SELF CARE
TAMPA, FL | ISSUE 01
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EXTERNAL DIRECTOR AVA ALONSO
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EDITOR- IN-CHIEF NATHANIEL RODRIGUEZ
Art Team ART DIRECTOR Kenjela Mullings Hunter Croslin Alexandria Hickey Mary Rocha Joshua Williams
Casting Team CASTING DIRECTOR Caleb Krasner Malachi Callwood Kellie Montone Alyssa O’kane
Finance FINANCE DIRECTOR Catie Barron
Styling Team STYLING DIRECTORS Vincent Uong Rebecca Paredes Amare Davis Geanne Donato Robert Lower Kajal Shah Allyson Windell
Photography
‘21
Avery Heffington Mona Sleiman
Being completely transparent, USF was not my first choice. During my first two years here, I always had this idea that USF was inferior to other Florida Universities. Throughout this last year, my view has changed. But I have come to the realization that change does not come to you, you must make it happen. I had this epiphany that it’s not about what those schools had, it’s about what our school was missing. After last year’s pandemic and the isolation that came with it, I realized that we needed something to bring us together.
Marketing
Samantha Szafran
S T A F FOUNDING
Strike Magazine was rooted in the idea that we are all striking in our own ways, founded in 2016, built on the principles of being Bold, Intimate, and Unique. All of which I have witnessed within every staff member this past semester. I am honored to be given the opportunity to bring this publication of which shares synonymous values with Tampa, to Tampa. Not only that, I am also honored to say that we are one of thirteen Strike Magazines.
BEAUTY DIRECTOR Maura Lynch
Sally Gornbein Megan Moore
María Lucía Carrillo Julian Febo Natalie Hernesman Emma Kealey Kailyn Kyle Vincent Merenda Keegan Myers Zaynab Salahuddin
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this magazine whether that means physically or digitally. I hope you understand how much this magazine means to me.
Beauty Team
MARKETING DIRECTOR Hanalyse Loboda
WRITING DIRECTOR Dani Cuestas
Dear Reader,
NAOMI DUNSMORE
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Wesley Walther
Writing Team
EDITOR’S LETTER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
The missing link in our student body was ultimately, Strike. After meeting with the founder of Strike, Hannah Kealy, I was on my way to launching Strike Magazine USF. I immediately reached out to two of my colleagues I had met my first year who I had shared interests with fashion and a desire for positive change. Choosing Naomi and Ava to establish Tampa’s first collegiate creative multifaceted publication was one of the most pivotal decisions I have ever made.
Social Media SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Allison Sickles Lauren Layman Javon Rayford
After 60 interviews, 40 emails, over 100 direct messages, and some group chats later, we finally had our founding staff. Being able to finally meet our staff was one of the most rewarding feelings I could have experienced. I remember looking around at our first shoot and thinking, “I really am meeting these random people that I recruited through a google form.” Through starting this magazine, I have met some of the most talented and glamorous people. I would like to thank Hannah, Naomi, Ava, all directors, staff members, and fellow EIC’s for helping me plant the Strike seed into the Tampa soil. It only goes up from here. Ciao and as always Strike Out, Nate Rodriguez Photos By Sally Gombein
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Accepting the Not So Ugly Truth Why Settle for One Style?
