Regal: December 2021 Issue

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Allyson Konz

DEPUTY EDITOR

Kate Lawless ART DIRECTOR

Channing Smith

WUD PRESIDENT Lily Miller

WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTE DIRECTOR

Evanka Annyapu

WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTE ADVISOR

Robin Schmoldt

ART CURATOR

Keely Bradish

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Annika Ide

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Kate Colby

Maria Dayneko

FASHION DIRECTOR

Sarah Troy

FASHION EDITOR

Corbin Woessner

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Shelby Evans CULTURE EDITOR

Gabrielle Gronewold

ARTS EDITOR

Arella Warren

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING DIRECTOR

Jade Christensen

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Talia Abbe

WRITERS

Allyson Konz • Jessica Katz

• Jamie Randall • Mason Braasch • Abigail Crneckiy

• Kora Quinn • Shannon McManus • Amanda Liebmann • Kate Lawless

• Arella Warren • Gabrielle Gronewold • Olivia Peters • Rachel Hale •Emily Fleming

• Grace Reber • Karissa Kroll

•Talia Abbe •Jane Houseal

• Elizabeth Karnowski • Channing Smith

MODELS

Spencer Bailey • Kristoffer Alvaro • Ellie Taubner • Caitlin Fitzgerald • Emily Herzog • Talia Abbe • Kate Lawless • Safa Saeed • Marina Scerpella • Seth DeGier • Braden Schmidt

ART

Allyson Konz • Emma Gray • Nicole Glesinger

• Kate Madigan • Keely Bradish • Channing Smith

• Arella Warren • Jessica Tenenbaum •

PHOTOGRAPHY

Seth DeGier • Hunter Kiehl

• Hannah Huber • Jessica Tenenbaum • Audrey O’Neill

• Molly Jacobs • Annika Ide • Kaitlin Banafsheha

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIFESTYLE

22 Modern Day Monarchy

The debate around setting term limits for Congress and state officials

24 The Price of Pretty

Pretty privilege inadvertently hurts the upward mobility of women

32

A Throne Fit For RBG

A look into the honorable legacy of RBG

48 Black is King

How “Black is King” depicts a world of Afrofuturism

54

Yas Queen!

The origins of the modern saying

56 Famous at Birth

CULTURE ARTS

21 The Royals of Tik Tok

How up and coming celebrities leverage TikTok to rise to fame

28 Trapped

The negative narrative surrounding thirst traps; and why it needs to change

34 Men Rocking Makeup

A new beauty trend expands the idea of masculinity

37

Living in Luxury

Making your space fit for a queen

44 The Orgasm Gap

Why do heterosexual women orgasm less than everyone else?

The privilege and exploitation of celebrity children

FASHION

5 Regality Through The Ages

How high class fashion has changed over the centuries for public figures

6 Rule the Runway

Highlights from the Dolce & Gabbana Fall/ Winter 2018/19 show

8

A Royal Restart

How royalty has shaped the wardrobe of past and present duchesses

9 Statement Accessories

An essential in all of your looks for Fall and Winter 2020

48 Conquering Corsets

How to incorporate this vintage-inspired trend into your day to day wardrobe

12 The Real Roots of Rock and Roll

In the historical account of one of music’s most important genres, Black voices go unheard

29 Access to the Arts

The creation and appreciation of art is a privilege that needs to be widely extended

46 The Beauty of the Byronic Legacy

Exploring romanticism through the Byronic Hero and its modern-day revival

52

Florence and the Finer Things

How the Medici Family made Florence an epicenter of the arts

FEATURED

15 A Pair of Kings 38 Aurora

Dear Readers,

When Allyson and I began discussing our goals for Moda over the summer, we agreed that we wanted our team members to grow in their skill, creativity and confidence over every issue we worked on together. We knew that it was going to be a challenging year, but we wanted our team to know that we believed in their ability to do amazing work, no matter the circumstances.

Reflecting on our fall semester, I am happy to say that we achieved that goal. From the new freshmen who join us virtually from their dorm rooms to the seniors whom Allyson and I have been working with since we both started with Moda years ago, we have been blown away with the work that Moda’s staff has produced this fall.

As Gianni Versace once said, “In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do.” That is what Regal means to me. It is holding your head up high and aspiring to greatness, no matter what obstacles stand in your way. I have seen our Moda team and our larger campus

community grow so much in the last year and our final issue of 2020 is a celebration of our accomplishments together.

The Regal issue explores the intersection between art, beauty and power. Many articles added to larger conversations about how privilege and power function in our society. Our Culture Editor Gabrielle Gronewold wrote about how participation in the fine arts is a privilege, while Staff Writer Kora Quinn covered the debate around setting term limits for Congress and state officials.

Other articles challenged that narrative of control and instead highlighted ways to rise above societal expectations. Editor-in-Chief Allyson Konz wrote about how repressive, sexist norms in education and relationships have contributed to orgasm inequality in heterosexual partnerships. Lifestyle Editorial Assistant Jessica Katz covered how men can take notes from cultural icons to inspire their makeup looks and Staff Writer Mason Braasch used her article to advocate for women to reclaim their confidence through thirst traps.

Our fashion section covered themes of royalty and regality through the ages and how to incorporate timeless trends and bold statement pieces into your style. Contributing Writer Jane Houseal offers advice on how to style corsets with everyday outfits and Staff Writer Grace Reber examined how joining the British royal family has affected the fashion of royal newcomers from Princess Diana to Meghan Markle.

As our readers page through Regal, I hope that they are empowered by the stories of modern day royalty, visionaries of the past and changemakers of the present. If you know your worth and do the hard work, anything is possible. I am so proud of our Moda team for proving the truth of that statement in everything they do.

KATE LAWLESS DEPUTY EDITOR

LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY

Regality Through The Ages

HOW HIGH CLASS FASHION HAS CHANGED OVER THE CENTURIES FOR PUBLIC FIGURES

By Karissa Kroll, Staff Writer Graphic by Keely Bradish, Arts Curator

Forthe most part, fast fashion and casual wear have replaced full length gowns and robes. Up until the industrial revolution, articles of clothing were made by hand and had greater detail than most pieces we see today. For the wealthy, gowns and other articles of clothing were frequently embellished with embroidery, beadwork, crystals, and elegant fabrics such as satin and chiffon.

While kings and queens still exist, monarchies have generally become something of the past. However, society has since filled this role with public figures, such as actors, influencers and even political figures. Today, celebrities are society’s version of modernday royalty, and they show off their wealth with designer clothing and extravagant custom pieces.

One of the most influential and famous families within modern media are the Kardashians. As a result of their fame, they can often be seen flaunting grand and lavish wardrobes. For example, Kim Kardashian has been known to wear a variety of expensive pieces designed just for her. At the 2019 Met Gala, she wore custom Mugler, who came out of his retirement to create her piece. Kim’s first wedding dress is evaluated at $2 million, and her second at $500,000.1 While all of these dresses were seen as beautiful pieces, they are also noticed because of their uniqueness to her style.

Political figures such as Hillary Clinton and Alexandria OcasioCortez can also be considered 1 Simao, Karen. “Kim Kardashian’s 10 Most Expensive Looks.” TheRichest, Sept. 19, 2019.

modern royals, though their fame stems from politics. While they aren’t necessarily known for wearing flashy or one-of-akind fits, they make their own statements by sporting powerful pantsuits and a bold red lip. Female political figures are often ridiculed for having a distinct fashion sense. AOC states that she feels more put together in a bold lip when she doesn’t have time to be focused on her appearance.2 She tends to wear what she wants, rather than the classic skirt and blazer that female politicians have worn for decades. Aside from AOC, Hillary Clinton widely influenced women’s professional fashion with her trendy pant suits and bold colors that hadn’t been seen before on a political figure.3

While the regal elements of previous centuries haven’t completely made their way back into the fashion world, aspects of them remain in today’s clothing and accessory designs. Velvet originated from Eastern countries, but was valued among European nobility and peaked in popularity during the renaissance period.4 Because of its luxurious qualities, it was frequently used for wealthy families who could afford a custom-made wardrobe. It has stuck around and been used more again in the past few years for formal wear and casual

2 Diaz, Thatiana. “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reveals Her Full Beauty Routine-& Why It Matters.” AOC Shares Red Lipstick Go-To In New Beauty Interview, Aug 21, 2020.

3 Prakash, Neha. “The Enduring Legacy of Hillary Clinton’s Style.” Marie Claire, Marie Claire, Mar. 12, 2020.

4 Bucci, Jessica. “Fashion Archives: A Look at the History of Velvet.” StartUp FASHION, Sept. 18, 2019.

wear like tank-tops, dresses, and comfortable shorts.

Additionally, gold detailing has always been a symbol of wealth and regality. In recent years, gold jewelry has been very on trend. While it can be very costly to buy real gold jewelry, there are many retailers that sell cheaper options, allowing the average person to incorporate this accessory into their wardrobe.

Seen in renaissance paintings from the 16th century, beads, pearls, metallic decorations and stitching were adorned on clothing of the upper European classes.5 Today, embellishments are not adorned by hand like they were, but in factories and by machines. Embroidery on clothing has become popular again, as well as pearls and small, artificial gems which are sewn onto clothing. While many vintage components appear in modern fashion, the means of production are very different. Nowadays, there are cheap alternatives for most materials and items, but the quality doesn’t compare to the intricate designs of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

While royal attire today looks different for public figures, remnants of regality continue to rework themselves into modern day fashion. Whether it’s demonstrated through a designer wardrobe or professional-wear, today’s “status” can be represented through our clothing and the confidence we have while wearing it. ■

5 L. McMasters,“16th Century Embellish ments, Twenty-First Century Strategies for Achieving the Sixteenth Century ‘Look.’” Costumes by Lynn McMasters, May 16, 1999.

Rule The RUNWAY

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DOLCE & GABBANA FALL/WINTER 2018/19 SHOW

By Emily Fleming, Staff Writer Graphic by Jessica Tenenbaum

Italianluxury brand Dolce & Gabbana was founded in 1985 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Deemed the “inventors of Mediterranean style,” these two designers draw inspiration from historic Italian culture to create modern street style with a twist. The Dolce & Gabbana woman is confident and bold, yet holds attitudes typical of southern Italian Catholicism.1

In their Fall/Winter 2018/19 fashion show, Dolce & Gabbana released the Fashion Devotion Collection. The collection drew heavily from Catholicism and exemplified Dolce & Gabbana’s masterful combination of creating luxurious, yet trendy street styles. The set was an homage to the church in Palermo, Sicily, where Domenico Dolce was born. The first model came out wearing a t-shirt with bold printed letters that said “Fashion Sinner,” setting the whole tone of the show.

Each look brought something new to the table—Look 9, worn by model Alexandra Micu, was a gold sparkly knee-length dress covered with red, green, and blue jewels. The dress was accompanied with a matching headpiece and heels. While Dolce & Gabbana have incorporated crowns and tiaras in many of their past collections, the Fashion Devotion Collection was especially opulent. Beautifully crafted crowns and headpieces dawned the runway, resembling papal tiaras worn by popes of the Catholic church from as early as the 8th century.

1 Person, “Dolce & Gabbana Brand Histo ry.” 2020.

Hailey Bieber also modeled this collection, sporting an all black mesh outfit with a statement gold cross necklace and matching cross earrings. Even Bieber’s shoes were unique to her outfit— the heels covered in delicate black lace. While her look was not as extravagant as some of the other pieces, it still embodied confidence and high fashion.

Look 76, worn by model Heejung Park, brought together an avantgarde combination of bejeweled crosses, images of cherubs, and various slogans covered in sparkles that read “I’m the king,” “Wow,” “Crash!” and more. The image of the cherubs is consistent throughout the collection, as it is a meaningful symbol in Italian culture. They represent life and energy, and are a common presence in Renaissance Period art.2

While this collection features everything from t-shirts to full gowns, the opulence and attention to details remains consistent throughout. Between colorful, rich velvets and gold jewel encrusted crowns to artesque slogans and prints, this collection is the epitome of extravagance and elegance.3 This show exemplified the qualities of the Dolce & Gabbana woman— fearless, bold, and fit for royalty. ■

2 Patricia Kasten, “The little angels on your Christmas tree might be cherubs, but not cherubim,” Catholic News Service, 2016.

