November 2020 by Reporter Magazine

REPORTER NOVEMBER 2020 // REPORTER.RIT.EDU

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Kasey Mathews PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Tyler English ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Victoria Sebastian COPY EDITOR Mimi Lee NEWS EDITOR Morgan LaMere TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Tommy Delp CULTURE EDITOR Karina Le FEATURES EDITOR Jessica Sides WELLNESS EDITOR Brooke Wolfenbarger VIEWS EDITOR Marilyn Wolbert WRITERS Jessica Sides, Karina Le, Tommy Delp, Leland Goodrich, Morgan LaMere, Victoria Sebastian, Miles Hood, Kasey Mathews

ARTDIRECTOR Neil Williamson ART ONLINE ART MANAGER Sara Calhoun SENIOR DESIGNER Pallavi Singh DESIGNERS Adrianna Petrus, Nicholas

EDITOR’S NOTE

REPORTER

welve years of school, what did we achieve? Anxiety, depression, and much self-doubt We have Algernon’s Flowers and Wrathful Grapes Their ashes are in my fireplace;

Four years of school, what did we achieve? Still more uncertainty, but a chance for growth We have confidence and hope, but still worry I stumble through so many mistakes; Two years of school, what did we achieve? Connections and a newfound passion for life We have community and recognition My past has been thrown to the wayside; Twenty-three years of life, here I am Surrounded by acceptance and supported I am loved by my friends, respected by peers Your nostalgia is not my Eden.

Bober, Neil Williamson, Genna Delvecchio, Gabriella Licona, Mikaela Barlow ILLUSTRATORS Quamae Newsome, Neil Williamson, Yoonjung Cho, Maeghan McKenzie, Sahana Maheswaran, Jess Edwards, Meya Goel

PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Diana Spencer PHOTOGRAPHERS MoniQue Gosselin, Evie Linantud

BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Lucy Brown AD / PR MANAGER Ali Johnston ONLINE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Will Nilges ONLINE SERVICES MANAGER Efe Ozturkoglu VIDEO EDITOR Trisha Pickelhaupt PODCAST PRODUCER Maximilian Thoburn PODCAST HOST Wyatt Kinsey ADVISOR Rudy Pugliese PRINTING Sutherland Printing CONTACT +1 (585) 475–2212 KASEY MATHEWS | EDITOR IN CHIEF Letters to the Editor should be sent to rpteic@rit.edu. No letters will be published unless signed. All letters received become the property of REPORTER.

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November 3

IN T HI S I S S UE

NEWS 6

CHALK FOR CHANGE

The shift in chalk content is raising awareness for Black Lives Matter

T E C H 8

THE NEXT GENERATION IN GAMING

What to expect from Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles

C U LT U R E 10

@R EP O R T ER M A G 3 November

ESCAPING THROUGH COTTAGECORE

Cottagecore is an internet phenomenon, but its popularity goes much deeper

BEYOND SATURDAY MORNING

Cartoons aren’t just for kids

AYL: REMEMBERANCE

A comic about loved ones

cover and TOC illustration by Pallavi Singh

F E A T U R E S 16

CLOSING THE GAP

Generational gaps can make us different from one another based on our experiences

GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND MISINFORMATION Are government workers under threat or does misinformation reign?

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CONSPIRACY THEORIES What makes us believe in conspiracy theories?

W E L L N E S S 24

THE LONGEST OFFSEASON

As we look to return to normal, RIT Athletics is leading the way

V I E W S 26

DANGERS OF THE BINARY

gender binary can cause A misleading dichotomies and traumatic conformity

W.O.T.S.

What is one thing that makes you happy?

RINGS

RIT’s only digital confessional. Text or call (585) 672-4840

R E P O R T E R.R IT.EDU November 4

Chalk Change for

by Jess Sides | illustration by Quamae Newsome | design by Adrianna Petrus

t’s not uncommon to see chalk writings on RIT’s campus; they’re on the ground, the buildings, everywhere. What’s uncommon is the type of writings seen this fall semester. Writings transitioned from the infamous “Bees?” as well as other lighthearted writings such as “good, and you?” to a much more serious tone. Chalk writings in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement are covering campus grounds.

RIT VOICES AND CHALK THE BLOCK

RIT Voices, a club pending approval, hosted a chalk art session in late September to help the RIT community express their feelings toward BLM through art. They are taking initiative to bring light to the movement on campus and help affected students de-stress and express their concerns. Not only that, but they want President Munson to hear their words and their experiences so change in policy on campus may occur.

Olivia Moore, a moderator of RIT Voices and a third year Psychology and Forensic Science student, is one of these people. “We want you to understand that there is a problem with discrimination on campus and this problem needs to be solved in every way that it can,” she said. “Not just racial discrimination, but religion and disability and things of that nature ... This is bigger than race.” Moore further explained that it’s all about sending a message and exposing those who are uncomfortable with the movement. She mentioned that as they were chalking the block many students were rude to them. “I’m sure there’s a lot of students who feel very uncomfortable,” she said. “The same way I felt offended when we were told that we couldn’t draw BLM on the buildings, but there’s ‘Bees?’ … written all over the buildings.” However, Moore also mentioned how many students feel the same way as they do but merely lack the resources or the courage to do something about it themselves. According to her, most students are glad that someone is taking the initiative and standing up for their rights.

RIT CAN YOU HEAR ME?

RIT Can You Hear Me is an anonymous Instagram page where students can post about their experiences with discrimination. There are dozens of examples of injustice that students have gone through on campus. One example mentioned by Moore was a female student’s experience walking home late at night. She was near dorms when a group of white men drove by screaming the ‘N’ word at her. “It’s disheartening to say the least,” Moore said. Jemieshaw Pierre-Louis, fourth year Civil Engineering Technology major and the president of the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee (BACC), is working through these problems with the ALANA Collegiate Association and the Board of Trustees. “We are addressing all the problems we’ve had policy-wise,” she said. “I just want to encourage students to report any discrimination [or] injustice that they’re facing because it will be read and it will be dealt with.”

“The longer it’s ignored, the bigger the problem becomes. ” 6 News

“These aren’t trends for us, these are

actual problems and issues that we have to go through every single day.

”

IMPORTANCE OF AWARENESS

Pierre-Louis explained that awareness is supposed to spark change among the student body. Since the chalk drawings, she’s already noticed an impact. “More people are coming to BACC meetings,” she said. “So many non-people-of-color ... asking ‘can I join?’ … I’m already seeing all these non-people-of-color trying to unite with us.” She also mentioned how there has been an ongoing fight in the black community for six years regarding the BLM flag being hung on campus. A social media campaign was created to show what this meant to the RIT black community and it gained so much traction that the flag is now being installed in the SAU. Caitlyn Pope, a fifth year Medical Analytics and Business Management student and moderator of RIT Voices, expressed the importance of BLM’s message and bringing attention to the movement. “We want to make sure that [BLM] is put into the forefront of people’s minds, not just now but forever,” Pope said. “These aren’t trends for us, these are actual problems and issues that we have to go through every single day.”

