Amy Chen, Period 6, 03/22/24

 Amy Chen, Period 6, 3/21/24

Modern Mythology 2024

Literature Circle - Modern Myths 

The Witch’s Heart

I did my norse project on Angrboda and her children, and through my research I found that there was basically no information written about her in the original sources. Through the recommendations, as well as my own interest in seeing an interesting character not fully expanded upon fleshed out. I decided to read The Witch’s Heart.  

The Witch’s Heart does not have chapters so I will just be reacting to various scenes from Part I, which takes up roughly half the book.

The book begins with an introduction of the witch, known in her current life as Gullveig and she teaches Odin and the Vanir seid. Odin wants her to give him information about the future, but Gullveig refuses. She is stabbed through the chest, burned and reborn 3 times. She eventually flees, but her heart is left behind. Immediately, the first questions I have are: who is she and how does she have the power that she has? I know from the Norse mythology unit that despite their immortality, even gods can be killed, so how is Gullveig able to resist death and be reborn three times. I expect these questions to be answered further into the book. Loki retrieves the heart and looks for the witch, who now has taken on the name, Angrboda. I’m surprised by Angrboda’s lack of reaction to meeting Loki. She has recently been betrayed and killed 3 times because of it, and somehow she is not wary of a stranger who has tracked her down. And even more so after Loki reveals himself to be the blood brother of Odin, the very man that had turned on her. Perhaps his return of her heart is enough of a gesture of goodwill to her, but I still find it odd that she would take a man she has only recently met into her home, despite the fact that she sees him as a “wild” and “sly” individual, two characteristics I would immediately stay wary of. 

Angrboda’s new home is a cave located in Ironwood and she begins building with the help of a huntress giant she meets in the woods. They establish a trade relationship, where Skadi trades the potions that Angrboda makes and splits the profits with Angrboda, that eventually develops into a friendship. The progression of the story is very nice and domestic, but I cannot help but be immediately apprehensive, since this is a drastic jump from the events of the previous part. It feels like the start of a calm, before the storm that will eventually hit. This feeling is exacerbated by the already existing door hinge, which I believe may have been Angrboda’s previous presence here in a past life, as well as the fact that Angrboda doesn’t know if she was not the mother of the wolves in the tales of the area, acknowledging it as a possibility. If Angrboda has built a life here once before, and it ended with the events that happened at the very beginning of the book, what's to say that events of a similar nature will not happen again? And then, the last part of the scene, “Maybe things will be different this year, Angrboda hoped. Every spring Ironwood seems a bit greener. But perhaps it’s just my imagination.” (Gornichec), basically confirms that something will definitely happen and go terribly wrong. 

Angrboda and Loki’s relationship continues to develop as he continues to visit her sporadically. They tease each other and Angrboda says at one point “‘I still am a powerful witch, and you would do well not to forget it.’” (Gornichec). Clearly Angrboda is powerful, if she is the one to teach the Vanir and Odin seid, as well as her gift of prophecy, and her ability to be reborn, but now I question why she did not fight back against the Aesir at any point when she was being burned and killed. Maybe she had not initially wanted to harm others, but after the first time she was reborn, why had she still not defended herself against people who were clearly willing to kill her? 

Loki eventually comes to Angrboda with his mouth sewn up, and Angrboda nurses his wound, taking out the harsh stitchings and applying a healing salve. Loki shares the story of how it came to be, him cutting off Sif’s hair, the dwarves, and the deal he makes. Both Loki and Angrboda seem to suffer from association with the gods, although Loki does bring it upon himself, despite the good that they have done for them. Angrboda teaches Odin seid, and Loki’s trickery does procure them “things” (nice ones), but in the end the gods do not care for them in the slightest in return as Odin turns the Aesir against Gullveig, and as Thor and Frey hold Loki down as the dwarves sew his mouth shut. Angrboda goes out berries the next day and hears the whispers in the woods, of women, children, and wolves. She discovers the ruins of where someone used to live. Which definitely cements the idea I previously had that she had lived in the area before and was the mother of the wolves in the stories or connected to them in some way. 

