Moda Madison: May 2017 Issue by Moda Madison

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Meg Rotter Editor in Chief Claire Hornacek Deputy Editor Alexandra Folino Art Director Victoria Fok WUD Publications Committee Director Jim Rogers WUD Publications Committee Advisor Deshawn McKinney WUD President

SPRING 2017 Alix DeBroux Staff Writers Associate Art Director Meghan Abbott, Haidee Chu, Sarah Friedland, Darby Hoffman, Claire Grummon Cassie Hurwitz, Haley Nippert, Marissa Haegele Claudia Prevete, Tenley Sanduski, Photography Directors Leah Voskuil Jameson Zaballos Contributing Writers Web Master Shloka Rathi, Clarke Smith Ben Golden Models Arts Curator Demi de Block, Annie Elmer, Isabel Esch, Briana Plaisier, Kenzie Bryant Shloka Rathi, Jake Riffe, Tenley Special Projects Designer Sanduski, Kristen Serwin, Zashary Torres Kelsey Daykin Reilly Koch Creative Directors Hair & Makeup Fashion Staff Alexa Carlson Fashion Editor Photography Claire DeRosa, Alexandra Folino, Darby Hoffman Yiting Liu, Mike Lim Lifestyle Editor Art Haley Nippert Yiting Liu, Amileah Sutliff, Culture Editor Geordon Wollner Margaret Duffey Special Thanks To: Arts Editor Mills Botham, Hoofers Sailing Club Mary Friday, Lands’ End Jameson Zaballos Men’s Editor Anna Olla Eva-Delilah Wieland Special Events Coordinators Taylor Palmby Marketing and Social Media Liason SPRING 2017

on the

COVER

Shloka Rathi photographed by Mike Lim

TABLE OF CONT ENTS FASHION

LIFESTYLE

6 34 42

BREAKUP WITH YOUR MAKEUP Sometimes the best thing for your beauty routine is removing the makeup

LIFE[STYLE] REFLECTION Four generations of Modies reflect on what they learned from the past year

THE BRA BARRIER Everyone deserves a well-fitting, stylish brasserie, no matter their size or shape

SEE PAGE 6

IF CLOTHES COULD TALK Taking a dip in Grandma’s closet

SEE PAGE 42

ARTS

2017’S GENDER REBEL OF HIP HOP Deconstructing Young Thug’s Approach to Fashion, Music and Sexuality

THE VALUE OF A VENUE How atmosphere plays a role in experience

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MEN’S

Try not to sing along

STOP, DROP, PAUSE

SEE PAGE 26

SEE PAGE 44

CULTURE

SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME THE GRASS IS MUCH GREENER The insidious nature of U.S. Lawn Culture

WHAT IN CAREER OPTION? Institutional and cultural constructions that make it more difficult for women to succeed

SEE PAGE 16

FEATURED

FIGURING IT OUT

26 38

SEAS THE DAY

#GIRLBOSS

Curated clips by one of Moda’s most creative

Aye, aye capitan!

SENIOR FAREWELL Departing thoughts from Modies on UWMadison, our magazine and college memories

It’s time to play by your own rules

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OBSESSED AND WANT TO SEE MORE OF US? FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL. MODAMADISON.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/MODAMADISON

@MODAMADISON

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

RE YOU STILL WATCHING?

Have you ever started a new show on Netflix that you instantly fell in love with? With the ability to instantly stream entire seasons, the characters and settings become a part of your weekly schedule, with the theme song offering a comforting reassurance after a long day. However, when you realized that you binged the entire show, there’s this odd postseries depression that takes hold, making you wish you had savored those episodes a little more and not spent your entire Sunday night streaming. What now? While somewhat of an odd analogy, that bittersweet feeling of coming to the end is extremely relatable for college students, with semesters seeming to fly by. The characters are your odd but lovable roommates who seem to steer your storyline, coaxing you through stressful study periods and passing the wine after a long week, and the setting is your dorm/apartment/ shitty-but-cheap-house that you never really liked until you realized you had to leave. Now, instead of reflecting on the papers, exams and mindlessly boring lectures you had to sit through, you remember dancing to Taylor Swift’s Blank Space with your best friends, using a recently empty bottle of wine as a microphone. Those nights when you stayed in to study instead of going to Latin Night at Blue Velvet seem totally wasted, and you wish you could relive those afternoons at the Terrace. However, instead of being sad about this season being over, remember this mindset in the future. When you feel overworked or stressed, take a minute to pause and enjoy the moment you’re in. We can’t go back to a time in the past, but we can make every minute worth living. In the series that is your life, what is your next move? Will you join a new club, ask that cute gal in your class to go on a date or take that job in a different city, state or country, or will you let these opportunities pass you by?

Best,

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As I switch my tassel to the left side, I hope to go forward fearlessly and humbly, trying new experiences, moving across the country and handing off my beloved magazine to my successor. Thank you all for being loyal supporters and readers of Moda Magazine, and I wish you all luck in the coming years.

BREAKUP WITH

WITH

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I love makeup just as much as the next person. In some circumstances, it is truly something that gets me through the day. Therefore, I completely see the reason that many people wear it all the time. However, something can also be said for taking a break from makeup every few days or abstaining from wearing it altogether.

Using a lazy Sunday as an opportunity to have a no-makeup day is a helpful reminder of your inner and natural beauty. Makeup-wearers should not

feel obligated to wear a full face everyday. You can be a makeup fanatic, but always remember that you are beautiful with and without the products. Aside from being a liberating feeling, choosing to not wear makeup once in a while is an important aspect of keeping up your skin’s health. According to Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, a dermatologist, “Makeup is the root cause of acne or skin problems for over 30% of my female

patients.”1 Additionally, the American Cancer Society cites cosmetics as causing “health problems...such as skin or eye irritation or allergic reactions.”2 The ACS also claims that abstaining from wearing cosmetics will cause these health issues to subside. Evidently, choosing a day or two each week to go bare and beautiful can Marvi Masud, “The Cost of Beauty - The Harmful Effects of Makeup on Your Skin,” The Express Tribune, November 13, 2014. tribune.com. 2 “Cosmetics,” American Cancer Society, last revised May 28, 2014, cancer.org. 1

YOUR MAKEUP BY CASSIE HURWITZ, LIFESTYLE WRITER PHOTOGRAPHED BY YITING LIU

If you feel comfortable with it, try going bare-faced all the time. It can be an indicator of confidence. However, if you love painting on bright colors and expertly blending together eyeshadow combinations, do not trash all your expensive palettes just to make a point or keep up the health of your skin. Wear the makeup you love, but remember

to skip a day every so often as to not sacrifice your skin’s natural properties. Makeup is a fun hobby to have and a great way to create art on your face. However, it is also important to keep your skin’s health in mind and take a few moments to pause your makeup routine. It will refresh your confidence, remind you that you are beautiful with or without makeup and let your pores breathe. So, break up with your makeup, even if just for a day. I dare you. █

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ailments. Here is the secret to success: just skip a day! This will rejuvenate your skin and help reduce possible irritation.