As Moore explained, if you ignore the problem it allows the mistreatment to continue and grow. When you bring awareness to the problem it shows that it isn’t okay. “The longer it’s ignored, the bigger the problem becomes,” she said.

HOW TO BE AN ALLY

All three women were in agreement regarding what they expect from allies. “As an ally, speak next to me, not for me,” Moore said. “If I’m saying Black Lives Matter and they aren’t hearing me, let’s say it together so they can hear us both.” Many people of color feel as if they lack a voice, so it’s important to make sure that their voices are not muted. Be careful of fake allies. A fake ally, as explained by Pope, is someone who is antagonistic. They are verbally violent toward other people as well as the police in more recent circumstances. This is evident in protests specifically; many “allies” are not supporting BLM for the right reasons, and they aren’t morally aligned with BLM’s values. In order to be an ally, according to Pope, you have to make space for voices of color in the

right way and in the right light. Also, it’s important to ask questions if you have them so you can understand what they are experiencing and avoid wounding relationships. According to Moore, it’s worse if you don’t ask. “It’s perfectly fine to want to know what we’re going through,” she said. “Personally, if I can see that you’re coming from a place of sincerity, I’m not going to take offense to it.” Moore also mentioned her desire to hold a “race summit” — a safe space for all students, not just those of color, to talk about things that are inappropriate or things they have questions about. “You want to know this information so you don’t offend anybody and that’s something I can respect more than someone who’s just assuming,” Moore said. This shift in chalk content may come as a shock to students who aren’t exposed to the Black community regularly. However, it’s important to educate yourself on the movement as well as how to be an ally now and in the future.

News 7

THE NEXT GENERATION T

he gaming world was bustling with excitement in the latter half of 2020 due to the announcement of next generation consoles.Sony has their fifth iteration PlayStation. Competing with Sony is Microsoft, which is also releasing a new iteration of the Xbox.

NEXT-GEN CAPABILITIES Though people have been calling the new consoles “next-gen,” there are certain semantics to what makes a console part of a new generation of gaming. Hardware-wise, the systems are very similar to their previous iterations in terms of concept and design. The gameplay should match what gamers are already familiar with. However, the exciting thing about these new consoles is what they’re able to do in terms of their raw power and speed. Joshua Bullock, a fourth year Game Design and Development major and School of Interactive Games and Media ambassador,, described the power put into these consoles. “Both can fetch data a lot faster, and they load games quicker,” Bullock said. “What they can hold in terms of data and library passes [their past iterations].” These consoles aren’t focusing on innovating methods of gameplay. You shouldn’t expect something like the Nintendo Switch, which celebrates taking high quality games with you on the go. For Sony and Microsoft, those types of changes aren’t what they’re aiming for when they develop new consoles. Kent Reese, a fourth year Game Design and Development major, explained this more in depth. “It’s not the consoles themselves, but more about the game engine and technology around the consoles,” Reese said. For developers, they’ll be able to produce games at a much faster rate — in a sense of creation speed — because of the power behind these consoles. Since the consoles can hold so much more data and run said data at a more consistent rate, developers don’t have to worry about all the steps needed to create hyper-realistic graphics. “Think of consoles like a toolbox. It’s more about the kinds of tools consoles give us in 8 Technology 8 Technology

PlayStation 5 BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY

Almost all PS4 games, including PS4 Pro titles

CPU

8–core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2

GPU

10.28 teraflop AMD RDNA 2

RAM

16 GB GDDR6

STORAGE

825 GB custom SSD

MEMORY

16 GB GDDR6/256–bit

MEMORY BANDWIDTH

448 GB/S

EXPANDABLE STORAGE

NVMe SSD Slot and USB HDD Support

OPTICAL DISC DRIVE

4K UHD Blu–Ray Drive

CONSUMER ENJOYMENT In the end, who are the next generation consoles for? They’re for the consumers. Each company’s advertising arm has been working overtime to appeal to both the hardcore gamer side and the more casual side of the community.

A big part of marketing for Microsoft and the Xbox Series X is the improvement in the Xbox library and their Xbox Game Pass. The subscription system allows players to play their favorite games in better quality and for a lesser price.

IN GAMING

by Karina Le | designed by Nick Bober

“Think of consoles like a toolbox. It’s more about the kinds of tools consoles give us in order to make more.”

“Companies see a lot of advantages with digital. No worries about discs physically scratching, and manufacturers don’t have to worry about stock issues,” Bullock said. There’s really no need for consumers to have both consoles though. Bullock and Reese noted that even though each of these two powerhouses are releasing their own consoles, it’s most important to consider your own preferences. What do you prefer to play? Are the games you want to play exclusive to just one console? Which console is in your price range? These are important questions to consider when deciding to commit to one.

XBOX SERIES X

WHAT TO CHOOSE?

All XBOX ONE games and some XBOX 360 and original XBOX games 8-core 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2 12.0 terraflop AMD RDNA 2 16 GB GDDR6 1 TB custom NVMe SSD 16 GB GDDR6/350-bit 10GB @ 580 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s 1 TB Expansion Card and USB 3.2 External HDD Support 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive

On the other hand, Sony appeals to those interested in their PlayStation brand by buying gaming production companies that produce exclusive games for their systems. Additionally, the PlayStation 5 has the Playstation VR Headset and will be able to play in virtual reality, while Xbox is only following more standard ways of play.

One of the biggest points for both consoles, however, is their move toward digital games. This can be seen with the Xbox Series S, which isn’t so much a new generation console as it is a mid-gen console. There’s not a lot of new capabilities it can do, but its selling point is in Microsoft’s move from selling individual games to digital libraries.

Some differences between the two consoles are in their power and speed. The Xbox Series X is more powerful in terms of the overall visual quality it can deliver, but the Playstation 5 has speed. “What will be 10 seconds loading on the [Xbox Series X] could be 5 seconds for the [PlayStation 5],” Bullock described. When picking a console, Reese advised that you compare pricing between the two. Sony announced that the PlayStation 5 will cost around $499.99, and the digital-only version will cost $399.99. The Xbox Series X will cost the same price as the base PlayStation 5. On the other hand though, the digital-only Xbox Series S will cost significantly less that PlayStation’s digital-only console with a $299.99 pricetag. Regardless of prices, Bullock concludes that it really comes down to people’s preferences when they go out to buy a new system, or even stick with their older ones. “Play whatever you want, whenever you want it, where you want it,” Bullock concluded.

