Jerk December 2021 by Jerk Magazine

December 2021 Vol XIX Issue 2 Syracuse, New York Your student fee

THE DECEMBER ISSUE

Gorgeous, gorgeous girls love Jerk.

Jerk girls are the hottest girls who overwork.

@jerkmagazine

jerkmagazine.net

Pearl Cadigan EDITOR IN CHIEF

Callen Moore & Lucinda Strol

Zoe Glasser

Kyra Surgent & Hayden Ginder

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

DIGITAL DIRECTORS

EDITORIAL FOB EDITOR: Sarah Dolgin ASST. FOB EDITOR: Bella Young OPINION EDITOR: Megan Adams ASST. OPINION EDITOR: Noah Estling FEATURES EDITOR: Eden Stratton ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: Car Shapiro GAWK EDITOR: Liz Goldblatt ASST. GAWK EDITORS: Molly Sheuer,

Makenna John, Ava Lahijani

GAWK HEAD DESIGNER: Jacieon Williams GAWK MARKETING COORDINATORS: Rachel Price,

Noa Putman

DIGITAL DESIGN DIRECTORS: Tanner Hogan, Lucinda Strol DESIGNERS: Alexa Kroln, Ande Wittenmeier,

Bailey Krestchmer, Catie Hangen, Sophie Beney, Valerye Hidalge Garcia, Natalie D’Alto, Lynn Fay, Kelly Kringen VIDEO DIRECTORS: Ambre Winfrey, Jonah Sierra SOCIAL DIRECTORS: Katie Murray,

Hayley Miller, Allie D’Angelo

SOCIAL DESIGN DIRECTORS: Sophia Pappas,

Grace Denton

SOCIAL TEAM: Taylor Creel, Carley DellaRatta

CREATIVE

GAWK STYLE TEAM: Zoë Boise, Libby Dy, Bailey Davis

DESIGN DIRECTOR: Lilly Chidlaw-Mayen

GAWK PHOTOGRAPHER: Ben Piers

DESIGNERS: Bridget Overby, Anika Dua,

GAWK MUA: Afton Serviss, August Fegley NOISE EDITOR: Margo Moran ASST. NOISE EDITORS: Katie Ferreira, Isabel Beleke

WRITERS

Russell Tom Sun, Julia Reedy, Molly Egan, Lily Menk, Megan Cooper, Aryaan Anand, Luke Maddren, Audrey Weisburd, Kaelie Macaulay, Brooke Blackwell, Bryan Fletcher, Grayce Nichols, Julia Fesser

Olivia LaCour, Kasey O’Rourke

ILLUSTRATORS: Sam Currier, Emma Wachsmith,

Lang Delapa, Emma Beauchemin, Sophie Sternkopf, Marisa Goldberg, Jenny Katz, Anika Dua PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR: Surya Vaidy PHOTOGRAPHERS: Bridget Overby, Jyonosuke (JJ)

Tanaka, Lucy Messineo-Witt, Gabriella Nagy, Megan Townsend, Katelyn Hughes, Sophie Cohen ADVERTISING

FRESHMAN INTERNS

Sadiya Kherani, Naimah Rahman, Eva Balisteri, Nikia Williams, Ilhy Gomez del Campo

PR MANAGER: Samiddha Singh PR STAFF: Nina Salvio, Giana DiTolla, Grace Guido

Melissa Chessher ADVISOR

Through its content, Jerk is dedicated to enhancing insight through communication by providing an informal platform for the freedom of expression. The writing contained within this publication expresses the opinions of the individual writers. The opinions expressed herein are not those of Syracuse University, the Office of Student Activities, the Student Association, or the student body. Additionally, the ideas presented in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Jerk Editorial Board. Furthermore, Jerk will not be held responsible for the individual opinions expressed within. Submissions, suggestions, and opinions are welcomed and may be printed without contacting the writer. Jerk reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions at the discretion of its editors. Jerk Magazine is published monthly during the Syracuse University academic year. All contents of the publication are copyright 2021 by their respective creators. No content may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the Jerk Editorial Board.

JERK THIS JERK 3–21

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR When I was younger, I was a diligent rule follower. I once got caught by a teacher forging my mom’s signature in my planner, and I straight up cried in front of my entire class — yeah, I was that kid — because I felt so guilty. I’ll save the psychoanalyzing for my therapist, but, for whatever combination of reasons, I consistently obeyed rules and boundaries to an extreme. As much as I (along with the rest of the Jerk team) would love to never write another word about COVID for the rest of my life, it’s undeniable that living through a pandemic has impacted each and every one of our boundaries. For some, respecting one’s own physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries became more of a priority. We started saying no, we began acknowledging our bodies’ needs, and we even realized when the f*** it’s time to close out of TikTok for the night (with no help from those irritating reminders — we know we’ve been scrolling for “way too long,” it’s called coping). For others, though, an influx of free time and physical distance allowed pushing boundaries to become a more realistic possibility. Many of us became more confident in expressing our own politics and beliefs. Some of us came to better understand and accept our gender and sexual identities. And, according to a USA Today article, a portion of us even started to experiment within our sex lives. Within this issue, we explore how to push our boundaries and “break rules” in a way that’s safe and respectful to ourselves and others. On pg. 11, explore the do’s and dont’s of kinkplay with us. Read about one student’s experience nude modeling for on-campus illustration classes on

pg. 23, and gain perspective on what it’s like to be the child of an anti-vaxxer on pg. 31. Before you go, check out our true crime package starting on pg. 57 to discover the not-so-obvious dark side of this media craze. While, for the most part, I believe that pushing our own boundaries is a generally positive phenomenon, I also believe that our humanity should always precede our rebellion. So stay well and keep (safely and respectfully) plunging your way into new and exciting spaces. Stay warm and keep Jerkin’,

Pearl Cadigan Editor-In-Chief

JERK THIS FOB

SMUT

BITCH

FEATURES

OPINON

23 Exposed and Empowered

7 Jerk on the Internet

15 Friday Night FOMO

9 Hit/Bitch

17 Queer Dating in College 27 is Worse Than Hell

But wait, there’s more...

Sarah Dolgin & Zoe Glasser

10 December Horoscopes Sarah Dolgin

11 Sex: Drawing The Line So We Can Cross It Margo Moran

13 Framed: Jenna Yang

Sadiya Kherani

Russell Tom Sun

19 Punching Down Noah Estling

21 Group Project Blues

Car Shapiro

31 35

Car Shapiro

Bella Young

14 21 +/- Bourbon Caramel Mulled Wine Sarah Dolgin

The Real Flavor of Syracuse Julia Fesser

To Vaxx or Not To Vaxx Eden Stratton

Bedside Tables

Molly Scheuer & Lucy Messineo-Witt

Don’t Fuck With Writers Bryan Fletcher

BYOC (Bring Your Own Cake) Megan Adams

JERK THIS JERK 3–21

GAWK FASHION

NOISE

ARTS

Out of Place

53 More Than Just a Flannel

Stripped: Dropping Trou

57 Package: True Crime

Form & Function: Femme Fatale

65 Lauren Juzang

Ben Piers & Libby Dy

Liz Goldblatt

Julia Reedy

Closet Case: Grandma’s Best Molly Scheuer

Eden Stratton & Zoe Glasser

Aryaan Anand, Kaelie Macaulay, Katie Ferreira, Megan Cooper

Margo Moran

66 Y/N

Naimah Rahman

Listen to Jerk’s weekly podcast, Hit and Bitch — where Zoë, Emma, and Kenny discuss the things you hate to love and love to hate — on Spotify today!

Jerk Magazine is exploring new ways to compliment our print mag. Find additional content on social media and our website jerkmagazine.net.

JERK 3–21

Bringing you the latest and the littest @jerkmagazine

JERK THIS

JERK ON THE INTERNET

HIT

Words by Sarah Dolgin

What we love GEMINID METEOR SHOWER DECEMBER 13 We don’t know about you, but we’ve felt like this whole semester has been in retrograde. And what could be better for cleansing the astronomically bad vibes than a meteor shower. Don’t forget to peer out of your sneaky link’s window to see it peak at 2 a.m.

MOTHER/ANDROID MOVIE DECEMBER 17 Do we really need another movie about technology taking over the world and trying to kill us? We think not. Not only is this humans vs. artificial intelligence trope overplayed, but it’s also getting a bit too real for our liking. Elon Musk, this is us officially asking you to destroy Tesla Bot — seriously, haven’t you ever seen G-Force?

WINTER BREAK DECEMBER 18 We only need two words for this one: Thank. God. There must have been something in the faculty water supply this semester because we have literally never been assigned more intense work in our lives. We need every second of break to recover from the third-degree burnout.

CAPRICORN SEASON DECEMBER 22 Maybe it’s because two-thirds of the people who worked on this section are earth signs, but we love a Cap (in most cases). Y’all are cool, smart, and hilariously blunt. Other people may think you’re uptight, but we know that you’re just organized, and we’re hoping to attract some of that energy this szn. [Shameless plug: Read your horoscope for this month on page 10!]

THE LUMINEERS NEW ALBUM, BRIGHTSIDE JANUARY 14 There’s nothing more soothing than the sound of Wesley Schultz’s voice encouraging us to keep our heads up and stop crying over mediocre love interests. While our favorite folk rock band tends to put us in our feels, this album’s optimistic name promises a morale boost (we hope).

JAKE GYLLENHAAL’S BIRTHDAY DECEMBER 19 We know all too well why we should not be celebrating Jake Gyllenhaal’s special day this year, or any year, for that matter. Taylor prepared us to keep our eyes peeled and our scarves tight this cuffing season. We all know Brad and Chad’s lovers will def be staying the same age as freshman Ashley for years to come, and we’d rather not participate.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE DAY DECEMBER 21 Optimism, who? We’d much rather hole up in our drafty apartments for the winter and listen to Mitski’s “I Bet on Losing Dogs” on repeat. Seeing the glass half-full is so overdone these days, and we simply prefer the angsty main character energy we’ve been mastering since our Tumblr phase in 2014.

What we hate

BITCH

TAURUS

GEMINI

Aries, babe, you need to wear a winter jacket. We know it messes up your outfit’s aesthetic, but we promise you’ll look cuter bundled up than you will with hypothermia.

