Fall 2018 VOLUME12 ISSUE 1
MAGAZINE
Meet asun
who runs this campus? We take a closer look at some of asun's student leaders
suck it up
banning plastic straws may seem like a good idea, but there are other consequences to be had
Piecing your ethical wardrobe
tips on how to eliminate fast fashion in your life while also sticking to your budget
MAGAZINE
Staff
Contributors
(From left to right) Angela Lujan: Staff Writer, Kellie Sasso: Photography Editor, Andrea Heerdt: Editor-in-Chief, Tanner Barrett: Copy Editor, Taylor Harker: Social Media Director
Elizabeth Pearson
Nikki Moylan
Meghan Frasier
Crystal PulidoLugo
Alexandra Rush
Arianna Salcido
Taylor Avery
Carena Doyle
Erin Lucas
Maggie Schmutz
Mary Young
Robert NuĂąezJimenez
Melissa Vidal
Himesh Patel
Cole Peck
Mads Miller
about the magazine
corrections
You hold in your hands the latest iteration of Insight Magazine. We hope that you will enjoy it. Not only is this issue the result of a tremendous amount of hard work, but it is also a representation of a student publication over a decade in the works (with origins as the Artemisia, the former yearbook of UNR dating back to the 1800's).
Insight Magazine works to correct any errors. If you find a mistake or misprint, please contact the editor at insighteditor@asun.unr.edu.
Thank you for supporting us. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you're interested in getting involved with us, visit insightunr.com > Get Involved.
Josie Steehler
Insight Magazine is proud to have placed tenth in the 2018 National Associated Collegiate Press Conference in the category of Feature Magazine.
from the editor
I
’m writing to you here from my last semester of college. When I first stepped onto campus three and a half years ago I knew that time would fly, I’d change, and I'd grow up. I didn’t think time would go by this quickly and I’d change so much, either. I remember the summer before my freshman year — I thought I had an idea of what college would be like, but it turned out to be completely different. It turned out to be better. As I left the neon lights of Las Vegas behind in a car full of everything I owned and drove along lonely Highway 95 I imagined all of the future adventures I’d have as a college freshman. As my youthful face checked into Argenta Hall I smiled and looked around at all of my fellow freshman as I wondered ‘who’s going to become my college best friend? Who am I going to fall in love with,' but that was then and this is now - senior year. I won’t bore you with the details of how college has changed me, but when I do look back at my college career it’s safe to say that it’s been one hell of a journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to run this incredible magazine, grateful that the school of journalism has helped me pay for all of my classes this semester, grateful to fall in love and then fall out of it just to find out that that was far from the real thing, grateful to have learned how to pay bills/ adult, grateful to have met some of my best friends that I will cherish forever, and grateful to think from a different perspective from people who aren’t like me. This issue is also a tribute to those who lost their lives on the final night of the Route 91 Harvest Festival and the brave first responders, doctors, nurses, and by-standards that helped save so many lives. Forever #VegasStrong
c o nt en t s
LOCAL NEWS 6 THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDREN'S CANCER
REVIEWS 10 LOCAL BUSINESSES: JAVA JUNGLE, HOLY SCHMIDT DONUTS, AND NATURAL SELECTION 12 BOOKS: GONE GIRL, TORN, AND MISS SUBWAYS 13 MOVIES AND MUSIC: A WRINKLE IN TIME AND ANTHEM OF THE PEACEFUL ARMY
FEATURES 16 ESCAPE FROM TECHNOLOGY
LIFESTYLE 42 SHOPAHOLICS NOT SO ANONYMOUS 44 THE BIGGEST LITTLE BUCKET LIST
opinion 48 SUCK IT UP
50 THE PROBLEM WITH
INSATIABLE
20 CUT FAST FASHION 24 PACK PROFILE: PROFESSOR ALAN DEUTCHMAN
27 WOLF PACK RADIO ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 28 ASK, DON'T REACH 30 MEET ASUN
34 YOUR GUIDE TO THE NEVADA MIDTERMS 36 UNR'S CAMPUS RESOURCES 38 GHOST MODE
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
LOCAL NEWS
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5 INSIGHT
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
The
FIGHT
Against Children's Cancer Words by Alexandra Rush
N
Photos by Melissa Vidal orthern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation is a local charity organization that helps diagnosed children and their families with finances, support, and hope. They host events all over the city to raise awareness and money. Some of the important events are the yearly NNCCF Benefit Horse Show at Meadowview Equestrian Center and the Tournament of Hope. They take not only financial donations, but blankets, hats, and stuffed animals as well. These items help the kids that go through relentless hours of chemotherapy to feel more comfortable and less nervous at long appointments. Throughout the process, the team at NNCCF is there to provide aid and advice to the family. They help negotiate prices such as travel, medical, and hotel expenses. When a child successfully completes their chemotherapy, there is a special event where they ring a silver bell, signaling the end of their battle. The Tournament of Hope, one of the biggest events they host, took place in September. They have raised $1.4 million, and this year the tournament held 144 golfers. The event has strengthened their resources and expanded their support within Nevada. They also host St. Baldrick’s, where INSIGHT 6
anyone can register to shave their head in support of the children losing their hair during chemotherapy. NNCCF has raised over $1.6 million in funds for the head shaving event. Their benefit horse show has
treatment. The continuous expansion of NNCCF just goes to show what we can do when we put our minds to it. As a local organization for such an important cause, it is vital that NNCCF gains awareness and attention so that they can continue to help these children. Their future goal is to fund treatment specifically for children that does not have the same effects as the adult treatment. Although 80% of children with cancer survive through the process, two-thirds of children suffer long lasting effects from the harsh treatment. Shirley Folkins-Roberts, the co-founder of NNCCF says they hope to better the treatment so that the adult treatment does not “ravage their
They have raised $3.9 million for 483 families and grown 100 times bigger in revenue also grown in the past six years from $10,000 to $60,000 raised, and from 100 volunteers to 400. It is now a three-day event that hosts live auctions, large corporate sponsors, and a speaker who has undergone the harsh
bodies.” Roberts is passionate about the families that come to them for help and the stories that they tell. For 14 years, they have continually expanded and reached out to more families than ever
before. They have raised $3.9 million for 483 families and grown 100 times bigger in revenue.
her husband and her best friend, Debby. “It has allowed me to see the best side of the community and the
their website NVChildrensCancer.org. From the Holiday Adopt-A-Family which provides gifts to the family, or volunteering to make baskets at the Tournament of Hope, there is no shortage of things to help out with. Even students at UNR can visit their tailgates to assist them. NNCCF has grown tremendously and gained a massive group of support, and they can aid more children with Nevada’s generosity and kindness.
“I have had the privilege of knowing and supporting some of the bravest people I will ever meet, including the children and young adults for which the diagnosis changes them.” UPCOMING EVENTS 11th Annual "All in for Childhood Cancer" Poker Tournament 10/19/2018 6:00pm From one staff member, they have expanded to eight with the help from full time volunteers. With many family activities, as well as the Inspire Scholarship for survivors, they
generosity of Nevada,” said Roberts. “I have had the privilege of knowing and supporting some of the bravest people I will ever meet, including the children and young adults for which
Know the Gold Radiothon Finale 1/25/2019 6:00am have changed so many lives. Now NNCCF even goes on a yearly trip to Washington D.C. and takes families to advocate on a national level with representatives for children’s cancer research. Roberts is a co-founder along with
the diagnosis changes them,” she continued emotionally. Roberts is proud to say that NNCCF has become a sanctuary for the children affected by this diagnosis. The journeys of these angels are represented by the Wall of Courage which shows the battles they have undergone and the courage they have gained. There are many ways to actively be involved in the fight against children’s cancer, and NNCCF always has an open position for anyone interested. Anybody wishing to be involved can call them at (775) 825-0888 or visit
Shave for the Brave 3/15/2019 6:00pm
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REVIEWS
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9 INSIGHT
Photo by Kellie Sasso
LOCAL BUSINESS REVIEWS
JAVA JUNGLE I Words by Taylor Harker
n the depths of downtown in the Riverwalk District, there stands a quaint little coffee house that goes by Java Jungle, or more recently named “The Jungle.� The Jungle is a very trendy and open environment that allows anybody to come and sip coffee while enjoying the presence of the nearby river and downtown altogether. In addition, The Jungle has a certain edge to it that makes it stand out from the other coffee shops in Reno, and that is at night it turns into a hip dive bar and serves alcohol. In 2013, Jungle Vino and Java Jungle joined forces and merged their companies with the idea that cocktails and wine can also bring people together the same way coffee does. The Jungle offers wine tastings paired with live music and gourmet food for a better coffee shop experience. The Barroon is a new addition to The Jungle which has the goal of capturing presence in an intimate setting. The Barroon holds the wine tastings and other special events like open mic night every Monday. Next time you are thinking of hitting downtown and going to your normal bars, try The Jungle for a different, more enriching kind of night.
Photo by Kellie Sasso
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Photo by Kellie Sasso
HOLEY SCHMIDT SCHMIDT HOLEY
DONUTS
Words by Nikki Moylan
O
Photo by Nikki Moylan
NATURAL
ne of the newest donut shops in Reno is so sweet, it makes visitors feel like they're on a sugar rush. As if the Discovery Museum located in downtown Reno wasn't already fun enough, the addition of Holey Schmidt Donuts this past February makes for a great attraction. Owners Galen and Cadi Schmidt offer a wide variety of flavors, ranging from the basic chocolate sprinkle to the ultimate throwback for 90's kids: the cosmic brownie. This hip, youthful shop located in Midtown is visited by children and adults alike. With art on the walls proclaiming to “Keep Reno Sweet," it helps the shop connect
with prideful Nevadans and those looking for a cheat day indulgence. While the daring may be drawn to the donuts loaded with candy and cookie crumbles, there’s no shame in choosing the classics. Old fashioned and chocolate sprinkles are seen as a go-to. The shop also sells a pretty impressive range of coffee and usually carries vegan donuts for the health-conscious on Tuesdays. Overall, Holey Schmidt is known for its fun name, active presence on social media, and its very rich and flavorful donuts. They often restock throughout the day, and the staff does it pretty quickly based on what’s popular.
