The Waltonian

May 2, 2023 marked the beginning of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. WGA is a coalition of two writers’ labor unions comprising over 11,000 writers of film, television, news, radio and online media. The strike began after unmet demands were made for higher pay, a more stable pay structure, fairer deals, contracts and provisions about artificial intelligence according to a list of WGA proposals.

The strike commenced following six weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), an association that represents significant Hollywood studios and production companies such as Paramount, Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Apple and Disney. One of the most important demands was higher compensation. The median weekly writer-producer pay has decreased over the past decade when adjusting for inflation, according to a report by WGA.

Additionally, writers are advocating for greater residual payments, the amount writers receive when projects they have worked on are released, in reruns or syndication. A statistic shared by WGA describes how half of writers work in streaming which pays less residuals for new and pre-existing shows.

Valentina Garza, a producer and writer who has been a part of “Wednesday,” “Only Murders in the Building” and “Jane the Virgin,” went to Twitter to share the harsh reality of how low a residual check can truly be. The photo displayed a check written for three cents. In her post, she stated, “I think the streamers can do better.”

“Our wages have been falling in the last few years as the streamers’ profits have been skyrocketing” Amanda Mercedes, staff writer for “The Rookie: Feds,” said.

She further described how the increase of streaming services such as Netflix has “changed the business model completely,” which makes it more difficult for writers to have constant, well-paid opportunities.

The WGA has asserted that the current system in place for writers is defective and that “the survival of writing as a profession is at stake in this negotiation.”

The effects of the WGA Strike almost instantly impacted late-night talk shows. On May 6, 2023 “Saturday Night Live” went dark, followed by “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to name a few. The taping of live shows was suspended, prompting the airing of reruns.

As the strike continues, there has been a significant halt in the production of both television shows and movies. Upcoming seasons of the following shows have been postponed due to the writer’s strike: “Abbott Elementary,” “BUNK’D,” “Cobra Kai,” “Euphoria,” “Evil,” “Hacks,” “Password,” “Power Book III,” “P-Valley” and “Stranger Things.” For movies, the following have pushed back release dates: “Challengers, “Minecraft,” “Bad Boys 4,” “Kraven the Hunter,” “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse,” “Venom 3,” “The Color Purple” and “Dune: Part Two.” The future of many shows and movies is up in the air as the writers’ strike grows longer.

At this point, there is not a foreseeable end in sight to the Writers Guild strike. The latest reports show that the Writers Guild of America is willing to listen to deals from individual studios that abandon the AMPTP, the organization that has been negotiating on behalf of Netflix and other streaming services and studios.

A statement from the WGA bargaining committee described, “We have made it clear that we will negotiate with one or more of the major studios, outside the confines of the AMPTP, to establish the new WGA deal. There is no requirement that the companies negotiate through the AMPTP. So, if the economic destabilization of their own companies isn’t enough to cause a studio or two or three to either assert their own self-interest inside the AMPTP or to break away from the broken AMPTP model, perhaps Wall Street will finally make them do it.”

In response, the AMPTP affirmed that their “member companies are aligned” and working together to develop a resolution. At the time of writing, no official deals or decisions have been made and the strike continues going strong.

Sources: Today, TV Insider, Vulture, Washington Post

By: Keilah Cook

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 a passenger train with more than 350 people aboard crashed into a freight train in northern Greece. At least 43 people were killed, 66 were treated for injuries and six are currently in intensive care units. The collision jolted many passengers into ceilings and out of the windows of the train. This incident has become known as the deadliest rail crash in Greece’s history.

“A horrific rail accident without precedent in our country,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The train’s journey was from Athens to Thessaloniki. Many of the passengers were students traveling after a four day weekend having celebrated clean Monday just days before. On a double track, the trains were traveling in opposite directions passing through the same line near the river valley of Vale the Tempe. The passenger train moved lanes, switching to a cargo lane before colliding head-on with the freight train.

Following this accident, an extensive investigation has been launched. Prime Minister Mitsotakis mentioned that the collision was “mainly due to a tragic human error.” In light of long-lasting protests, Mitsotakis has since taken a greater level of responsibility for the tragedy.

The stationmaster who is in charge of maintaining the traffic along the rails was arrested at the last train stop in Larissa. Authorities have not publicly released his identity. The stationmaster has since admitted to being guilty of negligence.

A day after the tragic event, Transportation Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigned, taking full responsibility for the accident. His decision to step down has been described as “a basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly.” In the wake of the events, Karamanlis also commented on the state of the Greek Railway System describing how it was “not up to 21st-century standards” upon his arrival in office.