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Shattering Standards Garage Band
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Glistening Guilt
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You are the Seed
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Gold Complements
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Power Behind Protest Fashion
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THE
W N N U K O N Photo By Wesley Walther
Photo By Sally Gombein
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ACCEPTING THE SO) SO) ACCEPTING THE (NOT(NOT
Written By Keegan Myers
n today’s world, beauty is not scarce or difficult to find, simply because it is only a click or tap away. If you want to see something that you deem as beautiful, you can check your Instagram explore page, or browse the billions of posts on Pinterest. It’s a wonderful thing for us to have because looking at something you deem as beautiful can instantly boost your mood or inspire you to create. But there are things we as a society have deemed ‘ugly’ or ‘undesirable’ simply due to ignorance. Alex Comfort, a British scientist and physician most known for his book ‘The Joy of Sex’, once said, “A woman’s greatest asset is her beauty.” This is absolute bullshit. For years, women have been deemed the fairer sex. We’ve been poked and prodded, groomed, and domesticated into perfect ideals of what a woman should be. These include a natural but attractive face, a naturally gorgeous figure, and an overwhelming ability to submit. Of course, these expectations are ludacris, and usually impossible to adhere to. Still, we find ourselves nitpicking the way we look based on popular trends. If you don’t have the “ideal” figure, you feel as if you’re a failure, even though it’s not something you can control in the slightest. There are tons of traits or characteristics that society has deemed “bad”. Moles, chipped teeth, hip dips, and textured skin have all been looked down upon
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for decades. This isn’t just for women, either. Men also have ideals forced upon them that are difficult if not impossible to replicate, such as body hair, muscular definition, and a tall physique. Those who fall into the grey area of the woman/man spectrum have it even harder because they’re constantly ridiculed for not conforming to the societal “norm”. We’ve seen a recent resurgence of “natural bodies”, but even when fashion or beauty brands show diversity, they still exclude a large portion of the population. In 2021, the desirable body shape for women in the USA is either full-figured and curvalicious, or thin and more androgynous. Neither of these body shapes are wrong, but by only promoting two opposite ends of the spectrum, brands force the consumer to compare themselves to someone they might not look like. For men, we see something similar, with tall and built being one end of the spectrum, and average and slimmer on the other side. In my research for this article, I haven’t seen a single mention for those in the population who fall in-between their expected figure. What we’ve been told is “ugly” for most of our lives is now ingrained in our very conscience . When I see someone with crooked teeth, I immediately have to fight off the evil little voices in my head telling me that it’s an ugly trait… and it’s funny because I have crooked teeth. I have crooked teeth that I am completely used to, but when I see someone else with the same thing, I think of them as undesirable. In turn, I feel more self-conscious about my own teeth, instead of frustrated in myself for thinking anyone’s teeth are ugly at all. Beauty isn’t something a magazine can explain, because tabloids are usually focused on bringing someone down to buy a product or service. Glass skin is popular right now, and advertisements are showing it with highly edited photos. Skin texture is smoothed, pimples erased, and jawline etched. We’ve been force-fed a fake narrative that we now have to work to dismantle. Instead of seeing normal skin as ugly, we should understand that it’s inevitable, and there will be days where you don’t feel confident. Accepting the way that is now will help you in the future, especially because businesses like to prey on people who show signs of aging. Love your skin the way it is before you decide to invest in expensive treatments or plans, then make the decision. Rather than projecting our insecurities and judging the decisions of others, it’s best that we recognize these habits and work towards improving them in order to take better care of ourselves. From there, we can work with a quieter mind towards self-love and growth. Photo By Wesley Walther
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inding your style is a very personal venture that contributes towards self-identification. Letting go of societal standards and stepping into a search for wearing what accentuates your happiness and assembles self-love is a step into the unknown. There is no one answer that will elucidate style. As humans, we are everevolving; our personalities, interests, likes, dislikes. Building your wardrobe is a process that will take time. Finding different ways to express yourself is nothing to rush through. It is a treasure hunt towards finding the pot of gold that is identity. The theme of classifying oneself into an area of aesthetic, as witnessed on many social media platforms, compiles the innumerable amount of styles into a handful of choices. Of course, it’s all fun and games, taking the many styles people share nowadays and turning them into photo boards to choose which you associate with most. However, in the scheme of things, categorizing yourself into “dark academia,” “soft girl,” or “streetwear” puts a limit on the way you express yourself through clothing. Why settle for one style when you have the ability to choose a different aesthetic every time you put together an outfit? Clothing is multifaceted, just like you are. Asking yourself to fixate on one genre of style couldn’t be fair for brains that
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were born to create. In an ever-changing world with an everchanging body, mind, and spirit, create an amalgamation of anything and everything you love. A ceiling that restricts bright and colorful cashmere one day and black-on-black suede the next does not exist. If anything, encourage yourself to see all the drastic changes in your style. Be bold and be different each and every day. Expanding your style does not include losing yourself. Rather than picking one fixed style and sticking with it, define what you feel good in. Naturally, we are drawn to specific items of clothing. That’s the beauty of clothes — we instinctively know what we like. Pay attention to what you linger towards when shopping. Next time you get ready for a special event, be conscious of what you grab out of your closet. Do you have a go-to top or slacks? From here, defining what you like unravels into expansion. If a particular style of pants is just so you, continue building your wardrobe with that comfort in mind. Try the same style replaced with a bold color or pattern. Ultimately, the more comfortable you feel in your clothes the more your confidence will soar. On your personal style venture, step into the unknown by unearthing who you are through your wardrobe. Labels aside and comfort in mind, express yourself in a way that is unique to you.
