Taboo: Second Edition

Issue 6 | Spring 2020

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A B O O

TA

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Editor-in-Chief Olivia Gianettino

President & Co-editor Kasey Lettrich

Vice President & Associate Editor Madison Greer

Team Manager Adam Payne

Special thanks to

Creators

WVU Student Media Coalition Seth Seebaugh Darren Hartwell Le Corna Apparel Ooh Baby Mountain State Thrifts Sara Brinsfield Madi Blake, cover girl Maxwell Shavers

Juliet Thomas Caroline Murphy Danielle Beistline Kasey Barrow Cheyenne Oakes Anusha Singh Hunter Neel Catherine Wylie Marra Hoag Kayse Ellis Alexandra Holsclaw Kaitlyn McClung Katherine Whittington Dom Francis Kaeli Ricottilli Emily Yoder Jenny Corona Lani Beaudette

Models

by

MIRAGE

Creative Director Savanna Shriver

Managing Editor & Designer Annika Godwin

Head of Photography Joseph Lucey

Graduate Advisor Kristen Uppercue

A B O

ABOO

Madi Blake Kacie Griffin Jasika Shaker Emma Chase Maddy Walls Claire Ella O’Neil Sarah Young Noah Coby Leah Itani Payton Otterman Sidney Sheets Danny Dillon Jake Guthrie Nataya Bartlett Caleb McClung

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Where horror and style collide: See how designers and brands are using film and gore to step outside of the box

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The blunt truth: West Virginia’s marijuana laws are changing; check them out here

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Fetishism and fashion: Is casual bondage-wear exploiting sexual desire?

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with . . . e v o l

letter from the editor: 6

When the theme “Taboo” was proposed for this semester’s issue, the entire Mirage team and I fell in love. We are constantly looking for ways to push boundaries and try something new, and we knew the possibilities were endless with taking on this theme.

Our growing staff of writers, photographers and thinkers had countless ideas and after a few weeks into the working process, we knew we were working with our best, most exciting issue yet.

We had no idea what was in store for us.

When talk began of COVID-19 making its way to the US, we as a team knew it could possibly affect our process; none of us thought it would make such an impact on our precious final product. Mirage Magazine’s sixth issue, which will be released on May 15th during a pandemic and country-wide lockdown, is full of at-home photoshoots, stunning art and thoughtful articles. We had to learn how to collaborate and create in ways we never thought we’d have to. It is the most “taboo” thing I have ever been a part of.

“Taboo” is really a testament of just how hard brilliant, young creatives are willing to work, and it is my pleasure to get to share it with the world.

xoxo, Olivia Gianettino

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Bird Flu- M.I.A. Them Changes- Thundercat Deceptacon- Le Tigre ScheiBe- Lady Gaga Psycho Killer- Talking Heads iFFers I'm Not A Loser- Amyl and The Sn Controversy- Natalia Kills Loser- Beck I Disagree- Poppy Army oF Me- Bjork PossuM Kingdom- Toadies IPHONE- Rico Nasty Heart OF Glass- Miley Cyrus 212- Azealia Banks d Out Almost Had to Start a Fight/In an oF Patience- Parquet Courts

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The Endless Staircase written by Dom Francis

In my sights A house of nightmare taste, Spawned directly from the vault of a midnight victorian fantasy.

The only sign of life, a luminous porch light.

The pavement was cold The town, abandoned.

I creaked up the hollow pine The door snapped open - greetings from an undead living room!

Cob-web ridden and glaring with jeweled moonlight I entered.

All surrounding walls were painted with twiny ropes of dead vegetation.

Through the foggy window pane, An owl shouted his name.

I filed up a twisted staircase Each step welcomed with an ancient laugh Dust and death began to launch from the walls.

I imagined I was young again In a green field Under a vast opening sky with clear intentions Having a picnic with my lady Saltines and sodas.

Tricolored flowers all around us, our soft laughs dancing between them.

Heaven?

A spider barks.

Ghosts sing.

The clocks count the minutes towards the hour But time has no power.

Not on The Endless Staircase.

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Bedroom To Sidewalk: Our Guide To Sleepwear written by Jenny Corona

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Nightwear and lingerie have been around for centuries. This secret

subculture of fashion is meant for only you and your lover. If you’ve ever worn a nightgown or a silky pajama set, it’s not far off to say you feel a little bit like a princess with the soft materials and frilly collars. Although more modern nightwear is a little less avant-garde, it can still make you feel glamorous. You spent $40 on that pretty Victoria’s Secret bralette, so why not show it off (in public)?

People wearing sleepwear as streetwear has popped up here and there, and I don’t mean in an “I-just-woke-up-and-didn’t-have-time-toget-dressed” sort of way. The early 2000s saw some off-beat lingerie incorporated in red carpet looks, but these days it’s being taken to a more high fashion and classy level.

So, where do you get rad sleepwear pieces? In the case of vintage anything, we’ll always recommend thrift shopping. Nowhere else can you get as many unique vintage pieces at such low prices. Granted, you may have to do a little searching for the pieces that excite you, but when you find something you enjoy, it’s worth the hunt. Now, you can also get vintage nightgowns from Etsy sellers and other places online, but a lot of the time, they’re overpriced or were bought at a thrift shop to re-sell online at a higher price. This is why we recommend buying from the source.

Another option is to shop online. Many online retailers sell sleepwear, and I personally bought a lovely pajama set from Shein. There are some cute and silky shorts and button-up sets that are pretty easy to implement into an OOTD. No matter where you shop for nightclothes, the point here is that they can and will be shown off.

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how conspiracy has shaped the modern mind

FLat Earth to Fake News written by Lani Beaudette Why has it happened? Who started it?

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What happens when a pandemic like the COVID-19 outbreak

takes over the world? People search for answers. Why has it happened? Who started it? Among the conspiracy theorists community, “answers” have emerged. Some believe that the United States created the virus to wage war on China. Others feel that China created it to control its overpopulated country.

Wherever the virus came from, conspiracy theorists are thriving from the opportunity to solve its origins.

So, let’s take a step back – what are conspiracy theories and why are people so captivated by them? Conspiracy theories are suspicions that explain an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot usually by powerful conspirators. While some of these theories can be as extreme as the moon landing being faked, others are more simple in their ways, such as the theory that mattress stores have multiple locations to serve as a front for laundering money.

There are varying levels of interest in conspiracy theories-those who find it fun to learn about them and those who feel the theories may hold truths. But why do people love to learn about these alternative theories? Could it be because we like to blame the government for problems in society? Is it because we want to have an explanation for the unknown? In reality, it actually originates with our brains and neurology. According to an article published by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), one reason is pareidolia, or the tendency to see patterns in any collection of sounds, sights and facts. Because of this, our brains typically take a series of facts and make connections between them so that our minds can make sense of the situations. This relates to the disappearance of Malaysian Flight 370, in which many conspiracy theorists suggest Russian Special Ops took the plane, however, some people believe it was due to the passengers aboard. Twenty of the passengers worked for Freescale Semiconductor, which develops processors and sensors for the “Internet of Things,” a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines.

Additionally, many theories point fingers at Russia. Not only were there three Russians aboard the plane but also the day before the flight went missing, the United States placed sanctions on the country. Theories feel the plane disappearance is Russia’s retaliation to American control or that Russia wanted a device that the Freescale Semiconductor employees had.

explanation that does not put them at fault, according to Ludden.

“Seeking explanations for events is a natural human desire,” Ludden said.

With this understanding of why people are intrigued by conspiracy theories, it’s no wonder YouTubers have gained a massive following surrounding this topic. Some videos published on the site have garnered up to 45 million views. YouTubers, including Shane Dawson, thrive off conspiracy theories. Dawson is known for cultivating videos that leave viewers with a sense of unease. He has even marketed from these theories through merchandise such as sweatshirts and a makeup line. With this rise in views and videos published, YouTube as a social media platform has received backlash for promoting what many people consider fake news and sensitive topics. Some of these topics include 9/11 being a cover-up and Jesus Christ having an offspring. In response, the company has updated its search engine so that it is not recommending as many conspiracy theory videos to the public.

Podcasts are also making waves in the conspiracy theory community, such as the “Conspiracy Theory” podcast hosted

by Molly Brandenburg and Carter Roy. Each of the podcast’s episodes can range from 30 to 40 minutes and the hosts typically spend that time breaking down a conspiracy theory and examining each aspect of the story. The two have dived into a variety of topics since their initial airing in January 2018, including classic theories such as the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and newer ideas such as the legitimacy of vaccinations.

While conspiracy theories may have been around since the 1800s, today’s technology allows various ideas to be rapidly spread to a wider audience across the globe. Whether this is good or bad, it is hard to determine. However, through YouTube and other social media platforms, influencers have the chance to find a niche in the conspiracy theory area and continue to show the world the development of these theories.

While conspiracy theorists may seem absurd to some, many are drawn to theories for safety and security. This may sound strange because conspiracy theories typically focus on all things unsafe and sinister. However, David Ludden, a psychologist at Georgia Gwinnett College, said that many who believe in theories feel the need to be in control of their lives. Because of this, people will blame those in higher positions to find an explanation. This is true for climate change. Those who believe climate change is a hoax created by the government feel this way because it is a valid

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The Great American

Drag Race written by Emily Yoder

Teenagers all across America, hype up their socialites by

commenting “yass, queen” or “spill the tea, sis” when they have the latest gossip that is to be shared with social media outlets. These comments and many others have become evident in pop culture, but not all who use them know where they originate. Drag queens and their culture have been growing as an accepted element of our society since famous drag queen RuPaul has made an everlasting impact on our generation and generations prior. As a society, we are so influenced by what drag queens say, do and wear without even realizing that we are participating in their culture.

RuPaul founded the television series, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” early in 2009, dominating the stage of entertainment as it flooded with publicity and grew Ru’s ratings through the roof. The show holds a contest to compete with well-known drag queens around the world to find the “next drag superstar.” Most competitors have become favored not only in drag society but in pop culture, being noticed by their makeup, comedic talents, fashion, glamour and lip-synching expertise.

“The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” is a television show hosted by the famous Boulet Brothers that highlights the alternative style of drag, specifically through horror, filth and goth styles and showcases the way those styles can mix with glamour. This show exposes the other side of the stage, allowing mainstream viewers to see all facets of drag, rather than just the glamorous looks we watch on Ru’s runway. In fact, a drag king wins the latest season of “Dragula.”

This show is important to not only embracing the entire drag community but also allowing viewers who embrace a more alternative, grunge style to have something to relate to.

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Drag queens have made huge impacts to every living generation, but it is only now that we have come to take a step forward to accepting the drag community into society and pop culture. With the numerous personalities that a drag queen upholds, it is easy to connect to a drag character. Through characterizing and personality traits, their portrayal is how they express themselves and that is what our generation is striving for. We are focused on expressing and accepting oneself more than any generation before.

Drag makeup is known for being bold and outrageous, giving off a certain presence on stage and portraying a character. We have become so accustomed to the bold looks lately in makeup art.

Before influencers and YouTube, society searched for new techniques in makeup which had all stemmed from what others learned through drag queens -- techniques that are still prevalent today.

Contouring has become an essential facet to the makeup world.

The “baked” face originates from drag as it evens out skin tone and helps for a defined appearance. Kim Kardashian has attempted to link the trend to her recognition of baking and beating her face.

Although she exposed the essence of contouring, she did not create it. The over-plumped lip is also a feature of drag queens that has transformed into modern day, giving off a sexier, lustful look.

The cut crease used in eyeshadow art is a key factor in drag as it favors more of a dramatic appeal. Television programs are even influenced by the makeup done in the drag community, such as through the recent hit show “Euphoria.” There is a relevancy to the makeup in order to create a new look for the character and modern-day society.

Drag queens have been introduced to the younger generations primarily through the apps TikTok and Musical.ly as they started becoming well known for the lip-synch battle that helped gain viewers to their platforms. Charli D’Amelio, famous for being the biggest trending TikTok creator, has used the technique of lip-synching in a majority of her dances. “Drag Race” Season 11 competitor Plastique Tiara is quite famous for her lip-synching on TikTok with a total of 20.4 million likes. Drag queens have implemented singing along to songs as their famous trademark when performing publicly and on television programs. We don’t always acknowledge the background of this culture that has adapted into our society, but it has made an everlasting impact.

Along with social media outlets, drag queens leave an effect on television programs and film as they expand on becoming actresses in their careers.

Screen programs like “Grace and Frankie” and “A Star Is Born” have implemented drag queens into their productions, seeping into the new branch of pop culture. This has allowed more viewers to learn the essence of drag and get used to the idea of the community becoming more popular in everyday life.

Drag queens are also seen modeling and producing YouTube videos.

Upcoming drag queens such as Naomi Smalls and Valentina, who have both competed on “Drag Race” in the past, have also received the spotlight as models. Some drag queens just know how to work the runway and with their long legs and lean bodies, it has opened doors for them to branch into different expertise. Performers like Katya and Trixie Mattel have been given the opportunity to assemble a career, creating their own show sponsored by “WOWPresents” who hold 1.42 million subscribers.

All of the people who watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” know that there are catchy phrases that stick with the audience and the cast throughout many seasons. On Season 11, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo was eliminated in the first round. As she exited, she walked backwards and in an eerie tone said, “Miss Vanjie” repeatedly until she had disappeared backstage. The viewers and judges reminisced on that exit and referenced it numerous times through the season and in the following seasons. Doing this increased her popularity and formed a stable fan base, even though she was no longer a competitive contestant, and even allowed her to come back for another season of “Drag Race.” Drag queens normally are known for their humor, and catch phrases can be transferred into a form of slang.

