Quentin Tarantino’s Controversial Statement

Activist group “Rise Up October” united in the streets of New York City to march and create awareness surrounding the continuing police terror and brutality. With only a couple hundred people in attendance, this event probably wouldn’t even be in the news if director/writer/actor Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs) didn’t participate.

Tarantino gave a speech that has riled up police departments across the country. The rally attendees carried signs featuring the faces of those who lost their lives due to police brutality. Dotre Hamilton, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Dante Parker, Tanisha Anderson, Tamir Rice, Eric Harris, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Raynette Turner, and the hundreds of other defenseless victims of racially fueled misuse of power were commemorated on the signs of marchers. Tarantino gave a speech in which he stated, “When I see murder, I cannot stand by, and I have to call the murdered the murdered, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.”

While he didn’t specify that he only meant that in regards to those who are responsible for the deaths of the previously mentioned victims, he really didn’t need to. Most logical and sensible people would understand what he meant. Apparently the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) didn’t understand and are now calling for a boycott on all Tarantino films. I believe it really says something when the NAPO goes after one person in particular for his blunt choice of words instead of doing some internal organizing and trying to fix the police brutality epidemic. What do you think will do more, not seeing someone’s movies or changing the training and hiring techniques of police officers, and legitimately punishing those who do wrong?

CHS Band Dress Code

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine was telling me about how her band director was ordering new uniforms for the women, in the form of floor-length, cap sleeved, black dresses. Only dresses. The choice to have women wear pre-approved dresses and men simply have to wear a tux was decided with class and presentability in mind, similarly to professional symphonic orchestras. While that is understandable, this is also 2015. Dresses are not the only classy choice for women. Slacks, a dress shirt, a nice blazer or cardigan, or maybe some pumps are choices with just as much sophistication as a dress and a better option for those not inclined to wear one. When asked on whether or not he thought the issue was sexist and outdated, band director Gary Riler said, “If a girl came to me and said she doesn’t want to wear a dress then we would work something [out].” Yet I have to wonder, why wasn’t that option given at the top of the year? A female member of the symphonic band said, “I can understand the wanting to look formal part because it would be nice if we all looked put together, but it felt kind of a bit forced. It made me think about if people were uncomfortable with wearing certain things because I’m personally pretty ok with wearing a dress, but if I had the option, I’d wear pants. I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way.” I think if there was an obvious option given for if a student was not comfortable wearing a dress or simply a non-gendered option, this would be a completely different story. But what would a high school be without a little bit of controversy here and there?