UN I O N
speci a l post-el ection edition T HE november 2016
Volume xxVIiI Issue III
MHSTHEUNION.com For the latest updates
STUDENT VOICE OF MILPITAS HIGH SCHOOL
Morales explains actions at walkout, says his intentions were not political by BROOKE TRAN Kevin zhang
After Principal Philip Morales was placed on leave for using profanity and purportedly taking a political stance against President-elect Donald Trump, he gave The Union his perspective on the walkout that we would like to publish. Rather than being an anti-Trump rally, the event was an open space for people to express their political opinions and connect with one another, according to Morales. He acknowledges that his statement of “F--k Donald Trump” was unprofessional, but it served a less politcal purpose than one would assume.
“I don’t take a political stance; I’m against hatred, period. In any form, under any president, I’m against hatred.” Principal
Philip Morales
“I think the term FDT was more of a rally call. It started to get that sense of ‘I wanted to say it because I want to show unity in the group that was there,’” Morales said. “Because a lot of the students that were talking, they were talking about fears that they experience way before Mr. Trump. Even under Obama, [or] even prior to that, these are hatred issues that have been going on for a long time. My point in using that term [FDT], was a way to say I connect with you; I understand where you’re at.” Addressing the profanity issue, one reason for his leave, Morales explained that his usage was not the casual profanity we hear on a daily basis. “We use profanity when we’re angry, when we’re scared, when there’s fear or there’s uncertainty. The students that I thought would never use profanity [surprised me by] using profanity, and people we hear every day using profanity [were] using profanity,” Morales explained. “I don’t think it was recreational. I think it was really a sense of fear, and that’s why they’re using that term.” As for the issue of taking a political stance during the protest, Morales stated that his objective was not to take a side, which is hard to understand if one was not there. He realizes that his comment may be taken as strong opposition to Trump, but at that moment during the walkout, he felt it was a meaningful statement. “At the beginning when I started, what I said was this was not about
blaming anybody. It’s not about blaming Mr. Trump or Hillary Clinton, or political parties. It is the reality that we are living in, so that space was an opportunity for people to voice their concerns, to voice their fears. I don’t take a political stance; I’m against hatred, period. In any form, under any president, I’m against hatred,” Morales stated. “I get that [people saw my statement as disliking Trump], but if you were there and had the entire picture, and saw what was happening and what I was doing, because when everyone was out there and was saying ‘F Donald Trump,’ I wasn’t going ‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!’ I was kind of quieting people down, [saying] ‘well wait a minute, hold on.’ I wasn’t rallying in that regard, and again it was my way of saying ‘I hear you, I’m with you, we can’t stop here, and we need to move forward.’” As for his leave, Morales openly accepts the consequences for using profanity in a way that can be interpreted as political bias in the workplace. “What I learned is that I have to model, even in the strongest and most uncertain of times, that we’re going to be okay. But, I’m a human being too, and it’s hard when you’re standing with your students, and you hear the pain that they’re going through, the fear that they’re going through. All I want to do is take that all away; I don’t want my students to go through that kind of pain.” He continues, “I think about my babies, my toddlers who have to grow up in this culture division. You learn a lot, and a big one is just that you can’t use profanity in the workplace.” From this incident, Morales said that we need to unify and understand one another. According to Morales, he plans to implement new programs including daily reflections on understanding and support, a pledge of commitment to respect one another, and assembly walls for positive thoughts. “We are going to be the model of all our schools,” Morales continued. “We’re going to rise above it. . . People can say whatever they want to say. We’re going to show them by our actions that that’s not who we are.” “But in the end, I’m very, very proud of my students,” Morales stated. “Because it showed a lot of courage, and I said it then and I’ll say it today, I still stand behind my students, 110 percent. I’ll be the biggest advocate for them, no matter what, and I will stand with you again if I have to, for what’s right.”
Ca-Zao Bui | THE UNION
Students cheer after Principal Philip Morales’ statement at the walkout on Nov. 10. The walkout took place during fourth period where students gathered on the bleachers by the football field to express their fears and concerns.
