PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD
VOLUME 73 • ISSUE 16 • FEBRUARY 12, 2019
love & sex guide
NEWS City refuses to fire cop for racist comments, settles to save tax dollars ARTS Helina Tkeste Aminu showcases African Art COVER Love and Sex Guide: Sex, sex and more sex
CRIME BLOTTER
FEB. 4–9
CHLOE DYSART FEB. 4 False Alarm
Cramer Hall had two fire alert activations caused by an individual or individuals pulling the emergency alarm under false pretenses. The first instance occurred at 4:52 p.m. on the third floor, and the second instance occurred at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor. The investigation has been closed due to lack of leads.
FEB. 4 Invasion of Privacy
At approximately 12:30 p.m., a student reported to CPSO that someone was holding a cell phone under the stall as they used the restroom on the fourth floor of Smith Memorial Student Union. The incident is pending and under investigation.
FEB. 7 False Alarm
At approximately 5:32 p.m., CPSO issued a citation for a non-student who trespassed into Lincoln Hall and intentionally pulled the fire alarm. Case is closed by citation.
Harrasment
On the third floor of Lincoln Hall, it was reported to CPSO that a male aggressively bumped a student on the shoulder and tried to engage the student in a fight. CPSO checked the area but was unsuccessful in finding the individual.
FEB. 9 Domestic Violence
Portland police responded to a report of domestic violence at University Pointe apartments. A resident was later arrested for assault.
COVER PHOTO BY BO KOERING COVER MODELS: CERVANTÉ POPE, SOFÍA RAMÍREZ NEWS BOARD MEETING ON CAMPUS SAFETY POSTPONED WITH LITTLE FANFARE P. 3
INTERNATIONAL THIS WEEK AROUND THE WORLD
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CITY BACKS DOWN FROM FIRING COP WHO MADE RACIST COMMENTS
P. 4
PROTESTS IN NICARAGUA CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC DECLINE
P. 27
PBOT SHARES SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF E-SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM
P. 5
LEBANON’S NEW GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATED WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
P. 28
P. 6
OPINION HBCU NOT FOR ALL
P. 29
P. 7
HORROR THERAPY
P. 30
P. 8
EVENTS CALENDAR
P. 31
PSU CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON COUNTY HOUSELESS COUNT ARTS BLAZING THROUGH AFRICAN ART PSU’S FEMINISTS OF COLOR COLLECTIVE LOVE & SEX GUIDE 2019 SEX, SEX AND MORE SEX
P. 9–24
ARTS DEADBEAT AT DAWN, A FILTHY MASTERPIECE
P. 25
STAFF EDIT ORI A L EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nada Sewidan MANAGING EDITOR Marta Yousif NEWS EDITORS Chris May Anamika Vaughan INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Lukas Amsden ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cervanté Pope OPINION EDITOR Taylar Rivers ONLINE EDITOR Sangi Lama
COPY CHIEF Hannah Welbourn COPY EDITOR A.M. LaVey Ryan O’Connell Contributors Madison Cecil Sophie Concannon Chloe Dysart Cory Elia Nolan Gold Amanda Guthu CJ Hueso Shandi Hunt Maggie Lombard Emily Price Marena Riggan Julianna Robidoux Moxxy Rogers McKinzie Smith Morgan Watkins
PHO T O & MULTIMEDI A PHOTO EDITOR Bo Koering MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Emma Josephson PRODUC TION & DE SIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Savannah Quarum LEAD DESIGNER Colin Davis DESIGNERS Robby Day Lisa Dorn Danielle Emeka John Rojas DIS T RIBU TION & M A R K E TING DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Chris May
T ECHNOL OGY & W EB SIT E STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Corrine Nightingale TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS Damaris Dusciuc Long V. Nguyen Annie Ton A DV ISING & ACCOUN TING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT Sheri Pitcher To contact Portland State Vanguard, email info@psuvanguard.com
MIS SION S TAT EMEN T Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.
A BOU T Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us in print every Tuesday and online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @psuvanguard for multimedia content and breaking news.
NEWS
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING ON CAMPUS SAFETY POSTPONED FEB. 4–8 SOPHIE CONCANNON
FEB. 4: OREGON LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT ORGAN DONOR RECIPIENTS
Rep. Rob Nosse, D–Portland, sponsored a bill in the Oregon State Legislature to stop medical providers from recommending transplant candidates be removed from the organ waiting list because they “tested positive for pot,” according to Statesman Journal. H.B. 2687 was proposed due to a fear of discrimination against patients waiting for an organ transplant while using marijuana for their chronic pain, as transplant centers have denied such patients in the past, according to The Associated Press. The bill aims to “prohibit transplant centers from recommending…medical marijuana patient[s] from being removed from a list of potential recipients” based on the positive results of a drug test for marijuana use.
FEB. 7: GREEN NEW DEAL OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
United States House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Edward Markey introduced a bill to “redefine the national debate on climate change.” The bill, commonly known as the Green New Deal—endorsed by every Democratic Senator running for president in 2020—includes a 10-year plan to convert 100 percent of the power demand in the U.S. to clean and renewable energy sources. The bill also includes an infrastructure program that has the potential to create millions of jobs in the energy field. Modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, The New York Times reports the bill will not move forward in its current form, but “some ideas could advance…to address the climate crisis.”
FEB. 8: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DENIES UNDERMINING AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
State data shows one-third of Oregon daycare centers have failed to prove their drinking water is free of lead, a neurotoxin linked to learning disabilities and nervous system damage considered particularly dangerous for children under six. A new state law requires water tests for child care facilities, which must submit their results by Sept. 30. However, more than a month later, the state lacks information from more than 1,000 centers. Of the centers that did submit test results, about 1.6 percent had drinking water containing lead levels above state standards.
FEB. 8: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DENIES UNDERMINING AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos accused The National Enquirer of threatening to publish “graphic photographs” of him according to The New York Times. On Jan. 10, The National Enquirer published a series of articles on Bezos’ extramarital affair and soon after, media circles accused the publication of politically motivated coverage—publisher David J. Pecker is a longtime friend of President Donald Trump. Pecker helped to cover Trump’s alleged affairs and according to The Daily Beast, Trump gloated over Bezos’ divorce and the tabloid’s exposé. Bezos has launched an independent investigation into the potential political connection between The National Enquirer and the White House.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES LISTEN TO OPEN COMMENTS, OCT. 4, 2018. COURTESY OF PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION CHRIS MAY AND ANAMIKA VAUGHAN A Portland State Board of Trustees special meeting planned for Feb. 5 in order to discuss the results of a comprehensive review of campus public safety policies has been postponed. Christopher Broderick, associate vice president of University Communications, confirmed via email the university has not received any drafts of the report, adding the final report will be released to the public immediately when it is submitted. Broderick also said the next Board of Trustees meeting intended for discussing the report will be rescheduled in order to give the public time to read it beforehand. So far there have been no explanations released to the public as to why the report is delayed, and no information on when to expect the report to be finished aside from statements from university expecting the report to be released soon. As recently as Jan. 24 at a Board of Trustees meeting, PSU President Rahmat Shoureshi told the Board the special meeting was still on. “We are still planning to move forward with the Feb. 5 special meeting of the Board of Trustees to hear Margolis Healy’s report on their independent investigations,” Shoureshi said. He also mentioned there would be opportunities for both Board members and the public to ask the firm questions about their report and investigation. At that same meeting, PSU Student Union member Kaitlyn Dey told the Board of Trustees that many students were confused about the timeline for the report’s estimated completion. “There are a lot of people who did hear that [the Jan. 24] meeting was going to be [when the report was shared],” Dey said, “And they didn’t realize that
the special Board meeting was happening.” Dey also requested the university advertise the special Board meeting to ensure that students are engaged. “The Feb. 5 meeting was not promoted in any campus outreach beyond the pdx.edu/board page on scheduled future meetings,” Broderick said. “It was taken off that page when it became clear that Margolis Healy report was not (and still is not) submitted to PSU.” Steven Healy, CEO of Margolis Healy, did not respond to requests for comment on the reason for the delay. In a November presentation to the Board’s Executive and Audit Committee, Healy told committee members he was hoping to present their findings by winter. According to Margolis Healy’s contract with the university, the firm’s estimated cost for their review is $228,386. The contract also includes a proposed timeline, which calls for a draft report and presentation within “30–45 business days after last site visit,” and a final report 15 days after the draft report. The Feb. 5 special Board meeting would have been 55 days after the firm’s last site at PSU. PSUSU released a letter to PSU administrators and media on Feb. 6, expressing “frustrations and dissatisfaction” with the progress of the investigation by Margolis Healy and demanding the immediate release of the report, as well as the tentative date for the rescheduled Board meeting. The letter states: “Seven months have elapsed since Jason’s murder, and still no one has been held accountable. We have not seen any effort by the Board of Trustees to meet or even acknowledge the demands of the Student Union and the requests of the Washington family.”
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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NEWS
CITY BACKS DOWN FROM FIRING COP WHO MADE RACIST COMMENTS
MEMBERS OF VARIOUS ACTIVIST GROUPS DEMONSTRATE OUTSIDE PORTLAND CITY HALL. FEB. 5, 2019. BO KOERING/PSU VANGUARD
CHRIS MAY Portland’s City Council approved a settlement during a Feb. 6 meeting that would clear the record of a cop who was fired in 2017 for racist remarks made three days after a Portland Police Bureau officer fatally shot 17-year-old Quanice Hayes. The vote to approve the settlement, which passed 4-1, came a week after Commissioner JoAnn Hardesty made comments on the public record about the exact nature of the statements leading to the city’s decision to fire PPB Sergeant Gregg Lewis. According to the full termination letter released by the office of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, three other sergeants present at a Feb. 12, 2017 roll call reported Lewis for telling officers to “go out and shoot black people.” Because of disciplinary standards established during 2016 police contract negotiations between the Portland Police Association and the city, PPA was able to challenge Lewis’ firing. Under the advice of city attorneys, the City Council opted to avoid the cost of a legal battle and instead pay off Lewis to ensure he was not reinstated after a lost arbitration case. Hardesty, who was the sole vote in opposition to the settlement, said city attorneys and a staffer from the mayor’s office repeat-
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edly told her the settlement was “the best deal we’re gonna get.” “I asked the city attorney, right here in my office, ‘What’s the worst that happens if we go to arbitration and lose?’” Hardesty said. According to Hardesty, the difference between the $100,000 paid to Lewis and the cost of a lost arbitration case amounts to approximately $8,000. “I think a $108,000 settlement would send a strong message, because at least we fought for what was right and not what was just convenient for the city,” Hardesty said. “It may save $8,000 in taxpayer money, but it ruins the credibility of the city council and police officers who are sworn to protect and serve.” As reported in Portland Mercury, commissioners who voted in favor of the settlement pointed to the potential costs of a legal battle with arbitrators and the importance of ensuring Lewis would not work for the city again. Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, commenting on what she called a “flawed system” the week before the vote, said there were no good choices available. “The public blames us, and to a certain extent that’s reasonable,” Eudaly said. “But our power has been bargained away.”
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
Commissioner Nick Fish said he would vote in favor of the settlement to save taxpayer money and ensure Lewis would not work for the City of Portland again. Commissioner Amanda Fritz also emphasized the importance of keeping Lewis off the police force, according to a report by The Oregonian. In an interview, Hardesty acknowledged the city’s poor track record in arbitration cases but said the cost savings were minimal, and Lewis can now get a job somewhere else. “My fear is quite frankly, that there’s nothing to prevent him now from going to work in Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village or Salem,” Hardesty said. In addition to the payout from the city, Lewis will have his firing erased from the record and show a retirement date of Dec. 8. Commissioners on both sides of the vote raised concerns with the disciplinary standards incorporated into the most recent police contract negotiations. “What I know is that the [PPB] negotiators are expert negotiators,” Hardesty said. “And the ones that negotiate on behalf of the public and the city seem to be brand new and not
have any clue of how to make sure the public gets their best interests met.” Fish also made comments to the mayor about the inadequacies of the the city’s legal team when going up against PPA attorneys, according to Portland Mercury. “I believe in the process, but I also believe in a fair fight,” he said. Hardesty appeared at a listening session last year facilitated by Margolis Healy, whose comprehensive campus public safety review is currently behind schedule. “[Margolis Healy CEO Steven Healy] appeared to be one of those drive-by consultants,” Hardesty said. “After a tragedy, he comes in, gets paid a bucket-load of money, he makes some recommendations and off he goes to the next tragedy. It would have been much more impactful to have hired someone locally who really understood the dynamics of the fight to put armed police at PSU.” Hardesty suggested students concerned about campus safety issues model themselves after the students at Portland Public Schools. While Hardesty was being sworn in during her first day on City Council, PPS students protested outside City Hall against an agreement to have more police officers on public school campuses.