“Play whatever you want, whenever you want it, where you want it.”

Technology 9

Escaping Through Cottagecore by Leland Goodrich | illustration by Yoonjung Cho | design by Genna Delvecchio

he demanding whirlwind of everyday life in society exponentially grows by the day as handmade sourdough bread loaves, picturesque open fields and an influx of interest in buying handmade crafts from the websites of self-promoted, small-scale artists, flood our internet feeds. Aspects like these have been seeping into mainstream internet culture for some time, and arguably, some would say they’ve always been a part of the human condition. Fueled by the newest advents of technology, tumultuous political climates and a seemingly endless pandemic, modern denizens are increasingly seeking the escapism provided by the internet phenomenon known as cottagecore.

But What Is Cottagecore? Cottagecore is a modern term created to describe an online community that began to embrace the values of rustic life. Depending on who you talk to, the elements of cottagecore can range from grainy Snapchat filters, to homemade candles being sold by a budding craftsman and even to video games such as “Animal Crossing.” Camila Silvera, a fourth year Biology major at RIT, provided a description for the concept of cottagecore. “Cottagecore is an aesthetic that values nature and a simple life away from the pressures of society,” she said.

“Cottagecore is an aesthetic that values nature and a simple life away from the pressures of society.”

Where the term exactly came from is not as clear as what it represents. Some people believe that the term originated from a series of TikTok videos that showcased some prominent aspects of cottagecore, while others believe it originated from a Tumblr feed with similar intentions. No matter which online platform it originated from, what’s clear is that cottagecore entered the mainstream through social media posts originating from the LGBTQ community that featured the desirable simplicity of cottagecore aesthetics. “Cottagecore specifically does have a lot of appeal for people who are more sapphic, women who are into women,” Silvera said. Although it was popularized by one community, cottagecore appeals to everyone regardless of race, sex or gender. It appeals to so many people simply because cottagecore is driven by something we have all historically needed, and that is the need to escape.

The Escapism Fueling Cottagecore One does not have to dig deep into the internet to see how mainstream cottagecore has become.

10 Culture

Could it be that such widespread interest in these activites as of late is a direct result of the pandemic and the prolonged quarantines many are forced to face? Possibly, but more likely the pandemic has simply served as a catalyst for the escapism that nearly all of us seek, and cottage core has become the perfect vehicle to deliver it in our current times. Abigail Buchman, a fourth year Game Design and Development major at RIT, explained the conditions that gave rise to cottagecore’s popularity. “Now that it’s like ‘we’re in a pandemic and it feels like everything about society is collapsing right now’, it [cottagecore] even more idealizes escape fantasy.”

“We’re in a pandemic and it feels like everything about society is collapsing right now.”” Cottagecore may be new as an internet phenomenon, but the charming rustic traits akin to cottagecore have always been an element to humanity. In fact, the Hameau de la Reine in Versailles, France served as a mock farm village for Marie Antoinette to go and pretend she was a regular peasant farmer, escaping her

obligations as queen of France. An escape allows us to take our minds away from the crazy world we need to enter daily in order to survive, even if only for a moment. So we find escapes by taking those vacations, going out on a Friday night and crafting things with our hands. But much of that came to a grinding halt once the pandemic struck. As a result, we became confined to our personal spaces, in search of another way to escape. Cottagecore was perfectly poised as an internet trend that could satisfy the craving for escape from a chaotic world. It was accessible enough so many could partake in something simply pleasing to do with its rustic qualities. While cottagecore gives us that escape, it simultaneously connects us in new ways through technology. “A key part of it [cottagecore] is wanting to escape there with someone ... finding community despite isolation,” Buchman said. Thus, as the pandemic rages on we find ourselves baking bread and tending to digital farm animals in video games. While cottagecore has become something many have begun to take part in to find their escape, it raises some other concerns among others about the message it could be sending.

manticizing colonialism and owning land and all that stuff,” Buchman said. Many of the popular aspects of cottagecore can be traced to the colonial time period where peasantry, serfdom, misogyny and even slavery were normal aspects of everyday life. Furthermore, some have even speculated that cottagecore could be weaponized as a platform to once again popularize the idea of gender roles, racism and fascist beliefs. “I’ve also seen people say that cottagecore becoming more popular is going to lead to fascists abusing the ideology to try and appeal to people ... but I don’t know if that’s necessarily going to be as big of an issue as some people make it out to be,” Buchman said. However you see cottagecore, it has become a mainstream phenomenon because it has allowed people to find simplicity and escapism in trying times. Cottagecore has done more than get people baking sourdough bread and posing in lush meadows — it has provided and outlet for comfort in an uncertain world. “If you’re going to be stuck at home, you might as well imagine you’re somewhere else and doing different things in a different place,” Silvera said.

Controversy in Cottagecore Culture

Cottagecore has drawn some criticism, primarily because it does evoke a time where political beliefs and cultural norms were backwards from the ones we hold today. “There’s a lot of conversations about ro-

Culture 11

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S A T U R D A Y M O O R R N N II N N G G M

illustration by Maeghan McKenzie by Tommy Delp | illustration and design by Neil Williamsonson design by Adrianna Petrusvv

by Karina Le | designed by Neil Williamson For decades, animation has been an artform relegated to the youth. You’d watch Saturday morning cartoons as a child, but then you’d move on with your life and stop. You’d find other things to watch like sports or the news. There’d be no more room for cartoons. Recently though, there has been a boom in the popularity of adult animation — animation is no longer just for kids. How did we get here, and does it have anything to do with Saturday morning?

EXAMINING SATURDAY MORNING

Film Reference covers the history of television animation. The surprisingly young artform originated in the ‘60s, and the format introduced some new constraints for the industry. To keep up with television, cartoons had to be produced cheap and fast. Television animation studios were unable to keep up with the consistent and gorgeous animation of studio films. Shows in the ‘60s and ‘70s like “The Flintstones” and “Scooby-Doo, You!” showcased a new style influenced by limited animation and short production times. For many, the lower quality of these programs only reinforced the idea that animation was only for kids. The ‘80s saw a rise in the amount of television animation, but suffered from its own form of quality issues. While the animation itself had improved, these shows weren’t exactly morally sound. Most were made with the explicit intention to advertise and sell products to children. Due to the creation of several networks aimed directly at children, the ‘90s proved to be the first decade with all-around high quality television animation. Rylee Arenson is a second year Film and Animation student and secretary for RIT’s Animation Club. These are the cartoons she grew

12 Technology 1212Culture Culture

up with. “Adult animation has become so much more popular in the past couple of years because current young adults still enjoy the cartoons of their own childhood. Things like ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’ and ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ still hold up,” Arenson said. Not too surprisingly, the generation that grew up with Nicktoons and Cartoon Network are the ones who have found themselves increasingly enthralled by adult animation. Not only did the quality of animation shift in the ‘90s, so did the culture. The stigma around watching animation as an adult no longer exists for the current generation. Original adult animation classics like “The Simpsons” and “South Park” also found their footing in the exact same era. Jonathan Seligson is an animation lecturer in the College of Art and Design and an anima-

tor himself. He teaches History and Aesthetics of Animation, a course that examines major trends in animation, such as adult animation. “Animated shows aimed at adult audiences have been around long enough that a lot of children in the ‘80s and ‘90s grew up with adult animation,” he said. Overall, while it may come as a surprise to some, the current influx of more adult animated shows has been a culmination of decades worth of other cartoons.

