Due South Spring 2019

DUE SOUTH students | campus | community

IT WAS 99 CENTS

FIND YOUR SANCTUARY

Misogyny IS COMING

Thrifting is no longer just for hipsters who want to bring back flared jeans it’s for anyone.

Find your happy place on campus and make sure to take time to enjoy the little things in life.

Is Game of Thrones for feminists? One fan questions the show’s morals with the final season approaching.

15

21

27

spring 2019 | vol. 8, issue 2

DUE The University of South Alabama Communication Building, Room 132 Mobile, AL, 36688 Tel: 251-380-2805 | Fax: 251-380-2850 duesouth@southalabama.edu Director of Student Media |

Heather Leigh Stanley

Editor-in-Chief |

Sara Boone

Assistant Editor |

Madison Allen

Contributors|

Jacob Armistead Ebonee Burrell

Breahna Crosslin

Sydney McDonald Sarah Patterson Tara Principe Savannah Sapp Advertising Manager |

Preston Smith Advertising Graphic Designer | Jennette Bago Due South is published twice per academic year-once in the fall and once in the spring. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by Due South. Due South is a production of USA Student Media and does not necessarily reflect the views of The University of South Alabama’s administration. The Editor-in-Chief is decided by the Board of Student Communications. All contributors are freelance.

Cover photo from “It Was 99 Cents”

by Breahna Crosslin. See more on page 13.

Best of the South third place for Best College Magazine, 2018

CONTENTS 01

Contributors

02

Letter From the editor

Students 03

POP CULTURE

Looking back at what turned heads and opened wallets this season.

05

GUIDE TO ADULTING

07

MIND OVER MATTER

13

it was 99 cents

Campus 19 21

Community 23

No one prepared you to be an adult, but luckily, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t give up on your resolution to stay healthy just yet. It’s easier than it may seem.

The hottest place to get trendy clothes is actually the cheapest.

it’s all greek to me

Joining Greek life can be intimidating; follow our tips for surviving recruitment.

find your sanctuary

It’s easy to get caught up in life, but it’s important to find your happy place on campus.

Fostering a community

The Distinguished Young Women program changed the way young women see academics.

27

misogyny is coming

29

simple comforts

31

city of sights, sounds & spews

One self-proclaimed feminist and Game of Thrones fan questions the show’s morals.

This high school student started her own company to provide comfort to hospital patients.

Rooted deep within Mobile’s culture is the arts community.

HEATHER LEIGH STANLEY

sara boone

Madison allen

JACOB ARMISTEAD

Director of Student Media

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Photographer

EBONEE BURRELL

Breahna crosslin

sydney mcdonald

Sarah Patterson

Writer

Photographer

Writer

Photographer

tara principe

Savannah sapp

Writer

Writer

01 | due south |

CONTRIBUTORS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR If there’s anything I’ve learned from being Editor of Due South for the past two years, it’s that being uncomfortable is often a sign of progress. Throughout this semester, in particular, I have had to get out of my own head and just do what I believe to be the best for the magazine. As Editor, I have wanted this magazine to be in a state of steady growth - from the pictures to the layouts to the fonts used, I want to always be improving.

I was able to share my experiences at the College Media Association Conference last year where I realized just how much Due South has grown in two years. Transitioning rapidly from a magazine that people didn’t recognize to one that has now won seven awards in the past two years, it has been a roller coaster of emotions.

I learned that being in my comfort zone is only stopping me from achieving my long-term goals for the magazine. When I first got this position, I was timid and nervous to do anything that people might think is “weird” or anything they might perceive differently from my intentions. Over these years, I’ve been taking baby steps to step out of this box. At first it was strategically planning photo shoots, then it was using different fonts, then it was including photos of a shirtless guy or a girl’s thigh tattoo (gasp!).

If those were baby steps, I just took a nosedive off of a cliff with this issue. I wanted to do something I have never done before, and I ended up with a finished product that I think is a perfect representation of everything I’ve been striving for. The heavy use of primary colors was intentional - I wanted to give this issue some life.

The majority of the spreads in this issue are completely unique, and I took the time creating each one to make sure it reflects my vision and meshes well with the others. While each one is unique, they all use a similar color scheme and repeat certain elements.

Some of the spreads in this issue might be “weird.” Some stories might even be perceived differently from my intentions. But the thing is, I took a risk... I made myself uncomfortable... and the final product is something I am truly proud of and so excited to share with you.

