REFINE Magazine Fall/Winter 2020: The Apocalypse Issue by REFINE Magazine

REFINE the apocalypse issue

Table of Contents / The Apocalyse Issue IN EVERY ISSUE—————— Behind the Cover... 4 Masthead... 6 Who We Are... 7 Editor’s Letter... 8 Rebekah’s Edit... 9 Staff Spotlight... 10

THE MINE ——————— 12 CULTURE A Scroll Through Memory Lane... 14 Sugar Babies and Only Jawns... 15 The Sound of COVID-19... 16 Safe Travels... 17 Daughter of Three... 18

FASHION Dressed to Protest... 19 What Goes Around, Comes Back Around... 21 The Apocalypse Shoot... 22 Turning Your Mask from Fashion Faux Pas to Fashion Forward... 30 Thrift & Flop... 31 Sarah Mtimet: Temple’s Own TikTok Fashion Influencer... 38 The Cyberpunk Shoot... 39

HEALTH Shifting to Sustainability... 46 Meeting Our Needs... 47 FOMO During COVID,,, 48 Keeping Up with Sexual Health in a Pandemic... 49

LOVE A Love Letter to 2020... 50 Loving Yourself and the Space You Take Up... 51 A Conversation with the Hosts of ‘On My Way?’... 52 Celebrity Culture Took Over 2020, For Better or Worse... 56 COVID Date Ideas... 58 Found Families... 60

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Table of Contents / The Apocalyse Issue MAIN CAMPUS——————— 61 Harriett’s Bookshop... 62 Creating During COVID... 64 Reopening Regrets... 65 Unexpected Changes... 66 Swift Endings and New Beginnings... 67 Collective Action on Campus... 68

STUDY BREAK——————— 70 Dear REFINE... 71 Looking Good in Lockdown... 72 When Study Abroad Became Study at Home... 74 REFINE’s Guide to Staying Active Inside... 75

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BEHIND THE COVER Waking up before dawn, the REFINE visuals team raced the sun to the historic Hatfield House in Fairmont Park for the Apocalypse Issue cover shoot on a brisk morning in mid-September. In the midst of COVID-19 gathering restrictions, this issue’s cover shoot takes a more intimate approach to our typically large group of models and team members. In this shoot, Sentenced to Solitude, Art Director Dani Meenan pushes the envelope by guiding the models into avant-garde, experimental posing. Models Amaya Rutzel and Dané Simms are dressed head to toe in black, with varying textures— matching the moody vibe of the early morning fog. Check out pg. 22 to see the rest of the shoot.

Photography by Dani Meenan and Haley Domzalski

WHAT’S NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rebekah Harding FOUNDER Sarah Madaus MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Bowen SENIOR EDITOR Gabrielle Houck |EDITORIAL| FEATURES EDITOR Leilani Henson CULTURE EDITOR Milly McKinnish LOVE EDITOR Maggie Mancini FASHION EDITOR Molly Reinhard HEALTH EDITOR McKenzie Morgan FOB/BOB EDITOR Samantha Roehl COPY EDITORS Magdalena Becker, Maryam Siddiqui DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Waddington |VISUALS| ART DIRECTOR Dani Meenan DESIGN EDITOR Tara Doll ASST. DESIGN EDITORS Nicole Hwang, Sydnee Ellison FASHION DIRECTOR Logan Wentzel VISUALS EDITOR Haley Domzalski |SOCIAL MEDIA| SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Tonja Butler ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Maya Johnson |BUSINESS| TREASURER Peace Okiye A special thanks to our staff writers and editorial, digital and visuals contributers

Since the pandemic and the production of our last issue, The Rejection Issue, came crashing down around us in March, the REFINE team took on the challenge of jumping back into producing our classic digital flip-through magazine—this time, fully remote. With team members hours away from each other at times, our previously high production photoshoots were condensed to just a couple of models, our visuals team, and a camera. But like all good creatives, our bite-sized photoshoot crew made something beautiful from the ashes. As we all know, this year was a disaster. But, despite this hellish fall semester, we made a magazine—things behind the scenes just looked a little different. Our photoshoots were smaller, our editorial meetings were held via Zoom, and I’m pretty sure if I hear the ding of another Slack notification, I may develop an eye-twitch. When the school year began, we had photoshoots planned, staff meetings in mind, and a glimmer of hope of returning to normalcy. That didn’t exactly happen, but that’s okay because when you’re determined to make something work, you do it. And that’s just what we did. If you ask me, the patience and cooperation from our editorial staff speak volumes about how much this team cares for REFINE. On top of a semester that blessed us with Zoom fatigue and unnerving anxiety, our team still had it in us to write, edit, and design after what seemed like endless online coursework. For the sake of our magazine, our team put in the exhausting extra hours during a time when extra work isn’t what anyone needs. For that, we will always be grateful.

hi, again.

photo by haley domzalski

OUR MISSION Just as diamonds are refined by intense pressure and extracurricular challenges, REFINE magazine will challenge Temple women to think outside of the box. REFINE offers a fresh perspective on campus life: the fashion statements, culture, music trends, health habits, and love lives that Temple women possess, all from one beautifully packaged product. Our goal is to provide great service to our readers, so that they can navigate through the trenches of college with confidence and grace. REFINE mimics the voice of the readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BFF: We love you, but we have no qualms about giving it to you straight.

EDITOR’S NOTE Oh, where to begin. We wrestled with naming this issue. How do you even begin to capture the essence of such a screwed up era? We needed something more tasteful than “the clusterfuck issue,” the “shit-has-hit-the-fan” issue, or the “we’re so consumed by our own impending doom that content creation and journalism feels pointless” issue. “Apocalypse” fit like a shoe that’s a half size too big. It’s heavy. It feels uncomfortable uttering the phrase. A few nights after settling on the theme with a bit of hesitation, I knew there was more unpacking to do.

Sure, the world has gone to shit— but are we pushing the stereotype of the overdramatic, overzealous female-run publication? Was I setting up the team for a Boomer-induced Facebook rampage, having their hard work part of a “student-publications suck” smear campaign in the process? Maybe. But as I anxiously typed “apocalypse meaning” into my search bar, the calm and understanding that filled my tiny apartment, only shared with the tailless rat living under my sink that I would discover later that night (long story), was brought on by a touch of good old etymology. The definition, while underwhelming, was exactly what I’d been looking for. Apocalypse (noun): lifting of the veil, seeing something which has been hidden How appropriate for a motley crew of early-career journalists. In this issue, we explore the lives of strained essential workers, how the civil rights movement intersects with the aesthetic choices of activists, and how celebrity stan culture can easily become toxic. Sure, we might be getting degrees in a dying industry, but we might as well go out in style.

Cheers,

Rebekah Harding, Editor-in-Chief

photo by hosu han

Rebekah’s Edit Assorted Keanu Reeves films on DVD for when the internet servers tragically go down... duh.

FLEX Menstrual Disc This innovative period product can be worn for up to 12 hours. The best part? Mess-free period sex!

La Colombe Draft Latte These pre-made lattes have all the caffeine you need to run from your local pack of zombies— and they’re delish.

REBEKAH’S End-of-Days PACKING LIST (minus all the practical stuff, ofc)

Batiste Volumizing Dry Shampoo If you thought the end of the world meant oily hair, think again.

Jump2It Bouncy Jumping Shoes IDK what these would do in a post-apocalyptic setting... they look fun, though.

The Ordinary AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solutiion This super cheap wash-off mask went viral on TikTok during quarantine for its awesome chemical exfoliating abilities.

Staff Spotlight

MAGGIE MANCINI

Front-of-Book Editor Samantha Roehl

chatted (virtually, of course) with Love Editor Maggie Mancini about transitioning to a fully online semester and her new position on the REFINE team. SR: What excites you the most about the Love section this issue? MM: Although I like writing about romantic love, I wanted to explore all other aspects of love in this issue. We have stories on self-love, friendship, and community involvement. I feel like it’s good to have a full picture, especially right now, when it feels like people are focused less on dating right now than pre-pandemic. SR: What are you hoping readers of the love section walk away with this issue? MM: Even if you’re not super focused on dating or romantic love, you recognize that mutual aid is love. It’s a bit cheesy but it’s important to share your thoughts and experiences with other people who you care about, especially right now. There’s nothing wrong with being different than you were pre-pandemic and trying to explore love as more than hetero-normative romantic love. SR: Having been with the team since the second issue, how have you seen REFINE grow in the past couple years? MM: I’ve seen three Editors-in-Chief. I had to seek out REFINE through Sarah [the first Editor-in-Chief]’s social media. Whereas now our Instagram has a following and Temple talks about us, despite us not being a Temple sanctioned organization. We’re kind of all over the map right now, especially after the

sustainability issue, and the Society of Professional Journalists’ award that came with that. It’s been really really fun to watch the magazine grow, and watch everybody else grow alongside it.

SR: When you’re not editing and writing for the love section, what do you like to write about? MM: I got my start in creative writing and poetry, which is what led me to majoring in journalism. Outside of REFINE, I like focusing on entertainment and lifestyle journalism. I’m kind of all over the map, which I think is a blessing and a curse because I’m a bit of a mess— but I’m an organized mess.

“Even if you’re not super focused on dating or romantic love, you recognize that mutual aid is love.” SR: I know this is the forbidden question for seniors, but do you have any post-grad plans? MM: I graduate this coming May, which I don’t like thinking about at all. Mainly because I’m not prepared to think of myself as anything other than a student. But for me, quarantine and isolation has really calmed my nerves about not having a five-year or ten-year plan. I want to build a life where I can write and everything else I’ll figure out as I go.

THE MINE CULTURE & FASHION & HEALTH & LOVE

The Mine // Culture

A Scroll Through Memory Lane Gen Z TikTokers reminisce about life before COVID-19. BY LILY SANDERS

For many Gen Zers, the uncertainty brought on by the unprecedented global pandemic is just enough to provoke an existential crisis. In the midst of it all, students are grappling with a college experience cut short and an abrupt reality check by what many parents dreadfully refer to as “the real world.” Social media has served as a means of escapism for many of us. In recent months, apps like TikTok have seen a resurgence in trends that are rooted in nostalgia—presumably a coping mechanism for the many individuals that have had their lives turn on their heads. Whether it be reminiscing about artists they used to listen to in middle school or looking back at the college experience prior to social distancing, people are aching for the good times. Notable trends include college students pulling shirts out of a suitcase with goofy clips of them wearing the apparel. Others include video memory compilations to songs like “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove. One viral TikTok to the song “All My Friends” by Snakehips features user @24_and_vibing having a flashback to pre-COVID college life while working from home. The creator of the video, Tim Rasmussen, a recent 2019 University of Delaware grad, offered some commentary on his decision to make the video. “I personally made the video to express what I was feeling that day instead of ruminating on those thoughts,” Rasmussen said. “It was really fun reminiscing on the memories I have with my friends and making something I could share with them.” Rasmussen’s response calls into question whether these videos serve as helpful coping mechanisms or instead offer a rosetinted view of the past. Are they productive in letting people know that they are not alone in their plight, or do they promote commiseration in the present? It’s an unanswerable question that people can’t seem to develop a consensus on. Temple University senior health professions major and avid TikTok user Sophia Cozzone said, “I think it is a double-edged sword, it can help people reflect back on happy times, but also fixate on the present especially those suffering from anxiety it adds on to the fact the world isn’t the same right now.” 14

“I personally made the video to express what I was feeling that day instead of ruminating on those thoughts,” Rasmussen said. “It was really fun reminiscing on the memories I have with my friends and making something I could share with them.”

Junior anthropology and Spanish major Madison Howe offered a similar sentiment. “I think these TikToks help a lot of people cope during this weird time. I also could see how it might make some people sad and nostalgic, but I think these videos equally lift the spirits of many people,” she said. While things like missing out on your last formal or your favorite professor’s course is unfortunate, Rasmussen emphasized the importance of looking at the bigger picture. “No one could have guessed this would happen and, from one angle, it’s really unfair. At the same time I think we all have to take a step back and look at the big picture,” Rasmussen said. He added, “If you have your health, family, friends, and an opportunity for education or employment still in your life; can things really be all that bad? I think everyone benefits from taking extra time to reflect on these things and appreciate what we have.”