Loki leaves and when he returns again he tells her about the builder who has offered to build the Aesir gods a wall in exchange for Freyja, the sun, and the moon, and once again the difficult situation he has put himself in. The fact that Loki once again brings trouble to himself by opening his mouth, which he has been told to shut multiple times, makes me think perhaps he is a little stupid, despite the fact he is known to be sly and clever. Maybe the fact he is sly and clever is why he does these things. Maybe he lives for the thrill of life on the edge, tricking and outsmarting others under high stakes. And once again, Loki returns to Angrboda, with the consequences of the situation he has placed himself in, pregnant in the form of a horse, giving birth to Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse, who he gifts to Odin. Sleipnir is not well received, or rather Loki is not after the arrival of Sleipnir. The Aesir gods judge and scrutinize Loki, with disdain, but Loki says to Angrboda, “I would rather be considered disgusting and shameful among the rest of them than be alone like you” (Gornichec). Loki craves for companionship in any way he can get it, taking on his mothers name, Laufeyjarson, despite the fact he calls her “a piece of work”, in an attempt to appear more Aesir, as opposed to his father who was a giant. Why would Loki play cruel tricks, such as cutting off Sif’s hair, that do not gain him any favor amongst the gods if he is so desperate to stay with them? The actions he takes seems counter-intuitive, and his desperation for company is strange as well, which I speculate could stem some issues with his identity, not belonging with others, or maybe prior relationships like with his mother, who he seems to have a type of distaste for. 

Angrboda and Loki spend their first night together as their relationship continues to progress, and they continue to talk the morning after. Loki says “I tire of control…But I don’t want to be alone.” (Gornichec). Again Loki’s desire to not be alone is expressed and he does propose marriage to Angrboda, which I feel is irresponsible, considering the clear issues he has with relationships of any kind. Angrboda falls pregnant after the night with Loki, and as winter approaches, Skadi insists on Angrboda coming with her to her family’s home to keep her and her child safe, when her incompetent husband (who she doesn’t know if Loki) clearly is not around to do so. Skadi is extremely justified in her judgment of Loki, as he leaves Angrboda, as he always does, with child, although he does not know, and immediately after proposing marriage and desire to be with her. Before she sets off, Loki revisits Angrboda in the form of a bird and tells her of his business with giants and golden apples, another one of his misdemeanors of his own doing. The fact that she is his wife, but yet Loki only visits and does not live with her, is something that does not sit well with me. Angrboda is now with Skadi and her family. Eventually news that Skadi’s father, Thjazi, is killed because of Loki reaches them, and Skadi falls into a rage, demanding vengeance for her father’s death. The line “But the concept of vengeance was something she could not yet grasp” (Gornichec), caught my attention. When Angrboda (Gullveig) was burned by Odin, perhaps she did not fight back because she did understand what it meant, but it only opens further questions on why she does not know. 

After the winter passes, Angrboda returns to her own home and Loki comes to visit, with starling news. He has taken on an Aesir bride, Sigyn. His attitude is dismissive as he brings up his other wife’s pregnancy in front of another wife, which he has just learned to be with child as well. I was previously unsure if Loki knew of Skadi’s existence earlier when Thjazi was killed, but he confirms he did, and he got her father killed regardless, which further displays emotional incompetence or just callousness, as he is responsible for the death of his wife’s friend’s father, a relationship he should likely keep in his interests to maintain. Loki lives amongst the gods who do not trust him, but he wants to be with others, and I feel the two make for a painful, dysfunctional coexistence. 

Angrboda miscarries, but is able to bring her back to life with magic. A mysterious presence appears in Angrboda’s head, who she suspects is Odin. Angrboda goes into labor and Hel is born with an odd condition, where the flesh in her legs seem to be dead, which Angrboda believes to be a remnant of the magic she uses to bring Hel back to life. I like the explanation that Gullveig provides for Hel’s state of half-living and half-dead is actually explained. Hopefully the birth of Jormungandr and Fenrir will also be explained. Angrboda “Keeping a lookout for her troublesome husband, never getting her hopes up” (Gullveig), is something that she should not have to do. Loki knowing that she was pregnant, and claiming that he cared for her, should have given her the security that he would regularly come, not something that she has to “lookout” for. And Loki finally returns, 2 months after the birth of Hel. Claiming he couldn't come because he would never hear the end of it since Sigyn had just given birth a week ago. But, there were the two moons in between that and the birth of Hel, which he should have known was coming, and should have come to visit Angrboda in that time. 

