Due South Fall 2020

students | campus | community

QUARANTINE TREND ROUNDUP

Our list of the trends, shows and jokes that made quarantine culture iconic.

03

STAYING SANE INSIDE How does one stay sane during a pandemic? Asking for a friend...

15 fall 2020 | vol. 10, issue 1

MASKS, BUT MAKE IT FASHION

For when you want to stay safe from COVID-19 but also want to stay stuntin’.

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DUE SOUTH VOL. 10, IS SUE

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The University of South Alabama Communication Building, Room 132 Mobile, AL, 36688 Tel: 251-380-2805 | Fax: 251-380-2850 duesouth@southalabama.edu Editor-in-Chief |

Liv George

Assistant Editor |

Clorissa Morgan

Contributors |

Madison Allen Kenyan Carter Breahna Crosslin Maddie Dozier

Gracie King

Wesley Patrick Sarah Patterson Elise Paul Taylor Rogers Emily Tuveson Ally Smith Marketing and Promotions |

Maddie Dozier

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 “Masks, but make it fashion” by Liv George; Photo

by Breahna Crosslin.

Best of the South second place for Best College Magazine, 2019

CONTENTS STUDENTS

CAMPUS

COMMUNITY

01

CONTRIBUTORS

02

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

03

QUARANTINE TREND ROUNDUP

05

BLACK LIVES MATTER

09

EXPRESS YOURSELF

11

PANDEMIC LOVE

13

ZOOM UNIVERSITY

15

STAYING SANE INSIDE

19

MASK-NE PREVENTION

23

MASKS, BUT MAKE IT FASHION

29

A LOOK AT CULTURAL MIS-USE

33

AN EXCESS OF ENERGY

Looking back on the trends that made quarantine iconic.

A contribution from Kenyan Carter about his experiences as a POC in Alabama.

Clothing has no gender, per Gen-Z.

How college students practice safe sex in more than one sense of the term.

Tips and tools to succeed with online learning..

How does one stay sane during a pandemic? Asking for a friend.

How to keep your skin from feeling the pandemic as much as you do..

Take that personal protection equipment, but make it fashion..

Figuring out the difference between appreciation and appropriation.

A profile on how artists and students alike are spending their time in quarantine.

ON NTTRRIIBBUUTTO ORRSS CCO

CLORISSA MORGAN Assistant Editor

WESLEY PATRICK Writer

MADISON ALLEN Writer

SARAH PATTERSON

Photographer

ELISE PAUL

Photographer

Photographer

ALLY SMITH

EMILY TUVESON

Photographer

01 | DUE SOUTH |

BREAHNA CROSSLIN

Photographer

GRACIE KING Writer

TAYLOR ROGERS Writer

LIV GEORGE Editor-in-Chief

LETTER LETTER FROM FROM THE THE EDITOR EDITOR Womp, here it is. My very first issue of Due South as Editor-in-Chief. I wanted to do something about quarantine; how we’re dealing with it and how it’s affecting us. At the risk of sounding like a news anchor, these truly are unprecedented times. It felt blase and even insulting to try and design a magazine around anything else. So I present to you, “The New Normal,” the special-topics issue of Due South for Fall 2020.

I wish I could say this was an easy semester in any sense of the term.

Between the global pandemic, multiple hurricanes, and even legal battles, we really had our work cut out for us. To me, though, this makes the Fall 2020 issue that much more special. It’s a testament to what we can do when we work together. I am so grateful to my staff for making this magazine happen on such a short schedule this semester. I am also thankful for the presence of Dr. Lorraine Ahearn, our advisor. Without the hard work of any of these people, the magazine would not have come together. Lastly, I want to thank my parents. Their encouragement almost single-handedly cured my imposter syndrome.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

I am so excited to continue creating something beautiful out of chaos.

