Vol. 13 Issue 3 by Backdrop Magazine

SPRING 2020

Beautiful Figures

p. 18

Advocating Cultural Competency p. 22

Grounds for Acceptance p. 28

THEBODY BODY ISSUE THE ISSUE

Letter from the Editor

Ally Lanasa | Editor-in-Chief backdropmag@gmail.com

At the start of a new decade, people have great aspirations for the year ahead: to challenge their physical and academic limits; to determine their purposes beyond their roles as students, employees and friends; to better their mental health and to further demand justice for all lives. They resolve to value their bodies more and protect the dignity of themselves and those around them. However, those goals often get abandoned after the first month because the gym is too crowded to use a preferred machine or there is no time to join a support group between a part-time job and a full class schedule. In The Body Issue, we highlight individuals who exemplify how to nurture respect within their communities, how to admire diverse perspectives, how to strengthen others and how to embrace self-love every day. This issue is dedicated to leaders of inclusivity at Ohio University and throughout Athens County. Associate Editor Rachael Beardsley investigated the efforts of The Office for University Accessibility Services to accommodate the needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors of OU with physical and sensory disabilities (pg. 8). Christina Jenkins, associate director for student accessibility, stressed the importance of evaluating each person rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to provide equal access on the Athens campus. Web Editor Eleanor Bishop spoke with Athens-based artist April D. Felipe about using ceramics as a vehicle to understand her identity as a Latin American woman. Learn about how Felipe also incorporates images of fairytales into her artwork to depict a yearning to belong (pg. 34). Writer Maya Meade shares her experiences of growing up and living in a “gray area” as a biracial woman and how she accepted the cultural differences in her family (pg. 45). After years of feeling like an “other,” Meade learned her narrative was not uncommon among biracial children. Now, she appreciates what her racial identity has taught her about intersectionality. Consider how her story could help you discover what makes you who you are. I hope our third and themed issue encourages you to rejoice in the wonders of the body. I hope our storytelling inspires you to accomplish your new year’s resolutions. Lastly, in the words of author E. Lockhart, I hope you learn to “be a little kinder than you have to” both to yourself and those around you. Best,

backdrop | Spring 2020

SPRING 2020 » VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3

Contact Alecia Moquin 740.592.5262 or 740.591.6498 alecia@diversifiedproperties.net

Welcome to Madison Heights... Located centrally on East State and Madison, within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and OU campus.

9 MADISON

A re-creation of the former Athens Flower Shop, there are two (2) newly constructed, two-bedroom apartments. Each with two bathrooms, washer-dryer, open kitchen-dining-living rooms, plenty of natural light, and two parking spots for each apartment. August occupancy anticipated.

17 MADISON

Two newly constructed townhouses with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths each, with 2 parking spots for each townhome. Each townhome will have its own washer-dryer, and open kitchen-dining-living rooms. Please call to learn about this rental opportunity and its anticipated occupancy date.

UPPER APARTMENT

LOWER APARTMENT

Providing quality residential rental properties to the Athens Community for over 25 years!

Floor plans, photos and more information at www.diversifiedproperties.net

backdrop magazine EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ALLY LANASA MANAGING EDITOR GRACE DEARING ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR MICHAELA FATH WEB EDITOR ELEANOR BISHOP ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR NORA MCKEOWN COPY CHIEF AVERY KREEMER ASSISTANT COPY CHIEF JULIE CIOTOLA ASSOCIATE EDITORS RACHAEL BEARDSLEY, JESSICA DEYO, ALEXIS MCCURDY WRITERS CYDNEY CARPENTER, MELLISA GOODNITE, MAYA MEADE, ABIGAIL MULLIGAN, JESSICA RUTKOWSKI, EMMA STEFANICK, HELEN WIDMAN

PUBLISHER CLAIRE MCGEE CREATIVE DIRECTOR KAITLIN HENEGHAN ART DIRECTORS JESSICA COORS & ASHLEY LAFLIN DESIGNERS KALEIGH BOWEN, LAINEY DOUGLAS, MACEY ELDER, KIRSTEN KETCHUM, KATEY KRUBACK, MORGAN MEYER, ABIGAIL SUMMERS, MEGAN SYER, DEREK ZEMPER, IRIS ZWIRN PHOTO EDITOR MAX CATALANO PHOTOGRAPHERS ERIN BURK, LIAM DAVIS, JACOB DURBIN, ELLIE HABEL, ANDREW JOHNSON, ANDREW THOMPSON, JOE TIMMERMAN SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR SARAH TODACK

Want to advertise Interested in in Backdrop? working with us? Send an email to backdrop.publishing@gmail.com to get started.

SEE "STRENGTH

Stop by one of our weekly meetings at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in RTV 265.

& POWER" PAGE 36

The Ohio Olympic Fencing Club practices three styles of fencing for competitions. Photo by Andrew Thompson

backdrop | Spring 2020

CONTENTS FEATURES

GLOBALIZING ATHENS

An OU faculty member encourages students to recognize their social impact beyond campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

GRANT THEM SERENITY

A women’s rehabilitation center offers a safe space for Athens residents to recover from addiction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Q&A

CALENDAR

A registered dietician shares her expertise on maintaining a healthy diet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The best events in Athens this spring. . . . . . . . 32

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE DROP

ACCESS FOR ALL

OU’s Student Accessibility Services allows students with physical and sensory disabilities to navigate campus with ease. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

COMMUNITY

A BEACON OF LIGHT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MOLDING AN IDENTITY

A ceramic artist explores cultural identity. . . . 34

SPORTS

STRENGTH & POWER

Student organizations provide ways to stay active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Beacon School cultivates an accepting environment for students with disabilities. . . . 10

HEALTH

FOOD

Experts discuss how to identify hazing and prevent it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

NOURISHING COMMUNITY

An Athens food store is dedicated to providing the community with natural foods and supplements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

RECIPE

TIME-OAT

Try a dairy alternative with this homemade oat milk recipe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Cover by Liam Davis; Model: Abby Bentley

ON THE BRICKS

INFOGRAPHIC UNDER CONTROL

Learn about the different types of contraceptives currently on the market. . . . . 16

SEEING PAST THE HAZE

BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Rural areas experience obstacles when seeking mental health resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

THE COST OF ADDICTION

The director of a local recovery program strives to combat opioid addiction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

RECOVERED

Resources at OU aid students with eating disorders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

VOICES

THE SKIN I’M IN One biracial Backdropper finds her voice . . . 45

PHOTO STORY

EXHIBIT A Student uses digital art to interpret identity . . . 46

Figure modeling promotes body positivity and empowerment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

PHOTO HUNT Spot the five differences between these photos

ART EMBODIED

SPRING 2020 » VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3

of a CHAARG event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

backdropmagazine.com

Q&A

FOOD FOR

THOUGHT A registered dietician and professor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions shares her tips to maintain a nutritious diet. BY GRACE DEARING PHOTO BY ELLIE HABEL ILLUSTRATIONS BY MEGAN SYER

etween classes, campus jobs and student organizations, college students are constantly trying to find a balanced lifestyle. One aspect that is often neglected in that process is a consistent healthy diet. Deb Murray, a professor at Ohio University and registered dietician (RD), highlights the importance of a nutrient-rich diet. Murray, who has been an RD for 30 years and an educator for 15 years, shares advice about nutrition. b

WHAT SETS REGISTERED DIETICIANS APART FROM OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL OR OFFER DIETARY TIPS? Our profession does have a scope of practice [which is] very important to protect not only dieticians but also to protect the public. The educational path for the dietician is a Bachelor of Dietetics with a dietetic internship, which is currently 1,200 hours of supervised practice time. With that under their belts, individuals are eligible for the registration exam. That qualifies them for having expertise in normal nutrition, clinical-based or disease-based nutrition, food service and food science. We are trained to work in a clientcentered approach or a patient-centered approach.

WHAT DOES A BALANCED MEAL LOOK LIKE? The number of servings are so individualized, so I like to talk more in terms of proportion. You want a bountiful amount of fruits and vegetables. You want to have a protein source, ideally a lean protein source, the size of the palm of your hand, for lunch and dinner. We love two servings of low fat dairy in there. And then grain-based foods, we love whole grain foods. You want to see that word “whole” in the

backdrop | Spring 2020

Deb Murray food label as the first ingredient to assure you it’s a whole grain product.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER STUDENTS LOOKING FOR A HEALTHY ON-THE-GO SNACK? Keep in mind to try to eat “as close to the field as possible.” So, trying to keep fruits and vegetables as a foundational part. Half of the plate should be fruits and vegetables, whether they’re dried or frozen or whole, and that’s finger food so that’s a good thing. I really always think of good fats, like monounsaturated fats, and so I think trail mix with the nuts is going to pack up some antioxidants and some good monounsaturated fats and fiber. That’s going to satiate [students] or keep them full. If they have refrigeration around, I love yogurt on-the-go or yogurt drinks. I think that milk needs to be there; soy milk is great, almond milk is great. I think as many whole grain kinds of snacks as possible. [Protein] bars are great, but read that ingredient label, because they can really pack a punch in calories, and make sure the saturated fats are not too high, the trans-unsaturated fat is not too high and the added sugar is not too high.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONTRADICTING INFORMATION ABOUT SOY MILK. CAN YOU SPEAK ON THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF SOY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS?

Absolutely. That is a concern with both college women and men. The oil that comes out of soy is a polyunsaturated fat. It’s a good kind of fat. It belongs to the legume family that has lots of nutrient density and lots of fiber, and we know soy is very protective against heart disease. I think where the concern arises is because soy is a plant-based food. It also contains a lot of phytochemicals which again have health benefits, but it also contains phytoestrogen. I think that’s where people raise their eyebrows and think, “I don’t want to put a lot of excess estrogen in my body.” Men are honestly concerned, they’ll say, “I don’t want to sprout breasts.” Women say, “I have a history of breast cancer in my family, if I eat too much soy, I don’t want to increase my risk.” What I would say to that is the benefits of consuming soy far outweigh the risk. Phytoestrogens are not in that high of doses in food compared to what you would take in a birth control pill or a natural supplement of hormones.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO KNOW ABOUT NUTRITION AND FOOD?

I think to remember that food should supply or provide a physical, social and psychological function. I think balance of those three is so important. College is such a social time in life that it’s important we don’t become so fixated on food, and we have this modern approach that really embraces food and the mindfulness of eating and recognizing that food can [connect us] socially [and also] nourish the body.

“

If we’re trying to discourage any kind of carbohydrates, it’s refined carbohydrates … those types we know are associated with increased risk of diabetes, they have an impact on heart disease [and] they’re not great with weight in terms of they really can drive up that insulin resistance if they’re overconsumed.” DEB MURRAY PROFESSOR AND REGISTERED DIETICIAN

BREAKING DOWN THE MYTHS ABOUT CARBS: Although many people believe carbohydrates directly cause weight gain, diabetes and other health problems, Murray argues that those problems are linked only to some carbs. Whole carbs are actually needed to fuel the body.