Comedy is an absolute element to drag as it keeps the audience entertained and captivated. Drag queens are searching to keep the audience alive and crack the jokes. One of the most favored challenges in “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is the “Snatch Game,” where the queens impersonate a certain character and use famous “punch lines” to answer Ru’s questions. The characters bicker back and forth and roast the others to maintain Ru’s attention and get him to laugh. The contestants see what buttons they can push and test out their comedic talents. However, some drag queens choose not to focus on comedy as their talent and highlight their other strengths in the competition.

All across America, people form to what is trending in society. But, do we truly pay attention to where those trends stem from? The art of drag has become integral into popculture, however, as a society, we don’t always recognize the origin of what has impacted us greatly. Americans and the younger generations have embraced the love of drag and will hopefully enforce the acceptance we have established for drag queens and the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Fetishism.

Is Bondagewear Appropriate As Streetwear? written by Kayse Ellis photographed by Darren Hartwell

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The anticipation of festival season comes with countdowns

pinging in my inbox and my friends booing and wooing each headliner in Instagram and Twitter GMs. Every year I’m reminded that I need to step-up my festival wardrobe, so I turn to my favorite alternative e-shops in search of versatile, playful pieces that can be adorned in the crowd and on the street. Layering tops, hair accessories and even bike shorts are easy pieces to convert from raver to errand-running outfits – a bank account-friendly feat. For the past few years, I’ve scrolled through Dolls Kill and Her Pony, and I couldn’t help but notice dog collars, pleather harnesses and breast-revealing tops with pasties to pair. Now, I’m all about sexual liberation, but is excessive kink socially acceptable on the streets of Morgantown, West Virginia?

A fetish is a material object with which one has an irrational obsession, so it’s only natural that kinks and fashion bond. Yet, it’s taken 40 years for these trends to be drip-fed into “normal” society.

Starting with the hippie movement in the ‘60s and ‘70s, fashion designers like Claude Montana and Jean Paul Gaultier observed this revolutionary time of sexual freedom and incorporated designs from the bedroom to match the loose mood. Anti-establishment subcultures, like punk and grunge, further influenced such styles.

These ideologies mixed with how one represents their body ultimately lead to leather and corsets as closet staples.

While it’s not so shocking to see half-naked people running around on runways or festival grounds, it can raise an eyebrow or two on the way to the mom n’ pop shop. But, why is that? Haven’t we been told to strut the streets with confidence? And, isn’t our ‘woke’ society encouraging us to express our sexuality? You would think after 40 years of exposure to the underwear-as-outerwear idea that people would be really into it. Yet, sex is still reserved as taboo – especially in places with more conservative or traditional ways of thinking. It’s rare in West Virginia to see social change so easily accepted, but Morgantown’s college community brings a youthful, open-minded spirit where, really, just about anything goes.

Although conservative ideologies denounce the everyday use of leather, latex and waist-cinching corsets, it’s not the only group that has beef with fetishism. Many feminists critique fetish fashion as a male’s desired body image for women because of the influence of a majority of male designers. They believe that, with the textiles and silhouette emphasizing the waist and breasts, fetish fashion is a continuation of a misogynistic viewpoint. A physical representation of sex will be held as controversial so long as the act

itself is deemed inappropriate or embarrassing; however, celebrities and drag continue to represent the dominant perception as a physical expression of female empowerment.

Celebrities have adapted to fetishism easily, as latex, fur and leather are great conversation starters. Everyone wants to be named ‘best dressed’ on the red carpet, but it takes something daring to get the media riled-up (and nothing does that better than sex). Madonna (aka the corset queen) was the first and most successful celebrity to use fetish fashion to her advantage. Collaborating with fetishism pioneer Gaultier, Madonna’s corsets, ‘50s-inspired cone bras and kinky accessories, like her “Boy Toy” belt for the MTV VMA’s in 1984, have strapped her down as the fetish fashion icon. Beyoncé is another example of fashion dominating the Formation World Tour conversation with her crystal-embroidered bustiers and corsets.

Other celebrities have experimented with the trend but in subtler ways. For the 2019 Oscars, Rachel Weisz’s fire-hydrant red, latex Givenchy gown was the most talked-about dress on social media; and, male celebrities, like Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan, have stunted harnesses for their latest red carpet appearances. The current fetish trend that has attracted lots of media buzz is latex, thanks to the ever-shocking Kardashian family.

Even luxury fashion brands like Saint Laurent, Balmain and Rochas utilized latex for Fall 2020.

The squeaking, yet somehow sexy trend comes at a good time when, with plenty of time between now and a COVID-19 vaccine, people are already online shopping for their perfect back-to-society outfits. What says, “I’m back,” better than a little shock factor? Fashion Nova and Dolls Kill are already on top of the trend with affordable latex dresses. The key to fetish fashion is balance and innovation. Use layering techniques and place a harness over a shirt, or create a choker out of a belt. Use soft fetishes, like feathers and lingerie, to add a subtle sex-appeal, and hard fetishes, such as latex and buckles, for a stronger appearance.

Fetishes are anathema to society because it addresses a topic we all find as secret, embarrassing or inappropriate. Maybe there are circumstances where fetishes are not appropriate, but, for a universal act, it should be acceptable for an everyday outfit. While I’m not endorsing public nudity, latex, collars and layered harnesses are different accessories that not only turn heads but show confidence. Wearing sex doesn’t mean looking for sex. It means power. And, as the famous costume designer Edith Head once said, “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”

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No Longer A

BOYS CLUB written by Cheyenne Oakes

When Alessia Cara was the only woman

to win a solo award at the 2016 Grammys, then-recording academy president Neil Portnow responded by saying that women within the industry needed to “step up,” according to the New Yorker. This set off a fire-storm on social media as women from all over the entertainment industry publicly responded. Even though this year’s Grammys and Oscars received backlash for the lack of inclusivity in its nominations, there’s a long history of sexism spanning back to when women entered the workforce in the 1960s.

Systematic oppression allowed women to mostly hold secretarial positions or be in nurturing jobs such as nursing and teaching. In the decades that followed, women began to break barriers and gain leadership roles, challenging the previous notion that only men could hold that kind of authority. However, those positions didn’t come without pushback and a career filled with sexist ideologies.

While predjudice is prevalent in nearly every career, women working high-profile jobs, such as in politics or the entertainment industry, face discrimination under intense media scrutiny. Since the beginning of the entertainment industry, women have been considered lesser than their male counterparts, but only in recent years has it gained media attention. Allegations of sexism at the Grammy Awards picked up in 2016, along with other call-outs within entertainment such as the Oscars only nominating white actors and directors. Not much has improved since then, and this year, the Grammys faced a sexism scandal right before the award show.

Deborah Dugan, chief executive of The Recording Academy, was put on administrative leave due to allegations of

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misconduct, according to the New Yorker.

However, the leave came right after Dugan sent a memo to HR about voting irregularities and conflicts of interests within the academy, all while calling The Recording Academy a “boys club.” Since the awards, there has been little media attention surrounding Dugan, the allegations or the memo.

Sexism in entertainment has continued to gain attention, but not much has been done to combat the issue. At the 2020 Oscars, there were no woman directors nominated. This again caused social media uproar with no logical explanation given as to why only men were nominated when there were many top-selling movies this fiscal year with women directors. There was also only one person of color nominated in the four acting categories for the 2020 Oscars. Although sexism within the entertainment industry gets noticed through things like award nominations, women working behind the scenes of entertainment face similar experiences that mostly go unnoticed. According to an article from The Mary Sue, women working behind the scenes of entertainment face the same harassment as women in the spotlight, and are forced to endure sexism in order to keep their jobs. Although sexism and harassment within entertainment have been fought against with the #MeToo movement, no drastic changes have been made to improve the workplace environment.

Sexism for women in high-profile jobs extends farther than just entertainment, and has been more widely noticed in politics.

The 2016 and 2020 presidential elections have challenged the age-old ideology that only a man can lead the United States.

Hillary Clinton, along with other female candidates, have faced intense media

scrutiny that is unequal to the attention their male-counterparts have faced. According to an article from the Washington Post, women are ridiculed far more than male candidates in all aspects. The article argues that women candidates receive more attention than male candidates for things such as temperament and anger. Clinton experienced this when being ridiculed for the sound of her voice and the way she laughs, all things that her male counterparts were never judged for, according to the article. This is due to engrained ideologies that women must be care-takers and have a nurturing personality. Bottom line: the country refuses to accept that a woman could be strong enough to handle the job of president, and sexism is to blame.

Women in all lines of work face sexism and harassment daily. Women in high-profile jobs such as entertainment and politics are facing sexism not only in their daily jobs, but also through intense media scrutiny that continues to drive systematic oppression.

For centuries, the feminist movement has fought to allow women the same opportunties and equality as men. Less than one hundred years ago, women fought to be accepted in the workforce and obtain the same education as men. But even in 2020, women still have to fight to have a seat at the table of the most high-profile jobs-- all because of their gender.

To learn more about sexism in the entertainment industry, visit womeninentertainment.org. Women in Entertainment is a global organization that works to support and educate throughout the industry.

Young & Beautiful Underage Infatuation

“Exploitation does not just end with child stars.”

written by Marra Hoag

When Billie Eilish turned 18, a flood of tweets went viral proclaiming excitement over the new pop star

becoming “legal”. The excitement was taken a step further, as she became the most searched name on Pornhub on her birthday. Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown was named “One of the Sexiest TV Stars” by W Magazine. She was 16 years old. Mara Wilson, a former child star, spoke out about her discomfort after finding her feet on a foot fetish website that solely focused on movies where children’s feet could be seen.

On multiple occasions, underage celebrities have had to come forward and ask their fans and followers to tone it down. However, the fascination is not only from their younger audience. Another Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard, 17, had to ask his followers to stop referring to him as “daddy.” There is a fine line between a harmless crush versus sexual exploitation. However, it seems like that line has become fuzzy and unclear.

Exploitation does not just end with child stars. In fact, experts have come forward to admit that pageants can have sexual undertones. While pageants can be an innocent and fun event, it seems that it can easily be taken to a questionable extreme. With fake boobs, pounds of makeup and skimpy outfits, it can be questionable if all of this is really an innocent event-- especially for the children involved.

Not only are the children in the pageants performing in front of an audience, but their performances are now being broadcasted to the whole world on television. With shows like “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” this behavior is normalized.

The most widely searched word on porn sites is “teen.” This scenario is usually pretty uniform: a man of authority, like a teacher or boss, makes advances on the younger-looking woman. This porn category always features a “barely-legal” looking woman, usually wearing “younger-looking” clothing and an extreme sense of inexperience and innocence.

Young fantasy existed before the internet. Playboy released “college girl” editions in the 1970s, and Hustler’s Barely Legal magazine featured young, inexperienced women. On the first issue of Barely Legal, the cover text included “women who were just girls yesterday.” It almost seems that our society is and has been fascinated by teenagers, even before mainstream media.

This makes you wonder, why and how did this start? There are, unfortunately, cases of child sexual assault from the beginning of time, which we refer to as pedophilia. However, “barely-legal porn” and worshiping underage celebrities and celebrating when they turn 18 is considered normal. One of these is socially unacceptable, while the other is accepted.

People constantly say that teenagers today look nothing like how they looked when they were their age.

They wonder what makes them look so much older, prettier and mature than they did when they were teens. The answer is simple: little girls are being introduced to beauty rituals at earlier ages. Beauty products and clothing are being marketed towards women, no matter their age. Television, movies and social media have decided what teenagers should look like. During this confusing time of their lives, teenagers will do anything to fit in, even if it means losing their innocence. They are expected to look grown-up enough to have sex appeal but stay innocent at the same time, an impossible standard to meet.

You can’t be young and old at the same time.

The beauty industry feeds off the idea of younger-looking skin and encourages (or pushes, rather) consumers to reverse aging. Items from our childhood come to be back in style. Take scrunchies, hair clips, frilly socks and jelly sandals, for example. Food and drink companies have brought back their vintage packaging as marketing tactics. Even childhood video games have come back in popularity.

There is one thing all of these items have in common: they evoke feelings of nostalgia.

Maybe that’s why we admire the young -- we wish we could go back in time to that point of our lives.

Maybe we envy their youthfulness and innocence, or maybe this is the result of society constantly pushing that younger is more attractive while old age is ugly. But is this fascination more dangerous than it seems?

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i think i joined a

cult.

written by Madison Greer

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“ W Y DO H P E O PL E JOI N “

CULTS?

Humans are peculiar creatures. We’re wired (some more than

others) to yearn for companionship. Compared to other mammals, we thrive in these social situations. We love the company of others.

In fact, we tend to congregate in social groups to feel accepted.

We also love to be suspicious. Have you ever watched a crime documentary on serial killers? Ghosts? Rituals? It’s probably safe to assume you have. And although we care not to admit it, the topic is deeply fascinating. The science behind cults is similar: those who are yearning for a social, and sometimes spiritual, connection with others. And as for the rest of us, we research with wide eyes.

A cult is characterized as a social group that is defined by its unusual spiritual, religious or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular object, personality or goal (and no — a sorority is not a cult). More often than not, we see these cults in the news; their members committing mass suicides or just being known as extremely dangerous.

Among the most popular are the Manson Family, who cultivated the idea of starting a raging race war with his ‘family,’ all the while mandating orgies and drug use; Heaven’s Gate, an infamous cult known for the mass suicide of 39 members, found with plastic bags over their heads; and Children of God, rebranded as Family International, which still continues today. What do they all have in common? Besides the belief in a greater being and certain religious practices, physical and sexual abuse plague them. And evidently, location matters: all three of them were founded in California.

But what about the East Coast of America? While we don’t hear the stereotypical banjo music among the hills, cults are active in nearly every state in America, and West Virginia is no different.