3 Mower, “Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2018 Ready-to-Wear Collection,” 2018.

RESTART

HOW ROYALTY HAS SHAPED THE WARDROBE OF PAST AND PRESENT DUCHESSES

By Grace Reber, Staff Writer

It’s no secret that there are many duties that come with being a royal. Royal rules extend far past public etiquette into the wardrobes of princes and princesses alike. For those born into royalty, these style standards are customary, but for those who marry into the family, it is possible to see style changes from before and after their royal weddings.

These transitions from a ‘normal’ to royal wardrobe can be clearly seen in the British royal family. The women who have married into this family have had drastic style revisions, the most iconic being Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Princess Diana. Many have speculated the rules that must be followed when it comes to a royal closet, including a preference for skirts and dresses over pants, skirts of an appropriate length,and modest necklines. While duchesses are occasionally seen breaking these rules, their royal style is a world away from their pre-wedding wardrobe.

The most recent royal and perhaps the most talked-about of the duchesses, Meghan Markle, went through arguably the most photographed transition into her regal style. Pre-wedding, Markle was in the spotlight for a number of different acting roles, frequently wearing mini-skirts and low cut tops. Her style represented modern business casual clothing, incorporating textured pencil skirts, silky midi-length dresses and v-cut tops. Additionally, her outfits centered around the deep blues, bright pinks and fiery reds, a stark contrast to her current go-to palette now as the Duchess of Sussex.

After her marriage to Prince Harry, the Duchess traded the bright colors and satin ensembles for a more modest, neutral-toned wardrobe. The Duchess’ current color palette consists of deep jewel tones including emerald greens, deep reds and purples, as well as neutrals and blush pinks. This distinct difference is one of the most visible of the royal family

as Markle was in the spotlight far before her royal wedding.

With color-coordinated looks and a lack of diversity among outfits, the classic royal style has not shifted much in the past century. Though the royal style lacks range, Markle continues to incorporate her previous style into her new royal wardrobe. Markle’s shift in style has been placed on display for the world to see, further highlighting exactly how royalty has changed her wardrobe.

Following the first major royal wedding of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren, all eyes were on Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Unlike Markle, prior to Middleton’s royal wedding, she was not frequently in the public eye. However, her 2000s style was not necessarily hidden from the public. Before entering into the royal family, Middleton can be seen photographed in the classic early 2000s low-rise jeans and white cami combo. In addition to her everyday denim looks, Middleton sported club-wear that included sequined, low-cut dresses and short skirts. Middleton’s pre-royal clubbing style is unrecognizable in comparison to her current wardrobe as the Duchess of Cambridge.

As the Duchess of Cambridge, Middleton is far more known for her modern fashion. Her trademark blues and neutrals are what she’s now associated with, rather than her pre-royal style. Unlike the Duchess of Sussex, Middleton experiments with her royal wardrobe. She’s often seen in floral printed dresses and textured ensembles, while still remaining loyal to the rigid royal style recommendations.

In 2019, Middleton wore one of her most iconic ensembles following her Royal Tour of Pakistan.1 Her floor-length, shimmering emerald green gown is reminiscent of her pre-wedding flashy club style,while still incorporating the royal elements of high necklines, draping gowns, and jewel tones. When considering a royal wardrobe, many look to the Duchess of Cambridge, as she has accumulated the perfect regal wardrobe in her nine years of royalty.

The ‘People’s Princess’, the late Diana Spencer, has been considered a style icon even long 1 Nupur Sarvaiya, “Kate Middleton’s emer ald anarkali was designed by this British designer” Vogue. 2019.

after her death. The Princess of Wales’s style outside of the royal rules had two different eras, before her marriage and after her divorce to Prince Charles. Before her princess-hood, Spencer’s style consisted of plain trousers and sweaters. Her post-divorce style differentiates between a “commoner” style and a royal wardrobe. Following her divorce, Princess Diana stepped out in one of her most iconic looks, an off-theshoulder little black dress deemed “The Revenge Dress,” which was worn in the middle of her four year separation from Prince Charles before their divorce in 1996.2 Given the many regulations surrounding royal attire, Diana arguably used her wardrobe as a weapon against the royal family following her split.

During her years as a princess, the Princess of Wales followed most of the rules that came with being royalty, yet many labeled her style controversial. While she stuck to many of the royal rules, including dress length and necklines, her choice of colors and fabrics tended to stray from the classic royal style. However, her regal-wear is a huge adjustment from her style before and after marriage. This shift is clear in the raised level of elegance following her marriage to Prince Charles, and her more risque, daring fashion statements following their divorce.

The Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Wales and Princess Diana all exemplify the harsh restrictions that come with a royal wardrobe. In color, cut and length, royal women are held to a standard of modesty, femininity and classiness in all aspects of life, especially in their wardrobe. Although none of these women grew up in the royal realm, their change in style is very evident from their appearances before and after marrying into the royal family. Style is just another addition to the list of changes and rules that come with being regal.

■

2 Marie Claire, “Princess Diana’s most iconic style moments, from Revenge Dress to wedding dress” Marie Claire. 2020.

“The women who have married into this family have had drastic style revisions, the most iconic being Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Princess Diana.”

STATEMENTACCESSORIES

STATEMENT JEWELRY IS OFFICIALLY AN ESSENTIAL IN ALL OF YOUR LOOKS FOR FALL AND WINTER 2020

By Talia Abbe, Special Events Coordinator Photographed by Hannah Huber, Contributing Photographer Modeled by Emily Herzog and Talia Abbe

One of the best ways to embolden your clothes is with statement jewelry. This season the trends increased to a louder wardrobe, but that definitely did not take away from the desirability of the jewelry. All over the runway and on the streets people are upping their outfits with bold necklaces, earrings and more. Here are some of the top jewelry trends to sport this upcoming winter season.

PEARLS ON PEARLS

Let’s be honest, pearls have never and will never go out of style. Chanel has always loved pearls, but this season they have decided to introduce a unique take on the classic trend. They are using distinctive silhouettes, new proportions, and mixed materials such as gold chains. This popularity trend shows no sign of subsiding.1

CHAINS

Large chains continue to rule as one of the most popular trends across the F/W 2020 runways. This ubiquitous trend is not only shown in necklaces, but also in earrings or bracelets! “Big chain energy” definitely will not be hard to find this year. Oversized gold chokers and lucite necklaces were trailing the street this fall. Why not opt for shiny, large jewelry when going out?2

BUILT IN HARDWARE

Making an appearance in the F/W 2020 runway shows, brands such as Bottega and Rokh exhibited chains and metal jewelry built into the clothing itself.3 This combination makes a trendy outfit easy as the jewelry is already attached and incorporated into the clothing.4

1 Ibid.

2 Ibid.

3 Borrelli-Persson, Laird. “The Major Jew elry Trends of Fall 2020.” Vogue, Vogue, 18 Sept. 2020.

4 Nichols, Kristen. “7 New Jewelry Trends You’re Going to See Everywhere This Fall.” Who What Wear, Who What Wear, 3 Aug. 2020.

SILVER BAND

Mixing metals has become mandatory in the world of fashion, but silver still stands out the most, especially when placed in bold, modern statement pieces. Even though gold usually dominates the runway, this season we saw silver make a comeback. This has been unlikely over the years because gold is seen as a timeless metal that will never lose its status in the world. 5

METAL CHOKERS

Change first sentence to “Chokers have been coming back into style since the 90s, but heavier sculptural versions have now replaced the dainty styles. Large chokers make a huge difference in the outfit. They are the perfect addition to invest in for the winter and can be layered with knitwear, outerwear, tight tops. These are hard, stable silhouettes that curve and hug the neck in gold and silver. Sometimes you can even layer these choker length necklaces that are extremely strong in strength, but translated into flexible dangles.6

ALL NATURALS

Runway shows came ready to show their new interests in sustainability with natural materials such as wood and leather popping up everywhere.7 This look is such a cool, effortless take on accessories. These accessories are perfect for going on tropical vacations or even an elegant runway look.8

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid.

8 Ibid.

“This season the trends increased to a louder wardrobe, but that definitely did not take away from the desirability of the jewelry.”

The Real Roots of ROCK AND ROLL

IN THE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF ONE OF MUSIC’S MOST IMPORTANT GENRES, BLACK VOICES GO UNHEARD

By Rachel Hale, Culture Editorial Assistant Illustrated by Channing Smith, Art Director

From the electric vibrations of Van Halen’s “Dancing In The Street” to the reverberated strings of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” there is no doubt that rock and roll has cemented itself as a quintessential genre of music. However, this powerhouse music scene’s past of whitewashing often goes unheard.

In the 1950s, American teens populated local diners, drove fast cars and let their hearts throb to the beat of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Jailhouse Rock.” The economic prosperity of the decade, combined with a distinct youth culture, created the perfect breeding ground for rock music to flourish. But prior to Elvis’ rise to fame, Black artists paved the way for musicians across the country as the driving force behind the Rhythm and Blues movement of the 1940s and ‘50s.

Coming off the end of the big band era, R&B music thrived throughout cities like Chicago, Detroit and New York. Combined with its popularity in the south, the genre expanded beyond its traditionally Black audience to reach listeners of both white and Black teens who embraced the music amid changing race relations in the United States. The popularization of the electric guitar in the 1940s created a whole new sound for R&B and Pop, as vibrant tones and dynamic chords allowed for endless possibilities of note combinations. A fusion of jiving blues and gospel, rock originated as a form of boogie, jazz, country and R&B.

Throughout the ‘50s, rock and roll was pioneered by Black artists, highlighted by the likes of Fats Domino, Bo Diddley and Sam Cooke. Black female artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, sometimes called the godmother of rock and roll, paved the way for artists

like Etta James and Aretha Franklin, who brought forth their own takes on soulful blues throughout the ‘50s and beyond. Like Tharpe and Franklin, many Black artists got their start performing gospel music, indicating the influence that traditional R&B had on rock’s origins. Black artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry had true rock hits in 1955, and by 1957, rock was appearing on most popular music charts. By the end of the decade, rock and roll records made up 43% of all records sold.1

The beginning of the 1960s marked a change in the tone for the rock and roll genre. As bigger record labels and the general public began to take more notice of rock and roll, white leaders in the industry took charge and co-opted the genre. This split led to the classification of rock music as “white” and soul music as “Black,” confining Black artists within the walls of what was considered socially acceptable.

In a cruel juxtaposition, artists like Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin were applauded for tackling racial issues in their music, while Black artists struggled to break the molds set by the music industry. As artists like Elvis made appearances on talk shows and Hollywood movies, traditional Black artists like Chuck Berry struggled to fill theatres. The bands that gained traction in the following years made Black rock and roll a distant chord, faintly echoing under the roar of crowds for white artists.

In 1963, The Beatles’ explosion onto the music scene marked the beginning of the British Invasion, followed by the likes of the Rolling Stones and The Who. But Beatlemania, as it was so fondly 1 Joel C. Mellor, “1950’s Decade Overview,” 1950’s Music Decade Overview, 2016

called, neglected to pay tribute to earlier inspirations from Black artists — the Everly Brothers and Little Richard and the Miracles, among others. Many of the bands from that era started by covering traditional, R&B influenced rock, gaining popularity off of the work created by Black artists, but none are more notable than the Rolling Stones.

The Rolling Stones expressed an interest in R&B music early on in their career, pointing to artists like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker as inspirations.2 As the band’s relationship with Black music grew more complex throughout the ‘60s, they embraced a peculiar role of conservators of a musical past that they had borrowed by their own admission and doggedly tried to make their own.3 In a twist that indicates the racial inequality of the time, the Rolling Stones went from being regarded as a white band with notions to Black music, to being seen as an entirely new type of rock, leaving their Black inspirations behind.

It’s no surprise that the names of the songwriters behind many popular hits went largely unheard: many Black songwriters of the time died without the fame, airtime or money of the white artists who profited from their work. For example, Otis Blackwell, who is to thank for Presley’s “All Shook Up” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire,” is largely unknown outside of the rock genre despite his songs having sold more than 200 million copies.4 Blackwell is joined by writers like Big Mama

2 Jack Hamilton, “How the Rolling Stones, a Band Obsessed With Black Musicians, Helped Make Rock a White Genre,” Slate Magazine (Slate, October 6, 2016)

3 Ibid.

4 Tony Fletcher, “Otis Blackwell,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 2010

Thorton, Luther Dixon and Lorraine Ellison, among others, all of whom missed out on the fame surrounding the white artists performing their life’s work.

