THE C R:
MINTE
A X.
RILY
N
L IM
MA
TEAMS EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF LAUREN HURWITZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR JORDAN CLEWNER EDITORIAL DIRECTORS NELL SCHWARTZ GEORGE HASHEMI PR/MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR ASHLEY WACHTFOGEL ART DIRECTOR JULIA LAWRENCE FASHION DIRECTOR KRISTIANA MORELL VIDEO DIRECTOR MALIA RIVIERE
LAURA PIRES KAIYA VICIOSO WILLIAM KHABBAZ
DESIGN
ZOE ADES MAURA ANDERSON NINA BRIDGES NATALIA DENG YUAN BIANCA FRANCO MARISA GOLDBERG BRETT KAPLAN MEGAN RILEY
PHOTOGRAPHY SOPHIE COHEN HANNAH FRANKEL IZZY MADOVER KATIE ZAGER
STYLING
MADI .. BAUMAN ZOE MILLER BOISE JENNIE BULL CAROLINE CAHILL JILLIAN DEMBS RAY DILAWRI ESTHER DIZA LIVVY DOE HARRISON MAYESH ANNA MORELLO MOLLY SCHEUER PUNYA SIDHU REMI TSUNODA JACIEON WILLIAMS
SOCIAL MEDIA
WEB DIRECTOR ELIZABETH GOLDISH
KELLY CARROLL HENI DANSON BECKY MAUTHER LIV PINES JD TRIOLO JANE SHEVLIN
MANAGING DIRECTOR YASEMIN AKUREK
PUBLIC RELATIONS
We are independent. The opinions expressed are not those of Syracuse University or the student body.
AUDREY CHEN GRACE GOLDSTEIN MINA GURKAN BROOKE MADIGAN CHLOE MANENTI JOELLE SCHNEIDER CHLOE SCOPA
It’s over.
Officially the end. For the past three years, if you knew me, you likely knew Zipped Magazine, and I am so privileged, honored and proud to be associated with it. From the minute I stepped onto this campus, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. There was such an allure to Zipped, this tight-knit, accomplished group that ran this magazine while executing and creating professional level art. Freshman me, a dual major studying graphic design and marketing management, never thought I would be sitting here, writing my final editor’s letter. For my last issue, I always had an idea of what I wanted to do: create something so insanely colorful and chaotic that viewers could not help but smile. I wanted to create a complete contrast from our previous issue: taking our collective outrage and emotion from 2020, and converting it into pure artistic chaos and creation. I was tired of focusing on the darkness and dread stemming from the pandemic, and had the idea to create an alternate fantasy or reality: the world returning to ‘normal.’ My team and I ideated the things that brought us the greatest amounts of happiness in life, as well as the things we cannot wait to do once the world is safe again. That is how we came up with the title, The Climax, as well as our three overarching themes: sex, drugs and fashion. As we started piecing the content and concepts together, this edition started to embody the word fearless: completely pushing the boundaries, creating the unexpected, while still somehow still achieving complete cohesion. I knew I wanted to make something that would stand out, and looking back, I think we did. For our cover star, we were lucky enough to feature Marilyn Minter; painter, photographer, activist and one of my greatest inspirations. With so many lows and so much uncertainty, creating this issue and working with my Zipped family has brought me so much joy and so many opportunities I could have never imagined. I hope this magazine inspires those who need it. I hope it shows the growth, drive, and passion we, the Zipped community, have evolved into over the years. And I hope it serves as a testament that genuine artistic talent often speaks much louder than education. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey, saw my potential, and encouraged me to never stop creating. Continue to chase the highs and follow your vision <3
06 08 14 Party Nails nails made for the club and the bedroom
Good Moaning Syracuse! the sex-ed you didn’t know you needed
Q&A With Marilyn Minter pinch me please, I must be dreaming
16 20 22
Make it Rainbow fashion spread, but make it insane and monochrome
Down the Rabbit Hole what a long, strange trip it has been
“So, Do You Smoke?” weed, pot, mary jane, cannabis, dope, etc.
