Distraction Magazine Fall 2020

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

fall 2020

LOOK AT HIM UNPACKING STEREOTYPES

Cover Ideas FALL 2020.indd 1

ME MYSELF AND I A look into the loneliest generations

OUTSIDE IN Becoming our own ecosystems

PANDEMIC PANDEMONIUM Is this the new normal?

9/11/20 7:33 PM

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

fall 2020

ME

LOOK AT HIM

MYSELF AND I A LOOK INTO THE LONELIEST GENERATIONS

Cover Ideas FALL 2020.indd 2

Unpacking stereotypes

OUTSIDE IN Becoming our own ecosystems

PANDEMIC PANDEMONIUM Is this the new normal?

9/11/20 7:33 PM

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

fall 2020

PA N D E M I C pandemonium IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL?

LOOK AT HIM Unpacking stereotypes

ME MYSELF AND I A look into the loneliest generations

OUTSIDE IN Becoming our own ecosystems

Cover Ideas FALL 2020.indd 4

9/11/20 7:33 PM

BLM RESOURCES We’ve compiled a list of organizations that support the Black Lives Matter Movement. The following links help the movement by providing monetary support, volunteer oppurtunities and useful information. Use these resources to educate yourself and support Black-owned businesses.

www.blacklivesmatter.com

www.naacp.org

www.thedreamdefenders.org

www.aclu.org

www.shoppeblack.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Stepping into my role as editor-in-chief was no easy feat in 2020. It began with my staff being whisked away from campus at a time when we should have been learning the nuances of our new roles. Then came the challenges of creating content in the midst of a global pandemic.

Finally, I had to learn and try to understand my friends’ pain surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the calls for change that followed.

As my team and I worked to think of genuine ways to support our community, we thought critically about our own organization. What could we do in the future to make Distraction a more welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds?

The answer was—and still is—not simple. But in collaboration with leaders like Landon Coles, the president of United Black Students, we brainstormed ways to be a more supportive community. This included the implementation of Distraction’s first diversity council, a plan to increase diverse representation on our staff going forward and our fall 2020 issue’s special section: Being Black in America. This is not a finished project, as the world evolves so must we.

With the universe in need of a reset, it is more important than ever for us to stand together and support each other—whether that be a new initiative to support students on campus or a Zoom call to let a friend know they are not alone during the pandemic.

Although 2020 is not the year we all thought it would be, I hope you can pick up an issue of the magazine and at the very least—get distracted.

In the poem “Look at Him,” writer Myles Griffith discusses his life as a Black man in America faced with societal presures to fit the stereotypes associated with his race.

“Me, Myself and I” looks into the “world’s loneliest generations” as they handle diminishing face-toface interactions due to the rise of technology and social media.

art direction_emebet deeter. photo_emebet deeter.

art direction_nailah anderson. photo_nailah anderson.

Our fashion editorial, “Outside In,” is a commentary on the “new normal.” Stuck inside, we have become the center of our own ecosytems, represented in this shoot with floral makeup looks.

In a COVID-19 world, “Pandemic Pandemonium” dives into the University of Miami’s response to the pandemic and how campus life has changed for students, faculty and staff.

art direction_staff. photo_teagan polizzi.

art direction_olivia ginsberg & gianna sanchez. photo_teagan polizzi.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION

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CONTENTS

pg.8

What the Fork

BEER

Special Edition: Recipes from Our Roots

Whether you’re a beer aficionado or don’t know hops from malt, you’ll learn something new about booze from our beer guide.

16.

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Hamantaschen Pumpkin Torte Rice and Beans Arepas Pasta Fagioli Korersh-e karafs Pate Kode Lumpiang Shanghai

The Guide 8. On Tap 10. Breathe Free 12. Which Box is Best for Me?

pg.21

One bite and you’ll be transported to the family kitchen of Laura Francois. This tasty fried snack from Haiti can be stuffed with endless combinations of flavors and fillings.

DISTRACTION

Introduction

ONLY THEIR FACES A story of one Black woman’s experience with police brutality.

Special Section: Being Black in America

PATE KODE

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pg.40

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An Overview of the Movement As One of the Few Black Faces It’s Time to Relearn The American Nightmare Only Their Faces Security in Stillness Black Music Matters Look at Him Dear Black Girl Grace and Graves

pg.62

OUTSIDE IN

Health & Wellness 48.

50.

52.

54.

While stuck indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to adapt to a new normal and bring the outside in.

Me, Myself and I Glo, Bro Find Your Superhero A Higher Power

Main Event 72.

75.

78.

80.

Carlos Machado Mitchell Kaplan Pandemic Pandemonium 2020 Election

Fashion pg.48

ME MYSELF AND I Why are Gen Z and millennials the loneliest generations? Some experts say social media plays a big role.

60. At Your Fingertips 62. Outside In 67. Frat Star Fashion

pg.72

CARLOS MACHADO A UM senior and successful artist in his own right, Carlos Machado sat down with Distraction for a Q&A about his unique artistic journey.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION

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fall 2020

What is the first thing you’ll do after COVID-19 ?

The Team

Stand in crowds without a mask.

Editor-in-Chief_Olivia Ginsberg Co-Executive Editors_Emmalyse Brownstein & Gabby Lord Managing Editor_Lauren Mokhtarzadeh Co-Creative Directors_Lauren Maingot & Gianna Sanchez Co-Art Directors_Giselle Spicer & Avani Choudhary Co-Photo Editors_Teagan Polizzi & Sydney Burnett Illustration Director_Rachel Rader Co-Assistant Art Directors_Giovanni Aprigliano & Jess Morgan Co-Assistant Photo Editors_Tiana Torkan & Nailah Anderson Co-Fashion Directors_Keagan Larkins & Abby Podolsky Co-Fashion Assistants_Roma Williams & Erika Pun Co-Video Editors_Travis Laub & Elinor Howells Co-Assistant Video Editors_Debra Baldwin & Molly Balsamides Co-PR Directors_Anika Bhavnani & Sabrina Snyder PR Assistants_Katelyn Gavin, Amy Welsey, Emily Marquez & Geethika Kataru Co-Social Media Directors_Lindsey Jayne & Emy Deeter Social Media Assistants_Isabel Bauer-Nathan & Emily Bergwall The Guide Editor_Alexis Masciarella What the Fork Editor_Cathelyna Suherman Special Section Editor_Kathryn Ford Health & Wellness Editor_Kylea Hensler Fashion Editor_Isabel Tragos Main Event Editor_Savannah Yates Human Resources Director_Amanda Fisher Happy hour!

Faculty Adviser_Randy Stano

Hug my grandmother.

ABOUT US

The magazine is produced four times per year, twice a semester. City Graphics and Bellack Miami printed 2,000 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, visit distractionmagazine.com. Questions and comments can be sent to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to oag27@miami.edu. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.

4

DISTRACTION

Introduction

Lagniappe.

Continue to wash my hands like a normal person. :)

distractionmagazine.com Digital Editor_Gianna Milan Web Designer_Megan Page Assistant Digital Editors_Lesile Dominique, Alexa Hirt & Scarlett Diaz

Contributors Asia Chester, writer Cassie Couri, writer Emma Goodstein, writer Jabrina Roscoe, writer Jayden DeGrace, writer Julia Mastrangelo, writer Myles Griffith, writer Nailah Edmead, writer Olbrine Thelusma, writer Tayana Dix, writer Toni-Ann Farquharson, writer Abby Pak, designer Amanda Costello, designer Isabella Vaccaro, designer Katrina Schmidt, designer Marielle Zuber, designer Rachel Bergeron, designer Ally Gaddy, photographer

WE LIKE YOU

Club Space.

E11EVEN!

When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a biology 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-inchief, Olivia Ginsberg, at oag27@miami.edu.

BEHIND THE SCENES

RECIPES FROM OUR ROOTS From beginning to end, this shoot was so much fun. Our goal was to highlight family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. While one dish was being shot, our editor-in-chief Olivia, executive editor Emmalyse and I were in the kitchen cooking the next. Our photo director, Sydney, had a specific vision for this shoot and it was so great seeing it come to life.

After the shoot, we all stuffed our faces and devoured the delicious food together.

- Lauren Mokhtarzadeh, Managing Editor

OUTSIDE IN

LOOK AT HIM I view being Black in America as a double-edged sword. It’s frustrating when people expect you to act a certain way or do certain things because of your race. However, I always take pride in my individuality and I love to prove stereotypes wrong.

I think the most powerful tool in life is being yourself, and if you can change people’s thinking by being yourself, that’s pretty cool.

This shoot was unlike a lot of other fashion shoots. Olivia, our editor-in-chief, came up with the idea of makeup as the focal point rather than our typical outfit shoots.

We wanted the photos to be very ethereal and seamless, bringing the outside in. Our fashion directors, Abby and Keagan, did an amazing job with makeup and placing each flower perfectly on the models. Our photographer, Teagan, got the best shots with a variety of poses and styles to make sure we had enough to work with.

- Gianna Sanchez, Co-Creative Director

- Myles Griffith, Contributor

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION

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DISTRACTION

The Guide

Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

THE GUIDE Welcome to your roadmap—whether it’s best-of’s or what-todo’s, The Guide has you covered. Ditch the Yelp reviews and dive into the latest and greatest happenings around Miami.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION

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onTAP This smooth, easy-to-drink Havana Lager has a luminous orange hue and a foamy white head. Infused with toasted malt, its aroma has a slight sweetness. Brewed in Wynwood by Concrete Beach Brewery, the lager’s crisp and clean finish makes it the go-to beer for watching a Miami sunset.

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DISTRACTION

The Guide

P

Head to any college party and you’re sure to find an assortment of beer cans—some full, most empty— floating around. But beyond its “bro” stereotype, beer is actually a sophisticated and intricate beverage.

Distraction took a look at how to expand our palettes to include this often overlooked booze—think less “shotguns” and “flip cup” and more hops and barley. words_cathelyna suherman. photo_sydney burnett. design_giselle spicer.

BASIC COMPOSITION Hops: Budding from the humulus lupulus plant, hops have antibacterial properties that act as a preservative and add bitterness to the beer.

Yeast: Responsible for the fermentation of the beer, yeast is what gives it its alcohol content and some of its carbonation.

Malted Barley: This plant affects the color and the sweetness of the beer— the more malt, the more sweet the flavor. By manipulating the timeline of this grain’s germination with heat, brewers can craft a variety of flavors.

UNDERSTANDING BEERS Lagers: Lagers span a scale from pale

Wheat Ales: Originating from Germany, these beers are brewed using pale malted wheat instead of the normal malted barley base. The product is a light yellow hue with notes of banana and clove.

Pale Ales: Pale ales date back over 300 years to England. With hints of amber and gold, pale ales give off citrus and piney notes.

Ambers: Falling between lagers and ales,

Sours: One of the most unique styles are

Stouts: Stereotypically labeled as ‘strong,’

to dark with hints of aromatic fruit and liquorice. Pale lagers are translucent gold and have a dry, bitter taste from hops, while dark lagers are often an amber to red-brown hue.

these intentionally tart beers. Originating from Belgium, American brewers have adopted this brew in recent years. The tint can range from deep red to gold, and their pungent aroma is unmistakable.

ambers are light to medium in color and, in terms of taste, tend to fall on the sweeter side.

these dark beers are actually quite the opposite. Depending on the age, the barley creates stouts’ signature bitter espresso taste that pours creamy from the carbonation of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? Aesthetics: A glance at the contents of

Consistency: Swirling your beer around its glass or bottle can gently unlock the natural aromas and flavors of the brew as well as stimulate the drink’s carbonation.

Smell: Your sense of smell is vital in beer tasting, so take a good whiff of your drink to enhance the array of flavors.

Taste: Savor the beer’s acidity, bitterness and

your glass will tell you a lot about the characteristics of your beer, even before you take a sip: hue, pour, color and consistency.

FIVE MIAMI BREWERIES TO SUIT ALL BUDGETS AND TASTE BUDS VEZA SUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Wynwood PRICE: $ SPECIALTY: Latin-inspired beers and beer cocktails FLAGSHIP BEER: The Michelada ADDRESS: 55 NW 25th St.

WYNWOOD BREWING CO. NEIGHBORHOOD: Wynwood PRICE: $ SPECIALTY: An impressive variety of beers FLAGSHIP BEER: La Rubia Blonde Ale ADDRESS: 565 NW 24th St.

MIAMI BREWING CO. NEIGHBORHOOD: Homestead PRICE: $$ SPECIALTY: One of the largest taprooms in South Florida FLAGSHIP BEER: Big Rod Coconut Blonde Ale ADDRESS: 30205 SW 217th Ave.

KUSH NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown PRICE: $$$ SPECIALTY: Extensive reserve list and in-house cellar FLAGSHIP BEER: Florida Pints ADDRESS: 2003 N Miami Ave.

THE TANK BREWING CO. NEIGHBORHOOD: Doral/ Virginia Gardens PRICE: $$$ SPECIALTY: Doubles as a cigar lounge and offers unique seasonal beers FLAGSHIP BEER: El Farito IPA ADDRESS: 5100 NW 72nd Ave.

sweetness by taking time to sip rather than chugging or shotgunning it down.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION

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Child’s pose is a restorative movement used in yoga to recover from more difficult moves. It opens up the hips and allows for gentle stretching and relaxation. Child’s pose can be worked into anyone’s morning routine. It helps release tension in the back, shoulders and chest.

BREATHE Yoga isn’t just downward dog and child pose. While many participate for the physical benefits, yoga also has the abilty to open the mind to a higher awareness and a deeper sense of consciousness. Don’t have extra cash for a class? We’ve got you covered. Check out these instructors offering free classes. words_alexis mascariella. photo_sydney burnett. design_lauren mokhtarzadeh.

