Feminist Forum, April 2021 by Loyola University New Orleans

THE FEMIN FORU 08

DIRECTOR’S DESK | VICE PRESIDENT

KAMALA HARRIS: INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM HOPES RISINGTHROUGH THE SHATTERED GLASS CEILINGS | PATRICIA BOYETT 18

MISOGYNOIR, BREONNA TAYLOR & MEG THE STALLION | Clarise Quintero

HUMAN INTEREST:JEMIMA JOÉL | Kennedy Garrett

SPOILED GLORY | Niyanna Lopez

THE AIR WE BREATHE | Jae Schifnano

WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES | Grace Riddick

ADVOCACY COLUMN | Invisible Illness” | Lynsey Giardina

WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER

NIST UM 40

LGBTQ+ COLUMN | “BTLM” | Jake Krug

FASHION COLUMN | “FASHION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE” | Lillian Wilkin

WOMEN IN ENVIRONMENT COLUMN | “TRAILBLAZERS IN ADVOCACY” | Pierce Carter

PODCAST COLUMN | “LISTEN TO THIS” | Chloe Evans

INTERSECTIONALITY & THE CHURCH | Guest Writer, Chris Kellmerman, S. J.

INTRODUCING AT “THE INTERSECTION”, A FEMINIST TALK SHOW | Carrie Elizabeth Smith

EDITOR’S VOICE: WHY JANUARY 6TH SHOULD MAKE ANY WHITE ALLY SCREAM | Brittney Giardina

AN INTER— SECTIONAL FEMINIST MOVEMENT

Loyola University New Orleans Women’s Resource Center The Feminist Forum | Vol. IX | Spring 2021 www.loyno.edu/womenscenter

Authorization Feminist Forum is an unofficial publication of the Women’s Resource Center. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Women’s Resource Center or Loyola University New Orleans.

Submissions Submissions are welcome and should be submitted to wrc@loyno.edu. The Feminist Forum editors reserve the right to all final decisions.

WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER

Loyola University New Orleans has fully supported and fostered in its educational programs, admissions, employment practices, and in the activities it operates the policy of not discrimin— ating on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex/gender, or sexual orientation. This policy is in compliance with all applicable federal regulations and guidelines.

Our Mission In the path of the Ignatius mission at Loyola University New Orleans, we, as a feminist com— munity, seek to educate ourselves through critical analysis; we endeavor to empower the oppressed through devotion to diversity and uplift; and we pursue equality through social justice and heart.

FEMINIST MANIFESTO

OF THE WOMEN’S

RESOURCE CENTER

WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER

Our Goals

We will combat gender discrimination by expanding the feminist consciousness and our knowledge through discussion and debate. We seek to engage with all communities by creating a welcoming space for everyone. We challenge ourselves and others to engage in advocacy and activism to facilitate individual and institutional changes in our society

How We Enact Our Mission

We enact our mission through collaborative relationships with student organizations, departments, and centers within the Loyola community in order to develop an array of intersectional feminist programs, events, and literature. We immerse ourselves in the New Orleans community by participating in service, sharing scholarship, and engaging in feminist activism.

We discuss various topics at Feminist Fridays, we publish the Feminist Forum to open a greater dialogue, and we host our annual Feminist Festival to bring together feminists from various backgrounds to advance gender equality through forums, workshops, networking opportunities, artistic presentations, performances, and celebrations.

At the Women’s Resource Center we are modern feminists. We are distinct. We are of all ages. We are liberal, radical, cultural and eco feminists. We are an array of colors, creeds, classes, cultures, orientations, and gender identities. And we come together in our common mission to find the path to gender equality.

Women’s Resource Center

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MADAM VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS:

INTERSECTIONAL FEMINIST HOPES RISING THROUGH THE SHATTERED GLASS CEILING PATRICIA BOYETT

s she stood at the podium in

many women across this nation

and in the 55-year anniversary of

her suffrage white pantsuit on

jumping up and down in my living

the Voting Rights Act (1965) is all

Saturday, November 7, 2020,

room with tears streaming down

the more remarkable.

Madam Vice President Elect

my face. I watched with awe,

Kamala Harris smiled at the

hope, and joy as this phenomenal

During this election season, I had

cheering crowd and said, “But

woman, who had shattered one

dared to dream that this moment

while I may be the first woman in

of the most resistant glass

might come to pass. And on

this office, I will not be the last,

ceilings, spoke with great poise

Tuesday, November 3 when

because every little girl watching

and brilliance of a new day in

Election Day arrived, I donned a

tonight sees that this is a country

America. That Americans elected

white dress in honor of suffragists

of possibilities.” Hope did not only

the first woman, the first African

like my great grandmother,

stir in the hearts of little girls in

American, the first Indian

Isabelle May Matchett Temple,

America with this momentous

American by electing Kamala

and the suffragists who I have

victory, but in the hearts of women

Harris to the vice presidency

long idolized, like Ida B. Wells. My

who had dreamed of this moment

during the centennial anniversary

husband, Ricky and I departed

for many decades. I was one of so

of the Nineteenth Amendment

our house early, and we strode quickly and quietly in the sunlit cool morning the six blocks to the St. Paul Lutheran Church that housed our polling place. The same amazing women who always run our polls worked busily behind plexiglass in their masks and gloved hands. The Louisiana State Legislature had decided against permitting no-excuse absentee voting during

the rivers of my veins and spread

as important to me that she was a

the pandemic. I marveled at the

hope across my soul. As nervous as I

woman of African American and

courage the women poll workers in

was about the election, I felt in my

Indian American heritage, for

my district displayed in serving as

bones that this might just be the

people of color have always stood

poll workers. I tried my best to

moment. I thought of Isabelle and

at the forefront of the long battle to

express my gratitude to them as I

Ida who had carried those signs

force the United States of America

signed my name in the poll book

“Votes for Women,” as they

to live up to its creed of equality,

and entered a voting booth.

demanded the right to vote. And

liberty, and justice for all people.

As I cast my vote for Joe Biden and

here 100 years later, I cast my vote

Kamala Harris, joy rushed through

for a woman vice president. It was

Election Day, of course, turned into election days as the counting of ballots proceeded until finally on Saturday, November 7, the news stations began calling the election for Biden/Harris. Throngs of people all over the country flooded the streets in triumph. Reporters began interviewing girls and women who had joined the spontaneous celebrations in all corners of America. African American and

South Asian American girls and

African Americans, as they say, were

States. Moreover, Garza co-founded

women and daughters of

the kingmakers. But this year, they

the women’s empowerment

immigrants told reporters that they

were the queenmakers too. Stacey

organization, Supermajority, which

saw themselves reflected in Kamala

Abrams proved one of the most, if

also worked tirelessly to ensure that

Harris. Feminist girls and women of

not the most important

this election would deliver a woman

all races and ethnicities, who had

queenmaker, for rather than

to the White House. The co-founders

dared to dream of this possibility,

responding to her difficult loss in the

of Black Votes Matter, LaTosha

reveled in the announcement. My

2018 gubernatorial race in Georgia

Brown and Cliff Albright, served a

fear of contracting COVID-19 kept

with despair, she launched Fair Fight

vital role in this historic election, as

me from joining the revelers. But I

to resist voter suppression, and she

did many African American

jumped up and down in my living

worked tirelessly to get out the vote.

community organizers across

room, hugged Ricky, and ran out

The queenmakers were also the

America who mobilized folks to vote.

onto my stoop to cheer through my

founders of Black Lives Matter, Alicia

This incredible social justice

mask for a second before returning

Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrice

leadership has a long tradition in the

to my quasi-quarantine world in

Cullors. Their persistent and

black community.

which I only leave my house for work

profound work for racial justice

African American women, though

and essential errands. That evening,

mobilized communities and

often ignored in popularized historic

Ricky and I celebrated quarantine

awakened the conscience of so

narratives, have always been at the

style: curled up on our sofa, we

many people across the United

forefront of the struggle to force the

toasted the television images of President Elect Joe Biden and Madam Vice President Elect Kamala Harris giving their speeches. I was thrilled that Biden understood this historic moment and included Harris in the acceptance speech. So too, as he made clear, Biden fully understood that African Americans, particularly African American women, ensured their victory.

from voting by founding the Alpha Suffrage Club and by standing up to racist suffragists. Determined and courageous, she refused requests by racist white women to march at the back of the parade during the suffrage parade in 1913. Zora Neale Hurston, through her nonfiction and fiction, debunked white supremacist myths that infected so many academic fields. United States of America to live up

helm of each wave of feminism. In

to its creed of equality, liberty, and

my limited space here, I explore a

During the 1940s Rosa Parks, a

justice for all, including the struggles

few of America’s most impactful

decade before she played a vital role

for abolition, suffrage, civil rights,

African American women who

in initiating the Montgomery Bus

women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights.

shaped history.

Boycott by refusing to relinquish her

Many authors, scholars, and

Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman

seat on a bus, launched an

activists have corrected this record

fought for abolition, racial justice,

investigation of the white men who

with phenomenal books and

and suffrage for women and people

gang raped Recy Taylor. Parks and

articles. I lack the space to include

of color and laid the foundations

Taylor were only a few of the African

them all here. A wonderful starting

along with more well-known white

American women who laid the

point to delve into the leadership of

suffragists. Ida B. Wells was at the

foundations for the battles against

African American women is A Black

forefront of first wave feminism; she

gender violence that flourished in

Woman’s History by Daina Ramey

launched a massive anti-lynching

second wave feminism and every

Berry and Kali Nicole Gross. This

campaign; she exposed the

wave since. Parks and so many

extraordinary book and so many

entangled roots of white supremacy

other African American women,

others are teaching Americans as

and patriarchy embedded in

including Ella Baker and Diane Nash,

well as people around the globe

America that nurtured the lynching

helped birth and cultivate the Civil

about how black women so often

tree. Wells also rose against the

Rights Movement. Two transgender

stood at the forefront of major

effort of racists and sexists to

woman of color, Marsha P. Johnson

reform in America as well as at the

prevent women and people of color

(an African American) and Sylvia

Rivera (a Latina), are now finally credited with launching the LGBTQ Movement with the Stonewall revolt. Shirley Chisolm was the first woman to run for president in the Democratic Primary at the height of second wave feminism.

Third wave feminism also owes its emergence to African American women. Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality and gave birth to the intersectional feminist movement that flourished in the third wave and persists today. Anita Hill forced America to begin to deal with sexual harassment when she dared to testify in Congressional hearings against the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas. Rebecca Walker highlighted that case in her essay in Ms. Magazine, which

developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw

spoke eloquently and powerfully

awakened the intersectional

and Luke Charles Harris, not only

about the important bonds of

feminist conscience of women like

launched a renewed racial justice

intersectional sisterhood at the

me coming of age at the onset of

struggle in America but also laid the

Women’s March on Washington in

the third wave of feminism. In the

foundations for the emergence of

2017.

second decade of the 21st Century,

the fourth wave of feminism. Janet

Women of color kept up the

the Black Lives Matter Movement

Mock became one of the most

momentum of racial and gender

founded by Opal Tometi, Alicia

important voices for the rights of

struggles in every arena. In sports,

Garza, and Patrisse Cullors, as well

women, people of color, and

black women athletes led the

as the #SayHerName campaign

transgender persons when she

charge. For example, black WNBA

as he has stated often, because he considered her fully prepared to become president and expressed that he wanted an equal partner in the White House. He also admired her ability to consider the criticism by progressives about her previous decisions and redevelop her ideas based on self-reflection and a deeper reconsideration of the issues. Finally, he seemed to appreciate the importance of a vice president’s ability to criticize and disagree with athletes initiated strikes, and

Many awe-inspiring women ran for

champion tennis player Naomi

the presidency in 2020, and Biden

Osaka stood in solidarity with them

considered a vast list of phenomenal

in many ways, including supporting

women to run on the ticket as vice

the #SayHerName campaign by

president. But Kamala Harris, I think,

wearing face masks with the names

proved the ideal person to rise to the

of women of color killed by police. In

top. A brilliant woman with a deep

the political organizing arena,

understanding of business, the law,

Stacey Abrams emerged as one of

and the United States Congress,

the most famous leaders, organizing

Harris never fears using her voice to

and activating communities to save

call for change. In addition, she is

American democracy by fighting

able to accept constructive criticism

against efforts to suppress voting

and engage in self-reflection as she

rights. Her efforts and those of

demonstrated when many

millions of black women across the

progressives lambasted decisions

nation in getting out the vote

she has made while attorney

ensured the election of Joe Biden

general of California. Certainly, Joe

and Kamala Harris.