NEWS
PBOT SHARES SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF E-SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM
E-SCOOTERS AT PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENT ON SEPT. 2018. COURTESY OF PBOT
JULIANNA ROBIDOUX Portland Bureau of Transportation and Transportation Research and Education Center held a seminar on Feb. 1 at Karl Miller Center on the successes and challenges of the e-scooter pilot program in Portland, which lasted 120 days from July 23–Nov. 20, 2018. Speakers at the seminar included Briana Orr, E-Scooter pilot project manager at PBOT; John MacArthur, sustainable transportation program manager for TREC; and Jennifer Dill, director of TREC. After the e-scooter pilot ended, PBOT received 4,532 public opinion poll responses from both residents and visitors and evaluated the program using trip data provided by companies, a user survey, the Multnomah County Health Department, a public opinion poll by DHM Research, three separate focus groups, reported injuries as well as community feedback and complaints. Results showed 62 percent felt positive about e-scooters and 34 percent of respondents replaced driving and ride-hailing trips
with e-scooter trips; 42 percent of riders were 25–34 years old, 64 percent were male and 79 percent were white. The results also showed low-income residents and people of color tend to use e-scooters more than bike shares. PBOT found that costs and an aversion to entering credit card information as well as the availability of scooters were barriers to e-scooter usage. There was also low company performance in meeting the city’s equity goals, with a lack of scooters in less financially lucrative parts of town such as Northeast Portland. The benefits which PBOT reported included expanding mobility options, enhancing transit connections, lessening environmental impact, lowering transportation cost for users and reducing congestion and parking. Other benefits include equity, new workforce opportunities and fun and freedom of movement. Some issues the city has faced with e-scoot-
ers include safety, impacts on other modes of transportation, operational costs and environmental concerns. Going forward, PBOT plans to work on sidewalk accessibility and pedestrian comfort, as lack of helmets, unsafe riding on sidewalks and improperly parked scooters made up the majority of complaints they received. They also hope to increase equitable access to e-scooters. PBOT also announced it is working toward launching a second e-scooter pilot program this spring and is currently working on drafting the administrative rules and permit applications. One seminar attendee asked whether scooter injuries went up with an increase in inclement weather this past fall, and Orr responded that there was in fact a decline in injuries over the pilot period. Another inquired about lowering the minimum age of e-scooter riders from 18 to 16 years old. Orr said the statewide minimum age is set at 16 while the companies set the minimum age
requirement at 18. Another inquired about low-income plans. Orr responded that while the city required all e-scooter companies to have a low-income plan, there were no specific requirements for the cost for low-income riders. E-scooters are part of a growing trend in shared micro-mobility, defined as any small, human or electric powered transportation solution such as bikes, e-bikes, scooters or any other small, lightweight vehicle that can be shared between multiple users. The implementation of the program was part of Portland’s long-term goal of using other options besides single-occupancy cars, as 60 percent of Portlanders use a vehicle for transportation. Over the duration of the pilot program, Portlanders took 700,369 trips with an average of 5,885 trips per day and an average trip length between 1–1.5 miles. The program allowed companies to operate anywhere within city limits with a city permit and have up to 2,043 scooters.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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NEWS
PSU CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON COUNTY HOUSELESS COUNT
EVERY TWO YEARS A WEEK-LONG SURVEY IS CONDUCTED TO ESTIMATE THE HOUSELESS POPULATION IN PORTLAND AND MULTNOMAH COUNTY. COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS CORY ELIA Portland State continued its partnership with Multnomah County to conduct a benninal count of sheltered and unsheltered houseless people across Portland and the county from Jan. 23– 29. PSU’s Regional Research Institute collaborated with the Joint Office of Homeless Services to administer the houselessness Point-in-Time Count. Since 2005, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development started requiring counts as a condition of eligibility for federal houselessness funding. Using data from the 2017 count and other statewide counts, in 2018 HUD reported that Oregon had the second largest population of unsheltered houseless people in the nation. “In order to find as many people as possible and collect all the surveys, it takes volunteers a week to collect the data,” said Tiffany Conklin, project manager for the Regional Research Institution. “It would be impossible to try to find everyone and survey them on just one night.” Recent reporting has characterized the count as only occurring over the course of a single night, but according to Conklin
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and count’s methodology from the beginning has involved two separate counts conducted over different time frames. The most visible effort related to the count is the One Night Shelter Count, which involves all organizations providing emergency shelter, motel vouchers and transitional housing in the county to submit information on the clients they served and turned away over the course of a single night. A longer, more complex data collection effort is the Street Count, which occurs over the course of the week. Every night for a week, one-page surveys are distributed to individuals and households experiencing houselessnes that particular night. Basic identifying information is collected to ensure everyone is only counted once. The data collected by the street count helps the State of Oregon secure federal funding for assisting vulnerable communities and also helps the City of Portland, Multnomah County and its non-profit partners to meet the needs of houseless people. The last count, led by the the now-defunct PSU Survey Research Lab in 2017, reported 4,177 houseless individuals
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
on the streets of Portland, a 10 percent increase of houselessness from 2015. The count reflects the number of people sleeping in vehicles, motels, transitional housing, but also individuals receiving rent assistance or even permanent supportive housing that might be on the streets if not for those benefits. The count doesn’t reveal how many people enter and exit houselessness over the course of a year, why they become houseless or what barriers might prevent them from being houseless. Conklin, who spearheaded this year’s effort, said within three months, she and a partner at the Joint Office of Homeless Services had coordinated 115 local organizations and agencies, along with hundreds of staff and public volunteers to take part in the street count. “I’ve worked in the survey research field for over 15 years now—12 at PSU—and I’ve never experienced a project with such size and scope, community engagement and level of outreach.” According to Conklin, the information from the count will be entered into a database that will be delivered to the Joint Office of Homeless Service by April of this year.
ARTS & CULTURE
BLAZING THROUGH AFRICAN ART BLAZER’S AL-FAROUQ AMINU AND WIFE HELINA HONOR AFRICAN HERITAGE THROUGH ART CERVANTÉ POPE Blazer fans are surely aware of the Nigerian-American baller #8, small/power forward Al-Farouq Aminu. A Trailblazer for about four years now, Aminu comes from a line of Nigerian kings—literally making him a prince—and his name translates to “The Chief has arrived.” Al-Farouq Aminu and his wife Helina Tekeste Aminu honor that African regality through their appreciation and promotion of African art. Tekeste Aminu is Ethiopian, and she and her husband have been steadily collecting art from their home countries and other African countries over the last seven years. They don’t look for big names, focusing specifically on street artists and whatever they find that they simply like. When their family made their way to Portland, they wanted to find a way to showcase everything they’ve gathered throughout the years. With Al-Farouq hitting the courts, Helina took over the main artistic duties, deciding to transform her personal workspace to one for others to enjoy as well. “I was first housing all of the pieces we brought to Portland here at my studio,” Tekeste Aminu said. “Then, I decided to do an exhibit with Otis super, super last minute.” Currently, she’s hosting the “Black-ish” collection by Ghanian-born, new-to-Portland artist Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe. Quaicoe heard of Tekeste Aminu’s art space the same way most people did—through social media posts she made on her personal Facebook and Instagram profiles that were mentioned by sportscasters during the broadcast of a recent Blazer home game. After meeting Quaicoe and going through all of his art, she decided to clear out her space and make room for his work. “I thought it would be more meaningful to use our platform to present Otis and have him connect with people here,” Tekeste Aminu said. “He’s local, and he may be able to further his career which is better than us just showing off our personal pieces.” Aside from the Aminus’ personal collection of crystals, jewelry and art pieces from Nigeria, Haiti, South Africa and more, the studio space also housed Tekeste Aminu’s fashion designs, which are her contributions to the art world for now,
CURATOR HELINA TEKESTE AMINU STANDING NEXT TO A PAINTING BY ARTIST OTIS KWAME KYE QUAICOE. CERVANTÉ POPE/PSU VANGUARD though she would like to do more. “I design and make a lot of clothes, but I’ve never actually painted,” Tekeste Aminu said. “I don’t know how to paint so I don’t know where to start. I feel like I do a lot of creative things but painting, no. I would like to, though.” In the meantime, Tekeste Aminu stays up on her fashion designs, sometimes making special request orders for family and friends. It’s a labor of love, but she’s not sure if she wants to do anything further with it. “A lot of my stuff I have prototyped so I thought about doing a super-sale kind of pop-up and just letting people buy it for little to nothing,” Tekeste Aminu said. “I feel like it’s something I’m passionate about, but I don’t know if I want to turn into a business. I think you would take a little bit of the passion out of it.” She usually works with a lot of bright and beautiful fabric from East and West Africa, but she’s not the only one in the family that takes to cloth more than typical canvas. Al-Farouq also dabbles in producing art, particularly on clothes. “My husband is super creative,” Tekeste Aminu said. “He does a lot of design, drawing and a lot of art on clothes—more so than on
canvas. I guess clothes are his canvas.” She credits her husband for paving the way for art as an outlet for the family, but she doesn’t think he’s into putting any of his own creations on display, stating that he’s “real private” about it. Tekeste Aminu’s ultimate goal is to host pieces and collections from almost every country in Africa. Besides Quaicoe, she’s got another artist lined up to exhibit—an abstract Eritrean artist currently based in Seattle also reached out to her after her social media post and she plans to have his work on display next month. “I’m totally open to letting artists use my space,” Tekeste Aminu said. “Sometimes it’s hard to find somebody that believes in your work and wants to put on your show, but I feel like it’s very important. If I believe in the art I totally will show it.” Helina Tekeste Aminu encourages African artists to reach out to her via her Instagram, @helinaaminu. Her studio is located at 1720 NW Lovejoy, Suite 109. You can visit the studio by appointment, but Quaicoe is hosting a meet and greet at the space on Feb. 23–24 from noon–5 p.m.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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ARTS & CULTURE
THE FEMINISTS OF COLOR COLLECTIVE A PLACE FOR ACTIVIST MINDS OF COLOR YOU DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED
CERVANTÉ POPE Portland State’s Feminists of Color Collective provides a space to discuss issues and disparities affecting marginalized communities of color. With Portland as a place of activism, resistance and outspoken opinions, but it’s also a place where those aspects of social and civic justices are typically driven by the city’s white citizens. With the predominant race essentially dominating conversations of change, it’s hard for marginalized voices that many social issues affect to be heard. Looking at Portland State as an institution specifically, the issue of marginalized communities having a platform is localized but easier to address. In a way, that’s how the campus’ Feminists of Color Collective came to be, and its existence on campus is surely needed by the school’s students of color. Currently a force of about 50 members, the FoCC was started last year, born out of the Women of Color Action Team. It was originally coordinated by Ebony Oldham, who ran the Feminist Possibilities for Imagining Otherwise, though Kaila Fontenot heads many of the collective’s dealings now. They meet once a week in the Women’s Resource Center in the form of a caucus, with “cultural appropriation, the exclusion of LGBTQIA++ in communities of color, the white-washing of POC narratives and health disparities in communities of color” as painfully recognized topics of interest often discussed, according to Fontenot.
