Vol. 2 • Issue 1
2 • MIDAS Fall 2021
EDITOR’S NOTE For those new to Midas Magazine, welcome! To those that have been with us from the start, welcome back. My name is Claire, and I am the founder and editor of this magazine. During my freshman year, I brought the idea of creating a culture and lifestyle magazine to Student Niner Media. I wanted a magazine to exist that presented stories worth telling that was visually beautiful too. With the help of some fiercely talented collaborators, Midas Magazine made the transition from a freshman's vision to a digital magazine and now this, our first paper edition. Midas Magazine has four main pillars of focus: culture, identity, artistry, and lifestyle. Our name refers to our school’s history of the gold rush and the myth of King Midas, who turned everything he touched into gold. In this issue, our staff takes you into the city of Charlotte as we explore local fashion brands, a family-owned magick shop in NODA, and sustainability around the community. We also present a firsthand account of one of our school's most beloved freshman programs, UTOP, get the inside scoop on some student businesses, and address the varied experiences of gender non-conforming students. No matter what the topic, the goal of everything Midas Magazine does is community. This extends beyond just the written word, as our excellent creative staff brings in photography, design, and staff-curated playlists to tell stories through art. I am deeply passionate about this magazine, our school, and all the ways community intersects. I hope that the legacy of Midas exists long after my time here is finished, and more than anything, I hope that readers and fellow students feel inspired to take an idea and make it real. My college experience would not be what it is today without this magazine; the stress, the headaches, but also the creativity, collaboration, and connection with artists, community, fellow visionaries, and our lovely readers. So if you find yourself in college feeling discontent with your experience, I implore you to think outside the box and create the experiences you wish to have. There is space for you, even if you have to be the one to carve it out first.
CLAIRE HAMBRICK Founder/Editor–in–Chief
A Look Into Charlotte Fashion
The Gender Papers Kasey Varner
Reem Abnowf
Heritage at Home Ceci Atwood
Let’s Talk About Hair 2 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Krishma Indrasanan
Color Blocking Aslin Chavarria Ayala
Transition Made Easy
Clay by Xochi
Madison Smith
Janeissa Romero
Gianna Spriggs on Magick, Spirituality, and Family
Playing with Primaries Kavya Kumar
Vasiliki Gkoulgkountina
The Climate Change Guilt Trip Samantha Lates
64 Article Name Here • 3
A Look Into Charlotte Fashion by Reem Abnowf Photos courtesy of Chasers Only, Street Commerce, and Yung USA.
A LOOK INTO
CHARLOTTE FASHION
In a city such as Charlotte, inspiration lurks around every corner, and fashion exists as one of the largest spheres of influence. What we wear directly coincides with how we see ourselves and how we want to be perceived. Therefore, it is no surprise that this city’s fashion market has been exponentially growing in recent years. This city is also home to many brands and designers, each looking to bring together the facets of their lives that inspire them. I had the pleasure of interviewing some designers and creators in this city, and they provided valuable insight into their experience within the Charlotte fashion scene.
A Look Into Charlotte Fashion • 5
Chasers Only Jayla Sabir is the designer of Chasers Only, a brand based on the idea of going after what you want in life. Sabir does not merely speak words into thin air; she’s been making actions since December 2017 when beginning her business. After being gifted with a heat press from her cousin, as well as a box of hoodies and a screen printer from her father, Sabir has been turning her dreams into reality. Much like her father, who has created new businesses at the drop of a hat throughout her life, Sabir intends to elevate her craft and reach new heights. When speaking with Sabir, she explained that her mission within the industry is to show others that attaining your dreams is within reach. She also told me about how she does everything for the brand on her own. From designing, pressing, planning social media content, and shipping, this one-woman show stops for nobody. Over the last four years, she has seen her consumer base grow tremendously, making the endless hours she put in all worth it. You may have even seen her billboard around Uptown Charlotte earlier this year in July.
6 • MIDAS Fall 2021
At 22, Sabir has hosted and taken part in many pop-up shops within the city and beyond. With each event granting her the opportunity to network and expand her brand, she states that being able to connect with new people has been one of the most rewarding experiences in her career. In the future, Sabir looks forward to building a team of believers and go-getters. She also plans to scale up her operations and open up a warehouse while infiltrating the e-commerce market. To those looking to take the lead and chase after their dreams, Sabir advises you to be consistent, try new approaches when something doesn’t work out, don’t push
beyond your physical means (resting your body as it needs), study the industry you want to enter, and lastly, disregard any negative talk aimed at you when it fails to be constructive. Throughout the interview, Sabir stressed
@chasersonlyapparel
that having faith in yourself is pertinent to accomplishing your goals. And when you intend to do what you love, other variables and obstacles have a way of figuring themselves out. Meeting people along your journey who also pursue what they love and are passionate about inspires us to keep pushing and sometimes serves as a reminder that it’s possible to carve out your way in the world.
A Look Into Charlotte Fashion • 7
Clint Love began conceptualizing his luxury
was an absolute success. Working with a
consignment brand, Street Commerce, in
lighting company and adding the element of
the Summer of 2018. Almost immediately, he
music helped elevate the experience for those
began cultivating pop-up shops and runway
who attended. They even sourced models
shows. Love had identified a gap in the market
locally to represent their stake in making
for high-end retail experience and sought
luxury more accessible to the community.
to bring it to Charlotte. The intent behind
Love disclosed that putting on shows
the brand is to bolster the resale market and
innovatively and creatively is one of the most
create a luxurious and unique experience for
rewarding aspects of being in the business.
customers.
They expect the next show to be in the Spring
Love, Sabir, and Brian James of Yung USA
of 2022. They are planning to rent out First
all love constructing networks that bridge
Ward Park, hoping to bring the city out.
different people and creative avenues together.
Street Commerce opened its first official store
Bringing the community together is one of
in June 2021. You can find them off of 9th
the principal focuses of Street Commerce. “We
Street in Uptown. When I came to interview
built this for them,” says Love when speaking
them, I found the aesthetics of the store to be
about the feeling of seeing hundreds of
visually appealing. The inviting design had a
people lined up for their events. However, he
sleek industrial feeling.
emphasized it wasn’t about the people coming for them but that everyone was connecting.
With finding your passion, Love says that once you realize your interests and talents, stick to it.
Working alongside Love is Ethan Connel,
Even if it’s scrapbook making, he believes there
the brand’s operations manager, and Alex
is a way to make a profitable business out of
Marculino.
that with the right drive.