Sugar Babies & Only Jawns The Complexities of Being a Student Sex Worker. BY LILY SANDERS

he presiding narrative of sex workers in media is often incredibly one-sided: a downtrodden woman without much personal agency is forced into prostitution by a pimp or a need for immediate cash. However, the reality of the trade and its workers is far more multidimensional. “There is a huge misconception that all sex work is a product of desperation. Many sex workers have college degrees, PhDs even. They choose to be involved in the industry because they genuinely enjoy it,” said Emily Roth, one of the hosts of “Candy Girl,” a podcast that gives sex workers a platform to share their experiences in the industry. The term “sex worker” is defined by Meriam Webster Dictionary as “a person whose work involves sexually explicit behavior.” This encompasses far more than physical sex— selling feet pictures or nude and semi-nude photos and sugar babying are common examples. With many professions at a standstill from COVID-19 and the current popularity of pay-for-entry platforms like OnlyFans, many college students have at least considered the possibility of engaging in some form of sex work. Two current Temple students and a 2019 alumna have opted to anonymously share their experience in the industry with REFINE. Like any job, there are both pros and cons. While the three women interviewed noted that they had positive experiences with the industry, they also illuminated the hidden nuances of it. “I think OnlyFans has become almost a meme at this point. But it’s not easy. It takes work and you have to be mentally tough, because people can be nasty,” said an OnlyFans creator and senior biochemistry major. “I was lucky enough to have a mentor-type in my life that helped me set up my account safely, but I know not everyone is as lucky. I worry about young people who jump into sex work without considering the serious ways it could impact their life.” A senior advertising major shared similar sentiments in her time as a sugarbaby and experience in the findom, or financial domination, community. “When I was selling feet pics and doing findom online I essentially had to create an entire other life to keep myself safe. Not only that but there’s a lot of work you have to put into it you don’t just start making money right away,” she said. Roth’s co-host, Shelby Woods, corroborated this experience: “People often forget that you’re running a whole business.” “You need to perfect content creation and make sure everything is well-edited,” Woods continued. “Especially if you’re a survivalist sex worker, you need to utilize multiple platforms in case one website gets taken down or stops being lucrative.”

Having your account banned is a real and imminent threat. A 2019 Temple grad recalled her brief stint selling pictures of her feet to foot fetishists. “I tried Instagram but kept getting suspended over and over,” she said. While most mainstream social media sites ban sexually explicit content, some are more strict than others. Twitter technically “prohibits the promotion of adult sexual content globally,” but it is one of the more commonly used websites among creators due to its lax enforcement of this policy. Even sites intended to promote sexual content can be altered in ways that hinder the success of sex workers. When actress Bella Thorne took to OnlyFans to sell “nude photos,” she made $2 million in a week. However, the images were not actually nude and many subscribers asked for refunds. This led to website policy changes like establishing a tip maximum and capping paid posts at $100 per item. “A lot of celebrities that join are only jumping on a lucrative trend, and hurt sex workers’ credibility in the process. Bella Thorne falls into that category,” the senior biochemistry major added. Sex work is an industry that requires far more technical skill than it is given credit for. It is a field with ample critics, but also proves to be a worthwhile and empowering path for creators that uncover and tackle the field’s hidden nuances.

Illustration by Nicole Hwang

The Sound of COVID-19 An expanding relationship with music during quarantine. BY ELIZABETH ROSE GALAMBA

Ian Grau carries his alto saxophone in a hard, black case covered in stickers. One in particular catches the eye: the raven from “The Simpsons’” recreation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” but instead of two eyes, it has three. This decoration is particularly noteworthy—it reflects on the gloom of the present while foreshadowing the uncertainty of the future. Before COVID-19 took over everyone’s lives and drastically adjusted our normal routines, Grau’s relationship to music was strictly an afterschool hobby. As an environmental studies major, Grau’s musical interests were limited. He played alto saxophone for Temple’s Diamond Marching Band. He also sang in the choir for Temple’s music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha. However, as a result of this ever-expanding pandemic, Grau’s interest and overall relationship with music experienced a dramatic shift. Speaking on how COVID-19 affected his life as a musician, Grau said, “With all of this, we haven’t been playing as much with the marching band. I have been unmotivated in that sense.” Despite Grau’s growing disinterest in school-organized music groups, he found his motivation invested in new opportunities. The excitement is evident in Grau’s voice as he rattles off a list of the new opportunities that COVID-19 has presented to him. “Me and my friends are trying to start our own band. This whole time has motivated me to start writing music and writing lyrics,” he said. While practicing, especially with the marching band, Grau explained that there are several precautions being followed. Grau only practices with his section of the band, which allows for social distancing measures to be respected. Along with social distancing, the marching band is utilizing “bell covers” as another COVID-19 precautionary measure. Bell covers are pieces of black fabric that stretch around the opening of an instrument to essentially prevent spit from flying everywhere. When Grau isn’t practicing alone or with the marching band, he plays with his friend Fernando, who is also a part of Grau’s new string band. This string band is the driving force bringing music into Grau’s future, although he does intend to focus on making music in his “own, unique way.”

Like so many things in this chaotic time, Grau has reservations and believes that COVID-19 will greatly impact the music industry. The greatest impact, Grau stated, will be on live performances. “People become connected to a musician by seeing them live, and that in-person experience is more important to someone than watching a video performance,” he said. Yet, Grau believes that a lack of live performances could be a good thing by motivating performers to become “more creative in the way that they publish music.” Unlike the gloomy, three-eyed raven that sits on the face of his music case, Grau has found a way to push back against the negativity that has infected the world. Instead, Grau has focused his efforts on creating and producing music in his own way.

Photo courtesy of Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

Safe Travels? Traveling anywhere can be time-consuming and expensive. Airports are crowded and difficult to navigate, flight connections are stressful, and road trips are thwarted by traffic. Now, add a global pandemic to the mix. COVID-19 impacted just about every aspect of our lives— especially when it comes to travel. According to the United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics, flight cancellations for March 2020 were up to 17%, which was the highest cancellation rate seen since September 2001 at the time. Then, in April, the rate shot up to 41%—the highest recorded yet. This, however, did not stop everyone from traveling domestically. Exploring America, especially by car, became the new normal. Personally, I traveled domestically much more than I had originally planned to over the summer, mostly because my study abroad experience in Taipei, Taiwan, was canceled. To still feel the thrill of travel and get away from home, I road-tripped to Colorado. Since I had not ventured out of my home state (or even my house!) for nearly four months, road-tripping with two of my closest friends to Colorado in July was exhilarating. I learned to appreciate how beautiful our country is and how lucky I am to have the opportunities to travel it. Although I knew that flying would force me around hundreds of people, I felt safe flying back to Philadelphia for a week from my home in L.A.. Squeezing between strangers during a global pandemic was anxietyinducing; however, everyone was wearing masks, and some airlines even kept the middle seats empty. Because of all the safety precautions airlines take (face-covering requirements, extra cleaning, etc.), the odds of catching Coronavirus on a flight is only 1 in 4,300, according to a study by MIT Statistics Professor Arnold Barnett.

I was not the only Temple student traveling domestically over the summer. Lauren Scully, a junior film major, drove to Cape Cod, Mass. “Scully travels to Cape Cod from her hometown in New York each summer. Although she was glad to go again, this time felt different. Even the drive was different. Usually there is a lot of traffic but there wasn’t this time,” said Scully. Scully traveled with her family. They stayed together, sanitized, and wore masks when leaving the car or their house. “We [also] didn’t go out to eat at restaurants…We got takeout and cooked at home,” Scully said. Sarah Jessica Griffin, a senior human resource management major, traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Lake Park, Georgia, over the summer. She opted to fly to Georgia, and roadtripped to Tennessee. “I went with someone I had seen throughout the entire process, wore my mask, sanitized, and didn’t go into any heavily populated areas,” Griffin said. She also noted that these were places she had planned to visit, with or without a pandemic. “I definitely would have visited these places if it weren’t for COVID. The only difference was that it was much more restricted; I mostly stayed at the house,” Griffin said. Many trips were canceled during the initial months of quarantine, but as the summer went on, domestic travel became a more feasible option. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of long-distance trips over Labor Day weekend this year increased by 10% from the last. People were aching to explore. Traveling during a pandemic isn’t ideal, but there are ways to do it safely. And, with most countries still not allowing U.S. tourists to visit, it’s the perfect time to explore America.

Photo courtesy of Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

COVID-19 significantly changed the way we traveled last summer, but was it always for the worst? BY MIA PARKER

Daughter of Three

A Temple advertising student reflects on her adoption story and the role of each of her mother figures. “So do you ever try to find your real parents?” I get this question a lot and the genuine answer is, “yes.” But what am I gonna say to them? “Hey, it’s nice to look you in the eyes, why did you leave me on the doorstep of the welfare center?” I was adopted from China 20 years ago, and there’s so little I know about my culture or family tree. All I know is I was born in a coal-mining village and China had a one-child policy. I don’t know how the system works in China, but I thankfully never had to find out because I was adopted by a lovely Italian couple when I was 10 months old. I never knew my Italian mother. I was only a year old when she died of breast cancer. I’m sure I’ve touched her cheek in her times of agony. I like to think she watches me from the clouds. Maybe she touches my cheek too. Honestly, I don’t remember her. I have some old photos that are wrinkled and torn at the edges, and a handwritten journal she wrote to me while fighting cancer in the midst of my adoption process. Other than that, I have the word of my father and my grandmother. It’s almost like she never existed to me in adolescence. She was just the name of someone I knew. Only when I began sorting through her belongings, reading the journal, and smelling her clothing did it occur to me: this woman saved my life. She crossed the Great Wall of China, literally dying from the inside out—to pick up a baby. All my life I have wondered what she would be like. Especially during darker evenings when I hid in my room in fear of my step-mother, I would stare outside the window and try to listen for her. I wondered how she might have treated me. Would she hold me while my chest was hollow? Would she speak to me gently? I don’t know, and I never will. I think of her when I’m alone, on a walk, or just sitting outside. I wonder if she’s conscious and proud of me, or if the only proof of her existence ends with the

journal she left for me. In my head, she looks like a porcelain doll with short brown hair and emerald green eyes. She has soft, smooth skin, smells like rosewood chips, and sounds like honey. But in reality, she had blemishes and a lump in her breasts and smelled like a hospital. Despite having cancer and a career as a full-time nurse, and being an early twentysomething, she still wanted to be a mother. And she was willing to sacrifice everything to become one. “I married your mother just so you could have a mother figure.” The mother I have now, I’ve known all my life. She married my father when I was three years old, so any idea of a mother I have, I’ve gotten from her. Like all moms, there were portions of my life where I’d wish she didn’t exist, or I wouldn’t be her daughter. We fought, and at times I hid in fear from her. As an adult, we have a better relationship. She raised me to be the woman I am today. She gave me a close relationship with my cousins. She drilled my work ethic into me, as well as my drive to keep a house and get shit done. There’s no one else I would rather make dumplings with. She’s the mom that fights, laughs, teaches, and gives me culture. Without her, I don’t know how my and my family would have turned out. My birth mother sacrificed me for whatever reason; I’ll never know. She gave me a chance at life. My adopted mother climbed over literal walls to get me. She gave me a disconnected love that I’ll never know. She’s touched my emotions in a place no one else can. She is mysteriously, constantly loving, and I miss her, or what she could have been with me. My current mother gave me everything that I am. From my sensitive emotional state to my drive to deliver for others and go above and beyond in everything I do. She gave me a home and made my favorite foods. I am the daughter of three mothers.

I AM THE DAUGHTER OF THREE MOTHERS.

THE MINE // Fashion

D R E S S E D T O P RO T E S T : the power of fashion activism In a time of radical social reformation, fashion can be a powerful tool with which to fight against racial and social injustice and demand change. BY RAVEN LAWSON

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Garret from Pexels

We are living in an era of revolution. The fight against social and racial injustice has been at the forefront of our minds and the driving force behind many of our actions. For the last five months, people worldwide have been demanding legitimate change. Whether it’s by marching in the streets, signing petitions, donating to social justice organizations, or even making certain fashion choices, activism in all of its forms has permeated society. Fashion is an integral part of self-expression and how we portray ourselves to the world. Where we shop and what we wear can make a statement, and therefore, fashion can be inextricably linked to activism. “Social justice movements, at their core, are about people wanting to be able to live; to feel comfortable, confident, and safe in their own skin. A huge part of feeling comfortable in your own skin and showing up authentically is fashion,” said Niara Perry, the 25-year-old co-founder of Stand Up Arts, a social justice-oriented graphic apparel website.

