the
magazine of the students of
the university of miami
fall 2018
in the
clouds
the
magazine of the students of
the university of miami
fall 2018
ART FASHION the of
the
magazine of the students of
the university of miami
fall 2018
E X P LO R E YO U R F U T U R E W I T H N AT I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C The University of Miami is proud to partner with National Geographic for its inaugural On Campus program, featuring dynamic talks, exclusive networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops. We invite you to register and attend this special two-day program where you’ll connect with National Geographic scientists, photographers, educators, and storytellers, UM scholars, and local thought leaders to explore your future and gain the tools you need to help create a planet in balance.
NOVEMBER 9-10 STUDENT CENTER COMPLEX
REGISTER TODAY!
miami.edu/natgeo I N PA RT N ER S H I P W I T H :
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DISTRACTION
Introduction
37 NO.
Fall 2018
DISTRACTIONS
THE GUIDE
HEALTH & WELLNESS
5IN THE LOOP 11COLOR 23 SPECIAL SECTION:
45FASHION 53MAIN EVENT71 Fall 2018 DISTRACTION
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CONTENTS
Guide 6 A House Divided 8 Let’s Get Nautical 10 Pick Your Palate In The Loop 12 Zedd 15 High Steaks 20 Dots & Dominoes Special Section 24 Spectral Distortion 27 Monochrome 33 Dreaming in Color 36 Painting Poetry 38 Pink vs. Blue 41 Color Me Corporate 42 Color Influencers Health & Wellness 46 Health on the Run 48 In the Clouds 50 Clean Cut Fashion 54 Editorial: Mama MIA 60 Rene Ruiz 63 Going Nude 66 The Art of Fashion 68 Pumped Up Kicks Main Event 72 PTSD: Through the Dark 75 Higher Education 78 Producing Reality
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LETTER EDITOR from the
Sometimes when I work, I find myself staring at the computer screen for a long period of time and the words begin to blend together, black marks across white space. Maybe this is due to lack of sleep or an unfulfilled need for prescription glasses. Regardless, my brain begins to see things differently. Since coming to college, life seems to mimic this sensation. What once was black and white, I now see in a spectrum of perspectives. Thankfully, I’ve found something that allows me to make sense of it all: writing. Both a formula and an art form, writing has become my life’s paintbrush, bringing color to a world of black, white and 50 shades of grey. This issue of distraction is an homage to this sentiment – a celebration, exploration and deep-dive into all-things color, from emotional cues and industry influence to deeper social issues like gender roles (page 38) and nationality (page 33). Indulge your senses in the Monochrome photo series (page 27) or inspire creativity by reading poems brimming with color (page 36). Discover new ways to explore our beautiful city (page 8) and learn how to participate in a longstanding cultural staple brought to Miami in the 1950s (page 20). This issue of distraction also explores how popular culture, specifically art (page 66) and reality television (page 78), influences our decisions and perceptions of the world around us. Creating this issue has reminded me just how blessed I am to be surrounded by such a talented team of creatives who bring this publication to life. Color is my conduit to memories, emotions, expression and joy. I hope that this magazine can serve as a conduit to these things for you, as well. Now set aside your responsibilities for a moment and #getdistracted. LYGC,
THE COVERS
1 2 3
When it comes to emotional intelligence, men seem to have their heads stuck in the clouds. Distraction thinks it’s time we brought you guys back down to earth – guys, we’re listening to you. Pastel pants and penny loafers – we love our offbeat ’fits almost as much as this cover’s geometric backdrop. It’s minimalistic, and it’s intricate. It’s fashion, and it’s art. But is there really a difference? The striking stiletto on this cover is not simply blue – it’s peacock blue or aqua or cobalt. Regardless, this issue’s color series is poppin’ with vibrant hues and the deeper meanings behind them.
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What’s your favorite color?
The Team bubblegum pink Harley Davidson orange
The team gives direction to the model for the In the Loop section opener. the blue on Tina’s skirt from Bob’s Burgers
sangria red
Editor-in-Chief_Teddy Willson Co-Executive Editor_Lindsey Bornstein Co-Executive Editor_Isabella Vaccaro Managing Editor_Olivia Campbell Co-Art Director_Olivia Stauber Co-Art Director_Michael Haring Co-Photo Editor_ Sonia Broman Co-Photo Editor_ Gianna Sanchez Illustrations Director_Sophie Robbins Assistant Art Director_Joey Haas Assistant Art Director_Kelvine Moyers Assistant Photo Editor_Patrick Ruvo Co-PR Manager_Elizabeth Pozzuoli Co-PR Manager_Gabby Rosenbloom Section Editors: The Guide Editor_Callie Jardine In The Loop Editor_Olivia Ginsberg Special Section Editor_Anya Balsamides Health and Wellness Editor_Kayla Foster Fashion Editor_Abby Podolsky Main Event Editor_Elisa Baena Business Manager_Andrew Leonard Social Media Manager_Ellie Horwitz Faculty Adviser_Randy Stano
Co-Photo Editor Gianna Sanchez and Co-PR Manager Elizabeth Pozzuoli busy in the kitchen at the steak shoot.
DISTRACTIONMAGAZINE.COM Digital Editor_Jorge Chabo Culture Blog Editor_Abigail Adeleke Fashion Blog Editor_Makayla Manning Food Blog Editor_Dakota Regan Travel Blog Editor_Marissa Vonesh
Contributors Gabrielle Dubilier, Designer Carolina Nusser, Designer Sydney Sapin, Designer Natalie Abatemarco, Writer Olivia Baker, Writer Sarah Carraher, Writer Emma Erickson-Kery, Writer Ania Ermakaryan, Writer Mallory Garber, Writer Lindsey George, Writer Etty Grossman, Writer Maia Hunter, Writer Kristian Kranz, Writer Shianne Salazar, Writer Patricia Santana, Writer Gabby Tejeda, Writer Sydney Burnett, Photographer Alec Chao, Photographer Maria Esquinca, Photographer Emily Fakhoury, Photographer Charles Gonzalez, Photographer Sasha Manning, Photographer Natalie Rey, Photographer Mekenzie Bradley, PR Corinne Issa, PR Paige Inslee, PR Eliana Litos, PR Karina Sloan, PR
WE LIKE YOU When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a bio book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” flag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at The U. If you want to get involved or have any questions, comments or concerns email our editor-in-chief, Teddy Willson, at tdw41@miami.edu.
ABOUT US The magazine is produced four times per year, twice a semester. City Graphics and Bellack Miami printed 8,000 copies of the magazine on 8.5 x 11 inch, 60-pound coated text paper 4/4. The entire magazine is printed four-color and perfect bound. Most text is nine-point Minion Pro with 9.8 points of leading set ragged with a combination of bold, medium and italic. All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC software InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, please visit distractionmagazine.com. Questions and comments can be mailed to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to tdw41@miami.edu. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.
Art Director Olivia Stauber takes a break from posing for Red in our color series.
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Introduction
THE
GUIDE The Guide captures the thoughts of the Miami hipster and slaps them on a page. Despite being in-the-know, pretentious is not in The Guide reader’s vocabulary. Starbucks is out and typewriters are in – and if you ever need a suggestion for the best kombucha on the market, The Guide has you covered.
photo_sonia broman. design_michael haring. model_gillian parkinson.
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A House
DED
The halfway point in our current presidential term is approaching, which means that midterm elections will be taking place on Nov. 6. These elections are held for members of local, state and congressional office, but they may be more exciting than you think, even without a presidential nod at the finish line. words & design_olivia ginsberg.
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The Guide
What are Midterms?
What’s Redistricting?
The upcoming midterm elections are garnering particular attention because they could lead to a major power shift in the federal government. Currently, there are 236 Republicans, 193 Democrats and six vacancies making up the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate is comprised of 51 members of the president’s party and 49 Democratic members. However, there are a number of toss-up districts that may potentially shift the power within the United States legislative branch. Just a handful of Democratic wins in the U.S. House of Representatives could spell trouble for President Trump by making it difficult for the president to carry out his judicial and legislative agenda leading up to 2020.
Another area of concern in the midterms is redistricting. Redistricting refers to the process in which states draw new electoral boundaries based on U.S. Census data, with the number of representatives per state and per congressional district based on population. This means that every 10 years, political power is redistributed. State legislators, who are responsible for redistricting, are also elected in the midterms. Thus, the increased potential for gerrymandering – or redistricting with partisan motives – makes these interim elections critical. Representatives are the closest thing that American people have to a voice in the federal government, and all 435 seats in the U.S. House, as well as one-third of Senate seats, will be up for grabs. Each state is represented by two senators, who each serve a six-year term. In such a potentially pivotal midterm election, it is crucial that voters turn out to have their voices heard.
Absentee Voting To have your voice heard in the midterm elections while out of your home state, you can register for an absentee ballot.
Why Vote?
Where’s the Proof?
Midterm elections tend to have a much smaller voter turnout than presidential elections. Voters may feel as though these elections are inconsequential and sometimes forget about them or elect to simply stay home. While presidential elections usually attract about 50 to 60 percent of eligible voters, midterms only garner about 40 percent. Admittedly, presidential elections tend to have greater media coverage and a larger amount of hype than the midterms. This doesn’t, however, lessen the importance of midterm elections. These positions are meant to serve the voice of the American people and have the power to change the course of the next presidential election.
Historically known as a time in which the American people voice their opinions on the current president’s term in office, the midterm elections have caused trouble for many presidents. If the nation is unhappy with the president, they will likely elect the opposing party into congressional seats in hopes of limiting the president’s agenda. Presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Barack Obama all fell defenseless to midterm elections. American citizens disagreed with these presidents’ strategies, revolving around topics such as war and healthcare, costing them hundreds of seats essential to policy implementation. Several other presidents, however, such as President Bill Clinton in 1998 and President George W. Bush in 2002, have not fallen victim to a midterm election defeat and were able to bring their policies to fruition.
Go to vote.org and enter your information in the search box. The website will automatically find your state’s absentee ballot request form and email it to you. Fill in the form and send it to the provided address.
You should then be mailed your absentee ballot to your current place of residence.
Fill this out and mail it back to the provided address.
You’ve successfully cast your vote in your home state!
Another option is to change your voting eligibility to the state of Florida. An organization called Get Out the Vote (GOTV) works with the University of Miami’s political student organizations to help students vote in Florida. Because Florida is a swing state, every vote is crucial to the outcome of elections. All students need their student ID and a Florida address in order to participate.
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Let’s Get Nautical Stylish swimsuits, fierce shades and trendy people on even trendier yachts – the quintessential image of Miami. But sometimes the very pictures we’ve come to expect on our social media can seem unattainable to students who don’t have a friend with a boat. If you fall into that category, read on for some equally rad options for getting your fair share of sunshine and vitamin C. words_patricia santana. photo_charles gonzalez. design_elizabeth pozzuoli. illustration_sophie robbins.
Kayaking Just a short drive away from campus, you’ll find Crandon Park at Key Biscayne. Home to shallow waters and calm waves, this beach is a great place for first-time kayakers looking to pick up the basics without worrying about capsizing or losing control. Kayak rentals start at $20 per hour for a singleperson kayak or $25 per hour for a double. If you decide to double up with a friend, then don’t forget to coordinate your rowing motions.
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Wake Boarding For the sportier crowd, wakeboarding will provide you with the ideal amount of exercise mixed with an adrenaline rush. Strap in your feet, hold on tight and watch the world behind the wake fly by. If you feel like a daredevil, try out those flips, spins and jumps that your friends swore you’d never do. General pricing for half an hour of wakeboarding is $100. Find your wakeboarding squad and split the cost for a memorable group outing.
Charter Boat
Chartering a private boat is the definition of luxurious Miami living. Whether you want to hire a captain or steer your own ship, there is a charter service for you. Depending on the size and style of the boat, expect to pay upwards of $1,200. Save this activity for a special occasion like a graduation, 21st birthday outing or a day when you feel like living large – the choice is yours. Is boating cheap? Of course not. Will you feel like a celebrity filming their latest music video? Absolutely.
Dinner
VIEW
with a
Some of us prefer to stay dry and keep the water at a comfortable distance. These waterfront restaurants provide just the right amount of space, combined with perfect views. Go ahead and let your phone eat first this time. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful backdrop for a food snap. Seaspice 422 NW North River Drive, Miami Probably the most highly-acclaimed dining experience along the Miami River, Seaspice exemplifies innovative cuisine and cocktails set in the perfect industrial chic atmosphere. A versatile ambience fit for business, family or a date, Seaspice offers a wide variety of off-the-boat seafood, live music and a private yacht dock so you can arrive for your meal in style. Monty’s Raw Bar 2550 S Bayshore Drive, Miami Perhaps the only bar in Miami that frequently hosts as many UM students as the Rat, Monty’s is a longtime local and tourist favorite. Enjoy some discounted happy hour specials ($1 oysters, anybody?) while taking in Coconut Grove’s iconic Prime Marina. Verde 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Perez Art Museum Miami, commonly known as PAMM, is renowned for its modern masterpieces. However, it’s also home to Verde, a restaurant that makes for the perfect ending to an art-filled day. Ask to be seated outside for the best panoramic view of Biscayne Bay.
Jet Skis For those of you looking for an adventurous beach date or just wanting to channel your inner DJ Khaled, look no further! Jet ski rentals are easy to find at hotels or public beach access points in Miami Beach. In order to legally drive a jet ski, you must have a Florida boating permit, but don’t stress. Most rental services will offer certification for a temporary permit on location. Expect to pay approximately $79 to $95 per half hour, depending on the rental service.
Paddle Boarding
Starting to feel basic every time you pull up to South Beach? Tired of dealing with the tourist crowd? Head further north, and find yourself at the rural Oleta River State Park, one of Miami’s hidden gems. Soak in the park’s views of North Biscayne Bay while paddling through scenic mangrove trails. You might even spot a few celebrity houses. Rentals start at $35 for an hour and a half, but watching your friends struggle to stay upright on a paddle board? Priceless.
Crazy About You 1155 Brickell Bay Drive #101, Miami Next time you want to impress your significant other with a fancy night out, bring them here to enjoy a nice dinner on the river and watch the cruise ships sail by in the distance. After all, what says love and romance more than a restaurant named Crazy About You? American Social 690 SW First Ct., Miami Feet away from the Miami River, American Social provides one of the most up-close waterfront experiences in Brickell. Whether the occasion is brunch or happy hour, to watch a sports game or to celebrate a birthday, kicking back on one of their riverside lounge couches with an order of crab cakes is sure to please.
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PALATE After garnering popularity in Los Angeles and New York, the food hall trend has finally made its way to Miami. With so many budding food halls in Miami, it can be tricky to decide which one to try first. Here are a few halls that we at Distraction have come to crave. words_gaby tejeda. photo_emily fakhoury. design_sydney sapin & teddy willson.