Their first show in October 2018 was in an
Love told me he has always had an affinity for
old firehouse-turned wedding venue closely
clothes. Over the years it escalated to a vested
resembling a castle. Love stated that the show
interest in major fashion houses such as Chanel
8 • MIDAS Fall 2021
@streetcommerce
Street Commerce
and Alexander McQueen. And before fashion,
Love and Connel expressed their excitement
it was all about music. His mom put him onto
about renting an RV and traveling from city to
hip-hop early in his life, and since then, it has
city doing what they love.
had a pivotal role in his life.
In today’s world, fashion and music go handin-hand with one another. These entities
next year with their friend Big Baby Gucci, who
intertwine through the dynamics of popular
will tour with MadeinTYO and Unotheactivist.
culture and individual experience.
We built this for them
Street Commerce will go on a pop-up tour early
Article Name Here • 9
Yung USA
Brian James (a.k.a. Dukes), the creator of Yung USA, stated that there is a corresponding music project with every fashion collection he releases. Therefore, he can further express the messages he wants to convey to his audience by employing the two mediums. Dukes began his brand in February 2013. When he started, he knew he would create and design in a way that was unique to him. Unlike other designers, he selects an overarching focus each year and drops pieces that correspond to the theme throughout the year. Doing this grants him the creative mobility to design freely. Much like other creators in this city, Dukes loves connecting with others while bridging communities together. Yung USA was never solely about fashion. Dukes created the brand, hoping to one day open up a place that fostered creativity and connection within the community. For Dukes, working with other creatives and networking is one of the more rewarding aspects of the business. He dreams of a place where other artists and designers can work together and collaborate on different projects. In September, Yung USA worked with 128 Park Avenue to put on a fashion show. Dukes said that the show represented all the ways he had come in his career and foreshadowed what consumers can expect next. His following
10 • MIDAS Fall 2021
collection, Oasis, will drop in Fall 2021, and it encompasses new creative design elements and reflects the growth of Yung USA over the years. The collection is stylistically artful and will include cut and sew pieces and some high-end garments. One of the biggest lessons that Dukes has learned is that whatever your vision is, there is an audience out there that will resonate with it. He talked about how he had to overcome the fear of being too specific, too niche. So now when he creates, he doesn’t impose any restrictions on his artistic ability; he simply creates for the sake of individual expression.
@yung_usa
Looking Forward As the city grows, so will the community networks within it. And as more people chase their dreams, others will become inspired and follow suit. Therefore, we can expect to see a lot more businesses arise as the year closes out and the new one begins. It seems like Charlotte is just getting started, and I can’t wait to see more people come together and do wonderful things. Other Charlotte-based brands to look out for include Homexgrown, Only Ohana, Pluto Files, Johnny Kaine, Celui, and Set Studios.
A Look Into Charlotte Fashion • 11
The Gender Papers by Kasey Varner
G
ender is a continuously
opposite sides of the spectrum. These spheres
evolving concept that younger
of femininity and masculinity are associated
generations are considering
with societal constructed gender roles that
as a social construct rather
can be restricting. Some may identify fully
than a defining role. What is gender? Some
with femininity or masculinity, while others
people will respond with “male or female.”
are associated with different points of the
This terminology actually refers to a person’s
spectrum. Even if one might identify with she/
sex that is assigned to them at birth based
her pronouns, they might find more comfort
on the appearance of genitalia. Not only
later on with they/he pronouns. Gender can be
is the concept of sex binary, but it isn’t the
concrete and can also be fluid for many people.
entire truth. Intersex chromosomes can be shown internally with a combination of chromosomal genetics such as XXY or can be shown externally with the genitalia of both testicles and ovaries. Intersex in the past has been referenced as a slur. Intersex has been shoved under rugs by genitalia mutilation surgeries that would better fit the individual in the binary. Planned Parenthood begs the question about “whether or not it’s OK to do medical
Gender = Identities that have socially constructed roles surrounding them. Sex = Biologic characteristics of chromosomes, genitalia, and sexual reproductive organs.
procedures on children’s bodies when it’s not needed for their health.” Intersex chromosomes are a naturally occurring variation that dismantles the sex binary that has been taught in grade school. Not only this, but it also brings up the conversation of gender and how it has been mistakenly construed as the same as sex. Spoiler alert: It’s not the same.
Westernized culture and colonization have forever shaped the modern systems we know today. Gender roles, for example, are a part of the patriarchal system of inherently binary gender roles. Outside of common western culture, cultures contain an abundance of genders. Two-spirited peoples in Indigenous American societies, the 6+ genders recognized in Judaism, the Kathoey of Thailand, the
What is gender then? Gender is a spectrum
Quariwarmi of pre-colonial Peruvian culture
of identities that lay within the characteristics
are all to name a few instances of cultures with
between masculinity and femininity as
3 or more genders.
14 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Defining one’s role in society by the means of
It is necessary to listen to people that don’t
how one reproduces is what gender has been
identify within the gender binary. As a
in western society for centuries. It’s a tradition
cisgender woman-identifying person, it is not
to diminish people’s identities if they identify
my job to speak for gender-nonconforming
other than XX or XY. Why should society
people, so I wanted to bring in some voices
change that? It’s simple and comes down to
from the community.
valuing one another as human beings.
HERE ARE THEIR STORIES
“Pink or blue, pink or blue? I don’t know I guess I like pink but blue is nice too Not an answer. Answer my question. Pink or blue, pink or blue? I guess blue because it’s nice when it’s light. You guess or know? Pink or blue, pink or blue? It’s not that serious, how about purple? Purple like flowers or purple like bruises? Does it matter? Purple like purple. It does matter. Purple like what? Purple likeShut up dyke. You’re fucking confused. I”m not, I mean maybe I am. Try this out: Black or white, black or white? I like both, I’m in between like grey, Like grey? Let’s cut to the chase. We know you’re gay so are you a she/he/or a fucking they. I’m they. I don’t need to explain. I’m purple and grey, a she and a they. Who knows? This might even change. It’s not a matter o f what color fits or which one I belong to. Pink or blue, black or white, I’m never going to be what anyone likes. I’m pink. I’m blue. I’m grey all over. I’m none o f the sort and none o f your concern.” Bea, (She/they)
The Gender Papers • 15
16 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Article Name Here • 17
my gender is gray. it’s the blurry in-betwe en, the border lands, the outside ; it’s the indistinct murmur ings of secret convers ations, muted in intende d myster y; it’s the ghost of childhoo d, twenty- one years of nostalg ia and experie nce and memor y; lost in translat ion; it’s the confusion, the disconn ect, the strange r in the mirror — a fracture d reflection that may never be fixed; it’s the colorin g outside the lines; it’s the phases of the moon; it’s the rhythm of an ocean’s tide, consist ent and chaotic, familiar yet unknow n; it’s the nigh im e, the shadows on the bedroo m wall, secrecy shroud ed in comfor t; it’s the incomprehensib le answer to a million unasked questio ns; it’s a language of its own; it’s human. it’s me. it just—is . my gender is not defined by the black-an d-white boxes that used to keep me locked, that handed me a useless key— (becaus e breaking out meant nothing if i didn’t rememb er
being free). my gender is the time i impulsiv ely chopped my hair off before graduat ion. it’s the baggy hoodies and black rings and fruit smooth ie mustach es. it’s the pinterest boards and spotify playlists and word docume nts filled with midnight poetry . it’s the li le things, the redisco veries, the creation s of an identity rebirthe d, rename d, re-unde rstood . it’s the shards of a broken mirror , graduall y glued back togethe r, shaping a reflection i recogni ze. it’s mine. it’s me. Sierra (they/s he)
18 • MIDAS Fall 2021
The concept of gender is forever evolving and it will forever be a part of the conversation. The gender binary will continue to be questioned and deconstructed as we become more accepting. We are all human, it is time that we validate each other’s identities in a diverse and welcoming space. Life and the individual are so much more beyond the binaries that restrict our cores of human experience. Questioning the binary of gender is the first step towards dismantling more binary systems of existence. So what can you do on an independent level?