CARBOHYDRATES: One of three macronutrients (in addition to protein and fat) whose main purpose is to provide energy by being broken down into glucose Glucose Fructose SUGARS Galactose Sucrose

STARCHES

Long chains of glucose which eventually get broken down

FIBERS

Do not provide energy directly, but feed bacteria in the digestive system

WHOLE CARBOHYDRATES: Unprocessed and contain the fiber found naturally in the food Examples: vegetables, whole fruit, legumes, potatoes and whole grains

REFINED CARBOHYDRATES: Have been processed and the natural fiber has been stripped out Examples: sugar-sweetened drinks, fruit juices, pastries, white breads/pastas/rice/etc.

www.backdropmagazine.com backdropmagazine.com

THE DROP

ACCESS FOR ALL

OU’s Student Accessibility Services strives to make college education accessible to students with physical and sensory disabilities. BY RACHAEL BEARDSLEY | PHOTO BY ELLIE HABEL

here is no simple formula to make education accessible for all, but Ohio University’s Student Accessibility Services strives to adapt new solutions to meet the accommodations of everyone on campus. The Office for University Accessibility Services helps students, faculty, staff and visitors of OU gain equal access to education and campus life. For people with a physical disability, that may include adapted classroom materials or help navigating the hills and bricks of OU’s main campus. “It is very different from student to student,” says Christina Jenkins, associate director for student accessibility. “Even two students with the same disability might be receiving different accommodations based on how they’re individually impacted.” Jenkins oversees the three accessibility coordinators on OU's Athens campus and three coordinators on each regional campus to ensure all services are operating the same. The coordinators help resolve conflicts that arise regarding accommodations, such as those between a professor and a student. If a conflict cannot be resolved by the coordinators, it will then be passed to Jenkins for help, though she says most complaints are resolved before they get to her. “A lot of times it is a matter of misinformation,” Jenkins says. “Either the student was misinformed, or the instructor needed to understand why something was happening a certain way.” For students, faculty or staff members with a physical or sensory disability, Accessibility Services offers a host of options to provide equal access across campus. For example, individuals with a mobility or sensory impairment are eligible for the Cat Cab, a free taxi service

backdrop | Spring 2020

that drives people around campus. It differs from shuttle services because instead of following a stop schedule, it will take people directly to their destination. “Students can get on a regular ride schedule,” she says. “So if they need rides consistently for all their classes, they can work with transportation to get on a consistent ride schedule, or they can call and schedule rides as needed. There are a lot of individuals who get around campus just fine when the weather is nice, but if it’s cold or there is snow or ice or rain then it might be more difficult.” For students with visual impairments, accessibility can mean receiving class handouts and textbooks in a larger font. They may also receive materials in braille or digital materials that can be read aloud or enlarged on a computer. For a physical education class like trail running, accessibility services may help the student find ways to further individualize the course. “For them, I would say the typical class experience probably doesn’t differ a whole lot,” Jenkins says. For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, accessibility may mean having a note-taker on hand, using a recording device to replay the lecture at a higher volume or using an FM system to filter out background noise. They may also use an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter or remote captioning during class. “We have a number of students who use remote captioning, where we actually have someone [from an outside agency] who is getting an audio feed from the class,” Jenkins says. “The instructor is wearing a microphone and they get audio feed through their computer and transcribe what is being spoken as the class goes along so [the student is] following along on their screen.”

Lori Woods, an ASL instructor who is deaf, writes that Accessibility Services assists her by providing an interpreter on the first day of classes to give an introduction and explain the syllabus to students. After the first day, she does not use an interpreter in the classroom, but she can arrange for an interpreter if a student wants to schedule a meeting or has questions. In previous semesters, a faculty member would have to put in a request for an interpreter a week in advance and wait for it to be approved, but how on-call interpreters are provided on campus. “We, as faculty, experience a lot of frustrations waiting a week to make a meeting or appointment happen, so we really had to get onto Accessibility Services,” Woods writes in an email. “Our goal was to have an on-call interpreter around campus, and now we can do that, and it feels great.” Currently, Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offers support and programming that vary by semester based on need. An ASL club open to anyone interested in learning the language of various levels of experience. Jenkins also co-leads the Accessibility Liaisons, which discusses the physical and mental nature of different

“

I think a lot of what we do is very much reactive ... we are trying to be more proactive with things.” CHRISTINA JENKINS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY disabilities. The focus group gives accessibility feedback to different departments on campus. “Together we have a pretty global perspective as far as how different things on campus might impact someone with a disability,” she says. “We have a lot of individuals with chronic medical conditions that might affect their mobility, but it is not as apparent as someone who uses a wheelchair or other assisted mobility device.” Although Accessibility Services helps students immensely, Jenkins recognizes that there is always room for improvement. “I think there is always more to be done,” she says. “I think a lot of what we do is very much reactive to problems that come up and concerns that come to our

Some of the devices available for students with sensory disabilities.

attention. I think as an institution as a whole, we are trying to be more proactive with things.” Woods says one of the biggest accessibility problems she sees right now is that students are limited to just one accommodation. For example, a deaf student must choose between an interpreter or a note-taker during class instead of having both services due to the cost. Woods writes that she was allowed both services in her master’s classes at Ohio State University. She adds that although OU provides interpreters at many public events, the services are often not publicized enough, and many deaf people don’t know when the services are available. Jenkins says one step toward overall accessibility improvement could be a universal design for learning, which would make learning more accessible for everyone, not just for those with disabilities. For example, instead of giving students 45 minutes for an exam that takes 30 minutes on average, professors would give students 90 minutes to account for different test-taking styles. Another common aspect of universal design for learning is a portfolio assessment, where a professor gives the class a range of options for assignments rather than requiring everyone to write a paper or do a presentation, providing students with multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge of the material. Jenkins says that even with a universal design for learning, there would still be a need for accommodations, because nobody is impacted by disability in the same way. She stresses that the most important part of accessibility is to evaluate each person and situation individually and offer the best solution possible, not just a cookie-cutter solution. “I think we’ve done a good job of making sure we have a baseline to address the more common requests that come up,” Jenkins says. “The biggest thing is we really try to evaluate everyone as an individual so, even if it’s something that’s been done the same way for 20 years, we’re still going to reevaluate and look at it again with each individual person that comes through.” b

backdropmagazine.com

COMMUNITY

A BEACON OF

Light

Beacon School promotes inclusivity, compassion and hope for the future of students with developmental disabilities. Above: Children enhance their motor skills through a range of activities.

BY MAYA MEADE | PHOTOS BY JACOB DURBIN

Above: Students in the young adult classroom practices skills for independence, such as how to interact with others, manage money and perform household tasks.

backdrop | Spring 2020

or many members of the Athens community, Beacon School has been a second home and a place of growth. It serves as the educational services division of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD). Together, Beacon School and the ACBDD provide public education for students with significant developmental disabilities ranging from ages 3 to 21. The ACBDD has been serving the Athens community since 1957. Its vision is to have an integrated and inclusive community that follows the core values of universal respect, spending responsibly, creating thriving communities, working together and many more. Beacon School is one of a number of divisions under the ACBDD. The school provides traditional educational instruction as well as specialized services that range from adapted physical education classes to swimming to music therapy. “One of my favorite music experiences was when we sang 'Thriller' together, and each person had a different instrument that they got to play at different points in the song,” says Amanda Dick, a music therapist at Beacon School. “Through this experience, each student contributed meaningfully to the music making and worked on important skills such as taking turns and following directions.” Those specialized programs accommodate students with a variety of developmental disabilities and allow them to strengthen the skills needed in their academic and professional successes. Beacon School and the ACBDD use an Individualized

Athens’ own Beacon School offers students a host of services, from traditional education to therapy.

Transition Plan that begins at the age of 14 and is designed for students to learn skills needed to live, work and make an impact in their communities after they graduate. Beacon School focuses on academics, socialization, daily living tasks and fine/gross motor skills. The Individualized Transition Plan combined with the Beacon School programming prepares students for communicating with peers or employers, getting involved in the Athens community and leading independent lives. In addition to everything that Beacon School does for its students inside of its walls, it also hosts activities outside of school. During the school year, Beacon School hosts events such as seasonal concerts, field trips, an annual water day and other activities that are often seen in a “traditional” school. The school also hosts community events which often serve as fundraisers. Some of the largest contributions were made in 2019 during January and December. “Polar Bear Plunge,” an event where community members

jump into cold water for a charitable cause, raised over $8,000 for Beacon students, and “Breakfast with Santa,” where people enjoy a holiday themed breakfast, raised about $3,000 for the Beacon School PTA. For Kevin Davis, superintendent of the ACBDD, Beacon School is “one of the most positive, compassionate and innovative places to work.” He gives credit to the hardworking staff members who put their hearts into their work and acknowledge the students that exceed expectations on a daily basis. Davis says that Beacon School does everything they can to provide their students opportunities that would otherwise be difficult for them to have. “Our goal is to challenge them and prepare them for their life after Beacon,” he says. Beacon School is much more than a school for both students and staff. It provides a safe space for students to learn and gain experience from opportunities they would not be getting elsewhere. b backdropmagazine.com

FOOD

Nourishing The Farmacy, an Athens-based natural foods store, strives to cultivate a local network of business and provide quality foods and supplements for different diets. BY ABIGAIL MULLIGAN | PHOTOS BY JACOB DURBIN

Medicinal spices available at The Farmacy.

