Reflector Magazine, Spring 2015

VOLUME 87 SPRING 2015

What makes a man?

GSU students talk about their experiences as transgender men Pg.15

Get your nap on Pg. 5 Your guide to geeking out Pg. 21

Think before you ink Pg. 27

Table of Contents

06 09 15 21 27 HEALTH & FITNESS

ENTERTAINMENT

Get your best nap 5 Sexual health tips 6 Injury recovery 8

Intro to vinyl 21 Comics do’s and don’ts 24 Books to read in your 20’s 26

CUISINE & CULTURE

LIFE & STYLE

Dinner party guide 9 Southern Boys BBQ 12 Art of coffee 13

Tattoo GSU 27 Feminism on campus 30

Your guide to “geeking out” this spring.

FEATURES Found in translation 15 In sickness and in health 19

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FOR MORE CONTENT, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT ReflectorGSU.com

Letter from the Editor Guess who’s back, back again…

Yep, the Reflector is back with our spring edition and I had the privilege of being at the helm again for the second semester in a row. This time around, my goal was to shoehorn in as many random hip hop references into the stories as possible. All terrible jokes aside, you are currently holding a magazine made entirely by GSU students for GSU students and we really hope you enjoy it.

Last semester, we decided to redesign the magazine and make it a full-fledged lifestyle magazine with tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your time at GSU and live the ultimate college lifestyle. We were pretty proud of the result, but we knew we could do better. I know this issue won’t be perfect, but I am beyond proud of the work all of the reporters, designers and photographers did and I am very thankful to everyone who was willing to share their personal stories with us.

This issue marks the end of my time in Student Media and at Georgia Southern. After taking a victory lap (or more commonly known as a fifth year), I am sad to say that my attempt at pulling a full Van Wilder is coming to an end and I will finally be graduating in May. Working for this organization has taught me two important things about living the “ultimate college lifestyle.”

First, find something you are really passionate about and truly commit to it. Whether it is a club, a sport, a hobby, or a budding career, go out and find that thing that makes you feel excited to wake up the next day and get to work. Secondly, surround yourself with people who will encourage you to pursue the things you want to do and challenge you to work harder.

Okay, so you may not want to take advice from a Supersenior, but this is what I got out of working for this magazine and attending GSU and I wish the same for each and every one of our readers.

Thank you for reading our magazine,

Peyton Callanan

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Reflector Magazine Staff list Editor-in-Chief Reflector Editor Creative Manager Magazines Visual Chief Design Editor Designers

Photographers

Jeff Licciardello Peyton Callanan Heather Yeomans Sarah Holmes Alexandra Tobia Erin Fortenberry Lauren Grizzell Alex Smith Hailey Smith Abby Green Cristen Gullatt Nicole McIntyre Brandon Warnock

Contributors

Skyler Black Tayler Critchlow Cabrianna Johnson Donna Jones Kathryn Lewallan Brianna Quarterman Yasmeen Waliaga

Copy Editors

Lauren Gorla William Price

Business Manager Distribution Manager Marketing Manager Event Coordinator

Virginia Byrd Manuel Girbal Emily Skolrood Torriah Jones

Director of Student Media Business Coordinator

David Simpson Samantha Reid

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Partial funding for this publication is provided by the GSU Activities Budget Committee. Advertisements fund the remaining costs.

Advertising inquiries may be sent to Office of Student Media, PO Box 8001, or by calling the Business Office at 912-478-5418. Inquiries concerning content should be sent to Magazine EIC Jeff Licciardello by emailing magseditor@georgiasouthern.edu.

All students are allowed to have one free copy of this publication. Additional copies cost $1 each and are available at the Office of Student Media in the Williams Center. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site will constitute theft under Georgia law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time.

Designed by Alexandra Tobia

The Reflector is copyrighted 2015 by Reflector Magazine and Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Ga. It is printed by South Georgia Graphics, Claxton, Ga. The Reflector is operated by GSU students who are members of Student Media, a Georgia Southern student-led organization operating through the Dean of Student Affairs Office and the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. The magazine is produced twice a year by GSU students for the Georgia Southern University community.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers and editors and DO NOT reflect those of the faculty, staff, administration of GSU, Student Media Advisory Board nor the University System of Georgia.

Health & Fitness

Designed by Alexandra Tobia

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Designed by Hailey Smith

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Photos by Cristen Gullatt

Get serious about your sexual health

By Brianna Quarterman A wise man named Coach Carr once said “Don’t have sex, because you will get pregnant and die.” Okay so that isn’t exactly true, and Coach Carr is a fictional character, but your sexual health isn’t something to be taken lightly.

Whether you are in a committed relationship, or regularly swiping right on Tinder, it is important to be proactive and protect yourself when engaging in sexual activity. La’Shanda Johnson, the Assistant Director of Health Education and Promotion at Georgia Southern University, wants students to be fully aware of the risks they are exposing themselves to when they engage in sexual activities.

“Students must be aware that there are responsibilities that come along with being sexually active. Students must be emotionally responsible.

Decide if you are emotionally ready to have sex and communicate your reasons for being sexually active or abstinent to your partner. Also, take an honest look at your social conditioning and feelings. Are you making this decision for yourself or because of others?” Johnson said.

Test yo’self before you wreck yo’self: That casual, no-strings-attached hookup may seem fun at the time, but you should always know who, or what, exactly you are sleeping with.

It is very important that students and their partners get tested before becoming sexually involved. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be treated or cured. However, untreated sexually transmitted diseases can lead to deadly risks if left untreated.

“Remember it only takes coming into contact with one infected person to contract an STD. Every time you engage in any sexual activity you are always taking a risk,” Johnson said.

You are in college, so educate yourself: Okay so those pictures you get shown in health class are totally terrifying, but much like Voldemort, you must learn to speak evil’s name. The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and HIV/AIDS. “It is truly a life or death situation to become educated about STD. The more educated a student is, the more likely he or she will reduce their risks

for contracting an STD. If students have any questions or concerns, they are urged to visit Health Services to meet with a medical professional who can provide help,” Johnson said.

Wrap it before you tap it: You’ve heard it before: no glove, no love. Students should always use at least two forms of contraception.

