Daily Archives: September 26, 2016

Editorials/Student Voice, News

The Kaepernick affect

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The National Anthem is a sensitive topic for many Americans, and has never seen this much attention since its creation in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. Since the start of the 2016 NFL preseason, an increasing number of players have been silently protesting the anthem. The controversy is centered around 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first protested the anthem on August 26 in a preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers. Since then over 20 NFL players have joined Kaepernick in protest.with different gestures like raising their fists, locking arms, and kneeling during the anthem. The players identify with the Black Lives Matter movement, which started after a string of unarmed black civilian killings by police officers across the country.

Kaepernick has received much ridicule for his actions, yet continues the silent protest. His “haters” took to twitter to express their rage calling him “un-American”, and many other offensive terms. Despite all the negativity directed towards him, he has received support. Some notable supporters of Kaepernick include President Barack Obama,Spike Lee, and San Francisco 49er’s great Jerry Rice. Kaepernick has received much hate from war veterans, but has also been supported by vets. The hashtag “VeteransForKaepernick” has been trending all over social media, as veterans defend the quarterbacks actions.

NFL players do not stand alone in protest. Since Kaepernick’s protest in late August, similar actions have been seen all across the sports world. On September 2, a Brunswick high school football player took a knee during the national anthem. The player Rodney Axson, has received racial threats from his fellow teammates since his silent protest. Now midway through September, cases of protest have been reported across the country of college and high school sports teams. In my home state of Minnesota, South Minneapolis’s girls volleyball team all took a knee during the anthem. During Edina’s homecoming national anthem, several black players took a knee. These acts of protests are increasing throught high schools and colleges in the country.

Kaepernick has also received support from other professional athletes. On September 4, soccer star Megan Rapinoe took knee before her NWSL game against the Chicago Red Stars. Post game she was interviewed, “I am disgusted with the way [Kaepernick] has been treated and the fans and hatred he has received in all of this,” Rapinoe said.

Kaepernick has been somewhat quite during this controversy, but did interview with the NFL Media.”I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told Steve Wyche.”To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Colin Kaepernick is right – this is way bigger than football.

Clubs and Activities, School Life

After school activities at Highland

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Highland Park is lucky enough to have over 30 extracurricular activities, not including sports. Many of these activities can help discover new talents or hobbies. Extracurricular classes give you a chance to make new friends and learn about things you can’t during a normal school day, not to mention participation in extracurriculars looks amazing on collage applications.

If you are interested in joining a club or after school activity then these are four of the clubs that I found interesting.

Film club is about making movies, not watching them. What could be more fun than making short films? Nothing, and Highland has a whole club for making films. The types of films made are completely decided by the students involved. Last year they made a documentary on the football team and a music video. Film club meets every Thursday in room 2214 from 2:15 to 3:45.

Union Latina is a club dedicated to cultures of Mexico, South America and Central America. Union Latina’s goal is to educate and discuss with students about Latina culture, whether that be music, food, festivals and holidays, or about the hard times and global issues of some of the countries. Union Latina is open to anyone and everyone regardless of ethnicity. They meet every Wednesday in room 3306 from 2:15 – 3:15 pm.

Archery isn’t only for hunters and Robin Hood. The archery team at Highland Park is about learning about shooting safety, concentration and technique. Although the archery team doesn’t participate in tournaments, they are still considered a sport. Archery is a great way to make friends and spend time doing something you enjoy. For more information on times and dates, contact Mr. Martinson at kevin.martinson@spps.org.

Another club I found interesting was Prizm literary magazine. Prizm is an annual magazine that is made up exclusively of student paintings, drawings, poems, short stories and photographs. Anyone is eligible to submit to Prizm through their English clases, but if you are interested in the actual production and editing part of the magazine, join them in room 2222 at 2:15 on Fridays.

Some other clubs available at Highland are Anime Club, Asian Culture Club, Black Student Union, Book Club, Choir, Cyber Security Team, Debate Team, FFA Club, Gender Equality Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance, Instrumental Music, Link Crew, Math Team, Model United Nations, Mountain Biking, National Honors Society, Nucleus, Orchestra Club, The Plaid Line School Newspaper, Robotics, Science Club, Spanish Speaking Debate, Speech Team, Student Council, Yearbook, Youth Alive and Youth in Government.

Highland has a very wide variety of things to do after school so there is something for everyone. As long as you stay balanced and have priorities, after school clubs and activities can only help you. So go out and join a club, meet new people, learn new things. Nothing is worse than not trying and wishing you would have later on.