“In these 3.5 years, we have made every effort to improve this reality. Unfortunately, our efforts have not been sufficient to prevent such a bad incident. And this is very heavy for all of us and me personally, “ Karamanlis said.

In comparison to other European countries, Greece is severely lacking in railway passenger safety. According to a 2022 report by the European Union Agency for Railways, Greece topped the list with the highest railway fatality rate per million train kilometers from 2018 to 2020 out of 28 nations.

“I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy, and we will do all that’s in our power so that something like this never happens again,” Prime Minister Mitsotakis said.

Worldwide condolences and support are being offered following a government declaration of a three-day mourning period. In Brussels, the flags were positioned at half-staff outside of the European Union buildings as protests in the country continue.

Sources: AP News, CNN, VOA News

By: Keilah Cook

June 30, 2022, marked a monumental milestone in the history of our country, the swearing in of the first African American female Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. With the new Supreme Court term, she is making her first debut and has already proven to be an influential presence.

Source: Wikipedia/ Supreme Court Judge Jackson

As a new member of the Supreme Court, Justice Jackson has become a significant topic of conversation. She began the term by asking a substantial amount of probing questions to the lawyers that were presenting the arguments to the court, as well as clearly establishing her perspective. During Supreme Court hearings, lawyers from both sides of a case will state their claims before the justices, who will then ask questions to assist with how to advise their decisions about how to rule.

According to political scientist Adam Feldman, in the eight arguments presented to the term thus far, Jackson asked more than 11,000 words. This number is more than twice the amount of Jackson’s closest competitor, Amy Coney Barrett, in her first eight arguments. This gap appears to grow even more when looking at the comparison of Jackson to the other new justices of the Supreme Court, although a direct comparison is not exact given that oral argument processes have changed since these justices were sworn in.

As a new justice, Jackson has a unique motivation to share her positions on arguments during Supreme Court hearings. When voting takes place in private conferences, they talk in order of seniority, with Jackson last. Her comments will have little significance if she is the fifth to speak on a particular outcome. All of her public statements from the bench will hold the most weight in having an influence.

In addition to her extensive questioning ability, Judge Jackson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Jackson is the first former public defender on the Supreme Court, offering a unique perspective into the criminal justice system and a greater representation of the role of public defenders. She also served as a trial court judge for eight years before being appointed by Biden to the U.S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is already beginning to make her mark on the United States Supreme Court, bringing new perspectives and the required ambition to actively pursue ‘liberty and justice for all.’

Sources: The New York Times, The Washington Post

On Friday, March 18, The House passed the CROWN Act, with a vote of 235-189. It was largely on party lines with 14 Republicans joining the Democrats.

The act was introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. CROWN is the acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair. It specifically bans “discrimination based on an individual’s texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin,” NPR stated. The bill specifically bans discrimination at work, federal programs, and public accommodations.

“Here we are today, standing on behalf of those individuals, whether my colleagues on the other side recognize it or not, are discriminated against as children in school, as adults in who are trying to get jobs, individuals who simply want access to public accommodations and to be beneficiaries of federally-funded programs,” Watson Coleman said in remarks on the House floor Friday morning.

Congressional action is being taken after many years of advocates pushing for policy change of race-based hair discrimination at the national level. Multiple states have carried out their own versions of the CROWN Act, including Calif. (the first state to enact a ban), N.J. and N.Y. On March 17, Mass. became the most recent state to pass a local ban on hair discrimination.

“Hair discrimination is rooted in systemic racism, and its purpose is to preserve white spaces,” the NAACP says. “Policies that prohibit natural hairstyles, like afros, braids, bantu knots, and locs, have been used to justify the removal of Black children from classrooms, and Black adults from their employment.”

This bill will now continue to the Senate for deliberation. The democratic majority in the Senate may not be enough to pass the CROWN act legislation, although the Biden administration has stated it “strongly supports” the bill.

Sources: NPR, NBC News

March 14: for many, it’s a day used as an excuse to eat an assortment of pie or circular foods. But for mathematicians and math enthusiasts alike, it’s an exciting day of math-related fun. In case you have no clue what I am talking about, March 14 is Pi Day, the annual celebration of the mathematical symbol pi.

It was first founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw. March 14 was specifically chosen because it represents the first three digits of pi, 3.14. The Exploratorium, a San Francisco-based interactive science museum (and Shaw’s place of employment), held the first ever celebration with a circular parade and eating of fruit pies. Pi Day became an official nationally recognized holiday in 2009 when the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation.