24 26 32
One Pandemic, Two Options, Endless Possibilities the new wave of consumerism
Loungewear to Runway can you wear it out in public? 100% yes
Extremism or Expression? breaking free from the expected fashion norms
06
"
PARTY NAILS
sex-posi nails brought to you by queer femme
These nails are just as fun as they sound. A fire set and great sex, I don’t think that’s too much to ask for? When going to my nail tech I want a four-inch stiletto set with bright colors and added jewels. I want everyone in the back of the club to see them, but in bed, I do have some plans for these hands. Party nails is not a universal term for my goto acrylics. Like much of the queer knowledge I’ve learned over the years, I heard about party nails from my partner who heard it from a friend of a friend of a friend. It’s a term from my queer circle that has continuously defined the tools we need in life. I wasn’t ready to let go of my long acrylic sets and they helped me realize that I didn’t have to with party nails. Party nails, from my queer family to yours, is an acrylic set that leaves two to three fingers without extensions on them, generally the index and middle finger. I’ve also heard it called a femmicure or lesbian nails, but honestly, those are ugly—so party nails it is. When looking back on the history of acrylics, Black and BIPOC femmes paved the way. Then queer BIPOC people who wanted the aesthetics of an acrylic set but safety when it comes to penetrative sex that utilizes hands perfected the art with party nails. When asked about her party nails, nail tech Alyssa Blake Nader, who goes by @ daddydoesnails on Instagram, says, “she’s out here trying to function,” while laughing. “It’s just more visible and fun to have long nails or do different looks.” Visibility is a huge factor in the appeal of party nails. Every baby queer hears the list of ways to “clock a lesbian,” either from programs like The L-word, a popular television series from the early 2000’s about lesbian life in Los Angeles, or from their queer circles. “Look out for short hair, baggy shirts, mid-length jean shorts,” I was told, these were all things I expected, “and short nails,” the only criteria I couldn’t live with. This is where party nails step in, while I might have long nails, the two fingers left without extensions (which I generally highlight even more with added jewels or designs) sends a clear message to anyone inquiring about my queerness that their assumptions were correct. As I have had time in the queer community to unpack this ‘criteria’ of being a queer femme, I realized it was kind of bullshit. This list serves as another constraint on expression that limits queer people in their ability to just be themselves. Why would the community impose these standards? While there is a desire to want to be seen as a part of the community just by presentation, no list could ever encompass every identity and presentation across the queer spectrum, no matter how long. Sometimes I just want long nails and 5-inch heels, what can I say, I’m still very much my gay ass self. It also needs to be acknowledged that there is an immense privilege in wanting to be visibly queer, and many people may not feel safe to do so. The experiences of these queer people become erased within these archaic
Written by Abby Fritz / Artwork by Hanna Dunakin
Most people who spot the short nails just figure I broke them and probably won't think twice about it.
presentation restraints. Yet party nails seem to go beyond just another indicator of visible queerness. It feels like I cheated the system a little. Most people who spot the short nails just figure I broke them and probably won’t think twice about it. So other queer femmes give me that look of recognition, but beyond that, I usually don’t need to explain their purpose to other curious people—which is no one else’s business but mine, anyway. Nader also talks about how the set is customizable to your needs. You can do two fingers on one hand without the extensions, two fingers on both hands, or two fingers and a thumb—party nails are whatever you need them to be. You also don’t have to worry about opening up soda cans, added Nader. But sometimes I just want a full set...and I deserve it. While party nails are my go-to, many queer couples rock full sets and have perfectly safe sex. If you are careful and communicative with your partner there should be no problem using long nails. There are also many other precautions you can take to make sure everything is sanitary and fun for everyone. This can include thoroughly washing your hands prior to sex (which I feel like I shouldn’t have to say, but I will) and being gentle with internal stimulation. I spoke to my partner, Nikita Richardson, who mentioned to me that many couples utilize finger covers that are made of body-safe silicone, which may look a little weird at first, but they are extremely effective in making pointed or long nails dull and soft for some safe full set sex! But be sure it is body-safe silicone, Richardson emphasized. Lastly, use toys! If you have your nails done, technology has given us the beautiful gift of dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, wands—the list could go on. There is no right or wrong way to have sex and penetration doesn’t always need to be involved. In the spirit of party nails, you have every right to customize your sex experience to fit your needs and desires the best. Party nails doesn’t have to be an exclusively queer trend and quite frankly it really shouldn’t be. Both straight and queer people, regardless of presentation and orientation, can integrate finger play into their sex routines. Queer people may have started the trend but, as usual, everyone can take a page out of our book to expand the scope of their sex life. You don’t have to sacrifice your set just to try something new, make your nails work for you! These nails aren’t even necessarily a sexrelated trend. Nader spoke about how one of her clients is a musician and prefers to have one hand short and one long or another client that types a lot for their job and likes certain nails shorter to make typing less strenuous. This even extends into accessibility for people who may have different needs related to access and motion. Party nails are a bit deep honestly, but also, they are one big, fat, choose-your-ownadventure type of party. So have fun with them.