he Farmacy offers solace from the Appalachian winter. Fresh baklava greets customers at the front door and soft folk music plays in the background, making it easy for patrons to get lost in its atmosphere. Scents of nutmeg and clove pull customers into a room stocked with over 200 different herbs and spices. A nostalgic sense of tranquility looms over The Farmacy, transporting customers to a simpler time. The classic wooden fixtures, herbed aromas and hand-written signs are rare among most modern-day health stores. “It’s a healing store,” Farmacy owner Kevin Tidd says as Carrie—his spouse and Farmacy co-owner—nods in agreement. “It’s way more than an item on a shelf.” Carrie floats throughout the store, helping customers find various products and providing recommendations while Kevin acknowledges the range of meaning that The Farmacy has for the community. The Farmacy acts as a place of refuge and empowerment for people who need it, and Kevin wants to challenge consumers to make more ethical purchasing decisions and to rethink what being healthy looks like. The first of its kind in the region, The Farmacy was founded about 1970 by Athens native Barry Wolfe, who was later joined by his partner, Donna. A few years later, Sue and Tom Zano started working with them and eventually bought the store. She sold it to Carrie and Kevin in 2011, and they, along

backdrop | Spring 2020

with their children, have been focused on providing natural products and nutritional education for the well-being of Appalachia ever since. Buying the store was not the first run-in that the Tidds had with The Farmacy. Both Kevin and Carrie are West Virginia natives and worked together at Mother Earth Foods, a natural foods store in their home state. Kevin spent several years delivering different wholesale items to The Farmacy. Kevin says his connection to health food was a result of health complications early in his life, but “it really came from the idea of just wanting real food.” The Tidds’ passion for providing sustainable, healthy options is fueled by their idea that food is medicine. To them, it is fascinating how different discoveries are being made about food and the interconnectedness of human life and the Earth. Located less than a mile from Ohio University’s campus, The Farmacy serves a unique population of college students and local residents. The Tidds appreciate the mix of patrons as well as the diverse landscape in the surrounding area. The Farmacy partners with other local businesses throughout Athens to provide fresh ingredients, but Tidd admits that on some levels it is impossible to be 100% local and sustainable. Particularly during the winter months, local products become increasingly hard to

come by. He adds that despite their longstanding efforts, this is the first year since they bought The Farmacy that they have connected with a local farm that has access to a greenhouse. This is due to the difficulties of farming and the unpredictability of the weather. Kevin emphasizes how important it is to his family to stock their shelves with local products and buy from a local farmer who has a business to sustain. The Farmacy offers many products such as oats, peanut butter and shampoo for purchase in bulk and customers can bring in their own containers to eliminate waste. The Tidds admire the management of Village Bakery, a café and market located a few blocks away. The two local businesses share values of sustainability and community-building. Kevin praises the bakery for “the way they do things, almost to a fault,” and feels as though their ethical standards align. Not all of Kevin’s insights are as optimistic, though. He predicts that a reckoning will force society to abandon the idea that certain foods will be available year-round, replacing them with local, seasonal products. Essentially, society will reach a breaking point with mass production and over-consumption that will cause consumers to be more conscious of their choices. This will cause a return to selfsufficiency and locally sourced products. The store grows quiet as he recalls a conversation he had with a local beekeeper who said his father and grandfather’s bees used to pollinate the surrounding crops until everyone

“

started farming corn because it was more lucrative at the time. They stopped collaborating with one another. He adds that it is strange to be in this place in time because, “it’s not like that was some big evil plan,” but he is now looking to local farmers and vendors to mend the broken system of unethical production. Sourcing local produce isn’t the only focus of The Farmacy — the store has over 500 Ohio-made items which are another important part of fulfilling The Farmacy’s mission. Kevin says there are some products that are not available locally, but he prioritizes sourcing from the area when possible and building an interconnected community rather than making a profit. A regular patron and Athens native, Emily Cass says, “I do understand the environmental impact our decisions make every day, especially related to food. I guess my way to reduce my carbon footprint is to find locally-sourced animal products like Snowville Creamery or Grass Green Farms. It is also important to me to filter money back into our small-town economy.” Cass says she typically shops at the deli of The Farmacy which offers a range of hot and cold sandwiches, smoothies, salads, soups and snacks. After almost a decade in their beloved Athens community, the Tidds are reaffirmed in their mission to provide ethical, honest food and contribute to the health of Athens residents and passersby alike. b

It's a healing store. It's way more than an item on a shelf.” KEVIN TIDD CO-OWNER

The Farmacy offers a range of products including multicultural, vegetarian, organic and special-dietary-needs foods.

backdropmagazine.com

RECIPE

Time-Oat

Make oat milk with this Backdrop original recipe. BY MICHAELA FATH | PHOTOS BY ASHLEY LAFLIN

backdrop | Spring 2020

Homemade Oat Milk Total time: 10 minutes | Makes: 3 servings Ingredients:

Directions:

1 cups rolled oats 2 ¾ cups water ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the oats, water and vanilla extract into a blender. Blend the contents until the mixture is an even consistency (about 45-60 seconds). Place a bowl underneath a finemesh strainer and begin to strain the contents of the blended mixture. Firmly press down on the blended mixture to strain all liquid from the oats. Transfer the oat milk into a sealed mason jar and store in refrigerator for up to five days.

Iced Sweet Maple Oat Milk Latte Total time: 20 minutes | Makes: 2 servings Ingredients:

Directions:

For the cinnamon syrup: ½ cup water ½ cup sugar 1 cinnamon stick 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons maple syrup A dash of sea salt

For the syrup:

For the latte: 3 cups cold brew coffee 1 cup homemade oat milk Ice Whipped cream Ground cinnamon sugar (for garnish)

For the latte:

Combine water and sugar into a small pan. Let it simmer over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring until sugar is dissolved. While still holding pan over the heat, add in cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup and sea salt. Remove it from heat after ingredients are combined. Allow the syrup to cool completely at room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Dip the rim of a glass in the cinnamon syrup, then spin the rim in cinnamon sugar. Combine 1 ½ cups cold brew coffee and ½ cup homemade oat milk into a glass containing ice. Stir the ingredients until mixed. Add as much syrup as you like into the glass, stirring as you pour. Garnish the glass with whipped cream and enjoy. backdropmagazine.com

INFOGRAPHIC

UNDER C NTROL With so many options on the market, choosing the right contraceptive may feel overwhelming. BY ELEANOR BISHOP AND AVERY KREEMER | ILLUSTRATIONS BY KAITLIN HENEGHAN

ackdrop and POWER/GAMMA partner to provide what’s what on available contraceptives and the balance of a contraceptive’s effectiveness and required maintenance. Effectiveness statistics are based on how many menstruating people would experience accidental pregnancy during the first year they use a specific contraceptive.

But, there’s a noteworthy variance in “perfect use” and “typical use”. For example, internal and external condoms have a perfect use effectiveness of about 98%, while their typical use only yields 82% effectiveness. So, no matter which contraceptive you choose, you can maximize its effectiveness by learning how to properly use it. b

60%

of American women of reproductive age are using some form of birth control.

99%

of American women between the ages of 15 and 44 who have had sex have used some form of birth control.

* Statistics provided by Planned Parenthood and Bedsider.org.

backdrop | Spring 2020

Facts

Effectiveness and Maintenance

Only external condoms and internal condoms help prevent STIs during vaginal or anal sex.

High Maintenance

Birth control pills with both estrogen and progesterone can decrease your risk of endometrial or ovarian cancer.

1. 2.

100% Effectiveness

82% Effectiveness ("Typical Use")

("Typical Use")

POWER/GAMMA

Baker Universty Center, 339 (740) 593-4007

GET CONNECTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @powergamma_OU Facebook: @OUPowerGamma Instagram: @powergamma_OU

1. Condom

Low Maintenance

2. Birth Control Pill

3. Birth Control Patch

4. Vaginal Ring

Use every time

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PHOTO STORY

Art embodied Figure drawing models and artists share their experiences with the classic art form. BY NORA MCKEOWN | PHOTOS BY ANDREW JOHNSON

backdrop | Spring 2020

Sketches of the figure models lay scattered on a table at The Dairy Barn after a Tuesday meeting.

www.backdropmagazine.com 1919 www.backdropmagazine.com

PHOTO STORY

igure drawing model Ashley Eastman was nervous the first time she dropped her robe for a group of artists. She's been modeling for about 15 years now, but says she still gets a little apprehensive with each new group. “Because removing one’s clothing has a bizarre premise of being sexy or sexual, it’s important that that be eliminated in a setting, such as a drawing class, that includes nudity but is not about sex,” Eastman says. “That’s why models undress in a separate space, put on a robe, and enter the drawing session in their robe.” Eastman models for the figure drawing group at The Dairy Barn Arts Center that meets every Tuesday. Coordinator Gary Coombs says he works hard to create an accepting, comfortable and respectful environment for the models. The artists who attend the sessions come from a variety of backgrounds and artistic abilities, and Coombs says they're there to challenge themselves and create art out of appreciation for the human body.

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A graphite sketch of a nude model by an artist from the figure drawing group at The Dairy Barn.

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The artists each have unique styles and bring their own supplies to the class, such as graphite or watercolor. Eastman says she's only seen a few of the drawings of herself, and while she is admittedly self-conscious at times, she recognizes the artists may also feel anxious about their work. “I know in the class, they are so concerned about the drawing … and they're trying to get all the measurements right,” Eastman says. Coombs says models of various body types and ages come to the meetings and the artists enjoy drawing the beauty of all their different figures. “You come to appreciate every model’s body for what unique attributes they give you to draw," he says. “If someone's very thin, maybe you're getting a little bit more of the bone structure. If someone's a little bit heavier, you get more of the curvature, shadowing and shading ... So, that's what's fun, getting to say, 'How am I going to take on this challenge?’” b

RIGHT

The session coordinator works to create an open and accepting environment for models and attendees.

BELOW Nude models of various body types come to sessions and give artists the chance to explore beauty and expression through different figures.

RIGHT

Artists who attend the sessions come from a variety of backgrounds, but share a desire to create art from the human body.

backdropmagazine.com

FEATURE

ALL ACTION Globalizing Athens Winsome Chunnu-Brayda, director of the Multicultural Center, encourages Bobcats to embrace diversity and acknowledge their social impact. BY ALEXIS MCCURDY | PHOTOS BY ANDREW THOMPSON | ILLUSTRATIONS BY ABIGAIL SUMMERS

n Winsome Chunnu-Brayda’s words, “I’m a bad bitch, and my friends are bad too.” Armed with a firecracker spirit and years of international experience, Chunnu is pouring her immense passion for the things she loves, like cultural competency, into Ohio University’s campus as director of the Multicultural Center. Chunnu, with loose curls tucked neatly on top of her head, gives an exuberant smile and contagious laugh to everyone she comes in contact with. Her office is filled with trinkets from around the world, including a map of the Caribbean and LGBTQ positive stickers, supporting different identity organizations around campus. Multiple people stop by her office and she never shows an ounce of agitation. Effortlessly friendly, Chunnu makes everyone feel at home. Chunnu’s hospitable spirit has humble beginnings in Kingston, Jamaica, where she was born and raised. Delighting in the bustling hospitality industry bursting with promise and opportunity, Chunnu originally thought her career goal was to be a hotel manager. After high school, she worked at a Jamaican resort as an entertainment coordinator. Working her way up the chain, she eventually became the front office manager, overseeing the reservations area as well as the front desk. “Although the hours were grueling, I loved it,” Chunnu says. It was at this time—in the early 2000s—that Chunnu heard from Claudia Titus, a friend who was working at a family resort in St. Mary’s, Jamaica. At the time, both women were students at the Western Hospitality Institute, which had just made a reciprocal arrangement with Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, to set up an exchange program. After some time, students from the