WHY SETTLE FOR ONE STY WHY SETTLE WHY SETTLE F FOR ONE ONE STYLE? STYLE? WHY SETTLE FOR ONE STY Written By Natalie Hernesman
Photo by Wesley Walther
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Written By Natalie Hernesman & Zaynab Salahuddin
ake a look in the mirror. Deeper beyond the surface of appearance, what does your soul reflect? Mirror, mirror. Dive into your journey of personal growth by beginning with selfawareness. Discover yourself. Understand yourself. Yearn for the life that surrounds you. Being open to learn, perceive and feel everything around you will allow you to come to your senses. Face the facts that are looking back at you in the mirror: growing can be tough, but loving yourself for who you truly are is worth the vulnerability. When embarking on self-growth, putting yourself first is a priority. This involves leaving behind the societal standards that are engraved into everyday life and focusing exclusively on what genuinely makes you happy. Separating social norms from your personal interests may give a little push towards opening the door to finding your true self. Happiness and self-love are pivotal emotions that point straight toward identity. There is a monumental difference between what you wear, how you act, or what your interests are when letting society project on you, versus when you only care about what you find satisfying. By making the conscious decision to see this difference eliminates the notion that there needs to be rules set for yourself. Photo by Wesley Walther
“Just be yourself.” We know it’s easier said than done. Unfortunately, there isn’t a switch we can flip to eliminate caring about what other people think from our brains. Finding yourself is a work in progress. It builds as you grow and experience different versions of yourself in your lifetime. Small steps in the direction of pleasing yourself rather than others will equate to shattering standards. Comparison is the thief of all joy. Social media has altered everyone’s standards and outlook on what their life is supposed to look like. When in actuality, mostly everything on social media is fake. It’s all a facade. As a result of this facade, standards throughout society have been replaced by this false reality. As young people, it’s crucial that we remember most of the things seen on social media are fake because if we perceive this as reality and attempt to live up to these unrealistic standards, it can be detrimental to our overall health. It’s important to have a tight grip on who you are as a person and your reality before getting swept away in the waves of something fake. The fake reality of social media may seem as if it’s tangible because it’s easily accessible through your phone, you’re able to use it every day, all day, whenever you wish but it is not. Comparing yourself to the people surrounding you only results in losing yourself. Bit by bit, what motivates you, what inspires you, your ambition and drive. Your personality. All the things that make you, you, shine through so bright when you let go of all the expectations set for yourself. After all, it is your life to live. Take that first look in the mirror.. and then shatter the standards assigned to you.
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n the new age of neo-psychedelic bands, Taverns crashes onto the scene from Tampa, Florida with waves of entrancing riffs and ethereal jams reminiscent of similar bands such as Her’s, Dayglow, and other modern genre-bending groups. Their collection of songs include tastes of indie rock infused with dream pop, in a harmonious blend that’s sure to groove any avid listener to their core. I had the opportunity to witness their band live back at USF’s Bullstock event in 2019 and their energy on-stage is absolutely electric, with clear chemistry flowing between each of the group’s talented members. Here at Strike, we were able to ask a couple questions to find out more and characterize this awesome rising band:
Q: How did you guys meet? A: “Wei met Gabe at the USF parking garage while
GARAGE BAND GARAGE BAND Written By Julian Febo
Q: Are you planning on continuing music after you all graduate?
A: “Yes, we have all chosen career paths that would allow us to continue Taverns after we all graduate.”
Q: How has the ongoing pandemic affected the way you make and promote your music?
A: “It has been hard to book gigs because our
hometowns are across the state. Wei had to go home to West Palm, and Ethan is in Orlando. We have been able to record about 7-8 songs over the pandemic and plan to release 3-4 singles by the end of the year.”