Angrboda tells Loki of the dreams that she has, the presence in her head. Loki says does not want knowledge of the future like Odin does because it's “another form of control” (Gullveig), something he has previously stated to be tired of. But this brings up the question why does he not leave the aesir gods since he is entirely under their control there, such as his “forced” marriage to Sigyn. He would not be lonely anymore  without the gods, since he now has Angrboda and their daughter, Hel. Angrboda brings this up too as well, and he doesnt design her with an answer. How much does he really care for Angrboda if he still decided to take an Aesir wife despite being married to her and won’t stay with her even after Angrboda explicitly brings it up.

Once again, Loki leaves. Skadi comes for a visit. I agree with everything Skadi says about Angrboda’s husband using Angrboda like a plaything. Even if Loki does appear to care for Angrboda and Hel, he does not do enough and it is shown through their interactions. “Later on, Angrboda was the one who had to wash the sticky layers of honey” (Gullveig), because Loki is the absent parent. Loki comes, has his fun with Angrboda and Hel, but does not uphold the duties that he should as a father and husband, proving Skadi’s point. He is the fun parent to Hel, but only fun because he ultimately does not conduct the bulk of the care and effort it takes to raise children. Angrboda, once again pregnant, goes into premature labor and gives birth to Fenrir, a wolf, which Loki is disappointed by. She further contemplates her relationship with Loki and the chanter that she hears in her mind. Loki using “arrangement” and “keep it up” to address their marriage is definitely a big indicator of his dubious loyalties. Angrboda keeps track of this in her mind and doesn’t forgive him, but I feel as if she doesn’t do enough to fight him against it. She does not fight back, for her marriage and children, a reflection of the first scenes when she is killed, where she does not even fight back for her life. 

Loki returns once again, after Sigyn has now given birth to their second son. He finds that Fenrir had bitten Hel in a frenzy and calls his own child a savage. He himself acknowledges his shortcomings, “I don’t know why I do the things I do. I can’t stop myself.” (Gullveig). This might be true, might not be, but I feel it to be a weak excuse regardless. If Loki himself acknowledges this, he must be aware to an extent that he is not competent as a wife or father. And yet he has decided to take on two. Loki continues to make mistakes, calling his children with Angrboda “monsters” after Jormungandr, a serpent, is born, when he is worring about the stories that will be told about him. 

All in all, most of my thoughts from the first part of the book revolve around Angrboda’s relationship to Loki, and how Loki generally fails to be what he should and can be. Loki refuses to leave the gods, when Angrboda provides him with what he has wanted and he clearly can be happy with her. But, in the end, despite how he claims to not care about how he is perceived by others, he still wants the worship and reverence that is given to the other gods. Angrboda seems to be blinded by the love that she has for Loki to see, or to acknowledge, this aspect of Loki until the end. 

Thomas Vayos, Period 6, 02/13/24

 Thomas Vayos

Blog #3

Due February 13th

Deadline Extended

SOCIOPOLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

INITIAL PREMISE: There are no longer “safe” spaces online for kids to engage with. Why?

Kids Are Using Social Media More Than Ever, Study Finds - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Often when discussing internet safety, we only think about the overt, explicit threat of a malicious actor taking advantage of somebody, usually younger, less inoculated in the doctrine of web security. The implicit threat posed by the easy, mostly unconsidered access to information – more specifically bad information or social and political indoctrination – is rarely taken into account. As more people use the internet, both young and old, it is important to expand upon our dilapidated understanding of what it means to remain safe on the internet.