Biden asked Harris to run with him,

the president. Clearly, Harris had criticized him during the debates. And yet, he chose her anyhow, or perhaps he chose her precisely because she did criticize him. Certainly, leaders cannot discern in the way leaders must without learning from their mistakes, seeking always to be better, daring to work alongside and share the spotlight with equal partners, and toiling for the people. Harris has toiled to stand for the people; that was the motto of her campaign, and that is how she sought to conduct her work in Congress. Perhaps the most

exceptional moment of her

pain of the people of America

country’s national crime is lynching. It

senatorial career was when she

witnessing what we have witnessed

is not the creature of an hour. The

defended the Justice for Victims of

since the founding of this country,

sudden outburst of uncontrolled fury

Lynching Act (later renamed the

which is that black lives have not been

or the unspeakable brutality of an

Emmett Till Antilynching Act). She

taken seriously as being fully human

insane mob. It represents the

co-authored the bill with the only

and deserving of dignity. . . . So it is

calculating deliberation of intelligent

other two African Americans in the

remarkable and it is painful to be

people who openly avow that there is

U.S. Senate, Senator Cory Booker

standing here right now, especially

an unwritten law that justifies them

and Senator Tim Scott. During a

when people of all races are marching

and putting human beings to death

debate over the bill on the very day

in the streets of America, outraged by

without complaint under oath,

of George Floyd’s funeral, then

the hate and the violence and the

without trial by jury, without

Senator Harris spoke with great

murder that has been fueled by racism

opportunity to make a defense and

passion and eloquence about the

during the span of this country’s life.

without right of appeal.” Our country

basic rights of justice, liberty, and life

And America is raw right now, her

has waited too long for a reckoning on

that all Americans are promised but

wounds exposed raw from the fact

this issue of lynching. I believe no

that African Americans have so

that in the history of our country, black

senator should stop the full weight of

often been denied:

people have been treated as less than

the law in its capacity to protect these

human. . . .

human beings and human life. Senator

“

Booker and I are working on a

On this very day, at this very hour,

Senator Harris closed her speech,

comprehensive bill to address this hurt

there is a memorial service to honor

rather fittingly, with the words of Ida

and the tragedy at the heart of this

the life of George Floyd, who was

B. Wells and her determination to

national day of mourning.

murdered on a sidewalk by a police

bring about a reckoning for the

officer with a knee on his neck. For

horrors of racial lynching that persist

As Harris gave this speech, I thought

eight minutes and 46 seconds, George

in America:

breathe. The pain experienced not

“

of Ida B. Wells and all the incredible

No longer should victims and their

racial equality in this nation. She

only by that man, that human being

families go without justice. In closing

brought such passion and

and his family and his children, but the

Ida B. Wells, once said, quote, “our

conviction to her work in the U.S.

Floyd pleaded for his life, called for his late mother, and said he could not

women, particularly women of color, who have fought for gender and

Senate. And she gave hope to so

heritage and her life reflect the

how much Madam Vice President

many people across the nation, in

mosaic of the American experience,

Kamala Harris has inculcated hope

the centennial year of the

the struggle for equal rights and

and joy in the students I work with at

Nineteenth Amendment and the

citizenship, the demand for gender

Loyola University New Orleans. Since

fifty-fifth anniversary of the Voting

and racial equality, the will and

the election, I have had the great joy

Rights Act. She always

effort to learn and grow as a leader,

of collaborating on exciting projects

acknowledges that she stands on

and the persistent movement to

with many of the 40 student staff

the shoulders of brilliant,

realize the American creed of liberty,

members at the Women’s Resource

determined, and courageous

equality, and justice for all.

Center (WRC) to commemorate this

women of color. It seems only fitting

historic moment. Tyler Sanchez and

and just that the first woman vice

To be alive to witness the right that

Carrie Elizabeth Smith, the creators

president in American history is the

my great grandmother and the

and co-hosts of the WRC’s new

daughter of immigrants of color. Her

suffragists and civil rights activists

feminist talk show, At The

father, Donald Harris, moved to

secured –the power of the “Votes for

Intersection, developed a new

America from Jamaica and became

Women'' and “One Person, One

segment, Madam Vice President.

a professor, and her mother,

Vote”—turn into the empowerment

On January 20, the Women in Politics

Shyamalah Gopalan Harris, from

of women and people of

student organizations at Loyola and

India. Kamala Harris embraced

color—deepens my faith in the

Tulane University collaborated with

proudly her black identity in many

possibility of the American dream. I

the WRC to host an evening zoom

beautiful ways, such as attending

have become even more inspired by

event celebrating and discussing the

Howard University, a Historically Black College, and by joining Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first black sorority in America. She also celebrates her Indian identity in her honor of her exceptional mother, a professor and cancer researcher, who raised her in an activist culture. Inspired by her roots and her experience, Kamala Harris dedicated her life to public service. Vice President Harris’s

inauguration. They opened the

“For the first time in a while, I have

as a ‘first lady’.” - Eryn Loria

event with a welcoming and

faith in my country. We hear it all the

encouraging message from New

time, but it’s true: representation

Orleans’ Mayor LaToya Cantrell,

matters. I feel heard. I feel seen. I feel

clips from Madam Vice President

valued. As a Black woman, I feel

Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech,

unstoppable. I know there is still a

the playing of Amanda Gormon

ways to go, but I am proud of what

reading her poem “The Hill We

we have accomplished in this

Climb,” and a profound discussion

election. Madam Vice President…

by the students, staff, faculty, and

That has a nice ring to it.” -Kennedy

“Having a Jewish second gentleman

alumni in attendance. In addition,

Garrett

does not erase the trauma that

the student editor-in-chief of The

many of us have endured during the

Feminist Forum, Brittney Giardina,

past four years, but Kamala Harris’s

and the student creative director,

interfaith relationship with Doug

Gabrielle Hawkins, developed this

Emhoff serves as a beacon of hope

issue around the theme of Black

for Jewish Americans.” - Lillian Wilkin

Lives Matter, black empowerment, and intersectional feminism. Finally, the students at the WRC have begun

“Whether we are conscious of it or

to develop a social media campaign

not, representation is something

celebrating this historic and

that matters so much- especially

momentous shattering of one of

when we are young. Kamala Harris

America’s most seemingly

holding the second most powerful

impenetrable glass ceilings.

position in the country is something that can't help but affect the next

“Seeing Kamala Harris become the

It seems fitting to close this

generation of girls growing into

first female vice president is another

Director’s Desk with the moving and

women. This ‘first’ that Harris has

step toward change that we need in

powerful words of WRC student staff

succeeded with was able to break a

our country. It gives more hope and

members. May they move you as

barrier that will no longer limit

excitement to all women and also

much as they inspire me.

young girls to look into the white

gives a more relatable face to

house and see their only future there

women of color specifically. This will

go down as a very memorable and

adversity in the heart of

empowering moment in history. I am

intersectionality, the potential to

proud to be able to experience this

succeed is limitless. “ - Kiana

moment in time.” - Armoni Gaddy

Ardoin

“Kamala Harris as the next Vice President is a wonderful thing to see as a college student because she’s our next step forward in a “Watching Kamala Harris take office

direction where women are

as the first female vice president was

taking up space and demanding

monumental, she is making history

to be heard in a new

and many firsts. After seeing women

environment.” - Crystal Pohl

in office being pushed aside and

SPECIAL THANKS: Armoni Gaddy Lillian Wilkin Kennedy Garrett Kiana Ardoin Eryn Loria Narissa Flores

belittled, I never thought we would

“It is a wonderful thing to see a

arrive to this era of a Madam Vice

government that represents the

President, so to see her taking oath

progressive nature of our time

and holding the second highest

and the possibilities of where

government position in the U.S.

we’re headed. In being able to

genuinely gives me hope for the

look at the second most powerful

future. Madam Vice President

role in the U.S. government and

Kamala Harris, the first female vice

see a face that looks like my own

president, is paving the road for

and so many young women

House, https://www.whitehouse

people of color and women in

across the country, there is an

.gov/administration/vice-

America, she laid the foundation

overwhelming feeling of

president-harris/)

and now we have to tread the path.”

empowerment unlike any other.

- Narissa Flores

We still have a long way to go,

(Photographs of Vice President Kamala Harris and the White

but Madam Vice President has proved that even in the face of

House, courtesy of the White

MISOGYNOIR, BREONNA TAYLOR, & MEG THE STALLION CLARISE QUINTERO

reakfast was usually the

with my great grandpa. A familiar

That is until recently when Quaker

busiest time of the day for my

face in our kitchen was one

decided to get rid of the image for

family. My hair was typically in two

woman with a red scarf on her

good. "We recognize Aunt

braids because my mom didn't

head, always grinning, always

Jemima's origins are based on a

know how to work with the texture

exuberant: Aunt Jemima. Once a

racial stereotype," Kristin Kroepfl,

(hers was bone straight, mine was

common household breakfast

vice president and chief

curly and seemed to think for itself,

item, her image became the

marketing officer of Quaker Foods

so "dookie" braids or buns were

subject of debate this June after

North America, said in a news

the safest option.) I would swing

the brand stated that it

release. "As we work to make

my feet at the kitchen table. It was

maintained a racial stereotype.

progress toward racial equality

marble and styled like an

The forever grinning portrait of

through several initiatives, we also

elongated booth on one end, and

that woman on syrup bottles and

must take a hard look at our

usually, about five to seven chairs

pancake mix lasted for 130 years,

portfolio of brands and ensure

would line up at the other end. I

and though it changed slightly by

they reflect our values and meet

would trace the grey lines with my

removing her "mammy" kerchief,

our consumers' expectations."

fingers while reading the paper

it remained mostly the same style.

'Misogynoir' was coined by black queer feminist Moya Bailey in 2010 in a post on gender oppression and hip hop for her blog 'Crunk Feminist Collective.' Misogynoir is misogyny directed towards black women; it happens when race and gender biases are combined. Misogynoir is something black women, myself included, have been experiencing for years now. Popular stereotypes that stem from misogynoir include little black girls being deemed as sexual or "fast," black women being loud, black women being angry, black women being rude, Immediately after this news came

woman, an image with deep ties to

out, outcries against the change

racism in America. The

followed suit. On Twitter, tweets

announcement of the change

flooded the timeline about how the

unveiled America's attachment to

change was meaningless and

the idea of Aunt Jemima, and that is

unnecessary. Most of them seemed

just one of many examples of

to be people refusing to eat from

misogynoir. The normalization of

the brand anymore. The creator of

the caricature of a black woman

the Aunt Jemima brand, a white

shows how most of America still

man, based Aunt Jemima on a

clings desperately to this idea of

character from a minstrel show

black women in subservience, stuck

played by a black woman named

in stereotypes. And unfortunately,

Nancy Green. For over 100 years,

black women in the real world bear

people served their breakfasts with

the brunt of misogynoir's effects.

a grinning caricature of a black

and of course, black women being "ratchet" or "ghetto."

