Art & Entertainment
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Love, Simon and The Real World
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On March 16, 2018, “Love, Simon” came out in the theatres. The film is based off the book by Becky Albertalli, “Simon Vs. The Homosapiens Agenda.” The movie has made over 30 million dollars in the box office and is “a funny, heartfelt, and truly touching teen romantic comedy that instantly becomes a modern classic for today's generation.” said Molly Freeman from Screen Rant. The movie has moved many individuals within the LGBTQ+ Community, including students at Reagan.
After interviewing four Reagan students, all four believed “Love, Simon” was an amazing movie. Juliana Gessner said, “It was very good. It was cheesy. But it’s rare that LGBTQ+ movies get to be cheesy.” The movie was also said that it did help with portraying the LGBTQ+ community in a more accurate way than previous LGBTQ+ films.
All four students said that they have had positive experiences with coming out. Only two have actually come out to their family and friends. Sophomore Matthew Voith, who is gay, and freshman Diego Liebe who is transgender. Diego says she was surprised by “how nice and understanding everyone was”. The other two have only come out to friends. But, an anonymous student said that she wouldn’t have a problem coming out to her parents but she doesn’t really have a reason to. She said “Maybe if I had a girlfriend I might but seeing that I don’t, I really don’t think I need to tell my parents...yet.”
The four all had different thoughts when answering, “Why is straight the default?” a question that is asked in both the book and movie. Gessner believes it is because “Gender roles and social constructs of gender essentially lead to the idea that the bases of marriage is for property, for taxes, for owning land and owning someone. So I think keeping the heterosexual norm, and keeping all of the men in power leads to making sure that everything else that doesn’t fit into that mold gets cut off.” Though this is true, Anonymous believes that marriage gender roles date back to Adam and Eve / biblical times. So with this story of a male and a female being the first two humans on earth, people believed that it had to be a male and a female. Matthew says “because that’s the way many were brought up as a kid, seeing that a man and a women were always getting married, making everyone think that’s what was normal. Pretty much, it’s the media’s fault for straight being the default in relationships. If they had a more diverse color scheme when it came to sexualities in movies and media in general, then there wouldn’t be a whole rally behind LGBTQ+ rights and such.”
If you are scared of coming out, the school psychologist is very supporting and you can talk to her about it. Ms. Coyle is always available, her email is laflerjp@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. The interviewees also gave advice for coming out. Juliana said “Don’t feel bad if you have to stay closeted, like for your safety. If you can, your safety always come first. If you can, best of luck! It sounds like a cop out answer but that's what it really is, best of luck.”
After interviewing four Reagan students, all four believed “Love, Simon” was an amazing movie. Juliana Gessner said, “It was very good. It was cheesy. But it’s rare that LGBTQ+ movies get to be cheesy.” The movie was also said that it did help with portraying the LGBTQ+ community in a more accurate way than previous LGBTQ+ films.
All four students said that they have had positive experiences with coming out. Only two have actually come out to their family and friends. Sophomore Matthew Voith, who is gay, and freshman Diego Liebe who is transgender. Diego says she was surprised by “how nice and understanding everyone was”. The other two have only come out to friends. But, an anonymous student said that she wouldn’t have a problem coming out to her parents but she doesn’t really have a reason to. She said “Maybe if I had a girlfriend I might but seeing that I don’t, I really don’t think I need to tell my parents...yet.”
The four all had different thoughts when answering, “Why is straight the default?” a question that is asked in both the book and movie. Gessner believes it is because “Gender roles and social constructs of gender essentially lead to the idea that the bases of marriage is for property, for taxes, for owning land and owning someone. So I think keeping the heterosexual norm, and keeping all of the men in power leads to making sure that everything else that doesn’t fit into that mold gets cut off.” Though this is true, Anonymous believes that marriage gender roles date back to Adam and Eve / biblical times. So with this story of a male and a female being the first two humans on earth, people believed that it had to be a male and a female. Matthew says “because that’s the way many were brought up as a kid, seeing that a man and a women were always getting married, making everyone think that’s what was normal. Pretty much, it’s the media’s fault for straight being the default in relationships. If they had a more diverse color scheme when it came to sexualities in movies and media in general, then there wouldn’t be a whole rally behind LGBTQ+ rights and such.”
If you are scared of coming out, the school psychologist is very supporting and you can talk to her about it. Ms. Coyle is always available, her email is laflerjp@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. The interviewees also gave advice for coming out. Juliana said “Don’t feel bad if you have to stay closeted, like for your safety. If you can, your safety always come first. If you can, best of luck! It sounds like a cop out answer but that's what it really is, best of luck.”
