STRIKE MAGAZINE CHATTANOOGA ISSUE 08: BODY SNATCHERS
Someone wants your body.
What’s the deal?
Beg, borrow, buy, or steal?
Gutter or pedestal?
That’s how it is with bodies that someone wants.
What’s it worth to you?
A rose, a diamond, a cool million, a joke, a drink? The fiction that this one likes you?
You could bestow it, this body, like the generous creature you are, or blackout and have it snatched and you’d never know.
Kiss it goodbye, the body that was once yours.
It’s off and running, it’s rolled in furs, it’s dancing or bleeding out in a meadow.
Shadow SHADOW
by Margaret Atwood
You didn’t need it anyway, it attracted too much attention. Better with only a shadow.
Someone wants your shadow.
Atwood, Margaret. Dearly: New poems. Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.(2021).
EDITORS
EDITOR IN CHIEF Lillian Dent
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sophia Nimmo
EXTERNALS DIRECTORS Emily Redden
ASSISTANT EXTERNALS DIRECTOR Kat Ray
EDITORIAL
WRITING DIRECTOR Rebecca Morgan
WRITERS Sunshine Finnell
Katherine Williams
Mia Cadaret
COPY EDITOR Isabella Preston
EXTERNAL
PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Lily Sparkman
PR ASSISTANTS Bella Moss Isabella Wakefield
Skylar English
EVENTS DIRECTOR Kate Barnes
EVENTS ASSISTANT Rylee Ridner
Rory Schwall
Cara Flowers
Jasmine Glenn
Gracee Morrow
Deja Aguirre
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Amelia Madden
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH Mia Cadaret
Gracee Morrow
FINANCE DIRECTORS Deja Aguirre Carli Todd
CREATIVE
ART DIRECTOR Hailey Carroll
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
PRODUCTION DIRECTORS
Madalene Leigh
Ella Laughmiller
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Yamman Azzouz
Margot Suchet
Taylor Rose
Bella Moss
Simone Jones
Lauren Young
Bree Schut
Gekayla Shumake
Matalin Wallace
Shayla Brown
DIGITAL DIRECTOR Lauren Young
ASSISTANT DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bree Schut
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Maya Stewart
PHOTOGRAPHERS
FASHION DIRECTOR Anya Geistert
STYLISTS
VIDEOGRAPHER Maya Stewart
BEAUTY DIRECTOR San
BEAUTY ASSISTANTS
Margot Suchet
Mila Bales
Devynee O’neal
Sky Meeks
Madeline Aiken
Keira Thorpe
Cole Alsup
Ivana Hernandez
Micah Davis
Madeline Aiken
Ivana Hernandez
Micah Davis
Valencia Brewer
Ethan Wisdom
STAFF LIST
Photography by Maya Stewart
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Four issues in and here I sit to write my first words as Editor-In-Chief of Strike Magazine Chattanooga. The experiences that have led up to this moment have been nothing short of amazing—a time of growth, self-discovery, and deepening friendships. I am filled with such pride and gratitude, not only for the incredible team that stands alongside us but also for the wonderful community we have created. This is a team I am honored to be a part of, and one that continues to inspire me day in and day out.
First joining Strike as a Stylist, I was fueled by a passion for the arts and need to express that. Unbeknownst to me, Strike would become the center of my sphere and a vessel for lifelong friendships. From Stylist to Fashion Director, then Assistant Editor-in-Chief, and now Editor-in-Chief, each role has taught me invaluable lessons. With every issue launch I am reminded that Strike is far more than the work we do, but rather the commitment to something bigger than ourselves.
Growing up in rural Tennessee, I have witnessed the rhetoric surrounding family values and traditional beliefs that often feel monolithic, unyielding of change. The body has become a malleable tool—shaped by external pressures and swallowed by societal expectations. From beauty standards to laws that govern our bodily autonomy, we have found ourselves navigating a world where our bodies are politicized, regulated, and marked.
“Body Snatchers” is a critical response to this burden, examining how the body can be a catalyst for resistance, empowerment, and agency as opposed to a passive vessel. This anthology dismantles the commodification of our being and resists beliefs that are imposed on us. It is through our bodies that we tell stories of resilience and defiance. They are not battle grounds for the beliefs of others, but rather conduits for our own narratives. In times of uncertainty, community is an essential lifeline. It is the investment in mutual aid and shared purpose that allows us to counteract the forces of conformity. Through this work, the art we create and the stories we share, we can begin to heal, resist, and transform.
To Strike Staff,
Thank you for being my community; together we have created something better than the sum of its parts.
With Care,
DIRECTORS LETTERS
Although this is only my second issue with Strike Magazine Chattanooga, my time with this team has been a profound awakening, marked by growth, inspiration, and the beauty of shared purpose.
Every moment spent with these incredibly driven, creative, and compassionate individuals has deepened my belief in the power of collaborative vision. Working together, we’ve shared our dreams, our fears, and our hopes for a future that feels closer, a future we actively shape through our craft. The connections I’ve made here are unparalleled; these friendships have inspired me to look beyond limitations and seek new ways to spark change. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Creative Director and to have a role in something greater than myself, to be trusted in a way that has only strengthened my resolve to make a difference.
