HERCULTURE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
MARGARET HAMILTON: Spreading awareness of NASA’s first software engineer
BOOK THAT FLIGHT!
Why it’s important to start traveling now.
ARTIVISM turning your passions into change
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE
FOUNDED 2013 WWW.HERCULTURE.ORG
| @HERCULTURE
from the desk of
THE FOUNDER DEAR CULTURE GIRL, We’ve made it to the 23rd issue of Her Culture’s magazine! In 2013, I was a senior in high school. I never even dreamed of what 23 issues of a magazine would look like…but here we are! I’m so proud of the growth we’ve had for the past five years, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store. Our recently-created book club and newly-formulated podcast are just more ways that girls around the world are starting a #CultureRevolution. I’m so happy that you’re a part of it. xoxo, Kate
MY TRAVEL LOG AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
This month, I will travel to: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Next month, I plan on going to: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ I’ve always wanted to travel to: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
The countries I’ve been to are: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ My favorite article from Her Culture this month is: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ 5 things I’ll remember for my next trip: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ I can start a #CultureRevolution by: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
xoxo
ISSUE NO. 23
AUGUST
/SEPTEMBER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREGNANT IN CUSTODY
PERIOD POVERTY
AUNG SAN SUU KYI
INSPIRATION NATION
OCASIO-CORTEZ
INTERNATIONAL BBQ
12
26
GLOBAL COFFEE
42
16
28
SCHOOLS & PERIODS
50
20
33
IMPOSTER SYNDROME
54
WHY TRAVEL NOW?
ARTIVISM
FREEDOM WRITERS
ANNA MAY WONG
WOMEN IN MARVEL
DRESS FOR TRAVEL
KOREAN #METOO
GUN PROTECTION
FCA CAMP
56
68
84
62
72
88
67
76
93
MORE TO LOVE…
MARGARET HAMILTON: NASA ENGINEER…96 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS…100 MAKE AMERICA MODERATE AGAIN…103 PEACE, PLEASE…106 MENSTRUAL TABOO…108 A WOMEN’S PERSPECTIVE ON TRAVEL…112 THE IMPACT OF “FEMINAZI” ON GIRLS…118 SOCCER: THE WORLD GAME?…120 GENDER ROLES & PAY ROLES…126 THE AMERICAN COLLEGE DREAM…130 PICKING UP THE UNTOLD STORY…134 THE IDEA OF THE CAREER-DRIVEN WOMAN…139
MAGAZINE STAFF EXECUTIVES Kate Avino - Chief Executive Officer Alexis Neuville - Chief of Staff Katie Collins - Chief Marketing Officer Sareana Kimia - Director of International Development Cameron Oakes Director of Partnerships
EDITORS Maanasi Natarajan Sara Miranda
Sorana Bucseneanu
Delisha Mehta
Sumaita Mahmood
Alana Cohen
WRITERS Dakyung Lee Ashni Walia Essie Thomas Camden Morris Melanie Marich Skylar Cale Red Ali Jayden Hutchinson Chelsi Harris Likhita Yegireddi Areej Adnan Kennedy Castillo Diya Pathak Shaye DiPasquale Stephanie Chang Amanda Lopez Anushka Thorat Katherine Chacon Udayammai Ramasamy Elizabeth Meisenzahl Sofia Barrell Emily Pfeiffer Caroline Warman
OUR PREVIOUS ISSUE:
NEWS CULTURE
Pregnant Women Report Mistreatment in ICE Custody by elizabeth meisenzahl HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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n December 2017, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Thomas Homan issued a change to ICE policy regarding pregnant women in their custody. Since 2016, the standard procedure when pregnant women were in custody was to avoid detaining them based on the health risks posed by detention. However, the new policy allows ICE to detain pregnant women as they would anyone else in order to comply with President Trump’s executive order mandating stricter immigration enforcement. Although the previous policy did not completely stop the detention of pregnant women — ICE detained hundreds of pregnant women during this time according to a complaint filed by the American Immigration Council — the updated policy will keep more women in custody, and for longer, as they wait for their often lengthy hearings. In many cases, the detention of pregnant women in the often poor conditions of ICE centers leads to serious health complications. One woman, seeking asylum from gang violence in her home of El Salvador, alleges that her pregnancy became high
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risk after ICE transported her to different facilities more than six times, one of which involved little access to food or restrooms. She experienced vomiting and weakness, but was denied medical attention. Other women report being shackled around their stomachs during transportation to ICE detention centers. One woman, identified only as “E” in a Buzzfeed report, stated that ICE officials left her to suffer a miscarriage without any medical care. “They said it was not a hospital and they weren’t doctors. They wouldn’t look after me,” E told Buzzfeed. Although ICE released a statement saying that appropriate medical care is provided to all detainees, several government officials are calling for the investigation of the consequences of detaining pregnant women. “What they’ve endured is shocking and heartbreaking,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a tweet. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tom Carper (DDE), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Patty Murray (D-WA) have written a letter to the Department of Homeland Security encouraging the investigation of the new policy.
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Despite statements to the contrary by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, RAICES lawyers working on behalf of detained immigrants say that they have never seen the separate housing for pregnant women that Nielsen spoke of before Congress. Nurses and obstetricians tasked with providing healthcare to the pregnant women have come forward to speak out
against the poor treatment of the women. In addition to the health risks posed by shackling pregnant women’s stomachs, the nurses report seeing the pregnant women only once for a checkup during the entire pregnancy. Despite these obstacles, healthcare providers and lawyers plan to continue to fight for the rights of pregnant women in ICE custody.
How Period Poverty Affects People Who Menstruate Around The World. by shaye dipasquale What comes to mind when we think about “poverty”? Many people associate the state of being extremely poor with a lack of access to food and adequate housing. Unfortunately, this is an incomplete illustration of what living in poverty looks like for people who menstruate.
price of having a period adds up quickly. When proper products are not affordable or accessible, people may be forced to use only one tampon or pad for multiple days. Other people seek out alternatives to menstrual products, using newspaper, tissues, socks and rags to control their flow. These unsanitary practices can lead to very serious health risks, including yeast infections or toxic shock syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
“Period poverty” refers to a lack of access to menstrual products due to financial constraints. Between pads, tampons, cups and pain relievers, the HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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Periods are often systemically oppressive – used as an automatic way to disqualify people who menstruate from participating fully in various aspects of public life. The stigma surrounding menstruation frequently forces people who menstruate to stay at home, to miss work and to skip school.
viewed as “nonessential luxury items” – even though people who have periods have no say in the matter. In Australia, menstrual products are taxed at 10% under a goods and services tax. Slovakia’s basic goods rate places a 20% tax on menstrual products. Period poverty advocates argue that menstrual products serve the basic biological needs of people who menstruate and should be classified with other unavoidable, tax exempt necessities. Kenya was the first country in the world to abolish its sales tax for menstrual products. In 2015, Canada removed its tampon tax in light of an online petition that garnered thousands of signatures. Unlike the United Kingdom, Ireland levies no value-added tax on tampons, panty liners, and sanitary towels.
This narrative is not isolated to people in developing countries - period poverty negatively affects the quality of life for lowincome people, even in the wealthiest countries in the world. A 2017 survey conducted by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 British women between the ages of 14 and 21 have been unable to afford sanitary products at some point in their lives. On social media, many people have questioned this statistic, finding it difficult to believe that such a disparity could exist in a country ranked as one of the top 30 richest nations by Business Insider.
Such government initiatives will hopefully inspire other nations to follow suit to take action to fight period poverty. Until then, it is important that everyone does their part to help normalize menstruation. Getting educated on menstruation and sharing the knowledge with others is vital to gaining ground in this ongoing fight, regardless of whether they menstruate or not. The burden of period poverty should not fall solely on the shoulder of people who menstruate.
Despite a nation’s overall “wealth,” there is a growing number of young people who do not have sufficient funds to cover the basic costs of shelter, food and personal hygiene. Experts say that the average American person who menstruates spends over $70 a year on menstrual products. For people who are experiencing homelessness or food insecurity or are from low-income households, spending that kind of money on disposable products is just not feasible.
Dismantling the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation and circulating accurate information regarding menstrual health benefits all of society. No one should have to put a price on feeling clean, healthy and dignified.
A huge part of the problem is that menstrual products are generally taxed and
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Is Aung San Suu Kyi still Myanmar’s Peace-Keeper? by dakyung lee
N
obel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is regarded as the modern peacekeeper of Myanmar. But with the current ethnic cleansing crisis of minorities in the Southeast Asian nation, the Myanmar’s State Counsellor once respected devotion to peace has come into question. As the daughter born to an influential political family, Aung San Suu Kyi felt an immense duty to serve the people of her country. With many young female activists inspired by her qualities as a true civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi preserved order and harmony in her country and helped create a civil government in a country torn apart from numerous military dictatorships. Although her activism allowed her to create a name for herself, her protests angered the Burmese government and Aung San Suu Kyi was imprisoned and placed on house arrest multiple times. Due to her bold and empowering actions, Aung San Suu Kyi became a symbol of hope and prosperity to humanitarian communities around the world. Her reforms in Myanmar
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dramatically increased Myanmar’s emergence as an important nation and also garnered the attention and support of many Western nations. However, several international communities are currently outraged at Aung San Suu Kyi’s silence on horrible crimes and murders of thousands of innocent Burmese Muslims. Many other Southeast Asian nations also have primarily high percentages of Buddhist followers. In Myanmar, Buddhism accounts for nearly 90 percent of the nation’s religious makeup. The majority of these Buddhist citizens have started ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya, a Muslim minority. Many of these Buddhist citizens believe that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants who have taken over their land. The Burmese government also refuses to grant citizenship to the Rohingya people. The angry Buddhist mobs and officials have created a hostile environment for the Rohingya to survive in as there are many reported incidents of murder, rape, and arson. There have already been over 700,000 who have fled Myanmar for
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for the sake of their lives and are now currently living in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has started to face concerns over limited resources available to the huge influxes of refugees from the Myanmar border. The Rohingya ethnic cleansing has been addressed by the United Nations in its most recent conference. However, there must be more effective policies to ensure no more crimes and forced migrations occur to the innocent people of Myanmar.
has recently lost one of her prestigious human rights awards from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Aung San Suu Kyi has recently addressed the public regarding the Rohingya issue, but she refused to reference the Muslim minority group by their name. Aung San Suu Kyi may have created multiple peace talks and peace conferences for the ethnical diversive country of Myanmar but of the 135 indigenous groups recognized by the Burmese government, the Rohingya are notably absent.
