New Briefs: Catch up on school, local and national news

National: Iranian Women’s Rights

All over the world, people are protesting for the rights of women in Iran. This outcry was sparked by the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last month after she was attained by the Iranian morality police for what they deemed improper attire.

Amini was detained because she had refused to abide by the country’s strict modesty laws which require women to wear hijabs in all public places, according to CNN. Amini’s death exemplifies a long battle over one of the country’s most significant political issues. The government has been facing pressure to change the policy since July after social media videos circulated showing a turning point for women refusing to follow the strict morality laws.

Sophomore Murad Mirza believes the protests aren’t only against wearing the hijab, but fighting the oppressive government that installed these policies.

“People who don’t have knowledge about Islam might not understand this, but Islam doesn’t require women to wear hjabs and not all the protesters are against wearing it,” Mirza said. “These women are fighting the strict government policies.”

These protests shed light on Iran’s cultural clash between the conservative government that wants to preserve tradition, blaming the US for protests with the younger and a more liberal generation, who blame the government for oppression of women, according to NPR.

Women are cutting off their hair as an act of defiance against the oppression of the Iranian government in protests around the world.

Despite intense use of force, performing mass arrests as demonstrations occur daily, the Iranian police are failing to quell the protests. According to Iran Human Rights Watch, an Oslo-based nonprofit, at least 201 protestors have been killed by Iranian security forces amid the protests following Amini’s death.

Women’s bravery in Iraian politics is much more important than many people realize, according to sophomore Mahad Mirza.

“These women are fighting an oppressive government and protesting just puts them in a situation where they could face even more oppression,” said Mirza.

Local: DOJ investigating Kansas City Police

Kansas City Police Interim Chief Joseph Mabin announced an investigation by the Department of Justice of the police department on Sept. 19.

The investigation will specifically focus on the department’s employment practices and several allegations of racism and harassment toward Black officers. If allegations are proved valid, the department would be showing a “pattern or practice of discrimination based on race” in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to a DOJ letter announcing the focus of their investigation.

Mabin is open to any investigation into the department and believes the department will reinstill their values of equality.

“It is the policy and practice of the Board of Police Commissioners and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to provide a work atmosphere free of actual or perceived discrimination and harassment,” Mabin said.

The investigation comes after a series of Kansas City Star articles about several Black officers who said they were called racial slurs and disproportionately disciplined by their white supervisors.

Today only 11.6% of KCPDofficers are Black, a statistic that’s been declining for the past ten years. At least 18 officers left the KCPD because of harassment or racism from within the department over 15 years, according to the Kansas City Star.

East: SMSD Student Advisory Council

One East student from each grade level will attend the third SMSD student advisory council meeting on Oct. 27 with several district administrators led by Superintendent Michelle Hubbard.

At their first of two meetings this year, the council of 20 students selected by the superintendent from all five SMSD high schools participated in team-building activities and shared their thoughts in a discussion with several district leaders.

Council Member sophomore Ellen Bowser believes this to be an important step to creating a direct line of communication between students and administrators.

“Sometimes there’s a disconnect between the people who are making the decisions for the school and the students who have to deal with [the decisions],” Bowser said. “This group just provides a space to figure out what is best for everybody.”

The students will discuss a variety of topics, from school culture to academics, activities, athletics, facilities and furniture. The student advisors are encouraged to discuss issues and share opinions with their peers at their individual high schools to be fully informed about the student body’s opinion.

This allows both students and administrators to hear new viewpoints on issues they may not have previously considered and ensure everyone has a voice.

“We will have these discussions and when someone has a different opinion, we will all listen to their side of the issue,” Bowser said. “This [council] opens up conversations that we would never have without the opportunity to speak up in this environment.”