benefit the health of your skin. It is no secret that piling on liquid foundations, concealers and powders for days on end clogs pores and can add extra toxins to your skin (unless using chemical-free products). Wearing tons of makeup can also increase risk of acne, dark spots and redness (skin troubles that, ironically, one typically tries to cover up with foundation). This then creates a cycle, because makeup is worn to cover up the unwanted features, which in turn continues causing those

STOP

DROP

PAUSE BY SHLOKA RATHI, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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JAKE RIFFE, KRISTEN SERWIN, ZASHARY TORRES AND SHLOKA RATHI PHOTOGRAPHED MIKE LIM

Music is a form of art that acts as a means of communication to express ideas and messages in a way that not many other art forms can. Music functions as a universal language, conveying emotions, overcoming barriers and connecting listeners. Linking itself to moments in time, it may serve as background noise to start but eventually identifies with important memories. Through snapshots of life, we can - quite literally - pause people in their element amidst tunes. Play, pause, stop and repeat with us. â&#x2013;&#x2C6;

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TIK TOK, KE$HA

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DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T TALK TO ME, TRE COAST

PRICE TAG, JESSIE J

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HOLD BACK THE RIVER, JAMES BAY

2017’S GENDER REBEL OF HIP HOP BY CLARKE SMITH, CONTRIBUTING WRITER When Young Thug first stepped on the scene, it’s safe to say that everyone expected him to be another typical, misogynistic, hyper-masculine rapper. He was going to, like virtually everyone else, rap about money, cars, drugs, coming from nothing to something and again, emphasize his superiority over women and the way he uses them in the bedroom. But as his career progressed, he became more and more comfortable with broadcasting his own definition of masculinity, and specifically his black masculinity. While his eccentric trap sound challenges the boundaries of the genre on its own, no one expected him to go as far as he does outside of the studio (and in his lyrics) when it comes to gender norms. SPRING 2017

Young Thug, (or his real name, Jeffrey, as his latest self-titled project reveals), has confirmed multiple times that he identifies as a straight man, but insists the weight and expectations of what this label carries in society mean

nothing to him. He wears what he wants and says what he feels without regard to society’s expectations, in spite of potential negative reactions of his fans, critics or peers. He’s also entirely open to talking about his differences and his lifestyle. Many rappers turned fashion icons (think A$AP Rocky or Travis Scott) confidently indulge in women’s fashion from time to time, but none have done so as early as Thugger. In an interview with GQ, he revealed that since he was about 12 years old, he’s worn predominantly women’s clothing. Not because of some identity conflicts he was having, but simply because he liked their fit better. “…[I] started gambling, getting my own money. My dad wouldn’t buy me tight pants. I had to get my own money and buy them,” he shared1. He said that he wears them because they’re slimmer than men’s clothing and fit how he thinks they’re supposed to fit, “like a rock star.” Now at 25 years old, his wardrobe is about

ninety percent women’s clothing, but to him, that isn’t a threat to his masculinity simply because he doesn’t make it one.

Friedman, Devin, and Ben Watts. “What Planet Is Young Thug From?” GQ. March 09, 2017.

Although, in an interview with The FADER, his now fiancée, Jerrika Karlae, admitted to first turning him down due to stereotypes surrounding rappers, but then questioned how normal this guy was for the complete opposite reason. Speaking again in an interview with VFILES, Young Thug and Jerrika reflected on the beginning of their relationship. “I don’t care for sex that much. I never asked to have sex with her, never ever. Our first time doing… grown stuff, she did it. She pulled me in the room like ‘come here,’” Thug said.2 In response Jerrika says, “It was really like six months, I was like what’s wrong with this guy, he weird.” Not what you’d expect from an Atlanta rapper. Interestingly enough, as much as women like myself don’t appreciate Montes, Patrick. “Young Thug Doesn’t Really “Care for Sex”.” HYPEBEAST. August 29, 2016.

Young Thug challenges these binaries, and he’s walking proof that you can be a successful rapper whilst indulging in women’s clothing and not using sex with women to validate your masculinity as a straight man. He may rap about women in a sexual (almost Wolf, Cameron. “VFILES Founder on Why It Was So Important to Put Young Thug on Its Mentor Panel.” Complex. October 20, 2016. 3

contradictory) way, but is very open about how he challenges that type of lifestyle outside of the studio. Maybe he’s smart, knowing that that’s what people want to hear on their speakers, or maybe he simply enjoys and indulges both ideologies. Although seeking acceptance is never the goal, Young Thug shows us that being yourself from the jump is the quickest way to get there. By defining yourself by yourself, and not enclosing identity in a box in an effort to gain support, you simultaneously demand it. He’s winning because the same heterosexual men that called him “gay” for his album cover or even just looked at him differently, still blast his smashhit “Check”… still know every word to “Guwop”… and can’t stand still when “Pull Up On a Kid” comes on. Not caring what people think is preached a lot, but not always practiced as frequently. So thanks, Thugger, for being an advocate for individuality, for letting the idea of ‘gender’ hold less and less power every time you step out of the house and for keeping the homophobes and simple minded confused and learning. █

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His fashion choices, too, can be just as “unorthodox” as his sexuality. Between wearing a Hooter’s tank at the end of his Check music video and the mesh top and tulle skirt in a photo shoot for Dazed Magazine, the public is somewhat used to his bold choices. Yet public reaction was still that of surprise when he covered his latest album, Jeffery, in a blue ruffled dressed by Alessandro Trincone. Trincone, an Italian designer, was one of the featured designers for VFILES Season 7 collection. As a part of the Season 7 mentorship panel, one of his jobs was to share his opinion on potential designers for the show. When in the meeting, he was presented with Trincone’s design and immediately said, “This is the cover for my album.” Without even realizing that Trincone had designed the dress with the same unrestricting gender ideologies as Young Thug, his lack of hesitation when seeing the piece spoke to the high level of connection he felt with not

only the dress but with what Trincone stands for as a designer. When asked by Complex why it was so important to have Thug on the Spring/Summer 2017 panel, VFILES founder Julie Anne Quay said, “I think he is going to have a major impact on the way fashion and music come together in the future as he looks through a lens that is totally unfiltered and not subjected to pre existing paradigms of how one should approach the way they dress.”3 The message she shares not only questions the norms of music and fashion, but as a whole the concept of gender binary. “His approach to gender fluidity is a very powerful moment I think for fashion because it is connected to his approach to music and the message he shares through that medium,” Quay said.

when guys force themselves sexually on us too fast, when they don’t, we still wonder why they don’t. While this can be explained by the gender roles in heterosexual relationships set by society, it still raises eyebrows.

