By Bianca W.

Abstract: An examination of the detrimental effects of institutional corruption on various sectors with a focus on the animation industry,  highlighting working conditions, demand, overtime, exploitation, and health risks faced by animators due to excessive workloads and inadequate compensation. By comparing cases like Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics and the mismanagement of Indian Trust Funds, parallels are drawn to the systemic issues within animation studios. Proposed solutions include establishing labor unions, revising production timelines, and improving financial compensation to ensure sustainable working conditions. These measures aim to promote equitable revenue distribution, increase wages, and enhance overall well-being and productivity among animators, prompting the need for comprehensive reforms to address these challenges effectively.

Keywords: Working conditions, animation, animators, institutional corruption, demand,  overtime, labor unions, financial compensation, inadequate

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Summary: Institutional corruption significantly affects animators in the animation industry, leading to severe health issues and reduced productivity due to unrealistic schedules and extensive overtime. Overworked animators often face fatal consequences such as death by overwork as studios prioritize budgets over animator welfare. This exploitation persists, prompting questions about how to address these unsustainable working conditions effectively.

The high demand for animated programs especially in Pixar and the Japanese anime industry, results in extreme pressure on animators. Intense production schedules and consumer expectations lead to severe health issues, talent shortages, and animators quitting due to the unsustainable workload. The push for quick releases and popularity often comes at the expense of animators' well-being, with many suffering from insomnia and overall fatigue.

Inadequate payment is another critical issue, with a piecework system paying animators based on the number of frames created. This system, along with low wages, pushes animators into poverty and financial instability, making it difficult for them to afford basic living expenses. Essentially, systematic exploitation of animators is an ever growing conflict reducing the quality of their lives.

To combat these challenges, establishing labor unions and reducing overtime are essential. Unions empower animators through collective bargaining for better wages and conditions. Financial aid through crowdfunding and strategic project planning can also support animators’ well-being. Prioritizing employee welfare and implementing industry-wide guidelines can create a more humane work environment, benefitting both animators’ and the industry’s operation.

By Emmie N.

Abstract: The goal of the National Security Agency was intended to be for conducting surveillance internationally. However, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former contractor for the NSA, revealed that the NSA conducts surveillance on American citizens by monitoring their online communications and activities. These include phone calls, messages, emails and more. This raises the question, what is the most effective way to address online mass surveillance in the NSA? To comprehend this issue, expert perspectives are considered about the impact of September 11th, 2001 on NSA surveillance, the legality of surveillance programs, and its effects on American citizens. After reviewing expert perspectives on the topic, the solution of reforming NSA surveillance laws is proposed. Specific changes include notifying Americans surveillance is occurring, providing insights on surveillance laws, protecting information under the Constitution, requiring a warrant, and letting Congress facilitate these laws. These changes will be effective in order to increase the public transparency of surveillance laws and protect Americans’ intellectual privacy. Finally it is argued that Congress is most suited to make and control surveillance laws.

Keywords: NSA, United States government, NSA surveillance, government surveillance, foreign intelligence surveillance, national surveillance, online surveillance, mass surveillance, United States laws

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Summary: ​The goal of the National Security Agency (“NSA”) was intended to be for conducting surveillance internationally. However, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former contractor for the NSA, revealed that the NSA conducts surveillance on Americans. He released thousands of classified documents showing that the NSA monitors citizens by checking their online communications and activities. These include phone calls, messages, emails and more. This raises the question, what is the most effective way to address online mass surveillance in the NSA?

It is widely believed that NSA surveillance has increased since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The U.S. government claims that the purpose of NSA surveillance is to seek out potential terrorists by monitoring everybody’s online activities, in order to prevent another attack like 9/11 from happening. Members of terrorist groups disguise their actions under unsuspicious activities online. Since the NSA monitors what citizens do online, the legality and constitutionality of surveillance programs are often discussed among legal experts. Overall, it is unclear whether or not surveillance programs are legal. On the contrary, it is agreed upon that NSA surveillance is harmful to American citizens. It currently does more harm than good because it is a violation of privacy. Government surveillance does not protect the intellectual privacy of Americans, so surveillance laws must change to do so.