Words by Andrea Heerdt
SELECTION SELECTION
O
ff of St Lawrence Avenue in the heart of Midtown you’ll find Natural Selection, an eclectic, whacky boutique where you can find anything from rare plant species to animal skeletons. The store has been open for a little over four years now and is a great place to find unusual gifts or expand your house plant collection. Upon walking in you’ll find exotic taxidermied animal heads hung on every wall, vibrant green plants swinging from the ceiling, and a collection
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
of books sitting on the center table. If you’re looking to spruce up your college apartment, you can buy succulents of all shapes and colors for $5. Among other eccentric store items you’ll find rabbit foot keychains, geodes, and various animal bones for just a buck. Natural Selection takes pride in being, well, all natural. Everything you see in store is the real deal.
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Book Reviews Gone Girl
Book by Gillian Flynn, Review by Taylor Avery Do you ever get the feeling that people aren’t quite what they make themselves out to be? Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is a cleverly written book, with near whiplash inducing plot twists and beautifully crafted characters. At first the book appears rudimentary, complete with boy-meets-girl and marriage-turned-sour elements. However, Flynn quickly sets herself apart by alternating chapters between Nick and Amy, whose narratives are told in different times of their relationship. This unique format gives readers the feeling of a near 360 degree perspective yet with frustrating blind spots that leave the reader guessing until the very last page. Gone Girl puts readers on a roller coaster of emotions, leaving the reader feeling dizzy and with a rush of adrenaline at the end of the ride.
Torn
Book by Rowenna Miller, Review by Maggie Schmutz
Torn by Rowena Miller is a fantasy novel that follows Sophie, a dressmaker who is known for sewing charms into garments. She supports herself and her brother Kristos with her business and by continuing to make dresses for the nobles of their kingdom. Her brother Kristos is a revolutionary and is strongly against the monarchy and the nobles that support it, which challenges Sophie. She knows that she is supported by these people, and as she gets to know them she finds that many of them see the struggle the lower classes are facing, but at the same time she can’t relate to the elegant lives they lead. She is stuck in between friends, family, and two very different sides of her life. As Kristos’ rebellion grows she must choose between the two worlds she has come to inhabit. This novel is the first in its series and is perfect for anyone intrigued by the mix of politics and fantasy with a fair share of suspense thrown in.
Miss Subways
Book by David Duchovny, Review by Nikki Moylan
Photo by Kellie Sasso
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While Duchovny is best known for his role as FBI agent Fox Mulder on The X Files, his newest novel rivals any plotline from the 90s scifi television show. Following the life of second grade teacher, Emer, as she navigates a new relationship with a man who has a mysterious and somewhat sketchy presence. Her life is turned upside down when she finds strange visitors warning her about this man and the sacrifices she must make in order to keep the relationship. The story does a great job of blending fact and fiction, mixed with some mythological creatures in present day New York. Readers will enjoy the colorful cast of characters, like the over-the-top spoiled brats that run Emer’s classroom along with Emer’s humorous monologues.
Movies and Music
Words by Angela Lujan
A
Wrinkle in Time is an absolutely charming movie available on Netflix. The film beams optimism and hope while discussing issues of pain and darkness. Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling play the three powerful and mysterious beings who help a young Meg and her brother, Charles Wallace, to find their father, who is lost somewhere in the universe. The film boasts stunning visuals that come into play as the group explores the universe. One scene depicts a planet that Mrs. Whatsit describes as her “favorite planet in the entire universe.” Same here, Mrs. Whatsit, same here. Who wouldn’t love a planet with crescent mountains, sapphire seas, and flowers that communicate by color? A Wrinkle in Time is a beautiful film that explores the universe while carrying a message of hope. Well worth the watch.
A Wrinkle in Time
Anthem of The Peaceful Army Words by Andrea Heerdt
G
reta Van Fleet is a fourpiece rock band from the small, 5,000-person town of Frankenmuth, Michigan. And when I say rock I mean put Led Zeppelin in a time capsule and open it up in 2018 kind of rock, not some watered down shit. The band is composed of three brothers, Josh, Sam, and Jake Kiszca, and a close family friend, Kyle Hauck, and is set to release their first album on October 19th. They’ve released a handful of EPs and singles over the last few years including Black Smoke Rising and From the Fires, but Anthem of The Peaceful Army will include ten originals that encompass Greta Van Fleet’s dynamic and roaring vocals, intricate guitar chords, and booming drums and bass lines including the track “Watching Over” the band dropped on September 7th as an album preview. “Watching Over” is one of those songs that slowly starts to build as lead
singer, Josh Kisza, howls the lyrics “I wonder when we’ll realize/ This is what we got left/ And it’s our demise” and definitely captures the mysticism and rock our generation has severely been missing out on. Although critics
have said Greta Van Fleet sounds merely like a Led Zeppelin cover band, Anthem of The Peaceful Army will be their shot to branch out and create their own sound.
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FEATURES
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INSIGHTSasso Photo by15Kellie
ESCAPE
FROM TECHNOLOGY
Words by Arianna Salcido
A
Photos by Andrea Heerdt study done at Baylor University has found college women are on their phone 10 hours daily and college men about eight hours. Professor James Roberts, Ph.D. said, “As cell phone functions increase, addictions to this seemingly indispensable piece of technology become an increasingly realistic possibility.” Technology is a huge part of the 21st century: it is how we communicate, do research, watch entertainment, keep up to date with INSIGHT 16
politics, see recent tweets or Instagram posts, and so much more. But there are ways to take a step back from all the technology that surrounds us and immerse ourselves in real life.
1. First thing in the morning: make time for yourself, not the phone. First thing when waking up, what comes to mind? Is it “I need to check Twitter or Instagram” or “I need to check my text messages or my missed
2. When in conversation with someone don’t even think about pulling out the phone. Sometimes in restaurants I look around to see people glued to their phones and not saying anything to each other. Now that’s sad and embarrassing to rather be talking to someone else and not to someone you love and care about. It allows for a deeper connection to make eye contact, to see their reactions to certain things, and be in their presence. Maybe try to shut off the phone completely or leave it in the car if you know you’ll be tempted. Any way that could allow the phone to not be a distraction. Life is more than screens and updates on Twitter. It is about the relationships we build through real life interactions, about the real laughs not the LOLs. It’s about being able to grow deeper connections with others around you.
3. Making time to shut off the technology to be present.
Facetime or phone calls?” Well those thoughts can wait. In the mornings it’s a time for yourself. Some ideas include doing yoga for five to ten minutes, taking a nice shower to get up, or write out goals and aspirations for the day. Whatever it may be it should be a time for you. All throughout your busy day you have time to easily swipe up on the phone to see those notifications, but what there isn’t time for is self-love and giving yourself the time to be you. Don’t lose time on technology when the time could be better well spent.
It’s hard to shut off the phone and deal with that the temptation, but there is a way to change that and it’s easy at the touch of a button. Moment is an app that works to help you unplug and use your phone less to create a balance between technology and real life. There is also a feature on the new iOS 12, Screen Time, that shows you how much time was spent on the phone and certain apps. This is an awesome feature to show how much time is wasted on the phone. It seems even Apple is realizing that smartphone usage is getting out of control and needs to be addressed.
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4. Before bed turn off the phone. Don’t even have it under the pillow. It’s not a good idea. Technology has produced so many temptations. We can stay up late binge watching Netflix and Hulu or Facetiming family, friends, and significant others. There is so much we can accomplish just at the touch of a button from our beds, but at times it can hinder us of the basic requirements of sleep. Minnesota State University research found that a sample of undergraduate students sleep four to ten hours nightly and on average get 6.9 hours of sufficient sleep. About 70% of college students get five to seven hours nightly. A very high 92.9% of sampled students said to have always or very often used electronic devices before bedtime. The statistics from the participants in this study show that usage of electronics before bed can affect the amount of sleep someone receives. Sleep is very important, INSIGHT 18
especially in college, and we need better sleep to feel better and look better, too. Escaping from technology can be difficult, but taking time to follow these steps could be beneficial in the long run. They can allow more time to relax, disconnect, achieve better sleep and better health, and allow an increase in productivity daily to accomplish your goals.