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PREVIOUS FEMINISTS OF COLOR EVENT. COURTESY OF PSU WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER Outside of their weekly discussions, Fontenot said the collective also holds at least one specific event each term. Last term, they hosted an event called “The Disposability Within Friend and Relationships,” but since this term occurs during Black History/Futures Month, their current event, the February Film Series, holds a particular weight. “We wanted the film series to touch on the themes of Afrofuturism, Black masculinity, Black queerness and intergenerational healing,” Fontenot said. The series includes showings of Set It Off, I Am Not Your Negro, Moonlight and The Color Purple. “All four of these movies adhere to some aspect of those themes, and were also chosen because each film is unapologetically black, with blackness expressed in different ways,” Fontenot said. Next term, the collective will be hosting their third Feminist of Color Collective Award Brunch, where a member can nominate another member for really any award they want. “In the past, someone was given the ‘Beyoncé Award’ for being the baddest bitch,” Fontenot said. “We disrupt traditional award ceremonies because everyone in attendance must nominate themselves for an award, as well as another person.” It’s another opportunity to recognize excellence of color, but the collective will still be tackling some of the more sensitive, hot-button issues. Over the next few months, they’ll be putting on a workshop
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
about how to interrupt microaggressions as they’re happening to you along with a discussion about the POC experience within the cannabis industry and the legal roadblocks in place holding people of color back. The collective is also in the beginning stages of coordinating a program that “focuses on hope and resilience” with the Associated Students of Portland State University, and would love to work with some of the other cultural clubs on campus, given the chance. It doesn’t take dues, a big name or an incredible amount of time to become a member of the FoCC. It’s as easy as showing up for their weekly meetings, held every Friday from 4–5 p.m. in the Women’s Resource Center. You don’t even have to show up to every one of them. Meetings are put on hold until the February Film Series is over, with film showings occuring during the usual meeting time. Next on the docket is Moonlight. Don’t let apprehension stop you from participating. Just remember this—“The Feminists of Color Collective is a great space where students of color are able to release from a stressful week, (occasionally) eat waffles and talk to other students of color about things they aren’t able to talk about in class,” Fontenot said. If you’re looking for a community on campus, FoCC has got one for you and sometimes, you’ll even get some waffles out of it.
sex. sex & more sex*
*and a little bit of love
LOVE & SEX
SEX EDUCATION CONVERSATION IN OREGON WITH SEX COACH STELLA HARRIS THERE IS NO “NORMAL” MAGGIE LOMBARD When people feel stuck in the sheets, led astray by porn or clueless when it comes to sex education, who do they turn to? Stella Harris! Stella Harris is a Portland-based intimacy educator and sex coach. She helps people tear down the personal roadblocks they may have with intimacy and sexuality and is hailed as “clearly an expert level sexuality educator both in knowledge and experience,” as per the testimonials on her website. Harris was kind enough to take some of her time to explain some of the aspects of her job and answer a handful of questions: VG: In a nutshell, what does your job entail? SH: I have a private coaching practice out of my office in North Portland. I see individuals and couples who are seeking help with communication, relationships and sex. VG: What would you say to young adults who find themselves struggling with intimacy and sexuality? SH: You’re not alone. Our culture doesn’t provide any good information, and there’s a bunch of harmful information out there. It’s okay to feel different or to want to go slower than your peers are going. VG: If you could only pick ONE misconception—about sex, anatomy, toys, anything—to clear up for the rest of your life, what would it be? SH: There’s no such thing as “normal.” Unfortunately, there are a lot of messages in our culture that sex is supposed to hurt or at least, that it hurts the first time. This isn’t true! If it does, your body is warning you that something is wrong. You either need more arousal, more lube or to go slower. Or maybe you’re not ready for that thing at all, and that’s okay. Sex is about intimacy and connection, not having camera worthy moves. Porn is a fan-
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tasy, not sex ed. And while I’m all for (ethical) porn used for arousal, remember that it isn’t real life. Not only are the performers professionals, but they’re getting to warm up and lube up off camera. VG: What are some of your favorite topics to cover when speaking at colleges? SH: My favorite thing about college gigs is the questions students ask me—especially when writing anonymous questions is an option. It’s so rewarding to know that questions people have been sitting on for ages are finally getting an answer. At colleges people seem worried about being on the same schedule as their peers and worry about being less sexually experienced. I always tell people there’s no one right time table—everyone feels ready for different things at different stages, and it’s important to not rush yourself because you think it’s what everyone else is doing. People also struggle with not feeling as open or wild as their peers. It’s totally fine if you’re not into polyamory, kink or anything else you see people talking about. There’s no relationship style or sexual interest that’s better or more evolved—and as long as it’s all between consenting adults and people are freely choosing after knowing what all their options are, that’s great. Harris also shared some of her favorite resources that people can turn to for help. She works for an online sex coaching app called “Juicebox,” which anonymously pairs people with a coach. The app is free, however, access to a coach is fee-based. You can specifically request to speak with Harris, as well. Find out more about Harris at stellaharris. net. She also teaches regularly at She Bop, an adult boutique with frequent classes at their Beech Street location. Next up: “Mapping the Vulva: Licking, Touching, Teasing, & Talking”
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
LISA DORN CHLOE DYSART For many, sex education in public schools is the only place students can get information about topics such as birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality. However, standards for sex education vary greatly from state to state, and only 24 states in the United States require that sex ed be taught at all. So how does Oregon’s sex education set up students for a safe and informed sexual future? The state strives for its sex education program to be comprehensive, which is defined by Oregon’s department of education as “complete, medically accurate and age-appropriate.” Oregon does not support shameor fear-based curriculums, which contain material or situations that shame or devalue students who have been or plan to be sexually active. The Oregon Department of Education requires schools to teach sex-related topics such as puberty, birth control and sexual violence, but not the mechanics of how to have sex. Students are taught that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method of preventing pregnancy and STDs, but are also taught other methods of safe sex if they choose to not be abstinent.
In theory, these practices may sound adequate. However, Skyland Yerkes, co-chair of the Reproductive Justice Action Team (RJAT), said that Oregon sex ed could be improved by incorporating more sex positivity and information about relationships. “Sex is taught in such a sterile way when it’s one of the least sterile things on the planet,” Skyland said. Sexual orientation and gender identity are listed in what is taught in comprehensive sex education in Oregon. However, Skyland said the availability of resources can impact how this looks in any given school. “As far as Oregon, yeah the law is comprehensive, but where are the resources?” Skyland said. “Where’s the accountability?” Emma Ritter, a member of RJAT, went through sex education in an Oregon public school and said that most of what she learned about sex came from online resources. “I never learned anything about the LGBTQ community from anything schoolbased,” Ritter said. “Sex ed should really be about letting people know that it’s okay to be this way,” she added. “It’s okay to feel this way. You’re not bad for having sex. It’s okay to be yourself and that is what’s important. You should never let anyone take that away from you.”
LOVE & SEX
WHERE TO FIND AFFORDABLE, ONLINE BIRTH CONTROL
SHANDI HUNT
The Trump administration recently attempted to allow employers to deny contraceptive coverage based on religious or moral beliefs. However, even with such efforts to hinder women’s access to reproductive care, there are a number of groups emerging to assist women and create access to affordable or free contraceptives, and they can ship them right to your door. Freethepill.org lists a handful of websites that deliver birth control and a few that can send a prescription to a pharmacy of your choice to pick up. It’s important to note, if you live in Oregon or Washington, there are pharmacists who can actually prescribe you birth control without a visit to the doctor, and you can buy emergency contraceptives from most pharmacies. Below is a list of telehealth sites that can or will soon be able to deliver contraceptives to Oregon. Note that all of these sites will require an online health screening, which includes that you know your blood pressure within the past six months. If you are choosing to use insurance, you will need to know your health plan, member ID and bin number, and the online provider may require more or less information depending on the site.
LEMONAID
THE PILL CLUB
Offers the pill, patch and ring, but not emergency contraceptives at this time, according to an employee. The cost is $25 with or without insurance for the online doctors visit, which covers the entire year. A prescription is then sent to their mail order pharmacy, which then mails your choice of contraceptive to your door.
NURX Went live in Oregon as of Feb. 5. They offer the pill, patch, ring, emergency contraception, PrEP and home HPV screening tests. The online consultation is free with or without insurance. The pill starts as low as $15 per pack or $5 with insurance. Three packs are delivered at a time, meaning your first order will cost $45. The site discloses if you are not using insurance, both the patch and ring will typically cost over $100 per pack. Nurx does require that you upload a picture of your photo ID showing your name, face and birth date.
PRJKT RUBY Does not accept insurance. They only offer oral contraceptives and emergency contraceptives. The consultation is free and the pills are $20 a pack. The first delivery will be three packs, totalling $60.
This site has the cheapest emergency contraceptives of all the sites looked at, but as of right now, they are unable to prescribe in Oregon. It’s still possible to utilize their delivery service by visiting your primary provider or local Planned Parenthood for a prescription and having them send it directly. The consultation is $15 and birth control starts around $20 per month for a three-month supply. Emergency contraceptives run $15 for one or $20 for two, but they don’t do overnight shipping.
MAVEN This site offers a wide variety of telehealth options including birth control. Unlike other sites, you can pick an available practitioner from a list that includes their credentials and a bio, then schedule a specific time for a 10-minute video appointment. The cost for the video appointment for birth control is $18. It isn’t clear whether pills will be mailed to you or if the prescription will be sent to a local pharmacy.
PLUSHCARE The most expensive service without insurance—a video appointment with a doctor is $99—but free with insurance. Pick a provider and schedule a video appointment. They will send the prescription to a pharmacy of your choosing for you to pick up.
VARIOUS BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
SEX SHOP ADVISORY GUIDE MAGGIE LOMBARD When you go to a sex shop, you want to know in advance if they’ll have something right for you. After all, plucking up the courage to tell a complete stranger your anal bead preferences should have at least some tangible reward. Whether you’re new or experienced with the sex shop scene, your shopping experience should be inclusive, accepting and ultimately sex-positive. Here’s a list of sex shops that are centered around catering to all people of all genders, tastes, kinks and more.
SHE BOP
She Bop is a woman-owned, female-friendly sex shop with a wide range of specialties, including “body-safe products and education for every body,” as stated in the shop manifesto. Inside She Bop is a mini-museum of delights, with antique vibrators and prototypes of sex toys from the ‘50s in display cases across the shop. Photography isn’t allowed inside, creating a safe and respectful space for those who might still feel a little
SHE BOP N BEECH
weird perusing the extensive collection of dildos. With two locations across Portland and monthly sexuality-related workshops on a variety of topics, She Bop is accessible, friendly and likely to please.
FANTASY
FANTASY HOLLYWOOD
FANTASY DOWNTOWN
With five locations across Portland, FANTASY prides itself on being the original “every body,” sex-positive boutique. Founded in 1985, FANTASY has three categories—accessories, toys and BDSM/fetish gear. Its mission statement is to provide a “safe, fun environment for people of all genders, sexualities and budgets,” perfect for catering to a variety of needs and desires. If you’re looking for a judgment-free zone with friendly and knowledgeable staff who also know when to let you browse alone, FANTASY is the place for you. Its slogan says it all: “Everyone has a fantasy. What’s yours?”
SPARTACUS
SHE BOP SE DIVISION
SPARTACUS
Sex-positive, ultra-feminist and highly reputable, Spartacus is known for its highly-rated and adaptable customer service. Its staff pays special attention to newcomers and makes sure they feel as comfortable as possible. Spartacus’ inventory is huge, with more than 1,500 square feet of storefront space, so it definitely has options for everyone. Spartacus also prides itself on “discretion and privacy,” according to the shop owner. Combined with an industry discount of a whopping 30 percent for strippers, drag queens and other performers, Spartacus has become a Portland legend, and for good reason.
ADAM AND EVE
Though the name might feel outdated, the shop has a modern approach to the sex industry. Adam and Eve—one of the largest sex shop
ADAM & EVE
chains in America—has a huge and inclusive array of toys, lingerie, lubes and more. The Portland storefront has collections ranging from bachelorette party to bondage, as well as a sizeable online selection for those uncomfortable with buying in person. With a large range of products for every kind of couple, Adam and Eve is modernizing as it expands. The store provides a less personal, more ge-
neric experience, which isn’t necessarily bad— in fact, less interaction with staff may be better when even the mere thought of entering a sex shop gives you the shivers (in a bad way). If you don’t find something that strikes your interest, take to Google. Portland is rated the kinkiest city in America, so it certainly has something for everyone—it’s just waiting for you to go out and try it.
A GUIDE TO CRUELTY-FREE SEX MAGGIE LOMBARD
Being vegan is tough at times. It’s not just a diet—it’s a lifestyle, and life doesn’t stop in the bedroom. Many buy sex products without a second thought on their environmental impact or animal cruelty, so whether you’re vegan for the animals, environment or just to score points with your sexy Whole Foods cashier, if you’re ready to say “thank u, next” to your cheap plastics, animal leather and petrochemical-y lube, check out this roundup of items that will keep your sex life eco-friendly and cruelty-free.
LUBE
Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant (Good Clean Love, $6.99 / 1.5 oz) This lube is water-based, made with aloe vera and safe for toys. The company is run by women and for every bottle purchased, they donate to a project that reduces greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to that bottle’s carbon footprint. You could use this lube during sex forever and never increase your environmental impact. Neat!
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SAFE SEX
In a decidedly un-sexy move, many big companies like Durex and Trojan still test on animals—how the fuck do you test a condom on an animal anyway? Non-vegan ingredients such as casein and glycerin lurk in the labeling of those tiny plastic squares. Since condoms and dental dams can prevent pregnancy and the spread of STIs, it’s better to use non-vegan condoms than none at all, so don’t throw away all of your condoms with the aim of replacing them; that’s just wasteful. Sustain Condoms (Sustain Natural, one-time or subscription prices available, and in health food and drug stores). Lubricated on all sides, they’re fair trade and triple-tested for safety with vibrant packaging that’ll make you smile. They’re also gluten free, thank God! Sheer GLYDE Dental Dams (Shop Glyde America, one-time or subscription prices available). They come in an assortment of flavors and are cleared by the FDA. Keep that mouth safe from STIs, y’all.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
TOYS
Okay, you can pretty much call any toy vegan. Neither animal products nor animal testing typically find their way into the production of toys, but there are certainly great toys that are manufactured with the environment in mind. Gaia Eco (She Bop Amazon, $12) It’s the WORLD’S FIRST RECYCLABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE VIBRATOR. Can I get a hell yeah? You could probably plant this baby in your front garden and from it would blossom a lively vibrator plant. I hope your harvest is bountiful this year. Glass Toys (Location and prices vary) Glass is as eco-friendly a material as you’ll get. Plus, since glass-blowing is a crazy cool artform, there are glass toys in all shapes and sizes. Does the thought of putting literal art in your body rev up your engines? If your answer is yes, then go to your local adult boutique (try She Bop, Lovers or Spartacus in the Portland area) to see, pick up and feel their selections.