CHANGING THE PROGRAM So, for the first time, there is a rabid and large fanbase for animation aimed at adults. What exactly is adult animation, and what do people look for in it? “There is a wide variety of what we define as adult animation. Sometimes, purely, the

“Sometimes,purely, purely,the the “Sometimes, contentisistoo tooadult adultfor for content children. “ children.

content is too adult for children. Other times, it’s adult because the subject matter would go over children’s heads or not be of interest to them,” Seligson said. Early adult animation often fits into the former category. A show like “Family Guy” isn’t suited for children, not because they wouldn’t understand it, but because of the fear that they might. The content is often sexual, violent and vulgar. In these early shows, the novelty came from dealing with very adult situations in a children’s medium. Today though, adult animation varies a bit more in its structure and delivery. “Shows today are a little more nuanced when targeted toward adults,” Seligson said. “Older audiences can perceive more subtle humor and themes.” While viewers often come for the humor, it’s the themes they usually stick around for. Developed characters and relatable situations are a touchstone of adult animation. Animated shows, due to their colorful presentation, are often able to handle tough situations without

being completely dour. “Animation often sugarcoats things in a non-excessive way. You can relate with what the characters are going through, but you can also still enjoy the show,” said Arenson. Along with other animated programs, adult animation has to face competition from adult live-action fare. “Animation is much more freeing in terms of the types of stories you can tell. It can be very fantastical, but you can also mimic what’s done in live action,” Seligson said. This mimicry does not extend both ways though. Often, there is a huge stylistic element to animation that is not present within the live-action world. “You can’t replicate the things that go on in an average ‘Rick and Morty’ episode in live action,” Seligson stated.

Animation of any kind often provides warmth to the viewer. Maybe it’s the bright colors or the varied design, but no matter what topic a program covers, there’s a simplicity to the art. That simplicity is often good at preaching themes and lessons. Whether you’re an adult or a child, there is always more to learn, and animation of all kinds understands that. Maybe this is why so many adults often find themselves watching cartoons meant for children, even despite the programming aimed directly at children. “‘Steven Universe’ is comfortably a children’s show. That’s how it was marketed and produced, but it has found an adult fanbase that appreciates it and understands its underlying themes,” Seligson said. Clearly, no matter what age, we all seem to have good tastes in cartoons. show.

GRAB A BOWL

Adult animation can be very different from its children’s counterpart. The overlapping elements may actually be more important to the whole though.

“Animationoften oftensugarcoats sugarcoatsthings thingsin inaanon-excessive non-excessiveway. way. “Animation Youcan canrelate relatewith withwhat whatthe thecharacters charactersare aregoing goingthrough, through,but but You youcan canalso alsostill stillenjoy enjoythe theshow.” show.” you

Culture Culture13 13

AYL [

14 Culture

at Your Leisure ] design by Adrianna Petrus

illustration by Maeghan McKenzie

Remembrance

M O R

“You’re not the Devil, and I’m not the Devil’s Advocate.”

STORIES O N L I N E

REPORTER.RIT.EDU

People who think that criminal defendants are horrible humans have never been arrested. They don’t understand the crushing embarrassment that comes with a DWI or criminal charge. Being arrested is one of the most stressful and anxiety-producing events a person can experience. You don’t know if you are going to jail. You don’t know what is going to happen to your job or your education. Are you going to lose your license? You don’t know how your friends and family are going to react. It’s absolutely awful. So… if you know someone who is facing a criminal charge, have some courtesy, have some sympathy, and some taste. Use all your well-learned politesse, and give me a call. P. Adam Militello, Esq. (585) 485-0025 https://rochesternyDWI.lawyer

CLOSING THE GAP by Leland Goodrich illustration by Sara Calhoun design by Neil Williamson

enerations of human beings have shaped the world as we know it today. From the Greatest Generation to Gen-Z, the actions of each generation have set the tone for the next in succession, whether they knew it or not. Every generation has had major issues that it has had to grapple with, and the way these issues are handled permanently places a generation into the annals of history. Wars, plagues, storms and political movements have all forced the people of a generation to develop in some way. Over this year, the COVID-19 outbreak has forced the world into a new normal which has tested the resolve of multiple generations 16 Features

as society deals with economic, social and, more importantly, human losses. The recent pandemic has led many in today’s world to wonder how previous generations of humans made it through the defining and challenging times of their own periods. Sitting down with some of our local community members gave us insight into how issues are handled by each generation. Additionally, it showed us how each generation configures itself with the technology, culture and political environments of their times. Enlightened by the trying times the pandemic has brought on, knowing how different generations view societal issues through their own experiences and what advice they have

for the future is something that everyone can benefit from.

WHAT DEFINES A GENERATION? A generation is often defined by the most historically relevant moments which challenged the society. While these moments can be filled with inspirational and uplifting stories, they too can be a generation’s darkest days. We’ve seen both inspiration and darkness recently with our own struggles brought on by the mass pandemic. It may seem hard to recall, but this isn’t the first time humanity has had to grapple with the challenges of a pandemic.

As the world dealt with the closing of the First World War, the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 swept the globe. Lasting over two years, the pandemic claimed the lives of millions of people without prejudice. For many in the generations of today, this may be the first time they have had to deal with the perils of quarantining, isolation and medical protocols the COVID-19 pandemic has

makes each one different. With an influx of experience from a range of different generations, there are things that make up the viewpoints that separate one generation from another.