Thoughtful Taurus, stop obsessing over every text message notification. Instead of retreating into negative thoughts, reach out to your people and catch up over an outrageous eight-dollar oat milk latte from Salt City.

Generous Gemini, you are giving so much of your energy — both good and bad — to others. We know you love to stir the pot, but playing both sides can do more harm than good. Do what you do best, and tell it like it is.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Mar. 21 - Apr. 19

Jun. 21 - Jul. 22

Your bursts of creativity have been off the charts lately, dearest Cancer. You are giving both Picasso and HGTV, so all you need to complete the trifecta is to make your academic deadlines.

Apr. 20 - May 20

Jul. 23 - Aug. 22

Leo, stop wallowing in your “sad boi” Spotify playlist. We love Bon Iver, but if you keep listening to “Beach Baby” on repeat, you are going to spontaneously combust.

May 20 - Jun. 20

Aug. 23 - Sep. 22

Virgo, we know you’re on romantic tarot reading TikTok right now, but you need to stop thinking every 5’7” dirty frat boy is your soulmate just because you were virtually dealt the Lovers card. And no, wearing rose quartz to afters isn’t going to change that.

LIBRA

SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Libra, we love you, but you can’t pregame your upcoming family vacation by going to Zoom Tan three times a week. No tanning bed can rid you of the pasty ‘Cuse glow this time of year.

Take a deep breath, Scorpio. We know you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, and we think it may have something to do with the five candles simultaneously burning in your room. It’s hard to stay on track when winter pine and artificial gingerbread are clouding your living space.

The unwavering wind is giving you a natural blush lately, Sagittarius. Who knew that harsh weather would bring out your striking features and spark newfound confidence in yourself.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Capricorn, we don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but your bank account is crying for help. Impulsively buying a month’s worth of groceries from Trader Joe’s just so you can flirt with the employees and then Grubhubbing sushi every night is simply not sustainable.

Aquarius, you have 14,277 unread emails in your inbox, and it is giving us hives. Please, if not for yourself then for us, mark them all as read or delete. Also, you’ve left our Snapchat on delivered for three years — ouch.

Patient Pisces, you’ve been waiting for a sign, and this is it. Karmic compensation is finally coming your way — get that bag from the universe, babe. We aren’t sure if you’ll be rolling in real or metaphorical dough, but we’re hoping for both.

Sep. 23 - Oct. 22

Dec. 21 - Jan. 20

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Words by Sarah Dolgin | Art By Sophie Sternkopf

SAGITTARIUS

Feb. 19 - Mar. 20

JERK 3–21

ARIES

JERK THIS

DECEMBER HOROSCOPES

SEX:

DRAWING THE LINE SO WE CAN CROSS IT Navigating the complexities of collegiate kinkplay, one spank at a time.

Words by Margo Moran Art by Emma Wachsmith

very day, we should be waking up, getting out of bed, staring at ourselves in a mirror coated with a light film of toothpaste, and asking ourselves one question: how can we be having better sex? The answer, for some people, is kinkplay, which can be defined as any sexual practice that exists outside of the norm. This differentiates kinks from fetishes, which are the sexualization of any non-sexual body part or object. Kinks are, in layman’s terms, when you do something/have something done to you that typically isn’t acceptable and it’s really hot. Usually, smacking someone’s ass until there’s a clear red handprint isn’t socially acceptable — in fact, it’s discouraged. Kinks subvert expectations and preconceived notions about what intimacy can be, and that’s what makes them so appealing. There is also something incredibly gratifying about taking on a role that you typically don’t hold outside of

sexual situations; as a submissive person, it can be really hot to make your partner beg, or vice versa. Now that we have a broad understanding of kinkplay to work with, let’s mythbust. People have an unfortunate habit of conflating aggressive, violent sex with kinky sex. Although kinky sex can be aggressive, these ideas are not synonymous with one another. We had the opportunity to discuss kinks with Terri St. George, an Albany-based therapist specializing in maternal and postpartum sex and couples therapy, during which we learned a lot about what kink actually means. “I think we have to understand that kink might have aggressive components, depending if you’re doing pain play, or dominant/submissive stuff, but kink is a culture, and a way of doing sex, that is not just aggressive sex,” St. George said. There is a practice, especially in hookup culture, of just beating your partner up during sex and calling

JERK THIS JERK 3–21

that kinky. Here’s the thing, though: if it’s not safe and existing within previously set boundaries, it’s not kink! Kink is a community, a lifestyle, and always consensual. When it comes to creating boundaries between kink life and non-sexual dynamics in relationships, St. George pointed out that some people agree not to have any separation at all. Kinkplay, especially dominant and submissive dynamics, can be treated as a 24/7 lifestyle, permeating a relationship and existence outside of a couple’s sex life. However, as much as playing out dominant/submissive scenes must be agreed upon, never stopping must also be agreed upon beforehand. St. George said that choking is the most common form of kink play among college students, so much so that it’s become mainstream. Because it’s so common among those outside the kink community, it’s one of the most misused kinks. People may enter into sex without agreeing upon if choking is something that both parties are down with, and call the aggression that ensues “kinky,” when, by definition, it’s not. This shit gets dangerous, especially In college hookup culture. We talked to a Syracuse student, who will remain anonymous, about her experience with unexpected choking. For her, it was a moment of panic, and with no agreed upon safe word or motion, she didn’t know how to shut it down. The

more we sat down with female students, the more universal this experience proved to be. Now we know how to do kink wrong, let’s talk about how to do it right. The greatest asset you can have when entering into kinkplay is being part of the kink community. By being a part of this network, you learn the intricacies of consent in kink and how to properly set boundaries and perform aftercare for your partner to make sure that not only is the sex fantastic, but their wellbeing is, too. St. George advises first-time kink-partakers to do their research. Maybe find your local kink community online to learn about the risks of kink, how to avoid them, and how to ensure that there is explicit consent to every facet of the kinkplay. “You’re going to have to have the best communication you’ve ever had in your relationship if you’re going to embark on wanting to explore kink, because communication is the foundation for safe, kinky play,” she said. In other words, kink is not going to save your fucked relationship; if it starts bad, kink will likely just make it worse. But if you have a clear line of communication and consistent trust with a person, kink can enhance that goodness even more. Kink can have aggressive components, but more largely, and really beautifully, it’s a culture and a way of practicing sex.

FRAMED:

I MAY NOT BE PERFECT, BUT AT LEAST MY NAILS ARE Getting to know the student nail tech who you’re gonna want in your life. Words by Bella Young | Photos by Jenna Yang Looking for a self-employed perfectionist who will sit in her chair for hours to make sure your nails are in pristine condition? Well, she exists, and her name is Jenna Yang (@yangxnails). Yang, a Syracuse University junior studying marketing, recently took up a side hustle as a local nail tech after first exploring the hobby last year. During online learning, she felt she had a lot of free time on her hands and wanted to channel her energy towards her artistic passions. “That’s when I started doing my nails more, I would probably do them every week or two, which is so excessive, but I would switch out the design every week because I would find something I like,” Yang said. Whenever she found a new design she liked, she was eager to try it out for herself. For example, when Kaws Nails, a style based on artist Brian Donnelly’s characters, were trending last year, she dedicated multiple hours to painting the characters perfectly. “I feel like when you really like something, time just doesn’t exist. Sometimes I would sit there and do my nails for five or six hours.” This summer, Yang was encouraged by her friends and family to start profiting off of her talent.

As soon as Yang announced on social media that she would be doing nails on campus, her DMs were flooded with people trying to book appointments. She also gets a lot of business by word of mouth. “People are always wearing my artwork out on their fingers, so if other people see the designs and like it, they will find me,” Yang said. Yang only works with acrylic nails, and she explained that the most popular styles are a solid color or french tip, but she is open to creating any design — the more complicated and intricate, the better! Yang works out of her apartment, turning her personal space into a creative environment. Decked out with fairy lights and the appropriate seasonal decorations, her comfortable and homey space remarkably replicates a more traditional nail salon. Spending hours with clients, Yang has created a welcoming space for students to rant and ask questions. In her time as a nail tech she has been introduced to new faces around campus and even created lasting friendships. “Some people may not understand it, but I love sitting in that chair for hours slowly painting something and then seeing the result at the end. Seeing the final result is so worth it.”

Words by Sarah Dolgin Photo by Katelyn Hughes

It’s time for serotonin-inducing Mariah Carey holiday bops, matching pajama sets, and, most importantly, mulled wine. There’s nothing like a soothing bottle of simmering red to take the edge off and set the mood for much-needed relaxation. Our mulled wine includes a blend of bourbon for your sweet whiskey fix, with a dash of caramel and cinnamon for some festive flavor. You could either channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw with a classic evening wine moment, or go the Don Draper route and commit to a bold whiskey swig, but why not do both?

WHAT YOU WILL NEED • • • •

A Bottle of Red Bourbon Caramel Syrup Cinnamon

RECIPE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Put a pot on the stove at low heat. Add a cup of red wine. Add shot of bourbon. Sweeten with 1.5 tablespoons of caramel syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon to your liking. Heat to a simmer and mix ingredients. Cool and enjoy in your favorite mug!