Misogynoir is not something that hides either and can be present in everyday life, yet it's played off because we are still living in a culture that accepts it. In the New York Times article, “Huge Racial Disparities Found in Deaths Linked to Pregnancy,” Roni Caryn Rabin discussed issues in the medical system linked to misogynoir. The article revealed how black women are "3.3 times more likely than

white women to suffer a

other suspect) might have used her

commodify Breonna Taylor's name

pregnancy-related death." And it's

home for drug dealings. The events

but rather highlight her case as a

not only cisgender black women

have been discussed and

call to action and a symbol of hope

who are affected by misogynoir.

romanticized and idealized and

in the fight for justice. However, her

According to a 2019 study done by

nearly fantasized about so many

name became a commodity.

the Human Rights Campaign, at

times. Going into detail here would

Putting it simply, to see a dead

least 25 transgender and gender

be counterproductive because it

person become a symbol of hope is

non-conforming people who were

would only contribute to the

one thing; to see that person

fatally shot or were victims of

sensationalism regarding her

become completely 'meme-ified' is

violence were black people. In

death. The reality is that her

another. Breonna Taylor's name

addition, 91% of these victims were

personhood was gone in what felt

didn't take long to become a trend

black women. Because of issues

like seconds. As the protests grew

either, so much so that even

having to do with racism, sexism,

and spread across the country, her

celebrities such as 50 Cent couldn't

and transphobia, the effect of

name was no longer the name of a

help but to post meme-like images

misogynoir as a whole has been

human being but soon became the

on their Twitter and social media

ignored for years now. However,

name of an idea.

pages. In a recent article, Vox

misogynoir is blatantly obvious in

delves into this memeification,

two recent situations when it came

Sincere Black Lives Matter

showing how Breonna Taylor's

to two recent situations where

supporters never intended to

name became commodified after

black women suffered an injustice of some kind.

Breonna Taylor was a young woman working in the medical profession during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was 26-years-old. Her boyfriend was going to propose to her. A judge decided to give a warrant for her arrest to the officers because they believed that her then ex (a whole

her death. Various people used her name for shirts, slogans, brand promo, and at some point was even used as a piece of jewelry. This kind of objectification stemmed from the use of one phrase-- 'arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor'--being used over and over again.

This slogan soon bled into internet culture and, as a result, became the same as any other trend. Ardre Orie, a black woman who runs a

hybrid publishing house that focuses on black voices, sums up the initial beliefs behind Breonna's name's commodification: "There are people who are misinformed and miseducated, but they want to do something. And they're using the hashtag and creating it in ways that are placed behind sentences that start off as, 'My favorite movie ...' or, 'Guess what I think about X, Y, and Z,' that then [end with] "Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor.'"

Breonna Taylor became a meme

because people felt that this was

initial aggressor. It seemed like

stacked against Tory, people still

one of the only ways to bring justice

there was a surge of people

seemed to be searching for ways to

to her cause. Of course, it backfired

attempting to clear the name of

defend him; saying Meg was the

miserably. There's a reason why

this man over a woman whom he

initial aggressor, saying that she

people felt okay with making her a

assaulted.

was jealous, really saying anything to justify this act of violence

meme in the first place. The objectification of black women has

Even when the proof came forward

committed towards a young black

gotten to the point where black

of Meg's innocence, an alarmingly

woman. In an ironically disturbing

women are no longer seen as

staggering amount of people

turn of events, Tory released his

human after death, as we've seen

decided to defend Tory. Tory

album on the same day that a

from Breonna Taylor. While it may

decided to defend himself by

judge charged one of the officers

not be evident all the time,

releasing an album explaining the

present during the murder of

misogynoir has hooked its claws

situation (which he would profit

Breonna Taylor for potentially

into our culture, which has led to

from through streams.) Despite the

harming the property next to

black women being objectified and

substantial amount of evidence

Breonna's house, not for

unprotected in life and death.

Another recent example of misogynoir was the incident between Meg Thee Stallion and her ex boyfriend, Torey Lanez. On July 12, after attending a party with Tory, Meg and Tory are said to have later gotten into an argument that led to Meg being shot in the foot. Multiple witnesses and Meg herself later confirmed that it was, in fact, Tory who committed the crime, yet immediately after the shooting many came to Tory's defense. Most of the arguments ranged from Meg shooting Tory first to Meg being the

participating in the harm done to

misogynoir and the election,

Story behind 'Aunt Jemima,' and a Woman

Breonna and her family. This

perfectly summing up what all of us

Born Enslaved in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.”

situation called attention to the

know: "Black women are not naïve.

Kentucky, Lexington Herald Leader,

fact that black women are usually

We know that after the last ballot is

www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article2

unprotected. While black women

cast and the vote is tallied, we are

43794117.html.

face a significant amount of

likely to go back to fighting for

“Misogynoir: Where Racism and Sexism

violence, whether it be from the

ourselves. Because at least for now,

Meet.” The Guardian, Guardian News and

police or within the black

that's all we have."

Media, 5 Oct. 2015,

community, there's no call to justice nearly loud enough to actually aid

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/o WORKS CITED

them.

ct/05/what-is-misogynoir. Pina, Michael. “Is It OK to Sell Breonna

Diop, Arimeta. “From Megan Thee Stallion

Taylor T-Shirts?” GQ,

Though it might not be obvious,

to Breonna Taylor, Black Women's Trauma

www.gq.com/story/breonna-taylor-tshirt-et

there is undoubtedly an insensitivity

Deserves Better Than Memes.” Vanity Fair,

hics.

to the injustices that black women

Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2020,

Selyukh, Alina. “Aunt Jemima Will Change

face. Both Breonna and Meg's

www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/08/megan-t

Name, Image As Brands Confront Racial

situations shed light on how

hee-stallion-breonna-taylor-memes.

Stereotypes.” NPR, NPR, 17 June 2020,

prevalent misogynoir is today.

Gupta, Alisha Haridasani. “Why Aren't We

www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protest

Black women have continued to

All Talking About Breonna Taylor?” The New

s-for-racial-justice/2020/06/17/879104818/ac

endure disrespect from many

York Times, The New York Times, 4 June

knowledging-racial-stereotype-aunt-jemim

people, despite their integral roles

2020,

a-will-change-brand-name-and-image.

in society. Black women, as a

www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/breonna

Stallion, Megan Thee. “Megan Thee

whole, deserve more protection

-taylor-black-lives-matter-women.html.

Stallion: Why I Speak Up for Black Women.”

than what we have right now. While

Kesslen, Ben. “Aunt Jemima Brand to

The New York Times, The New York Times,

we are making change, what

Change Name, Remove Image That

13 Oct. 2020,

ensures progress and security for

Quaker Says Is 'Based on a Racial

www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/opinion/meg

black women is dropping

Stereotype'.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal

an-thee-stallion-black-women.html.

stereotypes and caricatures of

News Group, 17 June 2020,

black women that were once so

www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/aunt-je

present in day to day life. In an

mima-brand-will-change-name-remove-im

op-ed for the New York Times, Meg

age-quaker-says-n1231260.

Thee Stallion discussed the issue of

Lexington, and Alicestyne Turley. “The Real

HUMAN INTEREST: JEMIMA JOÉL KENNEDY GARRETT

020 was a year broadly

Brady, a.k.a. Jemima Joél, began

mind was open to exploring other

defined by pain, injustice, loss, and

her journey in high school. Her art

art forms that she once kept to

uncertainty. Tragedies involving

teacher, Lele Da Artist, inspired her

herself.

Breonna Taylor, George Floyd,

to pick up the brush. “I always

Elijah McClain, and so many others

thought I had to be a lawyer or a

Before recognizing her love for

have permeated the news. With so

doctor, but she showed me that

painting, she always enjoyed

much to process, it can be uplifting

art can be a ‘practical’ job,” she

singing. She spent many of her

to come across messages of hope

said. Brady realized that she could

Saturdays singing when cleaning

and reassurance. Creativity, such

turn her love for painting into a

the house and in the church choir

as music, poetry, and painting

way of living just as Lele Da Artist

with her mother and sister. “I

communicates these positive

had done by teaching and

thought all moms sang around

messages. Jemima Brady, a senior

creating her own art. Brady no

the house,” she laughed, “We did

at Loyola, currently uses her gifts

longer felt the need to conform to

it together all the time.” Singing

of painting and singing for this

societal definitions of success.

was always enjoyable and

purpose.

Now defying the norm, Brady's

something deeply personal. Fear

Jemima Joél with her piece, Branch of Love, before selling it to a family friend. Jemima Joél, Branch of Love, 2020, Acrylic, 20 x 20 inches / Courtesy of Jemima Joél of judgment gave her a lack of

Brady decided in October of 2019

talents this way boosted her

courage to sing publicly in high

to uplift her talents by sharing

confidence and purpose. “I know

school and during her first years

them. Since then, she has grown

that I can reach more people and

at Loyola. Brady saw singing as

to embrace her title as an artist.

that has inspired me to make my

an individual form of expression.

work more meaningful now that I

She did not want to be the subject

During the summer in quarantine,

have this outlet to show the gifts

of unwarranted opinions. She felt

Brady began taking advantage of

God has given me,” Brady stated.

safe in her own world where she

Instagram as a platform to sell

Instagram has also introduced

knew she was accepted for who

her art and share her voice. She

her to the work of other artists; “I

she was. But, after spending some

enjoys doing both and wants

have found other artists who have

time away from her art and

them to be recognized as a pair,

already gone through what I’m

keeping her gift of song to herself,

existing as one. Sharing her

going through. I can find

representation,” she said. This

no limits to self-expression. “It’s all

can make one forget where the

representation matters because

you and what you wanna do,” she

gift came from. “You can get so

of its ability to reaffirm the

explained. However, the cons do

wrapped up in you that you forget

importance of everyone’s voice

exist. Brady pointed out that she

to give credit to God,” she

and perspective. Discovering

loves her freedom, but it would be

claimed. Brady believes that she

other people’s creative journeys

great to learn in a more

has been given this gift for a

and shared experiences gave

professional setting. While she

reason. She hopes her art

Brady the courage to begin

has picked up some notes from

communicates that we can grow

growing as an artist.

artists that she follows on social

in our interests. We may not have

media, Brady would love a more

it all figured out or be the most

After being asked what pros

structured approach to learning

confident now, but we can do it.

come with being a self-taught

new techniques. She also

She also believes that her art

artist, Brady says that there are

discussed how being self-taught

serves as a representation of

Jemima Joél, Face in Color, 2020 , Gouache, 5 x 5 inches / Courtesy of Jemima Joél

Black beauty. She wants her work to uplift the Black community.

When asked what Black Lives Matter means to her, Brady elaborated: “To me, BLM means seeing those people who have been overlooked. It is not about a competition about which race or marginalized group is more important. It is simply giving attention to a group of people that have been oppressed and burdened with a negative light because of their skin tone. Black Lives Matter is about the Black men and women who must think twice about their safety when

they enter a public space, the

performances on Instagram Live

work can reach beyond and that

millions of Black women being

called “Paint n Riff.” In these

reach is beautiful.” Everything

ignored in their hospital rooms,

performances, Brady sings to her

Brady is inspired by and feels

the queer Black men and women

audience while showing them

while creating her work is

who stood behind the Civil Rights

how her next masterpiece is being

genuine. In the end, she does not

Movements, the Black trans sisters

created. With time, Brady also

wish to simply produce a

who are being killed daily

wants to bring more meaning to

beautiful image. She also intends

because they have the audacity

her art. “I’m showing the gift I

for every piece to touch her

to be who they are. My art honors

have, but what does it mean? I’m

audience the same way she was

the meaning of BLM because it

so passionate about social justice

touched while creating them.

honors the overlooked. It

and I want my work to reflect

symbolizes beauty and strength. It

that,” she said.

shows that we can be the faces of

I too have felt the reach of Brady’s work. She makes me proud to be

these large paintings and murals.