QAnon is a barely comprehensible conspiracy theory which began circulating on the /pol/ board 4chan, a subsection of an imageboard (4chan; essentially, a social hangout) dedicated to politics. Preying upon the heightened emotions and fear of mostly older people during the 2020 election, a religious fervor and cult-like fixation on the words of “Q” – a volatile title, passed around from whatever posters on 4chan could feign pre cognizance about the future of the “election scandal” – developed quickly, spreading a false hope across the population which believed that the election was cheated. Adding fuel to the fire, the paranoia surrounding the belief in the election hoax was compacted with the outrage of believing that a select group of elites (associated specifically with the democratic party) were involved in child-*** trafficking rings, or otherwise involved in occult rituals to extract “adrenochrome” (essentially life force of babies)

This false hope quickly became a form of codependence. Although we can point to the outspoken believers of the QAnon conspiracy, some of whom were present at the January 6th riots (the most famous being the “QAnon Shaman;” the guy with the weird horns, staff, and facepaint), that does not speak to the most common experience people have with QAnon members. Often, the QAnon conspiracy affects close family members: mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles. QAnon Casualties is another subsection of another imageboard (Reddit), dedicated to giving members of families affected by the indoctrination of QAnon a platform to speak on how QAnon changed their loved ones. Most of the stories are hard to read, but are useful in understanding the long-term impact of QAnon.

QAnon is not the first, and certainly not the last, conspiracy to gain widespread fame through the media, but it remains a prescient and important example of how the internet can amplify the effect of harmful information and the voices of political and social indoctrination.

An even more recent example, this one targeting young children and teenagers, is the “Red Pill Movement.” Taking what we know about kids, that being:

1. They’re pretty dumb (it comes with being 5 years old)

2. They’re impressionable

3. They want to be entertained

And what we know about teenagers, especially young men:

1. They’re often told that they are responsible for becoming breadwinners for their families

2. Often face societal pressure surrounding emotional expression

3. Want to feel validated

We can boil down how perpetrators of the “Red Pill” target these two groups with almost surgical precision, on both streaming platforms like Twitch and Kick and short-form video platforms like TikTok.

On Twitch and Kick, streamers like Adin Ross and Sneako sell and stunt fast-moving lives meant to entrap young men in an illusion that they, too, can live the “dream:” fast cars, fast planes, living across the globe, with plenty of women* (*although toxic masculinity permits that, while being physically attracted to women, you cannot “love” them, at least not in the same way they love you.. They would even go as far to say that most women are gold diggers, while in the same breath seeking their approval.) Once they have you sold on this illusion, they can get you to accept any number of choices about your lifestyle and mentality, all in the vain hope of achieving what they have. Often, this includes the thought that women are lesser, – as one fan puts it: “F*** the women! F*** the women!” – that most people are trapped in the “matrix,” (usually embodying liberal ideals, most prominently those involving equality or gender and sexual identity) and that the only escape from the “matrix” is to become rich (through dropshipping.. Because they believe going to college will indoctrinate you) or die trying.

Sneako Meets His Oldest Fans

Andrew Tate, the “father” of the “Red Pill” however, mostly maintains his presence on TikTok. He uploads short clips where, sometimes, he only speaks one word, followed by music and a clip flaunting his lifestyle which, similar to the aforementioned Sneako and Adin Ross, is filled with expensive luxury goods, planes, and cars. The epitome of this content is a woman asking Adin Ross, “What would you do if I made more money than you?” and his response being a simple “Impossible.” It’s not meant to make sense, or make you think, but to sell you the image of an “alpha male.” He does not need to justify what he says; if you’re properly indoctrinated, you will understand what he means and make the justifications for yourself. If you’re seduced by the life of exuberance they show off, then you will believe, as they do, that a woman out-earning a man is simply impossible.

Through TikTok and streaming platforms, this harmful, misogynistic ideology misleading young men has entered classrooms of children as old as 6. QAnon and the Red Pill serve as sobering reminders that the greatest threat of the internet is not the ominous, lurking predator, but access to subversive ideologies, often without the skills to critically think about what the preachers of these ideologies are saying.

Teachers and Parents Talk About Andrew Tate's Influence on Kids (businessinsider.com)

Ray Chen, Period 7, 3/15/2024

Ray Chen 

Modern Mythology 2024

Period 7

Blog #3 

In "The Interview with The Vampire" by Anne Rice, it demonstrates social pressure and the result of being different. When we take a look at the world that we live in now, where judgment and prejudice are more and more around us, the novel's depiction of Louis and Lestat as vampires really embodies the experiences of the people who face discrimination because of their differences, it doesn't matter if it is their race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other feature of their identity.