Fig creating something out of nothing, turning nothing into something - but really just figuring it out. CURATED BY GEORDON WOLLNER

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guring It Out

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SOMEONE O N C E TO L D M E

THE GRASS IS

MUCH GREENER

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LAWN CULTURE & THE CLASSISM OF THE SUBURBANUNITED STATES

According to the United States National Arboretum, it was the 17th century that created changes in the approach to lawncare. Though lawns had existed in some capacity in England in prior centuries, being filled with chamomile, turf and other low-growing plants, the 17th century brought about the deliberate upkeep of lawns at the hands of laborers with scythes, instead of livestock grazing.3 Moving into the 18th century, one saw the cultivation of personal parks and gardens, which were precursors to the modern lawn.4 In short, lawn upkeep became a marker of class status, not only because one evidently had the funds to pay laborers for the shearing work previously taken on by animals, but also because it meant you had resources enough that you did not have to cultivate land for food like the lower classes. Jumping overseas to the United States, Middle English Dictionary, s.v. “Laund(e (n.),” by The University of Michigan. 2 Kaplan, Sarah, and Nick Kirkpatrick. “The Rise And Fall Of The American Lawn, At Least in California”. Washington Post. N.p., 2015. 3 “History of Lawns.” United States National Arboretum. N.p., 2017. 4 Ibid. 1

The greatest symbol of this middle class status was the lawn. According to The New Yorker, almost immediately upon moving out into the suburbs, organizations like Homeowners Associations began passing lawn ordinances.8 In fact, individuals living in the Levittown suburbs were required to mow their lawn at least once a week in order to maintain its appearance.9 The development of suburbs truly marked the debut of U.S. Lawn Culture: a culture that at once suggested shifting demographics and increasing economic attainment and stability, while also enforcing mass cultural hegemony across the suburban United States. Cultural hegemony exclusively meant the white nuclear family. Through processes like redlining, where banks and other lending organizations refuse loans to people of color under the guise of “risk,” and racist lenders outright declining to honor the G.I. Bill, Black Americans and other people of color were systematically forced into the rental market and kept out of white suburban neighborhoods, as well as the high-opportunity jobs that would have Kaplan, Sarah, and Nick Kirkpatrick. “The Rise And Fall Of The American Lawn, At Least in California.” 6 Ibid. 7 U.S. Government Printing Office. Servicemen’s Readjustment Act. The United States of America, 1944. 8 Kolbert, Elizabeth. “Turf War”. The New Yorker. N.p., 2008. 9 Ibid. 5

“

WHILE LAWNS ARE NOT NECESSARILY EXCLUSIVE TO SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY ARE HEAVILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SYMBOLISM OF THE “WHITE PICKET FENCE,” SUBURBAN IDEAL OF THE AMERICAN DREAM -- A DREAM MANY BLACK AMERICANS WERE SYSTEMATICALLY EXCLUDED FROM. NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY ARE HEAVILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SYMBOLISM OF THE “WHITE PICKET FENCE,” SUBURBAN IDEAL OF THE AMERICAN DREAM -- A DREAM MANY BLACK AMERICANS WERE SYSTEMATICALLY EXCLUDED FROM.

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While lawn culture is certainly a hallmark of United States suburban culture, it certainly didn’t begin there. The word “lawn” originally comes from the Middle English word launde, meaning “a tract of open uncultivated country, plain, area of level ground.”1 Its meaning eventually transformed, becoming known as the “commons,” an area of shared land where livestock was brought to graze in the Middle Ages and onward.2

This (largely) changed with the rise of suburbs in the years following World War II. Men like Samuel Levitt began constructing entire towns where houses sat upon expansive lawns, and the G.I. Bill, which provided low-interest housing loans to returning servicemen, encouraged mass migration into these newly-crafted suburbs.67 In theory, this meant greater access to affordable housing and land, and by extension, suburbs became the hallmark of the American middle class and a closing wealth gap.

When I was growing up in the suburbs of Illinois, my sister and I used to spend the after-school hours playing with our friend at her house two doors down. We would bounce on the trampoline in the backyard, play HORSE with one of those stand-up basketball hoops or cover the driveway with chalk drawings. And -if we were very careful -- we might be allowed to play on her front lawn. You see, our friend’s father loved this lawn. He spent all of his free time mowing, fertilizing, weeding and just generally maintaining the bright green blades of grass. My mom even used to have a yearly inside joke with my sister and me about spray painting their lawn brown around April Fool’s Day.

one still finds traces of the lawn as a symbol of class. As Sarah Kaplan and Nick Kirkpatrick note in their article “The Rise and Fall of the American Lawn,” “the first American lawns belonged to wealthy gentlemen — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Pennsylvania Gov. John Penn — and were associated with abundance and influence.”5 Similar to 17th and 18th century Europe, only the wealthiest people had the money and leisure-time to care for and cultivate lush lawns.

“

BY HALEY NIPPERT, CULTURE EDITOR

on U.S. citizens that the Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and individuals alike are willing to risk harm to themselves and others for the sake of maintaining appearances. During an extreme drought in 2015, outdoor watering continued to account for 50% of water-use in Phoenix, Arizona, while neighboring California was put under emergency water restrictions.15 Perhaps the comparative wealth and class of a metropolitan city accounts for this difference, with residents being able to afford the use of scarce resources for the sake of their gardens and lawns. Even those directly impacted by drought are willing to go to lengths in order to preserve their lawns -- during the same drought, California residents paid to have their dying lawns painted a healthy green instead of taking government incentives to plant drought-resistant landscaping, just as they did during another drought in the 1980s.16 To be fair, the painting is a cheaper, short-term option, but after more than 20 years of painted, droughtstricken lawns, it would seem logical to do something more sustainable.17

The U.S. obsession with lawn maintenance is so pervasive that it often oscillates between being hilariously ridiculous and overtly harmful. Take the dandelion, a plant often cultivated in gardens during the Victorian era for its nutritional value, healing benefits and beauty, that has now been deemed a “weed” due for systematic eradication from lawns.13 Or the fact that as of 2005, North America spends over $40 billion on lawn care each year.14

One of the other harmful impacts of U.S. lawn culture stems from city and HOA ordinances designed to maintain homogenous appearances in neighborhoods. Denise Morrison, as relayed by food lawyer Baylen Linnekin, had her edible garden, which she was using to feed herself during her unemployment, destroyed by city code officers, despite the fact that her garden was not in violation of city ordinances.18 Even when technically in violation of city ordinances, the reasoning behind such ordinances and the resulting

Lawn culture has such a strong hold

Stern, Ray. “Metro Phoenix Remains An “Oasis” In The Age Of Drought-Shaming — But Change Is Coming”. Phoenix New Times. N.p., 2015. 16 Kaplan, Sarah, and Nick Kirkpatrick. “The Rise And Fall Of The American Lawn, At Least in California”. 17 Maher, Jeff. “Californians Get Their DroughtParched Lawns Painted Green”. USA TODAY. N.p., 2015. 18 Linnekin, Baylen. “Local Laws Ban Front Yard Food Gardens In Cities Across The US”. Earthisland.org. N.p., 2016. 15

Desmond, Matthew. Evicted: Poverty And Profit In The American City. 1st ed. Crown Publishers, 2016. 11 “UNCIVIL RIGHTS”. NCPA.org. N.p., 2017. 12 Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations”. The Atlantic. N.p., 2014. 13 Sanchez, Anita. “Dandelions”. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. N.p., 2017. 14 Steinberg, Ted. American Green: The Obsessive Quest For The Perfect Lawn. 1st ed. New York City: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2006. 10

