Junk the Terror Bill

{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"f3drd","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2jg5m","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"1984 by George Orwell. While this novel may give you flashbacks to late-night study sessions for your sophomore year English class, it is becoming a harsh reality for many. In the novel, Winston Smith lives in a world where citizens have no right to speak, or even think thoughts that do not directly align with the government’s ideals. Every aspect of people’s lives is brutally controlled. The modern-day Big Brother, you ask? President Rodrigo Duterte (talk about foreshadowing!) While the Philippines is suffering as a result of Duterte’s response (or rather lack of response, as seen by the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"24,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/philippines/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#0000ff"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" in the Philippines), Duterte attempts to control the narrative again in the face of growing criticism. This time, he fast-tracked the Anti-Terrorism bill through the Philippine House of Representatives—but don’t let the name deceive you, as the bill can and will sign the death certificate of Philippine democracy. The bill, received on June 9th, now sits on Duterte’s desk, waiting to be signed as thousands continue to march the streets to protect the remains of freedom in the Philippines. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"c75ui","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b30ci","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Fittingly nicknamed the “Terror Bill”, this law would grant the government the right to label anyone as a terrorist, subjecting citizens to ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"arbitrary arrests and long prison sentences if they belong to organizations that have displeased the president.","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/05/philippines-new-anti-terrorism-act-endangers-rights","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#0000ff"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"definition","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/The-Philippines-Anti-Terrorism-Act-of-2020-Five-things-to-know","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#0000ff"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" of terrorism would include actions that merely ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"intend","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" to result in “death or serious bodily injury”, ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\"extensive damage and destruction\" of infrastructure, or \"intimidation of [the] general public”. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"It would also become a criminal offense to provoke others to engage in acts of terrorism, including protests and social media activism. Under this extremely broad and vague definition, any act of expression including speech, proclamation, and writing can be deemed “terrorism.”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"v384","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"64n45","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"In addition, anyone who criticizes the government can be arrested without a warrant. If the Anti-Terror Council finds you “suspicious”, they have the right to take you into custody immediately. To be charged without a warrant is a clear violation of constitutional rights: the Philippine Bill of Rights states that “","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved”. Furthermore, if someone is found guilty of supposed “terrorist activity”, they could be looking at a life sentence without the chance of parole. To make matters worse, t","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"his “Anti-Terror council” does not even constitute a court; instead, it is made up of government-appointed officials, of which most (if not all) are supporters of President Duterte and his policies. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"44e1q","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"IMAGE","id":"8teri","nodes":[],"imageData":{"containerData":{"width":{"size":"CONTENT"},"alignment":"CENTER","textWrap":true},"image":{"src":{"id":"a3d0c0_32d9062de2b848edb41edf80afe9a435~mv2.jpg"},"width":950,"height":540}}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"56qf9","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5pmuo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"However, as disappointing and unjust the bill is, I can’t say I’m surprised. Duterte has a history of resorting to militarized means to respond to national crises. Last year, the Philippines' Congress, filled with Duterte’s allies, cut ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"4 billion pesos","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/16/1977330/congress-cuts-calamity-fund-p4-billion","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ($80 million USD) from the nation’s disaster funds. And in January, after the carelessness in his administration's response to the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Taal volcano","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/taal-volcano-eruption-forces-thousands-to-seek-safer-ground-in-the-philippines/2020/01/13/4e2680f8-35cd-11ea-a1ff-c48c1d59a4a1_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_10","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" eruption, Duterte simply cursed the volcano and threatened to “","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"pee","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.rappler.com/nation/249247-fit-visit-affected-areas-duterte-eat-ashfall-pee-taal-volcano","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" on Taal”. How classy of him! A few weeks later, when the nation struggled to defend itself against COVID-19, Duterte provided no resources for support and instead announced that he was looking for the “idiot” ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"coronavirus","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/02/28/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus/?itid=lk_inline_manual_10","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" because he wanted to “","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"slap it","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200210-Speech-of-President-Rodrigo-Roa-Duterte-during-the-meeting-with-Local-Chief-Executives-2.pdf","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":".” Oh, but it doesn’t stop there. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"ABS-CBN","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-orders-its-largest-broadcaster-off-the-air-as-nation-fights-virus/2020/05/05/3d172b60-8eb4-11ea-9322-a29e75effc93_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_15","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", a popular Philippine media network","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", ","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-orders-its-largest-broadcaster-off-the-air-as-nation-fights-virus/2020/05/05/3d172b60-8eb4-11ea-9322-a29e75effc93_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_15","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"was ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"taken off the air in May","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-orders-its-largest-broadcaster-off-the-air-as-nation-fights-virus/2020/05/05/3d172b60-8eb4-11ea-9322-a29e75effc93_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_15","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#0000ff"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" — another one of Duterte’s many attempts to promote censorship. In another instance, a teacher uploaded a sarcastic social media post that offered 1 million dollars to assassinate Duterte, and a driver followed up saying that he was willing to double that amount. It was a joke in their eyes, but a malicious terrorist assassination attempt in the eyes of law enforcement. The teacher and driver have since been arrested, most likely charged with inciting sedition. Clearly, Duterte has a longstanding habit of silencing any critics — and now he’s signing it into law. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1940s","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"348em","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"According to Section 4 of the Philippine Bill of Rights, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.” As a first-generation Filipino-American, I find it incredibly terrifying that ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"my","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" country is being destroyed by those who are supposed to maintain it. I have many close relatives in the Philippines, some significantly younger than me. The fact that they may never be able to voice their opinions without being labeled as a terrorist is heartbreaking. Having experienced the hardships of Filipino life firsthand, I can say with confidence that Filipino people have fought and are still fighting hard, but robbing this right from them completely discredits their efforts. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"evek9","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9b652","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Rather than protecting Filipino citizens from potential terrorists, the government is becoming a terrorist organization itself, continuing to attack Philippine democracy. The entire foundation of democracy is built off of checks and balances alongside the people’s voices, but when the government criminalizes free speech and refuses to listen, ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"what is the purpose of this supposed “democracy”? As summarized by human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\"It's not about going after terrorists, but critics of this administration.\" ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"During a time when it is so crucial for a nation’s people to come together as one, such a bill not only violates human rights but divides its people. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"While the Philippines lacks the resources needed to soothe the coronavirus pandemic, Duterte is c","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"ompletely exploiting his nation’s vulnerable situation as a distraction from his failing administration. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"19ssc","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"64ob9","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The bill is now sitting on Duterte's desk and only he can sign or veto it. If he chooses to do neither, the bill will inevitably become law in 30 days. That’s 30 days before Filipinos are robbed of their freedom of speech. That’s 30 days before the remains of Philippine democracy crumble. But that’s also 30 days for the Department of Justice to repeal the bill for violations of constitutional rights. That’s 30 days to make noise and speak up and prevent this bill from being implemented. We have time, and we ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"must","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" use this time wisely to stop the Philippines from collapsing into chaos. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#ffffff","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6va9s","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"30t7u","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"dtmb4","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"dq0k6","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Julianne and Stephanie","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5eqhg","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.892Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.892Z","id":"f47caa2c-838a-49d8-8d71-d8341f7291bc"}} Leaving the Paris Agreement wix:image://v1/a3d0c0_92536e7115354cd198c8d0cf289c8196~mv2.png/a3d0c0_92536e7115354cd198c8d0cf289c8196~mv2.png#originWidth=2083&originHeight=1563 625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cc e6b75778-25a1-4be1-b1a1-58460cf70486 an article by Lora Kwon {"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth, ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7f0l9","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"15c64","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"On November 4th, people around the world anxiously awaited news revealing who the next president would be. Amidst the chaos, nerves, and arguments that ensued, many of us have overlooked a major turning point in the fight against climate change. As of November 4th, Trump is following up on his promises from 2017 and officially withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"bf9go","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b8am5","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The Paris Agreement was created in 2015 when hundreds of countries around the world came together in an effort to decelerate climate change. This was an overdue course of action, as climate experts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been repeatedly making it clear that the global temperature rise must stay below 2.0° C. As a result, the Paris Agreement is based on the global understanding that we need to incentivize countries to stop burning fossil fuels and make strides towards a green economy. Otherwise, most countries will maintain their fossil fuels industry in order to gain economic advantages. For example, developing nations have contributed the least to the fossil fuel industry, yet a lack of infrastructure and resources means that people within these nations are facing the most severe consequences (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"MIT Press","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/climate-injustice","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). It would be hypocritical to discourage these countries from using fossil fuels to give their economy the boost they so desperately need. On the flip side, global superpowers such as the United States and China need to both come to a mutual agreement to cut down on carbon emissions because any country that keeps burning down fossil fuels will have an economic advantage over the other. If nobody is willing to make sacrifices, then everybody will lose. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9e0ki","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"11nhb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The Paris Agreement understands and targets these issues accordingly. Firstly, the agreement heavily encourages developed countries to provide financial support to help developing nations achieve sustainability (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"NRDC","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know#sec-summary","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). The current goal is to raise $100 billion by 2020, a number that is expected to rise within the next five years. The contributions that each country is expected to make is also dependent on their current wealth and ability to make these changes while maintaining equity. These are called nationally determined contributions, and they ensure that every country is placing forth an equal amount of commitment accordingly (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"UNFCCC","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). After establishing these individual goals at the start of the Paris Agreement, it was up to each country to figure out how to make these goals a reality. Though there was no technical penalty for failing to meet these agreed contributions, the Paris Agreement promised that nobody would economically fall behind during this transition. Most countries kept up with their promises due to an understanding that climate change will have irreversible global repercussions for centuries to come. Notably, China, a country that rivals the US in carbon emissions, has promised to level off carbon emissions by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60 to 65%. Even though the disease, natural disasters, and changes in food supply that result from climate change will disproportionately affect lower-class citizens, it will eventually come around to impact us all. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cr6r4","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8tf5m","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"For a hot minute, the United States was doing really well. According to the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2014","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-04/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2016-main-text.pdf","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per capita went down even though the population and economy as a whole continued to prosper. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6obsn","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"4f9v3","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"But the United States’ position as a global leader in fighting the effects of climate change is compromised by Trump’s decision to leave the Paris agreement. Even though the US is making strides towards improvement, the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"World Resources Institute","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.wri.org/blog/2014/11/6-graphs-explain-world-s-top-10-emitters","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" estimates that from 1850 - 2011, the United States alone was responsible for 27% of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions in the world, a percentage which is greater than that of all other countries. Yet now, the biggest contributor to climate change will be the only country of the 200 that joined the Paris agreement, to refuse to follow through on the promises to cut down on these emissions. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"4jauv","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"adsd3","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"By leaving the Paris Agreement, there will be nothing keeping our country responsible for cutting down emissions, especially considering the Republican Party’s repeated denial of climate change as an issue. And not only are carbon emissions in the US expected to grow as a result of this lack of accountability, but the United States is setting a terrible precedent for other countries. Luckily, all other countries have agreed to forge ahead without the United States, but using fossil fuels will give the United States a competitive edge and this incentivizes other countries to quit the agreement as well (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"NPR","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.npr.org/2020/11/03/930312701/u-s-officially-leaving-paris-climate-agreement","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). Plus, the United States would no longer be providing developing nations with the support they need to achieve lower carbon emissions. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cclfq","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"73fmh","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"But all hope is not lost as Biden has made his stance on the Paris Agreement very clear (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"NY Times","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/climate/paris-agreement-us-election.html","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). He has pledged to work his hardest to bring the US back into the agreement as soon as possible, even claiming that he has plans to do so by February 2021, just 77 days after his inauguration. Biden has also made claims of planning to spend $2 trillion over the course of his term to ensure that by 2035 coal, oil, and gas are no longer leaders in energy. Furthermore, he hopes that by the midcentury, the US economy will become carbon neutral. Individual states and businesses are also taking accountability and trying their best to help the US reach the lower carbon emissions that they originally promised. However, this task is made much more difficult without support from the federal government. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2bmo5","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"euco0","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"It is really difficult to comprehend the importance of climate change. Sometimes the situation does not feel immediate, and the idea that we human beings have had such a terrifyingly large impact on the Earth is difficult to wrap our heads around. But climate change is very real and its effects are far beyond what we can even begin to imagine. It is very disappointing to see the United States turning away from an agreement that promises unity and global change when it could easily be one of the pioneers in this new era of sustainability. So, as we nervously watch the seats in government turn blue and red, hopefully, we begin to realize the gravity of the situation at hand in terms of how this election will affect the Earth as we know it. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"635qd","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1242d","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Lora","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"eoreb","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"52unf","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cover Photo Source: France Diplomatie ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.906Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.906Z","id":"527fc242-02b8-4424-8449-7101f465d373"}} Leslie Cheung: A Bisexual Icon of the 80's and 90's wix:image://v1/a3d0c0_5097eab32c5c494c86dceb4a56a53421~mv2.jpeg/a3d0c0_5097eab32c5c494c86dceb4a56a53421~mv2.jpeg#originWidth=1200&originHeight=800 625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cc e6b75778-25a1-4be1-b1a1-58460cf70486 a narrative essay by Cathay Lau {"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"TW: Suic*de, de*th, hom*phob*a","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"ffdm2","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"80epb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"‘My mind is bisexual. It's easy for me to love a woman. It's also easy for me to love a man, too” - Leslie Cheung, 1992. ","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fo08h","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b6k0p","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth, ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fpl9h","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fgbtb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Amongst the actors and singers of the canto-pop scene, the late Leslie Cheung springs into the mind of many as a figure who embodies the genre. My older cousins were especially fond of his music growing up and felt an affinity towards Cheung, they even called him “","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"gor gor” ","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(big brother), which I later found out was a nickname that the people of Hong Kong gifted him. It was clear to me that he was a figure of hope to my cousins for his determination to express his sexuality despite belonging to a largely homogenous culture. It was only natural that this admiration would be later passed onto me. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"f82o5","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"dsdsp","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"It wasn’t until a trip to Hong Kong in 2013 though that I had been truly informed of his impact, particularly in East Asia. I was in Tsim Tsa Tsui watching the famous skyline under humid heat when a dome pitched with projections of the ‘追 Chase’ music video was crowded with mourning fans. It wasn’t until I had gotten home and recounted my memories of the day that I realised it was a homage to the late actor and singer ten years after his death.","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"d0pid","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3brps","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Although I was only three when he passed, his legacy had made a definite mark on me and many other young individuals. I remember stumbling across his performance of ‘Red 紅’ at his 1997 world tour concert on Youtube and feeling both enamoured and surprised at the man donning red heels and a sparkly suit while dancing sensually with his same-sex dance partner. His movements on stage evoked a feminine image to the masses despite his identity as a cisgender male. There was a part of me that felt like I was watching something taboo, not only because it was ‘gay’ in a world of homophobia, but because it was overtly homoerotic in a space that I knew was not the most open to homosexuality. ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"BBC","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43637749","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" even reported that “at that time, homosexuality was still viewed by many as an illness and abnormality in Hong Kong, especially after the emergence of the first local case of AIDS in 1984.” ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"10sst","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"c54m5","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Besides his handsome face being at the forefront of his branding as an actor and singer, he wished to express himself in ways that proved his determination to take back control over his sexuality and what defined him as an individual. ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Global Times","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/771428.shtml","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" reported that part of his charisma was also due to his standing as a “transparent artist refusing to hide behind masks.” I have always believed in a unifying need within all of us to define ourselves without the judgement of other people. I believe that Cheung’s unabashed refusal to be held back from expressing himself was a large driving force behind his popularity alongside his talent on the screen and stage. His determination was even evident in his English name being Leslie, which according to ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Time","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20130521082105/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0%2C8599%2C108021%2C00.html","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", was because he stated “I love the film Gone with the Wind. And I like Leslie Howard. The name can be a man's or woman's, it's very unisex, so I like it.\","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6c6sd","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"acrbu","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"One of my favourite films amidst Cheung’s widely respected filmography is ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Happy Together","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":". It was directed by Wong Kar Wai, who is most well known for his work on the cult classics of the Hong Kong film era such as ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"ChungKing Express","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" and ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"In the Mood for Love","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":". Cheung takes on the LGBT role of Ho Po Wing who travels to Buenos Aires with his male partner, played by Tony Leung. After a typical turbulent fight between the two, they realise that they are stranded when they don’t have enough money to travel back to Hong Kong. By then, Cheung had already revealed his bisexuality to the masses and many people, particularly in his home city of Hong Kong, disapproved of his sexual orientation. Nevertheless, the film was considered one of best LGBT films in the New Queer Cinema movement and was generally received with positive reviews despite discussions on censorship. The media during Cheung’s career were relentless when it came to mocking his sexuality at this time and preferred to ignore his artistry because of this. This continued up to the later years of his career, particularly in 2001 after the end of his ‘Passion Tour’ where he collaborated with the world renowned haute couture fashion designer Jean Paul Gautier. It was during his final tour that he donned some of Asia’s largest LGBT pop culture moments with his long hair, flowy skirts, and vinyl pants. My personal favourite had always been the angelic feather shoulders on his white blazer. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fmbc2","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3r47c","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Although his fans were abundant and filled with passion, it seemed that Cheung was brought into fame in a world that wasn’t ready for him but quite frankly, should have been. His legacy still seems to capture the hearts and minds of many people today despite his unfortunate passing. He still serves as a figure of positivity and hope for many people in Asia, and even has a café dedicated to him in Chengdu, China where fans from around the world can visit and connect. According to ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"South China Morning Post","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3012388/leslie-cheung-cafe-chengdu-china-ensures-legacy-canto-pop","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", the owner of the cafe, Lu Xiaochuan, comments that “the café on Chunxi Road is there to keep his legacy alive.” He was not only a role model for the LGBT community, but also all individuals in the world who felt like they didn’t fit in and craved the freedom to express themselves. It is times like these after the anniversary of his death that I think about his comment from ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Time","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,108021,00.html","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" on his home city, that seems to serve as a metaphor for the world: “The place is so extravagant, vulgar, expensive. I may be too soft for Hong Kong. I don't always count myself as one of them.” Cheung encourages us even after his death to be honest with ourselves in every aspect of our lives and to not only believe in our honesty, but to live it. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"1.8"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"e3ck6","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"456gb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Cathay Lau ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cdqvt","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fc6nu","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cover Photo Source: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3077319/leslie-cheung-7-things-you-didnt-know-about-canto-pop","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1mjm","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.916Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T17:16:47.916Z","id":"04421439-1443-4f7f-8992-26561ab01a41"}}