JERK 3–21

BOURBON CARAMEL MULLED WINE

JERK THIS

21 +/-

FRIDAY NIGHT FOMO Why you shouldn’t feel bad about not wanting to spend your weekend getting $12 drinks spilled on you. Words by Sadiya Kherani Art by Jenny Katz

Unpopular opinion: partying can be boring. It’s the same damn thing every weekend. First, you pregame in a tiny dorm room. Next, you walk outside (with no coat on in 30-degree weather) and hunt for a party — the one time I went “out,” it took a hot second to find a party worth staying at. Then, you drink and drink and drink until you can’t anymore. Finally, you have to figure out how to get back up the Mount stairs drunk out of your mind. Here’s the thing: I’m a freshman. I’ve been here approximately 12 weeks, and I have yet to find an easy escape to the question, ‘do you wanna come to a party with us?’ Time and time again, that’s the only thing anyone ever wants to do. Every Monday, I show up to my classes and the only conversations I hear are about parties. Even though I’ve never had the desire to put on a tiny black top and my dirty old white shoes and drink until I can’t stand upright, the FOMO is still real. Anyone out there who doesn’t party, you are not alone, you are heard, and we are going to prove to the partiers (but mostly ourselves) that there are other valid lifestyles to lead on a college campus. Personally, I came here because of a great academic program, a desire to live a life full of Central New York hikes, and, let’s just be honest, the split doubles. There are tons of people who weren’t expecting the intensity of SU’s party culture until they arrived on campus, and they all share the sentiment that it can definitely be overwhelming. Take one step anywhere on Euclid

starting Thursday — real talk, Wednesday — and you’re surrounded by ragers, kickbacks, and parties alike. I can applaud the party lifestyle because it is not an easy one, but it seems hard to escape, and for many, it is. According to the Alcohol Rehab Guide, “About 20% of college students meet the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder.” We are young, just starting our lives, and it’s hard to see so many young people fall down the hole of addiction. But, when you’re surrounded by corner stores that don’t card and parties on every street corner, it’s hard to escape that urge. A lot of unhealthy behaviors stem from party culture, many of which the campus does nothing to fix. So, am I surprised that this percentage is so high? No. A lot of freshmen feel like they don’t fit into the party scene. And I get it. It’s hard to live in an environment where you constantly feel like you’re on the outside with no escape. There is such a stigma around people who don’t party, but I don’t think people who find spending time at crusty dusty parties fun are the most reliable sources. I’ve been told, “you’re boring because you don’t party,” and, “you’re not embracing college because you don’t party.” I’ve been told, “It’s no wonder you want to transfer, you don’t party.” I promise, I’m not boring. After hearing it enough times, though, I sure start to feel like I am — anyone would. I don’t want my college career to be defined by the fact that I didn’t get blackout drunk every weekend, and that I had a difficult time finding my non-partier besties.

16 16

BITCH BITCH JERK 3–21 3–21 JERK

I’ve learned some things about myself the last few months. I love funk music and live concerts. I love late night movie marathons. I love playing board games in tiny dorm rooms. I love getting off campus and finding new coffee shops. Self-care nights. Hiking. There is so much newfound freedom that comes with being in college, and the ability to spend every waking moment with my friends if I so choose, because we’re all practically next door neighbors, is exciting. I got some good advice a few

weeks ago, and I think it’s really applicable to nonpartiers. If someone is actually your friend, they’ll make time to do things you want to do, too. Let me tell you, even though my semester has been full of fun activities, party culture continues to be overwhelming. Stay strong out there. You are not boring just because you don’t go out three to four nights a week. I don’t know who else needs to hear that, but I sure do.

QUEER DATING IN COLLEGE IS WORSE THAN HELL Dating in college is one of the most difficult challenges for everyone, but within the queer community, it’s a whole other level of complicated. Words by Russell Tom Sun Art by Anika Dua

Dating in college as a queer person is so goddamn confusing. I recognize that hookup culture is everywhere, even in the LGBTQ+ community, and that is totally okay and valid. But the weather is cooling down, the holiday lights are coming up, and, I won’t lie, it would be nice to cuddle up with someone and watch some films or go for a walk together, get some coffee, and talk about our dreams and goals. What I am trying to say is that, like many other people my age, I am so exhausted with being single, and I want to fall in love. I know how desperate I sound, trust me; I can hear myself when I speak. Call me a simp all you want, I want to do cute couple shit and make everyone around me puke and cry out of jealousy, SUE ME. In my experience, the biggest issue that I’ve recently been dealing with is figuring out the sexuality of a person I’m interested in without directly asking them. I know for heterosexual people, it may seem very easy to just ask someone their sexuality or even to assume they’re straight, but for me and a lot of other queer people, we don’t feel as comfortable doing so. For one thing, it leaves me very vulnerable to the chance that the person I ask can react very negatively, and even resort to threatening and violence, which has unfortunately happened to me before. Secondly, it’s so embarrassing to leave myself that emotionally vulnerable. And lastly, it feels rude on my end to

just blatantly ask. It’s 2021, and people are starting to embrace and explore their sexualities on their own time and terms, and maybe they haven’t figured it out yet or maybe they don’t want to put a label on it. I don’t even know what to identify as anymore. I don’t care for labels and I don’t want anyone else to feel pressured to do so either, all I care about is being in love with someone and them being in love with me, that’s all that matters. However, being queer adds multiple complicated layers than just figuring out if someone is into you. The queer dating pool in college isn’t really a pool — it’s more like a shallow pond in a dry desert, and, somehow, everyone already has already dated each other. You want to know how BAD the college dating scene is in the queer community? I asked dozens of different queer people, all of various backgrounds, and they all looked at me and collectively said, “It’s disappointing, exhausting and practically non-existent. I have pretty much given up and stopped putting myself out there.” And each of them had very valid reasons for their concerns. Firstly is beauty standards. Although beauty standards have long been an issue in every corner of the world, they are way more heightened in the queer community. Essentially, if you are not skinny, athletic, white or of a lighter skin tone, tall, hairless and cisgendered, you are not deemed attractive

BITCH JERK 3–21

whatsoever. Of course, not everyone feels this way, but this beauty standard is reinforced by almost every piece of queer media in existence. It is VERY rare that there is queer media and representation that features a variety of queer people and doesn’t stereotype the community. Since there isn’t enough representation of individuals with different identities and backgrounds, the queer community can feel overwhelmingly white at times, which has allowed white and cisgendered queers who fit the beauty standard to reinforce it and create a hierarchy of who is “beautiful” and who isn’t. Secondly is dealing with rampant discrimination. I’ve talked about this with many heterosexuals but yes, RACISM/MISOGYNY/TRANSPHOBIA/ BIPHOBIA EXISTS IN THE QUEER COMMUNITY (you’d be surprised by the amount of people who don’t know this). The amount of times my friends and I have been fetishized and discriminated against for our ethnic backgrounds and gender expressions is horrific. On multiple occasions, I’ve had men approach me and openly state how my “exotic” Latin and Pacific Islander appearance makes me good enough to sleep with, but not good enough to date and take home to their family. It is such a disturbing feeling that the more “different” you are, the more you are oversexualized and desired, yet at the same time you are disrespected and objectified. All of this stems from internalized homophobia,

which is unfortunately something almost every queer person has had to overcome, yet cisgendered, white queers have weaponized it against our own community. Although queer, they are still cisgendered, white people, and they use their privileges to tear down the LGBTQ+ community to appeal to heterosexuals. It’s a vicious cycle that has existed for a long time and is only heightened in college, and I am so damn sick of it. I just have a few things to say for any queer out there who feels they never fit the “standard.” No matter how you identify, no matter if you’re out or not yet, no matter what you look like, and no matter where you come from, you are incredibly deserving of love. You deserve warm hugs, intimate walks in the snow, coffee dates, cuddles by the fireplace, and kisses under the mistletoe. You deserve a beautiful, fairytale love story, just like the ones we always saw straight people get to enjoy. To hell with what the “standard” is, you are a bad bitch and you are worthy and valid. Someone is going to be obsessed with you one day and love you unconditionally, and until then, I want you to know that everyone at Jerk loves you, and I love you so so so damn much. P.S. I’m single and looking for someone to fall in love with and share a New Years Eve kiss with lol, k bye.

PUNCHING DOWN Why is oppression the punch line? Words by Noah Estling Art by Anika Dua

Hot take, we know: media is important. Any body of work from television, a movie, or a book is a time capsule that preserves the zeitgeist of the time it was written. Media has a tremendous ability to influence narratives and movements that otherwise would not be as greatly pushed. It has the ability to do tremendous good, but obviously it also has the ability to move us backwards. Of course, we can’t have this conversation without talking about the most recent occurrence of Netflix’s failure as a platform: Dave Chappelle’s October standup special The Closer. Obviously, his special has been the talk of the town for a while, and there is absolutely nothing else that we feel the need to add to this discussion. (Just kidding, we always have something more to say — you know that). We cannot stress enough that the transphobic, homophobic, and mysogynistic comments

BITCH Closer. You never push the needle by making fun of marginalized communities (punching down). You aren’t some “free speech crusader,” you’re just an asshole. That is exactly what Dave Chappelle is doing when he talks about transgender people in bathrooms, calling Caitlyn Jenner ugly, or proudly boasting “I’M TEAM TERF!” What he is doing is harmful, and, because of his platform, he has a responsibility to not punch down. In turn, Netflix has a responsibility to not distribute content that

Netflix special that Chappelle has done in which he promotes transphobia, this is just the time he has garnered more universal backlash for it. Now, some of you may be asking, “isn’t comedy supposed to be controversial?” You may point to someone like George Carlin, a very famous comedian who was very controversial in his time. You may even give us some dumb one-liner like, “tragedy plus time equals comedy.” To which, we would say, stop being a phobe and use some critical thinking. Comedy is obviously subjective, but there are examples of very famous comedians who do not make their money by instigating, exploiting, and oppressing marginalized communities. John Mulaney is a perfect example; that man’s jokes revolve around his Catholic guilt and how his dad never hugged him. Mulaney never punches down, and he is the poster child for Gen Z humor. An important aspect of this is the idea of “punching up” versus “punching down,” which, ironically enough, Chappelle discusses in The

punches down. Giving these hateful ideologies such a massive platform gives them credibility and allows them to spread. This goes beyond what will make them money or what they believe their consumers want; it’s simply about what is morally right, and these companies need to be better at not pushing the needle backwards for a quick buck. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO are some of the most prominent ways the average person consumes media. These are multi-million dollar corporations that have such a stranglehold on media consumption that they have a moral obligation that goes beyond just making a profit. It is no secret that these companies can stir public discourse in any direction they want. Squid Game is an excellent example of this, as it sparked so much discourse related to its anti-capitalism themes and started a discussion on Western nations’ ambivalence to foreign media. They know that they are able to move mountains in favor of marginalized communities, yet they fail miserably at the task. Do better, everyone.