1-800-Lucky
143 NW 23rd St., Miami
St. Roch Market
140 NE 39th St. Suite #241, Miami
1-800-LUCKY was founded in November 2017 by Gaby Chiriboga and the two masterminds behind Coyo Taco, Sven Vogtland and Alan Drummond. The 10,000-square-foot space contains several restaurants, two bars, a karaoke room, a small convenience store and record shop. This Asian-inspired food hall has attracted even more buzz to the already popping neighborhood of Wynwood. From Vietnamese-French fusion and Hawaiian flair to classic Japanese Ramen and traditional Chinese dishes, the food hall has exciting options that will keep any foodie coming back for more. Stop by Taiyaki on your way out for the most Instagram-worthy soft serve, presented in a fish-shaped, cakey waffle cone.
Found in Miami’s Design District, St. Roch Market emerged from its successful forerunner in New Orleans. The upscale food court houses 12 diverse food and drink concepts. Between the 12 vendors, visitors can indulge in everything from fried chicken to vegan delicacies. Handmade pasta and locally-sourced seafood dishes speak to the extra thought put into traditional meal concepts. The food hall’s specialty cocktails and wines – including a 55-label wine menu – are recognized as some of the best offered in the 305. You can even find everyone’s farmer’s market favorite, Sweetblendz, inside the walls of St. Roch Market.
vShops
Casa Tua Cucina
To all our vegan readers who struggle finding places to eat out – look no further. Miami’s first vegan food hall has opened in Coconut Grove. Created by the founders of Choices Café, a vegan eatery in the Grove, the vShops present seven different plant-based vendors. It’s easy to talk your non-vegan friends into eating here with you, since their menus include dishes atypical of most vegan diets, like mac n’ cheese, quesadillas and pizza. Smoothies and açaí bowls make for a lighter choice, but decadent vegan desserts color the menu, too; there’s truly something for everyone.
Located in the Saks Fifth Avenue at Brickell City Centre, Casa Tua Cucina offers an expansive and elevated dining experience, featuring exceptional Italian cuisine. Introduced by Miky Grendene, founder of Casa Tua Restaurant, Private Club & Hotel, Casa Tua is a 300-seat restaurant with a 30-seat bar offering 48 wines by the glass. The food hall also contains 10 individual food stations, highlighting Mediterranean and Italian dishes such as homemade pasta, pizza, grilled meats and gelato. All food can be eaten in-house, taken out or catered. A flower market and personalized home goods shop add homey touches to the otherwise sophisticated area.
2895 McFarlane Rd., Miami
70 SW 7th St., Miami
This is not your grandma’s Italian food. Casa Tua is home to almost every kind of Italian dish you can think of.
In theGuide Loop 10 DISTRACTION The
INTHE
LOOP
In the Loop is the yin to The Guide’s yang. Take your favorite, feel-good topics and dig a little deeper. From the delicacies of the foods that everyone knows and loves, to the hobbies that you never knew you would adore, ITL takes what’s in your heart and places it deeper into your mind.
photo_sonia broman. design_michael haring. model_alec chao.
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Miami may have a booming EDM scene, but there’s nothing like having a multiplatinum artist performing right on campus. Zedd will perform Nov. 1 at the University of Miami’s annual homecoming concert, put on by Hurricane Productions. Doors open at 7 p.m. words_ teddy willson. photo_courtesy blood company. design_teddy willson.
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wenty songs on Billboard’s charts – four number one hits and 10 top 10 hits. An album that peaked number one on Billboard’s dance/electronic albums chart. One Grammy win and a second Grammy nomination. Two VMAs and a net worth of $35 million. A wildly impressive track record that most people would automatically attribute to an entitled popstar with flashy belongings and a larger-than-life ego. In actuality, 29-year-old Anton Zaslavski is quite the opposite – a soft spoken and humble young man with no taste for alcohol, parties, luxury or any sort of playboy status. Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, is a Russian-German producer, songwriter and musician whose rise to stardom has made him no more glamorous than his humble beginnings. Born in Saratov, Russia and reared in the small, wooded village of Dansenberg, Germany, Zedd had a musical upbringing that began at the age of 4 with the classical genre. His mother was a piano teacher and his father, a school teacher and guitarist. At 12 years old, Zedd became the drummer in his brother’s metal core band, Dioramic. The role of music throughout Zedd’s childhood is of clear consequence in his discography as an EDM mogul. Rather than finding inspiration in other electronic dance artists, Zedd is influenced by musicians like The Beatles, Queen and Radiohead, all of whom shaped their music out of stylistic necessity, as opposed to flowery embellishments. The artist honors his roots in classical music even when producing electronic music, maintaining that his process begins with him sitting in front of a piano stringing together notes until something magical and unique emerges. To him, this primary foundation is what feels most natural. His reasoning? “How am I going to make music if I don’t know how to play music?” he said in an interview with Billboard. This characteristic is a major distinction between Zedd, who intentionally calls himself a musician, and other DJs. Despite its popularity, the genre of electronic dance music
is oftentimes brushed aside as less artistic, deserving of less praise and devoid of genuine talent. This mentality is largely owed to the over-saturation of DJs in the industry. As technology and equipment improves, production techniques become more accessible to the general population, thus the increase in aspiring DJs. Whereas Baby Boomers used to say, “everyone has a friend who’s a real estate agent,” younger generations now say, “everyone has a friend who is a DJ.” Not only has Zedd’s musical background set him apart from the hundreds of thousands of disk jockeys who lack instrumental talent, but it also shaped his musical aesthetic, far beyond the nuances of beat drops and synth stabs. When an 11-year-old Zedd first heard the song “One More Time” by Daft Punk, he instantly recognized their attention to musical conventions despite their electronic appeal. He was reminded of this distinct musical quality years later when he came across the French electronic music duo, Justice. This time around, he became obsessed with creating a similar sound. Through his experimentation, Zedd landed on a musical style that would later be dubbed “complextro.” The style, a subgenre of electronic music, entails piecing together a ton of drastically different sounds and making them connect into a song with a steady groove. In 2011, just as he thought he was onto something new, Zedd discovered “this weirdlooking dude doing the same thing, but much better.” That dude? Skrillex. On a whim, Zedd reached out to the DJ over Myspace: “Hey, 99.9% of the EDM scene sucks, you’re the last bit that does not, you’re awesome and you’ll like my music.” Call it fate or sheer luck, but it just so happened that Skrillex checked his DMs for the first time in months just one minute after Zedd hit send. What started as a long-shot, passive pitch between two talented musicians turned into the dawn of a new day in the realm of electronic dance music. Skrillex took Zedd under his wing, showing him the ropes, mentoring him, producing EDM magic and eventually slotting him as an opening act on his tour, alongside DJ Porter
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Robinson, who coined the term “complextro” while on the tour. By 2012, Zedd had produced impressive remixes for Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Shortly thereafter, he signed to the same label as Gaga, Interscope Records, where he would later help produce her third studio album “Artpop.” Still in 2012, Zedd released the smash hit “Clarity,” which featured vocals from British pop singer Foxes and later appeared on his debut album titled for the single. “Clarity” went 3X platinum in the United States and provided the first real glimpse into the EDM powerhouse that he would become. The single also earned Zedd significant industry recognition at the highest level – a Grammy nomination, turned Grammy win, for Best Dance Recording at the 2013 award show. Up until this point, Zedd – a humble young man from Germany – had no idea just how receptive others were of his music. Since then, Zedd has stayed true to his hit-making formula, a testament to his meticulous musicianship. The formula entails finding and collaborating with a charismatic singer, usually a female, and then letting her vocals shine. The “finding” part of the equation is actually what takes the most time, as Zedd is very particular about who he works with. No matter who he finds, however, there is always one requirement: to trust in him and his vision. Where it may be hard to have trust in other artists, many musicians have attested to their ease in trusting Zedd’s creativity, largely because of his reputation as a perfectionist. Irony has it that perfection is
14 DISTRACTION In the Loop
often achieved when a song sounds effortlessly done, as many of Zedd’s do. His formula, thoroughness and pure craftmanship have resulted in serious success, as proven by his megahit collaborations with big time artists. “Break Free” with Ariana Grande and “I Want You to Know” with Selena Gomez are just two examples. Zedd’s second album, “True Colors,” peaked at number one on Billboard’s dance/electronic albums chart in 2015. The following year saw Zedd performing at Coachella with a guest appearance by Kesha. After a short hiatus at the behest of studio difficulties, Zedd struck the world with his first release since coming back onto the scene – “Stay” featuring Alessia Cara. The song has a whopping 673 million streams on Spotify alone – over a half billion. Zedd kicked off 2018 with the release of another hit sensation, “The Middle” featuring Maren Morris & Grey. The song dominated the charts since its release, maintaining its number one position on Billboard’s hot dance/ electriconic songs for over 30 weeks. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the piece is the very clear sound of a ticking clock. The ticking clock has become a staple in Zedd’s music, and is a double entendre of sorts. Technically speaking, he has used the clock as a substitution for other percussive elements. On a deeper level, the clock symbolizes the one thing, if not music itself, that is universal to each of us: the passage of time. Regardless of Zedd’s musical evolution or wherever his passion may steer him, the ticking clock remains a constant that allows each of us to resonate with Zedd’s artistry.
steaks
Distraction fires up the grill for everything steak. From different temperatures to different cuts, we attempt to satisfy our cravings in search of the perfect flavor. words_mallory garber. photo_gianna sanchez. design_olivia stauber.
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magine tasting a bite of steak, the savory flavor bursting across your taste buds, eager for the next bite. Are you drooling yet? We thought so — read further at your own risk. The demand for steak is one of the most popular in the meat industry. Steak is considered a precious delicacy, with ample depth and flavor. It’s a universally adored food staple savored among many cultures, with several different methods of careful preparation. Enjoyed grilled, pan-fried, seared or even coal-roasted, steak’s versatility lends an unmatched popularity across the globe. For all the carnivores out there, steak seems to have a mysterious allure. When it comes to cooking the perfect steak, the temperature of the meat is crucial. If you’re looking for the rawest type of cooked meat, your best bet would be “blue rare.” The steak should be cooked to 115 degrees, and the insides cold to the touch. Rare is not quite as intense. A “rare” steak is cooked to 120 degrees, giving the fat the opportunity to melt. This allows the flavor and buttery texture to remain intact. “Medium rare” is cooked at 130 degrees, while cooking a steak to “medium” at 140 degrees reduces the color of the inside from red to pink. “Medium well” is cooked to 150 degrees and leaves the slightest tint of pink. Last, but not least, is “well done.” While its title might sound the most delicious, this method often leaves the steak discolored and dry. Cooked at 160 degrees, a “well done” steak will melt away almost all of the fat of the steak, leaving a tough meat in its place. Though steak is often associated with pricey restaurants and highly trained chefs, some of the best steak can be cooked in your very own kitchen. What’s most important in the preparation is the style in which the meat is cooked. Believe it or not, chefs use the same tools as you do in their kitchens. Steak is something to be savored. One of the reasons steak is such a special dish is because a truly great steak is rare to stumble upon (no pun intended). So, the next time you have a steak, whether you made it or bought it from a widely known restaurant, embrace that mouthwatering feeling before you tear into the hunk of meat in front of you.
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101
Steak Cuts Tongue
Plate
Cheek
Short Loin
Chuck
Flank
Tongue is a very unique cut that appears in many cuisines. Surprisingly, tongue is one of the easiest beef cuts to prepare. It’s best cooked slowly and mixed with herbs. Cheek cuts are very tough – they are prepared in a stringy manner similar to the texture of pulled pork and brisket.
Chuck is one of the more expensive meat cuts, due to its intense flavor and tenderness. This cut is often prepared grilled or broiled and is commonly used in dishes like pot roast.
Brisket, which comes from the chest of a cow, is a popular dish in many Southern barbeque restaurants.
Shank
This beef cut comes from the leg. It’s known to be tough and dry, so many chefs recommend preparation over long periods of time in moist heat.
Rib
Ribs are known for their rich and juicy flavor; they are very tender and best prepared roasted.
k
Chuck
T
e ongu
Rib
Short loin is an expensive, precious delicacy that is very tender, due to the amount of muscle involved.
Flank steak’s appearance is long and thin, resulting in a juicy flavor. It’s a very common dish that can be served as skirt steak and in fajitas.
Tenderloin
Tenderloin is a narrow, long and strong muscle. Popular tenderloin dishes include tenderloin roast, filet mignon, tenderloin tips, tenderloin tails and tenderloin butt.
Brisket
Chee
Plate is often cheap, very tough and fatty. If sliced thinly enough, it can be prepared as bacon.
Sirloin
This meat comes from the lower part of the back, allowing for various methods of preparation. The top of sirloin is great for grilling, while the bottom is more commonly roasted.
Round
This beef cut adopted its name from the rear leg of the cow. It is best cooked with lots of moisture.
n
i Short rlo Se Loin
Round
Tenderlo
in
Brisket Shank
Plate
Flank
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 17
Ingredients rib-eye steak, New York strip or cut of preference salt and pepper garlic salt seasoning salt olive oil butter sprig of rosemary 2 cloves garlic cherry tomatoes jalapeĂąo peppers
18 DISTRACTION In the Loop
Classic Steak 1.
Season steak with salt, pepper, garlic salt or your other favorite seasonings.
2.
Heat a pan to medium high/ high heat. Be sure to have kitchen fan on.
3.
Once the pan starts to smoke slightly, lightly coat with olive oil.
4.
Place steak in pan and cook for 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness and temperature preference.
5.
6.
Once steak is flipped for the first time, place butter, rosemary and garlic towards the edge of the pan. Let cook for 1 minute. Place garlic and rosemary on top of steak. Slightly tilt pan to gather melted butter, oil and juices. Baste the steak with this mixture using a spoon.
7.
Brown all edges of the steak.
8.
Place steak on a plate and wrap loosely in tin foil, let sit for 7-10 minutes while juices set in. While waiting, prep vegetables to eat with steak.
Veggies 1.
Slice cherry tomatoes in half, set aside.
2.
Roast or grill jalapeño peppers in olive oil on medium high heat for 2-3 minutes.
3.
Once steak has rested, slice into pieces about a half inch thick. Serve with veggies and chimichurri.
Chimichurri 3-5
garlic cloves, chopped
1/4
cup chopped parsley
1/2
cup chopped cilantro
1/3
cup extra virgin olive oil
1
lime or lemon, juiced salt and pepper to taste red pepper flakes (optional)
1.
Mix all ingredients together in a food processor, blender or bowl if ingredients are finely chopped.
Buying With a Butcher Butchers are an important part of buying the best meat for your meal. Buying directly from a butcher ensures that the meat you are getting is coming from the best part of the animal. Butchers take pride in their work; that’s why they choose the healthiest animals to prepare their product. Their meat is often pricier than meat from a grocery store, but that’s because there are cuts you can’t find in an aisle. It’s easy to get in contact with your local butcher shop, but you should come prepared. It’s best to have a recipe, or at least an idea of what cut of beef you are looking for, so you can give the butcher an idea of what to sell you. You should also be prepared to tell the butcher how many ounces of meat you want prepared.
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&
TS
I
words_olivia baker. photo_emily fakhoury & gianna sanchez. design_ gabrielle dubilier & elizabeth pozzuoli.
