YELL!
AU Women and Gender Studies Student Magazine
Fall 2020 - Volume 7, Issue 1
Women’s Studies Program Augusta University
about Yell! • • • Yell! is a magazine created by students, for students, with the goal of giving a safe space for people to express their art of any form. The topics of women, gender, diversity, sexuality, race, and many more are tackled by our creative contributors. This year has brought lots of new topics to be discussed, such as Black Lives Matter and the election of our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris. With all of these powerful new movements taking place, there is lots to be discussed and unwrapped, and many new amazing forms of art coming out of it.
letter from the editor • • • This is my first year as the Editor-in-Chief of the Yell! Magazine. It was very exciting to be honored with reading all the submissions, many of which were very personal to the writers. Feminism is important to me because everyone is unique and special in their own ways and everyone deserves the same chances at life. This has without a doubt been a stressful year for everyone, and I hope this magazine helps to entertain you and keep your mind off everything for a bit! Share Yell! with your friends! Victoria Kemp Editor-in-Chief 2
contents 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12
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About & Letter from the Editor Contents Spring 2021 Classes Spring 2021 Classes
Student Essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis by Lauren Stacy Handmaid’s Tale Analysis continued Handmaid’s Tale Analysis continued Handmaid’s Tale Analysis continued Handmaid’s Tale Analysis continued Handmaid’s Tale Analysis continued Student Poetry
The Essence of My Body by Trinity Johnson Silent Adversity by Anonymous Because Breonna Taylor is Black by Christian Osbourne Student Art
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Justice and Liberty by Susanna Kemp Student Short Stories
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Zucchini by Marybeth Bass Zucchini continued
Meet the Contributors
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Meet the Contributors Meet the Contributors Credits
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courses • • • Spring, 2021 WGST 1101: Introduction to Women’s Studies Dr. Christina Harner/ online An interdisciplinary course designed to provide a foundation for the women’s studies minor.
WGST 3310: Women’s Literature Dr. Christina Harner/ MWF / 11:00-11:50am An examination of a wide range of women writers, both classic and contemporary, with an emphasis on multicultural and/or multidisciplinary approaches.
WGST 3870: Identity: Ethnicity, Gender, and Class Dr. Angela Bratton / MW / 1:00—2:15pm
This course examines the processes through which identities are culturally constructed and experienced. The focus is on key ideas and theoretical debates surrounding race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class through a cross-cultural perspective. These identities intersect with each other and with other identities such as religious, educational, parental, etc…
DID YOU KNOW? WGST 1101 counts as an Area F elective for majors in: English, World Languages, Communications, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and History Contact Dr. Liana Babayan (lbabayan@augusta.edu) for more info about upcoming courses or the minor.
Spring, 2020 REGISTRATION WILL BE October 26-29th
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courses • • • Spring, 2021 WGST 4011: History of Women Dr. Ruth McClelland-Nugent / TR / 2:30—3:45pm This course will examine the history of women in either a geographical or topical approach. It will examine the female role of mother, daughter, sister, and leader in a particular society, such as America, Europe, Asia, Latin
America, etc. Or, the course will be centered on a particular cross-cultural topic, such as suffrage, family roles, leaders, religion, etc. In all cases, this course is intended to explore the paradox between the ideal woman and actual treatment of women in a given era, society, culture, or movement. Students taking the graduate level course will be required to complete additional work. May be repeated for credit.
WGST 4336: Gender and Victimization Dr. Alison Foley / T / 10:00-11:15am A sociological analysis of crime victims and victim-service agencies. Traces the historical development of the field of victimology. Examines the influence of gender on victimization experiences and practices of criminal
justice and victim-service agencies.
WGST 4442: Gender and Society Dr. Melissa Powell-Williams/ online Sociological insights and concepts will be employed in observing, interpreting, and analyzing the social processes creating, reinforcing and changing gender roles and the statuses of women and men in society.
DID YOU KNOW? WGST 1101 counts as an Area F elective for majors in: English, World Languages, Communications, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and History Contact Dr. Liana Babayan (lbabayan@augusta.edu) for more info about upcoming courses or the minor.