Brady's favorite painting titled

one of many phenomenal Black

We are the main attraction. We

‘Branch of Love’ reveals how she

women and encourages me to

are to be admired. We are the

connects to others through her

see the beauty in everything we

Mona Lisa challenging the norm.”

art. When Brady was selling art in

are. I personally am a fan and I

front of her house one day, her

encourage you to take a look at

When discussing her growth as an

father called a friend over to

her art on her Instagram account

artist, Brady imagines her art

support the venture. The friend

(@jemimajoel_). We will definitely

evolving in several ways. In

ended up buying the painting.

be seeing more from her in the

general, she wants to keep

However, weeks later, the buyer

near future.

improving her techniques, and

told Brady that he gave it to

more specifically, she hopes to

another woman who was awed

complete a mural one day. “I

by it and loved it more than he

want to learn how to evoke

ever could. She said, “This story

movement and really capture the

made me happy because it shows

essence of a person so you can

me how art transcends beyond

feel them,” she expressed. She

my position as the artist. My art

also wants to have more

can reach and make people I

opportunities to sing and paint on

don’t know feel things. The effort

camera. She currently gives

and the love that I put into my

Jemima Joél, Branch of Love, 2020, Acrylic, 20 x 20 inches / Courtesy of Jemima Joél

SPOLED GLORY NIYANNA LOPEZ

hat if everytime we looked

it’s just what pain sent, as a

statement?

upon one another

reminder to let others know,

Statements in fashion have a

instead of seeing short, medium,

who wish to invade your

knack for becoming exemplary

or long,

atmosphere, that first consent is

art,

fibers of hair banded together

required.

just as easily as depression can

we see each other’s emotional,

start trending in music.

mental, and spiritual conditions?

With all this trauma embedded

Though, I’m pretty sure it’d suck if

How would you react if I told you

deep within you,

people only thought

that they knew

circulating through your

of your ailment to be the true

you weren’t over her death?

bloodstream, growing through

nature of your soul,

Or that you have sleepless nights

your scalp,

and everywhere you go,

due to the betrayal of those whom

I can’t help, but wonder—how

you sought attention because

you can’t seem to forget?

would you style it?

you’re just dramatic.

We know you didn’t mean to hurt

Could you ever be so bold—

But if that was the case,

them,

to make such a loud melancholic

would you dare not even be seen

in public?

“Vessel, let us weigh down on

alarm will never ring in vain.

And if you’d like, we can even

your spine, so that I,

For there still is a Mighty Hand

blame

a parasite desiring deeper

working

it on the masks for a second,

attachment to your soul

in your favor, if for once you stop

because we both know that it’ll

and inner mind, may continue to

trying to

never match that “Empty

wreak my havoc upon every

play Savior and let yourself be

Blue-Black”

acre of your crown, while

saved!

you used to try and hide those

disassembling whatever strength

split ends.

you thought you may have had

You weren’t meant to be Medusa,

against the terrors of life!”

these snakes weren’t meant to be

Those split ends-- surely, every

real.

mean must have a consistent

The terrors of life embezzled in

Although, you know these things

end--

your strands of heartbreak,

to be true,

but we may never know why we

superficial realities, delusions of

you still can’t help but to stone

continue on damaged as we are,

safe keep, anxiety,

everyone in your path.

allowing our sins to mask

self-imprisonment, and so many

The tune’s from Apollo’s lyre

themselves as our glory.

more varieties

weren’t meant to vex you

For the true glory is bestowing

of negativity growing through

furthering your wrath, the

great honor

your sebaceous glands,

provocation is all in your head.

upon us, with its subtle touch of

and all because of those tainted

I get those straight-forward

the Father’s Divine Energy within

hands who cared

thoughts,

us--

nothing about how their touch

thinking alone is the way I should

all those who marvel must ask for

would affect you later on.

be, wavy in

permission before they reach out

I’m sorry that she barely told you

my decision about if this is

and touch us.

that she loved you,

actually going to

or if it wasn’t actually true.

benefit me, curl up alone thinking

This glory once dazzling and

I’m sorry he stole what remnants

of the

vivacious like vines,

of yourself

pain that I possess and if it has a

has now shape-shifted into

you thought you actually knew,

kink for

serpents of our own purgatory

that God had given you

illuminating itself, its hold on me

whispering softly do they, a

through your storm, but please

amongst

melody in rhyme:

know that this

those who actually want to see

me set free.

Perhaps, if we allow ourselves to be unbound by these sinister snakes, there might just be a chance at redemption. We just need to stop being so offended, about being left in a chapter that no one ever mentions because people tend to remember the stories about being a victim-- and not our villain. I’m not saying “aim for the head,” aim for the ends-- because until you learn to let go of those horrible experiences-- you’ll never truly get to feel what resurrection is.

THE AIR WE BREATHE JAE SCHIFNAO

s I lay in the sheets my

Those who lost their lives.

instead of the comfort their

mother washed,

Those fighting,

favorite pillow provides.

I stare at the ceiling.

at what cost?

And

Breathe in the cool,

So much life

Their life, not allowed to be

Air conditioned breeze.

taken from us.

celebrated.

There are people,

Death.

I breathe in solidarity.

In hospitals

No celebration,

In a mask that sticks to my face.

In the ICU

No more than groups of 10.

So those who are compromised,

on ventilators.

My lungs,

Will get to breathe

Breathing or not breathing.

filled with sadness.

the pure air again.

The same air as I.

For those who breathe,

The familiar home air,

But

the hospital air,

Have nothing left to breathe for.

the fresh air of the outside.

For those who died,

Is it the same?

In the hospital bed

WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES GRACE RIDDICK

ormer director of and current

have felt a need to help those

themselves completely isolated

fundraiser for HandsOn New

affected by and vulnerable to the

and unable to see their families.

Orleans, Cheryn Robles, shared

virus. As a result, at-risk New

The human interaction that

with the Women’s Resource Center

Orleanians are now receiving

HandsOn volunteers provide, from

the phenomenal and important

meals and groceries, a once

a safe distance that is, is also

work HandsOn is doing on the

run-of-the-mill task that has

helping to alleviate the mental

frontlines in the Crescent City. The

become dangerous for many in

burden of isolation that many are

mission statement of HandsOn

the city. One of the volunteers,

feeling in the city.

New Orleans is to engage,

Harris, stated “The human

empower, and transform the New

interaction of volunteering helps

Several of the volunteers at

Orleans community through

me feel whole.” With many of the

HandsOn also expressed gratitude

volunteer service. The volunteers

clusters of COVID-19 cases across

for having tasks to perform. With

at HandsOn are staying true to

the nation in nursing homes and

so many people quarantined at

their mission statement in the age

retirement homes, elderly

home, the feeling of being stuck is

of COVID-19. Several volunteers

populations have found

something that many are

experiencing. Kayzi, a tutor in New

have Alzheimers. However, since

isolation, but they are also tackling

Orleans, states: “I’m volunteering

the COVID-19 outbreak, he has

systematic food insecurity.

for HandsOn New Orleans

found new ways to help seniors.

because I like to keep moving and

Tackling food insecurity through

Everyone is adjusting to their new

be helpful. I like knowing that

volunteerism is a generous act in

routines and some have found

people will eat.” Michelle, an

itself, but for New Orleanians there

solace in the ability to stay busy

English academy administrator,

is a special appreciation for a

and provide for others. Systemic

said “Volunteering for HandsOn

community effort to feed those in

inequities are amplified during

New Orleans allows me to be

need. According to journalist

times of crisis, and the volunteers

useful. I like interacting with the

Andrew Yawn, people like Nina

at HandsOn are addressing them

other volunteers. It feels

Shelby-DuBose fear the limited

by coming together as a

good.”Helping others through the

food options at grocery stores in

community to do their part to help

pandemic is a way for many to

her neighborhood in the Ninth

fellow New Orleanians.

help themselves as well. The

Ward. With a sudden loss in wages

feeling of having a schedule and

for the majority of New Orleanians,

somewhere to be during a time

food insecurity is an unfortunate,

when people are told to stay

but all too well known, threat. In

inside, socially distance, and work

the midst of the pandemic,

from home is more important than

Shelby-DuBose and her family are

ever before. Not only are the

recognizing the similarities in their

selfless actions of the HandsOn

current situation to the food

volunteers helping vulnerable

insecurity they experienced in

populations eat, the interactions

Katrina.

with those they are serving are also providing a sense of normalcy

HandsOn New Orleans is helping

for everyone in the form of human

those in similar situations to

interaction and duty.

Shelby-DuBose. By providing meals to those who are unable to make it

James, a florist and HandsOn

to the grocery stores, HandsOn

volunteer, said that he usually

volunteers are not only safely

volunteers to assist seniors who

providing human contact during Photographs courtesy of Cheryn Robles

“INVISIBLE ILLNESS” IN THE TIME OF COVID

THE WORKPLACE AS A DEATH SENTENCE LYNSEY GIARDINA

brush it off like everything else, for

that much harder when

the adhesive and the skin on my

this is what living with an invisible

management, human resources,

chest as I prepare for another shift.

illness is like. You bump into

and COVID-19 are involved.

I look in the mirror to see if the

ignorance at every turn.

y hands get stuck between

Questions of safety are life and

white top poking out is noticeable. I button up anyway. When I go into

My workplace environment has

death. A guest sitting at a table is a

work and start scooping rice,

been gracious with

frightening prospect. A customer

trying to forget about the

accommodating my chronic

roaming the grocery store is a

intolerable itch, someone spots it.

conditions: migraines,

death notice for the workers.

“What’s that on your chest,” they

hypoglycemia, and ventricular

Whether or not you are better off

ask with every right. “A heart

tachycardia (to name a few).

staying at home, living off

monitor,” I say as I drink my

However, the above conversation

unemployment, hoping that is

much-needed coffee. “Well, you

is not unusual, and the lack of

enough for your medical debt, or

shouldn’t have caffeine then if

wide-spread information can

taking the job now with the risks it

you're having heart problems.” I

make navigating the workplace

presents is a constant debate.

People with underlying health

“What Women With Invisible Illness

fragile, porcelain-like doll. They are

conditions, whether visible or

Want Employers To ‘See’,” surveyed

waiting for you to shatter. The

invisible, are getting the short end

the accommodations women with

patronizing questions— “are you

of the stick due to the pandemic.

invisible illnesses need and looked

okay,” “do you need the day off,”

They must take the small number

at how they are not up to par.

“how are you feeling,”—are

of options in their hands and roll

Spencer interviewed a woman

covered with compassion. There is

the dice on their life. Those who

named Harper Spero, who hosts

a fine line between supporting

choose to go back to work after

the podcast “Made Visible.” Spero

someone with an illness and

the lockdown—whether it pays

went into detail on how employers

assuming they cannot fulfill the

more than the government aid,

can better accommodate their

tasks at hand. Spero notes that

whether they worry if they wait too

employees: “maintain an open

“it's important for employers to

long, they won't have a job to

door policy,” “establish a mindful

trust their employees in knowing

come back to, or whatever the

hiring process,” “be flexible,” and

they'll do their work, on their own

reason—are facing severe

“be careful not to make

terms and time while managing an

challenges as they navigate new

assumptions.” The decision to

invisible illness.”

systems built on eggshells. The

disclose one’s illness “isn't generally

workers most affected are those

made lightly and one of the most

Flash forward seven months, and

with invisible illnesses. An invisible

important things those in

the pandemic is on the rise. Those

illness is a disability, chronic health

management positions can do is

with invisible illnesses go into

condition, disease, or mental

to make themselves available to

recluse mode, hoping that if they

illness that is not physically visible.

employees.” She explains the fear

do catch it, it will either be a bad

This makes it difficult to explain, be

associated with disclosure, for

bout of the flu or they don’t get it

seen, and be heard, presenting

once you disclose, an employer

at all. The sad truth is that many

challenges when it comes to

may change their view on your

people with invisible illnesses are

self-advocacy for workplace and

work ethic and capabilities. This is

either immunocompromised,

education accommodations and

a fear I, and I am sure many others

immunosuppressant, or have a

healthcare.

with invisible illnesses, live with

condition that makes fighting off

every day. Once you express your

this particular virus difficult to do.