Due to her negligence in the humanitarian issue, Aung San Suu Kyi HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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From the refusal to grant citizenship to the Rohingya people and allowing her people to commit inhumane crimes, Aung San Suu Kyi has left her supporters choosing sides. Aung San Suu Kyi must act now and save the innocent Rohingya men, women, and children who have experienced so much discrimination and hate. The Rohingya must be able to return to their homes without the fear of persecution.
Myanmar cannot be a nation that refuses to stand up for all of their citizens and inhabitants. Our world cannot afford another ethnic genocide, not in Myanmar and not anywhere else.
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INSPIRATION NATION how one teacher strike lead to others around the United States by skylar cale West Virginia teachers’ strike began on March 23, 2018, in order to demand a higher pay. West Virginia ranked 48th in the U.S. for teacher pay, meaning that it made less than almost all the states in the country. The teachers demanded a 5% pay raise, which was a step up from the 1% pay raise they got just a few years ago. The strike also happened because of the PEIA being raised with everything including copays. Governor Jim Justice signed a bill to ensure the teachers get the pay raise but the bill made cuts into road maintenance and other things the state also needs. The state Superintendent Steven Paine made a statement saying, “all schools in West Virginia will be reopened on March 7.” Most schools did reopen on that day, either two days later or on normal schedule, while some stayed closed to prepare for the students’ return. Because of this work stoppage many students in West Virginia, even though some students did manage to
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get out in late May, some did not get out until June 15th. This strike helped other states strike back as well. Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina joined in on the teachers’ strike months later. This resulted in Arizona getting a 20% raise and Colorado getting a 2% raise and more spending on schools. Oklahoma increased school funding and teacher raises by 6,000 dollars and support staff raises by 1,250 dollars. Teachers in Kentucky all called in sick to protest against the change in their benefit plan. This forced 20 counties to close schools because they could not get any substitutes. Teachers in the South Butler district went on strike on March 15. They demanded raises and lower contribution rates for health care costs. North Carolina teachers marched to demand higher funding for classrooms and for higher pay.
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Young Latina Woman Becomes One of The Youngest Nominees for Congress by kennedy castillo
In what was described as one of the most shocking victories of the 2018 midterm election season a 23 year old Latina woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated Joseph Crowley in the democratic primary in New York’s 145h congressional district. The victory has resulted in her becoming one of the youngest nominees for congress. Ocasio-Cortez has never ran for public office before. She is originally from New York City and attended Yorktown High School. In high school she participated in the National Hispanic Institute’s Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session where she became LDZ Secretary of State. She attended Boston University and was an intern with U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy. She graduated from college with a degree in economics and international relations. In 2017 she was also honored as the National Hispanic Institute’s Person of the Year by Ernesto Nieto.
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The young politician describes herself as a democratic socialist. Her campaign supports policies such as medicare for all, tuition-free public college and gun control policies. She also supports the abolishment of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Ocasio-Cortez has also been an advocate for granting Puerto Rican’s further civil rights and is part Puerto Rican. Ocasio-Cortez will face republican nominee Anthony Pappas in the general election, which will take place on November 6th of this year. Pappas has not actively campaigned, which means it is highly likely Ocasio-Cortez will win the primary election. If elected she would be the youngest woman to ever be elected into the U.S. House of Representatives.
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JOIN THE HER CULTURE BOOK CLUB! herculture.org/ book-club
WELLNESS
CULTURE
THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU & ME five alternative BBQ foods celebrating different immigrant cultures in the United States by essie thomas
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W
e were taught from a young age that the United States is a “Melting Pot”. Much like the fondue pot of a great restaurant chain, America is based off the principle that once you melt enough of the good things together, a pretty delicious thing can result. As good liberals, my friends and I like to tell ourselves that it’s the new presidency that has changed the tide’s opinion on immigrants, that we are worse now than we ever have been toward the unknown newcomer to our shores. But that’s not really true is it? As we are a fairly new country in the world, we had to grow quickly, and rise to power with both diplomacy and financial stability. This required a population explosion. We needed new bodies on our shores to do the work that already established Americans didn’t want first dibs on. We needed immigrant labor to work the 17 hour days in Andrew Carnegie’s steel factories, or to drive the railroad spikes of the Vanderbilt family westward. Immigrants then were viewed as immigrants are now, job stealing opportunists. The reasons for the majority of immigrants that left their home then, are the same reasons the majority of them leave their home countries now: escaping war, extreme crime, poverty, or simply the promise of a better life. So this summer, while you fight the depression and rage that occurs from just glancing at a recent headline, eat your feelings with these alternative BBQ meal ideas celebrating the different immigrant populations that we are lucky enough to have contributing their delicious dishes to our country!
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MEXICAN GRILLED PORK TACOS WITH CILANTRO AVOCADO CREMA Pork is a cheap and efficient meat popular around the world and especially in Latinx countries. Hogs are easy to feed, grow quickly, and are ready to be slaughtered in less than a year. First introduced to the Mexican region after European invaders’ arrivals, the meat is still popular today. The ground beef tacos from your college “Taco Tuesday” nights have nothing on these bbs! Grease your grill rack with a little olive oil and then turn the heat on to medium and close the lid to allow the grill to properly heat up. Take a trimmed pork tenderloin and pat dry with a paper towel. Then rub a mixture of salt, black pepper, chipotle chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder all over the tenderloin. Once you place the tenderloin on the grill, close the lib again to cook the tenderloin evenly, turning once and awhile to get an even char all over. In a food processor, combine fresh avocado, lime juice, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, and fresh crema or sour cream to achieve a creamy, thick sauce. Season to taste. Once the pork is cooked to an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, remove the tenderloin from the grill and let rest for seven minutes before you shred or chop the tenderloin. Layer the meat in a warm tortilla, top with a bunch of fresh cilantro, a dollop of the sauce, and a squirt of lime juice for a delicious summer afternoon lunch.
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ARABIC KABOB In another area of the world, the previous suggestion would most likely not be appreciated. Pork is considered an “unclean” meat according to Islam, the faith that most immigrants from the Middle East practice. That doesn’t hinder them from knowing BBQ. Oh, they know BBQ. I have met few Arabic people that don’t take BBQ seriously. Hot coals are cultivated for hours. Meat of chicken, beef, lamb, or mutton is marinated in spices and olive oil, and then skewered and placed over red hot embers. Someone mans the kabobs, turning them often to achieve the perfect cook. Even the most ISIS fearing among us could not resist the siren call of that delicious skewer, perhaps dipped in a nice yogurt sauce flavored with fresh mint and lemon juice. Kabob is meant to be eaten fresh from the heat, while the juices of the meat are still steaming and runny.
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FILIPINO BBQ CHICKEN BBQ Chicken in the Philippines is not what we think of when we think of BBQ chicken - no sticky sauce in sight. If you show up with boneless, skinless chicken breast, you will not be allowed back to the cookout. Filipino BBQ Chicken is a double grilled artform. It requires flameless hot charcoals, high even heat, chicken thighs with the skin ON (do not “GOOP” this and attempt to make it healthy - full fat is required for authentic flavor), and a marinade with oyster sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, salt and pepper, crushed garlic cloves, and a smidge of brown sugar. Marinate the chicken for 4-6 hours in the marinade, then skewer and grill over high heat, turning regularly for that char and brushing them with oil as them cook. Have what they call a “resting pan”. When the chicken is nearly cooked, pull it off the grill and place into the pan. Allow the chicken to rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the natural juices of the meat to reabsorb into the muscle fibers. After it has finished resting, put them right back on the grill, and repeat the grilling process to achieve a sort of twice grilled, crunchy char to the outside of them. Serve them with a soy sauce, vinegar, and chilis for dipping. These skewers really pack a punch of flavor and are a nice alternative to the sticky sauced chicken we’re used to in the United States.
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GOAN GRILLED FISH Indian cuisine can be scoffed at. It’s not generally taken seriously in the United States. The extent of our knowledge about Indian food tends to be curries and mango lassi. It’s not ENTIRELY our fault that we think this way. Comfort food in general is not as associated with fine dining. And who doesn’t love a nice, rich platter of Tikka Masala and some crispy, fresh naan. But Indian food is actually incredibly complex. A great Indian dish could take hours, or even days, to layer the spices and flavors in correctly. Not to mention the extremely different styles of cuisine found within the country. India has 22 official languages within its borders. That number is just the languages that are recognized by the government. It’s estimated that there are actually hundreds of languages and dialects spoken throughout the country today. With that difference in language also comes a difference in food and culture. Goa is a party town on the western side of the country and sits on the Indian Ocean. Seafood dishes are plentiful here and one of the best things to eat is a grilled whole fish called Pomfret. If you can find pomfret in your local market, snatch that up! It is a delicious and hearty fish, perfect for grilling. To prepare this dish in the Goan style, you’ll need a whole fish (preferable Pomfret or something comparable), onions, fresh mint, fresh cilantro, limes, oil (tamarind oil is preferred but you can sub your preferred oil), ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, turmeric, garam masala (a dried ground spice blend of cinnamon, bay leaves, and cardamom) garlic and ginger paste, salt and pepper to taste. Wash your fish and marinate it in fresh lime juice, salt and pepper for about an hour. In the meantime, grind the mint and cilantro together with a little water to form a paste and set aside. Chop the onions and begin to saute them in the oil along with the garlic ginger paste and ground spices. Add a splash of vinegar into the pot for acidity. Finally, add the paste of mint and cilantro and fry with everything for another two minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat. Put everything into a food processor and turn on until you have a thick puree. Wash the fish and rub the entire fish with the mixture and place on a grill on high heat. Cook open until the flesh of the fish is opaque. PAGE 38
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PUERTO RICAN LECHON No, Puerto Ricans are not immigrants. They are U.S. citizens with U.S. passports as they are actually a territory of the United States. But in response to the recent misunderstandings about who Puerto Ricans actually are to us, I decided they should make the list. Lechon is, in my opinion, pretty damn close to the food of heaven. A whole pig, entrails removed, seasoned with your favorite spices, salt and pepper, skewered whole and turned on a spit over hot coals for hours. Baste frequently to give the skin the crunchy quality Lechon is known for. You won’t be able to do this on your little apartment patio grill, but if you have the space to do it, treat yo’self. Invite all of your friends and family and neighbors over, string up some colorful lights, put on some Salsa music, and have a pig roast. Because this is a special occasion meal. This is a meal that is made with love to feed a large group of people. Don’t forget to buy some Medalla Light beer. And have a great time. Because at the end of the day, all these cultures have something in common, barbeque is a time to have a great meal with the people you love. And we all have that in common, don’t we?