Sara Boone

Editor-in-Chief, Due South

| Contributors | 02

MUSIC “THANK U, NEXT”

BY ARIANA GRANDE “LAST HURRAH” BY BEBE REXHA “SUCKER”

BY THE JONAS BROTHERS “MIDDLE CHILD”

BY J. COLE

movies & tv shows A STAR IS BORN BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY RUSSIAN DOLL YOU

03 | due south |

local spots THE BLIND MULE

POP C U LT U R E

by Madison Allen Photos by Sara Boone

FOY (FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH) THE CORE COMMUNITY COFFEE HOUSE BACKFLASH ANTIQUES

products REUSABLE STRAWS WIRELESS PHONE CHARGERS INSTAX MINI INSTANT CAMERA LUSH SHAMPOO BARS

| Students | 04

Building YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE and resume Having a LinkedIn and an updated resume is key to finding a decent job in college. A lot of companies are starting to look at LinkedIn during the hiring process. So, first of all, make sure you have a LinkedIn profile.

It is always smart to update your resume every few months or before each job application. By sophomore year of college, high school experiences are not relevant and everything accomplished in college should take its place.

GUIDE TO ADULTING

No one prepared you for this. One day you’re sitting in U.S. History passing notes to your friends and the next you’re having to pay taxes and find an apartment by yourself. It’s an overwhelming time for everyone, but this guide can help ease the process of becoming an adult.

By Madison Allen, Graphics by Sara Boone

Tip: Update your LinkedIn profile every time you update your resume so you can keep them consistent.

cleaning up your social media profiles Most companies today will look at your social media accounts before moving on with the hiring process. You should go through all your accounts (even ones you don’t use anymore that are still active) to clear out anything that could be seen as a red flag for an employer.

Tip: There’s the old saying, “don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.” Just think of potential employers as your grandma.

finding an apartment Finding an apartment is really stressful. With worrying about roommates, rent and signing a lease, it is a huge process. Starting early is the best thing to do. A lot of apartments will waive application fees or give you deals for the first few months of rent. Doing research on all the different apartments and what they have to offer is best. Signing a lease somewhere your friends are living and going blindly into it is never a great idea.

Tip: Search online for apartments and read the reviews written by people who have lived in them.

05 | due south |

keeping a routine

cooking

Keeping a routine is super important. From work and classes to fitness and self-care, it is crucial to focus on your mental and physical health. Find the balance between work, school, social life and self-care. Being in college and trying to figure everything out is definitely stressful, but it is possible. Making time each day to work out can really improve your mood overall, and making time for self-care by doing something relaxing at the end of the day can help with sleep.

Knowing how to cook isn’t as easy as it seems, but with Pinterest everything is possible. There is no need to cook yourself huge meals every day, but learning how to properly use an oven is a great idea. It is so easy to find hundreds of easy recipes that only take a few minutes and will last you for a few meals. At the end of the day, pasta one easy thing to make that no one can mess up.

Tip: Find something that makes you happy and make time to do that each day. Adding this to your daily routine is sure to boost your mood.

saving more and spending less

If you don’t have a Crock Pot yet, that’s one thing that’ll save you time and money. Buy ingredients in bulk and make large batches in the Crock Pot to freeze.

Tip: While fast food is easy, it’s important to take care of your body and eat healthy meals. Meal prepping is one way to get “fast food” that’s customizable, cheaper than eating out and potentially healthier than other options.

Saving money in college seems impossible, but it really is doable. The best thing to do is use the 50/20/30 method - spend 50% of each paycheck on basic monthly expenses like rent, gas and groceries, 20% on financial priorities like student loans (contributing to your savings account) and then 30% for lifestyle things like travel, shopping and going out. Making the effort to budget and even using coupons when grocery shopping is a small change that can really save your bank account.

Tip: Use coupon programs like Walmart Savings Catcher and Cartwheel by Target to save at major retailers.

important dates to remember TAX DAY 2019

APRIL 14, 2019

Individual income tax returns are due to be submitted to the federal government.

FAFSA DAY

june 30, 2020

The earlier you file FAFSA, the more grant money you are likely to receive.

rent / mortgage

varies

Missing a rent or mortgage payment can result in extra fees or effect on your credit rating.

| STUDENTS | 06

MIND MATTER

07 | due south |

WE ALL KNOW HOW IT GOES — YOU START OFF THE YEAR STRONG WITH YOUR RESOLUTION TO BE HEALTHIER, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS IN YOU GIVE UP ON YOUR GOALS. DON’T LET THAT BE THE CASE THIS YEAR AND FOLLOW THIS GUIDE FOR TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING.

BY SYDNEY MCDONALD, PHOTOS BY SARA BOONE & SARAH PATTERSON

APPS EASY RECIPES WORKOUT TIPS

| STUDENTS | 08

APPS Sometimes we all have a little trouble staying organized and on track. Apps can be helpful tools to use to help you stay organized with workouts, meal planning, time management and budgeting.

8FIT: 8fit is an app that helps you organize workouts fit to your experience level and your goals. It gives you every exercise you need to complete for each workout and shows instructional videos for each one as it goes along. Most of the workouts take less than 20 minutes. It also offers meal prep and planning ideas created by actual athletic trainers. It can also send you a daily reminder at a chosen time to make sure you don’t forget.

HEADSPACE: Headspace is a guided meditation app to help out those who seem to get distracted easily. Meditation has the potential to offer many benefits including better focus, better sleep and mood enhancement.