10 DISTRACTION The Guide

In fall 2019, Amanda Fisher, a sophomore and self-described exercise enthusiast, tried an intermediate yoga class at UM’s Herbert Wellness Center. “It felt really nice to do something that was active, but peaceful for my mind. I’m a very anxious person, so to do yoga and be in a room where everyone’s just trying to center themselves is relaxing,” Fisher said.

“It almost took me outside of my body.”

Yoga, meaning “union,” is a Hindu spiritual quest to experience the Brahman, or divine, by balancing the mind. Hinduism recognizes that there are various paths to the Divine, but many of them aren’t as accessible to college students. Thanks to local government sponsors, yoga studios and instructors are able to offer free classes to those curious about the benefits of the discipline without the financial commitment of a membership.

FREE YOGA IN THE 305

SYNERGY YOGA

PAULA LONDONO

A pioneer in bringing yoga masters to Miami, Synergy Yoga offers complimentary classes at Española Way every Saturday at 9 a.m.

Instructor Victoria Brunacci describes the practice as the oldest preventative health care system, with advantages that include boosting the immune system and releasing stress. “It is treating a different layer of yourself: body, mind and soul,” Brunacci said.

“It’s a complete therapy for healing.”

Paula Londono, an instructor who teaches a free class every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the North Miami Public Library, explained that many people aren’t aware that yoga can improve your life. No registration is needed to attend the class and all are welcome.

synergyyoga.org

Nobe Yoga offers classes in Collins Park on Mondays and Wednesdays and at South Pointe Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. These classes are vinyasa-based and characterized by stringing poses together and focusing on breathing to “calm and balance the mind and heal both physically and emotionally,” said instructor Nicola Brisuela.

Coconut Grove Business Improvement District and Dharma Studios partner every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Peacock Park to bring free yoga to all ages. Instructor Natalie Morales explains how she has transformed her business model during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our mission statement is to make yoga as accessible to as many people as possible,” said Morales. “Yoga promotes the idea of looking inward. Self-study prevents us from forgetting our innate goodness.” These classes are now offered on Zoom.

nobeyoga.com

dharmastudio.com

NOBE YOGA

Lakeside Village is offering free yoga classes this semester to help UM students lower stress levels, improve memory and strengthen their immune systems.

Gentle Yoga: Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

northmiamifl.gov/207/Library DHARMA STUDIOS

Power Yoga: Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga: Fridays 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Registration is available through the UM wellness app or online at wellness.miami.edu.

instrutor Natalie Morales leads a gemtle yoga flow at Dharma Studios in Coconut Grove. Student practice yoga to balance body, mind and spirit.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 11

WHICH BOX IS BEST FOR ME?

If you love the feeling of getting a package in the mail, you aren’t alone.

Whether you have a slight shopping addiction or just love to try new products, receiving a subscription box could be for you. But where do you start? words_emmalyse brownstein. design_katrina schmidt.

WHICH ONE BEST DESCRIBES YOU? Foodie

Beauty Guru Wellness Extrordinaire

DO YOU ENJOY COOKING?

LOVE it!

Influencer

I’M MORE INTO...

Eh, not really my thing.

Both, TBH.

Sometimes.

WHICH ONE SOUNDS MORE LIKE YOU?

I don’t have time to meal prep, but don’t want takeout or dining hall food.

This weekly meal kit service will deliver step-by-step recipes and ingredients to your door.

Choose options from a menu of items—all you have to do is cook and eat.

12 DISTRACTION The Guide

I’m fine with what I eat, but I’d love to give my closet an upgrade.

Makeup

Fashion

I’D RATHER GET A SUBSCRIPTION BOX TO...

Step up my game

Take a quiz and a stylist will hand-pick clothing to match your style, size and price. There are options for everyone. You can try it once or sign up for a monthly subscription.

I WANT TO RECIEVE A BOX...

Treat myself

Seasonally

This quarterly box ships eight to 10 full-size beauty, skincare, accessory, home and wellness products each season. You can customize some items in each box and add extras.

Monthly

Boxy Charm subscriptions include five full-size beauty products like makeup, skincare and beauty tools.

Customers can choose one item in each box and accumulate reward points.

Directly across from The University of Miami words_ lauren mokhtarzadeh. design_avani choudhary.

THēsis Hotel Miami is the new kid on the block. The THēsis has two restaurants within the hotel—Orno premier hotel opened in August 2020 in Coral Gables. It and Mamey—both led by one of “Food & Wine” is owned by Nolan Reynolds International, a development magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2020 and a double James and hospitality firm, and operated by Hersha Hospitality Beard Award nominee, Chef Niven Patel. Mamey is Management. Its prime location is directly across from currently open and serving island-minded cuisine along the University of Miami and has easy access to the with exotic cocktails. Orno is set to open in early 2021 Metrorail, the Underline and with a New American menu, the Coconut Grove trolley. focused on fresh, locally “Designed to be a cultural The 245-room hotel sourced ingredients. provides guests with high-end epicenter for the Coral Gables The THēsis team is amenities like a Mediterranean community, we are introducing committed to the health, rooftop pool and communitysafety and wellbeing of their a lifestyle concept that will serve inspired events. guests and team members.

THēsis' in-room amenities both residents and visitors alike, They are adhering to all include: in-room dining, with our modern and comfortable health guidelines relating to complimentary high-speed COVID-19 to ensure that both guest rooms, design and curated guests and team members feel WiFi, 55-inch flat screen TVs with premium movie channels community experiences.” safe while on THēsis grounds. and Bluetooth speakers.

THēsis welcomes all to The modern fitness center enjoy their new space and - Brent Reynolds, CEO AND MANAGING is full of cardiovascular modern amenities.

PARTNER OF NOLAN REYNOLDS equipment, strength training THēsis Hotel Miami accessories and free weights for INTERNATIONAL is located at 1350 S. Dixie guests to get in a sweat session.

Hwy, Coral Gables. For more The rooftop pool serves information, visit www. small bites and cocktails which encourages guests to grab ThesisHotelMiami.com, call 305.667.5611 or email a drink and relax. Lounge chairs and daybeds are also info@thesishotelmiami.com. Follow THēsis Hotel on available for guests to sit in and soak up the hot Miami sun. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @thesishotelmiami.

Advertorial

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 13

14 DISTRACTION What the Fork

Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

WHAT THE FORK We’re taking your palette on an adventure to every corner of the world—right from your own kitchen. Celebrate traditional family recipes and learn to channel your inner chef by taking a bite into What The Fork. Bon appétit!

15 DISTRACTION In the Loop

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 15

To some, the sound of garlic and oil sizzling reminds them of family.

For others, it’s the texture of spring roll wrappers, the smell of fried food or an image of the family’s matriarch cooking dinner.

Regardless of background, families have rich culinary traditions that are shared generationally. Distraction asked students to document their culinary traditions and the memories that bring them back to their roots. photo_sydney burnett & teagan polizzi. design_giovanni aprigliano & jess morgan.

Classic Hamantaschen My mother and I work hard every year to make hamantaschen cookies to celebrate Purim, a Jewish holiday. She has lovingly taught me the techniques to form hamantaschen into the shape of a perfect triangle cookie, which resembles the hat worn by Haman, the antagonist in the story of Purim. While traditional hamantaschen cookies are filled with poppy seeds, dried fruit or fruit preserves, my mother and I sometimes give them a modern twist by filling ours with Nutella and chocolate sauce. words_emma goodstein. photo_sheri silver.

Ingredients These special cookies are enjoyed on the Jewish holiday Purim.

• • • • • • •

4 eggs 1 cup oil 1 ¼ cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tbsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 4 ½ cups flour

1.

2.

3.

4.

In a large bowl, beat four eggs.

Beat in oil, sugar, vanilla, baking powder and salt.

Add flour gradually and mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

Knead until the mixture is smooth enough to roll on a floured board or pastry cloth.

5. Roll the dough out into four portions, about ¼ inch thick each.

Use the rim of a cup to cut 3 to 4-inch circles out of the dough.

6. Place the desired filling by the tsp. in each circle. Make a triangle shape by pinching together three sides of the circle.

7. Place cookies on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 375 degrees. This yields about 72 hamantaschen.

16 DISTRACTION What the Fork

Great-Grandma Van De Putte’s Pumpkin Torte Pumpkin torte has been a Thanksgiving staple in my family for three generations­—it’s like pumpkin pie with a cheesecake and graham cracker twist. My great-grandmother, Margaret Van De Putte, made it every year, and my grandmother has done the same after her. Last year, I made it myself for the first time. “My earliest memory of it must’ve been when I was nine or 10 years old,” my grandmother, Carolyn Brownstein, recalled. “My brother and I used to argue over who would get the crusty corner piece. I started making it myself in the 70s or 80s, and everyone I’ve ever made it for has loved it. It’s definitely a unique recipe.” words_emmalyse brownstein.

Ingredients For the crust: • 1 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs • 1/3 cup sugar • 1 stick of butter, melted Layer 1: • one 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened • 2 eggs, beaten • ¾ cup sugar

Try this spin on pumpkin pie for your next Thanksgiving celebration.

Layer 2: • one 16-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pie filling) • 3 eggs, separated • ½ cup sugar, divided • ½ cup milk • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • ½ tsp. salt • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin • ¼ cup cold water

Method To make the crust: 1. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter and pat into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan.

To make the bottom layer: 2. Beat together the cream cheese, eggs and sugar. Spoon over the prepared crust. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool.

To make the top layer: 3. Place the pumpkin, egg yolks, ¼ cup of the sugar, milk, cinnamon and salt in a heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.

4. Remove from heat. In a separate bowl, stir the gelatin and water together and let sit about two minutes to soften.

5. Then stir into the pumpkin mixture and let cool completely.

6. Beat the egg whites with the remaining ¼ cup of sugar until stiff peaks form. Then fold lightly into the cooled pumpkin mixture.

7. Pour over cream cheese layer and refrigerate for two hours.

Margaret Van de Putte at her Indiana home in the 1930s.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 17

Grandma Candida’s Puerto Rican Red Rice and Beans Upon first glance, you wouldn’t guess that I am of Puerto Rican descent. Sometimes, I question the origins of my heritage myself—I look more Polish than Puerto Rican, don’t speak a lick of Spanish and lack the rhythm of my ancestors. There are a few memories that remind me of who I am, like those of grandma Candy crouched over the kitchen sink, picking through grains of white rice. She would make sure only the most perfect morsels got into her dish.

There was never a weekend that Grandma didn’t work at the stove from dawn to dusk, cooking enough rice, beans, plantains and chicken to last the following week. When she passed, my father continued to cook her rice and beans weekly—a delicious legacy that I will carry on. words_olivia ginsberg.

Pink Beans Ingredients • • • • • • •

two cans of pink beans, drained 1 large onion, chopped 1 large potato, peeled and chopped two 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce 2 packets Sazón 1 tbsp. Recaito 1 tbsp. Sofrito

Red Rice Ingredients • • • • • • •

3 cups medium-grain white rice 2 packets Sazón 1 tbsp. Recaito 1 tablespoon Sofrito 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. salt 1 jar Spanish pitted olives Red rice gets its signature color from ground annatto (achiote) seeds.

Method To make the beans: 1. Add all the ingredients to a pot and cover them completely with water.

2. Cook on high heat until potatoes are soft when poked with a fork, stirring continuously.

3. Reduce heat after potatoes soften and mix frequently until the mixture boils.

4. Serve and inevitably save some for later.

Red rice and beans are a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine. They are enjoyed as a side dish with meat or poultry.

18 DISTRACTION What the Fork

To make the rice: 1. Put rice in a large bowl and rinse until the water runs clear (may take several rinses).

2. Cover the bottom of a large pot with olive oil. Add rice to the pot and combine with oil on high heat.

3. Cover rice completely with water and stir in the remaining ingredients.

4. Boil for 10 minutes while stirring frequently.

5. Reduce to low heat.

6. Take a dish towel and place between the lid and the pot and press down to seal.

7. Steam rice for an additional 20 to 30 minutes­, turning rice frequently with a wooden spoon.

8. Serve and enjoy.

Pasta Fagioli My great-grandmother, Mary Yates, traveled from Sicily to the United States at 14 years old. She traveled with no money and no papers, just the belongings she could carry. To her, cooking was an art form—she made everything—pasta, sausage and sauces—from scratch, and even had her own vegetable garden. The very first time my father brought my mother to meet his family, my grandmother made pasta fagioli. It was so delicious that my mother immediately asked for the recipe, and now, every time she makes it, we think of the one and only Mary Yates. words_savannah yates.

Ingredients

Pasta Fagioli can be made with several types of pasta, including the elbow noodles pictured here.

• • • • • • • • •

Mary Yates is pictured here with other members of the Yates family.

Method

1 box of small elbow noodles 3 cups marrow beans 1 jar tomato sauce 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped 1 medium white onion, finely chopped 1 large fresh tomato, finely chopped Capricola ham, diced Pepperoni or bacon, diced

1. Wash the marrow beans and bring them to a boil in a large pot, leaving about 1 inch of water above the beans.

2. Skim off the top of the beans several times.

3. Add more water into the pot, boil and let simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add in celery and onion. Let sit for several hours.

5. In a separate pot, heat spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and meat.

6. Add this mixture to the marrow beans. Keep adding water, if beans recede, and cook until the mixture is smooth.

7. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

8. Cook the box of small elbow noodles separately and drain.

9. Add cooked pasta to the mixture and serve.

Ar e pas Venezuela na s Sunday morning breakfasts with the Milan family are synonymous with sizzling golden eggs and the oven-baked aroma of a dozen piping-hot “arepas”. Arepas are Venezuela’s signature sandwiched delicacy that my mother, Maria Talamo-Milan, first discovered as a child in Caracas. “I learned how to make arepas and most of my cooking from watching my abuela,“ she said. Despite never having visited our mom’s native country, my brother and I taste, savor and recreate the flavors of her rich upbringing by tapping into her childhood tradition weekend after weekend. words_gianna milan.