Everything teachers were too scared to talk about
Written by William Khabbaz / Artwork by Nina Bridges
Good Moaning Syracuse! The anal g-spot, the risk of HIV and the chance to live a life fully aware of sexual health is something the United States lacks to mention in its Sex Education programs. Growing up, sex education was a topic that made young students giggle, but the lack of attention to details from each state government is not something to laugh about. Only 22 states have mandated sex education programs written into law; Only 11 require an inclusive education on sexual orientation, leaving thousands of LGBTQ+ young adults uneducated and at risk of making unsafe decisions. This country has put sex education on the back burner, but we are here to stimulate the issue and bring light to the things you might not have heard in your classrooms. The conversation of sex education in classrooms picked up in the early 1970s when high numbers of adolescent pregnancies started showing up in major cities. This fear of pregnancy quickly shifted when the HIV/AIDS epidemic swept the nation, killing thousands of LGBTQ+ lives. This epidemic increased hate crimes and the inevitable lack of education in our school systems on safe sex in the LGBTQ+ community. A lack of acceptance, empathy and education has led thousands of people to practice unsafe sex. Here are some of the major lessons I have learned as a gay male that wasn’t taught to me in the classroom but in the bedroom. 1. Anal Sex. The art and the pleasure of the anus is something many don’t fully understand and can be looked down upon. To quote the former First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, “any hole is a goal.” Many states, including New York, don’t inform cisgender men and people assigned male at birth that they do indeed have a “G-spot.” This refers to the prostate, a gland that produces sperm and gives powerful orgasms if stimulated. When attempting to have anal sex, full consent with your partner is necessary. If it hurts, say no. When preparing for this intimate act, people tend to think about how to properly clean that area and prepare for the inevitable to happen. This is a misconception. The key components to having an enjoyable time is to eat a fibrous diet and shower before and after the deed is completed. No supplements or other activities are needed, but for those
who still don’t feel comfortable with eating a loaf of whole-grain bread, I recommend purchasing an anal douche. To ensure you’re using the safest product, buy one that is made from silicone as it is a non-porous material. Always remember to use purified water when douching because tap water can cause an imbalance of PH, which can lead to health issues like infections. Once prepared, all you need is a waterbased lube and condoms to proceed with your night. Beyond physicality, there is a mental component never addressed in sex education programs. When having anal sex for the first time, make sure there is an appropriate amount of comfort with you and your partner. Going slow and steady wins the race. Make sure to breathe and communicate with your partner to ensure they aren’t going too fast. The more relaxed you are, the better the feeling and the orgasm. Anal sex can be intimidating but if you follow these steps, a whole new world of pleasure is waiting for you. 2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Every college student in the United States knows what I’m talking about, but do you take it seriously? According to the Center for Disease Control, one in eight men who seek other men (MSM) have had or will have an STD. This number is large considering gay males only represent one percent of the nation. The most common types of STDs transmitted through MSM is gonorrhea or chlamydia in the throat or anus. There are ways to prevent this and the simplest answer is safe sex. Condoms may not be a person’s cup of tea, but they can save you a trip to the nearest Planned Parenthood. Most STDs don’t have symptoms which can lead people to have a blind eye towards their health and further transmit the disease. STDs can be traced with proper health screenings, which is why it is important to put your sexual health first and get your rectum to the nearest Planned Parenthood once a year at least. The LGBTQ+ community are at a higher risk of HIV/AIDS, which is why doctors recommend what is basically birth control for the non-heterosexual person, PrEP. Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the stop of HIV/AIDS by up to 99%. Truvada is the only medication approved for PrEP by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been tested safe to use. Most insurance plans cover PrEP, but
if yours doesn’t, talk to your physician on the many ways you can get PrEP. So, if you’re engaging in sex with other people, take the time to get tested, and necessary actions to be safe. You’re not only saving yourself but others as well. 3. Sex Toys. The gift that everyone wants on Christmas or Hannukah. Sex toys are the world’s gift to pleasure-seeking individuals. From the anal plug to the 10-inch dildo, there is something for everyone in all shapes and sizes. By yourself, or with your partner, sex toys are helpful in finding your own sexual desires and helps create comfort in the act of sex. Knowing what your body wants and likes is important, so investing in a brand-new sex toy can be just the trick to finding your kink. The variety of toys can be daunting, but I’m here to help navigate you through this new world. The wand vibrator, the most classic of sex toys, offers high vibration and intense stimulation. For my cis women, if you’re looking for more direct stimulation, the clitoral vibrator and the clit suction toy are ideal. Dildos, arguably the most known sex toy, is always a great option to achieve orgasms and maximum pleasure. Taking that information in, it is very important to understand what your sex toy is made out of and how it can affect your body. The FDA does not regulate sex toys, which means some can be made with materials unsafe to the human body, which can lead to major health problems. The safest and most recommended material is silicone, a non-porous material as stated before. We all know you’re not about to walk down to the bathroom to clean your dildos, so make sure you buy a safe non-porous sex toy that not only gives you the orgasm you’re looking for but is safe to use. Life is mysterious, but your sexual knowledge shouldn’t be. The United States has disregarded sex education and ignored how to properly teach students, especially LGBTQ+ students and anyone who doesn’t fit the heterosexual norm. It’s time to take the dildo by hand and educate yourself on the important issues not presented in the classroom. Anal sex, STDs and sex toys are only the beginning. Once you can spread your mind, sex can be less daunting and more moaning-ful. Stay safe, stay horny and educate the people around you.
