Petition for Asian-American Studies Minor

Check out this message from fellow UHPer Jennifer Huang about the petition for an Asian-American studies minor at GW!

Help show student support for an Asian-American Studies minor at GW!

I am working with a coalition of student organizers, faculty, graduate students, and alum to fight for an Asian American Studies minor at GW. This has been an ongoing movement, first started in 2017 by the Asian American Student Association in collaboration with Professor Patty Chu in the English Department and Professor Dana Tai Soon Burgess in the Corcoran School.

CCAS has threatened to indefinitely table talks about an Asian-American Studies minor at GW if there isn’t enough demonstrated student support. Read more about the proposed minor and sign the petition at: https://linktr.ee/aasgw.

Signing the petition is not in any way a binding commitment to taking the minor. It simply shows your support for bringing the minor to our campus!

A Writ of Writing “Right”


Check out these writing tips from Peer Advisor Matthew Stauder!

Coming into college, I thought I was a great writer. I soon learned, however, that simply utilizing a number of words one would only find in a thesaurus plus sentences with 3 separate clauses was not what constituted “great writing.” And I will be honest—upon getting back my first ever writing assignment, I went back to my dorm room, laid on my bed, and cried. Since that first paper, I have been able to grow in my writing abilities, and with midterm papers and exams with short answer questions looming in the weeks ahead, I want to share some tips you may find helpful.

1. Create an outline. Outlines help you organize your initial thoughts to the prompt you have been given, and also help you recognize the main points you want to make, and the supporting details to those points. Most likely, your outline will start out very vague (even in timed exams, I would recommend writing out even a vague outline if you are having writer’s block. It is better to think about what to write on paper than in your mind where golden ideas may suddenly slip away out of memory!), but as you do research, you will be able to add more detail, and may even change what is in the outline. Which brings me to the next point…

2. Do not be afraid to change your thesis! Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes I have made writing research papers is “declaring” a thesis and sticking with it even as the research consistently debunked what I wanted to argue. Better yet, if it is not required to declare a thesis straight away, do some preliminary research first just to get an idea of what the data and scholars say.

3. Work out of order. This tip used to bug me. In fact, as a little kid doing word searches, I had to find and circle the words in the order they appeared on the bottom of the page. This made things difficult, especially as I tried to remember where that word was so I could circle it once I found all the other words before it! It is similar when writing a paper—the wonderful gift of technology
and word processors is that we can write above, below, and in between what we have. If a thought comes to mind, do not hesitate to write it down and write down everything you want to say about it. Furthermore, the introduction of all things should be the last part of the paper you write. Since it is meant to serve as a summary or foreshadowing of what is to come, it is easiest to write after you already know what is to come.

4. Be straightforward and concise. Believe it or not, writing long, “complex” sentences going in multiple directions is not a great way to keep the readers attention. Just because the literature you may read sounds complex and “heady” does not mean you need to be, especially when you do not understand what you are saying! Always err on the side of shorter sentences with one or two clauses.

5. Use strong verbs. This may seem as a given, but it is always a good idea to proofread for the number of times you have forms of “to be” or “to go” or “to do” in your papers. Replace when possible!

6. Avoid using the word “this.” This tip comes from the great Professor Winstead. As you can see from my writing so far, it is neither possible nor encouraged to fully eliminate using the word “this.” Instead, you should always eliminate its usage as a noun. In other words, specify what you mean by “this.” Notice above, I said “This tip comes from the great Professor Winstead” not “This comes from the great Professor Winstead.” This example may not seem to bring the point across too much. But trust me, when you are on the reading side of a long essay, it helps to have a reminder of what came in the last preceding sentences. Otherwise, this word “this” can be very confusing and cause your reader to backtrack and lose interest. If you still do not understand this point, try reading Zhuangzi and then get back to me.

7. Avoid passive voice. I was disappointed by my brain when I was told by it that I had to write this one. The passive voice was used many times by me in the past. But not anymore, because it only further complicates your readers’ understanding. Plus, it is easy to fix. Just flip the subject and the object of the preposition and conjugate the verb accordingly. If you are saying to yourself, “I was confused by this point,” then please stop. This point confused you.

8. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors, TAs, and the Writing Center. Check your syllabus for your professors’ and TAs’ office hours. I assure you, they will be happy to meet with you! If these types of meetings make you nervous, I would suggest finding one or two specific questions you may have or thinking of one or two specific things to bring up, just to give yourself that sense of structure. It is also a great idea to go to office hours after an assignment is graded, and ask questions about the professors’ comments about what you can do for next time! Secondly, the Writing Center is a great resource that you should be able to use for almost any class at GW. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to use it for a course, reach out to your professor. They typically offer one-to-one peer tutoring and maintain academic integrity.

History of Labor at the New Museum [SURE Stories]

The following blog post was written by UHPer and SURE Award winner, Jessica Layton.

In 2019, museum media coverage centered labor. With a call to action to end unpaid internships, the collective Art & Museum Transparency circulated a spreadsheet wherein museum employees shared details from their experience, like salary or workplace atmosphere. Activist groups Decolonize this Place and Sackler Pain organized mass and repeated coordinated actions from the Whitney to the Tate to draw attention to the criminal actions of those financially supporting these institutions. Museum employees of cultural institutions like the Guggenheim, MoMA PS1, and at least 10 more cultural institutions ranging in mission, size, and scale began an unprecedented public fight for unionization in 2019.

 

That summer, I, in a much smaller way, began thinking about the daunting task of my senior thesis. As I became more in tune with the realities facing artworkers and increasingly aware of my impending graduation, after which I will likely share these same realities, my research topic became increasingly clear to me. This year, in 2020, the nature of activism in museums has transformed and escalated in different ways. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, mass layoffs and furloughing of art workers ensued. In early April, MoMA fired the entirety of its education department and the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced plans to shrink its staff by 20 percent. The New Museum made similar staff cuts and laid of nearly a third of its staff, 31 of whom were members of the museum’s recently formed union, UAW 2110, which was only just settled upon in the previous October of 2019, after many months of ugly, public facing negotiation.

 

Situated in the broader context of the American art museum in New York City, my research focuses on the history of labor at the New Museum. I am specifically interested in the conflict between the institution’s founder, Marica Tucker’s mission to establish a museum unique in its egalitarian approach to internal affairs and the recent conflict between management and employees over their struggle for unionization. There is little to no recorded literature on the history of labor in art museums and so my primary research focus has been collecting oral testimony from anyone tangentially related to my research topic, particularly those with experience working in NYC’s art world. With funding from the SURE award, I am currently continuing to interview and transcribe these conversations for my own reference in writing my thesis, but also, more importantly, to create a public archive. I am excited by the potentialities of creating an accessible record of conversations that could serve the public, academics, and art workers thinking about collectivizing in important, previously unaddressed ways.

Become a Member of Phi Sigma Pi, National Honors Fraternity

Phi Sigma Pi (PSP) is a national gender-inclusive honors fraternity. Our community is built on the values of scholarship, leadership, and fellowship. All members share a passion for their studies, being leaders in their communities, and fostering friendships in our chapter. Our organization is made up of students from a diverse set of backgrounds, countries, and fields of study. Many honors college students past and present have found a home here in PSP. Anyone with a GPA of 3.0 or greater can come to recruitment regardless of their class year. In fact, many of our members joined Sophomore or Junior year. If you’re interested in learning more, we will be holding information sessions the week of the 13th of September. To sign up for an information session or learn more about what makes PSP so special check our website. For any questions feel free to email: askgwpsp@gmail.com.

photo of peer advisor Andrew Butt

An Overview of the Performing Arts Orgs at GW

Check out Peer Advisor Andrew Butt’s overview of the performing arts at GW, and how you can get involved with them!

Hello UHPers!

I hope everyone’s first week of online classes went well! While last week’s peer advisor blog post touched on some tips for succeeding with online academics, there is so much more to the college experience than just schoolwork. There is a whole world of student orgs at GW that are just waiting to meet you! Though the variety of orgs range from club sports to pre-professional groups, one community that has faced unique challenges in the virtual world are the performing arts. So, I’d like to give an overview of the performing arts scene at GW and how you can get involved!