Spring, 2020 REGISTRATION WILL BE October 26-29th
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis By Lauren Stacy
society and the choices she has. If a handmaid tries to
Introduction: The Handmaid’s Tale is about a dystopian
rebel or escape, she is either severely punished or sent
society where women are used only for breeding
somewhere else such as the Colonies, a horrible place
purposes, and stripped of all freedoms. Whether or not
where women work until they die. The concept of love
a woman can bear children determines her place in
does not exist anymore, or individuality. Even those
society, those who can are forced to follow their
who are gay or another religion are disposed of, they
commanders every wish. Those who can’t are left with
get hung for the whole society to see. June goes
very freedom, unless they are an aunt or wife. Even
through several hardships, struggling in a society ruled
then, these women are still ruled by the patriarchal
by men where women are only deemed as useful for
society of Gilead. Handmaids must bear the children of
their viable ovaries.
the commander, and are forced to give their child up to
Section on Intersectionality: The Handmaid’s Tale is a
that family. They are forced to forget about their
very good example of intersectionality, but not in the
previous life, and forbidden to ever mention it. This
typical way of intersecting sex with race, social class,
text can be considered feminist because it embodies the
etc. Intersectionality is when oppressions overlap
struggle of female oppression, these handmaids are
instead of being viewed as separately (AU common
constantly objectified and left with little to no choice in
terms). An example would be a black woman
what happens to their own bodies or freedom. The
experiencing discrimination because of her sex and also
protagonist June, or Offred as she is named, goes
her race. Also, the fact that women of different
through constant objectification as she realizes the only
backgrounds may experience intersectionality
thing that defines her is her fertility. These women all
differently is important. In Gilead, it does not mention
experience intersectionality differently, as the color of
race, pointing to the fact that people of color may have
their clothes determines their place in
been relocated somewhere else, making it not only a patriarchal society, but a racist one too.
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 2 By Lauren Stacy
These women experience intersectionality by their sex
are poor, that is what they are labeled. Women who
and whether or not they can reproduce, which
wear all black are widows, most likely because black is a
determines the colors they will wear. June says she
color of mourning worn to funerals. Little is said about
“wears the color of blood, which defines us” (Atwood
the widows, but one can assume they have no power or
8). What she wears also keeps her from being seen,
status, since they don’t have a husband. The wives wear
another sign of her oppression. The color red is used to
blue, a deep contrast from the handmaid’s red. These
symbolize fertility, and the fact that she is only valued
wives seem to have some sort of power and status
for her working ovaries. The Marthas wear green, they
compared to the other women, but ultimately they still
are basically the maids and their purpose is to serve the
are forbidden to read and write and must follow their
household. June comments that “nobody much cares
husband’s commands. Even at the Prayvaganzas, the
who sees the face of a Martha”, which goes to show
wives and daughters of high ranking men get to sit on
how little of importance they are, besides serving their
wooden chairs, and the lower ranking women such as
household (Atwood 9). The house is constantly referred
Marthas and econowives have to stand in the gallery
to as the Commander’s house, even though he is not
above (Atwood 212). The handmaids do not even get
the only one who lives there, but he holds the most
chairs, they have to kneel on the ground, watching as
power. On page twenty four when June is walking
the wives whisper about them. During Prayvaganzas,
down the street, she notes that those who are “in the
those who are too old get sent to the colonies, proving
striped dresses, red and blue and green and cheap and
that women are only valued for their womb. Those who
skimpy, that mark the women of the poorer men.
are gay will be labeled gender traitors, and sentenced to
Econowives, they’re called” (Atwood). She states that
be hung. The color a woman wears determines her
these women have to do everything, a symbol of their
place in society, and the oppressions she will suffer. It
poor status. It seems that just because their husbands
also determines how much privilege she has, if any.