Liv George

Editor-in-Chief, Due South

| CONTRIBUTORS | 02

QUARANTINE TREND ROUNDUP

By Liv George, George Photos by Breahna Crosslin

Q

uarantine is unique in that we can have a cultural reset (insert Kardashian GIF here) every third day or so. Whether it was funny Netflix originals or learning a new recipe online, there has been no shortage of people getting creative in entertaining themselves while at home. Here, we have wrapped up some of our favorite quarantine trends:

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“Tiger King.” This early-quarantine Netflix original gripped people worldwide. The tale of Joe Exotic, his two boyfriends, Carole Baskin, her dead husband, her still-living husband, the hundreds of wild tigers, the workers who have lost limbs to the tigers, and the authorities trying to take the tigers away made for perfect quarantine entertainment.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” Nintendo released the newest version of Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Switch in March and was wildly popular immediately. The Friend and Best Friend feature on the game allow you to visit your friends’ islands and help them with tasks or bring a gift. When first adjusting to quarantine, ACNH gave everyone the sense of hanging out with their friends without breaking quarantine.

TikTok. While the app has been around since 2016, it really took off in popularity during quarantine. Users could enjoy bite-sized videos that teach them how to cook, explain the beliefs and practices of witchcraft, or just have a good laugh. Reusable sounds allow creators to put their spin on whatever joke is popular at the moment, providing an endless source of entertainment.

Gardening. This cheap and easy hobby has gained a lot of traction during quarantine.

Starter houseplants run you around $5-10 at your local Lowes, and you get the reward of watching something grow as you nurture it. Plus, when you’re home all the time it’s pretty easy to remember to water your plants!

DIY Hair. The closure of hair salons prompted many to attempt it at home. The successes as well as the failures have been a topic of conversation during quarantine, especially by hairdresser Brad Mondo.

Mondo is a professional hairdresser who gained popularity posting videos of hair advice and transformations on his YouTube channel under his name. Now, he also reacts to DIY hair flops and fortunes while simultaneously giving advice for those partaking in DIY hair adventures.

Education and Activism. Given the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement after the murder of George Floyd, many have been using their quarantine time as a way to educate themselves on social issues and even take to the streets themsevles. Books and blogs where minorities can tell their stories have become increasingly popular as people use their extra free time to learn about themselves and the world around them. | STUDENTS | 04

black Lives matter An opininon piece by contributing writer, Kenyan Carter, Carter about his experiences battling racism in South Alabama.

Graphics by Maddie Dozier.

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2020 has been a hallmark year for protesting in the United States. The murders of George Floyd, 46, and Breonna Taylor. 26, this year at the hands of law enforcement reignited the fire of the Black Lives Matter movement and the struggle for racial justice.

I have been involved in some form of activism for most of my life.

Starting in middle school I began attending a civil rights education camp called 21st Century Leaders. 21C was created by Alabama state senator and community activist Hank Sanders and Alabama’s first black woman judge, civil rights lawyer Faya Rose Toure.

Another notable alum of 21st Century is the founder of the MeToo movement, Tarana Burke.

Attending this camp over a number of years taught me what I know about civic justice, black history, and organizing.

I I interned for the Jones campaign in 2020. This year I also volunteered for the Bernie Sanders campaign, phone banking and organizing for his This year I have been a rally in Birmingham. I also part of Black Lives Matter became a member of the efforts in Birmingham, where State Democratic Executive pressure from protesters led Committee, a part of the new to the removal of Confederate Youth Caucus monuments in Linn Park.

I led a speech at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, stared down a small army of police in Hoover, and marched through the streets in downtown Mobile.

I have also been involved in some politics. In 2018 I volunteered canvassing in the Alabama Senate special election, when Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore;

A BIG source of inspiration for me comes from my mom. My mother was born and raised in Selma, a hotbed for civil rights activism.

My mom would often tell me stories of people and events from the Civil Rights Movement. For example, we would talk about the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches and the subsequent police brutality referred to as Bloody Sunday.

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The Selma to Montgomery march was a 54-mile trek with the goal of African Americans getting the right to vote. Despite the Civil Rights Act passing the year before, many parts of the South had extremely low African American voter registration due to Jim Crow laws and threats of violence.

When the activists reached Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met by state troopers dispatched by then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace. They knocked the protestors to the ground, beat them with sticks, chased them on horses and shot them with tear gas, eerily similar to footage of the police handling of peaceful protests happening over the past few months in 2020.

The impact of the video recording of Bloody Sunday's violence shows another close similarity to the present.