Instrumental Music

GW’s instrumental music scene has something for almost everyone! For the jazzophiles, GW’s Jazz Orchestra is a group passionate about creating and promoting jazz within the GW community. The University Orchestra offers another great community for students with a more classical taste! In a traditional year the Orchestra performs in 2 to 3 concerts, and membership is not limited to music minors and majors! A campus favorite,  GW Colonial Brass, or C-Brass, is the university’s pep band! They perform at basketball games and never fail to instill team spirit! Check out Engage to see how you can get involved.

Vocal Music

GW has a thriving vocal music community as well! With six different a cappella groups and several choirs. The a cappella groups include the Troubadours, the Sirens, the Pitches, the Sons of Pitch, the Motherfunkers, and the Vibes. These groups are consistently invited to ICCA competitions, and GW even hosted the Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals this year! Each a cappella group on campus has its own vibe and repertoire, so be sure to check out their social media to learn more. GW also has two choral groups: the University Singers and The Voice Gospel Choir!

Theatre

In addition to the Department of Theatre and Dance, GW also has a vibrant student theatre community! GW has four main student theatre orgs: GW Shakespeare Company, Generic Theatre Company, Forbidden Planet Productions, and 14th Grade Players! GW’s Shakespeare Company primarily produces Shakespeare’s work, but does other classical pieces like The Importance of Being Earnest and Antigone as well. Generic Theatre Company puts on both plays and musicals and traditionally does a Freshman Showcase every fall! Forbidden Planet Productions focuses on  musical theatre while also doing the occasional straight play. FPP also hosts an annual shadow cast production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show every fall and puts on a Cabaret of musical numbers in the spring! Finally, 14th Grade Players produces straight plays and is well known for their Welcome Back One Acts which usually happens in the fall! In a normal semester, each company puts on three shows, so there is plenty of opportunity to get involved both on stage and behind the scenes! These four organizations are overseen by the Student Theatre Council which is a community-elected governing body that helps maintain performance spaces, schedules shows, and hosts community bonding events.

Dance

GW is home to several dance organizations. Perhaps the biggest dance group at GW, Balance offers students a wide variety of dancing opportunities. Normally, Balance offers dance classes to its members while also putting on shows for dancers of all levels. Balance also produces its annual Nutcracker performance in the fall! In addition to Balance, there are a wide range of cultural dance organizations at GW: GW Bhangra, Fuego, District K and so many more! Check Engage for a full listing of all the different cultural dance organizations at GW. GW is also known for its First Ladies who perform at GW’s Basketball games! Finally, GW also has a Ballroom team that offers lessons and competes.

If any of these groups have piqued your interest, make sure to give them a follow on social media! If you have questions about how you can get involved in this semester, don’t hesitate to direct message an org or send them an email with your questions! These groups are only a small sample of the performing arts community at GW. For a more comprehensive list and to find contact information for these orgs, be sure to check out Engage!

 

How To: Online School with Peer Advisor Meilian Kurlas

via GIPHY

Hello lovely person who’s reading this! If this is around the time it was posted, then happy beginning of the semester!! Sadly, it’s not the traditional beginning, meaning endless use of Webex, Zoom, and Blackboard Collaborate. Virtual learning can make focusing and finding motivation difficult, but I have some tips for you! Thanks to my experience of online school from last semester, meetings with peers and faculty, and TikToks, I have compiled a list of tips:

  1. Find your dedicated workspace where there is less chance of you falling asleep (so your bed may not be the ideal place to have class:/). It helps to have the separation of work and life, so leaving the place where you relax as solely the place you relax will help you get the break from work you’ll eventually need.
  2. Eliminate distractions – that includes phones (TikTok is a black hole for me), people (don’t let your family distract you), and even laptops. Since everything is now online, don’t let yourself stray away from class by playing an online game or scrolling through a feed in another tab. Try to give yourself a clear workspace when in class (you can do that by having a desktop for classes where the only tab open is what’s related to the lecture you’re in).
  3. Set goals for yourself. They can be small like once you finish reading a page or section, reward yourself with a piece of candy. Or they can be large like once you complete an assignment, allow yourself to watch one episode of a show you’re currently watching. But just ONE. That can easily turn into the whole series, which has happened to me, but please try to practice self-control (which I am still trying to figure out) – because practice can turn into habits!
  4. Schedule your day. I bought this planner from Target that has each hour listed so I can plan the exact times I will complete an assignment and take breaks (and don’t forget to drink some water and eat!). If you’re motivated to stick to your schedule, then you’ll be more productive during the allotted time. But also note that you can use Google Calendar or any other type of planner system that’s best for you.
  5. Create study groups with friends. Even though we’re in different parts of the world, we can still connect through video chat! Being productive can be much easier when you’re surrounded by other productive people.
  6. Know when to give yourself a break. It’s easy to say you’ll go to sleep after you finish this assignment, but if that turns out to be harder than expected, then accept it and give your brain a rest. If staying up late works for you, then go ahead and do that. But remember that you may have synchronous classes early in the morning. Just know how your body works and what’s best for your mental health.