Q: What has been your favorite performance so far? A: “A tie between Bullstock 2019 and the Crowbar for the
first time, because the Crowbar has been our short-term practicing with an old band. Claudio and Gabe met in high dream venue to play at.” school when we started playing guitar together, and we met Ethan at a show in Tampa.” Q: Any drops or performances coming up to look out Q: What inspirations do you draw from to make your for? music? A: “Our newest single, ‘Julia’ drops May 21st. We have a A: “80’s pop, city-pop, modern R&B, indie rock, video to go along with it, and plan to release 2-3 more psychedelic rock, Shrek 2 Soundtrack.” singles by the end of the year.”
Q: What is your creative process for making music? Q: Going into Summer ‘21, what’s up next for the band? A: “Generally Gabe or Claudio will come to Ethan or Wei A: “Our goal would be to play a short tour, COVID with a guitar riff and then one of us will start riffing on top of protocols allowing, across Florida or even up into Georgia it and then eventually it will become a song.” and up North Carolina. We really want to just get back to playing shows and releasing music.” Q: Do you have any favorite go-to artists/albums? A: “A-ha, Elton John, Tame Impala, Mac Demarco, ABBA, As we venture forward into the dog days of Summer, Taverns’ music becomes an ideal soundtrack for blasting The Beatles Turnover, and Movements” on cruises to the beach or for kicking back on cool Florida nights. Be sure to check out their new single “Julia” Q: Are you currently studying at USF while making dropping on May 21st! music? If so, what are you studying?
A: “Wei graduated from USF in 2020 and is pursuing his
Photo By Sally Gombein
master’s in marine biology at UCF starting this Fall. Gabe graduated in Spring 2021 from USF, Claudio and Ethan graduate in 2023, from USF and UCF respectively.”
Check out their Instagram @tavernsband <3
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Paint it, Photo By Wesley Walther
GOLD
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Glistening Guilts W Written By Malú Carrillo
hat is something that you love but are hesitant to show to the world that you love it? Take a second to think about it. We often define this as “guilty pleasures.” The reason behind the “guilty” is that these things we enjoy have something supposedly embarrassing to them. Why would something that brings us pleasure be embarrassing? Well, oftentimes it’s because it is an activity, an object, a hobby that is traditionally not meant for our age, for our gender, or for “someone like us.” Other times it is because we are afraid that liking something will make us a part of the existing stereotype of the people who do. Or, it might be because there is a collective agreement that this thing is simply not good,
so we don’t want to accept that we do enjoy it. There are many reasons why we hide what we like, reasons related to our psychology, and how we tend to relate to others. Many of which ultimately come down to the socially constructed expectations of what we are supposed to enjoy as a young woman, as a middleaged man, or as a queer person in their twenties— expectations which have been built for years in order to support our existing systems and the status-quo. If we don’t subscribe to the interests that “match” our demographic, society shames us for it. There are times, however, when the real reason hidinbehind our reluctance to be openly passionate about something is because we don’t think we deserve to be. Subconsciously, we deny ourselves our right to find happiness more than we realize. We shy away when it’s our turn to talk about the things we love,
even though we like when other people’s eyes light up exactly for this reason. We feel like impostors in our own hobbies—believing that we are not that good at them or that we don’t know enough to talk about them. Our minds will always immediately think of that person who is better, more talented, more knowledgeable than us in what we love. We tend to downplay our passions when, in all truth, they are what make us love life. Finding happiness in something, whatever this something looks like, is such a priceless part of being human. And we are so lucky to be able to experience this feeling. Especially in a year like 2020, when everything felt a little bit extra chaotic, a little bit extra difficult, we came to realize how valuable those things that bring us joy truly are. So if there is something that pours happiness into our lives, and it doesn’t harm us or those around, why do we try so hard to bury it? It
doesn’t make sense, especially when everything we put into the universe by allowing ourselves to be passionate is ultimately so positive. Why would we deny ourselves the experience of being radiantly and loudly excited about something, when that is what life is all about? After all, what is life if not the pursuit of the things that make us happy? All these rhetorical questions are nothing but an invitation to embrace what we love. To be confident in our interests and our passions, because there is no better reason than “because they make us happy.” Even if these passions do teach us something, give us perspective or help us grow, the fact that they are a source of peace and joy is reason enough to welcome them. This is an invitation to get out of our own way, stop putting so many “buts” and let what we love freely fill our souls. This is an invitation to shamelessly love.