Q&A w/
What is the opposite of a feminist? An asshole. Painter, photographer, visual artist and activist, Marilyn Minter, perfectly embodies what it means to be fearless. After first discovering her unique talents at the young age of five, she has always stayed true to her vision: creating images that we know exist but never see a picture of. Minter has been a huge inspiration of mine, and it was an honor to feature her as the cover star of this magazine.
Marilyn minter What pushed you to start creating art? “Well, it was the only thing I could do better than other people!” When did you first start to notice this? “Right away. I was around five. I could draw so much better than my friends. It was a shock to me! Then, I started to draw everything, and I could draw better than anyone. It was like woah, this is a skill I have that no one else has. I just kept encouraging myself to keep drawing. I learned from comic books because I lived in a cultural desert, Florida, and there were no art classes.”
Written by Lauren Hurwitz / Artwork courtesy of Marilyn Minter
How was your class experience at Syracuse University? “I would not say it was a great education, cause it wasn’t. I was the only girl with 17 male artists, and it was right in the 70s when the change was coming, we were the anti-Vietnam generation, feminism was just starting to take hold and it was pretty misogynistic. The shock to me though was going up north. I had never seen snow. In my first year at Syracuse, it snowed 156 inches. It was a huge culture shock and people thought I was an idiot because I had a southern accent. I had this great friend who taught me everything, he was a really good artist too; I didn’t learn from the school, but I learned a lot from the other students.” Your work seems to make visible what typically is commercially airbrushed: sweat, pimples, body hair, freckles, etc. Why is this important for you to show this in your artwork? “It’s really more about showing images that we know exist but never see a picture of. I am very interested in working with the culture and the times I live in, and I saw there was so much contempt for fashion and it was considered so shallow, and I also saw
that it was this giant industry, so I just thought I should examine it. What I ended up doing was using a lot of magazine images at first, until I ran out of magazines, and re-shot things. So it would be the things that were already there but were cleaned up, and that was the beginning of the way we erase human imperfection. That was the beginning of it being ubiquitous...
change the meaning if women use this imagery? I was taking images directly from porn and I was trying to be funny most of the time. The images were compelling to me, the ones I was using. I was a pro-sex feminist which was a really an invasive group even though I thought everyone thought just like I did, but it was the first wave of giant political correctness.
I just thought, even the fashion models don’t look like this, nobody looks like the fashion industry but it gives everyone so much pleasure. So I thought I will try to still give you pleasure but show you what it really looks like.”
I thought why can’t women own and make imagery just for their own amusement or pleasure? After all, nobody has politically correct fantasies.”
What do you think of the fashion industry now? “I still think it’s this mixed bag; it’s nuanced. It creates body dysmorphia and at the same time, it gives people so much pleasure. Then there are these punk kids who are making magazines and using transgender models and growing out their armpit hair and showing reality. Human beings are shot through with imperfections and somehow trying to be perfect is making everyone sicker! I just feel like my job as an artist is to comment on the times we live in, I’m not trying to teach anyone anything, I’m trying to just make a picture of what I see.” Your work has drawn such a wide mix of opinions over the years, especially the hard-core paintings. Do you think if it was released today, it would go over differently? “Oh much more, nobody would give a shit now! There would be no internet without the porn industry, and when I started examining it I thought well does it
You have called yourself a pro-sex feminist. How do you define that? Has your view of feminism changed throughout time? “Well, I have always thought that the definition of feminism from the 70s on was owning your own reproduction rights and organs, you make those choices, and equal pay for equal work. Do you know what the opposite of a feminist is? The opposite of a feminist is an asshole.” What is one piece of advice you wished someone shared with you when you were in your early 20s? “I had a vision even when I was a really young kid, and sometimes I think that the work I am making now it looks different, but it is the work I have always made. And to fit into the vernacular, or whatever was going on, the movement of the moment, it is so easy to be shamed out of your gift because it does not fit whatever is the popular art movement at the time. So, I guess what I would like to say is to trust your inner voice...”