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INSIGHTUNR. COM 19 INSIGHT
cut
fast fashion PIECING YOUR ETHICAL WARDROBE
Words by Crystal Pulido-Lugo Photos by Kellie Sasso As a child, my grandmother and I would take the public bus and wander into flea markets and thrift stores. Because of this, I like to say I grew up in them. She enjoyed spending the day looking for unique clothing and home decor. As I drank strawberry juice at flea markets and played with dolls in thrift stores, my grandmother would look through dresses, vases, and more, looking for the next thing to bring home. I didn’t know then, but my grandmother was an expert thrifter. Thanks to her, I became one, too, but now with a conscious, ethical twist. Like most teenagers, I spent my weekends at the mall. I would run to stores like Forever 21 to buy the trendiest clothing of the week. Though I would spend my money on different items, my closet never seemed to grow. It wasn’t until this summer I realized that I had fallen victim to fast fashion where I was valuing the quantity of clothing rather than the quality of it. Fast fashion is the mass production of cheap and trendy clothing. Because companies want to produce in a fast and cheap way to earn a quick buck, the quality of clothing becomes unsatisfactory, and the wages for those who make the clothing become nearly non-existent. INSIGHT 20
Words by Crystal Pulido-Lugo Photos by Kellie Sasso
A
ccording to The Los Angeles Times, The U.S. Department of Labor investigated garment factories and found that workers were earning four to seven dollars an hour for 10 hour shifts sewing clothes for companies like Forever 21. Workers are earning cents for each item they sew, thus earning less than minimum wage because sewing cannot be done quickly. Companies are violating basic minimum wage laws and trying to find loopholes by hiring immigrant workers who are fine with a small wage. The exploitation of workers is being done in the name of fashion, but at what cost? Sure, the consumer is purchasing a trendy new top, but behind it is exploitation, violation, and cheap fabric that only pushes the consumer to go on and buy more clothes to make up for their losses. Shopping slow fashion, which is the focus on ethical fashion that pays their workers ethical wages and uses ethical fabrics, can be a great solution
YOU CAN FIND CURRENT BRANDS FOR CHEAP. IT’S GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND GREAT FOR YOUR WALLET to cutting your own ties with fast fashion. Whether you want to stop shopping from big brands like Ross, TJ Maxx, Forever 21, H&M, and Zara who support fast fashion because of ethical reasons and or an excuse to start collecting ethical and unique pieces for your wardrobe, is up to you. When I started my fast fashion and slow fashion research, I realized I always had my feet in the slow fashion pool by thrifting. Slow fashion can be expensive and intimidating, but with options like shopping occasionally, thrifting, antique shopping, upcycling clothing, shopping locally, and shopping online on apps that support thrifting and ethical fashion, you can adopt slow fashion into your
life without hurting your wallet. Creating an ethical wardrobe and adopting the slow fashion lifestyle has its pros and cons. I like to think that the slow fashion journey outweighs the cons, though. I have found that thrifting and antique shopping have helped me see my wardrobe as a collection of things that make me feel good and look just as good. Thrifting and antiquing has strengthened my relationship with fashion by valuing and cherishing what I have. I now spend my time looking for what best fits my body and my personality. I
don’t spend my time looking for the trendiest thing or what the next person has. Aside from this, slow fashion has also saved me money. Kelsey Tabbert, Depop seller and vintage clothing enthusiast, has been selling on Depop since January of 2017, and has found success selling vintage clothing on Depop, an app where you can sell and shop second-hand clothing. Much like thrifting and antique shopping online. Tabbert believes shopping vintage shouldn’t hurt your wallet and should instead excite you and 21 INSIGHT
receive hundreds of items everyday. They end up having to discard their old inventory in landfills to make room for the new. Instead, I recommend you to use old clothes as cleaning rags, donating them to local centers where they go directly to people in need, or even exchanging them or selling them online or at shops like Plato’s Closet. Lastly, cutting out fast fashion encourages you to shop local and shop from local artists. Earlier this fall, I moved to London, England, and was
IF YOU FOCUS ON BUYING A FEW ITEMS A YEAR THAT ARE COSTLY BUT WELL MADE, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY SAVE MONEY.
encourage you through your slow fashion journey. “Really put in the work finding yourself out in the wild. It takes a lot of work, but it can be rewarding. The search can be half the fun! Make sure you hit up your thrift stores on sale days to even save more. If you’re really devoted, you can also keep an eye out for local estate sales,” she said. Though Tabbert encourages looking out for vintage clothing, she also encourages thrifting to find affordable clothing, “You can find current INSIGHT 22
brands for cheap. It’s great for the environment and great for your wallet.” Which is true as well. Clothes that don’t get purchased from thrift stores or clothes that you casually throw in the trash end up clogging up our landfills. Once they make it to the landfills, they increase our carbon footprint because of the carbon dioxide emissions from their production and disposal, according to The Guardian. Though it’s a good idea to donate your clothes to thrift stores like Goodwill, stores like Goodwill
worried about not being able to shop from local artists and shops that support the local community. London, known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, houses shops like Primark that are on the cheaper side thus more appealing. Being new to the city, I was tempted to go in and buy affordable clothes in this nearly unaffordable city, but instead tried finding local clothing shops. Walking in my neighborhood one day, I found Vivien of Holloway, a shop that sells clothing and accessories inspired by the mid 20th century. Looking through the racks, I found a shirt I wanted and asked the employee how this shirt was made and what their shop advocates for. She told me that each section belongs to a designer who creates and designs their own clothing. Designers make a limited amount and take their time to sew and create each piece, making it unique to Vivien of Holloway. I purchased the shirt and left the shop knowing I supported a designer and their craft. Side note: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stores that are running things ethically would be more than happy to talk about their inventory and message. Though slow fashion has made me happier, I am still in the process of dedicating my wardrobe to solely slow fashion. I’m a college student with a tight budget and a love for fashion, so it is difficult to pass by shops with sales and not want to buy it all. I would say
that a slow fashion con is that, well, it is slow. Slow fashion means that you won’t always be the friend with all the shopping bags and the shiny, new things. But you will be the friend with the things that you need and things that you know you will cherish for a long time while slowly finding your style and finding clothes you love. Fast fashion is tempting though, but I have decreased my fast fashion intake by a great percentage. Another con is shopping for essentials like undergarments. You could go deep into your journey and shop only from ethical shops for everything including undergarments, but it will get pricey. I suggest to shop undergarments from shops that you usually shop from, but focus on taking good care of them and only buying new stuff when necessary. How to stop shopping fast fashion: Quality Over Quantity: Spending a hundred dollars on a pair or two of jeans might sound insane at first, but looking at it from a long-term perspective might change your mind. If you focus on buying a few items a year that are costly but well made, you will eventually save money. Sure, you can buy four pairs of jeans in one trip, but they will eventually fail you after a few weeks or months by getting damaged or discolored in the wash. You would have to go back and repurchase, spending more money in the end. Thrifting Dates with Friends: Get your friends into lowering their fast fashion intake, too, by inviting them on thrifting dates. Creating a small circle of friends that thrift is a great way to bond and add new clothes to your wardrobe. Second-hand shopping avoids your consumption of new and mass produced clothes. I have found lovely clothes that have lasted me years at thrift stores. Shop Eco-Friendly Clothing: There are many shops online that use organic and natural biodegradable materials. Fast fashion clothing tends to use toxic and cheaply made fabrics that aren’t good for you or the environment. Eco-Friendly clothing companies are likely to push the ethical agenda and are most likely to pay their workers an ethical wage. Look out for the about me section on
company websites. Remember, if they are doing everything right they will most likely be proud and talk about it on their website. You can always call or email them with your questions. Shop on Apps: During the summer I fell in love with Depop. Though I sold a few items here and there, I mainly used Depop to shop affordable, vintage clothes and engage with fellow fashion lovers. Depop is a friendly community with even friendlier sellers that have helped me collect vintage clothes without overspending. Depop also sells second-hand clothing aside from their vintage clothes. Some of my favorite shops are Kelsey’s shop, Full of Sand: Midwest Thrifts, Twitch Vintage, Unicorn Tears XD, Mute Style, Lady Paige Thrift, Hunnybee Vintage, and The Prairie Misfit. Shop Locally: I mentioned this earlier, but shopping locally and from local artists is a great way to lower your fast fashion intake. After visiting Midtown’s shops like Junkee and Bad Apple Vntg, I noticed these shops had things made by local artists and used clothes on their racks. Junkee sells vintage clothing and antiques, but also has a section in the antiques section that sells goods made by local Reno artists. Bad Apple Vntg sells random goodies, but their small vintage selection is wonderful. I bought my favorite denim top with a cherry print from the 90s there! Aside from supporting local artists, shopping locally also helps the community’s local economy. Take Care of Your Current Clothes: I still own some fast fashion items like my favorite denim jacket and my favorite leather jacket. Though I bought these long ago, I have tried to take care of my clothes by washing them with the right detergent and following what the handling tag advises. Sure, I bought both from Zara, known for its fast fashion reputation, but taking care of them helps me avoid going back and giving my money to these type of companies. For my nonfast fashion items, I take care of them, too. I try to keep them that way by washing them right and sometimes even air drying. If for any reason you cannot stop shopping at your local mall, it’s
alright! Just being aware and attempting to cut down your fast fashion purchases can help. It’s a journey and should be enjoyable. I have had my moments of guilt for shopping at a fast fashion store, but then quickly correct myself by remembering that I’m starting this journey and should take my time. I also stop and remember that I’m not only doing this for myself and my wallet, but also for unethical wages, toxic fabrics and mass production, my community, and for the environment. Having these thoughts keep me patient. I have made great progress over these last few months and hope to continue. If you decide to rethink your purchases, have fun piecing your ethical wardrobe and rocking your new finds!
