CAL STATE F U LLE RTO N MAGAZ I N E
Arousal Mental Health Social Change Masculinity
Mission Tusk is the annual lifestyle magazine of California State University, Fullerton, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse institutions of higher education. Tusk champions inclusion by amplifying silenced voices, strengthening solidarity, and telling stories that matter to our different communities through deliberate and inclusive journalism. Our dedicated team of editors, writers, and designers took a radical approach to this year’s edition with the intent to arouse empowerment and subvert the status quo. In shaking shit up, we hope to uplift our communities and fight for freedom collectively. Fists up! Tusks up!
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Spring 2020 Volume 21
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Tusk is produced annually by the California State University, Fullerton Department of Communications. The opinions expressed within are the responsibility of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the university, faculty, or student body. This issue was printed with Direct Connection Printing and Mailing in La Verne. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Published in Spring 2020.
Front End
Sex and Gender
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Hole-y Sh!t, Where’d You Get That Piercing?
28 Boys Do Cry: Exploring Masculinity
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No Car? Take the Train Instead
32 Life As An Erotic Dancer
10 Beyond Art: Five Museums to See in L.A.
40 Does Virginity Still Exist?
12 Virtual Exhibitions: From MoMA to Mexico City
42 Talk Dirty to Me: Q&A with Dr. Tara
Food 13 Veggie Comfort Food Near Campus 15 Upgrade Your Bar Scene 18 Veronese Gallery & Café
Activism 22 Freedom Fighters At CSUF 26 Black Mental Health 2
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44 A Guide For The Best Safe Sex 46 Handle That Blood Sustainably 48 Single AF: Dating Terms for 2020
Back End 50 Tusk Taste Tests Spiked Seltzers 52 Burger Records is Still Grilling 54 What’s Your Group Project Personality?
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Staff Editorial Managing Editors Editors
Staff Writers
Art Janica Michelle Martinez Torres Michelle Ibañez Zara Flores Blake Mara Noriko Ostroy Ellinor Rundhovde Alexie Aguayo Yssa Almazan Madison Amirehteshami Gabrielle Beasca Ysan Jiyo Cayabyab Michaela Chairez Kason Clark Hosam Elattar Maranda Gonzalez Kim Pham Michael Quintero Susana Rios Ellinor Rundhovde Janica Michelle Martinez Torres Elizabeth Tovar Alyssa Valdez Bethany Whittaker Angela “Angie” Zubia
Creative Director Art Director Photo Directors Designers Photographers
Michael Quintero Chen Liu RJ Abesamis Elizabeth Tovar Kim Pham Jiani Zhu Yssa Almazan Ellinor Rundhovde
Web and Video Multimedia Directors
Andrea Nicole Carvajal Hosam Elattar
Multimedia Producers
Emilee Allen Kimberly Solis Gunner Thomas Teixeira Angela “Angie” Zubia
Advisor
Chelsea Reynolds, Ph.D.
Social and Outreach Social Media Manager
Ysan Jiyo Cayabyab
Social Media Producer
Jessica Esmeralda Razo
Event Planning
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Madison Frazer Caroline Grupp
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Front Cover Design by Chen Liu Photo by Michael Quintero Mission Page Photos by Elizabeth Tovar
Letter From The Staff We created the 21st edition of Tusk Magazine with the intent to disrupt the status quo and empower our communities. Our team chose to veer from consumer content and produce stories that shift consciousness and mobilize unity. This year’s edition tackles taboo topics such as sex work and mental health through subversive discourse in order to move past stigma and break through barriers. By challenging notions of sex and gender, we challenge the underlying structures of inequity and make space for full and free expression of our identities. Our team overcame obstacles in producing this issue during the Coronavirus crisis. We’re immensely proud of the pages we put together and plan to celebrate accordingly once we break free from quarantine. We hope things do not return back to “normal” and that we utilize this moment and content to continue to undo unjust structures and heal our way of living. We aim to use our platform to advance an activist stance and strive to make a difference on campus and in the lives of our Titan community. We hope this edition of Tusk radically arouses the power within us to harness resistance and build a better world together. We appreciate you picking up a copy and reading our magazine. One love, Janica Michelle Martinez Torres Michelle Ibañez Michael Quintero May 2020
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ant in on the piercing action but don’t know where to start? Tusk lays out some criteria to sharpen your search for a piercing shop. Cleanliness: You want to make sure your piercings are done in a clean environment to avoid any mishaps. You’ll be wasting your money, time, and patience if you have to get rid of your piercing because of a silly infection. Pricing: Most piercings cost about $50, save for nipple and genital pokes. You get what you pay for, so make sure you get quality piercings and jewelry. You wouldn’t want to remove a fresh piercing because it was done incorrectly or had bad quality jewelry. Comfort: Piercings are stressful enough, so try to find a professional who can make you feel at ease as they stick a needle in you.
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Written by Ysan Jiyo Cayabyab Photo by RJ Abesamis Design by Jiani Zhu
THREE PLACES IN FULLERTON TO PIERCE THROUGH THE MUNDANE. Wicked Tooth Gems & Body Piercings ($$) Location: 1045 W. Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton
Rebel Rebel Body Piercing ($$$) Location: 5051 E. Orangethorpe Ave Unit E, Anaheim
EngineerInk Tattoo & Body Piercing ($$) Location: 2443 E. Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton
Cleanliness: This studio is clean and up to standard. Sterilization procedures are well done.
Cleanliness: The studio is very clean and the sterilizing procedures are up to par with other piercing studios.
Cleanliness: The piercer follows standard piercing and health procedures, and the room itself is very clean.
Pricing: This studio charges a fee for the piercing and for the jewelry. It’s more expensive, but the quality of service matches the price tag.
Pricing: Pricing is actually on the cheaper side. The jewelry selection isn’t great, but then again the price is lower.
Pricing: Pricing here is fair and the cost of the ice is included in the price. They also have a very good variety of jewelry on hand. Comfort: The owner is very hands-on. She is super informative about the process and also has a sharp eye for piercing placement and optimal aesthetic appeal. Pro: This is a small business and the owner is rad. The staff provides excellent service, so if you enjoy supporting local businesses, this is the shop for you. Con: They are in a transitional stage of getting another studio, so they are operating out of a home studio, but it’s just as clean and even more charming than other spots.
Comfort: The piercers do a very good job at keeping you calm and informed throughout the whole experience. Who could ask for more? Pro: This place is bougie, but definitely fits the standards for those uncomfortable in a tattoo shop. Con: This shop is expensive as fuck, but the quality is worth it. Again, you get what you pay for.
Comfort: The environment is as comfortable given that it’s a tattoo shop. Pro: The process is very quick and easy; you can get in and out without any problems. Con: This is a tattoo shop first, piercing shop second, and it really shows. If you want that “tattoo shop piercing” kind of experience, then this is the place for you. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Written by Michael Quintero Photo by RJ Abesamis Design by Jiani Zhu
No Car? No License? No Problem! Don’t own a car and need to get around? Or did you have too much fun one night and now you can’t drive for a year (if you catch my drift)? No problem, Metrolink and Amtrak can take you there for the time being. Tusk traces the train lines that run from Fullerton to Los Angeles and proffers some tips on how to navigate them.