MAPMYRUN: This app is offered by UnderArmour. It uses your location to track your walks/runs on a live map. During your run, it gives you your average distance per minute.

CLEAR: Clear is a very detailed to-do list app. It helps you stay organized and on top of your everyday tasks by setting up detailed lists with your daily activities. You can put them into different groups with different themes so everything stays separated and easy to understand. You can set up one list for class assignments, another for extracurriculars, and another for whatever else you need to keep track of.

WORKOUT TIPS Sticking with a workout routine can be one of the hardest resolutions to keep up. It is hard to find the time, the energy and the motivation to do it. Here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier.

USA’S RECREATION CENTER is free for all students to access, so make sure to take advantage of that while you have the time. If you have a hard time working out alone and knowing what to do, South offers free classes taught by certified students and trainers at different times throughout the day. The classes are built to be a full body workout with the instructors aiming to hit every core area during the class.

Sitting down before you actually go to work out and THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THAT DAY can be really helpful. You will have an idea of what your goal is and you will be more likely to achieve it and get a full workout rather than feeling lost and ending the workout quickly.

When planning your schedule for the week/month/semester, try to make sure you FIND A TIME YOU CAN DESIGNATE TO DOING SOME TYPE OF WORKOUTS throughout the week. Committing even thirty minutes a day to working out can help you achieve your workout goals long term.

Working out doesn’t have to mean lifting heavy weights and strenuous cardio every day. GET OUT AND TRY SOMETHING NEW! There are so many different types of exercises that you can try that might not be what you normally lean towards.

Yoga, Pilates, and dance classes are just a few options that give you just as good of a workout as cardio and weights.

If you are worried about expensive class fees and memberships, use your sources to your advantage. You can find anything on YouTube. Just search “yoga,” and hundreds of videos will come up. Just follow them along at the gym or at home -- no membership required.

09 | due south |

Photos by Sarah Patterson, Modeled by Kailee Kiminski & Ifeoluwa Joshua Ajayi

| students | 10

Photos by Sara Boone

smoothies Avocado Banana ·1/2 avocado cubed ·1 banana (use frozen bananas to add more texture to your smoothie) ·1 cup milk Tropical Tangerine ·2 tangerines, peeled ·1/2 cup frozen pineapple ·1 frozen banana ·1/2 cup milk Mango and Greek Yogurt ·1 mango ·2 tbsps Greek yogurt ·1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Mixed Berry and Greek Yogurt ·1 cup milk ·3/4 cup strawberry Greek yogurt ·Your favorite combination of frozen berries (shown: blueberries, blackberries and strawberries)

b a n a n a c h o c o l at e c h i p m u f f i n s Ingredients ·3 bananas ·1/2 cup milk ·1 cup quick oats ·1 cup wheat flour ·3 eggs

·1 tsp vanilla extract ·1/2 tsp cinnamon ·1 cup Greek yogurt ·2 tbsp honey ·4 tbsp chocolate chips

Directions ·Blend all the ingredients together ·Scoop mixture into a muffin pan and add chocolate chips to each muffin. ·Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

11 | due south |

V e g e ta r i a n B u r r i t o B o w l

O V E R N I G H T M A P L E O AT M E A L

Ingredients ·1 cup cooked brown rice ·1/2 cup black beans, drained & rinsed ·2-3 tbsps salsa, or to taste ·1 tbsp shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese

Ingredients ·1/2 cup old fashioned oats ·1/2 cup milk ·1/4 tsp cinnamon ·1 tsp flax seeds ·1 tsp maple syrup

Topping suggestions ·Avocado ·Tomato ·Pico de Gallo ·Greek yogurt

Directions ·Combine all the main ingredients into a microwavable bowl. ·Microwave for about 30-60 seconds then add your toppings.

Topping suggestions ·Fresh fruit ·Nuts ·Raisins

Directions ·Put all the ingredients into a bowl with a lid and put in the refrigerator over night. ·In the morning, splash a little milk on it, mix and enjoy.

avocado toast Ingredients ·Whole wheat bread ·1 avocado

Topping suggestions ·Fried egg

Directions ·Toast your favorite kind of whole wheat bread. ·Scoop out half of an avocado and spread onto the toast. ·Optional: season with pepper, sea salt and red pepper flakes.

If you want a wholesome breakfast, add a fried egg on top.

| STUDENTS | 12

13 | due south |

| students | 14

IT WAS 99 CENTS Thrifting is no longer just for hipsters who want to bring back flared jeans. It is a viable option for anyone looking for quality pieces at incredibly low prices. By Sara Boone, Photos by Breahna Crosslin, Clothes partially provided

by Satori Suns Vintage. Clothing found at thrift stores, yard sales, sale racks and consignment stores.