The characters of Louis and Lestat became instances of the taking of rejection. In this case, the reverse is true; it is the human world that gives specific roles to the vampires and, as the result, questions the established norms and beliefs of this world. They are designated a "separate" status, given more powers, but getting harm in return, by being belittled and shunned by society just for being different. This connects with the way that some people in the present are marginalized. Those who do not share the same beliefs with the majority are constantly seen as different and pained.

Similarly, the ties between Louis and Lestat bring about analysis of that which is experienced by those who are queer. Their love is unlike the traditional form of romance and partnering, and as a result of that, the cannon of acceptable relationships is changing. Having evidence only in the world which is run by heterosexuality, their unusual love is refuted with neglect and prejudices by the people around them. This again points to the fact that such people have a very difficult situation to be in whereby their very being and significance to them are invalidated or even immoral by those who are in charge of society's- everyday life.

The book expresses the nature of vampires as outsiders as well as victims who suffer viciousness and sheer cruelty just because of who they are. It stresses the need of being tolerant and open to all kinds of diversities and cultures while sharing. On the one hand, "The Interview with The Vampire" is depicted in a world of fantasy. However, on the other hand, the same themes of prejudice are considered as parts of the real world humans are faced with in real life.

Kevin Chen, Period 7, 3/14/24

Kevin Chen

Modern Mythology 2024

Period 7, 3/14/24

Blog #3

Nihilism, Apathy, and it's Problems    

    Nihilism is a theme that appears in John Gardner's Grendel, mostly during the Dragon's conversation with Grendel. The Dragon, being able to see all of time, considers Grendel's existential crisis to be meaningless. After all, if the universe will end regardless, why does Grendel's philosophy matter? Thus, he advises him to "seek out gold and sit on it". This is what the Dragon does, as he sits among piles of treasure in his cave. But the Dragon is not literally advising Grendel to do the same. Rather, the Dragon is encouraging Grendel to forget about existentialism and the philosophy of his existence, and pursue more material desires. By doing so, Grendel is supposed to forget about the suffering that came with questioning his existence, and gain new purpose in the form of materialistic fulfillment. 

     In some ways, Grendel has parallels to many people from today's younger generations. Faster spread of information via the internet combined with ever-growing social issues has lead many to simply give-up and turn apathetic towards things such as purchasing a home, local and global politics, higher education, work, having children. They question the purpose of all these common goals, and bare little to no ambition to pursue them.

    Many countries with hardcore society-first work cultures have issues with younger generations. Through movements on social media, many youth end up being very apathetic toward work and social contribution. An extreme example of this is China's "lying flat" movement, which popped up on social media a few years ago. China's work culture places value of ambition, effort, hardship, and struggle. "Lying flat" goes against all these ideals, in which the people behind it feel any effort or work is useless, and refuse to participate in 996 work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week). Rather, they opt to do the bare minimum at work or quit altogether.

    Even in countries with more relaxed work cultures and social pressures, lack of desire to struggle or put in effort still exists. Even in the U.S, there are people who don't want to work. Sure, a few of them may be simply lazy, but a decent portion are turned off by the current state of the workforce. While not nearly as intense as elsewhere, there are still expectations to give 110% effort, perform overtime, and strive to climb up the ladder. To some people, that ambition simply is not worth it.

    Another instance of growing nihilistic sentiment comes in the form of shifting sentiment towards reliance on parents. In the past, generally, the idea was that children move out at 18, go to college, and become independent. While that still exists now, it has broken down slightly. Many kids continue to rely on parents through and after college, and sometimes even live the basement of their home. Living in your parents basement still attracts negative comments, especially from the older generations, but some youth see it as a really comfortable and content way of living. In Chinese culture, for example, it is now attractive to either live with parents or live in an apartment supported by parents. Some even jokingly ask to be adopted so they can also live comfortably. In the past however, that kind of lifestyle was deeply shunned. 

    Rising housing costs turn the youth away from the idea of ever being able to own a home or even rent a decently priced apartment. An increasing average age for politicians causes the youth to be more disillusioned with the government, sparking distrust, lack of political interest, or even conspiracy theories. Worsening climate conditions and the constant bombardment of warnings from scientists lead some youth to even think humanity will end in the not far future. Their outlook on society is rather grim, so like the Dragon in Grendel, they choose to act for their own self enjoyment and desire rather than participate in society and progress.