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“

charges clearly signal a determination to maintain lawn homogeneity. Julie Bass, a Michigan woman, “was threatened with more than three months in jail” for having a vegetable garden that wasn’t deemed “suitable plant material” (read: it didn’t match neighboring manicured lawns).19 In an effort to “protect” property values and maintain the appearances of lawn-based neighborhoods, HOAs and city officials threaten sustainable, self-maintained food gardens, which puts everyone from hobbyists to those who grow food out of necessity in a dicey position. Despite the fact that vegetable and fruit gardens statistically use fewer resources than lawns, the forced homogeneity of lawn culture and its long-standing symbol of class through the distinct refusal to cultivate crops have become so entwined in the culture of suburbia that it threatens the livelihoods of many people. In recent years, U.S. lawn culture has begun the slow, withering process of death. In California, they’ve moved out of the drought in part by “stripping out lawns and replacing them with more drought-tolerant plants, and introducing more efficient sprinkler systems.”20 There have also been developments in the realm of home-gardening, with local movements pushing for more “edible landscaping”21 and individuals taking their towns to court over counter-intuitive ordinances.22 After centuries of insidious classism and racism masquerading as the lush turf of suburban lawns, we’re seeing a much needed aeration in our approaches to landscaping. The weeding-out of United States culture is an arduous and exhaustive process, but the first steps can begin somewhere as near as your own front yard. █ Ibid. “California Governor Declares End To Drought Emergency”. Aljazeera. N.p., 2017. 21 Kozelsky, Holly. “Feeding Frenzy: FoodProducing Plants Can Become An Edible Landscape”. Martinsville Bulletin. N.p., 2017. 22 Linnekin, Baylen. “Local Laws Ban Front Yard Food Gardens In Cities Across The US”. 19

...SUBURBS BECAME THE HALLMARK OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS & A CLOSING WEALTH GAP.

“

allowed for social mobility.10 “Fewer than 100 of the 67,000 mortgages insured by the G.I. Bill supported home purchases by nonwhites,” according to the National Center for Policy Analysis.11 Noted by TaNehisi Coates in The Atlantic, the Black neighborhoods ravaged by redlining in the 40s continue to feel the ramifications of these policies, with neighborhoods like North Lawndale in Chicago facing egregiously high rates of poverty and violence as a result of racist policies from the last century.12 The growth of suburbs and U.S. lawn culture was fundamentally predicated on the continued economic and social oppression of people of color. While lawns are not necessarily exclusive to suburban neighborhoods, they are heavily associated with the symbolism of the “white picket fence,” suburban ideal of the American dream -- a dream many Black Americans were systematically excluded from. Much like the lawn-based class markings of the 17th and 18th centuries, lawn culture became a signifier of the classist, racist, white middle class hegemony that continues to define suburbs today.

VALUE

THE

OF A VENUE UNSPLASH

BY SARAH FRIEDLAND, ARTS WRITER

The structure of the concert hall also affects performance quality because it determines the acoustics. Common structures in concert venues include domes and reflectors. While domes help centralize sound in smaller venues, preventing the performance from sounding weak, reflectors are necessary in larger venues like The Overture Center to send the sound to every venue level and produce the same experience for the entire audience. When choosing entertainment, proximity and performers are always considered but the venue quality is often forgotten. A venue can easily mold the entire experience. Concert halls are more than convenient places to host a performance; they are actually part of the concert. █

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There are three main concert halls at Interlochen Arts Camp, where I spent seven summers. Kresge is a concrete venue with open sides, plastic seats, and a large, sloped roof. I was required to attend most of the performances that occurred there. Corson is a typical concert hall with multiple levels, red velvet seats, and a welcoming atrium. I enjoyed a great deal of musicals in that space. The third concert hall, The Bowl, is the most notable. The Bowl rarely held concerts outside of Les Preludes, the final concert of the summer. This openair venue allows the audience to overfill the seats and lounge on the surrounding grass. Les Preludes was the last time you see your camp friends, the first time you see your parents, and the conclusion to an incredible summer. Because of the memories associated with Les

Preludes, I cannot imagine seeing it in Corson or Kresge. In the same way, a musical performance at The Bowl would not have the same intensity as in Corson and the required opening ceremonies that take place in Kresge would never feel right sitting in the luscious seats of Corson. The experiences I’ve had in each of these halls affect the expectations I have for performances there.

Although often unrecognized, audience experience is highly dependent on venue structure. One size does not fit all when it comes to the variety of music available in the form of concerts and musicals. To produce the best possible performance, the size and layout of each venue must be taken into consideration. Full immersion in a musical experience is only achieved when planned according to its venue’s strengths and weaknesses.

Seas the day

ANNIE ELMER AND BRIANA PLAISIER PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALEXANDRA FOLINO

CREATIVE DIRECTORS: KELSEY DAYKIN AND REILLY KOCH | CLOTHING COURTESY OF LANDS’ END

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SPECIAL THANKS TO MILLS BOTHAM, HOOFERS SAILING CLUB & MARY FRIDAY

The lake life is the good life. Whether you’re enjoying the view from the Terrace, strolling Lakeshore Path or out on the water, make sure to dress the part. Think navy and white, stripes on stripes, lots of linen and nautical neckerchiefs.

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LIFE[STYLE EFLECTION

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATIE SCHEIDT

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As I conclude my freshman year of college, I feel overcome with a few emotions; one being shock because it seemed like just yesterday that I was unboxing my belongings into the empty shoebox of a dorm room that has become my welllived-in home. Also, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I grew so much as an individual over the past ten months and have had so many formative experiences that will carry with me into my next stages in life. I am incredibly proud of my personal evolution and how, over time, I matured and created a new identity separate of that which I bore in the past. I learned so much about others and myself, and have confidently reached a point where I can say that I am no longer the same girl I was in high school. In fact, over the past few months, I realized a few things I wish I told myself back then. • High school was a great four years, but you should know when to close the yearbook. Nobody cares if you were cheer captain or on the bleachers. It is time to move on. • Being nice to people is never something you will never regret. • You probably are not going to marry that boy, or that one...no, not that one either. Remember that you are young. • College is not all about going out and taking cool Instagram photos. There is a lot more to life than what you see in all of those carefully curated pictures. • Remember the hardest class you took in high school? Your easiest class in college will probably be more difficult. College is hard, so work hard. • You have four years of growth ahead of you. During these years, you should try to become an independent adult. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

FRESHMAN YEAR

BY CLAUDIA PREVETE, LIFESTYLE WRITER

Stepping onto the UW-Madison campus as a student for the first time felt like the start of the rest of my life. Well, sort of. Between the tears, nervous shaking and wide-eyes, I realized that I was entering *shudder* adult life. I forgot how to do my own laundry, I felt unsure of how I would make friends and I certainly did not know where any of my classes were. I did, however, know that the next four years would fly by. Now, as I am finishing my sophomore year, I face that same realization. It just cannot be true. I refuse to believe that two years have already passed. Where has the time gone? Yet, at the very same time, I cannot comprehend that it has only been two years. I feel as though it has been a lifetime since I walked into my residence hall and nearly had a heart attack at my closetsized dorm room. I have now met lifelong friends, fallen in love and learned how to do laundry. I can find classes easily and no longer live in a shoebox of a room.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

BY CASSIE HURWITZ, LIFESTYLE WRITER

However, I have also struggled. Sophomore year was not as nice to me as the former. Moving into an apartment made it difficult to stay in touch with the friends I made last year. Beginning the bulk of my major-related classes was exciting, yet provided me with countless amounts of reading, studying and writing. I felt pressure to find an internship and gain experience for my field. Now that I see how quickly time runs out, most of that pressure comes from inside my head.