Amidst the old-world charm and open-air markets of Little Havana lies Calle Ocho — a street where you can experience true Cuban culture. Perhaps the top attraction on this street is a game Cuban adults can’t seem to get enough of: dominoes. “For Cubans, dominoes is second only to baseball in popularity and in stirring up passion,” said Rafael Prohias, a man of Cuban descent who grew up in the city of Miami. On a typical Saturday afternoon in Little Havana, on the popular street “Calle Ocho,” you can hear the clinking of dominoes and the roaring laughter from Cuban men and women engaging in game play and reflecting on their weeks. The game of dominoes has shaped Cuban culture for generations. It was originally played by the Chinese, Arabs and Egyptians. In the mid-18th century, Italians introduced the game to locals in Spain and France. When the Spaniards colonized Cuba, the strategic game spread rapidly throughout the country and continues to be passed down to generations of Cubans as an important tradition. “Almost every Cuban and Puerto Rican family has a set of dominoes,” said Shantalle Martinez, a freshman at the University of Miami. “In almost every public park there are several domino tables already set up for people to play.” At an early age, Cuban children are taught the game of dominoes from their more-knowledgeable elders, instilling skills in arithmetic and memory. Even though they are
“If you’re playing with a partner (usually the person in front of you), make sure that you pay attention to which sets of numbers they knock (knocking indicates that they don’t have any pieces that have the number) so you can give your partner a helping hand.” -Shantalle Martinez UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI FRESHMAN
20 DISTRACTION In the Loop
cognizant of the basic rules and rhythms of the game, younger generations must prove their domino abilities before they are allowed to play with older family members. “My grandfather loved the game and was an excellent player as well, but he had no patience for teaching or for poor play,” Prohias said. “He would often say, ‘Este juego no es para ninos!’” – this game is not for children. It was not until the age of 15 that Prohias was finally allowed to play with the adults. This timeless game has left an imprint on Cuban culture, connecting Cubans from all corners of the world. Many popular phrases in Cuba have derived from the game, such as “viró con ficha,” or turned with the tiles, referring to a situation when someone has done or said something completely unexpected. Following the Cuban Revolution, an armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro, many Cuban families were displaced from their home country and descended upon Miami. In such a time, the game of dominoes united the Cuban people and kept the traditions of their country alive. Today, in the lively section of Little Havana lies Domino Park, a sanctuary for Miamian Cubans to carry on their tradition.
“Learn the game. Learn the strategy behind the game. Cubans can forgive many things, but bad, sloppy or undisciplined dominoes play is unforgivable! It is blasphemous. But most of all, have fun! It is a wonderful game!” -Rafael Prohias UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ALUMNI
INSTRUCTIONS Getting started: Each team consists of two players. Typically, the game is played with 2 to 4 players. Step 1: Lay the domino tiles face down and shuffle them. Step 2: Each player picks up six dominoes. Make sure to keep them hidden so other players can’t see! Step 3: From the leftover tiles, choose one each and see who has the highest domino. That person starts the game. Step 4: Put a domino on the table. The next player must match a domino’s dots to one or other end of that tile. If you can’t, then pass your turn to the next player.
Dominoes are an integral part of Cuban culture. Every day, you can find men playing dominoes in “Domino Park” on Calle Ocho.
Step 5: When you’ve played all your tiles, shout “Domino!” Congratulations, your team has won.
Step 6: If no one can win by playing all their tiles, stop. Count up the value of dominoes left in your hand. The player with the fewest points wins!
Step 7: Once the winning team is determined, the losing team counts the value of their remaining tiles. This total is awarded to the winning team’s score. The first team to reach 100 points wins the whole game.
IMPORTANT TERMS La salida: the person who starts the game Darle pase: playing a piece that you know the next person cannot play off of, so they will have to pass Tocar: the player taps or knocks on the table to indicate that he has no move and is passing Dar agua/mover: the act of shuffling the pieces Zapatero/pollona: a shutout; the name for a game when the losing team finished with zero points
Culillo: an epic turnaround Matar cabeza: when one team catches on to the
other’s strategy and steals their next move by blocking a play
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 21
22 DISTRACTION In the Loop
SPECIAL
SECTION: COLOR
Miami’s beaches boast the brightest baby blues. The graffiticovered Wynwood walls drip with saturation. Underneath the sparkle, rich diversity overflows campus and into the city where culture abounds. Our lives are filled to the brim with color that helps us understand one another in unprecedented ways. This issue’s Special Section explores that bond and reminds us to embrace the colorful world surrounding us.
photo_sonia broman. design_michael haring. model_sara wilcox.
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spect
ral
distor t ion
words_anya balsamides. photo_gianna sanchez. design_joey haas.
24 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
Red fades into orange, green blends into yellow, blue bleeds into purple. For the millions of colorblind people worldwide, this is their reality. How does their perception of color affect their day to day?
When Will Hurlbrink, a sophomore at the University of Miami, stops at a stoplight, he already has the positions of the colors memorized: red on top, yellow in the middle, green at the bottom. He does this out of necessity; otherwise, the red color appears orange and the green and yellow hues blend together into a white glow. Hurlbrink, along with 2.7 million other people worldwide, is colorblind. Colorblindness, technically called color vision deficiency, is not actually a form of blindness; in fact, it is very rare for someone to see the world in only shades of grey. Instead, color blindness refers to when a person can still see colors yet has difficulty or an inability to distinguish between them. Some people may only have difficulty differentiating green from yellow in extremely dim conditions, while others might find it harder when the two colors are very bright. Other people might not be able to distinguish between green and yellow in any level of light whatsoever. It all depends on how well the three main retina cells, known as cones, are functioning in a person’s eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the two main cells in the retina that detect light are called rods and cones. While the rods perceive images in low lighting, the cones recognize colors. The three types of cones, “red,” “blue” and “green,” send signals to your brain for their respective colors, which in turn helps your brain determine what colors your eyes perceive. So, if these three types of cones are working properly, you will be able to see the entire spectrum of colors.
However, for the 8 percent of males and less than 1 percent of females whose three retina cones do not work properly, colorblindness poses an everyday challenge. Colorblindness is more prevalent among men because the trait is genetic. In the human body, the last two pairs of chromosomes determine the sex of the child; “XY” for male or “XX” for female. Colorblindness is an “X-linked recessive genetic disease,” according to Neuro-Ophthalmologist
percent of males are colorblind
percent of females are colorblind Carlos E. Mendoza-Santiesteban from the University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Therefore, the mutation that causes colorblindness can only be found on the X-chromosome. For males, only one X chromosome needs to be mutated for the child to express colorblindness. Females, on the other hand, need both of their X-chromosomes to be defective in order to be colorblind. Therefore, the
probability of women being colorblind is exponentially less than that of men. Most commonly, people experience red-green colorblindness, known as protanopia, which causes them to have difficulty distinguishing reds from similar colors like orange and brown, or greens from colors like yellow and white. Hurlbrink, who was diagnosed with red-green colorblindness in elementary school, remembers the first time he realized he was colorblind. When he was shown a picture with different colored circles and a number in the middle and was asked what the number was, Hurlbrink could not tell. His parents then began to realize their son’s colorblindness when they went to cheer on their favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens. “I would wear blue instead of purple. I couldn’t tell which was which sometimes,” Hurlbrink said. Colorblindness poses small inconveniences daily, from not being able to decipher the colors on a stoplight to not being able to shop alone. “Buying things is the worst,” Hurlbrink confessed. “I usually have to bring someone with me.” On a deeper level, Hurlbrink had always been interested in attending the Air Force Academy. However, he soon realized that, due to his colorblindness, it would be nearly impossible to pass the first few exams. On a more positive note, Hurlbrink can easily avoid certain situations that involve colors. For instance, when Hurlbrink was asked to find certain spray paint colors for his fraternity, he was able to avoid the situation altogether by blaming his condition. Although there is currently no treatment for colorblindness, scientists
How can we tell whose perception of reality is correct? Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 25
s p e c tr a l distor t ion are working on a type of gene therapy to hopefully find a cure. Since 2009, Jay Neitz, Ph.D. and Maureen Neitz, Ph.D., professors of ophthalmology at the University of Washington, have had success treating colorblindness in monkeys. In 2015, they moved their experiments to clinical trials and are currently investigating the possibility of injecting functional genes into specific “colored” cone cells in the retina. Experts in the field remain optimistic, but concerns over how the brain will respond remain, as it would have to interpret this new information – the new colors – now entering the retina. Experts worry that neural
pathways in those who have grown up colorblind may have already changed to accommodate for the condition. Colorblindness, in general, raises a fascinating question: how can we tell whose perception of reality is correct? Sure, the majority of people perceive color in a rather uniform way, but is that because we have been socially conditioned to see red as red and green as green? “I don’t know what other people see when they look at certain things that I see,” Hurlbrink said, emphasizing the visual disparity that exists between those with colorblindness and those who can experience the sprectrum in full color.
Life in Color: EnChroma Glasses
Donald G. McPherson was originally trying to design protective glasses for doctors performing laser surgery.
Help improve color perception for people with red-green color blindness.
Most colorblind people are actually just color deficient. Red and green are the most common colors that colorblind people miscontrue.
26 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
They were created by mistake.
Price ranges from $325 to $450.
They have Ray-Ban-like frames.
They boost saturation of red and green light.
McPherson and two colleagues, Tony Dykes and Andrew Schmeder, created EnChroma Labs to help colorblind people worldwide.
M
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With each thing we look at, colors instill certain emotions within the observer, each evoking a spectrum of meaning open to interpretation. words_anya balsamides. photo_sonia broman. design_olivia stauber & marissa vonesh.
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 27
A mixture of extremes, red captures the passion and romance of love while insinuating a deeper sense of rage, danger and an insatiable thirst for adventure.
RED RED RED 28 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
orange
A combination of red and yellow, orange contains the heat of a brightly burning fire and the radiance of a sunny day. Together, the mixture conveys a sense of enthusiasm, fascination and creativity.
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 29
YELLOW 30 DISTRACTION
On the surface, yellow connotes images of bright sunny skies, homemade lemonade and radiant smiles. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll notice that yellow encompasses the brightest parts of our personalities: enlightenment, honor and loyalty.
GREEN
Although green tends to now be associated with money, ambition and greed, it was originally known as the color of life, representing freshly cut grass, swaying flowers and tall, towering trees. Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 31
The color of tranquility and peace, blue symbolizes depth and stability. Blues encompass the vastness of the ocean and the limitlessness of the sky.
BLUE 32 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
DREAMers are children who were brought to the U.S. illegally. About 15.5 percent of UM’s student body are DACA recipients.
DACA recipients around the U.S. are currently in a state of immigration limbo, but here on campus they have the administration’s full support. words_emma erickson-kery. photo_natalie rey. design_olivia stauber. infographic_etty grossman.
Fall2018 2018 DISTRACTION 33 Fall
F
ar from black and white, the shades of the University of Miami comprise a spectrum of colors. UM is internationally renowned for its diverse student body, boasting a remarkable percentage of students seeking degrees from countries across the globe. In fact, according to Forbes, 15.5 percent of the student body at UM is comprised of non-resident undocumented immigrants, which means that these students are not U.S. citizens. A handful of the students here are “DREAMers,” a title given to those who were raised in the United States but were brought here illegally shortly after being born in a foreign country. These individuals are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, otherwise known as the DACA program, which was created by the Obama Administration in 2012. However, since President Donald Trump’s announcement to end the program in September of 2017, the lives of these students – 800,000 strong across the U.S. – have been threatened by a constant state of uncertainty. After Congress failed to come to an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform for over a decade, the Obama Administration created DACA in 2012 for young, undocumented immigrants who had built their lives in the United States. However, DACA was never formalized into law, nor was it a permanent fix. The program does not guarantee these individuals a path to citizenship. Instead, it blocks steps toward their deportation, while at the same time allowing them to apply for school and to work in the United States. Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami, was just one of more than 600 college and university presidents to publish a statement supporting DACA recipients. In a letter addressed to the university community, President Julio Frenk lent his full support to DACA students on campus. “DREAMers are our friends, family, neighbors and students,” he
34 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
wrote, alongside Mark B. Rosenberg and Eduardo J. Padrón, presidents of Florida International University and Miami Dade College. “They are future nurses, first-responders and entrepreneurs. They plan to serve in our military and teach in our schools. They are, in all the ways that matter, Americans.” The University of Miami also launched a UDREAMers Program, which means that the school meets all of a DACA recipients’ financial aid. Established with the help of Iris Florez, assistant director of admissions, the program is meant to help DACA recipients and to enhance the university as a whole. Florez said that she hopes the program will encourage DACA students to continue to come to UM to pursue their degrees. “Aside from stellar academics, each one has been
We know that [DREAMers] are ambitious, bright and work twice as hard because they have so much more to prove. a pillar within their classrooms and communities, despite the challenges they have faced,” she said in an interview with News @ The U. Camila Martinez, a DACA recipient at Florida International University studying dietetics and nutrition, came to the U.S. from Argentina in 2002. Since receiving her DREAMer status in 2016, along with TheDream.US Scholarship, which allowed her to study at FIU, Martinez has felt extremely welcomed and supported by the Miami community. She is involved in the Student Government Association and the Center for Leadership and Service at FIU, which she said has helped her
connect with other DREAMers, share her struggles and make changes for others going through the same situation. In fact, Martinez supports the way the Trump administration has handled the DACA program so far, saying, “The Trump administration has done a professional job in rescinding the DACA program and putting America first.” She added that even though he rescinded the program, his administration “still proposed different bills to give DACA [recipients] a pathway to citizenship.” While at FIU, Martinez is trying to lend her support to other DACA recipients. In addition to flying to Washington, D.C., to advocate for DACA students, Martinez has been working on a project called the DACA Mentorship Program, a website where DREAMers can apply to find a mentor to help them find resources to further their education. This may include services such as guidance through college applications, scholarship searches and even just a friendly face who understands specific challenges a DACA recipient may be experiencing in a university setting. The website has twenty mentors signed up and is ready to be launched, pending some additional funding from sponsors. Currently, the DACA program is on shaky ground. While some states have rushed to create protective measures for DREAMers, others have taken the offensive. Most recently, lawmakers in Texas have called for the end of DACA. Local district court judge Andrew Hanen has agreed to hear the case. However, lower-ranking courts across the country are split on the issue, which may lead to an eventual hearing of a DACA case in the Supreme Court. Even though the immigration status of DACA recipients is still uncertain, these students are not giving up without a fight. Just like Martinez, hundreds of thousands of other DACA students attend classes, excel in campus organizations alongside American citizens and work to raise their voices above the noise to fight for their access to higher education.
UNAUTHORIZED When Donald Trump became president in Janurary of 2017, he immediately signed an executive order to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement. The following month, the Department of Homeland Security also issued new immigration enforcement guidelines. Despite those changes, the number of “illegal” crossing attempts at the U.S. Southwest border tripled in March of 2018 compared to the previous year.