    The societal problems were worsened significantly by the pandemic, and as of currently, there are no signs that they will be remedied. In fact, many more people likely joined this semi-nihilistic movement due to the pandemic, and its contribution to the bleakness of the world. Hundreds of thousands of people died due to coronavirus, and that mass loss of life has definitely taken a toll on the minds of everyone, especially the youth who are far more connected to information thanks to social media. Seeing death numbers rise constantly would no doubt cause disillusionment from the world in people, similar to the aftermath of the first world war in which the large death toll heavily impacted the returning soldier's minds. Surveys show motivation and ambition towards work or education has declined significantly following the pandemic across all ages, but especially in those under 29.    

    The disillusionment with the world has lead to another problem: the turn towards extremism. Plenty of youth who gave up on following the "normal" way of living as dictated by society turn to radical influencers on Youtube or TikTok. One such influencer, a certain former boxer turned radicalist turned Romanian inmate, rose to fame off of those that were seeking to find an non-mainstream way of living. By spouting nonsense such as "escaping the matrix" and lots of very radical and offensive things, he likely has led many people down a dark path. The quick rise and collapse of NFTs and cryptocurrencies may also be due to people searching for a way to escape the norms set by society and make a living in which they don't have to play by anyone else's rules.

    These issues have lead to some to jokingly refer to generation z as the "doomer generation". While non-participation in society is not a good thing, it is easy to understand where their apathy and nihilism comes from. While pursuing materialistic and easy to achieve short term happiness is fine, completely giving up ambition and desire to struggle to grow may not be. While internet extremism and lack of motivation can't be removed in its entirety, the situation as a whole can still be addressed. Something has to and should be done. In the end, however, these youth are pursuing the Dragon's advice in a way, like Grendel. They sought out gold, and sat on it.
 

Works Cited

Hall, M. (n.d.). Young adults are having a harder time finding the motivation to work during the  pandemic than their older peers. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/young-adults-struggling-motivation-covid-pandemic-pew-survey-2020-12 

Kerry, C. F., & Jacob Larson, J. S. D. (2021, July 8). The “lying flat” movement standing in the way of China’s Innovation Drive. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-lying-flat-movement-standing-in-the-way-of-chinas-innovation-drive/ 

Siegel, D., & Siegel, D. (2023, January 5). Generation doomer: How nihilism on social media is creating a new generation of extremists. GNET. https://gnet-research.org/2022/12/16/generation-doomer-how-nihilism-on-social-media-is-creating-a-new-generation-of-extremists/ 

Young people don’t want to work. now what? Dazed. (2022, December 13). https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/57766/1/young-people-dont-want-to-work-employment-gen-z-jobs-great-resignation

Raymond Chen, Period 1, 3/19/24

Raymond Chen PD 2 Modern Mythology Blog #2

Literacy & Learning
Write about your thoughts/feelings regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class.
Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.
How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

As we just finished Grendel, it showed how Mythology and so closely related to reality as well. Grendel, in my opinion, was just a lost being who was misunderstood. He who wanted to become a part of society was cast away due to his appearance.
Grendel resents mankind which is the reason why he became a monster. Before he even became a monster, he would view humans’ activities from a safe distance but at some point, he would visit the dragon which would change his perspective on everything. Grendel thought just because of his appearance and because God blessed the human race with their joys they chose to show disgust towards Grendel even though they were the cruel ones. During chapter 4, Grendel would see a couple quarreling, and right next to them was a man whose throat was slit and clothes robbed. He was baffled to see the contrast between innocent love and violent murder. This can be shown as how humans were violent towards each other but just because of Grendel’s appearance, he is automatically labeled as a violent monster. Soon after, Grendel approaches the dragon and receives advice which the dragon tells Grendel, “Seek out gold and sit on it”, the dragon wanted Grendel to find a path and stick to it rather than try to fit in somewhere where he wasn't welcomed.
Many people in our society face the same trouble whether it be race, gender, social status, or even wealth. For example, a veteran who may have served our country may become homeless due to trauma but others who pass by him don't know that. If a homeless veteran begins approaching someone, many would get in a flight or fight mode even if they were harmless and just wanted to ask a question. This was just one of the many examples of a “monster” in our society. Many around the world just like Grendel want to fit in with society's norms but are unfortunately blocked out because of different beliefs or even looks even though at root, they are just the same.

