Feeling a sense of belonging and community on San José State University’s campus may be difficult for some Black students.
African Americans make up approximately 3% of all students at San José State University, according to the university’s web page.
With students studying, socializing and taking breaks from classes, SJSU’s Black Leadership and Opportunity Center is a campus resource center that supports and advocates for Black students, according to the center’s web page.
Rocky Anderson, a business marketing fourthyear student, struggled to find other Black students but that changed for him when he started visiting the center.
“Honestly, I was just trying to find the Black community,” Anderson said. “We only make up 3% but every time you go into the (Black Leadership and Opportunity Center) it feels like more than that.”
The center arranges community events, offers free resources and collaborates with other centers, which took place at the Rooted Social Justice Music and Art Festival on Oct. 24 in collaboration with César Chávez Community Action Center, Centro and other centers and campus organizations.
The event gave students the opportunity to visit each center and see how they advocate for students.
The Black Leadership and Opportunity Center opened on February 21, 2018 and became the first on-campus
Black student support center in the school’s history, according to the previous web page.
MyShaundriss Watkins, program coordinator for the Black Leadership Opportunity Center and SJSU alumna, has close ties to the center as she played a part in its opening.
“I’m one of the students who fought and advocated for this space so I recognize the value of it,” Watkins said.
Anderson feel that the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center is doing a good job of being an outlet for student advocacy.
“It’s really where I found my community,” Anderson said. “It’s a safe space on campus just to be yourself.”
Taylor Thomas, Black Leadership and Opportunity Center employee and SJSU student, enjoys being a part of the resource center and encourages more people to come and do the same.
“I think it is a welcoming environment, so I think people should stop by,” Taylor Thomas said.
Watkins also urges students, especially Black students, to utilize the center’s resources.
The center often gives out free snacks, school supplies and students can print there for free.
“Give us a chance (and) come in and experience it for yourself, because it really is a vibe,” Watkins said. “I like to say we’re like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get.”
The Black Leadership and Opportunity Center offers paid job positions for students which include peer mentors and peer success ambassadors.
Peer mentors are a part of the Black Alliance of Mentoring program, which advises newly enrolled Black students on campus, as stated on the center’s “Services” page.
Peer success ambassadors help the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center promote Black student success at SJSU, according to the same source. Workers at the center often post promotional posters for their events on their Instagram page, including their annual “B.L.O.C” party, which the space hosted on Sept. 26.
Taylor Thomas became a peer mentor for transfer students at the center because she knows what it is like to be
in that situation as she is also a transfer student.
“I personally did not take advantage of (it) in my first year, but I wish I would have because I was not really involved my first year,”
Taylor Thomas said. “A lot of students can be intimidated by talking to faculty or staff, so having another student to help connect them to their resources is a good thing to have.”
Dominique Thomas, a peer success ambassador, compared her job to the mentor position at the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center.
“We do act as a mentor to anyone who comes in
and doesn’t have an official mentor provided by the (Black Leadership and Opportunity Center),” she said. “We’re here to answer questions that no one (else) has.”
They also help with paneling and college readiness event in addition to talking to high schoolers when they come to campus according to Dominique Thomas.
Watkins used the word “visibility” to describe in one word what the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center means to her.
“My generation wishes we could have had a center that allowed us to just be, rather than walking around campus and feeling like a fish confined
within a fish tank,” Watkins said.
Peer mentor Taylor Thomas urges students who don’t look like her to come to the resource space and engage with Black Spartans.
“Everybody is welcome so they can feel free to come by if they have any questions,” Taylor Thomas said. “They can talk to the students, staff or even the program coordinator, MyShaundriss… it is a safe space for Black students but it is open for everybody.”
Students tackle finals through resources
By Sofia Hill STAFF WRITER
San José State University students are bracing themselves to gear up for finals week as the semester ends.
Amaya Benutto, a fourth-year finance student, said that she’s under extreme stress because she’s taking all finance classes that have exams within 24 to 48 hours of each other.
“I’m just sitting in the library for hours. That’s usually every finals week. I sit here until probably one in the morning,” Benutto said.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is extending their hours of operation next week to full 24-hour service beginning December 11th until December 13th at midnight, according to its website.
The Student Union has been hosting a “Finals Fair” this week, where they have been hosting a multitude of different events every day giving away food and testing supplies, according to their Instagram.