Fashion has been and continues to be used as a way to portray coded political messages. Historically, suffragettes of the women’s rights movement and the Black Panthers have utilized political fashion in their fights for equality and justice. The Black Panther Party, with their all-black attire, berets, and leather jackets, gave the appearance of “uniformity without conformity” said Sonja Peterson-Lewis, associate professor in Temple University’s Department of Africology and African American Studies. “[The Black Panther’s] appearance signified ‘we are a group, but we are not conforming to your notion that we have to wear a suit and tie in order to be respectable,’” Peterson-Lewis said. Similarly, suffragists used a color scheme to symbolize certain beliefs, most notably white for purity and purple for loyalty. White also allowed them to stand out in the media coverage of protests. “This year is the 100th anniversary of [the women’s] movement’s conclusion: the ratification of the 19th Amendment. In recent ceremonies over the past year, many prominent women – especially women politicians – have dressed in white or purple, creating a clear visual statement that they were the result of that history,” said Temple University journalism professor, Carolyn Kitch. From athletes and celebrities to everyday people on the frontlines, fashion activism is being utilized by people across different racial and economic backgrounds. Graphic apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and face masks are especially popular ways people make political statements through fashion. During the 2020 U.S. Open, Women’s Singles Champion Naomi Osaka wore seven different face masks with the names of Black individuals killed by police brutality and racial injustice. NBA players are also making their statements about racial injustice through fashion. Social justice messages like “Say Their Names” and “I Can’t Breathe” are displayed across the back of some players’ jerseys. “Fashion allows [the players] to say ‘I am more than just the ball I play with, I am part of something larger, and I want just as much dignity off the field/court as on it’,” said Peterson-Lewis. The majority of the fashion industry is not known for taking an outright stance on social justice issues. But as more and more consumers are making deliberate and conscious decisions about where they shop and what they wear, the fashion industry is being

photo courtesy of Tina Bowie via Pexels

“Fashion should grow out of social justice movements; the movement shouldn’t grow into the fashion.” forced to adjust accordingly. The act of buying clothing is a power transaction. Consumers are taking back their power within the fashion industry by spending their money on brands that match their value systems. There is now pressure from the bottom-up for brands and publications to enact real change within their organizations. There is, however, a big difference between acting in a way that genuinely supports social justice and using social movements as a means for profit. September 2020, a big month for fashion publications, saw numerous covers featuring Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was killed in an act of police brutality. “I think that featuring [Breonna Taylor] on the cover of these magazines right now feels very performative,” said Perry. “It just all feels like it’s for them to feel good, not for real change to be made.” The usage of the victims of police brutality on the cover of magazines could be seen as a way to spark conversations about racial and social injustice, or as a co-optation of Black Lives Matter to profit off of Black trauma. “Justice runs deep and runs behind the scenes. I judge whether something is genuine or performative by how deeply they are willing to give in support of a cause or organization,” said Peterson-Lewis. “The question is, whether that inclusion goes beyond just putting somebody on a cover to sell; is it just a ticket to ride into profits?”

The fashion industry is undergoing a major paradigm shift regarding its role in social activism and justice that could lead to long-lasting changes for the future of inclusivity in fashion. “Inclusivity goes so far beyond the final product. It goes so far beyond the sales. Who are you hiring? Who’s writing these articles? Who’s taking these photos? It’s about who you are uplifting within your own company day after day,” said Perry. The relationship between fashion and activism will only continue to grow as more people make socially conscious decisions about what they wear and remain persistent in holding those within the fashion industry accountable. “Fashion should grow out of social justice movements; the movement shouldn’t grow into the fashion,” said Peterson-Lewis. Fashion activism is about wearing your values proudly. It is about making a statement with your money and with your clothing. Fashion can also be used to connect with those around us and collectively make bold visual declarations about the change we want to see enacted. “Fashion is a way for individual protesters to show that they are part of something larger than themselves – a connection that extends across place at any given time, that extends through time, reaching back to the past and forward to the future,” said Kitch.

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND: but make it fashion With more trendy styles being introduced to the world, clothing companies do not have the time or resources to make clothes sustainably the way they used to be made. Fast fashion is one of the largest growing problems in the world, but there are ways that humans can eliminate this growing issue.

Like all things in life, trends that were once in years ago always seem to find their way back to present day. Chunky white sneakers, Levi’s 501 jeans, scrunchies, shoulder bags, and hair scarves have all made their way back into popularity. As these trends make a comeback, you can’t help but question--are these trends coming back in the most ethically sourced and environmentally safe ways? It’s rare to find someone who hasn’t stopped in Forever 21 once in their life to pick up a shirt for an event they forgot about, or ran into H&M to buy a dress for a party. In the moment, a little bit of weight is lifted off the shoulders of the shopper and another item is marked off their long list of things that have to get done. What many consumers don’t realize is that when they purchase clothing items from these companies, they are supporting fast fashion businesses that underpay their workers and use materials that are extremely harmful to the planet. So, what is fast fashion anyways? Fast fashion is affordable clothing pieces that are produced quickly in response to popular trends. Clothing companies that are considered to be fast fashion aim for consumers to continue coming back to their store for more items, hence why the product is so cheap, but the quality is so poor. Brands like Forever 21, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Primark, Topshop, and many other companies are examples of fast fashion brands. Professor Christina Rosan says that fast fashion is designed to drive consumerism, “The goal is to get people to continue to buy a lot of clothes every year instead of making quality clothes that last. This is clearly unsustainable. We need to think about the lifecycle of our clothes. What materials are they made from? What are the working conditions of the factories where the clothes were manufactured? If we only use clothes for several years, what happens to it after we are done with it?

Is it recycled? Will it end up in a landfill?” Professor Rosan makes very good points and asks a lot of important questions: the kind of questions we don’t usually think about when out shopping with family and friends. Along with cotton, synthetics are also very harmful to the planet. First of all, synthetics are not biodegradable, so once clothes are made from them, then thrown away, the article of clothing will never break down. Animal-derived materials hold responsibility for methane issues. Methane is 20 times stronger than CO2 resulting in a large carbon footprint walking on our planet. Another large issue with fast fashion is the mistreatment of the workers and staff. Many companies have had lawsuits against them for overworking and underpaying their staff members. Workers have reported working over 100 hours a week and not receiving pay for six months. For example, According to Green America, Topshop releases 400 new styles a week, which would leave little to no opportunity for workers to receive a break. Although fast fashion is a big issue in the world, there are still ways to help resolve this issue. For example, shopping from sustainable brands! Some affordable brands include Alternative Apparel, Everlane, Levi’s, H&M’s new line H&M Conscious, Organic Basics, and many other clothing brands who have made a commitment to sustainable production. So next time you need to stifle your quarantine boredom with some online shopping, forget fast fashion and shop slow!

Photo by FashionRevolution

BY JOEY LOMORTICELLO

SENTENCED to

SOLITUDE

PHOTOS BY: DANI MEENAN AND HALEY DOMZALSKI | STYLING BY: LOGAN WENTZEL MODELS: DANÃ&#x2030; SIMMS & AMAYA RUTZEL

apocalypse (noun): a revelation, seeing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lifting the veilâ&#x20AC;? or finding

something which has been hidden. g out something secret.

Turning your mask from fashion faux pas to fashion forward A mask doesn’t have to ruin your outfit, in fact, it can even enhance it. BY GABBY HOUCK

Let’s face it, masks are here to stay for a while. But that doesn’t mean our outfits have to suffer. You can abide by public health guidelines while still looking like a fashion icon. So how about we don’t be selfish during a global pandemic and pop our masks on for the sake of other people’s health, and still look sickening while doing it? If they’re going to be mandatory, let’s consider them a part of our entire outfit, and not a precautionary eyesore. Here are five tips and tricks for styling your mask with everyday looks.

Color Coordination Whether you want to wear a neutral toned mask with a bright outfit, or use it for a pop of color with a little black dress -- color coordination with your mask is key to pulling together an outfit. I personally love matching the color scheme of my ensemble with my mask. But let’s be real, nothing is worse than feeling yourself and then popping on a medical mask from rite aid. Invest in a few different colored cloth masks and have some fun with it.

Bedazzle Who said helping slow the spread can’t be glamorous? If you love a bit of shine and bling, a bedazzled mask is the perfect way of showing it without going overboard. You can do it yourself by buying a pack of cheap masks and going nuts with some rhinestones and a hot glue gun, or you can purchase one from honeiibeth.com or Etsy.

Buying Masks from Independent Artists/Small Businesses Some of the best masks I’ve seen are from Etsy shops, small businesses, or websites like Society6 that commission prints and illustrations from artists. This way, you’ll have a unique mask that no one else has, and you’ll help expose an artist’s work. As tedious as wearing a mask can be with mask-ne (mask acne), lipstick rubbing off, or glasses fogging up, you should still find ways to love and embrace your mask. Make your mask a reflection of what you’re feeling. If you’re feeling light and carefree, let your mask reflect that. If you’re feeling bold, let your mask do the talking with a punchy slogan. Like I said, they’re here to stay, so let’s get creative and have a little fun.

Reusing Old Fabric

Tie-Dye Sensing a DIY theme here? The whole point of this is to have a little fun with your mask, and tie-dying is the perfect way to do that. Whether you want to take on this task yourself or purchase a pre-dyed one, a tie-dye mask will help you feel fun and bright when you take a socially distanced stroll.

Photo courtesy of @honeiibeth on Instagram

Have an old scarf you don’t wear anymore lying around? What about an old shirt you used to love? If you’re up for the project, turn it into a mask. I mean, with our social lives as we know them on pause, what else do we have to do? Might as well pause that episode of Gossip Girl and make a mask that even Blaire Waldorf would be jealous of.

&FLOP

TH RI FT REFINE collaborated with Thrift & Flop, a Temple student organization focused on repurposing and revamping well-loved clothing, for a masked mini shoot. Each model is a member of Thrift & Flop and designed their own mask. In this shoot, facilitated and shot by Visuals Editor Haley Domzalski, Fashion

Photos by Haley Domzalski

Director Logan Wentzel gave the models of Thrift & Flop the prompt of â&#x20AC;&#x153;mental healthâ&#x20AC;? as the concept for this shoot. The masks are shrouded in fake flowers and other recycled fabrics to represent blooming and second chances at life.

Models: Jason Dominic Jocelyn Brechbill Kate Napper Katherine Tracey Katie Lotier Lauren Diehl Miyalani Wagner Nina Sloan Tara Kleponis Vivian Black

185K followers and counting - Temple’s very own TikTok fashion influencer Sarah Mtimet Temple freshman rises to TikTok fame during quarantine with popular fashion inspiration-based content. BY MOLLY REINHARD

If you’re on social media, you’ve definitely heard of TikTok. The video sharing platform launched in September 2016, but its popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a creative community to share literally anything. One of the most popular types of content created on TikTok is fashion inspiration. Temple freshman marketing major Sarah Mtimet has gained quite a following from her trendy fashion videos on the app. Mtimet first began making TikTok videos in the midst of the pandemic. “When quarantine hit I started making TikToks, just because I really had nothing else to do,” Mtimet said. Her TikTok account has evolved into a fashion inspiration account, but her first viral video was actually not fashion related at all. Mtimet had a breast reduction in December 2019 and decided to share her experience on the platform. “I made a video of some before and after photos, and it blew up and got 10 million views. That’s when I was like ‘oh my gosh, this is so exciting,’” Mtimet said. This viral video is what began her rise to TikTok fame. “About a month after [the breast reduction video went viral,] I started focusing my content on fashion. That’s when I really started to notice views going up and I started to gain more followers,” Mtimet said. Once she found her niche on TikTok, she began to make her popular fashion inspiration videos. Mtimet’s videos commonly showcase her favorite styles, outfits, and trends. “I would describe my style as kind of a mix of trendy, vintage, 90s, early 2000s fashion,” Mtimet said. “My style has changed a lot [since I’ve been on TikTok.] I feel like because I have a bigger audience, it inspires me to be more creative and innovative.” Many followers look to mimic her style and looks from her videos. Mtimet said her favorite way to find trendy pieces is to shop second-hand. “I really love and connect with thrifting and thrifted fashion. I would say that’s where I get most of my clothes. You can just find so many unique items at the thrift store,” Mtimet said. Mtimet not only shares fashion inspiration on TikTok, but she is also influenced by other TikTokers. “I really love and connect with thrifting and thrifted fashion. I would say that’s where I get most of my clothes. You can just find so many unique items at the thrift store,” Mtimet said. Mtimet not only shares fashion inspiration on TikTok, but she is also influenced by other TikTokers.