The whitewashing of rock and roll is not an isolated incident. On the contrary, white appropriation of Black music has occurred for years. In the 1800s, blackface minstrel shows developed as the first distinctly American theatrical form. Popularized by Thomas Rice, the shows appropriated Black culture as a commodity, depicting Black people as lazy, unintelligent and superstitious. Black performers were also in demand to perform the skits, although they were not compensated more for their extra emotional labor. As the popularity of the shows declined, songs by Black writers were stolen and put into white shows. A Harpers magazine article from 1973 shared that, “White composers, updating Stephen Foster’s habit of borrowing melodies from black churchgoers and boatmen, spent hours in black clubrooms writing down the tunes they heard and copyrighting them as their own.”5 Minstrel shows influenced American dance, song and comedy, yet Black artists didn’t reap their benefits, foreshadowing the role white supremacy would play in rock and roll.

Rock music went on to take the world by storm, culminating in iconic festivals like Woodstock and the 1985 Live Aid concert. Later artists like David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Queen and Bruce Springsteen have gone down in history as some of the greatest musicians of all time, attributed with shaping not only rock but music as a whole. These artists are showered with praise in the form of publicity, book deals and general notoriety, without considering the factor their race had to play in their success.

Meanwhile, Black artists are often described as the supporting characters to white musicians, as seen in a 2011 obituary for Clarence Clemons, the only Black member of the E Street Band. In an article for the New Yorker, he is described as “a vessel of many great soul, gospel, and R&B players who came before him” and “an absolutely essential, and soulful, ingredient in both the sound of Springsteen and the spirit of the group.”6 Despite →

5 Margo Jefferson, “Ripping off Black Mu sic,” Harper’s Magazine, January 1973

6 David Remnick, “Bloodbrother: Clarence Clemons, 1942-2011,” The New Yorker (The New Yorker, June 20, 2017)

good intentions, this description only allocates Clemons a supporting role in Springsteen’s success, falling short of acknowledging him as a powerhouse of his own. Furthermore, the common tendency to describe Black artists as providing a “soulful” element indicates that the 1960s divide between soul and rock still reverberates through the music community today, with Black musicians often confined to “traditional” music in their praise.

Black artists were faced with a crossroads: their music was deemed too inauthentic to fall under the rock and roll category, yet not soulful enough to be authentically Black. The most notable example of this is seen in Jimi Hendrix, who faced intense scrutiny due to his race. Hendrix’s race “confirmed a view of rock music that was quickly rendering blackness definitively other, so much so that at the time of his death, the idea of a black man playing electric lead guitar was literally remarkable— “alien” —in a way,” according to a Slate article on the whiteness in rock and roll.7 As rock and roll evolved during the ‘70s and ‘80s, Black artists became fewer and farther between, their powerful sound in the ‘50s now merely a faint whisper.

Today, the sense of reckless freedom and spirit provided by rock and roll is alive and well, transcending generations, indicating its popularity and importance to music history. Despite the progressive actions we have taken as a country since the genre first resonated with America’s youth, rock and roll’s history is still one of segregation.

A 2011 poll conducted by a New York classic rock radio station to determine the “Top 1,043” songs of all time found that only 2% of songs listed were recorded by Black musicians, indicating that there is still a lack of appreciation and knowledge surrounding Black artists.8 There is no doubt that white artists played a vital role in the rock music scene. But while white musicians helped popularize the genre, Black artists were there when rock and roll took its first steps, laying the foundation for its growth. In discounting white supremacy’s role in rock music, our historical accounts simply fall flat: Black artists deserve a chorus in the symphony of music history.

■

7 Jack Hamilton, “How the Rolling Stones, a Band Obsessed With Black Musicians, Helped Make Rock a White Genre,” Slate Magazine (Slate, October 6, 2016)

8 Ibid.

“IT’S

THAT THE

THE

BEHIND

PAIR OF KINGS

Directed by Kate Colby, Creative Director, Sam Starks, Creative Assistant and Creative Team: Gabrielle Donenburg & Lili Phung

Photographed by Annika Ide, Photography Director, and Kaitlin Banafsheha, Contributing Photographer Modeled by Spencer Bailey & Kristoffer Alvaro Makeup by Kaitlin Banafsheha

Costumes provided by Verona Area Community Theater

Special thanks to Kristin Pires at the Chazen Museum of Art

The Royals of TikTok

HOW UP AND COMING CELEBRITIES LEVERAGE TIKTOK TO RISE TO FAME

By Jamie Randall, Staff Writer Graphic by Emma Gray, Assistant Arts Curator

In the 80s, it was MTV. In the early 2000’s it was Facebook, MySpace and eventually Instagram. For 2020, it’s TikTok. This app has managed to combine what users loved about Vine, Triller and Musical. ly all into one platform that promises endless curated content. From memes, to news, to dances, TikTok has it all and it is where millennials and Gen Z hop on trends, and a select few to rise to fame.

What is so new about TikTok is that everyone has the opportunity to go viral when they post. The people who have all risen to fame thanks to Tik Tok’s democratic algorithm are the true stars of the app. A few known names are Dixie and Charli D’amelio, Addison Rae and Jessica Woo. Additionally, traditional celebrities who were famous before Tik Tok, like Jason Derulo and JoJoSiwa, use it as another way to boost their popularity with new audiences. Companies like L’Oreal and Allure also use it to promote their brands. TikTok is clearly the jack of all trades here.

Queens of TikTok, Charli and Dixie D’amelio both show that anyone has the opportunity to become famous. The sisters rose to fame in the past year quickly and led fairly ordinary lives before that. Initially, Charli used TikTok to post her dance videos, since she was on her high school’s dance team; this is what

initially gained her a lot of followers. Dixie, on the other hand, who is not a dancer, would make videos imitating Charli that also resulted in more followers on her account as well.

This growing fame led the girls and their parents to sign with an agency. A Cosmopolitan article states that “fans have found both distraction and guidepost” by watching these two stars on TikTok and other social media platforms.1 The D’Amelios have also been able to use their platform to talk about matters such as bullying, the Black Lives Matter Movement, body positivity and more, showing that they are more than just girls dancing on the Internet. They have truly become the figureheads of Gen Z TikTok stardom.

Known for starting every video with, “Let’s make some lunch for my kids!” Jessica Woo shows that even the simplest routine can attract fans. The article, “How this Mom of 3 become a TikTok sensation making lunch for her kids,” states “This is not fancy stuff. In one video, Woo unwraps a Smuckers Uncrustables sandwich and arranges it in a bento box with salt and vinegar chips, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and fruit snacks. Fourteen million people watched.”2

There are multiple videos on Woo’s account that show the variety of lunches she makes each day for her kids, and she states where to get the products she uses as well as where

1 Meredith Bryan. “Charli and Dixie Are Rewriting the Rules of Fame, One String Cheese at a Time.” Cosmopolitan, September 23, 2020.

2 Harris, Jenn. “How This Mom of Three Became a TikTok Sensation Making Lunch for Her Kids,” August 18, 2020.

the food comes from. Like the D’Amelio’s, Woo has also used her platform to show her support for a variety of issues the nation has faced recently.

Moving to TikTok is an easy switch for former reality TV stars who are comfortable in front of a camera and being open about their personal lives. Former “Dance Moms” star Christi Lukasiak has been using it to promote her new adulting business, alongside publicly coming to terms with her past on the reality show “Dance Moms.” Jason Derulo has released new songs like “Savage Love” that have resulted in new dances and people have been able to get creative using them in the videos.

The final question after seeing the variety of people who are famous on TikTok would have to be how does one actually go viral and gain a mass amount of followers on the app? This actually comes down to the algorithm. What influences the algorithm of TikTok is location, hashtags, music, captions, audience and your “likes.” All of these, combined with the information used to register a person’s account will factor in when creating a user’s For You Page.3

Anyone can participate in Tik Tok trends by using a popular sound and editing it using the app’s easy user interface to reach a desired audience. The more a user posts, the more other people will be able to see it. Stars like the D’Amelios did not get famous overnight, they had to post hundreds of entertaining videos. Tik Tok fame is not an easy goal, but the app can assure that your content will be shared and someone somewhere will connect with your videos. ■

3 Latermedia. “This Is How the TikTok Al gorithm Works.” Later Blog, June 19, 2020. https://later.com/blog/tiktok-algorithm/.

Modern Day Monarchy

THE DEBATE AROUND SETTING TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS AND STATE OFFICIALS

By Kora Quinn, Culture Staff Writer • Graphic by Kate Madigan

From

1789, when George Washington took his oath of office to 1951 when the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, there were no term limits for the president of the United States. This was not an issue for nearly two centuries, as U.S. presidents followed the precedent set by Washington when he chose to only serve for two terms out of fear of imitating the monarch, King George III.1

Franklin D. Roosevelt broke that trend. Roosevelt was a Democratic president who served from 1933 to 1945, seeing America through both the Great

1 “On This Day: Term Limits for American Presidents,” National Constitution Center, 2020.

Depression and World War II. He was elected to four terms in office, his fourth cut short by his death in April of 1945 and taken over by his Vice President, Harry Truman. It was only then that Congress thought to pass the 22nd Amendment and limit presidents to two four-year terms in office.2

While there are federal laws dictating how long a president can serve today, each state individually gets to decide whether or not state officials and members of Congress should have term limits. As of December 2018, only 15 states have set limits ranging from six to 12 years for both the House and Senate.3

2“Franklin D. Roosevelt,” History, 2020.

3 “State Legislative Term Limits: How

Currently, 36 states have term limits set for Governors, but 14 do not.4 For other state officials, such as Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Treasurer, there is a mix.5 For example, in Georgia, the Governor can only serve two consecutive terms, but the Lieutenant Governor can serve unlimited terms. Notably, Wisconsin has no imposed term limits on any elected state official, the House or the Senate6

The lack of term limits in some Many States Have Term Limits on Their Legislatures,” U.S. Term Limits, 2018.

4 “Which States Have Term Limits on Governor?” U.S. Term Limits, 2018.

5 Perkins, Heather. “State Executive Branch: Constitutional and Statutory Pro visions for Number of Consecutive Terms of Elected State Officials,” Book of States CSG Knowledge Center, 2019.

6 Ibid.

“Setting term limits has the potential to improve Congress’ effectiveness in passing important legislation, bar an individual from holding too much power for too long and allow members of Congress to make unpopular decisions without fear of losing reelection.”

states allows positions in the government to be held by the same person for decades. For example, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984. 36 years later, he won the Kentucky Senate race yet again in the 2020 election.7 Currently, the longest time a Congress member has served is 51 years for the Senate8 and 59 years for the House.9

This can be attributed to something called the “incumbency effect.”10 When an incumbent, the person who currently holds a position or office is running against a new candidate they have a higher advantage in being elected. These advantages generally include the franking privilege, more fundraising opportunities, experience, a reputation and name recognition.

Demonstrated through Senator McConnell’s 36 years in office without term limits, the incumbency effect has the potential to carry a candidate for decades.

While it is possible to beat the incumbent, seen with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory in the 2018 Democratic primary, it is uncommon.

When term limits are applied to the presidency, however, the incumbency effect only exists when the standing

7 Hulse, Carl. “Mitch McConnell Wins 7th Term as Republicans Battle to Keep Sen ate,” The New York Times, 2020.

8 “U.S. Senate: Longest-Serving Senators,” United States Senate, 2020.

9 “Members With 40 Years or More House Service,” United States House of Repre sentatives, 2020.

10 Ansolabehere, Stephen & Snyder, James M. Jr., “The incumbency Advantage in U.S. Elections: An Analysis of State and Fed eral Offices, 1942-2000,” MIT Economics, 2001.

president is running for their second term.11 Afterward, completely new candidates take over the race and this phenomenon disappears.