Student walkout leads to Morales’ brief leave by brooke tran kevin zhang
A student-organized walkout sparked by the presidential election took place on the bleachers by the football field on Nov. 10. When Principal Philip Morales heard of students’ plans to walkout, he arranged to prevent students from walking off campus while still allowing them to express their concerns and voices in a safe environment with MHS staff and administration supervision, he said. Some among the group of protesters took turns speaking with a megaphone, most ending with the repeated phrase, “F--k Donald Trump.” The speeches revolved around supporting ethnic minority groups, women, and LGBTQ community. At the end, Morales stood with his students and voiced his own concerns, also ending his speech with “F--k Donald Trump,” resulting in being placed on administrative leave by Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. “I encouraged teachers to not confront students who felt the need to walk out,” Morales explained. “I told teachers that they shouldn’t be walking out or leaving students behind. If there were some students walking out of class and some students didn’t, then [the teachers] would need to stay with their students to make sure they were safe, as well. It wasn’t an anti-Trump rally. Although at some point, I guess you could say it kind of turned that way.” The point of the walkout was for
students to be able to speak freely and have their opinions heard, according to English Teacher Ginger Roy. Students had felt strongly enough after the election that they believed they were morally obligated to express concerns about hatred and discrimination, Roy said. “I think that this election has been particularly inflammatory because of the positions that the President-elect has made clear that he has taken against specific groups,” Roy stated. “I think that people who are part of those groups felt very marginalized, and I think that [the results of the election] felt very personal for them, and so I think that they think they just needed a way to process that. And with the protests going on across the country I think that it was just their way to say I feel this way too.” At the end of the walkout, Morales concluded by voicing his opinions and promoting unity, he said. According to Morales, he was encouraged by students and hoping to promote a sense that he stood with his students, he also ended his statement with “F-k Donald Trump,” causing him to be put on administrative leave for profanity and allegedly taking a political stance. Although the statement was meaningful, he should have rephrase it, Morales said. “I would find a different way to still get my message across without having to use profanity or having to take a position,” Morales said. “I would definitely not go down that path again.
And that’s a big part of learning, you make a mistake you got to learn from it, and try not to make it again.” Many, including Senior Annie Dinh, are content with the punishment given to Morales, as what he did was indeed unprofessional, but not deserving of being fired. “Especially as our principal, it wasn’t professional,” Dinh said. “Even though he wasn’t fired, and I’m glad he wasn’t, I’m also glad that he didn’t get off without anything.” Other individuals, such as Roy, look past the profanity and believe his statement was acceptable given the context of the situation. “What he was trying to say to them is I hear you, I feel your pain, I am a person too... I think because he knew that every person at that protest shared his political beliefs, shared that sentiment, that he wasn’t going to alienate anyone, I personally think that it was okay,” Roy explained. “As far as the profanity, obviously technically that was not right, however, I feel that the people who are really so upset about that have not been on a high school campus recently.” “I know that I am very, very glad that he was back after one day,” Roy continued, “and would have been very upset had he not been because I feel what he did was make a true connection with our student body that has been lacking from administration for a couple of years now, and I think that he really reached a lot of students in a positive way.”
MUSD staff working to encourage accepting environment by ca-zao bui
justin nguyen | THE UNION
Words of encouragement posted on Biology Teacher Karen Truesdell’s door provide comfort to students who feel oppressed in light of election results.
MHS staff members, MUSD leaders, members of the community such as parents and former MHS students, and four current MHS students met at 8 a.m. on Nov. 14, to discuss the aftermath of the Nov. 10 walkout that took place on campus during fourth period. Those at the meeting included Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, assistant principals, and counselors. The meeting was organized by Jordan and took place in the MHS library with the intention to discuss building community and unity among students to “solidify peer accountability in maintaining a MHS community that is free from bullying and is accepting of different viewpoints,” the meeting agenda stated.