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PACK
PRO FILE ALAN DEUTCHMAN
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JOURNALISM PROFESSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE
I
Words and Photo by Andrea Heerdt n the suburban town of Woodbridge, New Jersey, 13-yearold Alan Deutchman sat in the back of his father’s car as they drove down to the News Tribune office to meet the paper’s Editor-inChief. Alan’s father, Hal, had recently called the paper asking if there were any employment opportunities for his son, but the paper responded by saying there were no paper delivery boy positions available at the moment. After Hal explained that his young son didn’t want to deliver the paper but rather write in it, the News Tribune found the whole situation to be so humorous that they brought Alan in to discuss potential writing opportunities. But Alan had his first pitch ready to go: A profile on his 7th grade science teacher who wrote a song on how to teach the metric system, and thus Alan had his first writing gig even before entering high school. Alan recalls being interested in reading and writing from a very young age. Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, he remembers his parents having a subscription of The New York Times and always reading it at breakfast. His love for reporting and storytelling translated into his production of a classroom newspaper in second grade, a published poem in Highlights Magazine, and, of course, his big break at the end of middle school with the News Tribune. Throughout high school Alan continued to publish work with the News Tribune, writing cover stories for the weekend section as he continued to grow as a writer. After graduation he attended Princeton University. During his college years Alan wrote for a slew of campus publications including Princeton Alumni Weekly, Daily Princetonian, and Business Today. Alan also spent a lot of his time writing song lyrics and comedy sketches for student theater productions. By the time Deutchman was ready to graduate from college, he already had an impressive resume of summer internships including The Wall Street
Journal, US News and World Report, American Society of Magazine Editors, was actively writing for Newsweek, and had written and published a book when he was 18 on how to get college scholarships, giving him a real taste in professional writing. Yet, Deutchman recalls still struggling to landing his first job. “I applied to big city newspapers because I wanted to report and write my own stories, and they all said call back when you’ve had four to seven years of professional experience and I didn’t want to go back to a small town newspaper — I had been doing that since I was 14,” said Deutchman. So Deutchman took a risk and used the money his parents had saved up
of the guys he interviewed looked like a young Tom Cruise and having him on the cover was a nice contrast from the usual old guys on the cover of Fortune. With Fortune, Deutchman moved out to San Fransisco to become the magazine’s west coast correspondent at the perfect time - when the Internet started to come into fruition which allowed him to do reporting in Seattle, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and beyond as the Internet and tech became something everyone was interested in reading. After four years of working in New York and three years working in San Francisco, Deutchman wanted a change. “When I turned 30 I thought ‘I just spent my 20s writing for business magazines’ and it was great experience, but there were so many other things I was interested in writing about like arts and culture, politics, and I wanted to go in a creative, literary direction with my writing,” he said. During his year as a freelance writer in San Francisco, Deutchman received some of the wackiest story assignments which involved visiting a prison and almost getting arrested. He received an assignment from Details Magazine to write about street prostitution in San Francisco near Union Square where street walkers were everywhere. The city created a program where they’d send police women undercover as prostitutes, and when men would solicit their services the police women would arrest them. For punishment, the men could either go to jail or attend a class that would educate them on the societal effects of prostitution and why it’s harmful. With the green light from the head of the vice squad, Deutchman just needed permission from the district attorney in order to sit in on the educational class. “I called and left messages, and she wouldn’t return my calls,” said Deutchman, “I would put on a suit and go down and hang out in the office, but there was no way to get through and my deadline was coming. I was a freelance writer, I needed my articles
“I CALLED MY EDITOR IN NEW YORK AND ASKED ‘IS IT OKAY IF I COMMIT A MISDEMEANOR, A CRIME TO GET THE STORY?’" for him to go to grad school and moved to an apartment in New York instead in hopes of meeting the right people and getting the right opportunities. Just when Deutchman began to feel like he was making the wrong move and spending his grad school money on nothing, he landed a job as a fact checker and researcher for Fortune Magazine. In addition to working as a fact checker, Deutchman would spend his nights and weekends crafting story pitches and sharing them in meetings only to have his story ideas assigned to other writers. But soon enough an idea of reporting on venture capital gave Deutchman the chance to fly across the country and write his first big story for Fortune. After a couple years of fact checking, Deutchman got promoted to staff writer and wrote his first cover story for the magazine on 25-year-olds and their attitudes towards business. Deutchman recalls the issue doing incredibly well in part because one
25 INSIGHT
to get published to make money so I could pay my rent.” In the meantime Deutchman interviewed the public defender who hated the program. He remembers her saying that if he went out with her on a Saturday she’d point out one of the undercover police women, and then he could go up to her and solicit her services. The undercover cop would then arrest him, so he could be in the class. “I called my editor in New York and asked ‘is it okay if I commit a misdemeanor, a crime to get the story’ and they were like ‘yeah go for it,' but then the district attorney called me back and let me sit in on the class, so I didn’t have to go get arrested to get the story,” said Deutchman. That’s not the only time Deutchman came close to getting arrested for a story. Years after the prostitution story, Deutchman received an assignment from GQ to interview Sam Waksal, the man who conspired with Martha Stewart on the insider trading case, in a men’s minimum security prison. After Waksal’s family declined an interview, Deutchman decided to just go down to the prison and find Waksal hanging out. Sure enough there were no fences, and the prisoners were just walking around. Before Deutchman could find Waksal, the prison guards brought him in for questioning. “That was pretty funny because I had never been to a minimum security prison before, and it was the summer and I was wearing what I usually wear which is khaki pants, running shoes, a navy blue t-shirt, and a plain baseball hat, which is just kind of how I dress, and I didn’t realize that’s how the prisoners dress,” said Deutchman, “When you go to visit you’re not allowed to dress like that because you’ll look like one of the prisoners which I didn’t know any of that.” Fortunately the guards let Deutchman off with a warning as he avoided jail time yet again. Throughout the rest of his time freelancing, Deutchman wrote stories for The New York Times Magazine and Wired as well. But with the unpredictability of payment while freelancing
full time, he moved to New York once again to take a job as a senior writer with GQ where he had his own column about business called The Profit Motive. After a few years working for GQ it was back to San Francisco for Deutchman. This time around he had stable work as a contributing editor for GQ, Vanity Fair, and New York Magazine. He also pursued a literary direction at this point in his life writing books including The Second Coming of Steve Jobs, A Tale of Two Valleys, Change or Die, Walk the Walk, and How Steve Jobs Changed
UNR he’s taught classes in business journalism, magazine writing, multimedia reporting, and created a relatively new course called “Narrative: The Art of Storytelling”. Deutchman’s favorite course to teach by far is magazine writing. “I love how in that course it creates a community of practice where the students contribute so much to each other and are so supportive and encouraging of each other’s writing, and it develops that dynamic where they respect and trust each other,” he said. His advice to students now is “Don’t wait around for someone to tell you ‘you are a journalist’ or ‘you’re a writer’. No one is going to appoint you. You need people to give you opportunities or to mentor you, but you have to kind of know that this is who you are, and this is what you do with passion, with great energy, and commitment to your field,” he said. In addition, he said finding a good mentor to help guide you through your career, having one to two great samples of your work, and developing subject matter expertise is crucial for a successful career as a writer. With a daughter in first grade, Deutchman says he’ll be in Reno for a while and hopes to finish out his career teaching at the Reynolds School of Journalism.
“DON’T WAIT AROUND FOR SOMEONE TO TELL YOU ‘YOU ARE A JOURNALIST’ OR ‘YOU’RE A WRITER’. NO ONE IS GOING TO APPOINT YOU."
INSIGHT 26
Our World. Throughout the entirety of his writing career Deutchman always felt like he’d eventually want to teach, too. “My father was a professor for 45 years, so I grew up going to his university, watching him teach, liking being on campus, and I always had the idea that at some point I’d like to be a professor,” he said. When he got into his 40s Deutchman’s father kept sending him job listings of professorships around the country and asked him what he was waiting for. After sending Deutchman all of these listings, Hal called his son up on the phone and said the journalism professorship at the University of Nevada, Reno, would be perfect for him. Deutchman remembers taking a closer look at the job because of Reno’s proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area, but after coming out for the job visit he discovered he liked the faculty, had a good feeling, and took the job as the Donald W. Reynolds Professor of Business Journalism in January 2011. In his seven years of teaching at
HAVE A STUDENT OR PROFESSOR YOU WANT TO NOMINATE FOR THE PACK PROFILE? EMAIL INSIGHTEDITOR@ ASUN.UNR.EDU
@JPIKEMUSIC
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
J PIKE RENO DJ CREATES A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WITH EVERY SHOW Words and Photo by Cole Peck
C
rushing kicks, hissing hi-hats, and distorted synth leads fill the room when artist J Pike is behind the decks. Through an ear for aberrant sound, J Pike has been exhilarating Reno club-goers with his boisterous DJ sets and lively original tracks. “I’m trying to be more than your average college DJ,” Pike said, “I’m trying to create a new experience for people.” Beginning his musical journey as a freshman in high school, J Pike was highly influenced by Dubstep artists such as Skream and Mt Eden. Furthering his musical taste, Pike attended EDC in 2016 where Disclosure and Eric Prydz gave him a new perspective on house-based music. As J Pike’s interest in house music grew, so did his interest in tech house. J Pike cites Solid Grooves, La Pera, and Relief Records as labels who consistently provide his sets with tracks to fill the
floor and get people moving. “As I DJ more and more, my interest in labels has grown. I love massive tracks with banging drums and throbbing bass lines. I find that following labels allows me to narrow the sounds for my sets and find new artists I wouldn’t be able to just by scrolling through Beatport,” Pike said. During his time at UNR, J Pike hosted “One Deeper” on Wolf Pack Radio where listeners were greeted by a plethora of dance genres and styles. Recently, however, you can meet Pike at the club where he will be playing only the freshest of tracks. J Pike’s commitment to keeping club attendees on their toes with various styles and sub-genres is no surprise due to his yearning to push dance music forward into the future. “If you want to hear music your comfortable with, stay home,” Pike said. Pushing people out of their comfort zones and into a new realm of reality has certainly been a steeple of dance
music, especially tech house, since its conception. J Pike aims to expose listeners to a plethora of new songs and sounds acting as a gatekeeper for people to escape reality. Pike’s ability to read a room showcases his wide variety of interests: every set is different and will showcase another intricate aspect of J Pike’s musical prowess. In addition to DJing, J Pike’s productions have been gaining notoriety due to his use of “scary” sounds and chugging drum tracks. Pike’s track titled “Backseat Beat” offers tribal drums, rolling bass, and fierce synth stabs. J Pike utilizes a Novation Bass Station which energizes tracks through thick analog tones guaranteed to fill any sonic space. J Pike has been lighting up the dance floors of the Reno club scene often appearing at venues such as 1Up. For further information regarding show dates and times, please consult J Pike’s Instagram and Twitter.
27 INSIGHT
ASK, DON'T REACH SERVICE DOG ETIQUETTE Words by Meghan Frasier
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Photos by Himesh Patel othing brightens a college student’s day more than walking into class only to be greeted by the sight of a furry, four-legged friend. It may be tempting to interact with the service dogs, but this takes away from the role they play in their owner’s life. There is proper etiquette that not every dog lover may understand. Luce Parkyn, a student at the university who is training a young service dog named Arno knows exactly what rules to follow around these dogs.