Ingredients • • • •

1lb P.A.N. Pre-cooked White Corn Meal 2 cups warm water 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. corn oil

Filling: Breakfast: “Perico” = scrambled eggs + minced onions + tomatoes Meat Lover: “Pabellón” = pulled beef + black beans + “maduros” (fried sweet plantains) + grated white cheese Vegetarian: “Dominó” = black beans + shredded white cheese Snack Time: “Queso” = butter + Venezuelan white cheese (try “guayanés,” “paisa” or “queso de mano”)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, add wet and dry ingredients.

3. Combine the contents with a spatula until the dough is thoroughly kneaded.

4. Shape and roll dough into fist-sized balls.

5. Flatten balls into smooth circular discs about 1-inch thick. Place in a cast iron pan.

6. Grill for five minutes over medium-heat on a stovetop. Flip and repeat.

7. Transfer hot arepas to the oven immediately and bake for seven minutes at 350 degrees.

8. Slice arepas with a sharp knife and remove crumb.

9. Stuff with desired fillings and serve immediately.

P.A.N is precooked corn flour that is almost solely used to make arepas.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 19

Maman Joon’s Koresh-e Karafs In Persian culture, people are brought together by food. My grandma, or as I call her, Maman Joon, gathers her family every Friday night for Shabbat dinner with the special recipes from her life in Iran. All 13 grandchildren and our parents gather around the long wooden table that holds of Maman Joon’s dishes. We replace the words of Shalom Aleichem, a common prayer sung on Shabbat evening, with Maman Joon’s unique rendition that includes the simple sound of nai, nai, nai. After we all sing together, with arms wrapped around one another and the aroma of the food in the air, we indulge in multiple plates of our favorite Persian dishes.

Among the many dishes she makes, Khoresh-e karafs, or celery stew, is one of my favorites.

Khoresh is translated as stew in English, and is a complicated and delicate process. Each khoresh has its own flavor and ingredients, making them all so unique. Khoresh is always served with rice and tahdig or “crunchy rice”—the rice that collects all the oil and crisps at the bottom of the pot. While it is time consuming, lots of care goes into making koresh and it is worth it. It is always full of flavor, warms my stomach and makes me feel at home. words_lauren mokhtarzadeh.

Koresh-e karafs is one of the many stews made in traditional Persian households. All share the commonality of vibrant colors and delicious flavors.

The distinct greenish-yellow hue of the koresh-e karafs comes from the mixture of celery and tumeric powder.

Ingredients • 2 large white onions, peeled and thinly sliced • 2 lemons • 1 pound stew meat (lamb, veal or beef) • ⅓ cup oil • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ tsp. turmeric • 5 stalks celery, washed and chopped • 3 cups chopped fresh parsley • 2 cups of water • ½ cup chopped fresh mint

Method 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Place oil in a large pot and warm on medium heat.

Cut onions thinly and put in pot with oil, fry for five minutes.

Add meat and turmeric to pot, cook for another five minutes.

Pour water into pot and cover for 30 minutes on medium heat.

Chop fresh parsley and mint and add to pot, cover and cook for an hour and a half on low heat.

Cut celery and add to pot, cover for 30 minutes on low heat.

Season with salt and add fresh lemon juice.

Cook for another 10 minutes on low heat.

Serve with white rice or on its own. Nooshen Jaan!

Lauren Mokhtarzadeh is pictured here with her Maman Joon and Baba Joon.

20 DISTRACTION What the Fork

Pate Kode: Fried Patties

Mary Laurette Jean Louis, Laura Francios’ grandmother, is pictured here in Leogane, Haiti in 1974..

Pate Kode is a traditional dish prepared by the Haitian community, most often as a part of a “fritay,” a meal consisting of different fried foods. On the island of Haiti, this is a common street food sold to tourists, visitors and islanders. On my summer vacations to Haiti as a young girl, my grandmother would take me into the kitchen and have me watch as she made pate kode for a midday meal. Returning home to West Palm Beach, I’ve been able to remake this dish with friends and enjoy the savory taste of the crispy, filled dough. words_laura francois.

Ingredients Dough • 2 cups flour • 1 tsp. baking powder • ½ tsp. salt • ½ cup + 2 tbsp. cold water • ½ tsp. bouillon base or half crushed bouillon cube

Craving pate kode?

Chez Katu in Miramar, FL has every flavor imaginable.

Hotdogs and Eggs Filling: • 1 hotdog, sliced into 4 strips and diced • 1 hard boiled egg, diced • 1 tbsp. oil • 1 tbsp. epis • ¼ cup onions, sliced • ½ hot pepper, diced (optional) • ⅛ tsp. garlic powder • ⅛ tsp. onion powder • ⅛ tsp. dried thyme • Pinch of black pepper

Chicken, Cabbage and Eggs Filling: • 1 chicken thigh • ½ a lime or lemon, juice reserved • 1 tbsp. epis • 1 tbsp. reserved liquid from chicken • ¼ tsp. salt • ⅛ tsp. garlic powder • ⅛ tsp. onion powder • ⅛ tsp.dried thyme • Pinch of black pepper • 1 clove • 1 cup shredded cabbage • 1 hard boiled egg, diced • 1 tbsp. oil • ¼ cup onions, sliced • ½ hot pepper, diced (optional)

Method 1. Prepare the meat the night before by cleaning, boiling and seasoning with epis. Then, shred the meat into small, thin pieces.

2. Hard boil 10 eggs and cut each into four pieces.

3. Dice onions and green peppers. Add any other veggies you may want.

4. Sauté the vegetables and mix them in with the chicken prepared the night before. Add any extra seasoning and lime.

5. Next, pour flour into a big bowl, add an ample amount of baking soda and butter and mix until it reaches a tender consistency.

6. Add sauce made of water, epis, salt and seasonings of your choice into the flour and continue to mix. Knead the flour until it becomes a dough.

7. Separate the dough into small balls and roll them into flat circles using a roller.

8. Add the prepared meat you want into the middle of the dough.

9. Fold the dough over the meat and press around the edges to close. Press a fork down around the edge of the dough to add a design.

10. Heat vegetable oil in a pan and let it warm for five minutes.

11. Place the uncooked pate in the pan and fry until the crust is a crisp, tan color.

12. Let cool, add pikliz (pickled salad) and enjoy!

The Pate Kode from Chez Katu come with a signature spicy dipping sauce.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 21

Lumpiang ‘Lumpia’ Shanghai

Each lumpia is traditionally rolled by hand.

Every Filipino family has a twist or special ingredient that makes their lumpiang shanghai (commonly known as “lumpia”) unique, so there isn’t one exact recipe. When I first learned how to make lumpia, it was from my grandma. We sat in the kitchen for three hours just talking and rolling each lumpia by hand. She would make me redo any that were not up to her standards. Since then, I’ve spent hours making Lumpia with my grandma and have taken her recipe to school to make it with friends. That’s what I love about making lumpia: it’s a time consuming dish, so you can talk and connect to the people you’re making it with. words_emilie villaverde.

Ingredients • • • •

30 lumpia or spring roll wrappers 1 small bowl of water 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying sweet chili sauce (dipping sauce to serve with lumpia)

Lumpiang Shanghai Filling • 2 lbs ground pork, ground chicken or ground turkey • ½ cup carrots, minced • ½ cup yellow onion, minced • ½ cup green onion, chopped • 2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed • 1 tsp. garlic powder • 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. ground black pepper Emilie Villaverde is pictured with her grandmother.

If frying in hot oil isn’t possible, an airfryer works to get the lumpia cooked and crispy.

22 DISTRACTION What the Fork

Method 1. If wrappers are frozen, take out of freezer and thaw before separating and filling.

2. In a large bowl, combine ground meat with minced carrots, yellow onion, green onion and garlic. Mix well and add garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Place a spoonful of the filling on your lumpia wrapper and spread out in a long, thin line. Begin to roll the wrapper around the filling tightly, making sure the wrapper rolls evenly.

4. At about ½ inch of lumpia wrapper left, dip fingers into a bowl of water and line the edge of the wrapper.

Seal lumpia roll and set aside. Before frying, cut lumpia rolls into 1-inch pieces.

5. After rolling all your lumpia, fill a pot with 1 cup vegetable oil over medium to medium-low heat.

You’ll know if the oil is ready for frying if you take a small piece of the lumpia wrapper and drop it into the oil and bubbles begin to form around it.

6. Place lumpia in oil and fry for four minutes per side, or until the wrapper is golden brown.

7. Once cooked, place lumpia on a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve with sweet chili sauce and enjoy!

WE ARE MINT TO BE

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Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 23

24 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

SPECIAL SECTION:

BEING BLACK IN AMERICA Some have called the demand for racial justice in 2020 the Civil Rights Movement of our generation. Through poetry, short stories and illustrations, we’re shedding light on the experiences of UM’s Black students. So, do more than post on social media with support—educate yourself and those around you about the experiences of Black people in this country.

Being Black in America gives readers one way to start.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 25

An Overview of the Movement

Eric Garner • John Crawford III • Michael Brown • Ezell Ford • Dante Parker • Michelle Cusseaux • Laquan McDonald • Tanisha Anderson • Akai Gurley • Tamir Rice • Rubain Brisbon • Jerame Reid • George Mann • Matther Ajibade • Frank Smart • Natasha McKenna • Tony Robinson • Anthony Hill • Mya Hall • Phillip White • Eric Harris • Walter Scott • William Chapman II • Alexia Christian • Brendon Glenn • Victor Manuel Larosa • Jonathan Sanders • Freddie Gray • Joseph Mann • Salvado Ellswood • Sandra Bland • Albert Joseph Davis • Darrius Stewart • Billy Ray Davis • Samuel Dubose • Michael Sabbie • Brian Keith Day • Christian Taylor • Troy Robinson • Asshams Pharaoh Manley • Felix Kumi • Keith Harrison McLeod • Junior Prosper • Lamontez Jones • Paterson Brown • Dominic Hutchinson • Anthony Ashford • Alonzo Smith • Tyree Crawford • India Kager • La’vante Biggs • Michael Lee Marshall • Jamar Clark • Richard Perkins • Nathaniel Harris Pickett • Benni Lee Tignor • Miguel Espinal • Michael Noel • Kevin Matthews • Bettie Jones • Quintonio Legrier • Keith Childress Jr. • Janet Wilson • Randy Nelson • Antronie Scott • Wendell Celestine • David Joseph • Calin Roquemore • Dyzhawn Perkins • Christopher Davis • Marco Loud • Peter Gaines • Torrey Robinson • Darius Robinson • Kevin Hicks • Mary Truxillo • Demarcus Semer • Willie Tillman • Terrill Thomas • Sylville Smith • Alton Sterling • Philando Castile • Terence Crutcher • Paul O’Neal • Alteria Woods • Jordan Edwards • Aaron Bailey • Ronell Foster • Stephon Clark • Antwon Rose II • Botham Jean • Pamela Turner • Dominique Clayton • Atatiana Jefferson • Christopher Whitfield • Treyvon Martin • Christoper McCorvey • Eric Reason • Michael Lorenzo Dean • Breonna Taylor • Ahmaud Arbery • George Floyd • Rayshard Brooks • Aura Rosser • Janisha Fonville • Gabriella Nevarez • David McAtee • Dreasjon Reed • Michael Charles Ramos • Manuel Elijah Ellis • Rodney King

26 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

The Black Lives Matter movement is the force behind a racial reckoning in the United States, becoming the largest movement by numbers in our country’s history. 2020 has been a year of transparency for many. America has been forced to acknowledge its extensive history of racism, especially through the eyes of law enforcement. words_leslie dominique. design_rachel bergeron.

A

n outcry for racial equality erupted this year after a succession of unjust deaths all shared the commonality of Black victims. On February 23, Ahmaud Arbery was shot down by two white men while he was jogging in a Georgia suburb. On March 13, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot eight times after police entered her Louisville, KY apartment with a no-knock warrant. On May 25, the world viewed in horror as George Floyd died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and other officers stood and watched in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The video of Floyd went viral on social media platforms—there was no ignoring the painful sound of him crying “I can’t breathe” for almost nine minutes. It was a visual representation of the reality of racism in the U.S. As Floyd’s story spread, so did the fire in the hearts of activists. This tragic but monumental moment reignited the call to bring justice to the many Black people who have been wrongfully killed and to prevent future deaths at the hands of law enforcement.

Thousands of protestors took to the streets of Minneapolis calling for justice for Floyd—a modernday civil rights movement had sparked. In a matter of weeks, national protests gained momentum. The brutal images of police brutality and racism in the United States spread across the world, causing the movement to gain international support in places like the United Kingdom.

What came out of the protests? Officer Derek Chauvin, who killed George Floyd, was charged with

third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The three other officers, who were bystanders at the scene and witnessed Chauvin’s use of excessive force, were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Change did not stop there. Monuments of confederate soldiers are being taken down, and schools with confederate namesakes are being renamed. Defunding the police is now a national conversation—major cities like Los Angeles have decreased their police department budgets by millions of dollars to instead invest in highrisk communities. Breonna’s Law was passed in Louisville, making no-knock warrants illegal unless there is an “imminent threat of harm or death.” But has justice really been served? The officers who killed Taylor have still not been arrested. So, yes, the marching, the chanting and statements of support have all amounted to something, but there is still much to be done.

At the University of Miami, changes are being made in response to the movement in order to improve the environment on campus for minority students.

Landon Coles, president of UM’s United Black Students organization, has been vocal about the initiatives he and his peers have pushed forward in order to see change on campus. “As a result of the efforts of Black scholars and leaders both past and present, we have successfully initiated action surrounding proactive social justice and greater equity for Black people at UM,” Coles said.

“We have created collaborations with departments from athletics to the LGBTQ+ center and successfully created new infrastructure for diversity, such as the special advisor on racial justice to the president.” But Coles said the movement is far from over. “The goal is simply to maintain forward momentum. Stagnation, being reactive and losing vigilance are our challenges that we must overcome.” Recently, Coles and Student Government Presdient Abigail Adeleke spearheaded a petition for action at UM. Both Coles and Adeleke outlined a strategy to better the lives of minority students on campus and publicly sent the proposal to President Frenk.