In light of the presidential election, many students of color are “fearful about potential actions by government around immigration status,” the agenda continued. Jordan also wrote on the agenda that she had “received some messages from parents stating that their students who are white or mixed have been told they are ‘ privileged’ and don’t want to come to school because they are afraid.” Those present at the meeting broke up into groups to brainstorm ideas of how to provide safe methods for students to express their feelings and fears while promoting an atmosphere free of bullying and discrimination. One idea discussed was to develop a leadership team consisting of students from different backgrounds
and social circles on campus in order to bring together different types of students for input on matters that would affect the rest of the student body. Other ideas included ASB chalking positive messages throughout campus. A journal-writing session during SSR in which students write down their thoughts and pass around their journals for others to read was also brought up as a possible outlet for students to express their feelings. Another potential plan involved having a day of team-building workshops for students to come together and bond. These plans to encourage unity among students are still in the works and will be discussed to a greater extent before being implented. Those present at the meeting agreed.
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THE UNION
PRO
Protests encourage unification, create a platform for oppressed
In the wake of the election two starved of the rights and safety they weeks past, thousands of protesters are supposedly guaranteed. Furtherflooded the streets of major cities more, protest provides a space for across the country, expressing their community healing and empowerdisdain for Donald Trump’s presiden- ment. A common theme throughout tial win. While these reactions are to the speeches at Oakland was the need genuine fears, protests will always be to regroup in order to organize and criticized by no matter what angle is be able to fight against whatever this being presented. This is presidency would entail. easy to understand why— That being said, critijust read a few articles or cism around protest most sections of a history book often revolves around and you can see how deepvandalism and destruction ly power dynamics operate of property. Going back to in America. the Oakland protest, as On the Wednesday night we marched down Chiafter the election, I attendnatown, anarchists had ed a protest in Oakland. begun taking advantage The protest started out of the distress and started with speeches from its orlooting small business. DeJUSTIN ganizers, including ones spite urges from the orgaNGUYEN from the Anti Police-Ternizers to stay safe, the vanror Project and Socialist dalism continued and we Alternative. While some proceeded on a safer route. speakers were messy, it was evident When covered on the news, however, that this protest was specifically there was no differentiation between organized to avoid violence and to group interests. Along the way, all of demonstrate the people’s anger, as the (valid) frustration that protesters most other protests are. Community express and unwarranted violence leaders from all sorts of backgrounds that independent anarchists demoncame together and voiced their frus- strate gets lumped into one. trations at America, its political sysOppressed groups need protest as tem and virulent racism, misogyny, a form of political activism. While and xenophobia.. not entirely realistic, critics of these Protests are political tactics for protests must be able to judge them marginalized peoples to gain the vis- through a completely objective lens ibility that they are not granted un- and instead of relying on MlK as a tool der normal circumstances. Protests of silencing, we should be able to unhappen for a reason, most under- derstand his practice and apply them standably because the constant tone to a modern context. Protestors are policing and outright bigotry that cer- not responsible for watering down tain groups face becomes so apparent their voices to accommodate for mathat protesting is deemed necessary. jority comfort and will not do so any Protesters are people at the margins, time soon.
CON
Protest attempts done in vain, President Trump is here to stay Let’s face it: Donald Trump is going walkout besides Mr. Morales’ “F--k to be the next president of the United Donald Trump” comment? States. Whether you like him or not, When Trump refused to comment he’s going to be sworn in as presi- on whether he would accept the redent in January. Ever since it was sults of the election, many people announced that Trump had won the slammed him for providing such a presidency, there’s been countless shocking remark. However aren’t protests nationwide against him. we doing exactly the same thing Recently, on November 10 we slammed Trump for at 11:00 a.m., there was an doing by protesting him an anti-Trump walkout at being elected President? our school. Many people, including Although the walkout MHS students, are signallowed many students to ing online petitions askexpress their anger and ing the Electoral College dissatisfaction for Trump, to not vote for Trump. By it’s not going to create protesting the election remuch change in the grand sults, students are saying scheme of things. Think that they don’t accept the about it, how much is our outcome just like Trump DEREK walk-out really going to did during the third presVO change the outcome of the idential debate. election? Just expressing Another point is that our your fears about the fuschool is located in the Bay ture will not change anything. Area, California which has a high libFor one, only about 250 students eral and Democratic-majority popuattended the walkout out of approx- lation. Trump isn’t going to care that imately 3000 students. That’s under people are protesting in California ten percent of the school’s popula- because most Californians didn’t tion. Not many people seem to care vote for him to become President. that Donald Trump was just elected Why would he care what California President if only this many people ac- thinks when he didn’t win here? tually walked out of class to express To address the idea of protests in their fears and concerns. Most of the general, I think they can be useful 2750 students also probably don’t and effective in creating change dewant to be constantly reminded of pending on what the cause is. If the the recent election results. I, per- cause was stopping animal cruelsonally, don’t want to be reminded of ty, then sure, go ahead and protest. the results. What’s done is done, the However, protests regarding the country elected Trump to be presi- results of an election are pointless. dent. Also, a lot of the 250 students I don’t see how protesting is going who attended the walk-out were to make a difference because the most likely there to skip class, not results are essentially set in stone. because they wanted their concerns The people of this country voted for to be heard. Let me ask a question: Trump, and the Electoral College is How many of you actually remember most likely not going to vote against the specifics of what happened at the him; why not just move on?