In a 2013 survey conducted by Gallup, 75% of adults said they would vote for term limits for both the House and Senate, 21% said they would vote against term limits and 5% had no opinion.12

While the survey found that Republicans and Independents are more likely to vote for term limits than Democrats, the issue is still a bipartisan one overall.13 Thus, it is clear that the majority of Americans, across party lines, are in favor of making these term shifts in Congress.

Setting term limits has the potential to improve Congress’ effectiveness in passing important legislation, bar an individual from holding too much power for too long and allow members of Congress to make unpopular decisions without fear of losing reelection.

As it stands, Congress spends too much time campaigning and catering to their base than passing meaningful laws. If term limits were applied, reelection wouldn’t be at the forefront of our legislator’s personal agendas.

However, the issue is far more complex than that. Setting term limits has its own set of negative consequences. In a piece published by The Brookings Institution, Casey Burgat argues that setting congressional term limits would take power away from voters, decrease congressional capacity, limit incentives for gaining policy expertise, automatically kick out effective lawmakers and do little to stop corruption.

11 Ibid.

12 Saad, Lydia. “Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College,” Gallup, 2013.

13 Ibid.

Burgat claims, “On the surface, the case for term limits is strong… But, precisely because the creation of successful public policies by even the most experienced of officials is so difficult and uncertain, we should not mandate that our most effective and seasoned lawmakers be forced out of the institution.” Burgat goes on to say that voters should remove “unresponsive, ineffectual members of Congress” by simply voting them out.14

In a political climate plagued by polarization, Burgat’s answer isn’t as simple as it appears. It would seem effective for Democrats to push for term limits because it could potentially open the door to flip long-held Republican seats, like Senator McConnell’s. However, it would also prove ineffective because fresh and progressive Democratic voices, like Representative OcasioCortez’s, would be forced out before they can accomplish their long-term goals.

There is no simple solution to this issue, as both arguments present valid points. While those in Congress should not be allowed to serve for nearly 60 years, they should be allowed to serve long enough to have the ability to pass meaningful and effective legislation. The point of operating as a democracy is to allow the people to participate by selecting and, above all, replacing the governing body through a fair election. Thus, the question is ultimately up to the American people: is the lack of term limits creating a modernday monarchy?

■

14 Ibid.

Written by Kate Lawless, Deputy Editor • Photographed by Hunter Kiehl, Staff Photographer Modeled by Kate Lawless, Safa Saeed and Marina Scerpella

Thinkabout any publicfacing woman who is in a position of power or aiming to move up in her field. Then consider what kinds of things are said or written about her, especially in mainstream media. Whether you thought about politicians, celebrities or athletes, chances are you’ve seen just as many articles or videos on how she dresses or wears her hair, as how capable and intelligent she is. This is the reality for all professional women.

Looking good has proven advantages in most personal and professional settings. Obviously, conventionally-attractive people have better luck in the dating pool, but it also appears that attractive men and women can earn 10-15% more income than “unattractive” people.1 Often called the Halo Effect, attractive people are considered to be more innocent, intelligent and sociable.2 It has been found that physically attractive students are more likely to be admitted into universities after their interviews and tend to earn higher grades by professors who deem them attractive.3

This double standard also occurs after finishing school. Attractive CEOs or other powerful, public figures are more likely to be positively perceived by their stakeholders than their less attractive counterparts, irrespective of their job performance. While you’re probably aware of how pretty privilege affects women in public-facing roles, there is less discussion about how the beauty advantage works for or against women in less prominent fields.

Conventionally pretty women are privileged an advantage during the hiring process, as they are more likely to be interviewed and hired, whereas less attractive workers are more likely to

1 Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, “It’s Time To Expose The Attractiveness Bias At Work,” Forbes (Forbes Magazine, July 17, 2019).

2 “Beauty At Work: How Physical Appear ance Impacts Job Search & Careers: Glassdoor,” Glassdoor Blog, October 21, 2011.

3 Rey Hernández-Julián and Christina Pe ters, “Student Appearance and Academic Performance” (Metropolitan University of Denver, December 2015).

be fired.4 This beauty bias is especially exacerbated now because many people include headshots with their resumes or CVs when applying for jobs.

A study published in the International Journal of Selection and Assessment found that people with mediocre work experience and an attractive photograph on their resume were more likely to be selected for an interview than one without a photo.5 While this may give some female applicants the beauty advantage, it may also activate the implicit bias some hiring managers have against features like weight, skin color and hair texture.

While this beauty bias, or lookism, may benefit certain women, it does not advance the overall feminist cause of equality. Even though you may get hired or make more money as a result of your appearance, this advantage also works to the detriment of other women who are more affected by racist, colorist, ageist and classist beauty biases.

This unfair emphasis on physical attractiveness is rooted in arbitrary, Westernized ideals of beauty that have nothing to do with job performance. Furthermore, it puts women who are financially disadvantaged in an even more challenging position when they are applying for jobs.

Meeting this beauty standard is expensive. The cost of cosmetics, beauty enhancement procedures, manicures, pedicures, waxing, shaving, shoes, clothes and much more adds up quickly. This is all on top of paying for birth control, menstruation-related products and other female health items. All of these femaletargeted products are affected by something called the Pink Tax, which inflates the price of products marketed to women. →

4 Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, “Attractive People Get Unfair Advantages at Work.

AI Can Help.,” Harvard Business Review, October 31, 2019.

5 Lucy M Watkins and Lucy Johnston, “Screening Job Applicants: The Impact of Physical Attractiveness and Application Quality,” International Journal of Selec tion and Assessment 8, no. 2 (December 16, 2002).

A 2020 study found that the average American woman spends almost $4,000 a year alone on appearance-related products like skincare and hair care.6 This, combined with lowering levels of women’s selfesteem due to social media use and the increased popularity of cosmetic procedures, has significantly driven up the price of being considered beautiful. Women get caught in this cycle of desiring to be conventionally attractive in order to be valued in things such as employment, forcing them to pay absurd amounts of money in order to maintain their appearance.

This is the Catch-22 of being a working woman. You are more likely to be underpaid as a woman because of the gender wage gap. But to improve your financial prospects, you are expected to either win the genetic lottery or pay for the cosmetics, clothes or procedures that make you stand out to your superiors or potential employer.

Not only is this pretty privilege generally unfair and not backed by ability or talent, but it is also especially harmful to the professional goals and self-esteem of women of color and women who are financially struggling. These women, who may not be white or white-passing, thin or have access to gyms memberships, high-quality clothes or cosmetics are disproportionately affected by beauty biases that favor those traits. It has also been proven that fairer-skinned applicants are more likely to experience the Halo Effect, which leads to them earning more money and being more likely to be interviewed, hired or promoted.7 Women from minority groups or a lower socioeconomic background are less likely to fit the dominant “beauty norm.”

6 Kaitlyn McLintock, “The Average Cost of Beauty Maintenance Could Put You Through Harvard,” Byrdie, April 23, 2020.

7 Igor Ryabov, “How Much Does Physical Attractiveness Matter for Blacks? Linking Skin Color, Physical Attractiveness, and Black Status Attainment,” Race and Social Problems 11 (August 17, 2018).

Some companies are no longer recommending that applicants include their headshots, which is a step in the right direction. Overall, more needs to be done about the attractiveness bias in hiring processes and the increasing pressure on women to spend money on their appearance to better their chances of making money. To combat this, some companies are turning to AI recruiting methods that will hopefully eliminate that bias. Instead, AI systems cannot see the applicants or form opinions about them and will instead simply search keywords in resumes and cover letters, then send the application materials to people who will actually view them. However, AI systems are manmade and reflect human biases and there have been instances of bots still operating according to classist or racist biases.8 More companies need to own up to their conscious or unconscious beauty bias practices and expect their hiring managers and superiors to treat each applicant and employee equally. Technology may help, but we need a cultural change to truly make a difference.

8 Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, “It’s Time To Expose The Attractiveness Bias At Work,” Forbes (Forbes Magazine, July 17, 2019).

Unfortunately, women’s appearances are considered an intrinsic part of their personal and professional value. This is especially absurd considering there is no natural, universally accepted standard of beauty, only appearances we are socialized to value, especially through media consumption. Women are forced to compete with each other, not only by working harder and being smarter but by comparing their appearances.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and your physical appearance certainly does not define your worth as a person. Discussions of financial privilege, racism, colorism and body positivity have done much to make people aware of how standards of beauty negatively affect women’s self-esteem, but we need to acknowledge the role it also plays in our opportunities for upward social mobility. The price of pretty is costing women their social and financial advancement, and taking a toll on their self-esteem. In order to support women towards their success, we must be critical of our own beauty biases and challenge those who consciously or unconsciously believe idealized beauty is a reflection of professional ability or talent. ■

“Not only is this pretty privilege generally unfair and not backed by ability or talent, but it is also especially harmful to the professional goals and self- esteem of women of color and women who are financially struggling.”

Trapped

THE NEGATIVE NARRATIVE SURROUNDING THIRST TRAPS AND WHY IT NEEDS TO CHANGE

By Mason Braasch, Staff Writer • Graphic by Keely Bradish, Arts Curator

The2020 presidential election saw the greatest voter turnout in American history. While this is likely due to the high stakes of the election, and various efforts of groups around the country to increase the number of registered voters, there may be one factor in this increase that we are failing to recognize: Kylie Jenner’s Thirst Trap.

On September 28, Kylie posted a seductive photo of her in a bikini on Instagram. It was captioned, “but are you registered to vote? click the link in my bio...let’s make a plan to vote together.” And while there’s no way to know if the 10 million people who liked the photo were influenced to register or vote, the picture speaks volumes on the powerful role of thirst traps in today’s society.

Not everyone’s thirst traps serve to uphold the democracy of America, but they can be influential in the way you see yourself. By definition, a thirst trap is a sexy photograph, often accompanied by a flirty message posted on social media, with the intent of causing others to compliment or profess attraction.1

1 “Thirst Trap.” Urban Dictionary.

Thirst traps have become more popular with the rise of social media, allowing men and women to share photos in which they feel confident. But as one might expect, thirst traps also get lots of hate online.

You don’t have to look far to find negativity about thirst traps. On photos posted by celebrities, there are always comments that aim to shame them. Among the thousands of comments that Kylie Jenner receives on her photos are comments calling her “tacky,” “gross,” and critiquing her every angle. The narrative around thirst traps, particularly the ones posted by women, is that they are a source of “self-objectification,” and that to post a thirst trap is to fish for compliments.

What is so wrong with posting a thirst trap? Today so much of our daily lives are documented online. Our social media accounts are depictions of life events in pictures, so why is it taboo to share a moment in which we feel confident? Common hashtags used on thirst traps such as #thirsttrapthursday and #thirsttrappin have more than

68,000 posts; yet to some, the act of posting a sexy photo on your Instagram is seen as shameful.

The negative narrative around thirst traps needs to change. Rather than seeing them as a desperate search for attention, we should see an empowering expression of confidence. And who says your thirst traps even need to be shared? Thirst traps are all about finding the parts of yourself that you love and documenting them; the decision to post them for the world, your private story or just keep them to yourself is up to you.

Whether or not your thirst traps are influencing elections, they should empower you. Despite what naysayers on the internet say, you are allowed to feel good about your appearance, and more importantly, you are allowed to share that feeling. So, try it. Express your confidence and the parts of yourself that you love. Whether you share those parts with others is up to you, but remember that confidence is normal, strong, and beautiful, and there is nothing wrong with embracing it.

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ACCESS TO THE ARTS

THE CREATION AND APPRECIATION OF ART IS A PRIVILEGE THAT NEEDS TO BE WIDELY EXTENDED

By Gabrielle Gronewold, Culture Editor Illustrated by Channing Smith, Art Director

Famed painter Piccaso claimed, “Every child is an artist.”1 Picasso may be right that the creativity and youthfulness in children pave the way for artistic expression, but in reality, every child can not be an artist because art is indeed a privilege.