BDSM
Your leather fetish doesn’t have to include real leather. A quick search on Etsy for “vegan bondage” or “vegan BDSM” will lead you to hundreds of handmade vegan leather goodies. You also get to support small businesses and know exactly who you’re buying from! Check out PlayVegan, a queer and vegan shop whose colorful harnesses and slogan tees will make you smile. SheBop has even recently started stocking some vegan floggers—the Aslan PlayPal Flogger comes in a lovely lavender and will certainly leave maroon marks.
ENTERTAINMENT
You didn’t think I’d finish the article without a nod to our famous vegan strip club, did you? Casa Diablo is a vegan strip club north of downtown Portland. The hard and fast rules of the establishment: No fur, leather or wool on the dancer’s bodies. No meat, dairy or eggs on the menu, which is created by vegan chefs and still easily manages to be six or so pages long, rife with options. Play safe, vegans, and have fun.
LOVE & SEX
LOVE AND SEX IN THE CITIES OF TODAY
SAVANNAH QUARUM
JULIANNA ROBIDOUX Sex and the City is not just for your sassy, single aunt. I recently binge-watched the entire show spanning from 1998–2004 and got sucked into the realness of the complicated, messy relationships. The show resonated with me so deeply I couldn’t put the remote down. I finished all 94 episodes in two weeks, and yes, I am aware that I need a life. The generation born the year Sex and the City first aired will soon be old enough to order cosmopolitans—the drink of choice for single women in Sex and the City. Not only have the drink tastes of single women changed over the past twenty years, but so have dating norms. I couldn’t help but wonder—what would Carrie and her friends think of the swipe-fests on our smartphones that have become the impersonal world of dating today? Would they put up with unsolicited, hyper-sexual messages from strangers on dating apps, inexplicable ghosting by emotionally-stunted guys you went on three perfectly enjoyable dates with, no-strings attached sex with friends with benefits who have replaced the human connection that comes with messy, vulnerable but honest relationships? I don’t think Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte would subject themselves to the callous dating norms of today, and they definitely wouldn’t put up with partners who mistreat them. Although Carrie always goes back to her commitmentphobe love interest Big, she sets boundaries for their relationship when she realizes he’s not good for her mental health.
Like cosmopolitan cocktails, boundaries seem to be a thing of the past. Dating would be better if we all put our cards on the table and were honest about our intentions. Like the first-gen Apple laptop Carrie uses to write her columns, dating lingo from the ‘90s has become outdated. Now we have endless phrases to describe casually seeing someone, such as “hooking up,” “Netflix and chilling” or “hanging out.” Phrases that signal anything deeper than surface level interactions are avoided like Melania avoids Donald Trump’s hand when they’re standing side by side. So why is our generation so afraid of commitment? Do so many people our age not want relationships because that’s the status quo? Or is it just a convenient life choice for people working multiple jobs while also often trying to get an education? Millennials can go to the tattoo parlor and get inked like it’s a trip to the corner store for kombucha yet can’t commit to one person. Dating while looking for a meaningful relationship now is like going on a juice cleanse—it always seems like a good idea at first, but after your third carrot juice you realize you’re trying to be someone you’re not, exhausted and have a headache. Deciphering what someone else wants while avoiding showing your own hand is frankly a waste of time. I can’t help but wonder if the uncertainty of the future—of our professions in a suffering economy; the hopeless politics of the MAGA administration; whether or not the earth will exist in twenty years—has worked its way from the deepest part of our
psyches into our attitudes about dating? If the earth is dying, why invest time and energy into another person? And yet, we still yearn for deeper connection. While Carrie and her friends would check their answering machines religiously to see if a love interest called, we check our Bumble, Tinder, Hinge and Grindr inboxes to see if someone new has graced us with a “Hey, you’re cute. Wanna hang out sometime?” And this in itself is a godsend in apps where you can have mundane back and forths with someone for months without ever meeting face-to-face. I’m not sure how many others feel as hopeless as I do when it comes to the casual, deceptive dating norms we follow to avoid the label of “clinger” or even just *gasp!* someone who wants more than friendship with benefits, but I do have plenty of friends trying not to drown in the tumultuous sea of apathetic dating app users. That’s why watching Carrie and friends navigate the dating world with poise is so inspirational to me as a single woman dating in the city. Although I still have some hope for my dating future, I’m not sure I’ll find anything meaningful through a dating app. I’m ready to declare myself a nun and join a convent if it means never again being ghosted by yet another avid pizza connoisseur who just moved to Portland for the mountains and beach and works in data analytics. Or on second thought, maybe just buy a better vibrator, like the one Charlotte replaces dating with in that one episode of Sex and the City.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
LIKE A VIRGIN NO PARTNER, NO PROBLEM MCKINZIE SMITH Valentine’s Day might feel like the worst day of the year to be a virgin. When it seems like everyone is hooking up or expecting a romantic night with their significant other, what is a single virgin to do? Whether you’re celibate by choice or waiting for the right one, you might not know what to do this Feb. 14. Thankfully, there are a lot of options aside from sex to explore.
BUMBLE BUDDIES
Did you know some of the most popular dating apps have options to meet friends? Bumble has a “BFF” feature for finding non-romantic dates and Tinder has Tinder Social, mostly used to match friend groups for a big night out. Other apps exclusively for platonic pairings include Patook for single matchups, We3 for groups and Hey! Vina for self-identified women. Chances are, others are feeling lonely on this day too. That isn’t to say hookups can’t be an option. If you’re ready to lose your virginity and think Valentine’s Day is the time to do it, Tinder and Bumble might be valid places to start.
FEEL THE VIBRATIONS
Pardon the cheesy header, but I think it’s valid to start recommending vibrators at this point in the article. Virgins, contrary to popular opinion, get horny too. Most people have masturbated by the time they get to college, but not everyone has experimented with toys. I say: Use the holiday as an excuse to go get one. Locally, She Bop in North Portland is bright and unintimidating and carries only non-toxic products! If you’d rather order online, Adam & Eve is the classic, discreet choice. Give it a go—you’ll thank me later.
PALENTINE’S DAY
On the way less sexy spectrum of things: Hang out with your single friends! Parks & Recreation gave us Galentine’s Day, and we honor its memory by eating brunch with our best friends. The gender-neutral Palentine’s Day is also a great naming choice. Palentine’s Day does fall on a Thursday this year, so brunch might not be the most sensible option. Instead, do dessert after dark! The Cookie Dough Café is a unique alternative to other unnamed ice cream shops, with vegan options as well. Friends are just as important as significant others; it’s best not to let them go unappreciated on the most love-filled holiday of the year.
TREAT YOURSELF
The best part of being single? All that free time! Use those extra hours to treat yourself kindly. You have a lot of love to give, so give it to yourself. Pursue your hobbies, be that writing, running, drawing, making music, watching Netflix, you name it. Make sure your space is clean and arranged the way you want it. Maybe call a therapist or counselor if you’ve been feeling stressed, depressed or anxious. It’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves, so take this time to check in with yourself. Most of all, keep in mind that everyone grows at their own pace. I didn’t lose my virginity until I was twenty. Though most of my friends had already had sex, I knew what was best for me in my situation. Twenty is late for some but early for others. There shouldn’t be any pressure to have sex before you’re ready or to have sex with someone you don’t have any interest in. In the meantime, use Valentine’s Day to make time for the things that make you happy. Right now, it’s all about you.
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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
ROBBY DAY
LOVE & SEX
SEX ON DRUGS
WHAT SEX ON SUBSTANCES LOOKS LIKE DELANEY WHITE In college, there are many different kinds of experimentation, but students tend to focus on two: sex and substances. Often, these overlap. So what does sex on five of the most commonly used substances—alcohol, molly/MDMA/ecstasy, Xanax, cocaine and psychedelics—look like? In all cases, the most important aspect of any sexual interaction is constant consent and respect of boundaries.
PSYCHEDELICS
ALCOHOL
The most commonly used substance is alcohol, and sex on it tends to look very different, especially when some Rolling Rocks or Mike’s Hards get involved. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases extroversion—so the typical introvert might find themselves chatting up a storm or dancing with a group. The infamous “beer goggles” will play a part as well. Prospective partners will begin to look more attractive with the increasing alcohol in your system. “Whiskey dick,” the clever name for alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction, is also a staple of the post-party hookup. Due to lower inhibitions, you may be more willing to experiment or try new positions in bed. The lowered inhibitions may also spark something amazing; for instance, finally being able to tell someone just how attractive you find them. Many a late-night drunken hookup with a friend has turned into something more, or sparked a more open conversation about feelings.
ECSTASY
Molly and MDMA are the ultimate “happy drug”—hence the typical title of ecstasy. Bright, shining and feel-good, there’s no doubt that your serotonin and dopamine centers are firing on all cylinders when you’re on it. Feeling connected to the universe and plugged into the auras of everyone around you is a powerful experience, and having sex on it is no different. With the enhanced sense of touch, just being hugged feels amazing. There’s rumors that having sex on ecstasy ruins sex while sober, but is this rooted in any actual fact? Nope. In reality, the experience of being connected to a partner is more important to the MDMA-affected brains. There’s even evidence that it can hinder sexual performance, but so much oxytocin is flooding your brain, you’re only feeling the love.
Much like MDMA, psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms can invoke that lovey-dovey, universal connection. With the increase in touch sensitivity, sex on psychedelics can become a lovely experience. Using sex as way to connect with a partner rather than just hooking up, it can be philosophical, cosmic and existential. According to Neal Goldsmith, a New York-based psychologist and author of Psychedelic Healing, “Psychedelics enhance what’s already there, they put you in touch with reality with greater clarity and intensity than you generally experience.” The downside of the euphoric feeling of the drug is the possible overload of serotonin in the brain. With such a heightened sex drive, there might be an inability to orgasm. Hallucinations could also add an erotic twist, especially if you’re in the mood. Coupled with lower inhibitions, psychedelics can make it easier to follow through, or even just voice your fantasies. Eye opening and meaningful sex could be in store when shrooming!
XANAX
Different from stimulants such as cocaine and MDMA, Xanax causes a rapid euphoric effect, but it’ll chill you out more than it will amp you up. In an interview with Vice, Val Curran, professor of psychopharmacology at University College London, describes Xanax as “sort of like the brakes on the brain. It calms everything down,” which can make for some interesting sex. Weirdly enough, Xans may actually reduce sex drive and stop the production of dopamine. You might have less impulse control, but you won’t be raring to go. Long-term Xanax use is linked to a lot of issues with sex—such as erectile dysfunction, or just a disinterest in sex all together. Overall, sex on substances varies with each encounter, and not every generalization will apply each time. Understanding how drugs function during sex can help you decide when— and on what—you want to hook up with someone.
COCAINE
If MDMA, ecstasy, and psychedelics give you a slow, beautiful connection to the universe through sex, then cocaine might be the red-hot passionate counterpart. Studies have shown that cocaine increases sexual desire. It can even make the sex feel more fulfilling due to the heightened euphoria and dopamine flood. Yet, like MDMA, there’s a chance that drug-induced erectile dysfunction might pop up, and cocaine can make orgasm difficult as well. Users have reported that sex on cocaine is much more narcissistic: an all-consuming focus on what is happening to you, rather than the universe immersion of MDMA or psychedelics. Cocaine can heighten sexual aggression and confidence as well, so sex can last longer and be much more exciting!