“When I’m scrolling through my ‘for you page’ I’m always finding inspiration,” Mtimet said. “I really didn’t even like [early 2000s’ fashion] at all two years ago. I hated low waisted jeans and zebra print, but as I see people on TikTok wearing that style of clothes, I’ve been trying new things and wearing those trends I used to not like. I feel like as I’ve seen different trends styled in new ways, I’ve grown to really like them.” Mtimet’s rise to TikTok fame has allowed her to accomplish many exciting things as a freshman in college, all thanks to her creativity during quarantine and the pandemic. “One of my biggest accomplishments is getting to work with brands that I have known and loved,” she said. “I recently got to work with Princess Polly, and that was just really exciting for me because I always see influencers I really like working with them.” Mtimet currently sits at 185 thousand followers and counting on TikTok, and she has high hopes to continue growing on the platform.

Photo courtesy of @sarahmtimet on Instagram

CYBER PUNK. . .

PHOTOS BY HALEY DOMZALSKI & RYAN SNYDER

THE MINE // Health

Shifting to Sustainability By Kendra Franklin

ith climate change concerns growing, sustainability and greener living have become significantly intertwined with social media trends over the past couple of years. The rise in sustainable fashion brands, plant-based diets, and even big-time retail brands marketing themselves as “sustainable” is impossible to miss, even during mindless scrolls through your feed. Though this sustainability push is a fad, there is no harm in giving eco-friendly living a shot. Most students find it too difficult to shift from their current lifestyle, but to Kyra Snyder, a junior finance major and co-president of Temple University’s Ecological Eating Club, it isn’t as hard as it seems. “I don’t think it’s hard to live sustainably. Once you transition from eating a lot of meat, you’re living pretty sustainably,” said Snyder. As a vegan for over five years, she suggests that plant-based diets are a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint. But for those who can’t commit to cutting out meat entirely, there are plenty of other ways to start eating sustainably. “If you have a hard time completely cutting out meat or dairy, even just doing meatless Monday or eating a little less dairy is a good way to live sustainably,” said Snyder. Green queen and business owner of the sustainable online grocery store, Jars du Jor, Cailynn Chase has thoughts on the recent trend of sustainability. “I just want to know that it’s something people are going to care about in the long term,” said Chase, a recent global studies Temple alum. “I’m hoping there will be some sustainability within this trend.” Chase hopes people continue to follow the sustainability bandwagon and integrate it into their actual lives, even if they originally were in it to be trendy. “Even if it’s just fashionable to have a cute reusable coffee mug, I hope people continue,” Chase said. “Not because they wanna take a picture of it for Instagram, but because they feel some type of emotion or reaction in regards to throwing something away after one use.” Chase started her zero-waste grocery store in 2019 to, according to the Jars du Jour Instagram, “keep unnecessary trash out of streets, landfills, and oceans,” as well as to help promote a circular economy—a system in which waste is eliminated and resources are used in a continuous cycle. Chase has been funding her business through her own savings and from grassroots support. Before COVID-19, she expected to grow her business by fall 2020, with a strong team and foundation, but has since been running her business online. Since the summer, Chase has been collaborating on a new partnership with another sustainable online grocery store, Rise Mrkt. With this partnership, Chase hopes to not only expand her business but to grow with Rise Mrkt, eventually opening a storefront to make sustainable grocery shopping more accessible.

Universities have been ramping up their climate change plans as well. The Temple University’s Office of Sustainability has plenty planned to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. “The Office of Sustainability has always been committed to Climate Action,” says Rebecca Collins, Temple’s director of sustainability. Thanks to the pandemic, the Office of Sustainability has unfortunately had to change their plans. “A lot of the initiatives that we were moving forward with have had to be put on hold, just because of uncertainty. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the market,” said Collins. “Availability of material is really challenging, so we just kind of have to wait until things calm down.” The Office of Sustainability’s website states that Temple signed the American Colleges and Universities’ Presidential Climate Commitment and is pushing toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The Office of Sustainability has their Climate Action Plan published on their website available for anyone to read, as well as their greenhouse gas inventory and annual reports. According to Collins, the Office of Sustainability is always eager for students to get involved and help fight climate change. At the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, the Office of Sustainability launched its EcoReps program, a peer-to-peer education program that trains students to embrace and promote sustainable change and climate action. Additionally, the office hosts a Stories of Sustainability series on Zoom that highlights eco-champions in the Philadelphia area. Because sustainable living during a global pandemic isn’t easy, Chase gave tips and tricks for students who still want to be sustainable while stuck at home. “Reducing is the most important thing,” Chase said. “Then you don’t have to worry about recycling — you don’t have to worry about throwing so many things away.” Chase also suggests switching from plastic storage bags to tupperware, paper towels to reusable towels, and plastic food containers to glass containers. For college students, some ways of sustainable living may be difficult to do living in a dorm room, but Collins mentioned two things students can do to be climate activists within Temple University. “The first is to continue the conversation about climate change,” Collins said. “The second thing is to vote for representatives that are committed to climate action. I think that everyone tends to focus on the national elections, which are important, but equally important are your local and state elections.” Sustainable living is a trend that hopefully—for the planet’s sake—doesn’t slip away. It can seem difficult to start living more eco-friendly, but even starting small can have a big impact.

Meeting Our Needs By Liv Malloy

“I’ve been needing the [Cherry Pantry] recently, but the lack of information has been hindering me from getting the help that I need,” said Alexis Smith, a senior environmental studies major and previous user of the Cherry Pantry service at Temple. There’s no denying that the world is heavy right now. For students facing food insecurity, mental health issues, or financial emergencies, that weight can feel even worse. COVID-19 has created tricky living situations and high unemployment, leaving students struggling to access necessary resources, from food security to mental health services. Senior Associate Dean of Students Rachael Stark said that, while the operations at the Cherry Pantry have shifted, the same services remain available. “We’re trying really hard to assist students with all sorts of basic needs,” she said. The Cherry Pantry is a Temple-run, volunteer-staffed resource that provides food to students who may be struggling to access it. The pantry, which normally uses a points system that allows students to pick out their own items, has had to make some adjustments in the last few months to stay open, according to Stark. Program Coordinator Crashell Allen explained that the pantry has switched to pre-packaged bags for the time being. “A lot of people have had a lot of life changes, so they may not be able to purchase as much food as they did before. Therefore, we want to make sure we give them a little extra this time because of the situation that is going on,” Allen said. The new system provides students with more food than they would have been able to pick up with their 16 allotted points. It helps staff and students follow COVID-19

guidelines and keeps everyone safe. Students can also choose two personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, body wash, and menstrual products. “That bag could really support one individual for that full week. It might not be the most exciting, enticing food choices, but it would get you through to the next week when you could come back and get another one,” Stark said. According to Stark, the pantry has been open to students every week during the pandemic. “We are seeing, consistently, 20 to 25 students a week,” she said. Prior to the pandemic, the pantry served around 200 to 225 students in that time period. To get food from the Cherry Pantry, students can walk in during their hours and swipe their ID—no questions asked. At the onset of the pandemic, the Howard Gittis Student Center—home to the Cherry Pantry— closed its doors. The pantry relocated to the Temple University Police Department’s substation in Morgan Hall in March but moved back to room 224A in the Student Center in October. It is now open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m on Mondays and Thursdays. The Cherry Pantry’s various online pages offer inconsistent information, but Allen is committed to correcting it. She noted that the pantry’s transition to new interns has slowed down communications. Temple’s mental health services have also been forced to rewrite their models. Tuttleman Counseling Services began operating online in March, according to Brandon LaBarge, a Tuttleman counselor and the assistant director of the Resiliency Resource Center. “There was the natural drop-off with students returning and adjusting to that initial spring semester in March and April. I think some of the flow was that people dropped out and came back in, realizing the prolonged nature of what is happening,” LaBarge said.

Tuttleman’s Resiliency Resource Center (RRC), which is usually a physical space for students to utilize tools mental for well-being, like biofeedback devices and massage chairs, has since shifted to virtual programs. These range from webinars and support groups to yoga and guided meditations. LaBarge noted that Tuttleman Counseling Services has faced new challenges, like trying to connect students who live in other states to available resources. The RRC is still available to all students, regardless of their location. Students can access counseling services during Tuttleman’s virtual walk-in hours, which run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekdays. Temple also offers a Student Emergency Aid Fund, which has increased from about $300 to upward of $2,000 during the pandemic, according to Stark. The fund also sets students up with refurbished desktop computers that they get to keep. Students can request loaner laptops that have been made available through TUhelp and discounted Internet connection through Comcast Internet Essentials. Smith also tried to apply for the fund at the onset of the pandemic. She was told that she needed to go to City Hall to file a report. However, City Hall was not open to the public at the time, so Smith was not able to apply. “I think that Temple should do more to help their students in need and make access to those resources easier,” Smith said. “Because oftentimes, students are very overworked, and they just don’t have the mental bandwidth to jump through a bunch of hurdles to access these resources. They end up going without.” LaBarge advises that students be patient and set aside time for self-care. “If you are going to seek services, schedule time for that and respect that time for yourself,” LaBarge said. “It’s not an easy thing to go and share these things with other people or explore these spaces—potentially with strangers or even for the first time out loud.” While these resources may be difficult or confusing to access during the pandemic, students should know that they are still there. The bureaucratic inner workings of the school can slow down these processes. Temple University needs to prioritize this information and disseminate it appropriately in a time when students need it most.

PANDEMIC FOMO The pandemic has left many students missing their friends and the normalcy that comes with casual socialization. By Grace Savage

Picture this: it’s Friday night, and you’re home alone trying to plan the night’s agenda. As you try to formulate a plan with your roommates, you quickly find yourselves at odds due to the fact that the looming threat of COVID-19 makes socializing as we might’ve once known it no longer an option. “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) is something familiar to many of us, and the looming anxiety of missing out on something exciting is even more prominent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is especially true for college students, whose social media timelines seem to be a constant reminder of the exciting events happening to someone else, somewhere else. Sophomore history and Spanish double major Sofia Gabaldon has been keeping safe by seeing friends outside or even scheduling Zoom calls to keep in touch with them. “I think the thing I miss most is the spontaneity. I can’t just hang out with friends or decide to go to a party and make it out the door in 10 minutes,” Gabaldon said. “Not that I would go to a party now, but it’s the little things that I feel I took for granted when I was able to do them.” While many students are doing their part to keep themselves and others safe, there are still those who seem to behave as though the virus is no longer a threat, especially on social media. “I get really annoyed and frustrated, because I feel like I’m restricting myself and staying safe for nothing,” Gabaldon said “I get that no one is perfect and we are all tired of the pandemic, but when I’m seeing the same people consistently out with no masks on, and usually indoors, it makes me feel like this is never going to end.” Student community health ambassador and information science and technology major J.P. Gueco said that social distancing is a key part in students staying safe, despite their need to socialize. “As a student myself, I feel that that’s where the spread comes from -- the parties, not practicing social distancing...I’ve heard other students talk about how it makes them upset to see people who don’t take this virus seriously,” they said. As young people, it is no secret that being able to connect with one another and socialize is an integral part of our mental wellbeing and development. “In this time of social distancing, it can be difficult to identify not just how to build new relationships but also how to maintain and strengthen existing ones,” said Michelle Williams, a staff psychologist and the Assistant Coordinator of Training at Tuttleman Counseling Services, in an email. Socialization is also extremely important in terms of managing stress and maintaining connection with one another. “I think students are starting to adopt the new normal when socializing,” Gueco said. “When they’re outside or walking around, they’re wearing their masks. Even when sitting at a table with friends and socializing, they keep their masks on.” Students have collectively shown a willingness to embrace new ways of spending time with one another in order to get the social interaction we need to maintain a semblance of normalcy, while

still prioritizing safety. Junior biology major Sarah Golchin has been spending time with her roommates and trying to limit contact with people outside her immediate circle. “As much as I would love to see all of my friends, it just doesn’t feel safe to do so with the potential consequences of spreading COVID,” she said. However, this doesn’t mean that students aren’t allowed to mourn for the activities and events that would have been. Many students are in the same boat, and understanding that we are not alone in these feelings might be the very thing to help us ease through an especially challenging time, where FOMO is likely to be running high. “No one is impressed by people being irresponsible, and it seems like those who are going out are flaunting it. There are so many other ways to socialize or get out of the house without putting people at risk,” Gabaldon said. Many students involved with Greek life are especially struggling with the new COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures, because they may not be able to see their sorority or fraternity friends as much as they’d like or in the ways they used to. For junior recreational therapy major Payton Williams, who is involved with the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma at Temple, the pandemic means being especially careful when spending time with her sisters. Williams said that all Greek life events are being conducted virtually via Zoom, including recruitment events. “I feel like I can’t see my friends without being freaked out for a week that I have COVID, even when my friends and I have maintained social distance and haven’t seen anyone,” she said. “I miss getting together with my friends, honestly.” The stress from both school and trying to configure safe, fun, and seemingly “normal” hangouts can ultimately create a perfect storm of more stress and exhaustion that can leave students at odds. Some students feel awkward asking close friends to catch up over Zoom or FaceTime, as opposed to hanging out in-person as they normally may. “I feel that quarantine has made me more anti-social. It’s a strange phenomenon, honestly. I want to be at home until I’m sick of it, and then I want to go out, and I find myself wanting to go back home because of the fact that I’m scared of the virus,” Williams said. “I miss normalcy, and I have anxiety that things may not be normal again for a while. But the bottom line is that we are all eager for this to be over.” As we look toward the future, we can all work together to stay connected and positive while still placing a priority on safety. As Wallace said, “While there are certainly creative ways to get and stay involved, it feels equally important to acknowledge the very real impact of COVID-19 on our emotional bandwidth and to hold compassion for ourselves as we work to re-understand what it means to be a social being.”