At the heart of Body Snatchers is a desire to awaken the spirit of protest and resistance in our audience, to make them aware of the forces that govern our lives with disregard for our autonomy. Our bodies, our rights, and our choices are constantly under siege by entities indifferent to our humanity. This issue was born from a shared ur-
As we look ahead to another transition in our country’s leadership, it feels especially important to recognize the role of creativity in times like these. The world may feel uncertain, and the challenges we face can sometimes seem overwhelming, but that’s exactly why spaces like Strike Magazine Chattanooga are so crucial. In a time when young voices are searching for places to be heard, we offer a creative, inclusive space where ideas can flow freely, where struggles can be channeled into art, and where we can all express our truths. Strike is, and always will be, a platform for young people who want to make an impact through their creative work.
As Externals Director, I lead the teams responsible for managing the behind-the-scenes work that helps uphold and promote our chapter’s reputation. This issue, we’ve had the pleasure of organizing several successful events, including our 6th “Strike Market”, which gave over 25 small businesses the chance to showcase their work and make a profit. We also hosted our 4th “Strike the Runway” fashion show, collaborating with 9 local and Nashville-based designers to plan a unique show, showcasing their incredible pieces. Additionally, we partnered with Exile, a local bar, to host a Halloween party and costume contest featuring performances by two amazing drag artists. These are just a few of the events we’ve hosted to bring the community together, creating unique
gency to rally our readers, to compel them to question, resist, and speak out. We are living through a time when our freedoms are increasingly threatened, and those in power lack the moral conscience necessary to govern justly. Now, more than ever, we need to inspire each other to resist. This issue is a rallying cry, a reminder that we must persist in the fight for human rights, for justice, for peace.
This endeavor is my tribute to those who choose action over silence. It’s a reminder that we can—and must— continue to resist, and that even the smallest spark has the power to ignite meaningful change. Let this be our shared reminder to keep fighting, to never settle, and to forever demand a future that values our voices and our bodies.
I present to you, dear viewer, Body Snatchers.
With love,
opportunities for local creatives to connect, showcase their work, and be celebrated. A huge thank you to the business owners who opened their doors to us, supported our fundraising efforts, and helped make these events possible. Your support means the world. Beyond our events, our Social Media team has worked tirelessly to keep Strike visible and connected with our followers. Through consistent posts on Instagram and TikTok, we’ve promoted events, blog posts, and everything from pop culture highlights, art, and fashion inspiration. Meanwhile, our PR team has been busy with flyers, staff photoshoots, and internal events, helping us promote and engage our chapter.
This marks my 5th issue with Strike and my 3rd issue as Externals Director, and I feel incredibly lucky to be in this role. It’s the perfect blend of creativity and strategy, and I’ve loved every minute of it. There aren’t enough thankyous in the world for my amazing external team’s hard work, and, of course, a special shoutout to my assistant, Kat Ray, for making my life so much easier this semester. You are a gem. Readers, enjoy the incredible work our creative teams have put together in this issue. I’m so proud to spend my time promoting the talent you’ll find within these pages.
Lillian Dent
Emily Redden
Sophia Nimmo
Body Snatchers walk the edge of all that is familiar and conventional. They metamorphosize one’s own flesh and image, permeating its thresholds. It is both intoxicating yet anxiogenic. Systems of bodily invasion disguise themselves as aid, assisting in the restoration of family values and a distrust in human nature. These entities alter our worldview so seamlessly it almost feels natural yet its effects are concerning.
SYSTEMS OFBODILY INVASION
Photography by Maya Stewar and Lillian Dent
SHE DESINTEGRATED INTO A SPILL LEFT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CLEAN.
TO KNOW GOD. TO BE ACCEPTED BY HIM. TO LET THE MADNESS WASH OVER YOU.
THEY MOUNTED OUR SKIN ON THE MANTLE AND LEFT US IN THE SPACES
WE DO NOT WANT TO BE LIKE YOU. WE ARE NOT YOU. WE ARE NEITHER.
THE REMEDY LIES NOT IN ISOLATION
Despite the “Body Snatchers” around us, there is still hope— a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty we have the power of shared purpose. It is important that we continue pursuing relationships with those who challenge and inspire us. Valuing authenticity and mutual aid is the first step to reclaiming our flesh and image; as the remedy lies not in isolation, but in our connections with others. In these spaces of solidarity, we can begin to create something much larger than ourselves.
ISSUE 08
Photography by Maya Stewart
FIRST FALL
Concept: Lillian Dent + Sophia Nimmo
Leader: Ella Laughmiller
Production: Lauren Young + Madalene Leigh
Styling: Micah Davis + Keira Thorpe
Graphic Design: Margot Suchet
Writers: Isabella Preston + Katherine Williams
Photographer: Margot Suchet
Beauty: Micah Davis + San
Models: Denise Whalen + Ella Sykes + Vivi Baldwin
ROOTS
Concept: Lillian Dent + Sophia Nimmo
Leader: Anya Geistert
Production: Bree Schut + Shayla Brown + Madalene Leigh
Styling: Keira Thorpe + Cole Alsup + Ivana Hernandez