Looking back at workplaces before

concerns, you have suddenly

In a CNN article, “They're living

the pandemic, in September of

changed in their eyes. You go from

with an invisible illness. Social

2019, Forbes writer Erin Spencer, in

a healthy, capable worker to a

distancing will save their lives,”

Christina Zdanowicz discusses the life-threatening obstacles those with invisible illnesses face in the time of COVID-19. “Some of them are young and most of them may not look sick at all,” she explains as “millions of them are living with a compromised immune system.” Whether it is from “a disease that's weakened their immune systems,” or they “are taking immunosuppressants for cancer or organ transplants,” people with invisible illnesses now rely on these restrictions for their safety. Inconveniences such as masks, lockdowns, curfews, and other new regulations are in place to help the elderly, high-risk patients, and those with invisible illnesses.

The issue is that the government aid of an extra $600 a week ran out in July. This helped people, like me, who had valid fears of coming back to work prolong making tough decisions. What do you do when you encounter a guest refusing to wear a mask? What do you do when you see a customer practice poor sanitization? What

happens when your glove touches

Aparna R's, "The burden and

the tip of a guest’s finger when

consequences of self-advocacy for

handing them the to-go bag?

disabled BIPOC,” published on the

Everyday occurrences now carry

website, Disability Visibility Project

the weight of being

in July 2020, doesn't mention the

life-threatening. I chose to go back

pandemic; however, it does delve

to work out of concern that I would

deep into the interplay between

not have had a job to come back

race/ethnicity and health

to when I was ready. The economy

accommodations. Aparna

was and still is so fragile. These life

discusses how women, especially

and death regulations are now

women of color, face

being lifted as people with invisible

discrimination when on the job, or

illnesses make the tough call to

in this case, the classroom. “As

head back into the workforce,

someone with chronic illnesses

hoping it is not a death sentence.

and invisible disabilities,” Aparna

explains that, “as an Indian

disclosure that the act requires can

affected by the virus. According to

American woman from a culture in

put a halt to many of these

the CDC, “inequities in the social

which disability as a concept is

accommodations.

determinants of health, such as

taboo – a word hushed into silence

poverty and healthcare access,

if spoken aloud, I was years into

“What’s missing from the

affecting these groups are

adulthood before I realized

conversation is the burden that

interrelated and influence a wide

disability was an identity I had the

requiring self-advocacy places on

range of health and quality-of-life

right to claim.” Throughout the

us as disabled people just to

outcomes and risks.” They believe

article, she discussed the impact

secure our place in the classroom,”

that true health equity can only

the Americans with Disabilities Act

and even in the workforce. Aparna

emerge with barriers removed.

(ADA) and Section 504 of the

dissects the issues that BIPOC face

These barriers include but are not

Rehabilitation Act had on her life.

when having to present medical

limited to: discrimination;

Still, she doesn’t hesitate to

documents. When “students with

healthcare access and utilization;

highlight its limitations. The ADA

disabilities need to be registered

occupation; educational, income,

was rather inclusive in 1990,

and have documentation on file

and wealth gaps; housing. Having

looking at disabilities ranging from

from healthcare providers,” it can

to disclose an invisible illness,

physical to mental health. Its

be difficult if that family doesn’t

prove its existence, and campaign

purpose was to prevent

have the same access to health

for its validity are challenges that

discrimination in the workplace;

care as their white counterparts.

self-advocacy presents, whether

provide accommodations within

BIPOC “are underdiagnosed and

within the education system or the

public transportation, public and

experience greater barriers to

workforce. Add the barrier of

commercial facilities, and

healthcare due to medical racism

systemic racism, BIPOC dealing

telecommunications; and allow

and bias,” for “there is extensive

with invisible illnesses have little to

certain services such as service

evidence that BIPOC face

no chance of being heard.

animals. This landmark act, which

disparities in diagnosis, treatment,

has been revised throughout the

insurance coverage, and quality of

Aparna goes into extreme depth

decades, allowed people with

medical care, and these disparities

detailing the harassment she

disabilities to navigate public and

remain even after controlling for

endured when asking for

commercial spaces better, putting

socioeconomic factors.” The data

accommodations from a professor

a small stop to ableism. However,

during the pandemic showed that

in a Master of Public Health

the burden of self-advocacy and

BIPOC were disproportionately

program (she does not name the

university). The professor went on

have your needs met.

to use other students’ medical histories as a comparison for

Having systemic racism permeate

Aparna’s supposed inability to

the health care system, BIPOC are

complete the course and lack of

making formidable decisions,

need for the accommodations.

weighing the choice of their life

Despite Aparna being of Asian

against their quality of life. Will my

descent, she describes her

mask-wearing make a difference if

experience as “the ‘angry black

the customers are not required?

woman’ stereotype.” She explains

What packages or payment plans

that “other women of color, such

are in place in case I do get sick?

as South Asian women, are often

How will I be able to afford the

also subject to being stereotyped

hospital bills if I fall ill? If I don’t go

as irrationally ‘angry’ when we

back to work, can I survive off

don’t remain submissive in the face

unemployment? These tragic

of oppression as expected by the

questions are not being answered;

model minority myth, another

they are simply being lived

harmful stereotype that serves

through. As people with invisible

white supremacy.” Since she would

illnesses grapple with disclosure,

not bend to her professor, she was

ignorance, and day to day living,

deemed “angry.” Even though she

COVID-19 heightens the possibility

has a disability giving her the right

for mistreatment. The gaps

to accommodations, the obstacles

between the disabled and the

involved in self-advocacy

abled, the ill and the well, grew

prevented her from receiving them.

massively, allowing for the

Her voice, the one the ADA requires

silencing of self-advocacy of

all disabled people to have to

invisible illnesses, disabilities, and

speak up when called upon, was

chronic conditions.

silenced. She lost her ability to advocate in those moments, and without that ability, it is difficult to

LGBTQ+

WHY AND HOW WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT JAKE KRUG

n July 1, 2020, Shaki Peters, a

reported a 20th and 21st death of

highlighting one of the many

32-year-old black transgender

the same nature. Since the HRC

challenges faced by the LGBTQ

woman was shot and killed in

began reporting on deaths like

community as it tracks an

Amite City, Louisiana. Two

these in 2013, it has never seen

unprecedented wave of violence

individuals, Christopher Causey

such record numbers at that point

affecting transgender individuals.”

and Lynette Muse, are being

in the year. Even after death,

The misgendering of deceased

charged for the second degree

transgender and

trans individuals occurs far too

murder of Peters. According to the

gender-non-conforming people

often after their tragic deaths. This

Human Rights Campaign, her

are shown disrespect; many news

injustice is yet another way the

death is believed to be at least the

articles misgendered Peters

violence continues.

19th known violent death of a

following her death. When

transgender or

discussing Peters’ murder, People

The Black Trans Lives Matter

gender-non-conforming individual

magazine pointed out that

Movement, BTLM, is vital in

in 2020. Within just three days

“Authorities initially identified the

reducing violence against this

following Peters’ death, the HRC

transgender woman as a man –

intersectional, marginalized group.

BTLM aims to decrease violence

Trump was elected in 2016. His

unemployment and homelessness

against transgender people of

administration reversed

rates amoung transgender people

color, assist those who need help,

Obama-era protections for trans

of color. According to a 2015 survey

and reinstate protections. The

students, erased rules protecting

conducted by The National Center

movement seeks to support the

trans people from discrimination in

for Transgender Equality (NCTE),

black trans community by

health care, and reimposed the

along with Black Transmen Inc.,

redistributing police funding to

ban on trans people serving in the

Black Transwomen, and the

organizations that benefit those in

military. The Human Rights

National Black Justice Coalition,

need, such as The Audre Lorde

Campaign has reported that in

“20 percent of Black transgender

Project, The Bail Project, and the

2019, 91 percent of the

respondents were unemployed,

Black Visions Collective. The

transgender/gender-nonconformi

twice the rate among Black people

movement hopes to bring to light

ng people who were victims of gun

in the U.S. population” and “42

the violence this group faces and

violence were black women.

percent of Black transgender

protect them from future injustices.

Additionally, at least 30

respondents have experienced

transgender or

homelessness at some point in

Despite these strides towards

gender-nonconforming people

their lives, compared to 30 percent

progress, trans people continue to

have been killed in 2020 alone, the

in the USTS sample overall.” These

be discriminated against. Lambda

majority being people of color.

statistics are shocking; however,

Legal, a U.S. civil rights

there is still significantly less

organization that focuses on

In light of these gross injustices

research concerning this

LGBTQ+ communities through

and reversal of rights, the Black

demographic. The National

impact litigation, education, and

Trans Lives Matter movement is a

Alliance to End Homelessness

policy work, states that black trans

voice for the voiceless. In 2020,

came out with a July 2020 brief

people in particular are killed and

donations to organizations that

that addressed this lack of

incarcerated at disproportionate

help black trans people, individual

information, but still warned

rates. Nearly one in six transgender

fundraisers, and bail funds have

readers that all of the available

Americans and one in two black

increased dramatically. There has

data shows that “transgender

transgender people have been to

been a large demand to restribute

people are more likely to be

prison. According to the Human

police funding to education and

unsheltered than their cisgender

Rights Campaign, violence against

public housing, which could lead

peers, and those who are

trans people increased after

to a decrease in the

unsheltered have considerably

more health and safety challenges

Looking at the huge changes the

more tragic deaths like that of

than those who are sheltered.” This

movement hopes to accomplish

Shaki Peters.

marginalization even in poverty

can be daunting. But just because

makes BLMT efforts that much

big changes are being made, this

more important.

doesn’t mean one can’t make small steps to help. It is the job of

Moreover, the push to defund the

more privileged allies to help

police is a vital part of BLM

where you can to ensure the safety

movements. Redistributing police

of those who need it the most. It’s

funding is a step in the right

incredibly important for non-black,

direction to broadly change the

cisgender individuals within and

justice system. Advocates for the

outside of the LGBTQ+ community

defund movement like Phillip

to listen to transgender people of

McHarris and Thenjiwe McHarris

color in order to give them their

argue that shifting police force

platform and lend support in

funds to social services that can

whichever way possible. Allies can

improve things such as mental

support the movement by donat-

health, homelessness, and

ing to black queer organizations

addiction would be a better use of

(The Equal Justice Initiative, “Kids

taxpayer money that would

of Colour,” and the Racial Justice

ultimately decriminalize and

Network, in addition to the organi-

destigmatize mental health and

zations aforementioned), contact-

addiction problems. Recently,

ing local and state leaders in areas

some large municipalities with a

where police brutality is common,

history of police brutality have

and signing petitions to demand

reallocated funds in accordance

justice for those who have been

with the defund movement. Los

affected by targeted violence. The

Angeles, for example, will have at

Black Trans Lives Matter move-

least $100 million reallocated away

ment has been in motion for years,

from the LAPD to programs for

and it’s time we support it now

minority communities.

more than ever in order to prevent

FASHION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

DECONSTRUCTING THE UNIFORMS OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS, ANTIFA, AND BLACK LIVES MATTER LILLIAN WILKIN

n August of 2017, hundreds of

blood” are better connected to

example of this trend, assigning a

white nationalists flocked to the

home soil, as Meg Wagner pointed

uniform gives a movement a group

town of Charlottesville, Va. for the

out in Blood and soil’: Protesters

identity, which is used to reinforce

“Unite the Right'' rally at a park

chant Nazi slogan in Charlottesville

their message.

previously dedicated to

(August 2017). When pictures of

confederate general, Robert E. Lee.

this event were released to the

This column deconstructs the

Counter protestors arrived, and

press, the image of white

fashion used by various groups

the rally soon turned violent. Unite

nationalists in white polos and

embroiled in the American racial

the Right protestors stood with

khaki pants, holding flaming

struggle. It is important to

Confederate flags, swastikas, and

torches was forever burned into

emphasize that the Women’s

the Vanguard logo, bearing the

the minds of people across

Resource Center opposes racism

white nationalist slogan, “blood

America. These images gave the

and prejudice of all kinds. The WRC

and soil.” This same phrase was

movement a uniform, specifically,

supports nonviolent resistance

used in Nazi Germany to promote

one that symbolizes privilege.

movements that aim to achieve

the idea that those with “white

While Charlottesville is a small

equal rights and justice for all

people. In this exploration, it has

look instills fear in some while

decades. However, in 1917,

become clear that each side of this

reminding others of the rebellion.

protestors reclaimed the color.

multifaceted issue has their own

The term black bloc was originally

This time, white was the color of

uniform, which exemplifies their

coined by the Black Panther

choice at the National Association

message and approach to

movement in the 1960s and ‘70s

for the Advancement of Colored

protesting in some way.

and symbolized a willingness to

People (NAACP) protests. Following

resort to violence, something that

the violent attacks on people of

Both racists and anti-racists in the

is also commonly associated with

color in East St. Louis, hundreds of

modern struggle have begun to

Antifa, and is displayed by Rick

black protestors silently stormed

develop uniforms to convey their

Paulas in his article Why Antifa

Fifth Avenue in pure white dress.

mission. The concept of giving a

Dresses Like Antifa (Nov 29, 2017).