The footage shocked and

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galvanized Americans across the country leading to enough pressure for then-President Lyndon Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act into law. In 2020, after people watched the brutal footage of Georgle Floyd gasping for air with a policeman's knee on his neck, they rallied behind the issue demanding it to be confronted head on.

It has also been awesome to see that most of the demonstrations are being led and organized by young people!

Young people were organizers and foot soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement as well. Older people had to worry about losing their jobs, so they couldn't always risk being implicated with the movement or getting I have been involved in Black arrested. John Lewis, who led Lives Matter demonstrations the Selma to Montgomery in Birmingham, Mobile and March, was just 25 at the Montgomery. time.

I am so inspired to see so many different types of people come together in solidarity on this issue.

This is a pivotal time for our generation. This energy we have will not go away. It will only continue to fester.

I wholeheartedly have faith in us to finish the fight not only racial equality, but also for women's rights, environmental justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and an economy that benefits people from the bottom up and not the top down.

“Remember sitting in history class thinking, “If i was alive then, I would’ve...”

You’re alive now and whatever you’re doing now is what you would have done.”

- David Slack

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express yourself Gender has no place in clothing anymore, per gen-z.

Story by madison allen, allen photos by emily tuveson

G

eneration Z accomplished a lot in its short time on Earth. Arguably the most important thing is breaking all the normal stereotypes and gender rules. While genderneutral fashion has been a thing for decades, only recently has it taken off. Clothing is the biggest form of self-expression; it is important to realize that gender has no place in clothing.

body and expressing yourself however you chose, regardless of whether that means shopping in the men's or women's section.

Fashion rules are meant to be broken by those who can pull it off. Men can wear skirts and dresses and even high heels if they so wish, and women can wear pantsuits, button-downs, and sneakers. Anyone can wear whatever they want.

A trend on TikTok has recently taken off where people wear different, ambiguous styles of clothing. The reusable soundbyte says, "part of me wants to be her, but part of me also wants to be her," and accompanying video clips show creators changing their clothes to styles like streetwear, grunge, vintage, boho, and athleisure.

Creating outfits from both the men's and women's sections can make fun, creative outfits that could never be possible by limiting yourself to one section.

Instead of fashion companies making way for new trends, members of Gen Z are simply setting trends for themselves and companies are having to catch up. It is important to normalize gender expression through clothing now more than ever.

Society makes it seem that you can only have one style of clothing, or one identity, but as times change, it becomes more obvious how outdated that mindset is. Nowadays it's more about being comfortable in your

The fashion industry plays an important role in fighting for LGBTG+ rights. Society pays attention to brands and what they produce and advertise.

If the industry represented more transgender, gender-fluid, or gender-nonconforming people, it would not be such a shock factor in daily lives. It should be normalized because it is normal.

Even so, transgender people are more susceptible to being harassed and even assaulted for choosing to express themselves through fashion.The idea that people can be hurt or harassed for what they wear is not only sad. It's dangerous. No one should ever be punished or hurt for the people they love or the way they choose to express themselves through fashion. Men can wear dresses, paint their nails, and wear make-up. Women can wear pantsuits instead of a dress, not wear make-up, and replace heels with sneakers.

People can dress however they want, fashion isn't meant to be simple. Fashion is messy. Fashion is creative. Fashion is beautiful, no matter what form.

| STUDENTS | 10

Love in a Pandemic

COVID-19 has influenced casually hooking up in an entirely new way... from having safe sex to real connections with others. | By Taylor Rogers, Photos by Breahna Crosslin, Modeled by Tyler Peek & Kelleen Walker.

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L

ife during a pandemic has dealt us many obstacles, one being how we allow ourselves to be connected during these unprecedented times.

While some individuals are standing by the social distancing guidelines, others have chosen to continue hooking up. Safe sex practices have always been necessary, and now more than ever, should be followed. There have been many interesting suggestions from colleges to inform students on how they should protect themselves while hooking up during COVID, a personal favorite being one from the University of Georgia: Students should wear a face mask while engaging in sex, UGA advised, because panting and heavy breathing can spread the virus. The guideline also suggested

that students should wash their sex toys before every use.

In all seriousness, the safety of yourself and others must be put first while trying to navigate these unusual times.

