All posts by Violette Smith, Correspondent

Arts and Entertainment, Opinion

 Just getting into James Baldwin? Here’s your guide

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I remember exactly where I was when I first discovered who James Baldwin was. It was my sophomore year of high school and I had just begun taking Early College classes at NECC.

It was the spring semester, probably sometime in late February or early March of 2020,  right before everything closed down.

In my English Composition class, we were discussing the racial disparity in American society, and my professor played a video of James Baldwin’s famous “Pin-Drop Speech.”

In the video, everyone hung onto Baldwin’s words. It was silent. In the classroom, it was silent too. It was amazing to me how Baldwin’s words managed to reach us, so many years later, and could still make an impact. I began to look into Baldwin’s works, and then I proceeded to read as much of it as I could.

In truthfulness, I was actually exposed to Baldwin much earlier than this. My family has a whole section dedicated to him on our bookcase. I also remember being at a farmer’s market on some small Canadian island, looking through books with my father. He was overjoyed to find a copy of Baldwin’s novel  “Another Country.”

But it wasn’t until I watched that video at school that I discovered who Baldwin actually was. That was when he became more to me then just a name on the spine of a book.

Baldwin has a vast collection of works. All are certainly worth checking out. But it may be tricky to know exactly where to start. James Baldwin’s books and essays all have specific focuses, which makes things a bit easier.

If you are able to narrow down exactly what you want the book to be about, then you will be able to find a place, and you can start your journey into Baldwin’s collection.

If you are looking for a short read, Baldwin provides you with a multitude of essays and short stories. A good starting place is with the essay “Notes of A Native Son.”

It was the first thing I ever read by Baldwin. In this essay, Baldwin introduces the black American experience. For some, this essay is affirming, and for others, it is eye opening. While the idea of actively seeking out an essay and reading may not sound appealing to everyone, Baldwin’s essays are both exciting and informative reads. “Notes of A Native Son” is certainly a good place to start.

The first Baldwin novel I read was “Another Country”. This novel seems to blend together his earlier novels, “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Giovanni’s Room.”

“Go Tell It On The Mountain” was semi-autobiographical, and dealt with not only the black experience, but also religious themes, the meaning that the church held for African-American people, and the effect the church had on Baldwin himself.

“Giovanni’s Room” was also groundbreaking, as it featured a gay main charcter, and dealt with what it was like for people in the LGBTQ+ community during a time when homosexuality was looked down upon and persecuted.

These novels are perfect starting places for those just getting into Baldwin, but for those who would like something that combines both themes, “Another Country” is perfect. “Another Country” includes a host of characters, all of different genders, races, and sexualities. It is a beautiful piece of social commentary, and it stays true to Baldwin’s overarching message of identity and acceptance.

Baldwin was both black and gay, and his novels do not stray away from his personal identity at all. He was always open about who he was, and his works certainly reflect this. Baldwin tackled the racial strife and injustice that afflicted America, and he wrote entire novels about gay people when homosexuality was still a taboo subject. Baldwin was one of the most prominent, influential writers of his era, and he has left behind an amazing legacy.

Note: This essay is part of an Honors Project Violette Smith completed as part of the fall 2020 Journalism I course. Smith took an  indepth look into Baldwin’s work and legacy.           

Arts and Entertainment

Winter is approaching: Here’s some suggestions to keep you busy

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2020 has been an infamous year. Now, it’s almost over, but the pandemic that has controlled much of it is still ongoing. As winter approaches, it’s important to stay busy as people will be even more isolated than before. It’s also important for people to stay safe and healthy as well. So, while this may mean staying inside and refraining from normal winter festivities, it does not mean that everyone has to succumb to boredom.

As it gets colder, and as COVID-19 continues to hold us hostage, we are going to need to find some things to keep us busy. Fortunately, there are movies, television shows, documentaries, and books which are worth checking out, and can help kill some time.

If anyone is looking for a good limited television series, Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit” is definitely one to look out for.

The show stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, a young orphan who rises to international recognition as a chess prodigy. The series depicts her life from the age of nine to the age of twenty, and shows the trials and tribulations she faces as she navigates her newfound fame.