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I will not go so far as to say the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sophomore slumpâ&#x20AC;? is real. I will, however, leave it to speculation that maybe there is some magical force that all sophomores are subjected to. I still look forward to my remaining two years with UW-Madison because I know the opportunities will be plentiful, and that I am in control of my experiences. I will take sophomore year as a learning experience.

I have one more year before I wave goodbye to student life and adopt official ‘adult’ status, but am I ready? Stuck in a tug of war between anticipation for the future, as well as a desire to hold onto the security provided by academics; looking forward is a bittersweet experience. We are conditioned to have our career in mind well before college. Think of the first time you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up. Now, though, all of these hypothetical thoughts of being a rockstar, astronaut or president lose their sparkling facade and become the harsher reality that is ‘the rest of your life.’ The pressure is high and hanging in the air of each of my remaining days. I am expected to push forward and accomplish my coursework (as well as fight an undeniable case of Senioritis), while figuring out what career I will invest my life in. However, after a beautiful trip to Hawaii (Yes, I am beyond lucky), I decided that the best thing for me, and likely for some of you, is to just...breathe. Take a break from constantly working, whether that be in school or a job, and utilize your time to experience the world.

Paradise made me realize that I could not justify throwing myself into a lifelong career without first giving myself an opportunity to purely enjoy life. Yes, backpacking across Europe or relocating to a remote island does sound cliché, but if I that means accomplishing goals purely because I want to, then I will risk the eyerolls. The last year formed my view of the world in ways I never expected. Previously, I planned on moving to New York after graduation and funneling myself directly from college to career. Now, I realize I will benefit much more from taking a moment to remove myself from the corporate equation and live on my own terms. If the last 365 days helped me recognize all of this, I cannot imagine what my senior year will hold. Perhaps I will change my mind and start working immediately. No matter my decision, however, I hope that other students entering their senior year realize that we have a choice. Do not follow a path that makes you miserable, simply because it is what you are “supposed” to do. Even if you make life decisions that surprise you, scare you even, and do not have the approval of others; take a risk, because the best time to do so, a time with no other obligations but to live, is quickly approaching.

JUNIOR YEAR

BY DARBY HOFFMAN, LIFESTYLE EDITOR

SPRING 2017

You’ll know it’s right, when it feels right. I transferred twice before arriving at UW-Madison. Neither of my previous school ever felt like home, but Madison immediately felt right. What is right for someone else may not be right for you. Sometimes you have to make bold, scary moves to satisfy your intuition. Fear is futile. People are so frightened to try new things or follow their bliss out of fear of being judged. However, take pleasure in knowing no one cares much and going to a large university gives you a level of anonymity. In college, people wear Snuggies in class and take naps in random

There’s never enough time. Four years seems like forever, but trust me, it goes fast. It feels like graduation cannot come soon enough. However, I still think about all the things I will miss out on. I never auditioned for a play, I never took that photography class and I never spent a day at Picnic Point. Balance not burning out with taking advantage of your time here. It has not been easy, but here is the secret: the projects get done, tests turn out okay and at the end of the day, you get through it and wonder why you worried about it in the first place. With the bad comes the good, the memories you wouldn’t trade for anything. In a few weeks, I will move that tassel from one side of my graduation cap to the other, and for the first time, the path that follows will not be concrete. I do not know what comes next, but I’m so grateful I have these memories to look back on. I will always cherish these lessons that shaped the person I am. Until next time, Madison. █

SPRING 2017

As I clicked the submit button on my cap and gown order, a feeling of surreality hit me. In the midst of papers, exams and, God forbid, job searching, I had no time to sit down and come to terms with the fact that I am graduating. After having these last 23 years planned out, it’s slightly intimidating to think I’ll be improvising the rest of my life. Perhaps my revelations will help other underclassmen make it through these formative four years. Please excuse my nostalgia.

places. Trust me when I say this is the perfect time to push your boundaries and try things you have always wanted to do.

SENIOR YEAR

BY MEGHAN ABBOTT, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Senior Farewell SPRING 2017

Graduating staff members reflect on their time at and UW-Madison &and Moda Magazine

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CLAIRE GRUMMON

Jameson Zaballos

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

MEN'S EDITOR & WEB MASTER

“Joining the Moda team was one of the best decisions I made during my college career. In just a year, Moda has given me countless opportunities and introduced me to so many caring and passionate people. My only regret is not getting involved sooner.”

“Moda started as an interest and grew into a passion that I’ll carry for the rest of my life. There aren’t many computer science majors involved with fashion around here, and the ability to grow and create with the team at Moda throughout the years was an enriching experience.”

Anna Olla

Meghan Abbott

“The last four years have been everything I could have possibly dreamed of and more. From studying abroad in Paris to hanging out at [the] Terrace, college has exceeded my expectations...I am most thankful for the friendships I have formed over the course of eight semesters.”

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“I took a chance when I transferred moved in with random roommates, not have made a better decision...I’ll the crazy amazing times I had

to UW and and I could never forget at Madison.”

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

SPRING 2017

Alix Debroux

Haley Nippert

Alexa Carlson

“I had just transferred to UW and came to a Moda meeting on a whim. I nervously pitched an idea in a group brainstorming session for [an issue] and Barbara, the Social Editor at the time, did a small cheer and said something about how that was the kind of article she would love for her section. That was the first time anyone had ever really been excited about something I wanted to write, and it’s stayed with me for three years now. Sometimes that little push of support makes all the difference.”

“Moda has been part of my college experience since my first month of freshman year. It’s helped me grow as a both a writer and leader throughout my four years. I’ve met some of my best friends through Moda. It’s the place I could go each week to talk about fashion with some of the most creative people on campus. Thank you to my Moda family for all the amazing times at photoshoots, fashion shows and meetings!”

CULTURE EDITOR

Claire Hornacek DEPUTY EDITOR

SPRING 2017

“I could not be more thankful for the people I’ve met during my four years at UW-Madison. These relationships have made lasting impacts on my journey through college and beyond. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us all!”

FASHION EDITOR

Alexandra Folino ART DIRECTOR

“When I joined Moda my sophomore year, I didn’t expect to have this great of an impact on me. A great way to get involved on campus, Moda helped me to both build my layout and graphic design portfolio, and meet some wonderfully-creative people.”

Leah Voskuil

LIFESTYLE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

“There is no better way to summarize the love we have for each other in Moda other than exactly what this photoshoot was—choosing to walk up Bascom Hill in the rain so we could spend the afternoon together recreating a favorite romantic comedy scene.”

Meg Rotter EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kelsey Daykin CREATIVE DIRECTOR

“Moda gave me an outlet to express myself creatively and allowed me to connect with a community of passionate people who don’t give me blank stares when I gush about Céline. Being involved with Moda has been an integral part of my Wisconsin Experience, and I’m so thankful for that.”