Educate yourself. Don’t assume people’s gender. Ask and use people’s preferred pronouns. Create safe spaces as an ally. And listen to gender-nonconforming people.
Resources for gender non-conforming people:
LGBTQ+ National Hotline:
Educate yourself:
888-843-4564
The Gender Papers • 19
Heritage at Home Words and Photos by Ceci Atwood 20 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Article Name Here • 21
ChickenwithKorma Rafia Ansary
I
met Rafia when I was about 11 or 12. Her and her extended family have been neighbors of mine for years and their home was always a warm and
welcoming atmosphere. When I arrived I was greeted by the smells of all sorts of spices, onions, and garlic. Throughout the time that I observed Rafia cooking, I got to talk to her brother and their mother who lives with them. We talked about Rafia's travels, her moves, and her experience living in California. She is a very humble and understated soul, and truly one of the kindest people I know. She learned how to cook from her sister and mother, and continues to cook for her family to this day.
22 • MIDAS Fall 2021
This recipe means a lot to me because its one of the first things I learned to make from my mom and even now I feel like I am still trying to make it as good as she did. It gives me joy to see my mom enjoy it when I make it for her now. It's passing on traditions through food. – Rafia Ansary
Rafia's Recipe Boneless Chicken -1 lb Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp Red Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp Ginger / garlic paste - 1 tbsp Coconut Powder - 3 tbsp Clove powder - 1/4 tsp Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder - 1 tsp Yoghurt - 6 tablespoons Salt to taste Onion - 1 large Olive oil - 4 tbsp Heat the oil, add onion, fry until golden brown. Then add chicken to sauté. After a few minutes, add coconut powder, ginger/garlic paste and stir for 5 minutes. Then add the rest of the spices. Cover and let simmer on low heat until the meat is tender. Add yoghurt. Once the chicken is cooked, garnish with green chillies and cilantro.
Thanks to Rafia for sharing her family's recipe with us!
Heritage at Home • 23
24 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Heritage at Home • 25
Hummus with Sonia Salas
I
had the pleasure of meeting Sonia when the pandemic hit, when we were connected through the French department at UNCC for me to tutor her daughter who had been sent home due to the pandemic. Over the course of the year, even virtually, they became like family to me and after restrictions eased up we were able to share our first meal together.
Sonia’s family is an amalgamation of so many different heritages and cultures, so when I was presented with this assignment I knew she would be perfect. Her home is warm and welcoming, always filled with the best smells. Music can be heard in the background as Sonia shares bits of her meal with her two daughters as she moves through the kitchen. On this specific day she had a lamb stew simmering as she prepared her other dishes. Her meals are always paired with the best stories whether it's of her time as an artist in New York City or her move to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, Sonia has such a vibrant personality that fills up the room.
26 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Sonia's Recipe 15oz packet dried garbanzo beans 2-3 tbsp tahini 3 tbsp olive oil 2 limes 1 tbsp salt 4 cloves garlic (optional) Pinch paprika (optional)
Soak garbanzo overnight and drain the next day, then cover with water to simmer for 1-2 hours or until tender. Drain and blend garbanzo with remaining ingredients in a blender at high speed. Serve with olive oil and paprika for a touch of color.
Thanks to Sonia for sharing her family's recipe with us!
Growing-up with my maternal Lebanese grandmother in the Dominican Republic has always given me a connection to the past and a sense of grounding with the traditions learned inside and outside the kitchen. Each time I make this basic hummus spread, it transports me to the comfort that our families maintain from generations. – Sonia Salas Heritage at Home • 27
Let’s Talk About Hair by Krishma Indrasanan
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Article Name Here • 29
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Hair is a big thing—at least for me because I had a lot of it. It's like your own personal growth as a person… how you grow and develop. -Bryanna Bowles
T
he feeling
wants to be. A good hair day
uncooperative. But it was here
means feeling composed in a
to stay nonetheless. Having
cross-legged in
shiny Pantene-commercial
heard the bad, the ugly, and
front of a mirror,
type of way. A bad hair day
the hideous, I wanted to
arms beginning to succumb
is a small skipping stone
reorient the conversation into
to fatigue. The countless hair
to hating yourself. These
something more holistic. Not
ties abound and frustration
emotions were persistent
in the Pantene-commercial
marked upon a scrunched-up
throughout my childhood.
shine type of way, but I wanted
forehead as hair falls from
After all, hair, was the
to hear it all, including the
my hands. It didn’t work. My
cornerstone of our
growth.
failed braiding attempts
appearance, being quite
are frequent, just as much
literally attached to the
as when I attempt to hide
head.
is familiar:
the unsavory bumps by brushing them out. Instead of smoothening out, the curls revolt into a frizzy bush of hair. Hair is finicky, elusive, and ever so irritating when it
This article is the avenue for that. Intending to expand this conversation about
I knew these feelings
hair, I interviewed two UNCC
were not just my own.
students who run their own hair
I had spent my life
businesses. I wanted to share
hashing out complaints
their connection to what hair
with other women about our hair: it’s too frizzy, too coarse, too boring, too
looked like and what that meant for them under the scope of politics, faith, sexuality and identity.