JERK 3–21

Dave Chappelle made within this special were a promotion of hate speech. His support of renowned trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) J.K. Rowling placed him on the side of a hate movement and showed his support for an ideology that stems out of transphobia. Anyone who disagrees with this categorization of TERFs is simply trying to push their ideology in a more sugar coated way, wrapped in a nice little bow to make it more digestible. Also, this is not even the first

OBITCHUARY:

GROUP PROJECT BLUES Collaborative out-of-class work is an unavoidable evil of being a college student, but it must die. Words by Car Shapiro Art by Sophie Sternkopf We fucking hate group projects. They’re unavoidable, stressful, unfair, and when we’re done, they almost always

of the project nobody else wants, which inevitably becomes inconsistent with the rest of the project.

end in resentment toward our partners. They’re the

This leads to a very common group project

most painful part of our classes, and we’ve never done a

outcome: an unbalanced division of responsibilities,

project with a group that we couldn’t have done better by

effort, and stress. It’s extremely unfair that everyone

ourselves. The only things that have come out of group

gets the same grade when professors know damn well

projects are anxiety, subpar grades, and a wonder for how

students don’t equally break up the work. We used to

certain students even got into college. Students should

be the teammates who split everything up, delegated

only be responsible for their own gradel we as a society

tasks, and made sure everything was running smoothly

have moved past the need for group projects.

but after years of overextending ourselves for apathetic

Group projects are presented as opportunities to

Whitman boys, we’re over it! (Relatable content for all

gain experience working with others, learning how to be

the VPA 10s dating Whitman 4s.) We shouldn’t have to

a team player, and tackling an assignment with various

track down and beg 20- and 21-year-old adults to do

ideas and skill sets. If only this was what actually went

their slides of the presentation!

on. If you’ve ever been to hell (part of a Whitman group

If given the opportunity, we would rather do an entire

project), you’re familiar with the finance bros who want

project ourselves than be forced to depend on other

to make every project about sports, weed, craft beer,

students for our grades. Maybe this is the sad reality of

or some random toxic-masculinity niche. They have

post-college group work, but we’re tired of the drama.

all these far-fetched ideas for the project and then go

Down with group projects!

ghost mode for three weeks — up until the day before the project is due — despite your calls, texts, and emails. Newhouse group projects often follow a parallel path; everyone in the group can’t have main character syndrome, Samantha, nothing will get done — it’ll just be a cacophony of Condé Nast groupies. As an anonymous user on YikYak put it, “Welcome to college, where everyone is smarter than you except the three other people in your group project.” Personally, we like to get started with our assignments right away and finish them early. Call us crazy, but being on top of our shit is just who we are (or who our anxiety wants us to be). This mindset, of course, never meshes well when working with other college students. Part of the issue with group projects is that it’s completely irrational to expect four or more students to find time in their conflicting schedules to meet up for a project they don’t want to do in the first place. There’s also usually at least one member who isn’t able to meet up, and they end up getting the part

In Smut, we deep-dive into aspects of on- and off-campus life that affect you (yes, YOU!).

EXPOSED AND EMPOWERED How nude modeling influenced my self-confidence as a trans person.

THE REAL FLAVOR OF SYRACUSE

TO VAXX OR NOT TO VAXX

The Salt City’s Multicultural Mukbang

For the children of anti-vaxxers, a choice between family and health must be made.

JERK 3–21

FEATURES

SMUT

EXPOSED AND EMPOWERED

How nude modeling influenced my self-confidence as a trans person. Words by Car Shapiro With Ilhy Gomez Del Campo Rojas Art courtesy of Ande Wittenmeier and Grace Kegel

Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is something that many SU students do daily, whether it’s walking down the promenade, or going to Barnes alone. Moving past the comfort zone is what many people go to college to do; getting uncomfortable (in a safe way) is how to really grow and find yourself. For me, I decided to take it to the extreme and face a deep fear of mine head on: public nudity. As a trans person, I was quite terrified of what people would think or do if I was physically exposed because my body does not fit the “conventional” male body. I saw this as an opportunity to face my fear in order to heal — and get paid for it too. It started with some simple browsing on Handshake, and at first it was a joke. I saw that VPA was hiring for some of their illustration classes, and I thought it would be funny to tell people that I was a nude model. I applied, got the job, and scheduled some shifts. It wasn’t until I got to the class and had to take off all of my clothes that I started getting nervous. These students didn’t know me, and I assumed they perceived me as a cis man; I was scared to take off my clothes and reveal my transness.

SMUT JERK 3–21

Freshman Ilhy Gomez Del Campo Rojas is also a nude model for VPA, and he also identifies as a trans man. Rojas’s father is a photographer who often works with nude models, so the profession was quite normalized as he grew up. Rojas saw the job offer on Handshake and, because of his unique upbringing, decided to apply. “Based on movies and my dad’s models, I saw how happy nude modeling made people and decided to do it myself,” said Rojas. Rojas wasn’t nervous before his first shift, but, rather, saw it as an opportunity to overcome his insecurities. He knew the student artists weren’t too concerned with his actual body, but were most focused on having enough time to complete their sketches. Their nonchalance made him feel safe. Unlike Rojas, before my first shift, I was consumed by my own fear and anxiety. However, once I took my clothes off and stood there tall and proud, the fear dissipated. Nobody was reacting, they just started sketching away, and I soon became completely serene. I held a series of short 10 and 30 second poses, then one minute, two, five, 10, 20, 30, and finally an hour-long pose. During the hour-long pose I literally fell asleep — that’s how relaxed I was (or how exhausted I was since it was nine in the morning).

Rojas thought nude modeling would be relatively easy, and that you kinda just stand there and rake in the cash. He didn’t realize that when holding poses and twists, it could easily become uncomfortable, or that parts of his body could become numb. “I thought they would give me poses to do, but you have full control over the poses you make,” said Rojas. Despite the awkward positions he found himself contorted in, Rojas finds his shifts relaxing because he is forced to do nothing but pose. In our fast-paced lifestyles, students usually feel like we have to be doing at least one thing all the time; but during Rojas’s shifts, he is able to have time to himself. After the initial moments of nudity, my next fear set in: would I hate the final drawings? I have dealt with body dysmorphia most of my life, and years ago, it was a huge indication to me that I needed to transition and start hormone therapy. I was afraid to see how my body looked to other people, because my view has always been so skewed. Similarly, Rojas was nervous about seeing the artists’ final pieces of his body; he has also dealt with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder, which deeply affected the way he saw his body. Body parts like his hips and chest trigger his gender dysphoria, and he was worried to see them drawn. Trans narratives are never the same, but between Rojas and I, there were many parallels between how our transness affected our body image and confidence. To both of our surprises, we found that all of the artists’ styles and sketches of our bodies in various poses were unique and beautiful. It showed us a view of ourselves that we have never experienced; our bodies celebrated through art. The parts of us that we felt selfconscious about were not as noticeable or prominent as we thought. Of course we still have certain insecurities, but we are able to see these parts of ourselves drawn and still appreciate them because they are part of our whole, beautiful trans bodies.

SMUT JERK 3–21

“When you’re naked, you can’t hide anything; in a way it’s liberating,” explained Rojas. Rojas intended to start his medical transition when he turned 18, but was not able to, which made it hard for him to feel comfortable in his body. He felt that his body didn’t match his identity, and not being able to medically transition would ruin his life. It wasn’t until this nude modeling experience that he was able to acknowledge that his body didn’t have to be a certain way to be valid in his identity. He still intends to medically transition, but he is able to feel comfortable despite not yet starting HRT and getting surgical procedures. “Humans are always so self-focused and see the worst in themselves; even when you’re naked in the center of a room, you’re not the center of attention. Everyone is in their own heads worrying about themselves and their art,” said Rojas. For me, this experience further validated that my insecurities are often unnoticeable to others, which has given me a sense of freedom I didn’t expect. Not only has this opportunity been an enjoyable job and a great fun fact for ice breakers, but it has also surprisingly helped me in healing many of the traumas I carry as a transgender person.

WORDS BY: JULIA FESSER | ART BY: LUCINDA STROL

Food brings people together. It has the ability to connect people who may not have anything in common by sparking a conversation about how delicious (or not) a dish is or spiciness level preference. Food has the ability to tell a story, whereby every ingredient, every recipe, and every dish has strong cultural roots and a rich history. Food can break down cultural barriers by prompting curiosity about someone else’s culture and traditions. The surge of refugees and immigrants coming to Syracuse has drastically changed the food culture in the city in recent years. The city is transforming, and we are now seeing restaurants and markets with food from all over the world popping up. Syracuse is an asylum city. It’s one of the first ports of entry for refugees resettling in the U.S. There are between 12,000 and 15,000 new Americans, or asylum seekers, in Syracuse, according to Nicole Watts, CEO of HOPEPRINT, a not-for-profit, grassroots organization that helps resettle people in the city. When Adam Sudmann, the founder of Salt City Market, moved to Syracuse he discovered a city rich in culture with people from all across the globe. He envisioned a place that could bring all of these cultures and their food together under one roof. In 2018, Suddman hosted a cultural event where refugees cooked their native foods for over 400 people. He saw the way food brought people

together, which led him to open Salt City Market in 2021. The market is a multinational food court that offers a space for aspiring entrepreneurs to start off their businesses. It offers regional and international cuisines from places like Burma, Iraq, Jamaica, and Thailand. Bonfrida Kakwaya is a Congolese refugee who came to Syracuse 12 years ago. When she first arrived in the city, she was shocked at the amount of unhealthy and processed food available at the supermarket. She missed the food she used to eat in Congo, like foufou, a purée made of white yams, sweet potatoes, plantains, or cassava. Kakwaya struggled to find any of the ingredients that she used back home to make this recipe in Syracuse. Over time, African markets have started to open up in Syracuse and there are now around four to five different ones stocked with everything she grew up eating. “Our food is medicine to us. Back home in Congo, our food is natural and comes directly from farmers. We don’t buy meat from the store, every Saturday or Sunday [in Syracuse] we go to the farmer to buy a whole new animal... then we enjoy a big barbecue with our community from Congo,” Kakwaya said. Kakwaya splits the meat she gets from local farmers with other Congolese people she’s met in Syracuse. They frequently host big barbecues

JERK 3–21

The Salt City’s Multicultural Mukbang

SMUT

THE REAL FLAVOR OF SYRACUSE

and all cook together. Her and her friends gather every month to enjoy merengue music and traditional food. At the end of our conversation, she invited us to her home in Syracuse to enjoy a homemade foufou platter. We’re definitely looking forward to that. Tamana Tajik was born in Pakistan to Afghani parents. She grew up in Iran. She and her family came to the United States in May 2016 as asylum seekers. Tajik is now studying biology at Le Moyne College and works at Upstate University hospital helping refugee families from Afghanistan, like her own, transition to their new life in Syracuse. “In a new country with new life challenges, coming home every day to fresh food that reminds me of back home... and food that is made with love is very special,” said Tajik. Tajik’s mother does most of the cooking at home. She makes Afghan, Pakistani, and Iranian food. They frequently eat ghormeh-sabzi, a very popular Iranian herb stew, as well as tahdig, a crispy Persian rice. Most of the ingredients necessary for these dishes, except for the herbs, can be found in Syracuse, but they have now

started to grow them in their backyard. Tajik also extended an invitation to come have dinner with her and her mom and enjoy these two typical Persian platters with them. Duyen Nguyen came to Syracuse from Vietnam in 2012. While working at Roji Tea Lounge about six years ago, she baked for the very first time. She wanted her friends to try the popular sweets available at tea bars in Vietnam. Nguyen grew up going to these sorts of cafés with her friends, chatting and enjoying each other’s company over tea and small desserts for the whole afternoon. “I noticed that the food they were serving at Roji was very basic. I started making Vietnamese food myself and brought it to all of my friends that worked there and then eventually we put those items on the menu for sale,” said Nyguyen. After working at the bakery, Nyguyen now owns and operates her own bakery at Salt City Market called Cake Bar. After her lease in Salt City is up, she plans to open up a Vietnamese Café in the city. We met with Ngoc Huynh, the owner of Mamma Hai in Salt City Market. She had us try a delicious vegan Vietnamese egg roll while we

SMUT JERK 3–21

chatted. She grew up with Vietnamese parents who fled to Nebraska when she was young, eventually ending up in Syracuse where she completed her undergraduate at SU.