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Coffee Culture Around the Globe by Sofia Barrell
We all know the risks of drinking too much coffee: an elevated heart rate, possible hallucinations and, worst of all, yellowing teeth and bad breath. But,somehow, the average American still consumes 3.1 cups of coffee per day, according to the National Coffee Association. Even more surprising, especially given these numbers, is that the US ranks only as the 15th largest coffee consumer. But, how do other countries with a much longer history with the caffeinated drink traditionally take their coffees?
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ITALY To begin this list, we definitely have to start with the country best known for espresso culture: Italy. Italians have a very particular tradition when it comes to drinking their coffee. A foreigner in the Mediterranean country may notice that in the morning, Italians tend to order milky drinks like Caffe Lattes and Cappuccinos with their Cornetti for breakfast; but, order one of these drinks any time after lunch and you will stand out as a tourist. Typically, Italians only drink black espresso after noon. In fact, espresso is such an essential part of every Italian’s daily life that it is regulated by the Italian government.
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ETHIOPIA One of the biggest exporters of coffee in the world, Ethiopia is the birthplace of the hot drink. In Ethiopia, coffee can take up to three hours to brew, and it is done as a kind of ritual coffee ceremony which opens many important Ethiopian events. The legend behind the discovery of the Arabica bean claims that a goat herder saw his goats dancing after eating the bean. He then brought them to a monk who, after discovering their stimulating effects, threw them into a fire which produced the fragrant aroma of the world’s first roasted coffee.
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TURKEY Turkey and many other Middle Eastern countries are known for their love of extremely strong coffee. Turkish coffee requires an extremely slow brewing time and uses very finely ground, unfiltered beans. The almost powderlike grinds are left in the coffee when served and you are normally expected to continue stirring as you drink to ensure the strongest and best-tasting coffee. Turkey’s coffee is so popular in the country that it has been added to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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LATIN AMERICA It would be too hard to list every country in Central and South America but, as some of the biggest coffee bean producers, these countries have strong relationships with the drink. The Spanish Café con Leche, a drink which mixes bold coffee with scalded milk in a 1:1 ratio, reigns in these countries, but they also each have their own coffee drinks. Café Lagrima is a typical Argentinian breakfast drink which is mostly a cup of steamed milk with a dash of coffee. Colombia, one of the biggest bean exporters with almost 560,000 coffee farms, drinks Tinto, a thicker, darker coffee made of the beans that don’t meet the country’s high quality exportation standards. Lastly, Mexico, a country known for its love of cinnamon, drinks Cafè de Olla, a coffee brewed in a clay pot served with a cinnamon stick.
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Public Schools to Provide Access to Menstrual Products by elizabeth meisenzahl In 2016, a New York City law mandated that public schools provide access to pads and tampons for students. Now, the rest of the state and several other parts of the country are following suit, passing laws that carve out space in the education budget for access to menstrual products in public schools.
taxpayers shouldn’t bear the burden of paying for menstrual products, even stating concern that girls would “grab the whole box.” “Let them then. If a girl is so poor that she needs to steal a few tampons, then go ahead,” said one commenter on a Facebook post about the issue. Supporters also noted that allocating money in the budget for these products would defray the costs of school nurses and administrators, who sometimes pay out of their own pocket to provide lowincome students access to the necessary items.
Two years after New York City adopted the policy, a similar provision made its way into the state legislature. Though providing free menstrual products in all New York public schools became a part of the budget, the process was not without controversy. Critics argued that
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Students themselves weighed in on the debate, noting that not having proper menstrual supplies led girls to skip school out of shame, disrupting their education and putting them at a disadvantage with their male peers. Another aim of the policy is to fight back against the stigma surrounding periods. “No student should miss a day of school or feel ashamed because they don’t have access to menstrual products,” said Governor Cuomo in a tweet. New York is not alone, or even the first, in the nation to make such a policy. In 2017, California passed a bill that would require schools serving low-income students to provide free menstrual
products in half the bathrooms. Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia had fought for the policy for years, earning her the nickname “the Tampon Queen.” Prior to this effort, her last two bills that would have made menstrual products tax-free failed to pass. Finally, however, she was successful in this effort, partially because of New York City’s policy. In 2017, legislators in Illinois passed a bill requiring pads and tampons to be provided at no cost in public and charter schools, citing similar concerns as the legislators in New York City and California: missed school days and unnecessary shame due to periods. The law went into effect in January 2018.
In other parts of the country, school districts are working to assist students in similar ways, even when no law exists mandating that they provide free menstrual products. Pittsburgh schools have partnered with SisterFriend, a local non-profit, to ensure girls have an equal opportunity to succeed in schools, and will not be held back by a lack of access to menstrual products. “It’s an issue that all schools should be aware of,” Tamara Whiting, founder of SisterFriend, told the Pittsburgh Gazette, “It’s about breaking down all these little barriers that we may not even think of.”
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IMPOSTER SYNDROME: DOES IT AFFECT YOU? by diya pathak Have you ever felt like you don’t deserve the success you have achieved? Or think that maybe you are a fluke and it’s only a matter of time until people take notice that you are not as smart as you made yourself seem? If any of these statements hold true, you are likely facing Imposter Syndrome.
field are more susceptible to this feeling. With already a glaring gender imbalance between men and women in technology, women feel that they are not as ‘smart’ or as ‘knowledgeable’ as their male counterparts. With one or two women out of 20 men in a meeting, some are afraid to ask questions or state their opinion as it will make them ‘exposed’ with their lack of knowledge.
Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that you don’t fit in somewhere because you’ve convinced yourself that you are not good enough to be there. You also feel this way when you believe that everyone else knows what is going on, and you barely even know half, if anything at all. Or when you are learning a new subject for the first time, you feel like the knowledge that you have gained is just a subset of the knowledge you think everyone already knows. Over 70 percent of all men and women have felt this way one way or another in their lifetime, causing stress, depression, if not clinical anxiety.
When you facing Imposter syndrome, it is important to understand that if you feel like you don’t understand things and everyone else does, you are most likely wrong! In reality, the same people that you hold higher than yourself may also feel the same way and are also afraid and not confident in their abilities. If you are facing Imposter Syndrome, the first step is to recognize you are going through it. Finally, remember that you are probably just as qualified as your peers, and you have made it to the position you are in because you deserve it.
While Imposter Syndrome is relevant in most industries today, women in the tech
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Why Traveling Will Open Your Eyes by amanda lopez
W
hen my friend, a young redheaded girl from rural Vermont, told me that her town was 98% white, I was shocked. Hailing from the culture hub that is Miami, I grew up experiencing rich cultures from around the world. All my friends originated from a foreign country. Hispanic Heritage month merited huge celebrations at school. Breakfast always consisted of croquetas, or arepas, or tequeĂąos. Spanish was spoken nearly everywhere. Living here meant always being able to experience something new right at home. It wasn't until I spent a summer abroad with the program Youth Ambassadors that I realized this wasn't the case nation-wide. Not everyone is able to experience different cultures as much as we do in Miami and other large cities. The program brought together kids from all over the states, from sunny California to southern Arkansas, and I was able to hear many different perspectives about how life is like in
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different parts of America. To me, it was weird that they didn't have a Venezuelan restaurant or a Cuban bakery around every corner and to them it was strange that I did. Youth Ambassadors took us to Argentina and Chile where I watched the wonder in their eyes at seeing South American culture, how taken aback they were when they had to give a kiss on the cheek instead of a hand shake, how excited they were to try new foods, but most importantly, I watched how they slowly stepped out of their little bubble and experienced the world through fresh eyes. One part of the program was home stays. Prior to arriving in our host country, we were paired with a host family whom we would be living with for a week. We were all intimidated a this prospect, having to live with a foreign family from a culture completely different than ours and having to feel like an outsider. However, for most of us this would be one of the best experiences of our lives.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
My host country group arrived in Argentina after an activity packed week in Chile’s capital Santiago anxious but excited about what the week would bring. Those who didn't speak Spanish as well as others were especially anxious. After being with our host families alone for two days, we were all really excited to reunite. I expected most of my fellow ambassadors would still be a little weary, but instead they were just very enthusiastic and excited for what is to come. They loved eating asada and having empanadas for breakfast and I loved seeing other people experience and enjoy different cultures just as I had growing up.
world. You can explore what your city has to offer or voyage to the hidden wonders of your state. Something as simple as going to a local cultural center or monument helps to enrich the mind and make new experiences. Travel is enriching. It is empowering. And, it fills us with knowledge about people and cultures that we would never be able to get from sitting in a classroom. It teaches us about what it is to be human on this vast world.
It's important to get out there see the world and look at life at a perspective other than you own. It makes you understand issues and people and yourself. And, most importantly, the experiences you have while you're travelling shape you into a new more cultured person. Travelling also does not have to be trips that go far and around the
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
ART
CULTURE
ARTIVISM: A GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR PEACE DURING POLITICAL TURMOIL by red ali
There are several struggles that I face on a consistent basis as a young creative. If I’m not finding myself subjected to society-influenced fables that I should have a more “lucrative” back up career or battling with my inability to have self-discipline when tackling the intense periods of time spent in the Lack of Time/Motivation/Inspiration Pit of Despair, then I’m probably spacing out with a blank word document blinking back at me because I can’t quite find the words to accurately express how I’m processing current events around me. While the above struggles aren’t
over the twenty years of being a Black person in America. My identity as a Black womyn is never separated from my art. Having to balance the social responsibility of being aware of the massacres of Black people in a police state, immersing myself in feminist studies while also existing within a female body, and recognizing when my needs aren’t met nor protected in a capitalistic society can be, in a word, exhausting. Art is my way of communicating my inner self to the outside world. My ability to practice and perfect my craft is something in which I take immense joy, so in the words of
accompanied with a How to Be a Legit Artist guidebook, I do have a bit of an
mother Erykah Badu: I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my sh*t.
arsenal of problem solving tools built PAGE 64
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
I’m not only sensitive about my art, however, I’m sensitive about my people, too. Black life is my favorite muse, and I tend to draw from all aspects: from the gold-tinged buoyant curls of smiling girls, the quiet, ashamed masculine tears, to the strength radiating out of the palms of grandmothers. In high school, I thought that my art had to stay separate from any political commentary that I wanted to make, after all, art was meant to provide me with a peace of mind. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that it wasn’t fair for me to put limits on what I could and could not draw inspiration from. What made my angsty teenage heartbreak more valid than the ache I experienced by Mike or Trayvon’s murders? When I used my writing to reflect and delve deep into the political happenings, it was evident that I had (and have) the power to turn hurt into gold.