In 2008, George Feigley, leader of the Neo American Church, was released from prison after serving for 30 years because of his declining health. The Neo-American Church was a sex cult led from a compound just outside of Grafton, West Virginia, after Feigley fled from law enforcement in his hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Feigley himself was later arrested on the grounds of raping at least three young girls, whose parents were members of the cult.

According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Joe Long, an editor of the Mountain Statesman newspaper in Grafton, Feigley was an intelligent and manipulative man, making him extremely well-liked and appealing to his followers. His compound consisted of houses in a ritualistic circle, with computers and documents in the basement of the main house. Long told the Gazette-Mail that Feigley led his followers to believe that California would fall off of the United States, creating a tidal wave that would destroy the rest of the country, leaving his circle of houses in West Virginia safe from harm.

So why do people join cults? Some researchers and psychologists believe that the wish to join stems from a yearning to belong to something. According to a New York Times article that interviewed John Clark Jr., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard University in the ‘80s, some followers found themselves joining a cult after a troubling time — starting college or losing a loved one. In the case of these more dangerous cults, overstimulation of social events, prayer or other activities can lead a new mind down a rabbit hole. Soon, they succumb, too caught up in the “fun” until it’s too late to realize what actually happened.

Cults are about belonging and succumbing to the power of its leaders, which makes it difficult for people to leave a cult once they’ve become established. But there are organizations that are fighting against these dangerous and manipulative cults, such as the Cult Awareness Network (or CAN, for short). The organization formed in 1978 after mysterious deaths occurred in a cult known as People’s Temple. Until 1996, CAN kept records on more than 1,500 cults, until they eventually disbanded due to bankruptcy. The records from CAN were bought from the Church of Scientology and formed into the New Cult Awareness Network. In addition, Christian activists all over the globe have stood up against cults on the grounds of brainwashing their members on theological grounds.

But not all cults are classified as “bad” by their members. In fact, many stay due to the relationships they build from joining. Many media outlets have taken to documenting cult members’ journeys, from YouTuber Anthony Padilla’s “I spent a day with EX-CULT MEMBERS” to Netflix’s new “Tiger King,” there are a profound number of resources on the topic. The best thing we can do is stay informed.

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DEATH OF NATALIA KILLS THE

controve

r sy

written by Annika Godwin

If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of YouTube, watching

endless clips of people auditioning for American Idol and The X Factor, then you’ve probably heard of Natalia Kills. The English singer-songwriter, who was a judge on The X Factor New Zealand, became infamous for her rant on the show. On a live episode on March 15, 2015, Kills berated contestant Joe Irvine for “copying” her husband’s style. Her husband, Willy Moon, who was also a judge on the show at the time, joined in on the verbal abuse, going as far as to compare Irvine to “Norman Bates in his mother’s clothing.” The audience loudly booed as Kills continued to call Irvine “disgusting” and “artistically atrocious.” Following the public outcry of the incident, the producers of The X Factor New Zealand promptly fired both Kills and Moon in less than 24 hours of the show.

Although Moon arguably said harsher things to Irvine, such as comparing him to a murderer who was going to “kill everybody in the audience,” Kills received the brunt of the abuse from the media and the public on her social media platforms. Ultimately, that moment, which lasted less than five minutes caused Kills’ career to collapse and left the public’s memory of her and her music to be whittled down to nothing but her harsh words.

Since her start in 2011, Natalia Cappucini, under the moniker Natalia Kills, was set to become one of the pop princesses of the decade. Her debut album “Perfectionist” was full of dance and electro-pop hits. She opened for stars such as Katy Perry, Ke$ha, The Black Eyed Peas and more.

Kills ran with the momentum and released her second album “Trouble” in 2013, and it was an even bigger success. Kills did not stray from her synthetic-pop roots but wanted to create a heavier atmosphere because the album centered around her troubled childhood. This led the album to be moodier than her first, with the addition of electric guitars and strong percussion elements.

Kills was praised for the visual elements that accompanied her powerful music. Critics were impressed with the album and sensed an evolution in the works.

After her firing, Kills went into an apparent hiatus. Despite laying low on social media, that didn’t stop fans of The X Factor from attacking her constantly. Many referred to her as a “diva,” but the worst attacks came in the form of racist slurs and death threats.

“The Internet me is a person I’ve yet to meet,” Kills said in an interview with Paper Magazine in 2018.

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During that interview, the first in-depth interview since her firing from The X Factor, Kills discussed her hiatus and her rebranding. Though she couldn’t legally go into details about what went on behind the scenes of the show, Kills was adamant that she was not in hiding; she was simply waiting to be out of her contract with her record company. They were insistent on her maintaining her image as Natalia Kills, which the singer said herself was all an act, a pretentious portrayal of who she’d never be.

In 2016, Kills officially broke free of the moniker and started going

by Teddy Sinclair, her birth name and husband’s surname. Free from her contract, Sinclair grabbed songwriting credits for Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better” and Madonna’s “Holy Water.” This year also saw the creation of Cruel Youth, a band led by Sinclair. Their first EP, “+30 mg,” was released in 2016, which contained seven electropop songs with elements of rock. Their success is relatively small in comparison to the hits Sinclair released as Natalia Kills, but their most popular song, “Hatefuck,” has over 6 million plays on Spotify alone. The band released two singles in 2018 but has not updated as to what their future plans are.

Despite the change of name, attitude and sound from Natalia Kills to Teddy Sinclair, and her small social media presence, Sinclair still receives hate daily for her controversy that occurred over five years ago. Sinclair now only has 100K followers on Twitter, and she appears to have deleted most of her tweets from her time as Natalia Kills. Most of her 47 tweets are music-related, and yet there are still threats being posted on her page constantly.

Though what Sinclair did was harsh and uncalled for, it’s important to note that this controversy especially impacted the singer because she is a Black woman. These fans have never attacked Simon Cowell or Louis Walsh to the same extent for their coldhearted comments to contestants. In fact, their cruelty is often laughed at.

No one even attacked Sinclair’s husband, Willy Moon, as harshly as they attacked her despite his comments being just as or even more harmful. This is just another example of how Black women are ridiculed whereas white men are applauded. Although this controversy defined and damaged Sinclair’s career as Natalia Kills, Sinclair has been able to move on and begin rebuilding her singer-songwriter career again, and I for one, am excited to see what comes next.

Alternative Fashion written by Hunter Neel & Kaeli Ricottilli photographed by Joseph Lucey

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Fashion has dramatically changed from

the days of the flapper to today’s TikTok e-girls. As an industry and community, we continually question and push the boundaries of the conventional fashion mold. That being said, certain groups push these walls even further, eventually creating their own cultures of fashion that are ever evolving; welcome the world of the alternate. Let us backtrack a little – what exactly is “alternative fashion?”

Alternative fashion simply refers to specific fashion trends that stood apart from mainstream commercial fashion, at least at one point in time. Because we have a multitude of sources that have continually documented fashion trends through the centuries, we can see that many of these alternative subgroups eventually make their way into mainstream culture one way or another. So, let us embark on the journey through the past century’s alternative fashion trends around the globe.

1920s

Starting with a bang, let’s waltz our way into the American 1920s. The 1920s, or Roaring 20s, is known for its prosperity and dissipation, at the height of the decade, the nation’s wealth nearly doubled, catapulting the nation into this glamorous time of crime, prohibition and cultural civil wars. Through all the dissonance of the Roaring 20s, “the new woman” arose. Freshly equipped with the 19th Amendment and accessible birth control, women were able to dip their toes into a more risqué world of fashion: a raised hemline. That was the reality for the majority of American women; however, the 1920s is known for the iconic flapper style: the boyish bob, fringe and bold lip made the look. At the time this style was closely associated with young women who were not very, “ladylike;” smoking, drinking and expressing their own sexual desires did not stop these women from dressing in full fringe and dancing the night away. And as we could later see, their unladylike sense of fashion slowly but surely evolved into mainstream society as women began their pursuit of economic independence. We can see trends in the 1930s and ‘40s of a shorter bob haircut and a hemline that was even shorter than before.

Across the pond many Eastern European countries were experiencing a similar era of economic prosperity. Through this era, a dramatic cultural shift took place, which especially included fashion. France’s Belle Époque, or Beautiful Age (1871-1914), featured women who desired a much simpler style, garbed in lavishly long dresses and tight corsets. With hemlines and haircuts becoming shorter, silhouettes becoming straighter, the New Woman was born: La Garçonne. Garçonne is a female modification of the French word garçon, which means boy, similar to the American slang tomboy. The term caught on as the trend spread through Europe, eventually becoming the title of a lesbian magazine in Berlin, Germany. Originally started in 1926 with the title Frauenliebe (Woman Love), the magazine was banned by the government in 1930 but came back later that year under the more subtle, modern Garçonne. While these women were similar to America’s flappers and are often grouped in with them, their style was a bit more androgynous. The Garçonne wore suits with square shoulders and pants along with cropped hair and hats. Garçonne adopted a boyish style, while flappers were more feminine.

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1950s

Moving along to the 1950s, America was launching into the age of major opulence.

With a booming economy, the world’s strongest military and widely available consumer goods, the American population began to get comfortable; moving to suburbs and creating their nuclear families. The housewife, poodle skirts and cardigans were all the trends.

International designers such as CristĂłbal Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy changed the female silhouette.

Dresses were made with round shoulders, a fitted top and a full skirt. They were made to complement a larger bust and smaller waist.

Towards the end of the ‘50s, skirts became narrow, popularizing the slim look.

This idea of comfortability; however, did not last long with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement, forcing the American people to become at the least, aware of the major discourse brought upon by society.

Through the protests and riots we can see how the women of the time ever so subtly diminished previously pressured fashion trends. It became increasingly popular for women to wear jeans; however, it did take quite a long time before this alternative trend became mainstream. And women in shorts was unheard of until few women branched off from societal norms and wore shorts on hot summer days.

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1960s

During America’s Civil Rights Era of the 1960s, fashion in Africa became more political, celebrating their Blackness that was criticized for so long. From this came the dashiki, a shirt inspired by African style.

Civil Rights leaders wore them proudly. The name of the shirt came from a combination of words from two African languages that both mean shirt. Dashikis are long and loose fitting, made with colorful African fabrics and detailed embroidery in elaborate patterns. Algerian designer Yves Saint Laurent put Africa on the international fashion map with his 1967, “Africa collection.” This collection single-handedly reinterpretation of aftans, djellabas and turbans for many generations of designers.

This launched many Black women into the realm of the international catwalks.

1970s

Headbanging into the 1970s, we see the birth of punk fashion. Through the era of women’s rights, gay rights and Watergate, today’s common idea of alternative fashion emerged. Mohawks, leather jackets and Doc Martens were all the craze for the seemingly small subculture originating in London. This sudden promotion of individual freedom launched itself across the pond to the Americas where the punk scene took off into international light, spreading like wildfire. Their ideas evolved into fashion, then music, literature and beyond. Influencers such as Vivienne Westood, Malcolm McLaren and Mick Jagger are major characters in the punk movement, completely accelerating this wave in history.

Unlike the previous decades, this sudden turn in fashion was explored by men and women, slowly creating an even more diverse realm of fashion, politics and ideologies; it became a new lifestyle. This scene is also where the term “underground” was coined, which is just a synonym for alternative. The punk subculture paved the way for fashion and self-expression for many decades to come. Their anti-corporatism and do-it-yourself attitudes towards fashion can still be seen to this day.

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1980s

The 1980s was a bold decade in fashion from chiffon fabrics and bright colors, the combinations of styles transcended global boundaries. From the emergence of the domestic retail industries in India, to the eye-catching looks of Japan’s Harajuku teenagers, the 1980s gifted the world all of its uniqueness. In the previous decades many of India’s fashion designers focused on haute couture, opposed to the commercial retail industry that much of the westen world set its foundations on. This so-called, “Fashion Boom,” that much of India experienced was due to their economic liberalization, leading to more outsourced garments from western countries. However with Bollywood’s increasing popularity, India was painted with a mixture of bright colors, interesting patterns and luxurious textiles, from the chiffon sarees to patch-covered leather jackets, the 1980s was a turning point for the average consumer.

Just like the 1960s, ‘80’s fashion was also used to make bold political statements.

Palestinian women wear thobes, a traditional robe with detailed embroidery that can convey many different messages depending on the colors and imagery used.

During the first uprising against Israel in the ‘80s, women in Palestine embroidered their thobes with symbols of the protest, such as guns and doves. As Israel began to confiscate Palestinian flags, the women decorated them with Palestine’s national colors. The thobe became a symbol of pride in their heritage.

1990s

Dialing up to the 1990s, we can see the age of the internet and global communication. The ‘90s was full of fashion trends like bright neons, wacky tie-dyes and tracksuits-- which we can see the reappearance of today in 2020. However, as we’ve looked at in the aforementioned decades there is always an outlier: in come the goths. Musicians such as Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails helped summon this new wave of monochromatic acolytes. Garbed in all black clothing, platformed boots and sharp metals, the goths were ready to take social normalities head on. The goth aesthetic was founded as a sub-branch of the 1970s punk scene, however, it differed with its influences of a combination of Victorian and Edwardian-era fashion. Many of the subcultures influences and proclivities come from the 19th-century literature genre by the same name. The 19th-century gothic literature often longed itself to the goths a source of inspiration for fashion, makeup and lifestyle; looking onto life in a darker, more horrific manner. This group has spread across countries and has evolved into even more subcultures such as pastel goth, cyber goth, vampire goth, romantic goth; the list goes on and on. These trends, as the others discussed before, leaked over into the new millennium branching off into the ever-growing tree that is alternative fashion.

Simultaneously a few thousand kilometers to the east, the distinct style of the Harajuku district in Tokyo, Japan, became prominent in the 1980s and continued for many, many years. The Harajuku style is a melting pot of vastly different Japanese styles, often combining multiple into one outfit.