30 • MIDAS Fall 2021
B
ryanna Bowles sits down to interview with me about her business. Known as "Bry," she is a
sophomore here at Charlotte. It is evident that doing hair is near and dear to her heart: all of Bry's calm conciseness is set off with one question as she gets lost in her own words. No words are enough to relay the fondess in her eyes, the joy in her voice, the passion in her hands as they gesture when locs come into the conversation.
by extension, her identity) came from trial and error. "I feel like the most I've learned about my hair is when I started going against the grain of 'you always have to wear it very straight' or 'you can't wear your afro, or you can't wear your hair curly." She took in stride the endless snideness and turned to her family's spirituality to reawaken her love for hair. "I always grew up in a family that
Bry begins her story by answering what
cherishes hair; all afros and long hair."
hair means to her: "It's like a personal
That laid the foundation, but it was her
journey in a sense, because… hair is a big
individuality that helped her live with her
thing—at least for me because I had a lot
hair. Experimenting was rebelling against
of it. It's like your own personal growth as
the naysayers but also the prompt to get
a person… how you grow and develop—
to know and cherish her hair. "The first
because how I looked at my hair when I
time I cut my hair, they freaked out so
was younger is different from now." Her hair
much, and so cutting my hair was a fresh
journey started with the opposite feeling:
start because I wanted a clean slate. From
"Because my hair was so much different
that point on, I learned a lot about my
from everyone around… people would always
hair because it had never been that short
ask so many questions. It became such a
before."
chore of just having to explain myself, so I didn't like my hair because I was like, ‘Why am I so different?’"
For Bry, her hair change correlates to her mood: "When I'm feeling more confident, I wear my afro out, and I'm out big."
Like many, loving her hair was a deliberate
Conversely, when she feels "lazier, not
decision that came after years of personal
necessarily down," her hair is often slicked
education and reflecting upon her own beauty.
back into a pony or a tight topknot: strictly
Bry describes the pit stops: her first relaxer in
business.
her youth, the decision to go natural, to making the major chop in high school, and recently, to let it all grow out. Learning about her hair (and,
Loc'd In, Bry's business, came about after years of experimentation. It was a simple bob (her first significant cut) that jumpstarted the process. Having a new Article Name Here • 31
look forced her into a corner. Still, Bry was
When prompted, Bry tells me about some of
determined to make it work; she found
the complexities that cloud the community,
that being backed into a corner was the
from hair spirituality being dismissed to cultural
challenge she needed to adapt and prosper.
appropriation and the politicization of hair: "Hair
Her self-care didn't go unnoticed when
is definitely political. I fully believe that. Because
her family started noting her impeccable
if you can be turned down for a job because
handiwork. Demand grew from friends
of wearing your natural hair, wearing an afro,
to fellow students until the audience
wearing braids, having locs, yes, it's an issue. It
bloomed into a clientele.
comes down to people needing to be educated."
Initially resistant
"It's freaking
to the idea, Bry
bewildering to me
found herself allured with the creative freedom: "I don't have every single client coming in here and saying, ‘Bry, I want you only to do a two-strand twist.’ Actually, a lot of clients
Hair is definitely political. I fully believe that. If you can be turned for a job because of wearing your natural hair... yes, its an issue.
will leave it up to me, so having a business hasn't become boring because I still get to be creative." Then, there were the unexpected connections from her clientele. Bry found herself pleasantly surprised by the intimate community of her clients, both in their stories and the unsaid trust of letting another person change your appearance. "It's just fun—it's exciting, meeting new people because you also become a part of their life because they come back every four to six weeks... it's just crazy; you're literally watching the phases of their life as you're doing their hair."
32 • MIDAS Fall 2021
- Bryanna Bowles
because it's who you are—it's hair!" Much like Bry's disdain over hair inequity, more outrage has brought light to the issue in recent years. In 2019, California set buzz to national news for being the first state
to address hair discrimination with its Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. This act recognizes and categorizes hair discrimination as a form of racial discrimination. The policy focuses on illegalsing workplace discrimination against 'race-based hairstyles,’ which would include deeming locs, Bantu knots, afros, etc., as "unprofessional." While CROWN signifies considerable progress, it remains only the initial wave in
S
hanarose 'Shana' Johnson invites me in with the warm professionalism of a student-business owner. Often
creating new inclusive legislation—a sentiment repeated by Bry: progress is slow but steady. She tells me that truthfully, progress may not come within our lifetimes anytime soon—but if not in law, then in each other. There remains a world wide open within the hair community, growing ever so inclusive with the acceptance
vivacious, bubbly and sociable,
Shana's colorful personality is suited perfectly to the shimmering array of fairy hair strands that lay across the table as she nimbly weaves them into my hair. Local to North Carolina, Shana describes her childhood full of change: "I started dyeing my hair since I was like 12, and since then I've done a hundred different styles… well dyeing my hair has always been a therapeutic process."
of different hairstyles and
I wanted to glean a little into why hair was
unconventional looks. All it takes is a
so therapeutic for Shana. She tells me hair
little bit of courage to step through
change "feels like a fresh start," not only
the door.
ushering in a new period of her life but a newer
With that, I ask Bry one more question in the interest of broadening the hair community and progress: what is something you'd like younger people to know about their hair? "Don't be afraid of your hair. Seek out help and definitely learn your hair," she tells me, encouraging younger girls and people to ask questions, to tap into their communities, and to seek beauty— not necessarily specific superficial change, but with a reflective curiosity to figure out what beauty and style through hair means to you.
form of her personality by extension. . Almost anyone can relate to the binding tie with hair, the frustration in your arms when a braid doesn't go right, or inversely, the unadulterated confidence from a simple hair day. But more so than hair is the intersection of culture, race, sexuality, gender at the crossroads of personal beauty. Within her experiences, Shana often faced ridicule for her experimental styles. The comments started with her first pixie cut; she regales the details of the offhanded remarks that would punish or ignore her identity. "When I was a little girl with short hair, everyone called me a boy. I wore pink, and skirts, and sparkles, but people still called me a little boy." Many similar instances would occur throughout her childhood, from the same insults being thrown at her brother for having long hair, or later on in her life when the commentary strayed far
Let's Talk About Hair • 33
from pretending innocuousness to homophobia.
When I was a little girl with short hair, everyone called me a boy.