Usually what people are afraid to talk about, needs to be talked about. I never want a piece that I create to reiterate the status quo. Instead of trying to tackle an entire issue like police brutality or the high rates of childbirth mortality for Black womyn, I do any required research and then explore a specific perspective.
Never prioritize the problems of the world before your well-being. Yes, while I would love to see my own vision of world peace in my lifetime, my ability to see the beauty of the world stems from the beauty I see in myself which can often become muddled with all the blood, guts, and glory broadcast through an electronic screen. You’ve heard it a million times that selfcare is crucial for artists and activists alike, and it’s true. Sometimes, it is necessary to disconnect from the world for a while in order for my voice to shine through all the rhetoric fed to me from outside sources.
My art is inherently political because my existence is inherently political. But having my art engage with politics does not mean my art cannot provide me peace. When I use my art as a vehicle of activism, I have a few rules:
Question & Expand the Narrative. HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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Be adamant in the belief that what will be, will be. It is not my responsibility to create an art piece that is the final key to Liberation nor is it my responsibility to exhaust my energy on social issues
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created long before my time. But it is my responsibility as an artist to continue the dialog my ancestors created so that we are closer to the end of our oppression. I write for those who will never have the chance again to hold a pen. I create for those who just want to be alive at the end of the day. As long as my people keep speaking our truth, we will be alright.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
FREEDOM WRITERS: IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE by camden morris
Have you ever been in a class with someone
the help of Erin, she made a difference on their
who isn't interested and is miserable being
education and also the rest of their lives. You
there? That was everyday for Erin Gruwell a
may be thinking, okay good story but how can
teacher at a school full of minorities. Teens who
that affect me? Education affects everyone! This
were so deeply rooted in gang violence and just
shows you that you can make a difference in
waiting to get killed or to dropout of school.
today's society and you should. Even if it means
When I heard about this movie, honestly I
stepping out of your comfort zone. Many
wasn't impressed. Until, I saw it. Freedom
teachers and faculty doubted Erin could teach
Writers shows a selfless woman who gives up
them and make them interested. She was
everything, and when I say everything I mean
heartbroken over teachers giving up on these
everything for these teens. Is it worth it? I think
students. She turned her heartbreak into
yes. She loses her husband in the process but
passion and became even more motivated to
she saves lives. She changes the youth of
prove them wrong. The principal wouldn't even
America. Erin gives them books they can relate
let Erin get them any new books so they could
too, she is interested in there lives. That's
better educate themselves. Erin decided to go
something as a minority in there high school
out and spend her own money on the books.
they've never experienced. It takes them awhile
The Freedom Writers inspires selflessness and
to get used to it. Freedom Writers show how
truly being your unique self. It's honestly
adults truly influence today's youth and truly
inspiring and has showed me different cultures
how important education is. Freedom Writers is
and minorities. I believe it can inspire you too.
based on a true story and many of these students wouldn't have gone to college without
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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On Anna May Wong: Hollywood’s Asian Poster Girl by stephanie chang
W
hen I think about all the
immigrant home, Wong grew up among
truth left behind by Anna
the same backwards racial stereotyping
May Wong, the first
and prejudice she would face for a
Chinese-American actress
lifetime. She frequented the cinema
to grace Hollywood’s stage, I find myself
after school and skipped classes to
face-to-face with a handful of
immerse herself in what she understood
stereotypes that remain unstripped from
at age nine as a passion for acting. Two
the films of today. The problem that so
years later, she gave herself the stage
often plagues features of Asian-
name Anna May Wong as a merging of
American narratives is a lack of genuine
both her American and Chinese
representation, something especially
identities.
prevalent during the 1930s. Prior to achieving international In Wong’s time, this translated into roles
recognition, Wong appeared as an extra
along the lines of “dragon lady” or
in countless films, using friends and
“butterfly,” America’s family favorites at
connections to gain spots in anything
the time. This meant a vicious cycle of
shot near her neighborhood. These
playing the villain in an age where only
roles were uncredited; they couldn’t
white women ended up with leading
provide a springboard for Wong’s image
men, while the Asian girl was left to
to develop in front of the public.
wallow in her sins and skin tone.
Following suit, this led Wong to discontinue her high school studies in
Wong, however, attempted to thwart this
1921, earning her first significant part in
reality throughout her career. She
Bits of Life the same year.
turned down roles in her later years that negatively portrayed Asians, starred in
What is perhaps most astounding about
her own television series, and expressed
Wong’s career as she continued to play
her disappointment in interviews
stereotyped roles that varied from
towards the industry’s treatment of non-
subtle to blatantly offensive is her
white actors.
perseverance in a personal vision. The New York Times and numerous other
Born in Los Angeles, California to a
publications praised her for the
laundryman in a second-generation
inventive acts she could create,
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
acknowledging her captivating on-
the incident surrounding Ghost in the
screen presence. She was the subject of
Shell is a recent example. An upcoming
global scrutiny, making trips to Europe
film with an all-Asian-American cast
and touring East Asia to both act and
happens to situate its story on the
explore the casting options outside of
narrow stereotype of wealthy and
Hollywood’s bubble.
privileged East Asians, funnily enough.
As a woman of Chinese ancestry born
That is to say, how quickly is
into western society, I consider Anna
Hollywood’s attitude changing? Are we,
May Wong’s story something America
as people of color and viewers of our
cannot: a truth to all the barricades her
era’s film history, carefully examining
country was founded upon. Wong’s tale
the perspectives these films are
is often made into tragedy and
attempting to portray? I believe traces of
mourning. Writers and artists alike coin
Anna May Wong’s reality can still be
her legacy as heartbreaking, only now
found in our society, regardless of past
celebrating her performances in which
laws and norms we’ve left behind. I do
many cases outshined that of her white
not think the passage of time gives way
co-stars.
to progress automatically. While movies that treat Asian-Americans’ experiences
Yet, the irony of it all lies in how Hollywood’s representation of Asian Americans continues to fall short; HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
as real and relatable are fast and forthcoming, it is important to reflect on the roots of these developments. Alongside Wong are Hollywood’s unsung heroes and villains, each a mirror image to the modern leaders and individuals in the movie industry today.
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MARVEL MAKES A STATEMENT: How female superheroes are becoming the leads by Kennedy Castillo
T
his year Marvel Studios is celebrating
“Captain Marvel”, which will be about Carol
ten years since its first movie Iron Man
Danvers otherwise known as Captain Marvel
in 2008. In just ten years Marvel has
played by Brie Larson. After “Captain Marvel”
become one of the largest movie
Marvel Studios will be releasing a “Black
franchises ever with its most recent movies
Widow” solo movie and it is rumored that they
making up to one billion dollars. In 2012 the
will also release a Ms. Marvel movie.
first Avengers movie was released, and fans were confused when one of the main superheroes in
By including female superheroes in their movies
the movie was excluded from all merchandise.
Marvel is changing the narrative. Young girls (or
Black Widow played by Scarlett Johansson, who
older ones alike) will not only see representation
also happened to be the only female Avenger at
in princess movies, but they will now see female
the time was not featured on any of the
representation in superhero movies too. Girls
merchandise. A few years later fans noticed that
can now see themselves a smart like Shuri,
the only female guardian of the galaxy Gamora
brave like Scarlet Witch and strong like Black
played by Zoe Saldana was also missing from
Widow. Not only will girls being to think of
merchandise.
themselves as smart, brave and strong but seeing female superheroes will also break
In recent years though Marvel Studios has taken
gender stereotypes. It will no longer be
a step in the right direction and has begun to
considered strange for girls to watch superhero
focus on including female characters in the
movies or read comics.
Marvel Cinematic Universe as well. At this point in time Marvel has introduced many more
Hopefully within the next few years Marvel
female characters including; Mantis, Shuri,
Studios will continue to introduce female
O’koye, Scarlet Witch and many more.
characters into their movies such as SpiderGwen, Squirrel Girl and She-Hulk who are all
In July of this year Marvel Studios released
characters from Marvel comics. Until then we
“Ant-Man and The Wasp” the first Marvel movie
will continue to be inspired by our favorite
to include the name of a female character in the
female heroes that are already in the Marvel
title. The movie not only included The Wasp
Movies. We will also continue to encourage girls
played by Evangeline Lily’s name in the title but
to be strong, brave and smart and to break
also presented the character as strong and
gender stereotypes by reading comic books and
independent even without her male counterpart
watching superhero movies regardless of
Ant-Man. In 2019 Marvel Studios will release
gender.