“In a new country with new life challenges, coming home every day to fresh food that reminds me of back home… and food that is made with love is very special,” - TAMANA TAJIK “When we had the audition for the Salt City Market, it was the first time I actually cooked for the public. It was very rewarding because it was a great way to get to know people and have them understand our culture. Food is a great way to start a conversation or to connect with somebody. You could have nothing in common with them, but you can always bond over food, over what’s delicious and what isn’t and what’s spicy and what isn’t,” said Huynh.

Food is a good first contact between people, whatever their origins may be. It acts as a binder between cultures, and puts people in a position of openness and curiosity. “It was always kind of shocking to me in Syracuse that people didn’t know what Vietnamese food was. When I first opened in Salt City, I had people come up to me who were so excited to try it for the first time. It made me feel really grateful I could share my culture,” said Huynh. For Huynh, presenting her cultural dishes is a real pride. Customers discover ingredients they did not know about and are able to learn something new. She’s able to share a story about her country and her own culture and break down cultural boundaries with people who are discovering the food she grew up with for the first time. “I don’t think Syracuse would’ve been ready for a Vietnamese restaurant 10 years ago, but we’ve seen huge changes in the city. We’re not a big city, but we do have a community with lots of people from different backgrounds, and it’s reflected in all the different restaurants and food places we now have. It’s wonderful, ” said Huynh.

TO VAXX OR NOT TO VAXX The choice between family and health for children of anti-vaxxers Words by Eden Stratton Art by Marisa Goldberg

I’m nine years old. I’m sitting in the pediatrician’s office, which doesn’t happen often. It’s also my birthday, which makes the fact that I’m in my pediatrician’s office even more upsetting. I keep myself entertained by examining the fishprinted wallpaper. My mother looks especially peeved. She raps away furiously on her BlackBerry, and tells me to sit still. She’s about as thrilled as I am to be there. When the pediatrician comes in, he tells her that I’m due for a shot, and says a lot of words with too many syllables. They go back and forth for a while, before the pediatrician sullenly leaves the room, and we go home. I learned much later in life that my doctor had wanted to vaccinate me for the human papillomavirus, otherwise known as HPV. While it’s extremely common, it’s one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. Luckily, it’s almost completely preventable with the use of vaccinations. In my case, my mother didn’t believe it. Fearing the potential “side-effects,” I was left unvaccinated. In the age of COVID, coverage of anti-vaxxer rhetoric often revolves around the individuals

perpetuating it. But the people who often get left out of the conversation are their children, who have the most to lose. Ethan Lindenberger is, at first glance, like any other 21-year-old. He happily shows me his fresh tattoo, which he designed himself from one of his favorite book series. But what brings me to Lindenberger isn’t tattoos or books, but that he is one of the nation’s top advocates for teen vaccination. He has been interviewed by TIME, NPR, and eventually testified to the U.S. Senate about vaccine misinformation. He’s quite the expert. See, Lindenberger’s mom didn’t vaccinate him. Like, at all. “I only had one polio vaccine, that’s it,” he said. Lindenberger says that anti-vaxxing communities usually fall into one of three camps; holistic practitioners, conspiratorial thinking, and political reasoning. Lindenberger’s mother fell into all three, motivating her to not vaccinate him and his siblings. “When you’re growing up, a lot of your parents’ opinions are taken without question,” he said.

SMUT JERK 3–21

“When I was 15, it was like ‘all your friends are vaccinated, they’re crazy. They don’t understand how dangerous they are.’” While it can be easy to put the blame entirely on anti-vax households, the issue isn’t cleancut. For years, minority communities have faced misdiagnosis and institutional racism at the hands of the healthcare industry, specifically in Tuskegee, Alabama, where African-Americans were intentionally not treated for syphilis. Their hesitancy to trust the government is rooted in raw history, and their desire to safeguard their children from a similar experience. The issue arises when corporations capitalize off of those experiences to push an entire industry worth of products. “African-Americans were really racially profiled in Tuskegee in a terrible study that was so medically neglectful,” Lindenberger said. “You have specific, ill-meaning people benefiting from that fear because they’re selling books, they’re selling supplements, and that has turned into the modern vaccine movement.” For SU freshman Shavonne Strelevitz, the modern movement was a part of her everyday

life. Like Lindenberger, she grew up in an antivax household, which greatly influenced her perception of medicine. “I mean, she’s my mom, so for a while I believed everything she told me,” Strelevitz said. “I didn’t think they were necessary, and honestly thought they were harmful.” Strelevitz’s mother believed in homeopathic medicine, which holds that the body has a magical ability to heal itself (it doesn’t). She was also a fervent proponent that vaccines caused autism, and that mandates are a way for the government to overstep their bounds. It was only until Strelevitz entered the eighth grade that she questioned what was being said around her. After learning about vaccines from her teacher, she asked about the link between autism and vaccines — her teacher explained that it wasn’t true. While Strelevitz tried to educate herself in light of this new information, her mother remained staunchly opposed to her being vaccinated. “It got to the point where she wasn’t respecting my medical decisions,” she said. “I almost missed a month of school my junior year

because I didn’t have my vaccines when the New York State law changed.” As he grew up, Lindenberger too began to find flaws in his own mother’s logic. A lover of science, Linderberger began conducting his own research on vaccinations. He soon realized that compared to his mother’s reasoning, the science that supported the use of vaccinations was concrete. When he was 18, Lindenberger made the decision to get himself vaccinated, which put him directly at odds with his mother. The subsequent strain of doing so often perpetuates a disconnect between the child, and the parent who raised them. Strelevitz told me that her relationship with her mother had been “hurt” by the conversations she and her mother have had since getting vaccinated. “Myself and my siblings have tried hard to help her understand that this is safe and trustworthy,

but she refuses to listen to the point where she decided to quit her job, rather than get the vaccine when her company mandated it.” But for those like Strelevitz and Lindenberger, turning 18 isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to going on a vaccine bender. If you remain on your parents insurance, any vaccination bill will be sent directly to your home address — where your parents can see them. Depending on your parents, it can threaten the monetary and physical stability young adults have during their first years of college. Lindenberger says it’s not worth risking your financial safety net. He recommends simply educating oneself until it’s safe to get vaccinated without parental knowledge. In the meantime, he works with representatives to change state laws, in order to allow teenagers to get vaccinated at a younger age.

SMUT About a month ago, I went into the health clinic to get my HPV vaccine. There wasn’t fishprinted wallpaper, and I was on my own. As I sat and waited, I felt the too-familiar pit of anxiety rise into my throat. I thought about all the things my mom had said, and if there was any merit to them. Despite years of doing my own research, I still felt beholden to what I’d been told. The nurse came in before I could spiral any longer. She pulled up my records, and I looked at the screen. It was a document from almost ten years prior — my vaccination waiver. On the very bottom, I saw my name and my mother’s signature below it. Back then, I couldn’t take that pen out of her hands, or shred that little piece of paper. But now, I had the opportunity to reclaim my body’s story.

JERK 3–21

However, while he continues his advocacy work, his mother has begun teaching his younger siblings about the dangers of vaccines. His youngest brother, only 5 years old, once told Lindenberger that he couldn’t hold his Easter basket because he would “make him sick.” Today, Lindenberger still cites the need to treat the issue with empathy and respect. “You don’t know who is listening, who will be impacted by those conversations,” he said. “It speaks to the volume of your evidence and your character that you’re not trying to get angry, and you’re not insulting someone. It’s something that the scientific community has really missed. In pursuit of this righteous indignation of anti-vaxxers, they’ve really just made a worse case for vaccines.” Linderberger’s relationship with his mother is “under construction.”

bedside tables

Photos by Lucy Messineo-Witt Words by Molly Scheuer Modeling by Makenna John, Molly Scheuer, and Katie Ferreira

SMUT JERK 3–21

The jewelry that we wear every day may seem like a minute detail in the grand scheme of things, but, to many, it acts as a signature stamp on any outfit. Many people have a connection to the jewelry that they wear on a daily basis. A unique combination of rings, necklaces, and bracelets are carefully combined to complete and personalize a look.

The bedside table acts as a home for rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Each night, jewelry is taken off and placed next to where one rests, and each morning, put back on. Looking at someone’s bedside table can provide insight into their daily life — you may see a favorite mug, bottles of medicine, a box of tissues, or a current read. Next to these miscellaneous items often lies a heap of jewelry.