IN RETROSPECT Marcia Beattie, the senior academic adviser for the College of Liberal Arts at RIT, recalled a

“Be open to new opportunities academically or socially, be willing to take chances and don’t follow someone else’s lead. Try to make your own path.”

brought on. But perils and hardship are no stranger to the defining points of human history. Today’s generations are well versed in it. Since overcoming the 1918 pandemic, generations alive today have fought a Second World War, staved off nuclear conflict, expanded civil rights and confronted a plethora of other worldwide challenges. If history has taught humanity anything, it is that we are resilient. The COVID-19 pandemic indeed may be some of our most challenging times generationally, but it is also a defining moment. These moments say a lot about what defines a generation, but it says little about what

pivotal historical moment that shaped her generation: the Vietnam War. She recounted being with her fiancé and listening to the television broadcast as a lottery system determined who would get to stay home, in addition to who would be sent off to war in Vietnam. “He went up for two physicals and he was next on the list, and then they discontinued the lottery for a while, so he never had to go,” she said. The necessity of the war in Vietnam has been greatly debated and the turmoil it caused in the U.S. is undeniable. The impact it had on the generation at the time would be so impactful that its effects can still be seen in modern

society. The effects of the war would be felt for a long time. The policies to come out of the war still affect the functioning of our government today and the experiences the war created for that time period is something that separates generations today. For Beattie, one important aspect for future generations to consider is the experiences of the preceding generations, as the trials and tribulations of one generation are important for the next generation to learn from. “That’s why it’s so important that college students are exposed to the liberal arts and not just homed in on engineering or computer science,” she said. “They need to know what’s going on in the world.” Yet, the historical challenges that separate one generation from the next are not the only things affecting why generations are different. “Technology has affected social norms too,” Beattie explained. The technology available to a society is something else that can largely influence how one generation differs from another. The social media we know and love today has made the new normal caused by the COVID-19 outbreak a viable, yet still undesirable, transition for many. Technology, such as video conferencing or instant delivery services, allows us to still connect and enjoy creature comforts while isolated in our homes. For those that can’t stay isolated at home, these technologies have helped front line workers by making therapy, music and other psychological beneficial services more accessible through personal electronics. That technology is a far cry from the technology available during the 1918 pandemic or the Vietnam War. Building off her points on technology and experiences, Beattie also pointed out that while it’s great that society advances into the future, it’s equally important that we help those who have come before us. “I think there should be more consideration for senior citizens, more opportunities for housing and things like that,” she said. The historical events faced by society may define a generation, but it is the individuals of a generation that ultimately make overcoming the challenge possible. Learning from, improving on and caring for the individuals that came before us is something that each succeeding generation should seek to achieve. Past generations offer future generations the ability of hindsight for the challenges they will be facing in their own times. Features 17

With that in mind, generational gaps still exist and the hindsight from predecessors can be limited in their use.

A CHANGING PACE

Nicole Solazzo, a fifth year School Counseling major at the University of Rochester, cited the noticeable generational gap she has with her mom as evidence of a changing pace in society. She talked about how in her mother’s youth, her mother never had access to a cell phone and leaving the house for four to five hours at a time without being in contact with her parents was normal. Despite this gap, with the advent of technology nowadays, Solazzo’s mom expects her to check in routinely and not doing so creates worry. She also noted her experience in customer service. As technology such as modern delivery services gives us access to instantaneous goods, society becomes more demanding of its individuals. “I think [technology] has caused a lot of people to be in a hurry,” she said. “If you’re not fast enough, the customer gets annoyed.” The demands from society today for better and faster everything is growing. Examples like these technological changes in society can change social norms and create

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a new expectation from generations to come. The change in pace between generations is not something new. The telegraph, railroad, automobile and, of course, the internet all made one generation faster than the next. “Technology is that constant access to media, constantly needing to know everything,” Solazzo said. Where technology will go from where it is today is unknown, but the technology we rely upon will too become a part of what defines our generation.

“There needs to be less of a focus on what everyone else is doing in their life and more of a focus on what you’re doing in yours.”

CLOSING THE GAP We’ve seen that generations can be different due to their social norms, experiences and technological advances. But generations are not as different from one another as they may seem. The way we handle problems and challenges are what make and define generations. But over the course of history, we have always faced similar problems. As stated earlier, these challenges may be unique to one generation, but they are not unique to humanity. The flu outbreak of 1918 peaked over 100 years ago, but we still draw lessons learned from that generation’s experience to help today’s generation through events such as the modern quarantine. However, despite these similarities, there is no doubt that generational gaps exist. The individual who relies on a phone call riffs with the person who relies on an emoji, even if both actions are accomplishing the task of communication. Much of the societal gaps that exist today are due to one generation not being able to relate to the trying experiences that affected the lives of preceding generations. Knowing that what makes our generations different are the experiences we go through in our own lifetimes, what are some things we can do as individuals to close the gap between

one another in society? Beattie had some advice for future generations on how they can prepare themselves for the future and for closing the gap with others. “Be open to new opportunities academically or socially, be willing to take chances and don’t follow someone else’s lead,” she said. “Try to make your own path.” New opportunities can mean more than just a new a job, a new location or a new degree. It can mean learning about someone else’s history and experiences by doing things such as volunteering, advocating and contributing. By doing things like these, we not only improve ourselves, but we connect with other people outside of our own generations to grow and diversify ourselves for the future. For Solazzo, her advice for future generation was to take a break from the constantly

connected world of the digital age. She argued that so much of our own time is spent following what’s trending on social media platforms and staying up to speed with celebrities. That time browsing social media takes away from time we could be using to focus on the things that are truly important to ourselves. “There needs to be less of a focus on what everyone else is doing in their life and more of a focus on what you’re doing in yours,” Solazzo said. Maybe the things trending on social media or the lives of socialites are important to you. But the constant and habitual scrolling through newsfeeds can only bring more of the same. If there are topics or persons that are important to you, individual honing activities

such as reading or writing are things you can do to add to your interest all while expanding your knowledge of other generations. Ultimately though, the best way to have a better connection with those outside of your generation is to have a level of sensitivity to one another. There are many things today that pull at the threads of our society, but generational differences don’t have to be one of them. If anything, what makes us different generationally should be experiences that others can learn from and benefit from. By closing the gap between generations, we can make a more diverse, knowledgeable and capable future that combines the experiences of all individuals.

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GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND

M I S I N F O R M AT I O N by Morgan LaMere | photography by MoniQue Gosselin | design by Neil Williamson

n March 30, 2020, Daniel Prude died after being detained by Rochester police officers. It wouldn’t be until body cams of the officers were released in early September 2020 that protests would begin in earnest in Rochester over the event. Similar to events sparked across the country, these protests would be mostly nonviolent and centered around government buildings. Protests often included blocking off traffic and access to the city hall, among other activities.