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Shelbie Briggs (on right) receives advice, with some laughs, from Winsome Chunnu-Brayda. institute could take credits at Hocking to finish their associate’s degree. Titus was the first of the two to move more than 1,500 miles from Jamaica to rural Appalachia for the program and, eventually, Chunnu followed her lead. “I came to Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, and had a very, very positive experience,” Chunnu says. “I often share the story that Hocking College remains my most memorable college experience.” Chunnu grew to love the region and all it had to offer. She even mingled on OU’s main campus with other African and Caribbean students, learning what their life was like as international students in Southeast Ohio. But life wasn’t always seen through rose-colored lenses. Sometimes, in matters of diversity, life became a bit muddied. Chunnu vividly remembers walking into a bathroom stall and seeing the following words scribbled on the door: “N----rs go home. The American dream is to see Africans going back to Africa with their sacks on their backs.” Chunnu wasn’t as stunned by the statement as some of her black peers. In a cultural context, she wasn’t ever raised “black.” In her culture, the child takes their father’s nationality. With Chunnu’s father being Indian, she was raised and treated as Indian in Jamaica. “The ‘n word’ is a uniquely American construct,” Chunnu says. “At the time, I knew that it was bad, and it shouldn’t have happened, but it wasn’t as jarring for me, as I can remember, as it was for my friends who were African Americans. And again, I was new to the U.S.” Nevertheless, Chunnu still sees Hocking College

“

I'm a bad bitch and my friends are bad too.” WINSOME CHUNNU-BRAYDA DIRECTOR OF THE MULTICULTURAL CENTER

as a positive experience. After graduating with her associate’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Management, she went on to complete her bachelor’s at Houston Tillitson College, which is now Houston Tillitson University. That was made possible when the president of the Western Hospitality Institute, Cecil Cornwall, Ph.D., established more reciprocal agreements that said once students from Hocking College finished their associate’s, they could go on to obtain their bachelor’s at Houston Tillitson. Graduating summa cum laude from Houston Tillitson, Chunnu didn’t have a shortage of schools recruiting her. As Houston Tillitson was a historically black college (HBCU), many hospitality graduate programs took a pit stop there in an effort to diversify its student body population. backdropmagazine.com

FEATURE

However, something was drawing Chunnu back to a little town in Southeast Ohio. Ignoring other schools offering her full scholarships, Chunnu ultimately decided to come to OU on a partial scholarship. It was a love too great to give up. “I wasn’t a student at OU, but I met so many African and Caribbean students who were at OU at the time, and that gave me a sense of what graduate education would be like in a community where you felt supported,” Chunnu says. “I felt I would rather be somewhere where I at least know the lay of the land as an international student, than somewhere I didn’t know.” It was at this time that Chunnu also realized that hospitality wasn’t her passion. The industry didn’t have the passion and the thrill she was really looking for. It was an old love that called her back and made her refocus her life on politics. Chunnu was politically charged from a young age. It was only natural in Jamaica, a country, she says, where people feel very strongly and unwavering about their political parties. In one vivid memory, Chunnu recalls finding herself in uncharted territory. People across the country had erupted in protest due to new legislation that introduced a drastic increase in gas prices. The objective was mainly aimed at tourists, but also had consequences for Jamaican citizens. The new legislation would cause bus fares to skyrocket, the most central mode of transportation Jamaicans used to go to and from work. Gas was also used to cook food, so it would have an effect on every citizen, whether they left the house or not. While walking to school one morning, Chunnu saw a crowd of people protesting, roads blocked off and a culminating unrest unfolding. Enthusiastically and without hesitation, Chunnu, armed in her school uniform, joined the protest. She played as integral a part as everybody else. But suddenly, something was wrong. Chunnu couldn’t see and with one of her

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most vital senses gone, she didn’t know what to think. She heard a man cry out that a helicopter was tear-gassing the crowd from the air. As panic ensued, she was aided by a kind stranger, a woman who gave her a damp cloth to put over her eyes. As witnessed by that event, a passion for a fundamentally equitable society is not new to her, like it might be for some supporters of politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “I laugh and say I’ve been a democratic socialist since I was in high school,” Chunnu says. “This is new to you all, but I’ve been rocking with this for a minute.” Looking back on that memory, and many more political occurrences that happened in her lifetime, something began to churn within Chunnu. Like a moth to a flame, she found comfort in that first love. Upon graduating from Houston Tillitson, Chunnu pursued her master’s in political science at OU, with a focus in international relations. She went on to intern for Marc Dann, a democratic Ohio state senator at the time, and worked on the 2004 John Kerry presidential campaign as a graduate student. From the moment Chunnu decided she wanted to be a political science student, she set her sights high for her career goals. She says the dream came out of the blue when she decided she wanted to be Jamaica’s ambassador to Nigeria. She began to look at ambassadorships and what it means to be one. She thought a qualification in cultural competence would help demonstrate her ability to negotiate with people from different places. Chunnu started looking at the Cultural Studies and Education Ph.D. program at OU, as she had a friend already in the program. It was everything she wanted it to be. “Because cultural studies as a discipline fundamentally looks at power and how power is used in terms of who has access to resources etcetera, I thought this is perfect,” Chunnu says. “This is what I’m concerned about as a citizen, that everyone in our society,

Winsome Chunnu-Brayda laughs with students in the Multicultural Center.

FEATURE

Winsome Chunnu-Brayda

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irrespective of who you are, what you believe, your educational status, in a democracy, should have access to minimum resources if nothing else.” The cultural studies program was the most diverse at the time with international students from across the globe. Every student had the opportunity to look at how power is used in their own country, sharing their insights, so that other students could look at power on a global scale. Even American students analyzed how minorities’ power differed from the majority’s. During her time in the program as a financially unstable international student, Chunnu realized she needed funding. She started applying for assistantships and received a position in the OU Multicultural Center (MCC). “What that did was further open my eyes to the AfricanAmerican experience,” Chunnu says. “So, I learned somewhat about the African-American experience when I was at an HBCU, but we know the African-American experience, like everybody else, is nuanced, complex and on a spectrum. We’re all different. Then you factor in black people from other countries and what that means. So, it gave me a unique insight. I wanted to learn more.” In fact, Chunnu went back to Jamaica in December to speak to her alma mater’s graduating class as the first person to receive their Ph.D. from that school. She eventually went on to hold positions in Housing and Residence Life and interned in D.C. for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, a program that brings high school students from around the globe to learn about America’s foreign policy. While she was in D.C., her boss from the MCC, Linda Daniels, called Chunnu and asked her to be the assistant director as the MCC made its transition from Lindley Hall to Baker Center. Chunnu had her reservations, thinking that the position would delay her degree. “She begged and begged because I was such an awesome graduate assistant when I was in the office. [So much so] that even though I left a year later, she still remembered that I was that bitch,” Chunnu says. In what Chunnu calls a “wonderful trajectory” throughout the past 13 years, she now is the director for the MCC. In her role, she advises the Black Student Programming Board, oversees programming for various heritage month and leads training on implicit bias, cultural competence and microaggressions for faculty, community members and local and state organizations. Now, she believes she has found her calling. In her role, Chunnu has faced challenges navigating diversity conversations. It can become uncomfortable when talking about America’s history and how, historically, minorities have

“

We are here because we want our students to become global Bobcats.” WINSOME CHUNNU-BRAYDA been treated extremely unjustly. “There is still some contention about how some people in our country accept that as a part of our country’s narrative,” Chunnu says. “It is, whether we want to accept it or not, it’s a part of our country’s history.” Chunnu says her job is to help people overcome the initial cognitive dissonance and understand the challenges different people in this country face, not wag fingers at the majority for being “bad people.” So while the MCC serves as a space for minority students to gain support, it is also there for majority students to gain a broader sense of the nuances in a changing society. In this way, Chunnu finds her role “crucial and critical.” “We are here because we want our students to become global Bobcats,” Chunnu says. “If we want our students to function effectively in an ever-evolving global world, they have to develop a cultural competence. Most of our students come from the state of Ohio and homogeneous areas and homogeneous high schools.” Chunnu understands that sometimes people may not be exposed to those conversations in their everyday lives. Sometimes, minority students won’t share their experiences, as a result of being tired with educating people or choosing a path of least resistance. However, Chunnu doesn’t have that luxury. Her friends and co-workers know where she stands on every issue. She says in order to build genuine relationships, people need to be authentic with each other. “As the director for the multicultural center at a predominantly white institution and someone who is passionate about equality and justice, I cannot be passive,” Chunnu says. “I cannot choose the path of least resistance. If I did that, in my role, I will be failing as the director and I will be failing my Bobcats.” b

backdropmagazine.com

FEATURE

Serenity Grove Women's Recovery House closed on its primary location in July 2017.

backdrop | Spring 2020

Grant Them

SERENITY An Athens County recovery house offers women a safe evironment to rebuild their lives after suffering from addiction. BY JULIE CIOTOLA | PHOTOS BY ERIN BURK

t’s a late-summer evening at Central Venue in Athens. Soft jazz music plays as city residents stream into the space for a fundraiser. At the front of the venue is a large screen with a phrase projected for everyone to read: “People grow when they are loved well. If you want to help others heal, love them without an agenda.” After hors d’oeuvres and casual conversation, Jessica Littler takes a deep breath and steps behind a podium. She starts by sharing stories of her early struggles with her addiction to methamphetamine, and how her addiction quickly escalated until she found herself without a job, divorced from her husband and separated from her children. “It’s like losing everything you’ve ever had,” she says. “I had all of these things going wrong and it felt like the world was against me. It fueled my suffering and addiction.” In 2015, Littler served a year in prison for drug-related offenses. Each day after that sentence was a struggle to stay away from drugs and to unlearn habits and attitudes that she had adopted as an addict. “Addiction feels like trying to shut your brain off to avoid feeling and pain,” she says.

It wasn’t until years later, in spring 2018, that Littler arrived as a resident at Serenity Grove, a non-profit women’s recovery house in Athens. There she found not only sobriety and stability, but a supportive group of women who welcomed her with eagerness and compassion. “The women at Serenity Grove were able to love me when I didn’t love myself,” she says. Now, Littler is speaking at a fundraiser for the recovery house, sharing her empowering story of suffering and her journey toward healing. She says she owes her life to the women at Serenity Grove, who helped her find her purpose through meaningful relationships. Serenity Grove began as a team of six women who saw an immediate need for a transitional housing program for women in Athens. In the following months, more women joined the team, and this group formed the non-profit organization Women for Recovery. After securing state funding through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Women for Recovery’s board was searching for a suitable house for residents by January 2017. The board had to consider that

Jessica Littler gives her concluding speech at the Purple Gala in the Baker Center Ballroom on Dec. 4, 2019.

Betsy Anderson displays the 2019 Purple Gala ornament at the gala in the Baker Center Ballroom.

backdropmagazine.com

FEATURE

Rachel Morley, right, and Amber Snyder, second from right, display their recovery tattoos at a community dinner.