SOUTHWEST BORDER ILLEGAL ALIEN APPREHENSIONS 250,000
NUMBERS BOUNCING BACK Unaccompanied children
Families
Other
IN THOUSANDS 50
200,000
40 30
150,000
20 10 0
100,000
2015
2016
2017
’18
Citizens MILLION U.S. Born Citizens 278.8 MILLION
NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS 50 MILLION
40
2017 U.S. TOTAL POPULATION: 322 MILLION
50,000
(Estimate)
0
2000 ’01
’02
’03
’04 2005 ’06
’08
’09 2010 ’11
’12
IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR SHARE OF THE TOTAL U.S. POPULATION, 1850-2017* The United States has been the top country for international migrants since 1960, with one-fifth of the world’s migrants living here as of 2017. Despite its long history of immigration, the U.S. has perceived immigration as both a valuable resource and a major challenge. Since 2016, significant actions on illegal immigration have been taken by the Trump administration despite the amount of undocumented and unauthorized migrants being a very small portion of the United States’ population overall. TOTAL NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS
30
’07
’13
’14
2015 ’16
AS A PERCENTAGE OF U.S. POPULATION 50%
44.9M
40
UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRANTS 30
TOTAL IMMIGRANTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF U.S. POPULATION 13.9% OF U.S. POPULATION AS OF AUGUST 2017*
20
’17 ’18
3.4% OF U.S. POPULATION AS OF AUGUST 2017*
13.7%
20
9.7%
10
10
11.1M
2.24M 0.5M 0
0 1850
1900
1950
2000
2017
Sources: Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data current as of March 2017, Office of Immigration Statistics; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Pew Research Center, Key facts about unauthorized immigrants enrolled in DACA
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 35
PA I N T I N G P O E T R Y Color adds to images what poetry adds to writing: a range of expression across a spectrum of emotions. In a series of poems, writers use color to convey an image of expression and emotion. design_kelvine moyers & teddy willson. illustrations_sophie robbins.
Simply Blue Jorge Chabo Chasing the blues of life, different shades of different moods that make up the kaleidoscopic spectrum of our day to day interactions These waves, aquamarine drifting by a glistening shine Calm roars that imitate the reckless serenade that plays in my mind The Tiffany blue and the bay blue Turquoise and cerulean Midnight and sapphire light to dark, we stay cool, and still blue
Scene 1: The City Maia Hunter the color of city air feels busy. a fast-paced orange. overwhelmingly vibrant and loud and present. pushing you forward. for survival. the color of city music feels Cool Like Dat. a rich mauve. smooth. royal. drums and trumpets and basses play powerful hues of history. of resilience. of past and future. the colors of city murals feel alive. bright pinks and greens and yellows paint pictures of humanity. stories of identity.
36 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
the colors of city buildings feel like books. deep burgundy. polished silver. character development. evolution. souls from many different paths dance across their pages. the color of the city feels like ego death. simultaneously every color and no color. you belong everywhere and nowhere. “but a city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time.� -Patrick Geddes
On Learning to Paint Lindsey George Colors Are Until they Aren’t Though, can one remember something Forgotten That always Was Until it Wasn’t? No- not Forgotten Stolen. But how thin the veil is between Forgotten and Stolen. And how intoxicating is Grey and Black and Black and Grey and Black between Grey and Grey between Black that you unwittingly fall in love with the substance of Nothing masquerading as Something. And only when painting with the Blackest Black, it seems Did I finally hear the whispers of old friends A jarring reminder of Color, of Something. And that which can no longer be- the Nothing.
No Music Kristian Kranz There is no music without color Imagining music without color is hard, if not impossible I listen to what I’m feeling, and my feelings can get colorful But if there was no color, then I would never feel blue I wouldn’t listen to Blonde or tune into Channel Orange Like I usually do. Without color, those two albums wouldn’t exist We stripped away the title Just think of what would happen to Prince I mean honestly Prince and purple are synonymous If there’s no purple, there’s no Prince Music without Prince? Preposterous
I paint them, the Colors, with my voice, With the simple exhalation of breath held too long. The lust of Life- Red. The Sunset’s Promise of Tomorrow- Orange. The Light that Brings It- Yellow. Verdant Blossoms of rebirth inside- Green. The Life Water that feeds it- Blue. The shroud of Night’s Sky Where collective Hope Lies- Violet. YesI paint them all, as I once did. Flow in and out of all In all permutations and divisions, That Simply Are. And Always Were.
My favorite artist is The Red Hot Chili Peppers If they never existed, Then this poem wouldn’t either I wouldn’t be inspired wouldn’t search for ground that’s higher Might not have felt snow on the other side I’d have never been a writer Color comes from emotion and music paints us from within A beautiful work of art is every song to which I’m listening A playlist full of songs I prepare to pull me through life again Music without color is like breathing without oxygen
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 37
vs For years, pink and blue have been the staple for girls and boys, each color a signal for gender identity. As time progresses, society shifts away from the norm, putting the meaning behind each color into question. words_elisa baena. photo_sonia broman. design_joey haas & michael haring.
In the corner of the Publix produce section, a woman waits patiently next to a bulky helium tank as an employee inflates four oversized blue balloons. Her young daughter jumps eagerly each time the tank wheezes into the balloons’ bellies, sending each one up like kites in the supermarket’s dusty white sky. Although the girl in the supermarket gazed at the bulging blue balloons with a giggly fascination, years of color-coded socialization might lead one to assume the blue balloons were not for her. After all, pink is a trademarked “girl” color, while shades of blue are emblems of masculinity. Nevertheless, the girl skipped outside clutching tightly onto her beloved blue balloons. For years, marketing has authored a rigid rule book that assigns blue to boys and pink to girls, but as archaic as the rule may seem, there was a time when pink was, in fact, for boys. Sauntering through a children’s toy store, your senses are struck by thick swaths of fuchsia in the girls’ section and royal blue in the boys’ section. The divide is clear; if you’re a little girl, you are expected to charge toward the aisle that holds a vast spectrum of dolls, stuffed animals and games that
38 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
are primarily packaged in pink. Barbie Dream Houses are painted magenta, and the convertibles in their miniature garages match their glossy facades. Even toy cars for girls bear a pink coat of paint, deeming it necessary to feminize a traditionally masculine product. With the assortment of pink products for women and blue products for men, it’s difficult to imagine a period when these two colors didn’t hint at an association with gender. Before the second half of the 20th century, however, gender and color were loosely connected. If you skim through one of your grandparents’ dusty pre-World War II photo albums, you will likely have difficulty distinguishing your infant grandfather from his sister. You’ll find a little boy wearing lace stockings and a delicate white dress, hair hanging past his shoulders. Infants and toddlers were seldom dressed in colorful clothing, because white diapers and dresses were easy to bleach. Parents dressed boys and girls in dresses until they were about six years old, which is also when they received their first haircuts. Then the marketing of gender and color alignment struck. Beginning in the 20th century, manufacturers attempted
to color-code children’s clothing in an effort to sell more products. Surprisingly, pink was initially launched as a boys’ color. “The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls,” states a 1918 article from the publication Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department. “The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy.” Department stores, such as Best & Co. in Manhattan, told parents to dress their sons in pink. Pink was understood to be a boys’ color because it is a subdued shade of its mother color, red, which symbolized ardor, power and virility. Blue, on the other hand, was said to appeal to girls because it was viewed as delicate, ephemeral and virginal due to its associations with the Virgin Mary. In later years, brands began to market these colors to the opposite gender. Some stores like Macy’s in Manhattan had blue sections for boys, while Marshall Field & Company in Chicago had pink sections for girls. It took a few decades for marketers to differentiate pink and blue as exclusively girls’ and boys’ colors, respectively. It can seem perplexing that children’s dress prior to the 20th century was not color-coded when one of the first things a new mother does today is plop a pink bow on her infant daughter’s fuzzy scalp. If blue and pink are associated with masculinity and femininity, how did these colors become gender specific? The two leading answers stem from the rise of American consumerism and the development of prenatal testing. In the first few decades of the 20th century, parents prioritized the convenience of light-colored clothing over the look of rich, darker colors, which limited the uniformity in branding pink and blue. But as the 1930s saw an economic depression, and the 1940s was marked by a devastating World War, lower and middle-class Americans were not so concerned with children’s fashion. However, after World War II, consumer culture in the United States reached its peak, and Americans began flooding stores in pursuit of new clothing, appliances, cars and household products. Manufacturers knew that the more they individualized children’s products, the more they would sell. The
changing perceptions of masculinity and femininity manifested themselves in retail, and color eventually adopted its current associations with gender. Although post-World War II consumerism catalyzed the polarization of children’s fashion, gender-specific clothing didn’t gain its overwhelming presence in children’s retail until the 1980s, when new technology allowed expecting parents to learn the sex of their baby. With the rest of their baby’s features, like his or her hair, eyes, skin and overall health still unknown, these excited new parents clung onto the sex of their baby. Eager parents rushed to children’s stores to buy light blue overalls for their sons and pink lace dresses for their daughters. The racks of clothing went from a rainbow of pastels to stripes of blue and pink, wedging a divide between what it meant to dress like a boy or dress like a girl. Pink and blue became emblems of the two genders, and for a time, they symbolically encapsulated male and female characteristics. “Color-coding by gender
narrows what children learn they can be in society, as boys and girls are given a scripted idea of who they are,” said Dr. Claire Oueslati-Porter, a professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Miami. “Pink is associated with things that are delicate and nurturing, while boys are profiled as strong and assertive, none of which are bad qualities by themselves. It’s about color, but it’s not really about the color. It’s about what they represent in culture.” Porter also points out that it’s easier for a woman to make the color crossover than it is for a man. It would be acceptable for the little girl at the supermarket to have blue balloons at her birthday, but party-goers would perhaps raise some eyebrows if the color scheme of a little boy’s birthday was light pink. In more recent decades, however, children’s clothing has faded from bright pink and blue and moved into a larger spectrum of pastels. But even as millennials adopt more fluid ideas of gender and what it means to be a man or
Fall 2018 DISTRACTION 39
WHICH DO YOU PREFER? a woman, the divide still remains. “At this stage, I wouldn’t dress my son in pink,” said young mother Marie Alexander. “When he gets older he can make that decision for himself, but I don’t want to put him in the position where he would be made fun of at school for being girly.” The rising popularity of gender reveal parties has reinvigorated the devotion to blue and pink. Videos of slicing into a cake with pink filling or popping a black balloon with blue confetti frequently appear on Facebook and Instagram feeds, raising questions about whether these parties are more about celebrating the baby or the eye-catching decorations. Ironically, even though some millennial parents want to neutralize the gap between male and female gender identities, they announce the gender of their baby with just a single color: pink or blue. It’s possible that in a few decades pink and blue will return to their origins as two colors with no strings, or genders, attached. Studying the history of how pink and blue gained their associations with gender reminds us that the concepts of masculinity and femininity are arbitrary. After all, the gendercolor alignment could have gone the other way.
40 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
Although there is no concrete evidence that women prefer pink and men prefer blue – in fact, both genders decisively chose blue out of a rainbow of options – a study conducted by the color research firm Neil Patel shows that men and women do experience gendered decision-making when it comes to different hues of the same color. Men are more likely to dub any shade of the classic color simply “blue,” while women gravitate toward hues they consider to be “cerulean,” “turquoise” or traditional “baby blue.” Men, on the other hand, express the color wheel using the standard “ROYGBIV” acronym, plus a spectrum that usually includes black, white, grey and pink. Interestingly enough, both genders do have distinct preferences for different hues; men prefer darker tones like magenta and teal, while women lean towards softer shades of the same colors, such as peach and periwinkle. Instead of pink and blue lining the shelves of our stores, perhaps our retailers should be shifting towards a more nuanced marketing strategy focused on deep burgundies versus gentle sea foam greens.
color me
corporate
Colors, as they relate to marketing in the corporate world, play on the subtleties that navigate our everyday decision-making. Beyond the rainbow we all know and love, there exists a separate corporate rainbow that colors our perceptions of marketplace goods. words_olivia campbell. design_sydney sapin.
RED: energy, passion
ORANGE: cheer, youth
Red typically signifies power and passion and is sometimes associated with danger. Solid red hues drive a temperament of passion and ambition, making us feel compelled to act. With its red logo, which stands atop a placid grey backdrop, Red Bull markets the ideas of intense energy and vitality, encouraging consumers to push beyond their limits and break through the wall of what’s expected.
Typically bright and warm, the color orange paints feelings of enthusiasm and cheerfulness. Often associated with youthfulness, orange hues are more fun-loving than their more serious red and blue counterparts. Specifically, Nickelodeon’s logo resembles a splat of orange paint with “Nick” written in the middle, as if drawn with a finger. By using orange in its logo, Nickelodeon markets itself as a fun television network for kids.
YELLOW: clarity, warmth The color yellow is known to encourage clearer, more analytical thinking, while at the same time developing a sense of optimism. Nikon plays on this sense of positivity and clarity to promote its imaging products. In the retail world, yellow hues are used to close a deal with anxious or impulsive buyers.
BLUE: trust, intelligence Blue develops trust and strength in the product or service being sold. Blue hues are known to push ideas of intelligence, dependability and thoroughness onto consumers and employees, as well as effectively drive a company’s image of being responsible and trustworthy. At a multinational investment banking company such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., clients need to trust that their finances are being handled appropriately.
GREEN: growth, health Encouraging a sense of balance and growth, green is often associated with nature and renewal. Whole Foods uses green lettering to convey its commitment to organic foods and a relaxed shopping environment. This underlying tone of health and balance, which is supported by its green logo, calms consumers and ultimately facilitates their overall decision-making.
PURPLE: wealth, magic Purple tones imply creativity and prosperity. In the corporate world, employers often use purple hues to promote problem-solving in the workplace. In addition, purple is typically used to market high-end products and services and deliver a sense of extravagance. Cadbury, an English chocolate company, uses shades of deep purple in its packaging to endorse its product’s image as a rich, quality chocolate.
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COLOR INFLUENCERS words_callie jardine. design_olivia stauber & teddy willson.