Photography by Hannah Frankel
Down the Rabbit Hole: The Creation of Nonsense
The reality of Wonderland and its influence on society
“
Welcome to Wonderland, a fantasy full of grinning Cheshire cats, talking caterpillars and singing flowers. A place where the bizarre seems normal. This innocent story became the poster for drug use in the late 60s and 70s. Today much of this story is interpreted with subliminal messages of the use of psychedelics. While there are many conspiracies, Lewis Caroll wrote the story to entertain a young girl during a boating trip, but the outlandish tales of Alice ripples through our pop culture atmosphere. Today, our society might interpret her story as one long psychedelic trip when in reality, it is a seven-year-old trying to navigate the adult world through her eyes and imagination. Alice’s creation of nonsense through the idea of drugs is perpetuated through our media today in our favorite childhood cartoons and music. This raises the question, has the subliminal messaging of drugs in our media promoted the idea of the creation of nonsense much like Alice’s? The conspiracy of subliminal messaging in Wonderland boomed in the late 60s and 70s as artists like John Lennon and Jefferson Airplane explored the connection between recreational drug use and the children’s book. The Beatles song “I am the Walrus” was inspired by an LSD trip and Alice in Wonderland; it was simply a song of madness. The nonsense that came from author Lewis Carrol’s “The Walrus and The Carpenter” and Wonderland inspired madness in the music. Another Beatles song, “Lucy In the Sky” was later revealed by Lennon to signify Alice in Wonderland imagery. The song speaks on the Eggman and the boat we see in the children’s story. Alice’s outlandish journey fully perpetuated this realm of artistic nonsense as many recognized the connection between drugs and the beauty of Wonderland itself. This pioneered other forms of media and art to get inspired by the creation of nonsense influenced by drugs. Wonderland created a parallel between the outlandish and reality, allowing adults to navigate the world through the eyes of a child again when using drugs. The intersection of infancy and drug use allowed Wonderland to be captivated in media today. Movies like The Matrix play on the trope of “the rabbit hole” as pills became the drug that allows them into Wonderland. A line in the film says, “You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want
You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
Written by Laura Pires / Artwork by Julia Lawrence
20
to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes”. Today society takes viewers down the “rabbit hole” each time revealing a new Wonderland. This continues in cartoons we watched growing up. The subliminal messaging of marijuana usage in Scooby-Doo or Pepe Le Pew in Looney Tunes speaks to the conspiracy of his connection of ecstasy. This continues today in social media, where the promotion of micro-dosing is used for wellness and expansion. Since the 60s, through film, music or art, people have desired to expand their creativity, meaning one must go through a journey much like Alice’s; an out-of-body experience. Alice in Wonderland has allowed the abstract and outlandish adventures we find in psychedelic trips or drugs to become art. In terms of literal art, the creation of the absurd was inspired by much of what is seen in Carrol’s book. Alice’s whole journey involves distinguishing the absurd from reality, which is quite literally a psychedelic trip. However, people find the world she creates quite beautiful, allowing the eccentric to run wild. This narrative pioneered an era of surrealism in art. The absurdness of Alice navigating the adult world through the mind of a sevenyear-old inspired this movement. This artistic era represents much of Alice’s journey, as it uncovers the potential of the unconscious mind while juxtaposing reality. Salvador Dalí displays his inspiration of the absurd through art by creating pieces that show Alice’s journey through Wonderland. This master of surrealism said, “I don’t do drugs, I am drugs.” The continuous correlation between absurdity and drugs allows our society to create a much more chaotic and darker side to art. In many innocent childhood stories, the use of drugs has perpetuated the idea of unveiling the dark side of the rainbow. With art like surrealism, madness in music and drug subliminals in TV, the intersectionality of drugs and art has shown a chaotic view of the innocence perceived at first. Drugs in society now perpetuate a sense of awakening that many yearn for and express in their art. Allowing true absurdity to shine through, drugs have perpetuated the narrative of awakening these underlying messages behind things that seem so innocent.
Understanding the complicated history of Mary Jane
Written by Kaiya Vicioso / Artwork by Brett Kaplan and Zoe Ades
“So, Do you smoke?” You’re sitting in the doctor’s office for a yearly checkup. You’ve gotten the routine weigh in, measurements, bloodwork, and there’s only one thing left in your visit. The doctor closes the door behind her. “So,” she asks, “Do you smoke?” The dreaded question. We’ve all been there, and the questions that usually follow are, “Do you drink?”, “Do you vape?”, and “How often?” It can be hard to know what to do in this scenario. Do you tell the truth? Do you lie? Does it matter? In reality, it doesn’t really matter. Under HIPAA laws anything you share with your doctor remains confidential unless there is a threat to yourself or others. But sharing your private habits with your doctor can still be embarrassing and scary considering the prevalent stigmas against marijuana. Smoking weed is becoming increasingly culturally acceptable. Many states have now legalized what was once considered a schedule 1 substance. Most recently, New York joined the list of sixteen other states that have legalized the drug. A 2013 brochure by the National Institute of Drug abuse, found that 1 in 7 teenagers reported using marijuana in the past month. Considering new accessibility and cultural acceptance of marijuana usage, this number has certainly increased. Among my own peers, other college-aged students, most, if not everyone, I know at least smokes marijuana occasionally. Looking outside of just young adults, even older generations participate in marijuana usage. A Yahoo News and Marist University survey says more than half of American adults have tried marijuana at least once in their lives. So why does weed still have societal stigma?