Turtleneck - $10 Skirt - $2 Sunglasses - $2 Booties - $8 Outfit total - $22 Modeled by Clorissa Morgan

15 | due south |

Tee shirt - $3 Jacket - $9 Outfit total - $12 Modeled by Denairio Bolton

Turtleneck - $2 Skirt - $5 Handbag - $_10 Outfit total - $17 Modeled by Sara Boone

| students | 16

Tee shirt - $4 Windbreaker - $5 Jeans - $2 Outfit total - $11

Pullover - $4 Shorts - $5 Shoes - $10 Outfit total - $19

Shirt - $3 Skirt - $5 Shoes - $10 Outfit total - $18

Shirt - $3 Shorts - $4 Beanie - $1 Outfit total - $8

Modeled by Saad Awan

Modeled by Clorissa Morgan

Modeled by Sara Boone

Modeled by Denairio Bolton

17 | due south |

Dress - $7 Jacket - $5 Outfit total - $12 Modeled by Clorissa Morgan

Shirt - $3 Jeans - $2 Outfit total - $5 Modeled by Saad Awan

| STUDENTS | 18

Being a part of Greek life can be one of the most rewarding experiences of college if you make the most of it.

19 | due south |

By Madison Allen Photo by Jacob Armistead

IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME The recruitment process for Greek life can be intimidating and confusing to someone who has never gone through it. Luckily, we’re here to give you some tips to surviving the process relatively unscathed.

FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS You will hear other people’s opinions on every sorority before you even go through recruitment week. It is vital to not listen to other opinions. Go in completely open minded and form your own opinions. Everyone always has something negative to say and going with what you think is right is the most important.

DON’T GET DISCOURAGED Getting dropped by your top sorority is heartbreaking and could ruin the entire week. The key to making the most of the week is to stay positive, focus on your other options and understand that everything happens for a reason. At the end, if you aren’t satisfied with your bid, you don’t have to accept it, but at least you’ve made great friends and connections throughout the week. Finishing out the week is so important instead of just dropping out of recruitment whenever houses you favor drop you. You will be surprised at the end of the week at how your opinions and top choices can change.

While getting dropped by any sorority is a confidence killer, it isn’t the end of the world. The system works and will place you in the one you should be in. At the end of the week, it should feel as if you belong there. It’s okay to get dropped by sororities because they weren’t the ones for you to begin with.

MAKE FRIENDS You will all be placed in groups at the beginning of the week, and it is essential to make friends in this group. You’ll be with them throughout the entire week, and some of these girls could be lifelong friends whether you guys join the same sorority or not. They will be the ones who understand everything the most because you are all experiencing the week together.

Your group will also have a group leader, better known as pi chi’s who help you the entire week. They are all women who temporarily disaffiliate from their sororities to be there the entire week answering questions and helping to make the process as smooth as possible.

PREPARE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN Planning outfits leading up to recruitment is one thing you can do to avoid stress on busy days. If you buy shoes for recruitment week, make sure you break them in. Blisters are an awful distraction, and you want to be able to give 100% in conversations instead of focusing on how your feet feel. Wearing clothes that you are comfortable and confident in can change the entire mood during the week.

There is no amount of planning for recruitment that would actually prepare you for the week, but it is still important to do your research. Knowing what kind of questions they’ll ask and knowing what to say will help the conversations flow easier. Watch all the YouTube videos, read all the articles and plan all the outfits; but, just know that no matter how prepared you feel, the week will be overwhelming and stressful, and that’s alright. Everyone else will be feeling the same way.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF It’s no secret Alabama is hot. Drink water constantly. Eat a meal before going to the events every night because snacks will run out and you want to be able to focus on your night instead of food.

Bring towels to sit on, snacks, drinks and maybe even homework for in between parties. You might have a long wait in between each house, and it will be a good time to stay caught up on work.

| Campus | 20

FIND YOUR SANCTUARY With students spending so much time studying and completing assignments, it is natural to wonder how they decompress and relocate their own headspace once more. Finding a comfortable space for solace is very important now more than ever. | By Savannah Sapp, Graphics by Sara Boone

South’s campus is filled with hot spots to kick back and enjoy the little things in life. These spots can offer a variety of different things You can breathe in the beauty of nature, enjoy the breathtaking views of campus while sipping your favorite warm beverage and even find peace and quiet in the most unusual of places.

In need of some intense relaxation? Head to “the Rec” for some serious lounging time. Whether it’s chilling in the shade beneath the heritage oak trees in the courtyard or working on your tan in a hammock by the outdoor pool, you can definitely become one with the elements at the Rec Center.

Perhaps you prefer to spend your studying and your relaxing indoors, where you can completely concentrate and focus on yourself. If you head on over to the Marx Library, you can get an iconic white mocha at Starbucks on the first floor, then head up the elevator (or stairs, if you’re daring) to enjoy a four-story view of the campus. Grab yourself a comfy chair and enjoy the serene view of the wetlands. This is a great hot spot for studying, reading or just kicking back to give your mind the break it needs. The silence of the higher stories can be the perfect space to unwind and enjoy the beauty and serenity of campus.