Nameplate necklaces have been around for centuries. These ornate necklaces can be viewed as a name tag of sorts, and some young women are gifted them in their teen years. Signet rings hold similar meaning. Traditionally, they are marked with a family crest and are passed down from generation to generation. Wearing one’s own name or family crest is a display of identity — it can feel grounding to represent those who came before you, especially when it comes to a piece that has been inherited. Jewelry can change the tone of any outfit. Some opt for pearls to go for a preppy, eclectic look, while others may pile on bold chains. Makenna John, a junior at Syracuse University, dons a combination

of funky gold charms and crystals. Molly Scheuer wears a tangle of ornate gold necklaces, along with a strand of pearls. Many of her pieces are a connection to home. Some are quite literal, like a set of rings that say “mum” and “dad.” Others, less so. She wears a combination of logo necklaces from Vivienne Westwood, a British brand. The brand’s logo is an orb, similar to the likes of the royal staff, encircled by a ring. It is meant to represent change and revolution in English culture, which is a nod to her father’s home. Senior Katie Ferrera displays pieces from her paternal grandmother. Jewelry allows her to connect with and honor her grandmother, and by wearing it every day, Katie carries a piece of her.

SMUT JERK 3–21

SPEAKEASY:

DON’T FUCK WITH WRITERS How poet and writer Zainab Altuma exposes injustices through their written word. Words by Bryan Fletcher Photos by Bridget Overby

In late September, Zainab Altuma (they/them), a sophomore who recently left Syracuse University, experienced an incident of Islamophobia-based profiling and harassment at Juice Jam — SU’s annual fall semester music festival. After being asked to remove their bucket hat and, in turn, hijab, Altuma was laughed at by a security guard who proceeded to pat their hair with their bare hands. Following this incident, Altuma felt it was necessary for them to take action and speak out about their experience using Instagram. From there, they wrote several articles with the Daily Orange, covering topics such as the Islamophobia present on campus, the concept of institutional apathy at SU, and military rhetoric as it’s used on campus. “Being on this campus has strongly influenced my writing, and after what happened at Juice Jam, I felt like I needed to keep my stories alive,” Altuma told Jerk. “Not that many people have as many intersecting identities as I do, so I felt it was important to document my experiences somewhere with a platform, and that’s where the Daily Orange came in.” Apart from their work with the independent student newspaper, Altuma has been busy focusing on producing their literature for other platforms. This has included an article with Teen Vogue titled “Queer Muslim Heroes to Celebrate this Muslim Women’s Day,” a book titled Re-Agency of the Colonized Body

(which will be available soon — keep an eye out!), and an ongoing journal. A common theme that can be found throughout all of Altuma’s writing, though, is their affinity for music and a fascination with its various influences. “[Hip-hop] music is a big part of what inspires my writing style, especially Kendrick Lamar. The song “All The Stars,” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was what really got me into listening to his music. From there, I just went on a consistent spree of listening to every project and mixtape of his that I could find,” Altuma said. “Kendrick has this perfect mix of always being creative while still having a message of activism that’s greater than himself, while still getting you excited for the song. One of my goals for my journey as a writer would be to write lyrics with Kendrick one day.” Ultimately, Altuma has already distinguished themself as a brilliantly talented poet, using their literature and platform to speak about their experiences as a queer hijabi muslim person and to call out injustices that few others are publicly talking about. With the release of their first book taking place in the coming weeks, only time will tell where their journey as a writer and activist will take them next. For more information on their literature and work in activism, Zainab Altuma can be found on Instagram: @zainabaltuma.pdf and @brainvomitwrites.

A one-woman business that’s sugar, spice, and everything nice. Words by Megan Adams Photos by Megan Townsend and Zoë Selesi

Wake and bake. Lunchbox cakes, that is. Lunchbox Cakes by Zo (@lunchboxcakesbyzo), a small business run by Newhouse senior Zoë Selesi (she/her) redefines thinking small — she makes cakes that fit right in a lunchbox, delicately frosted and decorated. Friends and customers of Selesi know her cakes are not only made with love and care, but are also inspired by a love of Studio Ghibli, gift-giving, and, basically, all things cute. Same vibes. Whether it’s a birthday, a celebration of an achievement, or just another Tuesday, Selesi’s lunchbox cakes make any occasion that much sweeter. Zoë Selesi spoke with us about her experience and motivations leading to the creation of her business. Having grown up with a mother who was a chef, Selesi has been cooking her whole life. “My business experience comes from my dad,” she said, “[he’s] a businessman, and my mom used to run her own restaurant.” Selesi’s own business began at the start of this fall semester. After watching her friends and peers create side hustles, Selesi realized that she could successfully combine her experience in social media with her knowledge of business and love of lunchbox cakes to start her own.

Why lunchbox cakes? “They’re very cute, and I’ve been seeing them all over TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram,” Selesi said. Simple as that. Selesi started this business with no baking experience, but said, “if I don’t think I’m qualified for something, I’m gonna learn the skills to do it if I really want to do it.” Baking for eight to ten hours each week is quite a task for a team of people, nevermind one, especially for a busy college student like Selesi. She says her main challenge is timing. “I’m just so busy with other stuff,” she said. “Even with the limit [on cakes], I know my baking days are going to be very long. Baking cakes isn’t hard, it’s just tedious and long.” Selesi’s lunchbox cakes have not only turned into a flourishing small business, but also a good lesson in life and hard work. She attributes patience and word of mouth as the two biggest principles she’s learned from this journey. What’s the most significant part of all this for Selesi, though? “When I see that people love it, it makes me really happy.” You can order one of Selesi’s lunchbox cakes for yourself using the link in her business’s Instagram bio.

JERK 3–21

BYOC (BRING YOUR OWN CAKE)

SMUT

DISCOVER SYR:

out of

Photos by Ben Piers and Libby Dy Words by Ben Piers Designs by Ava Lajihani, Noa Putman, Ben Piers, Abby Israel, and Liz Goldblatt Modeling by Abby Israel, Sam Parish, Terrance McCormick

place It’s common to feel as if we don’t belong. We all have that persistent voice looming in the back of our minds telling us that we’re not good enough. No matter how hard we try, we can never escape that uncomfortable feeling of being unequivocally unlike everyone around us. But we encourage you to leap into what you fear the most — the thrill of unpredictability catches you. Take advantage of your individuality. Own your uniqueness. Have faith in what makes you utterly different from everyone else. You don’t need to waste your most important qualities on the idiocy of others. It’s your choice to challenge what is expected, and you can relish in these moments. Being explicitly who you want to be is a trait that comes with time. Feeling like you are out of place might just be the starting point that gets you there.

GAWK JERK 3–21

STRIPPED:

DROPPING TROU Power pants are the fresh find we can get behind — or in. Words by Liz Goldblatt Art by Jenny Katz

Can we talk about power pants? The daring printed trousers you’ve seen all over social media, city streets, and even class lectures. Love them or hate them, power pants demand attention, and we’re here to break down this trend like a white family breaking barricades on Black Friday. First thing’s first, where did the power pants trend come from? Believe it or not, there was once a time when women weren’t allowed to enter restaurants wearing trousers. The secondwave feminism movement from the 1960s through the 1980s first popularized women wearing pants. The power pant specifically originated during the 1980s, when women began to flood into the workforce. Designer Giorgio Armani helped revolutionize the way women dress by

restructuring and redefining clothing for careeroriented women. He created tailored trouser suits that prioritized business over sex appeal. The original women’s power suit illustrated radical female emancipation and empowerment — the demand to break the glass ceiling. In the same vein comes the term “Annie Hall clothing,” which is based on Diane Keaton’s oversized, eclectic style in the iconic Woody Allen movie. Annie Hall represented a carefree woman who disregarded society’s gender ideals by wearing men’s clothing in a flippant, nonchalant way. This cultural moment brought a unique emulation of masculine presence as a way for women to command power. By taking the focus off of one’s femininity, women created a feeling of authority for themselves.

GAWK JERK 3–21

We have endless respect for the female power suit movement, but our thinking has evolved lightyears since the 80s! The notion that dressing like a man correlates to superiority is reductive and just plain misogynistic. Today, younger generations are keen to disregard all attachments to gendered dressing. Power pants, like most fashion trends this year, are all about rebellion and breaking trends rather than following them. These pants are a rejection of social principles, heteronormativity, and deliberate attempts to be “cool.” We are clashing patterns in the same way we are clashing identities. So yes, things are changing! Perhaps a year spent in a little Zoom box told us all not to give so many fucks about how we look. Ugly is now cool. Balenciaga is making Crocs, and everyone’s wearing

chunky orthopedic sandals. Our embrace of trippy, psychedelic, escapist prints has only increased in the Spring 2022 cycle, and clothing is becoming our canvas more than ever. No, seriously, clothing is being treated as a literal canvas. We cover our legs in abstract shapes, acrylic painted denim, and embellished flare trousers. At the end of the day, power pants are amazing because clothing should allow individuals to feel better and embrace themselves, and these slacks do just that. Their focus on joyful textures and playful prints is optimistic and fresh, not to mention it’s eye candy. So if you see us staring at your legs on the way to class, please know that we’re not creepy, we just love your rainbow polka-dot pants.

FORM & FUNCTION: How to dress like a...

FEMME FATALE

Honey Ryder, Sylvia Trench, Pussy Galore, Kissy Suzuki. Bond girls have played a pivotal role in constructing the femme fatale trope. These women are sleek, stylish, sexy, and most importantly, dressed to kill. Without further ado, here’s how we channel our inner femme fatale.

Words by Julia Reedy Photo by Noa Putman Styling by Makenna John, Noa Putman, and Molly Scheuer Modeling by Plum Sawatyanon THE RED LIP: Fortune favors the bold, and I’m no stranger to outright boldness. I leave my mark (on my coffee cup and in my favorite reusable mask) in a deep, sultry rouge.

PEARL NECKLACE: I’m certainly never one to under-accessorize. For me, pearls are a staple; they add a little sweetness to my otherwise homicidal nature.

THE TRENCH COAT: Why should 007 take all the credit for stylish outerwear? Just before I’m out the door, I throw on my favorite trench coat— but I never leave much underneath.

SKY-HIGH HEELS: To hell with wearing flats for the sake of being shorter than my male counterpart. I add those extra inches and wear them with pride — whenever there’s an opportunity to assert my dominance, I take it (even if it means risking an atrocious blister on my achilles. I never said this look was functional).

52 52

GRANDMA’S BEST

JERK 3–21 3–21 JERK

Words by Molly Scheuer Photos by Lucy Messineo-Witt Art Direction by Liz Goldblatt

GAWK NOISE

CLOSET CASE:

What better way to keep your family close while you’re at college than wearing their hand-me-downs? Students have been rocking their grandparents’ knits, jewelry, and other accessories to top off outfits and make old new again.