LIVE
CULTURE
How to Dress as a Female Traveler at 5 Popular Sacred Sites by essie thomas
We’ve all been there at one time or another in
his horse to before he ascended to
our lives, that moment when you show up and
heaven. While it is considered Muslim
realize that you are way overdressed or
property, the right of Jewish prayer and
underdressed for an occasion. Your stomach
pilgrimage are still honored. Jews come
drops. Now imagine being on the trip you’ve
to the Wall to lament the destruction of
been planning for the longest time, you pack up
the First and Second Temples and to
for a daytime pilgrimage, and find out there’s a
place written prayers on scraps of paper
dress code for the site you’re touring. Yikes! No
in the cracks of the wall.
one wants a fashion faux pas, especially at a place considered to be very important to a
Dress for Success:
certain group of people. Here are 5 popular
Clothing for both men and women
tourist sites that also have dress codes.
visiting the Western Wall must be modest. Cover your arms and legs in
The Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel Considered to be the holiest religious site in the Jewish faith, The Western Wall, or the Wailing Wall, is a piece of wall left over from the destruction of the First and Second Temples. While the Temple Mount is considered to be the most important religious site in all of Judaism, due to its entry restrictions, the Western Wall has become the most important site for Jews to pray at. Muslims claim the importance of this wall as a pilgrimage site, too. While Jews consider the rectangular structure that the wall is a part of as the Temple Mount, Muslims believe that it is the landmark that Prophet Muhammad flew
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neutral colored fabrics. There are shawls for women with bare arms and leg coverings available to borrow if you get into a bind and wore shorts, but it is easier (and more hygenic) to just come dressed appropriately. Try a pair of breathable trousers and a top with sleeves and a higher collar. After all, there will plenty of time to show off your legs when you head to the nightlife capital of Tel Aviv. *Traveler Tip - Praying at the Western Wall is segregated. If you are traveling with a man, don’t forget to seperate yourself from him. There are plenty of signs to show you where to go and it is fairly easy to find each other again once you have finished.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
The Vatican - Italy The Vatican is the seat of the Roman Catholic church and the home of its leader, the Pope. The smallest country in the world, Vatican City lies within the greater city of Rome, Italy, and has such cultural sites within its walls as the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. Considered by Christians to be the rock of the Church, St. Peter was said to be executed on the site of the Vatican. Millions of pilgriams visit The Vatican every year. Dress for Success: Modesty is always the right choice. As at the Western Wall, visitors will not be allowed to enter if they are not properly dressed. There are plastic cloaks
available for purchase if you are wearing a shirt that doesn’t cover your arms, or your thighs are showing, but they are not cheap. And really, who wants to walk about in the middle of the Italian summer with a plastic cloak over your shoulders? I’m sweating just thinking about it. Women are allowed to wear skirts that fall below the knee or capri pants and a top with sleeves. Bare shoulders are a deal breaker and that’s when the cloaks come out. Dear God, avoid the cloaks! *Traveler Tip - Buy your tickets to the Vatican ahead of time. The tickets have assigned times to them which streamlines the process and allows you to skip lines and go right in.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Varanasi, India
Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris, France Notre Dame Cathedral is a medieval Roman
One of the most sacred sites for Hinduism,
Catholic Cathedral in the heart of Paris and
this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and
is widely known as one of the greatest
sits on the banks of the holy Ganges River.
surviving examples of French Gothic
Many pilgrims bathe in its waters, in an
architecture. The reliquary that the
effort to avoid the burden of reincarnation.
Cathedral houses is said to the hold The
They are make offerings to the water in the
Crown of Thorns, one of the Holy Nals, and
form of food, oil lamps, and flowers. The
a fragment of the True Cross. Not to
temple’s striking gold domes and an
mention it is the setting for one of the great
impressive site. The original temple was
stories in history about a hunchback
destroyed in 1194CE and rebuilt several
servant.
times. The temple that stands today was built in 1780CE. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Dress for Success:
is actually a series of smaller shrines within
While the dress code at the Notre Dame
the structure.
Cathedral is a little more relaxed than previous locations on the list (because
Dress for Success:
France), remember that it is still an active
Women are required to wear the traditional
Cathedral in the Roman Catholic Church.
Hindi dress of a saree to enter the temple.
Save those cute booty shorts for the Moulin
While you may be allowed to enter the
Rouge and opt instead for a maxi dress and
temple if you are wearing long pants, it is
a little cardigan.
seen as more respectful to don a saree.
*Traveler Tip - Access to the Cathedral is
*Traveler Tip - Purchase your saree before
free but bags are prohibited for safety.
the trip. Areas around the temple tend to be
Leave your boho purse in the hotel room
tourist traps and increase the price of the
and take a dainty wristlet for sightseeing
sarees knowing that women will buy them
that day!
because they either didn’t know about the dress code or forgot. Don’t be one of those women. Order your sarees online for a steal and pack them in your luggage. HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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The Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet Camii Istanbul, Turkey
your shoes upon entry. Wear shoes that can easily slip on and off so you don’t hold up the line. *Traveler Tip - Plastic bags are provided
Every year, over 5 million visitors travel
complimentary for your shoes upon
to this early 17th-century holy site.
entering the Mosque so that you can
Intricately patterened with blue and
easier carry your shoes through the
white ceramic tiles showing scenes of
building without scattering outside dirt.
cypress trees, calligraphy from the
For an environmentally friendly option,
Quran, fruit and flowers, this structure
pack a reusable canvas bag in your
is considered a must see when visiting
travel bag and use this instead to carry
the city between two continents. Unlike
your shoes. Renew, Reuse, Recycle!
the well known Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque has always been a house of worship for Islam and is one of the only
Always be sensitive to others
one of three mosques in Turkey that
when you travel. Remember, even
have the original six minarets.
if you just view sites like these as a must see before you move onto
Dress for Success: This is another site where modesty is
the closest street food stall, there
required. This is an actively used site for
are many people who view sites
the Muslim faith and people use it as
like these as a religious
their place of prayer so long pants or an
pilgrimage and may have saved
ankle length skirt is required. You may
over a lifetime to be able to
wear a t-shirt with short sleeves as you will also need to have a scarf for your head covering. Wrap the scarf around
afford the trip there. Don’t be the person who chooses that moment
your head and smooth over your
to make a statement with a pair
shoulders. The scarf is simply used to
of rainbow hot pants. Instead,
hide your hair from view and is not
immerse yourself in the
required to cover your face. As with any
experience of pilgrimage.
mosque, you are required to remove
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
THE KOREAN
by Dakyung Lee
who were accused stepped down from their
The hashtag, “Me Too,”
positions.
ignited a movement.
However, famous actor Jo Min Ki suicide From Harvey Weinstein to Ben Affleck,
amidst his sexual harassment allegations
many men have recently been accused of
has prompted certain critics to label the
abusing their power to sexually harass
Korean #MeToo movement as damaging
women. The victims have been silenced for
and insensitive to human lives. In a socially
years but with this movement women have
traditional country like Korea, the #MeToo
been able to speak up and feel empowered
movement risks becoming forgotten and
to shed light on the misdeeds of certain
quickly abandoned. With feminism as an
famous and political figures.
integral part of the movement, Korea may lose the overwhelming support soon.
Although the #MeToo movement started in the United States of America, there are
The #MeToo movement has illuminated the
various international communities who
underlying misogyny of the Korean society.
have embraced the movement. In particular,
The Korean people understand that the
South Korea, a socially conservative
movement has brought many positive
country, has adopted the movement. This
changes. However for these changes to be
comes as a shock to many as the social
implemented permanently, the process will
culture of Korea often brands feminism as
be extremely slow. Korea’s judicial system
“disgraceful” and “dirty.” Through the
has yet to improve its difficult and
#MeToo movement, Korean women have
unapproachable procedures towards sexual
uncovered the misdeeds of high profile
violence cases. Even though the movement
celebrities, poets, film directors, and
may lose its initial strong approval, Korea
politicians.The disturbing revelations of
has seen a change in the public’s view on
sexual harassment and rape have
women and sexual violence. With the
incentivized Korean women to advocate for
Korean public becoming more aware of the
social change and improved women’s rights.
hardships women face in their daily lives
Acclaimed poet Ko Un who was accused of
and supportive in defending women’s
sexual harassment on multiple accounts has
rights, Korea is socially changing for the
had his poems removed from school
better.
textbooks and libraries, and many others
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
PAGE 85
A NEW STANDARD IN PROTECTION how school shootings across the U.S. have affected the country as a whole by caroline warman
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
F
or many in the twentieth
were to remember the seventeen killed
century school shootings were
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
not as much of a threat, but in
School in Parkland, Florida. On top of
the past eighteen years this
walking out the website promoted
threat has become more
students to wear organ for solidarity and
impactful. In fact, there have been more
do what would draw attention promote
deaths in the past eighteen years than in
change in their community. About thirty
the twentieth century. This has led to
days later on April twentieth another
worrying about going to school and
big walkout occurred. This one was to
thoughts about what could happen to
remember the Columbine High School
the future generations and their
Shooting nineteen years later and to
education. The growing epidemic has
stand outside for thirteen minuets to
sparked a movement of change as the
remember the twelve students and one
Generation Z kids have had enough
teacher killed.
fright for a lifetime when they are trying to begin their lives and they have to
Both of these walkouts led to many
worry about how to stay alive.
walking to their local, state and national capitals to call for change, especially in
Students have joined the fight against
regards to guns. Some called out
gun violence in schools by having
congress, some raised awareness for the
walkouts that have united students
silent and growing problem in their
across the U.S.A. An example of this is
communities, but there is no doubt that
how the Women’s March Youth
the iGen or Gen Z generation has began
Empower website encouraged “students,
to grow the movement for change and
teachers, school administrators, parents
protection while earning an education.
and allies to take part in a
Many of these students have also
#NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes
sparked conversation about the
at 10am across every time zone on
advanced way of guns and their effects
March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’
threw something that past generations
inaction to do more than tweet thoughts
have never had before, on social media.
and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and
Students are able to speak out about the
neighborhoods. The seventeen minuets
problem by turning their phone on.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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On top of this the younger generation has started talks by asking questions that they couldn’t ask before or at least get the beginning of owners they deserve. Many times questions would be ignored or laughed at because the ones asking were too young and didn’t understand. Now when someone says that we can turn to social media and technology to show that although we shouldn’t be old enough to understand, we have to in order to survive and make a change.
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A new generation has begun to start a even greater fight for their lives and the lives of children getting their education. The group may be young, but a new standard is being set by the ones who continue to define what it truly means to be protected in America.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
A NEW PODCAST SERIES:
AVAILABLE ON iTUNES & GOOGLE PLAY
FCA CAMP & HOW IT CHANGED ME by camden morris
FCA stands for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but you really don't have to be a athlete to be apart of it. You don't even have to be a Christian -- it's just about spreading the word of God to everyone. I've been involved in FCA since middle school, but my junior year of high school, I started getting more involved, leading devotions and speaking the word of Christ. That's when I decided to go to FCA camp. I was not prepared for what was ahead. At first I was completely exhausted going to bed at 12 getting up at 6. I just wanted to sleep. The third night, well, that's when it all changed. They had this band that would sing covers and they spoke to me. To see so many new friends and sisters and brothers in Christ just letting free and expressing their love for Him, it was truly inspiring. I decided from then on, I wanted to be better. I texted one of my close friends immediately saying, I want to be better.