GOVERNMENT WORKERS Alex Yudelson is the chief of staff for the Office of the Mayor in Rochester. His role includes helping the mayor with the day-to-day

operations of city hall. “When you’re working in government, you’re paid for by the people, so city hall is the people’s house and people have the right to protest and they certainly have the right to be upset from what happened,” Yudelson said. As someone who is part of senior staff and a government official, he claims they should not be offended or upset at minor inconveniences making it hard to get to or leave work. “When you work in public service, you are held to a higher standard and that has to be true with not only police officers but also government employees,” Yudelson continued. Yet there have been reports of more dangerous inconveniences both in and outside of Rochester. According to an anonymous source that works in the city government, they have felt affected or even threatened numerous

times. “Mainly when they evacuate the whole building, it’s happened a few times. One was an anthrax threat, one was a bomb threat, the other was when they [the protestors] surrounded the whole building,” they said. At least one of the threats was corroborated by News10NBC who reported that Rochester City Hall had been evacuated due to a calledin bomb threat that turned out to be a false alarm. While our anonymous source and others have not been personally threatened, they commented the mayor had primarily been the target of the protestors. “I understand the concept, I just think [vandalizing] city hall isn’t the most effective way to go about it,” they claimed. However, these claims have been tested and it is not as straightforward as it seems.

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE OR MISREPRESENTED? Yudelson had not experienced or heard of any serious bomb threats or threats of a similar nature when asked. “Nothing that serious, no, city hall was locked down for a period of time because protestors wouldn’t let anyone in or out of the building,” he said. “But I didn’t feel threatened, none of the protestors were violent or anything.” Yudelson doesn’t believe those threats to safety or anything like that to be a real issue. Our anonymous source further commented that these claims about bomb and anthrax threats were relayed to them by word of mouth within their department. “I don’t want to sit here and say it is, that’s just what I was informed,” they said. “There were no official [announcements] or anything like that.” Furthermore, they described their department coworkers as being more on the conservative side,

“

with everyone they work with being against the whole movement.

When you're working in government,

Outside the city of Rochester, however, there have been confirmed cases of such threats. The

you're paid for by the people,

Associated Press reported federal buildings being

so city hall is the people's house...

tails being thrown at precincts and government

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closed after a car bomb threat and Molotov cockbuildings

“ These differing reports make it difficult to discern where the truth lies, whether serious threats are not being reported or that government workers’ views on the movement have influenced their perceptions of what happened.

THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION Alternate stories and the spread of misinformation have been a defining theme over the course of the protests. Many officials and media outlets claim that protests are only or mostly peaceful and ignore the violence. Others, however, capitalize on the violence and claim the protests are nothing more than riots, and that law and order should be restored. Rumors and stories of undercover police officers starting violence in protests have been widespread while others fervently claim it is the

and people have the right to protest and they certainly have the right to be upset from what happened.

protestors themselves. Protestors call for justice reform and fairness while others claim they want violent revolution and destruction of values. Whatever beliefs you hold, there is likely media and a narrative supporting it. This disinformation can be actively harmful as we search for the truth, especially as we are kept home by the pandemic and isolated from outside sources. Back in May 2020, the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester discussed claims that the protests opened the way for outside groups such as Antifa and primarily white rioters to cause widespread violence in Rochester. “I know that in Rochester and elsewhere there has been intelligence that some sort of outside agitators may want to damage or set fire to important buildings, but I think a lot of that is sometimes just secondhand hearsay,” Yudelson said. While the majority of the protests are peaceful, many of the threats targeted government workers with no involvement in policy-making who are simply doing their jobs. When asked if they’d considered leaving their job, the anonymous source said, “There have been thoughts ... I’m just not sure if any job is worth risking your life if you’re not that passionate about it.” It is important to consider the people that could be harmed, both physically and mentally, by violent actions or threats. However, this cannot discredit the non-violent Black Lives Matter protests acting for change; they have a right to protest and be heard. “They deserve to have a chance to hold you accountable and to express how they are feeling, and that’s a fundamental right in a functioning democracy to the extent that in this country we have a functioning democracy left in this year of 2020,” Yudelson stated.

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THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CONSPIRACY THEORIES by Victoria Sebastian design by Neil Williamson

ake a moment and think about as many conspiracy theories as you can. Quite a few probably come to mind. There are hundreds of conspiracies out there that range from believable to outlandish. There are also many who believe in these theories — you may even be one of them! Why do so many people believe in conspiracy theories? In order to uncover the answer, we must first understand what a conspiracy theory is.

WHAT IS A CONSPIRACY THEORY? There are different ways you can define a conspiracy theory that usually revolve around the idea of secrecy. Both Nicholas DiFonzo and Daniel Jolley have spent their time researching this specific topic and both provided similar definitions. DiFonzo is a professor of Psychology at RIT while Jolley is a senior lecturer located at Northumbria University in the U.K. “It is a rumor ... [a conspiracy theory] has an exclusionary theme where a secret powerful group is harming a weaker set of people,” DiFonzo said. Jolley’s definition was that “there’s a perceived powerful group, doing something in secret for their own sinister gain.” Conspiracy theories are not a new concept either; they have been around for a long period of time. The only difference lies in the avenues used to spread these theories. “Back in the day, a conspiracy was spread by letters to an editor ... [conspiracy theories] are published in magazines and newspapers. They were talked about on the radio,” explained Jolley. Now, with one click, a theory can be shared to millions via the internet. 22 Features

WHY DO WE BELIEVE? In any given year, according to The Washington Post, about half of the general public believes in a least one conspiracy theory, especially when a crisis occurs. Jolley talked more about certain catalysts for believers. He explained, “It can be outbreaks, it can be political change, terrorist attacks — it’s a situation that breeds uncertainty and anxiety ... It makes us out of touch with reality in a way where we’re trying to understand what’s happening.” Distrust is also a proponent when it comes to ‘conspiracizing’, as DiFonzo explained. “Whenever there is a great deal of distrust in official information sources ... then we tend to get more rumors in general,” he said. “Because of that lack of trust, that provides fertile ground for these conspiracy theories that can make sense of things that need explanation.” This is shown in theories such as 9/11 being an inside job or COVID-19 being caused by the government.

“It makes us out of touch with reality in a way where we’re trying to understand what’s happening.”

“Because of the lack of trust, that provides fertile ground for these conspiracy theories ... “

WHO’S MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE? There are also certain characteristics that might make some more prone to believing in conspiracy theories. Some people may simply want to go against the norm and feel unique. These individuals may be more likely to believe in something that makes them feel special. “If you have the desire to be unique, to have unique knowledge, a conspiracy offers that potential,” Jolley said. This can be seen in theories about extraterrestrials or UFOs.