PANTONE®
The Devil Wears Prada
T
Have you ever wondered why the same colors flaunted on the streets of New York are mirrored in furniture stores throughout Copenhagen or reflected on the runways of Paris? Well, it’s no coincidence.
rendy, current, stylish, fashionable – all words that roll off our tongues to compliment a friend’s dress or a celebrity’s Met Gala gown. While we regard mainstream trends as the norm, we rarely stop to consider how each particular trend came to fruition. In the movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” Miranda Priestly – the fashion icon everyone loves to hate – explains to her assistant, Andrea, how trends develop at the highest level of the fashion world. In what has become one of the film’s most famous scenes, Andrea describes her sweater as “lumpy” and “blue” to convey her apathy for mainstream fashion. However, Miranda points out that her sweater is “actually cerulean” and that the cerulean trend was conceived by fashion pioneers. So, whether she knew it or not, Andrea’s fashion choice was not even her own; it was made for her by the most influential designers in the industry. Largely popularized by this film, this concept is called the trickle-down theory. Recently, however, everyday people have called for a larger role in shaping mainstream trends. Now, the bulk of the industry recognizes the trickle-up theory, which involves studying major social media influencers, common streetwear, top-grossing movies and popular travel
42 DISTRACTION Special Section: Color
destinations. Designers, in turn, feed their collections with society-driven trends in order to make them more marketable to the general public. Before the rise of social media, people relied more heavily on fashion magazines and runway shows during fashion weeks. These worldwide events, exclusive to celebrities and high-profile editors, usually take place four to six weeks before collections are available in stores. But now consumers can utilize social media to keep up with the fast-paced world of fashion. Social media influencers like bloggers, celebrities and Instagram “models” can tag their outfits with apps such as Like to Know It, so that viewers can easily purchase or replicate their outfits. Consumers upload a screenshot of an outfit or directly click on a blogger’s ensemble, and Like to Know It will recommend shops selling identical pieces. Rent the Runway is also using social media to its advantage by giving consumers the opportunity to rent designer clothing a la carte. This business allows average consumers to stay on trend with a smaller, more affordable closet. “Rent the Runway uses social media through sponsorships of influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Twitter,” said Delaney Huffman, a sophomore at the University of Miami
and a campus representative for Rent the Runway. “The company reaches new audiences each day by offering incentives and perks to Instagram influencers who, in turn, review their product or service.” Economics and politics also have considerable influence over color trends. When researchers study patterns in the economy or upcoming elections, they can predict popular colors, structures and styles based on the mood of society. This is known as color forecasting. Nuñez described colors as having become “big visual mark[s] in specific periods of time.” She continued, “When you think of the ‘80s, you immediately think of neon, fluorescent colors. Color trends define specific moments in time.” For instance, if the economy is strained, fashion-forward colors tend to be warmer and more comforting. Color forecasting plays a large part in fashion designers’ color choices in specific collections. Designers and their teams do extensive research to accurately predict a color of the year that will complement not only the country’s current economic status, but also the projected social progressions for the upcoming years. Professor Nicole Guerrero, a University of Miami graphic design instructor and Senior Lead Designer at Flourish Media Conference, compares color forecasting
to weather forecasting, pointing out that despite best efforts, it is “only a prediction.” “While designers and product developers will likely use these colors to follow the needs of the designer, it can be that another color becomes more popular instead,” Guerrero said. Many paint companies provide color forecasting services, as well. One of the most widely-recognized paint companies, Pantone, is world-renowned for its Pantone Matching System and its annual Pantone Color of the Year. Pantone created its matching system in 1963 to provide its customers – including an array of graphic designers – a unified printing system to streamline the printing process. “Imagine going into a grocery store and asking for butter without specifying the exact amount,” said Lawrence Herbert, Pantone’s founder and CEO. “What was needed in the graphic arts was a more precise way of communicating color between the artist, the printer and printing ink maker. What existed was a variety of color books from many different sources, all with their own color identity. I saw the
need for a universal language of color.” Pantone’s most adored service, color forecasting, has been around since 2000. Extensive research goes into choosing the annual Pantone color of the year. Twice a year, in a European capital city, Pantone hosts a secret, two-day meeting with representatives from multiple nations’ color standards groups to collectively choose the color of the year. Once the color has been decided, Pantone publishes the color in its magazine, Pantone View, which is targeted at fashion designers, interior designers, florists and other consumer-oriented companies. The magazine helps these companies plan future collections or events, all with the choice of a single color. Color trends are far from arbitrary; instead, they blend elements from every aspect of life. “Colors change the way people feel,” Guerrero said. “They make you angry, happy, hungry. They manipulate everything in our moods, so it’s only right that we use them to our advantage.”
’10
15-5519 Turquoise
’11
18-2120 Honeysuckle
PANTONE® Since 2000, Pantone has released an annual color of the year. The decision is made by colorforecasting experts from across the world and sets the precedent for which color will become popular in a vast array of industries, from floral arrangements and bakeries to interior design studios and luxury fashion lines.
’18
18-3838 Ultra Violet
’12
An explosive hue of purple. Ultra Violet represents using mindfulness and ingenuity in all situations. The color also encapsulates complexity and mystery, giving people a conduit for their curiosity about the mystical and the miraculous aspects of life.
’13
17-1463 Tangerine Tango
17-5641 Emerald
Marking the end of the Great Recession, this mix of blue and green inspired both relaxation and determination.
This color was meant to symbolize bravery in an effort to encourage positivity across the United States.
This orange is an exotic and dramatic color that created both energy and a touch of sophistication.
Symbolizing growth and renewal, this green instilled an overall sense of harmony and holistic well-being.
’14
’15
’16
’17
18-322 Radiant Orchid
18-1438 Marsala
13-1520 Rose Quartz
15-0343 Greenery
This shade of purple was chosen in the hopes of sparking imagination and capturing creativity and innovation.
Named after the red wine, Marsala alluded to a warm atmosphere with a splash of irresistible, sultry seduction.
This berry pink shade was presented next to an airy blue to reflect the movement toward gender equality.
Representing fresh spring greenery, this color symbolized new beginnings, renewal and the growing economy.
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WRITE FOR OUR BLOGS www.distractionmagazine.com culture • fashion • food & wellness • travel contact Jorge Chabo, Digital Editor, at chaboj@miami.edu
Located at 109 W State St, Kennett Square, PA 19348 “Beautifully Edited Clothing and Accessories”
44 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness
HEALTH WELLNESS AND
Genuine and free-spirited, Health and Wellness gives a wholesome take on physical, mental and spiritual restoration. Living by the mantra “my body is a temple� can be just as easily done as it is said with the wisdom that Health and Wellness has to offer. photo_sonia broman. design_micheal haring. model_anthony preston.
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Health On The
UN R RU N Want fast food that’s not drenched in grease? Well, there’s a new trend emerging on the food scene that’s branding itself as “healthy fast food.” words_sarah carraher. photo_emily fakhoury. design_kelvine moyers. illustration_sarah carraher.
The concept: build-your-own bowl. The idea is simple: start with a base and add as many healthy toppings as you want. The trend is unparalleled in its variety and speed, and it can be applied to almost every type of cuisine. Building your own bowl is easy, customizable and portable. Start with a base of greens or grains, add a little protein and finish it off with fresh toppings. The customizable bowl trend was famously pioneered by Mexican fast-food joint Chipotle. Its first restaurant opened in 1993 near the University of Denver with a mission to prove that “food served fast didn’t have to be a ‘fast food’ experience.” Chipotle did not expand around the country until the early 2000s, but since doing so, has launched a massive trend within the food industry. Customizable bowls are attractive to the masses due in part to their versatility in accommodating special diets, like vegan or paleo. It also makes
Bowls
TO GO
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personalized, quick and healthy food a reality for students and professionals. “I love being able to personalize my bowls,” said University of Miami sophomore Alex Budka, especially considering she eats “no meat, fish or dairy.” “Bowl restaurants” are widely commended for giving vegans, vegetarians and lactose intolerant individuals the tools to make a healthy meal within their dietary restrictions. Traditional fast food is usually fried, greasy and preservative-filled. Although the bowl concept has allowed restaurants to brand their food as “healthy,” some consumers see this new branding as a marketing ploy. “I think most restaurants who specialize in bowls make them appear healthier than they are,” said University of Miami senior Amanda Kuperman. Students do point out, however, that choosing healthy ingredients is what leads to a healthy meal — bowl or not. “The freedom to choose ingredients can lead to a higher chance of your bowl becoming wildly unhealthy,” notes sophomore Emme Watkins. Because there is a potential to load your bowl with fat, sodium and sugar, it is important to understand how to build a well-balanced bowl. A balanced bowl should consist of a large portion of vegetables. Greens provide vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin K and other nutrients. You can’t really go wrong with leafy greens, but do keep in mind that
Rice 5818 S Dixie Hwy South Miami Rice brings an amazing flare to the build-a-bowl trend with its fresh Greek and Mediterranean ingredients.
the darker the shade of green, the more vitamins and minerals there are. Other base options are usually starches like rice, beans or quinoa. If your bowl base is a starch, be sure to incorporate lots of veggies as toppings. Protein is an important component of a bowl, since it helps to keep you feeling full throughout the day. Sometimes, choosing a protein is dependent on your dietary restrictions. For vegans or vegetarians, beans, quinoa and tofu are great sources of protein. For meat eaters, it is important to look for lean proteins, like most fish or chicken. Next up? Dairy. Dairy is not a necessary component of a bowl, but in small quantities it provides protein and vitamin B12, along with other key nutrients. It is important, however, to be wary of the fat content. Fats and sugars can hide in toppings that are seemingly healthy. For example, most sauces and dressings have excess amounts of sugar, fats and sodium. Even if you leave off the sauce, toppings like olives, avocado and bacon are also high in fat. It is encouraged to include one healthy fat, but the key is to avoid choosing multiple fatty toppings with a fatty sauce or an excess of dairy products. The build-your-own-bowl trend has reshaped the meaning behind fast food, and based on UM students’ reactions, this trend will not be leaving anytime soon. Bon Appétit!
Apoke 6620 SW 57th Ave South Miami With a location just steps from campus, this joint is an ideal place for students to grab a customized poke bowl.
B U I L D I N G Start With a Base
Brown Rice
+
Salmon
+ Quinoa
Brown Rice
Spinach
Tofu
GreenLife 104 Giralda Ave Coral Gables This hip restaurant features customizable protein and smoothie bowls along with other healthy snacks.
+
Avocado
Sweet Potato
Giardino
=
Chick Peas
Tomato
Vegan Med Bowl
Tahini
=
+
6653 S Dixie Hwy Miami This build-your-own salad restaurant has every ingredient imaginable to make anyone’s ideal meal.
Salmon Bowl
=
+
+ Cucumber
Final Product
Teriyaki
+
+ Falafel
Finally, the Sauce
+
+
+
D I S H E S
Next, Veggies
Add Protein
+
+
Mediterranean Bowl
Tahini
Earth Miami 5831 Sunset Drive South Miami Earth’s fresh and simple ingredients create for nutritious meals, stripped of any detrimental ingredients.
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in the CLO UDS
48 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness
Thanks to the social norms of masculinity in today's society, men tend to keep their heads in the clouds when it comes to taking care of their mental health and well-being.
Rather than choosing to be vulnerable, men often isolate and distance themselves during times of emotional hardship.
words_kayla foster. photo_gianna sanchez. design_michael haring.
It’s 2018, and we are finally starting to break down the subject of mental health. But sill there’s a stigma that consumes men who struggle with mental illness, leading them to keep their troubles hidden. Although the stigma of mental illness has lessened over the past few years, it still remains strong amongst men who are typically averse to admitting they need help. So, what do we do to end the stigma? We talk about it; then we listen. Generations of traditional gender roles have conditioned men into putting on a strong front opposite that of women who more easily express emotion. “We should look at all of the aspects of gender that negatively impact it, and a lot of this is encompassed in the term ‘toxic masculinity,’” said Dr. Andrew Porter, assistant professor of clinical at the University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies. “Men are forced into these narrow roles where they are not allowed to be expressive of emotion.” Toxic masculinity is a social construction, which is “actually a psychological term,” Porter said. “So, it’s not saying that men are toxic, but the effects of masculinity
negatively impact the health of men." Men typically shy away from admitting to vulnerability, as they fear feeling emasculated. The phrase “be a man” is usually learned at an early age, most often in response to physical injury. “You get hit. Shake it off, walk it off, whatever,” said University of Miami sophomore David Davila, president of the Student Health Advisory Committee. “Back 10, 20 years ago, guys would get hit in football games and would be told to shake it off, get back out there. Since then, that conversation has changed, and it’s perfectly fine to take yourself out of the game and go through protocol.” The parallel between physical injury and mental health, however, speaks volumes to these social standards. Since most young men are taught to suppress their physical pain, how can they be expected to address their mental health any differently? On average, three out of every four suicides are committed by men. Men are also more likely to use deadlier means like a firearm. And yet, many men are still hesitant to seek help – women are 10 percent more likely to get treated for mental disorders than men. Most men analyze their environment when determining whether they feel comfortable speaking up. “I think a big thing of feeling safe is, if you’re talking about it, you’re admitting to yourself that you’re experiencing something,” said Marissa Miara, a University of Miami senior and resident assistant. “I think a lot of people don’t feel internally safe. Admitting to yourself that maybe you have a problem ... that can be scary for some people.” Some people may prefer to speak with their family and friends about their mental health. “In specific populations where there’s more collectivism ... there is a sort of 'keep it in the family or keep it to yourself; we don’t air our dirty laundry' mentality,” said Dr. Benjamin Stocking, a psychologist and group therapy coordinator at the University of Miami. While “friends and family are great to talk to, they don’t have all the answers,” University of Miami senior Skyelar Bryant said. Often, introducing a therapist can bring a level of expertise and advice that friends and family may not have. Some men are distrusting of therapy, doubtful of its effectiveness and confidentiality. Others have a hard time talking about themselves to a stranger. However, going to therapy can often usher the guidance that friends and family cannot objectively deliver. “There are people who go to counseling to get answers, but the counselor is not going to be the one to give you the answers,” Miara said. “The counselor is going to help you find the answers. It’s about finding it in yourself.” The stigma surrounding male mental health will not subside on its own. Allowing men the freedom to address their health without prejudice is the place to start.
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It doesn’t get busier than college life, so whether you’re shearing a burly beard or simply trying to keep that 5 o’clock shadow under control, Distraction has you covered with the best tips on maintaining your shave. words_jorge chabo. photo_patrick ruvo. design_lindsey bornstein.
Senior Cole Kulger gets a closer shave by using a straight razor, which makes for especially smooth skin.
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HAIR Depending on the type of hair you have, grooming rules can vary. However, there is one rule everyone should follow – don’t shampoo every day! Shampooing daily can lead to excess dryness, both on the scalp and to the hair follicle, especially for those with longer locks. Shampooing can be done every other day or even just twice a week, depending on how oily your skin and hair is. But if you still feel the need to wash your hair daily, make sure to use conditioner as well; this keeps the hair soft and looking fresh whether you’re hitting the clubs or just rolling up to class. When it comes to hair products, your daily regimen is dependent upon your hair type. Most guys can use a simple pomade if their hair isn’t too dry. For drier, frizzier hair, men should use either oils, fibers or mousse, as they can lock in moisture without making hair look too crazy – a perfect technique for recreating that “I just rolled out of bed” vibe.