This fashion choice was meant to

movement a uniform is not new. In

While the Black Panther

symbolize innocence. Furthermore,

fact, modern Anti-fascist

movement’s interpretation of

white clothing was easily found in

protestors, otherwise known as

black-bloc included monochrome

the closets of many protestors,

Antifa, modeled their uniform in

turtlenecks and berets, Antifa

since it is commonly worn to

memory of the Black Panther

protestors often wear more casual

church.

movement. Contrary to popular

attire, including black ski-masks

belief, Antifa is not an actual

and goggles to protect their

Utilizing their “Sunday best” was

organization, but there are Antifa

identity.

no new feat for protestors. On May 25 of the same year, protestors in

groups, which are a part of the greater movement. Antifa

Color is an important choice for a

Columbia, S.C. protested in their

protestors began wearing their

uniform. The color white is often

Sunday best, wearing jewel-toned

“uniform” during the

associated with purity, whereas

suits, button-down shirts, silk

aforementioned Charlottesville

black is often seen as dark and

dresses and bowties. March

protests. These protestors wore

vile. In his iconic 1979 publication

organizers had instructed others to

“black bloc” to show their

“Color Connotations and Racial

wear dress attire, illustrated by

opposition to alt-right protestors.

Attitudes,” Douglas Longshore

Vanessa Friedman’s The Dress

This uniform is borderline

argued that the negative and

Code of the Uprising (June 16,

militaristic and reminds many

positive perceptions of these colors

2020). Leo Jones, the march

people of “Star Wars''

have been used to reinforce racial

organizer, expressed his thoughts

stormtroopers, which is why the

biases in the United States for

in an interview with the New York

Times. Jones said that the point of this is to “reframe the narrative and build a sense of joy in our community to see us looking so well, and marching with such pride.” By creating a uniform that is viewed as traditionally sophisticated, the movement empowers its members and combats negative or classist perceptions about people of color.

Countless celebrities and activists have been seen wearing shirts and masks sporting different Black Lives Matter slogans. Danielle Brooks, Regina King, Jessica Alba, and over 70 other celebrities posted pictures on Instagram sporting shirts that read “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.” These shirts were produced by a black, female business and proceeds were donated to the Breonna Taylor Foundation. At the

following to spread awareness

debate about racism within the

about the movement in

sports. This led to his iconic

non-conventional ways.

collaboration with Nike, a powerful

Additionally, partaking in this type

statement about racism in

of dress at any sort of award show

America, which has since

is a way for celebrities involved in

influenced many other athletes to

the BLM movement to stand up to

speak out against racism, such as

an industry that has mistreated

Malcom Jenkins, a New Orleans

people of color for decades.

Saints defensive back. “That was

Emmys, Uzo Aduba, Sterling K Brown, and Regina King were also spotted sporting clothing that sported different BLM phrases. Wearing shirts with slogans like these allows those with a large

the moment where I said, I don’t Different athletes have also utilized

want to just tweet. I don’t want to

masks and t-shirts to show

just wear a T-shirt with some words

solidarity with the BLM movement.

of protest,” Jenkins said in an

Colin Kaepernick’s acts of protest

interview (Taylor, 2020).

on the field jump started a major

While the Black Lives Matter

movement utilizes fashion, the

typically more than one woman of

meaning behind many of the

fashion industry itself is often

color in an advertisement. Bemi

co-ordinated Black Lives Matter

criticized for a lack of diversity. The

Shaw, a stylist, confessed in an

protests is the unity. It’s about

events that occurred earlier this

interview with The Guardian that

getting a large group of people to

summer prompted many brands

she was often referred to as a

come together and effectively

to speak out against racism.

“token hire” in the fashion industry,

communicate in order to make a

However, some people of color

because she is a black woman

beautiful statement. Even though

within the fashion community have

(Shaw, 2020). Shaw also confessed

certain violent groups use

questioned if these actions were

that she is often mistaken for other

uniforms, clothing can be a

performative. This reveals a

black designers. For these reasons,

powerful tool for peaceful change,

deeper issue within the industry.

Shaw believes that the fashion

as is the case with BLM.

Naomi Campbell, the first black

industry needs to do more.

model to appear on the covers of

Occasionally showcasing a

French Vogue and Time

conventionally attractive woman

magazines, thinks that protests

of color in advertisements, or

held in the past few months will

posting a heartfelt tweet, does not

change the global fashion and

absolve companies of their

beauty industries by creating job

shortcomings, nor does it

opportunities and products for a

contribute to the prosperity of

broader range of people. “Now the

black women within the industry.

whole world is on the same page.

While many companies took

The voices are coming out now ...

actions over the summer to defend

and I look at that with optimism

the BLM movement, many of them

that we will get our change,”

have not taken steps to be more

Campbell said in an interview with

inclusive in their advertising,

Reuters (Akwagyiram 2020).

support black designers, or include people of color on their executive

Still, Campbell’s experience is rare

boards.

for a woman of color in the

While there is a significance behind

industry. When looking at

wearing certain colors or articles

magazine spreads, there is not

of clothing, the underlying

WOMEN IN ENVIRONMENT

A BRIEF LOOK AT TRAILBLAZERS IN ADVOCACY PIERCE CARTER

here have been many successful

have been women prior to the

environmental rights has

female environmentalists who

contemporary struggle that

expanded into a struggle for equal

champion both the earth and the

deserve recognition. Wangari

rights, liberties and opportunities

marginalized. Historically,

Maathai, Berta Cáceres and

as well.

environmental conservation has

Winona LaDuke all made

been cluttered with images such

important strides for both

Wangari Maathai was born on

as former vice president Al Gore or

conservation and promoting the

April 1st, 1940 in Nyeri, Kenya. She

natural historian David

livelihood of their fellow citizens

completed her primary education

Attenborough but women such as

through activism. In the face of

in Nyeri but attended what is now

Congresswoman Alexandria

both adversity and breaking

known as Benedictine College in

Ocasio-Cortez and activist Greta

barriers, they still broke ground in

Kansas due to the Kennedy Airlift

Thunberg have emerged. The role

environmental conservation and

program, a program enacted by

of women, especially women of

continued the fight for bettering

Tom Mboya which sought to help

color, in the movement has grown

the lives of those impacted.

promising Kenyan students study

in recent years. However, there

Because of this, the fight for

in the US or Canada. After

graduating, she attended

commemorated by the planting of

University of Pittsburgh to get a

seven trees in honor of community

masters’ in Biology. During this

leaders on World Environment Day

time, there was a campaign to rid

in 1977.

the city of air pollution, which sparked her interest in

GBM continued to assist women in

environmental restoration and

keeping a steady source of water,

conservation.

food and firewood. After witnessing that her countrymen

In 1971, Maathai became the first

faced food insecurity, improper

activist, Caceres co-founded the

woman in Eastern Africa to earn a

farming methods and lack of

Council of the People’s Indigenous

Ph.D., receiving hers in veterinary

resources that were connected to

Organization (COPINH) in 1993.

anatomy from the University of

political corruption, Maathai

The organization launched

Nairobi, helping set a precedent

enacted a series of seminars that

campaigns against companies

that inspired others. Throughout

focused on civic engagement and

who wanted to build dams that

the 70s, Maathai continued to be

environmental sustainability

generated hydroelectric power on

involved in both education and

education. The impact GBM made

sacred lands claimed by the Lenca

environmental conservation. She

continues, with over 50 million

community. COPINH also took on a

served as an anatomy lecturer and

trees being planted in Kenya and

fight against illegal logging and

associate professor at the

evolving to incorporate a fight for

advocated to save sacred lands

University of Nairobi and was

democracy and a push for leaders

from being used by corporations.

involved in the founding of

to take responsibility for their

COPINH’s efforts led to the

Envirocare which started as a

actions in both an environmental

intersection of promoting equal

project of planting trees in her

and political realm.

rights for indigenous people and

personal nursery and evolved into

women and protecting sacred

getting citizens to plant trees to

In addition, Berta Cáceres was an

lands and territory. Caceres

help the environment. This led to

environmental activist from

employed several tactics to fight

the first official event of the Green

Honduras and a member of the

back against loggers and

Belt Movement (GBM), an

Lenca community who focused her

companies who wanted to

organization that promotes

efforts on protecting indigenous

develop sacred lands, including

environmental conversation in

lands due to the threats

protests in the form of human

Eastern Africa, which was

surrounding them. As a student

blockades and marches.

Caceres focused her efforts in

environmental activist whose work

awareness to the colonial attitude

Honduras, which is considered to

has focused primarily on

that lingers in our society. LaDuke’s

be the most dangerous country for

indigenous rights in the United

work shows there is a deep

environmental activists.

States and ran for vice president of

connection between

Throughout her career, she

the United States on the Green

environmental rights and the

received kidnapping and death

Party ticket with Ralph Nader in

rights of the oppressed.

threats from those linked to the

1996 and 2000. Born to a Native

corporations who wanted

American father, LaDuke quickly

The impact Maathai, Caceres and

deforestation operations to

established herself as an activist

LaDuke made on environmental

continue. 2016 proved to be a

who was willing to promote both

conservation was important and

deadly year for environmentalists,

conservation and Native American

extended into social activism. They

many were assassinated due to

issues. LaDuke started the White

stood up for the rights of the

their activist work. Caceres was

Earth Land Recovery Project in

oppressed and made strides to

assassinated in her home on

response to the dismissal of a

improve the quality of life for those

March 2nd, 2016. In response, her

lawsuit she was involved in, which

who had the deck stacked against

mother said “I have no doubt that

was filed to recover land granted

them. By highlighting these

she has been killed because of her

to the Anishinaabeg tribe by an

women, they become new sources

struggle and that soldiers and

1867 treaty. The focus of the

of inspiration to a new generation

people from the dam are

project is recovering native land

of activists and environmentalists.

responsible, I am sure of that. I

and also preserving traditions and

hold the government responsible.”

practices so they can be passed

The impact of COPINH extends far

down. LaDuke also created the

beyond Honduras and far beyond

Indigeneous Women’s Network,

conservation. By protecting sacred

which works to showcase Native

land and territory through

women and create opportunities

protesting, Caceres and her

that may be inaccessible to them.

organization secured a major win

Throughout her career, LaDuke

for indigenous groups and set a

has assisted in recovering 1,000

powerful precedent for both

acres of stolen Native land and

environmental and indigenous

brought attention to Native

rights.