Between buying watercolor paints or pastels, paying for music lessons and instruments or purchasing ballet shoes, accessing art costs money. The price tag on freedom of expression isn’t cheap, either. The average pointe shoe costs between $65-752 and lasts roughly 12 to 15 hours,3 while the average cost for a piano lesson is $50 each4 and a basic paint set costs roughly $45 on Amazon.5

These price points and items only skim the surface of what is required to fully access the world of art. In addition to easels, leotards, music sheets and determined teachers, learning and prospering within art takes

and becoming proficient in it can be measured in extensive amounts of valuable time. Time is a resource that indeed comes at a larger price tag than just one basic art set or single piano lesson. It’s estimated that 15 years of extensive dance training for a child can cost parents upwards of $120,000.8

According to a survey, an average of 37% of families spend $1,000 on education and afterschool extracurriculars, while 20% spend $2,000 and 3% shell out more than $10,000 annually for their children.9 With the median U.S. household income at $68,703 in 2019, it seems that spending thousands of dollars on extracurricular activities, including the arts, is unfeasible for many.10

Becoming fluent in different art forms is just one way individuals can be influenced by the arts. Going to museums, theaters, the ballet, watching live music and even viewing a film all come at a cost as well. The price to visit a

the question of what demographics are given the most access. A 2012 study found that 66.3% of people attending art activities such as the ballet, theater, museums and so on were white. Only 14.9% were Hispanic and 11.4% Black. This same study found that 57.3% of the people accessing these art forms had received some amount of college education.13 An additional study found that in 2008, only 26% of Black adults reported receiving any arts education in their childhood, compared to the 51% who had in 1982.14

The decrease in funding for the arts in school programs may be one of the reasons we have seen such a drop-in art experience among marginalized communities. In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act, enabling the accessibility of the arts for all Americans. Yet funding of the arts in education has been on a steady decline for decades due to the push for budget cuts and increased demand on academic testing and performance. A 2019 report from The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies found that art funding has decreased 43.4% throughout the years.15 The defunding of arts education in schools has put a tremendous strain on non-profit organizations and parents to influence and incorporate the arts, which as we’ve seen comes with a hefty price tag.

time. Depending on the age of introduction, effort and natural talent of a person, it can take upwards of two to three years to learn an instrument6 and it takes roughly two to four years of ballet technique training before a dancer can start on pointe.7

Over time, the energy put into learning an artistic skill

1 Wikipedia, “Pablo Picasso Quotes,” October 26, 2019.

2 BalletBox, “Average Cost of Pointe Shoes,” May 28, 2019.

3 The Shoe Room, “Pointe Shoe FAQ.”

4 Lessons.com, “How Much Do Piano Lessons Cost?.”

5 Amazon, “Falling in Art 27 Piece Acrylic Painting Set of 12 Colors.”

6 Jessica Solaras, “How long does it take to learn an instrument,” Buck Town Music, August 7, 2018.

7 Gaynor Minden, “When To Start Pointe.”

museum rose to $55.25 in 2015,11 and in 2018, the average movie ticket hit an all-time high at $9.11.12 Art comes at a cost, and the pretty price tag attached proves it is a luxury rather than a basic good.

The high cost associated with learning and viewing the arts raises

8 Liveaboutdotcom, “Usual Cost of Dance Classes.”

9 Leslie Albrecht, “Some American Fami lies Spend up to $10,000 on their child’s activities,” Market Watch, August 11, 2017.

10 United States Census, “Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019”,” Sep tember 15, 2020.

11 Association of Art Museum Directors, “Art Museums by the numbers 2015,” 2015.

12 Pamela McClintock, “Average Prices of a Movie Ticket Rises to $9.1 in 2018,” Holly wood Reporter, January 23, 2019

But art is largely responsible for the longevity of society and the wellbeing of the individuals in it. Research at the University of Pennsylvania found that lowincome New York City residents with higher accessibility to cultural experiences have better education, security and health. Local access to arts resulted in a 14% less chance of child abuse, an 18% decrease in crime rates and an 18% increase in scoring higher on standardized tests.16

13 National Endowment for the Arts, “A Decade of Arts Engagement,” January 2015.

14 Erik Robelan, “Arts Education for Mi nority Children Drops,” Education Week, March 8, 2011.

15 Araceli Cresecencio, “How Do Declining Funds for Art Education Affect Aspiring Artists,” Pepperdine University, April 16, 2019.

16 University of Pennsylvania, “New

“Beyond its benefits on a personal well-being level, knowledge and experience in the arts can widely increase someone’s cultural capital.”

The researchers claimed that “culture is no magic bullet” for social well-being, but “cultural assets are part of a neighborhood ecology that promotes wellbeing.”17 The benefits of arts are substantial in a community, but there is an opportunity gap between lowincome individuals and their wealthier counterparts that creates a disparity. Resources in New York City were most often found in wealthier neighborhoods, proving that art access follows a pattern based on socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity.18

Beyond its benefits on a personal well-being level, knowledge and experience in the arts can widely increase someone’s cultural capital. Cultural capital is a social theory by Pierre Bourdieu

Research Shows How Arts and Culture Improve Health, Safety and Well-being,” SP2 News, March 9, 2017.

17 Ibid.

18 Paulette Parker, “Access to arts and cul ture may improve outcome in low-income communities,” State of Opportunity, April 7, 2017.

that can be broken down into one’s tastes, skills, belongings, credentials, mannerisms and so on that one acquires based on their social class.19 In the arts, cultural capital could look like having the same taste in paintings, the same training in a musical instrument or the same experience with a particular museum or Broadway show. As examined in social theory, different forms of cultural capital are more valuable in the eyes of others and are a direct player in social mobility. To put it into perspective, the wealthy New York City residents examined in the University of Pennsylvania study will have a much easier time growing a valuable cultural capital in the arts compared to low-income individuals who are more likely to be positioned away from those same art resources.

Low-income individuals are suppressed in the face of accessing art’s benefits on an interpersonal level, and

19 Cultural Learning Alliance, “What is Cultural Capital?,” July 1, 2019.

because of this, wider society is missing out on the creativity and experiences of all people. When art is inaccessible, it limits creation to primarily affluent, white, educated populations and does not reflect or reap the knowledge of broader society. We see this in art museums which are largely dominated by white culture.20

Art is powerful. It has the ability to shape perspectives and provides a lens into the lives and experiences of others. It also has the ability to lift individuals up by giving them a sense of expression and social mobility. But when art is inaccessible, it stands not only as a creative outlet or pass time, but as a privilege. For both the longevity and intelligence of society and the personal lives of individuals, we must face and break down the systematic structures and barriers that prevent everyone from being an artist.

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20 Mike Murawski, “Interrupting White Dominant Culture in Museums,” Art Muse um Teaching, May 31, 2019.

FOR

A LOOK INTO THE HONORABLE LEGACY OF RBG

By Amanda Liebmann, Contributing Writer • Illustrated by Channing Smith, Art Director

The

recent passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has led us to reflect on her legendary life. She was a leader that broke barriers in a widely male-dominated realm. Ginsberg fought for a more democratic America by championing women’s rights and progressive legislation. As is the case with all true queens, her legacy will remain long after her passing.

Today in America we are centuries away from a history of monarchies and thrones, but in a democracy, strong and influential political figures can rise to the occasion and take on positions of power. The justices of the United States Supreme Court are looked up to by all the citizens, as it is their role to ensure justice under the law.

Ginsberg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 after being nominated by President Clinton as the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.1 Ginsburg made her name as a leading voice for gender equality, women’s rights and civil rights and liberties. She fought for women’s rights in the military, equal access to insurance, elimination of pregnancy discrimination and equal access to education.2

Most of Ginsburg’s most famous cases were for women’s rights and gender equality. In 2007, she stood up for women’s right to equal pay in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and in 2016, she fought to protect women’s reproductive rights by making abortion clinics more accessible in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.3 Ginsburg also used her position on the Supreme Court to protect marginalized groups against injustices. This work included Olmstead v. LC in 1999 which focused on people with mental disabilities having the right to live in their own community and 1 Ibid

2“Biographies of Associate Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” Home - Supreme Court of the United States, accessed November 16, 2020

3Emma Sarran Webster and Caitlin

Wolper, “8 Essential Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Court Rulings to Know About,” Teen Vogue, 2020

Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 which focused on the legalization of same-sex marriage.4

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s start as a pop culture icon was in 2013 when she was nicknamed “Notorious RBG.”5 This nickname was suddenly plastered on stickers, memes and T-shirts. Including her nickname, Ginsburg is also seen in merchandise depicted as royalty. There are many popular images of her with a crown on her head, portrayed as a queen. There have also been many books written about her and two major motion pictures. On the cover of the New York Times Bestseller “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” a drawing of Ginsberg is on the cover with a crown on her head representing her glorious and honorable legacy.6

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing on September 18th 2020, not only upset the political realm, but the entire country. The crucial time of her death set up a space for President Trump to make his most lasting impression, nominating another justice to the Supreme Court. Back in 2016 President Obama was denied this opportunity when he nominated Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court ten months before the upcoming election, yet President Trump’s nomination was approved just 46 days before the election was approved.7 And to extend the magnitude of this move, Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ginsburg has been deemed “the most dramatic ideological change on the Supreme Court in nearly 30 years.”8

Barrett has a conservative judicial record that display her as Ginsburg’s polar opposite on ideas and major hot topic

4Ibid

5 Sara Aridi, “How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lives on In Pop Culture,” The New York Times

6 Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, No torious RBG: the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (London: HarperCollins Publishers, 2018).

7 Tom McCarthy, “What Does Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Death Mean for the Supreme Court?,” The Guardian

8 Mark Sherman, “Barrett Could Be Gins burg’s Polar Opposite on Supreme Court,”

AP NEWS

“As is the case with all true queens, [Ginsburg’s] legacy will remain long after her passing.”

issues including abortion and gun laws. While Ginsburg views abortion as a woman’s right that is protected by the constituion, Barrett believes it should be made illegal.9

As Ginsburg is as memorable as a queen, her Supreme Court seat was her throne and will be forever cherished and believed irreplaceable by her most loyal followers. Thrones represent power and sovereignty and display the hierarchy between royalty and commoners.10 While this was a tactic to have the audience physically look up at who sat in the throne, many looked up to Ginsburg as a leader and role model.

Despite her age, Ginsburg spoke to the younger generations. She paved the way that many young women in law and politics follow and hope to lead one day. The message from younger generations that has been seen all over social media since she passed is, “We may have lost Ruth, but we won’t lose what she stood for.”11 ■

9 Ibid

10 “How Did the Throne Develop as a Roy al Symbol?,” DailyHistory.org, 2018

11 Brooke Gilmore, “We Won’t Lose What She Stood for: Millennials and Generation Z’s Emotional Farewell to RBG” Ark Valley Voice

Men Rocking MAKEUP

A NEW BEAUTY TREND EXPANDS THE IDEA OF MASCULINITY

By Jessica Katz, Lifestyle Editorial Assistant Photographed by Seth DeGier, Contributing Photographer Modeled by Seth DeGier and Braden Schmidt Makeup by Jessica Katz

Inthe mid-2010s we saw male beauty gurus such as James Charles, Manny Mua and Bretman Rock rise to fame. Creating colorful, extravagant, full-face looks, these individuals have shown society that the art of makeup has no gender. Recently, this idea has developed even further as more and more influential men find comfort in embracing femininity through makeup.

Many K-pop stars, such as Got7 member BamBam and EXO member Bbaekhyun, commonly sport red, orange or pink eyeshadow. Jimin, a member of BTS, tends to rock a smokey eye, playing with the intensity of his eyeshadows. Unlike BamBam or Bbaekhyun, Jimin is usually in the wheelhouse of deep earth shades that brighten his eyes.

More subtle makeup can be spotted in recent television. Satan, played by Cody Fern, in American Horror Story’s “Apocalypse” is seen with red eye-shadow toward the inner-half of his eyelid, making his blue eyes pop. Jacob Elordi as Nate from “Euphoria” is also seen in simplistic makeup, like adding a little glitter along his cheekbones. →

In the past, makeup has been regarded as exclusively feminine. However, it’s common for men to want to spend time on their physical appearance; this is coined as metrosexuality. Traditionally, the idea of metrosexuality has been more applicable to grooming (ie. beard care) more so than makeup.

Recently, research has shown that perceptions of masculinity and femininity have begun to blur. Hybrid masculinity refers to the selective incorporation of practices typically regarded as feminine. Feminized masculinity takes a step further, fully incorporating “feminine” practices.