OPINIONS
POST-ELECTION EDITION
Trump’s win validates preexisting divisive views One way or another, this is Donald Trump’s America. Amidst arguments that the new President-elect’s plans are unfeasible, that he’s probably not going to accomplish much as president, Donald Trump’s victory cannot be seen as simply a political bomb. He isn’t the product of a race with two horrible candidates: Trump defeated a multitude of far more qualified Republican candidates on his way to the nomination. It has been decided that this man is the leader America wants. We live in a country where Trump was elected by democracy, in all its glory-where a man’s derogatory comments about women, minorities, and disabled people didn’t disqualify him for the highest office in the land, and for many people, even prompted his victory. Trump is the face of an America I didn’t know existed, a nation that I’m not proud to be a part of. Here in our little California bubble, it’s a crushing reality check. I’ve always agreed with respecting other opinions, but even so, there have always been opinions to me that are just plain wrong, such as the opinion that a man can talk about sexually assaulting a woman, or that white people need to be dominant in America, for example. Trump’s election
gives the people with those opinions into America’s foundation, and in not only a message that their voices Trump’s victory, the people of Ameriwere heard, but validation that it’s ca have successfully caused a political completely fine to think that way. shift, but have failed to change themWhile Trump’s policies seemed fool- selves. And as the voters who elected ish to me, that’s not why so many peo- him look towards the past to make ple are scared: it’s because under the America great again, I can’t help but thin veneer of patriotic wonder if we--the children buzzwords, Trump’s mesof America, the nation’s fusage has been rooting out ture--have a place in that those who don’t belong. vision. It sets a dangerous preceThere’s no point in atdent, even for people who tacking Trump anymore; are “safe” in Trump’s mesmy words for him have sage, that America doesn’t run out, my feelings of outwant us here. rage over his words have It was never about the dimmed to resignation. political stances—as much Trump could potentially as people complain about do great things as PresJUSTIN the vagueness of politics, ident, as strange as that TSO you’d be foolish to ignore sounds. But for the couneverything Trump has try that elected him and said and done. And yet, that’s exactly celebrated his rhetoric—my counwhat so many Americans did--they try—I’m ashamed. There will always let Trump’s gaffes go unnoticed. The be Donald Trumps in the world, and message is loud and clear: we’re an it will always be our job, as students, America that says as long as a person to make sure the qualities they repbrings change, promoting fear against resent, from ignorance to fear to hareligion is okay, attacking women on tred, are fought. But as I watch Trump their looks is fine, and shamelessly tour the White House at President bullying others is what makes Ameri- Obama’s side, I can’t help but feel my ca great. But these qualities aren’t in- shoulders sag, and the will to fight bedicative of change. They’re the same comes a little harder to muster. There societal evils that have dug their way is so much work left to do.