COLIN DAVIS
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
SEX WORKERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER BILL TARGETING SEX TRAFFICKING NOLAN GOLD Sex workers in Portland and across the country are continuing to grapple with the consequences of two controversial anti-sex trafficking bills that sailed through Congress and were signed in April 2018 by President Donald Trump. The House bill, the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, along with its sister bill in the Senate, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, have been touted by advocates as a way to give states and victims greater power in taking down websites that facilitate human trafficking. SESTA received widespread support from politicians and celebrities, including a PSA starring Amy Schumer and Seth Meyers. It passed the Senate easily, in a near unanimous vote where only Sen. Rand Paul, R–Ky., and Oregon’s own Ron Wyden dissented. Even in the time leading up to its signing, SESTA’s influence could be felt, with Craigslist shuttering its personal ads section on March 22 and popular classified advertisement website Backpage being seized by U.S. authorities on April 6. Both sites were often characterized by anti-human trafficking groups as popular hubs for traffickers. Despite this broad base of support, many advocacy groups and commercial sex workers have argued that the bill does very little to quell sex trafficking, instead making it more difficult and dangerous to work independently as a sex worker. SESTA changed the wording of Section 230 of the 1996 Communication Decency Act, a landmark piece of legislation for free speech on the internet that gave websites protection from what their users chose to post. That protection no longer extends to full service sex work. “Calling it the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act is a misnomer,” said Adrienne Graf, a professor of social work at Portland State. Graf worked as a confidential sexual and domestic violence advocate at PSU’s Women’s Resource Center for nine years, and in that time established the Student Sex Worker Outreach Project. “Personally this topic is really important to me because I’ve been in a community of sex workers and people in the commercial sex trades for the past 15 or so years,” Graf said. “I have
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friends and community in the whole range of the sex trade, including stripping, dancing, porn performing, online sex work and full-service sex work.” AJ, a local full-service sex worker who has been in the industry for almost three and a half years, said she has seen firsthand what SESTA has done to the local sex trade. “I’m a 50-year-old woman trying to make a living, and now it’s harder for people with less career options.” After the passage of SESTA, many sex workers are being forced back onto the street, AJ said. The risk of violence is much higher when the sex worker is soliciting outdoors, especially if the worker is a transgender woman or woman of color. “I hope I don’t have to keep pursuing people, because there’s a danger in that,” said Chloe, a woman who has been in the escort industry for around six months. “What is beneficial about being online is you can screen people, and you can get to know them a little better than if you were just out on 82nd.” Chloe offers only outcall services, meaning she only meets her customers at locations determined by the client beforehand. “I could walk into a hotel room, and there could be five people waiting for me,” Chloe said. “Thank god that’s never happened, but when you do outcalls you’re going to people’s homes, going to motels and really just hoping for the best.” Many groups that supported SESTA oppose sex work of any kind, including the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a conservative non-profit organization that has in the past condemned the K-12 information site EBSCO for allowing kids to, “search for information about sexual terms.” NCOSE’s website states they are, “the leading national organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health crisis of pornography.” From 2009–10, Craigslist had a section of its website dedicated to the advertisement of sex. First known as “Erotic Services,” the section switched its name to “Adult Services” before shutting down altogether in Sept. 2010. A 2017 study conducted by professors from both Baylor University and West Virginia University found that after the
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
erotic services section was created, it reduced the rate of female homicides in America by 17.4 percent. Full-service sex workers are at higher risk of being killed than any other predominantly female occupation in America, and Craigslist’s decision saved approximately 2,150 lives, according to an estimate by Huffington Post. With many of their platforms being seized, sex workers have had to resort to other avenues to find clients. Some have created full websites complete with photos, contact information and going rates for services offered. Some of these websites are run through offshore servers to avoid jurisdictional issues. Graf said a carceral approach that attempts to stop trafficking through criminalizing sex work is misguided. “If we actually want to stop trafficking, we have to address racism, poverty, houselessness,” she said. “And the foster care system, which is one of the largest traffickers of young people and where a lot of sexual violence occurs.” ‘“I absolutely believe they should go after traffickers,” Chloe said. “But we’re talking about consenting adults and there’s no safety net for women in this line of work. We’re out here. We’re human. I’m a real person with a family. But people group us together like we’re all just whores and drug addicts and that’s not true.” “It isn’t popular to look at the sex trade outside of a lens of exploitation, which is really problematic,” Graf said. “Even on a college campus, the information available on the sex trade is normally about trafficking specifically.” Aside from safety concerns, local sex workers impacted by SESTA have also had a harder time making ends meet. “SESTA has more than halved my business,” AJ said. “It’s more difficult to find my services and its taking away many of my resources,” said Allie, a sensual massage therapist who has been offering full body rubs for about 10 years. “There are less avenues to put ads up online. It doesn’t matter if it’s body rubs, fetish or escort services. Everyone is struggling.” For information on how you can help, or for support for student sex workers, contact or visit PSU’s Women’s Resource Center.
LOVE & SEX
STAND UP FOR SEX WORKERS HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY MORGAN WATKINS While attempts have been made to make the world a safer place for sex workers, there is still a great deal of work that remains in ensuring individuals in the industry are protected. According to World Health Organization, sex workers are put at higher risk of violence and sexual abuse due to their positions and vulnerability in society. Not only that, but those in the field of sex work are pitted against stigmas and stereotypes that can be horrifically degrading and dehumanizing. It’s crucial that sex workers are supported by the people within the communities and social circles they find themselves in. To find out how people can better support sex workers in their everyday lives, I spoke with a local sex worker who would like to be referred to as Alex. Alex has worked as a sex worker for four years, beginning her career in the industry during her sophomore year at Portland State. Alex credits her debut into the world of sex work to curiosity. “I was always working these crazy jobs that just weren’t really working out, and then I realized that sex work is more accessible than people realize,” Alex said. “It was very easy to get started, so I gave it a try and found that it really worked for me.” Through diving into some of her personal experiences in the field, Alex was able to share just a few ways people can get involved in providing safety and assurance for those in the sex work community.
BECOME AN ALLY
If people want to take things one step further than their general claim of sex worker support, they should consider becoming an ally. This means actively making the conscious decision to educate yourself on current politics and news revolving around sex workers. A great way to ease into the political sphere of sex work is by simply following those in the industry on social media. “I just follow a lot of sex workers on Instagram, and there’s a lot of resources just from that,” Alex said. Alex also added there are plenty of local and nationwide organizations to look into if you would like to participate in volunteer work. PSU’s Women’s Resource Center aims to create a safe space for sex workers who are enrolled in school as one of their goals. Other groups based in Portland, such as The Cupcake Girls and STROLL, provide various resources for sex workers, such as connecting individuals with safe houses and support groups, educational opportunities, financial aid and assistance and even dental hookups.
STOP ASSUMING
While Alex knows most people mean well by offering help toward getting her and other individuals out of sex work, she raised the idea that a lot of workers aren’t looking for help and it’s not wise to assume they are. “Don’t offer to save someone unless they are asking for your help to get out of the industry,” Alex said. “A lot of people choose sex work consensually.”
In that same vein, the assumption that sex work is a temporary option for girls during a low point in their lives is not always the case either. While some sex workers view their positions as temporary, others pursue sex work as a permanent career. “There are a lot of people who choose to make a career out of it and are totally happy with that, and I think for those people it can be really invalidating when someone says, ‘Oh, well you can’t do that forever.’” On that note, those looking to be allies should be aware that just because someone is working in the industry does not mean that they’re at rock bottom. “I think people might assume that if you’re doing sex work, you might not be in the best place in your life, and I think that’s what’s really not true,” Alex said. “There are a lot of people who are pretty content with their jobs or they’re using their jobs to reach their goals, and wherever you are at, either of those things are valid.”
BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS
According to Alex, there are more sex workers out there than what meets the eye. “Most people have at least one sex worker in their lives, whether they know it or not,” Alex said. This makes it crucial to always keep in mind what you say and how it might hurt others. Words such as “whore” and “prostitute” are considered slurs among the sex work community, as they feed the flame of criminalization against people in the industry. Using this harmful language can not only mentally batter sex workers, but also perpetuate the mainstream dehumanization of these individuals. On top of that, victim shaming and blaming sex workers who have been sexually assaulted could also take a psychological toll on these at risk individuals. “Sex workers statistically have a higher chance of being victims of sexual abuse or violence,” Alex said. “Knowing you have people in your life you can turn to if, God forbid, something like that happens, is really, really valuable.” Creating safe spaces for those in the sex work community takes all these things and more, as sex workers face an uphill battle of criticism, abuse and fear everyday. As Alex put it best, “I think it’s just important to know that sex workers are human beings, and we have a right to feel safe and live our lives like everyone else does.” Taking the time to be there for the sex workers in your life and in your community could be the difference between making long-lasting social change or allowing for the continuation of violence and trauma to be inflicted upon people in the industry.
COLIN DAVIS
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
SEX PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD
THE DECLINE OF DATING IN JAPAN
JOHN ROJAS LISA DORN
MADISON CECIL The world hosts a rich diversity of cultures—where some consider it rude to keep shoes on when they walk into a home, while others cover people with cinnamon on their birthdays if they’re still single. Across the globe, there are many different sex practices and customs that you might not be aware of.
CAMBODIA
In the northeastern nook of Cambodia live a people called the Kreung. In this region, parents build their daughters huts where a girl can sexually experiment with any boy she likes. Boys are taught to be respectful toward girls from a young age, and jealousy and rape are unheard of. Because divorce is forbidden, girls are encouraged to have as many boyfriends as they want. The girls can even have multiple boys in their huts simultaneously. Yet despite their conjugal visits in the huts, the couples “cannot be seen in public with their love unless they are engaged or married.”
MANGAIA, COOK ISLANDS
At 13 years old, young boys are taken away from society by an older man for two weeks. During these two weeks, the boy is “educated on sexual intercourse, positions and techniques with a heavy focus on one’s partner achieving orgasm multiple times.” While having no formal educational ritual, the women are encouraged to explore their sexuality and to have multiple sexual partners before mar-
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riage. In the Mangaian sex culture, orgasm is not just a goal but a standard part of all sexual encounters, with “almost all males and females reporting relative ease in regards to achieving sexual climax.”
NEW GUINEA
In Papua, New Guinea, children are allowed to have sex starting at six years old. The Trobrianders tribe allows and encourages girls from six to eight to have sex while boys may begin from 10–12 years old. The Trobrianders “do not consider children having sex a taboo.”
SAHEL
Sahel, a region in western Africa, is home to the Wodaabe tribe. The Gerewol festival is celebrated every year in September where the women judge the men. The Yaake is a dance performed by the men and “is the highlight of Gerewol, where men’s status as sex gods are set in stone or lie in tatters.” The men are judged by the tribe’s three most beautiful women. These women are typically chosen because their fathers won Yaake in previous years. If a man wins Yaake, he gets to pick whatever woman he wants out of the tribe to marry. If a woman likes a man, whether the winner of the Yaake or otherwise, she can be “stolen” and leave her previous husband behind. In the Wodaabe tribe, “women have all the sexual freedom and are allowed more than one husband.”
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
LUKAS AMSDEN Corporate life, the multi-billion dollar sex industry and lack of incentive for a relationship are all contributions to the drop in dating. A nationwide study conducted by the Japanese Association for Sex Education in 2017 found that 28 percent of men and 30 percent of women in higher education have never been on a date. 19-year-old university student Issei Izawa commented that dating was simply too めんど うくさい (troublesome), noting that he would rather not be tied down. Yomeishu, a sake company, discovered that 60 percent of women were too tired to date while 80 percent wanted a husband. Many Japanese have turned to matchmaking services as reported by Cocoloni.jp. According to 26-year-old salaryman Taiyo Hashimoto, there are simply not enough hours in the day to date,” he said. “I’m supposed to finish work at 7 p.m., but I work overtime basically every day.” Hashimoto blames corporate life and Japan’s multibillion dollar sex industry on the decline of Japanese dating. “Men go to brothels or massage parlours, fueled by after-work drinks with their colleagues. That sort of thing is common.” Hashimoto added, “actually, they brag ‘I met this type,’ or ‘mine was so hot,’ to each other. It’s all part of the fun.”
Japan is home to an array of host and hostess clubs, fetish clubs, sex shops, masturbation clubs and even blowjob salons. Everything except full penetration is legal in Japan. Hostess clubs are considered part of the mainstream culture of Japan, with one in four Japanese women having had some experience working at a hostess club. The Queen of Love Ai Aoyama, a former dominatrix turned sex and relationship therapist, said that with sex so readily available and other alternatives to dating there isn’t much of an incentive to be in a relationship. “There are lots of places for men to have fun,” she said. “Men don’t have to bother having a girlfriend.” Aoyama’s clients who are mostly in their 20s and 30s lack the confidence to talk to a ‘real woman.’ “Young people in today’s Japan are into a virtual world where they meet very pretty girls. A flesh and blood girl is scary, she might disobey you,” Aoyama said. Akihito Kondo, a 35-year old male who wants to be recognized as a sexual minority, found love in a virtual idol named Miku Hatsune. Kondo and Hatsune tied the knot on Nov. 2018 despite his mother’s wish for him to find a real “3D woman.” Animeobsessed Kondo recalled that rejection and harassment from women ultimately led him to the hologram. “Girls would say ‘Drop dead, creepy otaku (Japanese word for geek)!’”
LOVE & SEX
STD ETIQUETTE MOXXY ROGERS
HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR PARTNER THAT YOU HAVE AN STD?
Consensual sex, even when it is protected, may still have consequences. Whether it’s an unexpected pregnancy or the transmission of diseases or viruses, these repercussions do not have to blindside you if you are careful. If you’re ever worried about what to do in these cases, we have designed an STD etiquette flowchart that should help put your mind at ease. An STD is a sexually transmitted disease passed along through sexual contact of the genitals or mouth. Though you should always be cautious when having sex with a new partner, you should not always have to feel scared.