“

Without a doubt, joining Moda was the highlight of my time here at University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am so thankful to the friends I have met, opportunities that have presented themselves and the ability to see where everyone goes from here—running the world, I’m sure.

SPRING 2017

“

“I first began writing for Moda my freshman year at UWMadison. The energy and love that emitted from this group of writers, editors and designers was so intoxicating -- it was love at first byline. Now, as a graduating senior, I could not be prouder of where the magazine is now and feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to leave my mark.” █

Leah Voskuil Lifestyle Editorial Assistant

THE BRA BARRIER BY LEAH VOSKUIL, LIFESTYLE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ILLUSTRATED BY AMILEAH SUTLIFF

SPRING 2017

DISCLAIMER: Before anything else, we must get a few things out of the way. Bras are not a requirement. Feeling good about your body is not entirely dependent on the readiness of material items. The “perfect” body is your body— in every form, at every stage, no matter what. The term “woman” is referring to anyone who identifies as such, though it’s also important to recognize that people of all genders

support us all!

can use bras. With that in mind, let’s talk about Victoria’s real secret being that she caps trendiness at a C-cup. There may only be seven days in a week, but the average woman owns eight bras.1 Why? For some, this seems like an obvious answer. Sometimes she Helen Carroll for the Daily Mail. “Our life in eight BRAS... that’s how many the average woman owns - and here three share the revealing stories behind their choices.” Daily Mail Online. July 22, 2016. 1

is trying to defy gravity with a push-up, other times she is lounging around the house and would prefer something on the softer side. Maybe today is the day that red lace will save us all. Regardless, this ability to choose one’s comfort level, style and fabric continues to expand as undergarments make up over half of the $7.6 billion lingerie industry.2 IBISWorld. “Industry at a Glance.” IBISWorld, 2017. Accessed April 5, 2017. IBISWorld. 2

Though corsets emerged in the 15th century with an emphasis on the “perfect female” form, people have been binding their chests since the 14th century. However, the classic brassiere as we know it—both the term and the physical product—did not emerge until the early 1900s. First labeled in Vogue in 1907, the brassiere was a corset made of whale bone. A few years later, Mary Phelps Jacobs emerged on the scene. Concerned with the popularity of plunging necklines and “boyish” figures, 19-year-old Jacobs wanted to participate in a Manhattan ball, without being held back by the stiffness of her corset against her chest. On November 3, 1914, Jacobs successfully patented the modern-day brassiere and found a way to keep everything in place. Essentially, the innovators crafted bras as we know them with larger chests in mind. They created a tool to increase mobility and comfort in women’s everyday lives. Somewhere along the way, however, the industry lost its mission. Here the wellendowed are, literal decades later, still struggling to find bras that fit properly and are affordable as well as *gasp* trendy. Rita Kawak, a 20-year-old environmental studies and global health student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, remembers the morning she woke up with boobs that would not stop growing. “I grew out of my bras extremely fast, to the point where it wasn’t worth buying a new bra every time they were too small, so I would just wear sports bras on top of my normal bras in order for my breasts to actually be inside some sort of a bra,” Kawak said. Though incredibly innovative on Rita’s part, achieving proper coverage and fit should not be so difficult. At a minimum, physical comfort needs to be a priority,

This message that bigger busts are not as worthy of attention or dressing-up is not only ridiculous, but hypocritical. Just imagine, if for every chart-topper mentioning the wellendowed, a free, properly fitting and super stylish bra went to a person in need. Oh, the audacity.

First, bras are expensive. Affordability is an issue for anyone looking for proper support in the market, but the hidden fees that stores like Victoria’s Secret weave into the seams of their bras are less transparent. For example, Victoria’s Secret charged $4 more for DD and DDD cupped bras than for A-C cups with the same design in 2014. Similar practices have been found at The Gap, Old Navy and ASOS.

In describing her ideal bra, Rita knew exactly what she would want if price was not a factor.

Runway Riot editor Ashley Hoffman saw right through these upcharges to what the corporations were really saying—that deviations from their hypothetical beauty norm were an unwelcome hassle. “They’re a bunch of self-esteem pickpockets,” Hoffman said.4 Once one overcomes the hurdles of affordability and fit (if possible), their biggest qualm is still waiting. Trendiness, whether that be lace, embellishment and/or fabric color, is shockingly absent. “I remember being extremely disappointed that I couldn’t find a cute, multi-colored bra with a wacky pattern. The only color choices I had were white or tan, and as a middle schooler neither of those color choices appealed to me at all,” Kawak said. Oo, Myint, Zhuo Wang, Toshihiko Sakakibara, and Yuichi Kasai. “Relationship Between Brassiere Cup Size and Shoulder-Neck Pain in Women.” The Open Orthopaedics Journal. 2012. 3

“I would definitely start with making a bra that had correct proportions. I can never find a bra with big enough cups and a small enough waist. It would be black and lacy… a little sexier than the bras I have currently, just so I could feel more confident throughout my day. Also, the straps would be easily hidden and not two inches wide,” Kawak said. Thankfully, Rita’s dream bra might actually be a reality. Recently, there has been an upward trend of bigboob friendly, semi-affordable brands that support the trendiness of all chest sizes. If you are in the market for a bra that will actually be cute, not break the bank and have the correct proportions, take a look at brands like Panache, Curvy Kate or Pour Moi— all of which provide affordable and chic lingerie for D+ cups and waists above 30 inches. If you are more of a hands-on shopper, visit La Lingerie in Madison at 640 West Washington Avenue for some of Curvy Kate’s best. Otherwise, all brands have swimwear, lingerie and/or hosiery and sleepwear with international shipping online. Whether you choose a neon pink push-up from Panache or a classic black t-shirt bra from Pour Moi, you are guaranteed to find something just as beautiful as you (and your breasts) are. █

Manning, Charles. “Victoria’s Secret Gets Called Out for Charging More for Larger Bras.” Cosmopolitan. August 14, 2015. 4

“RECENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN UPWARD TREND OF BIG-BOOB FRIENDLY, SEMIAFFORDABLE BRANDS THAT SUPPORT THE TRENDINESS OF ALL CHEST SIZES.”

SPRING 2017

For one of the greatest ironies, let us take a look at how the modern-day brassiere came to be.

especially for the well-endowed. The larger the chest, the more likely one is to experience back and shoulder pain, skin irritation and limitation of movement.3 That said, there are a handful of factors at play that led Rita to the multi-layered bra reality that she experienced for years as a teen.

Though the lingerie industry has been experiencing an upward trend for years, freedom of consumer choice does not exist for everyone. This is the Bra Barrier. Well-endowed people have been discussing this lack of inclusion within their own community for years, but it is time to shed a brighter, more mainstreamed light on this all-toocommon and all-too-unnecessary obstacle for those who are left out of the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale.

#girlboss DEMI DE BLOCK & ISABEL ESCH PHOTOGRAPHED BY CLAIRE DEROSA HAIR & MAKEUP BY FASHION STAFF

SPRING 2017

Being a ‘girl boss’ isn’t about having dreams. It’s about conquering them. A girl boss doesn’t wait for opportunities to come her way. She makes her own opportunities. You can spot her in a crowd of people because she’s daring enough to mix her patterns and bold enough show a little skin. You don’t want to mess with someone who’s both elegant and edgy in a blush leather jacket because, clearly, she plays by her own rules.

