NYT Competition Submissions- 5 total pieces

NYT Student Opinions

If two songs sound alike, is it stealing?

Though the concepts of inspiration and plagiarism can be confused, it is good to be reminded that the creation of new art is a product of deliberate influence. This does not stop the flow of original art but rather provides a creative origin or catalyst. In author Austin Kleon's book 'Steal Like an Artist' Kleon exhibits the pros of inspiration and "stealing." By nature, musicians consume all kinds of art to go forth and create their own. Through this continuous consumption, subconscious motifs may arise in these artists' own work. Whether or not Ed Sheeran has listened to Sami Switch's "Oh Why" is beyond the point. As fellow musicians, it should be decided that the largest priority is the undisrupted creation of music. And although there is a difference legally I believe that it is more than OK to borrow from someone else's work as long as the intent of the art created remains pure.

Who Is the Best Cook You Know? [Published]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/learning/who-is-the-best-cook-you-know.html

My grandma is by far the best cook I know. Every New Years day, my family is graced with the succulent smell of traditional Korean food pervading the house. From her mandu (dumplings) to her tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup), every year I look forward to her generational masterpieces. Because my grandmother and I are on opposite sides of a language barrier, not much of our love can be verbalized. No conversation has surpassed the depth of "How are you?" "All A's?" and "Always listen to uma(mom)." But when her love is communicated through cooking, I am always capable of expressing my appreciation by finishing the whole bowl and asking for seconds. Now that I am older, I am starting to learn these sacred recipes myself, and although I have not yet developed the special halmoni (grandma) touch, I try my best each year to study from and replicate the best cook I know.

How Have Your Teachers Shaped Who You Are? [Published]

​​https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/14/learning/how-have-your-teachers-shaped-who-you-are.html

In the Spring semester of my Junior year, I studied abroad in Rennes, France. Excited to embark on a foreign, cathartic journey, I delved head first into the culture, challenging myself by talking to locals, trying new food, and exploring my new home for the next six months. A little naive to the challenges to come, I was met with road blocks I hadn’t considered. Within the first week of being in France, I experienced blatant instances of racism. Whether it was in a small cafe, a farmers market, or a friend’s host home, these uncomfortable interactions were overwhelming.

A decision I made so eagerly slowly crept into the territory of regret. I felt defeated. Making an effort each day to avoid such alienating situations, I felt like I was deliberately excluding myself from the experience I was anticipating for so long. Through the emotional turmoil of the first month, I started to look back on a pivotal school assembly I attended the semester before. At the annual Asian Student Alliance Assembly, my math teacher offered her experience as an Asian American teacher who struggled to choose between teaching her two beloved subjects: French and Math. As I remembered her own negative experiences in Europe and the stereotypes she felt forced to conform to as a Asian American teacher, I finally felt unalone. Although my math teacher was 3,000 miles away her words stuck with me, providing the support and allyship I needed in order to conquer the rest of my time abroad.

NYT Editorial Competition

How the Concept of the Model Minority Stunts Creativity

As seen on numerous embarrassing home videos, I was constantly creating. From singing my incoherent songs to writing stories about mermaids, I found my form of self expression through art and writing. To my dismay, at the tender age of 8, I realized people saw me as an anomaly. So you don’t like math like Jamie Park, or Sean Lee? I was frequently asked.

No. I said back. What did I have anything to do with them? The thought continued to circulate my mind throughout my formative years. As my love for writing and music grew, I realized that my white peers and school teachers believed I had everything to do with the other Asian students. The idea of a Korean girl, with no interest in math or science, struck a chord in so many people who were ignorant to the layers beneath every Asian doctor, mathematician, or engineer. This restrictive idea of the model minority keeps Asian students in a box when discovering their passions and, ultimately, their career.

The Guardian’s Jennifer Lee explores the consequences of binding Asian stereotypes. Immigrant parents frame the idea of success around the expectations perpetuated by White Americans. In fear that their children will be discriminated against by employers, customers, and clients, immigrant Asian parents encourage their children to take on “conservative, high-status professions.” Habitually putting their heads down to ignore adversity, the knee-jerk reaction to steer their children in the direction of non-confrontational, stable jobs is natural, yet harmful. Raising young Asian Americans under the strict parameters of prejudiced White Americans can only lead to strenuous, unsatisfactory futures. Forcing our wide range of assets into designated occupations will only gatekeep undiscovered talent.

While chastising the limitations of model minority stereotypes, I have to acknowledge that my own immigrant family members were not presented with a choice of being a model minority. To provide for his family, my grandfather took a stable job as a statistical engineer after immigrating to the United States, while preserving his intense love for violin. Even now, at 82 years of age, my grandfather still plays the violin every time I come to visit, persevering through his fading memory and limited physical ability. If history would allow it, the world would know the sweet sound of concertos that sang from his violin and the emotions he pulled from each delicate string. My grandfather’s mundane office job provided a stable life for my father, who can now provide a life for me. This story will continue until the end of time, every one of us with a private, unheard passion, until the day they are finally realized, and we are no longer burdened by the expectations of White America.

NYT Summer Reading List

‘This is What Post Abortion Roe Looks Like’ https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000008338650/abortion-pills-roe-texas.html?playlistId=video/latest-video

Understanding the overturning of Roe v. Wade has not been easy. How can a constitutional right, established almost 50 years ago now be reversed, affecting the lives of women nationwide? As a young woman in this country just beginning to grasp the concept of the nation’s political climate and the inequities that follow, this ruling was unfortunately unsurprising. Having a basic understanding of the political ideologies of each Supreme Court Justice was enough to predict the outcome of this case review.

After watching this video following a woman’s circumstances in one of the most inhibitory states (even before the overturning of Roe v. Wade), I feel like I’ve seen a preview of what is to come: Women bending over backwards, jumping through hoops just to have a right over their own lives and bodies. Horrifying headlines will only become more frequent and less shocking. While this video was disheartening, it was simultaneously educational and empowering. Now a primary source for women who may find themselves trapped by the regression of our nation, this vulnerable shared experience can now guide any woman that feels stuck in a seemingly hopeless situation. Through testimonies of extremely brave and persevering women, I have seen a glimpse of the heartache that this decision will catalyze, but relish in the power of community and support that is being created during this difficult time.