Selina Chen, Period 7, 3/15/2024

Selina Chen Modern Mythology, Period 7, 3/15/24 Research Paper 

                                            

In Natalie Haynes’ Stone Blind, we explored the lesson of women empowerment through the stories of the titan Metis and the mortal Medusa who both suffered unfortunate fates at the hands of gods. Metis transformed into many forms to try and save herself but instead ended up being swallowed with her unborn child. I remember the shock in everyone’s expression when realizing Medusa was not the villain that she is always portrayed to be. In every story we have heard before, she was the monster with snake hair that turned anyone who looked in her eyes into stone. She suffered the punishment of Poseidon’s heinous crime while he got away scot free. In today’s society, this is still the case in the topic of women’s rights. 

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case revolves around Mississippi's Gestational Age Act of 2018 restricting abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.  It includes exceptions for medical emergencies or severe fetal abnormalities but does not for cases of rape or incest. This law was challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic left in Mississippi. The Supreme Court's decision in this case was an extremely important decision because it had the potential to either challenge or uphold the precedent set by the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide. This decision would be life changing to women and their rights concerning their body. It could lead to usage of unsafe abortions for women who have no legal way of termination. Women who fall pregnant by rape or incest would be forced to carry the product to full term. 

Since the court ruled that the Constitution of the United States did not confer the right to abortion and overruled the court’s previous decision in Roe v. Wade, it has gained attention due to its ability to reshape the legal landscape surrounding abortion. Following the decision, several states have also passed or attempted to pass similar restrictions on abortion. Texas passed Senate Bill 8, which prohibits abortion once cardiac activity is present in the embryo around 6 weeks. This is one of the most restrictive abortion laws and has continuously faced many legal issues. Other states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Idaho have also passed laws banning abortions in various circumstances. Overall, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decisions have allowed several states to test the boundaries and implement stricter abortion laws. 

As abortions become illegal in various states, women all around search for ways to get “treatment” without suffering criminal prosecution. On various different social media platforms, many videos and posts have surfaced of people selling herbs to self manage an abortion and some people who are against abortion take it upon social media to spread false information about dangers of abortion. This could leave people who are already confused, even more confused and may guide them towards a dangerous option. According to the Washington Post, postings of different herbs such as mugwort, pennyroyal and blue cohosh have been captioned to help cause a miscarriage at home. These kinds of videos have reached tens of thousands of people and although  they are trying to help, their methods could be harmful. Jen Gunter, a gynecologist has also spoken out against these methods and says none of these herbs are actually proven to help or are safe. Since then, Tiktok and many other social media platforms have removed videos that encourage herbal/natural abortions. 

Many articles also provide the harmful effects of using such herbs such as pennyroyal. This herb contains pulegone which forms toxins and can cause liver disease, according to Josh Trebach, an medicine physician, on the Rolling Stone. Another popular tiktok, which are all taken down now, suggested blue cohosh but did not include the many side effects that this herb would lead to such as hat this could lead to seizures, coma, and even death. The intent of these articles, videos, and posts may not have been made with malicious intent, but simply misinformation. After the Dobbs ruling, people have gotten desperate and has led to people considering unsafe abortions methods. In order to get the most accurate information, deep research must be conducted of the herb or procedure and consider the credentials the person has. Nowadays anyone can publish anything and people will believe it because they are desperate and grasping for straws. 

Today, March 2024, activists against abortions and reproductive rights for women have sued the U.S. FDA over the approval of mifepristone usage. Mifepristone is a drug used for medication abortion and miscarriages. This was approved over 20 years ago, but now a lower court ruling threatens to limit women’s access to it. It feels surreal because just two weeks ago, I saw an article about this pill finally being widely available at pharmacies through a doctor prescription but 14 days later, it is being threatened again. This would affect even states with abortion rights protections and devastate the millions of Americans that face healthcare access barriers. Mifepristone has proven over and over again to be safe and very effective and once again, people are trying to take away women’s rights. On March 26, the Supreme Court will decide the fate of this pill. 