NATE LEBOEUF: “I love my

ABANT BERKE: “I’m wearing

CARLY MURRAY: “I’m wearing

grandpa’s clothes because they

my mom’s dress and grandpa’s

my grandma’s jacket, my

remind me of him. I love wearing

sunglasses. They mean a lot to

grandma’s dress, my grandma’s

his old wool sweaters and

me because they help me feel

sunnies, my grandma’s earrings

button-downs.”

connected to my family and my

and necklaces. I love wearing my

roots, and they’re also cute!”

grandma’s stuff because it still smells like her.”

MORE THAN JUST A FLANNEL Syracuse has an underground women’s party scene and we’re obsessed. Words by Zoe Glasser and Eden Stratton Art by Emma Beauchemin

Ariel Servadio (she/her) considers herself a “late bloomer.” Originally from Syracuse, she entered her “party phase” later than most of her peers, opting to enter the ring in her early 30s. Alongside her nightlife pursuits, Servadio says she took her time with something else — coming out. “I felt like I was just too old to come out.” Eventually, though, she did. Servadio began working with Guerilla Gay Bar (GGB), a traveling event that attracts community members due to its queer focus. The only problem was that the event had a distinct diversity issue, with only cisgender gay men attending the event. “This is the most selfish sounding thing ever,” said Servadio, “But I was definitely motivated to get more women and not cis men to attend GGB because I hated online dating, and I loved meeting

people in person.” While her work with GGB has increased diversity, Servadio stumbled upon an opportunity she couldn’t refuse. The bisexual icon is currently running Flannel, Syracuse’s premier inclusive-women’s party, specially targeting underrepresented community members. In its own words, Flannel is “Syracuse’s inclusive women’s* party.” Emphasis on the asterisk, because the group prides itself on welcoming people of all genders as well as allies. Created by Servadio and Jessica Posner (she/ they), Flannel spans the Syracuse community and is designed to create friendships and connections. Harlow Holiday, a local burlesque performer and activist, refers to Flannel as “a beautiful blending of subculture scenes.”

NOISE While the gay bar is certainly alive, the lesbian scene has suffered greatly in the past 20 years. What was once a thriving nightlife culture for the “L” in “LGBTQ+,” has dissolved into only 21 lesbian bars clinging to life in the U.S. Holiday described the decline as “disappointing.” “Having a space that feels mostly safe, as in you can meet people and make connections based on similar values and interests is vital to the quality of life of queer people. Community, camaraderie, how can you build that if spaces to cultivate that don’t exist?” she said. Dr. Katherine Kidd (they/them), associate teaching professor of SU’s English department, emphasized the need for spaces. They recalled their years in Colorado Springs, where they frequented a gay bar called “Dave’s” at the ripe age of 16. “They let us in, and the reason was because they knew,” they said. “It was the safest place for young queers to be.”

“What the bar scene gives is community, and [it’s] messy and sticky and weird and complicated, and sometimes ugly, but it’s necessary for survival.” - DR. KATHERINE KIDD

JERK 3–21

Flannel was born from Ariel’s dream to create a regularly scheduled party for LGBTQ+ women, non-binary people, and allies. In early 2019, Servadio approached her friends and owners of Syracuse LGBTQ+ bar Wunderbar, Nick West and Tanner Effinger, to put her idea into action. West and Effinger were all in, and Servadio began to plan her party. She came up with the name Flannel after visiting one of the country’s few lesbian bars and noticing that almost everyone was wearing these plaid shirts. “I remember texting Tanner and being like, ‘there is SO much flannel,’” she said. At about the same time, Posner, an SU art professor and visual artist, had a similar idea to host a party called “Coven” that would be centered around witchy art, crystal healing, and spirituality for queer people. Posner pitched Coven to Servadio, and the pair decided to collaborate on a Flannel x Coven event in October 2019, just in time for Halloween.

“But it’s also a way to see yourself as an adult, to see a future, to see a possibility - be nurtured by something that isn’t necessarily available to you by your family.” Community is essential for queer people. While society has progressed to the point that queer visibility is more acceptable, having spaces that are undeniably queer is still a point of contension. “I understand why cis women in particular find gay bars to be a safe space, because they are vulnerable in the bars for heterosexual people,” Dr. Kidd said. “I understand why it feels good to be out at a bar where you are less likely to be targeted as a sex object, or exploited.” While Flannel is designated as a queer event, Servadio and Posner refuse to exclude anyone. “I think that it’s really important for people to have friends and have community that have a similar life experience, whether that be so that

they can be critical all together or so that they can have shared experiences in private but in public,” Posner said. “I think we have to expand beyond the narrowness of identity-specific spaces, because those aren’t safer ones.” In addition to the community Flannel is building, it has allowed for the intersection of various groups within the Syracuse community. Queer artists in particular have thrived in the spotlight Flannel casts, perpetuating a culture in which follcs of all trades can share their art. Posner, for example, is a visual artist herself and is responsible for a lot of the art direction at Flannel events. It also provides a space for members of the Syracuse burlesque scene (which you can read all about in our previous issue, wink). “[The Syracuse burlesque scene] didn’t know any of the folks involved in Guerilla Gay Bar or

“...It feels good to be out at a bar where you are less likely to be targeted as a sex object, or exploited.” - DR. KATHERINE KIDD

NOISE JERK 3–21

really Flannel upon its establishment,” Holiday said. “But the events and spaces created led to opportunities to forge new connections and eventually friendships and collaboration.” Flannel is attempting to respond to the need for queer events with the ever-changing world of COVID. Servadio is unwilling to put people in harm’s way as long as COVID proves to be a threat, and has implemented a vaccine requirement to attend the event. “It’s a big social responsibility to host an event during times like this,” Servadio said. “You don’t want people to get sick, you don’t want people to die.”

In order to be as safe as possible, while feeding the desperate need for connection, Flannel organized a picnic in which participants were socially distanced, but were able to converse with one another and facilitate connections. As long as queer people exist, there will be a need for events like Flannel. Servadio hopes to achieve a new sense of normality as the world begins to reopen after almost two years of COVID restrictions. When it comes to queer spaces, Dr. Kidd put it best: “I often feel a literal weight of heteronormativity. It’s good to have that lifted.”

CAN WE BINGE MURDER? A deep-dive into the psychology and ethics behind true crime media Words by Kaelie Macaulay Photos by Surya Vaidy

NOISE forget that these were real people with real lives and people who loved them. Herein lies a crucial problem with the “crime community”: a lack of empathy. We use another person’s trauma to satisfy our morbid fascination. Since 2017, events like CrimeCon, a yearly crime convention, have mainly gained attention from white women. People gather together to hear talks about how to tell if someone you know is a psychopath or Nancy Grace’s theory on how not to be a victim. While CrimeCon can be a way for people with like-minded interests in forensic science and psychology to meet, it’s hard to overlook the fact that people are exploiting trauma for monetary gain. Forensic scientists must have the ability to shut off their emotions to do their best work on a case, but consumers do not have that same responsibility. Yet, somehow, there is a lack of emotion at events like CrimeCon. The sole focus becomes the perpetrator and their psychology while the victim is overlooked. We tend to remember the victim in their death rather than who they were in life. The expectations and opinions of true crime fans weigh heavily on the backs of professionals. The way the media portrays the science of forensics and its protocols creates an unrealistic portrayal of solving and prosecuting a crime, which then, in turn, shapes how the public views investigations. Many true crime fans expect there to be a forensic test for everything when there isn’t, and tests don’t always have the desired result. Forensic scientists bear the burden of the fans’ frustration. Regardless of the ethics, true crime media has become a part of our justice system for better or for worse. But Nancy Grace told us how not to be victims, so we should be fine, right?

JERK 3–21

We’re all familiar with true crime shows like CSI and Criminal Minds, where the protagonist somehow stumbles on crucial evidence and solves a high-profile murder case in a few days. And we’re all aware that’s not how the real world works, but for true crime fans, the line between reality and unrealistic expectations is blurred. While it is true that each person has their own motive for consuming true crime media, humans are curious by nature. When you drive by a car crash, you almost involuntarily turn to see the damage. There is no need, only morbid curiosity. So, why do we overly critique women who are interested in true crime? Forensic science is one of the fastest-growing majors; over seven out of 10 students are women. Women’s interest in true crime is often dismissed as simply a sensible choice. Learning about murder could be a way to prevent themselves from being victims, right? A woman couldn’t possibly want to learn about violent crimes just for the sake of being intrigued. Women can’t be interested or have a morbid fascination without framing them as victims. True crime media is not something women begrudgingly study because we feel like we have to. As a woman who listened to true crime podcasts before becoming a forensic science major, there is a disconnect between self-proclaimed “fans” and the professionals. Consumers can listen to a case or two and then move along, satisfying their morbid curiosity for the day, professionals cannot. While we all have that one case that sticks with us, we usually learn about gruesome crimes and most likely never think about them again. It is easy to forget that murder cases involve real people. Whether it’s a coping mechanism or merely our brain’s way of compartmentalizing, we

THE ALLURE OF THE BAD BOY

How does our obsession with this classic archetype relate to the current true crime craze? Words by Katie Ferreira Art by Lang Delapa Photos by Surya Vaidy

What do You’s Joe Goldberg, Twilight’s Edward Cullen, and Fight Club’s Tyler Durden all have in common? It goes beyond just their stunning good looks and brooding dispositions — they are, at their core, “bad boys,” and decades of popular culture have proven that our society loves bad boys. There’s an image that likely pops into your head when you think of this kind of man: he’s wearing a leather jacket, smoking a cigarette, and shooting you brooding looks from across a hazy bar. Sure, Johnny Depp was undeniably sexy in Cry-Baby, but what ultimately draws us toward these reckless, rule-breaking, and even violent men? Throughout recent history, the bad boy archetype has been associated with subverting societal norms; they represent a rebellion against our culture’s expectations for how a respectable man should act. According to Ahir Gopaldas and Susanna Molander, who wrote one of the leading papers on the subject, the bad boy is “a masculine archetype with some troubling tendencies as well

as some endearing qualities.” That’s part of the allure of this type of man — although he may seem bad to the bone, he has a deep-down soft spot for that one special person. And so many people would give anything to be that person. For some, these cinematic bad boys just aren’t bad enough. To satisfy their appetite for danger, some young women look for real-life men who have committed violent crimes who, to them, represent the baddest boy of all. These people have ‘hybristophilia,’ also known as Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome, and are aroused by the fact that their partner (or distant object of obsession) has committed violent crimes — even sexual assault and murder. So what the hell compels people to develop such a lust for hyper-aggressive, lethal men, and is society’s obsession with bad boys partly to blame? Researchers have found that those who are attracted to this extreme aggression (most of which are young women) often have been victims

JERK 3–21

people do it for the thrill and danger; others do it in hopes that they can fix or change these “damaged” men. They are attracted to the idea of being that one special person who their partner could never hurt, but this concept is nothing more than a fatal delusion. It’s clear that society’s obsession with the bad boy has been alive and well for centuries, and there’s something about this type of man that catches our attention. We are, whether we’d like to admit it or not, captivated by extreme displays of male aggression. Despite the blurred ethical lines surrounding true crime, we will likely continue to listen to our podcasts and watch our Netflix docuseries, consuming the sordid details of these crimes and the “bad boys” who commit them. If you long for that bad boy love, however, it’s safer to stick to fiction.