NO
YES
CONCLUSION
DO YOU HAVE AN STD? NO
YES
You might be feeling ashamed and embarrassed about a sexually transmitted disease you caught. There is nothing to feel bad about. These diseases are more common than we think. It is not surprising that you would not want to tell many people, but if you are going to be involving another person in the decision of living with an STD, they morally have the right to know. Even if you feel afraid that this person will reject you for your STD, the right thing to do is to be honest. You are not any less of a person for having an STD, and if your partner cannot understand that, it might be better for you to sleep with other people who are more open minded. It is also not your partner’s fault for not wanting to sleep with you after learning this information about you—and that is okay! No one should feel shame in this situation as long as everyone is honest, open and consensual.
HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR PARTNER IF THEY HAVE AN STD? NO
CONCLUSION
YES
Awesome job on being both brave and honest! Admitting to a new sexual partner that you have an STD can be intimidating, humiliating and uncomfortable, but it certainly does not have to be. If you are truthful from the beginning, you are already one step ahead. You probably already know the protocol from here if your partner decides to carry through with having sexual contact with you. Use your protection options and be careful about the exposure of any bodily fluids from your genitals. Don’t allow shame to keep you from having a good time!
DID YOUR PARTNER SAY YES? YES
CONCLUSION CONCLUSION You shouldn’t assume that because you do not have an STD, that your sexual partner is in the same boat. Having an STD is nothing to be ashamed of, but it is definitely something that should be expressed to anyone you’re about to have sex with. You wouldn’t drink or eat after someone who had a cold. The same rules apply to the bedroom. Open communication is the key to a happy sex life.
CONCLUSION Good job! You’re already one step ahead of the game. It might seem like an awkward question to ask, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Your future partners will be grateful that you care enough about them to ensure that everyone involved will be safe and healthy. If you trust your partner is being honest, enjoy the rest of your night!
Congratulations on keeping an open and honest communication with your partner. This might not have been an easy thing for your partner to admit, but it is great they felt they could tell you the truth. Your next step would be to show as much grace as possible to your partner. You do not have to follow through with sexual contact at this point if you are not comfortable with doing so, but you should share this with your partner in a way that does not shame them for having an STD—they are more common than we think! However, if you decide to proceed with intercourse, you should know your protection options. Condoms and dental dams can prevent the transmission of STDs. They are not 100 percent foolproof, so proceed with caution and awareness, but don’t forget to have fun.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
STRAP-ON, STRAP-OFF
3-STRAP HARNESS, WITH DILDO. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS TAYLAR RIVERS Gay women do not want a penis inside of them, but that does not mean they cannot like a woman wearing one. Some gay women enjoy dildos and strap-on harnesses. The desire to include penis-shaped toys does not equate to a subsequent interest in men—penetration is not exclusive to one specific sexual orientation. Sex is about more than just the physicality of the act. It is about the person you are engaging in it with and the attraction between the both of you. According to the August 2015 Ultimate Lesbian Sex Survey conducted by Autostraddle, “Lesbian Sex: Your 15 Favorite Ways To Have It,” 58.8 percent of the 13,000 gay women surveyed said they enjoyed strap-on harness play. One participant in the study who identified themselves as lesbian said, “‘I like girls’ doesn’t equate to ‘I don’t like penetration.’” Being penetrated is one part of a wide variety of possible sex acts and not an exclusively male one. Another participant in the Autostraddle study said, “I per-
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sonally enjoy using a strap-on with my girlfriend because it feels nice. I don’t like the way the thing looks, but I am not looking to get visual excitement from it. The thing about the harness is that it makes me feel closer to my girlfriend as it goes from ‘it’ being inside me, to ‘it’ being inside her.” Another point to be made is that masculine-deemed qualities or actions are not exclusive to cisgender males. Wearing a strap-on or using a dildo for sex is a personal choice and interest and not a statement of desire to be the opposite sex. The reason some gay women are not attracted to men is not simply because of their genitalia. The lack of attraction stems from pure uninterest in the emotional and physical attributes of a man. An HBO documentary series, Real Sex, specializes in discussing the sexual practices and fantasies of people of all sexual orientations. In an episode focusing on strap-ons, the host of the show said that “there’s a whole generation of women
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
who love their dicks, who have a collection of dicks and party with their dicks.” The host expresses throughout the show that intercourse involving dildos is not rooted in a “fixed notion of gender or sexual identity” but is rather an expression of play. One hostess said, “Sometimes I want to be to a boy, sometimes I want to be a girl.” Her co-hostess declared, “I am as much a fucker as a fuckee.” Sexuality and sexual attraction consist of elements beyond the pieces and parts that touch when we engage in sexual acts. The reality is that gay women take part in all the usual “sex things”—and a lot more—that are associated with lesbian heteronormative stereotypes. Some gay couples incorporate strap-ons into their sex life and some don’t. All in all, sexual behavior and sexual orientation are not synonymous. The penetration of a strap-on is nothing more than a sensation that people of all genders and orientations can rightfully enjoy during sex.
LOVE & SEX
SEX AS A QUEER YOUNG PERSON
NO ONE IS AROUND TO TEACH QUEER KIDS WHAT SEX IS
TAYLAR RIVERS Growing up as a queer young person is not easy. The lack of representation and guidance—especially in regards to sex— leads to confusion and uncertainty. It feels as though sex is something you are forced to just figure out as a queer person. Similar to the experiences of most young people, your firsttime having sex is awkward and sometimes even messy. The thing with heterosexual sex, though, is that it is discussed in textbooks and is saturated in media. One can easily Google the meaning and physical actions that occur during heterosexual sex. Queer sex is not afforded the same accessibility. The media acting as an agent of heteronormativity is not a new concept. It focuses primarily on straight people and straight characters, feeding into the idea that you are straight until proven otherwise. Homosexual relationships aren’t the norm in most forms of general media such as television or films. Queer youth are searching to explore their personal identity and with that comes sexual curiosity. Porn is often an outlet many use to discover the details of sex and the enjoyment that it brings. Through the lack of basic media representation, turning to porn is the only resort for most gay youth. Instead of seeing healthy relationships between two gay people, they are forced to lean on hypersexual depictions. Pornography was never intended to teach kids about sex. Adults in our society are afraid to talk with kids about sex, and so they turn to school-based curriculum, which focuses solely on heterosexual intercourse. Under the Obama admin-
COUPLE KISSING DURING VALENTINE’S DAY GAY KISS-IN. PARIS, FRANCE 2010. COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS istration, many ratifications were made to the sexual education curriculum, yet none of them included an expansion into opening the conversation surrounding queer sex. Kids are going to have sex. Learning from fantasy-based entertainment is only skewing what they will view as safe and responsible sex. In an article published by Fight The New Drug, an anonymous writer speaks on his journey in learning about gay sex as a young child. “I began to learn about sex, or at least what porn told me sex was,” he said, “What an education. I scoured the internet looking for everything new and erotic about men and sex and homosexuality. I even remember looking for images and content with young boys that were my age.” As slow as it may seem, it does appear that society may be progressing. The queer people who are able to identify this is-
sue and know the struggles that they faced growing up are the ones who are starting to initiate change. According to GLAAD’s annual TV diversity report, LGBTQ representation on television hit a record high this year, with 8.8 percent out of 857 series regulars on broadcast TV openly identified as gay, trans or queer, and for the first time, LGBTQ people of color outnumbered white LGBTQ characters onscreen by 50 to 49 percent. Healthy depictions of queer relationships is where things start. Education will be forced to become more inclusive when the kids represent diversity and adults demand it. It is not acceptable to ignore the needs and required education of the queer community. Queer kids should not be turned away to divulge in outlets such as porn in order to learn about sex.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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LOVE & SEX
A SHAVE GONE TO WASTE...
MORGAN WATKINS
THE TEXT
You’re finally able to go out and have some fun with a special someone. Of course, you want to feel and look your absolute best, and for many of us that means shaving every inch of our bodies until we achieve skin as smooth as room temperature butter. But as you’ve just hopped out of the shower, hairless as a naked mole rat, you get a text from your date that makes your blood boil—they’ve canceled. A flurry of frustration rages on like a bitter blizzard in your brain as your plans freeze over, giving you goosebumps that erase all your shaving efforts. Here are just a few hair-raising thoughts that might cross your mind.
WASTED TIME
In order to get maximum smoothness, one must take their time in the art of shaving. Hurrying can lead to painful cuts and razor burn, not to mention the dreaded streak of missed hair left on the outside of your calf, mocking you every time you glance down at your legs. Time wasted meticulously grooming your body could have been better spent binging You on Netflix or macking down on some bomb orange chicken from Postmates.
WASTED PRODUCTS
We all know razors aren’t cheap, especially those pink “women’s” razors (with that weird but oddly helpful moisturizing strip) that cost an unshaved arm and a leg. Every stroke of that razor makes it that much more dull, wearing it down until you realize you’re basically shaving with a couple of dull blades that are about as good as a pair of kiddie scissors. When you think about it, a wasted shave is pretty much snatching money out of your pocket, which is grounds for reparations.
PAIN IN VAIN
As irksome as it is that time and materials are being squandered, the possible pain you may have endured might just be the most infuriating part of this whole hairless ordeal. Think about it: The fiery razor bumps that cannot be extinguished by even the most cooling witch hazel lotion out there, or the sharp sting and never ending bleeding of a knick on your heel that makes you truly understand the pain Achilles may have felt when he was so viciously slain. And like Achilles, you are a warrior that has been defeated, and for your loss, you suffer not only the emotional shame of a rain check, but physical pain via a Gillette razor.
SELF CARE
Although it’s disheartening to be canceled on after putting forth the effort to be your smoothest self, there are a few positives to consider. First of all, grooming is, in essence, a form of self care, and I don’t know about you, but I’ll take all the self care opportunities I can get. Just because someone else isn’t around to enjoy all your silky soft bod has to offer doesn’t mean you can’t revel in your own smoothness! Also, now that you’re free of plans, you can snuggle up to a good podcast, or better yet, show off your sexy clean-cut self at the club, where someone else might appreciate your hair taming artistry.
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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
COLIN DAVIS
LOVE & SEX
EW...FEELINGS WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU KINDA SORT OF START TO LIKE SOMEONE MOXXY ROGERS
Uh oh. You did it again. Someone is on your mind as we speak, and it is definitely someone you shouldn’t be thinking about in the way that you are definitely thinking about them. You know exactly what we’re talking about—you’ve caught feelings. You are not supposed to have romantic feelings for this person and you know it. They don’t feel the same way, and your heart is going to get broken if this continues. You know better. And yet, here we are. We understand. We are here to help you. The following are some tips to getting over the “Caught Feelings Blues.” 1. Have you made a playlist yet? We all know music is almost always the answer to everything and that rule of thumb still applies here. You need a playlist of your favorite songs that make you want to dance. These should be anthems that take you to a completely different world, preferably a world where you haven’t caught feelings for someone you shouldn’t have. 2. Distractions, distractions, distractions. Stop thinking about them! This person might be on the forefront of your mind all day and night, but you can put a stop to it. You have to make your brain so busy that it doesn’t have any time to get lost in memories you never got to make. If you love doing something, pick that hobby back up and let yourself become reacquainted with what makes you happy. Surround yourself with friends who love you. Read a new book or watch your favorite film. Rescue some cats from a really tall tree. 3. Remind yourself of the consequences. Sometimes we get so caught up in our feelings, we forget that acting upon them might be detrimental. Reminding yourself that telling your best friend you have feelings for them might ruin your friendship is a good way to keep those thoughts at bay the next time they come up. If you know you’re going to get hurt in the end, give yourself the advantage of not letting it get that far. You owe it to yourself. 4. Take a look in the mirror. Remember that your worth is not defined by those who can or cannot love you. What you see in the mirror is a reflection of who you are both inside and out. If you know you’re smart, embrace that. You’re good at cooking? Make a buffet! You have a dimple in your left cheek? Stick a finger in it and remember that you’re fucking awesome. 5. Tend to your heart and body. If the thought of not being able to be with this person is making you sad, it’s okay to let those feelings out, but do not under any circumstance let it fester. Drink water. Eat your favorite foods. Put on a face mask and listen to that playlist you made in step one. 6. Kick ass. You’re not done being the best version of you, with or without this person. You’re going to be unstoppable, and whoever tries to take that joy away from you is about to meet the end of your self love fist. 7. Repeat. If it takes you a while to get through all of these steps, that’s okay. The heart wants what it wants, but that doesn’t mean it can always have it. Healing takes time. You are more than enough and you will make it out of these “Caught Feelings Blues.”
DANIELLE EMEKA
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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GUIDE
YOU UP? CJ HUSEO You know the feeling. You wake up well rested, the birds are chirping, the sun is out, the day is beautiful. You check your phone and *record scratch* YOU MISSED IT. The “you up?” text. Not to worry, we’ve come up with a no-mess chart to help you out with the perfect response.