Keeping Up With Sexual Health During COVID By Kaila Morris Like many college students, COVID-19 changed how Nico Cisneros, a senior journalism major, took care of her sexual health. “During the pandemic, I feel like things have been okay. It’s a bit hard,” said Cisneros, married since August. The pandemic temporarily prevented Cisneros from access to contraception. “Trying to get to the doctor and get that renewed.. it was just such a hassle!” Nico said. Sexual behavior is seemingly threatened by COVID-19. Contact with partners and doctors and access to safe sex supplies are limited, affecting students’ abilities to care for their sexual health. Good ole (and controversial) Jeff Bezos came to the rescue. Amazon’s speedy delivery of safe sex supplies, like condoms and lube, to Cisneros’ doorstep made protected sex possible again. The pandemic has made it clear that access to safe sex supplies is critical to sexual health. Sexual health is critical to our overall health. During the pandemic, how we keep up with our sexual health looks different for everyone. For many, college is a time for exploring your sexuality. According to a 2017 survey by CollegeStats.org, the Temple University student body ranked the most sexually active in the country. But because of social distancing standards, COVID-19 has put a stop to the hook-up culture that many students used to partake in. During the pandemic, students feel uncomfortable meeting new partners, forcing them to ponder new ways to keep up with their sexual health. “I would definitely be skeptical meeting a new person now,” said Christopher Mereday, a junior management and information systems major, “You don’t know how often people are going out and who they’ve been exposed to.” When it comes to meeting new sexual partners, COVID-19 poses many obstacles. Having sex may make getting through the pandemic feel more tolerable. But adding to your social circle during this time of encouraged isolation comes with risk. “You can get COVID from one person if you don’t know what they’ve been doing,” said Chrystian Simmons, a sophomore finance major and COVID-19 survivor. Just as before the pandemic, it’s a matter of trust between partners. “How you interact with other people, especially in an intimate capacity, affects how you interact with your feelings of selfworth. It’s important that we recognize that our psychological, mental, emotional, and reproductive health are all intertwined,” said Kameelah Phillips, a board certified OB-GYN and founder of Calla Women’s Health in Manhattan. “Sexual health is not only physical, it’s definitely psychological and emotional,” she said. “It’s how someone feels about their body in a sexual sense whether that’s alone or with a partner or

even multiple partners. It’s a moving definition.” “Your safest sex partner is yourself. Of course, COVID-19 is not a sexually transmitted infection, but at the same time, the way that COVID is being transmitted is through close physical contact,” said Brittany Robinson, the wellness education program coordinator at Temple University’s Wellness Resource Center who specializes in sexual health initiatives. We all crave connection with others, sometimes making solo sex seem utterly less satisfying over time. In the age of corona, it’s time to get creative. “Continue to engage with your pelvis,” Phillips said. “Masturbation gives you an opportunity to explore your body and different erogenous zones that maybe you hadn’t paid attention to. It’s like a little boost of adrenaline when you need it to be. It can also be like your sleep aid if you’re having trouble sleeping.” “There are ways that we can still cultivate a sexual experience that is still positive, that is exciting for us, that we enjoy, while still keeping in mind those guidelines we’ve been provided,” Robinson explained. Self-love doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Interactions like dinner or movie dates over FaceTime could lead to phone sex with the right person. Robinson also suggested sexting, sharing fantasies, and a host of other spicy activities. “You always want to communicate, especially now,” Robinson explained. “You want to be open about other close encounters, decisions you’ve made throughout the pandemic, and you can get tested for COVID-19 before you decide to introduce a new partner. ” “Sexual health is more than just the absence of an illness,” Robinson said. “It’s really being comfortable in your sexuality. You’re free to express yourself in a way that empowers you- enriches you. Being comfortable to access information and resources that are going to keep you safe.” Cisneros is the type of person who looks out for her friends’ sexual health as well as her own. She offers to purchase safe sex supplies for them. “I’m always telling my friends, ‘if you need help, please tell me,’” she said. Solutions to sexual health care may be more unconventional in COVID times, but are just as important as ever. “Sexual health is super personal--take care of you,” Cisneros said, “Whether that means masturbating, whether that means finding a trusted partner, no matter what that means. Make sure that you’re empowered to make your own calls. Do what’s safest for you.”

The Mine // Love

A Love Letter to 2020

What 2020 Was Supposed to Be & What I Got Instead In an emotional letter to the unprecidented year now behind us, Love Writer Juliana DiCesare compares the disappointment and devastation 2020 left in its wake with the pain of a heartbreak. I write this love letter to you with cautious hands, trying to find precise words for a love that has left me uncertain. I write this love letter to you, despite the image I have of you opening it. Your hands turn it over, carelessly ripping the envelope, smudging the ink of the words I chose so carefully for you. You might even throw it in the fire. But I still want you to have something beautiful to hold in the space between your hands. Let it be something tangible — a keepsake, proof — to remind us both that you once defined a period of my life. Do you remember when we first met at the party? It was Jan. 1. I saw you enter from across the room, precisely at midnight— the sky outside littered with stars. I wasn’t sure what your entrance into my life meant, but I think I was ready to meet you. I was ready to set sail into uncharted territory with you— vulnerable, terrifying, exciting as any new love is. In the first two months of our honeymoon phase, I still had hopes to accomplish all that I wanted to with you at my side. The pace of life had already changed just before we met. The tempo went from the softness of a quiet suburb to the crescendo of a busy city. A new era had just started. I thought, decidedly, that the era was to be full of new opportunities and new souls to meet. The world had expanded into something grander that we were beginning to feel. I don’t think either of us anticipated our love going sour so quickly. Our relationship took an ugly turn in our third month. They say that lovers often get tunnel vision, but you let it consume you. The opportunities that were waiting for me and the other people that I loved became something intangible at your hands. The world outside of us grew smaller around me. I watched it pass from afar, slowly through my bedroom window. How is it that love can feel so lonely? I have this palpable sense of isolation, of numbing monotony. I’ve watched the days slowly bleed by in our time together. Yet, here I am: pen and paper, writing you this letter. In the isolation of this love, I’m trying to find a contrast between our loneliness and the fulfillment of my own company. Who was I left to turn to but myself when everything slipped out of my

reach? I hadn’t noticed how exhausting the pressures of the world were until it came to a halt. I began to recover all the parts of me that had been lost in the overgrowth. Nursing them until they blossomed back to full life was an unexpected task. I don’t consider this love a blessing, nor is it a curse. It exists as a growing pain. One that I didn’t ask for, but perhaps I needed. I thank you for that opportunity. I still can’t help but wonder what could have been if I hadn’t met you that fateful night. If we hadn’t happened. Would life have been easier? Kinder? I suppose there’s no point in wishing to rewrite the past. There’s no way to go but forward, my love. I’m watching you fade away now. Though you will always linger, I have a vision of someone better. I can almost hold their hand, just out of fingertips’ reach somewhere in the future. I can feel them waiting for me, and the world will exist in color once more. It’ll be if only we have the courage to introduce ourselves to one another — vulnerable, terrifying, exciting as any new love is. And if I happen to meet them at midnight, on the first of January, I hope that they are gentler with my heart.

Loving Yourself

& The Space You Take Up by Camillia Benjamin

The members of Black Women TU discuss selflove, including tips for how to make the most out of your situation. artwork by nicole hwang

Do you ever feel like you’re losing sight of yourself and your happiness? Self-love is a never-ending rollercoaster that is both exhilarating and exhausting. With restaurants, movie theaters, and public attractions being closed, along with the social distancing requirements and masks, things become difficult. With that, you want to make sure you’re taking care of your mind, body, and soul to the best of your ability. My journey to self-love was not a smooth or easy adventure in the slightest. There were days where I felt horrible and times where I felt like I was on top of the world. The highs and lows of the self-love journey are what make the outcome the best feeling ever. I sat down with the women behind Black Women TU, a student organization at Temple University devoted to creating a safe space to empower Black women on campus, to get some insight on navigating this strange, and sometimes terrifying, journey to self acceptance. Anyah Jackson, the club president and junior Africology major, explains that self-love looks different to her every day. Some days her body will tell her she needs a nap, so she’ll take one; another day, it might be relaxing and watching a film or taking a bath.

McDuff believes self-care caters to the person at that exact time. She went on to say that you have to put yourself first in moments like this.

Meanwhile Sarah McDuff, the social media coordinator and junior advertising major, said she would do whatever she feels is right for herself.

“You couldn’t possibly hurt anyone else if you’re putting yourself first,” McDuff said, reflecting on her current favorite form of self-care (spending quality time with herself and rewatching Degrassi, of course).

Take a moment to think about what this means. You know yourself the best, and your body never lies. Often all it takes is a quick conversation with yourself. Jackson described self-care as “anything you feel your body or spirit needs at the moment… self-love looks different every day.” This could be a nap, a movie night, or a friendly phone call with friends and family. Something so simple could change your day and attitude instantly. The organization’s vice president, Semhal Abebe, a junior civil engineering major, expressed that going out for walks allows her to destress and take care of herself. Her love for the outdoors is about taking everything in—the scenery, the noises, the air, everything. “Look to and listen to yourself in that exact moment; what comes to mind is what you need,” said Abebe.

As I virtually sat across from the members of BWTU, I thought about my own answers to these questions. And I realized I didn’t have an answer. But as I meditated over our conversation , I remembered my unique self-care rituals. I enjoy a good nap in the middle of the day and watching what I consider some of the best films ever made. The Great Gatsby, Obsessed, The Hobbit Trilogy, etc. Giving myself the time to rewatch some of my favorite movies allows me to really wind down and let go of all of my worries, for the time being. It didn’t come naturally either. I struggled a lot with finding my thing. I tried things that I thought would work and realized I was never truly relaxed or calm. Practice makes perfect, and with time and care, you will finally see yourself in your eyes as the baddest. Period.

A Conversation With The Hosts Of

On My Way? by Samantha Roehl

REFINE’s FOB editor, Samantha Roehl, sat down with hosts Meghan Baskin and Alexandra Collins to talk about their lifestyle podcast, ‘On My Way?’. Read more on pages 55-56.

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We realized we couldn’t necessarily sit down and give people advice on what to do with their lives, for their career, or their relationships because we don’t really know what we’re doing either.

photos courtesy of Meghan Baskin

eghan Baskin, a senior entrepreneurship major, always assumed she would one day start a podcast. So when her friend from high school, Alexandra Collins, transferred to Temple last fall, it seemed like a twist of fate. What started out as two friends talking about a shared interest morphed into the realization that they could, and should, start their own podcast. For Baskin and Collins, a senior psychology major, it took a couple months for their idea to come to fruition. But after a few attempted episodes that never saw the light of day, they posted their first episode of “On My Way?” on Feb. 23, 2020. Originally, the two thought “On My Way?” was going to be a dating podcast a la “Girls Gotta Eat,” one of their personal faves. But they soon settled for a more general “lifestyle” genre, aimed at college students and other twentysomethings. “We realized we couldn’t necessarily sit down and give people advice on what to do with their lives, for their career, or their relationships because we don’t really know what we’re doing either,” said Baskin. “So the whole premise was kind of leaning into this sense of messiness and figuring things out.” With episodes covering the highs and lows of early adulthood from sharing roommate horror stories to interviewing their exes, Baskin and Collins have seen themselves improve during the duration of the podcast. They both feel more comfortable recording themselves than they did before and have finally conquered the editing struggle. “I was never a super creative person,” said Collins. “I don’t have a lot of creative outlets in my life. That’s why I love doing this so much.”