Other times it is a lot more complicated. If you are from a disadvantaged group, you may be more susceptible to believing in theories. “If you’ve already experienced discrimination in the past, then you’re more likely to be hyper vigilant to look for it in the future,” Jolley explained. “If they’ve done it to me before, why can’t they do it to me again?” An example of this can be seen in theories that Hitler is still alive and conspiracies about target-directed energy weapons. Lastly, sometimes people simply believe in conspiracy theories for the fun of it. A running joke in the Reporter office is the belief in the Mothman. It is often fun to joke about these theories, and in most cases it doesn’t cause any harm. However, there are certain instances where conspiracizing canto can be quite dangerous. Anti-vaxxers, for example, have caused once -gone illness to come back into society, such as the measles resurgence. We must do what we can to ensure that our generation and future generations have the skills they need in order to ask questions and evaluate the evidence — to steer clear from any dangerous theories. This doesn’t mean we should argue with theorists or patronize them for their beliefs. Instead, start a conversation, introduce differing facts, calm any anxieties or fears that may be present and gain their trust. Much is unknown in the world and people

THE DANGER IN BELIEVING Believing in some conspiracy theories can be detrimental to many. An example Jolley gave was the conspiracy that vaccines are not safe. It is a known fact that some non-vaxxers have caused once gone illness to come back into society, such as the measles resurgence.

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LONGEST OFFSEASON by Miles A. Hood | illustration by Sahana Maheswaran | design by Adrianna Petrus

hen the global pandemic hit, students didn’t know how to react. They were told they had an extra week of spring break, but by the end of that week they found out that no one was returning to classes, clubs or even campus. For student athletes, this meant an abrupt end to their season. Until recently, these RIT Tigers have been in the longest offseason ever.

IT CAME AS A SHOCK Natalie Barrera is a second year Mechanical Engineering major and member of the RIT Softball team. “We had just done really well in our [preseason] tournament and afterwards our coach came back crying, saying ‘This is it!” Barrera said. She had her first season with the team cut short due to COVID-19, while down at a tournament in Florida. Ava Vescovi ran into similar problems at the end of last season. Vescovi is a third year Marketing major and part of the Women’s Volleyball team. “We were supposed to start the week after spring break ended and it all got cancelled ... like two days before like two days before,” Vescovi said. While everyone prepared to head home and embark to online classes, student athletes were left wondering what would come next.

PLANNING ON THE FLY Vescovi said, “There was a ton of uncertainty [through the summer]. At first we were confused, we thought we were going to have a regular [fall] season ... we were all doing our training programs.” For most, the living room became a home gym and the same can be said for RIT’s student athletes. These workouts developed by 24 Wellness

RIT’s head Strength and Conditioning coach featured at-home variations of traditional offseason workout programs due to gyms being closed. The workouts did not come without its challenges. “I live with older family members so I could not workout as much as I would have liked, but the workouts were great when I could do them,” Barrea said. Vescovi had a similar view and described the workout as stability in all the madness. Regardless of the challenges put in front of them, these athletes were determined to make the best of the worst possible situation.

AN UNUSUAL HOMECOMING Upon the return to campus, athletes were told to come to practice if they can, but with no pressure on them to return if they didn’t believe it to be safe. To ensure safety, the Liberty League with athletic directors, presidents and vice presidents from participating schools developed a “Return to Play” plan. You can find details on this plan at the RIT Atheletics website. This plan is based on the “Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition” from the NCAA that details the three phases that each university must go through before returning to competition. Highlights of Phase 1 include avoiding groups of 10 or more, gyms and common areas to remain closed, physical distancing should continue and virtual meetings should be held whenever possible. While Phase 2 wouldn’t start until at least 14 days after the first one ends, it does allow for nonessential travel to resume and recommends the number of people at gatherings be 50 or less. Vescovi said for volleyball, Phase 2 is passing back and forth, which they started in ear-

ly October. “It’s all very on the fly. We were told Friday that we can go into Phase 2 on Monday,” Vescovi said. The information is coming to the players and coaches as quickly as the executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics can get it out to them. Tiana Hose, a third year Biomedical Sciences student and member of RIT cheerleading said that she was participating in socially distanced practicing by dorms with some of the freshmen, as a way to build relationships and to improve skills before they can get back into the gym. By the end of September, RIT’s Women’s Crew, Women’s Volleyball, Cheerleading and Softball had all entered the second phase of the plan and were focusing on building to their in-season form. “[Now] I try and lift around twice a week … I feel rusty ... I can’t wait to get back in tune with my skills and work with my teammates again,” Barrea said.

THE GAMES WILL CONTINUE...EVENTUALLY For seniors with a spring season, the hope for a final hurrah is still alive. But with fall sports being canceled, sports like Volleyball, Cheerleading and Crew have to wait and prepare for the fall 2021 season. Melissa Rockhill, a fifth year Chemical Engineering major and Captain of Women’s Crew at RIT described her feelings on the whole ordeal. “[Crew] is the best decision I made in college ... I’ll probably never row on the water again, which sucks but it’s not about that. Meeting up with the 30 or so girls that come to the boathouse where we practice is what it’s all about.

If it all gets better I’d love to row 8’s again with the people that I’ve trained with these past four years,” More importantly Rockhill wants “to keep the legacy going. Letting the freshman know that the end of the tunnel is hopefully next year.” Rockhill said. For those fall sport athletes that still have some time left here in Brick City, they won’t have to fear losing a year of eligibility as the NCAA has allowed a “blanket waiver” to cover them. A similar waiver was given to those who lost their spring season when everything was first shut down. Beyond the eligibility rules, student-athletes here at RIT are looking forward to starting their seasons in the spring.

“ It’s all very on the fly. ” Cheerleading is still hopeful that they can participate in the National Cheerleaders Association College National tournament in the spring.

Barrera is excited to have her initial season with the softball team after having it cut short. With or without a season, these Tigers are ready for the games to begin.

“ I can’t wait to get back in tune with my skills and work with my teammates again. ” Wellness 25

DANGERS OF THE

BINARY

by Kasey Mathews | illustration by Jess Edwards | design by Gabriella Licona

his or that. Black or white. Good or evil. Liberal or conservative. Man or woman. We encounter binary language every day of our lives. Something is always one thing or another, and we categorize based on those two options. Yet, our world is anything but binary — when exactly does day end and night begin? Is it a noticeable difference one minute to the next? Forcing a binary onto a non-binary world often leads to more harm than good, and for evidence of that we should look no further than our perceptions of gender.