American women being forced to

Winona LaDuke is an

undergo sterilization, bringing

LISTEN TO THIS

FEMINIST VOICES IN THE PODCAST WORLD CHLOE EVANS

growing as people and changing

podcasts are different. They allow

popular in recent years, and for

ourselves and the world for the

all voices to be heard and all sorts

good reason. They tell interesting

better.

of stories to be told. Podcasts have

odcasts have become quite

grown to be more diverse in recent

stories and are easily accessible. Almost anyone with a microphone

A few years back, one of my close

years, reaching more people than

and a recording device is capable

queer friends suggested a podcast

before. Whether it’s a fictional

of creating a podcast, allowing

to me. They told me about how

story about a strange desert town,

anyone to share their story and

“Welcome to Night Vale” told an

a commentary on the band U2, an

perspective. They are a great way

interesting story and had a whole

analysis of current events, or a

to start looking at the world

cast of characters like they’d never

discussion on marginalization,

differently and understand the

seen. For once, they felt

there’s a podcast for it. These all

lives of those around us. Listening

represented. There are so many

appear on accessible platforms,

to what others have to say and

stories that are never told in the

such as Apple Podcasts and

really thinking about what it

mainstream media due to fear of

Spotify, which make it easy to listen

means is an important step in

diversity and inclusivity, but

and create.

While I still listen to a good number

world. Most professions are

Body Trauma Podcast—

of fictional podcasts, I have

male-dominated and

Body Trauma is a series of

branched off and begun listening

predominantly white. The podcast

personal interviews hosted by Mia

to more informative shows.

brings awareness to the lack of

Patterson. She talks with people

Specifically, I’ve begun to listen to

diversity that exists and gives

about their experiences within their

shows where women conduct

recognition to those who are

own bodies. The host starts off the

interviews and have honest

skilled in their field. In season one,

episode by asking, “what has life

conversations about the world we

episode 45, Robinson interviews

been like in your body?” allowing

are living in:

Reese Witherspoon. They discuss

for open-ended conversations and

Witherspoon’s current projects as

answers about personal

Sooo many white guys—

well as her experience as a woman

experience. This includes their

The host, Phoebe Robinson,

in the film industry. Witherspoon

physical experiences-- such as

interviews various artists and

brings attention to the lack of

abuse, racism, homophobia,

professionals, all of which are

diversity in the industry and how

sexism, and their family

women or people of color, except

she has created her own media

relationships-- as well as their

for the last episode in the season.

company, called Hello Sunshine, to

experiences with mental illness.

In this episode, she interviews one

allow for the creation of more

The interviews don’t necessarily

“token white guy.” The token white

diverse projects. Witherspoon

focus on all the negative aspects of

guy is actor Adam Scott, who

notes that when the 2008

a person’s life. They also discuss

discusses his personal life, his

recession hit, lots of the movies

how an individual has overcome

journey in the film and TV industry,

that didn’t get made were the ones

their struggles and how their body

and working on Reese

that starred women and people of

has helped them survive. Stories of

Witherspoon’s show “Big Little

color or that had LGBTQ+

how different people experience

Lies.” The interviews are upbeat,

storylines. Her company has

life in their own bodies and how

lively, and hilarious. It feels casual

allowed for more diverse stories to

their body influences that

and personal and lets the listener

be told and for equal opportunities

experience move and inspire the

gain insight into the creative world

to be presented. In her show “Big

listener. There is so much to learn

from the perspective of a very

Little Lies,” Witherspoon has

and gain by listening to other

diverse group of individuals. This

created an opportunity to tell the

people’s stories. It is extremely

podcast makes a statement about

story of several different women

insightful to hear how other people

the lack of diversity in various

and their relationships to one

exist and live and what their

professions, specifically in the art

another in an honest way.

bodies have survived. In episode 15,

Patterson interviews Caleb Luna,

long-distance friends Aminatou

between women are easily

who identifies as a queer,

Sow and Ann Friedman, about

overlooked, but their significance is

non-binary, disabled person of

current issues in the world and in

immeasurable. This podcast is a

color. This episode delves into

their personal lives. In episode 270,

reminder of their impact.

Luna’s experiences in their own

they have a conversation about

body, including the abuse and

self-care in the time of a pandemic

Podcasts are a way for almost

trauma they faced as a result of

and how they are coping with the

anyone to voice their thoughts,

their appearance, as well as stories

state of the world. Sow makes a

feelings, and share their stories. All

of how their body has survived.

point of asking Friedman how she

of these podcasts are honest

Luna discusses their relationship

is at the beginning of the show, to

conversations with diverse groups

with their body and gender, stating

which she replies, “I mean this is a

of people. They are able to openly

that their “relationship to [their]

hard question to answer at this

and honestly discuss their

gender is a little bit different… than

point in time.” The conversations

struggles, whether it’s Reese

the way other people talk about it.

they have are honest and real and

Witherspoon combating

Whereas for [them] it’s a lot about

don’t overlook any of the stresses

discrimination in Hollywood or the

the way [their] body gets

in any aspects of their lives. They

Resistance Revival Chorus

interacted with, less so about how

discuss how right now, during the

spreading female companionship

[they] feel about [themselves].”

pandemic, a dinner party is a

through conversations about their

This whole interview takes a dive

“forbidden dream.” In episode 272,

music. Everyone has a story to tell,

into the life and perspective of a

they switch it up and have several

and quite a few will go unheard.

singular person and helps the

women who are a part of the

These podcasts give an

listener better understand one

Resistance Revival Chorus join in

opportunity for so many

individual’s experience. This

on the conversation and discuss

wonderful, talented individuals to

podcast is a reminder that every

their activism and how they are

talk about their experiences in life,

person is unique, which is

changing the world through their

to spread love and awareness, and

something that should be

music. Listening to this podcast is

to inspire others and make

celebrated, not shamed. Call your

like having coffee with your besties.

listeners feel less alone. No matter

girlfriend—This podcast is warm

It’s honest, it’s funny, and it’s a way

what we might be facing in the

and welcoming and a good

to feel a little less alone, especially

world, we will go through it

reminder of the benefits of female

when you might not be able to go

together. And these podcasts are a

companionship. It’s an honest

out and see your friends right now

reminder that someone is there to

conversation between two

in the time of covid. Relationships

listen.

INTERSECTIONALITY AND THE CHURCH’S MISSION CHRIS KELLERMAN, SJ

he Women’s Resource Center at

landmark article: that in our

situation of injustice in the early

Loyola is an organization that is

unique selves, we embody certain

Jerusalem community of Jewish

proudly intersectional. But how

traits—such as race, gender, sexual

Christ-followers: “At that time, as

does intersectionality relate to the

identity, and ability—place us

the number of disciples continued

Catholic mission of our university?

within the overlapping and

to grow, the Hellenists complained

intersecting structures of society.

against the Hebrews because their

Legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw

widows were being neglected in

coined the term “intersectionality”

St. Luke, who wrote both the

the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1). To

in 1989, and since then,

gospel that bears his name and

correct this situation, the believers

intersectional theory has grown in

the Acts of the Apostles, seems to

in Jerusalem designated seven men

popularity as a social-justice

have understood this

to help out with this “daily

oriented form of social analysis.

phenomenon well.

distribution.” These men were later

But as Crenshaw knew, the basis of

identified in Church tradition as the

intersectional theory lays in a

For example, early in the Acts of

first deacons, a ministerial office

reality that long pre-existed her

the Apostles, Luke tells us about a

that apparently included women

as well (cf. Rom 16:1-2).

economic status of these women intersected with some kind of

We do not know what the daily

cultural-religious problem that

distribution was, but we can infer

further sustained these women’s

from the text it was some kind of

poverty. Luke finds it important to

resource for those who were living

give us these details about these

with economic instability. The

women’s particular situation and

widowed women living in poverty

to tell us that the community

in this community must have relied

addressed the problem.

upon this daily distribution for their

castrated—whether by his choice

good health and livelihood. But

Luke also tells a story in Acts 8 of

or not—was what we might call a

one group of these widowed

one of those deacons from Acts 6,

sexual minority in ancient culture.

women—those of the

Philip, meeting an “Ethiopian

Though Luke tells us the man had

“Hellenists”—were being neglected.

eunuch” who is riding a chariot.

just been worshipping in

The term “Hellenists” probably

This man was in charge of the

Jerusalem, it is possible this traveler

refers to Jewish Christ-followers

treasury for the queen (“candace”)

was excluded from full

who spoke Greek and perhaps

of the African kingdom of Kush, so

participation in the liturgical

came from an area outside

in some ways, we can assume he

celebrations of the temple due to

Palestine.

was fairly wealthy and powerful.

his bodily features (cf. Deut 23:2).

But by referring to him an

This man desires to be baptized,

Luke is describing a situation in

“Ethiopian eunuch,” Luke is also

and once Philip fulfills his request,

which the Jerusalem community of

signaling two things to the reader.

Philip disappears, allowing the

disciples was not neglecting all

First, “Ethipioan” was a term used

man to live out his faith

women, nor even all widows; nor

in the ancient world to designate a

empowered by the Holy Spirit.

were they neglecting all Hellenists.

Black African. Luke wants us to

They were neglecting Hellenistic

know that this man was from a

The intersectional details about

widows. We do not know if the

different ethnic and cultural

the Hellenist widows and the

neglect was due to cultural

background than the people of

Ethiopian eunuch leave the reader

tension, a language barrier, or

ancient Palestine, and he would

with some important messages

simply a problem of

have looked different from them,

from Luke about these early Jewish

disorganization, but it occurred.

as well. Second, as a eunuch, this

followers of Jesus: they believed

The combination of the social and

man who had been

that everyone was welcome to join

intersectional vision, we—like

the community of

Luke—can help the Church to

Christ-followers—no matter their

better live out the mission of Jesus

ethnic background, the color of

in our world today.

their skin, or what we might call their gender and sexual identity (cf. Gal 3:28). Moreover, the community paid attention to the voices of those who were being marginalized and did what they could to help and fully include them.

The Catholic Church certainly has a mixed record in living out this vision painted by Luke. But our failures only make more urgent the need to reclaim the mission of Christ as our own: to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed (Lk 4:18). Intersectional theory can help the Church to be more attentive, empathetic, and responsive to those who are suffering under the weight of oppression in its multitude of overlapping and mutually-supporting forms.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and equipped with a justice-driven,

AN INTERSECTIONAL FEMINIST TALK SHOW PRODUCED BY THE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER

THE LAUNCH OF “AT THE INTERSECTION CARRIE ELIZABETH SMITH

ew Orleans - February 2021:

segment represents a different

to explore and advance racial

The Women’s Resource Center at

aspect of social justice that

justice and racial equality in

Loyola University New Orleans

Sanchez, Smith, and the At The

America. In addition this segment

presents its first talk show, At The

Intersection Production team

includes a sub-segment: What

Intersection, spearheaded by

consider vital to depicting a full

Does the Black Lives Matter

students Tyler Sanchez and Carrie

story about social justice within an

Movement Mean to You?

Elizabeth Smith. At the Intersection

intersectional feminist framework.

explores social justice topics

Current segments include:

through the lens of intersectional feminism in New Orleans.

Madam Vice President discusses the election, inauguration, and

Black Voices Matter: highlights

work of Vice President Kamala

black people and black issues

Harris, the first woman, and the

The show consists of various

through discussions with students,

first African American/South Asian

segments that address feminist

professionals, and community

American vice president in the

social justice topics prevalent in

members who use their talents,

history of the United States of

today’s sociopolitical climate. Each

intellectual works, and advocacy

America.