A little side note: one account I found on TikTok (@oneoldkid) posts videos with brain breaks. He strengthens your cross lateral skills by giving small exercises to practice. One example is pointing with one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other. Then you switch them. You can find other exercises on his account, just be aware of how long you’re scrolling! It can easily turn into hours, so be mindful.

Speaking of mindfulness, here’s a quick breathing exercise. You can practice these anytime throughout the day. They’re nice ‘resets’ for when you may feel overwhelmed.

via GIPHY

Good luck this semester! You all will do great things 😊.

Best,
(from your peer advisor) Mei

Advice from the (Peer) Advisors: Self-Care in Quarantine

Check out the following self-care tips from Peer Advisor Sydni!

UHPers, we’re living in some very unnerving times. Quarantining at home sure wasn’t how I planned on spending the next few weeks, and I’m pretty certain you might feel the same way, but as a peer advisor and resident mom-friend, I want to make sure that the rest of your semester goes as smoothly as possible. Taking care of yourself both mentally and physically is of utmost importance right now, so here are a few socially-responsible ways to maintain normalcy in the abnormality that is the world at the moment:

Set an alarm every morning

We unfortunately just gained the ability to sleep literally all the time, it’s in our best interest to get up at a ~normal~ hour during the week. Even if your classes are continuing asynchronously or your morning LSPA is no longer running (pun fully intended), waking up every morning at the same time is going to create a routine that will help to transform home-life-mode into academic mode. Sleep is still important, but getting too many ZZZs can begin to throw off your motivation or harm your mental health in the long run. Sleep in on the weekends, but the sooner your semester online starts to resemble your school life, the better.

Netflix Party (Who doesn’t love a good party?)

Missing movie nights with West floor 2 or in the townhouse? Wishing you could hang out with your friends in a safe, socially responsible way? Look no further than Netflix Party. This Chrome extension may be my new favorite thing, period. Have all of your friends download it, pick a movie or tv show, and send them the link Netflix Party generates. Not only will your movie/show be synchronized, but the chatroom sidebar allows you to make all the same jokes you would make at a movie night in Foggy Bottom. Happy watching!

Take a walk

I know this is every mother’s advice right now, but hear me out. As a huge dork that still plays Pokemon Go, walking around my neighborhood for a half-hour not only gives me an excuse to hatch eggs and catch whatever Pokemon may be nearby but also the opportunity to clear my head. Being at home with family might be nice for some time, but having some alone time to get some air, try to process whatever bit of Platonic wisdom Origins teaches, or just to have a change of scenery can be really beneficial to your wellbeing. Even if you’re going outside to sit and read a book or learn a new TikTok dance, getting out in this CDC-approved way can make a world of a difference.

Continue to meet with professors, academic advisors, and your peer advisor

Just because we’re not physically at GW doesn’t mean your professors, academic advisors, and your peer advisor aren’t here for you. Like our love of the Hippo mascot, the support these individuals provide is unconditional! Professors are still hosting office hours and your UHP academic and peer advisors are more than happy to schedule a video call to talk through schedules for next semester, new grading policies, or any other concern that comes to mind. One of my favorite parts of the UHP, if not my favorite part, is the power of the community we have; no one here is going to let you struggle in any way, especially not now. Continuing the semester online presents a unique set of challenges and worries, but as the cast of High School Musical once said, we’re all in this together. 