Now openly bisexual, she recounts the effect of
being targeted by such vitriol: "I grew my hair out because I was called a d*ke. And I didn't know what that meant, and I was scared of it. And I miss my short hair. I loved it, but I won't cut it because that was a moment in my life that I won't ever forget." These incidents would become a foundational argument in her belief and desire for a more open and genderless-hair community. "I would like to see more expression in male-presenting hairstyles. I think that the norm of women's hairstyles and men’s hairstyles… there's a line in between, and I'd like that line to be blurred." Shana talks to me about the political utility of hair and being able to "use your hair as a form of protest." It is also a signifier of an unyielding existence, according to Shana: "I think it is a way to represent yourself or represent your culture. And a way to stand up for something that you believe in." She believes progress to be safe in the hands of the future, encouraging younger kids to undergo trial and error. She assures, "It doesn't matter what people say… Try it, and if you don't like it—it grows back." In the scope of experimentation, we discussed the inspiration of her business, Fairy Hair by Shanarose. Her skills came from assisting a
-Shana Johnson
close family friend who had their own fairy hair business; she learned to weave the shimmering strands
34 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Cutting, bleaching, and dying my hair with family, friends, and at parties until setting
were not celebrated or ostracised, but
up base here in Charlotte two months ago.
they weren't necessarily accepted either.
With an easy mix of Shana’s interpersonal and
Despite well-meant jokes and minor quips,
socializing skills, her experience with fairy hair,
the commentary about the ridiculousness of
and most importantly—her passion brought it
my hair—especially to a family very unfamiliar
all together. The act of doing hair has a value
with hair dye as a whole—left its effect. I had
unto itself, as both a restorative, hands-on
struggled to reconcile the rejection of tradition
activity for herself, and the ability to bring joy to
from my hair and the yearning to embrace it
others.
all the same. It wasn't until my interview with
F
or the two girls, having been both
Shana when she remarked, "That was a part
the person in and behind the
of me, and now this is a part of me," that I had
chair created a unique blend of
considered otherwise.
perspectives for the both of them.
That was a part of me, and now this is a part
Throughout the course of my interviews, I
of me. Just as my virgin hair was mine, the
expected to remain somewhat of a spectator:
chopped, frizzy, purpled hair is mine. I had
observant and perhaps, a bit of an outside
used my original ventures into hair dye (cue
perspective. It was to my surprise when the
2013 Tumblr-era dip dye) to protest my
conversation pivoted towards me, and I found
parent's wishes, just as I had reverted to
myself relating all the same.
growing it all out and leaving it completely
With Bry, the conversation about culture, both
untouched. Every decision and every
the pride and the expectations that came along
bad or good hair day was mine. My own
with it. Her family had cherished long hair—as
experiences are far from linear (as I suspect
did my Indian one. Indian hair is supposed to be
I'll have at least one more bad dye job),
long, black, strong, and luxuriously voluminous.
much like everyone else.
Then there's the cultural practice of sitting
But this revelation only came at the
before your mother crisscrossed as she rubbed
prompt of a conversation—never a
coconut oil into your hair to plait the next day
conclusion I would've come to without
for school. My hair was none of that. It was
Bry's shared experiences or Shana's
short, frizzy, a mish-mash of purple and faded
wisdom. The best part about hair is the
brown from a botched box-dye coverup, frail
community: the trade of hair ties from
and dry. Our discussion had brought up old
wrist to wrist, impromptu braiding each
feelings of inadequacy, the inability to have the
others' hair on the bus, fixing fly-aways for
hair I was supposed to have. In some sense,
each other, or in this case, being able to
the shame I felt for making decisions that so
sit down with Bry and Shana and talking
largely rejected tradition.
about our hair.
Let's Talk About Hair • 35
Color Blocking Photos by Aslin Chavarria Ayala Models- Jazmyn McCallum and Rosalinda Gomez
Article Name Here • 37
38 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Color Blocking • 39
Transition Made Easy By Madison Smith
Transition Made Easy • 41
W
hen the appointed
students from underrepresented populations,”
mentors shouted
states Program Director Shawn Simmons. I
“UTOP” in a crowd to
had the privilege of sitting down and speaking
get our attention in the
with him and former mentor Chris Stanley, on
summer of 2019, around 100 other freshmen
different occasions, about their passion for the
and I yelled back, “19!” Whether we were
program and why they believe people should
gathered in study hall, at the skating rink, in
get involved in some way. This allowed me to
our respective classrooms, or at a networking
reflect on my own experience at UTOP as well.
event, our representation of this program could not be accompanied by anything less than pride. This demonstration does not come as a surprise, as there is some natural feeling of privilege in getting to college early, advancing in your credits, making meaningful connections with others, and trekking through campus before any other new student arrives at UNC Charlotte. Reflecting on that summer and everything I learned, I don’t know where I would have been without UTOP in my freshman year. “The University Transition Opportunities Program, also known as UTOP, is a six-week summer bridge program, where freshmen students have the opportunity to come to campus early to gain several credits towards their general education, having a mentor and learning about the various resources and opportunities at Charlotte. The purpose that
Let’s rewind our minds to a time where masks were only worn by the sick and the surgeons. I packed my bags with a little over a month’s worth of clothes and some decorations for my very first dorm room. By that evening, Simmons had gathered all of us in a room and introduced himself further, along with the mentors. He laid out the expectations for each student involved; he was determined to help everybody end the summer and start the coming school year with a solid GPA and a great support system for getting involved. Stranger Things Season three had just come out, and games of spades and UNO were spread across tables. Friendships were budding in our new chapter of life. Walking from Witherspoon Hall to Fretwell, the Student Union, and Belk Gym helped us all learn the geography of our beautiful campus.
it serves is to successfully transition students
My first college classroom experience was
from high school to college, primarily serving
my Introduction to Racism course. While the
42 • MIDAS Fall 2021
I’M ALL ABOUT THE
STUDENTS AND MEETING THEIR
NEEDS AND WHATEVER THOSE ARE. WE’LL GET THEM IN HERE. -SHAWN SIMMONS Article Name Here • 43
professor followed the criteria for the subject,
“I think over the last four or five years, we've
we also had open discussions about what
proved that even with the increased numbers,
we learned often. I began to see how certain
we’ve still been able to set the program up to
controversial debates arise in college classes,
where that community is still tight no matter
and it was exciting to get to know my peers
the number,” he ensures. In addition, there is
through their comments in class. The other
an undeniable impact on the guidance of the
two courses I took were “Minories in the Media”
UTOP mentors.
and “Earth Science.” UTOP’s mandatory study hall gave us all the time we needed to catch up on homework and stay on track in our classes. Simmons tells me now that UTOP has added significant ways for the students who already have their general education credits.
Christopher Stanley was a UTOP mentor this past summer. He tells me that he applied for the job knowing that he could connect with the mentees personally. He walks away from the leadership experience with a lesson learned: “No amount of money can buy or
UTOP gave me the confidence and the connections to step out of my comfort zone and find myself. - Madison Smith When asked about the future of the UTOP,
cover the time that you spend with people,” he
Simmons mentioned expansion and tending to
tells me.
the students’ desires. “Whatever we need to do, whatever the consumer needs,” he said. “I'm all about the students and meeting their needs and whatever those are. We'll get them in here.” UTOP provides a family-like atmosphere, and he believes that he’ll maintain this intimacy no matter how many students are a part of the program.