The most common are birth control and condoms. Condoms serve a dual purpose. They protect against most sexually transmitted diseases and against pregnancy. Birth control is used as a cautionary method if the condom breaks. Health Services even has free condoms available for students. Yeah that’s right, free.

“Physical responsibility is also very important for those who are sexually active,” Johnson said, “Use condoms and dental dams to physically protect yourself when having sex. Always use condoms consistently and

correctly. There is no excuse not to protect yourself.”

Test your knowledge with our sexual health quiz on ReflectorGSU.com

Photos by Cristen Gullatt Designed by Hailey Smith

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HOW TO COME BACK FROM AN INJURY

Designed by Alexandra Tobia

8 | REFLECTOR SPRING 2015

activity is complete and dynamic stretches should be used before starting, Pasternack said.

Occasionally, students are referred to an outside source.

“It is important to understand that we function as an outpatient Primary Care medical office very similar to your family doctor or pediatrician,” Deloach said.

“Meaning that while we are able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions, there are times when specialty care is required.”

Examples of this would be referrals to orthopedic specialists, optometrist and ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist,and outpatient imaging such as CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds.

IPC does offer an outpatient option that is typically used for orthopedic and functional injuries, though they will refer a patient if they need a second opinion or don’t have the proper tools for dealing with the injury.

“Rehab patients that we are talking about are like long term rehab patients that would be here like throughout the course of the semester that we are going to see two to three times a week on a consistent basis,” Pasternack said.

For outpatients, there will be an evaluation and then an emailed list of rehabilitation exercises to complete at home with follow-up treatments, Dorrien said.

The best way to prevent an injury however is self-awareness.

“Self-awareness of your abilities and your limitations,” Dorrien said. “And if you have limitations that you are concerned about come in and address them before you get hurt as opposed to after.”

Photos by Alexandra Tobia

Whether you are fighting the freshman fifteen, training for the Iron Eagle Challenge, or just trying to keep yourself healthy, suffering from an illness or injury can put a major dent in your fitness goals. While there still isn’t a surefire cure for the common hangover, there are other ways to keep you feeling great all semester long.

On Georgia Southern University’s campus, students have two options for treatment when faced with health problems: Health Services and Injury Prevention and Care (IPC). Health Services works with students with illnesses and some injuries and IPC, located in the Recreation Activity Center, works with students with injuries. Each location faces some common issues that they see on a typical day.

“Our top six illness reasons that patients have requested appointments for over the past 12 months have been: cold and upper respiratory symptoms, sore throat, rashes, uro-genital tract symptoms, nausea/ vomiting, allergy symptoms and cough,” Brian Deloach, M.D. and Medical Director for Health Services, said. “In addition, musculoskeletal complaints are on the list of common reasons for visit.”

“You see a lot of rolled ankles, sprains, strains,

different things that would happen during like sports activities. You don’t typically get the at-home injuries where somebody stepped wrong; it is usually an impact or something that has happened in the facility,” Jessica Pasternack, coordinator for IPC and an Athletic Trainer, said.

No matter the reason, both facilities are equipped to handle various situations with multiple services that they offer.

Health Services has a Women’s Clinic, immunization and injection clinic, an In-House Pharmacy, travel consults and a Health Education and Promotion Office. It also does film x-rays, lab work, and minor surgical procedures, therapeutic injections and allergy immunotherapy injections, Deloach said.

IPC has various heating modalities, electric stimulation, and taping solutions, inpatient and outpatient rehab options.

Movement screenings to determine a students weakness in range of motion and stability.

And myofascial release, a massage technique to help relieve tension, is also offered, Jordan Dorrien, coordinator for IPC and an Athletic Trainer, said.There are methods of self-prevention that students can take so that they do not have to come to these facilities.

“I mean the best thing you can do is if you are an active person is taking care of your body warming up beforehand,” Pasternack said.

Stretching and warming up are important as well. However, it is important to know that static stretches and foam rolling are best left until after the workout or

Designed by Hailey Smith

By Tayler Critchlow

The

COLLEGE

DINNER party

Photos by Alexandra Tobia Designed by Alexandra Tobia

Designed by Hailey Smith

Cuisine & Culture

BY JEFF LICCIARDELLO REFLECTOR S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | 9

It’s 7:30.

The table is set with perfectly mismatched plates from grandma and flatware hand-selected after an adventure made to Target. As everyone finds their spot at the makeshift dining room table, perfectly constructed tacos arrive, ready for their closeup. Glasses are raised and hands race to snatch the perfect taco.

Simple, effortless and memorable.

Welcome to the modern college dinner party.

Dinner parties can and should be something you look forward to at the end of your week, not just something you saw in that vintage movie you found during a Netflix binge. While it might seem intimidating, the modern college dinner party is easier than the hybrid health class you took freshman year. With the four key ingredients of people, atmosphere, entertainment and food your dinner party is bound to be a masterpiece.

People

This is easily the most important part of the dinner party and definitely the easiest to accomplish. All you have to do is grab your phone, pop open Facebook Messenger, and create a group message and invite people to your dinner party. Looking for extra points? Name the group message something clever that goes with a theme, like ‘Fancy Taco Friday’ or ‘We Hangry.’ Something super important to establish within this initial contact is that you must make sure to check if your guests have any dietary restrictions. With the spike recently of intolerances to gluten and other common food allergies, you never know what may happen.

Also, one of your guests may not eat meat for various reasons.The more accommodating you are, the more your guests will feel welcomed (and the more impressive you will look).

If your dinner party is going to be potluck style, Google Sheets are your best friend. You can create a spreadsheet and share it with all of your guests, so that way you don’t end up with a party of eight different kinds of dips.

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Atmosphere

Decorating can be a little intimidating for your dinner party, but like the rest of this experience, simplicity is bliss. Little accents are going to be the highlights of sprucing up your apartment. Think Anthropologie without shelling out your entire paycheck on an accent pillow. With a crafty mind, you can set the mood while also hiding the fact that you’re balling on a budget.

A really easy way to class up your casual evening is to highlight the food you’re going to serve. Handmade menus make it seem you took a lot of time in planning the courses for your evening and allow you as the host to add a personal touch to the evening. You can go two ways; you can make the menus in your computer program of choice (they have the Adobe Creative Suite in the Henderson Library if you’re feeling adventurous with InDesign), and then head over to the Eagle Print Shop and get them printed on cardstock.

