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Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

Using privilege for the greater good: The new age of civil disobedience

Environment+club%2C+featuring+one+of+their+leaders%2C+Allison+Suen%2C+and+advisor%2C+Dr.+Lundberg%2C+gather+together+for+a+informational+meeting+and+discussion+on+September+19th%2C+2019.+
Margaret Huang
Environment club, featuring one of their leaders, Allison Suen, and advisor, Dr. Lundberg, gather together for a informational meeting and discussion on September 19th, 2019.

In recent years, the topic of climate change has been anything but quiet. Inspiring conversations amongst youth and elders, political parties, and people from all over the world, the health of the world’s environment is at the forefront of society’s troubles.

Throughout the past two months, American icon, Jane Fonda, has led weekly climate protests at the nation’s capital every Friday. While each week focuses on a different consequence of climate change, the drill remains similar.

Asking for help from various celebrities and young activists, Fonda is working hard to ensure that her mission is continued by future generations. “We cannot leave it to young people to fight this fight for the future by themselves,” said Fonda. Her protests have resulted in her arrest four times, citing her strong dedication to the cause.

Despite the numerous arrests, Fonda will continue to march through the streets of the capital practicing civil disobedience. She is aware that not all have the privilege or the ability to pay for this consequence, so she will use her blessings to pave the way.

No stranger to protest or defiance, Fonda has been a forerunner of political activism with her opposition to the Vietnam War and support for Native American rights in the ‘70s and continuous fight for gender and racial equality. Her great efforts to improve American society are noteworthy and motivating, which are highlighted in an HBO special, Jane Fonda in Five Acts. 

At age 81, Fonda’s steadfast deviation from the classic ‘boomer’ stereotypes of today are influential to not only those of her age, but especially to today’s youth.

Significant figures of the today’s climate change campaign include Greta Thunberg, who was also recently named 2019’s Time Person of the Year for her great efforts and valiant speeches calling for action. 

Although young people today have the tenacity to fight for their beliefs, their technique for advocating and creating meaningful change can be underdeveloped. With the help of fearless elders like Fonda, upcoming generations have guides to help them through the activism process and teach them how to advocate beneficially.

The need to create meaningful change hits close to home as well, with various climate protests and advocate groups dispersed throughout the Quad Cities. Also an impactful topic to Spartans, the Environmental Club works to educate teens and create change within the community.

Group leaders, Margaret Huang and Allison Suen, put in countless hours to ensure the integrity of their club is preserved. “We spend a lot of time watching videos and organizing group discussions to learn more about our part in reducing environmental harm,” said Huang. 

“It is important for us to be informed first before we call for action.”

However powerful words and protests may be, action is the catalyst to begin true change, as attested to by Huang. Fonda herself has pledged to sustainability by cutting down on shopping, while here at PV, the Environment Club does their part to cut down on unnecessary waste by selling reusable water bottles annually. Fonda, Huang and Suen prove that without active participation against a problem, words that call for activism go to waste. 

No matter the age, it is clear that the conversation of climate change is a hot topic for many.

To encourage the beneficial evolution of activism, older generations are working hard to create a culture of change and mindset of triumph to those who are younger, hoping for them to achieve even more success than the fighters before them. 

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Maya Johnson, Feature Editor
Senior Maya Johnson is the Spartan Shield's Feature Editor this year. Maya is involved in numerous extra curricular activities, including cross country in the fall and soccer in the spring. Maya is also involved in the National Honor Society and was awarded the Mississippi Athletic Conference All-Academic Award for both cross country and soccer. When she isn’t at school or participating in athletics, Maya spends her time hanging out with friends, watching movies, and swimming in her pool. She also enjoys spending time with her family, watching football, and traveling with them. Maya has two younger siblings, Sam and Quinn, who she does these activities with.  Along with these other hobbies, she nannies as a summer job. Maya is looking forward to an exciting senior year as well as taking part in the Spartan Shield Online.   
Margaret Huang, Feature Editor
Margaret Huang is a senior and the Feature Editor for the Spartan Shield Online. In addition to her Shield responsibilities, Huang is an active participant in many extracurricular activities. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in her junior year, and is an active member of Spartan Assembly and Environmental Club. Her talents also extend to music; Huang is a member of the PVHS Wind Symphony and the Full Orchestra, adeptly playing the flute in each. Outside of school, Huang can be found working at Mathnasium or volunteering in the community. In her free time, she enjoys watching TV and collecting fancy pens. She also further explores her creative side, spending time reading and writing. Her post-secondary plans include studying chemistry at an undecided university. Huang’s quick wit and passionate approach to life help make her a valuable member of her community, extracurriculars, and the Spartan Shield Online.
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Using privilege for the greater good: The new age of civil disobedience