To combat negative impacts of NSA surveillance is to change the U.S.’ intelligence surveillance laws to make them less invasive. Specific changes include notifying Americans surveillance is occurring, providing insights on surveillance laws, protecting information under the Constitution, requiring a warrant, and letting Congress facilitate these laws. These changes will be effective in order to increase the public transparency of surveillance laws. Since many Americans are unaware of NSA surveillance, changes are needed to inform the public about the government’s actions. Citizens must be aware if their privacy is being infringed upon, so they can assume the risks. Changes to government surveillance laws would also allow Americans to retain their human right to privacy. This will also build the trust of Americans and their government. Congressional changes will succeed because Congress has the best ability to manage surveillance. Congress has the power to create laws about national security, which includes mass surveillance. They are also the best pick to properly represent the beliefs of Americans.

By Steven P.

Abstract: Worker burnout devastated a majority of U.S workers, especially low-income and long-hour workers. The COVID-19 Pandemic severely heightened worker burnout by severing the divide between work and home. The COVID-19 Pandemic, coupled with the outdated Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and poor working environments, creates severely devastating conditions for workers. This begs the question: what causes worker burnout and strained work-life balance, and what is the most effective way to address these issues? In Europe, leaders and decision-makers have implemented a four-day workweek, and saw incredible results. However, the U.S has yet to implement a four-day workweek, despite these results. In the U.S, a four-day workweek will improve employee well-being, increase productivity and revenue, and address widespread societal issues. 

Keywords: worker burnout, Great Resignation, COVID-19 Pandemic, four-day workweek, employee well-being

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Summary: Worker burnout threatens our social fabric through overworking and high stress levels. A Vox article reports that salaried workers, on average, worked 49 hours per week, with 25% working over sixty hours and an overall increase in working hours during the pandemic. These working conditions contributed to the Great Resignation, a mass of four-million monthly job resignations, as well as a considerable rise in worker burnout, with over 50% of employees stressed most of the day. Worker burnout is only expected to rise, as hourly shifts and poor mental health are on the rise in the U.S, especially after the pandemic. 

The COVID-19 Pandemic played one of the largest roles in the sudden rise of worker burnout, which led to the Great Resignation. It considerably increased working hours, severed the divide between work and home, and worsened workers’ quality of life. Additionally, the preexisting policies surrounding working conditions, particularly the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), contribute to these poor working conditions, leading to worker burnout. The FLSA reduces scheduling flexibility that employees need, and employers take advantage of this outdated legislation by falsely representing their employees’ jobs, so that they can exploit them by labeling them salaried workers without overtime benefits. Employers also create poor working environments, which are less supportive and directly increase worker burnout. In these environments, employees have work overload, which is positively associated with worker burnout.  

In response, European leaders and decision-makers have implemented a four-day workweek, and saw incredible results. However, the U.S has yet to implement a four-day workweek, despite these results. In the U.S, a four-day workweek will improve employee well-being, increase productivity and revenue, and address widespread societal issues. The four-day workweek will improve employee well-being by reducing work overload and providing scheduling flexibility, proven by researchers at Four Day Week Global. This employee well-being will increase employees’ productivity and, in turn, increase business revenue. Additionally, the four-day workweek addresses various social issues, ranging from racial income inequality, to climate change. These benefits make the four-day workweek the most effective solution at addressing rising worker burnout in the United States. 

By Benson P.

Abstract

The prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a significant issue for returning U.S. veterans as they face severe psychological repercussions in everyday life. Despite this, veterans are unable to receive proper treatment for their conditions and would suffer from worsening symptoms. This begs the question: How can mental health programs for veterans be improved to ensure timely access to effective treatment for PTSD? In this paper, internalized stigma is seen to directly contribute to the undertreatment of PTSD as veterans are reluctant to seek treatment given their lack of awareness of their symptoms. Despite the rising costs of available PTSD treatments, the effectiveness of it remains inadequate as patients saw poor results in mitigating symptoms during and after treatment. However, targeted allocation of the Veteran Affairs (VA) Appropriations Act could address these issues with its potential to expand research, access to specialized care, and comprehensive support services.

