By DayOnna Carson

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Lincoln sighs, hangs up his coat, and removes his face paint and beard. He trades out his dark slacks and top hat for gray sweatpants and a black satin durag. This all may sound strange to an outsider who couldn’t imagine a man named Lincoln wearing a durag—never mind being a black man. However, to the audience seated in Princeton’s Hamilton Murray Theater, this was the beginning of the quirky-yet-chilling “Topdog/Underdog.”

The story follows the plight of two African American brothers trying to make it through life as society and their past continues to work against them. Lincoln, the older brother played by Nathaniel J. Ryan, has a job re-enacting Abraham Lincoln’s assassination over and over again at an arcade that allows its patrons to brandish a gun and roleplay as John Wilkes Booth. His brother, Booth, portrayed by Travis Raeburn, has managed to scrape by with things that he has looted, or in his words, “boosted,” and is always open to any means of earning money.

The mind behind the emotional drama is playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Parks won the Pulitzer Prize for the play in 2002, making history as the first black woman to receive the honor for a drama.

Throughout the production, a multitude of props and small details symbolize important themes. Parks uses the brothers’ hustle, a fast-paced card game, as an allegory for their destiny: Together, their competition hinders their success, and the only solution is for one of them to come out victorious. These elements, along with the play’s foreshadowing—like the characters’ names—effectively illuminate the systemic inequalities of the black experience.

“What I want people to get out of this story is that black men are in pain and need access to healing,” Ryan, who played Lincoln, said in an interview. “A lot of men don’t have access to mental health [care] or both parents, and on top of that, they are navigating a world in which they are suppressed. The main focus is to show black families that we need to love and rebuild the family.”

Ryan and Raeburn’s dedication to crafting realistic, relatable characters through expressive articulation and lively gestures further added to this astounding narrative. Their portrayal of these characters compels observers to reconsider their preconceived notions of the lives of black Americans. The genuine passion radiating from the cast and crew, coupled with the hardworking technical producers, created a sense of authenticity. Director Lori Elizabeth Parquet and set designer Rakesh Potluri did an excellent job bringing the script to life and immersing the audience in Parks’ universe. Through works of art like “Topdog/Underdog,” we can redefine the black narrative, and better understand the complicated strata behind the unique experience of minorities in America.

Nathaniel J. Ryan plays Lincoln in the
Summer Theater’s “Topdog/Underdog.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of Princeton Summer Theater

By Bryan Ventura 

New Brunswick, N.J.

By Jasmyn Bednar

Eagle River, Alaska

To sa y that education is in my DNA is probably an understatement,” says Anna Almore. “It’s literally part of the fabric of my whole universe.” Almore, the managing director for Teach for America (TFA) in South Dakota, spoke recently to a group of reporters from the Princeton Summer Journalism Program.

Almore joined TFA in 2008, teaching fifth and sixth graders in New York; she later worked in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and along the border in El Paso. To Almore and the many TFA alums who continue to work in education, the organization is doing incredibly valuable work. But while it’s true that TFA has plenty of successes to its credit, the organization is also leaving a complicated legacy across the country.

Teach for America was founded in 1990 by Wendy Kopp, who, in a senior thesis at Princeton, stressed the need for increased education initiatives in low-income communities. She launched the program a year after her initial proposal, and its impacts were immediate. Since its founding, the program has served 410,000 students from 51 different regions where access to quality education is historically limited. Most of these regions are classified as “hard to teach” areas, where teacher turnover rates are high, and literacy and mathematical proficiency are low. Almore, like many alums, continues to carry on the work that TFA advocates for—in her case, training upcoming TFA members in rural South Dakota.

Yet as TFA has thrived, teachers’ unions have suffered. In recent decades, the educational reform movement has led to new non-unionized schools, including charter schools, and increased advocacy for education privatization. TFA has been accused multiple times of union busting.

According to the Associated Press and Education Week, the recent strikes in Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver are part of this pattern. Education Week reported that more than 300 TFA alums wrote an open letter to the Bay Area chapter of TFA, criticizing it for withholding payment to any member of TFA who joined the Oakland strike. (TFA has said that it doesn’t have a stance on how its members interact with unions.)