Alexxus Hart
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The House on Mango Street - 1984 vs. 2018
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Recently, I read the coming of age novel ‘The House on Mango Street’ by Sandra Cisneros. Originally published in 1984, this book has been taught to thousands and is a home time classic. Mexican writer, Cisneros, writes the story of Esperanza (Hope) Cordero, a young Latina living in Chicago and growing up with multiple Latino and Hispanics. She is attempting to find herself throughout the span of a year. Through a series of vignettes, it describes bits and parts of her life, from small simple things to harassment touching on themes that —— at the time —— were difficult to talk about.
Reading this book has given me another perspective on struggles that young girls and women of color face still today. As I recall from the author’s note, Cisneros explained that this story was inter-mixed with her own memory and occurrences, but is also fabricated from her mind and creativity.
1984
One of the main topics that arise in this book is the concept of her name. As stated, her name is Esperanza Cordero. She explains how her name is difficult for others to pronounce and that she doesn’t like. As she’s emerging into young adulthood, she begins to accept her name. Out of all the things, though, she questions why she was named Esperanza.
2018
I personally relate to her struggles from the book. My name is actually rather odd for some, and difficult to pronounce for many. I remember when I was little I would ask my mom, ‘Why didn’t you name me Vanessa or Veronica? Those are pretty names.” My moms face would fall but I wouldn’t understand why. I couldn’t understand the art and beauty of my name and why I had it. These notions are still prevalent in 2018; if you’re name isn’t considered normal, it isn’t good.
1984
On Mango St., there is a woman who doesn’t speak English. Her tongue and mouth flick vividly in thick Spanish. Esperanza sees her struggle and wonders why doesn’t speak English, as she’s at her home all day, singing to go back to her true home, which implies the struggles of immigrants and the longing for home.
2018
The immigrant struggle is still too true. People of all colors and ethnicities feel away from home and at times are afraid to face the world. Not only that, but language is yet another barrier many have to overcome. The struggle is still real in 2018.
1984
Lastly, Cisneros implements Esperanza's constant struggle to leave Mango street. It was her childhood but it also was where her hardships were. She cannot change them, but she can move past them. That is what she plans to do. Escape from Mango St. and do bigger and better things. It was the ‘hood’ for so long that it’s just another broken neighborhood. Many wonder ‘What’s the point?”
2018
Today, people still feel that way: to escape the things they cannot control and ignore the bigger issues at stake. Broken homes and places are not returned to because they know somewhere in someplace there’s something better awaiting them. It’s unfair, but now there’s more opportunities compared to back then, even though some of the issues are immensely consistent.
“They know best when there’s no more to be said” -Sandra Cisneros on stories
Reading this book has given me another perspective on struggles that young girls and women of color face still today. As I recall from the author’s note, Cisneros explained that this story was inter-mixed with her own memory and occurrences, but is also fabricated from her mind and creativity.
1984
One of the main topics that arise in this book is the concept of her name. As stated, her name is Esperanza Cordero. She explains how her name is difficult for others to pronounce and that she doesn’t like. As she’s emerging into young adulthood, she begins to accept her name. Out of all the things, though, she questions why she was named Esperanza.
2018
I personally relate to her struggles from the book. My name is actually rather odd for some, and difficult to pronounce for many. I remember when I was little I would ask my mom, ‘Why didn’t you name me Vanessa or Veronica? Those are pretty names.” My moms face would fall but I wouldn’t understand why. I couldn’t understand the art and beauty of my name and why I had it. These notions are still prevalent in 2018; if you’re name isn’t considered normal, it isn’t good.
1984
On Mango St., there is a woman who doesn’t speak English. Her tongue and mouth flick vividly in thick Spanish. Esperanza sees her struggle and wonders why doesn’t speak English, as she’s at her home all day, singing to go back to her true home, which implies the struggles of immigrants and the longing for home.
2018
The immigrant struggle is still too true. People of all colors and ethnicities feel away from home and at times are afraid to face the world. Not only that, but language is yet another barrier many have to overcome. The struggle is still real in 2018.
1984
Lastly, Cisneros implements Esperanza's constant struggle to leave Mango street. It was her childhood but it also was where her hardships were. She cannot change them, but she can move past them. That is what she plans to do. Escape from Mango St. and do bigger and better things. It was the ‘hood’ for so long that it’s just another broken neighborhood. Many wonder ‘What’s the point?”
2018
Today, people still feel that way: to escape the things they cannot control and ignore the bigger issues at stake. Broken homes and places are not returned to because they know somewhere in someplace there’s something better awaiting them. It’s unfair, but now there’s more opportunities compared to back then, even though some of the issues are immensely consistent.
“They know best when there’s no more to be said” -Sandra Cisneros on stories