As the years progress, hookup culture is becoming more globally accepted than ever. With younger generations becoming more open to sexual diversity as well as physical intimacy, the stigma around hooking up is decreasing.

Hookup culture has been portrayed in pop culture for many years, which has allowed for the normalization of sex in society.

However, with COVID-19 came social distancing and quarantine.

Having casual sex with strangers became the last thing on anyone’s mind, but as the months of quarantine go on, the longing for human connection grows.

It is unknown how drastically hookup culture has changed since COVID-19, but the use of dating apps has spiked since quarantine. People began turning to these dating apps to help find connections.

Dating apps saw the opportunity to take advantage of the social distancing restrictions and offer different services on their apps.

Tinder released a new face-toface feature. This feature allows individuals to video chat with their matches, but only if both parties consent to the call. With people spending more time conversing on dating apps, romance among strangers began to blossom. Dating strictly through the internet is still something that will take time to get adjusted to. Will this become the new normal, or will things go back to the way they were once the pandemic is over?

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mail

Zoom University

Our tips and tricks for avoiding zoom fatigue and keeping on top of your work!

Story by Madison Allen, Graphics by Maddie Dozier.

W

e all know it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been easy the last several months learning how to work and attend school from home. Having to find an office space in shared apartments or moving back in with parents isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as easy as one would think. Here are all the best tips and tricks for making work-from- home life easier.

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• Have a comfortable place to get work done. Setting up a desk with a comfortable chair and positive environment is important in aiding in productivity! It is also nice to have a stress reliever nearby whether that is a Zen garden, a stress ball, essential oils or your cat!

• Stick to a schedule so you don’t lay in bed on TikTok the entire day. It’s hard making yourself productive at home. Set timers on your phone and give yourself certain hours for certain things.

• Planners and to-do lists are great ways to stay on schedule and get things done. Nothing feels better than marking things off a to-do list!

• Dress like you are actually going to work or class not like you are going to sit at home all day! It is always a good idea to get up in the mornings, get ready and dressed. It is the easiest way to feel productive. Even if you are pairing the nice shirt with leggings or joggers, it will still feel nice and you’ll look great on Zoom!

• Speaking of Zoom, you can enhance your appearance for those days you just aren’t feeling great. In the settings under video, you can “touch-up” your appearance. You can even add filters or fun backgrounds.

• Take breaks! It is important to eat lunch and turn the computer off. It is easy to keep working until you are done but the work is never fully done and can wait until tomorrow. Have easy, healthy snacks you can grab in between classes.

• Go outside! Although there is a pandemic, you can still go on a run or a nice walk. It is important now more than ever to get outside and move around!

• Keep a positive attitude! It is hard with everything going on in the world to remain positive but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Just think about the positives! Your dog, cat, or even reptile is now your coworker and you save gas by not having to commute so much!

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Staying Sa Your guide to taking care of your mental health during a global pandemic. | Article & Graphic by Clorissa Morgan.

C

OVID-19 has brought us many experiences- “Tiger King,” whipped coffee, and new ways of dyeing our hairbut it has also brought with it fear, anxiety, grief and other negative emotions.

These are all common reactions to a global pandemic, according to Dr. John Friend, the University of South Alabama’s Counseling and Testing Services Director.

Emotions like anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, boredom and frustration are completely normal, and rather than try to make them go away, Friend believes we should try to process and understand them.

“Culture gives us a lot of different messages, but my message is that all of our emotions are valid and important.”

Feelings, as Dr. Friend says, tell us about our current situation.

If we ask the right questions about our emotions, like “What emotions am I feeling?” “Why am I feeling like this?” and “What is the emotion I am experiencing trying to tell me?” we can learn 15 | DUE SOUTH |

what we value, need, and the next steps to take.

Dr. Friend cites the example of loneliness, a common emotion for us during quarantine. If we are feeling lonely and we ask why, it might be because we miss the people we love and we place a strong value on spending time with others. This tells us that the next step we need to take is to reach out to our loved ones and call or schedule a Zoom party with them. Dr. Friend says that it’s important to ask these questions rather than pushing our emotions down in order to identify a solution to find emotional relief.