(Clockwise from left) April Alexander, Eileen Lynch, Rose Mary Rader, Liz Vandendrien, Betsy Anderson, Amber Snyder and Rachel Morley attend a weekly community dinner.

some may not be receptive to having a recovery house close by, so they searched for a peaceful, private residence. Soon after, the women found the perfect spot. “We just lucked into this,” says Betsy Anderson, executive director of Serenity Grove. “It had been a single private residence before, but we were able to rework it so now we can accommodate five women with a shared bathroom. Plus, we have almost seven acres of land. So, in the future we can easily expand it if we find ourselves in that place.” The house is poised at the top of a hill on the outskirts of town and is surrounded by tall trees and soft grass. It’s far enough from the road that cars pass by quietly, and residents

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can find solace on the porch or in the backyard garden. Anderson and her team also converted the house’s garage to serve as a safe and quiet space for residents and visitors. “We have a once-a-week mindful meditation class that meets in here,” she says. “But our greater purpose was for women to be able to visit with family members, children particularly. In their first 30 days in the recovery house, they’re not allowed a pass, but we don’t want to prevent them from seeing loved ones. So, we have this space to allow for interaction.” Women in recovery apply to live in the house for a recommended minimum of 90 days, and once accepted, they are given a set of house rules that are put in place to assure safety. Though individual residents’ schedules vary each day, Anderson says the women and the Serenity Grove staff begin every morning at 8 a.m. with reflection time. “It’s an opportunity to start each day focused on recovery and with positive goals,” she says. “At the end, if we have extra time, it is also a chance to go over any issues that need to be discussed like maybe somebody has a court appearance and they are nervous. The women themselves can share something good or bad that they are facing that day.” After morning reflection, some women head to work, others to appointments or various errands. The house has group dinners every Tuesday and encourages residents to prepare nutritious meals throughout the week. The idea of mindful eating is coupled with the process of budgeting to afford fresh food. “There’s no structure when you’re in active addiction,”

Anderson says. A major goal of Serenity Grove is not only to create structure, but also to provide the necessary tools women need to lead healthy, productive lives once they live on their own. That means surmounting hurdles like opening a bank account and getting a license. It is there, Anderson says, where the daily challenges of recovery become clear. She recalls a situation with a resident who tried to get her license at the BMV and was denied because her birth certificate was a copy of the original. To some, this may seem like a minor inconvenience. But for those rebuilding their lives after a battle with addiction, being denied a license means being denied benefits and opportunity. It means more money spent securing an original birth certificate. It means a delay in the job search. Luckily, Anderson was there with the woman to drive her home and discuss the ordeal so she could return later with the correct documents. “When we left and were walking in the parking lot, this resident said to me ‘Betsy, I’m not going to lie. If you had not been there with me, I would’ve just bolted from the BMV and gone to find a way to use,’” Anderson says. “I’m not giving myself credit for helping her. It’s not that I did anything magic. It just goes to show that even the tiniest things are difficult. And if there’s not someone there to support people in recovery, they might just give up.” Anderson’s experience with the resident at the BMV speaks to the overarching mission of Serenity Grove, which is much more than providing a place to stay. It’s about long-term care and assistance — emotional, financial or otherwise. A typical model for addiction treatment is a 30-day, 60day or 90-day stay, Anderson says. It’s usually assumed that by the end of the program, participants are ready to live independently. The fault in that mindset is that it doesn’t recognize that addiction is a chronic illness, meaning its effects are persistent. “Addiction has to be managed for the rest of a person’s life,” she says. “So even if someone stayed in a treatment center and completed the program successfully, once a person walks out that door, it’s then about living life. It’s recognizing that we live in a world that sometimes celebrates partying in many forms, legal and illegal. And people in recovery have to try and live life with all these normal human stresses while avoiding what used to be the go-to coping mechanism.” Serenity Grove recognizes the many triggers that target an addict in recovery and seeks to reshape a recovering addict’s habits and patterns, with the goal of living drug free. It’s a process that emphasizes the importance of every moment and decision, and it takes time — sometimes years. “We hope that the experience of being here maybe has planted some seeds,” Anderson says. “The idea of real recovery, lifelong recovery is possible and there are people who will walk with you.” To support those efforts, the recovery house has several avenues for funding. Anderson works on applying for grants and state funding, and the house has its own fundraisers, like the event at Central Venue. On Feb. 8, Serenity Grove hosted a Siblings Weekend pasta dinner, where attendees were given a full meal, with all proceeds benefiting Women for Recovery. b

Betsy Anderson, right, tells Shauna Hyde, left, about how Serenity Grove functions.

Jordan Mumford plays basketball with her son at the Athens Community Center. Serenity Grove residents can visit the center for free as the house has a partnership with the center.

To learn more about Serenity Grove and their mission, visit women4recovery.org. backdropmagazine.com

CALENDAR

OONN TTH THE HHEE Check out these entertaining and educational events on campus this semester. BY CYDNEY CARPENTER She Kills Monsters FEBRUARY 25-29, 8:00 P.M. Presented by Ohio University’s School of Theater, "She Kills Monsters" is a drama comedy that dives into Dungeons & Dragons and ’90s high school life. The story is centered around Agnes and her childhood home, which she returns to after the death of her younger sister, Tilly. Agnes discovers Tilly’s role-playing notebook and unlocks a completely new side of her sister she never knew. Visit Tantrum Theatre for more information.

HANDEL’S AGRIPPINA LIVE FROM THE MET FEBRUARY 29, 12:55 P.M. The Athena Cinema will be hosting a live showing of Handel’s "Agrippina" from The Met. "Agrippina" is a Baroque style opera, offering a modern and politically charged comedy. Tickets are $18 at the door and free for OU students with ID.

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DRUM TAO 2020 MARCH 4, 7:30 P.M. DRUM TAO, a traveling percussion performance that combines the ancient art of Japanese drumming, choreography and larger-than-life contemporary costumes, will visit Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium during the first week of March. Tickets are $20 for the public and $15 for OU students with ID.

Lucky Chops MARCH 17, 7:30 P.M. Head over to Baker Center Theatre on March 17 for a chance to see Lucky Chops live in concert. This mustsee, high-energy brass band has traveled to more than 25 countries to spread its music. General admission is $10.

Sustainability Seminar Series MARCH 26, 5:00 P.M. Presented by Dr. David Bayless, this seminar will explore the sustainability of energy, one of OU’s 12 sustainability themes. Visit The Front Room Coffeehouse for a rich discussion and to learn more about sustainable energy throughout OU.

unique gathering AA unique gathering place of students and place of students and community members members community Social Justice • Fair Social • Fair Trade •Justice Local Art & Trade••Spoken Local Art & Music Word Musicians Open Stage Music • Spoken Word “Best Coffee House In Ohio” www.donkeycoffee.com Musicians Open Stage Located: 1/2 17 W. Washington St. (uptown) “3rd Best Coffee Shop in America” Voted Best Coffee St. in 17 W. Washington Awarded best coffee house Voted Best Coffee in Athens 16 Years Running Athens for 8 years! (Uptown) in Ohio by Ohio Magazine - Ohio Magazine

- The Great American Coffee Tour - The Athens News Readers Poll

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MOLDING AN IDENTITY Local artist April D. Felipe uses her work to explore questions of identity and history that connect the personal to the universal. BY ELEANOR BISHOP | PHOTOS BY JOE TIMMERMAN & PROVIDED BY APRIL D. FELIPE

pril D. Felipe doesn’t like to set limits on her art. Her more than 20-year career has allowed her craft to grow and change as frequently as she does. Today, armed with a plastic bag bursting with colored cloth, she will be a creator of felt mermaids. “I have three very sassy ladies coming in today,” she says. Felipe gestures to a shelf of misshapen figures in an upstairs studio of The Dairy Barn Arts Center. “Those weird things that look like random voodoo dolls will eventually be their little mermaids.” Felipe has shown work in exhibitions across the country and taught art courses at Ohio University and Ohio State University. In 2017, she was named an Emerging Artist by Ceramics Monthly magazine. She is currently splitting her time between teaching children’s classes at The Dairy Barn and ARTS/West and working at her home studio in Albany, Ohio. Although Felipe has stayed in the region since receiving her Master of Fine Arts from OU in 2010, rural Ohio is a world away from her first home. Felipe was born and raised in Queens, New York. As a child, she never wanted to do anything but make art. “There’s nothing cooler than a serious 14-year-old artist,” Felipe says with a laugh. She left the city in 1999 to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Alfred University in western New York. Initially planning to study puppetry, she soon found herself drawn to ceramics. “To this day I’ve always ended up working in ceramics,” she says. “It’s a medium that can be manipulated into so many other things.”

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She typically works with ceramic pieces in mixed media, collage pieces. “I’m slightly ungrateful toward [the medium], because I’m a little stubborn with it,” Felipe says. “[For me] it isn’t really about clay, it’s about a material being able to facilitate a narrative or a story you’re telling.” Her work often deals with questions of identity and belonging. Although Felipe’s mother is Puerto Rican and her father is Dominican, Felipe’s fair skin and straight hair mean that she is not always “visually verified” as Latin American. This experience left her with complex feelings about her own identity. “It’s happened since I was very little, so that’s something that stays with you,” Felipe says. “And it seems inconsequential but it’s really about wanting to belong and the denial of belonging — even if you actually belong.” In the last six years, Felipe started incorporating images of ducks and humans with duck bills into her sculptures, inspired by the story of “The Ugly Duckling,” where a young bird raised by ducks is bullied for looking different. The “duckling” eventually grows into a beautiful swan and flies away to join a flock of swans — his “real” family. “I think it’s a messed-up thing [in the story] that when you do belong it’s like, ‘Oh, you’ve found your own kind and that’s where you’ll be happy,’” she says. With her art, Felipe explores an alternative ending. “What happens if the duck was just a duck?” she says. “What if it wasn’t a swan? I liked that character.”