The series is short, comprising only seven episodes, but it is beautifully done, and does not disappoint.

If someone is looking for a slightly longer television show, “The Crown”, also on Netflix, has come out with a fourth season. Though it has raised some media controversy, many people have praised the season as well.

The show’s first season begins in the 1940s, and the fourth season picks up in the 1970s. It gives the viewer an inside look at the British government and monarchy.

Though movie theaters have been closed down, that does not mean people have to miss out on films as a whole.

In fact, it may be the perfect time to find new favorite films and directors.

The films of renowned director Wes Anderson may help distract us during these long winter months. Known for his distinctive colorful style, his lineup of actors,  and his comedic storylines, Anderson’s films provide the watcher with the perfect escape.

If you’re just getting into him, a good place to start would be with early films such as “The Royal Tenenbaums” or “Rushmore.” It’s also worth noting that he has a new film due to come out sometime in 2021, called “The French Dispatch.”

If someone wants to watch a film from 2020, “The 40-Year Old Version” is a funny, realistic film. The film, which is semi-autobiographical, tells the story of New York City playwright Radha Blank, and her journey to reinvent herself as she moves forward in her career. It is hilarious, honest, and accurate.

Another film from 2020, this one a documentary, is “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” Representative John Lewis passed away this year, and this beautiful film takes a look at his life and his involvement in our current government as well as the original Civil Rights movement. The film includes interviews with Lewis himself, as well as many others, and it includes footage of Lewis during the 1960s as well. It’s a wonderful, in-depth look at a man who accomplished so much for our country, and watching it is the perfect way to honor him.

Reading is also a wonderful way to occupy the mind. It is also nice to read books that coincide with things that are happening at present. “The Great Believers,” a novel by Rebecca Makkai is an amazing read. The novel was published in 2018, but due to the topics it deals with, it is actually quite relevant. The book alternates between two different time periods, 1985 and 2015. It deals with the AIDS epidemic, specifically in Chicago, and it shows the devastating effects it brought about. December is National AIDS Awareness Month, and this book shines a light on what was an extremely dark time in American history.

For those interested in a nonfiction read, “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own” by Eddie Glaud is worth checking out. The book showcases acclaimed author James Baldwin’s message and the America he lived in, as well as the one he believed in. It then connects his story to the current American story. In light of the increasing acts of racial injustice this year, and of all the years past, and the political and social movements that have risen as a result, this book is a must-read.

With all of that, just because it’s winter does not mean you have to be bored! There are countless ways to stay busy, and innumerable things you can check out, whether it be t.v shows, film, or literature.

 

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America in the aftermath: Unpacking the outcome of the 2020 election

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The 2020 election finally came to an end on Nov. 7, four days after Election Day. It was called by the Associated Press, and all other large election desks. Needless to say, the buildup to the final result was extremely intense. In the end, it came down to a few states, mainly Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Going off of the Associated Press, Former Vice President Biden managed to flip Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin, which led him to victory. He and Kamala Harris are now the President elect and the Vice President elect respectively.

After the election was called, people all over the country took to the streets in celebration. Supporters of incumbent President Donald Trump were not so happy, however.

Since the beginning of the election, Trump has been warning about voter fraud. So, after the election was called in favor of Biden, he continued to dispute the results, and still has yet to concede.

He and his campaign are arguing that the election was fraudulent and corrupt, despite there being no obvious evidence of this.

Even so, many Republican officials are agreeing with President Trump. Trump has filed lawsuits in many of the states where Biden won and there is a recount in the state of Georgia, which Biden pulled ahead in. A Biden lead in Georgia, albeit small, was and is quite shocking, as the state has remained red, but the flipping to blue is not necessarily a result of voter fraud. In fact, it can probably be attributed to people like Stacy Abrams, who rallied and encouraged everyone to vote, and dedicated their time to this important cause.

Both Stephen Russell and Nancy Montello felt voting was extremely important for everyone, and they are happy to see that it paid off.

Nancy Montello, who is 71 years old as of today, from West Newbury, was relieved when the election was finally called. She felt like a weight was lifted off of her shoulders.