If computers aren’t your thing and you have beautiful handwriting, you can handwrite each one or hang up a huge menu written on some butcher paper. Looking for an extra something to give your apartment that Brooklyn-lofty feel? Two words: string lights. If you don’t have any of these on hand, grab some candles and it will provide similar results.

Entertainment

Music is key. A good playlist will not just keep the crowd happy, but will set the mood for the entire evening. If you have a theme for your party, stay true with a genre of music that coincides with your theme. Otherwise, select some tunes that are a bit mellow but won’t put people to sleep. Stay away from songs that are too emotional and give off a “funeral vibe.” The evening also depends a lot on who you bring to your party. For example, if your guests don’t like country music, maybe you should stray away from that genre. Bonus tip: if you use Spotify, the desktop application has an add-on called “musiXmatch” which basically turns your TV into a karaoke machine and is a major crowd pleaser.

Another way to entertain your guests are the inclusion of games. Board and card games like ‘Clue’ and ‘Cards Against Humanity are great for taking a break of the various screens we surround ourselves with each day. But if you and your guests are really into video games (and enjoy putting your friendships on the line) ‘Super Smash Bros.’ and ‘Mario Party’ are perfect.

See the full gallery and our “Taco Tuesday” menu at ReflectorGSU.com

Food

Last but definitely not least, we arrive at the food. A dinner party is just a friendly get-together with a meal being served, so it’s important to make a menu that shines. It seems like a lot, but here are the simple rules of planning a menu. Rule number one: themes are fun and generally make things easy. When hosting a dinner party, a theme may seem like a lot of effort but it honestly makes your life easier. By deciding which direction you want your evening to go, it will give you a clearer idea of what to actually cook (examples include, Taco Tuesday, Sunday Italian Dinner, Rustic and Fresh, etc.). Next general rule of planning a menu is if it grows together, it goes together. Ingredients that are found in the same season or the same region work well together because they usually have the same flavor profiles.

If you aren’t sure what’s in season, a good way to learn is to head to the Farmer’s Market and ask the local farmers what’s growing locally.

Third rule when planning for your dinner: remember to be conscious of what your guests like. If one or two people have low tolerances to spice, maybe don’t douse your slaw in chili pepper oil. You don’t have to be Monica Geller to throw a memorable dinner party. No matter what details you put into your own party, your guest will appreciate all the personal touches you add, and years from now you will be more likely to remember a night of good food and great company than a night out at the bars.

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Photos byCristen Gullatt

Designed by Erin Fortenberry

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and barbeque sauce. We sell them like hot cakes,” Maenpaa said.

Southern Boys BBQ has a special every Wednesday where the Eagle’s Nest is available with a drink for only $6.

They are constantly creating new additions to spice things up, such as pineapple salsa and homemade chimichurri sauce.

“I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve tried there. I like how they are always trying new things with their menu and have specials all the time,” Laura Smith, senior writing and linguistics major, said.

In addition to food, they also serve tallboy beers for $2 every day.

Maenpaa, who graduated from GSU in 2005 with a degree in Natural and Cultural Resource Management, was inspired to open up a Georgia Southern themed barbeque restaurant after playing a role in the opening of several different local restaurants, including Big Shows Burgers, 40 East Grill, and New York City Pizzeria.

When a space located in a shopping center on South Main Street became available, Maenpaa took advantage of the opportunity and officially opened Southern Boys on August 4 last year.

“I want this restaurant to be a community restaurant,” Maenppa said.

Southern Boys has also catered tailgates, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions, Maenppa said. “We can cater events for cheap which is tough to find,” Maenpaa said, “It’s a lot of hard work, but catering is an opportunity for people to taste the food.”

There are a number of games available for people to play while dining at Southern Boys BBQ, including bucket pong, Frisbee and giant Jenga. When the weather is warmer, people will be able to play corn hole outside by the picnic table.

Maenpaa knows the importance of community and wants his restaurant to be a welcoming environment for everyone. Maenpaa said, “We want it to be a spot where people just want to come and hangout.”

Photos by Cristen Gullatt

When you are spending hours a day on campus, the ease and convenience of being able to walk to Chick-Fil-A or Starbucks seems like a no-brainer, but Statesboro is home to many local restaurants with fresh and flavorful food that are worth exploring.

Georgia Southern University alum Stephen Maenpaa, owner of Southern Boys BBQ, is hoping his new restaurant can provide a unique dining experience for both local residents and GSU students by providing hearty dishes that put a twist on southern tradition.

“I wanted to do authentic, fresh cooked, daily barbeque,” Maenpaa said, “We are constantly pushing ourselves to have better food each day.”

“We actually smoke our barbeque everyday so it comes out fresh,” Zach Wright, manager of Southern Boys BBQ, said.

Southern Boy’s menu ranges from barbeque staples, like brunswick stew and pulled pork, to tacos and its signature menu item the Eagle’s Nest.

“It’s two big handfuls of fries, pork, queso cheese, deep fried banana peppers

Designed by Erin Fortenberry

GSU alum opens unique barbeque restaurant in Statesboro

By Yasmeen Waliaga

Designed by Erin Fortenberry

Art OF

Coffee

By Yasmeen Waliaga offee is more than just a beverage that wakes you up in the morning, there is a true artform to brewing the perfect cup. Many individuals play different roles that contribute to the making of every cup of joe. There is an entire journey traveled by the coffee beans, beginning on a farm overseas and ending once its poured into your mug. At each stop along the way, different methods are used to alter the coffee beans until they are ready for consumption.

Statesboro is home to two local coffee companies: Three Tree Coffee Roasters and Cool Beanz Espresso Bar. Both have dedicated themselves to mastering the art of creating the perfect cup.

Cool Beanz Espresso Bar

Photos byCristen Gullatt Designed by Erin Fortenberry

Photos by Cristen Gullatt

The

Cool Beanz Espresso Bar, located in downtown Statesboro, has been open for almost one year.

Its owner, David Hoyle, was inspired to open a coffee shop after going on a business trip to Venezuela for his previous job. “While in Caracas, I tasted black coffee, which I had never preferred before, and realized I enjoyed its taste,� Hoyle said.