Teenagers of the Harajuku district started it by mixing traditional Japanese clothing with western elements. With this the Harajuku style attracted the attention of many, and branched off into its many subcultures that still exist to this day.

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2010s

Swiping our way into the 2010s, we see a vast array of subcultures, fashion trends and digitally permanent fashion moments.

With the emergence of a generation fully consumed by internet culture, fashion trends are far and wide spanning across nations. From the days of Myspace to the endless scrolling of Instagram, teens and young adults have thousands of references to inspire their everyday look; however, one iconic look has stayed consistent throughout the 2010s: scene fashion. The scene looks of skinny jeans, gauges and the iconic eye-covering fringe arose out of the mainstream emo subculture from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. This look became widely popularized via Myspace where people such as Jeffree Star and Kiki Kannibal pioneered the realm of scene culture.

As social media evolved so did the scene subculture. As people transitioned to Facebook, then Instagram, the previous scene fashion morphed into what is known today as e-girl/boy fashion. With soft makeup, oversized graphic tees and grunge-rooted accessories, the e-community took over. The word itself stands for emo boy/girl, rooting itself into the previous emo community of the early 2000s. Starting with just a few small groups across the world, this trend launched itself into full mania with the release of TikTok in 2016. TikTok has created and developed many of the fashion trends that we see today. Within the app, there is even a whole genre called, “e-girl factory.” Many popular content creators such as Doja Cat and Salina Killa have furthered this e-girl look with their millions of followers.

As we can see from the previous century’s fashion, most alternative fashion trends simply evolved from one another, and we can see the overlying theme of individualism present throughout the decades. From the slowly rising hemline, to the towering mohawks and skinny jeans, these subgroups of the fashion world create their own cultures and history that lend themselves to the future generations. Here’s to what us headbangers and TikTokers see in the next century.

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No One Cares About Your Instagram. Relax. written by Kasey Barrow

Last summer, I took an eight-day vacation up the coast of

California with my parents. Highway 1 is known for having some of the best views in the United States. You know what good views make for? Good photos. I’ll be honest, the trip definitely improved my Instagram game, but I was determined not to make every single moment about getting a good picture of myself. As I think back to when I had my dad take a photo of me riding a bike, while he was ALSO riding a bike, I’m not so sure that I succeeded at this. Do you know how many comments it got? Two. Did my dad risk his life? Yes. Was it worth it? Honestly, I’m not sure.

Our generation loves to take pictures. We feel like we’re creating content; as if we’re on our way to becoming the next big social media influencer. Instagram gives us a platform for this, which is really exciting. When you plan your next trip or even your afternoon hike with your friends, it’s hard not to think about the pictures you’re potentially going to take. Having something to post almost motivates us to go out and do things. It makes us want to travel to exotic places and try new things so that we can document it. This is not a bad thing, taking pictures is not a bad thing— people have careers taking pictures. However, I encourage you to break out of the mindset of doing things to create your next Instagram post and to try to live in the moment.

However, this can be a difficult habit to break.

What about during quarantine?

Maggie Cahill says: “The quarantine has increased my reliance on social media, while emphasizing how much it can’t replace being with my friends in person.”

This is how I try to think about it: When I’m scrolling through Instagram, barely paying attention to what I’m looking at, people are probably doing the same thing to my bike riding picture that my dad almost fell off of his bike trying to take. This mindset helped me realize that people probably only care about what I do as much as I care about what they do, which continues to help me break out of the mindset of being photo-motivated.

I’m not trying to tell you that social media sucks. It doesn’t. It allows us to have an outlet for our creativity and it gives us an audience for our photos, videos, artwork or anything else that we decide to put out there. It can be a way for us to feel approved by others, and there are definitely pros and cons to this mindset.

It’s important to remind ourselves to stop being so motivated to do cool things only for the mere fact that we can get likes and comments on Instagram. If you take a cool trip, no one is going to remember that. You’re going to remember it, though. If you’re going to spend a lot of time taking photos on your trip— do it for you. But, make sure to pay attention to the Eiffel Tower instead of spending 40 minutes getting a good picture of yourself with the Eiffel Tower. It’s all about balance.

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Femininity In The Workplace written by Juliet Thomas

Over the past several decades, women in the United States have

made undeniable progress in the workplace, fighting to be able to pursue careers in any field we choose and often succeeding in them. However, in male-dominated positions, women are likely to experience something called “The Confidence Gap.” This means that compared to men, women are more likely to doubt their abilities in the workplace, the classroom and, in general, doubt themselves more. Studies show that success correlates with confidence as much as it does experience, and have even found that men overestimate their abilities and performance while women underestimate both, even when they have the same quality of performance.

The Confidence Gap is more prevalent for women working in a male-dominated career field.

When women are surrounded by mainly male counterparts, we are more likely to doubt ourselves and our ability to do our job. This is because we already feel like we don’t belong, added to the stress of feeling incompetent. You will probably not have any women bosses or “higher-ups” to look up to in your work environment. A study done by HP, a tech company, found that women applied for a promotion only when they met 100 percent of the qualifications.

Men applied when they met 50 percent. Despite the high demand for computer science jobs, the field is still mainly male-dominated.

STEM fields often have a lack of equal representation for women, especially at senior levels. The combination of working in a male-dominated field and the Confidence Gap creates a double-insecurity that often holds back women from progressing in their career.

I spent my spring semester as a journalism intern for the West Virginia legislature. This was pretty much my dream internship because government work has always interested me. I was working full-time and was getting paid to write about politics! The thought of having a typical career of working for a newspaper or channel news exhausted me. The fast-paced setting in the Capitol building is just what I needed.

A typical day during the legislative session consisted of committee meetings and floor sessions. Committee meetings are where bills are presented, amended and discussed, and can cover a variety of topics. The floor sessions are where bills are voted on and passed. Towards the end of the session, these can be longer than six hours a day. I reported on meetings and floor sessions daily and was responsible for writing two blog posts a day about the biggest pieces of legislation that passed or advanced. I worked directly with delegates to write newspaper columns for them to update their constituents on the legislative session. I also drafted press releases, wrote formal letters and speeches. Every other week, I was responsible for writing a wrap-up article that was the main story of the week, featuring interviews with chair of committees or the lead sponsors of a bill. Writing the wrap-up article was my favorite part of the internship. This felt rewarding because it is so similar to the work that reporters do daily.

It was an honor to see crucial legislation being passed right in front of me. I reported on two extremely important bills that were passed in the legislature. One of those bills was House Bill 4543, which caps the cost of insulin at $100. This was passed to help the growing problem of diabetics that can’t afford to pay sky-rocketing

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co-pays for their insulin. The House of Delegates also passed House Bill 4092, which provides a grand total of $16.8 million to foster care families and child-placing agencies to address the foster care crisis in the state. I know this legislation will change people’s lives for the better.

Being a woman working in the political sphere can be intimidating.

Women have the odds stacked against them in almost any career field, but the differences are especially noticeable for public official jobs. Eighteen out of 134 members of the state legislature are women. This is only 13.4 percent. West Virginia has one of the lowest percentages of female representatives in the nation, second only to Mississippi. Although I was working as staff and not a representative, I still felt the tension that women feel when they are in the minority in the workplace.

Many of these women representatives have their own families, having to leave their children at home for 60 days of the year to do their job at the Capitol. Representatives come from all parts of the state. There are some districts very close to Charleston or in the surrounding area, but there are also districts, such as in the Eastern panhandle, that are at least four hours away. It’s a sacrifice to leave your home and family to be a legislator. Even though some held completely different political views than my own, I couldn’t help but be inspired by these strong women that were representing their districts in the Capitol.

Interns have a different experience from regular staff. As an intern, you already question your experience and ability to complete your job. This feeling is exacerbated by the expectations for women in the workplace. It’s important to find coworkers that will support you no matter what, especially if you experience struggles with sexism. I was lucky to have an office full of supportive coworkers that I could talk to if I was facing any difficulties. It’s also important to use your strengths to your advantage during your job or internship. Knowing your strengths will help you when you need to do something that you’re not as confident in doing. It’s easier said than done, but fake it til you make it, right? Confidence is arguably the most important part of your job.

This internship was a life-changing experience and I hope to continue my work in the field after I graduate college. I was able to do hands-on work and it felt more like a real job than an internship.

My responsibilities weren’t based on filing papers and making copies. I feel like I was able to make an impact as a journalism student by keeping the citizens of West Virginia informed during the legislative session. When you work for the government, (whether it’s local, state or federal) you can have a direct, positive effect on the people in your state or country. Being a woman in a male-dominated field is a challenging but rewarding experience. As Elizabeth Warren said when she was running in her first election, “When a woman runs, she makes it easier for the next woman to run, and that’s how we’ll win.”

One way to boost your confidence is to dress well! Of course, most workplaces have professional dress codes. Dressing for success goes beyond following the dress code. For example, I don’t normally do my hair or makeup for class, but taking the extra time to do this in the morning made me feel more confident when going in to work. I loved wearing blazers, tights with dresses and headbands. Work styles are very different from classroom styles, so it might take a little bit of time to figure out what makes you feel like a boss. Wear what works for you and makes you feel good. If wearing heels gives you more confidence, then wear them! Investing in your appearance does make a difference in your well-being at work.

Tips for buying professional clothing: - Make a budget and stick to it. Your rent is more important than having new clothes.

- Shop during Holiday weekends if possible. You can find stores with deals up to 50% off!

- Some tried and true brands for professional clothing are Anne Taylor Loft, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Express and White House Black Market.

- Check out thrift shops for pieces that might be more expensive, like pants or blazers. I was able to find name brand professional pieces in Goodwill for $5 or less!

- Plato’s Closet is another place to check for accessories and shoes.

They typically carry trendier styles, but I found an awesome pair of heels and flats for $10 each.

- Shop at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Old Navy. They are affordable, have sections specifically for business clothing and always have a clearance section.

- Make a list of the basics and check them off as you shop. A solid and neutral cardigan, blazer, dress, dress shirt, and pants are going to be the main pieces that will make up your outfits.

- Buy a pair of black, navy and gray dress pants. Save the patterns and colors for tops and skirts.

- Layering is going to be your friend. Adding a blazer or cardigan to your basic dress shirt completely changes the look, allowing you to wear the same pieces multiple times a week if you’re smart about outfit composition.

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Inked and

On The Job written by Kaitlyn McClung

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As a society, we have progressed exceedingly from 3370 BC.

While just about every aspect of our way of life has changed, the one thing that has stayed consistent from that time period is tattoos.

Even though we aren’t using soot to create them anymore, we still have this unique form of self-expression that has improved over many millennia.

Many companies have the believe that if they have staff showcasing body modifications, their sales will have a significant decrease.

According to a survey of H.R. managers, 37 percent cite tattoos as the third-most physical attribute that limits career potential. A takeaway? Research your future employer on their body modifications policies before applying.

Over the years, people with tattoos have fascinated many. John O’Reilly was one of the most famous tattooed people in the 1800s.

He had extensive body art covering his entire body which gave him the nickname the “Tattooed Irishman,” and made him a spectacle for museums and circuses. Many described his tattoos as a representation of “barbaric practices.”

It is very apparent that there is still a stigma around those with tattoos. When looking at the history of tattoos, tattoos were used in the representation of classes. They were used to differentiate the outcasts from the elite. This type of ideology is still occurring in our society today. Fighting something that has such a deep-rooted connection in our history, is bound to take a long time.

In the 20th century, tattoos began to boom. In the 1920s, cosmetic tattoos became extremely popular for women who couldn’t afford to have makeup done daily. However, designed tattoos were still considered to be outcasts. Social security numbers began to appear in the 1930s, and people were told to memorize them. Their solution? Tattoo them on their bodies.

In the 1960s, tattoo parlors began to source blame for the hepatitis outbreak. It is still unclear whether or not this is true, but this did send society back in terms of accepting tattoos. By the late ‘70s-’90s, tattoos became more mainstream.

Even though this form of permanent body art has progressed through the decades, we still have a long way to go in the workplace. Many corporations, like Walt Disney Co., frown upon visible tattoos and have their employees cover them up. While others, such as Starbucks, have very lax rules regarding their employee’s tattoos. There are no current laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against people with tattoos.

According to a 2016 Harris Poll of 2,225 U.S. adults, three in 10 Americans have at least one tattoo. Among those with any tattoos, seven in 10 Americans have two or more.

Despite a lack of federal support, many people have stepped up to advocate for those with tattoos. One of those people is Hannah Watson, Miss Tattoo West Virginia 2019.

Watson has always had an interest in art. When it comes to tattoos, her mom has always been supportive, but her dad had to get used to the idea, according to Watson. She started to attend a tattoo convention held at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place in Morgantown, West Virginia, to support her long-time tattoo artist, Jake Gordon of Patty’s Art Spot. This is where she was introduced to the Miss Tattoo pageant.

In 2018, Watson placed second, but returned the next year, where she earned her title. The competition works like a normal pageant, except judging is based on the quality of the participants’ tattoos.

Watson uses her platform to advocate for tattoos and those who have them. “Tattoos and body modifications do not make any less of a person. The stereotypes are awful,” Watson said.

When it comes to future employment, potential tattoo clients may get scared off to avoid “ruining” their chances in their prospective field because of a visible tattoo. “I always stick to not working for a place that won’t accept me for who I am,” Watson said.

However, there are two sides to this coin. While people may view the tattoos on their bodies as art, they are still representing their employer when on the job. Your actions and appearance represent that company and their beliefs and values as a company. The unfortunate catch is that, at this time, a potential employer is within their legal rights to disqualify you from the hiring process due to your tattoos.