FACIAL HAIR An essential part to grooming is shaving. Unless you’ve got an amazing beard (or are attempting to grow one), you’re going to have to shave on a regular basis depending on how much scruff you can handle. To those who settle for nothing less than a clean shave – make moisturize your new best friend. But in college, we know an everyday shave just isn’t feasible, so it’s okay to leave a couple days in between. As for the blade, you could go old-fashioned route and use single blades, but note that this means taking more time, so any multi-blade razor works as long as you change the blades. Using quality shaving cream and aftershave is key. Always use shaving cream. Even in a rush, you’re better off skipping the shave entirely than shaving directly on the skin, which could lead to dry skin and razor bumps. Most guys dread aftershave because of its burning sensation, but these days, the trend is aftershave balm – basically your daily lotion mixed with a fresh and gentle aftershave formula. For the men either maintaining or growing a beard, keeping it tamed and healthy is best practice. First off, you’re going to want to have the neckline of the beard shaped into a “U” with the beard extending just above or below the Adam’s apple and back up along the other side. When trimming your mustache, maintain a resting face so that it looks even. Finally, know that the key to proper beard maintenance includes a steady skin care routine. Don’t forget to moisturize around your beard and use oils for the skin beneath the beard. It’s not just the beard and hair that require maintenance,
MANSCAPING but the rest of your body as well. Most guys will keep manscaping to a minimum, as they’re afraid of either messing up or cutting themselves. Before you start, your tools must be clean, so make sure to wipe your scissors with some rubbing alcohol beforehand. It’s best to shave during or after a hot shower, as it softens the skin and prevents hair from pulling. Always start with scissors first, as the initial trim will allow for a better and cleaner shave when switching to the razor. When it’s time to use the razor, you’re going to want to use a more sensitive shaving cream, as the skin below the belt can be much more sensitive than the face. Shave in the direction of the hair and remember to be extremely careful when nearing any area with skin folds and grooves, which can easily be nicked or cut. Finally, finish off your shave with a generous dose of body lotion.
Distraction’s Picks Daily moisturizer: Jack Black double duty face moisturizer with SPF Face wash: Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash – Natural & Organic Facial Cleanser
Shaving cream: Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream – Super Nourishing, Non-Lathering Natural Shaving Cream
After Shave: Prospector Co. Aftershave Splash – KC Atwood
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FASHION
Fashion keeps an eye looking forward, showcasing the best in style. Whether it’s bringing a new look to light or bringing back some chic, retro style of the past, our readers are given a peek into what’s on the come up. Fashion is for those looking to make a statement, whether it’s an expression of yourself or the world around you. photo_sonia broman. design_michael haring. model_cate taylor.
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MIA
mama
Here we go again! Back to school in Miami, but bringing island chic beachwear with us this time. Inspired by Mediterranean resortwear and neutral beach tones with a subtle Caribbean flair, we have the perfect patterns, flows and fresh linen looks for any beach club in Mykonos or the 305. Follow these island gods and goddesses through the blaze and radiance of Key Biscayne’s beaches. photo_patrick ruvo & gianna sanchez. design_michael haring. styling & makeup_abby podolsky. models_trina borelli, sarah carraher, enrique de leonardis, ellie horwitz & brandon rancap.
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MIA
mama
On Sarah: top, Princess Polly; skirt, No. 109 Shop; bag, By Chloe; necklace, Vanessa Mooney; bracelets, Free People; shoes, Target. On Enrique: top, Zara; shorts, Zara; sunglasses, RayBan.
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caption goes here
On Ellie: matching set; Princess Polly; tunic, No. 109 Shop; shoes, Marc Fisher; bodychain, Forever 21; choker, Free People; earrings, 8 Other Reasons; sunglasses, Amazon. On Brandon: pants, Zara; top, Zara; shoes, Nordstrom.
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MIA
mama
On Enrique: top, Zara; pants, Zara; shoes, Vans; sunglasses, RayBan. On Trina: dress, No. 109 Shop; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell; earrings, Forever 21; gold necklace, Forever 21; blue necklace, Amazon.
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On Ellie: top, Princess Polly; shorts, Tigermist; shoes, Tony Bianco; necklace, Free People; earrings, Forever 21.
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RR
RENE RUIZ: ON HISTORY, FILM AND LAYING ROOTS IN MIAMI’S FASHION INDSUTRY words_natalie abatemarco. photo_sasha manning. design_michael haring & teddy willson.
Ruiz spends much of his time working from his Coral Gables studio, sketching, going through fabric swatches and sewing.
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Rene Ruiz, a luxury fashion designer born and raised in Cuba, introduces an unprecedented degree of craftsmanship to classic Miami style. Inspired partly by his Cuban roots and partly by his years living in Miami, Ruiz effortlessly combines high-end glamour with the street style of Miami to come up with one brilliant creation. Ruiz’s work combines the two worlds into a single, cohesive brand found tucked away inside his quaint Coral Gables studio. His upbringing, spanning the majority of the 1970s peak in communist Cuba, has contributed heavily to his designs. Ruiz was hesitant to believe he would one day escape Cuba’s hardships. There was little room to even hope of growing up to be a fashion designer. Ruiz nurtured his creativity as a child through his paintings and eventually found a certain solace in film. He recalls his time growing up in Cuba as nothing but “horrible” due to the intolerance of religious choice, individual liberties and entrepreneurial development under such an oppressive system. “The first thing I wanted to do was to get out of there. I imagined that there couldn’t be any place worse than Cuba for a creative person,” Ruiz said, reminiscing upon his childhood years. Eventually, Ruiz discovered an outlet to escape the “harsh reality” he knew all too well. “I used to get all of my inspiration from watching old Hollywood movies. That is how I would escape that reality of being in Cuba.” These movies drew Ruiz out of Cuba and into a novel world of possibilities where individuals expressed themselves through their image. He realized that characters’ personalities and class distinctions were often revealed through costumes. “The characters’ first language would be their first costume — before they would even speak,” Ruiz said. As a child, he always paid attention to detail and longed to bring the sketches he had drawn on paper to life. “I would try to remember whatever I could from movies and try to reproduce those things in my drawings and my sketches.” Ruiz had to fully rely on his own recollection of cinema, since there were no other means of researching the costumes in his favorite old Hollywood scenes. Ruiz also attributes part of his sense of fashion to his mother. “My mother wanted to be an actress,” Ruiz recalls. “She always paid attention to fashion.” Even through the turmoil inflicted by Cuba’s communist regime, Ruiz remembers his mother’s careful attention to detail in choosing outfits for special-occasion cocktail hours or the occasional elegant luncheon. His own American Dream began when 17-year-old Ruiz embarked on the 90mile journey to Miami to study at the International Fine Arts College (IFAC), now the Miami International University of Art and Design. After exploring architecture as a potential career path, Ruiz decided it was too difficult and costly. Instead, he realized he was more excited by the prospect of designing clothing. “I was always inspired by fabrics and good details. That’s the way I went and
“I would try to remember whatever I could from movies and try to reproduce those things in my drawings and my sketches.”
have been going for over 20 to 25 years now,” Ruiz said. His family did not have much input regarding his career route, so Ruiz turned to mentors at IFAC. One particular fashion instructor, Professor Charlene Parsons, steered him toward design after hearing of his arduous journey to the United States. Parsons saw an extraordinary proclivity in Ruiz, as well as a distinctive personality. “It’s still surprising to me when I go to New York or California and even Texas, and people know my name and my brand,” Ruiz quipped humbly. Ruiz attributes his success to a vehement adherence to persistence and hard work, partly stemming from his background defying the bounds of communism. “I think customers found me thanks to the quality of my work and my style.” Like any exceptional artist, Ruiz finds inspiration everywhere; however, his favorite sources of creativity are rooted in the depths of history. He enjoys incorporating “old craftsmanship” into his designs. His newest line, Rene By RR, combines traditional techniques and fabrics with modern style. Ruiz notes that he is often inspired by other designers like Charles James, Geoffrey Beene and James Galanos; he also follows the latest works of Zac Posen and Tom Ford. A day in the life of Rene Ruiz is constantly changing. While some days are packed with appointments with clients and benefactors for future projects, more creative days involve picking out colors, finding fabrics or researching current fashion trends. Ruiz
tells us that collections usually take up to three months to compile; however, he created his Rene By RR Resort 2019 collection in less than eight weeks. A departure from previous collections, this line appeals to a younger audience by using upcycled materials to increase the clothing’s sustainability. While it’s not rare for celebrities and noteworthy clients to traipse in and out of Ruiz’s atelier, Ruiz is emphatic in stressing the importance of charity. “Being charitable is always on trend,” Ruiz said. He reminds us that while we may live in a “celebrity-driven society,” it is crucial for younger generations to seek out opportunities to give back. One of Ruiz’s most memorable clients was a young girl diagnosed with cancer, for whom he engineered a custom blue gown to afford her a once-in-a-lifetime runway model experience; moments like these are Ruiz’s favorites. As a young immigrant, Ruiz tapped into many of the opportunities Miami has to offer, and he is committed to maintaining the cycle of opportunity for others today. In an effort to practice the words he preaches, Ruiz decided in 2013 that he would open his brand new, 10,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Hialeah. “We are an immigrant city and we get a lot of immigrants that come and have the talent to learn a trade,” Ruiz said. To him, keeping production in South Florida is extremely important to the dignity of his brand. He believes that immigrants oftentimes “have an opportunity to
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THIS or THAT with Rene Ruiz Vintage or New? “New” Bikini or One-Piece? “Depends on the body” Sandals or Sneakers? “Sandals” Small Sunnies or Huge Sunnies? “Big” Miami or LA? “Miami, of course” Runway or Ready-to-wear? “Runway” Beach day or Nighttime clubbing? “Beach day” Denim or Leather? “Denim” White or Black? “White in summer, black in winter” Kanye or Virgil Abloh? “Kanye” Streetwear or Formal wear? “Formal Wear”
Ruiz’s sketches are crucial to his design process and beautiful gowns.
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learn something new” here in Miami and “can find jobs with their talent.” Since the 1990s when Ruiz first set up shop in Coral Gables, Miami’s recognition as a fashion capital of the world has undergone a considerable transition, and Rene Ruiz has lived through its entirety. He believes that “Miami is set to be the next fashion hub,” since it is the “gateway” to both Latin and North America. He notes that today, Miami-based designers possess a recognizable “flair” coveted by consumers across the globe. Ruiz concedes that while this flair was not always respected in the past, perceptions of Miami fashion now command reverence and inspiration. “I definitely think designers from all over the world could use Miami as a trampoline for the rest of the country,” Ruiz said. Ruiz is currently transitioning to a studio located in the Miami Design District, but he plans to stay true to his upscale brand as he attempts to branch out to new audiences. After living through the transition from 1970s Cuba to a rich and welcoming Miami, Ruiz emphasized that the American Dream is still very much alive and well. “There are people who I have met who came to this country a long time after I [came to this country] and they made an amazing life for themselves,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said this dream does not solely revolve around financial concerns; many individuals are simply seeking an opportunity to live freely and comfortably in their daily lives. “I’m not just talking about having Ferraris and Mercedes,” he said. “I’m talking about being free and having chance and opportunity that we don’t have in countries that we come from.” He recognizes the stark dichotomy between his rough upbringing in Cuba and his life in Miami. He encourages all in search of the American Dream to “have a decent, fulfilling life in your own home” and “[allow] yourself to do the things that you want to do.” Whether that be starting a fashion line or embarking on a different journey entirely, Ruiz makes it clear that hard work, dedication and honesty are crucial elements when it comes to sewing the fabric of success.
GOING NUDE
You can’t spell nude without you. The stereotyped skin tone is so much more than the peachy hue we are programmed to imagine, and the fashion industry is finally beginning to reflect this.
wordsÂ_isabella vaccaro. photo_sasha manning. design_michael haring.
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LINGERIE FOR ALL Cosmetic companies such as FENTY have spurred a nude revolution across the beauty industry. Lingerie by Nada recently launched its “Nude for All” Lingerie line that incorporates seven skin tones of bras, thongs and briefs meant to dissapear underneath clothing. The brand cleverly pairs each shade with popular foundation tones by companies like NARS, Bobbi Brown and MAC. International online retailer ASOS also released a line of nude lingerie with an expanded skin tone palette featuring women with “real” bodies to represent the inclusion at the heart of the design tactic. This afforadable collection’s pricing starts at only £4.
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“Every day, new skin tones are born.”
- Balanda Atis L’Oréal COSMETIC CHEMIST
‘Nude’ may just be the new N-word everyone is afraid to say. And, unsurprisingly, for many of the same reasons. For years, the fashion world insisted that a champagne-y, sand-like hue was, in fact, the color ‘nude.’ Well, advocates of this outdated definition will soon tremble in the wake of the word and all of its nuances. L’Oréal cosmetic chemist Balanda Atis once said, “Every day, new skin tones are born.” It is an interesting way to put it, but she’s right. If there is one thing you can count on in the world, it’s the arrival of babies. And babies come in an immeasurable number of colors. Today, so too does a ‘nude’ leotard, a tube of ‘nude’ lipstick or even a pair of ‘nude-colored’ ballet shoes, depending on the person wearing them. We now consider ‘nude’ to encompass anything from peachy pink to a rich cocoa. But it hasn’t always been like this. Until recently, the color ‘nude’ in fashion was sealed as the light beige with pinkish undertones that we can all probably picture a little too easily. Though, before placing the blame solely on fashion’s seemingly narrowminded view of the four-letter word and all of its baggage, history may point us in a different direction. The 1960s saw Crayola’s ‘flesh’ colored crayon take on a new identity as ‘peach’ after the onset of a wilding civil rights movement. Even worse, MerriamWebster’s dictionary definition of the word ‘nude’ remained “having the color of a white person’s skin,” until 2015 when a college student fought to change it. If that isn’t glaring, what is? Fashion only mimicked what a century of closed-mindedness defined as ‘nude’ – until it didn’t. Christian Louboutin, Covergirl, Mac, Target – these brands, among an army of others, are producing not just one ‘nude’ leotard or foundation powder, but ‘nudes’ across a wide spectrum of skin tones. “The color nude? I don’t think it exists,” said University of Miami senior Katie Ceravolo, who interned at luxury
fashion brand Christian Louboutin two summers ago. “Everyone has their own version of nude and you can’t say that one shade is the set color because that’s actually impossible scientifically.” Redefining ‘nude,’ in this case, means expanding. This year Christian Louboutin, for example, grew its line of ballet flats to include seven shades of ‘nude,’ attempting to include more skin types in this sensibly luxurious footwear. “What I loved about the nude capsule collection when I was at Christian Louboutin is that you’re naked, appropriately,” Ceravolo said. “I mean obviously not naked, but you get to represent your [skin] tone. I witnessed that a lot of models wanted to borrow shoes from the nude collection because it matched every outfit.” But Louboutin is no stranger to the idea of a rainbow of ‘nudes’ – in 2013, Louboutin’s staple red-bottom stilettos were launched in five different skin colors, an inclusive step forward in the fashion world. And if Louboutin redbottoms – some of the most iconic heels in the industry – come in more than one nude color, there is no excuse for the rest of fashion. Ceravolo says that for her, “nude fashion” is all about “confidence” and “comfortability” – and that is exactly what launched Louboutin’s novel shoe concept into success. “The motive behind the launch was to appeal to a larger audience, and have everyone sort of feel connected to a shoe,” Ceravolo said. “Because a shoe can be black with crystals or white with pearls, but this shoe is for everyone – to directly fit you. So, from an intern’s perspective, the purpose of the nude collection was to make women feel like themselves while wearing a stiletto that is the brand Christian Louboutin.” Dozens of makeup lines, too, have been expanding their palettes for years, creating new tones for foundation, lipstick and even brow gel. The process is tricky, and even the top makeup brands have their work cut out for them
in targeting a more diverse audience. L’Oréal’s cosmetic chemist Balanda Atis has touched down in more than 57 countries, gathering samples of different skin tones in hopes of creating the right mix of foundation colors for the brand. Today, L’Oréal and other cosmetic brands like Bobbi Brown, Cover Fx, Mac and so many more are welcoming every tone from ivory to mocha to charcoal into their color vocabularies. The nude revolution has even begun to touch a male audience. In 2016, African American ballerino and Royal Ballet soloist Eric Underwood took to Instagram to share the painstaking process he endured painting his ballet slippers to match his skin tone. In response, Bloch, a staple dancewear brand, finally released a cocoa-colored ballet slipper in August 2017. “I believe the inclusion of diverse skin tones in a brand’s products is important,” said Alan Diamond, public relations director of Randi Rahm Atelier, a Manhattan-based couture dress designer. “If they are offering the color ‘nude’ and it only applies to one skin tone, that is not nude. I have not seen it in any brands that target males.” Going nude is about subtlety and baring your raw, natural beauty. Now more skin tones than ever can embrace this minimalistic trend. “I think the nude trend is evolving how we look at fashion, because in the past it was all about how extra you can be,” Ceravolo said. “But in the end, your body is covered up. If you are going to wear a big pearl necklace because that’s the trend, you’re covered up. When you’re nude and it’s incorporated in fashion, you’re giving it your all. You’re showing everything you have to offer.”