You have to understand the complicated and unfair history behind marijuana use, incarcerations and laws. The historical turning point responsible for most modern-day stigmas behind marijuana is the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. The Act started the requirement for mandatory minimum sentencing. Implemented by President Reagan, the new law raised federal penalties for both marijuana possession and dealing. The possession of 100 marijuana plants would receive the same penalty as possession of 100 grams of heroin. In a later amendment to the law, a “three strikes and you’re out” policy was established, requiring life sentences for repeat drug offenders. These new laws had detrimental impacts on lowincome and communities of color, as higher policing in these areas led to more arrests and charges for seemingly minor offenses related to marijuana. While laws surrounding marijuana have changed in many states and use of the drug has been legalized in many places, people are still being arrested for, and charged, with marijuana offenses. Despite a booming legal marijuana industry with new celebrity weed companies like Seth Rogen’s, “Houseplant” and entire forums and communities dedicated to finding the most lucrative marijuana stocks to invest in, there are still 40,000 Americans incarcerated for marijuana offenses today. In 2018, there were 663,367 arrests involving marijuana, and according to the ACLU, Black people are 3.73 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana. Despite being more likely to be punished for offenses related to marijuana, Black Americans aren’t reaping the benefits of its legalization.
81% of Cannabis business owners are white and only 4.3% are Black. Legalization and decriminalization of marijuana is great, but in taking these steps we also must remember marijuana’s complicated past and find a way to rectify the inequities of the industry. Wealthy white business owners see marijuana as their next big business venture, while Black people are still being incarcerated for minor marijuana related offenses. Ending the discrimination and elitism that exists in the world of weed might seem challenging, but it is extremely necessary. There should be more pathways for people selling marijuana illegally to enter the legal industry, as well as the release of those who are still in jail for minor marijuana related offenses. Until these steps are taken fairness in the industry will never be possible.
“81% of Cannabis business owners are white and only 4.3% are Black.” So, next time your doctor asks you if you smoke weed, don’t panic! And next time you roll up a joint think about the history behind what you’re smoking, and consider supporting Black owned cannabis companies so that everyone can get a fair slice of Mary Jane’s economic pie.
What’s the new wave of retail consumerism?
Written by By George Hashemi / Artwork by Jordan Clewner
One Pandemic, Two Options, Endless Possibilities With companies like Moderna and Pfizer rolling out millions of vaccine doses for COVID-19, it feels like this terrible nightmare might finally be over. The light of normalcy is peaking out of the clouds as the country heads into summer. But what will be the new normal? The virus was a capricious shock to the country’s system; everyone’s life was disrupted, every business and economy was affected. It’s hard to imagine what the U.S. was like before and if it will ever, or can ever, be the same. When national lockdowns were mandated, life went digital, including the fashion industry. The once vibrant places of Chicago’s Michigan Ave. and New York City’s Garment District became vacant. Retail stores and fashion businesses closed down as people stayed inside, and a new wave of online consumerism appeared. The virus took away the ability to enter a store physically. The only way to get new clothes and accessories was online. But now vaccines are here; summer is around the corner, and people are coming out of their quarantine shells and returning to daily life. Stores have reopened, and the opportunity to shop in person has returned. But will people go back to the retailers they love? Or has online shopping become so efficient that people feel there’s no need? “It’s [online shopping] more convenient. You don’t have to go to a store. You can just do it online with a click of a button,” says Anna Ross, Syracuse University junior. Ross appreciates the specificity that online shopping allows. “It’s so much more targeted. If I want a specific shirt, I can just search for that shirt and find it.” The internet allows the complexity and variety of the fashion
industry to be just a quick google search away. There is a certain appeal to how easily accessible this extensive volume of products can be. It’s no secret the pandemic limited consumers to the digital world. Every economy transitioned to digital spaces for its customers. “I think now, with covid, online shopping has really expanded, especially with things being available that weren’t necessarily as available online before like groceries,” says Jenna O’Neill, Syracuse University junior. But, O’Neill doesn’t think online shopping will take over and says, “inperson shopping is likely to become more popular again, especially with the weather getting nicer.”