Intellectual omnivores, we have your backs now more than ever. In unprecedented times we must continue to keep ourselves and our loved ones as happy and as healthy as we can. Continue to check in on one another, continue to ask for help if and when you need it, and continue to have hope. Raising high is what GW does best, so keep raising your head high and stay positive, focused, and healthy. We’re here for you.

Advice from The (Peer) Advisors: Doing Homework Is a Skill?

Image of Peer Advisor Gwen Umbach

Check out the following study tips from Senior Peer Advisor Gwen Umbach (CCAS ’20)!

On the second day of this semester, the slam of my apartment door startled me from a social media stupor yet again, to see my homework spread around me, long since abandoned. I hadn’t intended to spend thirty minutes checking my notifications, I actually wanted to get ahead on my work this time.

UHP students are notorious even within GW for doing lots of things at once, and for me one of the biggest challenges of college has been keeping myself focused enough to finish all those things. Though it’s always a struggle, this semester I’ve finally managed to implement some of the great advice I’ve gotten over the years, and I want to share a of the few things that have actually helped me not only start my work, but finish it.

As the brilliant Ben Faulkner pointed out to me, not all homework is created equal, and choosing what to work on first helps maximize time. Whether you’re a morning person, or one who only does homework when it’s dark out, knowing what time of day you focus best (not just when you’re the most
panicked) helps manage those assignments that require the most brainpower. Similarly, when I have lots of assignments to do in a night, working from hardest to easiest, or giving myself easy work between the hard assignments, has helped make my brainpower last much longer than it used to.

The second and the biggest change I made to my work habits was defining where I work. In high school, I always studied at home, and when I started college I continued that without any real thought, but over time it has become apparent that I am terrible at concentrating in my own home. After trying most places on campus, I have finally settled on the DC Public Library as my place for more intensive homework. For easier or less pressing work, I choose a different location—maintaining the sanctity of
the library as a hard-work-only zone has helped me stay on task when it matters the most. Regardless of what the best place is for you, finding it and committing to it makes a big difference.

The last, and hardest, piece of making a work schedule, has been the actual ‘schedule’ part: deciding when to work. This is the advice that I heard repeatedly from professors and advisors, and failed repeatedly to put into place: Block off time for homework, and if anyone asks you to hang out during those times, say you’re busy. In order to stay focused, not just during one afternoon but in the long term, consistency is key. That means tricking your brain into thinking that you absolutely have to sit down and work, even though there is nobody forcing you to follow through. This is a big adjustment to make from high school, where parents, teachers, and coaches oversaw most of our activities and knew if we skipped out on something. And it’s even harder when you start long-term projects like an honors thesis, that might require a lot of self-discipline. Last semester, I utterly failed at this. I ditched my scheduled work hours for activities with friends, campus events, and even peer advisor meetings. Now, though, I’m holding to that schedule (so far), and it has made a huge difference in the amount of work I get done.

It is both frustrating and heartening to realize that now, as I’m about to leave GW, I have finally discovered some strategies for working and studying that I can actually stick to. As useful as this would have been four years ago, it’s remarkable to think about how far my habits have evolved from where I was in my first year. I’ve finally accepted the reality that study habits are a skill to be practiced, and despite the many question marks in my future as a soon-to-be-graduated senior, I’m starting to trust that as time goes on, I will continue to improve at the skills that I’ve gotten a grasp on in college. Even when I still find myself hopelessly distracted, it’s comforting to know that if I’ve come this far, I can get even better in the years to come.

Published at 19, ft. Chris Zuniga

Join me for a Book Talk I am hosting on January 28th, 2020 in the basement of Gelman at 6:00 PM. There, I will talk about my journey in getting published and what it really is to sit down and write and know that your work will become part of the public discourse. The event doubles as a University Academic Workshop. While I will be speaking on the industry and how to navigate it, I will delve into the structure, teachings, purpose, and content of my book. How I Became a Traitor will publish in April 2020.

There will be time for Q&A. Ask questions about anything. I’ll answer.

If you’re looking to learn more about the book and my journey, follow me on Instagram (@AtChrisZuniga) and read the section below.

Enjoy your day. Thank you.