INSIGHT 28
Parkyn explains that a service dog’s main role is to provide support for its owner that traditional medicine cannot supply. These dogs are trained to know what to do when their owner is in need of their assistance. This training comes in stages, but the main goal throughout all of the
dog’s schooling is to teach them how to socialize while still being able to give their attention to their owners. Even though these dogs go through extensive training to earn their vests, they can still get distracted by admirers. Parkyn tells us that, “A dog’s main position is to service their owner.” When someone is distracting the dog, their attention span is no longer on their owner. There is basic etiquette that everyone should follow in order to ensure the dog’s ability to aid their owner stays intact. The main rule can drastically affect your interaction with the dog and the owner yet is only three words, “Ask, don’t reach.” Before going to pet one of these dogs, note that the owner could be in need of assistance at that moment. By not communicating with the owner, their safety and life could be put at risk. Another guideline to go by is to be aware of the dog’s and the owner’s personal space. By walking too close to one of these dogs, they may not be able to maneuver their owner out to the side when needed. One more main precedent when in
the presence of a service dog is not to give them attention, even if they are giving you their attention. If a service dog gets too friendly, politely tell the owner, so they can address the dog and its behavior. This is especially important with service dogs in training. The main idea to keep in mind when around service dogs is to make sure they are not distracted from their owners. Everything else is just a sub-rule. Don’t fear, though. There are many ways in which you can interact with service dogs without imposing on their services. According the the University of Nevada, Reno’s counseling services, the university offers a program called Take 5 on varying days throughout the year. Take 5 offers a variety of services, such as individual consultations, workshops, and stress relief activities in order to battle the everyday stress that college students endure. Delta Gamma, one of the six panhellenic sororities on campus, adopted a philanthropy that revolves around service for the visually impaired, including dogs, schools, and
other methods. Reno hosts an annual DogFest every fall. This event raises money and awareness for the training of service dogs while also offering fun attractions. All of these programs allow the public to beneficially interact with service dogs and their owners in ways that won’t prohibit their duty. The key to interacting with these dogs is knowing when it is appropriate. This is why it is important to communicate with their handlers before acting upon impulse. It may be tempting upon seeing service dogs on campus to run up and admire them, but their job is to aid their handler. They are not there just to be a cute, fuzzy face for students to pet. And it is important to remember who’s service these dogs really belong to. Their vests aren’t just an adorable costume, they’re a badge of honor that they worked hard to achieve. You can help honor these dogs by sticking to your space, while letting them stick to theirs.
29 INSIGHT
MEET
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FACES A S BEHIND THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS U OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA N
Hannah Jackson
Words by Taylor Avery Photos by Mary Young
Hannah Jackson is the current president of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN). She plans on graduating in May 2019 with a major in journalism and a minor in political science. She has been involved with ASUN for four years, starting by working with the senate as a legislative intern and then serving as a senator for the College of Education. She is also involved in the Blue Key Honors Society and fraternity and sorority life.
I: What issues do you advocate for in the senate? HJ: Throughout my time in ASUN, one of my most passionate causes has been enchanting civic learning and democratic engagement for students on our campus. For me, it is all about helping others find their voice and how they can create the change that they want to see - which can happen in so many ways. Within that focus are many priorities: equality and inclusion, safety, sustainability, campus wellness, professional development, and fiscal transparency.
I: Why did you run for president? Are you enjoying it? HJ: The same passion that I had as a
Insight: What made you want to join ASUN senate? Hannah Jackson: When I was a senior in high school, I was in a class called We the People. The class cumulates into a mock congressional hearing competition, where the students serve as experts on The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, various aspects of United States history, as well as various current events. This class completely changed my life. While I was in the class, I was researching policy at all levels of government. I came across a Reno Gazette Journal article that was about the ASUN senate passing a resolution in favor of creating gender inclusive restrooms on campus and how it was being implemented. I couldn’t believe how much power students on this campus had, and how they used this power to create positive social change. I wanted to be part of it. INSIGHT 30
first year student still burns inside of me today. I ran for president because I believe that students have the opportunity to make this campus the best that it could be. Through this position, I want to empower others to make the changes that they want to see both on and off campus. I love my job. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remind myself that yes, this really is something that I get to do. Serving as president is the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had. Doing work that impacts others, and knowing that you’ve made someone’s experience better is unlike any other. On top of that, I get to work with people that inspire me every day. They give me energy.
I: What are the worst and best parts about being president? HJ: The best part about being
president is also one of the most difficult about Photoparts courtesy ofbeing Luke presWynn ident - and that would be that
you’re always learning. We learn by stretching ourselves outside of our comfort zones, which is often times very uncomfortable. Some of my biggest learning moments have been due to making big mistakes, which have been painful to go through. It’s a lot of stress, and it’s a lot of pressure. However, at the end of the day the lessons that you learn are so worth it. It’s not like anything that I’ve ever experienced. I learn so much every day from my experiences and from the people that I get to work with and for - they are the best part. Whether it be going to a meeting to see the great work a club is doing, working with my team on a shared vision, or meeting one-on-one with a student, getting the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people has been the best part.
I: What kind of impact do you want the 86th Session to have on the university? What kind of changes do you hope to implement? HJ: If I could accomplish one thing
during my time here, it would be for students to see that this government is THEIR government - a government that will advocate for them, and a government that they can be part of and use to create change. We all have the power and the responsibility to make the student experience better for current students, and ones that follow us.
Carissa Bradley
Carissa Bradley is the current vice president of ASUN and a senior with a major in environmental science with a minor in public administration. She started her involvement with ASUN as a legislative intern and then later served as the senator representing the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. Last year, she served as the chief justice on the Executive Board. She is also works at the Nevada Career Studio and is involved in the Blue Key Honor Society and fraternity and sorority life. initiatives. During my term as a senator, I brought the It's On Us campaign to Nevada to increase awareness of sexual assault prevention.
I: Why did you run for vice president? Are you enjoying it? CB: I ran for vice president for
Insight: What made you want to join ASUN senate? Carissa Bradley: I was involved with student government in high school, so I knew that I wanted to be involved in some capacity when I came to college. That said, I had no idea the world I was stepping into. ASUN is truly a one of a kind organization. We are handling issues on our campus, that other colleges and universities could only dream of. The innovation and caliber of work that ASUN is able to do is why I wanted to join and stay in the organization as a prominent leader.
I: What issues do you advocate for in the senate? CB: I am a huge advocate for women's rights
and empowerment. During my term as chief of staff, I brought Elect Her to campus with Hannah Jackson to empower more women to run for elected positions on campus and in our community. The results of that were incredible. For the first time, to our knowledge, there are more women than there are men in ASUN offices which is representative of the university demographic. I am also an advocate for environmental initiatives. Over the years, I created the director of sustainability position within the ASUN Executive Board and have helped to increase infrastructure for the Sustainable Nevada Initiative Fund which awards $10,000 for sustainable projects on campus. In addition to these two issues, I have worked on many bystander intervention programs and
multiple reasons. The first being that I love the Reno community, and the vice president role handles a lot of community relations with the Pack Internship Grant program and the Pack Friendly Business Campaign, both of which I oversee. The second was that I felt that I could genuinely represent the students of the University of Nevada. I am a first generation, low income, female who has been involved with nearly everything on campus, and I felt that I had a really good grasp of what the students want/ need. The third reason is that Hannah and I work VERY well together. Her strengths are my weaknesses and my strengths are her weaknesses, so we compliment each other's leadership styles very well. I knew from an early time that Hannah would be an amazing leader on this campus, and I wanted to be right there with her and empower each other to be better. I am enjoying every second of being ASUN vice president. It is unbelievable to me that our terms are halfway done. I love being able to bring student voices to decisions and understanding the role of being a student leader on our campus.
I: What are the worst and best parts about being vice president? CB: Good question, I think the
and no one directly oversees it. In the past, the vice president has tended to drift away from the association and lose motivation. I have not encountered this, but I have seen this become an issue over the years. The best part of being vice president is also the worst part, but it is that I don't have a lot of responsibilities that are explicitly laid out. I am allowed a lot of freedom to do what I want and get creative with the role. I have been able to pick up a lot of side projects that other officers might not be able to take on because of their responsibilities laid out in the governing documents.
I: What kind of impact do you want the 86th Session to have on the University? What kind of changes do you hope to implement? CB: I think that the 86th session
of senate has shown the importance of gaining student voice in decision making. For example, our department of Legislative Affairs has begun to host town hall meetings where they can gain input from students about issues on and off campus in order to craft our legislative agenda moving into the Nevada State Legislature. In addition to this, this session has shown the importance of thinking about who is not being represented in the decision making. For example, reaching out to more non-traditional students or people who are not directly represented at the table and getting their opinion before.
most difficult part about being vice president is that the role does not directly oversee anyone 31 INSIGHT
Anthony Martinez is the current speaker of the senate. He is a junior and a dual major in political science and international affairs with a minor in Spanish language and society. He began his involvement with ASUN his freshman year when he became a legislative intern. He has been a part of ASUN for three years. He works as a career mentor at the Career Studio and at the front desk of the New Student Initiatives Office and is involved in the Blue Key Honor Society and fraternity and sorority life.
Anthony Martinez
Insight: What made you want to join ASUN senate? Anthony Martinez: In high school, I had four very influential people in my life. Like Charlie's Angels but Anthony's Angels + 1. Their alias names are Ms. Wright, Ms. McInturff, Coach Dinkel, and Coach Streets. These Angeles made me believe I would make a difference one day, to represent all who do not know how. Each of them demonstrated the vital aspects of leading which I saw a lot of in the ASUN senate. They demonstrated what authentic leadership looked like, informed me how to talk with purpose and that my words have power behind them, trained me to keep going when the race gets tough, even when everyone is cheering on the person next to me. Finally, they educated me on the strength of government and the power of the people.
I: What issues do you advocate for in the senate? AM: As speaker of the senate, I remind myself my
job isn’t to advocate for specific issues, I must support senators to put pieces on the table that matter to the students and facilitate conversation about topics that are important to students. My primary duty is to ensure our conversation is germane, pertains to students, and ensures our senators are working with integrity. Best stated under Title 1 Chapter 101 Section 2 of the Statue of the Associated Students “The Senate shall elect from its membership a Speaker of the Senate who shall act as Chair of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight.”
I: What are the worst and best parts about being speaker? AM: The worst part is for sure
having to follow Nevada open meeting law and post agendas all over campus just for nobody to read them. It is at times a waste of paper (bad for the environment) and knowing that students pass a document I: Why did you run for speaker? Are you enjoying that has so much information it? concerning them, is devastatAM: I wanted to challenge myself and become un- ing to me and should change. comfortable once again. For a while I found myself However, one of the best parts to be content, but that’s no way to learn and grow is when senators get so inin an environment. Some flowers need optimal volved with their colleges they weather conditions to create beautiful blooms that begin to make a difference. last through an entire season. I think that shows a Watching students grow and lot to an individual in adapting to your environmake an impact on our campus ment and overcoming it to become your best self. is the best gift of all. Knowing I also wanted to give voice to those that I have that I have given students the seen be silent for so long, and I do everything in tools to achieve greater heights my power to ensure the senate table is welcoming gives me the confidence that I to all! Conservative, liberal, moderate, or anarhave done my job right. chist! You are all welcomed to the table! INSIGHT 32
I: What kind of impact do you want the 86th Session to have on the university? What kind of changes do you hope to implement? AM: I hope the 86th Session can learn from past mistakes and build an environment that welcomes all to ASUN. I no longer want a stereotype around the association because every single student at the institution pays into the association, and all deserve to be represented in some capacity. I also hope legislation comes to the table to make an everlasting impact. Finally, I hope to impact not only the student body's minds but their hearts as well.