JOHN ROJAS
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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
ARTS & CULTURE
GARBAGE DAY ‘DEADBEAT AT DAWN’, A FILTHY MASTERPIECE ANDREW GAINES I thought about making a movie once. I didn’t get very far—about four pages into the script. Before looking at it I said out loud, “Oh this SUCKS,” and went back to playing Civilization 6. But I like to think I have a microscopic understanding of how hard it is to get a film off the ground. I certainly don’t understand it as well as Jim Van Bebber, though. Through sheer effort alone, the writer, director, star, editor, makeup effects artist and stunt choreographer of the super-low-budget epic Deadbeat At Dawn qualifies for a place in the independent cinema hall of fame. A film student at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, Van Bebber was sick of professors continuously reminding him and other students that it would be highly unlikely they would ever make a film. In an effort to show up the professors, he dropped out of WSU, took what was left of his student loan with him and began production on the bloodsoaked, grimy story of dueling gangs. At the time of filming, Dayton was in a massive economic downturn and the film uses that to its advantage—the city feels raw and desperate, just like the movie itself. Deadbeat At Dawn probably isn’t the only film ever created out of spite, but it’s probably one of the best, especially if you’re a fan of exploitation films like I am. Van Bebber plays Goose, the scummy leader of the Ravens gang. After humiliating the leader of the rival Spyders gang, Goose tries to quit the gang life and get away with his girlfriend Christy, played by Megan Murphy. You probably understand where this is going. Christy is pulverized and killed by the massive Spyder goon named Bone Crusher (Marc Pitman), who is a furious, coke-fueled mountain of meat and bad hair. This causes Goose to spiral into despondency, boozing and crying across Dayton until learning that the Ravens are planning on allying with the Spyders to pull a heist on an armored car. Pretending to fall back in with his old gang, Goose plans out a revenge to screw over both parties and get $10,000 in the process. However, these sorts of things never go according to plan and the last third of the film is one gargantuan, open-air brawl as Goose fights tooth and nail against every other scumbag in the city. Of course, he’s got something they don’t—nunchuck training. This movie makes me understand why nunchucks got outlawed—every time they appear on-screen in Deadbeat at Dawn, someone’s skull gets cracked or split completely open. I never dreamed I would see a film where ninja weapons serve the same purpose that spinach does in a Popeye cartoon, but here we are. To Van Bebber’s credit, the stunts and action scenes are very well choreographed and the cinematography is great for someone without professional training. These elements really elevate the film from a cult oddity to a truly great piece of indie filmmaking. Deadbeat at Dawn is a must-see for anyone who is a fan of movies that can be described as “scummy,” “filthy” or “grimy,” or anyone hankering to see some sick nunchuck action. Eventually, I’ll go back to that four-page script I was working on. I don’t think I’ll be exploiting the student loan system to pay for it, but this film has certainly inspired me to write some bone-crunching action sequences. The film is available on Bluray thanks to the saints at Arrow Video and will be streaming on Shudder this month.
JOHN ROJAS
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
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INTERNATIONAL
THIS WEEK
around the
WORLD
Feb. 3–Feb. 10
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5
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Feb. 3
EL SALVADOR
With 90 percent of ballots counted, Nayib Bukele of the Great National Alliance was declared the winner of El Salvador’s presidential election, breaking the country’s overwhelmingly two-party system. As reported by Reuters, Bukele has largely been seen as an outsider due to his third-party affiliation in a country dominated by the parties of the National Republican Alliance (ARENA) and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FLMN). Deutsche Welle reported Bukele winning 54 percent of the votes, while Carlos Callejas of ARENA came in second with 32 percent and Hugo Martinez of FLMN coming in third with 14 percent.
Feb. 3–8 2
VENEZUELA
Contention continues in Venezuela as President Nicolás Maduro rejected an ultimatum on Feb. 3 set forth by EU countries including Germany, France, Britain and Spain demanding the country hold snap elections. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Feb. 4 the international body would not involve itself in the political crisis. Additionally, The Independent reported Feb. 5 that opposition leader Juan Guaidó would agree with United States intentions
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to privatize Venezuelan oil, allowing foreign oil companies to capitalize on the country’s state-owned oil supplies. On Feb. 8, a report from Democracy Now! stated Venezuelan authorities intercepted a U.S.–owned Boeing 767 carrying assault weapons, ammunition cartridges and military-grade antennas on one of the plane’s routes. The plane has flown nearly 40 trips between Miami, Venezuela and Columbia since Jan. 11 amid the U.S. backing of Guaidó against Maduro. 3
Feb. 5
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate around 100 buildings in Moscow amid a number of fake bomb threats. Deutsche Welle reported some 20,000 people were evacuated, including school children and office workers, as authorities swept the buildings for explosives. The incident marks a wave of fake bomb threats dating back to 2017 and is believed to be the work of Russian expats abroad. Separately, high-ranking Afghan politicians met with members of the Taliban in order to discuss plans for the future of the country and negotiate an end to the conflict. Attendees included politicians opposed to President Ashraf Ghani, former President Hamid Karzai and notable women such as negotiator Fawzia Koofi who—as the German news outlet re-
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
ported—“negotiated face-to-face with Taliban members.” Strategies for ending the conflict included implementing an interim government with the possible inclusion of the Taliban, as well as transparent elections and female political representation. 4
Feb. 5
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Following negotiations in Khartoum, Sudan, the Central African Republic signed a peace treaty with 14 rebel groups in an effort to bring peace to the country, which has been embroiled in conflict since a civil war broke out in 2012. The agreement is the eighth peace treaty to be signed in six years, though it’s hoped the most recent agreement will lead to stability. As reported by Deutsche Welle, the agreement includes “implementation of a government of national unity bringing together all political and social forces,” which includes “the Muslim Seleka rebels as well as the mainly Christian anti-Balaka alliance.” Canadian news outlet The Globe and Mail reports over 640,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, with 2.9 million needing urgent humanitarian support. 5
Feb. 5
THE VATICAN
For the first time, Pope Francis publicly ac-
knowledged sexual abuse of nuns by priests and bishops within the Catholic Church, as quoted by Al Jazeera during a press conference while en route from the United Arab Emirates. “It’s not that everyone does this, but there are some priests and also bishops who have done it,” he said. The admission follows a story in a Vatican women’s magazine Women Church World the week prior, in which nuns reported giving birth and having abortions due to sexual abuse by clergy members. However, the Vatican has received similar reports since the 1990s. In response, the Pope has called for a summit between Feb. 21 and 24 to address the sexual abuse crisis still present in the Church. 6
Feb. 9
ABYEI ADMINISTRATIVE AREA
In the contested territory of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan, an Ethiopian military helicopter crashed while in the compound of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) while on a routine route between the contested territory and the Sudanese city of Kadugli. Of the 23 crew members, three were killed and 10 injured, with three members in critical condition. They were rushed to Addis Ababa while those not in critical condition were sent to the UNISFA hospital in Abyei. The UNISFA reported the cause of the crash is not yet know.
INTERNATIONAL
PROTESTS IN NICARAGUA CONTRIBUTES TO ECONOMIC DECLINE
AMANDA GUTHU Nicaragua’s economy has seen a $900 million deficit and has lost a total of 215,000 jobs, with 70,000 from the tourism industry as a result of university-led protests. The protests, which began last April, are against President Daniel Ortega’s social reforms that would increase taxes and reduce benefits by 5 percent. The government justified these reforms as a means to meet recommendations by the International Monetary Fund. Protests began in April 2018 but originated from longtime grievances dating back to 2006, when Ortega ran for his third term as president after changing the constitution to allow more than two terms. In 2007, the protests were a result of Ortega’s lack of action on the potentially harmful and lifethreatening effects of pesticides. According to The Guardian, those opposing Ortega are a coalition of “students, rural workers, millionaire entrepreneurs, business people, clergy and former Sandinistas.” According to a UN Human Rights Council report, more than 300 citizens have been killed, 2,000 injured, 2,000 kidnapped and more than 23,000 have fled to Costa Rica seeking asylum. Public demonstrations have also become illegal. The UN reports peaceful protesters were met with armed police who fired
PROTESTER HOLDS THE FLAG OF NICARAGUA, APRIL 2018. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS into crowds, tortured and raped detainees and detained people at random. Journalists report receiving death threats and physical attacks while multiple key nongovernmental organizations and human rights groups have been raided and shut down alongside the country’s key independent news media, Confidencial. The Ortega-Murillo administration claims protests are by terrorists attempting to stage a coup with all opposition being detained, suppressed or ran out of the country. Ortega’s voice remains unchallenged in the region. Nicaragua is headed by Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Ortega is a member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, the socialist revolutionary group inspired by Augusto Sandino of the Nicaraguan resistance during United States military occupation from 1927–1933. Ortega has been a nationally celebrated figure symbolizing the people’s freedom from the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. As a socialist, Ortega began his political career challenging democracy and capitalism that the U.S. was working to establish in the region. Less than a month ago, long-time supporter and closest legal advisor of Ortega Supreme Court Justice Rafael Solis wrote a letter of resignation. Solis has been a member of Ortega’s inner circle for decades and said he’s seen the corruption and deceit of
Ortega and Murillo firsthand. He classified the Ortega-Murillo regime as an absolute monarchy and holds the administration responsible for the country’s social and economic crisis. He claimed the trials of current prisoners are entirely political with absurd accusations and sentences. Solis explained peaceful protests have been met with bloodshed and fire in order to instill fear and repress resistance, confirming their actions have been without reason. In less than a year, Nicaragua holds twice as many political prisoners as Venezuela. As countries across Latin America struggle to achieve political and economic stability—and as Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua face international criticism for their crisis—an underlying question is how the U.S. will respond. The U.S. response is beginning to take shape. According to The American Interest, based on a new executive order, Murillo and National Security Advisor Nestor Moncada Lau have been sanctioned. The U.S. Congress also passed the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act, which is intended to use U.S. influence to block loans to Nicaragua from international development banks unless the Ortega-Murillo regime promises a return to democracy and fair elections.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.
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INTERNATIONAL
U.S. PULLS TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN MADISON CECIL The Pentagon late last year ordered the withdrawal of 7,000 United States troops—half of the 14,000 of the current force— from Afghanistan, as reported by David Martin of CBS News. Currently, the Taliban operates in around 70 percent of Afghanistan, greater than any time since the U.S. invaded in 2001. The move has raised concerns, particularly those of Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, who blocked the Trump administration’s order of a swift withdrawal in a 68-23 Republican-led Senate vote on an amendment boycotting the pullout. “ISIS and al-Qaida have yet to be defeated,” McConnell said. “And American national security interests require continued commitment to our missions there.”
James H. Lebovic, an analyst at The Washington Post, suggests “the U.S. underestimated the total task it takes to build the Afghan army against the Taliban.” As Lebovic points out, the U.S. retracting from Afghanistan may leave the Afghan government with political uncertainty, and that, “the fate of the government is no longer a principal U.S. concern.” Peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S. are being negotiated by U.S. Special Peace Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who told The New York Times that plans have been drafted, but the details have yet to be inked out. The Taliban, who do not recognize the legitimacy of the Afghan government, excluded Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s
administration from the talks, calling it a “puppet of the U.S.” The nearly 14,000 U.S. troops are a fraction of the NATO-led coalition made up of 38 other countries in an operation known as Resolute Support, for the purpose of counter-terrorism directed at the Islamic State and Taliban ally, al-Qaida. President Ghani broke his silence at the World Economic Summit, reporting 45,000 Afghan security personnel have been killed since his inauguration in 2014. In response to the pullout of U.S. forces, Ghani told The Independent, “the current presence of foreign forces is based on need...and according to an exact and arranged plan we are trying to bring down that number to zero.”
LEBANON’S NEW GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATED WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATION MADISON CECIL
After nearly nine months of arguments, Lebanon announced its formation of a new government on Jan. 31. Hezbollah, a group marked as a terrorist organization by the United States, has claimed at least three of the cabinet seats. Before the debate over the new government began, Lebanon was facing crucial economic struggles which have only grown worse. According to TIME, Lebanon’s public debt reached $84 billion, which is 155 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, while the unemployment rate is 36 percent. Lebanon is “facing economic, financial, social and administrative challenges,” said U.S.-backed Prime Ministerdesignate Saad Hariri. “It has been a difficult political period, especially after the elections, and we must turn the page and start working.” The new government will include the majority of
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Lebanon’s rival groups, and the cabinet lineup shows four women will take office. One seat taken by a Hezbollahbacked candidate is Jamil Jabal, who was chosen as health minister. The health ministry has the fourth largest budget in the Lebanese government, which the U.S. fears will allow the terrorist organization to move “beyond the marginal role it played in past governments.” U.S. officials are worried that Hezbollah will use their new control over the Ministry of Health to grant their fighters and supporters health care and jobs. On Feb. 1, the U.S. issued a warning to Hezbollah to not use the new Lebanese government to support and further its own terrorist organization. Rachel Mikeska, a spokeswoman for the American Embassy in Beirut said, “This is yet another example of Hezbollah openly holding Lebanon’s security and prosper-
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
LEADER OF HEZBOLLAH, HASSAN NASRALLAH. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS ity hostage,” according to The New York Times. Mikeska also said the U.S. is “prepared to take whatever actions are necessary to protect the interests of the Lebanese people.” However, she neglected to comment on what these actions may be. The new cabinet held their first official meeting the following day on Feb. 2. In response to the U.S.’ warnings, the Lebanese government issued a statement on Tuesday saying they would keep out of regional conflicts and stick with the policy of “disassociation,” which they declared in 2012. Lebanon’s Information Minister Jamal al-Jarrah said, “We as a state are committed to distancing ourselves from events in the region.”