When he returned to America, Hoyle tried more black coffee, expecting it to taste just as good, and was unsatisfied with it. This sparked his interest in learning how to create better coffee. He started learning more about roasting and brewing coffee and eventually, opened Cool Beanz.

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Avoid sharing germs.

Three Tree Coffee Roasters Three Tree Coffee Roasters, a company using coffee to support a cause, has been open since April 2014. Owners Philip and Anna Klayman moved to Statesboro after working at a specialty coffee shop in Athens, Ga. Disappointed with the lack of good local coffee, they decided they wanted to get involved in the coffee industry and start roasting their own beans right here in Statesboro. The Klayman’s traveled to Indonesia and witnessed the atrocity of human trafficking and realized they could find a way to use coffee to fight for a cause.

“We not only saw the potential for good coffee in Statesboro, but we saw the potential for what coffee can do around the world to help with various development projects and just make a global impact for good,” Philip said.

To achieve their mission, Three Tree Coffee Roasters partners with other organizations fighting trafficking, including International Justice Mission and Rahab’s Rope.

Coffee Dynamics THE BEANS

THE EQUIPMENT

14 | REFLECTOR SPRING 2015

See us if you’re not feeling well.

THE ROAST Light, medium and dark are words describing the degree to which the coffee is roasted.

Klayman said, the more you roast a coffee, the less caffeine it has, which means lighter roasts have more caffeine than darker roasts. The darkness of the roast also alters the flavors.

“Once you get to the dark roast spectrum, you are starting to cover the flavors of the bean with your own taste,” Klayman said.

THE BOTTOM LINE Learning what flavors you prefer and how you want your coffee prepared takes time and a lot of trial and error, but exploring new techniques and different types of beans is part of what makes the coffee culture so enjoyable.

Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm 1096 Bermuda Run Road in Statesboro’s Market District p - 912-871-5150

Designed by Alexandra Tobia

Though traditional coffee makers and Keurig's are quick and easy, there are several tools that can be used to manually brew coffee, including

Take time to de-stress.

Photos byCristen Gullatt

Coffee beans come from various regions, and the tastes differ according to where the beans come from. Three Tree Coffee Roasters sources their coffee beans from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea and Nicaragua.

“Coffee from different regions tastes different,” Klayman said, “and one of our passions is that we roast to put on display those different tastes.”

Cool Beanz Espresso Bar offers coffee beans from different regions, including Costa Rica and Brazil, Hoyle said.

a French press, a pour over, Chemex and AeroPress, which can produce a better tasting product.

“Making coffee manually is just as quick as using a machine,” Hoyle said.

A French press is easy to use and takes about four minutes to brew coffee. In a French press the grounds are extracted in the water rather than the water being poured or forced through the ground.

A pour over is similar to a coffee maker at home, but manual. The V-60 Pour Over is commonly used at Cool Beanz and both the French press and pour over methods are used by Three Tree when they brew coffee at the Farmer’s Market.

The Chemex is the same type of tool as the Pour Over, except the filter is very thick.

Therefore, less oils get through and the coffee has been described as more clean tasting.

The AeroPress is another easy machine. “It is kind of a hybrid between espresso and coffee,” Klayman said. When using an AeroPress, you pressurize water through coffee grounds, making about three ounces of coffee.

Features

found in translation Photos byCristen Gullatt

By Tayler Critchlow

Designed by Alexandra Tobia

At first glance Austin Wofford and Will Allen* seem to have little in common. Wofford is a tall, athletic man who seems to have boundless energy. He is talkative and a bit restless, while Allen is more reserved but quite eloquent. As Allen relaxes in a plush chair and adjusts his beanie, no one would suspect he and Wofford

would be discussing their transitions from women to men.

“Everyone has a complicated relationship with their gender,” Allen, senior writing major and transgender man, said. “Because essentially gender is like this shoebox that is going to fit half the population and that is bullshit because there is no way you can create a box that is going to fit half

the population. So it’s okay to kind of question and think about what’s happening with your gender, your relationship with your body, and however you come out on that it is your body, you are going to be the one living with it and it is your life.”

“Gender and sexuality are different,” Wofford, senior exercise science major and transgender man, said.

REFLECTOR S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | 15

Transgender men are people who have transitioned from woman to man. A transgender woman is someone who has transitioned from man to woman. Transgender is a term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Knowing that he was transgender since the age of 14, Allen did not come out publicly to his family and close friends until he was 16. During that two-year silence, Allen dealt with inner conflicts of deciding if he was okay with who he was, even attempting to talk himself out of it. The biggest decision was whether he would chose death over accepting who he was.

“I was a silly teenager. Like I had made a deal with myself, by the time I was 18, I gave myself a deadline. I was going to either be dead or be out. And getting to the point where I could get up the courage to come out was a good chunk of my being 16,” Allen said. A month after his cousin’s suicide Allen came out because he realized that he could not subject his family to the fallout that he had witnessed happen after his cousin’s’ death.

Wofford however, found help discovering that he was transgender from an unlikely source.

“I was on StumbleUpon.com and a video popped up of a guy’s one year [anniversary],” Wofford said.

“He showed his [pre-transition], all his pictures, and his voice up until one year, and I was like ‘Holy Fuck’, and his backstory and growing up like what he did and how he felt and all this stuff and I was like ‘We are one and the same’.”

Wofford remained silent for a semester after his discovery before coming out to his girlfriend at the time. The two would pretend in public places, such as Walmart, that he was a man. However, once Wofford was around friends and teammates again, dialogue switched back to ‘she’ and ‘her’ once more. Wofford, a 16 | REFLECTOR SPRING 2015

former basketball and track player, did not come out to everyone else until two years later.

“I was like I can’t take this anymore I’m tired of people calling me that old name and tired of people saying ‘she’ and I wanted to start hormones and you can’t be on steroids when you are with the NCAA sports.”

Now looking back, both Allen and Wofford realize that there were signs early on.

“I remember sitting in like second grade and watching the girls and trying to sit like them because I felt like I wasn’t doing it right. So I spent class periods observing my fellow students. Like boys carry their books beside them, girls carry them in front of their chest, little things like that. Because I was trying to do this correctly,” Allen said.