As part of President Julio Frenk’s plan to “support racial equality, inclusion and justice across the institution and in the greater South Florida community,” he appointed Dr. Donald Spivey of the College of Arts and Sciences as the University’s first special advisor to the president on racial justice. This was the first step in an outlined strategy to support Black students, as well as further diversify campus.

This type of positive representation can be seen in people like Professor Winston Warrior, executive director of strategic communications and marketing for the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development. Warrior has been a role model to many Black students on campus. “It is my job to be me, to be present, to always support the students and organizations, to be in spaces where people are not used to seeing someone Black. I have to represent,” said Warrior.

TIMELINE OF UNJUST DEATHS IN 2020

June 11 “Breonna’s Law” is passed in Louisville.

No-knock warrants can no longer be served unless there is “imminent threat of harm or death.”

Feburary 23 Ahmaud Arbery is shot and dies while jogging in Brunswick, GA.

March 13 Police storm Breonna Taylor’s apartment in Louisville, KY. Taylor is struck at least eight times and dies on scene.

May 25 George Floyd is killed by police officer, Derek Chauvin, in Minneapolis, MN.

May 26 Hundreds of people take to the streets in Minneapolis, MN in protest of police brutality and the murder of Floyd.

June 12 Rayshard Brooks is shot and killed by a police officer in Atlanta, GA.

June 14 18-year old Na’kia Crawford is gunned down in Akron, Ohio.

June 15 19-year-old Black Lives Matter activist, Oluwatoyin Salau, and 75-year-old AARP volunteer, Victoria Sims die under mysterious circumstances.

August 24 Jacob Blake is shot and seriously injured in Kenosha, Wisconsin by police.

May 29 Officer Derek Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Floyd.

August 24 The Black Lives Matter Movement continues in the United States and abroad.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 27

as one of the few

BLACK FACES It was 7:30 a.m. on a school day. My eyes strained to stay open, as I rested my head on my mother’s lap. My thoughts drifted as I slipped in and out of consciousness.

The time slipped with every brush stroke as I inhaled the scent of highly concentrated coconut fragrance, characteristic of Blue Magic conditioner. Within an hour my coils and curls were tamed into ponytails and twists, adorned with vibrant barrettes and beads. words_asia chester. design_olivia ginsberg. illustration_lauren maingot.

It was 10:00 a.m. and I was sitting in Ms. Solid’s second grade accelerated math class. I was the only. The only African-American female in the class. The only girl with hair, which would defy the laws of gravity—a misunderstood concept at the time. My coils were an outlier in the homogenous set of flowing straight locks that surronded me. I was the only.

We followed our typical routine. The class assembled on the rainbow-blocked carpet, as Ms. Solid chose her first group of victims. Of course, I was chosen along with three others. In front of me I faced a hodgepodge of numbers and symbols plastered across the chalkboard, claiming to be math. Tick-Tock. The hands of the clock continued to turn as my former companions retreated to the safety of the plush purple section of the carpet.

I remained, alone. Only to be pardoned later, after minutes of humiliating silence and stares. My thoughts scrambled as I imagined condescending glares and snickers. I was embarrassed as I journeyed down the walk of shame, to the purple section. In that moment, the carpet lacked its former comforting and tranquil abilities.

That “math” problem was the outward manifestation of the ostracism I felt daily. I cannot say whether this was solely a mental phenomenon or a true reflection of my reality, “As one of the few Black faces in this mostly white place.”

Ten years later. I sit beside my senior teammate as she advises me on a strategy for our moot court competition.

She covers the basics: nerves, confidence, rules. She addresses the issue of bias among judges she faced in previous years. Initially, her remarks are in the context of gender, until she tackles the obstacle of race. “The judges

28 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

may be unfair toward you since you’re colored.” The statement is jarring and leaves me in an exposed state. Her words, probably backed with good intent, lacked awareness and tone. I was silent and alone.

It is 10 a.m. on a Saturday, the day of competition. I am standing behind a podium at Duke University. I take a slight step back as the tips of my fingers pulsate. “Madame President and may it please the court. My name is Asia Chester…” I proceed to articulate an oral argument, when the judge questions me on the grounds of relevance. Their question is valid. My eyes are locked in an unrelenting bond with the judge, yet I feel alone. I am the only. In this moment I remember my second-grade self, as I rack my brain for a suitable reply. So, I respond.

What changed? Reflecting, I pose the question, “Who am I?” In the second grade, the answer to that question would be insecure and uncertain. I unknowingly felt limited by the prejudicial constraints of my race. I was the only. Feelings of loneliness and disconnection drove me to seek more, looking beyond the walls of my environment.

I no longer find comfort in silence. I have had the opportunity to break through the confines “of this mostly white place.” Throughout high school, I was able to interact with others who shared the same feelings of ostracism. I found a true place of refuge among those who looked like me and dreamt like me. Imagining a world of possibilities beyond what is readily presented to us.

So, “Who am I?” I am not alone. I am not silent. I am someone who is seeking perspective and change. I am someone working to see changes in the world.

And now, I am not the only.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 29

IT’S TIME TO RELEARN It’s the little things—calling a tan crayon “skin color,” a makeup brand’s lack of dark shades in their products and asking a Black person “Can I touch your hair?”

Microaggressions come in many forms, whether intentional or not. For this UM student, it was a professor’s comment in her art history class. words_AA. design & illustration_ olivia ginsberg.

30 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

“

White supremacy is not plausible. It’s built upon lies. It was created to justify imperialism, the genocide of a race, the taking and selling of another.

“

We were staring at a photo of the sculpture of Queen Tiye. As the professor droned on about the details, I stared. It was beautiful.

And her skin! It was a deep brown tone.

“The chemicals used to paint the sculpture probably made it get darker over time.” He said, casually.

What? I remember sitting there in shock, processing what he said. I darted my eyes over to the two other Black students in my class, wondering if they had heard what he just implied about Queen Tiye’s rich skin tone.

How could it have gotten darker over time? Was he saying that because it looked like an African person?

It sounded like he was trying to say, “I know what you’re thinking. You probably think this looks like an African person.

Well it’s not. No way we could be studying anything Africans did because Africans never accomplished anything great, and I want to remind you of that by saying that this sculpture which looks just like a black woman is in fact not a black woman.”

Back then, I was not confrontational. And I wasn’t going to argue with the professor.

I had other things to worry about, like graduation. But it still bothered me.

Later, we studied the Minoans, the predecessors to Ancient Greece and Rome.

We would be shown lily white statues of people, and the professor never mentioned that the paint probably got lighter over time.

I mean, if you can make an unsubstantiated claim that paint gets darker over time, why not the reverse? Don’t things usually fade over time? Wouldn’t that make

more sense, be more plausible? White supremacy is not plausible.

It’s built upon lies. It was created to justify imperialism, the genocide of a race, the taking and selling of another.

He also mentioned how the Ancient Greeks said in their texts that they learned a lot of their culture from the Egyptians.

Ah, I see. Another reason why the Ancient Egyptians couldn’t possibly be black.

It took me a long time write this, largely because I did not want to relive the experience and all the nasty feelings that came with it—shock, disappointment, hurt, powerlessness, anger.

As students of color in PWIs (predominantly white institutions), we have to deal with covert racism. That is the experience of being black in America. Going forward, let’s change that.

I don’t care about identifying my professor. I don’t care about him losing his job. Rather, I want to educate him and people like him. I want to prompt them to examine their biases and change the way they think.

America and the University of Miami can and need to do better in addressing their history and current instances of racism.

Tearing down statues is a nice gesture, but won’t change the mentality of white supremacy. It’s passed down, consciously and subconsciously, to everybody of all colors.

And no, I do not hate all white people.

The discussion of white supremacy is not an attack on all white people. It is a phrase to call attention to the way society has favored white people for centuries.

WHAT YOU DIDN’T LEARN Here are some pieces of Black history American educators probably left out of your AP textbooks.

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician for NASA whose work was critical to sending astronauts into orbit and landing a man on the moon.

During World War II, historically Black universities and colleges were a place of refuge for persecuted Jews seeking asylum from Nazi Germany.

The idea for vaccination was introduced from the African tradition of inoculation by an enslaved person named Onesimus.

Known as Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street,” the district of Greenwood was a self-reliant and highly affluent black community in the early 1900s.

Bessie Coleman was the first African American, and first Native American woman, to pilot an airplane.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 31

THE AMERICAN

NIGHTMARE The American Dream is an age-old concept that all Americans have equal opportunity to become successful.

But the ideal tends to look past the racial disparities that have always plagued our nation for centuries and continue today. For some Black people, reality seems more like the American Nightmare. words_jayden degrace. design_ illustration_avani choudhary.

We all know of the American Dream, but what about the American Nightmare?

You must have because you livin’ in it.

You pledge allegiance to a red, white, and blue flag that stands under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for who?

For who?

Turn on the TV and find black bodies being slammed to the concrete by your flag’s blue.

Immigrant families, who came to this country to give their children better opportunities, being ripped apart at the border, forcefully, by your flag’s white President.

Children and young adults, one-by-one, classroom to classroom, concert to concert, club to club, being shot day by day to fill your flag’s red.

Tell me, can you call this the American Dream?

There is no such thing.

Please don’t try to praise the society that beats us down until we’re black and blue.

Please don’t try to debate that these families didn’t come from this country because who ever really did?

32 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

Please don’t try to cover these shootings as “accidents” at the hands of a white man who had “mental illness”.

This ain’t a joke.

We are living in a time of hate.

A time of racism, sexism, socialism and more.

You can’t deny the country falling apart right in front of your eyes.

But that’s the norm.

The norm of white Amerikkka.

Cops.

Continue to abuse your power for whatever bias you have against this country’s black.

Leaders.

Continue to keep pushing away stricter gun-laws, allowing sick-minded people to buy automatic weapons, legally, so there can be another “accident”.

President.

Continue to strip these children away from their parents at a wall that creates division.

Do whatever pleases you.

I can’t do much anyway, unless I want to become another statistic.

Wake up from this American nightmare, it’s time for change.

CAPTIONCATION CAPTION CAPTIONCATION CAPTION CAPTIONCATION CAPTION CAPTIONCATION CAPTION

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 33

ONLY THEIR FACES I never understood what older people meant when they cried, “stop killing people who look like us!”

Until now, I could never bring myself to echo those words.

These faces constantly appearing on the news never looked like me. They never even look like each other. Each victim has their own face, their own life, their own story, their own shade of brown. It isn’t fair to continuously lump them together in protest. words_cassie couri. photo_nailah anderson. design_olivia ginsberg.

“I know it’s sad, baby girl,” my dad would sigh, fingers dancing through my hair soothingly, “but it’s the only way they’ll see us.” But they don’t see us, I’d want to argue back, but that was a truth I didn’t want confirmed. I’ve always preferred to curl up in his arms, the safest place in the world.

Dad wasn’t always home, so I cherished the nights that I could sit beside him on the couch and challenge him in Mario Kart. The greatest sign of my maturity was my increasing win tally, and my father made sure to mope about it after every Mushroom Cup I beat him in.

“I’m gonna be racing you in GTA soon,” he’d groan, slapping a hand over his face. Whenever I rolled my eyes or nudged an elbow into his side, he would lean over and plant a sloppy kiss on the crown of my head, right at the part in my braids.

A tear suddenly down my cheek, and I hurried to swipe it away. Despite Dad being the reason for the crowd and reporters, all eyes were on us.

“I know my husband didn’t have the cleanest record, but he didn’t deserve to die!” My mom

34 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

Senior Nenneh Diop poses in the John C. Gifford Arboretum on the University of Miami’s campus.

was glaring at a Fox News reporter whose microphone was jammed under her chin.

Gerren’s grip tightened on Mom’s arm so hard that I was sure it’d bruise. Standing erect, my brother towered nearly five inches above the male reporter’s head. A half-step forward sent the man stumbling back in fear.

It was almost amusing to picture my brother as an aggressor. A skilled cellist, Gerren had just graduated from Julliard and accepted a position with the Philadelphia Philharmonic. He’d be starting from the back row, but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t First Chair by the time I graduated.

“Ma’am, all I’m saying is your husband wasn’t exactly innocent,” the reporter countered, scowling at Gerren. “Without bodycam footage, how can we be sure the officers didn’t fire their guns in self-defense?”

Our attorney, Terrell Stuart, finally stepped forward. The reporter visibly relaxed when Gerren and our mother retreated to my side. I reached over and grabbed onto my mom’s hand. My palm was sweaty and hers dry, but she laced her fingers with mine so that we were locked together.

“There are bullets embedded in the driver’s side of the car,” Mr. Stuart stated, calling back to the case evidence. “The 12 bullets lodged in both the front and rear doors, alongside the 16 recovered from Mr. Lansing’s body, are an immediate indicator of excessive force. You cannot allege that those men had probable cause to unload nearly 30 rounds into one man during a routine traffic stop.”

“Mr. Lansing was a 6’4”, 270 lb man, and had a firearm in his glove compartment,” the reporter countered. His thick dark brows drew together skeptically when he asked, “Wouldn’t you fear for your life standing in front of him?” I sucked in a harsh breath.

Gerren reached around to rub his hand along my back as our mother gave my hand a squeeze. I felt dizzy and nauseous all at once, and the incessant camera flashes were suddenly overwhelming.

The tears broke past my lids before I was aware that I was crying. “Miss Lansing, are you alright, dear?” one of the female reporters beside me asked gently. She reached a hand out toward my shoulder, but I swatted it away. In the same motion, I stepped away from my remaining family and snatched the microphone from the Fox reporter.

“That’s enough!” I sounded far less intimidating than I hoped I would. I took a slower breath and started over. “When are you people going to give this a rest?”