In the fashion industry, nude is no longer limited to a pale peach shade. Different hues of brown, caramel and bronze blend in a spectacular array, highlighting the glow of many skin tones.
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ART FASHION the
of
Though these photos were taken in a rundown neighborhood, models Boris Alexander Stein and Samira Prudentos, donn fashionable outfits that bring an artistic appeal to the environment.
When words fail, we often find comfort in expressing individualism through personal style. What we choose to wear can convey to the world much more than our favorite colors and shapes – the structure of one’s wardrobe can signify broader preferences for certain music, movies and art. words_ania ermarkaryan. photo_sonia broman. design_joey haas.
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Art and fashion have always been intertwined, visually communicating feelings of self-expression and beauty. It should come as no surprise that with today’s expectation of innovation on the world’s runways, collaborations between famous artists and prominent fashion designers are on the rise. “It’s hard for me to draw a line that distinguishes art and fashion; I often see them as the same thing,” said University of Miami sophomore and creator of streetwear brand, “Socjal Club,” Filippo Tamburi. “Art is just a broader and less definable term. I see fashion as a platform to express myself, my ideas and my or other people’s art. T-shirts and hoodies are the new form of paintings.” This year Calvin Klein and the Andy Warhol Foundation teamed up to create timeless, eye-catching men’s and women’s wear, with the late artist’s works plastered across Spring 2018 runways in the form of jackets, tank tops and more. Upon closer look, a scene from Warhol’s world-famous experimental film, Kiss, can be found on women’s underwear and bralettes and men’s briefs and tank tops. Streetwear blog
Highsnobiety said the Kiss line evokes the timelessness of romance spanning from 1963, when the movie came out, until now. Warhol’s iconic self-portrait is now featured on the back pocket of limited-edition Calvin Klein jeans, as well as some of the designer’s classic t-shirts and hoodies. The self-portrait is uncharacteristically candid, adding a distinctive flair to a structurally exceptional pair of jeans. KAWS, also known as established designer Brian Donnelly, collaborated with Dior’s acting creative director Chris van Assche during this year’s Paris Spring/Summer Fashion Week to introduce a larger-than-life foam teddy bear decorated with peonies and roses on the runway. When explaining the show to the press, KAWS said that the large figure, dubbed “BFF,” and its accompanying puppy pal were inspired by Mr. Dior and his dog. The classic Dior bee was featured as a highlight of the Dior x KAWS collaboration, and KAWS’ signature cross eyes were revamped on the Dior bee. Gucci and Spanish artist Ignasi Monreal also collaborated this past season, launching
Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2018 campaign. The pair co-designed the #GucciHallucination capsule, which features graphic t-shirts and sweaters donning Monreal’s artwork. But the collaboration was not just limited to the Spring/Summer runway. As part of the campaign, murals in major cities such as London, Milan and New York also show off Monreal’s designs. This intersection of art and fashion can amplify the subtle meanings of designers’ work that typical audiences might not see. Prada’s Spring 2017 and 2018 line, for instance, featured pop art from numerous female artists, including Tarpé Mills, who uses art as a channel of female empowerment and even drew the first female comic hero, Miss Fury. “We’re living in a period that can be considered the new Renaissance in fashion and in art, because of the huge impact that the internet culture, social media and technology are having on society. The current movement of streetwear that is taking over fashion nowadays has the main purpose of making fashion and art more accessible to everyone, and it’s just giving a chance to all artists in the new generation to easily express themselves,” Tamburi said. For fashion-forward consumers striving to enhance their wardrobes, this onslaught of artist-designer collaborations has produced a slew of radically creative pieces.
Dream Collaborations Grant Wood x Ralph Lauren Grant Wood paintings and the Ralph Lauren brand both have a traditional American vibe, with equestrian and western infusions. A Grant Wood x Ralph Lauren collaboration could bring printed jean shirts with Wood’s famous American Gothic painting on the back.
Diego Velázquez x Hermès Spanish painter Diego Velázquez’s famous painting Las Meninas would make a great collaboration with Hermès as both play on subtle pastel and light color tones, as well as exhibiting an aristocratic image. Hermès scarves designed with portions of the Las Meninas painting would bring a new flair to the classic Hermès designs.
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D E
P M
U P
KS
KIC
P U
For many people, shoes are merely thought of as a requirement for getting around on a daily basis, but those people are missing out. words_natalie abatemarco. photo_patrick ruvo. design_carolina nusser.
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The culture surrounding shoes has gone from being a product of necessity to one that speaks to our expression in a globalized market. Rihanna echoed this sense of individualism when she famously quipped in an interview on the Elvis Duran Morning show, “[Nicki Minaj] has a better booty, but I have better shoes.” So while sneakerheads and shopaholics have always been conscious of shoe selections, everyday people, especially college students, are becoming more concerned with the shoes they wear and what their kicks say about them. Sneakers boast a loud statement with any outfit. They can distinguish between classes, social status and even music tastes. Celebrities tout certain brand names in songs, photos and videos. When Kanye West released the second shoe from his Yeezy collaboration in 2015, the Yeezy Boost 350, the world jumped at the chance to cop. The star’s success in this latest endeavor was inevitable due to his long-term, deliberate branding strategy that heavily relied on his following as a rapper. Despite sneakers of a similar style already existing at a much lower cost, Yeezys are respected as a much more luxurious brand of sneaker; the name behind the shoe alone speaks to the investment. Brands like Nike, Puma and Champion have taken note of the strategy, and some have tried to follow suit by adopting celebrities as ‘faces’ for custom styles. Why is it that certain old school brands like Nike and Puma have become so popular among college students? Perhaps the endorsement of young stars like Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner has helped – while traditional Nikes are sold for roughly 80 dollars a pop, Scott’s Air Force 1 sneaks are selling for up to three times that amount on third-party sites. Meanwhile, Jenner’s endorsement has earned Puma a much-needed demographic of consumers: 18-to 25-year-olds. Balenciaga sneakers,
w
Celebrity edorsements for brands like Adidas and Puma show us that sneaker trends can transcend culture, demographcis and socioeconomic levels.
which cost a whopping $700, are also increasing in popularity after Cardi B declared herself a fan; in her summer hit “I Like It,” she rapped, “I like those Balenciagas, the ones that look like socks.” After the release of the catchy anthem, Balenciaga chief executive Cedric Charbit announced that the millennial-focused shoe brand overtook Gucci as the fastest-growing label within the Kering group, the two fashion houses’ parent company. These luxury brands are not only aesthetically attractive, but also represent a symbol of status due to their high price tags. Although some people take pride in communicating their affluence through footwear, not all young adults feel these extreme prices are justified. “Although it’s nice to have a special pair of shoes at times, a lot of sneakers look the same, so I wouldn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a pair when I could get ones more my style for cheaper,” said Paige Accetta, a University of Miami freshman. Regardless of price range, pop culture makes it difficult for young adults to forget what kind of shoes are “in.” Chain stores such as Urban Outfitters, Free People, Nike and Puma have taken advantage of this by providing consumers with trendy shoes designed by celebrities. These stores tend to sell shoes that are marked upwards of $150, while stores like Walmart, DSW and Amazon carry similar shoes for half the price. This branding of shoes by means of celebrity promotion has infiltrated the market, sparking an interest in Insta-worthy footwear. Prices have increased in tandem with popularity and will continue to do so. If you’re already searching for next season’s most fashion-forward kicks, keep an eye out for celebrity clothing lines and catchy lyrics of the music industry’s biggest hits.
Puma vs.
Adidas As students traipse across campus donning celebrityendorsed Pumas and Adidas, most don’t know that both namesakes stemmed from a bitter rivalry between two brothers. Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf Dassler began manufacturing hand-sewn footwear born from their love of sports; however, personal differences tore them apart, paving the way for what would eventually become Adidas and Puma. Adi, who had formed Adidas, solidified an agreement with the German world soccer team shortly before the 1954 World Cup; when Germany pulled off an underdog victory, the international recognition of Adidas’s three-stripe pattern immediately launched the label to success. It wasn’t until recently – with the sale of Puma to Gucci’s parent label and endorsements from Kylie Jenner, Rihanna and The Weeknd – that Puma’s sales have begun to recover.
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MAIN
EVENT
Main Event feeds your craving for that which is intellectual and worldly. Whether it means revealing the local significance of an international issue or discussing topics that are too often ignored, Main Event has something to offer each of us. Set aside your responsibilities for a bit and divulge in Main Event – you’ll be left feeling more in touch with the world outside. That’s a promise.
photo_sonia broman. design_michael haring. model_noah vesey.
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PTSD THROUGH THE DARK
It is highly common in a PTSD flashback for the survivor’s eyes to widen.
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When a traumatic event occurs, the natural response is to jump into “fight or flight” mode. This causes a part of our energy, body and mind to be left behind at the scene of the trauma. PTSD is a complex and multifaceted condition, and no two cases are the same. words_gabby rosenbloom. photo_sydney burnett. design_gabby rosenbloom. words & design _ gabby rosenbloom. photo_sydney burnett.
S
he is fourteen. He is sixteen. She sits in his car, all but too aware of what has just occurred. She is motionless, speechless. His right hand clutches her knee as her fingers brush the cold door handle. She wants to pull it, let her body hit the asphalt and shake out her trauma. The ice cream parlor by her house zips by. They drive through her neighborhood making circles until he decides it is time for her to leave. She steps out of the car and closes the door behind her. She has escaped the scene of her trauma, but it will take much more to escape the paralyzing memories. What once was so familiar feels utterly foreign. For the rest of her life, she will relive this drive in violent spurts. This is the beginning of her battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and her road to recovery. There is always more than what meets the eye. PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), like many mental illnesses, is often invisible to those not experiencing it. The Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice says that the word ‘trauma’ is used to describe experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing – situations that overwhelm people’s ability to cope, leaving them powerless. Trauma has sometimes been defined in reference to circumstances that are outside the realm of normal human experience. Kirsten Collins, Clinical Director at The Beacon Program in New York, says that when dealing with trauma patients she always refers back to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) definition which consists of a set of criteria associated with trauma. The most common forms of PTSD stem from trauma relating to gun violence, sexual assault, war and domestic abuse. PTSD can often cause flashbacks which effectively rip the victim out of their present reality and bring them right back to the moment of the trauma. University of Miami junior Kayla Moore says that her flashbacks last for a 24-hour period and that they “consume” her. “There are moments when I feel my humanity has been stripped from me,” Moore said. This feeling of dehumanization is common among those who suffer from PTSD. University of Miami senior Michael Haring shares that his flashbacks occur primarily in his sleep. “I’ll wake up and I’ll be sweating, and I can’t really breathe,” he said. “I’ll maybe be crying, just completely freaking out.” The vivid memories of trauma and distressing life experiences commonly resurface in the dreams of PTSD patients, as well.
It consumes me. There are moments when I The Stigma The stigma surrounding the conversation about feel my PTSD is mostly due to a skewed public perception of the disorder. It is a common misconception that humanity the only people dealing with PTSD are war veterans, when in reality, “completely normal people, like me has been and you, deal with PTSD, as well,” said Haring. He notes that the way people throw the term around in stripped casual conversation minimizes his personal struggle with PTSD. To him, trauma feels far-removed from from me. people who have not experienced it. This makes it easy to speak about it in an insensitive way. “People have this delusion that trauma victims are damaged goods,” said one University of Miami junior who was diagnosed with PTSD after being sexually assaulted while at college. “When people hear I have PTSD, they look at me differently. They treat me like I’m made of glass – I’m not. I won’t break. PTSD does not make me weak.”
On The Brain The areas of the brain that are primarily affected by PostTraumatic Stress Disorder are the amygdala, hippocampus and frontal cortex. The amygdala is responsible for the brain’s alarm system. It detects danger and reacts accordingly. When a person is threatened, their amygdala sends signals to the rest of the brain that spark a full-body response. With PTSD, memories of a traumatic experience can trigger the amygdala to respond as if it is happening all over again. The hippocampus is where memories are stored and is used to help interpret a person’s surroundings. The combination of information from both the amygdala and the hippocampus is sent to the frontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher level processing. PTSD causes an alteration of the brain’s chemistry in such a way that warp time and reality.
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PTSD THROUGH THE DARK Coping & Treatment There are varied approaches for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from a clinical perspective. The first, and most common, is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy that encourages patients to talk about their struggles. Another common form of clinical treatment is Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) which is designed to help people heal from the distress caused by trauma. EMDR allows a patient to access and reprocess traumatic memories in a way that sparks a conversion of negative thoughts and a reduction of physiological responses to memories. In short, EMDR aids in reducing the presence of flashbacks in a patient’s day-to-day life. A change in medication is also quite common in PTSD treatment. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – Prozac, Lexapro and Zoloft, for example – make more serotonin available to your brain, thus, reducing anxiety and other PTSD symptoms. The lifestyle changes associated with PTSD recovery vary on a case-by-case basis. Haring says that “writing is very therapeutic, so I do a lot of journaling to get my thoughts out,” whereas Moore speaks to the practice of concentrated breathing. The battle with PTSD is long, and recovery is non-linear. It is important to remember that even as you drive along the winding road of recovery, you are not a victim. You are a survivor.
Facts & Figures 8 percent
of Americans – that’s 24.4 million people – have a formal PTSD diagnosis.
60-80 percent
of people who experience severe trauma will develop PTSD.