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, stigma, treatment, veteran affairs (VA), VA Appropriations Act 

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Summary: Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) face severe mental adversities in their daily lives, yet the majority of those affected do not have access to adequate treatment. About 200,000 Vietnam War veterans and 13% of War on Terror veterans still suffer from PTSD and many wait months to receive their treatment (Sifferlin; Killie). This delay in receiving proper treatment leads to the suicide of roughly 20 veterans daily, amounting to over 60,000 in the past decade (Korb). Currently, the costs of veterans’ healthcare are expected to exponentially increase within the next decades, potentially causing a significant federal deficit.

Internalized stigma serves as a major barrier that prevents veterans from seeking PTSD treatment and creating therapeutic relationships. Veterans deny associating themselves with these negative labels surrounding PTSD and would deter themselves from seeking assistance, contributing to the undertreatment of their conditions. Costs of PTSD treatments are rapidly increasing with symptoms worsening over time, creating a substantial economic burden for the U.S. government. Consuming 46% of the Veteran Affairs’ budget, PTSD treatment exceeds nearly a billion dollars and is continuously increasing as the years go by. Despite these high expenses, treatment effectiveness remains inadequate as studies reveal low success rates on minimizing symptoms due to it not addressing the root causes of PTSD.

Proposed in 2023, Senator Patty Murray’s Veteran Affairs (VA) Appropriations Act plans to invest over $300 billion to ensure health services for U.S. veterans. For maximum effectiveness of this act, congress must strategically allocate its budget. This holistic approach is the most promising solution as it offers enhanced research, greater access to specialized healthcare, and comprehensive support services. By funding research, further exploration on possible effective treatments can be promoted as researchers would gain access to the required technology. Increasing veterans’ access to healthcare through the VA Appropriations Act ensures timely care for their conditions. Furthermore, directing a portion of the budget towards peer support programs can help mitigate stigma and encourage veterans to seek treatment. 

By Juliana F.

Abstract:  The film industry is an occupation for a large number of people, though some employees do not reap the same benefits as others. Women in the film industry suffer a difference in pay, far less responsibility, bad representation on, and behind the screen.  There is a major gap in the pay between actors and actresses on screen and behind the camera with females not being able to attain high power positions. Even when they have high power positions behind the camera, they are not given the opportunity to make big films or receive awards for their work. Having females in high power positions would rectify problems on and off screen. Females in executive roles could give bigger budgets and opportunities to females in the industry, and lower the wage gap between actors and actresses in movies. 

Keywords: Sexism, Gender Wage Gap, Film Industry, Female Filmmakers, Actresses, Gender Equality, 

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Summary:  Females in the film industry have been disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts since the beginning. Actresses see an extremely large gap in wage between the actors in the same movies as them. On screen women lack positive representation to show truly being a woman, as the people making popular films are men. Men overtake females in behind the screen presence as there are far more male directors, writers, and producers than there are females. 

The long lasting patriarchy within the film industry has kept females on screen and behind the camera down for years. Males continuously being in high positions have limited opportunities for women to enter and rise within the industry. Sexism within the genres of movies is also a factor as female directors and writers are forced to make “female movies”, like romance and comedies. Along with this the lack of females in high power positions is a major cause of the wage gap in the film industry, as they are never given the chance to make movies with strong female leads and mostly female characters.

Increasing females in high power positions is the most effective way to solve this problem. With female directors actresses have seen a lowering of the wage gap between them and the actors in their movies. Female characters better represent actual female lives, as they are written by women. Having females in high power positions also opens doors for females coming into the industry and helps them get better opportunities. 