NOT FOR ALL
OPINION
BLACK STUDENTS ARE BEING SHAMED FOR NOT ATTENDING HBCUS
DANIELLE EMEKA TAYLAR RIVERS Historically Black colleges and universities are an amazing opportunity for Black youth, but aren’t an ideal fit for all, and their decisions to not attend should not be vilified. The United States Supreme Court’s 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson established a “separate but equal” doctrine in public education. In validating racially dual public elementary and secondary school systems, Plessy also encouraged Black colleges to focus on teacher training to provide a pool of instructors for segregated schools. Progressive legislation was in the making at the time, but the reality of the separate education still plagued the Black community and left them to create their own structures such as HBCUs. Unfortunately, HBCUs do not have the financial resources to make expensive recruitment trips across the country in hopes of gaining a larger student body. In addition to this, multiple HBCUs “have historically received less funding and inequitable program offering compared to the states’ predominantly white institutions,” as stated by The Diverse Education Foundation. Knowing this, Black students sometimes opt out of this educational experience. However, people have been shaming those who choose to attend other colleges aside from HBCUs, which does nothing but perpetuate the notion that it is the responsibility of the individual to maintain structures that are so much bigger than them.
According to the United Negro College Fund, “Congress defined an HBCU as an institution whose principal mission was and is the education of Black Americans.” HBCUs were established under the pretext of creating an educational environment for the Black community that would allow the opportunity for post-secondary education during a divisive time. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund revealed these universities are responsible for 22 percent of current bachelor’s degrees granted to African Americans. Professors at the University of Massachusetts conducted research analyzing the reasoning behind why Black students choose an HBCU. The information they collected revealed the decision to choose such an institution is influenced by personal relationships, college reputation and seeking to affirm one’s Black identity. As justifiable as this reasoning is, we cannot vilify Black students who choose to attend another type of institution for these very same reasons. HWIs, historically white institutions, make up a large majority of universities in the country. Often, the accessibility of HWIs is higher for Black students for reasons ranging from distance to affordability. The lack of media coverage and discussion surrounding the academic progress of HBCUs is also a reason as to why some students do not choose that route. In an article published by NBC News, “Stop Shaming
Black Students Who Choose Not to Attend an HBCU,” writer Katherine Wheatle said, “HWIs are regarded with higher value because white supremacy ensured their institutional development through public and private investments, appropriations and grants.” In an interview with The Root, Dr. James Stewart, national president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History said, “There’s activity going on [at HBCUs]; it’s just not as visible and as well supported as you might see at white institutions.” The reality is that the quality of education at the HBCUs and HWIs is not superior to each other, but due to the high visibility and abundant resources HWIs are afforded, they are more publicly esteemed. In the past, HBCUs were vital because Black students were often denied admission to predominantly white colleges. However, in a day and age where students legally cannot be denied for their race, as established by Title VI of the Civil Rights, Black students are able to decide between a wider array of colleges. HBCUs are historically significant, culturally relevant institutions and because of this, they will forever hold a place in education, and the importance of HBCUs is not devalued by the choices of Black youth. The academic success of Black students should be celebrated and not picked apart.
PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.
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OPINION
HORROR THERAPY
SCARY MOVIES RELIEVE ANXIETY MORGAN WATKINS To calm down the looming presence of anxiety, losing yourself in a film is at the top of the list. Unlikely as it seems, horror movies and a few of their frightening components can put to ease those pestering, intrusive thoughts. Horror films are seen sometimes as gory and vulgar and other times as psychological and spiritual. The genre’s dazzling stars include the likes of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jack Torrance and Chucky. While this genre may not be widely regarded as one with soothing abilities, recent online research suggests watching scary movies to calm anxiety isn’t as unheard of as one might assume. According to Dr. Mathias Clasen, a horror researcher from Aarhus University in Denmark who has studied the psychological effects of horror films for over 15 years, one of the emotional benefits of watching movies such as Saw and The Ring is knowing the fear you are feeling is entirely simulated and controllable. “Exposure to horror films can be gratifying when the negative emotions caused by the film are manageable,” Clasen told Broadly. Clasen explained the so-called psychological distance between reality and the big screen feels real and frightening enough to trigger a fight-or-flight response but is controlled by another part of our brain which understands the monsters or scenarios we fear are not real. Being able to face this fight-orflight feeling—eventually becoming more comfortable with it— gives those with anxiety a sense of agency in dealing with their emotional struggles. Though facing terror head-on can be a great way to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, horror flicks also contribute to shutting down anxiety by means of simply distracting them. Clinical social worker Sal Raichbach in an interview with Allure said, “Scary movies create a situation where the worry becomes focused on something separate from yourself.” Although he recommends other varied forms of at-home therapy and self care, Raichbach described the calming sensation after the buildup of a tense horror scene to be a satisfying way to take your mind off the worries and overthinking that go hand-in-hand with anxiety. By diverting one’s attention from the horrors of the mind to the horrors on a screen, creepy films can also boost your mood. Research conducted by sociologist and fear researcher Margee Kerr suggests your brain is scientifically proven to benefit from a good scare. “The research my colleagues and I have done show a high-arousal negative stimuli improves mood significantly,” Kerr explained to TIME, adding that various neurotransmitters and hormones released while sitting down with a hair-raising movie are to thank. However, if you aren’t already fascinated by this genre of movies, Kerr insists steering clear of any films you’re not comfortable with, as the participants of this study consisted only of horror film fans. When the distracting adrenaline of a jump scare is combined with the relief of knowing the fear isn’t real, you are able to feel something that the vexing presence of anxiety always aims to steal: a sense of control. The ability to face fear by means of horror flicks may just give you hope to conquer the disorder that lives to conquer you. After all, there’s no better way to destress after a long day than to curl up with some tasty snacks, a cozy blanket and a movie that puts you in an entirely different head space. The accounts stated in this article are experiences from fans of horror films. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, be sure to visit PSU’s Center for Student Health and Counseling or contact a mental health professional.
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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 12, 2019 • psuvanguard.com
SAVANNAH QUARUM
Cervanté Pope
FEB 12–FEB 18 ART
MUSIC
TUE FEB 12 WED FEB 13
“HUMAN NATURE” ERICKSON GALLERY BY APPOINTMENT UNTIL FEB. 28 • FREE
TANGERINE, WET DREAM, TENDER KID DOUG FIR LOUNGE 9 P.M. • $10–12
Holly Osborne’s latest collection is colorful yet classic, depicting humans doing what’s in their nature.
All of this sentimental pop will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
“THINK OF ME” ADAMS AND OLLMAN WED–SAT: 11 A.M.–5 P.M. AND BY APPOINTMENT • FREE
BORN OF OSIRIS, CHELSEA GRIN, MAKE THEM SUFFER, KINGDOM OF GIANTS, EYES OF ARCANE HAWTHORNE THEATRE 6:30 P.M. • $20–23
FILM & THEATRE “BURLEYNOMICON” THE LOVECRAFT 9:30 P.M. • $15 • 21+ Every second Tuesday this showcase welcomes the dark souls of burlesque and cabaret for your entertainment.
COMMUNITY DOES PORTLAND’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WORK? ALBERTA ROSE THEATRE 6:30 P.M. • $5–20 The City Club of Portland spent a year researching whether our city’s government structure actually works. Tonight, they’re revealing the results.
THU FEB 14 FRI FEB 15 SAT FEB 16 SUN FEB 17
“DEAR DIARY” KICKSTAND COMEDY SPACE AT THE SIREN THEATER 7:30 P.M. • FREE
EDUCATED GUESS TRIVIA THEORY EATERY 7 P.M. • FREE
Every month, hilarious diary entries come to real life through the eyes of various comedians.
Show off your science and pop culture knowledge at OMSI’s trivia night, held every second Wednesday.
LOVE SUCKS: AN EMO VALENTINE’S DAY NO VACANCY LOUNGE 8:30 P.M. • $5 • 21+
“LASER ROMANCE UNDER THE STARS” OMSI PLANETARIUM 3 P.M., THROUGH FEB. 28 • $6.75
Many artists of the Women’s Caucus for Art Members have banded together for this group exhibition.
Whether you’re caught up in the arms of love or single as hell, it’s just flat out fun to drunkenly shout to sad songs. Let’s hope they play Dashboard Confessional.
Get stoned and take your sweetie to a midday romance-themed laser light show.
VALENTINE’S DAY DIP WILLAMETTE PARK 7 A.M. • FREE
“SOFT SHADES” NATIONALE WED–MON: NOON–6 P.M. • FREE
RX FEST VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGH FEB. 17 • $15–30
Inspired by bodies in their restful state, this collection by Lilian Martinez depicts the human form creatively.
This new festival brings back the premise of Musicfest NW, where you get to travel around to different locations to see your favorite bands.
‘HOW TO REALLY...REALLY? (REALLY!) LOVE A WOMAN’ HAND2MOUTH/SHOUT HOUSE FEB. 15 AND FEB. 16: 7:30 P.M., 10 P.M. • $18
“POST-BORDER LINE” BLUE SKY GALLERY TUE–SUN: NOON–5 P.M., UNTIL MARCH 3. • FREE
OTHER LIGHTS, CHILDSPEAK, DOG YEARS HIGH WATER MARK LOUNGE 8:30 P.M. • $8 • 21+
Photographer Jinhyun Cha captures the essence of life along the 160-mile border between North and South Korea.
Enjoy three bands all playing together for the benefit of Animal Aid PDX.
“MEET THE MAKERS” ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS WATERSTONE GALLERY 11 A.M. • FREE
A BOWIE CELEBRATION: THE DAVID BOWIE ALUMNI TOUR REVOLUTION HALL 8 P.M. • $45 • 21+
Five artists are featured in this group exhibition inspired by special keepsakes.
“COME TO ME NOW: LOOSE ME FROM HARD” UNIONKNOTT OPEN BY APPOINTMENT • FREE
Born of Osiris is one of the OG metalcore bands. Brutal.
MON FEB 18
Many of the artists featured in this group exhibit will demonstrate and discuss different mediums, tools and techniques to attendees.
We all miss David Bowie. Some of his former collaborators and backing musicians are touring around to celebrate his legacy.
“FABLE” FROELICK GALLERY TUE–SAT: 10:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M. • FREE
COLD CAVE, ADULT., VOWWS WONDER BALLROOM 8 P.M. • $20–23
Terrell James pulled inspiration from landscapes to produce these abstract creations.
Gothy, nihilistic electronic. So cool.
Eleanor O’Brien gives this one-woman show that will—hopefully—help more men find the clitoris.
‘YOUNG AT HEART’ BLACKFISH GALLERY 8 P.M. • $10 Veteran actors Kathleen Worley and Joe Costa will act out love stories written by John Donnelly, Lanford Wilson and Robert Anderson.
Start the day off right—with some incredible shrinkage. If you do this love jump into the river, you get free entrance into the MUCH warmer Big Float later in the year.
“FROM THE SPIRITUALS TO HIP-HOP” PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART 6:30 P.M. • FREE Hasan Salaam put together a multimedia music presentation on Black art, music and culture throughout history.
‘YO, IS THIS RACIST?’ REVOLUTION HALL 4:30 P.M. • $25 Part of the Listen Up Podcast Festival, watch hosts Tawny Newsome and Andrew Ti sift through fan submitted media and determine whether or not it is indeed racist.
NW BLACK COMEDY FESTIVAL BILLY WEBB ELKS LODGE 6 P.M. • $15 AND UP
DEPRESSED CAKE SHOP THE LITTLE CHURCH 6:30 P.M. • FREE
Catch the tail end of this comedy fest, showcasing all black comedians.
Proceeds from every baked good you buy go to the Baby Blues Connection, an organization that helps mothers and families with perinatal mood issues.
“SERIOUSLY, NOT MY PRESIDENT’S DAY SHOW” HOLOCENE 7 P.M. • $15–30
BINGO & BOURBON MISSISSIPPI PIZZA PUB AND ATLANTIS LOUNGE 8 P.M. • FREE
Our favorite local female comedians and drag queens are here to make you laugh, with 100 percent of proceeds going to Planned Parenthood.
Two of the best b’s in the English language.