1 in 10
women in the U.S. has PTSD.
Resources Miami Counseling & Resource Center 111 Majorca Ave. #B, Coral Gables
The Lennar Foundation Medical Center 5555 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables
National Center for PTSD https://www.ptsd.va.gov
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DID MILLENNIALS
KILL HIGHER EDUCATION?
words_lindsey bornstein. photo_sonia broman. design_lindsey bornstein.
F
or many students at the U, it’s hard to imagine a world in which the road to success does not include a pit stop at a four-year institution. For some students, however, a college education is becoming somewhat of a road block in today’s rapidly developing “gig economy,” rife with e-commerce, lifestyle influencers and your trusty Uber driver.
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DID MILLENNIALS
KILL
HIGHER
EDUCATION?
“
I DON’T KNOW OF ANOTHER KIND OF ARROGANCE WORSE THAN ACADEMIC ARROGANCE.
“
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When most of our parents attended school, a four-year degree meant a path to a stable career. But in a period of mounting student debt and tumultuous career planning, are graduating high school students more likely to opt out of the traditional college experience? In many cases, the answer is yes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of four-year degrees rose steadily from about 5 percent in 1940, to 15 percent in 1970, to just over 20 percent in 2000. In 2018, there are currently about 20 million students enrolled in American colleges and universities; this includes about 6.7 million students who attend 2-year institutions and 13.3 million attending 4-year institutions. Traditionally, a four-year bachelor’s degree has typically earned graduates 66 percent more money in the workforce than students holding only a high-school diploma. Similarly, the average individual holding a four-year degree makes an average of $1 million more than an individual without a postsecondary degree. A college degree has historically been the symbol of opportunity and future success in the United States, and politicians and community leaders have touted postsecondary institutions as the beacons of hope for a brighter future in American society. Facilitated in part by President Trump’s aggressively antiestablishment rhetoric, many politicians have spurned “liberal elite” colleges and professors, painting them as the centers of increasingly liberal ideology. As such, a new crop of leaders and policymakers have positioned themselves as champions of the working class, touting policies focused on vocational and technological opportunities that bypass the traditional college experience. “I think we need to increase our emphasis on hitting concrete, vocational skills,” said Ron DeSantis, the Republican candidate for the Florida governor’s race. “You can have gainful employment doing things like welding or things in other skilled trades, and it doesn’t require you to go $50,000 in debt.” In his interview with John Fredericks, a conservative radio host based in Virginia, he outlined his educational proposal for Florida’s public schools, which emphasizes technical and vocational training as early as middle and high school. DeSantis, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School himself, has stressed throughout his gubernatorial campaign that he doesn’t believe a “four-year, brick-and-ivy” is for everyone. Even candidates and lawmakers traditionally considered part of
academia have seemed to turn with the tides on the issue of educational elitism. For instance, Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, in an appearance alongside President Trump in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, criticized Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse for being an “arrogant academic.” Kaufmann, despite his disapproving oratory, holds a doctorate in history himself and also serves as a university professor. “Yeah, I’m an academic,” he admits tentatively. “I don’t know of another kind of arrogance worse than academic arrogance. The arrogance is coming from reading books, sitting at a desk and learning from reading, versus people out there building the roads.” Despite both Republican and Democratic support for increased vocational training, this specific brand of vitriol towards the educational establishment is relatively new. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center study, about 37 percent of Republicans agreed that higher learning institutions had a negative effect on the population; by June of 2017, 58 percent felt they had a negative effect. Democrats’ views toward higher learning institutions remained largely stagnant over the same time period. Aside from political motives, many students and parents alike have financial and societal motives for bypassing a traditional education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), college costs have risen three times faster than the rate of inflation, and a Goldman Sachs research study has predicted that tuition prices will only continue to rise at an increasing rate. While college grads do make an average of $23,291 more per year than non-college grads, about half of recent grads claim to not use skills learned in college, according to the Rockefeller Foundation. With the average cost of a private college degree at about $104,400 and a public, in-state degree lingering at around $56,840, the United States’ $1.3 trillion loan debt is projected to be more than that of the rest of the world’s graduates combined. According to a June study by the BLS, there are an estimated 16.5 million members of the “gig economy — dubbed the “contingent workforce” by the Bureau. Many millennials expect to have four or five different careers throughout their lifetime, relying in the short term on two or even three sources of income from temporary work or smartphone apps to make ends meet. These jobs include part- or full-time positions as Uber or Lyft drivers, Airbnb landlords, Etsy sellers and the like.
THE RISE OF TUITION
By contrast, the entire United States coal industry employs only 80,000 Americans, while the U.S. steel industry is made up of about 150,000. So is earning a college degree worth it? New research from the Freelancers Union shows that approximately 54 million employees who work as freelancers and independent contractors are projected to earn about 17 percent more per hour than salaried employees. As the gig economy gains more credibility, contracted and temporary workers — or the contingent workforce, according to the BLS — have continued to gain traction by specializing the workforce into trade industries. Consequently, the need for individuals to hold a four-year degree has declined. “The college degree is an increasingly risky and expensive proposition,” says Tony Wagner, a senior research fellow at the Learning Policy Institute and author of the bestseller “The Global Achievement Gap.” “It used to be that a college degree guaranteed you a good job and a middle-class lifestyle. That’s simply no longer true. The world no longer cares how much people know, because Google knows everything. What the world cares about is what you can do with what you know.” Andrew Hanson, senior research analyst at Georgetown University, touts “occupationally-focused courses,” which reward proficiency in
specific technical fields rather than the completion of traditional general education requirements. Certificates and two-year degrees have the benefit of providing technical credibility while allowing workers to earn an immediate income by sidestepping a four-year degree. Thinkful, an organization dedicated to the online training of engineers and designers led by peer mentors, offers full-time courses aimed at helping individuals specifically land a job in the fields of web development and technological advancement. “Millennials, or people in their 20s and 30s in general, believe they’re going to have four careers,” says co-founder and CEO Darrell Silver. “Companies, similarly, are not expecting or offering full-career jobs.”
27% OF UNDERGRADS WHO TOOK OUT STUDENT LOANS FROM 2003 TO 2004 HAVE DEFAULTED ON PAYMENTS.
POST-GRAD CAREERS
ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, THE AVERAGE TUITION OF A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE THE 1985-1986 ACADEMIC YEAR.
69%
69%
OF 25 TO 34-YEAROLDS WITH NO COLLEGE ATTENDANCE HAD A FULL TIME JOB IN 2016.
OF 25 TO 34YEAR-OLDS WITH SOME COLLEGE ATTENDANCE HAD A FULL TIME JOB IN 2016.
69%
OF 25 TO 34YEAR-OLDS WITH AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE HAD A FULL TIME JOB IN 2016.
*Data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics.
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From the oddballs who made TLC an unstoppable network to the Kardashian family insisting that they’re “just like us,” reality TV shines a spotlight on our most basic human desires and fascinations. Rooted in escapism, we turn on the television to tune out of our humanity and transport ourselves into foreign realities. Since its creation, television has been universally deemed the premier form of entertainment for the escapist. It’s cheaper than going to the movies, and unlike reading, it requires minimal attention. All you need to do is sit back and watch a myriad of diverse universes unfold at your convenience. Often, these televised universes are modeled after people, like us, interacting. Although one of the main draws to a television program is escapism executed through outlandish or eccentric plotlines, the heart of all programming lies within the characters onscreen. Family sitcoms of the ’50s and ’60s,
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such as “I Love Lucy” and “Leave It To Beaver” were some of the most popular programs of their time because of their ability to win audiences over with their undeniably charismatic characters. They are received, loved and practically given a place in our families – until we turn off the TV and go about our days. No matter how much we relate to our favorite characters, the reality is that they do not actually exist in our lives. We can root for or tear down these characters without producing a physical effect on the health or happiness of real people. This phenomenon would change in the ’70s, however, when television
matured and began to reflect this socially progressive era. Surprisingly, MTV did not pioneer the genre we now refer to as reality television. Television shows followed the lives of “real people” decades before Snooki and Pauly D descended upon the boardwalk of the Jersey Shore. Before the genre earned its current name, there were numerous game shows, daytime talk shows and hidden camera shows that overwhelmed big-name networks. “There is too wide a range of programs that fall under that label for it to really be a singular genre,” said Dr. Mitchell Shapiro, director of the University of Miami’s School of Communication honors program. It seems any program with nonprofessional actors portraying a version of themselves can accurately fall under the umbrella of “reality.” These programs have existed since the 1940s, but it was not until 1974 that the still unnamed genre was baptized with PBS’s “An American Family.” The 12-episode-long series, more comparable to a docuseries on Netflix than any reality series currently on Bravo, documented the
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Suddenly, reality television was morphing into a grim examination of humanity.
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lives of members of the Loud family in their California home over a sevenmonth time period. Today, the series is hailed as revolutionary for not only singlehandedly originating an entire genre, but also for exploring themes such as divorce, financial troubles and homosexuality. The 1970s were a decade of blazing social progress in American history, but such taboo themes were rarely discussed on scripted shows. “An American Family” did not try to normalize these taboos. Instead, it accepted them as normal; however, that may have been its undoing. It is ironic, by today’s standards, that a reality show’s blunder was being “too real,” but “An American Family” ultimately went off the air after just one season. For a while, it seemed that reality television, as defined by PBS, had its cord permanently cut, but come 1981, a new television station would change that. MTV, which, at its core, was never about music, fostered a sense of unity in the American youth. On May 21, 1992, MTV gave us “The Real World.” The show was set in New York City, and half of the first season’s cast were racial minorities. But as quickly as it was accepted, it was also questioned heavily by culture analysts as to whether such a manufactured reality hindered the show’s claims of projecting the “real world.” Cast members had to audition as themselves and were subsequently hand-picked like pieces of candy. Their situation was heavily contrived, yet young audiences were still sold on the prospect of following the lives of others similar to them. By the third season, the show was viewed as a legitimate point of national discussion for its tender humanization of HIV and the portrayal of Pedro Zamora as an unlikely yet well-embraced educator on gay rights.
During the 90s, this seemed noble. It seemed that MTV was once again leading us into a new direction full of possibilities, but it was not until 2000 that the genre held a tight grip on primetime television. With the debut seasons of “Big Brother” and “Survivor” in 2000, CBS managed to fuse the best elements of classic game shows with reality television tropes made standard by “The Real World.” Everyday people, intense physical and mental competition and large sums of money on the line made for the most dramatic entertainment available. It bore witness to lying, backstabbing and fighting. Audiences couldn’t get enough of it. Suddenly, reality television was morphing into a grim examination of humanity. Although arguments of moral bankruptcy have become standard to the “reality competition” subgenre as discerned by publications and national figures ranging from The Washington Post to the White House, attacks on the genre’s social irresponsibility have done little to diminish its popularity. Why, then, are programs rooted in perpetuating humiliation and staging antagonism still attracting interest? The simplest answer can be traced back to the reason we watch TV at all: to escape. As journalist Jennifer Pozner persists in her book “Reality Bites Back: The Troubling Truth About Guilty Pleasure TV,” “‘real life’ is all about leisure.” Perhaps when we watch people reach their lowest lows in front of millions, we are oddly comforted that our lives, in comparison, are not that bad. There is also the
entertainment factor – the ability to withdraw ourselves so far from strife to the point that it becomes enjoyable. Even the earliest radio serials primarily owed their success to our innate interest in gossip. Findings from a 1990s study by Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist with a distinguished focus on primate behavior, suggest that gossip is pivotal in maintaining our social bonds. Dunbar likened the gossip culture to apes grooming each other. Gossiping, by that stretch, allows us to “groom several people simultaneously.” Television executives quickly realized that this desire to understand people nearly outweighed our inclinations to tear them down, making essentially any profession or hobby an interesting enough premise for primetime. Suddenly, they were everywhere: people singing for their lives, tattooing, dating, cooking and even parenting. Recall “Jon and Kate + 8?” “Teen Mom,” anyone? Still under this pressure cooker of contrived realities, MTV managed to stay one step ahead by introducing Some people attribute the normalization of surveillance and the accompanied violation of privacy to the popularity of reality shows.
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A world not entirely rooted in reality yet another landmark subgenre, the “reality sitcom,” with “The Osbournes” in 2002. Chronicling the day-to-day hijinks of rocker Ozzy Osbourne’s family, it was revolutionary in bringing the elite and secret world of the celebrity to our living rooms. This uncovered the reality that “they are just like us!” By the time the Kardashian family made its way onto the small screen, social media was finally starting to morph into the fixture it is today. The Kardashians ingeniously used their social media accounts to further document their lives well past the network restrictions of their E! show. Now, in the age of live Instagram and Facebook stories, Twitter updates and Snapchat channels, every celebrity has their own “reality show” of sorts. Just as the main goal for sitcoms of the 1950s was to gather families around the television, social media was primarily intended for us to connect with people we otherwise would not be able to access directly. While social media does make it easier for people to share their lives with others, it also makes it harder than ever to sift through the deception. Social media can be harmful when celebrities use it to flaunt their bodies or lifestyle,
Reality TV has rocketed people from anonymity to fame in the blink of an eye. After their show, however, these stars can just as quickly fade back into obscurity.
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since celebrities’ profiles tend to give followers an unrealistic standard of a “normal” day-to-day routine. When we turn on a reality show, we expect a world that is not entirely rooted in reality, but social media doesn’t guarantee that same protection. In a lot of ways, social media can be a betrayal of followers’ trust. For all of the half-baked arguments that arise about reality television being responsible for the demoralization of America, one can acknowledge that the genre’s biggest triumph is making self-expression mainstream: it gives everyone a voice. Shows like “The Real World,” and even “trash” shows like “Jerry Springer” gave the microphone to what was, at times, a misrepresented demographic. Although the genre’s primary concerns were those of any other genre – drama and ratings – they did open the doors for discussion. Social media continues this vein both positively and negatively. It’s just a matter of what the audience demands to see. It’s a matter of education and communication outweighing misinformation and cyberbullying. It’s content we can learn to control, and that’s the reality.
BASED IN MIAMI With the exception of the seminal 1996 Miami Beach season of “The Real World,” there has been a national lack of popularity among Miami-based reality shows. Franchised series such as “The Real Housewives” (2011-2013), “Bad Girls Club” (2010, 2013) and “Basketball Wives” (2010-2013) have proved to be immensely popular in cities such as New York, LA and Atlanta, but when based in the Magic City, they are often discontinued after a few seasons. The most successful entries to the genre are unsurprisingly celebrity sitcoms such as the Kardashians’ spinoff “Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami” (2009-2013) and procedural shows such as Animal Planet’s “Animal Cops: Miami” (2004-2011). Currently, the only reality programs on the air that are set in Miami include the stillnew “Love & Hip-Hop” installment and CMT’s “Danger Coast” (2010 present). In a city perceived to value little beyond glitz and glamour, it is no wonder that the only “reality” content offered often shines a spotlight on the superficial. This could send a message to audiences that networks’ ultimate goals are highly transparent and lack resonance with the “real” Miami.
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