“I felt happy and joyous,” She said. “And now I feel hopeful for the country. I think we have a chance to rebuild ourselves, and to become better.”

Montello admits that she did not follow state to state results. She was worried about what the outcome would be, so she decided to step back from the computer and the T.V. She was shocked by Trump’s claims of voter fraud, and of his refusal to concede.

“I absolutely agree with the outcome of the election.” Montello said. “I think the only reason Trump is undermining the results is so he can feel better about himself and the mess he has made.”

Montello is still a bit apprehensive of what Trump will do with the time he remains in office.

“I’m afraid he will push for negative changes during the next two months,” she admits. “He’s technically not out of office until January.”

Montello was surprised that Biden did not win by a bigger margin. It shocked her that so many people still supported Trump, despite his abrasiveness and narcissistic tendencies. She did understand that many people had only voted for Biden because he wasn’t Trump.

“They didn’t necessarily think he was the best candidate,” she said. “They just thought he was the better of the two. People weren’t extremely excited about him, but they did pull together.”

The average Trump voter is still a mystery to her. Montello does not understand what continues to draw people to Trump. She just knows that somehow people continue to believe in him, and he manages to get them to come out and vote.

Professor Stephen Russell, from NECC, had been worried about the potential outcome. He followed the election closely, and had been stressed out about what another four years of Trump could do to the country.

“I was skeptical of the polls that predicted a Biden victory,” he said. “ I was following the election pretty closely. I was surprised that Biden won. I was especially surprised about Georgia and Arizona.”

Russell believes the election was fair and just, was run in an extremely professional way, more so than any other election until now.

“Trump’s claims of fraud are totally incorrect.” Russell disputes. “His supporters are using this to get his base excited about the Senate run-off in Georgia. Trump himself is fantasizing and looking for a way out of debt and criminal persecution.”

Russell is unsure if the election proves that American citizens can come together. In fact, he sees the election as proving that the two sides are able to obtain lots of support by pulling away from each other and going in opposite directions. To Russell, the fact that Trump is able to pull so many is an ode to the fact that many people are distrustful of Democrats and liberals in general. These supporters really believe that under Biden, things will be worse for them. They believe Biden will not pay attention to what they find important.

Montello also believes that this election highlighted the widening divide in our country, rather than show how we can come together.

“Trump still has a big following despite what he has done. People still support him. It shows what people are willing to disregard.” Montello said. “Our country is still divided.”

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Our civic duty: An overview of the 2020 election

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The long awaited election of 2020 is finally upon us. This election is high stakes, and many substantial changes could result from it. While the official Election Day is on Nov. 3, due to the pandemic there has been an influx of mail-in voting and early voting at the polls. With many important concepts on the ballot this election, many people have been trying to get their vote in as soon as possible. President Donald Trump is running for the second time, but former Vice President Biden, his Democratic challenger, has been topping the polls. Despite the consequentiality of this election, there are still Americans who are unsure if they should vote.

But others see this as an extremely important moment. Nancy Montello, Erik Terrio, and Stephen Russell all agree that voting is necessary in order to move forward and come together as a country.

Nancy Montello, 70, from West Newbury, can’t remember the first election she voted in. But she does know that she has been voting diligently since she turned 18. This upcoming election is a bit scary for her, however.

“I’m scared,” she admits. “I’ve heard a lot about issues with voting. People are worried to vote, or just don’t want to.”

Montello is also worried about acts of voter suppression that have been occurring. She said she doesn’t like that the media perpetuates a toxic view of mail-in voting.

“I went into the polls for early voting, because I like the experience. But I know plenty of others who have used mail-in ballots as well,” she said.

Montello said that early voting would be a good option for those who do not want to mail-in their ballot, but are worried about going to the polls on Election Day. There are plenty of polling places that are already open and ready for voters. She went to the West Newbury Town Hall to cast her ballot.

“Everything was spaced out for social distancing. It only took a few minutes.” Montello recalls. “I’ll miss the normal experience of going to the polls, but obviously it’s important to stay safe during this time.”