Wofford was a Commanding Officer in ROTC, his cadets would say ‘Yes Sir’, and they would sometimes be joking and sometimes serious.

“I would get so angry and I would be like trying to defend the fact that I am a woman like don’t you see what is going on here. And those are just signs that there is something different

about you,” Wofford said.

“My sister was like ‘Man I should have known because you like Mulan’,” Allen said. “And I was like I loved Mulan because it was a great story. And I was like just because I liked Mulan doesn’t mean I was going to be trans.”

A friend helped eighth-grade Allen start realizing and questioning who he really was. “I was getting at my friend who was kinda butch and I was like ‘You’ve got to put effort into what you are wearing if you don’t you might as well be a boy’ and she was like ‘Well maybe I’ve thought about it.’ And I was like ‘Fuck...you can do that can’t you’.”

Everyone’s coming out story is different and Allen and Wofford’s parents handled the news differently. Allen considered himself a typically feminine kid growing up and so knew his parents did not see it coming when they read his letter explaining everything.

“My parents are the laid back type where they aren’t going to stop me from doing anything but they didn’t support it,” Allen said. “My sister reports that they have gotten to the

“I identify equally as a trans person, as like a Harry Potter fan, as a ginger, as you know, its all my identity.”

point of not using pronouns most of the time. But that’s about as far as they have come, they are taking small steps, but it is a long process to get them on board with things. And I have a sister who is better than my parents but not perfect.”

Allen also came out to his mom’s side of the family two years ago; however, he still has not come out to his dad’s side.

“They are from Statesboro and that is part of why,” Allen said. “And my aunt passed away last week and I had to go to the funeral and I had to go back in the closet for that. Which was like shaving the beard and just standing quietly in the corner.”.

“My mom was really wishy-washy,” Wofford said, “like if I would burp she would say that ‘That doesn’t make you a man it just makes you gross’, and just really vindictive and snide and she was really wishy-washy. But now she is good, she can use male pronouns, she says AJ, if one of her friends calls me the old name she will correct them.”

Wofford’s dad has not spoken to him since his little sister’s high school graduation last May.

Transitioning is something that both Allen and Wofford have undergone and it is the process of changing from the previous gender to the preferred gender. This is done by undergoing surgeries, taking hormone supplements, and changing legal documents.

For the specific person it is awkward because so many little things change, and then for those around you have to deal with the changes even if they do not necessarily accept it, Allen said.

Wofford spent months watching YouTube videos about transitions because he did not have anyone to talk to in athletics. And for a long time, Wofford didn’t know that there were other trans people in Statesboro.

Though since coming out, Wofford now has some old teammates, coaches, and staff to lean on for support, along with his sister who has been one of his biggest supporters.

“There is a group that we are a part of that we kinda call it ‘Trans Talk’ and if anyone is transgender they are welcome to come talk with us because a lot of people aren’t out or they aren’t able to transition yet

for many reasons, financial, family, personally not ready for that yet,” Allen said.

Transitioning is a big financial commitment. It is not typical for transmen to undergo surgery due to the options available. For transwomen, the surgery is very good but it costs half a million dollars, Allen said.

“I was able to afford chest surgery but that is because as soon as I knew I started saving up. I have been working since I was 16. And I am here on a full ride scholarship here and so my refund check went to my surgery fund.”

Allen became financially secure so that he would be ready in case his family financially cut him off. “I don’t think they realized how ready I was until I told them that I was ready to be financially cut off, because that really hurt my mom’s feelings.”

Wofford began working to afford paying for hormones and legally change documents to have his new name.

“I went through a whole ‘Hmm... do I sound like a Trey, I don’t want my father’s name. I was just picking and choosing and then all of a sudden it was just like ‘Austin’.’ Austin James.

James was the name my mom was going to name her son if she ever had one. And I just like it.”

Many trans people are stealth, which means they do not tell anyone and no one knows except for maybe a significant other or family.

This method leads some people to believe that they have never met a transgender person before.

“You imagine the drag queen with huge hair who sometimes they are trans but the like, you know, the librarian from your hometown or these people, we are all around you, you just don’t know.”

In order to be stealth, Allen said, “You have to like edit your own history and be consciously aware of what you are telling people about yourself. You have to be careful. I was in the Girl Scouts for 12 years, so I would say I was in the Scouts.”

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you to be on. I am just being me.”

“And I explain to people as well, I identify equally as a trans person, as like a Harry Potter fan, as a ginger, as you know, it’s all my identity,” Allen said revealing his Harry Potter themed tattoo.

“It’s a part of my identity but so are a million other things…. I like coffee and Netflix and so does like everyone else.”

“It’s a complicated team, and if you are then I am happy to welcome you but if you’re not then don’t do this to yourself,” Allen said.

However, Wofford enthusiastically explains that he would like to use his trans identity to his benefit.

Wofford said,“I actually want to use my trans identity in the future to benefit me. Like I want everyone to know. Like that is that awesome trans dude that I went to college with or I went to high school with. Like I want to use that to my benefit.” * Names were changed to protect the identity of the source

Designed by Erin Fortenberry

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dealing with the struggles of relationships and dating that come along with the transition.

“You know it is so awkward,” Wofford said. “I am actually scared to talk to women because eventually we are going to want things to go to the bedroom and what are you going to do? I mean I know at some point you are supposed to be like I haven’t had any surgeries.” “[People] will comment to me online if I am out and be like ‘You have a dick’ and I’m like ‘No that is exactly the thing I don’t have’,” Allen said.

“People are always worried about genitals,” Wofford said.

Knowing that there are misconceptions and hatred toward the transgender community, in particular transwoman of color, Wofford and Allen realize that there is no easy way of changing people’s minds.

“Just get to know us,” Wofford said. “I’m not trying to convert you. Like ‘You’re not supposed to be a woman’, like I’m not going around doing that. This is not some team I am trying to recruit

Photos by Abby Green

However, even stealth a person can still be outed, either accidentally or on purpose, by someone they knew previously or who currently knows their secret.

“Being outed is the worst,” Wofford said. “It hurts my soul. Like I am doing all of this for a reason, I don’t want you pulling me back.” And most of the time it is not their business unless I want them to know, Wofford said.