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What do I mean by that? I want to be a better follower in Christ, daughter, friend, I just want to be better. I want to be a “ fruit cake “. A fruit cake for Christ. I want him to shine through me and to use my life to honor him. Even if I fail daily, he reminds me that he will always be there. I am forever thankful for my FCA Leaders who informed me about camp and how to get a scholarship for it. It was one of the best decisions I made this year, & I hope to go back next year as a huddle leader. Even if you’re not a follower of Christ, you will understand Christianity better and make so many supportive friendships. I broke down crying one night because I just broke, I broke free of my sins and my mistakes. We are all human and we all make mistakes. FCA Camp is judgement free where we find people we can genuinely relate too. Look it up, I promise you’ll be amazed.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
Margaret Hamilton: The Founder of
“Software Engineering” by Diya Pathak
I
t may be hard to believe that
successful ‘landing’ algorithms are still
America’s first software engineer
used in NASA today.
was female. With the great gender imbalance in the technology
Margaret Hamilton is said to be the one
industry today, its women like Margaret
who coined the name “Software
Hamilton that inspire the next
Engineering” as a discipline. Before
generation of girls to pursue a career in
then, computer science was not
STEM (Science, Technology,
considered engineering, if science at all!
Engineering, Math). From her humble beginnings in a small town in Indiana,
In 2016, then-president Barack Obama
to coining the term “Software
gave Hamilton the honor of the
Engineer”, Margaret Hamilton is truly a
presidential medal of freedom for her
hero to all.
revolutionary actions that would change the tech industry as well as her greatest
Hamilton was born on August 17, 1936
technical accomplishment of landing
in Paoli Indiana. She was always
the men on the moon for the first time
interested in mathematics as a young
in human history.
girl and continued with her interest, studying it in college as well. After
We might remember Neil Armstrong,
working on several other projects, such
Buzz Aldrin, but only few know
as developing the software to predict
Margaret Hamilton, the person who
weather broadcast using the PDP-1
made landing on the moon possible.
computer, she later joined the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory at MIT. During her time at the MIT Laboratory, her primary focus was on the apollo 11 mission. Using the Apollo Guidance Computer, she developed software and algorithms that ended up saving the apollo 11 mission from aborting their mission during the moon landing. Her
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HOW TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS IF YOU’RE NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE YET by amanda lopez
We’ve all been there. That moment at either
I started by googling the usual ‘high paying
a holiday event, a birthday party, or a family
careers’. After seeing a long list of tedious
gathering when you’re asked “So... what do
office jobs and feeling demotivated, I closed
you want to do when you grow up?”. This is
the search. Still recognizing that the
the point where, with a blank stare on my
prospect of college was looming and that I
face, I shrug and say that I don’t know.
still had to narrow down my search, I began
People, for some reason, are typically
to look all around me not just in my
appalled at this answer “You’re so grown up.
community, but at television shows, movies,
You should know by now!”. Well it’s not
social influencers, YouTubers, anything
that easy. I was never one of those kids that
really. I realized that it’s not as we think,
knew they wanted to be a doctor or
there's so many different aspects to
veterinarian or a dinosaur wrangler. My
everything. Love medicine, but have a
young, analytical brain always over thought
passion for writing? Become a medical
and considered all the factors. Yes, being a
researcher or medical writer. Want to be a
doctor seems cool, but do I really want to
lawyer, but at the same time want to travel
do all those years of medical school? Yes, I
and explore the world? Join the Foreign
want a job that can travel, but what about
Service! There's so many combinations of
settling down and having a family? Yes, I
careers and jobs available all you have to
want something easy, but what about my
know is where to look, but how do you do
expensive tastes?
that? Well, my suggestion is to google and research what your interested in.
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What if you don't know what you're
the list. So, explore, use all the resources
interested in? This was my moral dilemma,
around you, take dual enrollment course,
but I found the solution. Explore! Join
participate in summer programs (many of
programs, jobs, classes in a bunch of
the great ones are free or have
different specialties until you find your
scholarships), and keep looking around,
calling. For example, during my time in
trusting that you'll figure it out at some
highschool, I've volunteered at Animal
point.
Shelters, was part of Girls Who Code, did a summer abroad with Youth Ambassadors,
Through my quest of self-discovery
took classes in architecture, design, and
(stemming from the quintessential question
public relations, and was part of Her
of “what do you wanna do when your
Campus High School Ambassadors. None
older”), I discovered it is okay to not know!
of these activities are related to each other
Enjoy your youth! Explore what's out there!
in any way, but this was my time to use all
And, most importantly, don’t focus too
these free resources and explore what was
much on the future, everything will come
out there. To be honest, I'm still not
together at some point. However, I would
completely sure what I want to do when I
still have a back up answer for the family
grow up, but I've certainly narrowed down
events for when the grilling gets too much.
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MAKE AMERICA MODERATE AGAIN Why finding the middle ground is often shamed or silenced. by emily pfeiffer
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
R
ecently, it seems that the two
claim I am subcounsciously a member
sides of the American
of their party. Worse, I get treated like I
political spectrum have
just do not know enough to understand
moved farther and farther
that I am really on “their side”. This
apart from each other. As a result, a
rationalization just makes it seem like
black and white view of political
moderates do not care enough to do
affiliation has taken over our
their research. The reality is, I expose
interpretation of ideological leanings.
myself to conservative and liberal
This has left those in the middle feeling
outlets. The problem is that when it
lost in this battlefield for party
comes to having conflictive ideals about
superiority. Both Democrats and
issues such as immigration, it’s hard to
Republicans claim that compromise and
take a middle of the road approach, and
“reaching across the aisle” is their goal,
even harder to talk about it.
but seem to spend much of their time insulting each other. Worse, those that
While I personally believe in strong
attempt to vocalize neutral or centrist
borders and the value of becoming an
opinions are met with hostility or are
American citizen through the proper
considered to be “sell outs” to the party
channels, I think there should be a
they most identify with. However, by
streamlined path of legalization for
considering the bedrock of what
undocumented persons already residing
political affiliation was meant to be in
in this country, as well as a reformed
this country, it may be those in the
path to naturalization. When I try to talk
middle that present the best possible
to my more liberal friends, any
chance for party reconciliation.
reference to conservative sources is met with disdain and disbelief, and vice
This topic stems from personal
versa. As someone who tries to cross
experience, as I consider myself to be
comparison and trust in a little bit of
socially progressive but fiscally
everything, it’s frustrating to see the
conservative. When it comes to
echo chambers forming with no space
controversial topics, I can often see the
for inclusion.
merit of either side of an argument. However, I have had friends take one leaning that agrees with their own to
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
Political parties were not meant to
The disparaging viewpoint both sides
operate in this way, despite popular
have of each other will only be resolved
belief. The existence of swing states
once we as citizens start paying
serves as proof that loyalties are not a
attention to more than the main issues.
line in the sand that must never be
We have to become comfortable with
crossed. Additionally, the states that
self-reflecting on our agreements or
switch political identities are often seen
disagreements to even the slightest
as the most crucial for a win, so why is it
details of things. This may bring
that a moderate viewpoint is often
everyone a little closer to the center, but
overlooked in the media and in everyday
this doesn’t mean political identity
life? To identify as a Democrat or
should fade. It just means that a
Republican in the purest sense means
Democrat who is pro-gun deserves just
to subscribe to a larger ideology of how
as much validation in their own party as
large of a role government should play
a Republican who is pro-choice does in
in the lives of citizens, among other
theirs. Only then can compromise start
factors.
to grow. The thing about compromise is, our idea of it right now is the exact
The problem is that considerations of a
opposite of the only way it can be
bigger picture and a more fleshed out
achieved. Instead of declarations to fight
party platform have been torn to shreds
tooth and nail to get what is wanted,
on the glitzy factor one issue politics
each party has to come to the table with
can provide. By the parties focusing on a
a clear understanding that compromise
few extreme positions, political identity
doesn’t mean both sides get what they
now means conforming to everything
want and everyone goes home happy. It
that comes with that one big ticket item
means both sides giving up a little and
on their agenda. This has led to an
leaving unsatisfied, but they know it is
inability of those within their own
more than nothing and are content with
parties to critique the policies of their
what they did achieve. The best place to
officials. Any dissent is seen as a
start this process is with the people,
vulnerability that the other side will
who have the power to come together
pounce on, and thus no one wishes to
and set an example for officials, showing
rock the boat.
them we can think across party lines.
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PEACE, PLEASE! by ashni walia
L
ast month as I scrolled down my Facebook feed, a smile crept on my face as I saw a photo of a poster hung in the Capital city of South Korea that promoted peace with North Korea. Oh, and how I wished it was a poster in Delhi that sought for peace with Pakistan. If you don’t already know, India and Pakistan haven’t really been on good terms ever since Pakistan moved out and there have been very few advances from both sides for a peaceful relationship.
greatly offended the pseudo-nationalists who framed her as an ‘antinationalist’ (who is basically anyone who speaks up against the ruling party these days) and she was consequently given rape and murder threats on her social media accounts. This is a feminist issue too because men who have raised their voice in a similar manner have never been trolled to the extent Gurmehar was. Many also believed that her views were being influenced by someone else because apparently an Indian woman isn’t capable of having strong opinions.
Everytime an Indian soldier dies on the Indo-Pak border, the Indian media and the politicians go on a verbal attacking spree on Pakistan, hence persuading the Indian population to continue to believe how evil Pakistan is! And the story is no different in Pakistan.
So what can we as regular citizens do about it? WE CAN TAKE CHARGE! When the politicians on both sides of the border are busy distracting us from the real issue, it is us- the citizens of India and Pakistan who can truly bring about change by advocating for peace because who needs hate when we can spread love. And as Gurmehar said in her video, “If France and Germany can be friends after two World Wars, then why can’t we?”
To change this belief there have been several actions taken by the citizens of both countries. The most significant one has been a YouTube video made by a then first year student at The University of Delhi- Gurmehar Kaur. Gurmehar’s father had been a Captain in the Indian Army who had been killed in the 1999 Indo-Pak war when she was just 2 years old. In the said video she talks about how Pakistan didn’t kill her father, but war did. This particular statement HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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MENSTURAL TABOO Why it needs its own Wikipedia page by areej adnan
Sometimes, things we consider to be “taboo” turn out to be very ordinary, and necessary, to discuss when the occasion arises. Periods can be considered one such occasion. Generally, breaching the topic of periods is only meant for a female audience and definitely not in the vicinity of a male. In certain religions and customs, talking about periods in front of males is a strict no-no and can result in some harsh glares and uncomfortable expressions. Females, unable to talk about this with their respective male partners, resort to a trip to the Target feminine aisle while in discomfort and pain for the that next pack of pads. And complaining about period pains to people other than your girlfriends? Yeah, not going to happen. But here’s why that’s a problem: Periods are a natural part of life. A biological course that is not in our control. They will happen, every month, and they can be painful. So why must women suffer alone and hide it? The simple answer is that
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they shouldn’t. Discussion of periods and period pains should no longer considered “taboo” simply because it involves the female anatomy. At times of discomfort, women will need the care and attention of their husbands and boyfriends as they should when they become sick. It’s not only a matter of caring, however. It’s a matter of accepting of life of how it is. There’s nothing that can stop the possibility of getting your period randomly in class one day, staining your jeans. However, we can stop the fear of being laughed at for the stains that you couldn’t stop. We can make it comfortable for the female student and male gym teacher alike when she suddenly needs a pad but can’t find one in her backpack. For those of us that are too used to it, this might not matter to us. But it matters to the little girl with only a single dad who finds blood on her skirt. It matters to the growing girls whose worst nightmare is getting period stains in her class. It matters to the women who are in too much pain to get up from the bed to head to the store. We didn’t ask for this, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it. Whether you’re a female or a male, you have a duty to destroy this stigma around periods to make it a more comfortable life for all those little growing girls learning about it.