Traffic Circle

Eno hammocks are increasingly popular among students here at South, and they are right to bring them along! With a campus as full of greenery as our is, there are almost endless possibilities of places to hang up a hammock. A popular place to “hang” out in your Eno is the traffic circle. The trees in the middle are not only perfect for rolling to kick off homecoming week, but also there are lots that are spaced perfectly for hammocking. There is a lot of shade here as well, so if you are concerned about those UV rays, no worries!

Do you love taking walks at sunset or late-night strolls? Definitely head to Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza on a clear, starry night. The fountains and lights here make a perfect spot for stargazing. The mural beneath the bell tower is breath-taking at night. Photos are definitely a must here, perhaps even an entire photo shoot. You can even say hello to Mischka, our beloved jaguar statue, while you’re there.

Don’t forget the Student Center! Not only can you get some tasty lunch from the food court on the second floor, but you can also put your feet up after a long day of classes on one of the comfy couches on the first floor. These spaces are great for a little bit of everything — studying, getting homework done or just taking a break from classes.

Hundreds of students pass through the Student Center every day because it is ultimately the heart of all activity on campus.

21 | due south |

Rec Center

Marx Library

South Paw Moulton Tower

SNAPSHOTS Need some photos for the gram? Much like the bell tower and outdoor pool, there are plenty of places on campus that will satisfy your profile aesthetics! If you are feeling a bit of school spirit, you can visit SouthPaw right in front of Alumni Hall. Give him a high five, and you will definitely rake in those likes. For those artistic students who dabble in photography, the fountain in front of the Rec Center and the sculptures near the Visual Arts Complex are just a few pieces of art on campus that photograph beautifully.

| CAMPUS | 22

Fostering a Community

Since the 1950s, the Distinguished Young Women Program has sought out to provide scholarships to young women on the basis of academics rather than pageantry, a concept that was revolutionary in its time. | By Tara Principe, Photos by Breahna Crosslin & Courtesy of Distinguished Young Women

F

or decades, people have been coming to Mobile, Alabama for its oak trees, beaches, seafood and Mardi Gras history. One organization whose home is on Government Street, however, has been inviting educated young women to Mobile since the 1950s: the Distinguished Young Women program. The nonprofit scholarship organization, formerly known as America’s Junior Miss, was a revolutionary thought back in 1958 when it was formed. Nobody would have expected the oldest and largest scholarship program in the nation to come out of a small, southern city like Mobile.

The Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce, commonly known as the “Mobile Jaycees,” saw a need in the 1950s for scholarships to benefit those who are often overlooked women. The Jaycees had originally founded a separate group, The Azalea Trail Maids, to find young, educated women who could serve as ambassadors for the city of Mobile at functions. When they started offering scholarships to the Trail Maids, they noticed an extreme uprise in applicants willing to travel from out of state. These women were not applying out of a love for Mobile, but a need for scholarship money. When the Jaycees noticed this need, they decided to start up America’s Junior Miss, a program that gave high school girls the opportunity to earn scholarships through academics, interview skills, talent performance, public speaking and fitness.

“The fitness aspect was truly revolutionary… these women were not asked to talk about fitness while walking on stage in a swimsuit, but instead to actually learn a physical fitness routine and perform it in workout clothes. They wanted to encourage being healthy and physically fit, and everything was to be earned” said DYW Executive Director Kendra Haskins.

Fitness wasn’t the only thing out of the ordinary about the decision to form this program, though. Haskins remarked about how truly amazing it was that a group of Mobilians would even face the potential backlash of providing scholarship dollars that would encourage so many women to seek a college degree.

23| due south |

The Distinguished Young Women program began as a way for young women to be able to earn scholarships for more than just pageantry.

| Community | 24

“I spoke last year at the Rotary Meeting National Finals, but the timing was perfect. during National Finals and kind of, to the Mike found an amazing job offer for a new universe, asked the question of ‘did they, at position at South, and everything fell into the time, realize what a revolutionary thing place” said Haskins. this was?’ I mean, this was empowering Many other women have found themselves young women to pursue a higher education, extending their stay in Mobile after which for the times was crazy,”Haskins participating in DYW. When a Mobilian recalled. “Former Senator Edington, who was meets a young woman from out of town and at the table when Junior Miss was formed, asks how they ended up in Mobile, it is far approached me afterwards and confirmed that from crazy to expect their answer to be “I they absolutely did.” participated in Distinguished Young Women.”

The connections that Distinguished The University of South Alabama has been Young Women can make run deeper than offering scholarships to DYW participants for just participation in the program. Many years and even hosting a breakfast and tour of participants of the program stay involved with the campus for all state representatives each DYW long after participating in high school, year during National Finals. Màire Nakada, and many were already involved before that.

Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska 2015, Kendra Haskins has been impacted by the traveled to Mobile for the first time during the program since the age 68th National Finals. of four.