FLORAL BLAZER | ASOS BRALETTE | ZARA WHITE PANTS | STYLIST’S OWN

NAVY PANTS | UNIQLO BLUE BUTTON UP | STYLIST’S OWN BELT | ABERCROMBIE HEELS | MODEL’S OWN

SPRING 2017

GREY JUMPSUIT | STYLISTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN LIGHT PINK LEATHER JACKET | BLANK NYC BLACK STUDDED HEELS | SAM EDELMAN

SPRING 2017

DRESS | GIANNI BINI HEELS| MODELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN BAG | MICHAEL KORS

SPRING 2017

VEST | BANANA REPUBLIC BLUSH PANTS | EXPRESS HEELS | MODELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN BAG | SILENCE + NOISE

SPRING 2017

SHEER SHIRT | STYLISTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN CAMISOLE | AKIRA PENCIL SKIRT | ANN TAYLOR

SPRING 2017

IF CLOTHES COULD T A L

SPRING 2017

BY TENLEY SANDUSKI, FASHION WRITER TENLEY SANDUSKI PHOTOGRAPHED BY YITING LIU Imagine the stories our clothes would tell if only they could talk. What would a flapper dress from the 20s have to say about the daring young woman who bobbed her hair and danced the night away? Would a poodle skirt dish on the girl with the pony tail at a diner in the 50s? History has a way of telling itself through clothes, and lucky for me, I have a grandma with a closet full of vintage dresses bursting with memories to share and secrets to reveal. It all started when I stumbled upon a picture from a family wedding. My grandma was wearing a beautiful high-necked mauve dress with a floral embellishment. I fell in love with the 1980s gown. I promptly messaged her asking, “Do you still have this dress?” As expected she responded, “Of course! Do you want it?” To which I responded with a resounding, “Yes!” As kids, my two sisters and I loved playing dress up in my mom’s old prom dresses and bridesmaid’s gowns from the 80s. We couldn’t get enough of the puffy sleeves and full skirts. We’d put them on and throw fancy tea parties. So, it came as no surprise to my grandma when I showed an interest in her vintage clothing. When I went to visit her a few weeks ago, she had clothes from five generations of the family laid out ready for me to try on.

Next in my grandma’s collection was something of her own. A baby blue cashmere sweater with a delicate ruffle around the neck. This sweater comes from the 1950s, but in typical Grandma Joy fashion, it is still in perfect condition. I could definitely rock this one next fall.

SPRING 2017

First up was my mom’s deep pink prom dress from 1979. The dress is simple and comes with a sleeveless lace jacket. The style of the dress doesn’t look as outdated as I would have expected, but the giveaway was when she told me her date wore a baby blue tux with a ruffled shirt.

Stepping back another decade in time brings me to a brown and creme striped ensemble from the 40’s. My first question was, “They wore crop tops back then?” My grandma laughed and let me know this was actually a swimsuit. The swim set includes a jacket, or a beach coat as it was called back then. My grandma pointed out the precise attention to detail when it came to matching up the stripes at every seam and pleat. Craftsmanship like this is often lost in the mass production of most clothing today. While 80 years ago this look was meant to be worn to the beach, I nabbed this one to wear out and about this summer. Three generations before me, my great grandma Eva wore this yellow cotton mid-length dress to a school dance in 1928. I adore it’s simplicity in contrast to the extraordinary woman who wore it. My great grandma shared endless stories of her travels across the country, visiting popular cities such as New York and San Francisco before the famed Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge were completed. To me, the 1920s are a fascinating time in American history. There is just something about the allure of flappers and wild nights of music and dancing that make me wonder what it was like to live in such a time. To say I was thrilled when my grandma pulled an authentic flapper dress from the 20s out of her closet would be an understatement. This dress comes from my great great grandma Minnie. When I think of flapper dresses, I think of tiered fringe and beading, but this dress had neither. I could wear this black and gold long sleeved dress out and no one would guess that it’s almost 100 years old. Today, I would wear the dress as is, but back then it would have been worn with a longer dress underneath to add length. It’s truly remarkable to think what this dress has been through. From early 20th century prohibition to probably my next formal, this vintage piece holds so much American history. The clothes can’t talk, but fortunately the stories of those who wore them have been passed down from generation to generation. █

“

SPRING 2017

“

History has a way of telling itself through clothes, and lucky for me, I have a grandma with a closet full of vintage dresses bursting with memories to share and secrets to reveal.

WHAT IN

CAREER

OPTION?

BY HAIDEE CHU, CULTURE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT GRAPHIC BY YITING LIU

SPRING 2017

GENDER INEQUALITY IN CORPORATE AMERICA BY THE NUMBERS

Here’s a creative tip for all the jobseeking ladies out there: the next time an interviewer asks you where you see yourself in ten years, tell them “hitting the glass ceiling.” They’ll be impressed. Think this is a joke? Think again. The gender wage gap in the United States isn’t projected to close until 2059—2067 for Wisconsin—according to a study published in March by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.1 However, this phenomenon of disproportionate compensation based on gender is just one small piece of the “glass ceiling,” a metaphor used to describe the persistent barrier that precludes women from deserved career advancement based on gender, not merit.2 Sure, the gender wage gap has converged significantly over the past decade,3 but this is by no means a leap for career women; it’s a strenuous trudge at best. While white women generally earn 82 percent of what a white man of the same caliber would, Black women earn only 65 percent by comparison, and Hispanic women fall at 58 percent compared to white men.4 The pure numbers aren’t necessarily shocking given our society’s general awareness about the wage gap, but when factoring in race, the slowing rate at which the gap is closing, and the fact that millennial women are generally more educated than millennial men,5 the number is desperately concerning. Not to mention that 66 percent of millennials acknowledge women as more careeroriented among men and women.6 One can of course argue that there are a plethora unobservable factors, such as personality and experience, that influence women’s career chances, but holistically and statistically, it just doesn’t add up. See, all the abovementioned challenges pertain only to contracted jobs—that is, legally-binding, paid jobs, but women Institute of Women’s Policy Research. “Status of Women in the States: Projected year the wage gap will close by state.” 2017. iwpr.org. 2 Tosone, Carol. “Internalized Misogyny and the Politics of Gender in Corporate America.” Psychoanalytic Social Work, 2009. 3 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 2013. pewsocialtrends.org. 4 Patten, Eileen. “Racial, gender wage gaps persist in U.S. despite some progress.” Pew Research Center. 2016. pewresearch.org. 5 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 6 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 1

with families are expected to take on a “second shift” after work. In other words, women, more often than men, are expected to perform household chores, childcare and other domestic duties. While gender roles are certainly beginning to blur, the gap is still extremely prevalent, with men reporting to spend 17 hours a week, compared to a woman’s 32 hours, on housework and family chores.7 The disparity is way off proportion when considering the fact that women are either the lone or primary breadwinner in 40 percent of all households in the U.S. with children aged 18 or less, which is up from 11 percent in 1960.8 Paid maternal and paternal leave may alleviate the situation of biased arrangements of family chores, but even then women are much more likely than men to report victimization from that kind of career pause.9 That difference may have to do with the fact that only three states currently mandate paid maternal leave.10 The fact that the U.S. is also the standout country—among 40 others—for its absence of paternal leave definitely does not help, either.11 Luckily, in a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 82 percent of those surveyed say mothers should receive paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child, and 69 percent concur that fathers should be entitled to the same rights.12 While the numbers may indicate that the public has been warming up to the idea of paid maternal and paternal leave, the 13-percent discrepancy evinces the bias of heightened societal expectations for women to bear the labor of childcare over men that permeates the United States. While more than half of the public thinks that children are better off with their mothers at home, only less than 10 percent hold same expectations