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YOUR GUIDE TO THE
NEVADA MIDTERMS Words by: Taylor Avery Illustrations by: Elizabeth Pearson
“If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don’t bother to vote, you are in effect voting of the entrenched establishments of the two major parties...In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some diehard’s vote.” -David Orster Wallace It’s everybody’s favorite season: the one where someone asks if you’re registered to vote at least three times a day, and every other TV commercial is one candidate bashing the other. It’s the midterms, which means that Nevadans have the opportunity to change the leadership both in our state government and in the U.S. Congress. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, the U.S.’s voter turnout rate falls behind that of the other members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, most of which are developed and democratic. Combine that with the fact that the voter turnout for midterm elections is even lower than that of presidential election years, and you’re looking at very little civic engagement. Voting as a college student is important. Making voting a priority at a young age solidifies it as a positive habit that you will be more likely to engage in as you get older. College-aged and young Americans make up a huge part of the electorate, but they have some of the lowest voter turnout rates. Their participation has the power to influence election results, especially in a way that could prove favorable to their age group. This means lower college tuition and loan interest rates, LGBTQ+ rights, decreasing the cost of living, and many other policy issues. Voting can be difficult. You want to make the right choices, but researching each candidate means sifting through the smear campaigns by the opposition and the sugar coating done by the supporters. The following is a list of the races of Nevada, including the candidates and their parties. At the end of end of list, there are a few resources that can help you get more information on the following candidates. Races not covered include state executive offices (treasurer, controller, State Board of Regents), State Senate (11 seats up for election, out of 21), State Assembly (all 42 seats up for election), local judges, school boards, and municipal races. INSIGHT 34
eat): s 1 lass publican C ( e t Sena r is the Re U.S. rent elle r H u c n a d . De te an this seat cratic a d i d r emo r. can bent fo D e h t lle incum Rosen is nging He e y Jack ate chall id cand Governo r: Perhaps on seats, th e of the most v is e govern or’s race ible Democr atic can pits didate Steve Si so candida lak against Rep te Adam ublican Laxalt.
r: Governo t n a n e t ocratic m e Lieu D e h t rshall, st Kate Ma ng again i n n u r s i e, candidat berson, the Ro or Michael didate, f n a c n a c Republi . this seat Atto rn Dem ey Gen e o Repu crat Aar ral: o b are r lican W n Ford a unni e ng fo sley Du nd n r thi s se can at.
State: Secretary of idate Nelson d n a c c ti ra c Demo e allenging th Araujo is ch Republican t, n e b m u c in , est Aldridge rn E te a id d n ca for this seat.
ict 1: tic r t s i use D Democra o H . U.S itus, the current er T e Dina ate, is th is seat. H , the y h id cand bent for t ce Bentle y incum nger is Jo idate. d e chall lican can b Repu
t 3: U.S. House Distric rat, is Susie Lee, a Democ running against Danny Tarkanian, is seat. a Republican, for th
U.S. House District 2: Mark Amodei, the Republica n candidate, is the current incumbent for this seat. Clint Koble, his challenger, is the Democratic candidat e. U.S. House District 4: Both Steven Horsford, the Democratic candidate, and Cresent Hardy, the Republ ican candidate, have held this position in the past and ar e now both running for the se at.
a ourt: C is Eliss C e t i em Supr g for Sea Tao. Abb d for in e ry Runn and Jer unoppos idia h L g s Cadi is runnin Court F. eat e r rS Silve a Suprem bent fo d um Neva h the inc by ic Stigl hallenged c G, is w Harter. e Math
RESOURCES
VOTE
Ballotpedia was used for most of the research for the races covered in the article. It is a site that covers most of the races in your state and provides stats from the primaries and information about each of the candidates, including a link to their campaign websites. It also has information about the ballot measures. OpenSecrets.org has information about the money involved with the Congressional seats, including where the money comes from and where it goes. FactCheck.org is also focused more on U.S. politics as a whole, but they check the accuracy of what politicians say in ads, interviews, press releases, and more. Vote411.org has information not only about candidates and ballot information, but also election dates, information on polling places, and more. 35 INSIGHT
UNR’S CAMPUS RESOURCES Words by Carena Doyle Photos by Robert Nuñez Illustration by Elizabeth Pearson
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here are many free resources on campus ready to aid undergraduate students in their academic, financial, and emotional endeavors — yet many students don’t know about or choose to utilize them. Here are some of the great organizations at the student body’s fingertips. The University Writing and Speaking Center: The UWSC is open six days a week to assist with all types of writing, from a lab report to a personal statement. In addition, the UWSC provides support for ideas, speeches, and presentations related to public speaking. Located on the third floor of the PSAC in suite 350, this center offers writing feedback through conversation rather than the standard red-pen-edited work that can be one-sided in an academic setting. The Math Center: UNR’s students know math can be challenging — but a lot less so with the help from the Math Center. Open six days a week right across from the Writing and Speaking Center, the Math Center allows for one-on-one assistance, class-wide review sessions, and a friendly environment that students can thrive in to promote success in their math-related courses. The Tutoring Center: Also on the third floor of the PSAC sits the Tutoring Center, an organization dedicated to helping students learn a variety of subjects. Through 50-minute sessions, study groups, and walk-in appointments, the Tutoring Center offers assistance for subjects ranging from business to foreign language from experienced, high-achieving students. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center: Stress can get to even the most dedicated students, and many find relief in exercising at the gym. The E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an expansive 108,000 square foot space equipped with basketball courts, cardio equipment, a weightlifting area, and a 1/8th mile running track. In addition, they offer drop-in classes including acroyoga, Zumba, CrossFit, and more. The Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center: The campus library, more often referred to as the KC, is an expansive building that offers databases, book checkout, and computers equipped with Adobe Creative Cloud. Perhaps most important, the library offers areas for quiet study, so you can feel ready for tests in an environment free of the distractions
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of campus life. The KC is open seven days a week and is large enough to accommodate for the influx of students cramming for exams right around finals. Counseling Services: Students cope with many things during their collegiate years, and Counseling Services are available to all students who need an extra hand. With group therapy, self-help resources, outreach activities, and individual counseling, students are able to seek help with stress, grief, and other circumstances in order to promote academic and personal success. Students are able to make an appointment, complete an anonymous, personal health screening, or experience the virtual relaxation room through visiting unr.edu/
counseling. Student Health Center: The university’s Student Health Center is no stranger to campus flu season or the strange cough developed from life in a dorm, but rather, offers resources to prevent and remedy health concerns. Students are able to make free, one-on-one consultations by phone to assess any health issue in total anonymity. In addition, the Student Health Center offers free flu shots around campus, and will post their immunization dates and locations online starting in October. Complete with a fully stocked pharmacy and an efficient, same-day appointment system, students are able to tend to their healthy quickly and easily. 37 INSIGHT
Ghost Words by Josie Steehler Designs by Kellie Sasso and Andrea Heerdt
“Have you ever ghosted anyone?” I asked a male, 19-year-old, business finance major at the university. “Yes,” he replied with suspicion in his voice. “Why?” I replied with more interest now because the truth of his ghosting experience was about to be unveiled. “You start talking to someone, and you think they’re attractive yet you have nothing in common, so you’re like ‘fuck that’,” he said. His empathy was obviously off the charts. Millennial dating culture claims a surplus of hookups and a regress in ‘humanity’ according to those who have a moral compass from the 1980’s. There is little to no value in the type of connection that is being pursued on the surface level, and the impatience of this generation is proven through our serial dating habits. These habits have shown again and again how young people in the university setting have come to terms with the relationships that they value and the relationships that they see as failing their standards for continuing interaction and the patience it takes to open up to someone. INSIGHT 38
A male, 21-year-old community health science major at the university explains his reasoning behind ghosting. “I’ll ghost a girl sometimes if I feel like she doesn’t really deserve an answer from me, but if I feel someone is special or I’m into her enough I’ll be straight up,” he said. Sometimes you don’t have to have done anything for someone to ghost you. It is simply because they are disinterested in what is being offered and were simply exploring you as an option on their quest for someone that they really connect with. This is what everyone has done since the beginning of dating and courtship, but college students through their serial ghosting makes this truth so much more harsh and damaging. And isn’t this what most people are doing in the dating world? Searching for an undiscovered feeling of joy or someone to connect with, and to involve themselves with on an alternate plane than all other relationships? “I ghosted a guy that I dated for four months because his stress became my stress, and I thought that it was too much for me to deal with. I couldn't handle the way that he relied on me so heavily in an emotional capacity after meeting not so long ago,” admitted a 21-year-old female senior at the university. There doesn’t always have to be an emotional edge to the reason why people ghost, there are also people who ghost for sport and see a potential hook-up in everyone sexually appealing and able to handle a conversation long enough to create interest.
Mode You build something up, you make it your own, and once you’re finished with it you’re like, 'yeah I’m done',” said the first source (19-year-old male) about his venture in the realm of ghosting.
Read 12:25 AM Can ghosting be the answer to self-actualization? Being ghosted sure can make someone reflect on the choices they make, the people they interact with, and the way they view themselves.
“If I have too much other shit to deal with then I’ll be like 'OK bye,' but like without saying bye,” said Ashley, a 21-year-old accounting and finance major at the university.
Although being ghosted isn’t requested it can lead to the happiness that is accompanied with a better understanding of yourself.
There is also the victim’s side of ghosting. The side that the ghost never gets to see unless they have experienced being the victim before.
Of course, this happens only after suffering from the traumatic experience of feeling connected to someone only for you to understand that they dropped you like a freaking mic.