So start now.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL by shaye dipasquale
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Fear is the number one thing that stops people from traveling. Fear of the unknown, fear of plans going awry, fear of not being capable enough. I’ll let you in on a little secret:
different ups and downs, cultivating their own memories and lessons. But I think the act of sharing our personal experiences is important, not only for ourselves, but for those whom we impart our wisdom onto.
Everyone who travels is afraid of something, even if that something is a fear of
When I returned home to the States, I felt compelled to share my experiences in the hopes of dispelling some of the myths surrounding women and international travel. I seek to spark conversations between female travelers and to encourage them to share their experiences with others.
missing out. There’s a great big world out there waiting to be experienced and explored. Many of us get so caught up in perfecting plans and waiting for the right time that we neglect to seize the moment.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview two college-aged female travelers about their time spent abroad and pick their brains for insight on international travel.
As someone who spent four months living and traveling around Europe, I can attest that I was nervous to go abroad on my own. My whole life I had heard people say that international travel was lifechanging, but I had also heard that it could be lonely and isolating. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would react to stepping so far outside of my comfort zone, but I knew I would be sorry if I didn’t at least try it. Traveling is such a personal experience. Everyone goes through HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
At the age of 21, Kira Kuhar has already traveled to three continents. Most recently, she spent three weeks traveling around South Africa, making stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town. During her travels, she explored the effects of apartheid on the nation and learned about the steps South Africa has taken to solve some of its other conflicts.
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If so, can you describe the experience?
Aileen Ida spent four months studying international affairs and journalism in Brussels, Belgium. While abroad, she traveled to Italy, the Netherlands, France and Germany. At the end of her trip, Aileen spent a week exploring Scotland solo before heading back home to the States.
KK: It didn’t matter where I was— Italy, Canada, South Africa—I knew that I always had to be aware of my surroundings. However, I never felt like my safety was threatened. So long as you stay aware and are smart about where you go and who you travel with, there nothing to really be afraid of. It’s like when you travel to new places within the states. You have to be on guard, but you don’t have to be constantly afraid for your life or anything. Traveling abroad is no different.
The following conversation has been edited for clarity. SD: What would you say to someone who states that they are “afraid to travel internationally”? KK: If someone won’t travel to a country because they are may be afraid of the country’s crime rates or terrorism, then I would suggest that they check out travel advisories on Travel.State.gov. There, the government tells you how safe they think a country is and why. They also tell you if you need to take any precautions. You can look up any country and the advisories are constantly updated so that nothing is outdated.
SD: In your opinion, do you need to speak the native language of the country that you are traveling to? KK: I think you should have some basic knowledge about the native language. I’ve found that people in other countries don’t expect you to speak their language fluently. As long as you show that you’re making an effort to be open-minded and learn about their culture, they don’t really care what language you speak. When I was in Italy, natives actually taught me a couple of words just for fun!
SD: Did you ever feel like your safety was threatened while you were studying or traveling abroad? HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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SD: What tips do you have regarding traveling as a student on a budget?
SD: What would you say to someone who claims that “it is too dangerous for women to travel?”
KK: It doesn’t matter if your trip is a semester long or a few short weeks, don’t be afraid to apply for scholarships or grants. A lot of people don’t realize how much money goes unused for these programs. I’ve found that donors just want their money to be used for a good cause. They don’t mind if you don’t happen to fit all the criteria. Even if you only match one criteria out of ten, just apply! Your wallet will thank you for it.
KK: If it’s too dangerous for women to travel, then it’s too dangerous for anyone to travel.
SD: What is the best piece of advice you would offer to a first time international traveler? KK: When you travel, do your research. Know about the place you’re visiting, but also be openminded about the experience. Be confident and show it. I think this advice is universal. It’s not specific to women or to men. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling domestically or internationally. Just don’t have ignorance and you’ll have the experience of a lifetime.
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Discomfort is at the core of traveling. In a new country or place, we are bound to feel lost, out of place and alone at times. But in these moments of discomfort, we learn how to genuinely experience life. We adjust to using all of our senses to explore and add significance to our interactions. We tune into our intuition and train ourselves to capture the essence of a place for what it is, not just what we want it to be. Fear is the number one thing that stops people from traveling. Don’t let it stop you.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
The Impact of the Word “Feminazi” on Young Girls by Udayammai (Meenu) Ramasamy
Even though I was in fifth grade, I remember this moment like it happened yesterday. We were all playing tag at my after school program and my fifth-grade friend (a girl) was it. An eighth grader was also playing and was taunting her telling her that all girls are terribly slow and better at sports. You may be asking why a boy who should be a little more mature was taunting my friend, and that was exactly what I asked him. We both started arguing and I told him that girls
told me it was when girls hate boys. I was shaken, I didn’t want to be known as the boy-hater, especially in front of my crush so for the next two years I stopped arguing with boys who belittled women in general. What I did not bother to learn was that Merriam Webster defines the word Feminazi as “an extreme or militant feminist”.
are exactly like boys, there are some who are good at sports and some who are not. That was when I first heard the word. He yelled out, “I didn’t know elementary schoolers could be feminazis.”
taught me that there was a massive difference between a feminist and a feminazi. Even knowing the difference, however, I stayed low because people who were feminists were not cool. They were looked down upon by people in my school, especially boys.
Two years later, I got a teacher who was a strong supporter of feminism. She
I had never heard the word feminazi so after the game I asked my friend. She
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Now I am a rising senior and I have grown enough that one of the first words I use to describe myself is feminist. But some of my friends are not as comfortable. For this article, I asked girls I know if they had been called a feminazi before and 13 out of the 17 of these girls said they had been. They believe that the line between a feminazi and a feminist is very thin. Some still think that a feminist advocates for hatred amongst men.
community because of a fear that was established by their surroundings. They are afraid to somehow over advocate for feminism so they decide not to embrace it at all. There is also the common misconception that family women cannot identify as a feminist because their significant other might be a male. While I do believe that there are some “feminazis” in the world, they are a very small minority in this tight-knit group that advocates for equal rights. As women living in this progressive society, we need to become role models to young girls who are still learning from their surroundings. The definition of feminism should be taught from a young age to both females and males, especially how girls should be treated with the same respect given to boys.
Some of them are so uncomfortable that they would prefer to identify with “Equal rights for both sexes” rather than “feminist”, even though both have the exact same definition. While I respect their decision not to identify as a feminist it always irked me at the same time because why would a woman not want equal rights? Many women have been oppressed or kept from this
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SOCCER:
The World Game or the Most-of-theWorld Game? by Sofia Barrell
W
ith the world cup just
In fact, the United States has
recently ending, we
almost 4 million children registered
Americans may have
with US Youth Soccer, according to
been left with no team to follow or
the United States Soccer
root for, but, still, many Americans
Federation., making us the country
joined the millions of soccer fans
with the highest participation of
around the globe to watch the
youth playing soccer in the world,
world’s most viewed sport. However,
according to the United States
while it may have seemed so
Soccer Federation. Obviously, soccer
popular during these last few
is very prevalent here, but our kids
months, soccer in the US has a
play it in a very different way. In
much different culture and
countries in Latin America, for
tradition to the game played and
example, soccer is something that
loved by the rest of the world. So,
most kids learn to play by
what makes soccer here so different
themselves - they don’t go to soccer
and why is it that way?
camp or pay to be on a local team as is most common in the U.S.; instead,
The most likely reason for the
they play on the street.
unique American mentality when it comes to sports is the way we grow
In most of the world, soccer is the
up watching and playing certain
“everyman’s” sport. People from the
sports. In most countries, the first
lowest income levels are able to play
game kids begin to play is soccer, as
soccer because it requires little to
they learn balance and agility
no equipment, depending on how
through simply kicking the ball
you play it. The U.S., in comparison
around. The same can be said in the
with most of the world, has a
US for very young kids, but as we
relatively high poverty level; just to
grow older, Americans tend to shift
give you an idea, the average person
their focus to other sports.
in the bottom 5 percent of the American income distribution is
Most children in the US start
still wealthier than 68 percent of
playing soccer at a very young age.
the world’s inhabitants, according
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
to the World Bank economist
Bowl LI (New England Patriots vs.
Branko Milanovic. While these
Atlanta Falcons) broadcasted by
number may seem random in the
NBC in February 2018 had a
discussion of sports, they heavily
viewership of 103.4 million. In
affect the sports available to
comparison, there were only about
children. In the US, there is huge
24 million American World Cup
wage gap which differs from almost
Final 2010 viewers, even though
every other country and which
nearly a third of the world
polarizes the wealthy from those
population watched, according to
less wealthy. Strangely enough,
data by KantarSport on behalf of
soccer in the U.S. is not the sport it
Fifa. This demonstrates the focus on
is in most countries - one available
more “All-American” sports that is
to almost everyone. Here, basketball
prevalent here in the U.S.
has taken over that role. Instead, soccer has become a sport played in
While soccer in the U.S. still trails
suburbs, where the income levels
behind its American ball game
are generally higher. This difference
counterparts like football and
in the types and income levels of
basketball, we are steadily seeing a
people playing the sport also makes
growth in American soccer players
it extremely unlike the soccer we
and enthusiasts as more and more
see played elsewhere, particularly in
people get involved in the game
less developed nations.
each year.