Hannah Watson, Miss Tattoo West Virginia 2019. Photo: Clex Bennett

It will take many years and some effective action on many contributing sides. If you are on the side of tattoos, keep fighting for yourself and others who want to keep expressing themselves as they wish. Apply to companies that align with your values. In the end, decide on your side and stick to your own values and beliefs.

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It’s Not Taboo.

Period. written by Katherine Whittington

How can a thing that affects 50 percent of the population be

However, the women in my family were also raised to be independent women with strong personalities and even stronger opinions. If ever hushed by a man for talking about their menstrual cycles, that man was surely put in his place and the conversation continued.

Menstruation plays a role in a woman’s life from an early age into late adulthood, and then even after it is “gone,” women still get to live with the joys of menopause. Periods are such a large part of a woman’s every day being, they often forget the stigma that surrounds them.

It took me years to realize that not every family was as open about discussing periods. In fact, it wasn’t until high school that I realized many of my friends didn’t have the same experience as I did. Some girls agreed they only talked about it with their moms or when they absolutely had to with their parents. Others said they had never talked about it with their family since the day they first started and were shown “what to do.” Some had similar experiences to me where periods, and what comes with them, was an open conversation in their household. Others (mostly males) were clueless that the stigma even existed, and conversations were to be had about something that did not affect them.

considered taboo? So hush-hush that if someone talks about it, they’re scorned, silenced or scalded. Well, that is an easy question to answer once you know the facts. It is because this thing affects women, and this thing is a period.

We all know the shame of walking to the bathroom with a tampon up our sleeves. Or wearing a white pair of pants and having the crippling fear of blood trickling down our leg or showing through the back of our new jeans. We tell our girlfriends that we think we are going to start our period in hushed tones so no one else will hear.

But why do we act this way? Why is this a stigma in the first place?

I first realized the stigma around periods at a very young age. I remember sitting on the playground in fifth grade, a group of girls and I were talking about the subject and I was the only one who had gotten my period at that time. When the other girls expressed how gross periods were, I quickly lied and said I had not gotten mine yet either. I did not want the shame I perceived for starting my period at the age of 10. Simply, there is no right age for a girl to start her period and experts agree. In fact, a girl can start her period anytime between the ages of 8 and 15, according to KidsHealth.

Based on genetics and family history some girls start earlier and some later. This means there is no exact age for when it will be normal because it differs for every woman. However, when I got my first period, I thought it had to be kept a secret from at least my peers because of the shame I thought came with this vital bodily function. A notion that many young girls resonate with still today – more than a decade later.

At home, periods were a different story for me. My family and I were always very open about the conversation. That might be because endometriosis is a common illness among the women in my family.

According to the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis is “an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus.” Some of its side effects cause periods to be more painful, heavier and longer.

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The openness in my family continued even further than just immediate family. After Sunday dinners at my grandparents, we often sit in the sunroom with my cousins, aunts, great-aunts, grandma and other female family members and talk for hours sipping coffee and eating dessert. These conversations range far and wide on importance, topic and issue. However, most of these conversations do make it onto periods eventually. Either what cycle we are on, how heavy it has been lately for each of us, when we expect to get our next cycle or anything we deem important or relevant to the conversation. It is so open, so casual, so nonchalant that we often do not even realize we are talking about a subject most others refuse to entertain.

Not talking about menstruation can lead to physical health problems for many women. When medical conversations are shrouded by shame and guilt, critical facts for proper diagnosis can be left out.

Some women do not know what is universally normal for periods because they are simply not talked about. Improper education about a basic human function can prove to be dangerous to the wellbeing of any person. In a woman’s case, lack of menstruation conversations can lead to improper medical treatment or lack thereof. Whether that be misdiagnosis, future infertility, iron-deficiency, depression, unplanned pregnancy and more.

Also, lack of conversations bring lack of awareness on a basic human issue. This causes gaps in legislation, education and awareness for an entire population.

As of late, many awareness and campaign groups have been popping up to inform the public about periods and to have conversations that are centuries overdue. One of the most notable groups is Period Talk. Their campaign aims to “engage, educate and empower” women and men alike on menstruation health. For more information about their initiative or to get involved you can visit the organization’s website.

“It took me years to realize that not every family was as open about discussing periods.”

Simply put, this is an issue that should not be stigmatized. It is the 21st century and for a woman to confide in internet resources more than her own doctor for medical advice is something that should not happen at all, especially with something so vital. For a woman to not feel comfortable sharing a miracle her body performs monthly is not okay. For a woman to feel discomfort speaking out about something that takes up so much of her life is not freedom. Especially, when you compare the numbers of just how long periods are a part of a woman’s life.

On average, a woman has her period 450 times throughout her life. This means a decade, or about one-eighth, of a woman’s life expectancy is spent “on the rag.” A decade of tampons, cramps and fatigue. A decade not talked about and 10 years worth of conversations missed. A decade of a woman’s life should not have to be kept in the shadows. These conversations need to happen for a woman’s health, for medical care, for proper legislation, for the world.

Periods are normal, periods are vital and periods are important. They affect such a large part of the population to not talk about them, to not have equal access to products that help them and to only save the conversation about your menstrual health for a doctor’s office.

We need to have these conversations. We need to normalize these conversations. We need to stop others from stopping us from having these conversations. Periods should not be taboo. They should not be stigmatized. They are a basic human function and we have the right for our voices to be heard in the holy name of menstruation. Period.

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Banning Books:

Banning Freedom? written by Alexandra Holsclaw

Books all across the nation are challenged, often for religious or

political beliefs, to be banned and removed from libraries. In 2018, the top-most challenged book was “George” by Alex Gino, which details a young transgender girl named Melissa -- although she hides her true self from the rest of the world, who knows her by the name of George. “George” was challenged in 2017 in Wichita, Kansas, when the school system decided to not include the book in the district libraries, under the justification that the language and content are inappropriate for young readers because the main character is transgender. However, banning this book shields off transgender children from reading something that they can relate to.

According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were 347 challenges in 2018. While books are being challenged frequently, there could be many more challenges that go unreported. The ALA states that since 1982, schools, public libraries and bookstores have challenged more than 11,000 books. The association also found that 59 percent of challenged books occur in public libraries, while others take place in classrooms and school libraries. Most book challenges are initiated by patrons at 33 percent and parents at 32 percent.

Typically, parents are the ones challenging the system, seeing some books as unsuitable for their child. But what about everyone else?

Should they be prevented from reading certain books just because some parents don’t agree with it?

Challenged books allow people to gain a better understanding of the world and the society they live in. It’s essential to allow everyone to have the opportunity to read books because understanding cultural, historical and alternative perspectives are crucial to understanding society. Sex, profanity and violence are the top three reasons a book may be banned, according to the ALA. Some other reasons for book challenges include content that involves LGBTQIA+, gender nonconformity, racism, violence, anti-cop and political viewpoint.

“I imagine that the persistence of book banning and censoring has something to do with adults having a limited understanding of the realities that many young people face in their daily lives. When people challenge books, their argument is often that these books convey ideas that they do not think are appropriate for youth to learn,” said Sybil Durand, assistant English professor at Arizona State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in an interview with ASU. “However, banning a book from a library or curriculum implies that some ideas and experiences are valuable or worthy of discussion and others are not. It reinforces one particular way of thinking and limits others, which might not accurately reflect the lived realities of youth.”

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The ALA has seen an increase in challenging drag queen story hours, or events where drag queens read stories to children in schools and libraries. In November 2019, West Virginia’s Morgantown Public Library System canceled its Drag Queen Storytime due to violent threats. Despite this setback, West Virginia University’s LGBTQIA+ community held a rally in support of the group.

In Orange City, Iowa, Christian activist Paul Dorr had burned four LGBTQIA+ books from the Orange City Public Library in October 2018. He created a Facebook Live video of him throwing books into a fire. The burned books included “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan, “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress” by Christine Baldacchino, “This Day in June” by Gayle E. Pitman and “Families, Families, Families!” by Suzanne and Max Lang. According to Newsweek, Dorr was found guilty of criminal mischief and was fined. There was a public outcry. The Orange City Public Library received monetary donations and hundreds of book donations.

Of the top 11 challenged books of 2018, five of them included LGBTQIA+ content, according to the ALA. “We were making the point that when you ban a book, you’re hurting someone,” said James Blasingame, an English professor at ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in an interview with ASU. “LGBTQ literature, it was just completely absent from school libraries and public libraries and school curriculum until fairly recently. Eleven percent of our population is LGBTQIA+, and as far as they can tell, they don’t exist because they don’t see themselves in any of the books they read. They’re being told that their existence doesn’t count.”

To combat the banning of books, Banned Books Week is an annual event the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom holds in hopes the public will celebrate the freedom to read. The ALA encourages everyone to join their “Dear Banned Author” letter-writing campaign where people write or tweet to banned or challenged authors, sharing how their stories have made an impact. The National Coalition Against Censorship is another group advocating against the process of banning books. Its mission is to promote freedom of thought and expression by opposing censorship in all its forms.

Many challenged books are a way for young adults to learn about the real world. Taking that experience away from them does more harm than good. Shielding the youth off from different perspectives of authors won’t allow them to expand as a person. We are living in a time where banning books holds the standards for what’s seen as “inappropriate,” and future generations will look back at this. This is here and now. We must put a stop to challenging and banning books, and stand up for the right to freedom of speech.

SKIRTS: A Facetime outfit diary

curated by Olivia Gianettino photographed by Kasey Lettrich

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Maxi skirts can be a fun alternative to bottoms in any scenario- even when you are stuck at home. The Mirage team took on this Facetime photoshoot to give you some radical examples.

Vintage schoolboy shirt from Golden Trash.

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Horror s Lasting Impact On The Fashion Industry From pop culture to luxury brands, horror tropes have made waves in the fashion industry, and don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. written by Kristen Uppercue photographed by Maxwell Shavers

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Horror. An industry for the twisted, spooky and all things bloody.

It is home to some of the most discussed authors, directors, actors, stories and characters, from Steven King’s countless contributions to the widely-feared boogeyman, nightmarish movies like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th,” and classics such as “The Vampira Show” and “Nosferatu the Vampyre.”

Mainstream media tends to only pay tribute to this classic industry during ‘spooky season’ leading up to Halloween, but if you look at the history of this industry and its fanatics, the impact can easily be seen in pop culture, makeup and especially, the fashion industry.

The horror industry goes all the way back to its suspected creation as a legitimate art form in 1765 through “Castle of Otranto” by Horace Walpole, a story about Prince of Otranto Manfred and his desire to keep the castle within his line of descendants despite a mysterious curse.

The piece starts with Manfred’s son tragically dying on the morning of his wedding day. Roughly 50 years after Walpole’s piece was created, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley brought pseudoscience to the genre through the creation of the infamous novel “Frankenstein,” a piece about the construction of a monster that inevitably murders those close to the creator, driving him mad.

Among its use of sound, the horror industry wouldn’t be what it is without its complex visuals, which are used to shock, spook and scare viewers. Take the “Halloween” franchise’s Michael Myers, for example. The image of him standing in a doorway wearing his mask and jumpsuit while holding a large knife is absolutely terrifying. Or how about Jigsaw? Hearing the “Saw” series’ catchphrase “Do you wanna play a game?” is bound to send shivers down your spine. You’re probably still thinking about the Pennywise character from “It” even though it’s been months since the most recent movie remake was released.

These visual elements tend to stick around in your mind for days, or sometimes weeks, after watching. From the outrageous and down-right terrifying looks of the horror villains, such as Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, Jigsaw and Pinhead, to the even iconic and timeless clothing associated with popular personas, including witches, ghosts and zombies.

Think of a vampire, for example. What did you picture? Probably the sharp fangs, red velvet, lace and blood (unless you thought of the Cullen clan – but, we aren’t going down that bunny hole today). These clothing elements have found their way into fanatics’ everyday fashion, popular Halloween looks and even the runway.

In fact, Vogue has written within this realm a few times, detailing the way designers are ‘obsessed’ with the horror industry. Models have strutted down many runways in bloodied clothing, spikes and even with horror villains’ faces on dresses and tees, all curated from a variety of designers.

In Christian Dior’s Spring 2006 Couture collection, dresses were adorned with pools of blood and religious elements, such as cross necklaces. Some models wore mesh veils over their faces, while others accessorized with blood-splattered pearl necklaces.

The Blonds Fall 2013 show created an iconic, fantasy world where Hollywood horror and fashion live in harmony. The show featured dresses with the cult-classic stills from “The Shining” and “Psycho” (if you pictured ‘here’s johnny!’ and the shower scene, you’re right) and a butcher’s knife print. One model wore a nude slasher-style corset and skirt featuring blood-red jewels in blood-like droplets. A stunning jeweled blood-red bodysuit closed out the show leaving the audience gasping for air. Are you catching on to what makes a good horror-inspired fashion show? Blood. Blood. Blood.

(Fake, of course).

“Filled with clever twists on the theme of classic Hollywood horror films, The Blonds Fall 2013 show was a fantastic collision of film and fashion,” Style Wylde Magazine wrote in a review of the runway show. “The Blonds have upped their game, and the rest of the fashion world better be warned, The Blonds are coming for you, and they got some fierce work to back them up.”

Designer Hu Sheguang’s 2016 Chinese Fashion Week show was a “riot of red,” according to the Daily Mail. The runway featured blood-red dresses and suits accessorized with masks, blood, barbed-wire, baby dolls that appeared to be covered in blood, prosthetic hands and horns. The perfect mixing pot for a good horror-themed runway show.