If you have experienced both sides, then you know that ghosting takes a toll on both individuals, and it affects the way that they view their successes with relationships of all kinds. A 21-year-old female living in California shares her story of being ghosted, “I dated a guy for three months who stopped talking to me. He lived a floor below me in the dorms, and the day he stopped talking to me he posted a picture of him kissing his ex girlfriend.” “How did you feel after he did this?” I asked trying to understand how a victim of ghosting feels immediately and for a time thereafter. “I felt confused, abandoned in a way. I also felt like I didn’t mean anything to anyone. It made me a little cold for a while, but I kept looking for someone who would actually give me the time of day and treat me how I deserve,” she continued to explain.
Ghosting has been happening to people since before cellphones were created. Remember the 2000’s rom-coms where the antagonist never shows up and leaves the beautiful girl weeping? Well, that scenario has already happened to so many people in real life. We college students and fellow millennials are living in such a connected and communication driven realm where it is too easy to dehumanize the person on the other side of the screen. There isn’t an hour of the day when I look around my present environment and don’t see someone on their phone. I wonder who are they talking to? How did they meet them? Where is the reliability in the relationship or if it will even exist tomorrow?
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LIFESTYLE
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Photo by Mads Miller
Shopaholics not so anonymous Words by Josie Steehler Illustration by Erin Lucas
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ven with a closet full of clothes, I can never find something to wear. I find myself sitting in class envisioning outfits and collaborations of what I own with an imaginary item and going out to find it to add to my collection of fashion. I am addicted to the ideas in my head about what I want and where I can actualize these ideas to bring them to life. Cotton is an addiction of mine, and swiping my card to acquire it is second nature to me as part of a fashion hungry generation. I am well aware that I should be saving my money for a rainy day, or as my parents would much rather prefer, for a successful future. But I am sadly an addict, a victim, if you will, to the high that is accompanied by feeling and looking my best in the things that I purchase and wear. This feeling is common amongst other versions of shopaholics. But what is a shopaholic? Can a shopping addiction be measured by the amount of clothes you have in your closet? The numbers in your bank account? Maybe it is the amount of technology that you own or the number of books you have lining your wall. This is the mystery behind shopaholics, it isn’t just fashion or clothes, it seems to be an addiction of anything you can spend your money on. A shopaholic is defined as “a compulsive shopper” by Google Dictionary. What is compulsive though? Kat Sanchez, 19, a sophomore
at the university tells me that she shops repetitively every two weeks for clothing, but if she sees something in between the time period of her shopping sprees she’ll pick it up without question. Sanchez classifies herself as a shopaholic, and for a college student I suppose her self-classification is correct through her eyes as well as many others who are struggling to look good, yet are trying to afford to keep up with the rest of the college atmosphere. Many female college students here
our shopping endeavors even though this is not always the priority. While collegiate women shoppers are more interested in items like clothing and beauty materials, it is clear that collegiate men are shoppers, too, but in a completely different capacity. Tyler Duke, 21, a senior at the university tells me that he spends the majority of his money on eating out, and a similar answer arose when I spoke to Corey Sondgroth, 24, a nursing student at Truckee Meadows Community College. Sondgroth explained, “It is hard to save money because I eat out so much.” Could a compulsive eating out habit be a form of shopaholism? Is a foodie just another version of a shopaholic? It seems as though it may be another form of coercion we impose on ourselves and seems to be uncontrollable in the light of all the things that money can buy to satisfy our watering mouths. There is also another form of shopaholism, where you are addicted to going out just to see things and feel the items that could potentially be yours day-to-day, but not spending until you see the exact thing that you want. “I go shopping everyday, but I don’t spend money everyday. I wait until I find what I need and what I want in an item, piece of clothing, or whatever else may be on my mind for purchase at the time.” Says Chelsey Gray, 25, a hairstylist in the Reno area. What makes people want to shop so much? Is it fitting in? Being happy with material items? Maybe it is using these material items to make us feel better. Shopping feeds my soul, it gives me the opportunity to create outfits, find myself, and be something brand new with every purchase. There is a strong feeling connected with getting something new, I feel new. I am recreated from a retail haven upon each purchase, and that is why I will never stop shopping despite the college student struggle to maintain three digits in my checking account.
I AM ADDICTED TO THE IDEAS IN MY HEAD ABOUT WHAT I WANT AND WHERE I CAN ACTUALIZE THESE IDEAS TO BRING THEM TO LIFE.
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at the university are the most interested in items that feed into self-love, self-appreciation, and fanciful food to assuage their need to shop along with their want to feel new and remarkable through their purchases. This is what I have learned through what I purchase and why I purchase things as well. Hasha Daswani, 20, a senior at the university also classifies herself as a shopaholic in terms of buying clothing and makeup. “During the summer I would shop weekly, usually thrifting, but now that school is in session I am not doing it as much, but I like to buy things that make me feel pretty,” she said. College shoppers are a different breed. While we still may have the impulses to buy items that a woman with a sugar daddy does, we have to be economical and minimalistic in
WHAT KIND OF A shopaholiAREYO? you shopaholic
1. How often do you buy new shoes? A.) Every time I see a pair I like. I am out of control. B.) Every few months or so. I might need a pair for a job, or I might treat myself to something I’ve had my eye on for a while and know I really want. C.) Once a year. I wear the same pair all year until my mom buys me a new pair. 2. Would you rather buy sushi for dinner or buy a new outfit for a night downtown? A.) Sushi, I have a closet full of clothes at home. B.) Clothes, I gotta look fuego if I’m going to see Taylor tonight. (; C.) Neither, I am allergic to fish, and I hate everyone. 3. You’re going to meet the Kardashians, what do you wear? A.) The best I have I guess, but I just hope their asses are as big as they are in photos!!! B.) OMG. I guess I have to charge all of Kylie’s cosmetics to my credit card. #RIPME but it HAS to be done. C.) I’m meeting who? 4. The iPhone XXXtentacion (may he rest in peace, and live long in the hands of Apple users everywhere) is coming out. It costs $1,587. What do you do? A.) Spend my money somewhere else. All of these phones do the same thing. B.) I’m in line two days before it drops, Apple and I are one. C.) #ANDROIDGANG 5. When you go grocery shopping, how much do you plan to spend? A.) I don’t grocery shop. My mom sends me boxes of food, so I never have to leave the house. B.) I aim to spend around $30 to $40 for the week, so that I can get the perfect amount of food and save money for Friday a.k.a my designated day to shop. C.) I eat out for almost every meal, and if I don’t then I will probably lay in my bed and starve.
add up your points for your results 51 points and up You are addicted to going into malls, pursuing the sale rack, and shopping day of for an event you heard about an hour ago. You realize that there is money in your bank account that can go towards better things, yet you still sip your Starbucks while slinging three shopping bags over your shoulder. Most of the things you buy are going to contribute to your positive self-esteem, and will let you look hot AF in that selfie you know you’re going to take. You never know when the world is going to end, so you might as well spend the money you have now while you still have it. 26-50 points You are mainly addicted to social spending, yet you are still spending just as much as the self-serving shopaholic above. While your purchases consist of In-N-Out, bowling shoes, movie tickets, tacos and beer it is apparent you aren’t repeatedly seeking out spending to your self gain, although you may still do so on an inconsistent, less indulgent scale. Then again, Nike just dropped the Veto 18’s fully animated with X’s covering a portrait of Trump on the bottom of the shoe, and you’re feeling awfully political on this particular day… #treatyoself 25 points and bellow You obviously have no interest in fashion, trends or even leaving the house. It is clear that you may have lived under a rock for at least a month and have rejoined society recently enough to venture out and find friends, but not enough to spend any money on them. You are dedicated to Netflix, school, work, and finding happiness in nature. You do spend money on some things, but it is very rare, and they are all practical purchases; ones that are necessary like toothpaste and condoms. You will probably be the person who rules the world and smites anyone who has done you dirty, especially the people who sent you to live under that rock. 43 INSIGHT
Scoring: 1.) a: +15; b: +10; c:+5 2.) a: +10; b: +15; c:+5 3.) a: +10; b: +15; c:+5 4.) a: +15; b: +10; c:+5 5.) a: +5; b: +15; c:+10
The BIGGEST LITTLE Bucket List Words and Photo by Andrea Heerdt
1 TAKE A PICTURE UNDER THE ARCH It may sound cheesy at first, but if you ever move out of Reno you'll thank yourself for capturing a photo of you and your friends smiling in front of the arch. Aww.
2 JOIN AT LEAST ONE CLUB OR ORGANIZATION It takes courage to meet new friends and join a new group of people, but as a senior I can promise you that joining a club or org will help you make some great friends and memories. I know I have working on this magazine with my best buds.
3 PUT YOUR BOTTLE BY MACKAY STATUE DURING FINALS WEEK Many students place a bottle of their choosing in front of the Mackay statue during prep day in hopes of being blessed with good luck on their finals.
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4 PARTICIPATE IN HALLOWEEKEND Besides when you're a kid, college is one of the only other times in your life when it's acceptable to go all out on your costume. Halloweekend is typically a fourday nonstop party many students participate in.
5 ENJOY MIMOSAS AT THE WAL BEFORE GRADUATION Many students like to enjoy one last hoorah before walking at graduation. The tradition: drink mimosas the morning of your commencement ceremony with your friends at The Little Waldorf.
6 EAT AN "AWFUL AWFUL"AT THE NUGGET Head down to the Nugget to enjoy this half-pound burger that's been around Northern Nevada for over 60
years. It's known for being awful big and awful good.
7 DRINK A LATTE AT HUB COFFEE ROASTERS Whether it's a study pick-me-up or just want to sip on a fancy drink while enjoying views of downtown and the river head to Hub Coffee Roasters to enjoy the best coffee in town (in my opinion). My favorite? The vanilla latte.
8 SPEND YOUR 21ST BIRTHDAY AT BREW BROTHERS
Probably the most embarrassing thing on the list. I'd elect to get this one over with your freshman year when you haven't fully grasped the agony of this one. Besides the obvious point of running around campus in your underwear, keep in mind you still have to make the walk of shame back to your dorm or car without pants on.
13 EAT AT THE DC AT LEAST ONCE Whether you've suffered through a whole year eating here or have had a friend "swipe you in" every UNR student should experience DC food at least once.