But you may be wondering, what’s the big deal? Greek mathematician Archimedes is most commonly known for being the first to calculate the estimated value of pi. Pi is an irrational, transcendental number that continues on and on for infinity. Or as Brynn Holland says, “the pi-ssibilities are endless!”

The number that never seems to end is abbreviated for problem solving with the first three digits 3.14 or the fraction 22/7. Pi holds major importance with circles because it is the consistent ratio of a circle circumference to its diameter. It is also incredibly valuable in engineering, allowing the math for modern construction to happen.

So with a little history of Pi Day, now it’s your turn to make it a fun day to add to your celebrations. There are so many incredible activities to participate in besides the typical eating of pie or various circular foods. To bring out your competitive side, with your friends see who can name the most digits of pi; the person who names the least has to buy the winner a circular food of their choice. Or, for even more fun, have a scavenger hunt and see who can find the most circular items in a room or even around campus. Take a picture with the items or make a list as proof.

For those who enjoy showing their more creative side there are also some fun pi activities for you. With your friends, see who can come up with the best pi day jokes or in other words dad jokes. One of my favorites is, Why did pi fail its driving test?… Because it didn’t know when to stop. Another fun activity is to write poems with each line using the number of words in the sequence of pi. It is truly the ultimate challenge.

If you would prefer a more lowkey Pi-related activity, my suggestion is to watch The Life of Pi or science and math related films such as Hidden Figures and Apollo 13. Or maybe even films related to pie like American Pie or Waitress.

Whatever activity you participate in, make it a great day to recognize a number that we often fail to realize has such a major impact on our lives.

Source: History.com

On Feb. 8, scientists announced a woman of mixed race became the third person to ever be cured of H.I.V. The process included a new transplant method using umbilical cord blood, increasing the chances of curing people of diverse racial backgrounds.

The other two patients who were cured of H.I.V. received adult stem cells in bone marrow transplants. Cord blood is more widely available as the patient does not have to be a close match to the recipient. In registries, a majority of donors are of Caucasian origin so, in allowing a partial match, there is the capability to cure hundreds of Americans with both H.I.V. and cancer each year according to scientists.

The woman also had leukemia and received cord blood to treat the cancer from a partially matched donor. The typical process involves seeking a bone marrow donor of similar race and ethnicity to the patient. In addition, blood was donated from a close relative to temporarily give her body immune defenses during the implantation process.

According to researchers, the racial and sexual orientation of this case marks a major step in the process of developing a cure for H.I.V.

“The fact that she’s mixed race, and that she’s a woman, that is really important scientifically and really important in terms of the community impact,” said Dr. Steven Deeks, an AIDS expert at the University of California, San Francisco.

H.I.V. infection is thought to progress differently in men and women. Women make up over half of the cases in the world but only 11 percent are included in cure trials. For this reason, this case offers inspiration and a new precedent for the field of medicine.

This case has also discovered a less dangerous way to conduct transplants with the half-matched cells from her relative supporting her immune system until the cord blood cells became dominant about six weeks later. More than 14 months later, the patient displays zero signs of H.I.V. in blood tests and does not appear to have detectable antibodies to the virus.

Source: New York Times

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past but also a time to honor the individuals of the African American community who have made significant accomplishments that are often overlooked. Keep reading to discover ten African American legacies whose names are often left out of history books or rarely publicized!