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 3 By Lauren Stacy
Section on Patriarchy: A patriarchy is basically a
world. Even what stores remain open are catered to
society where men hold majority of the power (AU
men. In a scene where June and Ofglen are headed to
common terms). In The Handmaid’s Tale, there are
Soul Scrolls, she recalls “Most of the stores carrying
several patriarchal structures that further serve to keep
things for men are still open; it’s just the ones dealing in
women oppressed. Before Gilead comes to be, we can
what they call vanities have been shut down” (Atwood
see in June’s flashbacks how things moved downhill. At
166). What use are vanities when women don’t even
that time, men did hold most of the power, but women
have control of their bodies anymore? Things such as
also had mostly the same rights and were not treated as
makeup and lingerie don’t have a purpose anymore.
property. Regarding the economy, women were no
What a woman looks like does not matter, the only
longer allowed to hold money, all their money got
thing that is prized is her fertility. Shutting down all the
transferred to their husband or another male in their
stores for women is just another way to keep power
family. June gets fired from her job, as women were no
over them. June even thinks about when women still
longer allowed to work. When June is captured, she is
had jobs, now it is hard to imagine (Atwood 173). It
subjected to the Aunt’s education at the red center.
seems like the male’s experience is the center of
These women are taught to obey men and be
everything, which is Androcentrism (AU common
submissive, as well as their main purpose is to produce
terms). A woman’s opinion simply does not matter
children. Did men have to be taught to respect women
anymore. All throughout the book, there is emphasis
or be good husbands? Those who overthrew the
on women having to fulfill their “biological destiny.”
government and took charge were men, women could
The commander tries to justify the way things are by
not hold these high positions of power. The Angels,
saying “Money was the only measure of worth, for
who are high ranking officials in the army, are all men,
everyone, they got no respect as mothers. No wonder
as well as the commanders. It is essentially a man’s
they were giving up on the whole business. This way
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 4 By Lauren Stacy
they’re protected, they can fulfill their biological
blaming seems to go on all throughout the book, about
destinies in peace” (Atwood 119-220). It’s a question
how it is always the woman’s fault. Aunt Lydia would
whether he believes things are truly better off, as he
also show violent porno films, stating that is what
says that “better never means better for
people thought of women back then. (Atwood 118).
everyone” (Atwood 210). There are moments when
She said that unwomen were always wasting time, yet
June feels as she has a little power over the
these were the same women who fought against
Commander, but at the end of the day it is men who
injustice, such as June’s mother. The aunts are
rule almost everything.
socializing the handmaids to think this way, and to be
Section on socialization: Socialization basically means
ashamed of themselves. When Janine is about to give
learning certain culture or beliefs from others, which is
birth, June is confident because she states “We are all
usually done by authority figures such as parents or
good at this, we’ve had lessons” (Atwood 123). They
teachers. All throughout the book, these handmaids are
are socialized to walk with their heads bent and to not
forced to frown upon the past and accept the new ways
make eye contact. When the commander asks June to
of Gilead. From the very beginning, the aunts teach the
play scrabble with him, she says “Now it’s forbidden,
handmaids how to be obedient, even going as far as
for us. Now it’s dangerous. Now it’s
victim blaming those who were raped, making it seem
indecent” (Atwood 138). However, if this same
like it was their fault (Atwood 72). Whenever a
situation happened before Gilead, June would not
handmaid rebels or acts out, they are punished and be
believe the situation is dangerous or indecent at all. But
made an example, instilling fear in the others. Aunt
since she was socialized and conditioned to think this
Lydia shows everyone a chart showing the declining
way, she’s more hesitant to agree. Upon visiting the
birth rate, blaming it on lazy women whom she called
commander again, June admits to herself that when
sluts. (Atwood 113). This cycle of shaming and victim
invited into his office she was expecting “something
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 5 By Lauren Stacy
unspeakable, down on all fours perhaps, perversions,
objects and used only for their bodies. Objectification
whips, mutilations?” (Atwood 155). This may be
would be defined as treating someone like they were
because of all the explicit films the aunts showed them,
property or an object to be owned instead of a human
that she believed this is what all men expected of
being capable of making their own choices or decisions.