Teachers’ unions and Teach for America have gone head to head for years now. Much of the conflict stems from the recent push toward charter schools. TFA’s largest private funder, the Walton Foundation, is a major supporter of charter schools. A ProPublica report found that the foundation promised TFA $4,000 for every public school teacher and $6,000 for every charter school teacher. In 2018, nearly 40 percent of TFA teachers were sent to charter schools, despite the fact that those schools only educate seven percent of students in America.

As the interview with Almore makes clear, TFA is doing no shortage of admirable work. For instance, the organization is helping students on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota to pursue college access, she said. But TFA must figure out how to have a better relationship with teachers’ unions, so that all teachers—both those in TFA and others—can retain protections and turn the focus back to providing the best education possible for students.

Ten days ago, 36 students from all around the United States boarded planes, trains, and cars to come to the Princeton Summer Journalism Program. Leaving our homes behind, we felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety at what the next 10 days would hold. Looking back at passionate debates, inside jokes, and learning more—and sleeping less—than any reasonable person can squeeze into a week and a half, we have built a home among each other.

PSJP is a unique experience. Students come from states ranging from Alaska to Florida, each bringing a unique story waiting to be heard. Our striking curiosity, love for challenges, and resilience— along with the passion and talent of the staff—transform the classroom into a learning paradise. Journalism is a field built on trust and honor, and that same feeling prevails within everyone in the program. On the first day, we were complete strangers, but we became more than acquaintances or friends—we became a family. A family that will provide each other with the emotional support they need in order to complete the odyssey of college applications. A family that will send each other memes, cat pictures, and gossip in the group chat. A family that will stay strong even if there are hundreds of miles in between them. This program is a treasure that everyone will keep forever.

PSJP is not about where we come from—it’s about giving students the opportunity to learn and thrive. Here, we are not just low-income students: We are writers learning investigative journalism, crime reporting, and topics such as sports and entertainment. We are people who are not afraid to take a stand. At PSJP, we learned to flourish and to not allow societal stereotypes to define or discourage us. From traveling to three states, to talking to strangers on the street, every experience was transformative, and helped us grow stronger. The road to college is stressful, but having a counselor to encourage and guide us makes students feel supported. No matter the obstacle, we will always have our army of counselors rooting for us.

However, not everything about PSJP is sweet. Time management is a huge issue. When the clock hits midnight, students are just walking back to their dorms, carrying with them an aura of exhaustion. There’s not enough time to explore the Princeton campus, meals are too close together, and there’s not enough time to cover every topic. But these are small tradeoffs for the experience of a lifetime.

By the end of the program, students leave as different people. We return to where we came from, but the effects of the relationships we built at Princeton will be everlasting.

By Zandrea Evans

San Antonio, Texas

Young people are under so much pressure to surpass their peers. They’re anxious. They’re depressed. You don’t need scientific studies to prove this. The evidence is walking around America’s high schools.

I attend a school with an intensive curriculum. Schools like mine do help prepare students for the challenges of college, such as approaching teachers for help and developing critical thinking skills. However, they cause many students to develop mental health issues at a young age. According to a study by the American Psychological Association in 2018, members of Generation Z (ages 15 to 21) are the generation least likely to describe their mental health as “excellent or very good.”

My peers and I suffer from excessive stress that comes from at least five hours of homework a night—not including studying for tests and quizzes. In 2009, high school seniors took an average of 3.6 more credits than they did in 1990, according to The National Center for Educational Statistics.

On top of that, the pressure for students to score well on standardized tests like the SAT, AP, and ACT exams heightens stress levels. Some students find themselves stuck taking a slew of exams with little time to study. For instance, as a junior, I needed to study for the ACT and three SAT subject tests on top of the homework that came with my five AP classes. Because of the pressure high school students are constantly under, anxious and depressive statements are common. There are even memes about the prevalence of suicide jokes made by young adults.

This is an issue that should concern schools across the country, many of which are without a designated mental health counselor. The Washington Post recently reported that, in public schools, there is one psychologist for every 1,381 students. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends one for every 500 to 700 students. By not giving students the proper tools to deal with their mental health issues, schools negate their efforts to push students to higher levels of achievement. Mental health problems can hurt students’ grades, relationships, and quality of life.