By Denise C.
Abstract: Though often overlooked, the experiences of inequity and injustice within the U.S. child welfare system is a concerning issue for racial groups. Racial inequalities in societal and systemic forms have been shown to place negative impacts, specifically with factors such as disproportionality, unjust maltreatment, and geographical disadvantages. Low-income areas are connected with these recurring events for certain racial groups and policy makers within the system haven’t contributed to solving these apparent issues. Researchers have sought to understand these factors and formulate solutions that can benefit both communities and the families most affected by these disparities. 

Keywords: Societal, systemic, disproportionality, maltreatment, geographical, disparities, communities

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Summary: 

Racial inequalities occur within governmental systems all throughout the United States, including negative effects when dealt with both societal and systemic factors. These racial disparities create negative impacts upon racial groups in these targeted areas and communities, specifically with inequity and injustice. Governmental systems play a big role in the racial disparities occurring within the U.S. child welfare system, especially with the recurring experiences of neglect and injustice toward racial groups. Certain negatively impactful aspects being put toward these families involve overrepresentation, neglect, and unfair disadvantages in certain geographical areas. These racial disparities are beginning to increase for families involved in child welfare and the safety of these targeted racial groups have become jeopardized, revealing the need for new potential solutions. Necessary solutions that can be implemented in order to address these factors are involved with creating community-level services that benefit these targeted families and communities. 

The specific factors that have been negatively impacting certain families and racial groups in the child welfare system involve disproportionality, racial inequity, and geographical disadvantages. These injustice factors contribute to the recurrence of these negative experiences dealt by these families and the understanding of these factors are beneficial in addressing these. With the injustice experiences occurring within child welfare, disproportionality or overrepresentation toward a certain racial group’s status play a big role in the unfair decision making and racial biases. Racial biases occur many times within the system and have been shown to be dealt with inequitable outcomes toward certain families such as African Americans and Native Americans. Racial biases in child welfare, specifically when involved with processing and decision making, plays a big contribution to influencing the negative impacts occurring. When focusing on the inequitable aspects within the system, the geographical aspects are also beneficial in understanding what is contributing to the racial disparities. Families or racial groups who are specifically involved in low-income or impoverished areas suffer major disadvantages especially when dealt with the idea of neglect and the rates of maltreatment. The factors related to disproportionality, racial inequity, and geographical disadvantages play a big role in contributing to the racial disparities within the child welfare system. 

​When addressing the negatively impact factors that are a contribution to the injustice and neglectful experiences dealt by certain racial groups in child welfare, the most beneficial solution is related to community-level services. Implementing community-level services successfully prevents or addresses the negative effects of disproportionality, racial inequity, and the geographical advantages placed upon racial groups within the system. The use of these services provide the necessary resources for these neglected families, improves the injustice case outcomes, and reduces the racial inequity put upon these racial groups. Community-level services are essential in preventing the racial disparities that are negatively affecting the racial groups that are most targeted within the child welfare system. 

By Zuting H.
Abstract: Fast food workers are often subject to exploitative labor practices in the workplace. A major cause to blame is the increasing decline of unionization in the United States. As a result, workers are left vulnerable and their working conditions are even worse. Though unionizing is pushed by many as a means to address these workplace struggles, glaring limitations hold it back. Therefore, sectoral bargaining, a form of collective bargaining for negotiations between workers and employers, is the most effective solution. It grants workers power in negotiation, provides wage increases, and encourages ethical labor norms. Though sectoral bargaining is not widely understood and may not resonate in politics, there is enough evidence to support the idea that it is a valuable measure in addressing exploitation in the fast food industry.
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Summary: Fast food workers continue to suffer the impacts of exploitation in the workplace. Many struggle to make ends meet, given the median wage being $11.47 an hour and the fast food industry being among the 12 lowest paying jobs in America, leaving 40% of its workers in near poverty. In order to resolve this issue, implementing sectoral bargaining will open the path to a brighter workplace for fast food workers, considering the fact that it grants workers power in negotiation, provides wage increases, and encourages ethical labor norms. 