44 • MIDAS Fall 2021
I asked him a couple of questions about being a UTOP mentor, especially after being a mentee of the program his freshman year. It was gratifying to see that UTOP memories cherished by mentees come full circle in the role of the mentor. “So after room checks, there'd be a few other
mentors that will finish off at the same area
It was at that moment that I realized how
and me, and we would have late-night talks
much this program really meant to me. It was
with the mentees for hours and just sit in the
in an information session for UTOP that I found
hallway and just chill and have a good time.
out about another program called Emerging
Those were on a nightly basis, so that for us
Leaders. There, I met Claire Hambrick, Editor
was just allowed us to make connections with
and Chief of Midas Magazine, thus why
them,” Stanley shares.
my writing is being published here and at
Now, I sit in Simmons' office after our short exchange of words and memories of those hot July days floating through my mind. Then, finally, a simple question comes to me, and I ask him without hesitation:
NinerTimes. In high school, I was rarely the type of person to insert myself into new activities, but I always wished I had gotten more involved. UTOP gave me the confidence and the connections to step out of my comfort zone and find myself as freshman year fall semester
What is your favorite tradition or memory from
began. I think it’s also safe to say that, like Mr.
UTOP?
Simmons, I find my fulfillment in UTOP from
“The program is really great, and we do great things through it, but just seeing the success
the endless high school opportunities it brings after the program ends as well.
of students after the program, their continued academic success, the tons of leadership opportunities, and what they get involved with. While I love the program, it’s that sustained success after it that I enjoy the most.”
Transition Made Easy • 45
Clay by Xochi By Janeissa Romero Photography by Claire Hambrick
L AY Article Name Here • 47
On a Sunday afternoon, I held a set of sea green earrings that dangled with a story.
O
n a Sunday afternoon, I held a
it has allowed me the time to touch into my
set of sea green earrings that
well of writing. For Gisell, it has allowed her to
dangled with a story. When I first
tap into her creativity. As an exercise science
met Gisell Muñoz, she was on the
major, Gisell spends her days and nights
2nd floor of the Student Union. She was sitting
studying. When I asked Gisell why she started
between two different worlds. On one side, she
her business, she responded with ‘boredom’
had her computer (attending a meeting) and
and ‘quarantine’. Starting a business was never
on the other side, her tablet. The sketch on this
in the books for Gisell, but after support and
tablet would become her next jewelry piece for
encouragement from friends, she decided to
her small business shop, Clay by Xochi.
open the door of opportunity.
It wasn’t until she shared her story that I
When creating her pieces, Gisell finds
realized how much work goes into a student
inspiration from the seasons. The blooming
business. The sketch was only one of the many
flowers bring forth the colors of spring; the
steps that it takes to run a small business.
blazing sun powers the heat of summer;
Fortunately, I was able to sit down with Gisell
the crispiness of leaves crunched in the fall.
and shine a light on what goes on behind the
In addition to the seasons, holidays are also
curtains.
a source of inspiration. Halloween brings
Like most of us, the spread of the coronavirus left us in shock. We didn’t think we would live through a pandemic. While this circumstance hindered a lot of projects and plans, it has also revived other parts we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see. For some, like myself,
48 • MIDAS Fall 2021
forth the spooky season and pumpkin patches. Christmas births ‘Tis’ the Season’ and Valentines day paves the way to love and friendship. All of these seasons and holidays can be expressed through clay.
Article Name Here • 49
While there is creativity in her business, she
escape the harsh edges of quarantine, but it
can’t forget about the logistical aspect. Gisell
has allowed her to network and meet other
runs her shop through Etsy, but even Etsy can
student-run small businesses at UNC Charlotte.
be stubborn. If Gisell sells a set of earrings that
It also allowed for her to get connected and
are $15, Etsy will take $2-$3 in selling fees. This
involved with her sorority and school events
means that Gisell would only be taking $12-$13.
such as Latin Heritage Month.
Although this may not sound like a lot, one has to consider the amount of time and costs for supplies, including the packaging.
When I first purchased a set of Gisell’s earrings, they reminded me of my culture: the vibrant colors of Mexico. The jewelry design brought
Opening a small business is no easy feat,
me back to Mexican markets where purses,
especially when you’re a college student.
hand-knitted shirts, and jewelry would be sold.
With inspiration and motivation, Gisell makes
For me, these pieces are a reminder of who I
it work. Making these earrings is a creative
am. Gisell says, “I don’t think my identity and
outlet for Gisell. Not only has it allowed her to
culture plays a big role in my designs, but a new design that I am coming out with is inspired by The Day of the Dead!” While inspired through unprecedented circumstances, Clay by Xochi is inspired by the beauty of flowers. Learning about Clay by Xochi reminds us to share our passions and let them grow. I urge you to find your source of light and bloom your flowers. Share them with others because together, we can create an entire field of who we are and what we represent.
50 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Clay by Xochi 10-Step Process 1. Sketching
6. Drilling and Sanding
2. Color Mixing
7. Polish and Varnish
3. Conditioning
8. Assembly
4. Apply Design and Cut
9. Picture and Upload
5. Baking
10. Packaging and Shipping
Social Media: TikTok: @gmunoz22 Instagram: @claybyxochi
Clay by Xochi • 51
by Vasiliki Gkoulgkountina
Y L I
Gianna Spriggs on Magick, Spirituality, and Family
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oDa is the arts and entertainment hotspot in Charlotte. Within a nook of this charming neighborhood, you will find a magick store called Curio. Mother-daughter duo Gina and Gianna are the owners of this store and
aim to spread knowledge and enlightenment about spirituality. I had the pleasure of interviewing Gianna Medora Spriggs-Macdonald and gathered her insight on how magick, spirituality, healing, and family have played crucial roles in her life. Gianna was born in New York and was raised partially in Florida before moving to Charlotte at 14 years old. Before owning Curio, Gianna was in culinary school and was a chef for six years throughout Charlotte. Gianna states that her mom had been practicing tarot since she was 16 and had been exposed to the world of magick throughout her life. “This entire kind of realm of things was something I was raised with, and had been familiar with from the time I was a little girl to now being an adult,” says Gianna. Gina herself specializes as a futurist and she aims to assist people with the use of tarot cards. While the distinct origin of Tarot is unclear, it was invented in the 1430’s as an Italian passtime. The deck consists of 78 cards which are divided into two groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana group has images symbolizing various virtues, forces, and characters, such as the Lovers or the Moon. The Minor Arcana group is divided into four suits: clubs, hearts, spades, and diamonds. The transition to using tarot for spiritual purposes first occurred in 1780 in France. The Major Arcana cards were used to refer to spiritual matters and the questioner’s life. With the Minor Arcana cards, clubs represent career ambitions, hearts represent love, spades represent conflict, and diamonds represent money.