SPRING 2017

Parker, Kim, and Wendy Wang. “Modern Parenthood.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 2013. pewsocialtrends.org. 8 Wendy Wang, Kim Parker, and Paul Taylor. “Breadwinner Moms.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 2013. pewsocialtrends.org. 9 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 10 “State Family and Medical Leave Laws.” National Conference of State Legislatures (web log), 2016. ncsl.org 11 Livingston, Gretchen. “Among 41 nations, U.S. is the outlier when it comes to paid parental leave.” Pew Research Center. 2016. pewresearch.org. 12 Horowitz, Juliana Menasce, Kim Parker, Nikki Graf, and Gretchen Livingston. “Americans Widely Support Paid Family and Medical Leave, but Differ Over Specific Policies.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. March 23, 2017. pewsocialtrends.org. 7

for fathers.13 The ramifications of such attitudes and related policies— or lack thereof—on women’s career advancement is clear: whereas 51 percent of working mothers think tending for their children and family makes it harder to advance their careers, only 16 percent of working fathers feel the same.14 If we are thinking critically about all of the aforementioned societal expectations, what does that say about our society’s attitude towards working women? As it turns out, 45 percent of Americans still perceive a societal preference of men working over women.15 These perceptions are not based just on opinions, though. Studies have, in fact, indicated authorities’ preferences of men over women in many professional fields, even when all else is considered. This bias is perhaps the most notable among the STEM fields.16 While the perceived competency gap has alleviated significantly from two decades ago, many women still suffer from, and continue to perpetuate, the discrepancy, having internalized these social norms and expectations over the years.17 To better illustrate this internalized misogyny, let’s return to the STEM fields. A study by Florida State University revealed that one’s selfperceived mathematics ability during high school plays a role in what she or he selects as a college major.18 Young women are disproportionately dissuaded from STEM fields19—they are four times more likely than young men to be discouraged from these fields—as school atmosphere and societal norms tend to subconsciously prime young women to underrate their abilities while allowing young men to overrate theirs.20 That said, more often than not this subconscious self-effacement, Parker, Kim, and Wendy Wang. “Modern Parenthood.” 14 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 15 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 16 Moss-Racusinab, Corinne A., John F. Dovidiob, Victoria L. Brescollc, and Mark J. Grahamad And. “Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. pnas.org. 17 Tosone, Carol. “Internalized Misogyny and the Politics of Gender in Corporate America.” 18 Perez-Felkner, Lara. “Study: Math fears discourage girls from STEM fields.” Tallahassee Democrat. June 09, 2015. tallahassee.com. 19 Perez-Felkner, Lara. “Study: Math fears discourage girls from STEM fields.” 20 “Girls Dropping Math? Blame Teachers.” Bloomberg.com. 2015. bloomberg.com. 13

“

WE SHOULD

CELEBRATE

& COMMEND THE PROGRESS

W E ’ V E M A D E T H U S FA R , B U T I T ’ S

NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO

SETTLE FOR

COMPLACENCY, EITHER.

Tosone, Carol. “Internalized Misogyny and the Politics of Gender in Corporate America.” 22 “On Pay Gap, Millennial Women Near Parity – For Now.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. 23 DeSilver, Drew. “Who’s the boss? In U.S. business, it’s mostly men.” Pew Research Center. 2013. pewresearch.org. 24 DeSilver, Drew. “Who’s the boss? In U.S. business, it’s mostly men.” 21

Well, at least there some are women to admire and look to for guidance, right? Sadly, that’s not necessarily the case. Recall the “benevolent sexism” mentioned earlier. Women who make their way to executive leadership in male-dominated institutions and industries are likely to be reluctant when it comes to mentoring or helping their female subordinates make strides in their careers.26 That is, at some point in their journey of realizing leadership, women in power are likely to have internalized misogynistic attitudes and culture “inherent” to industries dominated by men, thus causing them to devalue contributions made by other women.27 It is one thing when women prioritize other aspects of their lives over climbing the ladder to success; it’s another when society stops them from doing so, or worse, tells them they’re incapable of doing so. This is not about what women want to do. It’s about the way societal norms dictate what they’re allowed to do—like the way a consistent social atmosphere discourages women from aspiring to go into STEM fields and teaches them to Livingston, Gretchen. “Among 41 nations, U.S. is the outlier when it comes to paid parental leave.” 26 Tosone, Carol. “Internalized Misogyny and the Politics of Gender in Corporate America.” 27 Tosone, Carol. “Internalized Misogyny and the Politics of Gender in Corporate America.” 25

internalize misogynistic attitudes from childhood. It’s about giving women equality in choice and opportunity, as men already have. It is also worth mentioning how all the previously-mentioned issues present yet another unique set of problems to non-traditional, non-nuclear families: what does this lack of professional mobility mean for single mothers and two-mother families? If you ask me, it’s not looking so for them. Of course, we should celebrate and commend the progress we’ve made thus far, but it’s not a good enough reason to settle for complacency, either. While third-wave feminism made strides, putting gender equality on the public agenda, there are still many questions to be answered regarding how we, as a society, need to go about this momentous issue. Will the disparity subside when the current work force grows out of the picture, considering women are now generally more educated than men? Is the alleviation—or better yet, eradication— of this barrier just a matter of time? How do we go about this and where do we go from here? It’s all a process that will take some figuring-out. After all, it’s just a glass ceiling—glass shatters if you’re willing to push against it vigorously and relentlessly. A couple helping hands in solidarity probably wouldn’t hurt either. █

SPRING 2017

Yes, there has been a steadily increasing number of women overcoming the “glass ceiling” to assume administrative and managerial positions,23 but that improvement is relatively insignificant when put in perspective. Take the gender distribution in Fortune 1000 CEOs for example. Even though there are now 45 female CEOs— an upgrade from just two in 1992—this mean that women still only make up 4.5 percent of leadership in Fortune 1000 companies.24 Another example: while women now compose a record-high 20 percent of the U.S. Congress, this number seems almost insignificant when compared to nations that share similar circumstances

with the U.S., such as Japan, the U.K. and Canada.25

caused by various societal pressures, instills a sense of “benevolent sexism” within women, 21 which reinforces their gender roles and expectations. That is, women themselves are likely to acquire misogynistic attitudes following a lifetime of exposure to gender-biased social norms. Whether it is caused by internalized misogyny or outside pressure, women of all ages are less likely than men—who enjoy job security equally—to ask for raises or aspire to get promoted.22

SPRING 2017