/24/1088492365/judge-ketanji-brown-jackson-nomination-hearings what-happened-thursday
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senators-support-oppose-ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court nomination/
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