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Gold
COMPLEMENTS
G
Written By Zaynab Salahuddin & Danielle Cuestas
old has been a hot commodity for centuries. It’s been used as a form of currency and has also proved to be of good use for jewelry making. Since times have changed, gold isn’t seen strictly in the same affluent aspect as it once was before. It’s now expanded into a more fashionable, cultural, and heirloom manner. Gold remains the most widely used material in jewelry. Gold has been used in almost every accessory, including but not limited to: rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, nose rings, belly rings, waist jewelry, earrings, grills, and more. This metal has been used dating as far back as 3000 B.C in Iraq and has always been associated with luxury. Nowadays, whether things are gold plated or simply not real gold, the look of gold itself remains a staple piece to any closet. This material allows you to choose between how loud and how quiet you want your accessories to be. Some people may prefer to show off their big or multiple accessories made of gold, as African King Mansa Musa would. Showing off your wealth through your golden accessories is a recurring trend throughout history and culture, and was seen to boom again in the 1990s. Others may want to sneak into the trend and have a more subtle display of their gold, taking a more minimalist route. Gold accessories can make a plain or casual outfit suddenly look more expensive. It’s known to embellish an outfit and complement any skin tone. This metal can complement someone’s look almost effortlessly. Either
form of presentation of your gold accessories are popular, which allows for a variety of styling options that are widely accepted. One of the best parts about gold complements is that they’re unisex, and they always have been. For those who aren’t used to rocking some metallic accessories due to stereotypes categorizing jewelry with femininity, gold complements have always been worn by both gender expressions. Egypt Pharaoh Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh who is portrayed in historical works with feminine gender expressions as well as male gender expressions, and she loved her gold accessories. Incan emperor Atahualpa and his people loved their gold and wore it with pride. This awards everyone with the perfect opportunity to stand out, or in some cases stand in. Unlike the value for Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, and Indegenous tribes and communities, today’s gold accessories don’t necessarily need to be real gold to be a valuable addition to your outfit. Some accessories that are trending are chunky gold hoops, which can be combined with any outfit from minimal to streetwear, and often paired with an up-do hairstyle to show off the ears. Gold chains are widely admired and a go-to timeless piece to invest in if you choose to buy real gold, whether it be bracelets, necklaces, or even anklets. There are a variety of chains to choose from as well, with differences in the choice of chain links or even adding pendants. Rings are a great way to flaunt your gold accessories. Stackable rings are currently trending as well as chunky rings.
Photo by Wesley Walther
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You ARE
the Written By Emma Kealey
t is hard to bloom without any water. Speaking with solemn hate towards yourself and you wonder — why won’t I grow? You know the saying, “sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you.” Well, words do hurt. Particularly, unkind words that you whisper to yourself late at night or when you think you are alone. Again, words do hurt. From orchids to ferns, plants grow and thrive in optimism. Plants will respond to positive affirmations the same way we will. They grow faster and become healthier from just speaking to them kindly and softly. Look at yourself in the mirror and practice saying positive words that will make you feel good. Even just saying “I look good today,” will have the biggest effect on your mood and wellbeing. It will boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Just like a plant, you will have a healthier mindset and accomplish more when you cut the negative self-talk. Now, I know that there will be some skeptics who will marvel in disbelief that plants are anything more than a decoration or a piece of shrubbery. So — The Guardian writes that NASA has done research on how low sound vibrations will increase the growth of plants.
Photo By Wesley Walther
While higher, louder vibrations have a negative effect on plant growth. Meaning that louder sounds, such as yelling, will stunt plant growth. Although large-scale research has not been conducted on this phenomenon, it still applies to the struggle of self-love. Be kind to yourself. Appreciate yourself for who you truly are in your raw form. In order to truly accept yourself for who you are, you have to accept yourself when you are at your lowest. Whether that be eating an obscene amount of popcorn while having a movie night at home or feeling absolutely lost in the corner of a party. You cannot let yourself be upset over one little moment in your life and dwell on it. I, myself, am guilty of replaying and overthinking moments of my life that I wish I could reverse. But — unfortunately time travel isn’t real and Back to the Future is an imaginary concept. You will stunt your growth and continue to live in the past if you prevent yourself from moving on. As you progress through the stages of self-love, breaking through to this final stage of self-care will finally allow you to bloom. Once you become fully secure in yourself, you will realize that life is not meant to be cruel. Life is not black and white, it is made to be colorful, vibrant, and free. The seed will transform into a flower and the vines will continue to travel. This is what it means to truly be ‘in full bloom.’
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Written By Danielle Cuestas
rom 2020 into 2021, this year has been a horrific year to experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating fires taking place in Australia and California, and losing legends such as Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman, staying positive while being stuck at home has not been easy for all of us. This pandemic leaves us to see the people in this world go through horrible things and not be as able to organize gatherings for comfort, or protests for change. Despite the year going by so quickly when we’re stuck inside, it’s important to not forget what has been happening in the outside world, as well as taking this time to educate yourself further. When you wear denim, do you stop to question what this textile symbolized to people in the past? Denim overalls and jeans were a standard uniform for black sharecroppers in the South. This made the Black middle class in the mid 50’s to 60’s feel as though they needed to distance themselves or avoid wearing denim in order to appear respectable, idolizing suits and dresses. Activists during this time would purposefully wear denim
workwear in order to reclaim it and make a statement against the stereotypes placed about class and respectability, and rather that it’s simply a more practical attire for anyone who needs that range of mobility. When you think of a beret, what comes to mind? The beret came from France and Spain, but it’s not the only two places where it’s been popularly worn. The black beret is often associated to be a part of the uniform for the Black Panther Party. Being paired with black leather jackets, the black beret was picked by the founders of the Black Panther Party after seeing it in a movie about the French resistance to Nazis during World War II. It’s said that this accessory was worn in order to convey a symbol of militancy. Though peace signs were rocked in the ‘60s, the peace sign was created by a British graphic designer to fight for nuclear disarmament in London during the Cold War. Still, the peace sign made its way to the United States and was used as an anti-war protest against the Vietnam War, as well as fighting for Civil Rights. This symbol is still seen today on shirts, pins, jewelry, and even with our modern-day go-to hand sign in pictures. “Slogan Tees,” refers to wearing tops with politically
charged messages on them. In the ‘70s, Vivienne Westwood saw the potential in using distressed tees, which were popular in punk culture, and used these t-shirts as a canvas for political messages. It’s common for some of these designs to be considered controversial, as it’s a clear display of personal values or beliefs. Slogan Tees are still around and remain quite popular. From the anti-discrimination t-shirt worn by Frank Ocean at the panorama music festival reading, “Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?” to attire made by brands ranging from Burberry to SHEIN, they can be seen everywhere. Many other pieces had an impact in their movements: The Guy Fawkes mask symbolizing anonymity and commitment, The Pussyhats worn for the Women’s March symbolising power and feminity, and the “Handmaid’s Tale” uniform worn to protest anti-abortion legislation , wearing attire used in a dystopia showing the oppression of women. What we wear can not only display what we believe in, but it can also leave a memorable association of our message onto a physical item. Sometimes our attire speaks louder than our words can. Although it’s important to educate yourself on the attire we still see today and its power throughout history, we emphasize that justice and the need for change are not and should never be treated as something as light as “a trend.” Racial injustice is not something new, but for some, it’s finally being brought to their attention due to media coverage. George Floyd’s traumatizing last words and video footage created a rage within the public in May 2020. However, he is just one name from an eerily never-ending list of racist murders. There has been a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. We end this magazine with flowers and recognition of the names of those we’ve lost to the unjust actions of others. We remember and... Photos by Wesley Walther
...say their names:
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STRIKE OUT Photo By Wesley Walther
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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MODELS...
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The Unknown Yasmeen Khalifa Kyden Payne Josephina Reymon
Mirror Mirror Carly Fraser Ty Helms
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Paint it Gold Gabrielle Castro Micah Garcia Sarah Harding Natalie Hernesman Zaharia Womack
Full Bloom Julian Febo Tho Hoang Marcus Pickett Kaley Williams