“Will people go back to the retailers they love?” James Horan, owner of Vagabond Clothing Inc, a local Syracuse retailer, agrees. “We’re social creatures. So going out and trying something on and being around people and interacting with regular human beings, that part of living,” says Horan. The weather also plays a role in if people are willing to physically shop in stores. People are more inclined to travel to their local malls or favorite retail stores in warm, clear weather. Sunny skies are much more encouraging than grey, rain scattered clouds. “As the [summer] weather comes, people are starting to move around more,” says Horan. But, Ross is still weary. “I think it’s possible [in-person shopping], but I also don’t think so just
because of how convenient online shopping is. Shopping in a store seems like such a hassle,” says Ross. There’s no argument that online shopping is convenient and efficient. Yet, there’s something unique and human about weaving through clothing racks. “You know some things you wanna try on before you buy it or see it in person and get the quality,” says O’Neill. Online, a person loses the ability to interact with fashion. There’s no liberty to feel the clothes, assess the material or test the quality and fit. Ordering online can be deceptive and somewhat of a gamble. One can never really predict the reality of what they order until the item is physically in front of them. That’s why Horan shops, “Always in person.” The fashion industry is evolving. With technology advancing at rapid rates, online consumerism is easier than ever. Covid halted in-person shopping, and people went from shuffling through stores to clicking through websites. O’Neill says, “I personally have grown to enjoy online shopping more because in-person has less options.” For her, “It’s become so easy.” However, digital consumerism will never replace going into a store for Horan. “The internet is not living. It’s nothing but a digital space for people,” says Horan. In-person and online shopping has its perks and drawbacks, but the fashion industry would not survive without both. “People will shop online for things they can trust to buy, but they’re still gonna want to come in stores and have the experience of shopping,” says Horan. O’Neil might have said it best that, “The option to do both is definitely the most ideal and convenient.”
When was the last time you wore your sweatpants on a first date, out to a bar, or a festival? Wait, you didn’t? Why not? It’s comfy, unexpected, and it could be a conversation starter. It’s 2021; it’s cool to wear sweatshirts to clubs now. Take a pair of your favorite pants, add a sweatshirt, an oversized leather jacket, and tie everything together with your favorite black booties. Viola! You’ll have a comfy and unique outfit that’s so unexpected. Our team strived to curate a few different examples of how streetwear can be elevated to going-out attire. We featured “Semispoiled” and “Hopeless Visionary” to showcase to our readers that you can wear whatever the f**k you want by taking streetwear to the next level. During quarantine, Morgan Ledanko and Ryan Armour, two college students, founded the streetwear brands “Semispoiled” and “Hopeless Visionary.” After months of pandemic induced dullness, Ledanko started “Semispoiled” in her apartment bathroom, where the brand grew overnight. From a previous idea of creating a brand that embodies pursuing your dreams and passion, Armour decided to pursue his dream and created “Hopeless Visionary” at the beginning of quarantine. The essence of both brands goes beyond a typical streetwear company. “Semispoiled” thrives on expressing how a person can feel spoiled without having to spend tons of money. “Hopeless Visionary” emphasizes being able to pursue your dreams while focusing on your passion, conveyed through their tagline, “aspire to inspire.” Check out their websites, “semispoiled.com” and “hopelessvisionary.com” so you too can wear sweatpants to clubs.
26
Written by Yasi Akyurek / Photography by Nina Bridges
Loungewear to Runway: a collaboration between Zipped Magazine, Semispoiled and Hopeless Visionary
“
Extremism or Expression? Shockey Sanders speaks on her gothic style and breaking norms in fashion
“I have to ask myself, is my fashion sense extreme, or is the general population just too benign?” says Shockey Sanders, a Syracuse University sophomore as we discussed her selfdescribed “fluid fashion” and what is considered extreme nowadays. “Because I am kind of goth and vamp with my style, it usually takes people aback at first. They think I have a crazy style,” says Sanders, “but I really don’t think being goth is extreme!” Sanders spoke on how society labels unique and different fashion as “extreme” but in reality, so much of the general population thinks that because they have been conforming to stereotypical fashion for as long as they can remember. It is hard to be unique; there’s no denying that. Hours are spent scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, seeing the same homogeneous figures that society idolizes as the embodiment of current fashion and beauty. At some point usernames mash together, designer fashion items are made cheaper to appeal to a wider audience, and with the help of fast fashion, everyone starts to look the same. This begs the question, what happens when people don’t conform to what is traditionally considered beautiful? It seems that in our current society, everyone is preoccupied with staying on top of the trends that they have veered off the path of individuality. Why is anything that defies the norm viewed as an act of deviance? Take Dennis Rodman, the cross-dressing basketball player who defied all fashion stereotypes, or Prince, the king of genderbending himself. While they may have faced criticism and judgment, they shared one thing in common, being unapologetically authentic when it came to their personal style. These highly influential people embodied what fashion is; freedom and personal expression. Yet, so much of the current population only follow basic trends and conform to a style that is not necessarily their own. Is this what fashion has come to? Sanders doesn’t think so and chooses to dress in her own style, completely disregarding popular current trends around her. While she typically wears all black or other dark colors, Sanders understands that many view her as someone who breaks fashion norms and expectations. “I think in the environment I’m in, people view my style as extreme and goth, but it’s just me dressing how I am most comfortable,” she says. Her iconic goth style comes from the architectural works by the Gothics in Europe. The style of art transformed into the fashion style we know of today. The dark nature of the
Written by Nell Schwartz / Artwork by Yasi Akyurek
what happens when people do not conform to what is traditionally considered beautiful?