“

I think [seeing other artists of color] validates your interests … If you can’t find your narrative, how can you defend it?” APRIL D. FELIPE LOCAL ARTIST After finishing her undergraduate degree, Felipe returned to New York and worked for four years as a student liaison for Greenwich House Pottery in Greenwich Village before deciding to earn her M.F.A. at OU in 2007. At OU, Felipe expected her professors to push her to make the best work possible, and they did not disappoint. “It was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve been through,” she says. Receiving criticism from her professors made Felipe feel extremely vulnerable. “It’s not like getting a math question wrong,” Felipe says. “When you’re critiqued for your work, because it is so personal, your ego is really tied into it.” Brad Schwieger, a professor of ceramics at OU, has seen Felipe’s art evolve since her time as a student. He says that an important part of her growth came from learning to move beyond work that exclusively dealt with personal narratives. “She’s always been interested in heritage and her family tree, that was kind of what drove her work when she was first here,” he says. “But she’s [gone] from a more personal family [perspective] to seeing a much bigger, cultural picture as an artist.” Schwieger says that this struggle to see beyond the individual is common for young artists. “They haven’t lived that long, they don’t know that much and they don’t have that much to say, which is why we learn to research and come up with an idea,” he says. “[April’s] aptitude for research has certainly become more successful.” In her recent work, extensive research has helped her draw universal ideas out of personal narratives. “I relate it almost to music,” she says. “Music can express a personal narrative, but hopefully there’s also a universal theme that can connect with other people. And a lot of the narratives that I feel like I’ve been working with over the last couple of years have been about how you feel you exist within the world … for me that conversation has become a bit of a cultural conversation.” One element of that cultural conversation comes from the bright and intricate patterns that characterize her ceramics. Those are inspired by the designs used in Caribbean cast cement floors. The popular process in the islands gives concrete floors the illusion of being tiled, and therefore more European.

“I love these tiles because they’re not tiles,” Felipe says. “I’m very interested in things that are both real and not real [and] the way narratives and stories are subjective.” She says that by researching those patterns, she has traced their origins to Moorish art, a variation of Islamic art originating in North Africa. She enjoys the strange irony of the discovery. “In trying to remove oneself from your slave and Indigenous cultures by presenting yourself in a more European fashion, if you dig deep enough in the story … you’re actually connecting yourself back with the thing that you were originally trying to deny,” Felipe says. ‘What’s important and what isn’t? And how do we reframe those narratives?” After earning her M.F.A., Felipe met her now-partner, who owns a business building and repairs guitars in the Athens area. She has lived in the region ever since. Besides teaching classes and making her own work, Felipe has been making strides to open doors for other artists like her. In 2018, she teamed up with fellow artists Yinka Orafidiya, Salvador Jimenez-Flores and Natalia Arbelaez to form The Color Network, an online database and mentorship program for artists of color specializing in work with clay. Felipe and her co-founders hope to increase the visibility of artists of color in the field of ceramics, combatting the Euro-centric focus common in arts education. “Historically I would say a large amount of cultures deal with ceramics,” she says. “Anywhere that has a riverbed has made something with clay ... so why is it when you’re in school, you only learn about maybe three aspects of that history?” Felipe knows that it can be hard for young people to imagine a path in any field, particularly the arts, when there is not an example to follow. “History is just a narrative that we selectively choose from in order to create the story that allows us to propel ourselves forward,” she says. “I think [seeing other artists of color] validates your interests … If you can’t find your narrative, how can you defend it?” b

April D. Felipe made this porcelain sculpture, "And You as Well" in 2017.

SPORTS

STRENGTH & POWER

Several student organizations offer a variety of ways to stay active and find a niche in fitness. BY EMMA STEFANICK | PHOTOS BY ANDREW THOMPSON

FINDING YOUR FIT: CHAARG With over 200 members, Ohio University’s CHAARG chapter is one of the most popular fitness groups on campus. CHAARG, short for, “Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls,” is a female health and wellness organization that strives to help women “find their fit” on college campuses across the U.S. “The whole point of the organization is to help people along their fitness journey and find their favorite way to sweat,” says Lexi Garvey, a sophomore studying integrated language arts and OU CHAARG’s vice president of membership. Every week, the group has several events including a full group workout that is open to all members, a small group workout of eight to 10 girls catered to their individual schedules and socials for group bonding, an important aspect of the CHAARG community. “CHAARG is here to just make people feel like they have a little solidarity and guidance,” Garvey says. “And so it helps you, in my opinion, feel like you’re not alone.” For the first three weeks of each semester, CHAARG hosts info sessions and free trial workouts for anyone interested in joining. Memberships can also be purchased both before and after recruitment. It costs $47 per semester, and Garvey suggests trying the organization for one semester in order to get the full experience and understand the meaning behind the organization.

BUILDING MUSCLE, BUILDING CONNECTIONS: OHIO BARBELL CLUB Despite competing in national tournaments across the state and being predominately male, the Ohio Barbell Club has no requirements to join other than an openness to learn and a positive attitude. The weight-lifting club welcomes people from all backgrounds and with all levels of experience. “We’re more than happy to teach, more than happy to learn, as long as you’re more than happy to work on it,”

backdrop | Spring 2020

says Caleb Moore, a senior studying nursing and the vice president of the Ohio Barbell Club. The club focuses primarily on competitive weightlifting, specifically powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting, and competing in United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) and International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) tournaments throughout the year. In addition to tournaments, members have the opportunity to work at the meets and grow within the sport — some even become judges. The club also has a partnership with Columbus Lifting Company, who has been a sponsor of the Ohio Barbell Club. “The focus of the team outside of competition is to foster a good training environment, to bring some intensity, to bring a lot of years of training knowledge to the table in order to help the members be safe in the sport, get them on a program and help them progress,” Moore says. Moore adds that the best way to get involved with the club is to come to a practice and converse with the club’s current members. For more information about the organization and meeting times, contact the Ohio Barbell Club via Bobcat Connect.

EN-GARDE... PRET... ALLEZ: OHIO OLYMPIC FENCING CLUB The Ohio Olympic Fencing Club works to instill fun in the sport of fencing. The three styles of fencing—sabre, epee and foil—are the same forms which can be seen during the Olympics every four years. The Ohio Olympic Fencing Club participates in competitions at other schools in Ohio and bordering states in addition to hosting competitions biannually on campus. Despite the seemingly intense nature of the club, Helen Stec, a sophomore studying neuroscience and the club president, says practices are enjoyable and relaxed. “By no means do we expect anyone to go to every practice because we meet three times a week,” Stec says. “As long as you gained something and you had fun, that’s what we go for.”

Tori Dorne, a senior studying integrated media; Hailey Mullin, a freshman studying chemical engineering; and Shannon Reel, a freshman studying marketing and entrepreneurship, try Strong by Zumba for OU CHAARG’s sample Weekly Workout.

Fencing Styles SABRE (TOP) Grace Platek, a senior studying nursing, ensures she has proper form before engaging in an intense lifting move. (BOTTOM) The Ohio Olympic Fencing Club meets three times a week and trains members in sabre, epee and foil.

The club has a fee of $30 per semester, or $15 if you bring your own equipment, and they provide the opportunity to try a few fencing lessons before committing fully. The club also allows potential members to practice with its equipment free of charge before committing to buying their own. After joining, members will be trained in three styles of fencing. Having a connection outside of fencing and creating an impact in the Athens community is also important to the group. The fencing club participates in Student Advancement Seminars (SAS) that club sports host, where members are welcome to come and learn more about different topics all focused on bettering themselves. They also attend the annual Relay for Life event during the spring semester every year to complete service hours. “It’s definitely helpful because you get to meet new people and it’s a very unique sport,” Stec says. “It’s less physical, so unlike football or basketball where there’s a lot of physical nature, it’s more mental. There’s still physical aspects, but it’s more like a game of chess with swords.” In order to participate in the fencing club, members are required to fill out an assumption of risk form, but aside from that, potential members simply have to show up and try it, Stec says. b

• Played fast and aggressively • Need quick thinking and reaction • Points can be scored anywhere on the body from the waist up, except the hands. • Points are scored by hitting the opponent with either the side or tip of the blade.

EPEE • Slow-paced • Incorporates fake-outs and mind games • Points are scored anywhere on the body, using only the tip of the sword. • The sword weighs 27 ounces, which is more than the standard sword for sabre or foil.

FOIL • Medium-paced • Points are scored using the tip of the blade and on the torso, excluding arms, legs, neck and head.

backdropmagazine.com

HEALTH

SEEING PAST the haze OU faculty and health professionals address different types of hazing and give prevention tips. BY HELEN WIDMAN *This article contains graphic references of hazing that may trigger a physicial or mental reaction from readers who have had traumatic experiences.

teamy locker rooms filled with power-hungry athletes. Disheveled fraternity houses with broken beer bottles. Sororities turned into houses of embarrassment and ridicule for new members. Those are some of the stereotypical scenes of hazing. Although those stereotypes do make up a portion of the harsh reality, hazing is not always an obvious act of dominance. Not all hazing on college campuses is extreme; it can range from forcing college freshmen to do the “dirty work” of the upperclassmen, to alcohol and drug abuse that often dominates modern dialogue surrounding hazing today. “I talked [to freshmen] about ‘little h,’ small things—things that are meant to embarrass you, things that are meant to degrade and demean—up to big scary hazing, like being forced to drink alcohol or being beaten,” says Jenny HallJones, the dean of students at Ohio University and the senior associate vice president for Student Affairs. The definition of hazing varies across universities, institutions and even states. Arguably, there is no universal definition of hazing. According to Alcohol.org, “...a number of states have their own laws that prohibit hazing, but definitions of what constitutes ‘hazing’ vary across borders. In Alabama, for example, hazing is identified as any action that intentionally or recklessly puts the physical and mental health of a student in danger. New York, on the other hand, does not mention psychological abuse as part of its anti-hazing laws, but specifically prohibits physical abuse as part of an initiation ritual.” The topic of hazing is especially relevant for OU after HallJones responded to hazing allegations made last semester. Although the levels of hazing in fall 2019 were not as serious as past hazing allegations, Hall-Jones stood by the university’s zero-tolerance policy and helped launch an investigation

backdrop | Spring Fall 2019 2020

which resulted in several organizations and all fraternities receiving suspension in October. “This is a community effort,” Hall-Jones says. “It's an effort that's got to start at a younger age before college. We need national organizations and sports teams and things that have a history of hazing, we need their leadership and partnership on campuses to eradicate hazing. Personally, I believe that a kind of a zero-tolerance policy on hazing is important.” At OU, hazing prevention was not implemented into the official university policy until a few years ago. Hall-Jones helped push for this addition in order to start cracking down on hazing. “We wanted everyone to recognize that it could happen, not just in student [organizations], it could happen anywhere,” she says. “We also wanted faculty and staff to realize that they should be mandated reporters. One of the university stances on hazing is that it's unacceptable, and then if a faculty or a staff member becomes aware of hazing or suspects hazing, that they have a duty and obligation that's written into their jobs that they have to report [hazing] very similarly to sexual assault.” Hank Nuwer, researcher, author and journalist, has been collecting data on hazing-related deaths for over four decades. After a student died due to hazing-related causes at the University of Nevada during Nuwer’s graduate work in 1975, his passion for hazing prevention piqued. He published his first article on hazing in 1978 in “Dead Souls of Hell Week” for Human Behavior magazine. Nuwer says that researching hazing proved challenging at the time because very limited information existed on the topic. Now, his database that tracks yearly hazing-related deaths in the United States since 1959 continues to grow. “It's just mind boggling to think that it's going on for 60 years,” Nuwer says. “And it's only been in recent years that