It is important to take note of the parallels between mythology and modern times. Women’s struggles in bodily autonomy and reproductive rights still persist through the years. Their stories serve as a reminder that our voices must be heard and we must do better for ourselves and the future. It is scary to live as a woman in this world where others can inflict harm on us, and we might not be able to get rid of the aftermath. 

People searching for abortion online must wade through misinformation. (2022, July 4). Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/07/04/abortion-misinformation-herbal-remedies/

Identifying and Combating Abortion Myths and Misinformation. (n.d.). Www.acog.org. https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/identifying-combating-abortion-myths-misinformation

Dickson, E. J., & Dickson, E. J. (2022, June 29). Herbal Abortions Are Going Viral on TikTok. They Could Kill You. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/tiktok-abortion-herbs-misinformation-death-1376101/

Kaufman, R., Brown, R., Martínez Coral, C., Jacob, J., Onyango, M., & Thomasen, K. (2022). Global impacts of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and abortion regression in the United States. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2022.2135574

Chloe Chen, Period 6, 3/21

 Chloe chen 

Modern mythology

Blog #3 

Social-political consciousness 

3/21/2024

I’ve always been a big fan of true crime. My favorite show as a middle schooler was Criminal Minds and my favorite YouTuber growing up was Stephanie Soo, who told true crime stories as she did mukbangs ( eat food ). She would capture your attention with the details in her stories and I always appreciated the efforts she put into researching the events behind a case. She told many cases, from mysterious cold cases to the infamous crimes committed by celebrities. Stephanie’s videos were constant reminders of the cruelness of the world. However, the cases that stuck with me the most were often cases about violence against women, specifically the Burning Sun Case in 2019. To summarize, it was a scandal involving many A-list celebrities in South Korea who were in group chats, sending illegal and non-consensual photos of women. These people would drug girls, rape them, and post the events in the group chats that made inappropriate jokes objectifying the girls in the videos. This case got a lot of exposure because these celebrities were idols to a large number of female audiences, who were around the same age as their victims. It was questionable that the maximum sentence among all the men was 2.5 years. But it was bizarre to me that in comparison, possession of drugs in SK would lead to 5 years in jail. Perhaps it was surreal to me because drugs are more widely used here and the average sentence for rape in the US is 16 years. After watching this video, I went down a rabbit hole of many other videos on South Korean crime. It didn’t take long to realize how the police forces didn’t care for violence towards women. This case was something I thought of constantly because the end was so unsatisfying. So much evidence of them ruining these girls' lives and all they get is a year or two in jail?

After hearing about the lack of protection from the SK police department, I became more grateful for the systems enacted in the US to reinforce protection against violence. However, I knew that wherever we go, as a woman, people will always have something to say. I am a strong advocate for women’s voices not just being heard, but also being listened to. It started in middle school when my best friend and I joined clubs after school. We decided to play handball and unfortunately for us, we were the only two girls on the team. We loved handball, but not the part where we could only utilize the brick wall instead of using the actual courts because the boys were using them. For middle school me, it felt off, but I didn’t care to say anything. When high school began, I was exposed to more outward discrimination against women. My jaw dropped when I first heard a boy tell a girl to “go back to the kitchen,” or when a guy outwardly called my friend a dishwasher as their guy friends giggled at the comment. I was even more shocked that every girl had managed to brush it off as if it didn’t mean anything. It was degrading to our identity as girls and I hated it. As I played handball throughout high school, it wasn’t any different. Boys would come over to me and my friends, and take over our courts. 

I am the oldest of four siblings, having two sisters and the youngest being my one brother. Growing up with my sisters, we’ve learned the hardships of being girls and tried to teach our brother to be someone respectful to everyone. I can see that my experiences growing up with mostly women in my family may not be the circumstances of other families, which causes our views of womanhood to vary. I constantly see the work that needs to be done to face discrimination against being a woman. But others can see how greatly the world has changed, so there is no way there can still be discrimination. I understand that for some people, this issue doesn’t matter to them at all because they have way greater things to worry about. But personally, this issue matters to me. So I hope that girls start calling out immature boys and their unfunny jokes. I feel so much better every time I say something rather than just keep it in.