women. In fact, Aunt Lydia tells them that men are sex
For example, when these women become handmaids
machines and that is all they want from women
they are literally stripped of their own name. June
(Atwood 144). This can be why she is surprised when
becomes Offred, which means of Fred, her
the commander doesn’t touch her much. They are
commander’s name. This renaming states the fact that
socialized to think sex is the only thing that men desire
handmaids are the property of their commander,
from women, further objectifying them for their bodies
further objectifying them. June even states “We are
and not seeing them as people. At the prayvaganza,
containers, it’s only the insides of our body that are
when the daughters about to be sent off it is said that a
important” (Atwood 96). Their bodies are being used
woman can only be saved by childbearing (Atwood
for the sole purpose of producing children, nothing
221). This further drills into the minds of women that
more. They are forbidden from engaging in any sexual
their sole purpose is to bear children, and these girls are
or romantic relationships, the only sexual activity being
socialized at a young age to think this. Despite this,
on ceremony nights, but even then it holds no love or
there are those like Ofglen who are part of a resistance,
meaning. Still, June breaks these rules by being with
choosing to reject the patriarchal and controlling ways
Nick, who sees her as a person rather than just a body
of Gilead.
capable of reproducing. Even the aunts drill into the
Section on objectification: All throughout The
handmaid’s minds that they are not free individuals,
Handmaid’s Tale, the handmaids are treated like o
saying “A thing is valued, only if it is rare and hard to get. We want you to be valued, girls. Think of
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 6 By Lauren Stacy
yourselves as pearls” (Atwood 114). She basically calls
man comes their way. Moira tells June “You’d have
the girls things, and the rare and hard to get might
three or four good years before your snatch wears out
imply the low number of fertile women. They are
and they send you to the bone yard” (Atwood 249).
valued only for their ovaries, not for their
Even though these women are not being used for
achievements, individuality, or anything else because
reproduction, their bodies are still being used for sexual
that is forbidden. When June starts to get closer to the
pleasure. If they refuse to engage in any sexual acts,
commander, she says she’s no longer just a usable body
they are immediately tossed to the side. This goes to
(Atwood 163). Perhaps this is because he takes the time
show that no matter where these women end up, they’ll
to actually play games with her and talk to her, instead
just be viewed or used for their body. When June is
of making sexual advances. Even though the aunts have
alone with the Commander, he starts stroking her leg.
tried to socialize the handmaid’s that men only desire
June recalls him encircling her ankle, like a cattle brand
sex, June experiences the opposite when visiting the
which means ownership (Atwood 254). He is reminding
commander. When the commander takes June to
her that no matter what, she is still his property to
Jezebel’s, there are a ton of women wearing revealing
control.
outfits on display. When asked about the women, the commander says that there is quite a collection, and most prefer it to the other options, such as the colonies (Atwood 237). Here they get alcohol, makeup, and other forbidden things, so it is no wonder they would choose that over a hard and painful life at the colonies. Even here, these women are basically being used for their bodies. It is their job to sexually please whatever
Conclusion: This text shows us that women have a very low position in society, they have very little
freedom and autonomy to make their own decisions. The aunts may be an exception, but it is still a mystery how they achieved their status. Overall, they would still have to listen to a man’s orders, since everything is ruled by men. Concerning definitions of gender and expression, women were expected to behave like ladies,
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student voices • • • essays Handmaid’s Tale Analysis (cont.) part 7 By Lauren Stacy
which meant being submissive and obedient in this
work until they die. This book has many forms of
society. Characters such as Moira were very outspoken
oppression, and actually reminded me much of the
and headstrong, and ended up being punished. Aunt
matrix of oppression. (Teaching for Diversity and
Lydia stressed that modesty is invisibility, as women
Social Justice). On the matrix of oppression, white,
were taught to walk with their heads bowed down,
biologically and gender conforming heterosexual, upper
never truly seeing (Atwood 28). Men were supposed to
class, able bodied adult men are those who are the most
be powerful leaders, and not supposed to let their
privileged, which happens to be the kind of people who
emotions cloud their judgment. If anyone were to act in
rule Gilead. Targeted groups include people of color,
a way that does not align with their gender, I’m sure
bio women, transgender, gay people, poor people, and
they would be hung as well like the “gender traitors.” If
those of religions other than Christianity. A big factor is
anyone were caught with the same sex, they were hung.