Metrolink Fullerton Station Address: 120 E. Santa Fe Ave, Fullerton The Orange County Line (Orange Line) Regular price (one way): $8.50 Student price (one way): $6.50 The Orange County Line from Fullerton can take you to Union Station or down to Oceanside. The good thing about the Metrolink line is that train attendants rarely check for tickets, especially for those riding from Fullerton to LA, which is only two stops. If you’re feeling bold: download the Metrolink app, set your destination and add your card—but don’t click pay—just leave that screen open until an attendant comes to buy your ticket. You can also skate by without a student ID if you wear a backpack. The Orange Line carries a pretty mellow crowd of passengers; most folks pretty much keep to themselves. The 91/Perris Valley (Blue Line) Regular price (one way): $8.50 Student price (one way): $6.50 The Blue Line goes to Union Station and ends in Perris. Like the Orange Line, use the Metrolink app to set up your ticket order and wait for the staff to come around. Same goes for the backpack trick to cash in on the student discount. The only difference in this line is the people who board the train. Nothing compared to the LA subway—that’s another story—but be prepared to put up with people under the influence or rowdy riders yelling nonsense.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Regular price (one way): $14 Student price (one way): 15% discount for students 25 and under The Pacific Surfliner is a more high-end Metrolink line that expands greater distances than the Blue and Orange lines. This train will take you from Fullerton to Union Station or all the way down to San Diego. A ticket on the Surfliner is a bit steeper, but you’re paying for the luxury of consistent schedules, comfier seats with leg space, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, and a café. But these extra luxuries come with extra security, so buy your ticket before getting on. I’ve tried to get away without paying for this line, but wasn’t slick enough. (If you are, tell me your secret.) Also, if you’re a weekend warrior, leave your paraphernalia and party favors at home. K9 units are known to randomly board and search the train. Although tickets for the Surfliner are a few bucks up from the Metrolink, the upside to Amtrak’s system is ease of access (you can pre-purchase your tickets online), comfort, and reliability. Not having a car or license may seem like a hassle, but these options will get you where you need to go if you’re looking for alternatives to the bus, Uber, or Lyft to get around.
But don’t worry, you won’t be in harm’s way. Just bring your headphones or a book to tune out those awkward instances.
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FIND YOUR MUSE:
FIVE MUSEUMS TO SEE IN L.A.
LA is a cultural mecca rich in diversity. Here are five museums that venture from your conventional canvas-on-the-wall venues.
Written by Angela “Angie” Zubia Photo by Yssa Almazan Design by Jiani Zhu
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Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino Tickets: Weekdays - $25, Weekends - $29 Student Discount (with ID): Weekdays - $21, Weekends - $24 Free days: Free the first Thursday of every month Neighborhood: Pasadena
Location: 900 W. Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles Tickets: $14 Student Discount (with ID): $12 Free Days: First Tuesday of the month except for July and August, every Tuesday in September Neighborhood: University Park
The Huntington Library is a legendary LA institution with an extensive collection of books, art, and gardens that will take hours to pour over. The Huntington boasts vast and colorful gardens that stretch out over 100 acres. Enjoy a stroll through the Chinese and Japanese gardens, or re-energize over a classic English spread at the Tea Room located in the rose garden. If you’re inclined to stay inside, they have over 11 million texts and artworks spanning from the 11th to 21st centuries that include Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Thomas Gainsborough’s Blue Boy.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County proves that science can be art. The museum is a research and learning institution that’s been around for over 100 years. It is dedicated to telling Earth’s story through the scientific findings from around the globe. Learn from over 35 million specimens and artifacts from our natural world.
The Broad Location: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles Tickets: Free general admission. Certain exhibits require additional charge Neighborhood: Downtown The Broad has made quite the come up since opening in 2015 with free general admission, unique architecture, and a vault that holds around 2,000 pieces of contemporary art. The Broad features collections of progressive artists who challenge the status quo. Confront the heinous history of slavery through the silhouetted narratives of Kara Walker. Or face the chaotic work of late Haitian and Puerto Rican artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who took on racial and power structures of the 1970s neo-expressionism movement.
Classic exhibits include the Butterfly Pavilion, Age of Mammals, nature gardens, gem and mineral collections, and the Dinosaur Hall and Lab.
Make sure to check out Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room for an immersive experience you will never forget.
The Underground Museum
Petersen Automotive Museum
Location: 3508 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles Tickets: Free Neighborhood: Arlington Heights A hidden gem in an unsuspecting neighborhood, The Underground Museum is an alternative space that’s served as a cultural art and community center since 2012. The goal is to provide exhibition space for and by artists of color to cultivate creativity within the mostly Black and Latinx community. The museum showcases contemporary art, literature, and live music from local artists that highlight their narratives of personal struggle, triumph, and critical resistance.
Location: 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles Tickets: $16 Student Discount (with ID): $12 Neighborhood: The Miracle Mile If you’re a car aficionado, race over to the Petersen Automotive Museum, which celebrates the history, industry, and artistry of the automotive world. Explore Los Angeles’ car culture with over 300 models of cars dating back to the 1800s. The three levels of the museum focus on different aspects of the industry such as the history, artistry, and technical knowledge that go into designing and manufacturing automotives. Catch examples of rolling sculptures like the 1989 Batmobile or their collection of formula one race cars.
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Virtual Exhibitions: Online Art and More Although museums are closed during quarantine for the time being, you can still view a vast selection of art through virtual exhibits. Over 500 museums worldwide have partnered with Google Arts & Culture to provide picturesque virtual experiences and a perfect pastime for this pandemic. Tusk picked four of our favorite virtual exhibits to get you started. Museo Frida Kahlo, Mexico City, Mexico Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) lived and died in La Casa Azul. After her death, the house was preserved and now functions as a museum known as Museo Frida Kahlo. Appearances Can Be Deceiving: Frida Kahlo’s Wardrobe is an online version of an exhibit currently on display. It offers an intimate look at Kahlo’s wardrobe, including traditional Tehuana dresses and medical corsets, and explores how she navigated and expressed her identity as interlinked with disability. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, USA In 2016, LACMA displayed their exhibit Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 17152015. A condensed version of the exhibit is now available online, and offers a fascinating look at men’s fashion in its own right–not as a side note to womenswear. Reigning Men is divided into five themes, including EAST/ WEST, which explores international cultural
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Written by Ellinor Rundhovde Photo by Elizabeth Tovar Design by Michael Quintero
exchanges, and THE SPLENDID MAN, focused on challenging notions of menswear and masculinity. The exhibit traces the history of menswear through three centuries and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the curators put the historical pieces on display. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India Amrita Sher-Gil (1913-1941) was a Hungarian-Indian painter, who in her tooshort life left a lasting mark on India’s art history. Her paintings are declared national treasures, and less than 10 of her works have left the country. Sher-Gil is known for her portraiture and depictions of everyday life, with a signature expression that has established her as one of the most prominent modern Indian artists. The National Gallery of Modern Art is displaying some of her works in an online exhibit that also gives an overview of Sher-Gil’s life and legacy, her influences, and the evolution of her artistic style. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA Comme des Garçons by Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942) is undeniably one of the most famous fashion labels in the world. Kawakubo’s designs are never easily defined and exist in a space of “in-betweenness.” Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between is a collaboration between Kawakubo and The Met, and explores nine expressions of this concept through an in-depth look at fashion design as an art form that transcends clothing.
Three restaurants that won’t have you asking, “Can I get this, but with no meat?”
Written by Elizabeth Tovar Photos by RJ Abesamis and Elizabeth Tovar Design by Jiani Zhu
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This goes out to our herbivores. We understand how hard dining out can be. Fortunately these spots have you covered with their inclusive menus. Best part is they’re close to campus and won’t have you feeling like a broke-ass college student.
Places in Fullerton
Distance From Campus: 1.1 miles
The Port Of Peri Peri
Address: 2555 E. Chapman Ave, Fullerton
With plates under $10, The Port of Peri Peri needs to be your next lunch spot. The menu’s Veggie Delights section has a variety of pita sandwiches, rice combos, and burgers all with a Portuguese and South African flair. Tusk recommends the falafel and rice with a signature peri-peri blend made from African bird’s eye chilis, their most popular no-meat combo.
Distance From Campus: 1.5 miles
Huntington Ramen And Sushi
Address: 1325 E. Chapman Ave, Fullerton
Distance From Campus: 3.3 miles Address: 215 W. Birch St, Brea
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No more avocado rolls or lifeless ramen. Huntington Ramen and Sushi offers a FULL vegan menu. The ramen doesn’t get more expensive than $13 and you can get a crunch roll with “crab” and “shrimp” tempura for less than $10. The Vegan Ecstasy ramen is the house favorite with its thick noodles and assortment of veggies swimming in a creamy “tonkotsu” broth.
Elbows Mac N’ Cheese Elbows Mac N’ Cheese puts a spin on traditional comfort food, specializing in gourmet mac and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. Made with a medley of parmesan, mozzarella, cream cheese, and spinach artichoke dip, then topped with diced red onions and tortilla strips, we recommend the Okey Dokey Artichokey for under $10. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, this mac packs creamy goodness too delicious to pass up.
Upgrade Your Bar Scene Boost your beer-drinking experience at these alternative breweries. Written by Michael Quintero Photos by Michael Quintero Design by Chen Liu
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Downtown Fullerton is not everyone’s idea of a good time. If you want to upgrade your bar scene, then level up at these four local breweries close to campus.
The Bruery Terreux Tasting Room Address: 1174 N. Grove St, Anaheim The Bruery has two locations. Their brewhouse in Placentia gives guests a peek inside their beer-making process while sampling some of their best and sometimes experimental batches. The Bruery Terreux Tasting Room in Anaheim boasts a much larger selection of beer and more seating for guests who are looking for a laid-back atmosphere. The decor is rustic yet industrial, with a spacious interior where guests can sip their brews among barrels of booze. Some of the brewery’s experimental batches tap into the culinary world, with flavors like horchata, apple pie filling, and Earl Grey tea latte. So if you’re a beer enthusiast or just looking for some exclusive drinks to try, get a flight of the many different kinds at The Bruery Terreux Tasting Room.
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Phantom Ales
Bottle Logic
Brewery X
Address: 1211 N. Las Brisas St, Anaheim
Address: 1072 N. Armando St, Anaheim
Address: 3191 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim
Phantom Ales is the place to grab a bite before embarking on a full night of drinking since this is one of the few breweries in Orange County that has a functioning kitchen.
Bottle Logic might be the smallest of the four, but its huge beer selection and fun atmosphere invite quite the large crowd.
Save Brewery X for last because it’s got all that you need, making it hard to leave once you’re there.
The party begins as soon as you pull up to a bunch of folks chilling and smoking on the patio. The inside gets packed, so expect to stand around the bar and wait for a table. But don’t let this deter you.
The brewery looks bigger than Costco with a space for any type of drinker. They have a huge tap selection from blondes, pilsners, IPAs, and hard seltzers. Tusk suggests the Huckleberry seltzer, Pint Wacker Mosaic IPA, and Hazy Homes Hazy Double IPA.
This brewery can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you go during its busy hours. Order the Anaheim Phog IPA with their fish and chips, and you’ll understand why this place gets packed by 6 p.m. IPAs are the highlight of Phantoms Ales. Enjoy the smooth hoppy taste of their Mosaic Galaxy IPA for a chill outing. If you’re looking to get lit, then their Juice Jockey at a whopping 8.7 percent ABV will do the job. If you want a place to sit with a cold one and enjoy a hot meal, make your way over to this joint. Phantom Ales is the perfect brewery that brings everyone together.
What’s cool about this spot is they have food trucks outside for when you get the munchies. Plus they’re dog friendly, so you may run into some fellow dog lovers and pettable pooches. Bottle Logic’s IPAs are strong and on point. So if you want the downtown feel but with a high-class crowd, you can act like royalty here while drinking your beer out of a goblet.
Their patio extends to an open lawn for folks to bring their kids or fur babies. They also have intimate areas with booths if you’re on a date. Deeper inside is their sports bar with flatscreens for all you sports nuts. To the side is a wide-open room with a stage for live music and cornhole stations in the back. Basically, they took the best parts of a house party and put it all into Brewery X.
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Zio Kim, owner of Veronese Gallery & Café
A Vintage Garden in Downtown Fullerton Veronese Gallery & Cafe is a cozy hideaway that doubles as an art gallery and coffee shop.
Written by Janica Michelle Martinez Torres Photos by RJ Abesamis and Elizabeth Tovar Design by Kim Pham Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Art History
Stepping inside Veronese Gallery & Café feels like traversing a dreamscape. The tranquil setting takes you far from the bustle of downtown Fullerton to a secret garden where you can savor your coffee in serenity.
The café is a relic as the property was originally a house that’s been around for over a century and is considered a historic landmark in Fullerton. The blend of art and coffee is ground in manager Seulki Kim’s family history. Kim’s parents, who are both artists, purchased the house and turned it into an art gallery to showcase her mother’s paintings.
While the ambiance is quiet, the aesthetic includes a wild mishmash of artifacts that meld together with lush foliage throughout the restaurant. Ren Collantes, a junior at the Orange County School of Arts, described his first impression of the café as surreal.
Born in South Korea by way of France, the Kim family converted the house into an art gallery in 2004. Veronese was solely an art exhibit back then, but soon after, they slowly began selling coffee to draw more people to the business.
“When you walk in, it’s an influx of aesthetics, and they make the atmosphere dreamlike with the music,” said Collantes. Worldly Eats and Distinct Drinks
“Little by little, we just started serving coffee,” said Kim. “Then we expanded a bit more, so now it’s become a major draw; the coffee shop is our major and then the gallery an aside.”
Veronese’s menu is a combination of international influences. They offer renditions of Korean ramen, Italian spaghetti and paninis, and French crepes that Kim perfected while living in France prior to coming to the U.S. The café’s biggest draw is its array of eclectic coffees, teas, and fresh juices. They also serve a diverse selection of beer, wine, and Korean makcrash: a milky and fruity iced alcoholic treat. What’s most unique is their offering of traditional Korean healthy teas served hot or iced that you won’t find at any boba shop around.
If you’re looking for a change of pace, a quiet space to catch up on work, or a romantic setting to get to know that special someone, Veronese Gallery & Café promises an exquisite experience that will transport you to a secret realm right here in Fullerton.
A Hush-Hush Hideaway
Secrecy and seclusion make Veronese the perfect place for students to study or take a date. Their outdoor seating is ample and picturesque: intricately designed to provide nooks of private space. Its location is deceiving, situated in a residential neighborhood and obscured by shrubbery and orange groves that are symbolic of the city. Hannah Collantes, a nursing student at Cypress College, found out about the café by word of mouth, which is how most folks find their way here. What keeps her coming back is that they do their own thing. “Nowadays, most coffee shops are modern and minimalistic,” said Collantes. “This is the exact opposite: it takes you to a whole different environment that makes a great place for a date or studying, maybe a mix of both.”
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Folks are welcome to study, use the Wi-Fi, or power their devices, so long as each person in the party orders one item off the menu.
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Community activist organizations on campus forge the way for social progress. Tusk met up for Q&As with the presidents of six student organizations who are leading the charge for change.
Written by Janica Michelle Martinez Torres Photos by Elizabeth Tovar Design by Jiani Zhu
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Brenda Heredia, Diversity Resilience Education Access Movement Cooperation (D.R.E.A.M. Co-Op) Can you describe your organization and what it does? D.R.E.A.M. Co-Op is all about advocating and supporting the undocumented community. We provide a safe space for undocumented students and allies from all ethnic backgrounds to fight for undocumented rights. What does activism entail for your community? Our activism involves educating about our rights and sharing our stories to have our concerns heard. We host DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) workshops and an event called Migration is Beautiful. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? We’re all fighting for our freedom. When we collaborate with other organizations, we each bring our knowledge and experiences, and we get to learn from each other and grow together.
Joshua Fatahi, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Can you describe your organization and what it does? We’re a national student organization whose mission is to spread awareness of the injustice and human rights violations going on in Palestine and counter the problematic coverage in America. What does activism entail for your community? Most of the work SJP does is informing folks on what’s going on in Palestine through outreach, workshops, and the wall event we do each year. We also push for boycott, divestment, and sanction as a way to pressure Israel to guarantee the human rights of Palestinians. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? All our struggles are deeply interconnected and all these oppressive structures that we face intersect. We need to understand that we are connected and stronger together, so building coalition is crucial to our collective freedoms. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Elisabeth Alvarado, Inter-Tribal Student Council (ITSC) Can you describe your organization and what it does? We’re a safe space and the only place on campus for Native students to gather and meet other indigenous folks to see what we share in common and learn about our differences among tribes. What does activism entail for your community? Our motto is: “We’re still here.” So promoting our presence on campus and representing our culture authentically through events and outreach is very important to us because oftentimes, our community gets forgotten or misrepresented in the media. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? We are stronger as a collective unit. When we unite in coalition to build understanding and promote our connected missions, we can get more done. There’s power in numbers.
Elsie Venegas, Queer & Trans People of Color Collective (QTPOCC) Can you describe your organization and what it does? We focus on activism and education about being a person of color who identifies within the queer and trans community, to discuss the intersectionality of our various identities. What does activism entail for your community? We do a lot of educational pieces examining identity, as well as current and political events on and off campus. We host Queer Prom and attend QTPOC conferences each year. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? We all cohabit each other’s space on campus. It’s important that we maintain connected and form a unified front to support each other and back each other up when the need arises.
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RJ Abesamis, Bayanihan Kollective (BK) Can you describe your organization and what it does? We’re a community organization that does social justice work in the Pilipinx community both locally and in the Pilipinas. What does activism entail for your community? We build community, which involves reconnecting with our Pilipinx culture and history. We educate about what’s going on in the Pilipinas and we mobilize by getting involved with other organizations. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? It’s vital cause of the way systems of oppression work to isolate our different groups to keep us down. But when we coalitionize, we become a stronger force for change. If we’re going to take down interlocking systems of oppression, we need to be interlocked as well.
Bethany Whittaker, Black Student Union (BSU) Can you describe your organization and what it does? The Black Student Union stands as an advocate for Black students, faculty, and staff to ensure our betterment on campus. We also serve as a voice of social justice for the Black community. What does activism entail for your community? We hold events that build communal spaces for Black students on campus since we’re shy of just two percent here. BSU has events such as Black Student Welcomes and the Pan-Afrikan Fair. This year we’re hosting the annual Afrikan Black Coalition Conference. Why is it important for coalition and solidarity among other activist student organizations? We can’t do anything without each other. We won’t get anywhere fighting by ourselves, so having that cohesiveness among our organizations makes the fight we’re fighting so much easier. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Black Mental Health: Breaking Through The Taboo Written by Bethany Whittaker Photos by Elizabeth Tovar Design by Michael Quintero
The 2019-2020 Black Student Union president, Bethany Whittaker, breaks the silence and the stigma surrounding Black mental health.
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To begin the conversation about Black mental health, we must unpack the ways historical and systemic oppression contributes to and compounds mental health issues faced by Black folks, as well as creates barriers for accessing care. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress, yet are less likely to seek treatment. The many layers to the stigma of mental health in the Black community are due to generational trauma from deep-rooted racism and systemic oppression, which has manifested into a survivalist mentality where pain is masked behind enduring strength. “There’s a narrative of strength that no matter what happens in our lives, we’re supposed to put our chin up and keep moving forward,” said Portia Jackson Preston, professor of Public Health. To honor the resilience of the Black community and the importance of addressing mental illness, we breakdown how Black history factors into Black mental health, and how we can work toward affirmation and healing. Distrust of Medical Institutions and State Violence Within the Black community lies a visceral mistrust of the medical establishment. Historically, Black folks have been exploited and exposed to violence by the U.S. government and medical community through the coerced sterilization of federal eugenics programs and the unethical Tuskegee Study that used Black lives and bodies in the name of medical advancement. Additionally, anti-blackness and the criminalization of Black behavior often result in higher rates of misdiagnosis or incarceration. Black folks in America are exposed to inflated rates of State violence in their communities. Post-traumatic stress disorder related to police brutality often gets mislabeled as rage and exposes the community to further violence. Present-day discrimination also serves as a barrier to Black mental health care where there is a dearth of Black mental health professionals in the field. Acknowledged and unacknowledged bias in diagnosis and a lack of cultural competency by care providers produce a system of inadequate treatment to effectively address the Black experience in dealing with racism on a daily basis.
at CSUF. “It hurts to feel as if who I am isn’t accepted, so you start second-guessing yourself. I have to put on a face in front of my peers in the name of acceptance—I shouldn’t have to do that.” Microaggressions such as the N word watermarked on a flyer by fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa in fall 2019 and daily instances of casual and blatant racism from professors and peers add to increased rates of depression and anxiety for Black students in higher education. Economic Disparity Economic inequity is a barrier to mental health care and another stressor contributing to mental struggles experienced by the Black community. Mental illness isn’t exclusive to individuals of lower economic status. However, the stress from grappling with hunger, homelessness, a lack of basic needs, and the inability to find work or afford medical treatment intensify its toll on Black folks, who disproportionately come from lower socio-economic backgrounds due to a legacy of discriminatory economic policies throughout history. “When we as Black people are not in a position to take care of ourselves properly due to financial barriers, we tend to suffer from diseases like mental illness that are treatable if we could just get access,” said Jackson Preston. Toward Affirmation and Healing Talking about Black mental health to unpack its stigma aids as a starting point in normalizing the topic. Intentional effort toward shifting the narrative of how mental health is discussed and addressing systemic obstacles to access and quality care can push forth meaningful change to transform healing in the Black community.
Dealing with Daily Discrimination Black people deal with racism and microaggressions each day on top of balancing their personal, professional, and academic lives. This is exacerbated in higher education where Black students, faculty, and staff navigate institutions that lack the infrastructure to support their success and well-being. Black students often feel the need to “code switch” in order to feel comfortable in classes and on campus. “I feel like I can’t be myself,” said Mykayla Miller, a Chemistry major Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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BOYS DO CRY Written by Elizabeth Tovar Photos by Yssa Almazan and Elizabeth Tovar Design by Kim Pham
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Expanding what it means to be manly.
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Times are changing and as such, the notion of masculinity has broadened beyond traditionally accepted forms of expression. Masculinity isn’t as limiting as it used to be, and conversations about gender, mental health, and parenting are shifting in ways that make space for our full humanity.
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Toxic Masculinity The term “toxic masculinity” is prevalent in all forms of discourse, but maybe the toxic part is how masculinity is characterized as “toxic” in the first place. “Lately, toxic masculinity is used as a catchall term to kind of pick out what we call the negative side of traditional masculinity,” said Matt Englar-Carlson, professor of Counseling and Faculty Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion. When society reinforces gender roles by immediately assuming men are poisonous, masculinity becomes a problem. “There are certain toxic and rigid gender roles, but to assume that every male is a potential danger is a stereotype,” said Dr. John Ibson, professor of American Studies. While the appropriateness of the terminology is debated, it’s important in that it allows for conversations previously unimaginable; conversations about assault and abuse of power that are necessary ingredients for social change and justice. “It changes the way we approach sexual assault if we shift the onus from ‘feminine folks need to protect themselves’ to ‘masculine folks need to not assault,’” said Alyssa Samek, assistant professor of Human Communication Studies. This idea moves the focus away from victim-blaming and instead stresses that masculinity shouldn’t be enacted through power, dominance, and violence. The next step is to switch the perspective of the masses. “The #MeToo movement is a very positive sign of progress in the simple fact that we recognize certain behaviors as very problematic,” said Ibson. Mental Health Although one of the most traditional traits of masculinity is suppressing emotion, it isn’t a marker of manliness. Instead, it imparts and exacerbates the mental health problems men face that often go unaddressed.
“Men who minimize their emotions are more likely to experience mental struggles from trying to conform to rigid masculine notions of expressing themselves,” said Englar-Carlson. If men are discouraged from expressing their emotions, they’ll be less inclined to seek the professional help they need. This issue is historically overlooked due to a lack of societal attention for the emotional well-being of men that comes from tying masculinity to stoicism. Changes In Childrearing Parents are moving past out-moded childrearing methods and as they begin to change their views on gender roles, the impetus for teaching boys to be “strong men” becomes less important. “Some parents put less emphasis on being a proper man or woman and put more emphasis on just being a good human being,” said Ibson. While raising a child to be a good person sounds like the solution to hypermasculinity, parents should be more attuned to how they can let children explore their gender expression and accept them for who they are. “I hope our norms continue to loosen up so that we don’t respond negatively toward boys exploring a wide variety of gender embodiments and presentations,” said Samek. A subtle yet powerful way to avoid gendered parenting is by showing children affection. “It used to be that boy babies weren’t touched as much as girl babies because it’s almost as if they’re going to start toughening them up at six months old,” said Ibson. “This isn’t the case as much now.” Masculinity Looking Forward Ongoing shifts in society’s conceptualization of and relationship to gender will continue to make room for more robust ways of engaging in masculinity. “There is a greater awareness around gender and what that means. I think in the future we’re going to see more inclusivity and more space for men, women, and gender non-conforming folks to find their identities and live authentically,” Englar-Carlson said. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Dancing Through College:
LIFE AS AN
EROTIC
DANCER Written by Madison Amirehteshami Photos by Michael Quintero Design by Chen Liu
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Tusk uses the term “erotic” because “exotic” connotes racialized and fetishized subtexts meant to represent something strange and foreign. We resist the stigma associated with erotic dancing. (Names have been altered to protect “Jazmine’s” identity)
Lap dances and pole tricks can help pay for school, bills, groceries, and even establish financial stability while studying for your degree. We all know college is expensive. Between paying for textbooks, tuition, and parking permits, many students have probably considered dancing for money—whether they admit it or not. Some may laugh and make judgments while others may feel a rush of shame for even thinking about erotic dancing as a means of income. These sentiments are due to the negative presumptions of erotic dancing as a profession: the inconsistent pay, sleazy customers, catty co-workers, and late night hours—not to mention the objectification. But is it actually worse than the alternative: serving burgers and fries part-time and breaking your back for minimum wage? A resounding no!
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Jazmine Jazmine, a fourth-year student at CSUF, opened up to Tusk about her experience as a dancer at Satin Topless, a small club in the City of Industry. Other than occasional young partygoers, Jazmine described her usual customers as middle-aged married men. She also asserted that strippers are not interested in their clients romantically or sexually, but are often subject to harassment. Men often make offers to “save” her, claiming she’s too pretty to work in a strip club, while others will press for sexual favors they call “extras.” Jazmine, like most strippers, said she is interested in neither.
The Cash Flow It’s easy to see how dancers could quickly blow through their cash, but according to Jazmine, a savings plan and mental strength can create a stable flow of income. “Working a six to eight-hour shift, I can make $100 an hour on a good day,” Jazmine said. “It’s definitely hard to stay mentally strong, but I like to put my money into my savings instead of spending it. It’s really easy to get wrapped up in a certain lifestyle and potentially drop out of school.”
“I can make $100 an hour on a good day.”
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Media Stereotypes Hunter Hargraves, assistant professor of Cinema and Television Arts, gave his take on the misrepresentation of erotic dancing in the media. “In media narratives, strippers are depicted as destitute and desperate because of the mainstream assumption that they are uneducated and often forced into the job,” Hargraves said in an emailed statement. This sort of representation in film and television has undergone a major shift in recent years with the rise of sex worker empowerment and activism. “As we move toward streaming platforms that cater content to specific demographics (young feminists), it’s safe to say we’ll see more diversity in representation for strippers,” Hargraves said. Despite strides in representation, Jazmine still faces constant judgment. As such, she’s only opened up about her job to a select few. Though Jazmine does not view stripping negatively. “It’s something I’ve thought about in the past,” said Jazmine. “I watched a lot of online videos about how to start and I love dancing, so I thought this was something I could really be good at.”
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Support And Empowerment Those closest to Jazmine, like her roommate Dee, recognize her work as empowering. “I see that she loves it and is dancing by choice,” said Dee. “When people judge, it’s out of jealousy because she is confident and free to express her sexuality. Sometimes men may objectify her, but she ultimately holds power over her clients.” Jazmine’s boyfriend, Andy, also respects and supports her decision. While most guys might take issue with their partner making money off of sex appeal, he trusts Jazmine and applauds her work ethic. Jazmine reiterated her agency as she explained that management prioritizes the dancers’ comfort over paying customers. So while she may be topless when dancing for clients, she feels in full control of the situation. “I feel completely safe when I’m giving dances on the main floor or private champagne rooms,” Jazmine said. “Anytime someone tries to touch me inappropriately, I tell management and they’re really good at getting rid of creeps.”
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More Than A Dancer The bruises on her legs show the physical toll of pole dancing, but remain the only outward indicator of her line of work. Stripping does not define Jazmine as a woman or a student. Jazmine was brought up in a stable home that valued Catholicism and higher education. She is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and plans to graduate in spring. Strippers are real people with real lives outside of their highly stigmatized work. Jazmine can take her clothes off for money on a Saturday night and study for an exam in Pollak Library on a Tuesday afternoon. Does this make her any less human? No fucking way.
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Written by Alexie Aguayo Photo by Elizabeth Tovar Design by Jiani Zhu
Nowadays, most folks can acknowledge that gender is a social construct. But what about virginity as a social construct and not a biologically fixed “truth” as we’re led to believe? Tusk critically examines the concept of virginity and questions how our ideas of sexuality are constructed in society. Virginity is Alive, But Different “I think virginity is alive,” says Cori Bates, who identifies as a lesbian. “I think it’s totally valid to lose your virginity to a female.” Bates claims that she “lost her virginity” to another woman and that it’s nobody’s business to tell her otherwise. “You can pop the cherry without a penis,” says Bates sarcastically. “People have the right to their thoughts, but I also have the right to mine.” Nat Betancourt, Coordinator for the LGBT Queer Resource Center on campus, says that sex is a topic oft talked about at the center because many young queers are unsure of exactly what sex is. So students come for a safe space to seek advice and discuss things like virginity in the queer community. “Virginity is more emotional than physical, in my opinion,” Betancourt says. “It is based on personal preference and what the individual decides to identify as when it comes to virginity.” Religious Values on Virginity Dr. Jesse Battan, sex and gender professor in American Studies, says religion is one of the main reasons why some choose to “keep their virginity” until marriage, in addition to avoiding sexually transmitted diseases and emotional damage. “The number of women who are still virgins on their wedding night has declined decade by decade,” says Battan. Breaking sexuality free from religion’s “moral” stronghold is key to moving away from the concept of virginity and purity being tied to a woman’s value in society. These notions of purity have historical roots within the
patriarchy of religion where men traditionally hold more power. In this sense, virginity functions to keep the status quo of gender inequity intact. The concept of virginity that stems from a religious frame is not only sexist but heteronormative as it does not take into account the sexual experiences of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming folks. “Looking at the religious side, saying that sex is only purposeful for reproducing after marriage is restricting,” says Betancourt. “Once you get out of that, there is so much more to explore in sex physically and emotionally.” The Future of Virginity Dr. Ritch C. Savin-Williams, the director of the Sex and Gender Lab at Cornell University, explores the recent trend of losing your virginity before marriage in Psychology Today. “It might stigmatize you if you are a virgin when most of your peers are not, both to yourself and a potential partner,” says Williams. “You might as well consider your virginity to be a negative factor in your attractiveness to prospective sexual and romantic partners.” He mentions that remaining a virgin until marriage is a failing trend because recent surveys suggest that many individuals want a sexual partner who has experience. This is due to a cultural change in millennials. “Young adults today place greater emphasis on sexual engagement and ability in their partners than those in past generations,” Williams states. It seems millennials now and in the future are worrying less about restricting values on virginity and focusing more on how to be an engaging person in bed.
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Talk Dirty To Me A Stimulating Chat With CSUF’s Sex Professor Tusk gets chummy with Sexual Communication professor Dr. Tara in a titillating Q&A full of intimate details and sexual insight.
Written by Yssa Almazan Photo by Yssa Almazan Design by Kim Pham
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Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Favorite position?
My name is Tara Suwinyattichaiporn and I’m originally from Bangkok, Thailand. I came here for school and after attaining my Ph.D. from Arizona State University, I got hired at CSUF to teach full-time as a tenure-track professor.
Doggy. But passionate doggy.
I’ve taught Interpersonal Communication, Quantitative Research Methods, and Social Media and Communication. Now Sexual Communication is my new class and it’s been exhilarating; I love it so much. What’s your favorite part of teaching Sex Comm?
Craziest sexual experience? I sat in on an orgy with two males and seven females—just as an observer. But it was still enigmatic and awesome to take part in. Wildest fantasy? Oooooh… having sex with Anne Hathaway. Love her; she’s my favorite actress.
My students and how open and sex-positive they are. They really allow me to explore different topics and are willing to engage deeply. I’ve never seen such intimate participation and willingness to share vulnerable information in a classroom.
How do you feel about men moaning?
A huge part of our willingness is because you’re so open as our professor. That’s why I love your class.
What motto do you live by?
I’m delighted to hear that because my whole goal when I started teaching this class was to be as open and non-judgmental as possible. So I can create a safe and informative learning environment for my awesome students. Has teaching Sex Comm enhanced your sex life with your husband? Yes, we have better sex! I am much more aware of my body and my sexual health as well as my husband’s, and how to enhance our sexual satisfaction. Now I understand you’re an advocate for non-traditional relationships, what does that mean? Well the definition is subjective. It means whatever you want it to mean. Maybe it’s time to stop asking how things are defined and start defining them for yourself. Communicate with your partner and find out their likes and dislikes, what makes you feel good, what doesn’t make you feel good, then go from there. Keep trying new things in your relationship and with sexual activity. Speaking of sexual acts, this is where I ask you quickies about sex.
I like it unless it’s super loud and consistent, then it’s obnoxious. I hate when men are quiet because it’s like, are you satisfied or not?
(Laughs) You only live once! I don’t understand when people are hesitant to do certain things like eat puffer fish for example. Who the fuck cares, you know? Or maybe having a threesome. If it’s safe and consensual, try it! You only live once! Any plans beyond being a professor? One day I want to write and publish a book about my relational and sexual experiences in a more relatable, funny, and open way that’s less stigmatized. Cause I think young people look to me for that, and I want to be that for them. You actually are that person for me, Dr. Tara, so thank you. Any last words? Communication is extremely important in everything. In terms of expressing your sexuality or having sexual intercourse or any kind of sexual activity, always speak up and communicate what you want. Because at the end of the day, only you know if you’ve achieved orgasm. You have to direct people and communicate what you like to take charge of your orgasm. There you go! Take charge of your orgasm!
Oh, okay!
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A Guide For The Best Safe Sex
Whichever gender you choose to express, embody, and get busy with, Tusk explains the low-down on which contraceptive suits best before gettin’ down. Written by Hosam Elattar Photo by RJ Abesamis Design by Jiani Zhu
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Birth Control Implant
Condoms
Birth Control Injection
A contraceptive implant is a matchsticksized plastic rod inserted into your arm that releases pregnancy preventing hormones.
If you’re having any form of penetrative sex, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned condom to protect you from sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.
Otherwise known as the birth control shot, this contraceptive is a hormonal injection you get once every three months.
Pros: 99 percent effective for three to five years. Promotes lighter periods with less cramps and can stop periods altogether after a year; a plus for all folks menaced by menstruation. Cons: Both insertion and removal must be done by a physician and can be painful. Like other hormonal contraceptives, the implant doesn’t protect against STIs and can cause irregular bleeding, ovarian cysts, or pain around the insertion point.
Pros: Cheap and easily accessible with no prescription necessary. They’re also the only contraceptive that protects against both STIs and pregnancy. They’re 98 percent effective if used properly, and a viable non-hormonal option for trans and nonbinary folks. Cons: According to Planned Parenthood, because breakage and other blunders occur, condoms are actually only about 85 percent effective.
Pros: The shot is 99 percent effective if you time that three-month mark perfectly, but realistically it’s about 94 percent effective. Unlike an IUD or implant, there’s no chance of you or your partner feeling it. Cons: Does not protect against STIs and has similar issues as other hormone-based contraceptives. May have difficulty getting pregnant immediately after stopping. Cost: According to Planned Parenthood, the initial appointment could cost $0 to $250, depending on your health insurance, then $0 to $150 for every shot after that.
Cost: According to Planned Parenthood, implants can cost anywhere from $0 to $1,300 to be put in, and $0 to $300 to get removed, depending on your health insurance.
Cost: About $6 for a 12-pack or free from the student health center on campus or Planned Parenthood.
Oral Contraceptives
The Patch
Intrauterine Device
These are one of the most common forms of birth control and have been around for decades. The pill—not to be mistaken for the morning after pill—is a daily dose of hormones taken orally.
Another method that’s good for those able to stick to a schedule, the patch is worn like a bandaid that sends hormones through your skin into your bloodstream. Routinely replace the patch once a week for peak effectiveness.
The intrauterine device is a small, T-shaped contraceptive that is inserted into the uterus and can last anywhere from three to six years for hormonal options and up to 12 years for non-hormonal.
Pros: 99 percent effective if taken correctly and consistently, and may alleviate PMS symptoms. They may even stop periods altogether, which can help trans and nonbinary folks overcome gender dysphoria that can occur at the onset of menstruation each month.
Pros: According to Planned Parenthood, it is 99 percent effective if used properly and has similar benefits to the pill, except you only have to remember it once a week instead of everyday.
Cons: In order to be effective, they must be taken daily as part of a strict schedule or they drop to 91 percent effectiveness and do not prevent STIs. Oral contraceptives may also affect the dose of hormones required if taken in conjunction with gender-confirming hormonal therapy.
Cons: Skin irritation can occur where you put the patch, and there’s a small chance it can become loose or fall off. Inconsistency in replacing it reduces effectiveness to 91 percent. Like other hormone-based methods, patches do not protect against STIs and may muddle with gender-confirming hormonal therapy at first.
Cost: According to Planned Parenthood, a pack of pills that’s good for one month can cost about $50, but may be free or less depending on your health insurance.
Cost: According to Planned Parenthood, patches can be anywhere from $50 to $200 upon initial appointment and $30 to $35 for monthly packs after that.
Pros: 99 percent effective with a long lifespan. Hormonal-based ones can regulate a lighter flow and help with typical menstrual pains, while copper IUDs are ideal for folks who don’t want to put additional hormones into their bodies. They are reversible and won’t affect your ability to have children after removal. Cons: Needs to be inserted and removed by a doctor, which can be painful and invasive. Does not protect against STIs. Also, the strings on both types of IUDs can sometimes be felt during foreplay and intercourse. Cost: According to Planned Parenthood, IUDs range between $0 to $1,300, depending on your health insurance plan.
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Sustainably
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Periods are an inconvenience every person with a uterus puts up with. These sustainable options help you handle Aunt Flo without harming Mother Earth.
The production and disposal of traditional single-use pads, tampons, and applicators take a toll on our planet and our wallets. Fortunately, these reusable and biodegradable alternatives align with the fight to save the environment.
Reusable Pads
Organic Cotton Tampons & Pads
With nothing more than a quick wash, reusable pads make a great alternative to its single-use sibling, without the added chemicals that disposables come with. They easily snap around your underwear and absorb just as well (if not better) than conventional ones. You can find six-packs for about $20.
If you’re not quite ready to give up singleuse tampons or pads, then try switching to organic or biodegradable options. There are many brands offering chlorine-free, 100 percent organic cotton and biodegradable products, but they tend to be more expensive than standard disposables. Pro: Traditional, disposable, and organic Con: None Ease of Use: 1 Brands Options: This is L, The Honest Company, and Seventh Generation
Ease of Use Scale:
Pro: Just like regular pads, but washable Con: Can stain easily if not washed in a timely manner Ease of Use: 4 Brand Options: Lunapads, Hesta Organic, and Heart Felt
5 – Very Hard
Menstrual Cups
Reusable Period Underwear
4 – Hard
Menstrual cups are relatively inexpensive, reusable, and come with a long lifespan. They’re small, flexible, and meant to sit comfortably below your cervix to catch blood. These silicon cups can last up to 12 hours. A well-maintained cup can last a few years, saving you money while saving the planet.
With leak-proof absorbency, these panties keep you dry for hours. So now you can officially retire your old stained underwear and wear these with or without tampons and pads for extra protection.
3 – Somewhat Easy 2 – Easy 1 – Very Easy
Pro: Reusable and you don’t need to buy in stock Con: Can be messy when you take it out and may leak if you’re wearing the wrong size or insert it incorrectly Ease of Use: 5 Brand Options: OrganiCup, Lena Cup, and HAWWY
Written by Maranda Gonzalez Photo by Elizabeth Tovar Design by Jiani Zhu
Period underwear is a pricier option with a 3-pack setting you back between $50 to $100. It’s a good investment if you are serious about ditching disposable products or just looking for a new way to handle that blood. Pro: One-time buy Con: May feel like it’s not absorbing the blood even though it is Ease of Use: 3 Brand Options: Ruby Love, Grove Collaborative, and Rael
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7
Single AF:
DATING TERMS
To Get Acquainted With
Written by Gabrielle Beasca Photo by Ellinor Rundhovde Design by Chen Liu
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1.
Cuffing Season
When temperatures drop from October to March, the desire to couple up rises for reasons such as a warm body to cuddle with or a way to stave off loneliness during the holidays. Relationships formed during cuffing season tend to fall apart once winter thaws.
2. Dating in the digital age has changed the way we hook up. It’s also shifted the language and the way we talk about relationships. Brushing up on these seven dating terms can help you stay current on where your relationship is heading.
Love Bombing
Involves bombarding your partner with
affection as a form of manipulation. You’ll get flowers “just because” and then get the cold shoulder for not texting back fast enough. Psychology Today said that this behavior is typical of narcissists.
3.
Orbiting
4.
Submarining
5.
Gatsbying
6.
Kittenfishing
7.
Situationship
When someone who ghosted you continues to view and like your social media posts. Anna Iovine coined this term for someone who stays close enough to see you, but far enough to never speak to you.
Is when a person who ghosted you suddenly pops back into your life, offers no excuse for their absence, and acts as if nothing has changed since they disappeared.
Posing on social media to secure the attention of one specific person. You post a photo of a cute pug and conveniently forget to mention it belongs to your neighbor because your new colleague on the seventh floor is super into dogs.
Intentionally embellishing or omitting information about yourself to increase the likelihood of finding a match. Like when your photo caption reads “#FitnessJunkie,” but was taken two years ago and you haven’t been as active since.
An intimate relationship where both individuals actively engage in “couple-like” activities with each other without outwardly committing to a label. You want each other, but you also want to keep your options open. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Bubbly, Tasty, and Spiked Tusk Taste Tests Hard Seltzers With a low-calorie intake and a buzz that’s sure to hit, hard seltzers are all the rage for folks who want to party and stay fit. Tusk tasted and got a tad wasted on hard seltzers while ranking the top brands based on their flavor, calorie content, and buzzworthiness.
Natural Light Hard Seltzer White Claw Hard Seltzer A surprisingly enjoyable hard seltzer, this one defies its brand’s reputation of being cheap in price. It’s so unbelievably good, the first sip is pure bliss and will shock you at the same time. It’ll get you buzzed quickly because of its high alcohol content. So prepare to get faced! Taste: 4 out of 5 Calorie Content: 133 calories per 12 oz. can Buzzworthiness: 5 out of 5 with 6% ABV Most Popular Flavors: Catalina Lime Mixer, Aloha Beaches
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The brand that started the hard seltzer trend falls behind due to its lack of flavor and over carbonation. You have to keep downing them to end up liking them. It’s mainly sparkling water with just a hint of flavor at the end. Drinkable, but there are better brands on the market. Taste: 3 out of 5 Calorie Content: 100 calories per 12 oz. can Buzzworthiness: 4 out of 5 with 5% ABV Most Popular Flavors: Mango, Black Cherry
Written by Maranda Gonzalez Photos by Michael Quintero and Elizabeth Tovar Design by Chen Liu
Truly Hard Seltzer
Truly is truly the superior hard seltzer out there. Low on the bubbles with the taste of a sugarfree juice that still has an enjoyable tang. It’s a straightforward seltzer you can recommend to even the most skeptical naysayers. Taste: 5 out of 5 Calorie Content: 100 calories per 12 oz. can Buzzworthiness: 4 out of 5 with 5% ABV
Most Popular Flavors: Pomegranate, Wild Berry
Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
Not terrible but not incredible either, this brand falls flat in the middle. The satisfyingly strong flavor hits first, followed by the immediate aftertaste of alcohol. It’s bubbly like soda, which makes it drinkable, but if your taste buds aren’t attuned to alcohol, you might want to take a pass. Taste: 3 out of 5 Calorie Content: 90 calories per 12 oz. can Buzzworthiness: 3 out of 5 with 4.5% ABV Most Popular Flavors: Classic, Indies Lime, Cape Cod Cranberry, Grapefruit
Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
Despite Smirnoff having some of the sweetest and tastiest malt beverages around, their seltzers suck and won’t get you buzzed. It tastes like straight sparkling water and leaves you waiting for a fruity flavor that never comes to fruition. Taste: 1 out of 5 Calorie Content: 90 calories per 12 oz. can Buzzworthiness: 3 out of 5 with 4.5% ABV Most Popular Flavors: Raspberry Rosé, Cranberry Lime
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The Burgers Are Still Grilling Less than a mile away from campus sits one of the most influential independent record labels, Burger Records.
Story, Photo, and Design by Michael Quintero
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Tusk sat down with the co-founders of Burger Records to look back at the last 12 years and forward to their future as an independent label. Co-founders Sean Bohrman and Lee Rickard go way back since their days at Katella High School. Shortly after graduating, they formed Burger Records and made a splash in the industry for reviving the cassette market. “At the beginning, it was sort of a gray area working with other labels like Sub Pop, Universal, and Warner; now they all make tapes,” Bohrman said. “When we were making tapes they were laughing at us like ‘yeah, sure make them who cares,’ and now it’s a viable business.” Bohrman and Rickard founded Burger Records in 2007. Two years later, the duo opened their record/video store with the help of Brian Flores, a friend and previous owner of Third Eye Records. Burger Records and its subsidiary, Wiener Records, have produced close to 2,000 albums from a wide range of artists and re-released artists including Green Day, FIDLAR, and Ty Segall on cassette. What makes them so influential are the bands they paved the way for such as Cherry Glazerr, The Cosmonauts, Audacity, and The Garden. The founders’ formative years and personal lives primed them to meet all these bands they helped put on the music map. “I think the things that define Burger Records as a label come from within,” Fletcher Shears of The Garden said via email. “Sean (Bohrman) and Lee (Rickard) are good people, and the reason they’ve gotten to where they are now is by staying true to who they’ve always been.”
Sean Bohrman, left, and Lee Rickard, co-founders of Burger Records
Before becoming the label that spotlighted independent artists, Burger Records began as a way for their band, The Makeout Party!, to release their second record.
Timmy’s Organism and Shadow Show, Japan’s Chai, and Iran’s Psychic Bloom.
“We self-released our second record because we couldn’t find anyone to pay for it,” Rickard said. The Makeout Party! made a name in Orange County and met a lot of people along the way, including one of the most important bands to them: Audacity. “We wanted to share their music,” Rickard said. “I look back and I’m really happy we met those guys. They inspired us. Burger wouldn’t have been what it is if it wasn’t for us loving them so much.”
Courtesy of Burger Records
They focused their keen ear on the global scene and put out collections called Burger World Compilation, which is how they found bands such as Chai and Psychic Bloom. “I spend eight hours listening to 500 bands until tapering it down to 10 or 15,” Bohrman said. “I love discovering music and finding bands that are just starting.” Bohrman and Rickard’s last 10 years have been nonstop and they don’t plan on slowing it down in the new decade.
Audacity led to the Cosmonauts and then The Garden. The Garden has since gone on to play sold out shows worldwide, but they haven’t forgotten what Burger Records has done for them.
They relaunched BurgerTV with monthly episodes and Burger Records Rock & Roll Radio. Along with two festivals including Burger Boogaloo and of course Burgerama 5.
“Sean (Bohrman) and Lee (Rickard) and Burger Records as a whole have always been there for us,” Wyatt Shears of The Garden said via email. “They are an important part of music and they do what they do like no one else.”
Looking back at the path they paved, Burger Records’ accomplishments are impressive starting as “just two weird kids from Anaheim” who knew how to get around.
Twelve years in the game and Bohrman and Rickard have expanded from local artists to national and international bands including Detroit’s
“It’s neat we turned a joke into something significant,” Rickard said. “I’m proud of Burger and I think it’s cool we created something from nothing, and that we’re still doing it.” Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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What’s Your Group Project
A deeper look into your group working habits. The two words students dread most: group project. While in college you’re bound to work on a group project or a few. This quiz will help you find out exactly which of the four group member personalities you embody, so you can pick your group partners wisely.
Written by Susana Rios Photo by RJ Abesamis Design by Chen Liu
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How do you react when a group project is announced?
A. No doubt, I’ll be the leader of the group. B. I sink into my seat with dread at the thought of working with other people. C. I don’t mind because I normally work well with others. D. I really don’t care; I’m just trying to pass the class.
Which answer below best describes your work ethic?
A. I’m demanding with zero tolerance for slackers because I like to have my work done ahead of time. B. I’m not exactly lazy, but I won’t go above and beyond what’s expected of me. C. I like to work smarter, not harder. I’ll offer my help if any of my group mates fall behind. D. I’ll wait until the last minute to get started, AKA pull an all-nighter to get everything done by the due date.
What is normally your role while working in a group? A. I delegate and constantly check on the work of my group because I don’t trust them. B. I’m shy and reserved, so I tend to go along with what the group decides. C. I serve as the voice of reason and peacekeeper for the group. D. I’d rather surf the web than engage with my group members—if I’m even there.
Based on your answers, you likely possess one of these group project personalities:
If you answered mostly A: The Bossy Bitch If you answered mostly B: The Silent One If you answered mostly C: The True Leader If you answered mostly D: The Lazy Ass Now that you’re aware of your project personality, you can take the necessary precautions to improve your performance for your next group project—because we all know they’re inevitable. Spring 2020 | TUSK MAGAZINE
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Join Tusk
We’re always looking for skilled writers, editors, designers, photographers, web producers, multimedia editors, and event planners. Two COMM courses are responsible for creating Tusk. Students gain valuable experience working in niche publishing while producing evergreen stories without hard news pegs. If you join Tusk, you can expect to develop a professional portfolio that will help you land a job in the magazine industry or beyond. Participation in Tusk requires advisor approval. Please e-mail Dr. Chelsea Reynolds at chreynolds@fullerton.edu for an application. Advanced Magazine Article Writing: COMM 437 (Fall) Learn how to create engaging editorial content for magazines, from best-of-lists and reviews, to features and profiles, you’ll cultivate writing skills and flex your creativity as you learn about the magazine industry and report on the CSUF community. Magazine Editing and Production: COMM 434 (Spring) Gain valuable hands-on experience in this magazine production course. Whether you are a designer, photographer, videographer, editor, or even and event planner, we have a place for you in producing our web content and annual print magazine.
Models
RJ Abesamis Elisabeth Alvarado Emily Brown Jose Castillo Freddy Duarte Harley Elegino Joshua Fatahi Brenda Heredia Mars Hernández Danielle Jaquez Esmeralda Jiménez Jasmine Jiménez Zio Kim Vanessa Mackenzie Emily Meucci Dante Morrison Austin Murrell Jesus Pérez Kim Pham Jake Richardson Alex Russ Camille Serrano Tara Suwinyattichaiporn Lindsay Stasik Maile Terry Elsie Venegas Bethany Whittaker 56
TUSK MAGAZINE | Spring 2020
Funding
California State University, Fullerton Department of Communications and Instructionally Related Activities Fee (IRA)