Electoral system antiquated in today’s democracy There are 123 democracies in the ignored. world, but only one uses the ElecAs with everything, however, there toral College system. America, one was a reason for the enactment of a of the most powerful democracies in system similar to the Electoral Colthe world, has continued to use a syslege. During the 1787 Constitutional tem that disregards the very meaning Convention, James Madison opof democracy and elects a leader not posed the motion to enact an elecby the vote of the people, tion system based on the but by the vote of political popular vote due to the party officials. fact that there was more There is a systemic issue population in the North with the Electoral College: than in the South. Thereits ability to disregard the fore, Madison’s proposed votes cast in safe states. a plan fit for the politics According to NBC, in 2012, of the Founding age—the President Obama gained Electoral College system. approximately 60 percent The system would elect of the ballots cast in Masa certain amount of delsachusetts, a state that has egates per state, in proSHREEYA consistently voted Demportion to its population. ARANAKE ocratic; however, because During Madison’s key of the Electoral College, speech at the convention, he was able to secure all 11 he proposed the “Threeof the electoral votes. Consequently, Fifths Compromise,” in which slaves the vote of the other 40 percent of the would count as three-fifths of a perstate population was unaccounted son; this allowed Southern states to for. Although Obama ended up wingain more electoral delegates. In this ning both the popular vote and the system, the delegates would be the electoral votes needed to continue his deciders of the election, not the peopresidency, the fact is that the votes of ple. Another aspect of this new sysalmost half of a state were completely tem was that because of the common
people’s lack of knowledge about the candidates and their policies, a vote cast by an electoral delegate would be a more informed decision. This antiquated system, originally proposed in hopes of using a suppressed people to give the elite more political power, is no longer relevant to the politics of the United States today. Because of a rise in the voice and power of the media, the people are much more informed in our day than they were in the 18th century. Moreover, the electoral delegates are no longer the more informed voters, but voters most faithful to their parties. This poses an issue to today’s democracy. A system based on partisan politics rather than the voice of the people no longer represents a free world in which one person’s vote counts as one vote. The reality the nation now grapples with is the fact that the majority does not elect the Commander in Chief-— the system does. As people ponder over whether their votes actually count, lawmakers should ask themselves why, in a country that deems the President the leader of the free world, the citizens feel voiceless.
A Trump presidency may not be the end of America The presidential election is now over, and it’s our job to look towards the presidency of Donald J. Trump. He has talked about all his policies, but which ones are going to directly affect us if Congress goes through with them? It is time to reach a consensus— even if you oppose Trump, give him a chance and keep an optimistic outlook for the future. Enough with the bad-mouthing and things like #notmypresident. Putting it out there that you abhor the President-elect and that Hillary should still be elected will not change anything, so why use up your time and energy by protesting Trump? However, I do understand that it is important to be skeptical of Trump. Why? Because no one is aware of what he will do once he becomes president—will he go through with the numerous plans that will cost America billions of dollars and affect the lives of millions? That is the root of the fear felt by those against Trump. But I implore you, all that is needed is hope. The media will not stop talking about Trump for the next year, so I’m going to do my best to protect myself from the political doldrums. I will stop looking at the constant Trump
updates and keep an open opinion. ally going to do it? Probably not. With that said, let’s get into the Moving on, looking at Trump’s practical side of Trump’s upcoming presidential campaign, I was always presidency. First, it can be found on concerned about his points on immiTrump’s website that $20 billion dolgration. I am a first-generation, legal lars will go to school choice, meanimmigrant, but even I was afraid of ing that it will be easier for children being deported despite being so close to decide which schools they would to becoming a U.S citizen. However, like to attend, and prothat makes me wonder— vide students with the opwhat will happen to the portunity to go to better many immigrants at our schools despite living in a school? After the presilower-income school disdential debates, I thought tricts. I do not think this about this, but I doubt anywill help public schools in thing will really change. any way. There are many There have been efforts public schools, so isn’t it to deport immigrants in more important to fund the past, but because they the underfunded schools, are students, they are norinstead of wasting monmally protected by the ey to get a few students educational institutions ANANYA out of those schools? they attend. Also, the DONAPATI This policy will have a enormous task of hunting huge negative effect on down illegal immigrants public schools, especially in inner and deporting them sounds a bit cities. It would be better to spend far-fetched. Since education was not that money by equally distributthe biggest focus during the political ing it to underfunded K-12 schools. campaigns in the first place, it is hard He also mentioned on numerous to say whether or not the changes in occasions that he wants to get rid of that area will take place. I suggest Common Core. Hoorah! This was you kick your seat back and relax; a decision that was long overdue, we can’t do anything about it now. but the real question is: is he actuWe’ll just wait and see what happens.