“

When it comes to hazing, there are several emotional and physical consequences that can arise for a person who has experienced hazing.” STEPHANIE MACCOMBS M.ED. DEPARMENT OF COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES there's been this outcry against anything. It was not accepted, but it wasn't fought against the way it is now.” According to Nuwer’s research, an estimate of six to eight out of 10 hazing-related deaths in his database also have to do with alcohol. In the article “Why Colleges Haven’t Stopped Binge Drinking,” The New York Times reports, “More than 1,800 students die every year of alcohol-related causes. An additional 600,000 are injured while drunk and nearly 100,000 become victims of alcohol-influenced sexual assaults.” While hazing is most commonly associated with universities, Nuwer says that hazing can also occur at the high school level, and even in prison. According to his research, high school hazing can be as intense as the prison hazing that occurs between inmates and can even be considered sexual assault. “[Prison hazing is] often done with a broomstick or fingers. So it's very dangerous,” Nuwer says. “There's rectal tearing, there's humiliation for the victim, stigma. There’s a good chance if it's not caught, that the victims will be the [hazing] perpetrators in the next year.” Similar to many traumatic events, hazing can result in decreased self-esteem for the victim. Counselor Stephanie Maccombs, M.Ed. from the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at OU, says side effects can impact any hazing victim in a number of ways. "When it comes to hazing, there are several emotional and physical consequences that can arise for a person who has experienced hazing,” she says. “Some consequences include a decline in academic performance, sleep deprivation, physical illness or hospitalization, depression, withdrawal from social activities or school and suicide or death. In some cases, a person who has experienced hazing may also develop acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.” Those consequences can also act as warning signs that a student has experienced some form of hazing or trauma. “Additionally, a person who has experienced hazing may

begin to lose their sense of empowerment and ability to trust others, feel embarrassed or shameful, struggle in relationships with friends and family and lose respect for the individual or group that initiated the hazing,” Maccombs says. Some may argue that hazing is a necessary, historic tradition among student organizations and that it is not meant to physically or emotionally harm anyone. “Any student organization can have really proud traditions that bond you as an [organization]. The difference is, once you become a member of the [organization], you are a full member and you have all the rights and privileges of being a part of that,” Hall-Jones says. Hall-Jones clarifies that the difference between traditional activities and hazing is the fact that with hazing, only the new members are pressured to partake in certain activities. “If you want to participate in that tradition, that's great. But also if you don't want to participate in it, you don't have to,” she says. “If only the new people, if only the first year students are being made to do certain things and they have to prove their worth before getting to the next level, then that's part of the problem.” Another part of the problem with hazing could be that victims sometimes accept it as positive reinforcement of their commitment to an organization. Maccombs believes that everyone can do their part in hazing prevention and education. “Students, faculty, staff, administrators and anyone else who is interested in preventing hazing can learn what it is and what the warning signs are, educate others about hazing and familiarize themselves with campus, local and state laws about hazing.” Although OU has taken the first major steps in preventing hazing on campus, Hall-Jones believes that the university still has some more ground to cover. “We have a stance that every report that we get, we're going to look at, even if it's ‘small h’ hazing,” Hall-Jones says. “We mentioned hazing as a part of that bystander intervention, but I don't think it's quite getting through. What I've learned through this is that we need to do a lot more education about the levels of hazing and why it's problematic.” Maccombs agrees, “Hazing also persists due to underreporting and potentially due to having hazing policies and laws that are not yet fully refined.” b

HAZ

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HEALTH

BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Directors of local mental health organizations discuss the obstacles to affordable and accessible mental health care in Athens. BY JESSICA RUTKOWSKI | ILLUSTRATION BY LAINEY DOUGLAS

ne in five adults experience mental illness in the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and no part of the country is excluded. Many residents throughout the U.S. have been or will be affected by mental illness. Thanks to outspoken voices and national campaigns regarding mental healthcare, awareness about and advocacy for the issue have rapidly increased in recent years. But despite the growing societal awareness of the importance of mental health in the U.S., 74% of Americans do not believe such services are accessible for everyone according to the National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) 2018 study. And they’re right. Although mental health issues affect all areas of the country, rural, impoverished areas like Athens County often have a disproportionately harder time receiving mental healthcare. The Athens-Hocking-Vinton Mental Health & Recovery Board is among several mental health resources available to Athens County residents and is affiliated with more than 20 organizations in the area, providing services such as subsidized housing, resources to escape domestic violence and peer support. Despite those organizations in Athens and its surrounding community, there are still many barriers to getting people the help they need. “Our focus is on either a mental health issue or an addiction issue,” says Earl Cecil, executive director of the Athens-Hocking-Vinton Mental Health & Recovery Board. “[But], that’s not to say people don’t have ... a whole litany of issues that need addressed.” Tina Trimmer, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Athens County, agrees about the inevitable struggles of people with mental health issues. She says it can be challenging to go to work or find a job in the first place. “It’s the upkeep things in life that go to the wayside,” Trimmer says. Those struggles can create a snowball effect in each

backdrop | Spring 2020

person's life, eventually leading to the harsh reality of the high cost and insufficient insurance coverage for treatment. According to the NCBH, one in four Americans reported having to choose between paying for mental health treatment and purchasing daily necessities, such as food, hygiene products and gas. “I hate to say that money is the answer, but money is the answer,” Trimmer says, “We just need more money.” Trimmer, who recently moved back to Athens County for her job after living in Athens sporadically for the past 20 years, opened up about her own struggles in attempting to receive treatment for her mental health, including the cost of treatment and lack of coverage. “I was fortunate to go to college ... and [the system] to access benefits like Medicaid is nearly impossible to navigate for me, let alone someone who can’t read, or can’t get to the office to ask questions or doesn’t have a phone,” Trimmer says. “It’s a whirlwind nightmare.” Not only are the costs high and the systems hard to navigate, but there is an insufficient number of mental healthcare professionals in regions like Athens, so even those who can afford treatment might have a hard time being connected with services. Trimmer experienced those problems firsthand when living in Athens in the early 2010s. “There wasn’t a single psychiatrist in this town. Not one,” Trimmer says. “I had to personally drive to Columbus to see a psychiatrist ... it’s not practical.” Trimmer is not alone. Approximately 46% of Americans had or know someone who has had to drive more than an hour total when seeking treatment, according to NCBH. “Not everybody wants to live in Southeastern Ohio in a small town, especially someone who’s gone through medical school and is hoping to probably pay back those loans that they’ve incurred,” Trimmer says. According to the Rural Health Information Hub’s website, those shortages are happening in rural communities nationwide, which means limited options and longer wait times, causing 96 million Americans to experience waiting longer than one week for treatments.

Ohio University students have been affected by such shortages, frequently experiencing long wait times at Hudson Health Services. As the cycle continues, the lack of healthcare professionals in Athens then leads to the next issue: lack of transportation. Since access to face-to-face services is even more critical for those seeking treatment, people like Trimmer have no other choice than to travel long distances to get the help they need. Unfortunately for some residents in Southeast Ohio, this is not always feasible. “A lot of people don’t have reliable transportation ... or they don’t have the money to pay for it,” Cecil says.“[Especially] when people are in the depths of a mental health crisis or something that’s been going on for a long time.” Those who struggle with mental illness will only face those obstacles if they feel empowered and choose to seek helping the first place, which is not always the case. Despite many attempts at reducing the stigma surrounding

mental health, it still remains. Nearly one-third of Americans have worried about others judging them when they told them they have sought mental health services, according to the NCBH. “[Many people think,] ‘You know, if my husband would just suck it up with his problems and be a man...’ and I don’t know why,” Cecil says. “I mean, if we have stomach pain, we don’t seem to say, ‘Well, don’t go to the doctor, just deal with it!’” Even once the stigma is broken, one thing remains: public awareness. Although Cecil says the visibility of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is better than ever before, he admits there is still much work to be done. “We have never in over thirty years cracked this,” Cecil says. “We just had a discussion with a gentleman a few weeks ago, and he said, ‘I just didn’t know all this was available.’ We do things on the radio, in the newspapers, here, there, but until someone recognizes they have a need, we just do not seem to be available.” b If you or someone you know would like to be connected to a treatment facility, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations database of state-licensed providers at https://findtreatment.gov/for more information.

46%

of Americans had or know someone who had to drive over an hour to recieve treatment

74%

of Americans believe mental health services are not accessible for everyone

the approximate number of service organizations a part of AthensHocking-Vinton Mental Health & Recovery Board

1/3

of Americans worry about others judging them when they tell them they have sought mental health services

HEALTH The Cost of

Addiction An all-female rehabilitation center offers support and hope for women struggling with drug abuse. BY JESS DEYO | PHOTO PROVIDED BY MORGAN HAAS

n 2017, Ohio had the second highest drug-overdose rate in the nation, averaging 39.2 deaths for every 1,000 residents. The explanation for the disastrous statistic may be tucked away in the empty pockets of the 13.9% of Ohio’s population living in poverty. Drug abuse is known to cling to impoverished regions, and Athens is the poorest county in the state, with an alarming 30% of its population below the poverty line, according to the 2018 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE). Cathy Chelak of Athens Health Recovery Services [HRS] is aiming to put a stop to the drug use that is caused, in part, by the county’s lack of resources. She serves as the program director for the Rural Women’s Recovery Program, an allfemale in-house recovery program under the HRS located minutes from Ohio University. The residential center houses a staff of nearly 25 people who are certified to treat both substance disorders and mental health disorders, Chelak says. Sitting on 40 acres of land and offering 17 beds, the center is ideal for women to get in touch with the mind, body and soul. Athens is one of many counties in the state to have allwomen rehab facilities. According to studies, such as those funded by the Center on Addiction, women become addicted to drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth quicker than their male counterparts. To be admitted to the residential center, Chelak says potential patients must satisfy a specific criteria listed in a diagnostic manual. The center has a high level of care that falls right below psychiatric hospitalization, and patients must prove that they are dependent on their drug of choice for such a facility. Chelak, who is also the director of quality improvement