My eyes landed on each reporter in turn as I continued my tirade. “I’m sick of hearing about how scary all of these people were, as if that justifies how they were murdered!”

The camera captures Diop’s essence of Black beauty as she relaxes on a picnic blanket.

“Now, young lady, ‘murder’ is a strong word…” one of the reporters raised his hand, but my glare silenced him again.

“Senseless killing is murder,” I said, blinking my eyes to clear them. “And I refuse to believe that my father’s history should define him.” My dad sold drugs 15 years ago to make ends meet. My parents were poor, but they wanted us to have the best opportunities. They wanted Gerren to be able to have his own cello so he could practice over the summer. They wanted me to join club soccer because it’s what I love to play.

“My dad served his time. He spent eight years in prison and had another three on probation, and all that time he never stepped out of line. He’s been free for only a few months, and you’re going to stand here and tell me that he deserved to die?”

My chest was heaving when I finally stopped, and the dizziness had only gotten

worse. Gerren stepped forward to hold me up, but before I released the microphone I had one more thing to say.

With everyone’s eyes on me, I held onto the microphone and spoke my truth. “This system was built on the premise that we are all innocent until proven guilty. Because no one proved he was guilty of anything, my father died an innocent man. Stop twisting things to make it sound like he was a criminal.”

My fingers shook as Gerren took the microphone from me. He had the softest expression on his face, and when I pressed my face into his chest he held me tighter.

“It’s not fair!” I sobbed, my words muffled by his shirt. “We just got him back… we had him back and now he’s gone.”

My father gave me his light hazel eyes. He gave me his thick lips, and his long legs. Now, I can say “stop killing people who look like us,” because one of those people looked like me.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 35

Security in

Stillness

Racism is not limited to derogatory slurs and intentional bigotry—to be merely silent and polite is the same as participting directly in the hatred. There is no “neutral” when it comes to racism. Your silence speaks volumes. words_nailah edmead. design & illustration_ olivia ginsberg.

There is security in white stillness.

Warmth in the familiarity of white supremacy, Blissful ignorance between the veil that covers true sentiment in dismantling advantage; It is easy to stay still.

To simply flow within the waters of a system built by your own, for your own.

Harder to move towards equity, to act with intention toward fairness, to exist as more than your privileged existence.

And yet some of us cannot afford to sit idle. To be comfortable. To feel warm and unknowing in the depths of the cold, brutal world that behaves against us.

Some of our existence warrants that we act, that we speak up, that we fight.

Do you know what it feels like For your life To be inherently a social stance A statement?

For every breath to be resistance to a system that suffocates you?

For some of us movement grants that one day, maybe, we can afford to be still.

36 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

That we can afford to exist as who we are And not what we mean.

For some of us movement means shredding the veil of racism amongst our peers Amplifying their violent voices Echoing their empty hearts and revealing that they will not move for you.

They will not abandon their security for you.

They will not release the anchor of racism.

That they believe your life is not enough for the death of their stillness.

And in the lack of security that ravishes the unfortunate, we find that in us is the strength of movement. That we still make the world move.

That in us is the force that pushes those that stay still to sway.

We may not be afforded the luxury of complacency, of constant reassurance, of a world that shelters us.

But we are strong enough to exist as a paradox, To breathe life inside us when outside wants us dead To move through systems created to force us to stay put To be a rippling current in idle water.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 37

Jarin Dominque Williams, uncovers himself from the blanket of whiteness that envelopes him.

38 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

From being labeled as “too ghetto” to “not Black enough,” stereotypes all too often cloud perceptions and create misinformed judgements. Every Black person has their own unique experience. words_myles griffith. design_olivia ginsberg. photo_emebet deeter.

Look at him.

That tall Black guy right there.

Well… “Black” guy.

He’s Black, but not really.

He’s muscular like us And tall like us.

But his fashion sense?

He dresses like a white boy.

NorthFace and Vans?

I see what type of businesses he supports.

Have you heard him speak?

He sounds so white.

So educated.

So intelligent.

“Perhaps...additionally...suggests…”

Who is he trying to impress?

Because it’s not working on me.

Have you heard about his hobbies?

He doesn’t play basketball.

He doesn’t play football.

He likes to play... trumpet?

How nerdy.

Have you seen his friends?

They’re all white.

It makes sense, I wouldn’t want to hang out with an oreo either.

He stands out like a sore thumb.

He’s so much taller than them.

But once he opens up his mouth, you’ll understand.

He’s not cool like we are.

Not as much natural swag.

Not as much apathy in his voice as in ours.

He’s bland.

Unseasoned.

At least he found a group where he fits in.

Have you seen his girlfriend?

She’s white of course.

Vanilla and boring, how he likes it.

Turning his back on his own race.

Ruining the culture.

He’s trying to run away from his heritage.

Trying to destroy the ancestral line that he came from.

He probably hates Black women.

Does he even love his own mother?

His grades?

Excellent.

Exemplary.

But I say He’s just an egghead.

Probably just kisses up to the teacher.

Kisses up to the white man and conforms to his standards of doing well.

Why can’t he be more like his older brother?

A basketball player.

The former president of a Black fraternity.

Someone that wears the title of “Black” like a superhero cape Instead of like irons around his ankles.

Why can’t he be more like me?

Why can’t he be like the rest of us true Black people?

Chill.

Athletic.

Secure within his own race and not looking for an escape.

Maybe one day he’ll figure it out.

One day he’ll decide to start being Black.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 39

BLACK MUSIC

SCAN TO LISTEN

MATTERS These songs were curated to give insight into the Black experience in America from the past and the present.

The playlist is in an order that tells the story of how Black people see themselves and how the world treats them.

Each song is different, but they all explain the frustration and pride that Black people carry with them. words_olbrine thelmusa. design_olivia ginsberg. illustration_abby pakk.

Words of Wisdom

White Privilege II

2pac

Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

“Words of Wisdom” discusses how the American dream was not meant for Black people, and how America has held Black people back from their true potential.

Mackelmore acknowledges the impact white supremacy has had in his career as a white rapper.

Macklemore gives examples of hip-hop stereotypes that downplay the Black experience.

Shades of Blue

The Ghetto

Vic Mensa

Too $hort

“Shades of Blue” dives into the racial inequalities in America specifically highlighting the clean water crisis in Flint, Michigan and police brutality.

“The Ghetto” discusses the miseducation, poverty and other obstacles that people living in the ghetto face while trying to leave behind the barriers of their socioeconomic status.

40 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

LAND OF THE FREE

Keep Ya Head Up

Joey BadA$$

2pac

“Land of the Free” discusses the systems that are in place to keep Black people from knowing their own history and how this makes it difficult to form unity within the Black community.

“Keep Ya Head Up” is an anthem that celebrates Black women.

Tupac calls out people who have put Black women down and brings attention to racial issues plaguing the world.

Alright

If I Ruled The World

Kendrick Lamar

Nas ft. Lauryn Hill

In “Alright,” Kendrick Lamar talks about recognizing the current societal position of Black people in America, but also preaches that there must always be hope for a better day.

“If I Ruled The World” tells the story of a utopian society where life is better without cops—with less Black men in jail and more Black people with power.

16 Shots

U.N.I.T.Y

Vic Mensa

Queen Latifah

Vic Mensa’s “16 Shots” details the death of Laquan McDonald and the Black Lives Matter movement. Mensa also talks about the police and government corruption that makes it difficult for Black people to feel safe.

Grammy-award-winning song “U.N.I.T.Y” gives a glimpse into the disrespect and harassment Black women face every day.

Black

TEMPTATION

Dave

Joey Bada$$

“Black” is a social commentary about what it means to be Black.

The song talks about the joy, pain and history of being Black.

“Temptation” is a commentary on the worth of Black people in America. Joey Bada$$ calls for Black people to acknowledge that we can only rely on each other.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 41

DEAR

BLACK GIRL, This powerful collection of poems, based on one UM student’s experiences and perspective, empowers Black girls and women to be fiercely, unapologetically and wholly themselves in everything they do. words_toni-ann farquharson. design_olivia ginsberg.

BLACK BODY

RAINBOW

In Physics class, The professor defines a ‘black body’: “A body that completely absorbs and emits light.”

Somehow, Physics already knew That one day, your body Will forget that it is magic, But your skin…

Your skin will remind you That it is golden That it takes in and gives back All the sun has to offer, And doesn’t that make you…

A Miracle.

When the world tells you that it does not see color, Become a rainbow; Stretch your limbs across the sky.

Let your Black disperse.

Show them You are red on the days you become the angry Black woman; Blue when you pull back tsunami waves­— There are oceans hidden inside you; You are yellow on the mornings you rise like the sun; Green on the days you become Mother Nature, When you bend down to search for the beauty in your roots.

Your Black cannot be unseen.

Your melanin is a mixture of too many colors For eyes not to notice.

42 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

MOTHER NATURE If nature is given the image of being woman, Then isn’t she, too, imperfect?

Isn’t she flawed where her dirt-brown skin Cracks, folds and caves into itself?

If Earth really is a woman, Wouldn’t a Black woman know what it’s like To be a force of gravity, To constantly pull things back into herself, To reclaim the things that were taken from her?

Wouldn’t a Black woman know what it’s like To search for beauty in her own roots…

To be seen as more soil than magma, More skin than soul?

If nature is given the image of being woman, Then wouldn’t a Black woman know what it’s like To feel ‘dirty’, uprooted, chopped down, and taken advantage of?

DEAR BLACK GIRL

And after all this, Wouldn’t a Black woman still be nothing short of magnificent?

If earth is a woman, Oh darling, Wouldn’t she be Black?

Stop playing hide and seek with your voice.

Bite the hand that covers your mouth.

Look in the mirror with the lights on.

Your body is not an empty home.

Live in it.

You don’t have to see happiness Before you allow yourself to feel it.

There is fire in your eyes; Use it To burn down all the bridges they said your color couldn’t cross, Then walk on water.

You are heavenly.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 43

GRACE & GRAVES

Grace and Graves is inspired by tragedies that disguise themselves as normal, necessary and even warranted. It examines the convenience of forgiveness and memory with respect to racial symbols. Black Americans are haunted by bigoted perceptions. The statues of murderers gleam in the center of elaborate cities, while the true stories of my ancestors are trapped beneath the earth. words_tayana dix. photo_ emebet deeter. design_ olivia ginsberg.

Time forgives, Culture conceals, Evidence of your crimes dismissed, Memories of your offenses forgotten, The theory of you romanticized.

Yet the privilege of redemption evades us, The grace of time neglects us, The stain of your sin, your judgment, withstands.

Our humanity remains unsettled, Our worth frequently questioned, Society has not yet rid us of your burden.

Though you’ve claimed innocence, The consequence of you remains, In bloodshed, in terror, in pain.

Jarin Dominque Williams, stands covered in white fabric in memorium of those who stood before him.

44 DISTRACTION Special Section: Being Black in America

Dear UM Community, This summer was galvanizing to say the least.

I had always wanted to create a place and home for Black creators, but I think the events that transpired during the summer of 2020 solidified everything for me.

Gravity Magazine is an online publication developed by the University of Miami’s chapter of National Assocation of Black Journalists (NABJ). With the wonderful help of NABJ President Morgan Threatt and Vice President Jayda Graham, we were able to create something that we could all be very proud of.

Black people live with the weight of the world on their shoulders. I simply thought that, more than anything, Gravity could be a release for Black people to let go of the constant strain and stress that comes with living in America.

We wanted to effectively build a creative space, but in doing so, we realized we also had an obligation to foster a safe space for Black voices on campus.

Ultimately, Gravity Magazine intends to celebrate Black essence and spirit through acknowledgment that Black people are such a dynamic, creative force. Nothing, not even the force of Gravity, can hold us down.

All the Best,

Julian Crosby

thegravitymagazine@gmail.com www.thegravitymagazine.com

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 45

46 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS From skincare tips to mental health awareness, Health & Wellness emphasizes the importance of taking time to tend to your mind, body and soul. Read on to explore how to invest in what’s good for you and forget all the rest!

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 47

48 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

ME MYSELF AND I In a room full of people, you feel like a ghost. The people around you do no good in comforting you. A silent ailment, loneliness only makes itself known by a twist in your gut or a lump in your throat. It has become one of the top mental health issues, afflicting “the world’s loneliest generations,” millennials and Gen Z. words_olivia ginsberg. photo_nailah anderson. design_olivia ginsberg.

Benji Manishimwe closes his eyes from the reflection of his outer reality.

On the roof of the Museum Garage at Design District Miami, Manishimwe internalizes his feelings of alienation and loneliness.

In a survey conducted on Distraction’s Instagram story, 90% of respondents said they at one time experienced feelings of extreme loneliness, even with friends and family around. If you are reading this, you most likely know someone suffering its effects or suffer them yourself.

There are a slew of ways that we communicate in today’s world: cellphones, computers, smart watches and even microchips. But after years of having these ever-evolving technologies, why do we still feel like something or someone is missing?

Juliana Guitelman and Christina Martin, doctoral interns at the University of Miami Counseling Center, said that in recent years, the mechanisms of social interaction have changed. According to an Ofcom study, people are spending twice as much time online compared to 10 years ago. The shift toward digital media has led some to theorize that digital communication has displaced face-to-face interaction.

“Studies have shown that millennials and Gen Z spend less time with their friends and family in-person across various contexts compared to other generations,” said Guitelman. “As a consequence, clinicians often note an increase in loneliness amongst these particular groups.”

For many, even those who answered “no” to Distraction’s Instagram survey, this theory

was put into practice in March of 2020 when quarantine replaced hangouts and kickbacks.

“These are unprecedented times that are affecting our ability to connect with other people, both for practical and safety reasons,” said Martin. “Personally, I too have often felt feelings of isolation and have developed a deep yearning for social connections.”

When it comes to the science behind technology being a catalyst for loneliness, the truth is rather nuanced. Guitleman said that while social media has replaced social interactions in the “normal” sense, it does provide a means for individuals to connect in ways that they previously hadn’t—traveling parents can see photos of their children, friends can play online games from different corners of the world and long distance lovers can connect virtually.