In 2019’s Milan Fashion Week, Gucci kicked off the event with a runway influenced by cult-classic horror films, accessorizing models with spike chokers and Friday the 13th-inspired masks, according to Evoke. Prada also joined in on the fun with horror movie-inspired looks, from dresses featuring Frankenstein’s monster (and his wife) to the models sporting Wednesday Addams’ iconic braids. Prada mixed horror with romance, adorning many dresses with large floral prints, according to Evoke.

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Designer Jeremy Scott mixed his unique design style with horror in his Moschino 2020 Resort Womenswear and Menswear collection, which featured his take on traditional Halloween costumes. Scott is known for his memorable shows and this one was no different. The runway wasn’t a runway at all, but rather a dark street in the middle of a makeshift neighborhood, set on the Universal Studio backlot in Universal City, California. Before the show began, guests took a mini-tour of the horror-themed sections of the park, according to Vogue, before walking through a misty fog to find their seats. The show kicked off with a woman dressed in all white running from one of the houses screaming-- a spectacle that was bound to get everyone in a spooky mood.

Models then grazed through the crowd, adorned in outfits inspired by classic horror influences, including clowns, witches and demons.

Two red-headed twins (think: “The Shining” twins but as adults) strutted hand-in-hand in matching dresses and totes -- covered in drawings of girls’ faces. “A part of me felt like I was trick-or-treating,” teen actress Storm Reid told Vogue of viewing the collection.

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London-based designer Dilara Findikoglu mixes empowered tailoring with historical references and social commentary in her designs, which include many elements typically seen in the horror industry. The models on her website are surrounded by candles while wearing veils, masks, horns and stunning makeup featuring skulls and pentagrams. (This designer has quickly become one of our favorites. We encourage you to check out her website and follow her on Instagram @dilarafindikoglu).

And of course, you can’t talk about horror influences in fashion without talking about Alexander McQueen. In fact, it’s hard to tell at this point if he’s taken influences from the horror industry or if it’s really the other way around. We know we don’t have to explain to you the impact of McQueen’s work on the fashion industry.

Audiences oftentimes walked away from McQueen’s shows feeling uneasy and in awe of the designer, who was influenced by anything dark and twisted, according to Dazed. Through the years, he drew inspiration from Victorian mental asylum patients, Jack the Ripper, the Grimm brothers fairy tales and the Salem Witch Trials. “I find beauty in the grotesque,” the designer once said, and his many horror-inspired runway shows prove that sentiment to be true.

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These visual elements tend to stick around in your mind for days, or sometimes weeks, after watching.

In his Fall 1998 collection, coined “Joan,” McQueen featured Joan of Arc-inspired garments. Models strutted down the catwalk with industrial lamps swinging above, wearing chain mail, floor-length coats and bright red contacts. To end the show, a masked model walked to the center of the runway as a ring of fire burst into flame around her.

In his Jack the Ripper-inspired runway (1992), each garment included a lock of McQueen’s hair encased between two layers of acrylic-- paying homage to the Victorian custom of exchanging hair with lovers, as many would buy hair from sex workers, according to Dazed. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who murdered sex workers in London’s East End in the 1800s. McQueen actually grew up in the area and claimed that one of his relatives allegedly rented a room to one of Jack the Ripper’s victims.

A few years later, McQueen’s 1996 Fall fashion show, coined “Dante,” took place at Christ Church Spitalfields, which was designed by Satanist Nicholas Hawsmoor. Male models wore garments inspired by Paul Morrissey’s 1984 film “Mixed Blood,” while woman models were adorned with antlers, horns, a crown of thorns and even a silk mask with a skeleton’s hand fixed to the side, according to Dazed. The name “Dante” was the namesake to the 14th century poet known for his religious symbolism.

During McQueen’s “Voss” show (Spring 2001), inspired by Victorian mental asylum patients, models’ heads were bandaged and some wore fastened coats inspired by straight jackets, as the sound of a heartbeat played throughout the show. However, the finale of this show is something people still talk about to this day. Throughout the show, a box stood in the middle of the room, as the last models strutted away, the sides of the box fell to the floor, revealing a glass case with a naked woman inside. At this moment, the heartbeat

sound transitioned to a flat-line alarm. The woman inside the box had bird wings placed on her body and tubes filled with moths extending from her mouth. “It was about trying to trap something that wasn’t conventionally beautiful to show that beauty comes from within,” the designer said of the finale.

These shows, curated into an article by Dazed, are only a few of the stunning and groundbreaking runway shows McQueen designed throughout his career. It’s been 10 years since his death by suicide, and his brand is still continuing strong, creating garments and runway shows that are empowering to women, despite the critiques of misogyny in McQueen’s work throughout his career.

As we know, toned-down versions of runway trends filter through department stores and find its way to our closets. Horror-inspired clothing has done exactly that, allowing space for terror fanatics to show their love of the industry while maintaining their personal style.

From sporting tees representing one’s favorite horror flick to skull and dagger accessories, there are items for every unique person and style that are just a click away. While Hot Topic and Spencer’s might remain the go-to, other brands, including Terror Threads and Murder Apparel, and small artists are popping up around the country to provide items in this niche category.

While the fashion industry has always used edgy symbolism to make statements, it’s exciting to see how the horror industry is expanding and making waves in fashion. Whether you’re a scary movie fanatic or only engage in October, it’s safe to say the industry, through top fashion and lifestyle brands, will continue to expand into pop culture. So, throw on your bloodiest attire and come play with us.

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The

Blunt Truth

Answering The Major Questions Behind W.Va. Medical Marijuana Use written by Catherine Wylie

On March 7, 2020, West Virginia legislative leaders pulled a proposed medical marijuana bill, Senate Bill 752, from the House

agenda in a 12-8 vote. The bill would have adjusted the state’s Medical Cannabis Act, creating the possibility to include “dry leaf or plant” and edible forms of cannabis, as well as opening the door for public officials to be a participant in the medical marijuana licensing process as an owner. The pulling of the bill created conflict between state Democrats and Republicans, as the Democrats who have been pushing for the bill were told by the Republicans that the bill had too many concerns to handle on Day 60 – the final day of the regular legislative session.

“That bill was simply an update to help get relief to patients sooner, so by that vote right there, Republican members of the House threw cancer patients under the bus, they threw people suffering from MS under the bus, they threw children who suffer from seizures under the bus,” said Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, to WV Metro News.

On the other hand, Delegate Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson, thought that there were too many problems in the bill to solve that late into the legislative session. “That really was the case even with folks like myself who have voted for the medical cannabis legislation that we have,” he said to WV Metro News. “There were just many concerns that they just didn’t feel they could get resolved in the very limited amount of time we had remaining in this session.”

While this process is being slowed in West Virginia, 33 U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 11 states have legalized the drug for recreational purposes. Along with this rise of legalization comes a long list of questions. What are the benefits? What is the harm? Will people still be drug tested for jobs? What about driving under the influence of marijuana? The drug and its legalization are a more complicated topic than it may seem. Let’s grind it out.

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Big Questions

Nothing is concrete right now and it can be difficult to answer questions about marijuana’s place in the real world.

Driving under the influence: Marijuana is the

second-most frequently found substance in drivers’ bodies after serious traffic accidents. Yet, as of right now, there are no guidelines in terms of what point is too much impairment from marijuana behind the wheel. While marijuana breathalyzers are being developed, there’s still a lot of complications with telling how impaired a person is because Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains in a person’s system for days to weeks, making it hard to tell when a person ingested it. Cannabix Technologies Inc. is the leader in the marijuana breathalyzer development. Cannabix is working with The York Research Group, the world leader in the development of high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS). Together they are hoping to be able to identify ultra low ranges of THC through breath using sensitive FAIMS-mass spectrometer systems.

Drug testing in the workplace: Marijuana can cause

poor motor performance and cognitive impairment, making it a concern for employers in states with marijuana legalization. This issue varies for different states and companies. In California, employees can get fired for testing positive in a drug test. This even goes for those taking it for medical purposes. However, a worker in Massachusetts said that their company doesn’t test for marijuana and only has issues if the worker is under the influence while on the job.

The Pros

When talking about the legalization of marijuana, many go straight to its medical benefits. Ninety-two percent of medical marijuana users say that the drug works. These patients say that medical marijuana alleviates symptoms of migraines, cancer, arthritis and chronic pain.

Research has also shown that it helps veterans with PTSD. It’s also important to remember the impacts the marijuana industry would have on the workforce. Being the nation’s largest cash crop, moving it under the rule of law would create jobs and bring economic opportunities in the formal economy. New Frontier Data, an authority in data and analytics for the cannabis industry, claims that an estimated 1.1 million jobs would be created by 2025 if all 50 states legalized marijuana. It would also promote consumer safety and reduce harm.

The product consumers will be purchasing is adequately tested in legalized marijuana markets, allowing consumers to be informed to exactly what they are buying.

Along with this, legalization will reduce the criminalization of marijuana use, reducing violence and corruption. The criminal justice system harms its own legitimacy when it comes to marijuana prohibition because it is racially biased and costly. In 2018, there were more than 663,000 marijuana-related arrests with 608,000 (92 percent) of those arrests were for marijuana possession. Only 8 percent of those arrested were due to illegal sales. Many of these arrests end with incarceration, costing $30,000-$35,000 per year per inmate. It should also be noted that of those arrested, Black Americans make up the largest number.

This is because Black Americans are four times more likely than white Americans to be arrested for cannabis, even though white and Black Americans use marijuana at the same rate.

The Cons

Like anything and everything that has pros, there are cons. Even though it has health benefits, marijuana can actually cause health issues. The New England Journal of Medicine created a study with 15 men who have smoked both marijuana and tobacco habitually for at least five years. They measured each subject’s blood carboxyhemoglobin level and the amount of tar inhaled from both the smoke of filter-tipped tobacco cigarettes and marijuana cigarettes. The research showed that when marijuana is smoked, it results in three times the amount of inhaled tar and four times the amount of inhaled carbon-monoxide compared to cigarettes. It had been concluded that this was because when smoking marijuana there is a prolonged and deeper inhalation, and it is smoked to a shorter butt length.

There are also concerns about how addictive the drug can be. While marijuana isn’t as addictive as something like opiates, research has shown that a withdrawal syndrome, cannabis use disorder (CUD), occurs in those who stop. This consists of anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression and changes in appetite. In 2015, it was found that about 6 million Americans have dealt with CUD, affecting their personal and professional lives.

With all of this being said, we can’t say marijuana use is not completely harmless and legalizing it will not solve all of our problems. However, at the same time, it is something to consider.

Marijuana can be beneficial in many ways, from creating jobs and boosting the economy to alleviating some of the personal struggles of daily life for those with mental illnesses and disorders. The back and forth of this topic can be confusing, but it’s a topic that isn’t going away anytime soon. So, it’s important to do some research and form an opinion that is best suited for you and your lifestyle.

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Growing Pains

written by Savanna Shriver

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“ hen you grow up, your heart dies.”

Those are the words of actress Ally Sheedy, who played Allison Reynolds in “The Breakfast Club.” Why is it that as we get older, we’re expected to be serious all the time and settle into a regular, boring life? It’s interesting to see how teenagers and young adults today are incorporating their childhood into their daily lives. Young adults and teenagers seem to be obsessed with childhood nostalgia, but it’s not without reason. As a child, everything is easy and exciting and as you get older, there are more expectations forced onto us. “[They] reflect upon childhood as a golden era when time was free and actions uninhibited,” according to a study by The Lab. In the professional world, travel is limited to four weeks a year, and success is measured by how much you’ve accomplished or how much you make.

We feel the need to be professional and censor ourselves. Nostalgic memories remind us of a more authentic lifestyle.

Nostalgia plays a big part in why young people want to incorporate their childhood into adulthood. The movies and TV shows we watch, video games we play and snacks we eat can all be influenced by nostalgia from when we were younger. When Disney announced they were making a streaming platform for Disney Franchise movies and TV shows, Twitter went crazy. The first snack I bought on my first grocery shopping trip when I started college was Scooby Snacks and I still love to crack open a Capri Sun when I can. Pokémon Go and Animal Crossing are games with notably high young adult demographics. The Nintendo Switch is recommended for ages 6 and up, but 63 percent of people who have bought it are between 19 and 34 years old.

The way teenagers and young adults dress can also represent how we incorporate youth into our lives. The “Y2K” aesthetic is popular, along with butterfly clips, crocs, vintage, cartoon t-shirts and bright, youthful colors. College students cover everything they own in stickers; stickers might be the easiest representation of bringing childhood into adulthood. As a child, there was nothing better than getting a sticker at school, at the doctor-- anywhere. After doing something boring and not fun, you were rewarded with a sticker and we do the same thing as young adults. In college, having cool stickers strewn across your laptop or sprinkled on your water bottle sparks the same good feeling. The same feeling can occur when you blast music

from your childhood. Even the titles of songs or references in them can parlay back to childhood. For example, Thundercat has a song titled, “Dragonball Durag,” which references the anime Dragon Ball Z. On a road trip, my sister and I jam to Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana to have the best of both worlds.

The “adventure mindset” is something fully embraced by young people. Eighty-seven percent of millennials prefer spending money on experiences than things. With the cost of living so high and the amount of student debt many young adults have to pay, buying a house can be a challenge. Some people have turned to alternatives like tiny houses and renovating vans into houses. This hippie-inspired lifestyle has become increasingly popular and is glamorized by young adults who want to travel. Traveling is another part of the “adventure mindset.”

There are several YouTubers and social media influencers who became famous because of the travel videos or lifestyle they promoted. “Adventure is out there,” said Charles Muntz in the popular movie, UP. Movies, like UP and Peter Pan, and video games, like Skyrim or Super Mario Brothers, also impact this trend.

But what about those who really don’t want to grow up? Peter Pan Syndrome can explain this mindset. It can look like someone who is afraid to commit or someone who only thinks of themselves and it usually has a negative connotation.