Sai Priyanka Bonkuri, a master's student studying computer engineering, said she’s been taking advantage of these final resources and stationery supplies by grabbing herself a book during the Finals Fair.
The fair this week has been running multiple events to ensure students had all the materials they needed for upcoming final exams.
In addition to the extension of hours, the MLK Library is also providing tutoring services in-person from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and online from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the writing center according to SJSU’s website.
about her final projects.
Audrey Tseng, a fifthyear animation and illustration student said she’s less stressed about exams and more stressed
“I don’t usually come to the library but I needed to lock in. I mainly just came over here for a nice space,” Tseng said.
The library also allows students to book and reserve private study rooms to have undisturbed time for studying, according to its website. According to an article by Zotkey UCI, they analyzed a study by the American Library Association that found that students who visited the library regularly had a higher GPA on average than students who didn’t. Olaf Elhag, a first-year MIS student said he has some upcoming finals next week for a few of his classes.
“It’s going pretty hectic for me with different projects and assignments, but I think with a little help and taking time for myself, I’ll get through this,” Bonkuri said.
“I just come here (to the library) to study probably once every two days,” Elhag said.
Follow Sofia on Instagram @sofiafromvenus
Black Leadership and Opportunity Center members pose in front of the Tommie Smith and John Carlos statue.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY CENTER
SOFIA HILL | SPARTAN DAILY
Students study in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library at San José State University on Wednesday evening.
Students find comfort in furry friends
4 1 2 3
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#1: Cinderella leans on Ariel while she looks up at a student petting her at San José State’s puppy petting zoo.
#2: A group of SJSU students hold rescue puppies provided by Puppy Love Party, a company that provides an interactive experience.
#3: Eggnog is being held by an SJSU student at the Tommie Smith & John Carlos lawn on Wednesday.
#4: John walks by and wipes his paws to safely follow the puppy petting zoo rules.
#5: Ariel tiredly basks in the sun after hours of bringing joy to students on campus.
#6: Mulled Wine is being held by a student de-stressing for the upcoming finals week. 6
SOFIA HILL | SPARTAN DAILY
Daily Decides: Is Philz coffee good?
A coffee order should be simple but Philz Coffee turns this easy task into a headache for caffeine enthusiasts
In some ways, you know what type of person someone is based on their coffee order; for me simplicity is everything and Philz does poorly in that regard.
More than often,there is always a line that naturally forms near the entrance, especially during this time of the year when students are dealing with the stress of finals with caffeineinduced study sessions.
In my experience drinking coffee, I
At Philz San José, the ordering process is unique in the realm of coffee shops.
Typically, you order with the cashier first and the barista makes your drink however at this location, this process is flipped.
Philz overcomplicates the process of ordering which frustrates me.
their system of ordering. I would much rather go to 7/11 and serve myself coffee.
However, I can see how Philz can be essential to students who are living on campus, being one of the closest aesthetically pleasing coffee shops surrounding SJSU.
of local businesses of Paseo de San Antonio. My commute via the Valley Transportation Authority light rail just happened to pass through the alley and Philz is on my walk to class.
is a perfect customizable system compared to other coffee chains.
The Iced Coffee Rosé, Tesora and Ecstatic Iced Coffee are my top favorites because of their chocolatey smooth and sweet notes and unique flavors.
consistently order what gets the job done, especially if I’m running late to class or work.
The two drinks I always resort to are an iced americano or a cold brew, while almost never adding any creamer or sugar, however, occasionally I will get a latte.
You awkwardly walk in and naturally, your first reaction is to go to the cashier to place your order.
But now, you have to
While I went to Philz just to get a simple cold brew, I felt overwhelmed with their menu and their system of ordering. I would much rather go to 7/11 and serve myself coffee.
walk to the back of the establishment and order separately with the line of baristas who are prepared for any incoming wave of zombified college students.
While I went to Philz just to get a simple cold brew, I felt overwhelmed with their menu and
I can imagine that this type of ordering process can cause problems during a rush for the employees and customers.
Additionally, there are no names attached to the order, so if someone has a similar order as yours, there can sometimes be a mix-up.
At Philz, they have multiple seasonal drinks and the one I tried was the Winter Bliss Cold Brew.
Even though I am not one that goes for those kinds of drinks, I thought it would be enjoyable to be festive.