Montello also has a message for younger voters. She knows many are on the fence about voting, but she wants them to know that it is important for them to take part. They are the next generation, and the outcome of this election will be shaping their future.

“It’s our civic duty to vote,” Montello said. “People have been fighting for the right to vote for such a long time. It’s definitely a right worth exercising.”

Erik Terrio, an NECC student from Haverhill, also believes that voting in this election is crucial. He’s been doing his best to stay up to date with all that is going on, and he’s hoping that people are doing their best to actually cast their vote. He himself has already voted, in both the presidential election, and the state government elections, and he opted for the mail-in ballot.

“I registered to vote in 2014 when I turned 18, and I voted for the first time in the 2014 gubernatorial,” Terrio recalls. “I think it’s very important for people to vote, especially students, and even more so, all young people.”

Terrio feels that the younger people are when they get involved in political discourse, the more likely it is that they will stay engaged in politics when they are an adult. He also thinks that it’s specifically important for students to vote, as so many things surrounding education can be affected by the outcome of the election.

“If you are on the fence about voting, remember it is one of the best tools we have as citizens to create a government that acts within the public’s better interest,” Terrio said. “The more people we have vote, the more likely it is that we have government officials who act within the public’s best interest.”

Stephen Russell, a professor at NECC is worried that people do not understand the consequences that could result from this election. He is especially worried about the potential outcome. His main concern is that the outcome of this election could be detrimental to things like racial justice, and our country’s democracy.

He himself has made sure to cast his ballot early, and he, like Erik Terrio, chose mail-in. Russell, like Terrio, and Montello, believes that it is extremely important for students, and everyone else to vote.

“For someone who is on the fence about voting, I guess I would have to ask why that person has doubts about voting.” Russell said.  “I understand that no candidate is perfect, but this time there is a substantial difference between them and a lot is at stake in the U.S. right now.”

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When COVID-19 hits home

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COVID-19 continues to tear through the world, through the United States, and through Massachusetts. It continues to reach and affect people throughout the Haverhill community, and in other surrounding communities. And since the pandemic first reached this area, it has hit home for numerous college and high school students, like Sabine Smith, Jason Curry, and Hannah Longo.

The coronavirus has affected over 35.8 million people worldwide. Around one million people have died. In the U.S alone, around 7.53 million people have contracted the virus and more then two hundred thousand have died. In Massachusetts, the total number of cases is around 130,000, and the number of deaths is up to 9,500.

In Essex County, Mass., which includes cities like Haverhill, there are about 20,600 with 1,300 deaths.

Back in March, lockdown had just begun, nobody was really aware of how destructive the virus actually was.

Sabine Smith, a student at Northern Essex Community College, said she had not been taking the virus seriously at all.

“School had closed down, but nobody was sure for how long. I think I thought the virus would pass us by,” she said. “I was following protocols and everything, but I was sort of oblivious to what was going on. I’d be texting or facetiming my friends, and we’d just be joking about everything. It was funny to us. Being on social media was like that too. Everyone was making jokes and acting like it wasn’t a big deal, so I wasn’t worrying about it.”

Her mindset changed quickly, however. Just a few weeks into quarantine, Smith learned that her grandfather had contracted the coronavirus.

“I remember my mom told me, and I just didn’t believe her. I had the idea that it wasn’t going to happen to anyone I knew,” she recalls. “I was worried. But I also didn’t want to tell anyone else. I feel like there was a stigma around the virus at that point in time.”

It was an excruciating time for her and her family. Her grandfather, and her grandmother, who did not test positive but quarantined with her grandfather, were both in the age bracket of those most heavily affected by COVID-19. At the time, the virus was still emerging, and so nobody knew much about it. Smith remembers how terrifying the whole thing was. She, along with the rest of her family, had to quarantine for two weeks, but they did not have the virus. Everyday, they would check in with her grandparents, and would drop things off at their house.

“Thankfully, they weren’t super sick from it, but it was still worrying.” said Smith. “My grandparents have always been really healthy, so it was hard for everyone to adjust. Thankfully, they were only sick for about two weeks, and it doesn’t seem like they have any lasting effects from it. I know that they were incredibly lucky.”