Big Easy Proud opens

conversations about difficult and

correct this situation, the believers

conversations with members and

controversial topics and exploring

in Jerusalem designated seven men

advocates of the LGBTQ+

how to create an inclusive and

to help out with this “daily

community to confront issues that

more just society we, the At The

distribution.” These men were later

they face and to spotlight artistic,

Intersection team, can shed light

identified in Church tradition as the

academic, and activist expressions

on a variety of vital issues in our

first deacons, a ministerial office

of the struggle.

time. We hope to see you At The

that apparently included women

Intersection. Leading Ladies of Loyola and Nola highlight phenomenal women on

landmark article: that in our

campus and in the New Orleans

unique selves, we embody certain

community who actively represent

traits—such as race, gender, sexual

intersectionality in their work, who

identity, and ability—place us

empower themselves and other

within the overlapping and

women, and who have achieved

intersecting structures of society.

great success in their fields . St. Luke, who wrote both the Women on the Frontlines

gospel that bears his name and

highlights women who are

the Acts of the Apostles, seems to

working in the frontlines during

have understood this

COVID-19, including healthcare

phenomenon well.

workers and essential employees . For example, early in the Acts of Faces of Fourth Wave Feminism

the Apostles, Luke tells us about a

features anyone of any gender

situation of injustice in the early

who promotes and advances

Jerusalem community of Jewish

intersectional feminism.

Christ-followers: “At that time, as the number of disciples continued

The Women’s Resource Center is

to grow, the Hellenists complained

excited about the launch of At The

against the Hebrews because their

Intersection. Our hope is that

widows were being neglected in

through engaging in challenging

the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1). To

EDITOR’S VOICE

WHY JANUARY 6TH SHOULD MAKE ANY SILENT WHITE ALLY SCREAM BRITTNEY GIARDINA

Confederate flag waving in

protect. Aside from delusions of

images in this piece are personal

the Capitol building. If this is not

voter fraud, aside from the mere

depictions of real events). As I was

the wakeup call for Americans who

shock that there was an ongoing

glued to my television on January

do not see the hypocrisy and

attack at the foot of our

6th, I could not help but see the

tragedy of institutional racism,

government, one thing was made

blatant hypocrisy. There was a

then what could be? On January 6,

terribly clear: a white Trump

clear distinction between how

2021, as many ushered in hopes for

supporter committing crimes of

these white supremacists were

a new year and optimistic

domestic terrorism met less

being treated and how the police

sentiments about a new

resitance than a Black Lives Matter

and government officials

presidential era, rioters,

protestor fighting for equality.

approached BLM protests over the

seditionists, and white

summer. While African Americans

supremasitsts stormed the U.S.

What follows is an artistic

and allies faced tear gas, rubber

Capitol building in an attempt to

representation of the events: of the

bullets, and police dressed in riot

violently undermine the very

assault on our democracy and of

gear, white nationalists seemed to

democracy they were claiming to

BLM protests over the summer. (All

overpower and destroy everything

Kevin Seefried carrying the Confederate flag when storming the Capitol building on January 6th, 2020.

in their path without effective

put my finger on the pulse of the

During the 2020 summer, protests

resistance.

issue and call on all white allies,

arose across the country in the

who have until now been silent, to

name of justice, creating, as the

As a white ally, I felt angrier than

speak up. The coup-attempt at the

New York Times called it, “the

ever before. But the fact of the

Capitol is clear, unequivocal

largest movement in the country’s

matter is, I should have been

evidence that there is a bitter

history.” Black Lives Matter, has

channeling anger into action way

double standard when it comes to

been a peaceful voice advocating

before January 6. While I call out

race in this country. If this deeply

for an end to violence against

racism when I see it, look inward to

telling contrast is not enough for

people of color. In the aftermath of

understand the complexities and

the white community--as a

the George Floyd murder,

far reach of my privilege, and

whole--to stand alongside the

thousands came together to

educate myself on the historical

black community and condemn

demand change. However,

intricacies of race, am I doing

white supremacy, then what could

non-violent pleas for equality were

enough? Below is an attempt to

be?

met with severe police resistance.

After decades of abiding by

ordinarily peaceful movement

respectability politics, of being

turned violent in instances where

disenfranchised, of being killed,

non-state actors or

African Americans, along with

counter-demonstrators created a

allies, faced tear gas, rubber

hostile environment or when

bullets, and police dressed in riot

facing the symbol of the

gear.

oppressor. While there are

Trump holding up a bible backwards in front of St. John’s Church in Washington D.C on June 1, 2020.

instances when BLM protesters In addition to scenes of struggling

have themselves been violent, such

and injured protestors, we

as looting or vandalism, the

witnessed President Donald J.

movement itself and prominent

Trump cry out for “law and order”

activists condemn these actions.

as he demonized BLM

For example, in an interview with

demonstrators as criminals and

the Washington Post, House

anarchists. Yet, the reality of the

Majority Whip, Rep. Jim Clyburn

situation is quite different. The

“urged activists and protesters

Armed Conflict Location & Event

across the country to avoid

Data Project published a report

violence and keep their eyes on the

citing that 93% of Black Lives

end goal of change.” He stated

Matter protests/demonstrations

that “Nobody wants George Floyd

over the summer were peaceful.

to be remembered by a burning

Most of the other 7% can be linked

building — we want to remember

to situations where “agents

him by reforming policing.”

provocateurs--or infiltrators” were

important to note that moments of violence are the minority, not the majority. Police and federal response is more actively charged in demonstrations related to racial justice than in others. The ACLED report cited that police force was 3 times more likely to be used at BLM protests than at any other type of protest. In many cases, the police response to non-violence was violence. The goal and reality of BLM puts scenes of peaceful

gas in an entirely different light. On

protestors were taking down

June 1, 2020, President Trump

statues or monuments linked to a

ordered the forcible removal of

racist and oppressive history.

peaceful protestors from Lafayette

"Infiltrators" touch each end of the

square in order to take a photo-op

political spectrum and include

in front of St. John’s Church as a

members from Antifa, the Proud

approach to BLM protestors, it’s

protestors fleeing police and tear

provoking violence or when

Boys, and the KKK. Essentially, an

Given law enforcement’s general

“show of strength.” This treatment Tear gas being used to clear out BLM protesters near Lafayette Square on June 1st, 2020

of people --people fighting for

Near the White House, BLM protestors lift their hands up in the face of law enforcement.

racial justice-- as a barrier rather

nationalists were able to storm the

January 6th was a prime example

than as voices to be heard

Capitol and irreverently walk the

of white privilege, which provides

epitomizes Trump’s legacy of

halls. Scenes (as depicted above)

protection, empathy, and

bigotry and hate.

seemed to be the result of the

forgiveness to white-passing

previous 4 years. And I’m not alone

members of society, inside and

Because of Trump’s track record, I

in my lack of shock. When asked

outside the United States. [. . .]In

was not entirely surprised that

what her perspective was of the

contrast, the uprising for Black

white supremacists and white

capitol riots, Jessica Mixon, a local

Lives last summer was met with

creative, activist, and host of the

much different energy by the same

podcast “The Self Aware

enforcers who allowed white

Millennial,” stated that “The

supremacists to storm the

insurrection at the Capitol is no

Capitol.”

surprise to a black femme who has

Jacob Anthony Chansley (man wearing horns and furs) along with other rioters, sport Trump memorabilia while walking the Capitol halls on January 6th, 2020.

lived in a country that values its

Images of BLM protesters

worth based on [its] proximity to

surrendering to police/military

whiteness. What happened on

enforcements in riot gear perfectly

demonstrates the dichotomy

Trump? Why can a self-proclaimed

as a serious domestic terrorist

between January 6 and the

white nationalist unlawfully put his

threat. While some Capitol police

summer of 2020. On January 6

feet on a Congresswoman’s desk

officers have been suspended or

far-right groups, such as the Proud

but a BLM protester can’t

investigated due to their action on

Boys and Oath Keepers, alongside

peacefully protest?

January 6, others fought valiantly

self-proclaimed supremacists,

While I am aware of the inherent

to defend our democracy.

QAnon conspiracy believers, and

double standard facing BLM

many others preached racists

protestors and how this unfair

Around 140 officers were injured in

ideologies and myths as they

treatment became more

the attack and among those was

unlawfully and violently breached

transparent through the January 6

Brain Sicknick who lost his life.

a government building. Many of

attack, it would be unfair to not

the insurrectionists demonstrated

acknowledge moments of true

The experience of Black Capitol

their fealty to white supremacy by

bravery and sacrifice on behalf of

police is another layer of racial

waving Confederate flags,

Capitol police on the ground that

injustice and trauma. In an

wearing Nazi symbols, and

day. The hypocritical treatment of

interview with ABC news, officer

carrying nooses. They came with

the Capitol rioters (in terms of law

Harry Dunn recounted the jarring

an agenda of hate and

enforcement) predominantly

experience of January 6. As he

oppression. In contrast, Black Lives

stemmed from top officials'

risked his life to defend our

Matters demonstrators gathered

inability to take white nationalism

democracy, he faced racial slurs

in the name of peace, destruction of property was rare, and their message was that of equality.

As the news outlets started showing seditionists and rioters entering offices of government officials and taking off with government property, I (along with many others I presume) became increasingly outraged. Where was the military response? Where was Richard Barnett puts his feet on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk after unlawful entry during the Capitol siege

and violence rooted in hate. When describing what he went through at the Capitol, Dunn said“‘I got called a [N-word] a couple dozen times today protecting this building.” He went on to ask, “Is this America? They beat police officers with Blue Lives Matter flags. They fought us, they had Confederate flags in the U.S. Capitol.” Tragic scenes such as these reveal how the attack on the Capitol was inexplicably an operation rooted in racism and false notions of “superiority.”

Trump giving a message to the insurrectionists on January 6, 2020

Moments where officers were

rioters “We love you, you’re very

plagued January 6th is not over. In

assaulted with a symbol (the Blue

special” after vilifying BLM activists

order to take down the seemingly

Lives Matter flag) of “support”

months prior, every American

indestructible behemoth that is

shows the inherent irony and

should have seen how insidious of

institutionalized racism--this force

tragedy of racism.

a virus institutionalized racism is,

(both in the macro and micro

with Trump being one of its most

sense) that costs lives and

It may seem futile to compare the

vexatious symptoms. During his

livelihoods--allies must step up.

Capitol insurrection to BLM

tenure, he used his global platform

And white allies, particularly, are in

protests since both events could

to coddle white supremacists,

a unique position to help because

not have been more different and

allowing bigotry and fear to run

of the very reason there is help to

each had their own set of nuances

rampant.

be had: privilege.

so is a wildly important exercise in

And just because the president

When discussing how white people

understanding the very real

who fueled its recent fire has left

could help the larger movement,

repercussions of covert racism.

office, the white supremacist and

artist Jessica Mixon addresses the

When President Trump told the

white nationalist rhetoric that

the need for white Americans to

and expectations. However, doing

start holding white supremacists

but ignoring them or waiting for

accountable: “What I will say is

them to die off does not cure white

Equality should not be the burden

that it is the responsibility of

supremacy.” Pretending your

of those who face inequality. In the

white-passing individuals, whether

privilege does not exist or choosing

aftermath of such an overt wake

they are U.S. citizens or not, [is] to

to turn a blind eye is part of the

up call--racists storming the

hold their people accountable,

problem. Instead, “Call them out

physical embodiment of our

because you all benefit from my

to their face. Make a scene. Expose

democracy, not only wanting to

ancestor’s labor and genocide.”

them online because even the

undermine our electoral system,

She went on to discuss how calling

algorithms on these major social

but violently (and in some cases

out other white-passing members

media platforms grant visibility

murderously) promoting their

of society for acting, speaking, or

privileges to white-passing users.

message of hate--it's time for white

thinking in a bigotted manner is

This all helps amplify black voices,

people who have until now been

essential: “To My White People - It’s

who are scarce in the spaces

silent to speak up. And speak up

time to stop ignoring your racist

where problematic dialogue and

loudly.

family and friends. I know it’s hard,

laws are rendered.”

Man kneeling before police in riot gear during summer 2020 BLM protests in D.C.

Women’s Resource Center

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est.

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I ENIXES W E R