This seasonal drink has a mixture of holiday ingredients including; cocoa, cinnamon and nutmeg, which give justice to its mocha flavor without making the taste of the drink too sweet.
Seasonal drinks are something that can only be enjoyed for this portion of the year, It is wise to enjoy them while you can.
Overall, I won’t be a regular at Philz but I am glad I gave this coffee shop a chance, though I will stick to my philosophy that something like coffee is best when it is simple.
Growing up in San José, my dad always told me as a kid that I would be a Philz Coffee fan once I started drinking coffee on a regular basis. We went to the Bascom Avenue location in Campbell and once in a while, I’d see my dad carry a cup of Philz in his hand.
Philz Coffee is a chain coffee shop that originated in Phil Jaber’s San Francisco convenience store in the Mission District back in 1978, according to their website.
When it opened shop at the beginning of 2003, it became an overnight Bay Area classic that tech founders and the average coffee drinker would gravitate towards, according to a March 2016 Forbes article.
Not until this year, when I became a barista at a local coffee shop, did I start drinking lattes, cappuccinos and pourovers regularly. I’ve always preferred caffeinated teas like a strong matcha from Izumi or a cup of chai to pick up in the morning.
However, ever since I started attending San José State University this semester and working almost every day at Peet’s Coffee, drinking coffee has become a daily habit through the morning, afternoon and evening.
Philz Coffee San José, an independently owned shop, is on the long alley
I had been to this location a few times when visiting SJSU with my dad and slowly but surely fell in love with the spot.
Not only do they make amazing specialty pour-over coffees, but the vibes at this location are unmatched even compared to other Philz Coffee locations in Cupertino, Los Gatos and Campbell.
Nearly every time I enter the doors, I am always greeted by a friendly barista who is willing to answer any questions I have about their coffee or just simply talk about how my day has been going.
Every season, the shop decorates its interior based on the season from Christmas trees to a skeleton hanging from the ceiling for Halloween. Their seasonal drinks also put you in the perfect mood for the holiday season.
My favorite drink at Philz is the Winter Bliss Cold Brew with oat milk made sweet and creamy. It’s a creamy Gratitude blend with premium Ghirardelli chocolate topped with spices and is the perfect refresher when you need a cool pick-me-up studying for finals.
When you order at this location, customers are lined up by the barista and order their drink first and pay after ordering. You can order your coffee Philz or House way, medium way or sweet and creamy which
My one negative experience with their specialty coffees is one of their most popular drinks, the Iced Mint Mojito. The overwhelming sensation of drinking coffee with mint leaves is nauseating and annoying to sip.
However, out of all the blends and specialties that I’ve tried this is the only drink I have disliked.
The most memorable experience I’ve had at Philz San José is when I was craving a soothing tea and was recommended the Chamomile sweet and creamy with oat milk by my favorite barista.
He not only walked me through the pouring process – which is unique to Philz – but allowed me to try his take on the amount of pours and gave me two cups of exactly what I was craving after a long day in class and writing articles.
The quality of customer service and coffee at Philz is a special aspect of someone’s average coffee experience and is perfectly convenient for busy students like myself to consume.
If you are a fan of creamy and specialty lattes or even straight-up drip, Philz Coffee is the way to go and San José is home to one of the best locations you can find.
SATURN WILLIAMS | SPARTAN DAILY
Two cups of Winter Bliss Cold Brew coffees from Philz Coffee are displayed on a table in the San José shop located at 118 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95112.
Hunter Yates STAFF WRITER
Charity Spicer STAFF WRITER
SATURN WILLIAMS | SPARTAN DAILY
Philz Coffee is the best place for coffee around campus because of its convenience and variety of menu options
Spartan pride vs. Spartan shame
Why don’t students at San José State University exhibit school spirit?
At most public universities in the United States with a student population similar to the size of San José State University, school spirit shapes the school’s reputation as a whole and attracts students to apply and enroll in the institution.
For a four-year university that “prides” itself on stellar academics in the fields of engineering, computer science and business, the students don’t present themselves as proud to attend SJSU from my perspective.
SJSU’s football team has continued to rise and compete against top Division 1 sports teams such as the University of California Berkeley and Stanford, according to Nevada Sports Net.
However, the turnout at games other than football
has seemed quite low in my experience.