And while they were reticent to reveal the podcast’s analytics, they both seem pleased with how it has been received. “I remember setting a goal and I thought that if there were just 10 people who listened to the entire episode every time, that would be huge for me,” said Baskin. “And it being solidly more than that was crazy mind-boggling.” Baskin and Collins have been friends since the summer before their freshman year of high school. Collins recently moved in with Baskin and her roommates and said that they feel more like sisters than friends at this point. While it is common advice not to go into business with friends or family, Baskin and Collins are doing just fine. “I don’t think we have any problems,” Collins said. Baskin quickly agreed. “We know each other really well. So if one of us was kind of against talking about something, we’re comfortable telling each other that,” she said. Moving forward, they hope to have more guests on podcast episodes. (Taylor Swift and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, please hit them up.) Even after graduation, they have no plans of stopping the podcast. There’s a chance they will both continue living in Philadelphia. But even if they’re not together, quarantine proved that they could successfully record episodes over FaceTime. “As far as the podcast goes, it’s something I enjoy doing, it’s something I can always make time for,” said Baskin. While they have accomplished a lot in the past year, the best is yet to come. “I honestly think it’s just the beginning,” said Collins.

Celebrity Culture Took Over 2020... (for better or for worse) By Maggie Mancini

n March 18 of this year, actress Gal Gadot posted a video on IGTV of her, along with about a dozen or so of her rich celebrity friends, singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of widespread quarantine as a result. The video, which features celebrities like Kristin Wiig, James Marsden, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Fallon, Natalie Portman, and others, sits at over 10 million views on Instagram and was met with pretty heavy backlash on social media. I spoke with Sabrina Dormer, a senior history major who hadn’t personally seen the video until I brought it up to her. “They’re trying to portray themselves as one of the people and calling for unity, but if you look closer at their backgrounds, most are recording from iPhone 11s,” she said. There lies the crux of the issue. It seems like celebrities are living through an entirely different pandemic than we are. Is celebrity culture fizzling out, or do we still tie ourselves to these people who we believe are above us? When I think about parasocial relationships, meaning the one-sided relationship that a consumer of media content has with its creator, I mostly think about celebrities and stan culture, most of which takes place on social media, especially this year. And I think about my adolescence, scrolling through Tumblr for years on end, taking part in fandom, and idolizing both celebrities and fictional characters. For me, fandom and stan culture provided the escapism I needed when I was younger, and brought with it internet friendships that I still have today. But when love of story and love of character become equated with love for the celebrities who portray them, where do we draw the line? For some, the pandemic has drawn that line. From “Imagine” to allegations of toxic working conditions at the Ellen DeGeneres show, to YouTube and TikTok influencers exposed for racist, sexist, and homophobic words and actions - those with large platforms have been consistently telling on themselves, and telling who they are. Because parasocial relationships are one-sided, with one side

providing entertainment in exchange for the other side’s love (and time), people may be coming to terms with the fact that some of their favorite celebrities have different values than they do and show solidarity with those who are as wealthy as they are, rather than those who are uplifting them and their careers, and keeping them talked about. As with almost everything, though, there is a positive spin to this. For every celebrity that has shown their true colors and received well-deserved backlash for it throughout this pandemic, there has also been an influx of quality media to consume while quarantined, from new albums and virtual tours to good television that seems almost built for a pandemic. Dormer mentioned Philadelphia’s alternative radio station, 104.5, and their virtual concert events in lieu of postponed or cancelled in-person shows. She had gotten tickets to an AJR concert that was cancelled because of the pandemic, but she was still able to attend their virtual show. These relationships, no matter how harmful they may be, are important relationships to have. We interact with media nearly every moment of our lives, and these people and stories and messages have long-lasting impacts on who we are, what we believe, and what we’re willing to defend. When popular YouTuber Shane Dawson came under fire after videos of him being openly racist, wearing blackface, and mimicking masturbation in front of a poster of a then-11-yearold Willow Smith this past summer, fans of his had to grapple with how connected they are to a man who has been public in his racism for over a decade on the internet. And the central question is posed again and again: Can you separate art from an artist? Or, in Dawson’s case, can you separate the content from the racism? For many, that distinction is easy: no, you cannot separate those things, because racism is not forgivable. It requires a consumer to take a side, to form a position. Over and over again, Black and brown media consumers in particular are forced to watch issues relating to their lives, health, and wellbeing used as debatable topics, particularly when it comes to celebrity culture and the fierce defence of even the worst creators in popular media.

Celebrity culture, a hallmark of popular culture in the United States and around the world, has faced some major challenges as the divide between the rich and poor increases, and the impacts of the pandemic become more and more personal for people based on their access to healthcare, social safety nets, and steady employment. Whether or not the growing distaste for celebrities will continue after the pandemic is over is still to be seen. But for now, taking the time to evaluate whose art and entertainment is important and good for you may help limit that frustration, especially as people continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic into 2021.

artwork by nicole hwang

â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when love of story and love of character become equated with love for the celebrities who portray them, where do we draw the line?â&#x20AC;?

Is there such a thing as ethical celebrity culture? Love editor Maggie Mancini evaluates the good, the bad, and the ugly of entertainment in quarantine.

FROM DATERS Feeling stuck on what to do with your partner during these pandemic times? Taking naps together getting a little old? Here are some ideas, tried and true from students around you! by Magdalena Becker It’s 2020, people. As difficult as this pandemic has been for us all individually, it also inevitably created some strain on our relationships. Some of us moved back in with parents, siblings or significant others. Some experiences went surprisingly well, others maybe not so much. Whether you spent quarantine together or apart from your loved one, went on dates, or stayed home swiping, let’s face it: Dating hasn’t been the easiest. We are in a time where we need to hold back from doing what we know best: going out on “normal” dates, exploring new places, or meeting up in coffee shops. While the virus is still incredibly present in Philadelphia, we now have a bit more freedom to leave the house—masks on, of course. As a determined dater, I went out to find the best ideas to try when dating during COVID-19. They may be simple, but with attending college, working, and trying to survive during a pandemic, I am grateful for some easy tips and tricks. And even better, I have proof that these have worked for other couples. Don’t believe me? Here are some ideas from college students around the Philadelphia area.

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“My boyfriend and I used Netflix Party and watched a movie together!” - Maddy, 20, Temple University

“Drive-in movie theaters are fun and safe because you buy the tickets online, so there’s no contact which is amazingly safe!” - Bobby Yaworski, 19, Temple University

“Having a game night! It’s good for people who live with their partners and also for people who have to social distance from their partners. If you have to stay away from each other, then use multiplayer games like Stardew Valley or other online games.” - Olivia, 19, Temple University

“Picnics at parks and just walking to cool locations around the city is always fun.” - Max, 19, Temple University

JUST LIKE YOU 6

“We bought a tent and put lights in it and moved his furniture into the kitchen so that we could sleep in there since we couldn’t go on our yearly camping trip. Also, we had a night once a week where we would sit down and make dinner together, and we tried to make it something that neither of us had made before so it was new and exciting.” - Lexi, 21, Temple University

“Our go to activity is ordering pizza from different local Philly pizza places—to support local businesses during the pandemic—and then choose a movie for an at-home pizza and movie night. Another fun thing that we did last night was have a game night when close friends!” - Emma, 21, Temple University

The Found Family, Revisited Family: a thin invisible thread that holds most of us together. Its binding power is created from the will to love and connect with one another. A thread that many queer people find themselves having a tangled relationship with. The thread that holds some families may be short or knotted and disconnected. It can cause some members to not feel connected with their family. Threats of violence, disownment, and regular queerphobia from family members makes many queer people feel unaccepted and shamed by those closest to them. The idea of a tight knit family can be distorted for queer indivuals who don’t feel the supposed inherent comfort from their birth families. And some have to make the difficult choice to cut the thread and flee, separating from their current families— hoping to seek refuge in a new one. Found families are cultivated by those who seek to create a family unit that will provide members with a close knit group of people they can belong to, rely on, and

artwork by nicole hwang

trust. A found family is made of those who you build a relationship with and feel as though the bond you share is familial. These communities connect us with those who we may not hold blood bonds with, but still provide us with the caring and encouraging relationships many seek in their lifetime. This idea of community is the foundation that queer people create personalized family structures from— fulfilling the need to feel love and security where members can exist in their truest form. James “Bucky” Baker, a junior public health major, found his family at Temple through various queer student orgs on campus. He currently lives with his chosen family, which consists of three other trans-identified students. “I met Nora at Students for Trans Awareness and Rights (STAR), Violet at Queer Nerd Assocation and the next semester I met Forest,” Baker said. Once he came to college, Baker finally had the chance to embrace who he was as a person and develop his own personality.

Found families have an integral place in the lives of queer students. by Ray Hobbs

In the process new friends were made as he made lasting connections with people he truly cared for. While Baker may be viewed as an outlier due to having a birth family that is supportive of his trans identity, he still felt that his birth family could not truly understand his identity. Although his original thread may still be intact with his birth family, gaps and acts of detachment acted as buffers between Baker, his transness, and his relationship with his birth family. His found family had the ability to fill in the gaps that his birth family couldn’t. “They’re all trans and they understand where I’m coming from in a way that my birth family never can because they’re not trans,” he said. “So being able to have that other level of connection is really nice. Even if we had different experiences we all sort of ‘get’ each other because we have this uniting factor.” Baker would describe his found family members Forest and Nora as siblings, while Violet is his best friend. “It’s like siblings but also closer than siblings. With my biological brother, we’re pretty close but I don’t have the same connection with him that I do with someone like Violet,” he said. “We seem to understand each other, you can say we’re on the same wavelength.” “My found family is very much part of my family as a whole. We all care so deeply about each other, we worry about each other and want to help each other,” Baker said. Baker’s families offer him a duality of threads of support that bind together to keep him whole.

MAIN CAMPUS A New Black- O wned Bookstore Getting Creative During COVID Swift Endings & New Beginnings Campus Collective Action .....and more!

MAIN CAMPUS

HARRIETT’S BOOKSHOP and what it means for the future In an industry perceived as predominantly male, Jeannine Cook brings fresh flair to Philadelphia’s literary scene with her independent bookstore. BY NATHALY SUQUINAGUA

hat makes a bookshop unique? Is it the type of books they sell? The smell of the owner’s favorite coffee blend mixed with the intoxicating smell of freshly printed paper? When you go to a bookshop, you can’t help but feel at home amongst fellow bookworms enjoying the quiet atmospheric space where you can spend the whole day browsing the shelves. Harriett’s Bookshop on Girard is a book lover’s dream. The small, Black-owned shop focuses on promoting and selling books written by female authors, artists, and activists. This bookshop’s goal is to educate people, while cultivating curiosity and changing society for the better. The bookshop’s mission is to be able to support and celebrate Black women and female authors, as well as being able to lift up Black women’s stories. Customers feel the “Black girl magic” as soon as they walk in the door. Jeannine Cook, the owner of Harriett’s, describes the space as homey. Recently, Cook expanded the basement and backyard from 500 sq feet to 1,500 sq feet to promote social distancing since the start pandemic. “What makes me excited to come in every day is that we redesign the space constantly so it’s always a new experience for me and my customers,” Cook said. “It feels like you’re at home with your family when you’re at this bookshop.” The bookshop is named after Harriet Tubman and Cook describes her as one of the most iconic figures in history. “I believe that having the bookstore that’s named for someone so powerful gives people inspiration, reminds people of the historical context of what has happened in this country both negative and positive, and also reminds folks about our power as humans when we decide to be a stand for liberty and justice,” Cook said.

Since COVID-19 hit, Harriett’s Bookshop has been pushing to become more creative. The bookshop has started an online bookstore as well as having a bookshop outside calling it Sidewalks Sales. The shop had to close in March 2020 and reopened on Sept. 12. The bookshop started to make plans to host a protest out in the street in front of the bookshop in October. A demonstration like we’ve never seen it before as Cook describes it. It was a modern day sit-in and the goal is to assert autonomy and ownership over their own location. In a follow up interview, Cook approximated that Harriett’s Bookshop had a few hundred people attending the protest. The bookshop plans to host more protests to continue supporting the community building and be able to have authentic dialogue as much as they can. Cook added that her objective is to be in a position where they’re manufacturing. She noticed that there are not many or enough Black women-owned manufacturing operations in this country and that has to change. Setting up a bookshop hasn’t been easy for Cook. Harriett’s Bookshop has had to deal with racism and received terroristic threats this September, some even directed at Cook and her employees. “Right now, we are living in a sick society,” Cook said about the threats. “It’s very important for people to understand that when a Black woman in my position opens a bookstore, or any business, this is something that we’re up against.” When the bookshop received the email, the community came together to support the shop.