Simultaneously, however, these ways of interacting are significantly different than face-to-face encounters. “Data even suggests an association between social media use and increased feelings of depression and loneliness”, said Martin.

With millennials and Gen Z already experiencing the side-effects of digital communication, it is alarming to think of the consequences that generations to come will experience. Only time will tell if the generations that follow will become the new “loneliest generation.”

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 49

Fresh-faced model TJ Haselman shares his healthy skin routine. To keep his skin glowing, Haselman said he uses Clearasil face wash and moisturizer twice a day.

GLO, B R O Since when did self-care belong to one gender? From pastelcolored packaging to female-focused advertisements, it can feel like skincare companies only target female customers. This begged the question: What about everyone else? Distraction explored how some of the male-identifying population at the University of Miami approaches skincare to craft a routine free of gender norms. words_ julia mastangelo. photo_teagan polizzi. design_avani choudhary.

50 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

When Choosing skincare products its important to know your skin type—oily, dry or combination—in order to find products that will benefit you.

D

o guys really care about pampering themselves? Would they rather just wash everything with a bar of soap and call it a day? These questions are what brands ponder when coming up with new products and are part of the reason we usually see skincare companies targeting a more feminine audience.

For students like sophomore Aiden Rowe, the stereotype holds true. “I usually wash my face with body wash,” said Rowe. “That may be bad, but it does the job for me.”

With options like three-in-one shampoo, conditioner and body wash screaming convenience—who could blame him?

For senior Zye Reid, it’s not so much inconvenience as it is a lack of knowledge.

“My only routine is lotion after showers.

Other than that, I was never taught about how to keep my skin healthy,” said Reid.

“When they advertise solely for women, it makes it seem like men shouldn’t do it.”

While the skincare industry may have a traditionally female influence, male beauty gurus like Hyram Yarbro (@skincarebyhyram) have grown in popularity by using their social media pages to educate. Viewers can learn about effective and affordable skincare regimens from home. Though the skincare world may seem overwhelming at first, having just a few essentials can make all the difference.

According to Yarbro, a solid skincare routine for mornings and evenings starts with a cleanser to rid skin of dirt, bacteria and other grime. Some cleansers can be stripping, so following up with toners, oils and serums will help to rehydrate the skin and replenish natural oils. Oily skin isn’t always a bad thing, natural glow can make you look rejuvenated and healthy.

But, Yarbro said, the holy grail of every routine is moisturizer. Ideally, moisturizer should be applied twice a day after cleansing and applying toners and oils.

Adding one more product into your morning routine is essential for those of us living in the Miami sunshine: SPF. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, applying SPF 15 or higher to your skin on a daily basis reduces your risk of developing certain skin cancers by about 40 to 50%.

Beyond the basics, you can take your skincare to the next level with products like exfoliators and masks. Are these necessary?

In short, no. But they can certainly give you results. Exfoliators, typically used after a cleanser, remove dead skin cells and dirt from deep beneath the skin that a face cleanser alone might not reach. However, these products are abrasive and can be damaging to the skin, so limit how often you use them.

As for face masks, some men are reluctant to use them regularly. Sophomore Ethan Cherry described them as too “girly,” saying that for him, “the hassle is not worth it.” But some skincare experts disagree. Mariam Gonzalez, an employee at OM4Men Skincare, said it’s important for men to look past skincare as something just for women. “It will not only help their outer physical look, but their inner confidence as well. Self-care is important for everyone in that sense.”

While skincare companies may owe some men an apology for leaving them in the dust, finding foolproof and effective products has never been easier thanks to social media and shifting concepts of gender norms.

Everybody, no matter how you identify, deserves a chance to explore products and develop a routine that will keep their face clean and healthy.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 51

Essential Find Your Oils Superhero

Dropper bottles, common vessels for essential oils, let users get as much or as little as they need of their essential oil.

One whiff and your senses are sent astir—in a good way. Essential oils might just be the next best thing in modern medicine. Extracted from plants, their use in treating ailments from headaches to insomnia dates back to the earliest civilizations. While there is limited scientific research on essential oils, these aromatic liquids have recently surged in popularity. words_jabria roscoe. photo_ally gaddy. design_giovanni aprigliano.

The New Advil?

What do they do?

Paige Ciluffo, a University of Miami class of 2020 alumna and avid essential oils user, said that they have changed her life for the better.

“I carry a bunch of them everywhere I go,” Ciluffo said. “There’s literally an essential oil for everything. People think it’s just aromatherapy, but there’s so much more to it.”

Essential oils can be used to improve physical health and prevent various illnesses. Simply sniffing an essential oil can help clear nasal passages and prevent the flu, according to one nutrition expert in a Healthline article. They can be used by rubbing directly on skin, putting them into an oil diffuser or by direct ingestion. Jennifer Pansa, a blue diamond leader at essential oils company doTERRA, often uses essential oils as a natural pain remedy. “About four years ago, I got my wisdom teeth removed and I was in excruciating pain,” Pansa said. “My instinct told me that I probably had something natural in the house. I applied clove oil, and within 20 minutes, my pain was gone. My dentist even told me it was a good idea.” Pansa said she has also used peppermint oil to recover from concussions and lavender oil to aid with sleep. According to Pansa, one way to understand essential oils is to view them as superpowers. “To choose the right one you must evaluate which superpower you need. The oil from the plant matter. It’s the ninja superpower of the flower,” Pansa said. “Some oils have 10 superpowers.”

Miassage two drops of orange oil, one drop of rosemary oil and one tbsp. of honey into the face and let sit for two minutes. Rinse off and pat dry for brighterlooking skin. Source: Artnaturals

Choosing the right oil Ciluffo recommends that first-time users take their time in choosing the right oil. “Do your research,” she said. “Don’t just go for the cheapest or most accessible one you can find, because there could be chemicals or artificial ingredients. A lot of this stuff is made internationally, and you don’t want to order where the workers are not in humane conditions.” Pansa says she works with doTERRA because of their ethical outsourcing. The company works with natives in Brazil, Haiti and other countries to extract the oils and create a product that is all-natural.

52 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

Just a few drops of an essential oil can help some ailments. Research and find the right essential oil depending on your issue.

Top Oils to Try Ӽ Lavender: A popular choice, lavender oil is ideal for college students who need to relieve stress and anxiety. It’s also good for fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea and menstrual cramps. Ӽ Peppermint: This oil is best for those with nausea and digestive problems. Peppermint oil was often used in ancient Egyptian civilizations. It has been shown to relieve headaches, itching and muscle pain. Ӽ Tea Tree: Tea tree oil treats skin issues from acne to psoriasis. It’s found in skincare products due to its anti-inflammatory properties that are proven to lessen the appearance of acne and red spots. Ӽ Jasmine: Jasmine oil has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression in certain patients. Its antibacterial agents have been scientifically proven to help infections. Ӽ Ylang Ylang: This is one of the less popular oils on this list, but don’t count it out. The mental health benefits are extensive, and sure could be helpful for finals week. Ylang ylang oil has been clinically shown to boost mood, reduce depression, decrease heart rate, reduce anxiety and boost self-esteem.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 53

HIGHER

POWER It seems like 2020 may have the makings of the next Great Awakening. With the world battling issue after issue, many people grapple with existential questions about the meaning of life and why things happen the way they do. In search of answers, more and more people may be looking towards a higher power—whether that be through organized religion or just adopting a more spiritual outlook on life. words_gabby lord. design_marielle zuber. illustration_rachel rader & giselle spicer.

54 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

MIXING RELIGIOUS PRACTICES Religion and spirituality are not mutually exclusive. Just because someone is religious, does not mean they aren’t spiritual and vice versa. It is becoming increasingly common for people to believe in a higher power, but not subscribe to a certain set of beliefs. Tati Pardo, a UM alumna, is an example. Pardo was raised Catholic, attended mass at her private high school on Wednesdays and again with her family each Sunday. At the time, Pardo said that she was too immature to fully grasp the teachings of the Catholic Church, and had a hard time connecting them to her life. “During high school, it felt like I was kind of being forced to go,” said Pardo.

“Catholic Church, unless made fun, can be really boring—especially when you don’t get what’s going on or what the priest is saying.”

Around this time she began dating her boyfriend, who is Christian and brought her along to some of his services. It was there that she developed a deeper, more relatable understanding of the Bible. In college, she deepened her spiritual side by founding the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club (FCA).

“The way I tend to practice my faith is by forming a relationship with God through conversation and prayer,” Pardo said. She does not merely abide by one set of beliefs, but rather incorporates different practices and methods of the Gospel to relate it to her life and help her turn inward.

Pardo said she noticed that a lot of college students distance themselves from their spirituality, noting it was probably due to the struggle to balance school, social life and appearance.“Some people also get caught up in different things that they think would make them less worthy of receiving any grace from God—like drugs, sex and partying,”

“The way I tend to practice my faith is by forming a relationship with God through conversation and prayer.”

- Tati Pardo UM ALUMNA

Pardo said. “It’s understandable, but that’s why I think people tend to go through so many uncontrollable downs when they fall into depression or anxiety.”

NEW-AGE SPIRITUALITY There is another side of spirituality in which people turn to psychology and even quantum physics to feel closer to a higher power. Media outlets like TikTok and YouTube broadcast creators who share their experiences with using the power of their subconscious to create their desired reality.

These concepts are nothing new—holy works like the Bible and the Quran have suggested them. Napoleon Hill was the first to publish a book that directly and repeatedly referenced the inner workings of the law of attraction in 1926. According to Hill, the energy of our thoughts can turn our desires into reality. This concept has been expanded upon by philosophers and authors like Neville Goddard, who wrote the book “The Secret.” Goddard believed that the higher power lies within one’s own body, that we are the creators of our own world and that it all comes down to the subconscious mind.

To impress a belief on the subconscious mind, believers use techniques like writing their desire repetitively, visualizing themselves having their desire in their current reality and trying to quantum jump.

The theory of quantum leaping suggests that we can jump from one reality to another becasue thier are infinite realities playing out in any given moment. One way to jump is the “two cup method,” which has gained popularity on TikTok. This method uses two empty cups, one with one’s current reality written on it and the other with the desired reality written on it. The reality cup is filled with water, then poured into the desired reality cup, which the jumper then drinks. This transformation is said to make a quantum jump into the new desired reality.

While some may claim the benefits of this method, assistant professor of the Physics Department at the University of Miami, Nico Capelluti, says it’s most likely a placebo.

“What we can speculate is that when the Universe was born, possibly from random fluctuations of vacuum, our Universe is the one where the physics laws are those that we observe today,” said Capelluti. Scientists have no way of measuring the properties of other possible universes, making statements about the existence of other realities unverifiable.

While quantum jumping is in fact a real thing, Capelutti said that it is only possible for small particles, not large bodies. “TikTok is not known to be a scientific journal, so I cannot answer, but I guess that it is most likely junk,” said Cappelluti.

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 55

EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH While religion and spirituality may never be scientifically proven, the belief that there is something greater out there continues to profoundly affect how people live their lives. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, some aspects of spirituality have mental health benefits. Patients who participated in spiritual healthcare said they experienced more self-control and confidence, stronger relationships and a “new sense of meaning, hope and peace of mind.”

In recent years there has also been increasing interest in therapy treatments with a spiritual dimension. New approaches such as mindful-based cognitive therapy, compassion therapy and forgiveness therapy are currently being researched and supported. In an interview with the American Psychological Association, psychology of religion and spirituality expert Kenneth I. Pargament said that “empirical studies of many groups dealing with major life stressors show that religion and spirituality are generally helpful to coping, especially people with few resources facing the most uncontrollable of problems.” He said

56 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

it is a way for people to connect not only with a higher power, but also with each other.

As a pre-med student, Pardo has experienced a lot of stress throughout her college years. However, she said that turning to her faith, with FCA as a resource on campus, helped her manage it. “Being able to pray in moments of despair helps kind of ward off the feelings of distress,” Pardo said.

Pardo has struggled with anxiety for several years, and while prayer isn’t always an instant fix, she said it gives her a feeling of inner peace and hope for what’s to come.

Especially during a global pandemic, people are seeking help and guidance to overcome the hardships they are facing.

Whether through organized religious practices or new-age spiritual techniques, students, authors and psychologists agree that these coping methods give a sense of security and hope to believers around the world.

While spirituality and religion may appear to be two very separate concepts, when they work in tandem, they can have a profound influence in daily life.

Panhellenic Recruitment Registration is OPEN! Contact: Anika Bhavnani

Panhellenic President umiamipanhellpres@gmail.com

Sarah Carraher

Vice President of Recruitment umiamipanhellenicrecruitment@gmail.com

Follow:

@umiamipanhellenic

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Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

FASHION Fashion serves up historical, cultural and societal insight into the significance of today’s trends. From the everyday wear of college students to looks that comment on the state of the world, we’re showcasing individuality and style.

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AT YOUR

FINGERTIPS When it comes to nail art, the world is at your fingertips— literally. From patterns and designs to gems and chains, nails have become just as much of an accessory as any other piece in your wardrobe. These tiny canvases can take any look from drab to fab, but the evolution of modern nail art has overlooked some of its original trendsetters. words_keagan larkins. photo_tiana torkan. design_giovanni aprigliano & jess morgan.

According to Richard Corson, author of “Fashions in Makeup: From Ancient to Modern Times,” the earliest form of nail decoration dates back to about 3200 BCE in Babylonia, where warriors got their nails painted before battle. Fast forward to the mid-20th century: nail salons began to be commonplace and brands like Cutex and Revlon led the pack in marketing nail care products.

According to “Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s-1990s,” approximately 86% of women were using nail products by 1939. Now jump to 2020, where social media shares the work of nail artists and you can get just about anything imaginable on your fingertips.