With a gigantic bookstore that’s full of versatile merchandise to choose from, I’ve met hundreds of students who prefer to not wear SJSU merch at all – and to be honest, I don’t blame them because I am one of them.
Whenever I wear the one hoodie I own that is SJSU branded, I feel like I appear to be working for the university or am out of touch with the rest of the population of students.
From my experience living in the Bay Area in high school and college, there are only a small handful of students who have SJSU as their first choice pick.
The competition to get into universities with the lowest acceptance rates like UC Berkeley, UCLA and the University of
Southern California is so pushed onto students in Silicon Valley that it’s only natural for them to not feel so proud of choosing a California State University (CSU) like SJSU.
As someone who preferred to get into a UC and attend one over a CSU school, I know firsthand the judgment that young students face when they choose a safe option
friends experience at their respective universities.
In high school, it is completely normal for students to take over 20 Advanced Placement classes, enroll in SAT prep courses freshman year, stack several extracurricular and leadership activities to put on their college applications. Especially in the
have disproportionately underrepresented Black and Hispanic students, according to an Aug. 24, 2017 New York Times article.
As my first full semester is wrapping up for me at SJSU, I now see why these students aren’t necessarily excited about the school’s reputation.
Riding the light rail, driving and finding
students at a typical noncommuter school.
Additionally, the current status and cleanliness of certain buildings have been appalling, especially considering the amount of revenue SJSU incurs is close to $232 million, according to the 2024-25 Annual Budget Report.
Whether it is seeing fecal matter on stall walls or getting sick from the
With a gigantic bookstore that’s full of versatile merchandise to choose from, I’ve met hundreds of students who prefer to not wear SJSU merch at all – and to be honest, I don’t blame them because I am one of them.
university.
While it may not be the case for every single SJSU student, especially computer science and engineering students, school spirit seems to be lower in comparison to the school spirit my
past 10 years, I have witnessed firsthand how much pressure Silicon Valley kids are forced to deal with because a lot of their parents expect their children to start envisioning which Ivy League or top private university they want to attend.
However, SJSU students have quite the diverse makeup that Ivy League student populations and other top schools don’t have.
With over 36,000 students enrolled at SJSU, only 14.1% of students are white, according to SJSU demographics reported on the SJSU website.
The Ivy League and other top universities, in comparison to SJSU,
parking, has not been easy to tackle.
I’ve struggled with coming to class on time because of the traffic and parking issues that many commuter students experience here.
In a 10 year analysis of SJSU commuter students, nearly 35% of students drove alone and over 55% commuted by alternative transportation in 2023, according to the most recent Associated Students Transportation Solutions survey report.
Therefore such a large percentage of students who commute do not have the same opportunities for social interaction, utilizing resources, and face-to-face connections with their professors compared to
Student Union and dining hall food, there never seems to be a day that is completely free from these issues.
There are times when I reconsider if it was even worth transferring to SJSU where students’ concerns never seem to be addressed compared to other universities.
While SJSU has some strong benefits to attending, I don’t blame students for not being overly proud and excited about the university.
GRAPHIC BY CHARITY SPICER, LOGOS FROM FLICKR | SPARTAN DAILY
FOOTBALL
Spartans are Hawai’i bowl bound
By Anfisa Pitchkhadze STAFF WRITER
San José State football rolls into a postseason game as the team is heading to the Aloha State for the 2024 Hawai’i Bowl.
SJSU (7-5, 3-4 MW) is scheduled to face off against the University of South Florida (6-6, 4-4 AAC) on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex according to the SJSU Athletics web page.
The bowl game serves as a homecoming for several members such as SJSU Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo, Offensive Coordinator Craig Stutzmann and Offensive Line Coach John Estes.
“We are ecstatic to be invited to the Hawai’i Bowl, so happy for our entire program,” Niumatalolo said.
SJSU returns to the Hawai’i Bowl after losing to Coastal Carolina 24-14 the previous season and marks the first time the team appeared in a bowl game for three consecutive seasons, according to the same SJSU Athletics web page.
Niumatalolo said that the Spartans’ Hawai’i Bowl appearance is a full circle moment from him.
“It’s kind of ironic because I was at last year’s practice,” Niumatalolo said. “I came when San José State was practicing. I live in Mānoa so I went and watched their practice.”
During the previous season Niumatalolo was part of the UCLA staff as
OPINION
the tight ends coach when little did he know he was watching his future team.