Photo courtesy of @harrietts_bookshop on Instagram

That week, customers brought flowers, and some even bought an entire collection of books. Even doing the smallest things can help change the way people view things and lead to greater acceptance of different cultures, races, and lifestyles—and Harriett’s Bookshop is a step in that direction.

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“I believe that having the bookstore that’s named for someone so powerful gives people inspiration, reminds people of the historical context of what has happened in this country.”

“ Photo courtesy of @harrietts_bookshop on Instagram

creating DURING COVID While COVID-19 may have damped some spirits, others found themselves in a state of heightened creativity. BY SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

rom testing out bizarre coffee recipes to binging TV shows on Netflix, quarantine led many of us to discover newfound hobbies and interests with our free time at

home. For several Temple students, the time at home inspired them to develop their own small businesses or revamp their previous business endeavors. Christina Concilio, senior Temple University student and creator of Christina’s Collection 13, started her small business as a quarantine hobby. With an interest in resin jewelry, she took a liking to the craft and decided to share her talent with a social media audience. “I didn’t originally intend to sell my pieces,” she explained. “However, I was having so much fun designing and creating new items that my house was being overtaken with way more jewelry than I could ever possibly wear.” Concilio now has an Instagram account devoted to her business, through which she conducts jewelry sales and communicates with her customers. The social media presence allows Christina to converse with her followers directly regarding traditional sales and custom jewelry pieces. “Items are typically priced between $11 to $18 depending on the materials used, the intricacy of the design, and the time spent on the piece,” she said. “Even after pieces are sold, I love when my followers engage with my posts and tell me what they like and want to see more of.” Along with her passion for jewelry-making, Concilio greatly values the philanthropic impact of her business. “A critical part of this endeavor for me was rooted in being able to give back,” Concilio explained. “A portion of all sales from my products is donated directly to two wonderful nonprofits that support and amplify female voices, Women Organized Against Rape and A Broader Way.” Riley Lauren, a junior Temple University student, shares a similar passion for style and fashion. As the founder of Illusory, Lauren creates personalized, sustainably-sourced clothing bundles for her customers. “I started this same type of business when I was a senior in high school, and then I stopped when I got to college,” Lauren said. “When the pandemic hit, I realized I wasn’t getting to do the things I love anymore, so I decided to start back up after the lockdown.” With style bundles ranging from $50 to $100, Lauren conducts her business primarily through Instagram. She includes a style quiz in Illusory’s Instagram bio in order to determine a customer’s sizes and clothing inspiration.

“I try to network with similar pages within the same community,” she said. “I also try to market on other apps, like Facebook and TikTok, to reach more people than I would [solely] on Instagram.” Along with social media marketing, Lauren prioritizes her personal connections with customers. “For my business in particular, a lot of customers will send me pictures of them wearing the clothes I styled,” she explained. “It’s such a gratifying feeling to see people wearing the clothes I envision them in.” India Green, a Temple University Class of 2020 alumna and founder of Naturally Indy Urban Glow Cosmetics, shares Lauren’s goal of connecting with her customers. Founded in 2018, Urban Glow Cosmetics creates natural, safe, and affordable beauty products, and aims to empower customers to live healthier lifestyles. “As a minority student at Temple, I noticed the lack of access to affordable and effective skincare and beauty products,” Green explained. “The stores around the campus were extremely overpriced, and typical commercial products are filled with harmful chemicals.” Clients make purchases through the business website, and orders are shipped every few days. “I believe that word of mouth is my strongest form of marketing, and through events like pop-up shops and vending, I am able to make those long lasting connections,” Green said. “These relationships and connections often convert into sales and loyal customers.” Despite Green’s limited ingredient suppliers at the start of the pandemic, she finds that quarantine inspired many new customers to reflect on their lifestyles. “The pandemic allowed time for me to think and reflect on my business development,” Green said. “Since the entire world is under such uncertain circumstances, all I had to do was be transparent with my clients and they were very accepting to minor changes that needed to be made.” Along with the pandemic, Green acknowledges the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on her business. “Although the Black Lives Matter movement weighs heavily on me as a Black woman and entrepreneur, a lot of people made it a point to highlight and support such businesses, which benefitted my brand.” Despite the unique challenges of the pandemic, Concilio, Lauren, and Green are making the most out of their small business endeavors, and look forward to growing their businesses as we move towards reopening.

Photo courtesy of Norma Mortenson on Pexels.com

regrets While the pandemic is still raging throughout the country, restaurants and their workers have had to reopen under conditions they never dealt with before. BY HAFEEZAT BISHI Praise for our essential workers has been heard throughout the pandemic. But how do they feel about going back to work in the middle of the worst virus outbreak the country has ever seen? Restaurant workers and delivery drivers (bike riders included) have served the public since the initial shut down back in March. Now, as restrictions are becoming more lax, restaurants are operating at smaller capacities, or opting to provide outdoor dining. Riley Rubiano, a junior advertising major, worked at a family-owned restaurant back in Maryland before coming back to campus for the semester. Her main motivation to work during the pandemic was to help with tuition payment, as well as the fact that she had been a busser at this restaurant prior to the pandemic. “It was drastically different,” Rubiano shared. “Beforehand we would have up to 40 tables… and the first shift that I took during

the pandemic, I walked in and it just looked like a wasteland.” This is a new normal for many restaurants. In Philadelphia, tens of restaurants have closed permanently, unable to stay open due to lack of patronage. However, this isn’t the case for all restaurants. Fast food spots are receiving orders online at an increasing rate since the beginning of the pandemic. Kayla Gaussaint, a sophomore speech, language, and hearing sciences major, expressed that working at Chipotle has stayed relatively the same. They’ve stayed busy as ever while solely taking online orders, despite the chain allowing several states to resume indoor dining. “It’s honestly the same but we just wear masks,” Gaussaint said. “They take our temperature and when we go to work, but they’ve always asked us before we’re able to go back into the kitchen if we’re sick or have any other symptoms.” Even with a decrease in customers, restaurants still have to pay their workers. In the restaurant industry, it is typical to pay restaurant workers way below the minimum wage, as long as they’re supplementing their income with tips. This was the case for Rubiano. “I got paid $5.10 an hour. And then on top of that I would get paid tips,” she shared. While Rubiano said that there wasn’t a night she wouldn’t make less than what she would’ve made pre-pandemic, she did wish that she had seen an increase in pay, or at least hazard pay. The biggest thing when it comes to reopening restaurants right now is safety. How safe is the staff? How safe are the patrons? Because Temple’s Chipotle has been solely taking online orders, Gaussaint shared that there have not been many issues in regards to social distancing between the workers and customers. “Interacting with my co-workers, we have our masks on… we give orders to the customers and they are wearing masks. And I know as long as I’m being safe, I’ve always felt fine doing it,” said Gaussaint. For Rubiano, it was some of the restaurant goers that made her feel uncomfortable when she went back to work. She shared that a woman said something that was “very anti-mask” as she entered the restaurant. “[The customer] fully believed it. And she laughed about the situation. And I had to watch one of my coworkers fake laugh, to agree with her,” explained Rubiano. Being open during the pandemic has put many restaurant employees in an uncomfortable position. As you plan your next outing, or you order delivery from your favorite restaurant, remember a few things: “[Restaurant workers] are risking their lives. They have to work to survive, they have to work, pay bills. It’s a sacrifice that they’re making every day. And a lot of times, like, a lot of the time, it’s not recognized,” Rubiano expressed. Gaussiant echoed this sentiment. “[Employees] are trying their best, be patient. And bring your mask when you are interacting with people that work at the restaurant, I think it’s really helpful. And it’s a nice thing to do,” she said.

UNEXPECTED

C HA NG ES: How Student Workers were Affected by Temple’s COVID-19 Policies How Temple University’s rapid move to online hurt workers and students. BY MEAGHAN BURKE Every Temple student had a different

reaction to the announcement received during the second week of classes: Temple was moving completely online, and campus was shutting down. From stress to confusion, students felt it all. But for many who double as student workers, the first thought that came to mind was a question: do I still have a job? Student workers include any student who works for a Temple University department, office, or building. Student workers may or may not have work- study, but all are technically employed under the university in one way or another. With the transition to online learning and the closure of some on-campus operations came a lot of change for many student workers throughout campus. Some students lost their jobs, others had their hours cut back, and the rest were left to work in arguably one of the weirdest situations imaginable. One student worker, sophomore health professions major Trisha Pimenta, worked three student jobs until the move to remote learning, when she lost her job at

Barnes and Noble in the Howard Gittis Student Center. She continues to work for the Resnick Academic Support Center as an academic mentor and for the Department of Geography and Urban Studies. Both of these jobs have moved fully online. “It didn’t really change much for the Academic Mentoring, except for everything switching to online, and we had to use Zoom for our sessions,” Pimenta explained. “But I definitely lost a lot of hours at the GUS job because I wasn’t able to be in the office anymore, and there wasn’t much that I could do online for it.” This is how a lot of student jobs have been handled, as many were transitioned to be completely virtual. However, some student workers remain in-person and continue to work on campus. “Going online was extremely stressful, and I thought that I was going to lose my job,” said Katherine Flad, a sophomore nursing major who works in the game room of the Howard Gittis Student Center. “Luckily, the biggest change was just that my hours were cut. The worst part of being a student worker right now is just the con-

stant uncertainty about if I will continue to have my job or not.” While these changes obviously have disrupted a lot of student workers’ lives in one way or another, both Pimenta and Flad agreed that they felt as safe as they could working in-person. At all Temple locations where there are in-person student workers, plexiglass has been put up, and social distancing and face coverings are required. No matter how student jobs were dealt with, this is a stressful and unprecedented time for all student workers, really for all students in general. “Being a student worker in a pandemic can be really difficult because our income is dependent on the university, so it can be scary to know that we might lose our jobs at any time if the cases at Temple begin to rise again or if campus is still online next semester,” Pimenta said.

SWIFT ENDINGS and

NEW BEGINNINGS Exploring the transition from the end of high school to the beginning of college. BY SHIVANI REDDY

Lia O’Brien, Class of 2024 at Temple University | Photo by Shivani Reddy

any high school students dream of starting a new chapter of their lives in college. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the freshman class of 2024 now must navigate college life in this new socially distanced reality. Lia O’Brien, an 18 yearold Temple freshman studying art history and communications is from West Chester, PA. She shares how her experience at college is going so far and how she’s coping with a senior year cut short. “The final months of senior year felt like a blur,” O’Brien said. “The fact that we were inside for pretty much half of March, and all of April, May and June. I can’t believe how fast it went.” O’Brien looked forward to graduation since she held a high position as yearbook editor for her grade. “I put so much effort into the yearbook. At graduation they were going to call my name and I would’ve stood up,” said O’Brien. Just like many others, she was also looking forward to the prom. Since an underwhelming graduation without the regular endof-year festivities, O’Brien has focused her energy on adjusting to college life. “Now that I’m here, I forget about high school. It feels like such a distant memory and I never thought that was going to happen. We never got closure. It never ended the way it was supposed to,” O’Brien explained.

“But you realize that life goes on and there’s still things to do.” Seeing how her older siblings were able to create their own routines when they got to college was something that enticed O’Brien. “Being able to meet with people is easier now, whereas at home I would have to fight over the car and figure all of that out,” she added. With online classes, she finds making friends really easy although she doesn’t have that much of variety. “I feel like people are more social now because of COVID, but that’s just the people I’ve met. They’ll introduce me to people they’ve met,” O’Brien said. “When you’re at an event next to people, you’re engaged, there’s no WiFi glitches— it feels real. But when you’re an 18-year-old college freshman, you’re trying to branch out for new experiences [in a pandemic], people have no motivation when everything’s online.” Despite freshman taking a copious amount of blame for the spike in COVID cases earlier this semester, O’Brien sympathizes with those who wanted to go out and meet people. “This sounds bad, but I don’t blame other freshmen for wanting to go and try new things. So many kids come from a place where they maybe haven’t had a lot of freedom and they just go crazy with it, explained O’Brien. “I hope that things do get better.”