“A nice, wet “When we first humidity hug right “ they moved to Alabama, off the airplane,” my father was asked said Nakada as she to fill in as a judge for described her first ? , the Mobile County Mobile memory Junior Miss program,” after traveling across said Haskins.. “My first the country for the picture ever being on a .” -Kendra Haskins 2015 National Finals. beach was in a winter “After getting over the coat while my dad was humidity, I started to judging the Mobile take in the rich history County program, and he loved it. Back in and beauty of Mobile. The DYW national Montgomery we became a host family for a finals are held in Mobile, AL every year, so in few years and my dad ended up being on the 2015 I traveled down from Alaska to compete committee for the Alabama State Program.” for the national title. Little did I know I would Haskins eventually participated at the local be moving to Mobile for the next four years of level, but did not make it to the Alabama my life!”

State Program. Even though she was never Whether these young women stay for a state representative, she didn’t let her years or visit for a short two weeks, so many involvement with DYW end there. Haskins’s of them have left with memories of Mobile family continued to be involved with the local that will last them a lifetime. So yes, people program, and she herself became a dedicated will continue to visit Mobile for seafood volunteer. Eventually, Haskins moved her and Mardi Gras, but hopefully they will whole life to Mobile to work full time at the also continue to make a trip for scholarship, national office as the National Field Director leadership and talent. For the past 62 years, and later the Executive Producer.

Distinguished Young Women has been an “My husband and I were a bit apprehensive integral part of Mobile, Alabama, and it about the move, since all we knew about the doesn’t look like that is going to change any area was the few places we would visit during time soon.

Did the realize what a revolutionary thing this was I mean this is encouraging young women to pursue higher education

25 | due south |

The America’s Junior Miss Board of Directors during the 1950s meets to discuss future plans.

The Distinguished Young Women program was originally called America’s Junior Miss.

| Community | 26

With Game of Thrones’ final season approaching, one self-proclaimed feminist reflects on the impact her favorite TV show has on the way women are treated in the real world. May contain spoilers. | By Sara Boone, Graphic by Sara Boone

27 | due south |

O

f course, like its complicated plot, it’s difficult to determine whether or not Game of Thrones (GOT) could be considered a “feminist” show. On one hand, women in the show have been the subject of constant verbal, physical and sexual abuse. On the other, there were moments of female empowerment on the show that somehow balance the scales.

Daenerys emerging from a fire unscathed with her dragons, Brienne taking down the Hound, Arya and Sansa outsmarting Littlefinger — these were all moments that reminded us that these characters are more than just victims; they are powerful women with personalities, ambitions and the ability persevere and succeed.

But, is it possible for a show to be considered feminist even though it treats women, at times, like they’re less than human? As it turns out, this is a debate that a lot of people have been having for years.

I found the most compelling arguments to be those by people involved with the show. Gwendolyn Christie, who plays Brienne, put it this way to TIME magazine: “...a lot of this show is inspired by actual historical events, and that’s what’s occurring with the women.

Women have been treated appalling in history. Men have too. Human beings have. What this show is doing is shining a light on women, and it has an exploration of female characters that has rarely been approached before—and I applaud that. Yes, those scenes are difficult, and they should be difficult. They should further illuminate human consciousness about how we interact as human beings.”

GOT is set in a fantasy medieval world where women, and men,

are treated much differently from today, and that’s just how it was in that time period. The fact that George R. R. Martin wrote in these strong female characters is actually something extraordinary. These women would not have come into power in actual medieval times. I give credit where it’s due to Martin for giving us these characters to look up to, as there aren’t that many on TV today, especially in the fantasy or historical genre. " W H AT T H IS SHOW IS D OI NG IS SH I N I NG A LIGH T ON WOMEN , A N D I T H AS A N EX PLORAT ION OF F EM ALE CH A RACT ERS T H AT H AS RA RELY BEEN A PPROACHED BEFORE . " - GWENDOLYN CHRISTIE

However, the issue many have with the show is the additional scenes of abuse added into it that weren’t in the books. Most notably, the rape of Sansa Stark, Sophie Turner’s 15-year-old character, by her abusive husband.

While many viewers were outraged at the sheer reality of the scene, Turner defends it to Elle magazine and says it actually turned her into an activist.

“I was angry that there is such a taboo surrounding rape and that depicting it on screen was seen as vulgar. Sexual violence happens every day all around the world and yet for that to be represented on television, when other forms of violence are so often represented and more importantly, accepted and even welcomed in some cases, was considered disgusting instead of important. It made me think: why such a taboo?”

She realized that scenes like this one were creating an important dialogue surrounding the issue.

To her, people have to hear about stories of violence in order to respond to this issue. People aren’t going to advocate for changes unless they are shown the issues.