_______________________

Story of My Book

My name is Chris Zuniga, and I am the author of How I Became a Traitor. I wrote this book because I have had enough of the social isolation I and others experience for the “discrepancy” between our genetics and our ideas. The biggest obstacle in rebuilding our political and social arena in modern-America is the very social isolation I speak of. I believe the cause of it to be the same people who claim to understand the struggles of others and champion their causes as allies. Sympathy is not empathy. At the sight of my people’s brown skin, we are greatly “valued” by social advocates because we “matter and deserve a seat at the table”. But when we disagree, we are “traitors” and simply “not woke enough.”

Conservatism is not Republicanism, but the recent conflation of the two things has damaged our country. By conflating personal and social values to objective policy prescriptions that do not necessarily correspond with them, we force ourselves into a corner with our faces toward the wall. There’s no way we can begin to sympathize with something we corner ourselves into never understanding. At its core, my book is about the obvious truth no longer commonly practiced: politics is beyond appearance.

My hope is that, in reading this book, you will understand that conservative principles reach far below the surface of everyday liberal-conservative politics. I hope to instill in you the same passion and excitement that I have for understanding society’s facade of understanding the marginalized for its own social and political gain. Ultimately, I want you to see this book as a tool to help you gain special insight into the experiences of everyday people like me, who are assumed by outsiders to have specific ideas, characteristics, and experiences simply because of the way we look. More importantly, this book will help you grow closer to who you are as an individual and more confident in your control of the life you choose to lead.

How I Became a Traitor is a non-fiction book that speaks to everyone interested in the intersection between politics, values, and identity.

 

 

The Book – How I Became a Traitor

The book is written in 3 Parts….

Part 1: The Betrayal — Through stories like that of Antonia Okafor, Ashleen Menchaca-Bagnulo, and my own in the context of my family’s journey across the Southern Border, readers will understand identity politics beyond its definition, as well as how its adoption tears our social fabric.

Part 2: The Battle — Through stories of institutional and social suppression and outright racism, readers will learn how identity politics labels everyday minorities as either “tokens” or “traitors.”

Part 3: Our Truce — An exclusive conversation with writer and political commentator Steven V. Roberts will contrast today’s political arena with the recent past, demonstrating how a two-minute change in mindset is enough to restore political unity, promote social progress for all, and treat the country of its politics-by-appearance.

 

 

What I Need & What You’ll Get

This book will be published with New Degree Press. I set up the pre-order tiers to help cover the costs for publishing my book. Money raised will go towards the following:

  • The Editor I will work with to revise and publish my manuscript in April 2020
  • The Cover Design of my Book — the mockups you see currently are a placeholder!
  • The Layout Design for the interior of my book (Physical Copy, Ebook Formats)
  • The Copyediting for My Book — to help polish the grammar and spelling prior to publication
  • The Launch & Promotion Efforts for my book — when I ultimately publish this Spring

When I pre-sell 100 copies of my book, I will publish. When I pre-sell 150 copies of my book, I will also publish an audiobook. When I pre-sell 200 copies of my book, I will publish a hardcover edition. When I pre-sell 250, I will publish a translated version in Spanish.

I am also offering some exclusive rewards for people who pre-order my book now. When I publish, you will receive the following :

  • A personally signed copy of my book
  • A personal thank you note for pre-ordering my book
  • Your Name will appear in a Special, Acknowledgements Section of my book (“with Special Thanks to”)
  • Early access to the Introduction of my Book.
  • The opportunity to help give me feedback and be involved in selecting my cover
  • I will do a book topic/workshop seminar where I will share experience the experiences of writing my book
  • An Invitation to my Launch Party

 

 

About the Author

Chris Zuniga is an Honors student at The George Washington University, studying Political Communication and Sociology.

Born into an undocumented and poor family in inner city Passaic, Chris experienced crime, poverty, a struggling school system, and hopelessness. Yet, his ideology isn’t what you expect it to be. Having always been put on the spot for his in-the-minority beliefs, Chris learned to manipulate negative attention to his benefit at a young age. He owes this skill to those who try to isolate and discredit him, as he says they “cluelessly promote my success by giving me a platform. They make things like this book a reality”.