While many deem unionization as a solution for problems that fast food workers face, its decline is an evident problem, especially in allowing for exploitative labor practices. A decline in unionization slows down efforts to reinvigorate the labor movement, diminishing workers’ ability to fight for change. This also results in poor working conditions, where workers are overworked and face both mental and physical health concerns. Though many favor unionization as a solution because it allows for effective bargaining between employers and employees to take place and holds influence on the wage structure, unionization lacks the social capital to obtain necessary resources or favors. Additionally, labor laws tend to favor employers over employees.

Sectoral bargaining is a form of collective bargaining that aims to enable negotiation between workers and employers on fair terms regarding workplace issues. It proves itself to be the most effective solution in addressing the issue of exploitative labor practices in the fast food industry through many means. Sectoral bargaining helps workers garner support and raise awareness for their campaigns while representing and benefiting all workers regardless of union affiliation. Wage theft can be deterred, wage inequality can be reduced, and workers can earn sustainable wages as a result. Employers could also be held accountable for unjust decisions, which tackles the root of exploitation in this industry and promotes better working conditions. Although there is a lack of widespread understanding and political resonance for sectoral bargaining, with its implementation, fast food workers will be ensured fairer treatment in the workplace.

Keywords: sectoral bargaining, unionization, fast food, labor movement, working conditions, wages

By Benny C.

​Abstract: African Americans have been victims of police brutality for many years now. This issue is causing distrust in black marginalized communities and making police seem like villains. Systemic racism, lack of accountability, and inadequate policies are all contributing factors leading to this issue. Although there are already some solutions in place such as body worn cameras it is not enough to stop this entirely. Reforming use of force policies emerges as the most effective solution for this issue as it changes certain police tactics that have bad intentions behind them or can lead to harm. This can build trust between police creating a healthier policing environment. While there may be limitations such as stubbornness among police chiefs and gun density, reforming policies remains one of the most effective solutions because it reduces use of force, reduces racial targeting, and holds police accountable. 

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Summary: A controversial topic that is still happening to many today is police brutality against African Americans. This stems from the years of oppression Black Americans had to endure leading up to a long period of racial injustice. This article will discuss the main factors that are contributing to police brutality against African Americans, the attempted solutions, and the most effective solution to try and stop this issue. 

Systemic racism is a root factor behind police misconduct. It leads to African Americans being disadvantaged such as being over policed in black marginalized communities or being intentionally targeted. Police also use more force against African Americans when making arrests as well as being pulled over more. When looking through a political lense we also have to address the lack of accountability in the police department. Police aren’t held accountable for their actions and most of the time are let off with a small penalty. This is due to prosecutors being too scared to accuse police officers of misconduct and officers arresting witnesses so they won’t get prosecuted in the first place. This allows the police to get away with everything and even when prosecuted there is jury bias since police are the ones enforcing laws. Inadequate policies and guidelines has also proven itself to be another cause because some tactics like chokeholds are allowed which will in turn increase the chance of something going wrong. Police are also obligated to draw their gun if they think a suspect is holding a weapon which also increases the chance of something going wrong.

These issues require a solution that is able to address some of these issues. There has been an attempted solution which is police body cameras. Despite its many benefits such as improving police-citizen interactions it can invade the officers privacy and is not enough to completely stop the issue. Reforming policies has emerged as an effective solution and will be executed by state governments. Its benefits include, reducing use of force, racial targeting, and hold police accountable. Policies such as chokeholds or gun policies will be changed to reduce force and some policies such as the stop and frisk policy which allows police to pull over anyone they find suspicious of criminal activity will also be changed. This is due to the bad intentions or bad risks these policies pose. More consequences will also be implemented to stop police from getting away with misconduct and discourage others as well. 