Eccentric nail art has become an expressive outlet in mainstream media—celebrities like the Kardashians, Iggy Azalea, Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid often garner millions of likes on posts of their latest nail designs. But white-passing influencers often get praise for styles that Black women pioneered—and were criticized over. Black women have worn bold nail styles for decades—from Donyae Coles in the 60s to Diana Ross in the 70s to Missy Elliott in the 90s. But, there’s a long existent double standard. On Black women, some of these looks have been considered “ghetto,” while the same style on a whitepassing person is “trendy.”

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Allison Krause went to Ethan’s Nails & Facial Salon in Palmetto Bay to achieve this eccentric neon nail design.

At the 1988 Olympics, Florence Griffith-Joyner (“Flo Jo”) broke the 100-meter and 200-meter dash records, which still stand today. But her manicure—a long set of red, white and blue nails—seemed to make more headlines than her medals.

“Writers highlighted Flo Jo’s fingernails as both a source of intrigue and revulsion, subtly emphasizing racial differences.

Because she preferred long, colorful nails, the runner was depicted as abnormal, deviant and different.” wrote Lynchburg College Sport Management Professor Lindsay Pieper in 2015. More than 30 years later, the nails Flo Jo was criticized for are being requested in salons everywhere. Even Black women like Serena Williams are still criticized for their manicures. Williams’ nails have been called “outrageous” and “rule breaking,” while Kim Kardashian is taking her nails “to the next level,” according to Elle Magazine in 2017.

To Kayla Crews, the lack of proper credit for those who started these trends is a prevalent issue. “It’s frustrating that the same things that are ‘trendy’ or ‘the next big thing’ are the same things Black people have been discriminated against for generations,” Crews said. Some nail gurus, however, do give credit where it is due. Mei Kawajiri, a nail artist with over 230,000 Instagram followers, did a Flo Jo inspired manicure at Alexander Wang’s spring 2019 campaign. The models’ nails were bedazzled and painted the colors of the American flag.

Kawajiri called them “Flo Jo Nails” and paid tribute in an Instagram photo caption.

Hand models Gabriella Trama and Kayla Crews flaunt their fresh manicures made with rhinestones and varying nail polish colors.

One reason Black women may not be getting the credit they deserve for launching the modern day manicure is that they make up a very small segment of licensed nail professionals. According to a study by the UCLA Labor Center, only 2% of United States nail salon workers are Black. But this should not diminish their contributions to the industry. According to Crew, supporting Black nail artists and Black-owned beauty brands is one way to begin changing this perspective. Crews said that hair stylist @hon3y.hair, makeup artist @facedbycleo and nail artist @keenailedit_ are her goto Black-owned beauty businesses.

The next time you paint your nails or get them professionally done, pause to understand and appreciate the cultural significance and origin behind your new manicure.

These geometric and colorful nails were painted by sophomore Gabriella Trama (@gpaulinat).

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OUTSIDE IN.

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It’s been more than five months since we were locked inside our homes with just a TV, a few house plants and maybe, if you were lucky, a roll of toilet paper. The lush and unlimited landscape we once inhabited shrank to a few square feet. Alone we grew, we blossomed, we set our roots and we adapted. This photo shoot showcases people in their new environments, using floral makeup looks to represent individuals becoming their own ecosystem and changing to fit into a world that is so different from than the one we left—bringing the outside in. words_olivia ginsberg. photo_teagan polizzi. design_lauren maingot.

To personify how we have become our own ecosystems during the COVID-19 pandemic, models Maya Abdelnour and Nate Dumont wore delphinium, salvia, daisy and baby’s breath flowers as makeup accents.

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Wearing more neutral colors is a collective reflection on the muted social and physical interactions of college students everywhere.

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Now, stuck indoors, there is no need for a full face of makeup everyday. Model Sarah Simon now wears a more natural look created with organic products to let her skin shine through.

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Simplicity and comfort have ruled fashion trends during 2020 thanks to a more stay-at-home lifestyle—models sported organic fabrics to be true to themselves and their new environments.

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To assume frat-boy fashion is a monolith is a gross misunderstanding. And to assume it’s all about labels and “flexing” means you don’t know the right guys. At Miami, labels reign Supreme­—literally. words_scarlett diaz. photo_teagan polizzi. design_giselle spicer.

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Fraternity brothers Toby Kamish (ΣΑΜ), John Zachary Roberts (ΦΔΘ), Will Rosenberg (ΣΑΕ), Adam Freundlich (ΣΑΕ) and Bryce Pickett (ΑΦΑ) show off their day-to-day style at UM.

D

on’t judge a book by its threelettered cover. Ask a friend to envision a frat boy­—an image of a guy in a Vineyard Vines shirt and backwards baseball hat might come to mind. But the infamous “Brad and Chad” phenomenon that is usually coupled with fraternity culture does not match the aesthetic at the University of Miami. Instead of this “preppy” look, you’ll find UM brothers sporting designer sneakers and brands like Off White and Gucci.

“Fashion in fraternities is trying to look like you don’t care, but meanwhile you definitely do care,” said former Sigma Alpha Epsilon President Will Rosenberg. “I think there’s something about being seen without trying to be noticed. I think it’s appropriate

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to wear fraternity merch at tailgates, or occasionally on campus, but I think a lot of kids overdo it with repping. A lot of kids like to hide behind the idea of the frat rather than be themselves. I think that’s something people should watch out for.”

Frat-boy style is not one-size-fits-all.

Every fraternity has its own vibe, according to Omega Psi Phi senior Hasani Knight. He emphasized that in the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities, referred to as the Divine Nine (D9), individuality is largely attributed to Black culture. “The D9 is mostly based on Black culture and uplifting the Black community. I think that’s the great thing about my fraternity. They take you as you are, as long as you uphold the principles that make a man. You are a man of that fraternity

regardless of how you look or how you dress.”

There is a certain look for some Miami men. When asked about ripped jeans, a seemingly trendy staple for frat boys, almost every guy laughed and agreed that destroyed denim has worked its way into their wardrobe. “Before I came to Miami, I was like ‘why would you pay for something that already has holes in it?’” said Phi Delta Theta senior John Zachary Roberts. “But now, I love my ripped jeans.”

As it turns out, ripped jeans were not the only new addition to many of these boys’ closets. In fact, many found themselves in the market for buying accessories like chains.

“I wouldn’t have considered buying a chain before coming to Miami, and now I’m in the market for a good one,” said Toby Kamish, a

Hasani Knight sports the letters of his D9 fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon sold nearly 1,000 of their Bugs Bunny hoodies last year, generating over $15,000 in sales.

junior in Sigma Alpha Mu. Frat boy style is also largely dependent on the year and your own fashion journey. Taj Bland, a senior in Kappa Alpha Psi, looked back on his fashion choices. “I’m not really a designer person, but I own a Gucci belt. I bought that freshman year,” Bland laughed. “I was dressing up for this charity event. I didn’t want to be flashy, I just had always wanted one. Later I kind of regretted it. I was like, ‘Can I return this?’”

Rosenberg said he has also tamed down the frequency of sporting Greek letters. “I felt like freshman year I had to wear my fraternity letters like more than half the week,” he laughed. “I honestly don’t know why, I just thought it was cool. But I think the older you get, the more you learn you have to do your own thing and make your own style.”

One thing that all the boys seemed to stress was the importance of having a few go-to outfits for class and for the club.

“I like floral shirts or shortsleeved button-down shirts with patterns, a nice pair of earrings, shorts and sneakers,” Roberts said. “That’s like the only way guys express themselves. Girls have all the fun. Guys have, like, a button-down.”

Everyday frat fashion is more personal to Bryce Pickett, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

“Joining a fraternity made me take into consideration how I was portrayed in a public light.

As a leader and member of a D9 organization, you are placed on a platform which almost always makes you the center of attention,” Pickett said. “When representing my organization on a professional level, it is imperative to put my best foot forward in all aspects­—this includes fashion.”

To the right frat fashion stars, style is more about showing off who you are, not just the letters on your back.

TIK TOK Frat fashion is more about self-expression than anything else. Patric Hyland, a junior in Sigma Chi, knows how to take his style to the next level.

In a viral TikTok, Hyland showed up to his Zoom class dressed in various themed outfits with matching virtual backgrounds. From a wetsuit and goggles with a tropical reef backdrop to safari clothes and a banana with a rainforest setting, this video amassed over 323,000 likes.

Hyland says the clout hasn’t gotten to his head. “I was bored in quarantine and wore a Hawaiian shirt to all my classes one day. I made my background a beach for one class, and my professor loved it and asked, ‘What’s next class’ theme?’ I think it was funny,” said Hyland.

As for when he’s not in a Zoom class? “I roll out of bed, throw on flip flops, T-shirt and shorts.”

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70 DISTRACTION Main Event

Cut out section openers and use them as posters for your room, collage materials or even origami paper.

MAIN EVENT Whether it is current events or stories of local changemakers, we’re tackling the hot topics and highlighting the unsung inspirators of our society. Take a deeper look at the world around you and let your intellectual mind wander in Main Event.

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carlos machado balances his time as artist with a full college schedule as a senior at the University of Miami.

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“Everyone wants to be a creative,” laughed Carlos Machado, a University of Miami senior and artist who’s embraced the métier of storytelling. “But unless you strive to drown in a sea of Gen Z creatives, a flourishing Instagram simply won’t cut it.” A late bloomer, he was born to be a creative, but didn’t reach for a paintbrush until the instrument seized hold of him as a teen. Machado detailed to Distraction his life’s unexpected trek toward painting and ambitious dreams to evoke change in art culture. words_gianna milan. photo_teagan polizzi. design_avani choudhary.

GM: What’s your background?

CM: I’m a Miami native of Cuban descent.

My youth revolved around skateboarding and playing sports, but I was never really a jock.

It wasn’t until junior year of high school, in studio art, where I made a portfolio of canvas pieces that changed my way of thinking. At first, I didn’t really know what I was doing, and I fought a lot with my teacher. But then I crafted a piece that struck close to home.

GM: Tell us about your first piece.

CM: My first-ever creation was a 48-by60-inch painting, reflecting my grandma’s first visit back to Cuba in decades. I printed photos of her hometown in ruins, stuck them onto a giant canvas and stenciled a portrait of José Martí over a Cuban flag. I plastered the white star with real flowers to illustrate Martí’s poem ‘Cultivo una Rosa Blanca.’

machado works on his masterpieces in his studio, or for those that know him, the garage of his family home.

GM: How has your style evolved and developed since then?

CM: I started with graffiti, then branched into minimalism. I had a phase where I painted shoes, but then I became the ‘shoe guy’ and hated it. I’m not a custom designer. I’d say I’m abstract now. I used to feel anxious looking at a blank canvas—I’d overthink. But now, I express freely.

GM: What inspires you to create art?

CM: My high school teacher is such an influential being in my life. He showed me the light—that art is worth something. My girlfriend is supportive beyond a degree I can explain. She sits in the studio—my garage—for 14 hours while I paint. Without them, nothing is possible.

Music also motivates me.

I can sometimes see colors and schemes when I listen to songs. I love Mac Miller and rap and classical.

machado’s latest paintings have an abstract look, exploring the use of primary colors.

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GM: How did you put yourself out there?

CM: Staying in Miami for school was essential to my artistry, connections and career growth.

But, if I wasn’t on Instagram, I don’t know where I’d be. It threw me into the art scene and some shows which were a disaster.

“I always say that I feel like my paintings now have become a product of my environment, and growing up in Miami has subconsciously impacted the kind of work I’ve made,” Machado said about his beach-themed paintings. This work is untitled and was painted with acrylic on raw canvas.

GM: Can you elaborate on this “disaster”?

CM: I’ve made mistakes as an artist. I paid my way into galleries and got robbed. Art Basel was my first show. It never treated me well. I’ve since learned never to pay for a spot, because I can make money selling myself. A lot of these galleries are blown up. It’s more about the publicity and the celebrities who go, rather than the display. You can harp on having 10,000 followers, but if nobody cares to buy your stuff, then you don’t matter. The art world can be stuck-up.

GM: What will you do to change that in the future?

CM: I want to create better opportunities for people to showcase work. Tons of talent goes unnoticed because the culture is oversaturated with Instagram creatives. I also want to go back to my high school, revamp the art program and prove that art is worth it.

GM: Is it worth it?

CM: You live and you learn.

There’s this misconception of overnight success, but it’s not like that. Being a creative is a slow progression. You can’t just quit after a month because you didn’t blow up at the drop of a dime.

Keep making authentic work.

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MITCHELL KAPLAN

If “The Most Interesting Man in the World” commercial featured books instead of beer, it would have a real-life representative in Miami’s own Mitchell Kaplan.

From studying law to teaching high school to selling books, hosting a podcast and running a production company, Kaplan has lived a life that parallels a fiction novel. But make no mistake­­—his vision is very real. One trip to any Books & Books location will prove that the community he created in Miami is no tall tale. words_kylea henseler. photo_alexandra gaddy. design_amanda costello.

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MITCHELL Kaplan was born and raised in Miami Beach, but it was at the University of Colorado that he first imagined a literary career. “I always held writers in the highest esteem,” Kaplan said, “but in Boulder, I experienced a literary community for the first time.”

After graduating with a degree in English, Kaplan attended Antioch School of Law in Washington D.C., where his literary aspirations grew. Soon after, Kaplan returned to Miami, where he spent time as a ‘Cane and a schoolteacher before opening the first Books & Books location in 1982.

“I often say that law school drove me to the book business,” said Kaplan. “I found myself in some wonderful bookstores more than I found myself in the law library. I came back to Miami for what I thought would be a summer­. That summer turned into over 40 years.”

Upon returning to Miami, Kaplan earned his master’s degree in English and education at University of Miami and began teaching at Southridge High School in Cutler Ridge, all while working part-time in bookstores to learn more about the business.

In 1982, Books & Books’ first location opened in Coral Gables—right across the street from the historic building and courtyard that now houses his current bookstore and cafe.