NOISE

of relationship violence or other abuse in the past. According to a Refinery29 interview with Laura Elizabeth Woollett, author of The Love of a Bad Man, hybristophiliacs display “insecurity and a willingness to have their sense of self determined by the men they [are] involved with.” Hybristophilia is not a new phenomenon. In the latter half of the twentieth century, serial killers such as Ted Bundy and Richard Ramirez received nude Polaroids, love letters, and proposals of marriage while imprisoned for their heinous crimes. Ramirez’s “groupies” showed up at his trials, and Bundy’s admirers even began dressing like his victims in a desperate attempt to capture his attention. Some of these

NOT SO “TRUE” CRIME: THE SKEWED DEMOGRAPHICS IN CRIME AIRTIME A look into the whitewashing of true crime and “missing white woman syndrome.” Words by Aryaan Anand Photos by Surya Vaidy Art by Lang Delapa Ten days. That’s the time it took for the FBI to find travel influencer Gabby Petito’s body after her family reported her missing. In the ten years prior to her disappearance, 710 indigenous people were reported missing in Wyoming, where Petito’s remains were discovered. The only thing differentiating Petito from those 710 people was the color of her skin. To many of us, her case was the ideal real-time true crime news story to feast on, but to others, it was just one more case of missing white woman syndrome. Our fixation on true crime cases involving white women is well-documented. The powerful people sitting at the adults’ tables high up in media houses

are mostly white, too, creating a cycle of whitefocused media being propagated. White women also tend to be portrayed as being surrounded by an aura of innocence and beauty that feeds into our desire to follow their demise. Women of color, on the other hand, are often perceived as getting themselves caught up in threatening circumstances, normalizing them as victims of crimes. The same applies to the perpetrators of crimes — Ted Bundy has been considered a sex symbol while Black people are stereotyped as being inherently dangerous, which takes away from the ability to sensationalize stories. White women aren’t just the favorite victims

NOISE JERK 3–21

in true crime stories, they’re also the main consumers of the genre. It seems almost counterintuitive for someone to consume content that normalizes brutal acts of violence against people like them. For some women, it may confirm their notions that the world is in fact the dangerous place they think it is. It also feeds into their desire to be protected from the dangers of the world — true crime preaches a narrative that leads white women to believe that they will be saved or avenged if something were to ever happen to them. It seems almost impossible to fathom a movie or show where law enforcement doesn’t pull out all the stops to solve one of these cases. To be fair, true crime offers a weird feeling of catharsis that all of us desire. There’s also nothing

wrong with consuming true crime. It is human nature to be drawn to sensationalized content that almost seems too scary to be real. The main issue is the way the genre impacts the people involved. Media companies and social media users struggle to understand the power they hold by covering a certain story or reposting a video. The popularization of white figures in true crime has led to severe underrepresentation of people of color in true crime, which, in turn, lessens the attention that law enforcement pays to such cases. The painful effects of this underrepresentation are felt in the communities in Wyoming where 710 families are still wondering where their loved ones are after watching the FBI find Gabby Petito in just 10 days.

THE PERILS OF AMATEUR SLEUTHING Hang up the houndstooth trench, Nancy Drew. Words by Megan Cooper Photos by Surya Vaidy Art by Lang Delapa

Who doesn’t love true crime? With hundreds of podcasts and plenty of documentaries, we can easily imagine ourselves as Sherlock Holmes on our drives to work or while unwinding after a long day. Our obsession can even make a difference in the outcome of an investigation. Widespread public involvement in Gabby Petito’s case led to evidence that likely aided in the discovery of her body. But this true crime craze doesn’t always lead to positive outcomes.

Professor Adrian Grenier is a part-time instructor of forensic science here at SU. He is a retired New York State Trooper and worked in the Forensic Investigation Unit for his last 12 years on the force. He has been involved in over 50 murder cases within a jurisdiction of over 7,500 square miles. Professor Grenier sat down with Jerk to talk about the differences between amateur and professional sleuthing.

JM: In cases like that of Gabby Petito, is social media fervor helpful or damaging? AG: The second day I saw the case, I said to my wife, “Why is this case getting so much attention when there are thousands just like it?” I wish all cases had that kind of interest. Still, it’s a double-edged sword. I’m just not sure why it has so much attention. JM: Do you think it’s dangerous when people get so involved in cases like that where they’re trying to solve them for professionals? AG: Yes. One of the main reasons is that you’re going to prejudice a potential pool of jurors. The more information out there, the more people know. It could potentially sway and create a problem with finding a jury.

JM: Do you listen to true crime podcasts? Do you think it is a problem that most are not created by professionals? AG: No. I lived true crime for 24 years. I want to turn it off at the end of the day. I don’t think it’s really a problem. If it’s a real documentary, I hope they’d reach out to some of the people involved. In your email, you mentioned amateur sleuths trying to solve things on their own. There was a time probably 15 years ago when there was evidence from a burglary scene in Oneida County and the homeowner had processed it with cyanoacrylate for fingerprints based on what he saw on the TV shows. He overprocessed it and it was ruined. Even if he had done it right, I can’t imagine opposing counsel letting it slide. It’s best to let the professionals do their jobs. And some of the things we do are dangerous!

JERK 3–21

JM: A lot of average people don’t know how professional forensic scientists deal with major criminal investigations. How do many true crime cases look from your end, as a professional? AG: In TV shows they tend to show a confession, fingerprints, DNA evidence, video evidence. In the real world, one fingerprint is enough for a conviction. The ‘CSI effect’ is how TV shows exaggerate what we do and how we do it. A juror might come in thinking, ‘Well he’s got a fingerprint, but I wanna see a confession and I wanna see

DNA.’ Sometimes all we have is one. It’s fine to watch them, but it’s important to remember it’s scripted fiction.

NOISE

JM: You are a professor of practice here at SU. Do you still work in the field? Or do your experiences in the past fuel your teaching? AG: I don’t work in the field anymore. When I retired in October of 2010, two of the professors here contacted me to see if I was interested in teaching.

AMPLIFIED:

LAUREN JUZANG Freshman Bandier student Words by Margo Moran Photos provided JM: How did you first get into music? LJ: My parents wanted me in piano lessons when I was 5. I started singing and recorded myself and then played it back and started crying because I was so bad. So, I stopped singing, then started again in middle school and taught myself how to play guitar. I started writing songs my freshman year of high school and then formed a band. JM: Where do you find inspiration for your songwriting? LJ: Some form of melody or line or guitar riff will pop into my head and I’ll record that, then I’ll make time to sit down and hash it out. I usually don’t sit down and think, “I’m feeling this way and I want to write about it,” usually something cool just pops into my head and I write it out.

JM: What has it been like performing as a student artist on campus? LJ: I heard the scene [at Syracuse] was cool and that there were house shows and stuff, but it’s been better than anyone could’ve imagined. I was really nervous to play without my band, my first show here was just me and my guitar at Sofar Sounds and I was like, ‘Oh, man. What am I doing?’ but I’ve gotten more confident. JM: What’s your favorite live performance you’ve ever done? LJ: My band played at my high school’s formal... people really lobbied for us to be able to play, so that was really awesome! Here, it’s been strange to play my solo music because it’s a lot more vulnerable, so the first show, the Sofar show, holds a special place.

SOUNDS LIKE: The 1975, Julien Baker, Faye Webster JERKS TO: Hamilton, NONEWFRIENDS, Remi Wolf

NOISE JERK 3–21

REWIND:

Y/N It’s time to talk about when we were groomed into thinking sex trafficking was hot. Words by Naimah Rahman Art by Emma Wachsmith

If you were unfortunate enough to have unlimited internet access in your tween years while Wattpad was at its peak from 2011-2015, you might be entitled to financial compensation. How many times have you put your hair in a messy bun, thrown on leggings, and walked downstairs to be greeted by One Direction in your kitchen? They’re ready to take you on tour because your mother just sold you to pay rent. Okay, maybe that’s unrealistic — but that’s totally okay since the story ends with super hot bathroom hate-sex with Harry Styles — because why wouldn’t it? When you read these stories while your frontal lobe is still developing, it’s sure to have some lasting effects. Wattpad was a place where fans and writers could make their wildest dreams come true and have people read their stories for free. A truly beautiful company model in theory, however free access to storytelling on a mass scale is bound to hit the fan soon enough. With little to no restrictions on what was written or who could read which stories, it became easy for

tweens (primarily girls) to gain access to smut on a massive scale. There is nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality at a young age, but these stories often glorified tropes centered around abusive relationships. It becomes nauseating when you realize adults were capitalizing on preteen horniness to normalize sex trafficking. If you asked me in 2015 if I had the Wattpad app, I would whole-heartedly deny it. Yet in 2021, it seems like this once embarrassing app filled with fanfiction is making its comeback with a vigor only comparable to Dylan O’Brien railing the shit out of us in our school’s bathroom (metaphorically speaking). Wattpad Studios is bringing some of the most popular books to the silver screen while publishing houses develop Wattpad stories into published novels. The story of After needs no introduction — it truly encapsulates the phenomenon of one woman’s wet dream turning into a cultural reset. The year is 2021, and we here at Jerk have only one question: where can we watch After 3?

You’re a Jerk. (We know). jerkmagazine.net @jerkmagazine