The social aspect was hard for her family. Her grandparents live close by, and they are always seeing them, so to be cut off like that was hard on both ends.

The stress of being separated from a loved one under such uncertain circumstances is a struggle for many people, and it hit Jason Curry, an Essex-Technical High School student, especially hard. Prior to the pandemic, his older brother had been traveling quite a bit, and he had been unable to see him. His brother had been in Europe from January, was supposed to come home in March, but held off due to the virus.

“He came back in April. He had to get tested, and then we found out he had COVID. It was like we barely got to see him.” said Curry. “We’d all been really missing him, and then as soon has he got back, he had to quarantine in his apartment.”

His brother was alone during his whole period of quarantine. Curry’s mother had been going to check on him, but then she tested positive, and the whole family had to quarantine.

“At that point, I don’t think they were testing people unless they showed symptoms. My mom started showing symptoms, so she got tested and she was positive. Everyone else in my family was asymptomatic, so we didn’t get tested. The doctors told us to just stay home for two-three weeks, and if we started showing symptoms, we should get tested.” Curry remembers. “It was hard because my school had just made the transition to online, and I was trying to focus on that, and I was also trying to facetime my brother, because I wanted to make sure he was doing okay. It was hard to talk to him though, because he was really tired. It was just upsetting because none of us had seen him for so long, and then he immediately got sick. But I’m just grateful nobody in my family got super sick, because a few friends of mine actually lost people to the virus”.

Curry said that being directly affected by COVID changed his perspective on the virus. Before his family members got it, he had thought people were overreacting about it.

“I didn’t really believe that the virus was that serious. But then, you actually see what it does first hand. I wish I hadn’t underestimated it before,” said Curry. “I’m glad that everyone was able to recover, but I feel stupid for disregarding the virus before.”

Hannah Longo, a junior at Pentucket Regional High School, was also skeptical about the virus. And then she saw how dangerous it actually was. Longo’s cousin had been traveling overseas. She returned in late March, and soon after, began exhibiting COVID symptoms.

“I’m not that close with that side of my family. I was concerned, but my cousin was doing okay,” said Longo. “Then it turned out that basically all my aunts, uncles and cousins on that side of the family tested positive. I had no idea that the virus was like that.”

Longo’s immediate family had not been in contact with any of the members who had tested positive, so they were not worried about contracting the coronavirus themselves. They were worried, however, about Longo’s grandparents. They had been in contact with the positive family members. Her grandparents were elderly, and both had multiple pre-existing conditions.

“We found out they were positive about a week after my other family members tested positive. Within a few days of them testing positive, they were both in the hospital.” said Longo. “It was really horrifying. They were doing fine, and then immediately, they were on ventilators. It was really shocking.”

A week after testing positive, Longo’s grandfather passed away. Only a few days later, her grandmother passed as well

‘It was awful.” Longo recalls. “It had only been a week or so, and the virus acted so quickly”.

It was hard for Longo. She had not seen her grandparents for quite awhile, and it upset her that nobody had been able to say goodbye. She had to try to do her best in her online classes, and try to help out her family members.

“It was tough because we couldn’t have a funeral, we couldn’t properly say goodbye,” said Longo. “It was hard to move on, because we couldn’t do any of the things that people do to move on.”

Longo’s family eventually held a small memorial service, which she feels helped them get through. Her family began to recover from the shock, and the trauma.

“It’s still hard, but slowly, we’ve been managing.” Longo said. “I wanted to add that before this happened, I was unaware of how devastating the virus was, but now I’m trying my best to follow the protocols and stay up to date on the information surrounding the pandemic. I just wish it hadn’t taken the loss of my grandparents to make me see that.”

For these three students, the effects of the virus showed them its seriousness.

But they are worried that others who were not directly affected still do not understand.

“I’m glad not everyone has to go through this,” said Longo. “But that’s why I’m glad to share my story. I want to help educate those who may have been like me. I know many people feel like the pandemic won’t affect them, but I want them to see what it can really do. It is still present in our community, and it can still affect you or your family members.”