Americans also rely on other sports like baseball, basketball and, most recently, football as their main means of entertainment. For a long time baseball was the “great American ball game” and the sport that would bring in the most revenue and viewership. Today, football has taken its place. Super PAGE 124
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Gender Roles & Pay Roles by caroline barman
The 21st century is one that has been built
This ideal is continued today with the
on the foundations of new opportunity and
feminist movement which is based on the
equality for all no matter one's gender, race
ideals that women and men should have
size. As much as this ideal is pushed in
continued freedoms. While this movement
society, have gender roles truly changed to
was based on equality, some may say that
fit a changing society?
the movement goes to far and may even put men under women. Regardless there is a
For thousands or even hundreds of years
huge role in society for women, even
before present day women and men had a
though it is no longer in the house. Ever
solid place in society. For women it was
since the 1920’s decision to pass the 19th
staying in the home and taking care of the
amendment women have been changing the
men and children. She would teach them
way society works to a point where they no
their basic skills needed and by doing that
longer have to stay out of society and in the
there would not be a big presence in
home. In fact, 2012 saw only 29% of women
society. Men on the other hand had
staying home with their kids according to
everything to do with opinions and how the
pewsocialtrends.org.
culture worked as they would hold a job and support the family. This all changed in
Although this is less than a third of the
the 20th century when women gained rights
population this is a 6% increase from 1999
to vote and therefore pave the way for new
when only 23% stayed home. A slight
freedoms.
increase could show that these women are turning back to older gender roles in
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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society while also focusing on values of the
2001 to 2016. In fact it could be 60 years
21st century by still exercising their right to
later, meaning it could be 2119.
vote. Men on the other side of all of this have One debate that still captures the eye of the
changed roles as well. Although many are
public is whether or not men and women
still working and providing for their family,
should or do get paid the same amount.
many are not the only one and some may
According to AAUW.org women we’re
even choose to stay home with kids. Even if
getting paid 80% of what men earned.
they work to support their family, they still
While this may seem like a drastic shock
don’t have the full burden of having to
there are many factors that go into this
worry about the weight of supporting the
statistic. Age, race and education all play
family. Now men can share some of the
into this number. More importantly it also
women’s burden too as he can now take a
depends on the jobs men and women have
paternal leave and make it a priority to take
which could mean that if the same jobs
care of the children and house work.
were being chosen by both genders the gap could disappear, but it also could go the
So whether you look at it as a slow
other way and widen the gap.
continuation or a society that never fully changed into something else and might
AAUW says that this gap could disappear as
switch back, there is a change in how
early as 2059 when looking back at trends
society expects men and women to act.
from 1960 to 2016, but this could be even
Lesser strict roles and less expectation to a
longer if you only look at the trends from
new 21st century world.
THE AMERICAN DREAM:
MY EXPECTATIONS FOR GOING TO COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES by ashni walia
I
In about 20 days, I am going to pack my bags and move to USA for college. Life as I know it back home in this small town of India is going to completely change. I feel a lot more nervous with every passing second as the time to finally leave everyone and everything I love comes closer. There are way too many anxious thoughts in my head but I have managed to pen down a few.
PAPERWORK PAPERWORK PAPERWORK!!! - I think people often underestimate how difficult getting a student visa for US is. After filling up forms for hours, you still have to sit through a nerve-wracking interview that decides your entire future! I have done an insane amount of paperwork from applying to schools to getting an I20 and then applying for a visa. It feels like I have spent the last 7 months of 2018 by just filling up forms. Even the thought of how much more paperwork I’ll have to complete through the next 4 years of college as an international student makes me uneasy.
The good ol’ imperial system At the least it is annoying to know that the entire metric system I was taught in school is basically going to be useless during my time here. Why are pounds written as lb anyway?
English?” Let me break this down, India is NOT all about Bollywood. Yeah, we love our cinema but that doesn’t mean we break into random dance routines in the middle of the day. Oh, and English was the first language I was taught in school, even before Hindi!
Responsibility - As children growing up was the dream, wasn’t it? Well now as reality has started to sink in, I realise how turning 18 wasn’t something that should be celebrated. From learning to cook to doing your own laundry and handling all the bank and doctor stuff without my parents is giving me nightmares already. But you know what keeps me going? The thought that I’ll be living my dream! A dream that has been mine ever since as a child I saw Shahrukh Khan singing and dancing in Central Park and then magically teleporting himself to the Golden Gate Bridge. That’s what I want to do. I want to stand in the middle of Time Square, see the New York skyline, go to Miami for spring break, get that fancy cowboy hat in Texas, go to a baseball game, see the Hollywood sign, sit in that classroom, get that US education, learn about this fascinating world and pretend to be in a Disney movie. I know it won’t be all glittery and there will be a ton of hard work behind the scenes, but the American Dream makes it all worth the while!
Stereotypes - Let’s not pretend like stereotypes don’t exist! “India is basically Bollywood, right?” “How do you know
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PICKING UP THE UNTOLD STORY by areej adnan
In a rapidly moving world where our news cycles travel at the speed of light to capture the next biggest scandal in Hollywood or a political breakthrough in Washington D.C., deserving stories meant to be told go swept under the rug, never to be seen in the major spotlight that it earned. Nadia Murad’s story, for example, can only be discovered through extensive digging in piles and piles of the latest celebrity sightings or the next fall fashion line. Her story is among the thousands waiting for their turn in line, waiting
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for the moment their journey will inspire the next generations. But because of our fast-scrolling fingers, skipping over headlines and enjoying others, they get lost in the midst. That’s why it’s our duty to know them, and to make them known. It is our duty, as fellow citizens and kindhearted people, to complete the journey for these stories and bring them to light as they were meant to be. So, if you want to start, start here:
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
NADIA MURAD Nadia Murad is a human rights activists, born in Iraq from a family of Yazidi farmers. When she was 19, Islamic State fighters destroyed the people of her village, killing nearly 600 people (including 6 of Nadia’s siblings) and making women slaves. She herself was taken captive in Mosul, beaten and raped until she finally escaped when her captor forgot to lock the house. Eventually, after escaping, she became settled in refugee program in Germany. More importantly, she became an inspiring symbol for human trafficking victims and refugees. Today, she continues to make a mark on the world as an ambassador for the U.N., attempting to bring comfort who experienced the same pain she had.
LOUJAIN AL-HATHLOUL Loujain al-Hathloul was one of the many women part of the Women to Drive Movement in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, well known for its strict restrictions on women forbidding them to do several things such as drive, recently made a groundbreaking decision to finally allow women to drive. However, the female activists behind the movement that fiercely fought for this rule change remain behind bars, unable to celebrate the victory of achieving what they fought for. Nevertheless, it is her continued persistence and determination that leads us all to spark a fire within ourselves, and fight to keep that fire going.
TARANA BURKE We might all be familiar with the #MeToo Movement, but perhaps are not as knowledgeable about the woman behind it all. Tarana Burke is an African-American activist hailing from The Bronx, New York. Before starting the Me Too movement in back in 2006 (before the hashtag days), she founded Just Be Inc, an organization meant for girls between the ages of 12-18 after listening a young victim of sexual abuse. It was after the allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein that Tarana Burke’s movement became an international phenomenon, empowering females of all ages to speak up against sexual harassment and assault.
To do your part, remember these names. Remember the stories that come with the names and use these stories to tell your children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors so that one day, another young boy or girl would be inspired to change the world. Remember them because all three are examples of fierce courage in spite of obstacles or hardships - thus giving the next person a small semblance of hope to do the same. Look for the small stories in the sidelines that may turn out to be bigger than the words. History can be made and changed at any time, but it is up to us to determine if we want to change it for the worse or better. And it begins with just reading.
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
THE IDEA OF THE “CAREER-DRIVEN WOMAN” by Emily Pfeiffer
W
omen have been in the workforce
provide for his family and strives hard to
for a long time, and for most of
achieve his goals, while the woman is seen
history their participation has
as the soft-hearted homemaker that attends
gone unrecognized. Only in recent decades
to all the needs of the home. However, a
has the gender barrier in the office started
woman being a workaholic is seen as
to break down. As a result of these new
selfish. Any overtime or eye on the prize
opportunities for women to be promoted
behavior is chided for detracting time from
and gain professional clout, traditional and
caring for a family or supporting a
social ideas have clashed with modern
significant other. By attaching a descriptor
trends. The image of on the “career driven
to the word woman, suddenly it becomes
woman” is a conceptual image of a woman
outside of the norm for my gender.
that is a result of traditional and modern trends coming together. While I consider
Additionally, the distance this creates
myself motivated and put my work and
between women who chose to work in
studies before most things in my life, I find
offices and those who chose to work in the
this term used to describe me and other
home is harmful. While women do have less
women problematic. My male classmates
power in the office space than in the
engage in the same competitive behavior
traditional home, feminism has to reconcile
and prioritize their lives in the same way,
its struggle for progress with acceptance of
but are seldom accused of being “career
past and present practices. It is not only
driven men”. This is harmful in that it
important to make the women who choose
inherently insults the way women are
to “have it all” (which is another debatable
compared to their male counterparts, as
phrase that is in direct correlation to the
well as other women.
term being discussed in this article) feel supported, but also those who choose to be
Being focused on rising up the corporate
mothers and housewives. We are still far
ladder or having ambition is not a
away from it being easy or even comfortable
characteristic that only some girls have. All
to walk this world as a woman, but a good
women have a desire to follow their
starting point is to finally have a frank
passions and make themselves heard. The
conversation as a society. This starts with
repressive backlash that occurs when they
adapting our mindset to realize that being
do is what makes it seem like only a small
motivated is not something that makes a
portion of women are purely devoted to
woman different, but a common trait that
work. A male being a workaholic is viewed
lives up to the natural spirit of feminine
as sacrificial and dedicated, in that he must
strength.
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
THANK YOU! Thanks so much for reading Her Culture's 23rd magazine issue. Without a community of dedicated, sophisticated, culture-enthusiastic women, we would not be where we are today. To keep up with all the latest news and culture stories, please visit www.herculture.org.
Special thanks to: the Mulloy family, the Miller family, issuu.com, Alexis Neuville, Katie Collins, Sareana Kimia, Cameron Oakes, World Reader, The Prospect, MissHeard Magazine, Luna Luna Magazine, Humans of Vietnam, The Wannabe Scientist, Hello Perfect, New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Molly and Fox Magazine, The Fem Lit Magazine, H.E.R.
HER CULTURE MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 23
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HER CULTURE MAGAZINE WWW.HERCULTURE.ORG @HERCULTURE NEW YORK, NY AUGUST/SEPTEMBER ISSUE NO. 23