Today, traditional gender boundaries are being challenged by a cultural wave of gender fluidity and acceptance. Gender

can (and should) be seen more as an individual spectrum and less of a rigid social construct. This fluidity allows individuals (in this example, men) to express their individual style and sense of self through vehicles such as fashion and makeup.

New makeup looks created by men are often different from the popularized works of many beauty gurus and influencers. For example, a smudged eyeliner and subdued smokey eye are easy to learn and low maintenance, yet still effectively make anyone’s eyes pop. Destigmatizing and normalizing men wearing makeup is an important first step in creating space for men to find comfort in expanding their idea of masculinity and expressing themselves authentically.

“The expansion of masculinity allows men to truly both explore and showcase their identity, feeling confident in how they choose to present themselves, and thus, who they are.”

LUXURY

MAKING YOUR SPACE FIT FOR A QUEEN

By Abigail Crneckiy, Contributing Writer Graphic by Nicole Glesinger

Ifyou ever wanted a princess bedroom as a kid, you understand the desire to decorate like royalty. Now you can bring that fairytale dream into your home or apartment and create a chic, regal living space with just a few small details. Here are some easy, fun ways to decorate your home with a baroque, regal style.

COLOR

Let’s start with a color scheme: If you’re looking to decorate like royalty, think of gold as the new black! For an overall color scheme, you can go for a dark academia palette featuring deep jewel tones of ruby, emerald and sapphire complemented with gold accents. Or, you can opt for a gentler, more princess-like theme with pastels of pink, blue and white. Choose whichever color scheme you feel fits you the best.

DECOR

When you’re picking out decor, look for things that are ornate and intricate and, of course, more gold. This can mean replacing basic picture frames and mirrors with items of detailing. Try checking out your local thrift or consignment store for affordable vintage-style frames. You can move outside of your comfort zone with styling pieces like decorative candle holders, vanity trays, even an ornamental crown. Incorporate a classical style painting into your wall collage and have a vase of flowers, real or fake, on your coffee table. These little details can add up to create a chic aesthetic.

FURNITURE

If you’re looking for a higher commitment to your royal style, find some plush, detailed accent furniture to complete the space. Try searching for armchairs with detailed engraving on the edges to recreate your very own cozy throne. An elegant and velvety couch is far more dignified than your typical loveseat. You can also bring this furniture into your bedroom by adding an ornate headboard or some drapery over your bed. Doing your makeup at a classic vanity can give an unbeatable high-class atmosphere when getting ready for the evening.

EXTRAS

If your space will allow it, extra details that you can add are long drapes or a baroque patterned wallpaper. An accent wall of jewel-toned wallpaper with gold designs will speak for itself and allow for the other decor to be minimal. Both wallpaper and draping curtains will add a feeling of luxury to your space.

The best part of creating an expensive looking space is that it doesn’t have to be expensive! Thrift stores are full of unique treasures that you can incorporate into your space. And if you find something that’s detailed but somewhat dull, gold spray paint can be your lifesaver. Don’t be afraid to do a little DIY and paint the hardware on your dresser or paint details on your picture frames. Decorating like royalty can be the boost you need during these troubled times.

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Modeled by Ellie Taubner Directed by Sarah Troy, Fashion Director Costume Assistance by Lynn and Maddie Vilker Photographed by Audrey O’Neill, Assistant Photography Director, and Molly Jacobs, Staff Photographer Costumes provided by Verona Area Community Theater

Imust admit it wasn’t until the tender age of 19 that I finally sat down and watched “When Harry Met Sally.” While a classic romantic comedy from the horizon of the 90’s, I can not say I was expecting the film’s commentary on the female orgasm. One of the most infamous scenes in the film is when Sally reveals to Harry the novel concept that women will sometimes fake an orgasm. When he doesn’t believe her, she fakes an orgasm in the middle of a New York Deli during the lunch rush.

This is one of the first instances in mainstream media that truthfully shows how women are disconnected from their pleasure, and yet, no one seems to be willing to admit to that. Before meeting Sally, Harry had no idea what women were so regularly not having their needs met. Ultimately, what Sally is referring to is the orgasm gap.

The orgasm gap illustrates that in hetereosexual relationships, women have fewer orgasms than men and that ratio has a pretty considerable difference.

In a study conducted by Durex, three out of every four women didn’t orgasm during sex with their partner. In the same study, 20% of women reported that they never or rarely orgasm, whereas only 2% of men never or rarely are able to orgasm.1

The orgasm gap can be explained for a few reasons. One in five women claim that their partners are unaware of how to help them orgasm. Likewise, one in three men believe that vaginal sex alone can bring a woman to orgasm, even though the majority of women claim that clitoral stimulation is the most effective.2 This informational rift between heterosexual men and women demonstrates that there is a misunderstanding of women’s pleasure and how to achieve it during sex.

Part of that problem is a lack of information about women’s anatomy, specifically about the clitoris. The clitoris has over 8,000 nerve endings and is the only organ in the human body whose only purpose is for pleasure.3

1 Leith, Alex. “The Orgasm Gap.” Durex UK. Durex UK, February 20, 2018.

2 Ibid.

3 The Irish Times. “The Clitoris Has 8,000

However, finding the clit still seems to be a feat in itself for men and women alike. According to sexual educator and gynecological nurse practitioner Sheri Winston, part of this is because of inaccurate and shrouded sex education in the first half of the 20th century.

“Fifty years ago, the repressive culture around female sexuality meant many women didn’t even know they had a clit,” Winston explained. “How were men supposed to ‘find’ something hardly anyone was aware was there?”4

Clit-phobia and, frankly, the shame surrounding a woman’s body and sex, is not a new phenonemon. In Ancient Rome, “Doctor” Claudius Galen believed that the clitoris was the female body’s failed attempt at a penis. During this time period, the male body was considered the ultimate ideal, so subsequently, women were men with imperfect and substandard bodies.5

Thousands of years later, the witch hunting treatise The Malleus Maleficarum detailed that the clitoris was the “devil’s teat” and was the vehicle in which Satan would suck the souls of his female victims. In this heightened age of witch hunting, female pleasure (ie. the clit) came to be a telltale sign of witchcraft and demonology. With this perpetuating rhetoric, the clit further became an image of inferiority.6

More recently, neurologist and psychologist Sigmund Freud made a profound argument that there are two types of orgasms, clitoral and vaginal, and that the two vary in maturity from one another. Freud claimed that a clitoral orgasm was a sign of immaturity and the prepubescent body. However, a vaginal orgasm was an indication of a mature and healthy woman. These claims have had a profound impact on the way Western culture views and understands sex even after being debunked.7

Nerve Endings .” The Irish Times. The Irish Times, January 23, 2017.

4 Kohn, Isabelle. “A Cultural History of Men Not Being Able to Find the Clit.” MEL Magazine, April 11, 2019.

5 “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know About The Clitoris.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com.

6 Manheim, Noa. “The ‘Devil’s Teat’: A Brief History of the Clitoris.” Haaretz.com. Haaretz, September 7, 2018.

7 Ibid.

Hundreds of years worth of rhetoric claiming that female anatomy is inferior and even evil doesn’t go away overnight. It’s manifested itself in lackluster sex education and the way women are taught (if and how) to enjoy sex.

What are the best ways to close the orgasm gap? One of the most important things is to stop faking it. Communicating openly about what you like and don’t like is a critical first step. If you feel uncomfortable telling your partner that you’ve been faking orgasms, tell them you’re interested in trying something new and experimenting until you find something that works. Understanding female anatomy will give you and your partner the basic tools you both need to have a fulfilling sexual experience.

Destigmatizing women’s pleasure and sex is another important step in closing the orgasm gap. Talking candidly, whether with your partner or trusted friends, is an important step in normalizing and prioritizing sexual wellness and satisfaction for women. With that being said you should have sex with people who want you to orgasm. Orgasming should be a shared goal between you and your partner because sex is not a one-way street.

Last but not least, be mindful of your headspace. If you’re letting yourself get distracted with a to do list or stressful deadlines during sex, you’re not going to be able to be fully in the moment and enjoy yourself. Instead, try focusing on being present with your partner. Don’t put pressure or expectations on yourself to orgasm. Listen to your body and what feels good, and of course, don’t force anything if you’re not in the headspace to have sex.8

Recognizing that many women don’t orgasm during vaginal sex is an important first step in destigmatizing the expectation’s surrounding women’s pleasure. In order to close the orgasm gap, both men and women need to understand that achieving an orgasm is a different process for every woman. Partners should create an environment where you are both comfortable candidly talking about sex and what you want from one another.

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8 “Beating the Orgasm Gap.” HANX.

The Beauty of the BYRONIC LEGACY

EXPLORING ROMANTICISM THROUGH THE BYRONIC HERO AND ITS MODERN-DAY REVIVAL

Written and Graphics by Arella Warren, Arts Editor

Nature,

aesthetic, passion, imagination, introspection, spirit — these are the things in life that concern the romanticist. They were enamored with the mysteries and beauties of existence, the sensory world and finding the grandiose in even the most insignificant of things. While classicism preached simplicity and conservatism, the romanticists rejected this ideology and sought to break free from long-held constraints. One of the leading figures of romanticism in 19th century Europe was the poet, Lord George Gordon Byron, remembered for his literary genius, unparalleled sarcasm and actualization of the Byronic Hero.

Lord Byron was born in 1788 to an aristocratic family, though his life was far from traditional.1 Byron was afflicted with clubfoot from birth, causing him a life of insecurity, while his father, known as “Mad Jack,” abandoned him and his mother after splurging their family fortune.2 This left the boy with permanent abandonment issues and taught him a lack of self-restraint early on. His mother made an effort to educate and discipline him, but Byron was already an eccentric character heading down an unpredictable path.

At 17, Byron went off to college where he quickly began to incur debt, experiment with opium and engage in sexual endeavors with women and men alike — something which he was notorious for throughout his life.3 It was also in college where Byron first dabbled in poetry. In 1807, he published “Hours of Idleness” and after receiving a critical review, he retaliated with “English Bards and Scotch Reviewers,” a satirical piece that ravaged high literary society but warranted recognition of his literary brilliance.4

1 L. Marchand, “Lord Byron,” Ency clopædia Britannica, April 15, 2020.

2Ibid.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

At only 21, Byron went on to claim his spot in the House of Lords and then embarked on a grand voyage across Europe which influenced several of his best known works, including “Don Juan” and “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”5 It is through Childe Harold that the Byronic Hero first emerges as a subset of the Romantic Hero.6 Though Byron was struck by illness at 36, his life was a romanticist’s dream, full of exploration, love affairs, poetry, arts, danger, and even heroism.7 Byron spent his last years in Greece helping them fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire and was named a national hero in death.

An existential man with a dark, traumatic past; led to a lifestyle of experimentation with sex, substances and selfexpression; with the potentiality for profound, creative genius; yet also prone to radicalism, recklessness, sensitivity, and borderline psychosis… This tale may sound familiar, as it is Byron’s own life that inspired the Byronic Hero. Known for being a “tortured soul,” this type is moody, brooding, sensitive and even morbid, but also passionate, alluring, sharpwitted and reflective. While they are similar to the traditional Romantic Hero who rejects social norms and places himself and his desires at the center of his existence, the Byronic Hero has an added edge, and may be at odds with even himself. Like Byron, who was once described as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know,” the Byronic Hero has the potential to rise into the light, but just as often he may succumb to his internal darkness.8

5 Editors of Biography.com, “Lord Byron,” The Biography.com website, Jun. 22, 2020.

6 A. Kelly, “Literary Blueprints: The By ronic Hero,” The Ploughshares Blog, Jan. 1, 2015.

7Ibid.

8 Editors of Biography.com, “Lord Byron,” The Biography.com website, Jun. 22, 2020.

Classic literary examples of this Byronic type include Heathcliff, Edward Rochester, Dorian Gray and Jay Gatsby, to name a few of the major ones. Byron’s legacy is actually the source for the elegant subhuman archetype as well and inspired classic tales such as Dracula and Frankenstein.9 More recently, we’ve seen a modern resurgence of this archetype in characters like Severus Snape, Jack Sparrow, Edward Cullen, Vanessa Ives, and more.

