Dear Readers, 

  

It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we publish this second issue of the Avenues Online literary journal, The Network.

 

The Network was imagined in the fall semester of 2019 by us because of our desire for a student-run publication to share the work Avenues Online students have completed inside and outside the virtual classroom—including audiovisual, written, and artistic works—during each semester. We wanted to highlight the amazing talents, sincere hopes, deep thoughts, big ideas, and powerful perspectives of Avenues Online students. With the help and encouragement of our faculty advisor, Ms. Amy Rosenberg, AON Curriculum Designer, the inaugural issue was published in May 2020. 

 

Each issue focuses on a theme that is relevant to current events. We were moved by the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Mr. Floyd, a forty-six-year-old Black man and resident of Minneapolis, was killed while in police custody after being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill to pay at a convenience store. Mr. Floyd’s senseless death spurred the largest protest movement in United States history with more than 500,000 people of all ethnicities participating in more than 500 cities across the United States (Buchanan). Mr. Floyd’s death and the resulting protest movement led us to think about the important issues of race and racism. 

 

Race refers to a group of people who share the same culture, history, language, and physical characteristics. Because race brings richness and diversity to our society, these differences should be celebrated. However, all too often, instead of being celebrated, these differences are used to discriminate against a specific group of people. This act of prejudice is racism. Racism can harm individual relationships and destroy communities. 

 

These issues led us to ask the question, “Can't We Stop Racism?” which is the theme of the Winter 2021 issue. We examine this theme from a historical, political, and health perspective. 

 

To explore this question, we consider the roots of racism in an article by Lucienne Bacon (’22). Paige Farber (’23) and Lucienne Bacon (’22) report on the first Avenues Online assembly in October, which focused on the topics of race and racism and was led by educator, Ms. Monique Vogelsang.  

 

Yehuda Zilberstein (’23) interviews Ms. Tamar Adegbile, AON Director of Student Wellbeing and AON Dean/College Counselor, who discusses racism, college selection, and her hobbies. Emma Brashear (’23) considers how the COVID-19 pandemic affects different racial groups in the new Health page of The Network. This new page will be a permanent addition to the journal and will focus on health issues with the help of our new Health page faculty advisor, Ms. Rosanna Satterfield, AON LearnerX and STEAM Faculty.

 

The Talk page examines Haitian Creole, including its origins and history, and offers several phrases to learn. This language is a fascinating mixture of several different languages. It was selected because of its relevance to our theme. It reminds us that a diverse society is beautiful. Bonjou!

 

Fiona Poth (’24) gives a moving and powerful performance as part of The Healing Dance Project. This project was created in response to the killing of George Floyd.  Fiona also interviews Ms. Karine Plantadit, co-creator of this project.  Julia Hristov, Talia Fox, and Fiona Poth each interpret this issue’s theme through art. Julia Hristov (’24) captures the struggle for equality in black chalk and pastels. Talia Fox (’26) draws a world free from hatred and full of love. 

  

We hope that this issue will inspire more students to participate. This journal is a student publication, and its success is predicated on student participation. As the student editors, we hope that it will grow and that additional sections will be added as other student interests are discovered.

 

We want to thank Julia Hristov ('24), our Art Editor, for her inspired and inspiring artwork in this issue and for always agreeing to draw "one more piece" when asked. We want to thank Dr. Rebecca Strauss, AON Director of Curriculum Design, for her belief in this important topic and her guidance with this issue. We would like to give a special thank you to Mr. Austin Volz, AON Director of Program Design, for his polyglot expertise. Also, we want to thank Mr. Tim Carr, AON Head of School, and Mr. Nima Rouhanifard, AON Director of Student Life and Learning Upper Division, for their support of this publication. Finally, we want to thank all the students who contributed to this edition and their parents for believing in Avenues Online. 

 

Please enjoy this issue. We hope it engages you, enlightens you, and informs you. 

 

Editorially Yours,

Yehuda Zilberstein (’23) and Fiona Poth (’24)  

thenetwork@avenues.org

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