The mental health of students is of vital importance, not just for their well-being, but for society’s. Today’s overtaxed teenagers will be tomorrow’s leaders.

Illustration by Francin Vasquez

By Justin Fajar 

Brooklyn, N.Y.

By Savannah Joyner

Barnwell, S.C.

I was burning with embarrassment as I walked the humid streets of New Jersey. It was only my first day at the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program, but I still felt disappointed with myself.

My rapid footsteps on the paved sidewalk matched the pace of my heart. My person-on-the-street story about the 2020 election was not going so well. I breathed out.

A good journalist doesn’t give up on the first failure, so I couldn’t give up. I saw another person coming. I tried to speak but the words got caught in my throat. Time and again, I would find the courage to speak, and then I would choke.

My group and I walked to a small park, where I saw a woman with a dog. With a little push from my counselor, I approached.

“Hi, my name is Savannah and I’m a student journalist. Can I ask you a few questions about the 2020 Democratic debates?”

“Yeah, sure.”

My heart leaped with joy. Her dog shared the same emotion, as he jumped on me excitedly.

The woman’s name was Louise and she was 24, a native of Princeton.

“Who are your favorite candidates so far?” I asked.

“I would have to say Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. They agree about work, unions, civil liberties, and they know that the current administration is toxic.”

“Who do you think would win the 2020 election?”

“Umm, I’d have to say Bernie.”

My heart was racing but this time in a good way. Success.

As I left the park, I felt my anxiety begin to leave, and in its place, I felt confidence begin to bloom. I began to believe that I could do it. My heart rate slowed. I walked further, ignoring potential interviewees, because I didn’t want to lose this victory.

Eventually I stopped in front of a cute brick restaurant, which was where I met George, a 69-year-old Princeton resident. He said that his favorite candidates were Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris.

Most people associate Elizabeth Warren with Bernie Sanders. I asked him to explain his picks.

“I like how professional Elizabeth Warren is. She has a plan and goes point by point. And I like Kamala because of her experience in government.”

Walking away, I felt the self-doubt creeping back. What if I wrote a terrible article? What if I didn’t do well enough?

When I got back to my dorm, I went to sleep conflicted. I felt success for doing two interviews, but I also felt failure for not doing more.

Three days later, I found myself having to do person-on-the-street reporting again. But this time, the game was different—and the pressure even greater. I would have to walk the streets of New York City and ask its denizens how they felt about their mayor running for president. I felt the same feeling of despair and panic that I had felt on my first day. But I had to get out of my feelings.

In New York, I interviewed five people. Yes, I got rejected a lot but I managed to not let it get to me. I felt different. I felt proud of myself.

The thought of having to do this a third time completely terrifies me, but I have a feeling that I will interview even more people next time.

By Angela Nguyen

Pennsauken, N.J.

The Eagles’ loss to the Titans in Thursday’s preseason game wasn’t their worst loss of the night: Backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld broke his left wrist in the second quarter and could miss the next six weeks. The Eagles need a strong, seasoned backup quarterback. The team would be wise to consider Colin Kaepernick.

Though Kaepernick hasn’t played since 2016, his past performance with the 49ers outshines the Eagles’ current options to back up Wentz. If the Eagles want to win another Super Bowl, signing Kaepernick could provide a much-needed sense of security.

In six years with San Francisco, Kaepernick guided the 49ers to two playoff berths, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2013. He gained notoriety for his running ability, but he was also a good passer, completing 59.8 percent of career attempts and throwing 72 touchdowns, with an 88.9 career passer rating. He led seven comebacks and seven game-winning drives.

Kaepernick decided to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality, and he has not been signed to any NFL team since. Kaepernick’s demonstration and his continued social activism have drawn critics, including President Trump, but that shouldn’t concern the Eagles. Not afraid of protest themselves, most of the team refused to visit the White House after their Super Bowl title, and defensive back Malcolm Jenkins has raised his fist during the anthem in solidarity with Kaepernick’s cause.

Last week, Kaepernick posted a video showcasing his training, declaring he is “still ready.” Considering his NFL accomplishments, it’s more than clear that he is.