“And also part of it is,” Allen said. “I can explain it better than you can. I don’t want you saying stuff that is not inherently true. Or is like a weird way to phrase it.”

“Because[being outed] can get me in big trouble,” Allen said turning serious as he shifts in his seat. “It can.

And you know I want to believe it won’t but I’ve gotten comments from people especially like more locals than like students but like you can get me seriously injured.That is a very much a real thing that can and does happen and it’s happened in 2015 already to people,” Allen said. “So that is a risk that you pose if you out me.”

Both Wofford and Allen are now

Photos by Abby Green Designed by Erin Fortenberry

GSU student overcomes illness with the support of high school sweetheart

By Skyler Black

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Designed by Alex Smith

20 | REFLECTOR SPRING 2015

Photos by Jeff Licciardello

elsey Ondriezek is someone that has learned to live with the unexpected.

As a sophomore, Kelsey spent her time like most students do, focusing on her grades and being a part of a student organization. But her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissues. “ It was terrible. I was really resentful of everybody because I felt like people got to go out and have normal lives and hang out with their friends. I’m the 18 year-old that just randomly got cancer,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey was forced to put her education on hold and take a semester off of school while she underwent treatment, which was often hard to accept. “School is kind of like my element. It’s where I am comfortable,” Kelsey said.

However, she was able to find comfort and support in her relationship with her fiance and high school sweetheart, Connor Ondriezek.

“When I proposed in freshmen year of college, we had a three year wedding date. But then she got diagnosed and it put things into perspective and we decided to get married a lot sooner than we wanted to,” Connor said.

Though they were not even old enough to drink at their wedding, the pair’s devotion to eachother had begun long before they entered college.

“We actually met in eighth grade. He use to throw paper balls at my head,” Kelsey said. Shortly before Kelsey was diagnosed, Connor transferred to Georgia Southern University from Armstrong Atlantic University to start a life with Kelsey and their dog Dwight after Kelsey had fallen in love with GSU’s campus.

Soon after the two were married, Kelsey began her treatment at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.

Unfortunately, Connor not only had the weight of being Kelsey’s support system on his shoulders, but also his mother’s. She was diagnosed with lung cancer the same day Kelsey was diagnosed with lymphoma.

“It was pretty rough. I quit my job and tried to put as much time as I could with being with my mom and Kelsey,” Connor said.

Finally, in November of 2013, things began to turn around. Kelsey underwent a PET scan, an imaging test to look for disease in the body, and no trace of cancer could be found.

“Everything was gone and I finally felt like I could exhale and say maybe I will be fine,” Kelsey said. She went back to school the following semester and kept up her streak of making straight A’s.

Kelsey had her one-year scan in December 2014 which came back clean. After all of the challenges the couple have face, they now approach life with a new outlook. Kelsey said,“I feel like if you are going to do something, you need to either be 100% all in, or you just need to do something else. Because life is too short to do something you don’t enjoy.”

Put Your Records

On by kathryn lewallen

Entertainment

Don’t call it a comeback, vinyl has been here for years. While CDs are slowly closing in on the same fate as eight-track tapes and cassettes, vinyl records are currently enjoying a rebir th of sor ts. No longer are they just hidden away in dusty boxes in your grandparents’ attic or sketchy thrift shops, now they can be found front and center in not only record stores across the country, but also big chain retail stores like Books-A-Million and Urban Outfitters.

Photos by Jeff Licciardello Designed by Alex Smith

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Why Vinyl?

The choice of vinyl over any other music medium really comes down to being able to hear every nuance, especially with older albums, hearing a song the way it was originally recorded, the way it was meant to be enjoyed. The physics behind extracting music from tiny grooves come together to produce a richer, more comprehensive sound. The physical act of unsheathing a record, putting it on the turntable and carefully placing or “cueing” the stylus is strangely cathartic. Plus, album covers look really cool and sometimes come with posters.

T LC

Suggestions

Records and turntables are extremely fragile.

Always store records vertically to prevent the record from bending. Hold the record like a CD/DVD: by the middle and edges. Don’t get your greasy fingers on the grooves. Change the needles after 1000 to 2500 hours of play, which is roughly twice a year if you play it all the time. Use distilled water and a microfiber cloth to clean the album and get rid of any dust that has accumulated. Avoid cleaning your record with any household cleaners that may have alcohol in them, they will dry out your record and make it brittle.

The phrase “you get what you pay for” rings true for turntables. It’s not impossible to find good quality players that are also really affordable, though.

Crosleys are pretty inexpensive and user friendly, a good introductory turntable. The basic setup will run about $70-$80. However, Crosley’s are not able to adjust the tracking force or anti-skate mechanisms which could lead to poor sound quality.

If you have a little more cash to splash then the Marantz is the way to go. This example has an automatic tone arm and a dust cover. Also, it looks very sleek and modern.

Vocabulary Tracking Force:

How hard the needle drags on the LP. Too heavy and the record wears out quicker. Too light and the needle will skip over the groove and cause scratches. Always consult the cartridge manufacturer’s model information.

Anti-skate: As a record spins, the tracking force applied causes the stylus to be drawn inward towards the spindle. This causes uneven pressure between inner and outer channels. The anti-skate is a counter balance that corrects this problem.

As a general rule of thumb, the anti-skate weight should equal the tracking force.

33/45:

Revolutions per minute or how fast the album spins. Most modern albums are 33’s and singles are 45’s.

Warping: If the record isn’t flat then the needle will skip. Keeping albums stored upright and out of the sun will prevent warping.

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Finding Records Books-a-Million carries a lot of contemporary albums for about the same price as a CD. Fantasyland Records in Atlanta, which has been visited by the likes of Robert Plant, Eric Clapton and Elvis Costello, has a huge and eclectic selection to choose from. The closest record store is Graveface Records & Curiosities in downtown Savannah. The workers are very helpful and if they can’t find what you’re looking for they will order it for you. The most fun way to find records is going to yard sales and looking at all the old albums people are getting rid of. They’ll probably only cost a few dollars and it’s a good chance to branch out and find new, weird albums to add to your collection.

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Designed by Alex Smith

Illustration by Alex Smith

Photos by Jeff Licciardello

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book

movies

have

been

dominating the box office for the last decade and the studios behind

them show no signs of stopping any time soon.