Over the past 40 years, Kaplan has fostered relationships with authors and publishers all over the world and, with their support, has opened brick and mortar locations across Miami-

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Dade County and as far as Grand Cayman and Key West.

As one store grew into several, Kaplan hosted author signings, film screenings, poetry readings and other events at Books & Books. The whole time, he sought to keep in mind the goal of developing a literary community in South Florida and giving people a “third place” where they could feel at home.

But building this community, he said, was no easy task.

“I had to use all my persuasive powers to convince anyone who would listen that there was a sophisticated readership here, one that would support writers as fully as anywhere else. I was fighting against the image of Miami as a retirement community which catered only to those looking for ‘fun and sun.’

We showed them!” Kaplan said.

Indeed, Miami was a different city when Kaplan first opened Books & Books­—and it wasn’t just the retirement communities and “Suntan U” stereotypes.

To readers who may be curious about Miami’s past, Kaplan suggests “The Year of Dangerous Days: Riots, Refugees and Cocaine in Miami 1980”

by Nicholas Griffin. If the title doesn’t give the book’s theme away, just know that the Magic City has seen some tough times.

As the city reinvented itself, Kaplan had a hand in the action by building Books & Books and bringing people together.

However, he said, the city is still not quite the paradise it could be.

“I feel so lucky,” said Kaplan, “to have had a seat at the table as Miami began its long climb back

from the horrors of its past. As we opened in 1982, we saw just how a city can remake itself.”

But, he continued, life in South Florida could be even better. “I can’t say that I’m completely pleased with what we’ve become, and the inherent inequalities that still exist here.

Income disparity and poverty are still very profound, a [strategy] for what to do about the effects of climate change has yet to be put forward and overdevelopment and a lack of affordable housing continues to plague us.”

He pointed out that young people could be the ones to change this. “I am hopeful,” said Kaplan, “with so many young voices deciding to make Miami their home, I see political and social change on the horizon.”

Through times both bright and turbulent, Kaplan’s bookstores have given readers, young and old, a space to learn and socialize. Such places, he said, are essential for a community—and bookstores are a perfect fit.

“For a community to be whole and complete,” said Kaplan, “it must have those great, good places. Those third places after home and work where people congregate, meet and explore the diversity of their community. Bookstores are really well-suited for that.”

According to Kaplan, Shakespeare and Company did this in Paris, serving the “Lost Generation” in the early 1900s.

There was Gotham Book Mart in New York City, Powell’s Books in Portland, Tattered Cover in Denver and City Lights in San

books and books’ Coral Gables location is a favorite of bookworms and coffee lovers alike.

With cozy nooks and a cafe, you can spend hours curled up inside.

“Being able to find information through books and to learn how to be empathetic through the reading of stories and novels is crucial if we are to have a civil society.”

- Mitchell Kaplan OWNER OF BOOKS & BOOKS

Francisco—and now, Books & Books in Miami.

Kaplan’s success does not just lie in his love for books. Kaplan realized that with the technology boom of the 2000s, and with corporations like Amazon eating up a large percentage of literary sales, he would have to evolve his strategy to keep up.

Fast forward to 2020, Books & Books’ Instagram account has garnered upwards of 82,000 followers. Kaplan, whose personal presence is interwoven into Books & Books’ daily feed, uses the account to promote book launches, announce events—now mostly virtual— and support his community.

In addition to his stores, Kaplan now produces films and television shows with his production company, Mazur Kaplan Company, and hosts “The Literary Life” podcast as part of the “Literary Hub” podcast community.

His early films “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” and “All the Bright Places” are all available on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. His next film, “Let Him Go,” starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, will premiere when theaters can safely re-open.

The Literary Life podcast is thriving, according to Kaplan.

The talkshow features a new guest to discuss the latest and greatest in literature. Episodes are released each week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the Literary Hub website. There are also weekly updates and teasers on Books & Books’ Instagram page.

Kaplan is also the force behind the Miami Book Fair, which started in 1985 and is held each year at Miami-Dade College.

This year the fair is set to go digital for the first—and, he hopes, last—time ever.

“I hope this is a temporary condition, as watching Miami come together under the big tent of The Fair brings me the greatest satisfaction,” said Kaplan. “It reaffirms my belief that books, and their authors, can be catalysts for bringing diverse communities together.”

Kaplan explained that, in his eyes, books are essential to civil engagement and having an informed democracy.

“The act of reading is really an affirmation of democratic thinking,” Kaplan said. “Being able to find information through books and to learn how to be empathetic through the reading of stories and novels is crucial if we are to have a civil society.”

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PA N DE M IC

pandemonium When students left campus for spring break last semester, they packed enough for a quick getaway. No one could’ve imagined that we wouldn’t return to campus for five months. words_ emmalyse brownstein & savannah yates. photo_teagan polizzi. design_isabella vaccaro.

masks have almost seamlessly blended into the student body’s everyday attire, quickly becoming a part of our new normal. With masks in all shapes, colors and brands, they’re also a way to make a fashion statement.

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Everyone has faced the challange of adapting to a “new normal:” students did college work from their childhood bedrooms, professors transformed living rooms into classrooms and others spent months in uncertainty and isolation. Dr. cfrancis blackchild, a UM acting professor who said the first week of online instruction was the most challenging, described the experience last May. “Your professional existence, whether as a student or a teacher or a cashier, is usually done elsewhere. Then you have your family responsibilities. But now everyone’s professional and familial things are in the same space crawling over each other.

Some people need mental space where they don’t have anyone asking them where the cheese is.”

College students felt other consequences of the pandemic, too, from lost summer jobs to retracted internships to cancelled travel plans­—no one could outrun the virus’ effects. “I spent most of this past summer in my house, trying to stay healthy and away from risks,” UM sophomore Valentina Pope said.

THE U’S RESPONSE Studies & Research According to University Communications, the Miller School of Medicine partnered

with Heat Biologics, a biopharmaceutical company, to develop a COVID-19 test and a potential vaccine. UM is also participating in a nation-wide clinical trial to test a vaccine developed by the National Institutes of Health and biotech company Moderna. Other medical research projects include studying the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and their fetuses, the possibility of sexual transmission of the virus and identifying characteristics of the virus in X-ray and CT scan imaging.

Covid-friendly Campus For those of us who have inperson classes, an influx of masks and safety signage are hard to miss when walking around The U. The concept of a classroom has also taken on new meaning; where there was once open grass is now filled with large white tents serving as outdoor lecture halls. Club meetings in the UC or events in the Shalala Student Center are a thing of the past— student orgs are mostly Zoomified this semester.

The Three T’s Testing, tracking and tracing have been the cornerstone of the university’s plan for a safe return to campus. All students, through an at-home and self-administered

COVID-19 ON

CAMPUS 1 Jan 27 UM releases first message referencing the novel coronavirus.

2 June 15 The university releases their plan for returning to campus in-person in the fall.

3 Aug 5 UM announces that all students are required to receive a COVID-19 test in order to return to campus.

current c a s e s (as of 9/11) cases 297 cumulative 102 active isolations quarantines 176 active **If you’re experiencing symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call UM’s COVID-19 Hotline: 305-243-ONE-U source: coronavirus.miami.edu

nasal swab kit, were required to test negative to begin classes on campus. For those who do test positive or are listed as a contact of someone who does, reserved quarantine rooms in the Mahoney-Pearson dorms and at a nearby hotel are your new home for 14 days.

Positive Peer Pressure The university is relying on students to be smart. Student public health ambassadors encourage and enforce guidelines —wearing masks properly, adhering to social distancing and more—to classmates around campus. However, what happens off campus leaves the most room for vulnerability. Residential students have to abide by a 10 p.m. curfew and a cannot have outside guests, and students involved in large gatherings of any kind, on or off campus, face a “zero tolerance” policy. The punishment for breaking the rules are no slap on the wrist— suspension and removal from residential areas began during the first week of classes.

A NEW NORMAL This semester looks and feels different—no one can deny that. Frat parties and tailgates are on hold. Miami nightlife has dampened its glow. But people are still doing normal things. Students can still be seen soaking up the Miami sun at the university pool, just now in masks. Students still eat lunch with friends on the gliders, just now from to-go boxes.

Following other university closures within the first week of classes, some think it’s a matter of when, not if, the university will face an uncontrollable outbreak and consequent shutdown. And just like in pretty much everything else, social media has played a role.

During the first week of classes, a TikTok video of a crowded freshman dorm room circulated.

Soon after, a student who tested

positive for COVID-19 made one about the living conditions in her quarantine room that got nearly 350,000 views.

“The wild card in all of it is the student behavior,” said Pat Whitely, vice president of student affairs. “We really hope that our students will comply with our public health directives and not be ‘super spreaders.’ We all have to be looking out for each other. There’s never been a more important time for ‘Canes to care for ‘Canes.”

Abigail Adeleke, president of UM Student Government, agreed. “Even though I will be socially distanced from others, I still get to experience completing my major in person and creating memories for my last year of college,” said Adeleke.

“If you see a friend not following procedures, reach out to them and encourage them to do so.”

While being back on campus has given some students a sense of normalcy, others say it’s not the same. About 25% of students chose remote learning this semester, while the rest are either in-person or a hybrid of both.

Nicole Guerriero, who lives on campus and has two of her five classes in-person, said The U is noticeably less lively.

“It feels kind of dead,” Guerriero said. “I go in class and see the same six people. I feel like I’m at a small college. It’s so weird.”

This new normal won’t last forever, we hope. In a Zoom meeting with student media, President Frenk said he hopes students will keep their eyes on the prize—the end of this pandemic and a chance to get back to our old lives.

“You will remember this as one the highlights of your college experience. You will be telling your grandchildren, ‘I went through the great pandemic of 2020 and we beat it,’” Frenk said.

“If we do this right, this is a timelimited sacrifice. I’m not ready to give up on young people, frankly.

So I’m trusting the students.”

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ELECTION

A FEW REMINDERS

In the midst of a global pandemic, social unrest and deeply polarized views, both Republicans and Democrats want major change in America— meaning all eyes are on the impending presidential election this November. words_ kathryn ford. design_avani choudhary.

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The deadline to register to vote online is October 5 The deadline to request a vote-by mail ballot is October 24 If voting my mail, you should request your ballot as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted.

The Canes Vote Network at the Butler Center has helpful tools and information about how to register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot.

JOSEPH “JOE” BIDEN As the former vice president and now the Democratic ticket nominee, Joe Biden is not new to the world of politics. Biden was first elected to the United States Senate in 1973 and served as vice president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. After months of Democratic nominees trying to position themselves as front-runners for the 2020 election, Biden emerged. Often seen as more moderate on the political spectrum, some Democrats are unhappy with his nomination.

Rachel Stempler, president of the Young and College Democrats at the University of Miami, sees Biden as a “historically more moderate candidate who is now trying to diversify himself and his base.” She said Biden is “taking significant steps to make sure more people feel comfortable supporting him and that his policies are not for show.”

If elected, Biden’s plans are more progressive than Liberals may have expected, with federal mandates regarding COVID-19 protection, police reform, climate change, healthcare and the economy. Biden announced his running mate as California senator Kamala Harris, the first woman of color on a major party ticket. Harris, who earlier competed against Biden as a more progressive Democrat, may be able to rally voters who don’t think Biden will do enough. According to Stempler, “This election is going to be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime. By using your voice to vote, you can create real change and set a different tone for this country and where it is heading.”

Election Day is November 3

If you are not registered to vote in your home state, most UM students are eligible to vote in the state of Florida­—a crucial swing state­—with a valid Florida address. Your apartment or dorm will work!

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP President Donald Trump—the businessmanturned-politician whose election in 2016 rocked the country—will be up for a second term in November. Randy Fitzgerald, a senior at UM, said he will, “very enthusiastically be voting for Donald Trump.” In Fitzgerald’s eyes, the Trump administration has rejuvenated the American economy and, even though no one could have seen or prevented the COVID-19 recession, he said, “President Trump is the best positioned candidate to rebuild our economy.”

Trump supporters believe that the Trump administration’s economy gives students jobs, affordable healthcare and a better future than any other candidate can ensure. Aside from the economy, Fitzgerald applauds the President’s environmental, social justice and criminal justice reforms, and says that he is often not credited enough for changes the Republican majority in congress and the President’s administration have made. At the end of the day, the election comes down to votes and how excited people are to vote for a candidate. Like Fitzgerald, many Republicans are excited to vote for Donald Trump again, but do Democrats feel the same way about nominee Joe Biden? “People are enthusiastic about getting Donald Trump out of office, but I don’t know very many people who are genuinely enthusiastic about Joe Biden,” said Fitzgerald.

Graduating Seniors and Graduate Students...

Graduating Seniors and

Graduating Seniors and Graduate Students...

Graduate Students...

It’s Time For Portraits!

It’s It’s Time Time

For For Portraits!

Portraits!

Come Take Yours

WHEN? During the weeks of 10/12, 10/19, Take and 10/26Yours Come Take Come Yours WHERE? WHEN? WHEN? UC lower lobby near the information desk/staircase During the weeks of 10/12, 10/19, and 10/26 During weeks of 10/12, 10/19, and 10/26 WHATthe ELSE? WHERE? No walk ups, sitting fee WHERE? UC lower lobby near the information desk/staircase UCReservations lower lobbyrequired near the information desk/staircase WHAT ELSE? Social distancing required WHAT No walk ups,ELSE? sitting fee Sign up at ibisyearbook.com

No walk ups, sitting fee Reservations required Reservations required Social distancing required Sign up at ibisyearbook.com Sign upat atibisyearbook.com ibisyearbook.com Social distancing required Sign up

Fall 2020 DISTRACTION 81

www.distractionmagazine.com Distraction Magazine @Distractionmag @DistractionUM

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However you’d like to get in the swing of things, we have room for you. Contact our Editor-in-Chief, Olivia Ginsberg, at oag27@miami. edu for more information. Anyone is welcome to contribute!