Niumatalolo said that he and the team are ecstatic heading to Honolulu, while also focusing on earning another win for the team’s record.
“The goal for us is we want to finish strong,” Niumatalolo said. “We want to enjoy ourselves, We want to come enjoy all the festivities the bowl provides.”
SJSU had a successful season under Niumatalolo’s first year, but also faced a challenging schedule due to playing nationally ranked teams such as a No. 13 Boise State and a No. 23 UNLV team.
Niumatalolo said that he is proud of the team’s overall record, but believes that it could have been higher.
“We feel like we have chances to win more games. I am excited for what our guys have accomplished this year,” Niumatalolo said.
Under Niumatalolo, the Spartans have also shown to be an explosive offensive team during the regular season thanks to Stutzmann.
Stutzmann also joined San José earlier in 2024 and is responsible for bringing the spread and shred offense.
Senior wide receiver Nick Nash is the main contributor to the San José offense and is a threat to opposing defenses.
Nash is also named a Biletnikoff finalist and earned the title of the Triple Crown due to leading the nation in receiving yards
(1,382), receptions (104), and receiving touchdowns (16), according to a Dec. 2 SJSU Athletic web page.
Besides Nash, senior wide receiver Justin Lockhart is having a career season after missing the 2023 season with an injury.
Lockhart racked up 973 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, and 52 receptions that are all career highs, according to an ESPN Stats page.
“We’re fifth in the country in passing so we’re going to try our best to get Nick Nash to over 1,500 yards and do the best that we can and showcase why we’re in the top five and passing in the nation and one of the most
explosive offenses in the country,” Stutzmann said.
With the arrival of Stutzmann, the offense has gotten more involved in the passing game with its two main wide receivers.
“We grew up with Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart on the outside, traditionally we don’t really get the ball too much on the outside with Justin Lockhart,” Stutzmann said.
However, the defensive side of the Spartans has also been a success.
Defensive coordinator Derrick Odum has led his defense to 24 takeaways placing fifth in the country and adding 77 tackles for loss that is second in the
Mountain West Conference, according to a Nov. 27 SJSU Athletics web page.
Odum was recently nominated for the 2024 Broyles Award, recognizing his defensive work and receiving the honor as an assistant coach, according to the same SJSU Athletics web page.
San José also has a strong secondary offense consisting of junior defensive back DJ Harvey and senior safety Robert Rahimi.
Harvey and Rahimi have contributed to part of the Spartans leading the nation with 20 interceptions with Harvey having four and Rahimi ending with five.
Like Niumatalolo,
Stutzmann is also excited to return to his home state, but also said he couldn’t have asked to be part of a better staff under the guy, referring to Niumatalolo that he looked up to growing up.
“This opportunity to be with him (Niumatalolo and learn from the best who has ever done it from Hawaii that has all this experience and be able to on a daily basis mentor you,” Stutzmann said.
Paralypic athletes deserve more
Alejandra Gallo STAFF WRITER
Despite the efforts to make the Paralympic Games rise to the same cultural prominence as the Olympics, there is still much to be done with even media coverage.
I’ve always been interested in watching the Olympic Games because it’s exciting to root for athletes and watching the athletes succeed.
I didn’t hear about the Paralympic Games until a few years ago, and though I am in part at fault for that, I also blame the media for their lack of coverage.
The Paralympic Movement started in 1948 by Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German neurosurgeon, organized the sports competition for veterans with spinal cord-related issues, according to an Olympics web page.
From there, paraathletes – those with disabilities – began to compete since 1960 in Rome according to the same web page.
Major media coverage focuses on the Olympic games.
The 2024 Paris
Olympics averaged 30.6 millions viewers across NBC Universal platforms, according to an Aug. 12 Forbes article. On the other hand, the 2024 Paralympics averaged 15.4 million views across NBC Universal platform, according to a Sept. 13 NBC Universal article.
When the Olympics were going on, my TikTok was filled with content of creators discussing the games but I didn’t see the same amount of attention for the Paralympics. What needs to be changed is establishing the Olympics and
Paralympics as part of the same platform instead of trying to separate them.
To make the Paralympics more popular, both games are organized about twoand-a-half-week apart to entice viewers who are still excited to watch, according to an Olympics an web page.
However,by eliminating the time gap between both games, the Paralympics would feel more like a continuation of the Olympics.