POST-ELECTION EDITION
EDITOR I A L : The Opinion of The Union
Morales’ message is about love, not politics When Principal Morales first came to MHS, he told The Union that his main goal was to remain in the background, observe, and not try to change too much in his first year here. That plan, like the anti-Trump walkout, seems to have gone in a different direction from the one Morales predicted. In all seriousness, when Morales said “F--k Donald Trump” on Thursday, he overstepped his boundaries as principal. To many, a principal should be one that’s a positive role model for all, not one who uses profanity and takes a political stance, and for that reason he was punished with administrative leave. Yes, Principal Morales made a mistake, but to us, The Union, it was a mistake completely worth making: we support our principal for his action, in the same way that he supported the students in performing it. It’s frustrating to watch critics of Morales, as the story was spread throughout Bay Area news networks, base their comments off an eight-second clip of him on Twitter, in which he’s portrayed as some out of control political figure whipping the students into a frenzy. What really happened couldn’t be further from the truth: Morales neither organized the protest nor played a major role in it, only mediating it to make sure that all students were safe. In fact, as he offered students the chance to speak and voice their opinions, he encouraged a sense of tolerance and urged for students to respect differing opinions. The result was a positive student experience that seems to have been overshadowed by the sheer absurdity of the circulating soundbite. The fact that Morales cursed out Trump appears to take precedence over everything, including both the context of his action and the message of it. Morales wasn’t casually making a political statement in front of students who agreed with him to get some cheers. The anti-Trump walkout was an expression of fear, pain, and anger from the students, one in which a speaker’s tears and genuine emotion were met with support from the crowd. Every speaker punctuated his or speech with “F--k Donald Trump,” but it was never an expression of hate or unruliness—it was one of unity and support, one of the few times that MHS, in all of its fractured diversity, appeared to really come together over something meaningful. When Morales finally took the megaphone, his mes-
sage was never a political one, never selfish. His entire speech was about how inspired by and how proud he was of the students who chose to make their voices heard. There were tears in his eyes when he looked at his students and said “F--k Donald Trump,” and as raucous applause ensued, even the district office members were smiling. Yes, “F--k Donald Trump” was about taking a stance—just not a political one. In those three words, Morales addressed that pain and emotion that was expressed and stood with us, the students, not against the Republicans or for the Democrats. And when the students cheered him on, it wasn’t because they agreed with him politically, but because he was legitimizing the emotion they felt and understood the student point of view. Morales knew what he was doing and that it was past his job description, and by saying what he did, showed us that sometimes, it’s more important to stand up for what’s right, to be a champion for the people who feel scared or underrepresented, than mechanically following blanket rules. It’s one thing to say you support the students at homecoming rallies, and to throw out feel-good quotes to the school—it’s another to commit to it. And in standing with his students, risking his job and his reputation, he proved that he’s for us. Morales’ action doesn’t make him a bad role model. Rather, it proves that he’s a good one. Morales was never encouraging students to disparage Trump supporters and to run around spewing profanity. Rather, if Morales’ action inspires the students to be greater than their societal roles and to put the protection of others above themselves, his message will have been well received: it’s our job to make sure that that doesn’t go unnoticed. In a statement with “The Mercury News,” Morales said, “I will rise above this and be an advocate for my students no matter what.” Plenty of administrators can say that, and those administrators have come and gone, without the students batting an eye—for many, they’re just empty words. But perhaps tellingly, as the prospect of Morales’ removal floated around the community, two petitions with over a thousand signatures each were signed in his defense. It’s safe to say that, through Morales’ actions, the students have every reason to believe in their principal.
