Good morning, lovely readers! It has been an exciting couple of weeks, one highlight being the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. We curated a list of sources for you to check out on the topic, and are also writing our takes on what this new administration means for America, starting with an opinion on its support for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, discrimination and prejudice are still prevalent in the world, but we need to start holding ourselves accountable for it. Even Lifetime TV show Dance Moms is guilty of having racist undertones. Read all that and more perspectives from high school students in this newsletter, so stay tuned and have a spectacular week!
Joe Biden inaugurated as president of the United States By Kaavya Butaney
Via Eric Haynes
At 12 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as president of the United States on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., along with Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden then delivered his inaugural speech, looking toward the future and emphasizing the importance of unity. The inauguration ceremony also featured a reading of Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s original poem “The Hill We Climb,” as well as performances by musical artists including Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. Later that day, Harris swore in three Senators: Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and California Democrat Alex Padilla. Click here to access Talon’s curated list of sources to visit for more information.
Biden’s inauguration is a sign of hope for an administration that supports disabled people
By Kathrina Welborn
Naomi Ichiriu
After four years of Trump’s ableist administration, Biden’s inauguration offers hope for an administration that will work with, respect and support the disabled community. Click here to read staff writer Kathrina Welborn’s take on how the signing of the Pledge of Allegiance in ASL at the inauguration is a hallmark of Biden’s decades-long record of standing with the disabled community.
Upcoming author Lauren Peterson’s space law odyssey
By Kaavya Butaney and Olivia Hewang
Courtesy Lauren Peterson
Space law — the final frontier. This is the voyage of space lawyer, first-time author and LAHS graduate Lauren Peterson, ’11. Although Peterson doesn't necessarily travel to the far reaches of space, her career involves debating space treaties and satellite policies, while also juggling law school with writing her new book, “The Future of Governance in Space.” Click here to read about Peterson’s unorthodox path to publishing her own book and what lies beyond.
Kulture à la Kaavya: Prejudice is inescapable. Also, it sucks.
Column by Kaavya Butaney
Okay, I have to get something off my chest: I’m racist. I’m also sexist, homophobic, ableist and classist. Wow, that feels good. Now, here’s the thing. If you were shocked by me saying that, you shouldn’t be. We are all racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, etc. There is not one person on Earth that is free of prejudice. Click here to learn why we need to hold ourselves accountable.
Elli Lahdesmaki
Racism: Living on the dance floor By Anika Sikka
Emily Zhu
While Lifetime reality TV show Dance Moms seems like a stereotypical reality show in which moms fight unnecessarily over their children’s jazz dances, it has racist undertones that need to be addressed. Click here to read staff writer Anika Sikka’s take on the racism behind Dance Moms, and how Lifetime should be held accountable.