It is also clear that there is less attention on para-athletes because of in-depth interviews, making it hard for other
people like myself to learn about athletes and their accomplishments.
During the Olympics, interviews with Simone Biles, an American Olympian, allowed me to follow her closer and root for her.
However, I didn’t see the same in many interviews with paraathletes such as Ezra Frech or Sarah Adam.
The media should do a better job of exposing para-athletes with more interviews and providing more press coverage for opening and closing ceremonies.
The International Paralympic Committee
partnered with YouTube and TikTok to provide live content to engage social media users, according to an Aug. 28 International Paralympic Committee page.
When I first heard about the partnership, I thought it was a good opportunity to bring more attention to the games, and it fortunately had that effect.
The viewership was a 31% increase from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which averaged 1.8 million viewers, according to a Sept. 13, NBC Universal article.
NBC Sports covered more than 1,500 hours of
streaming for viewers to watch the Paralympics, according to an Aug. 27 Comcast web page. Although popularity may be building up for the Paralympic Games, there is still much to be done from the media and how they cover the event. It’s important to remember that the Olympics doesn’t end when the torch is passed to the next hostess during the closing ceremony but instead ends with the Paralympics.
PHOTO BY ISRAEL ARCHIE | SPARTAN DAILY ARCHIVES
San José State quarterback Walker Eget (5) and running back Floyd Chalk (0) will help the Spartans try to
secure a bowl victory on Christmas Eve at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
GRAPHIC BY ALEJANDRA GALLO | SPARTAN DAILY
Athleticism is more than meets the eye
Ilona Maher is an American rugby player breaking both stereotypes and records with an extraordinary year.
Yet, she continues to receive unjustified and misogynistic hate.
Maher is an American Olympic bronze medalist and a Dancing with the Stars finalist, placing in second just over a week ago. Her stardom came from the Olympic Games held in Paris in the summer of 2024.
This was a historic win for the United States as the women’s team won a medal in the rugby sevens for the first time.
In her final performance of Dancing with the Stars, she attained a perfect score for her final dance, receiving a perfect score from all three judges.
Both of these astonishing accomplishments were achieved within months of each other.
She also managed to make it onto the Forbes 30 under 30 sports list for 2024, saying she was “honored”, according to a Dec. 3 Instagram post.
However, most of the focus from the media and the public isn’t placed on her long list of
achievements, but rather, on her appearance.
“I get comments being called a man and being called masculine, and (asking) if I’m on steroids,” Maher said in a Dec. 7, 2022 TikTok. “There will always be negative people out there, and they put women in a box,” according to a Dec. 7, 2022 TikTok video posted by Maher.
These comments stem from people judging her athleticism and physical appearance, including her weight, body mass index and shoulders, according to a July 29 CBS News article.
“That’s why I wear red
lipstick when I play, I don’t want to put female athletes in a box,” Maher said in a June 18 Women's Health magazine article. “I’m a beast on the field, I’m beautiful and I’m smart. I’m not just one thing.”
Maher utilizes the backlash to her advantage by becoming a role model for young girls and a powerful figure of the body positivity movement.
“Dear girl with the big shoulders,” Maher said.
“Put your shoulders back, wear your head high, and walk into any room like you own the place,” according to an Aug. 19, 2023 Instagram post. Maher shouldn’t have
had to receive backlash and cyberbullying from the public. The backlash she receives makes me wonder if a man would have been scrutinized in the same way for his appearance.
According to a 2017 study by Pew Research, respondents said physical attractiveness was the trait society valued most for women, at 35%.
11% of respondents said physical attractiveness was the trait society valued most in men.
A staggering 24% difference shows that women and their appearances always seem to be more scrutinized
by the public compared to men, according to the same source.
There is a societal pressure that comes with that, which creates a feeling that you either have to adhere to traditional beauty standards or be humiliated by others.
Maher said that it’s essential to have representation for girls with broad shoulders and different physiques to show that it doesn’t make you any less feminine, it’s beautiful, according to the same June 18 Women’s Health magazine.
However, despite her statements, Maher continues to receive
criticism, receiving a comment on TikTok stating that her body mass index is probably 30%. Maher responded to this comment in a video posted on her TikTok in July of this year, saying that she does have a BMI of 30, with her BMI score being exactly 29.3.
“Alas, I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not,” Maher said, finishing up her video.