ability, if a women’s fertility counts as an ability. Those
Concerning intersectionality, women are ranked due to
who are not able to have children are especially a
if they are fertile or not and wear the colors
targeted group, unless they are a wife. Regarding age, it
accordingly. Do men have to wear colors that define
mentioned that when a woman gets too old, she is sent
them? No, because it is a patriarchal society, they make
to the colonies. Someone can be punished or killed for
the decisions. Because of intersectionality, these women
not falling into these privileged social groups including
may experience life differently. For example, the wives
being gay or not being a believer. This matrix is a form
have more freedom than Marthas or Handmaids,
of keeping the patriarchy in power, and keeping women
mainly because of their husbands status. In reality, they
oppressed. It can also factor into intersectionality, since
are basically deemed useless because they are not able
these oppressions can overlap and shape a person’s life.
to bear children. Women who do not conform to this
Overall, The Handmaid’s Tale does a good job at showing
oppression may be sent to the colonies, where they
the struggle of women in an extreme society.
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student voices • • • poetry The Essence of My Body by Trinity Johnson
Born a light and bright baby girl, Her skin was bright as pearls. Eyes of Asia, but her skin became African descent. Her skin grew caramel, almost tan She did not know others could not stand. Her family taunted her unknowingly with words. She grew stressed and clawed at herself. Clawed, dark spots, clawed, dark spots. People wondered and whispered, but she couldn’t
understand why. She’s small, short, but ambitious. Flat chest, small bum, but she’s cute. Hair, smile, and brains like no other. Quiet as a mouse, but her language sweet like candy. People passed her by and never heard her cry. Little do they know; she doesn’t love herself. So, who is she? This mysterious girl, Her name is Trinity, Chante with curls.
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student voices • • • poetry Silent Adversity by Anonymous
As she gently gazes upon the picture book of her life, Her hands engulfed in flames, Normal is her enemy. She became the curse. Expectation has run rampant . Beauty has taken over. Intellect dead. With her body perfectly burned, Freedom arose.
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student voices • • • poetry Because Breonna Taylor is Black by Christian Osbourne
My name is NeCole
me or some woman like me that carried and birthed their Jesus
Even with the capital C it was too “white” for me Because Jesus’ mama was Black too So, I denounced it In fact, according to science we all Black
I go by Christian
Even you who don’t want to believe it
Because when people say my name They have to acknowledge my God
We all don’t get treated Black though That’s evident
My Jesus
Because the white cops who killed Breonna Taylor still haven’t been charged for their crime And so, when people call me by my name
Who are both Black by the way
I want them to imagine 15
student voices
• • • student art
These two pieces are called Liberty and Justice. They are meant to simultaneously celebrate female bodies as well as represent the pressures put on women’s appearances. Each woman is strong, powerful, and beautiful, but they are still feeling the demands of society and the molds they are pushed into.