14 SEE THE BALLOON RACES
This place is notoriously known for identifying and taking fake IDs. That being said it's also a popular spot to go on your 21st birthday when you can officially enjoy that alcoholic drink.
With a large portion of the student population being from Las Vegas, many of us haven't experienced a real snow storm. Grab some of that powdery white stuff that fell from the sky and throw it at one of your friends after class.
If you're new to Reno you probably woke up one day and saw dozens of hot air balloons flying around and wondered what the hell was happening. This my friends, is the balloon race. For a whole weekend in September hot air balloons are launched from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and float around Reno's skies for hours.
15 DO A BAR CRAWL 9 ATTEND A UNLV VS 11 FLOAT DOWN THE UNR GAME Zombie Crawl, Santa Crawl, TRUCKEE RIVER Leprechaun Crawl? Yep, Reno's got Nothing like a good rivalry, am I right? Whether it's football, basketball, or any other sport put on some silver and blue and cheer on the Wolf Pack.
10 HAVE A SNOWBALL FIGHT ON CAMPUS
You're not allowed to call yourself a true Reno native until you've floated down the Truckee River and bruised yourself on a dozen rocks on the way down the rapids.
them all, baby. With the purchase of a fancy plastic cup those 21 and older can enjoy Reno's bar scene without paying covers and with discounted drink prices.
12 DO THE UNDIE RUN 45 INSIGHT
OPINION
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Photo by Andrea Heerdt
SuckIt Up THE BANNING OF PLASTIC STRAWS
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Words by Meghan Frasier
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Photos by Kellie Sasso ecently, environmentalists have been pushing major companies to rid their stores of plastic straws. Yet, there are other issues stemming from the banning of straws. The hot debate was thrusted into the light once the coffee tycoon, Starbucks, announced it was going to be removing single-use straws from their locations after a video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose went viral. The video struck a nerve in many environmentalists, and soon the movement to ban plastic straws was born. After Starbucks stuck their foot out, smaller companies began to follow. It is evident that any non-recyclable products used damage the environment, but is the banning of plastic straws really in Earth’s favor? While outlawing plastic straws gets rid of one problem, it presents a whole new one. Replacing straws means that coffee shops would need to find an alternative sipping method. Many have already turned to Starbucks’ idea: using plastic lids. Does anyone else see the problem here? If the goal is to get rid of plastic, why substitute it with more plastic? Eliminating plastic straws only solves a small percentage of the world’s plastic pollution problem, especially when there are bigger pollutants that affect more life in the sea. The intentions of this ban are coming from the right place but lack thorough planning. There are alternative solutions that food vendors could use in order to save the environment. It is possible for customers to carry their own reusable straws, but let’s face it: it’s not very convenient. When convenience is what sells, this is not a good tactical business move. Instead, these companies can offer recyclable paper straws. This still gives the public the chance to use straws, while still taking the environment into consideration. Some businesses have already
adopted the use of paper straws, such as Lake Tahoe’s very own Riva Grill. Throughout the restaurant you can spot these straws sticking out of their signature “Wet Woodies.” Banning plastic straws barely minimizes the pollution in the environment, yet it harshly affects society. There are people with motor function disabilities who cannot drink without the aid of straws. The removal of plastic straws isolates these people from everyday events, like going out to lunch. Both causes are valid, but one should not overrule the other. Society should not be arguing over whether the environment or people with disabilities are more important. Instead of bickering over one solution, there should be a movement to find something that is inclusive of both parties. It’s true that plastic straws do contribute to the planet’s pollution, but according to Get Green Now, they are only the seventh most found trash in our ocean. This means there are six other types of trash in the ocean that we could be focusing on, such as cigarettes, food wrappers, plastic bottles, bottle caps, grocery bags, and other plastic bags. One of the main pollutants that society should be focusing on are “ghost nets.” This is fishing gear that has been left in the ocean due to misuse of safety procedures and what causes so much harm to our ocean wildlife. Yet, corporations tend to latch onto smaller issues, such as plastic straws. The mortality rate of sea creatures could be drastically decreased if efforts were more focused on bigger pollutants, like these “ghost nets.” While plastic straws are unarguably bad for our ecosystems, there are still bigger fish to fry. The fight for cleaner environments is an ongoing battle. Yet, the war will not be won until the bigger battles have been won. The fight over plastic straws now has a backbone, all it needs now is muscle to go with it. Once a solution is found that can benefit everyone, nature and mankind alike, is when the battle will truly be won.
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THE PROBLEM WITH INSATIABLE Words by Maggie Schmutz Illustrations by Andrea Heerdt
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he first time I remember looking in the mirror and deciding that my appearance needed a total overhaul was in the 8th grade. The idea was planted in my brain by the movies and TV shows about girls that left for the summer and came back to school looking effortlessly beautiful. In a terribly edited makeover montage, these girls straightened their curly hair, made the switch from contacts to glasses, and lost the frumpy clothes and therefore the appearance of extra weight. In the end, the camera would zoom in on them walking victoriously through the school hallway, backpack slung carelessly over one shoulder. After their transformation, they were noticed by their crushes, loved by their peers, and could finally stand up to their bullies. It was as if the past version of themselves never existed, and suddenly they were beautiful. This is what I wanted. Every summer I would dream about a new wardrobe, a stylish haircut, and counting calories. I would decide that this year was going to be the year I was finally beautiful. But money, time, and low self-esteem were my enemies INSIGHT 50
in this battle against my frizzy hair, acne, stomach, and thick thighs, and it never quite worked out the way I wanted it to. I would lose a couple pounds and then gain them back during the school year. I would go to the hairdresser picturing a completely new style and walk out with a trim. And I would start school with the same sense of
style and even lower self-esteem. It was a cruel example of expectation versus reality. At the time, I felt like I was the only girl who was feeling this way, unaware that almost every other girl at my school saw themselves as a failing protagonist of their own high school
movie. As I grew up I learned that these experiences were not unique. In fact, these experiences are growing more and more common. Young girls are having to consider their looks more than ever as they face a world of social media and personal branding. A study in the Journal of Media Psychology found that, “Exposure to manipulated Instagram photos directly led to lower body image.” A 2013 study done by the Dove Self Esteem Project found that 47 percent of girls age 11-14 refused to take part in school activities that would show their body in any way. However, it hasn’t all been bad. There’s more conversation surrounding body image and body positivity, and as a plus sized person, it’s honestly refreshing to see more bodies like mine in media. Up until a few months ago, I felt like we were making progress in slowly pulling ourselves out of the hole the social media is working so hard to dig. Then I saw the trailer for Insatiable. Insatiable is the story of Patty, an overweight high schooler who ends up having her jaw broken and is put on a liquid diet. She loses 70 pounds over the summer and comes back “hot” and ready for revenge. Like most of the Internet, I was upset. I felt like the media was making
progress, like we were confronting our issues regarding image. We had underwear ad campaigns using plus sized models, brands refusing to touch up cellulite in Photoshop, and women going makeup free on the cover of magazines. Weren‘t we past fat suits and extreme weight loss storylines? I guess not. I decided to watch the first episode of the show, and I was shocked by what I saw. I tried to go into it open minded after the trailer. Maybe it would actually make fun of the “being skinny solved all my problems” plot line. Maybe it would subvert the typical high school power structure and make a statement about body shaming. It didn’t do either of those things. In the first episode we’re introduced to Patty. She’s overweight and has been for most of her life. Patty only
The false accusation that he’s sexually assaulted his client (who is a minor) is a key plot point in his story, and it feels especially wrong considering what’s happening with the #metoo movement. It seems at least a little inconsiderate to write a subplot about someone being falsely accused of sexual harassment to hurt him when there’s a lot of people saying that’s essentially what’s happening within the movement. It just didn’t sit right with me. The two characters are brought together when Patty punches a homeless man for calling her fat, and then gets punched in return and has her jaw broken. Bob, desperate after having his reputation ruined, takes her case pro bono. Originally Bob hopes to get Patty a plea deal, but then he sees that the liquid diet she’s been on has caused her
WEREN‘T WE PAST FAT SUITS AND EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS STORYLINES? has one friend, Nonnie, who is obviously in love with her. We’re also introduced to Robert “Bob” Armstrong Jr., a lawyer and failing beauty pageant coach who was just falsely accused of sexually assaulting one of his beauty queen clients. Patty is immediately unlikeable. She sees everyone at her school as an enemy and seems to blow off the fact that she has an incredibly loyal albeit lovesick friend in Nonnie. She also just doesn’t look like a plus sized teenager. Sure, she has a prosthetic chin and what appears to be lumpy padding stuffed under her shirt, but she doesn’t look overweight. She looks like a thin girl playing a fat girl in a high school play, which is almost what’s actually happening. Bob isn’t a lot better. Bob is the character that made me realize that the harmful jokes in this show didn’t only extend to fat people.
to lose 70 pounds. He decides to have her plead not guilty because, “Pretty girls don’t have to settle.” Gross. Patty starts to fall for Bob, seeing him as her knight in shining armor. When Nonnie points out how terrible that is because he’s, “A child molester,” Patty responds saying that, “Means [she] might actually have a shot.” I had to pause the show there and honestly weigh the pros and cons of carrying on watching. I was able to finish the episode, but did so in a state of permanent cringe. I could see what they were trying to do. They really wanted this to be a dark, edgy, and satirical comedy, but it never felt like satire. It just felt stereotypical, mean, and tasteless. I didn’t want to watch the next episode. Yet it’s been renewed for a second season. I can’t help but feel discouraged by the existence of a show like Insatiable.
As someone who has struggled with loving her body as a plus sized woman, seeing a show where the main character’s problems are fixed when she almost magically loses weight hurts. It hurts knowing that we’re still at a place where a show that makes binge eating disorders, sexual assault claims, and the diverse identities of its characters into jokes can be renewed for a second season. Even though I feel discouraged, I still have hope. I see new dialogues around body positivity popping up online almost daily, and on the days that I feel the worst about myself, seeing parents tweet about teaching their children to love themselves and videos about the plus size models succeeding in the fashion industry makes me feel better. It gives me hope that one day, instead of shows about sudden makeovers and extreme weight loss, we’ll have shows where young girls can see a protagonist that’s portrayed as happy and beautiful, no matter their shape or size.
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