54 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Gianna illustrates the process by stating,
with a firm root in Indigenous culture. Gianna
“[Gina] reads you the story your actions are
states, “I help people to heal themselves. I help
currently writing. Then you have the ability to
people identify any ancestral and generational
make more informed decisions; do you want to
traumas or patterns, and basically help them
keep doing what you're doing because you like
to shut it.” Among the multiple services that
the outcome, or do you want to change what
Gianna provides, one of them is called limpieza,
you're doing so the outcome doesn't happen?”
or energy clearing.
In 2018, Gianna and Gina chose to open up
Gianna went into detail describing what this
their own magick store, Curio, and make it
looks like: “I use a combination of singing
“uniquely their own,” as Gianna puts it. Gianna
bowls, rattles, drums, plants, and crystals
reveals that they utilize the word ‘magick’ to
to help shed any heavy energy that might
differentiate from magic tricks. Aleister Crowley
be weighing an individual down and then
was an English occultist who started using the
replace it with lighter energy more conducive
word ‘magick’ to define anything that moved a
to wholeness.” Gianna first identifies the
person closer to fulfilling their ultimate destiny.
compromised chakra, or energy focal point,
This distinction is crucial because it separates
using Chumpi stones. Then she uses different
‘magick’ from the strictly metaphysical realm
sounds to loosen heavy energy as well as
associated with magic tricks.
herbs to first take away the energy that no
Gianna stresses the importance of representing magick from universal aspects.
longer serves them and then more herbs to intentionally replace that energy.
“We wanted to focus on magick from around
Throughout my interview with Gianna,
the world and traditions from around the world
she emphasized the importance of family
rather than just specializing in one specific
interconnectedness and relying on one’s roots
section, because we have noticed that a lot of
to fully understand their identity. Another
spirituality was ignored due to issues with race
service Gianna provides is an ‘ancestor walk’
or due to lack of knowledge, so we wanted to
where she takes people through a guided
make sure that we were very inclusive,” states
meditation. Gianna dives into explaining this
Gianna. The store itself has a beautiful array of
process and states, “They get to meet a couple
books, tools, supplies, tarot and oracle cards,
of generations of ancestors, so that they can
crystals, and herbs, available to educate and
talk to them and really feel what it was like
enlighten its customers.
to be that ancestor to help shed any of those
While Gina identifies as a futurist, Gianna
patterns that they might be working through.”
identifies as a Curandera, or a healer who uses
Many people are hesitant to understand
folk remedies. Curandera healers can be found
spirituality, and are even afraid to get a glimpse
across Latin America; however, Mexico holds a
into the world of magick. When I ask Gianna
rich long-standing history of curandera healers,
about this, she states, “I think that people
Article Name Here • 55
om
ar
tra
d the
an d
wo r l d
because we have noticed that a lot of spirituality was ignored due to issues with race or due to lack of knowledge, so we wanted to make sure that we were very inclusive.
ou n
n te d t o a w e f oc W
o s u
g a i ck fr m n
.. . d l or d it i w ons f r d om aroun
fear what they don't understand. We've been
Colonization has also played a major role in
taught to fear what we don't know and fear
demonizing magick in folk traditions and
this magick and things of the unknown.” With
inaccurately associating them with devil work.
the added factor of media and Hollywood
As a result, cultural appropriation is a prevalent
productions, false information tends to spread
issue as people exercise these practices that
about this realm. “Sometimes there are people
do not belong to their culture. For example,
who do negative things, and I think people
non-Native people using white sage has
have heard more about the negative than
detrimental impacts on these cultures which
they have the positive. And then it kind of gets
are already under attack from colonization.
demonized,” explains Gianna.
56 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Gianna takes me back to one of the
Charlotte community has been to them.
origins of this fear of spirituality as we
Gianna positively responds, “Charlotte has
observe the effects of the bubonic
definitely been a supportive community. I think
plague. During this
that we started everything at the right time
time, people were very connected
which helped because people were getting
to their family backgrounds and
more open and have been getting more open
their ancestors because this
throughout the years and separating from
played a detrimental role in
more organized forms of religion but still
determining their quality of
wanting to maintain spirituality.”
life and social standing. “When the bubonic plague hit Europe, certain traditions had to be broken away because you had these bodies that were contagious and needed to be burned, so that nobody else would die,” states Gianna. Without being able to hang onto heirlooms or clothes or anything viscerally connected to their ancestors, a harsh disconnect was created within family dynamics.
Gianna extends her knowledgeable platform through her podcast, Curio Curandera, which she utilizes to open the gates to spirituality. Gianna states, “We are so often told that spirituality has to look a certain way or be a certain way, and my podcast is really about teaching people to follow their own path.” This podcast follows Gianna as she interviews different individuals who practice their own kind of spirituality. Gianna says, “I really want to show that there's not one look to being spiritual, so that people can recognize that they
The ancestor walks Gianna provides are an
are entitled to follow their path and really learn
opportunity to claim responsibility over our
about what that entails for them.”
actions. Gianna discusses how people refuse to connect with their ancestors because of the horrible things they did. In response, she states, “I get that but at the same time, they've done horrible things and you have the opportunity to learn from those things because when we don't learn our history or when we don't learn about history in general, we're due to make the same mistakes.”
As I got to know Gianna, she proved to be a strong and powerful force who is independently driven and passionately herself. Gianna says that ever since she was little, she walked to the beat of her own drum; she states, “I had to learn how to be comfortable no matter what, in no matter what environment.” Her strongest influence in maintaining this inner confidence was her mother Gina who
Having owned Curio with her mother for
assured her that no matter where she went,
three years now, I ask how welcoming the
she always belonged there.