While the Byronic figure has oftentimes been construed into the villain, we are starting to see more readaptations that recognize their potential and the importance of character growth. Too often, the media has romanticized and ornamented this darker personality type, idolizing their dangerous and sometimes psychotic dispositions. Yet the ideal Byronic Hero is one who rises above this; they take their dark inclinations and make them into something productive.

her life to be consumed by woe, she looks to her community for help and grows into the powerful young woman she is meant to be.

Not only is Beth a masterfullywritten character, but she’s one who is able to grow past setbacks and weaknesses, finding a balance between creativity and cognition — and this, I feel, is the truest message we can take from the Byronic figure. A little romanticization can be inspiring and create lasting impressions, but we don’t want to go so far as to put that person, all flaws included, on a pedestal from which they can never come down.

Although the media is finally carving more of a place for empowered heroines, such as Beth, it’s still uncommon to find women depicted as sensual, alluring and mysterious, but also intellectually gifted and self-motivated. It’s even more uncommon to see a strong antihero who is non-binary or BIPOC, as representation in modern-day media continues to fall short.

Still, Byron was quite a progressive individual for his time, and his legacy leaves us with an important message. Byron didn’t discriminate between men or women in terms of sexuality or cognitive ability. He was actually quite liberal by contemporary standards, and he got a lot of flak from high society for it, but he never allowed this to hinder his radiant spirit or passion.

Beth Harmon, from Netflix’s recently debuted “The Queen’s Gambit” is the quintessential example of the Byronic Hero at their best — and in female form, at that. She’s an orphan troubled by a traumatic past, with a compulsive intelligence which she uses to her advantage, and a temperamental personality, leading her to severe substance abuse to keep her feelings in check. Yet the beautiful thing about Beth is that with time, she is able to recognize and overcome. Rather than allow 9 L. Miller, “Dracula- The Ultimate Byronic Hero,” Art is the Heart, Feb. 15, 2012.

If we can take one thing from Byron’s legacy, it’s that we shouldn’t be afraid to let our unique brilliance shine through, even when it differs from society’s norms. But in our quests to become the protagonists of our own stories, we have to heed the message of the Byronic Hero, allowing the darknesses of our past and present dilemmas to inspire us rather than consume our lives and lead us to an even darker chapter. ■

“Although the media is finally carving more of a place for empowered heroines, such as Beth, it’s still uncommon to find women depicted as sensual, alluring and mysterious, but also intellectually gifted and selfmotivated.”

Conquering the Corset

HOW TO INCORPORATE THIS VINTAGE-INSPIRED TREND INTO YOUR DAY TO DAY WARDROBE

By Jane Houseal, Contributing Writer • Modeled by Caitlin Fitzgerald Photographed by Jessica Tenenbaum, Staff Photographer

Whetheron the racks of your favorite store or covering your Pinterest boards, corsets have been trending everywhere. Originally worn as an undergarment, the corset has evolved into a statement piece, allowing its wearer to feel feminine and bold. Since the 90s, corsets have been trending on and off the streets thanks to designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.

Several designers, namely Gucci, Fendi, Burberry, and Kim Shui have incorporated corsets into their 2019 and 2020 Fashion Week shows. However, every designer has had wildly different interpretations of the corset and how to style it. In her Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear Collection, Kim Shui displayed a variety of brightly colored corsets constructed from leather, satins, and other distinct textiles.1

Contrastingly, the aforementioned Vivienne Westwood corsets are vintage-inspired and tend to have a more feminine fit. One of her most famous endeavors, Westwood’s Fall 1990 collection, combined fine art and fashion. Model Bella Hadid has been photographed wearing Westwood’s famous corset, pairing it with low rise camel-colored cargo pants and a slicked-back high pony, creating an attention-grabbing look. Alongside Hadid, American actress Rowan Blanchard was also captured in the same piece. Blanchard styled the corset with low rise black dress pants and topped her outfit off with a tasteful gold headband.

Approaching the corset trend can be overwhelming as there are many ways to style such a unique piece. However, given their versatility, any corset can easily work with your current wardrobe. If you’re going for a more casual look, substitute your bodysuit for a corset and pair it with your favorite bottoms. Throwing on your favorite jeans and a corset is an easy way to feel confident and amplify a casual outfit. If you want to stay comfortable but make your outfit a bit more chic, try swapping jeans for relaxed trousers. A monochrome trouser and corset pairing is universally flattering 1 Laird Borrelli-Persson, “Kim Shui Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show,” Vogue, February 10, 2020

and immediately elevates your work from home game.

If you are longing for a more feminine look with a bold flair, take notes from American actress Elle Fanning. She is known for pairing a leather belted corset with a white Alexander McQueen dress and Mary Jane heels.2 The juxtaposition of the leather belt with an elegant dress created a punk rock, romantic look.

This corset look can be best translated into your wardrobe with a collared shirt dress, t-shirt dress or a midi skirt.

When purchasing a corset, consider buying from a small designer that prioritizes quality and uniqueness in their work. United Kingdom fashion brand, Pink Moon Label, creates sustainable, one of a kind, handpainted corsets for “rainbow souls and happy humans.”

Another designer, Aimee Belle Johnson (@immorallondon) creates intricate corsets embellished with beads, ribbons and paintings, making sure each one is unique and distinct.

Fashion lovers have been styling Johnson’s pieces in extravagant ways — ranging from colorful dresses to jeans and a simple tee.

Corsets have worked their way through history, initially serving as a restrictive piece of clothing, and eventually developing into a stylish wardrobe staple. Corsets allow their wearers to adorn their body with an empowering, reclaimed piece of clothing. However you decide to incorporate corsets into your closet, they’re sure to elevate your style for this fashion season.

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2 Block, Elinor. “All of the ‘90s Fashion Trends That Have (and Haven’t) Made a Comeback.” Who What Wear, October 15, 2020

By Elizabeth Karnowski, Culture Staff Writer Graphics by Allyson Konz, Editor in Chief

eyoncé broke standards once again with her visual album “Black is King” in late July of 2020. “Black is King” is a visual companion to Beyoncé’s 2019 album “Lion King: The Gift” and follows the narrative and storyline of a young boy who is finding his way back to his ancestry, similar to the story depicted in Disney’s “The Lion King.”1 While both films depict the brilliance of African men and how they are brought up to be seen as kings, the creative visionaries of “Black is King” return to themes of Black excellence, regality and Afrofuturism.

Afrofuturism is a fluid ideology that’s been presented by artists, like Beyoncé, to reshape the idea of Blackness within modern society.2 Afrofuturists believe in a society that’s free of the repercussions of physical and social oppression that Black people have been facing for decades. They imagine a future where white supremacy and the factors that have historically oppressed Black communities are nonexistent.3

“Black is King” is filled with Black excellence and a cast that encompasses the importance of diversity both on and off the camera. To get it right, Beyoncé dedicated a year to researching, filming and While researching, Beyoncé shared she “spent a lot of time exploring and absorbing the lessons of past generations and the rich history of different African customs.”5 The film’s stylist Zerina Akers shared that the wardrobe was intended to be a “global conversation” to aid all people to “recognize MaryKat Weigman, “The time lessness of “Black is King,”” The Greyhound, October 3, 2020. Taylor Crumpton, “Afrofuturism Has Always Looked Forward”, Archi tectural Digest

Hilary Weaver, “Beyonce Su prise-Dropped a Trailer for Her New Visual Album, ‘Black is King’,” Elle, June

and respect the power of and beauty of brown skin,” shared Akers. To accomplish this, Akers researched spiritual heritage and cultural belongings.6 Similarly, hairstylist Neal Farinah dedicated her efforts to researching traditional African hairstyles and her team spent 16 hours a day for six days to create 40 wigs.7

The research implemented did not go unnoticed as it caused viewers to feel represented. Twitter user @letsbeKHAlear, Khalea Underwood, tweeted “I wish I had a visual like #BlackIsKing in my youth. I’m tearing up thinking about how these images and words will affect the dark-skinned girls and boys around the world who are constantly ‘othered’ like I was.”8

Beyoncé and her team drew inspiration from Afrofuturism throughout the journey of the film by focusing on royalty and luxury.

In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Akers sat down and explained the creative process of “Black is King,” specifically for the song “MOOD 4 EVA.”

“I wanted to take these stereotypes that are often portrayed with black people, whether it be of African descent or in the diaspora, of how we represent luxury and how we project luxury and opulence,” Akers said in the interview. “They maybe call people ignorant for wanting to wear a gold chain or wanting to kind of overdo it. Wealth looks very different in black and white, and it really ties back to the decadence in many African cultures.”9

It’s important to note that before and after the release of “Black is King”, there was significant criticism from the Black community accusing the film of appropriating African culture. Concerns sprouted from

6 “Beyonce’s Black is King film aims to start “a global conversation” says stylist Zerina Akers,” Dezeen, August 12, 2020.

7 Julee Wilson, “Beyonce’s “Black Is King” Hairstyles Made 40+ Wigs in Just 6 Days,” Cosmopolitan, August 5, 2020.

8 Khalea Underwood, Twitter

9 Chris Gardner, “Beyonce’s ‘Black is King’ Costume Designed Unpacks Cultural Ref erences, Favorite Style Moments, August 5, 2020.

the stereotypes and a typical African culture narrative that only features painted faces and extravagant animal print costumes. Yet, when talking about the project, Beyoncé responded, “I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our real history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”10

While the narrative of “Black is King” largely follows a young boy, Beyoncé also delivers on the royalty, excellence, beauty and dignity of Black women. The scene “Brown Skin Girl” is nothing short of extravagant, filled with Black girls and women dressed in grand dresses and opulent jewelry. The scene creates a sense of collective identity, intersecting race and gender to show the force of Black women and girls.11

The scene “My Power” is another powerful moment that takes place in a completely whitecolored church, with even the skin of the dancers being painted white, the only use of color is seen in the flowers held by the dancers. In African culture, the color white is often used in funerals because it is the absence of all color, thus the absence of life. The white church symbolizes the loss of all negative things black people are told they are.

10 Danielle Paquette, “Beyoncé released a video celebrating ‘African tradition.’ Then came the backlash.”, The Washington Post

11 Elisabeth Woronzoff, “Beyonce’s ‘Black is King’ Builds Identity From Afrofutur ism”, Pop Matters

The narrator shares, “We were told that our culture was ghetto and bastardized, and that’s just who we were. And we believed that for a long time. But what we didn’t know, and what we’ve lost from the ancestors, is that we’re none of those things. We are joy and beauty and strength.”

Hannah Beachler “Black is King”s production designer shared that the film “is about mourning what we were in order to celebrate what we are.” Just as Simba learns who he truly is throughout the Lion King story. The symbolism presented throughout the film, and specifically in “My Power” is not only celebrating Black power but leaving behind the restricting culture narratives that have held Black individuals back from honoring who they are.

Afrofuturism aims to establish a world just as depicted through “Black is King” where Black individuals can move past cultural and social stereotypes and embrace their beauty and identity. The representation witnessed in this visual album should be taken off the screen and into the real world so all people of all races can honor an inclusive and accurate African culture.

12 Ashley Lee, “Why Beyoncé dances to ‘My Power’ in a church in ‘Black is King’”, Los Angeles Times 13 Ibid.

“Afrofuturists believe in a society that’s free of the repercussions of physical and social oppression that Black people have been facing for decades.”

FLORENCE AND THE Finer Things

HOW THE MEDICI FAMILY MADE FLORENCE AN EPICENTER OF THE ARTS

Written and photographed by Olivia Peters, Arts Staff Writer

From the vantage point of the Piazzale Michelangelo, the city of Florence looks like a greenscreen image. The panoramic view features the Arno River in the foreground and the Chianti Mountains as a backdrop. The skyline has changed very little since the 1430s, when Florence became the epicenter of the Renaissance.

I had the chance to go to Italy in the spring of 2019 when I visited my boyfriend who was studying abroad. We only had one week together to explore all of Italy’s hotspots, so each day was an exciting blur of sightseeing, museums and mind-blowing food. At the time, Florence was just another name on the list. I knew some of its history already, but I had no idea the effect that the city would have on me or how clearly it would live in my mind over a year later.