A great example of someone with Peter Pan Syndrome is Dale and Brennan in the movie “Step Brothers.” I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind if I ended up like Dale or Brennan, that concert at the Catalina Wine Mixer was iconic! The idea that as you age, you have to be serious and business-professional is popular, but there are some people who are absolutely kicking it to the side. The Green Lady of Brooklyn exclusively wears green and rocks bright green pigtail buns, while BaddieWinkle slays trendy, bright-colored outfits. Both of these ladies have huge Instagram followings. TikTok is another app mostly used for young people, but there are some users that are 60 and older. One of my favorite creators is Old Man Steve; he is very wholesome.

Today for lunch I ate a bowl of Easy Mac and my boyfriend had a cherry Pop-Tart.

For dessert, we had Cosmic Brownies. I don’t always eat like this, but it’s nice to be able to treat yourself to a bit of your childhood. Childhood influences how every adult interacts with the world, but as we age, we’re expected to forget about it.

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MIRAGE

COOKS

Two fun and easy recipes for a crowded party or a wicked night in. selected and written by Adam Payne

Cowboy Caviar Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes Serving Size: 2 people Ingredients: ½ cup of olive oil ¼ cup of red wine vinegar ¼ cup of sugar (Or more. Or less. That’s your business.)

1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt (Do it to your taste, honey.)

1 pound of diced tomatoes 1 can of black-eyed peas (Note: not the one with Fergie) 1 can of black beans 1 can of sweet corn (Or frozen. Make it sweet tho!)

1 small diced red onion (Or yellow onion. Whatever you want, baby!) ½ cup of diced green bell pepper ½ cup of diced red bell pepper Optional: a cup of fresh chopped cilantro or parsley

Directions: Get a big bowl & whisk together the olive oil, sugar, chili powder, salt and red wine vinegar.

Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, onion and bell peppers.

Stir to combine. (Add the cilantro/parsley if you want it) Cover and chill until you are ready to eat!

I recommend eating it like salsa using tortilla chips like Tostitos Scoops or blue corn! Enjoy!

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Sweet & Sour Sangria Ingredients: Chilled wine (Whatever is the cheapest! I use Barefoot Pink Moscato) Frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.

Skinny apple slices (Fuji, Pink Lady or Granny Smith for sourness, ladies) A squeeze/spritz of lemon juice Optional: fresh berries & ice cubes. The frozen ones may cover it.

Directions: Get a glass of your choice.

Cut the apple into slices. Pick your favorite couple. Put ‘em in the glass along with the frozen berries.

Pour the wine to your liking.

Add a spritz of fresh lemon juice.

Feel free to start with ice if you like it extra cold or top with some fresh fruit you have on hand!

Watch the video here.

“A super simple yet sublimely satisfying drink to enjoy at the same summer darty you are chowing down on the cowboy caviar.”

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curated and photographed

by Joseph Lucey

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Start Using the F-WorD. WVU women and gender studies student explains what feminism really means and why it shouldn’t be so scary

written by Anusha Singh

As a senior psychology and women’s and gender studies major, I

can’t help but regularly ask myself why the ‘f-word’ seems to upset so many young people who should be “woke” enough to understand its implications. I am a strong believer in being open-minded to varying beliefs and doing research before making judgements, so I have looked at numerous photos on Pinterest boards and read many articles written by young people on why they don’t need the ‘f-word’ and why the ‘f-word’ isn’t relevant today.

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, it’s the other ‘f-word.’

Feminist. And it really does scare the hell out of people.

Some people baffle me because they stand up and claim to strongly believe in equal rights and female empowerment, yet are embarrassed to call themselves feminists. Is that not in itself, contradictory? Flare magazine’s December 2015 cover star, Zendaya, defined a feminist as “a person who believes in the power of women just as much as they believe in the power of anyone else. It’s equality, it’s fairness, and it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

I can get behind that, but a lot of people can’t. So, it shocks me more still that there are young women who refuse to call themselves feminists, undermining years and years of work that have brought women so much further in the fight for equality and undercutting the fact that their blood, sweat and tears over the decades have given them the rights and means to fight for other classes of minorities and underrepresented groups.

“Juno” movie star Ellen Page is just as shocked as I am, “I don’t know why people are so reluctant to say they’re feminists. Maybe some women just don’t care. But how could it be any more obvious that we still live in a patriarchal world when feminism is a bad word?”

Is the ‘f-word’ really that taboo? Where did it even come from?

When modern feminism is the belief of equality and equity for all, then why is it still considered such a bad thing to be a damn feminist? What steps does the world of empowered women and self-declared feminists need to take to make the ‘f-word’ less taboo and more acceptable?

"What steps does the world oF empowered women and selF-declared Feminists need to take to make the ‘F-word’ less taboo and more acceptable?"

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In 2017, Merriam-Webster declared “feminism” the Word of The Year. Unfortunately for feminists everywhere, just because a multibillion dollar national dictionary company said “feminism” was the Word of The Year, doesn’t mean the term was accepted, loved or embraced by a majority of people. It just means that people became curious. According to The Washington Post, the phenomena of “feminism” being so widely looked up can be largely accredited to a multitiude of factors that year: Women’s Marches to protest Donald Trump’s presidency, “Wonder Woman” breaking the summer box office and the high-level sexual harassment and abuse cases surfacing daily on national media since October 2016.

I believe it was also accredited to peoples’ general ignorance of the term and lack of understanding of what feminism really entails, hence, the curiosity. A quick Google search of “modern feminist” reveals everything you think you need to know. You find grotesque images of rude women who attack traditional family values and spew hate speech on men. From these interpretations, it’s no wonder “feminist” has become such a dirty word.

One of the major misconceptions of feminism is that it’s just for women. Truth be told, it once was. But since then, feminism has evolved, and just like all ideas change and grow, so has the concept of being a feminist. Come children, let’s briefly educate ourselves on the four waves of feminism.

The feminism movement started out in 1848, and was originally meant for cisgender, Western, middle class white women who could afford the privilege to stand up for themselves. This was dubbed the first wave of feminism. First wave feminism focused on the suffrage movement, starting with the Seneca Falls Convention led by Elizabeth Cady Santon. Feminists focused on issues revolving around temperance and abolitionist movements, giving voice to women like African American activist Sojourner Truth, who demanded “Ain’t I a woman?” Further discussions included allowing women to have the right to vote (in 1920, exactly 100 years ago!) and participate in politics.

Second wave feminism began in the 1960s with anti-war context and civil rights movements, as well as a growing selfconsciousness of the variety of minority groups that existed around the world who were also being suppressed. The movement drew in women of color from around the world, seeking a shared solidarity in their sisterhood. Women would demonstrate that race, class and gender oppression are related. The voice of second wave feminism was more radical than the first, and sexuality and reproductive rights gradually became target issues.

Third wave feminism, in the 1990s was fueled by anger at the system and years of stifling suffocation by the patriarchy. Women stepped up strong and empowered, defining feminine beauty for themselves rather than for the male gaze, no longer being seen as objects of a sexist patriarchy. Third wave feminism broke boundaries; it was global, multicultural and shunned all the artificial, perpetuated categories of identity, gender and sexuality.

“People ask: ‘Why the word Feminist? Why not just say you believe in human rights, or something like that?’ Because that would be dishonest. Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general—but to choose to use the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem oF gender. It would be pretending that it was not women who have, For centuries, been excluded. It would be denying that the problem oF gender targets women. That the problem was not about being human, but speciFically about being a Female human. The world divided human beings into two groups and then proceeded to exclude and oppress one group. It is only Fair that the solution to the problem acknowledge that.”

- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should

All Be Feminists

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If third wave feminism broke boundaries, fourth wave feminism eradicated them and blew them the hell up. Because fourth wave feminists discussed theory, and redefined feminism in more than just the dictionary. Theory gave us a way to find words for our pain, to put them down on paper and distribute the idea that this shit is real.

It can be studied, it can be dissected, examined and discussed.

You and I are living in the time of fourth wave feminism. And it’s awesome. Feminism today works on concepts of intersectionality.

Intersectional feminism is an all-encompassing theory of our human reality. We experience life, based on a number of different identities that we have, given or created for ourselves. Intersectional feminism basically says that suppression as a whole can only fully be understood in context of the marginalization of other minority groups and genders—feminism is part of a larger consciousness of oppression along with racism, ageism, classism, ableism, sexual orientation and other identity markers. So just like Flavia Dzodan, I say “my feminism will be intersectional or it will be bullshit.”

It’s important to recognize that feminists today are concerned about many social issues including standing up for all people that are often disadvantaged by the aforementioned sources of oppression. It is time to recognize that modern feminism is intersectional and that by being so, it also opposes the glorification of capitalism. Mass production for profit is a large contributor in blocking equality for marginalized people and cultures, who often get exploited for their labor, producing a greater profit than what they are compensated with. Feminists today believe in these ideals and take action for injustices towards minorities, the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.

Believe it or not, feminists also care about men’s issues. Here are just a few examples. Modern feminist beliefs focus on abolishing the idea that women inherently make better parents and should be favoured in custody cases. Both men and women are equally capable of taking care of their children and should be required to pay alimony if they are able. Gender does not define a good parent, nor does it allow a free pass for expenses of child care.

Furthermore, if a war were to happen (please, no), and drafting occurs, women should be drafted alongside men, and more attention should be given to men’s mental health. In regards to equality, a lot of people claim that men and women are already equal. This is false. While huge strides have been made towards complete gender equality, a great deal of work remains to be done.

Closing the gender pay gap, creating access to reproductive healthcare, providing protection against sexual assault and domestic violence, changing gender representation and stereotypes in media, and a myriad of other issues must be resolved before we claim equality and equity for all people.

“I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men,” said Emma Watson, a strong, empowered woman and an ambassador for the United Nations. I totally agree, girl. Preach!

Both men and women have real problems and it is up to feminists to bring light to issues that pertain to each. So if you are approached by a woman or any person who holds a disdain for any of these beliefs or is dismissive of the idea of any masculinity in general, you are not talking to a feminist. You are actually talking to a misandrist: a person who dislikes, despises or is strongly prejudiced against men. Not a feminist. Feminism is a binary — you either are or you aren’t. There is no off-branching fraction of radical feminists who hate men. They are an entirely different group. They are misandrists. Period.

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If you want to be involved in learning more about feminism and its issues, or just be a little more “woke,” I recommend starting out by reading “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It’s a short, sweet and simple read. If you’re interested in the historical perspective and the theory side of things, check out “Doing Feminist Theory” by Susan Archer Mann.

Want to know more about intersectionality?

Check out the Tiger Beatdown, also known as KUMBAYA MOTHERF*CKER CENTRAL and read their many articles, particularly those by Flavia Dzodan.

Most of all, become involved by being present. Shop from places, like TIALS, featuring clothing brands driven by women and made by women. Take part in events with the LGBTQ+ Center at the Maple House and show your support of the community, as a member or an ally.

Support LGBTQ+ and diversity events at 123 Pleasant Street, while enjoying live music and interacting with other like-minded individuals. Attend Women’s Marches happening near you and support the strong, powerful female body in her right to choose. Follow empowering and relatable Instagram and other social media accounts like @feminist, @salty.world, @sadgirlsclub, @globalfundwomen, @makerswomen, @plannedparenthood, @thegirlmob and @feministvoice, to name just a few.

Consider joining a book club for Feminist and Queer Literature, like “Queeries,” here on the WVU campus to educate yourself and be a part of the discussion. The club is open to all people, and sign ups are available through WVU Engage. For most readers, this article is a good place to start.

If, after considering all these things, you still feel that the genders and other misrepresented minority groups are either already equal or they don’t need to be, I suppose you’re still entitled to your own opinion. Either way, The Feminist Movement has a lot more work to do, so please, kindly lead, follow or get out of the way.

Beyond Skin Deep: The Importance of Acne Positivity written by Caroline Murphy and Danielle Beistline

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@emmaa.chase

For the longest time, when someone would look up the word

‘acne’ on the internet, pages upon pages of cures for acne, ads for products to get rid of pimples, what to eat for clear skin and makeup routines to cover acne were the only things that popped up. The predominant message sent to those researching the skin condition was that it was ugly, unpleasant, something to get rid of. If someone had acne, they were imperfect, unclean and unworthy.

Kylie Dunham, a student at West Virginia University, explains how her acne “is something [she] always has to think about and manage.” She, like many others, has been taught that her acne can define her and determine her value. “I will often avoid situations with a lot of pictures, and if I do go do things with friends, I will wear makeup,” Dunham said.

Recently though, if you were to look up acne, you’re likely to stumble upon an article about ‘acne positivity.’ Beginning on social media, influencers such as Hailey Wait and Leia Immanuel began posting photos of their makeup-free skin, showing their masses of followers that it’s okay to have acne.

With overwhelmingly-positive results, the trend caught on.

Celebrities from Kendall Jenner to Chrissy Teigen have come to post photos of their skin with visible pimples and blemishes. Even Justin Beiber boldly declared that “pimples are in” on Instagram.

This new campaign comes during the time of the body positivity movement, and it could not have come sooner. Acne has a long history of shame. From only clear-faced models to the constant bombardment of advertisements claiming to clear even the worst breakouts, society makes it clear that acne is something ugly and must be eliminated. Even the scientific name – acne vulgaris – carries a connotation of disgust and ugliness.

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@jasikashaker

Out of shame, people spend hundreds of dollars on specialized skin care products in the hope that it will finally rid them of their acne.

As of 2016, Statista reported that the global acne treatment market was worth $4.92 billion, and by 2025 it would rise to $7.35 billion.