By Alberto Lopez

Mission, Texas

When the U.S. Women’s National Team beat the Netherlands 2-0 in July’s Women’s World Cup final, 16 million Americans tuned in. The white home uniforms the USA wore that day in Lyon, France, became Nike’s top-selling soccer jersey of all time for a single season. Four years earlier, 25 million people watched the U.S. women beat Japan in the 2015 final, a record for a men’s or women’s match. But despite the obvious popularity of the team, the media still treats women’s soccer like a sideshow.

That doesn’t have to be the case. Fans may not be aware, but all 23 players who won the Women’s World Cup play in the National Women’s Soccer League, a collection of nine teams across the country.

But with the exception of Portland Thorns FC, who averaged 16,578 fans in 2018, NWSL teams struggle to draw crowds. Seven teams averaged fewer than 5,000 fans, including New Jersey’s Sky Blue FC, which averaged a league-worst 2,390.

Some journalists cover the women’s game with the enthusiasm it deserves. But far too many sports networks and publications overwhelmingly favor men’s soccer, even covering foreign leagues more than female teams—stacked with star footballers, from both the national team and elsewhere—in the U.S. That includes social media: @ FOXSoccer tweets eight or more times a day about men’s soccer, but the account’s last tweet about women’s soccer was on Aug. 3, during the USWNT’s win over Ireland on their World Cup victory tour.

But there are signs that the media is starting to appreciate the women’s game. The NWSL recently signed a television deal with ESPN to broadcast 14 games. And while those matches will be broadcast on ESPN News or ESPN2 rather than ESPN, it’s a step in the right direction.

After the announcement of the deal, ESPN executive Burke Magnus said, “We are pleased to once again televise the National Women’s Soccer League and showcase many of the world’s top female players when they return to their professional club teams.” It’s long overdue, but it’s a positive sign that ESPN is recognizing the value of pro women’s soccer.

Despite the inadequate coverage, fans are showing more interest in the league. NWSL attendance rose by 70 percent after the Women’s World Cup, according to USA Today, and even long-struggling Sky Blue had to relocate its upcoming match against Reign FC—featuring USWNT star Megan Rapinoe—to Red Bull Arena because of high ticket demand.

But as the World Cup fades from memory, the media needs to continue covering the NWSL. Women don’t just play soccer once every four years—they play every day.

Kyle Tanguay is the first male cheerleader on the Eagles squad in 35 years. Photo credit: Brian Rokus

By Jacky Huang

Simpsonville, S.C.

Backstage, a line of women in cocktail dresses with asymmetrical hemlines and off-the-shoulder straps waited anxiously, hoping for an announcer to call their number. Some of the 61 hopefuls would make the 2019 Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading squad. Some would not.

“Contestant number 32!” an announcer called out. “Kyle!”

A man in a black suit ran onto the stage, beaming, and took a bow. The crowd roared.

Kyle Tanguay had become the first male cheerleader on the Eagles squad in 35 years. As one of a small but elite group of NFL dancers, Tanguay challenges preconceived notions of cheerleading in the macho world of professional football. “All too often, whether it’s cheerleading or not, men that are going into dance often think about how other people are going to receive them,” Tanguay said. “I’m guilty of that, as I get nervous and sometimes think, ‘what if they don’t like me?’”

By all accounts, Philly likes him. A New Jersey native, Tanguay grew up with sports. He was a Boy Scout who played T-ball, hockey, and soccer. None of them stuck. Then he found dance. There was something about the gold floor and mirrors, and the twists and turns of his first jazz class that made him keep going back. He never felt like he was marginalized or outcasted because of his gender.

Later, Tanguay pursued dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. There, he became a fan of the Eagles after watching them play every Sunday with his friend and her boyfriend. Those two worlds combined on New Year’s Eve last year, when, while waiting for the ball to drop, he took a chance and emailed the Eagles.

They responded. An official told Tanguay they “were open to the idea of men trying out for the squad.” As it turned out, the team had had male dancers in the 1970s and ’80s. The Eagles, the team official said, have “always been inclusive and diverse.”

For weeks, Tanguay practiced with his roommate Rae Holtz, who was also auditioning for the squad. Tanguay and Holtz made it through three rounds of auditions before final cuts. He waited to hear his number called. “I was very nervous. I was shaking. I was very quiet,” Tanguay said.

He made the squad. “The world has never stopped spinning since,” he said, “and it’s been such an honor.”