Engaging in self-care by rewarding ourselves for hard work, having a schedule, exercising and getting enough sleep is the best way to keep a handle on our emotions. The trick to sticking to a schedule is to keep it basic.

“The problem a lot of people run into is that they make a complicated and strict schedule... that can be difficult to stick to.”

Dr. Friend suggests focusing on things that have to be done each day, and to do so in accordance with their order of importance. He says that we shouldn’t schedule ourselves to the point that even our bathroom breaks are on a time constraint! If you’re starting to fall off your schedule and get behind, Dr. Friend says the best thing to do is to take a small break before getting back to business.

The flexibility of a schedule is the key to avoid feeling overwhelmed. If keeping to a schedule is still difficult, Dr. Friend recommends finding what he calls an “accountability partner.” This is another person to check in with who helps you stick to your schedule, while you help them stick to theirs. When including things to do in our schedule, exercise and sleep are extremely important to include.

Exercise releases what Dr. Friend calls “feel-good hormones” that boost our mood and combat things like depression and anxiety.

“It isn’t about going to the gym and lifting weights or running a 5K.” This is the reason he also prefers the word “movement.” Movement can be as simple as going for a walk around campus. Sleep

ane Inside hygiene simply means having a good sleep schedule. Sleep has a huge impact on our mood so if we make an effort to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day (even on weekends) it can really help with depression and anxiety.

The key with these things is to start small. When first starting, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t focus on the big picture, rather, focus on small victories and slowly work up to where you want to be.

However, we sometimes canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get where we need to be on our own. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where counseling comes in. Counseling is a great tool to get us on the path to having a better relationship with our emotions Of course, COVID-19 has impacted the way South now has to approach counseling.

Counseling has had to move to Zoom. The university still has face-to-face sessions, but those are reserved for emergency situations where the student is deemed to be in a crisis or determined by the screening

process that the student has special circumstances that require them to meet in person.

Face-to-face counseling is held in accordance with all precautions taken against the coronavirus.

Dr. Friend said that when things return to normal after the pandemic, it is very likely that teletherapy will still be offered through the school.

The screening process for getting a counseling session at South sounds scary but it has less to do with the student being accepted for counseling and more to do with ensuring that the student has all the resources needed to engage in counseling.

The screening process starts with a student calling for counseling.

The consultation mostly looks

to make sure that the student has the technology they need for teletherapy, is familiar with Zoom, has access to a private area, and lives in Alabama. These questions allow Counseling and Testing Services to make sure the student can engage in teletherapy. If not, the student might be considered as having a special circumstance and attend an in person session.

Other questions inquire about the reason the student is setting up a counseling appointment to insure a good fit for the student.

Though the pandemic has been a mutually negative experience for most people, Dr. Friend noted that a few good things have come from it: new resources for counseling like Zoom, increased outreach and testing here at South.

Part of this increased outreach includes the new Jag Student Support Network (JSSN). Dr. Friend says the JSSN is a peer network made of students trained to identify and reach out to others that may need assistance as well as to help students or direct them to resources they may need.

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Sometimes we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get where we need to be on our own. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where counseling comes in.

For more information on counseling or self-help resources, go to: https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/counseling/ 17 | DUE SOUTH |

Four MYTHS ABOUT COUNSELING

1. You cannot afford counseling.

The truth is counseling is free to all USA students.

2. Your private business will be shared with the school or others.

Counseling is entirely confidential. Nothing said in counseling goes on school record or is shared with any organization.

3. It takes forever to get an appointment.

Consultation to schedule a counseling appointment generally occurs within 24 hours of contact and a counseling session is scheduled within the next week. For students who are experiencing a crisis, they are seen for counseling that very same day.

4. Counseling will make you talk about childhood or trauma.

Counseling at South is what Dr. Friend calls “brief-solution focused” counseling. It begins by identifying the goals the student wants to reach through counseling, and then teaches the student skills and strategies by giving them “the resources and help” to reach those goals. Counseling at South can be for as long or as little as one needs.