32
gothic style stems from the use of horrifying figures to create a sense of individuality and helps people stand out from the crowd. The most usual gothic style uses dark colors to contrast with the standard pale makeup and skin tone. The idea is to resemble ghosts or the undead. What comes to mind first when envisioning gothic fashion might be the likeness of Wednesday Addams, whose sinister and childlike style comes to life through her staple braids and black on black dresses, or Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice who embodies gothic fashion through her spiky hair and all-black outfits. Yet as trends have evolved, so too have well-known classical fashions. In 2021, the gothic style takes a new form as it allows individuals to express themselves freely in any manner. From chains to all-black outfits, gothic style can be used to accessorize or fully encapsulate day-to-day style. Inspired by creators like melovemealot and poppy who are characterized by their abstract art and funky makeup, Sanders says her usual style can be called “cyberpunk streetwear with a gothic twist” but added that “My fashion and sense of style extends past the need for a label. I think fashion is fluid and can be changed every day. If I want to go goth one day and punk or vamp the next, I just go for it”. However, Sanders admits that she didn’t always dress like this and says listening to music every day while rocking her favorite outfits helped her find the confidence to be authentic. “Every time I step out of my dorm and have my headphones in blasting music, I walk and carry myself like I’m on a runway. This practice took a while to get used to, but once I started walking confidently everywhere, it overall increased my confidence as a person,” she said. Everyone needs to take a page out of Sanders’ book and not be consumed with what others may think about their style. More people should reject the idea that they must follow what is popular and trending in the fashion world and instead start freely expressing themselves through their own unique style. It may be hard at first to break free from the norm and go against the grain, but practice makes perfect. No matter what, society is a judgmental place, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. So put yourself first, wear those chains, rock that monochromatic look, and just be authentic. It’s high time for people to stop conforming to the latest trends and pick up on the newest styles. In a world full of diversity and experimentation, what about the people who choose to be unique?
Drug fact chart WEED Colorado has three times more dispensaries than Starbucks. Leaves over beans, I guess!
Cannabis has been legal in Alaska for recreational use since 1975. Talk about trailblazers.
Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp plants. It might not have THC, but close enough!
SHROOMS
LSD
MDMA is the scientific name for the drug that often goes by “Molly” and “ecstasy”.
Indigenous people of the Americas have been using mushrooms for thousands of years. The Aztecs called them teonanacatl, translated to “flesh of the gods.”
The NYU Psilocybin Cancer Project found that the drug has anxiety and fearreducing power in terminal cancer patients.
Some archeologists believe the fungus has been used since prehistoric times.
MDMA
During the Cold War, The CIA experimented with LSD to see if it had mindcontrol capabilities and could get information from people. Innovative or invasive?
Two psychology Harvard professors experimented with the drug on students in the 1960s. Talk about extra credit!
The Molly market has some of the highest rates of lacing, which means that anything sold as the drug Molly could be laced or cut with multiple other drugs and or sometimes contain no MDMA substance.
People may experience depressive emotions and symptoms that can last up to two days after using the drug, due to depletion of the neurotransmitters in the brain..prevent a bad come down by getting a full night’s sleep the day before rolling!
the fun zone
ACROSS
DOWN
3. What is the opposite of a feminist? an____.
1. “Semispoiled” and “Hopeless Visionary” were started during ____.
5. Wrap it with ____ condoms before you slap it. 6. Down the ____ hole. 7. Life is mysterious, but your ____ knowledge shouldn’t be. 8. Good ____ Syracuse!
2. I wore my ____, bralette, and Jordans to the club. 4. Dream Team (E-board) has reached their ____. 10. I walk and carry myself like I’m on a ____.
9. What do you say when the doc asks you if you smoke? ____.
check out zippedmag.com for the answers!