EDITOR I A L : The Opinion of The Union
Admin’s campaign for unity a worthy cause The past few months have driven younger individuals to act and think as they never have before. It’s no secret that those who are politically active are typically older, and arguably wiser, but throughout the 2016 Presidential Election, high schoolers all over America have been voicing their opinons of the candidates, reading articles and attending protests and watching debates over dinner with their families. This specific election has cultivated a sense of political awareness among younger citizens; no students organized a walkout at MHS when Bush was announced as President-elect in 2004. The candidates’ respective moral and personal qualities have not only driven younger students to pay attention to the politics, but also pushed them to look introspectively and evaluate their own morals and fears, as issues of discrimination and deportation have become recurring dinnertime topics. Students have stronger senses of how they want to be treated as well as how they want to treat others, and in this way, the election has strengthened individuals’ senses of selves while bringing to light many issues rarely talked about so seriously. The week following the election was emotional; while many were happy at the results, others took to social media to express anger, sadness, and frustration at the results. Some middle schools in Palo Alto passed out papers in class for their students to write down their thoughts about the election; even students as young as middle schoolers are feeling this impact in their own lives. This is a time of political and moral awareness for the younger demographic, never before really bothered by politics, and the MHS and MUSD staff members wish to make use of this momentum, to make something good out of something many view as bad, and we, The Union, commend their efforts to help the students in what is a trying time for many. At the meeting on the Monday following the MHS walkout, school and district staff members met to discuss how they could help students who feel threatened and vulnerable given the election results: students who are scared that their parents will be deported, students who are worried about sexual harassment, and students who feel as if they are looked at differently, whether it’s because they’re of color, female,
THE UNION
EDITORIAL
or what some may deem as “privileged.” The adults present at the meeting care about their students; no one asked Superintendent Cheryl Jordan to organize it. She did so of her own accord after seeing how emotional students were over the Principal Philip Morales being put on leave and, recognizing that this anger and frustration stemmed from fears over the election, and were rooted even deeper as previously underlying fears of discrimination, didn’t want to see her students in such a despairing state. Those at the meeting discussed things such as spreading positive messages throughout campus to reinforce friendship and good nature among students, assembling a team of students from diverse backgrounds and social circles to receive input from all types of students, having a time of journal-writing to give students a chance to write down thoughts they may be afraid to outwardly express, and having a day of workshops to promote camaraderie within the MHS student body. Morales has already begun daily reflections during SSR to get students and staff to think about their days and the good things that happened, and he said that the staff is also thinking about forming a pledge for students to sign called “Love your Blue and Gold”: a pledge of commitment to each other, to recognizing that we are all different but are still one united student body. Though some may look at these efforts as futile and think that they’ll never get through to us stubborn high school students, we believe the fact that this meeting happened and that our administration is trying to help is what matters. Although there has been a disconnection between staff and students for a long time, this election has provided an opportunity for students to express their fears and for staff members to respond to those fears, working to promote good relationships among all MHS students, and in doing that, our school leaders also mend the admin-student rift and bring themselves closer to us; this election is helping us students and staff look at our relationships and fix what needs to be fixed. So, thank you, MHS principals, counselors, teachers, office workers, custodians, security guards, and all other staff members for all you have done for your students and will continue to do.
THE
U NION S T U D E N T V O I C E O F M I L P I TA S H I G H
The Union is published by the Journalism class of Milpitas High School. The views in The Union are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the school, students, administration, or Milpitas Unified School District.