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MASK-NE* *mask-acne

PREVENTION F

ace coverings reduce the spread of COVID-19 but for many of us, wearing a mask every day has a dreaded consequence: Maskne. Maskne, or mask acne, is a flare up of breakouts around the jaws and cheeks where a mask typically sits. This can be both painful and annoying; however, there are steps you can take to reduce and eliminate the terrors of mask acne. To know how to treat it we first need to understand what causes acne and breakouts in general.

Acne breakouts are typically caused when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, makeup and the worst: bacteria.

When you wear a mask you are essentially trapping dead skin cells and creating a warm, humid environment for bacteria to grow. Sweat and makeup allows the buildup to become even worse. The trick of treating maskne is to be gentle!

Scrubbing the skin or being rough with it only irritates the area further. Thankfully, a simple and regular skin care routine can do a lot to reduce maskne flare-ups: 19 | DUE SOUTH |

Tips and tricks for even the most stubborn of mask-acne.

Story by Clorissa Morgan, Photos by Sarah Patterson

Masks: Washing your mask regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take against maskne. This washes away the dead skin cells, bacteria and makeup that will naturally build up in the mask. It also helps to wear face masks made of fabrics that are softer and more breathable like cotton. This reduces moisture that leads to the buildup of bacteria.

Avoid Makeup: If you wear makeup, avoid placing it in areas that your mask will cover. This will reduce clogged pores!

Wash Your Face and Exfoliate Regularly: Another preventative regimen?

Washing your face! Having a clean face before placing a mask on prevents the trapping of dirt and dead skin cells on the face that lead to breakouts. Likewise, exfoliating your face two to three times a week helps gently scrub your pores and prevent clogs.

Moisturize: Moisturizer both hydrates your skin (dry patches can become easily irritated) and forms a barrier between your mask and your skin, reducing friction and irritation.

Using a moisturizer with SPF at the beginning of the day also helps prevent mask tan lines.

If Your Maskne is Stubborn: If these steps still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to work, try incorporating products that contain salicylic acid to your routine. Salicylic acid fights breakouts and lightly exfoliates the skin. Spot treatments are also a great option to reduce redness, inflammation and pain for extra stubborn pimples.

Find your r No matter your skin type we have simple drugstore routines thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be sure to nip that Mask-ne in the bud!

Normal or Sensitive Skin: Wash: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser This foaming formula will clean out your pores without drying out or irritating skin.

Exfoliate: Noxzema Ultimate Clear Anti-Blemish Pads Gentle chemical exfoliation removes dead skin and buildup without irritation.

Moisturize: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Water-based moisturizer infuses your skin with a hydration without making you oily! *Note: It is best to use spf on your face in the morning.

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routine Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Wash: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Salicylic Acid makes this face wash a staple for those stubborn acne days.

Exfoliate: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2%.

This chemical exfoliator is harsh, and should only be used once a week. However, it will knock out a breakout!

Moisturize: CeraVe SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy Skin.

Salicylic Acid combined with a moisturizing cream finishes your skin off with a matte finish that fights acne all day long. *Note: Introduce products slowly and look out for reactions to Salicylic acid. | COMMUNITY | 22

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MASKS, BUT MAKE IT

N S I F N S I FAA H O HO Take that personal protection equipment and make it fashion. story by liv george, photos by breahna crosslin

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S

ince March, our lives have changed and shifted.

Where we used to spend days packed into the Student Center just to get out of our dorms, it’s now safest to stay home. When we do need to go out, donning a mask is a necessity to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Face masks started off as an ugly necessity-the blue and white disposable masks with their flimsy ear-straps and single size were not a stylish choice. Of course, looks aren’t everything in a global pandemic but as time marched on, the need for more versatile masks that match a variety of situations and outfits was more apparent.

Fashion was reluctant at first to put masks on the docket, with some runway shows this year streamed online without an audience due to mask-less models. However, the fashion industry soon realized the beauty of adding a new face accessory to the product list. To this end, fashion designers began to look to Asian countries, specifically Japan and China, where air quality concerns and packed cities prompt many in large metropolitan areas to don masks when leaving their homes.

This doesn’t damper their style, though. Despite the necessity of masks, Asian streetwear is having a huge moment in the fashion world, as well as pop culture. Part of what makes Asian streetwear so popular is the ease.