In the 1960s, during the intensity of the Civil Rights movement, Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to be elected to Congress. In 1972, she made history again as the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
A common misconception in history is that Rosa Parks was the first to protest on the bus. Before her, a brave young 15-year-old girl named Claudette Colvin refused to sit in the back of the bus. Colvin stood up to the bus driver, stating that it was her constitutional right to continue sitting near the middle of the bus, and was arrested as a result. She became the first woman to be detained for her refusal.
A woman who broke the barrier to allow a new generation of diversity of fliers such as the Tuskegee airmen, Blackbirds and Flying Hobos was Bessie Coleman. Coleman was the first licensed Black pilot in the world, although her major accomplishment was not acknowledged until after her death. Amelia Earheart or the Wright Brothers are the names most commonly taught in history, failing to recognize Coleman as an incredible trailblazer in the world of aviation.
Robert Sengstacke laid the groundwork for many of the Black publications today like Ebony, Essence, Black Enterprise and Upscale. Without his creative vision, they would not be the successful publications they are today. Abbot created the Chicago Defender weekly newspaper in 1905. It started out as simply a four-page pamphlet that grew over time in length and readership. Abbot’s newspaper played a major role in inspiring African Americans to move to the south for better economic opportunities.
Gordon Parks was the first African American to work on the staff of LIFE Magazine. He later became known for some of the most stunning imagery found in the pages of Vogue. Parks was also the first Black director of a major film, Shaft, and a pivotal figure in developing the blaxploitation (an ethnic movie subgenre) era of the 1970s.
A woman that paved the way for African American female directors and producers such as Oprah, Ava DuVernay, and Shonda Rhimes, Maria P. Williams was the first Black woman to produce, write and act in her own movie The Flames of Wrath in 1923.
And to transition to history being made today, Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett is one of the lead scientists on the team that developed the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The 35-year-old is a research fellow for the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
On Feb.1, Rashida Jones became the president of MSNBC and the first African American executive to manage a major television news network. Jones has also been monumental in bringing more diversity to MSNBC’s daytime and weekend scheduled shows.
In its 275 year history, Nicholas Johnson became the first Valedictorian of Princeton University. In an interview, Johnson remarked about the fact that the university’s first nine presidents were slave owners, demonstrating how much progress has been made but how much work still needs to be done.
Sydney Barber made history as the first African American woman in the U.S Naval Academy’s 175-year history to serve as a brigade commander. She does not take the position lightly and sees it as an opportunity to make a difference and hopefully bring more diversity and inclusion to the academy.

This article could be never-ending with history being made every day, and I could never have the space to include everyone. So now it is up to you to get informed. The African American community has made and continues to make countless impacts on society as a whole that you will never learn about in a history book. It is up to us to keep their memories alive, continue to honor them, and bring greater awareness to monumental accomplishments.

Sources: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g25954127/african-american-historical-figures/

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/23-black-leaders-who-are-shaping-history-today.html

On Dec. 15 2021, the world lost a powerful social activist, author, feminist and professor, a woman known prominently by her pen name, bell hooks. After a long health battle, she passed at 69 from end-stage renal failure.

In 1952, Gloria Jean Watkins was born in the segregated town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She gave herself the name bell hooks, honoring her maternal grandmother Bell Blair Hooks. To differentiate herself, she purposely spelled it in lowercase letters to represent her individuality and way of thinking. Reading was one of her passions from a very young age; she described books as providing “visions of new worlds”. hook’s earliest influences included James Baldwin, Kentucky author Wendell Berry and Martin Luther King Jr.

Her major impact on history and feminism is often left out history books. She played a major role in influencing academic and popular debates over the past 40 years. Beginning in the 1970s, hooks became a prominent figure both on pages and in the classroom. Her influences were in professional scholarship and personal history, leading to the completion of dozens of books with a significant impact on countless peers. In addition, these books provided a foundation for the relevant discussions on the topics of race, class and feminism. Some of hook’s most well known works are “Ain’t I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism,” “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” and “All About Love: New Visions.” hooks received the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, known for supporting diversity in literature.

hooks taught at Oberlin, Yale and City College of New York before coming back to Kentucky to teach at Berea College. She was under the impression that the American education system held the primary purpose of developing young individuals to become productive workers, so in her classes, she took a different approach, teaching students to use knowledge to oppose norms. hooks taught her students to visual critical thinking and reading as liberating acts.

She held a unique perspective denying the isolation of feminism, civil rights and economics into distinct categories. As a strong believer of community and connectivity, hooks argued that racism, sexism and economic disparity supported one another. She defined feminism as “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression.” hooks believed that feminism held a strong claim to speak for all women yet minority women were not being heard. Her writing on the topics of gender and race inspired the concept of feminism to expand to include not only the voices of white, middle class women but also Black and working-class women’s voices and perspectives.

“I think of bell hooks as being pivotal to an entire generation of Black feminists who saw that for the first time they had license to call themselves Black feminists. She was utterly courageous in terms of putting on paper thoughts that many of us might have had in private,” said Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law professor at Columbia, in an interview.

I am ashamed to admit that before last year I had never read a book by bell hooks. I had heard her name mentioned a few times in reference to the feminist movement but never taken the opportunity to discover her work. Last semester, in a leadership class, we read “All About Love: New Vision”. Initially, after reading the summary on the back of the book, I was very excited to read hooks unique perspective on the topic of love, and she did not disappoint. I can truly say that this was one of the most impactful books I have ever read. hooks has an incredible way of being extremely open and honest with the reader. The rawness of her words was refreshing, as is not common in current literature. hooks shared her own personal experiences and observations, drawing me in with her brutal honesty and opening my eyes to the ways that society has truly lost the essence of love. I truly recommend this book to anyone who does not mind having their heart and mind deeply touched and impacted. It will truly open your eyes to so many incredible topics related to love. And that was always hooks’ goal: to change the narrative by offering a new perspective.