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4
post-election edition
student voices
The unION
Student Reactions to the Presidential Election
“I feel so confused. I don’t know what to feel. *emotionless whip*” -- Pratima Prabala, Grade 11
“The amount of anger within the community after the election has been terrifying. People hating, stereotyping,and blaming other for the results. While it is upsetting, this is a time for unity, not hatred at anyone who might not have the same opinion as you.” -- Rachel Chiang, Grade 11
“I’m a Muslim woman of color and I came here to live a free life, to believe in my religion with respect of others and I did not come here to have my future ruined by a racist, sexist, homophobic man.” -- Salma Ibrahim, Grade 10
“I think the situation is very troublesome. But I really want to go to a state supporting Trump to better understand why they think he is the right choice. I do not support Trump at all and that makes me consider how half of the U.S. population can support him, can it really be due to race?” -- Morgan Lei, Grade 11
“You had one job, America...” -- Anish Pavaskar, Grade 11
“I do not support Trump nor Hillary. But as an American, I support the president of the United States. That is one of our civil duties.”-- Joshua dela Rosa, Grade 11
“I believe that it was a major upset, but no matter what the situation the United States will prevail in the worst of times. We need to stop hate towards each other and bring back happiness.” -- Paige DaSilva, Grade 12
“We have a voice and we can use that voice; that’s why we live in America, land of freedom, land of freedom of speech. Just do what you believe in and stand up.” -Asmah Ansari, Grade 9
“All hail dictator—I mean PRESIDENT Trump.” -Angelie Hoang, Grade 9
“To all the protestors against Donald Trump, I ask that we please work together and give him a chance.” -- Preston Venenciano, Grade 10
“Yes Donald Trump will make a bad president in my opinion, but we can learn from that. I believe us minorities will be brought together.” -- Josephine Nguyen, Grade 9
“I accept the results of the election whether it appeals to me or not. I do not believe that the protests are necessary though, as I believe we should all accept the results. This is the democratic process and how it should be. -- Sierra Roe, Grade 12
“I am afraid of what is going to happen in the future and hopeful that everything is going to be okay.” -- Gabi Avella, Grade 12
“I’m disappointed with this election. As an Asian-American woman who lives in a city made up of largely minorities, I find it appalling that a man who ran his campaign on racism, sexism, xenophobia—to name a few—is about to be our president. This election made me appreciate the diversity of the Bay Area a lot more, but I have fears for the victims of the hate and bigotry around other regions of America that he has normalized and perpetuated.” -Tricia Nguyen, Grade 12
“I think it made it clear how divided our country still is on certain issues. I feel like the reaction to it all solidifies one simple fact: This election isn’t going to go away anytime soon.” -- Christopher Padua, Grade 12
“Simpsons did it! Just kidding, but the thing is that this election was out of the ordinary. It resembled something like an episode of some cartoon.” -- Randy Mendoza, Grade 11
“Donald Trump being our president devastates me. Having a rapist who is rude is not the kind of person to represent our country.” -- Sinai Chang, Grade 9 “Maybe this way, we can avoid a complete redistribution of wealth and preserve our capitalist nation. Taxes and federal aid will be reduced motivating people to work harder for their living. Borders may be a bit more secure, and those who want American Citizenship will work harder and earn it legally.” -- Jenna Zarbis, Grade 12
“I am still waiting for Trump to say it was all a joke.” -Brooke Indihar, Grade 11 “I am unsatisfied with the result of the election overall, and as a woman and a person of color I am quite afraid about what what will happen in the future.” -- Andrea Davide, Grade 9
“This election has definitely shown just how divided and separated we are as a nation when it comes to political and social opinions. There are many emotions and thoughts that are circulating around us that are coming from both political parties, from different groups, from different individuals. It is important to remember that bigotry is bipartisan, that it is easy to generalize and easy to assume who someone is despite only knowing one thing about them. As someone who supports Hillary, I have to continue to remind myself that just because someone voted for Trump, it doesn’t make them a terrible person. The most important thought to have at the moment is to be empathetic and kind and not to become the angry, orange monster many of us are afraid of.” -- CJ Andrea Molo, Grade 12
“I am a hardcore liberal, but I understand why people voted for Trump. Some may have supported him because they were buckling under the costs of Obamacare, others may have had to choose between their morals and their ability to support their family. Some Trump supporters might be racist, sexist, or bigoted. However, not all of them are. Please don’t demonize someone just because they voted for Trump, but try to understand them instead. As human beings, we must be able to hold on to our empathy. That empathy is how we will persevere through the times ahead and come together as a community.” --Anthony K. Nguyen, Grade 12
“I knew Trump would win since Day 1. People were tired of a rigged system and basic corrupt politicians. That’s why Trump won. The people wanted change. Everyone except the liberal bubble California knew this. Interesting fact here! Before the riots, Trump won presidency. After the riots, he still won.”-Jashandeep Chahal, Grade 12
“My friend’s dream was to study abroad in the United States. However, after the election of Trump, she's been forced to throw it away...” -- Yvonne Phan, Grade 12