Everyone just looks so cool. Simple pieces are layered with jewelry and jackets, then topped off with a face mask that ties the whole look together. The face mask is a part of the allure here. It adds a level of mystique, hiding a part of your face and keeping you safe at the same time Sure, the classic black mask is a staple to have, but it does begin to feel a bit old. That’s why packing your wardrobe with some funky face masks is a way to make the pandemic a bit more enjoyable. Mix a neutral mask with a graphic tee to show off your tee or pick out a colorful and printed mask with a neutral outfit.

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The way to look at your face mask is the same way you look at socks or underwear. It’s pretty necessary that you wear it, but it doesn’t have to be boring by any means.

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Something important to mention is that face masks should be, first and foremost, function.

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Fashion is more of a secondary element. Avoid being like Billie Eilish and Lana Del Ray, who recently came under fire for their “fashionable” masks made of bedazzled mesh. Sure, it’s a look. But the purpose of your mask is to filter the air that you exhale to lessen your chances of spreading COVID-19. Bedazzled mesh masks, as cute as they are, will not actually do anything.

If that bedazzled look is a necessity to your fall/winter 2020 wardrobe, we understand! Anything to add a little glitz and glamor to this year is fine by us! So layering one of the aforementioned mesh bedazzled ones over a protective face covering is an awesome idea to look good while staying healthy. Another idea is to make your own mask! Making your masks is the best way to guarantee that your masks not only fit properly but go with your fit. Just go to a local craft store like JOANN or Michaels and pick out your favorite fabric! You’ll need some other stuff, but there are several free no-sew tutorials online.

You can also dress up your existing masks with stuff like patches, ribbons, glue-on gemstones, and iron-on vinyl decals. Plain masks can be found just about anywhere these days, so if you wish it just had something more, you can always go the DIY route.

Masks have, among other things, given us a new opportunity for self-expression and have opened up the possibility of a whole new world of fashion trends. If you’re finding masks to be dreary and upsetting, try working them into your outfits and making them your own!

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A look at cultural mis-use There’s a thin line between cultural appreciation and cultural approptiation. Be trendy and respectful | By Wesley Patrick, Photos by Elise Paul.

Cultural appropriation is known as “appropriating” or borrowing elements of one cultural group by a different cultural group.

This term generally has a lot of negative connotation, seen when mainstream culture adopts elements of a minority culture.

In doing this, the mainstream, or dominant culture essentially borrows elements of the minority without understanding the history behind it.

African American culture, specifically African American hair, is one of the most predominant examples of a minority culture being appropriated. For years, people trying to educate others about the misuse of Black culture have been drowned out by Instagram

likes and the climbing follower counts of non-Black women who don’t understand the deep cultural importance of Black hairstyles and why it’s not okay to wear them. In her book, “Black Women and Identity: What’s hair got to do with it?” author Dr. Cheryl Thompson studies the connection between Black beauty, politics and culture. She says:

“For young black girls, hair is not something to play with. It is something that is laden with messages, and it has the power to dictate how others treat you, and in turn, how you feel about yourself.”

This is why it isn’t okay when celebrities wear hairstyles they shouldn’t. We all know celebrities who have worn cornrows, dreads, and braids that don’t belong to their culture. Black women today are continuing to be discriminated against for their hair, having it deemed inappropriate or “ghetto” as Non-Black celebrities are simultaneously praised and declared trend-setters by imitating the very same hair-styles.

Many modern fashion trends have roots in Black culture that are also often overlooked.

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Logomania, something today’s modern luxury brands use, is one of the biggest examples. It was created in the 1980s by Harlemdesigner Daniel Day, better known as Dapper Dan and is best described as having obvious branding on your clothing.

Sneaker culture is another example from the ‘80s, when the decade’s most influential rappers established sneakers as a musthave. This was a time when music and beat-boxing were shaping the culture causing sneakers to become a well-known symbol of identity within the Black community as they continue to do so today.

Other clothing styles created within the Black community include: oversized clothing, gaining notoriety during the ‘80s hip-hop era, and scripted

| COMMUNITY | 24 28

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necklaces, something integral to Black and Latinx culture to display “hard to pronounce” names.