backdrop | Spring 2020

for HRS, agrees there is a correlation between drug use and poverty in Athens, saying the desire to use drugs stems from a lack of resources, motivation and ambition. “The women that come into residential facility are using non-stop and pretty much dying as they’re using,” Chelak said. “Their bodies are deteriorating, often their mental status is declining and they’ve often also had really poor life goals and achievements throughout their life.” Chelak says that Athens women have stressors in their lives and lack the coping skills that may prevent them from drug use. The temporary numbness received from a drug is used to cover up problems like financial instability or trauma, she says. The soothing effects of drugs can become so problematic that the only motivation to enter the rehab center is through ultimatums offered by probation officers, and the exchange often involves the opportunity to keep custody of children. Over the nearly 30 years that Chelak has worked in the health profession, she is most shocked by the increased likelihood of a mother losing custody during their rehabilitation process. “Way back in the day, if a woman had children, they would really sometimes help move her through going into recovery because she knew she was going to lose them,” Chelak says. “Now, women are losing most of their children.” The center offers a program for women to bring their children if they are under five years old, but Chelak says the center has been silent with the absence of children today. Instead, she says, children are being placed with aunts, sisters or are taken by children’s services to be placed elsewhere. “They’re all gone from those families and what’s going to happen? What’s that going to mean for the next generation? What’s that going to mean for those kids? How is it that

that’s going to work for those children?” Chelak asks. She believes that—for many women—the realization that they have sold away much of their life is not made until they’ve gone through the process of withdrawal. The center is connected with a detox unit, where patients typically stay for three to eight days before receiving a bed in the facility. “After they are in our facility for a while and they start to withdraw and feel better, often they’ll be like, ‘I can’t believe that,’” Chelak says. “Often, they are depressed when they start looking at it and are unhappy, but then eventually they become more aware that something is out of kilter with how they’ve been living their life and they need to change that.” Patients stay at the center for an average stay of 120 days, but Chelak says the poverty-ridden area also opens the door for a higher relapse rate. Addicts are often missing elements like money (which can be a driving factor in preventing drug use)

and the ability to work through a tough situation. Typically, the addicts’ relatives are in similar situations, she says. While Chelak emphasizes the impacts of addiction on a poverty-ridden area, she recognizes middle and upper-class families may also have a relative suffer from addiction. Finances are not the only factor when it comes to drug use. People who suffer from trauma like sexual assault, abuse or natural disaster are also at a higher risk, she says. Chelak says that one of the largest contributors to the massive opioid epidemic that has swept the nation is the over-prescription of pain killers. “You hear certain sides of it, you see people craving drugs and being on the streets sleeping, but the reality is that being addicted can happen to anybody at any time,” she says. “As long as the right things fall into place, and the person is unaware — the person is vulnerable — it’s always a possibility.” b

PAYMENT

CERTIFICATION

12 STEPS

RWRP accepts Medicaid, HMO’s (Care Source, Molina and Unison) and private insurance to cover the costs of professional treatment services.

RWRP has been certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services (CARF).

Patients will participate in several weekly 12-Step meetings in and outside of the facility.

The Rural Women's Recovery Program located in Athens.

backdropmagazine.com

HEALTH

RECOVERED OU offers a host of resources to assist students who struggle with eating disorders. BY MELISSA GOODNITE

t any given college across the nation, 10% to 20% of women and 4% to 10% of men suffer from an eating disorder, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are four of the most common eating disorders that can, in some cases, be life-threatening. Many people don’t realize when they actually have a disorder and therefore do not seek treatment in the early stages. NEDA defines anorexia as “an eating disorder characterized by weight loss (or lack of appropriate weight gain in growing children); difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image.” People with anorexia often count calories and restrict food intake, and sometimes the disorder leads to excessive exercise, vomiting or purging through laxatives or excessive fasting, NEDA states. However, not all of those symptoms have to be present to be diagnosed with the condition fasting. Alex Gardener*, a junior at Ohio University, was diagnosed with anorexia in February 2018 and says her journey with this disorder has been “isolating, especially in college.” “It can feel like you’re so alone sometimes. I feel like no one understands me, which causes me to withdraw,” Gardener says. “I was so focused on my body image. I wanted to change the way I looked. Growing up, I felt pressure to maintain my smallness just because everyone would always comment on it or point it out. It’s also hard when some of my family members don’t believe I have a disorder, even though I was diagnosed.” Like Gardener, many people who struggle with eating disorders feel unsupported by their friends and family and are reluctant to admit they are struggling because of stereotypes that surround eating disorders. According to NEDA, some of the common misconceptions are: that eating disorders are a choice; that they only affect women or unless an individual is emaciated, they do not have a serious problem. Those misconceptions create a stigma around eating disorders that can be avoided through open conversation and a willingness to learn about the facts and symptoms of eating disorders. If approached properly, family and friends have the opportunity to create a foundation for recovery for their loved ones who are struggling.

backdrop | Spring 2020

Ohio University psychologist and coordinator of the Eating Disorder Support Team (EDST) Susan Folger says the facilities at OU are beneficial to students with eating disorders. “Eating disorders affect everyone,” Folger says. “All races, genders and body shapes. Disorders are very complex. They’re elusive and difficult to treat.” EDST works closely with students who are generally stable, Folger says. The team currently includes psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists and physicians. “Each student must sign release forms that allow for coordination between all of the team for support.” Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) provides therapeutic aid to students with mental health illnesses like eating disorders. Counseling expenses are covered under the guaranteed plan. In spring 2020, a new opportunity will be available at OU to help students increase body confidence. The Body Project is a NEDA-sponsored event that helps counteract current beauty standards held by many women and young girls. According to NEDA, the group-based prevention program “provides a forum for women and girls to confront unrealistic beauty ideals and engages them in the development of healthy body image through verbal, written and behavioral exercises.” The Body Project has been found to decrease risk factors for eating disorders and decrease risk for future eating disorders, but those struggling with an eating disorder should primarily seek professional treatment through CPS. Outside of the university, more treatment options are available within Athens County. Hopewell Health Centers Inc. offers a variety of health-related resources under its Behavioral Health Services, as well as its Primary Care, that can help with eating disorders. OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital also has nutritionists on staff who are equipped to assess nutrition and provide counseling if needed. Although eating disorders are complex and challenging to treat, there are many medical and therapeutic treatments available as well as accessible research to combat the mental illness. NEDA has a large database for those interested in learning more about eating disorders. Combating an eating disorder does not have to be done alone, and with the ever increasing amount of resources available to the public, there is always someone able and ready to listen. b * The name of the source has been changed to protect her identity as she continues her recovery journey.

The Skin I’m In

VOICES

One Backdropper shares her experiences as a mixed woman and how she learned to embrace her identity. BY MAYA MEADE | PHOTOS BY ANDREW JOHNSON AND PROVIDED BY MAYA MEADE

t has taken me all 18 years of my life to figure out what the strange feeling in the pit of my stomach is. Over time, I have learned a lot about how that feeling started, how it transformed and why it will likely never go away. When I was younger, I never knew who I belonged to or what group I was a part of. My mom is white and my dad is black, and I am left hovering somewhere in the middle in a place called mixed. I was raised by my mom’s side of the family, so I associated more with white culture, but I would look down at the color of my arms and know that I wasn’t like my mom. I wasn’t like my grandma. I wasn’t like my grandpa. I wasn’t like any of my loved ones. I was an outsider in my own home. My mother’s past sexual relations with a black man made the rest of my family members visibly uneasy. They never did anything intentionally to hurt me, but their racist comments at family gatherings about the U.S. having a black president or “the illegals that live next door” made me feel like an intruder. With a caramel complexion, I would never completely be one of them. On the rare occasion that I would visit my father and his family, I was aware of the striking difference in our appearances. With their darker skintones and darker, tighter curls on their heads, I thought they were “real black people.” Of course, I didn’t even know what that meant at 4 or 5 years old, but I knew I wasn’t the same as them. However, I noticed a few similarities in our bodies that I didn’t share with my maternal relatives, like the dry patches on my elbows and kneecaps and my natural curls. My mother did her best to tame my unruly hair as a young girl with the proper products and combs. She attempted styles that would make me feel like I fit in with my black classmates in grade school. However, I sensed she was often embarrassed

Age 5

Age 6

by her failure as a white woman to care for my black hair. Black and white in terms of race is not clear cut. As a biracial child, I never knew what the right thing to do was, who to impress or what my values should be. Those feelings never went away. I carried those thoughts from primary school to my freshman year of college. Beginning adulthood, I thought some things would change. I hoped I would suddenly know how to function in society as a mixed person and I would suddenly fit in somewhere. As I consumed myself with those thoughts, I realized there are different ways to look at what being mixed means and how people define it. Someone can be culturally mixed, socially mixed or racially mixed. The ideas people have about me as a mixed person have come from all of those realms of the mixed identity. I have frequently found myself in situations where I am “too black to be white or too white to be black.” In school, that meant the color of my skin was too dark to not be the person people turned to when we talked about slavery in class, but was still light enough for people to treat me with respect during such discussions. As I matured, I realized that those phrases people used to describe me were based only on stereotypical images of race. They were ignorant to the impact of their statements. My diverse upbringing gave me an insight to the intersectionality of my identity. I understand the privileges I have from being raised primarily by my mother’s upper middle-class family and the oppression I experience because of my race and gender. I no longer see being mixed as a burden, but as a way to explore my background from many sides. It has been a long journey to acceptance, but I realize now that I do not have to choose between being black or white. Now, I embrace the fact that I am half of both. b

Age 11

Age 18

Exhibit A. Mya Zralik, a senior at Ohio University, uses mixed media to explore her own identity and character identities in E. Lockhart's "We Were Liars."

backdrop | Spring 2020

backdropmagazine.com

1. Removed the instructor's tattoo 2. Changed the color of the orange box 3. Changed the color of leggings the girl on the left is wearing 4. Removed the instructorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone on the floor 5. Removed text from instructor's shirt

4 3 2 1

ORIGINAL PHOTO BY ANDREW THOMPSON

Spot the five differences between these photos of a CHAARG event.

PHOTO HUNT

Featuring independent, world, documentary, critically-acclaimed films and dozens of special events.

WEEKLY SPECIALS $4 TUESDAYS We offer a discount to ALL shows, EVERY Tuesday. Admission is $4.00 to any film. This cannot be combined with other coupons or discounts.

FREE POPCORN WEDNESDAYS The Athena proudly serves Ohio Grown Heirloom popcorn brought to you by Shagbark Seed & Mill. On Wednesdays, we offer one small popcorn with the purchase of a ticket. This offer only applies to our first-run films and not special events or one-time showings. Monday–Friday, 4:00–10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 2:30–10:00 p.m.

20 S. South Court 20 Court St. Street Athens, 45071 Athens, Ohio OH 45701

SOUTHEAST OHIO’S PREMIER ART HOUSE THEATER 48

backdrop | Spring 2019

www.backdropmagazine.com 11 www.backdropmagazine.com ATHENACINEMA.COM

Vol. 13 Issue 3

Articles inside

THE COST OF ADDICTION

RECOVERED

EXHIBIT A

SEEING PAST THE HAZE

mental health resources

SPORTS

GRANT THEM SERENITY

CALENDAR

FOOD

RECIPE

PHOTO STORY

GLOBALIZING ATHENS

INFOGRAPHIC

COMMUNITY