If the goal is to feature as much abuse of women as possible in order to raise awareness, GOT is more than successful. In just one episode, it features one woman who hanged herself, three who were whipped, one who was blinded, one who was killed with poison, one who was pushed to her death and one who was forced to walk naked through the streets while having profanities, food and waste hurled at her.

Obviously, GOT has no problem with gaining viewership —the last season finale had over 12.1 million viewers. The problem many people see, though, is that millions of people are being exposed to these issues and may not take them in the intended way.

One message that can be taken from these stories of abuse is that of strength. Most of these main female characters have ended up conquering their enemies and overcoming even the most impossible obstacles. Sansa’s story went from abused wife to a hardened survivor, Arya’s from a strong-willed child to a deadly assassin, Cersei’s from a widowed, childless woman to a stone-cold ruler, Daenerys’s from a timid sister to a true Khaleesi. These women show us that we can make it out of any situation we are in and that we are capable of great things. Whether or not GOT is a feminist show, I’m not one to say. But, I do know that it sure does empower a lot of women in this world.

| COMMUNITY | 28

Anushka Sikdar is only a sophomore in high school, and she has already started her own business.

29| due south |

By Sydney McDonald Photos by Jacob Armistead

T

simple comforts

Moved by the discomfort her cousin went through while fighting cancer, Anushka Sikdar began making pillows for patients at Mitchell Cancer Institute to ease their discomfort during treatments.

hroughout her childhood, Anushka Sikdar spent summers in her family’s home country of India watching her grandmother sew blankets for her cousin, who was fighting cancer. Spending a lot of time in the cancer ward of the hospital, she began to pick up the practice; as she grew older, she began to see the potential her newfound hobby could have for her community back in Mobile.

Before finishing the eighth grade, she began sewing pillows and donating them to local hospitals in Mobile.

With a small amount of paperwork and her parent’s signature, she had created her own company called Light The Way. So far Sikdar, now 16 and a sophomore at Alabama School of Math and Science, has donated over 50 pillows to the Mitchell Cancer Institute.

The name Light The Way came to be when Sikdar witnessed the faces of the patients who were receiving her pillows light up with joy.

“It’s illuminating their lives,” she said.

Now with a company title, Sikdar is able to host events, fund raisers and fabric drives with the help of her community. She describes it as “a project for the community, by the community.” Sikdar works with multiple groups throughout Mobile to

help fund and create her business, a few being Girl Scouts, 4H, Beta Club and Key Club.

Living the busy life of a teenager, Sikdar says time management is key to keeping her company successful. She spends two to three hours every Friday afternoon prioritizing and planning her any upcoming “pillow parties,” where she meets with groups to sew or distribute the pillows. The company is a top priority in her life. She can see the difference it is making in her community and refuses to let that go to waste.

“patients are sitting for four to five hours a day in a hospital for treatments. giving them a pillow can make the experience that much easier for them.”

This company has a very special place in Sikdar’s heart, from dealing with losing her cousin to cancer and seeing the effect it has on a family, she wants to make a difference in those people’s lives, even if it is as small as a pillow and a conversation.

The sense of community that Sikdar has built throughout this process is unshakable. She is determined to make a name for herself in Mobile.

“I want to take care of my home and focus on making the Mobile community better before thinking about expanding.”

Though she does plan to stay on home turf, she expects her company assets to grow during her college years by creating an app and gaining more publicity in surrounding areas.

Sikdar repeatedly mentioned how important her company motives are to her. The message her company is sending to the families suffering from cancer is one that can make all the difference in their lives. Knowing that she is giving a sense of comfort to these families is what makes it all worth it.

“Giving these patients and their families a handmade pillow is like saying, ‘Hey I’ve got your back; we are here for you.’ It strengthens the fiber of our community,” she said.

Sikdar has created a GoFundMe page (“Light the Way”) for her company to help raise funds to keep her business going. All donations are used to help buy materials for the pillows and for distribution events.

| COMMUNITY | 30

By Ebonee Burrell Photos by Breahna Crosslin & Courtesy of Francisco Cordova

city of sights, sounds and spews

Mobile offers much more than just moonpies and battleships- rooted deep within our culture is the arts community in the form of music, words and film.

M

obile is a city with rich diversity and history, and among that is its arts and culture scene. Music, writing and film are just some of the forms of art and expression that thrive in our humble city. Various organizations constantly work to bring this aspect of Mobile into the spotlight.

The Independent Music Collective (IMC) is a student organization at USA that works with faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community to cultivate Mobile’s music scene.

One thing IMC does is sponsor a listening-room concert series that features roots musicians and Americana acts with the goal of booking national performers who otherwise might not have played in Mobile. In February, IMC hosted live performances at Satori Coffee House with Gurf Morlix along with Early James and the Latest.

Early James and the Latest is a duo from Birmingham, AL, whose sound is a combination of blues, folk and jazz that is popular all throughout the world of music. They opened the show with some of their smooth blues that put the already serene coffee house further into bliss. .