Sources: nytimes.com, abc7.com

As we go into finals seasons, it’s time to perfect those studying habits. It’s all about finding what works best for you and effectively planning out your methods of studying. Keep reading to discover some of the studying myths to avoid as well as some effective practices to implement. You may be thoroughly surprised to discover that you may have been studying all wrong.

Study Myth #1: You should have a designated place for studying.

Scientific studies have shown that studying in one specific area does not help you remember information better. According to the author of How We Learn, Benedict Carey supports the idea that switching up the setting where you study can actually drive increased recalling of knowledge. By studying in different environments the brain is challenged to work harder to recall the information in different places, causing better retention. In addition, new settings will lead to new associations in the brain, allowing easier retrieval of information. A pro tip offered is to study in the room where the exam will be held, so your brain will link your notes to the room and help you recall the material you studied there.

Study Myth #2: Classical music does not help concentration.

This myth is completely subjective. Some people are able to study with noise or music, while many may need complete silence. But according to the experts, a French study found that the music of Mozart will assist with better sleep and diminished stress levels. They discovered that students who listened to classical music during an hour-long lecture performed better on the exam than those who did not. The researchers asserted the individuals listening to classical music were in a greater emotional state which led them to be more responsive to new information. The music also allowed the students to be more focused, leading to better performance.

Study Myth #3: Cramming works.

Unfortunately, I am sorry to tell you that all of those late nights spent cramming material cannot be justified. Cramming is not an effective way of helping the brain to remember information. Gary Lynch a professor of psychiatry, human behavior, anatomy and neurobiology states that spreading out your studying over longer periods of time and taking breaks are the most effective methods of studying. Lynch also asserts that when cramming material, only one synapse of the brain is working. Multiple synapses are used when studying in short sessions spaced out over time. In this way, the brain is using its full power to help you recall information.

Remember this finals season, study in various locations and environments or for the best results in the room where the exam will take place. For those who like noise while studying, play some classical music to help you focus on the material. In addition, if you have trouble falling asleep before an exam, play classical music to help you fall asleep and reduce any pre-exam stress. Finally, spread out your studying over time and in short sessions to maximize your brainpower and most effectively recall and retain information. Good luck on your finals, Eagles!
Source: https://junkee.com/four-study-myths-debunked-by-neuroscientists/128526

I’m sure we have all heard the common phrase “an attitude of gratitude.” Countless inspirational speakers and clergy alike have used to phrase to encourage their listeners to evoke a more positive attitude. This idea of adopting an attitude of gratitude has been scientifically proven to produce greater positive outcomes and a more fulfilled life. Here’s what you need to know to be most successful in this practice.

Typically gratitude studies focus on people with no mental health concerns. Greater Good Medicine took a different approach to their research study on gratitude. They wanted to determine the impact of gratitude on individuals with mental health concerns. They performed this study with about 300 adults, mostly college students, that were receiving counseling services. There were three test groups who were each given different tasks such as writing a letter of gratitude to someone for 12 weeks and writing about their deepest thoughts and feelings of negative experiences.

The results found were incredible. They can be summed up into four major points. The first is the idea that gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions. The results assert this idea that gratitude letter writing can move a person’s thoughts away from negative emotions such as envy or resentment. The idea is that in writing these letters of gratitude to others, it becomes harder for you to focus on the negative experiences.

The second idea is that gratitude helps even if we do not share it with others. The study asked the first group to send their letters to people they were grateful for but only about 23% actually sent them. They found however that everyone who wrote a letter about gratitude, despite not sending it, still received the positive benefits. Taking the simple act of writing a letter of gratitude allows the writer to cherish the people in their life more and move the focus from the negative feelings and thoughts.

The next concept is the idea that the benefits of gratitude take time, they do not simply happen overnight. The positive benefits of gratitude found in the study were the results of twelve weeks of writing letters. They suggest being patient when starting out with the gratitude writing activity and not expecting immediate results.

The final idea is that gratitude has lasting effects on this brain. When analyzing the brains of those who wrote letters to those who did not, the results propose that practicing gratitude trains the brain to be more receptive to encounters of gratitude, leading to improved mental health. So whether you take the time to write gratitude letters for the people in your life or simply think of reasons to be grateful every day, be intentional about practicing gratitude. It will help you in the long run.

Source: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain