AWAKEN VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 1 FALL 2021
STYLE 6 - FEMINIST ICONS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
BEAUTY
LIFESTYLE 14 - PURITY CULTURE
TA B L E O F CC OO NN TT EE NN TT SS
18 - FENTY BEAUTY 20 - TATTOOS IN THE WORKPLACE
UT STUDENT MEDIA
11 Comunications Building University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37966-5569
SUPPORT US Contact honeymagutk@gmail. com for any advertisement or sponsorship inquiries!
FEATURES
INVESTIGATIVE
24 - ELLE SADIRA
28 - VOLS FIGHT BACK
26 - GABBY DEPIETRO
30 - MEN ON FEMINISM
This magazine is a product produced by the students of the Office of Student Media at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Its proceeds support the Office of Student Media. Inclusion in this guide is not an endorsement from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the Office of Student Media.
FUN 32 - WHAT CELEBRITY ZODIAC ARE YOU? 34 - FALL MOTIVATIONAL PLAYLIST 3
CHLOE WEAVER
MEET H HO ON N EE Y Y
About U s We’re Honey, the first feminist-focused publication at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Our mission is to create real, relatable content with the intention of uplifting and reflecting the feminist voices on campus and in the Knoxville community. We recognize the evolving nature of feminism and hope to meaningfully add to the cause by allowing room for ample discussion. Our team consists of brilliant students from across UTK who have a variety of interests, come from an array of backgrounds and have infinite ambition. Honey Magazine was established in January 2019 creating a space for staff to share their talents, learn new skills and meet other openminded students on campus. We’re still figuring it out, but we hope that you’ll be part of our journey – it’s going to be fun.
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Letter from the e d i t o r Hey y’all! I am so excited to see the first magazine ever released by Honey. Honey was created to display the importance of inclusive, feminist values on the University of Tennessee campus and in the Knoxville community. We strive to be a publication where students can explore their values, develop professional skills, and work alongside other driven students. Our inspiration for Awaken was the opportunity we have to become a strong voice on campus. The voice of intersectional feminism needed a permanent place in Knoxville, so Honey filled this role. I know the magazine will uplift many people, and cannot wait to see how it grows. I believe that Honey will be around for the long-haul, and the talented staff members will build a credible source of information and entertainment. Our past and present staff put a lot of effort into making this first issue possible for our readers. I cannot put into words how thankful I am for the dedicated group of women standing beside me, fulfilling this need on campus. I hope you enjoy!
e THE FACES OF HONEY LEAD DESIGNER Hayley Gomez
PHOTO EDITOR Leigh McTeer-Shields
STYLIST Sarah Goodwin
MANAGING EDITOR Abby Madan
COPY EDITORS Sarah Williams Gabby Bellot
ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Carly Goetz
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Maddy Johnson Maddy Richardson
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S TT Y Y LL E S
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50s Marilyn Monroe’s image as the defining sex symbol of the 1950s is a familiar one. Short bleached blonde hair, striking red lips and a captivating gaze. Monroe had a troubling childhood of moving through the foster care system before using her beauty as her power to sign a film contract with 20th Century-Fox — a rags to riches story that encompassed the ideals of 1950s America. Monroe discovered Hollywood was not as glamorous as she thought. Once treasured for her bombshell status, it started to work against her as production companies offered her strict contracts with low pay and belittled her on set. The media blasted Monroe for being untalented, hard to work with and greedy. Tired of not being treated with respect, Monroe decided to take matters into her own hands and start her own production company. Monroe, who died at the age of 36, became a representation of evolving sexual liberation in America.
Feminist Icons Throughout History WRITTEN BY Abby Madan // PHOTOS BY Leigh McTeer-Shields // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez
60s The Supremes, a powerhouse girl group, were the queens of Motown, the defining label for racial integration in the music industry. Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson signed as The Supremes with Motown records in 1961, becoming the company’s most successful acts. Rivaling the success of the Beatles at their peak, The Supremes offered glamorous style and unique sound leading to huge successes, including many hit singles, and pivotal changes for Black soul and disco performers during the Civil Rights movement. From inspiring the Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls to a 1988 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to a star on Hollywood Boulevard, the Supremes’s legacy lingers.
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7 0s Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera is best remembered for her impeccable style — highlighted during her time going to New York’s infamous Studio 54 nightclub during the 1980s with the likes of Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger. After befriending Diana Vreeland, former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, she was inspired to design a clothing line — the collection catapulted her into becoming an influential figure in fashion. Herrera’s pieces emphasized bright, assorted colors, a later staple of 1980s fashion. After starting her fashion company, Herrera launched several ready-to-wear collections and later dressed several first ladies, including Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan. Herrera has recently shifted the creative direction of her brand to designer Wes Gordon, but the vibrancy she brought to fashion has left its mark.
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At 29,032 feet in the sky, Junko Tabei became the first woman to scale Mount Everest. Tabei was born in 1939 in Fukushima, Japan. She was described as a frail child, but her love of nature drew her to mountain climbing. Tabei found ways to support her dream and eventually established the Joshi-Tohan Club — made specifically for women in mind as Tabei had faced barriers as a female climber in a male-dominated sport. Tabei’s Everst expedition was long and difficult; Tabei and her crew faced an avalanche that caused her and four others to lose consciousness, but Tabei’s determination helped her reach the summit. Tabei went on to climb the Seven Summits, write books about her experiences, and organized environmental projects before passing away in 2016.
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90s In 1997, Kalpana Chawla took her first journey to space as a part of the STS-87 Columbia flight crew becoming the first Indian woman to go to space. Chawla attended Punjab Engineering College in India where she received her degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Chawla then came to the United States to pursue her master’s and her Ph.D. According to Chawla’s NASA profile, she operated a robotic arm on her first space flight and studied how “the weightless environment of space affects various physical processes.” On a mission to space in 2003, Chawla and the rest of her crew tragically perished while returning to Earth on flight STS-107 Columbia. Chawla’s remembered for her mind and determination, and not only did she accomplish her dreams, but showed millions of young women around the world that they could do the same.
w wh ho o ii n ns sp p ii r r ee s s y yo ou u?
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LIFESTYLE
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MORE THAN JUST RINGS WHAT IS PURITY CULTURE? WRITTEN BY Chelsea Hall // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez Many people hear the term “purity culture’’ and immediately think rings and abstinence. However, purity culture is a bit more complex than that.
taught different ideologies through purity culture.
Purity culture refers to the American evangelical movement that promotes virginity until marriage. Purity culture bases its beliefs on the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5.
said.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
“Purity culture also teaches that women are responsible for the sexual thoughts, feelings, and choices men make, and so must dress, walk and talk in just the right way so as not to ‘inspire’ sexual thoughts, feelings, and actions in them,”
The endorsement of purity is spread using tools like purity rings and purity balls, which are formal events fathers and daughters attend to promote the virginity of the daughters until marriage. Purity rings are physical symbols that allow others to know that a certain person is practicing abstinence until they are married. Many celebrities have been seen wearing purity rings in the past, such as the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. Purity culture is practiced by males and females alike, and all those who practice it believe in abstinence until marriage. However, the expectations in purity culture are severely based on constructs of gender. Based on this belief, both unmarried males and females are expected to not act on their sexual desires, yet many believe that purity culture is harder on women. According to Linda Kay Klein, founder of Break Free Together — a non-profit that helps those with gender and sexuality-based trauma — men and women are both
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“Men are taught their minds are evil whereas women are taught that their bodies are evil,” Klein
One of the biggest criticisms of the movement is that a lot of blame is put on women.
Klein said.
Critics of purity culture believe that it villainizes women and paints men as victims. They believe that one of the main messages of the culture is that men cannot control their minds if women cannot control their bodies. At the height of the purity culture movement, there was a belief that this movement did show some results. According to the CDC, from 1995 to 2002, there was a decrease in sexual intercourse between boys and girls of the ages of 15-18. It was also seen that during this period teen pregnancies dropped. Although there may be some correlation between these numbers and the popularity of the purity culture movement at the time, there is no hard evidence that the decrease was caused by this movement. The purity culture movement has been around for decades, and it doesn’t seem to be disappearing any time soon — with a large number of supporters and critics alike.
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BEAUTY
BEAUTY 17
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FENTY BEAUTY
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A Look Into Inclusive Beauty Brands Fenty Beauty & Beyond
WRITTEN BY Emma Coffey // PHOTOS BY Leigh Shields // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez
In 2017, the makeup world shifted with Rihanna’s launch of Fenty Beauty – a brand that has 40 different shades of foundation. This wide selection of foundation colors allowed for people to match the makeup to their skin perfectly, which no makeup brand had done before Fenty Beauty. Rihanna pushed for inclusivity by focusing on darkerskinned shades that are commonly left out of when it comes to a many makeup brand’s foundation shades. Due to Because of this, Fenty Beauty quickly became one of the most popular beauty brands in the industry. Fenty Beauty’s message is to show the beauty industry, and the world, that every skin color is beautiful. Many beauty brands followed Fenty Beauty by and are trying to emphasize diversity through their shade ranges and as well as showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community. After Fenty Beauty’s launch, Maybelline added 16 shades to the popular “Fit Me” collection. Maybelline is a very affordable brand, which has allowed many people to find their perfect shade of foundation. Similarly Like Fenty Beauty’s and Maybelline’s inclusivity through shade range, M.A.C Cosmetics is known for its inclusive shade range and support to be supportive for of the LGBTQ+ community. Its brand states “All Ages, All Races, All Sexes.” The companyIt is LGBTQ-owned and has it also created the M.A.C AIDS Fund. The brand has hired and continues to hire many LGBTQ+ people. The brand Milk Makeup continuously expresses how important inclusivity is. Their branding includes all genders and races. “Because beauty means inclusivity, our range goes from fresh-face street vibes to full-face studio looks. We see personal style and experimentation as the ultimate forms of self-expression,” the Milk Makeup website states. The makeup brand Becca is most known for its Champagne Pop highlighter, which pops on any skin shade. Becca recently added 10 shades including a deep golden shade, making it the biggest range of highlighters in the industry. Jecca Blac is a forerunner when it comes to inclusive brands. Its concealer, called Correct & Conceal, is the first ever concealer that is designed to cover beard shadows. Founder Jessica Blacker, founder of Jecca Blac, lets transwomen use her studio to learn about makeup. The brand is also vegan and cruelty-free. Inclusive brands are important to support so they can thrive and get the attention they deserve. This will allow people of all races and genders to find the right products they desire. Although the beauty market is changing rapidly with the rise of very inclusive brands and cruelty-free brands, there is still a long journey ahead to achieve a beauty community that accepts and supports all people. Brands that have been popular in the industry for decades must truly make their products diverse, not just because they will be profitable, but with the right intentions in mind.
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TAT TO O S IN THE WORKPLACE a diminishing stigma
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WRITTEN BY Emma Coffey // PHOTOS BY Leigh McTeer-Shields // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez Whether it’s a handwritten line from a song or a stickand-poke feather, tattoos have become more common on the bodies of young adults — becoming a regular tradition for 18th birthdays. According to STAPAW, research shows over 40% of American adults have a tattoo. Clearly, tattoos are becoming more popular among Americans, but a negative stigma seems to still surround tattoos in the professional world. Although tattoos have a long history, they have not always been accepted in modern society. In the mid-twentieth century, tattoos were seen as an implication of crime. There has been an idea that tattoos are unprofessional for decades and therefore, many employers do not hire individuals with tattoos despite what they can offer the business. There is no national policy that prevents workplaces from discriminating against people who have tattoos. Therefore, individuals with tattoos can be denied employment based on their physical appearance. In many workplaces, if an employee does have tattoos, they are required to cover them with makeup, clothing or a bandage. The current generation seems to be more accepting of tattoos, and it is not rare to see someone younger with one, or multiple, tattoos. Younger generations are ending the stigma around tattoos and piercings. Many deem tattoos and piercings as a form of self-expression, rather than seeing them as tacky. According to a survey conducted by Salary.com, 63% of people over 60 do not approve of tattoos in the office while those ages 18-25 are the most accepting of tattoos, with only 22% considering them inappropriate. This means that as this generation ages and enters into the professional world, there will most likely be a shift in mindset. The professional dress code, which in the past has been strictly enforced, seems to be shifting as more and more younger individuals move toward diminishing the stigma surrounding tattoos in the workplace. In the long run, tattoos will not make a business successful or unsuccessful; it is up to the work ethic and skills offered by the employee.
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FEATURE
FEATURE 22
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WRITTEN BY Jenni Rice // PHOTOS BY Leigh McTeer-Shields // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez
FROM AN OLD DRUM SET TO THE STAGE:
ELLE SADIRA It was just a regular day of babysitting when a 13-year-old Elle Sadira got offered a much more interesting form of payment for her work than money: a drumset. Now 17, Sadira is thriving in her passion for music, and has never looked back. “Around that time it was when I was getting more into bands instead of just pop artists necessarily, so
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that’s kind of what inspired me,” Sadira said. “I was like, ‘I want to start playing an instrument,’ but I wasn’t really focused on a specific one.” So, when the opportunity arose for Sadira to get a drum set and finally start playing an instrument, she thought “it was kind of like fate.” What started as a trick of fate, though, has blossomed into a whole new world and a future career for Sadira.
“It definitely started out just as a hobby, but I’ve fallen in love with it so much and I’m hoping to pursue a career more in the business side of things,” Sadira said. “I definitely am going to keep playing in bands, whether it’s the bands that I’m currently in right now or new ones I form in college or later in life, just because I love getting out there and playing live shows.” As for the bands she is currently a part of, Sadira is
the drummer for two local Knoxville bands -- Dean’s emotions.” Dream and Indigo Age. Perhaps what makes Sadira’s successes so far in “Dean’s Dream is pretty recent; we started about a music the most impressive is the fact that she is year and a half ago, but I just started that with two completely self-taught. of my close girl friends,” Sadira said. “We all play music, we all write music, and we were just like, “I got the used drum set and just immediately ‘wait, why haven’t we ever started a band together started teaching myself through, like, YouTube before?’” videos,” Sadira said. “I’ve never had any professional training, but there’s so many resources on the inter“Indigo Age is a little more on the psychedelic rock net that I’ve just been using; even now I still teach side, so that’s cool to have both experiences, where myself through YouTube videos and just listening to Dean’s Dream is a little more E-rock and pop a little songs.” bit,” Sadira said. “Indigo Age started about three years ago with Chad Corn and Aiden Lamb as the Of course, despite her deep passion, being a woman original members, and now it’s Chad Corn and Ca- in music is not without its challenges. leb Weaver, and we’re still making lots of music and having a good time.” “There have been a couple times where I’ll be at a show and getting ready to play and someone will Being in two bands while also being a student is come up to me and be like ‘oh, whose girlfriend are truly a commitment that not many could take on, you?’” Sadira said. “When I was younger I would but that does not seem to bother Elle at all. In fact, get a lot of compliments like ‘you play so great, you it gives her the opportunity to constantly be doing know, for a girl,’ like things that I never thought I’d what she loves most: honing in on her creativity. actually hear.” “I just love being creative in any way,” Sadira said. “I also love to write and make art and just any kind of creativity is just my favorite outlet for stress and
“I definitely think the Knoxville music scene, at least from what I’ve experienced, is very supportive in general -- super welcoming and very cool with anyone who wants to be in the scene,” Sadira said. There’s such a small demographic of female drummers in bands, especially mainstream ones, and Sadira hopes that she can inspire women, especially young girls who can see themselves in her. What is Sadira’s advice to these young girls? “Just do it,” Sadira said. “Don’t care about what other people think, through any obstacles; you’re breaking down barriers just by getting on stage and playing, or even if you’re not playing on stage, just simply by learning the instrument, you’re paving a path that hasn’t, I guess historically, been present before. Just do what you love and don’t let anyone get in the way.”
What started as a young girl stumbling across an opportunity to pursue a dream of hers has now brought about a great talent and new role model for However, despite these instances, Sadira feels fortu- years of musicians to come. While her career is curnate to get to be a part of the Knoxville scene. rently local to Knoxville, this is just the beginning of what the world will be seeing from Elle Sadira.
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Tik Tok star Gabby DePietro on Loving Yourself WRITTEN BY Chelsea Hall // PHOTOS BY Leigh McTeer-Shields // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez Tik Tok has pioneered a new age of influencers and social movements. One rising movement that has gained a lot of attention online is the body positivity movement, which focuses on the acceptance of all bodies and challenges societal beauty standards. UTK Senior Gabby DePietro, @gibz_ on TikTok, is an active member of the body positivity movement online with 2.5 million followers on Tik Tok and nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram — popular for her relatable and comedic content. “The body positivity movement on Tik Tok is about accepting all bodies no matter what they look like. It doesn’t just come to weight. It can also be about body hair, cellulite or pimples,” DePietro said. DePietro mentions how despite the movement originally gearing toward women, it truly is for everyone. The body positivity movement is different for everyone and can hold various meanings for individuals. For many, this movement puts a lot of focus on self-love and acceptance. One of the most common ideas of the body positivity movement is to love all bodies without having to change them, and this starts with loving yourself no matter what others think of you. DePietro stresses the importance of this movement through her own story. She first started posting Tik Toks about her decision not to shave for a while. Immediately, the content gained traction and was seen as relatable by users across the platform. “I never had someone on social media that taught me this kind of stuff [body positivity] or taught me it was normal not to shave for three weeks,” DePietro said. DePietro was inspired to join this movement when she countered a man online who was making fun of a girl for wearing a bikini. She was shocked and confused by this, not understanding why the girl could not just wear her bikini with confidence and without being bothered. DePietro took her thoughts and poured them out in a video she posted to TikTok. Soon, an outpour of support came from many girls across the platform. Many spoke out about how all bodies are bikini bodies, and they supported the girl’s confidence. “Girls related and started to say how that [video] made them feel good about themselves, and that is how every girl should feel. I realized that since I did not have someone to look up to on social media, I can be that person for other girls,” DePietro said. DePietro saw the importance of being a positive influencer because of the effect societal expectations can have on women, particularly regarding the way women look. Images across all social media platforms show women posing to look skinnier, wearing outfits that highlight the “best parts” of their body and having perfect skin that is, most likely, a product of hours of editing. This creates an unrealistic image of what the “ideal” woman should look like. This creates unreachable standards that all women — young and old — strive to reach. Influencers that stand on an uplifting platform like body positivity show their audience that societal norms are arbitrary. They remind their viewers that societal expectations do not have to be lived up to, and all bodies are beautiful. Like any social movement that pushes boundaries, the traction comes with hate toward the cause. Negative comments still flood positive Tik Tok posts, which is something that DePietro is familiar with. “It has gotten a lot better, but there have been a lot of negative comments,” DePietro said. Toxic negativity is a troubling reality of the world of social media, but DePietro offered advice on how to deal with the negativity social media can bring — whether it’s through hurtful anonymous comments or using it as a space to compare yourself to others. “Unfollow people that make you feel bad,” DePietro said. To love your whole body and yourself, you must take care of yourself mentally. Unfollowing those that rob you of joy mentally and physically is a great way to start the journey of body positivity. DePietro also stressed the importance of taking care of yourself by taking breaks. People only have one body their whole life, so instead of worrying about how it should look, enjoy it and live instead. “Give yourself a break, you’re beautiful no matter what,” DePietro said.
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INVESTIGATIVE
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VOLS FIGHT BACK
Racial Justice on Campus
WRITTEN BY Lauren Reid // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez UT’s infamous 97.5-ton rock, located at the corner of Volunteer Boulevard and Pat Head Summitt Street, has offered free expression to students since its unveiling in 1966. Despite its intended purpose to allow students to express themselves positively, the rock has worn messages of hate. These messages have targeted racial and ethnic groups, often leaving an eerie feeling of disappointment over the student body. While the rock isn’t the only time or place UT has seen the perpetuation of racism, it stands as a symbol for the Volunteer community. In response to present hate on campus, students, faculty and administrators still end up united in standing up against discrimination. Every time something ugly ends up on the rock, something much more beautiful arises. In 2018, the rock was defaced with antisemitic symbols and messages, causing a campus-wide uproar against bigotry and hate. “This is the second time in many weeks that the rock has been used to communicate hate. These messages, which are hurtful and threatening to many members of our community, do not represent our Volunteer values,” according to The Atlanta JournalConstitution’s reporting on a UT news release. Following the incident, the Campus Minister Council, Student Government Association and Faculty Senate gathered to host an event meant to unite the Volunteer community by bringing hundreds of students together. The rock was covered with rainbow handprints of all sizes, symbolizing the community’s support of all people. For the sake of accountability, a security camera now actively monitors the changing art on the rock. This is just
one example of the efforts being taken to tackle the present issue of racism and discrimination on campus. According to the American Sociological Association, in 2009, the university launched the Center for the Study of Racial Injustice — the first universitybased research center in the Southeast committed to understanding social injustice from a sociological perspective. The center is home to extensive researchers, project planners, as well as action-taking students and faculty alike. In addition, UT holds anti-racism events and speakers year-round. These events include workshops that break down what racism is, how to stop it and how to be an ally. Speakers also visit to share stories about their experiences with racism and others present speeches of advocacy. A schedule of these events is regularly updated on the UT events calendar. In August of 2020, UT athletes led an anti-racism march on campus. During the march, Trey Smith, UT Football’s now-former star offensive lineman, gave a speech expressing the exhaustion he and many other Black student-athletes face due to institutional racism. In a stunning look at the power of student mobilization, Smith and athletes from every sport met at the Torch Bearer and led a march of more than a thousand individuals across campus, according to Knoxville News Sentinel. They marched carrying signs of Black Lives Matter advocacy and wearing apparel that matched. These are just a few examples of how UT students are actively trying to address racism on campus. Vols help Vols isn’t just a slogan, it’s a mindset every UT student should adopt. United together, racial injustice can be overcome. Be an ally.
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Men on
FEMINISM WRITTEN BY Sarah Williams // PHOTOS BY Leigh McTeer-Shields // DESIGN BY Lily Caldwell
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The feminist movement focuses on empowering women and creating equal rights, but women cannot achieve this alone. The movement needs active participation from men as well, which can be seen across UT’s campus. Many male students have their own beliefs of feminism and how it can be improved to help better the lives of women across the world.
E k r a m u l E h it e “Understanding the nuances of the needs of women of different racial, cultural and financial backgrounds is key to advancing the feminist movement.” Ehite Haque understands that feminism is more than just women getting some rights; it is for the equality of all gender identities. In fact, Haque thinks the feminist movement could be used for more than just gender equality. To him, an important part of the feminist movement is the intersectionality of women who share not only the gender minority but also a financial, racial, cultural or other minority.
Iker Thomas
“I am a man, and I am a feminist until men and women achieve equality.” Iker Tomas understands that women fight for their rights of equality to create a better life for themselves and the younger generations. He believes that he can help the feminist movement by being an ally. Tomas feels empathy for the women in his life, and he cannot imagine his mother or sister being treated differently because of their gender.
M atthew C ollier “Anyone can be a feminist as long as they’re taking a stance for women’s rights.” Matthew Collier realizes that the feminist movement is more than just a movement for women; it is a lifestyle for everyone who wants gender equality. As a male, Collier recognizes that the feminist movement combats societal standards that make women feel discouraged and oppressed. He believes that the best way to make the feminist movement more prominent in society is to push to make it mainstream by asking our loved ones to take a stance beside us.
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What Celebrity Do You Share A Zodiac Sign With?
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WRITTEN BY Lauren Reid // DESIGN BY Hayley Gomez
Aquarius ( JAN. 20- FEB. 18) Harry Styles is an Aquarius. Aquarius’ are rebels who are always daring enough to test the status quo. Styles tests societal norms by freely posing in dresses, ballerina outfits, joining feminist movements like #HeforShe and willingly speaking on the importance of equality for women — matching perfectly the daring side of the Aquarius sign.
Pisces (FEB 19- MAR 20) Pisces are empowering, wild, expansive and soulful. So, it makes sense that Rihanna is a Pisces — showing us time and time again empowerment through her music, her videos, her interviews and her style. Fearing no one and continuously speaking her mind, Rihanna openly encourages women to embrace themselves.
Aries (MAR 21- APR 19) Aries share their sign with notable feminist and actress Emma Watson. Aries are free spirited, passionate, creative and honest. An icon for her role as Hermione Granger as a child, Watson continues to passionately advocate for women in more direct ways. She used her status and creativity to work alongside the #HeforShe movement, amongst others.
Taurus (APR 20-MAY 20) Much like a bull, Taurus takes things head-on. They can be trustworthy, driven, unapologetic and straightforward. Tina Fey is a Taurus known for portraying all of these characteristics in the way she views life. She’s never been afraid to tell it straight and is not one to sugarcoat. She empowers women in her comedy, movies, and books.
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Cancer ( JUN 21- JULY 22) Cancers get to claim Ariana Grande as one of their own. Cancers are loyal, intuitive, cheerful and stubborn. Ariana Grande expresses her stand with feminism through her music. She highlights the beauty of being a woman and encourages her listeners to love themselves. She showed her commitment to loving herself in the song “Thank U, Next” and denounced the patriarchy with “God is a Woman,” all with a smile on her face.
Leo ( JUL 23-AUG 22) Leos are extremely passionate, forward, confident and non-discrete. Jennifer Lawrence embodies being a Leo wholeheartedly. She’s confident in her humor and straightforward with her stance on feminism. She encourages all women to have confidence, stating that “a powerful woman is someone who exudes confidence and can be tough but fair and kind.”
Libra (SEP 23- OCT 22) Cardi B is a true Libra, and not just by her birthdate. Libras are cool, competitive, charming and clever. They also have a love for the finer things in life, quick humor and an outward personality. We know from a majority of her songs that she loves those finer things, but we also know just how outward her personality is too. She doesn’t just advocate for feminism, she demands it, stating that “feminism means being equal to a man, and I am,” leaving no room for objections.
Scorpio (OCT 23- NOV 21) Katy Perry is a Scorpio. Scorpios are passionate, assertive, intense and full of imagination. Katy Perry shows these qualities in almost all her music and music videos. She also explicitly shows her enthusiasm for girl power. She’s written numerous songs expressing what it means to be a girl. From “Firework” to “Roar,” she’s stood for women being strong since the beginning.
Sagittarius (NOV. 22- DEC 21) Sagittarius signs are optimistic, fair-minded, honest and intellectual. Billie Eilish is a true representation of what it means to be a Sagittarius. Billie has always been open and honest in all her interviews because she’s not afraid to open up. Even at a young age, Eilish has exuded a fairminded, mature energy in public settings with fans and on the stage.
Capricorn (DEC. 22- JAN. 19) If you’re a Capricorn, you share your zodiac sign with “The Vampire Diaries” star Nina Dobrev. Capricorns are practical and hardworking individuals who stand up for what they believe in. Dobrev has never been quiet when it comes to supporting the #TimesUp movement and speaking out against discrimination, harassment and abuse.
Gemini (MAY 21- JUNE 20) Gemini’s are adaptable, intelligent, outgoing, impulsive, charming and often, controversial. No one in history fits the sign better than Marilyn Monroe. The queen of controversy in American history, she never once let the world forget women’s value. She captivated the country with her charm and was part of the cultural shock of embracing female sexuality in an unconventional way. Reminding women “a wise girl knows her limit, a smart one knows she has none.”
Virgo (AUG 23- SEP 22) Those who are Virgos share their sign with the queen of all pop queens, Miss Beyoncé Knowles. Virgos are self-sufficient, ambitious, witty, realistic and blunt. All characteristics Queen B exhibits. Breaking away from Destiny’s Child and going solo to explore her talents, Knowles has been inspiring women for decades. She constantly advocates for women to love themselves and emphasizes the importance of empowerment through speeches, music and what she teaches her children.
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FALL MOTIVATIONAL PLAYLIST If it were any other year, I would say, “Well, it’s that time of the semester…” but reader, this is not a normal year. The past two years have been an overwhelming, complicated blur, and you deserve to recognize your resilience in spite of it all. If it’s time to get back on your feet, you might as well do it while dancing. Here’s some tracks to get you moving. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield C’mon, stare at your blank page and open up that dirty window, babes. It’s time.
Tap In - Saweetie
Stop This Flame Celeste Max out the volume on your headphones and strut your butt off to the class you skipped last week.
This is a perfect pregame song. Saweetie never misses, and neither do you. Green Light - Lorde The magnum opus of motivational tracks — you can’t not move when this song comes on. Icy - Logic feat. Gucci Mane Oh, this, this is for dancing deliriously in your bathroom mirror before you hop in the shower. Have I mentioned you look, like, really good today?
Julia - SZA This song gives the same effect as that montage in “Legally Blonde” when Elle Woods is studying for the LSAT while simultaneously hustling on a treadmill. She really can do it all, and you can too.
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Solar Power - Lorde Solar Power is like Melodrama’s cool, calm, older sister who’s always at the beach. She’s wise and gives really good advice.
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