With the addition of “Gotham” and “The Flash,” superhero’s seem to be quickly taking over television as well. As comic books continue to influence other mediums of pop culture, now is the time to embrace the source material and

DO:

see where exactly all of these great characters came from. Check out our list of basic “Do’s and Don’ts” for the aspiring comic book nerd.

Ask for suggestions on what to read from employees at your friendly neighborhood comic book shop. Not only will they know what series are popular, they can also suggest new series for you to read that are similar to ones you have enjoyed before. Statesboro has its own comic book store downtown called Galactic Comics and Games.

Buy trade paperbacks rather than single issues. Trade paperbacks are a collection of issues from a series sold together in a book format so readers can read an entire story arch together rather than just getting it in little doses. It will also save you money.

Try out some independent comic book series. Marvel and DC are iconic, but their characters also have long histories that can be hard to dive into for new readers.

Indie comics also tend to be a bit edgier because the writers do not have to worry about maintaining the image of a beloved character.

Photos by Jeff Licciardello

Assume

DON't:

that comic books are just for caped crusaders. There is a wide variety of genres in comic books, from horror to political satire to black comedy.

Think that every version of a character will be exactly the same. Just because you love Iron Man now doesn’t mean you will love the Iron Man from the 80s. Even the most well known characters change over time and from writer to writer.

Flip Designed by Alex Smith

Illustration by Alex Smith

C

omic

through the pages of a comic book while looking at them in the store. Not only is it rude to read a comic book before you buy it, but it can also lead to bent corners which can decrease the value of the comic for collectors.

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KATHRYN LEWALLEN AND PEYTON CALLANAN

If your bookshelf is currently lined with only books that have that bright yellow “used book” sticker from the University Store, books that have been or will be made into movies, or you don’t have a bookshelf at all, it may be time to step away from Netflix and pick up a good old fashion novel. Here are our suggestions for books that you should add to your collection in your twenties.

Taking place in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Cold War in full swing, a wealthy boy and his servant are best friends. Years after a significant betrayal, the main character goes on a journey of redemption and forgiveness.

This book punches you right in the feelings and when you think things couldn’t get any worse, you’ll be proven wrong.

“The Kite Runner” makes you realize that you can never predict what the future holds.

Chances are if you went to high school almost anywhere in America, “Animal Farm” was assigned reading at least once. However, your 20’s are the perfect time to revisit this classic. As an adult, you will be able to better appreciate Orwell’s commentary on corruption in politics, as well as his straightforward language and his wonderful mix of symbols and metaphors that twist together this political satire in fairy tale form.

“Slaughterhouse V”

by Kurt Vonnegut:

“The Interestings”

by Meg Wolitzer:

Billy Pilgrim has become unstuck in time. He can relive parts of his past and see his future. He revisits the atrocities of World War II and also meets an alien race. Billy learns life isn’t just a beginning then the end – there’s a bunch of amazing things that happen in between. You can spend time thinking about all the things you did wrong or what you could’ve done differently but that won’t change what happened. The only thing you can do is live one day at a time. So it goes.

This novel follows the lives of six people who meet at an art camp as teenagers and remain friends well into their middle age as they experience success, failure, heartbreak and love.

The group’s struggles to maintain their friendships as they mature are both poignant and relatable.

While many of Wolitzer’s other novels tend to skew toward an older and predominantly female audience, “The Interestings” has a multi-generational appeal, and could be described as both a coming-of-age story and as a story of rebirth.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”

by Douglas Adams:

This collection of short stories about love, families and emotional turmoil is the perfect alternative to longer novels if you are looking for something to read in between big projects and papers for class. Each piece is bite sized, telling a complete story in just a few pages, but is still just as well crafted and as dynamic as full-length novel.

Designed by Lauren Grizzell

“This is How You Lose Her”

by Junot Díaz:

Photos by Brandon Warnock

The first sentence grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until you’ve finished the book. “Hitchhiker’s” can’t possibly be summarized a sentence but if I were to try I’d say that the main character, Arthur Dent, is on a journey to save the Earth and a bunch of weird stuff happens to him in between. This book simultaneous delivers awesome quotes, hilarious ramblings, and life changing wisdom at the same time.

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“A n i m a l Fa r m ”

by G eo r g e O rw e l l :

Designed by Alex Smith

Life changing books for college students

“The Kite Runner”

by Khaled Hosseini:

Peyton’s picks

Photos by Jeff Licciardello

Books to read in your 20’s

Kathryn’s picks

Life & Style

Under the

Designed by Alex Smith

Photos by Brandon Warnock

Photos by Jeff Licciardello

By Donna Jones

Designed by Lauren Grizzell

Your heart is beating fast and blood is rushing through your veins as you see the needle inching closer and closer to your skin.

You’re contemplating yelling out “stop!” but instead you let the needle prick you.

This is the start of something that will be a part of you forever.

“I have no regrets whatsoever - it is completely true when people say it is an addition. From the time I left the chair after getting my first one three years

ago, the craving has not deteriorated in the least. It is only a matter of time until I get more,” Kristen Daniel, an undeclared sophomore said.

People get tattoos for a lot of different reasons.

Some people want to express themselves, some have an unfortunate drunken night, and others want to hold on to a memory for a lifetime.

For Matt Upchurch, a junior communication studies major, his tattoo is about

remembering the lives of close friends.

“Growing up there was this family down the road called the Davis.

Sue and Haley were the Davis’ daughters.

They were like my best friends growing up,” Upchurch said, “They passed away unfortunately in a house fire December 28th 2011.” Upchurch now has their names written on his calf.

Though she does plan to get more, Daniel currently has three tattoos. While her first two tattoos

have personal means behind them, her third is a bit more whimsical. “My third and currently final tattoo is on the front of my right thigh, and it is a tribute to “Harry Potter,” probably the greatest part of my entire childhood,” Daniel said.

Whatever the reason is behind your tattoo, making sure it’s done properly is the key. There’s a lot to consider when thinking about getting a tattoo.

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Picking Who Does Your Tattoo Selecting who does your body art is the most important thing to consider when getting a tattoo. It could be the difference between getting tattoo that looks like a work of art and a tattoo that looks like a toddler drew on you.