African American culture is not the only victim of appropriation. Hollywood has a reputation for using Indian culture to fit its aesthetic. Selena Gomez released “Come and Get It,” with a Bollywood-inspired video.

She described her look as “glam tribal” while wearing a bindi on her forehead. Rajan Zed, the president of the University Society of Hinduism, argues in the Indian newspaper, IndiaWest.com, that this is appropriation.

“It is an ancient tradition in Hinduism and has religious significance… It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed.”

He goes on to state, “Selena should apologize and then she should get acquainted with the basics of world religion.”

Henna is also fast growing popular with celebrities; however, the ornate paint is used as a wedding tradition among Muslim and Hindu brides. These cultures reserve henna for very special occasions not for going to Coachella.

When cultural appropriation occurs, minority groups are offended because their culture is being misused with little to no understanding of the significance behind it. Amita Roy Shah, wrote in an IndiaWest.com article, “Some Indian Americans argue that the bindi is not an example of cultural appropriation because many Indians can’t tell you what it means.” Yet, cultural appropriation is an ever-lasting debate.

Before borrowing elements from a minority culture because it’s cool or exotic, first educate yourself about the culture and decide if it makes sense for you to use it in your life in order to avoid cultural appropriation.

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An excess of energy A look at how one local artist uses her extra free time to channel creative energy.

Story by Gracie King, Photos by Ally Smith

E

ndless Netflix binges.

Actually finishing puzzles. Waking up late.

Let’s be honest, it has been a hellacious past couple of months trying to find activities that will fill our seemingly endless time spent isolated and indoors. Most have resorted to breaking out spare beads and string and ordering needles and yarn from Amazon to help pass the time in a creative way.

Seasoned artists have taken this time to really hone their craft, producing what are being called “quarantine series.” One of them is Monica

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J. Beasley, a local artist and teacher, who has been using her time to connect with and help others through her art and own experiences.

During quarantine, Beasley felt more motivated than before to work on her art and connect with other artists.

She often listened to popular radio DJ, D-Nice, along with many other artists while working on that day’s special project. One of her main works of quarantine is a short yet thick book absolutely filled with floral illusions and feminine artistry made from fabric scraps, paint, glitter

and many other media. It is poignantly representative of her vivid yet dainty artistic style.

Like many others, Beasley felt the need to work with her hands in order to feel constructive during quarantine. Because her studio space became unavailable due to the pandemic, she began working from home and did smaller scale work on her back porch while enjoying the occasional salty Mobile breeze. Bringing up her experiences following the aftermath of 9/11, Beasley felt going into quarantine was

similar to the state that the country was in after flights were downed and people were driven into their homes.

She felt better equipped to manage her time and fight the depression that nearly imminently comes with isolation. Surrounded by friends and family, Beasley has created some of her most imaginative and ambitious work while in quarantine.

Beasley moved from Minnesota to Mobile, her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hometown, following her parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; divorce at 12 years old. She was raised under a strong matriarchy including her mother, grandmother, and aunts, from which she draws much of her artistic inspiration from today. After receiving

her teaching degree from Barat College and her Masters of Art in teaching from Spring Hill College, she taught for just a few years before making her way into the art scene again. She began post graduate work at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later accepted a full scholarship to Northwestern, where she got her Masters of Fine Arts.

Beasley was the first African American woman to be accepted into the program, where only five applicants are accepted each year.

As of today, Beasley is a K-5 art teacher for Mobile County Public Schools, where she was recently named Teacher of the Year. Her work is currently featured at

the Sophiella Gallery located in downtown Mobile on Dauphin Street.

Beasleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outlook on life and its influence on her artwork has remained positive, as she tries to refrain from watching the news too obsessively. Her style is also as vibrant as ever; she hopes that her extravagant works of mixed media and collages help remind others that there is still beauty in the world, despite our circumstances. That beauty is an ever-changing constant, a multi faceted variable, and something that cannot be controlled or defined. It is something that anyone can strive to create, be, or manifest, especially in these wildly uncertain times. | COMMUNITY | 34

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From ““A Look at Cultural Mis-Use” by Wesley Patrick. Photo by Elise Paul.

DUE SOUTH Student Magazine for The University of South Alabama

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