COLLECTIVE ACTION ON CAMPUS Students take lead in discussions surrounding the current political climate by challenging Temple University’s stance on social issues plaguing Philadelphia. BY ASHLYNN GUNN

On October 26, Walter Wallace Jr. was killed by police in Philadelphia. Wallace was a Philly native and had a history of mental health issues. While his family begged for his life, Philadelphia cops shot him and ultimately took his life. As people search for a way to end this brutality, Temple students are working to make the community a safer place for people of color from overpolicing. Police brutality and militarization have ignited a movement among students at Temple. One group hoping to make a positive change in light of these tragedies is Defund TU Police. Defund TU Police is a student, faculty, and alumni run organization determined to abolish the Temple Police Department, end policing in North Philadelphia neighborhoods, and direct the money saved towards better resources. Lindsey Farrell, a senior political science major with minors in Spanish and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, is one of the main organizers for this campus activist group. Farrell, along with other Temple students, started out as Folks from Temple for Bernie. They evolved when Farrell and other organizers, “discovered that Temple University has the largest private force in the nation” and furthermore, “disproportionately [arrests] North Philadelphia community members while not holding students accountable” said Farrell. Temple University is in the heart of North Philadelphia, located in a predominantly black area and home to thousands of students from various backgrounds, religions, and races. It is no surprise that students, faculty, and alumni of Temple University would have such a strong desire to make positive reforms for the community. Defund TUPD is taking these issues head-on, and they are ready for action. They realized that Temple University, though priding itself on diversity, had often negatively affected the surrounding community it claims to help. “The people who live in Philadelphia are subject to not one but two police forces,” Farrell said. Through public record and media research, Farrell and her group members found reports that Temple University and University of Pennsylvania disproportionately arrest community members more than they do students. Temple has contributed to this cycle, by protecting students rather than the community as a whole. Temple has also gentrified the North Philadelphia community—leaving community members feeling vulnerable. Direct police violence and incarceration are not the only ways

Photo courtesy of @DefundTU on Instagram

to harm the North Philadelphia community. The gentrification of surrounding areas has caused property taxes to rise, forcing people out of their homes. Temple affiliated renting services have made it clear they will only rent to students. This again contributes to a rise in poverty, due to the increase in property taxes to the surrounding areas. Defund TU Police hopes to help the North Philadelphia area through the use of transformative justice. They believe in treating the problem at the root of the source through improved and accessible healthcare and education. They also work to combat poverty and domestic violence, all issues that, when neglected, can lead to crime. Our current systems are usually based on deterrence and consequences, not treating what causes crime. “[Defund TU Police] would want to take the money from the police department and reallocate those funds to things like health centers in the northwest, as well as community things like transformative justice centers,” said Farrell. When asked what causes crime in this area, Farrell said, “Most of the time it’s the result of needs not being met. So essen-

Photo courtesy of Defund TUPD on Facebook

tially you want to meet those needs.” Farrell wanted to make it clear that this group’s goals have not yet been met. At the moment, Defund TU Police are working to create a large network of different coalitions, including other Temple student-run organizations and Philadelphia community members. “It’s going to take a while to even get to the point where Temple is willing to just sit down and talk with us,” said Farrell. So far, a public email has been sent out by President Richard Englert stating Temple would stop funding the Philadelphia Police Foundation, and instead give the money to social justice reform groups on campus. It has not been specified if any board of trustees, employees, or alumni are still sending donations to this foundation. Concerns about the validity of Temple’s stance on donating to the Philadelphia Police Foundation arose after a student was attacked by a Philadelphia police officer with a baton at a protest, and Temple University did not directly talk about the TU Police’s effect on the surrounding community. Some people in the Temple area may be skeptical of this course of action, considering the TU alerts that are sent out, the demonization of people of color in the media, and the occasional worried and judgmental stare one gets when they tell someone they live off-campus at Temple. It is a process that will take time, effort, and cooperation between the surrounding community and Temple. When asked how to navigate this, Farrell said, “First I ask why would you not feel safe, and being as realistic and simple

and upfront as possible, is it because the North Philadelphia community is primarily Black and brown?” The first step is to reflect and see if concern comes from a place of inherent racial bias, and what you have been conditioned to believe about a certain racial group. It is important if people do have this bias, that they try to overcome this with education. Farrell suggests that researching for yourself about these issues is a great way to help. Some people like to bring up hypothetical crime statistics, to which this group leader would ask,”Why do you think that crime is happening in this community specifically? Is it because Temple University and the city of Philadelphia have left them without any means or funding?” These are important questions for students coming into this area to ask themselves. Law enforcement is like treating the epidemic of crime with a pill. It keeps some symptoms at bay, but the symptom is still there. Transformative justice would be the vaccine, preventing crime before it even has a chance to emerge. Temple University has an obligation to respect the community it was built in. The students are important, but this relationship should not be parasitic to those who originally live here. It is necessary to understand what overpolicing does in these neighborhoods, and how gentrification contributes to this and causes tension in the community. If students do not understand this, then it is even more pertinent to get involved or hear from Defund TU Police themselves. There is a place for everyone on the path towards fighting injustice.

STUDY BREAK

DEAR REFINE... Q What advice do you have for freshmen :

who want to put themselves out there on campus (like joining clubs, making friends, etc) but are shy?

Two words: Buddy System. Your buddy can be anyone— your roommate, someone in your orientation group, or a friendly face in the Class of ‘24 Facebook group. Whether you and your buddy end up sticking together as friends after you get settled into life on campus, you’ll be so glad to have someone by your side who is going through the same thing that you are during those first few weeks.

It’s been quite the semester and our readers are in need of some big sister advice. Look no further! Want your questions answered in the next issue? Submit via the Google Form on our Instagram @refine.magazine.

Q I haven’t been as stressed and worried :

as I have been this semester and having professors who don’t realize how much stress we are under doesn’t help. I am trying to be positive but it has been hard with online schooling and money issues. I : How can you figure out what your know things will be like this for a while but ‘league’ is? Who can I approach that is in I hope it calms down a little. How can I find my league or who isn’t a long shot? I’ve had a way to balance everything and get to a friends try to connect me with guys or say good place? that we’d look good together, and I don’t This semester has been… a lot. With a lot of our think they’re that cute. Do you have any routines disturbed by the pandemic, most college advice?

Ouch! There’s no feeling quite like someone telling you you’d look good with someone you aren’t remotely attracted to. While it’s easy to fall into the politics of “who-can-date-who,” there’s really only one thing that has to fall into place for you and your new beau to work: you have to like each other. I know, it’s infuriatingly simple. But it’s important not to put yourself down by labelling yourself in a “lower league” than the person you’re interested in. As for your friends, help them help you! Chat with them about your type so that going forward, they can better identify guys that you might be interested in.

students can relate to your feeling of being out of place. You aren’t alone.

Since classes are online now and we’ve been confined to our homes, remember to take time and allow yourself to set aside the urge to be hyperproductive. The first step to balance is leaning into the mundane and just letting yourself breathe. Everyone’s idea of being in a “good place” is different but the first step is to name what that looks like for you. Meditate on it, throw together a Pinterest board, and look into resources that can help you get to where you’re trying to be.

REFINE’s Guide To:

LOOKING GOOD by Raven Lawson

Learning and working from home does not mean we have to sacrifice looking good. That’s why balancing style and comfort is key for a good lockdown look. Five REFINE staff members give their advice on how to stay stylish during quarantine.

For Maya Johnson, the assistant social media director of REFINE, learning from home means no one sees what she looks like below the waist. Her go-to look is a cute top, jewelry, and comfy sweatpants. Johnson is also a firm believer in the power of accessories. “I always, always have to wear rings, a necklace, and earrings or I won’t feel complete,” she said. (check out her look)

Fashion Editor Molly Reinhard’s number one priority is comfort. She said, “Jeans, or anything stiff, is out of the question.” Reinhard is a big fan of the recent tie-dye trend and loves wearing joggers for a fit that is both comfortable and cute. For an easy pick-me-up, she also tries to do her hair for Zoom meetings to look more put together.

D IN LOCKDOWN Fashion Director Logan Wentzel believes that when it comes to styles and accessories during lockdown, “style is comfort!”

In Wentzel’s opinion, anything baggy, such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, oversized graphic tees, and flannels, is the way to go. Also a big lover of street style, his closet consists mainly of items that go with that genre of fashion.

When putting together a lockdown look, Senior Editor Gabby Houck wants to “look cute and feel professional. Her staple pieces for an outfit that exudes class and professionalism are a fashionable blazer and a great pair of earrings.

With a long day of zoom classes ahead of her, Art Director Dani Meenan wants an outfit that is casual, loose, and comfortable. Meenan believes that the addition of jewelry can really pull any outfit together. “A good lockdown look is polished off with some gold jewelry,” said Meenan.

When Study Abroad Became

Study At Home by Raquel Perez

ast year, I had been looking forward to being in Rome for two months. I was excited to be in another country with three of my friends who were also accepted to the program. I had envisioned myself day drinking in Italy in my stylish wide brim floppy hat. My friends and I had planned to take a day trip to Greece. For the trip, I bought a new rose gold luggage set and cute all-white platform Puma sneakers, and I was just two days from purchasing an almost $1,400 plane ticket. But then I got the email that Templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rome Summer I program had been cancelled. My initial reaction was filled with explicit language. Then I called my mom to complain to her, like I do with any inconvenience in my life. And while they offered us the option to automatically be accepted into the program the following year, I had already gotten my hopes up. Just days later, I got the news that campus was shutting down. Getting the back-to-back news of study abroad and school being cancelled was just annoying. On top of that, my mom kept calling, telling me to come home. Like most parents, she was scared to death that I would contract COVID-19, a fear exacerbated by my lifelong asthma. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go home. I was having a good semester, and I love being by myself. On top of that, going home meant I was going to have to be in the house with my mom and two brothers. Transitioning to taking my classes at home was difficult. I found myself unmotivated and missed having a schedule to stick to. But at the same time, it was great being able to wake up and just do my work without even getting out of bed. Slowly, I noticed other benefits as well. For the first time in years, my family had time to actually sit down and eat dinner with everyone at the table. We bonded by watching movies, talking, and playing board games until almost two in the morning. I even watched videos and took directions from my mom on how to braid my own hair, something I always wanted to do but never took the time to learn. Looking back, I realize that sometimes in life, we are so busy, we never take the time to care for ourselves. Studying at home gave not only me but my whole family the time to rest and reset that we desperately needed.

REFINE’s Guide To:

STAYING ACTIVE INSIDE Editor-in-Chief Rebekah Harding: “I’ve been trying to learn how to do the splits! My flexibility is basically non-existent so it’s always been a goal of mine. Plus taking time to stretch is a great way to start and end my day.” Rebekah’s Stretch Routine: - Put on my “hot girl semester” playlist on spotify to get pumped up - Start small— you don’t want to pull a muscle so warming up is super important - While you stretch, focus on the music or put on your favorite TV show to distract you from the burn!

Digital Editor Sarah Waddington: “I have been running and walking and I like it because it is time away from my screen. I get out of my room, and it helps my sleep schedule stay semi-normal!” Sarah’s favorite running playlist on Spotify is the fan-favorite Big Booty Mix vol. 11 (if you’re in the need for some new workout tunes)

Web Copy Editor Magdelena Becker: “I’ve become obsessed with Chloe Ting and her workouts. She gave me a really good foundation to start branding out to new exercises. Her Get Fit and 2020 Shredded Challenge are awesome and also, huge plus, free. Now I try to make my own workouts, and I love @kelsjewell on IG. She’s a personal fitness trainer in Philly!” Magdalena’s Top Workout Videos: - Chloe Ting’s Tight Core Workout | 15 Days Plank Workout Challenge - Chloe Ting’s Get Abs in 2 WEEKS | Abs Workout Challenge - Chloe Ting’s Hourglass Workout | Round Booty | Chloe x The Glute Guy

Being stuck indoors has left most of us feeling restless, to say the least. The REFINE Staff has taken up some new routines to keep ourselves active while staying home.

Health Editor McKenzie Morgan: “Prior to COVID, I was in the gym almost four times a week with a strict weight lifting program. Weight lifting became almost like a meditative process for me, so losing access to that really took a toll on me once the gyms closed. Since then, I’ve invested in a set of dumbbells and have been alternating between online classes through the Peloton app and creating my own programs.” McKenzie’s Current Lower-body Workout Routine: Activation with a light resistance band: 10 squats 10 back lunges/side 10 curtsy lunges/side 10 kickbacks and fire hydrant combo/side 2 sets with 15lb dumbbells: 10 kneeling squats 10 pulsing squats 10 RDLs 10 sumo squats 2 sets with 15lb dumbbells: 10 kneeling squats 10 sumo squat to overhead press 10 Bulgarian split squats 10 back lunges 2 sets with 15lb dumbbells: 10 kneeling squats 10 pulsing squats 10 static squat to back lunges 10 RDLs 75