WHAT AND WHY? Binary refers to a system composed of two parts. In the case of the gender binary, these two parts are “male” and “female.” Western society typically places each person into one of these two categories, and many are upset when someone does not adhere to the assigned roles of their binary category. However, this binary system is an artifact of an outdated understanding of the human body. For centuries, there was a belief that all people were of a single universal sex, with a woman’s body being simply the inverse of a man’s. According to this one-sex theory, one would be able to move “up and down a ladder” within that sex based upon different actions and biological processes. According to UC Berkeley Professor Thomas Lacquer, “someone having a nosebleed was [experiencing] nominally the same physiological process as menstruating.” Therefore, that person would be viewed as more feminine. There were even reports within medieval texts of women who would become men during puberty when their genitalia finally “dropped” from their bodies. Obviously, this has since been disproven, and research has found that sex is determined — among other factors — chiefly by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome, though this conclusion still ignores the 1–2 in 100 people who are born intersex.

SEX AND GENDER Conflating sex and gender leads to barriers in identity and self-expression. To deny this opportunity for self-identification is to stifle the emotional growth and stability of that individual. This is where the issue of the binary comes into play. A binary world normalizes an identity dichotomy. According to the binary, you are either a man or a woman, and those two are opposites of one another. But then, if one trait is identified with one of these gender identities, the pitfalls of the dichotomy lead to assumptions that the opposite trait must be true for the “opposite” gender. If a man is strong, a woman must be fragile. If a man is proud, a woman must be humble. This is the origin of gender roles. We now better understand and accept that

“IF IT WAS REALLY ‘NATURAL’ TO BE A WOMAN OR A MAN, WHY DO PEOPLE SPEND SO MUCH TIME TELLING CHILDREN HOW TO DO IT?”

26 Views

not all men must be physically strong — that does not make them any less of a man. Likewise, not all women are fragile, and that certainly makes them no less womanly. Yet, gender roles still persist, as do other stereotypes of the “two” genders. Many argue that such conformity into the

binary is necessary, as it falls within the “natural order,” but there is little natural about a society’s dictation on how a person should and should not act. In the words of Margaret Gibbon in her book “Feminist Perspectives on Language,” “if it was really ‘natural’ to be a woman or a man, why do people spend so much time telling children how to do it?”

TRAUMA WHERE IT ALWAYS IS During childhood, you are typically assumed to be the gender that matches your sex assigned at birth. You’re then exposed to things stereotypically associated with that gender. Boys get trucks, girls get dolls. Because this is the standard, we have “special” names for those who branch out and find alternative interests as kids. How many boys were seen as something other than manly? How many were called names for their “girly” interests and habits; names that shouldn’t be reprinted here? How many were called names by their own parents? Or had “accepting” parents who still

“They’re pigeonholed into conformity and forced to wear what others expect of them, speak the way their gender is “supposed” to speak.” fed their child coded language like, “Oh, you’re dating a girl? We were worried there for a while, congratulations.” Even for those who remain within the gender binary — those who identify with the gender that corresponds with their sex assigned at birth — the binary still packs a punch. They’re pigeonholed into conformity and forced to wear what others expect of them and speak the way their gender is “supposed” to speak. These words and actions can have lasting effects on someone and cause serious selfdoubt throughout the rest of their lives. Often, it causes a lifelong struggle for acceptance and

a mistrust of others. But what of those who don’t conform?

BEYOND THE BINARY As mentioned previously, many individuals are born intersex. They are neither fully male nor female. How are they supposed to fit into the gender binary? How are they expected to identify and present themselves? The pressure of the gender binary can force someone in this situation to lose touch with a key part of their identity. They may be pressured to present themselves as a boy or a girl, depending on what others deem is most appropriate. Further, there are those who may be born within the sex binary, but who do not identify with it. They may feel that they do not identify with either gender, or that perhaps they identify with both. Those who are genderfluid may feel an affinity for one gender over others dependent upon the day. The reality is that gender comprises so

”It’s not just okay to discover your gender for yourself; I argue that it’s besT to do so.” many disparate ideas and identities, and humans are diverse in every imaginable way. To reduce this down to a binary “this or that” is a dangerous oversimplification. It’s not just okay to discover your gender for yourself; I argue that it’s best to do so. You may discover a closer connection to the gender identity others had always assumed for you, or you may find yourself identifying with another gender entirely — or perhaps an identity outside the gender spectrum altogether. But to truly explore gender, one has to set aside the binary. The world is hardly black and white, and gender is no exception.

OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY OF THE STUDENTS AND DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF REPORTER.

W.O.T.S.

What is one thing that makes you happy? Compiled by Evie Linantud | designed by Mikaela Barlow

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“Riding a bicycle makes me happy. I like getting out for some exercise. My favorite time of day to go biking is right between classes, or when it's not too hot, not too cold. I love bicycling with my wife.” - Ted Kinsman, Professor

“The peace and quiet of nature. When you’re out somewhere but you can’t hear or see any other people you get disconnected from the world in a way. There’s so much going on in the world, it’s a truly good way to let go.” - Derek Oliwa, Third Year Photographic Sciences

“The one thing that makes me happy is money because if I want something specific, I'll be able to get it.” - Olu Onifade, First Year General Science and Biomedical Sciences

“Volleyball makes me happy, especially playing now. It’s been easier to get to know some people and it’s good exercise. And it’s always fun.” - Emma McCarthy, First Year Illustration 28 Views

“One thing that makes me happy is being able to relax and take time to take care of myself. Good mental health = happiness.” - Zakaryah Scruggs, First Year Biochemistry

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“Something that makes me happy are the subs from the Commons. I love getting a sub and unwinding with an episode of Bob’s Burgers.” - Brady Lax, First Year Computer Science

“Getting the perfect photograph. When all the elements line up, light, timing, composition, and the moment come together to create a beautiful image - that feeling just can't be beaten. Also cats, I love cats.” - Eakin Howard, Fourth Year Photojournalism

“The first thing that pops into my head is my kids. If I was allowed to pick two I would say my kids and pizza.” - Kristoffer Whitney, Professor OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY OF THE STUDENTS AND DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF REPORTER. Views 29

RINGS

compiled by Marilyn Wolbert | illustration by Meya Goel | design by Mikaela Barlow

“Call me crazy, but everyone looks better covered in blood”

Sunday, Sept. 2020 at 5:32 p.m.

“The US isn’t a real country. It’s just three corporations stacked in a trench coat.” Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 at 5:14 p.m.

“Only one of us can have a horrible self-esteem and I’ve called dibs”

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2020 at 8:22 a.m.

“Coconuts are mammals” Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 at 2 p.m.

“Who needs condoms? You’re wearing a turtleneck” Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at 12:08 a.m.

RIT’s ONLY DIGITAL CONFESSIONAL

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“Please practice safe sex and refrain from murder.” ALL CALLS AND TEXTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO EDITING AND TRUNCATION. STATEMENTS DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF REPORTER.

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