In 2017, Chris’s outspokenness earned him national press and an invitation to the Rose Garden for a formal address by the President of the United States. Chris wants a career supporting Black and Latino youth in navigating “toxic, but particularly toxic ‘liberal’ spaces” through imparting what he has learned in his journey from the fourth Most Miserable City in the United States (Business Insider) and into the pinnacle area of elitism, Foggy Bottom/Georgetown in Washington DC.

Chris speaks publicly at a variety of events and aspires to gain a platform where he can make social commentary that he believes will change mindsets, outlooks, and lives. In his free time, he dedicates himself to just that, having previously spoken at Universities, State Board meetings, Boards of Education, Tedx Conferences, and soon, his readers and podcast listeners.

For more information, you can connect with Chris via email at AtChrisZuniga@gmail.com, on Instagram @AtChrisZuniga, and on LinkedIn.

 

 

Risks & Challenges

The biggest challenge with publishing a book is delivering the finished book to the backer, specifically my mailing of the book to you. I have eliminated this risk by building into the campaign the mailing and shipping costs of your signed copies to you within each pre-order tier.

The risk of delivering the pre-sale copies of my book is contingent on the publisher we use. I will be working closely with New Degree Press to make sure we get the earliest possible ship date of the signed book copy to you. We will keep all pre-sale backers up-to-date as my book hits each key milestone and publishes. You will know when the copies of my book you pre-ordered are expected to ship.

 

 

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:

  • Please Share my Pre-sale Campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with your friends, family and network. Please use #IAmATraitor and tag me as well as my publisher, New Degree Press, so we can help amplify your efforts.
  • You can easily share my Pre-Sale Campaign Page via Indiegogo at the top of the page
  • Please share my book with five friends, family members, or co-workers who you think would enjoy it. Please do this as a text message or direct message on social media.

Thank you so much for all your love and support!

Thanks again,
Chris Zuniga

The Great Alone, The Review

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020 The Review had its first monthly meeting where we discussed Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone. Here is what we had to say. (Warning, spoilers!)

 

First, our general consensus is that the novel reads like a bestseller. The story checks off many boxes of fiction like romance, adventure, coming of age, trauma, and family crises. At the end of nearly every chapter there was a cliffhanger or new plot line opened, making putting down the book a challenge. Although there were important themes that were thought-provoking, the novel didn’t change most of us. If anything, the constant movement of the plot became tiring and fantastic, which made it challenging to read.

The three main themes in the book that we discussed were trauma and violence, the forms of love present in relationships, and the themes of feminism. First, we discussed the challenge of placing blame on Leni’s father or seeing him as a victim of PTSD. Hannah wrote Leni’s father’s character in a way that made reader’s conflicted and almost felt relief when he died, yet felt sorrow for his pain and how he had to deal with PTSD. It made sense given the time period that his suffering after being a POW in Vietnam would be glossed over and not well-played out, since many veterans suffering from PTSD at this time had similar experiences. What was interesting is that Matthew received therapy after his traumatic experience with his mother’s death, so it was not as if treatment was unavailable for people living in Alaska at the time. Leni’s father refused to accept treatment ever, making him not just a victim of his experience. Another great question brought up by my own mother who read the book after I did is whether Leni’s mother should feel blame for putting Leni at risk by following her father to Alaska.

For themes of love in the book, Hannah plays out neighborly love, love as a “sickness” with Leni’s parents, family love, and love as a form of survival. We did notice that there is never true platonic friendly love. Leni misses that even when she moves back to Seattle, where Hannah only develops out the love she experiences with her family. Large Marge and the other female neighbors help Leni and her mother survive in the wilderness and Leni’s father, again following the theme of love as a form of survival. Even Leni and Matthew’s love becomes a form of survival.

Finally, we discussed the themes of feminism and strong female characters in the novel. A clear example of this was the strong female neighbors and their protection of Leni and her mother. What we struggled with is that Leni did not seem to grow much as a character on her own. When she was in Alaska, she may have been lonely but she was not growing on her own and in her own will. When she left Alaska, she was a young mother and had to grow as such. The only true decision she made on her own was returning to Alaska, where she immediately returned to being in a relationship and growing with Matthew. It was frustrating that Leni could not grow as her own person, but perhaps that was the tragedy of her character.

Interested in joining The Review? You can sign up for emails regarding our meetings here. Next month in celebration of Black History Month we will be reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.