Keywords: Police brutality, police accountability, police body worn cameras, stop and frisk policy, inadequate policies in police department, inadequate guidelines in police department, over policing, systemic racism, use of force policies and police, reforming policies within police department

By Mikayla A

Abstract: The rise of discrimination originates from misconceptions and stereotypes. This is notably seen in the rise in hate crimes among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the United States. Surveys noting AAPI hate crime incidents reported before compared to after the COVID-19 pandemic, increased tremendously. However, the number of reported incidents only represents a fraction of actual occurrences. To understand the complexity of this topic, observing from a political and sociocultural perspective highlights the urgency for advocating for comprehensive hate crime legislation. 
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Summary  Discrimination arises from misconceptions and stereotypes, particularly seen in the rise in hate crime incidents targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the United States. Sampled from a survey conducted, it represented the number of hate crimes before the COVID-19 pandemic and after. Despite the concerning statistics of hate crimes, it was only the iceberg of crimes. This research paper prompts the question: What is the most effective way to address the factors that contribute to the increase in hate crimes against AAPI individuals in the United States? 
    Pandemic-related discrimination is the primary source of racism. Surge in COVID-19 related hate crimes were exacerbated by former President Trump’s comments on the virus, addressing the virus as the “Chinese flu”. In addition to Trump’s rhetoric, politicians and the media play a role in spreading misinformation about the virus being associated with AAPI communities. In spite of Trump’s comments, Biden’s administration worked on creating legislation to combat the increase in AAPI hate crime. The legislation only addressed what took place after the crime, not before or during. Due to the negative attention gained from misinformation and rhetoric, many fear to report their hate crimes despite online resources. 
    Advocating for hate crime legislation, enabling safer hate crime reporting, and promoting AAPI hate crime awareness can reduce the discrimination. Although we cannot eliminate racism fully, informing others of the truth and combatting misconceptions can educate. Advocating for comprehensive hate crime legislation at the federal, state, and local governments can improve reporting, increase funds for the initiative, and enable protection for marginalized communities.

By Anthony A.
Abstract
The animation industry in Japan has boomed in recent years and has provided the world with content known as anime. However, the industry and almost the entirety of Japan’s work culture has evolved into a largely corrupted and abusive force. This is due to the industry sacrificing a good work-life balance for neoliberal economic greed which has resulted in countless suicides by overwork, sleep deprivation, mental health declines, and more. Thankfully however, a solution has presented itself in other abusive content industries, that being unionization. Unionization has recently been applied more and more in the US with cases such as the Writers Guild and the Amazon Labor Union, therefore it can applied to Japan's crisis of the corrupt and abusive animation industry as it has proven to be globally effective, enact successful changes to wages and more in other industries including animation, and improve the mental health of these animators. While it comes with its limitations, it remains a powerful tool that can be implemented to Japan’s animation industry and possibly save human lives.
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Summary 
The animation industry in Japan has thrived in recent years and has also remained anonymous to the public with its largely abusive and corrupt work culture. Until recent years, the animation industry was thought to be a thriving fun industry to work in, that is until word about certain animation studios such as MAPPA were overworking and underpaying their employees to the point of death and suicide. 
The most concerning impacts and causes were the Japanese economy, work culture, and poor work-life balance. The Japanese economy has been following a neoliberal economic style ever since prime minister Ryutaaro Hashimoto enacted his economic plan to address an economic burst in 1990, which consequently led to vast amounts of overwork and work abuse in many industries, more recently in animation. This subsequently led to the Japanese work culture present in today where many employees are brainwashed into working night and day otherwise they’ll be fired or feel like they failed themselves and their work. This leads into the poor work-life balance many animators in Japan face, and results in their sleep deprivation and other concerning results such as suicide. On top of this there were a number of other varying contributing factors. 
To address these causes and issues, unionization presents itself as a useful tool to counteract and solve these dire issues. For one it has been proven to be applicable in other nations' workplaces facing the same problem with cases such as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who also support other national labor unions. On top of the national support from the WGA, unionization has proven to bring about successful changes to wages, working hours, and overall workplace satisfaction. This satisfaction leads into the vast mental health and work-life balance improvements to these animators. Therefore, unionization and the creation of a labor union for Japan's animation industry would not only create a more suitable and healthier work environment and work-life balance, but also end up saving the lives of these overworked employees.

Keywords: Animation, Animation Industry, Animators, Anime, Japanese, Economy, Neoliberalism, Work Culture, Work-Life Balance, Unionization, Mental Health, Suicide, Overwork