Gurf Morlix performed his newest album Impossible Blue, which he released that same day. Morlix wowed the crowd with his latest single Turpentine. Impossible Blue was his tenth solo album released through Rootball Records, and Morlix said this album had some of the best songs he has ever written. The community packed out Satori Coffee House and enjoyed his

31 | due south |

performance from his newest blues album.

The Mobile Bay Film Scramble hosted their twenty-third film that same month at the Crescent Theater. This organization challenges filmmakers around Mobile to create a five-minute film with specific guidelines for a $200 prize. Filmmakers were required to include three of these things in their film: a red crayon, someone shaving or being shaved, a lit candle, at least 3 bubble gum pops, someone hiding behind a door, someone referring to “before the accident,” space between two houses and the hand slap game. Participants only had 16 days to submit the finished film for it to be eligible for screening.

Kolby Johnson, general manager of Jag TV, mentioned the idea to Tanner Brooks and Francisco Cordova, two film majors at

USA, and they decided they were up for the challenge and immediately started throwing their ideas together.

“Tanner and I beat out the story in about four hours,” said Cordova.

Brooks and Cordova put together a dedicated cast and crew, which included students from the university’s theater department and employees from Jag TV. The film “Veiled Fragments” is a psychological thriller following a man who was involved in a tragic accident that left him creating false realities of recurring events. They included the three bubble gum pops as a trigger to flashbacks, a close-up of a lit candle to represent the passage of time and the lines “before the accident” to let the audience know that it is what put the main character in his position. Brooks and Cordova enjoyed everything about making this film, and they are creating more projects for students and the community to see.

A total of 20 films were screened at the festival, and the winning entry was “Shnookums” by Max Scovil.

Satori Coffee House hosted its second annual Love Extravaganza poetry night on the eve of Valentine’s Day. The crowd enjoyed tunes from Don Moore and entertainment from Sid the emcee.

“The talent is really raw here,” said Savannah Parisey, a student at USA. Satori Coffee House hosts Satori Poetry Eating

-SAVANNAH PARISEY

“

“

THE TALENT HERE IS REALLY RAW.

Wednesday (SPEW), a poetry night, on the second Wednesday of every month. Poetry night encourages the community to come out and “spew” poetry in a comfortable, judgement-free environment.

“I love the open atmosphere!” said Amber Walker, student at USA. Dr. Adam Prince opened the show with one of his fiction poems “The Profane and The Sacred.” Prince is a fiction and screenwriting professor at USA and was the featured professor for Love Extravaganza. He encourages his students to come out and spew the poetry that they write in his class.

Maggie P read her poem “One of the Reasons are Moving Someday” that she wrote in Dr. Prince’s class. She decided to tie her poem into the theme of love.

“I usually don’t write about love; it’s not happy but it’s about love!” said –Maggie.

Hayden Sellers impressed the crowd with his unique idea to create a poem using only album titles from Spotify.

“Well, I sat at work for seven hours with nothing to do,” said Sellers about his inspiration.

Satori always welcomes everyone to their home, and the supportive crowds that come out makes it worth the experience.

Poetry night is the perfect event to attend for anyone who wants to cultivate energy through the power of words.

| COMMUNITY | 32

COLLEGE NIGHT 25% OFF TOTAL BILL Tuesday’s & Thursday’s BOGO HOOKAH & WELL DRINKS Tuesday’s $10 HOOKAH & $7 SPECIALTY DRINKS Thursday’s

We deliver through Dapper Deliveries and Waitr!

1248 Hillcrest Road | 251-634-9820

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION GRADUATE PROGRAM The Department’s graduate faculty combines applied knowledge with communication theory and research and works to engage students to think critically about public relations and advertising as strategic communication.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM Communication Studies encompasses critical thinking with a keen understanding of interpersonal, organizational, and public communication.

Digital Cinema & Television allows students to produce short films and television programs using HD equipment.

Journalism (Multi-Media & Broadcast) teaches a wide array of practical skills and provides the competitive edge necessary for aspiring journalists to succeed.

251.776.5755

StoneRidgeAtSomerby.com

Strategic Communication provides an integrated mix of advertising, visual communication, and public relations.

QUESTIONS? (251) 380-2800 | 6021 USA Drive South | Mobile, AL 36688

NEW INTERIORS WASHER + DRYER CONNECTIONS STUDIOS & 1 BEDROOMS CALL FOR TOUR 251.342.0790 hillcrest-commons.com

NEW INTERIORS WASHER + DRYER CONNECTIONS STUDIOS & 1 BEDROOMS 33 | due south | We’ve gone digital

NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT ANYWHERE, ANY TIME

JAGMEDIA.ORG Stories from the Vanguard’s new digital publication Digital issues of Due South Jag TV episodes Podcasts from The Prowl ...and more coming soon

From “It Was 99 Cents” by Breahna Crosslin. Modeled by Clorissa Morgan

35 | due south |

DUE SOUTH Student Magazine for The University of South Alabama