Article Name Here • 57
Playing with Primaries Photography by Kavya Kumar Models: Jerin Francis and Caromis Ferrer-Ramos
Article Name Here • 59
60 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Article Name Here • 61
62 • MIDAS Fall 2021
Article Name Here • 63
The Climate Change Guilt Trip By Samantha Lates
G LT
A T E M I
UI
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G N A E
T R IP
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| Sa m
aL th an
Article Name Here • 65
ate
s
|
T HE C
We’ve all heard some form of the classic climate change guilt trip. Whether it came from a friend, a celebrity, or a corporation, all insinuate that if you use single-use plastics, you’re single-handedly responsible for the deaths of a hundred sea turtles and the melting of the last polar ice cap. That may be an over-exaggeration, but the average temperature in Charlotte has indeed increased by 2.3 degrees in the previous 50 years, which has lengthened the mosquito season and increased the risk of flooding
The climate change guilt trip doesn’t work, and it’s not your fault either. Even if you wanted to avoid single-use plastics, there’s no guarantee a recyclable, biodegradable, or zero-waste alternative is even available, within your budget, and just as effective as the original. You can’t purchase what isn’t produced. Suppose companies aren’t making sustainable products with their customers in mind. In that case, it can be nearly impossible to achieve a minimal-to-zero waste lifestyle.
and wildfires. Even in a
Not to mention single-
pandemic, with stores
use plastics are still
closed and people
essential for infection
working from home
control in hospitals,
instead of idling
preventing cross-
their cars in hour-
contamination
long commutes,
in scientific
the CO2 levels in
research, and
the atmosphere
helping those with
were the highest
disabilities retain
they’ve been in the
their independence;
last 4 million years.
we can’t eliminate single-use plastics until
These numbers can be
proper replacements have
discouraging and even scary. If you’ve lived near Charlotte long enough, you’ve probably even noticed the higher temperatures without a weatherman comparing it to last year’s average. The knowledge that increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions may irreparably damage the Earth can be a burden to carry,
been invented. Instead of blaming each other for rising temperatures and melting ice caps, we should be blaming the 90 companies that have contributed to twothirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1880—and have underrepresented their contributions.
especially when influential corporations try to
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
place the blame on you, the average consumer.
care about your carbon footprint. While an
But the truth?
66 • MIDAS Fall 2021
individual can’t significantly impact the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, there are levels of pollution that we do have control over that still impact the planet’s health. For example, think about the trash you can find on the side of the road. If it can’t decompose and it isn’t collected, then it sits there until the rain washes it away and it ends up in a lake or stream, polluting your drinking water. Luckily for us, there’s an organization working to fix that. Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a local non-profit organization that advocates for the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which provides drinking water for 2.5 million people. They’ve been around since the late 90s, but I first heard about them in 2018, when I was assigned a service-learning project that required me to volunteer at an environmental protection organization to understand the importance of their work and how society can work together to solve one of the issues they face. I chose to volunteer at two of the Riversweeps in their series. I spent a cumulative six hours collecting trash and admiring the beauty of Lake Norman and Rocky Creek Lake. As someone who loves visiting family and friends on Lake Norman, this was the perfect way to fulfill my volunteering requirement and take care of something I love—but I was shocked at what I found. The water I had always thought of as clean and safe to swim in, if a bit murky, had thousands of pounds of trash sitting on its
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation reported over 50,000 pounds of trash was collected from the basin during the 2021 Riversweep.
shores, waiting to be picked up by volunteers.
The Climate Change Guilt Trip • 67
The experience was eye-opening. CRF reported over 50,000 pounds of trash was collected from the basin during the 2021 Riversweep, even with local groups organizing smaller-scale cleanups throughout the year. This means that thousands of pounds of trash end up in our waterways every year, and any garbage found in Mountain Island Lake or Lake Norman directly impacts Charlotte’s drinking water. A lot of this isn’t corporate pollution either; it’s plastic bottles, pool floaties, and Styrofoam coolers: the remnants of summer fun, carelessly left behind. We may not control the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, but we can control what happens to our water. I couldn’t stop thinking about my time at the Riversweep. I enjoyed watching such a small organization achieve so much, so I followed their activities over the years and eventually started working with them part-time. Though it hasn’t been long, I have met some of the most passionate and hardworking people both within the organization and in the community they serve. They don’t just advocate for the river; they want you to enjoy it! So many people care for the environment and strive to make it better, even during their precious free time. It made me realize that, despite the seemingly bleak future of the Earth, there’s still a lot of people who care about it. This year, 1,700 volunteers spent three hours collecting 50,000 pounds of trash from the river basin. Next year, you could be one of them! By supporting environmental protection organizations like CRF through volunteering, donations, or merchandise sales, you can improve the health of your community and even help fight those 90 companies—like in CRF’s settlement with Duke Energy, which required the power company to clean up and excavate six coal ash sites in North Carolina. CRF even has a summer internship program that allows students to gain valuable experience in lab work or digital content creation while aiding them in their conservation efforts. Applications will open in the spring, so keep an eye out!
68 • MIDAS Fall 2021
UNCC makes it even easier to practice sustainability. Every full-time student pays a $1 Green Fee as part of their tuition. The Charlotte Green Initiative then allocates through the CGI Challenge, which supports projects that will increase sustainability on campus. Submit your project proposal or take advantage of completed projects like the Weird Recycling Center in the Student Union. This project allows you to recycle plastic bags, cables, ink cartridges, batteries, and glasses. You can also participate in events hosted by UNCC’s Sustainability Office, like their annual Sustainability Week in October and Earth Month in April, or join one of many clubs on campus dedicated to sustainability. Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but every little bit counts! We’ve been given a beautiful planet to call our home; the least we can do is learn how to protect it. By volunteering at events like Riversweep or participating in sustainable organizations on campus, you can make a visible difference in the health of the world around you. It sucks that there is no easy fix for climate change. Those who contribute the most will be affected the least by it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t better your community and show your support for organizations trying their best to make this Earth a better place for all of us. And if someone asks you why you care about the Earth, take a page out of Guardian of the Galaxy Peter Quill’s book and say, “’cause I’m one of the idiots who lives in it!”
’cause I’m one of the idiots who lives in it! The Climate Change Guilt Trip • 69
the
Fall 2021
MIDAS T EA M
MIDAS MAGAZINE WAS CREATED IN 2020 TO BE A PLATFORM FOR UNC CHARLOTTE STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR AUTHENTIC VOICES. WE FOCUS ON FOUR MAIN AREAS: CULTURE, ARTISTRY, IDENTITY, AND LIFESTYLE. WE SEEK TO CELEBRATE OUR STORIES AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY AND ARTISTRY. INSTAGRAM: MIDAS.MAG
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Claire Hambrick DEPARTMENT HEADS KYLIE JOHNSON Promotions Department KASEY VARNER Writing Department
PROMOTIONS TEAM
WRITING TEAM
KAVYA KUMAR Photography Department ELOI SOLIS Design Department
PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
DESIGN TEAM Rnold (moi) Tanchico
From the MIDAS team to all our readers, thank you! The Climate Change Guilt Trip • 71 A Look Into Charlotte Fashion
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