From a few red dots on a face and back to smatterings of cysts, acne presents itself on the most visible part of the human body: our skin. Roxann Powers, a dermatologist and professor of medicine in the section of Dermatology at West Virginia University explains that many factors are involved in the development of acne. Essentially, acne is a result of the follicle being plugged, expanded and then ruptured. Powers explains that once this happens, “bacteria that normally inhabit the area metabolize the sebum to cause increased inflammation and attract inflammatory cells, resulting in papules and pustules.”

Yet, this isn’t just an issue that’s skin deep. Acne, no matter the severity, has a big impact on our mental health and self-esteem. In a 2015 study conducted by the Universidade Federal da Paraíba in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, found that, regardless of the amount of acne a person had, “the subject who believes he has more severe AV (acne vulgaris) is possibly the one who will have the worst scores on self-esteem scales.”

The mental impact that acne has on a person can manifest in numerous ways. The same study found that acne increases: - an individual’s fear their acne will never cease - aversions to looking in the mirror - feelings of social inadequacy - fear of meeting people for the first time

Another study conducted by D.R. Thomas in 2004 found that these effects of acne on the mental health of individuals “may be equivalent to that of asthma or epilepsy,” and the consequences of this condition result in “anxiety and depression and a reduction in social functioning.”

Many studies and doctors suggest the treatment of acne and its reduction will improve the mental states of people that have the condition. Powers said “facial blemishes leads to self-consciousness, social isolation and anxiety,” and concluded that the “clearing of acne is often associated with improvement of self-esteem and mood.” This makes sense on the surface, get rid of acne and your life will be better, but what does that really say to people with acne? This just continues to play into the idea that acne is not something that is okay to have, it’s ugly and undesirable. In reality, there are many factors including family history, hormones and stress that make acne hard to get rid of just by finding the right skin care routine.

Dunham describes how her acne is something that, no matter how hard she tries, will not go away. “I would be so much more self-confident and less self-critical if I did not have acne because it is one thing about my life I can’t ‘make better’ or improve on,” she said. Dunham, and the millions of people like her, should not be made to feel like they are less worthy because of something they aren’t able to control.

Instead, the society that condemns those with acne should be changed. The narrative that acne is normal needs to be publicized.

Normalize acne in advertising, entertainment, fashion and beauty, social media, etc., because it’s already normal in real life.

By making acne visible, and showing audiences that acne is something that does not decrease your beauty or value, those with acne can finally feel validated. Seeing a pimple or breakout in future branding efforts could be something we see very soon. Intimate apparel and lifestyle retailer Aerie has pledged to stop photoshopping their models in advertisements. CVS Pharmacy vowed to cease editing on their beauty advertisements. We’re hoping others will follow suit.

“The narrative that acne is normal needs to be publicized. Normalize acne in advertising, entertainment, fashion and beauty, social media, etc., because it’s already normal in real life.”

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a s t s o h e g a r i M

w o h S n o i h s Fa written by Olivia Gianettino photographed by Seth Seebaugh

At the start of the 2020 spring semester, the Mirage executive team sat down at the library to set plans for the upcoming issue. Excited to challenge ourselves, we left the library that evening with our biggest task yet: Mirage Magazine was going to host a fashion show.

The team set the date for March 11th and immediately began working hard, networking with designers and clothing collectors and handcrafting decorations for the event.

Mirage’s first-ever fashion show included local brands Le Corna Apparel, Mountain State Thrifts and Ooh Baby. The seats were full with an electric crowd. The graffitied butcher paper runway sparkled under the bright lights. For true fashion show novices, it was nothing short of perfection.

“The paper homemade runway with everyone’s personal creative touches was both sustainable and could have been made into earrings and sold on depop.” La Corna Apparel creator Victoria Carvelli said.

“I went in not knowing what to expect, but everyone was so high energy and professional, and I left feeling exhilarated and inspired.”

The feeling of mutual inspiration between the designers, Mirage cast and crowd was thick in the air the whole night through, and for most, hung around much longer.

“I think my homemade fairy wings went hand-and-hand with the runway and that my looks were a mixture of fashion-forward, grandiloquent, crafty and expressive which I feel like also describes Mirage and their aesthetic.” Carvelli said.

The energy from the fashion show fueled this issue of Mirage in a huge way. The Mirage team is forever grateful to all that participated and helped us make runway magic.

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Ooh baby is Colorful , Baby! written by Kasey Lettrich Anika Ignozzi has designed for names like Bebe Rexha, Nick Kroll, Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff and everyday people who adore her creative, colorful designs. However, this success hasn’t come easy and she’s had to work hard and make sacrifices to get to where she is today.

“I can’t even believe it sometimes,” said the 22-year-old entrepreneur about her growing fashion label, Ooh Baby, that is reaching all over the Pittsburgh area and beyond.

Ignozzi grew up in Lower Burrell, a suburb on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. She graduated high school in 2016 with the hopes of being a physician’s assistant. “All through high school that’s what I thought I wanted to be,” Ignozzi said.

So, she went to college and played Division I soccer. However, after only a semester, she realized this wasn’t the path for her. Ignozzi missed creating art and knew she was better suited for the creative world. She realized that without the high-paying medical career, there was less hope for her to pay off her college debt. So, after one year in higher education, Ignozzi decided not to return for her sophomore year. College was no longer a financially feasible option. This is when Ooh Baby began.

“I was depressed back home because I thought I knew what I wanted, but then everything changed,” Ignozzi said.

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After being really bored at home one day, Ignozzi began painting on a single shirt. She didn’t plan for it to be anything but fun. When her brother saw what she created, he was amazed. He knew someone in Pittsburgh who put on fashion shows and connected him to Ignozzi. After meeting for coffee, the contact asked her to create eight looks for a fashion show he was hosting next month after looking at the shirt she designed.

“I did not expect that to happen at all,” she said.

She was offered a huge project right away which kept her motivated to work hard.

Painting on a single shirt, one bored day at home, launched Ooh Baby and offered Ignozzi an opportunity she never thought possible. She received feedback on the eight looks she made for the show and secured a spot in the Strip District to sell her designs.

“That was really important, having a physical location, meeting all my customers. I love to do that,” Ignozzi said.

Because of Ooh Baby, Ignozzi couldn’t spend her 21st year like most others. She maintained her focus and worked hard to make Ooh Baby the growing business it is today. “I just kinda sacrificed the going out and the partying to put in work,” Ignozzi said. “I work really hard. I work every day.”

Because of all this hard work and sacrifice, Ignozzi can live her dream and make a living doing it at 22 years old.

She said, “I feel so blessed.”

The birth of Ooh Baby created a signature look that many of us know and love today: bright colors, abstract designs and funky materials. She began the look for her brand with watercolor paintings that she did in college. “I just created these funky faces; I don’t know where they came from,” she said.

that’s kind of exciting to me,” she said. “As long as I can make a living doing this, that’s most important.”

Ignozzi loves to travel and hopes that her brand will be broad enough that she can live in Pittsburgh in the summer and somewhere else in the winter and still have a market there. Of course, she would love to continue styling celebrities, but everyday people are her favorite.

At that time, she was just getting back into painting and was simply letting go. Since then, she’s changed the signature face a bit by updating the eyes and lips.

Something about those “funky faces” just stayed with her through all these years.

While Ooh Baby is funky and eclectic, the biggest thing that stays true through all her designs is the presence of color. The reason she painted her first shirt in the first place was to make something colorful because she was “just tired of seeing plain stuff,” she said. Color is Ignozzi’s biggest inspiration in her work and she feels passionately about it. “The more colorful the better. It brings a smile to people,” she said. “I just try to bring color into the world.”

After years of hard work, Ignozzi gets to wake up, make her own schedule and create art that inspires her and others love. To this day, her favorite part of her unique job is meeting people. Ignozzi loves the way people interact, especially when they interact through art. “People get opportunities when they wear outgoing things,” she said.

“You’re more likely the one someone’s gonna approach.”

Along with designing for some celebrities, Ignozzi’s most recent accomplishment is working with Highway Robbery Vintage, a female-run vintage shop on E. Carson St. in Pittsburgh, to create 20 looks. Every day, Ooh Baby is growing, and new projects are completed.

“If anybody would like to make a living off their art, or whatever their goal is, if you work every single day it’s gonna work,” Ignozzi said. “It will come naturally towards you because of the energy you spent towards it.”

With the success of Ooh Baby, Ignozzi’s only goal is to continue to grow the brand and make it worldwide. “I seriously don’t know where this is gonna take me, and

This statement couldn’t be truer for Ignozzi. She has seen so much reward for the hard work she has put into the birth and growth of her brand Ooh Baby.

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TABOO

written by Dom Francis

o I am Tabo val rie carni e e k r a d the ride, monsoon. during a o I am Tabo ped woman p i l t e v l the ve melting, moon. under the o e I am Tabo ooked fac r c h t i w the clown paint, s. t balloon u o g n i d n ha o I am Tabo r juggler e t s a m e h t round dancing a e. ut of tun singing o swallower The sword watchers with many . followers and zero gman The stron in hand. l l e b r a b my ian .

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MIRAGE’s Picks Olivia’s Pick Posca Paint Markers I was introduced to the Posca paint markers by TikTok and waited for almost a month and a half to recieve them in the mail because their popularity put me on a waiting list. The wait was so worth it. These markers are beautifully pigmented and work on so many different surfaces! They apply like thin, opaque paint and dry matte. These guys really have fueled my creativity in a whole new way.

Annika’s Pick The Handsome Girl and Her Beautiful Boy, B.T. Gottfred I first read this a few years ago, but being in quarantine has given me the time to pick up and reread some of my favorite books. This is a story of two teenagers, both burdened with stereotypes about their genders and sexualities, whose friendship allows them to explore their own identities and come to terms with the complexities of life, love and friendship.

Kristen’s Pick Passion Planner As most people can agree, it’s been rough balancing a new work and school schedule while also being home 100 percent of the time. Before self-quarantining, I would escape to campus or a coffee shop to be productive, ignoring the personal tasks that needed to be taken care of at home. Now that I’m working directly from home, I have to face the chores that need to be done while also preparing to move at the end of the semester.

The Passion Planner has helped immensely with this transition because it focuses on work and personal life.

This not only helps balance all the tasks that need to be done but also reminds me to focus on myself and my environment, and that it’s okay to log out and do something personal-- a hard lesson I’ve had to learn this year. (Tip: Passion planner has a free downloadable version on its website for those interested in trying it out!)

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Kasey’s Pick Call Me By Your Name, Andre Aciman “Call Me By Your Name” by Andre Aciman is a story of young love in the northern Italian countryside in 1983. “Call Me By Your Name” was adapted into a movie a few years ago that is amazing. But, the book, THE BOOK is written like poetry.

Aciman describes everything in a way that makes you feel emotions you didn’t know you could feel and puts you directly in the scene. Despite this book being about two young men falling in love, Aciman writes it in a way that can relate to anyone, no matter your gender, race or sexuality. This book makes you feel your first love all over again. In a time that is so uncertain with the COVID-19 outbreak, I couldn’t have chosen a better book to pick up. It took me to a different time and place that put me completely at peace as I read it. TheBookTuber described this book saying, “This book is the reason why words exist. Words were created for this novel,” and I couldn’t agree more.

Adam’s Pick cprewritten.net When the world suffered the most terrible pandemic in recent history (aka the shut down of Club Penguin), we as a collective Millenial/Gen Z community weeped. While many of us hadn’t played in a few years, it was still sad to see an old friend from childhood leave us. But, weep no more friends! Cprewritten.net is the game perfectly restored exactly as it was in its prime. And get this, there are no membership fees! The class divide is over! We all can be rich! Plus, Cprewritten is now the home to a penguin colony made up primarily by us 20-somethings rather than little kids. Put your quarantine time to good use, and waddle on!

Madison’s Pick Tuesday’s With Morrie, Mitch Albom As a graduating senior this semester, I’m crushed by COVID-19’s impact on the country and its universities. I, and so many of my friends, will be without a graduation ceremony this semester, and for us, it’s a disheartening way to end 16-plus years of education. My mother never finished college, my father never went. Having them present at my commencement, watching me cross the stage for a single piece of paper, was going to be such a prideful experience for me.

“Tuesday’s with Morrie” is a book that I read for the first time in high school. It’s a story of how one professor taught his students some of the greatest lessons outside of the classroom: Regret, forgiveness, culture and processing our own emotions. Back then, it was just a book we had to read to pass the class. As a high school graduation gift, my mentor and English teacher wrote me a note in her copy and gave it to me. Now, the story has an entirely new meaning.

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Mirage MirageMagazine Magazineisisaaproud proudpartner partnerofofWest WestVirginia VirginiaUniversity’s University’s Student Media Coalition, a collaborative hub for organizations Student Media Coalition, a collaborative hub for organizations housed housedunder underthe theReed ReedCollege CollegeofofMedia.

Media.Founded FoundedininAugust August 2019, the coalition aims to promote collaboration between 2019, the coalition aims to promote collaboration betweenaffiliated affiliated organizations to share resources available within the College organizations to share resources available within the College rather ratherthan thancompeting. competing.ItItalso alsoassists assistsorganizations organizationsininplanning planning events, everyday operations and making connections within events, everyday operations and making connections withinthe the University to create the best extracurricular experience for the University to create the best extracurricular experience for thefuture future generation of Mountaineers in the media industry. generation of Mountaineers in the media industry.

Follow Followalong alongatat@WVUStudentMedia @WVUStudentMediaon onTwitter Twitterand andFacebook Facebook and @studentmediawvu on Instagram.

Have questions, and @studentmediawvu on Instagram. Have questions,ororwant wanttoto connect? connect?Reach Reachout outanytime anytimetotowvustudentmedia@outlook.com. wvustudentmedia@outlook.com.

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CHECK US OUT ONLINE issuu.com/mirage_magazine magcloud.com @miragemagwvu

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