On our first night in town walking through the streets, we noticed a constant stream of people headed up a steady incline. With a general idea of what we’d find at the top, we followed. When we reached the overlook of the Piazzale Michelangelo, I fell in love. Not only was I looking at a piece of history, but at one of the most beautiful architectural skylines I’d ever seen. I have the Medici family to thank for that view.

The Medici family became prominent during the 13th century due to their roles as bankers and merchants in the city.1 The Vatican, for example, was one of the family’s major, long-time clients.2 The Medicis were also

1 Reinke, Kira. “How The Medici Influenced Renaissance Florence.” Barnebys.com. Barnebys, June 26, 2020.

2 Nix, Elizabeth. “7 Things You May Not Know About the Medicis.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 16, 2016.

devoted patrons of the arts, having commissioned numerous pieces of work which remain invaluable today. It is Cosimo de Medici’s vision in specific which we have to thank for establishing Florence as the center of artistic revolution during the beginning of the Renaissance.

In 1434, Cosimo de Medici rose to heights greater than any of his family before him, driven by ambitions for Florence, as well as the potential he saw in his family’s business. He ruled Florence as an uncrowned leader of the people for the majority of his life and cultivated a massive collection of art.3 Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Europe as a whole saw the rebirth of art, architecture and literature in a period known as the

3 History.com Editors. “The Medici Family.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 9, 2009.

Renaissance. Oxford Art Online describes the Renaissance as a period of “growing awareness of the natural world, the individual and collective humanity’s worldly existence.”4

Cosimo played a critical role in the Renaissance, calling on architects, sculptors and painters from all over and commissioning them to create works for him. Artists typically didn’t make work unless it was paid for in advance. The affluent Medicis didn’t just buy art, they helped fund its conception. One of the most famous examples of these transactions is the Statue of David, which Cosimo commissioned Donatello to sculpt.5 Cosimo treated these artists as his friends in a time when they were regarded as laborers by society, and this reputation attracted other creatives to Florence.6

The Medici family also had an office space in a building called the Uffizi, where they established a small museum featuring their collection of Renaissance art. Today, the same building gets thousands of visitors a week. The Uffizi Museum is now one of the most famous in the world.

4 “Renaissance Art and Architecture.” Oxford Art Online. Accessed November 12, 2020.

5 “Cosimo De’Medici of Florence: Biogra phy & Overview.” Study.com. Accessed November 12, 2020.

6 “Cosimo De’ Medici.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., September 23, 2020.

When I visited the Uffizi, I walked slowly down the halls, overwhelmed by the enormous collection. The white, marble floored hallways were complemented by ceilings painted more elegantly than anything I’d ever seen. Countless rooms each bore new, intricately gilded treasures. There were windows at the end of each hallway, and I was drawn again to the view of Florence’s skyline. I spent time standing in front of each window in the museum as though the view itself was a painting. Yet there was one massive structure in the center of town that held my attention.

For decades before Cosimo’s rule, there sat a great cathedral in the center of Florence that had no roof. The architect who designed the base had been unable to come up with a structurally sound design to enclose the building.7 Cosimo de Medici commissioned an architect named Filippo Brunelleschi to finish the cathedral after hearing his pitch to construct an internal dome to act as support for a secondary, outer dome.

Many thought Brunelleschi was mad because of his outlandish ideas. Perhaps these very eccentricities were what allowed him to accomplish an architectural feat unlike any before. In 1436, Brunelleschi completed the dome of the 7Ibid.

cathedral, which remains the largest masonry dome ever built in the world.8

Walking next to Brunelleschi’s dome, I had to crane my neck to see all the way to the top. The town of Florence encircles the cathedral in a way that seems too casual for its brilliance. None of the other buildings come close in height or stature.

At the time, a group of local teenagers on bikes had been meeting up on one side to hangout, and a leather goods store stoof of the plaza on the other side. I looked on at all of the people going about their lives and wondered if they noticed how beautiful the city was. I wondered how someone could ever get used to something as grand and intricate as the terracotta exterior of the dome.

Cosimo de Medici understood the importance of the artistic movement he was living in. He appreciated creative expression in all of its many forms, including architecture, paintings and sculpture. His family’s patronage is responsible for some of history’s most divine treasures. Each day he walked around the Piazza del Duomo; I can only imagine he never tired of his view of the dome. ■

8 Johnson, Sara. “How Brunelleschi Built the World’s Biggest Masonry Dome.” architectmagazine.com. Accessed No vember 12, 2020.

YAS QUEEN!

THE ROOTS OF THE ICONIC EXPRESSION

Written and illustrated by Channing Smith, Art Director

You

are feeling like your best self. Your friend puts on a fabulous outfit. You finally left that toxic relationship. Your classmate killed that final paper. These are all great opportunities to say it: yas queen!

YAS

“Yas” is not to be confused with yes. This is a mistake the hosts of the digital-culture podcast “Reply All” made back in 2016. On a segment where they decode the latest viral content, they had to revisit a Tweet containing the word “yas,” prefacing that they were three straight white men who completely missed the cultural implications the word can carry.1

1 Reply All. “#69 Disappeared: Reply All,” July 7, 2016.

The phrase “yas queen” is thrown around in our modern vernacular as a flouncy expression of affirmation, but where does it come from? The idiom has roots that run much deeper, and once meant much more.

The word “yas” dates back to 1980s Harlem’s ball culture. Ball culture, which can be seen as the precursor to today’s drag culture, was dominated by young, queer Black and Latinx individuals. These “balls” were large underground parties featuring competitions for the best outfits and costumes in a variety of categories.2 As contestants would walk and show off their getup, excited crowd members would yell “yas” in support.

2 Brathwaite, Lester Fabian. “Striking a ‘Pose’: A Brief History of Ball Culture,” May 7, 2020.

While some of this more intense sense of belonging is lost in its modern use, “yas queen” still serves as a phrase that signals you’re killing it.

Nicki Minaj commented on the impact of ball culture on her song “Yasss Bish!!!” and why more women are co-opting language traditionally used by the LGBTQ community. Minaj said,”It makes us very cocky and very sexy and feminine,” during an interview with Yahoo! back in 2014. 5

5 Peter, Mitchell. “Nicki Minaj Reveals Origin of ‘Yasss Bish’ Song Title,” May 18, 2014.

The documentary Paris Is Burning offers a vibrant illustration of ball culture – and plenty of “yas”s. While some competitions awarded the most outrageous ensembles, other competitions called for entries to look the most ordinary, with categories such as businessman or shopping woman. Drag performer and fashion designer Dorian Corey who appears in Paris is Burning spoke of the importance of these competitions:

“Black people have a hard time getting anywhere and those that do are usually straight. In

a ballroom you can be anything you want. You’re not really an executive but you’re looking like an executive. You’re showing the straight world that I can be an executive if I had the opportunity because I can look like one, and that is like a fulfillment.”3

These balls allowed young, queer BIPOC to appear in any form they wanted, and be praised for it. “Yas” does not only signal encouragement, but signifies a deep sense of belonging, acting as a code that symbolizes being part of this community.4

3Jennie Livingston. Paris Is Burning, 1990. 4Ibid.

Like Minaj, Abbi Jaconson and Ilana Glazer have borrowed the term as a display of female empowerment. Their show Broad City, which celebrated its fifth and final season in 2019, used yas queen to champion feminism and hype up other women. Any viewers of the show know that the phrase is a staple of Glazer’s vocabulary.

QUEEN

The origins of queen are similarly rooted in the LGBTQ community, but follow a bit of a different route. “Queen” was originally a derogatory term for a feminie or gay man. Today, the term is the absolute paradigm of what it means to reclaim a slur. Instead of seeing the word as a pointed insult, the LGBTQ community uses it to celebrate their regal status and embracing the label.

Learning about the roots of modern culture, such as idioms, allows us to pay tribute to those who originated them, and can better identify the line between appreciation and appropriation. As for “yas queen,” say and slay away. ■

THE PRIVILEGE AND EXPLOITATION OF CELEBRITY

By Shannon McManus, Culture Staff Writer

Itseems that whenever a celebrity is pregnant, it’s all anybody wants to talk about.

In 2020, Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham, Katy Perry and many more have publically welcomed a baby into the world. However, these children’s lives will be vastly different from that of the other 140 million children born this year.1 Celebrity children are put in a position that can grant them fame right away, causing both negative and positive lifealtering experiences.

Celebrity children typically have ample privilege based on their parent’s last name alone. This privilege comes in the form of both money and fame, giving that child access to unique experiences and opportunities. Even at a young age, many celebrity children are already household names. Consider Stormi Webster, the daughter of Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott. At just two-years-old, Webster has multiple Instagram fan accounts and has been gifted extravagant items from her family such as a hot pink Kelly bag that retails for $15,0002, a two-stone diamond ring, a visit from the Trolls movie characters and a

1 “The World Counts.” Accessed Novem ber 17, 2020.

2 Gill, Cassie. “Stormi Webster’s $12K Hermes Backpack, $2400 Fendi Stroller & More: See Her Most Luxurious Belong ings.” Hollywood Life. Hollywood Life, September 30, 2020.

lavish playhouse.3 Jenner herself was born into fame through the Kardashian lineage. Like Stormi, she had the advantages of being a celebrity child, with exposure and connections helping her build a name and brand for herself. Jenner has a current net worth of about $900 million, built largely from her brand Kylie Cosmetics.4 Without her family and last name, it would have been an incredible challenge to build Kylie Cosmetics to where it is today.

Just as children born into royal families, many celebrity children are put under the spotlight and treated as mini-celebrities themselves. Parents often share photos of their children online or are photographed with them for tabloids. At times, celebrity children may even make their way to a red carpet event. A high magnitude of being in the public eye opens the door to scrutiny and opinions around young children, something that they never signed up for and at their age cannot consent to. Unfortunately, people often feel entitled to treat and share their

3 Silvia, Erin. “Stormi Webster Poses By Life- Sized Luxury Playhouse in New Pic & She Looks Tiny.” Hollywood Life. Holly wood Life, July 15, 2020.

4 Warren, Katie. “Kylie Jenner Just Turned 23 Years Old - and She’s Already Worth $900 Million. Take a Look at How the Mogul Built Her Empire.” Business Insider. Business Insider, August 10, 2020.

• Graphic by Keely Bradish,

opinions about celebrity kids just like their parents. Blue Ivy, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, was once judged by how her hair was styled in a paparazzi shot. On social media, people commented on how frizzy it looked — even though she was only two years old at the time. With her parent’s fame, it is likely that comments like this will only continue as Blue Ivy becomes more aware of the world she was born into.5

Children born into the public eye have often struggled with many mental health issues and substance abuse problems, causing tabloids to follow their personal life obstacles on the basis of their last names alone.6 These struggles are often rooted in the overwhelming materialism and peculiarness found in their abnormal childhoods and are merely just coping mechanisms.7

Some celebrities, such as Kristen Bell, choose not to put their children in the spotlight and encourage other celebrities to shield their kids for their own personal well being. Bell often does not share about her kids in order to keep them out of the

5 “20 Troubled Celebrity Children Who Went Completely Off The Rails.”

6 “20 Troubled Celebrity Children Who Went Completely Off The Rails.”

7 Ibid.

MODA | 56 FAMOUS AT

AT BIRTH

CELEBRITY CHILDREN

Bradish, Arts Curator

public eye.8 Bell, along with her husband Dax Shepard, inform their children on their fame and work to find a balance of teaching them to be proud of who they are but also not letting others’ reactions to fame get to them.

Celebrities such as Emily Blunt and Jennifer Lopez also focus on keeping their kids out of photographs, as they are not old enough to consent and they do not want their children exposed to a world that wasn’t their choice. While this may seem unfair to some people who view celebrities and their kids as public figures, people need to recognize children are still children — and they did not choose the life that fame entails.

Just like normal people, celebrities have kids, but these kids are born into a unique experience that has the opportunity to raise them up or tear them down. This is a life that these children did not sign up for but are expected to fulfill nonetheless. Rather than engaging in the buzz and conversation around celebrity children, it may be worth respecting their privacy until they can make the decision for themselves how they’d like to be seen in the public eye. ■

8Thompson, Arienne. “For Celebrities’ Chil dren, the Spotlight Can Burn.” USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, July 7, 2014.