“Of course you want to look at a person’s work;

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you want to see if their body of work is a good body of work. But beyond all that the person themselves, the artist themselves, really will make a difference in what you get done.

If he or she isn’t a good person, they won’t give you good work or you may have a bad experience,” Tra’vien “CandyMan” Kelly, owner of CandyLand Tattoos in Statesboro, said.

Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Getting A Tattoo 1. How clean is the artist?

Make sure that the studio that you go to is clean and sterile. If not, it can put you at risk for an infection. According to the Georgia Health Department you have to be certified to be licensed to do tattooing, Kelly said. That includes passing a criminal background check and being seen and cleared by a doctor of all contractible diseases.

2. How passionate is the artist about their work?

Covering a Bad Tattoo

How much an artist cares about their work and what they do is an important factor to consider when choosing who does your tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is a permanent marking.

Making sure that the artist is excited and cares about his art is crucial.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with covering up that tattoo that reads “Ryan and Jessica Forever.” You didn’t know forever meant five months. Going to a really good tattoo artist will erase the bad memory off of your skin. Do not let the artist free draw on your skin. To prevent having to fix a tattoo of a person’s name, try getting matching symbols instead of names. Covering up a person’s tattoo is hard.

3. Is there sampling of his work you can view?

Looking at someone’s work is definitely something you should do before getting a tattoo. If you don’t like something the artist did on someone else, how can you expect them to do good work on you? Word of mouth isn’t enough for a tattoo, seeing is believing in this case.

4. What is the price for a tattoo?

Compare the different prices of tattoos at different tattoo shops. The cheapest option might not be the best option when getting a tattoo. You might have to cough up that extra $50 to make sure you are getting quality work.

Maintaining Tattoos The last thing you want to do after getting a tattoo is ruin it by not taking care of it. There are a couple things that you should know about maintaining your tattoo. “I recommend A&D ointment or Aquifer. Both of those ointments are really well as far as being very sudden and not too harsh as far as healing…you don’t really want it to heal too fast, it can cause scabbing,” Kelly said.

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Misconceptions about the modern day feminist

By Brianna Quarterman Gender Studies program is focused on the diversity and power inequalities within society, specifically concerning women.

Haberland is committed to making sure students are educated about the obstacles women face today regarding equal rights.

There is often the misconception that feminism is all about stripping men of their successes so that women can be on top, when in fact it is a campaign for both genders to excel equally.

“Once you truly understand gender theory, it’s hard to look

at everything the same.

You can apply any and everything you learn.

It’s completely life changing. As a part of society, we have to stop and realize how powerful the images of a male dominated society are to children, especially little girls.

It immediately sends a message that certain jobs or activities can be carried out only by a male or female,” Haberland said.

Johnny Lu, a junior journalism major, is a supporter of women’s rights and considers himself a feminist. “I absolutely love feminist theory. I even like to consider myself a

Designed by Lauren Grizzell

30 | REFLECTOR SPRING 2015

affects both women and men is lost when it is used in the wrong light.

“It is important that students know exactly what feminism is and what it means to be a feminist. It’s a pretty straight forward concept, meaning you the individual, believe and self-identify with the equality of the sexes. You are probably a feminist if you believe that men and women should have equal pay.

It’s not as difficult as people try to make it out to be,” Dr. Michelle Haberland, the director of Georgia Southern’s Women and Gender Studies program, said.

The Women and

Photos by Nicole McItyre

Sticking #HeforShe or #LikeAGirl on the end of a tweet doesn’t mean you have to go burn your bra or boycott the NFL, but it is important to know the meaning behind the movement.

While the feminism movement continues to make progress for equal rights here in America, the term “feminist” seems to have almost as many opponents as it does supporters.

Throughout the decades the word “feminist” has been tossed around by the masses, becoming colloquially viewed as negative or derogatory, but the true meaning of the word and how it

Photos by Nicole McItyre Designed by Lauren Grizzell

feminist, or a hopeless romantic. In my eyes, and in my heart, a woman is one of the most precious beings known to life itself. And it’s crazy how women aren’t given the surplus recognition they deserve, historically and currently. Making gender both visible and equal is vital for maintaining a healthy society,” Lu said.

Lu acknowledges the controversy that goes along with trying to achieve gender equality, but is hopeful that awareness and support can go a long way. “For students who aren’t sure about feminism and gender equality, I totally recommend taking a gender studies class. It might sound ‘boring’ to some, but my women’s gender studies class was one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. It’s a great way to not only express your feelings, but hear experiences from others as well,” Lu said.

Claire Torell, President of the Student Abolitionist Movement at Georgia Southern, is an advocate for equality and human rights. She has dedicated the past four years of her life to fighting for equal rights for others. “It really disappoints me when I hear people scoff against feminism.

People don’t want the label of ‘feminist.’ They think feminism means being an extreme women supporter. Feminism is simply about equality for women.

Not choosing one gender over the other.”

According to Fortune. com, in the workforce today, women remain a minority with only 5 percent holding Fortune 500 CEO positions. “It bothers me that we still live in a world today where the thought of having a female President is seen as a joke. Men have ran the country for years, I don’t see any reason why a woman couldn’t do it as well,” Torell said.

Aubrey Trevathan, a junior public relations major, disagrees with the preferences and behaviors culturally associated with feminism.

“I consider the label ‘feminist’ to be

Feminism is simply about equality for women.

Not choosing one gender over the other.”

CLAIRE TORELL

President of the Student Abolitionist Movement at Georgia Southern

very narrowing and problematic.

The connotations that come

with any ‘-ist’ imply extreme views. This kind of label forces people to be either for or against something without much middle ground.”

For Trevathan, it is about focusing on the accomplishments of individuals regardless of their gender.

“I know that I am smart. I am a capable, intelligent, wellspoken and confident young woman,” Trevathan said.

Torrell believes it is important to gain knowledge about the feminist movement before buying into the negativity surrounding it.

Torrell said, “In order to educate others about feminism, it is important to get involved within your community. Let it become a part of your lifestyle. Fighting for your rights and the rights of others will give you a personal fulfillment and a sense of pride.”

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Because college isn’t just a phase, it’s a lifestyle.

ReflectorGSU.com