Justice and Liberty by Susanna Kemp
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student voices • • • short story Zucchini by Marybeth Bass We fell in love. Not in that boy-meets-girl cliché way; we fell in love in the soul. We tied our souls together with commitment and yet we’ve never translated our emotional intimacy into physical intimacy. Granted, he went by a different name when we met, but I’ve loved every name he’s worn. He came into my life, loving my voice as it wrapped, fork-tongued, around the words he wrote in the audio recordings that I made to preen for his attention. I would read to him his writings and he would apostle my name over the hills (he hasn’t heard me in a long time; I only know his voice as it was before it cracked and broke in testosterone metamorphosis). Our attachment grew faster than we anticipated. And he became my brother, my foundfamily, so quickly— like stars that orbit one another too fast will collide, he and I have collided many times over, and yet we’ve reconciled one more time than that, sending Hallmark cards and voice recordings to fill the gap we leave between ourselves. Despite what we may fight about, there’s never been a grand recanting. He promised that we would always be brothers, and we loyally agreed that we want one another in our lives for the long run. He started jogging around the same time I started working. He sent me old man selfies in the thick Albany drizzle, and I sent him pictures of me alone with the pizza ovens late night, not a manager in sight. Right before that—I laid in bed with him and we giggled about things I can’t even recall. And we puddled into the corner of his sofa, my head on his chest, his arm around me, and we watched Hocus Pocus and there was nowhere else I’d rather have been. That was our thing, to have his arm around me, to cuddle like contented lovers, spurring the production of oxytocin. Before even that—we had a weekend away with friends and thirty-thousand attendees in D.C., and we were a set for a weekend. He grabbed my hand when he came near, announcing his presence, and our fingers would lace like fine little doilies one may see at weddings. He’s got a husband now and I know that he’s so damn happy, therefore I am happy. He still infects me with his emotions because we share little particles within ourselves that must’ve been created together. The iron in my blood called to the iron in his. We were inexorably pulled together. Back before, we were dust and the iron we share was born from the selfdestruction of a supernova. Billions of years would pass for us to be reunited. It’s of his affection that I mostly frequently daydream; the way his hands felt every time he speared his hot fingers through my cold ones.
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student voices • • • short story Zucchini (cont.) by Marybeth Bass We never made love with anything but our hands. When he would grab hold of me, tug me through the crowd, I felt safe, guarded, guided. When we sat side-by-side in a restaurant booth and he’d hold my hand under the table all throughout a meal, I felt wanted. When I would make him my little spoon and hold him close to me as we slept, he knew he was wanted in return. A zucchini, in many queer circles, playfully refers to a partner of nonromantic significance. My brother was my partner of the soul, my soulmate. I belonged to him in the way that a zucchini belongs. I belonged with him with our hands firmly clasped, with his kisses dotted over my skin, with his arms around my shoulders. An old ex-boyfriend told me once that girls have it all wrong: a tall guy is fine, but a boy of equal height makes it fun. And me and my brother, we stood nose to nose. He'd rub his nose into mine and kiss me. Some argue-- what else do we have genitalia for, if not to rub against the genitalia of another? Yet, not all who possess, desire. That strange absence of desire marks the garden walls.
Does my queerness become inferior in the absence of any sexual relationships? I’ve been monogamous and polyandrous and polyamorous. I’ve dated girls and boys, often at the same time. I enjoy loving and being loved in return, even without sex. Do I not love my brother as deeply, do I not devote myself as rigorously to him? Is our commitment somehow worth less because we are not romantic in nature? Are we not wrapped in that same rainbow flag?
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• • • meet our contributors Christian Osbourne Christian Osbourne is a wife, mother, junior communications major, and freelance journalist. She’s collaborated and written for Augusta University's Phoenix magazine, and Augusta University’s Bell Ringer newspaper. Her recent accomplishments include being a successful mommy/lifestyle blogger, being published in the Outdoor Retail magazine, and being published in the Peer Review Journal. Osbourne prides herself on being able to do basically anything a writer can do, but while holding a baby. She identifies as a logophile.
Lauren Stacy Lauren Stacy is a senior Criminal Justice major with a minor in sociology. She is interested in dealing with social justice and reform given how many classes she has taken dealing with the criminal justice system. She is very passionate about women’s rights and hopes to one day be able to volunteer at a women’s shelter. In her free time she enjoys baking, watching crime documentaries/shows, and spending time with friend and dogs.
Marybeth Bass Marybeth is a STEM student, night owl/early bird hybrid and likes coffee a little bit too much.
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meet our contributors • • • Trinity Johnson As a freshman college student, Trinity Johnson is motivated to achieve her goals as an aspiring feminist and future doctor of physical therapy. Trinity graduated from Mary Pearsons High School in Forsyth, GA. There she began her leadership work as a member of the class’s student council and member of National Honor’s Society. She spends her free time playing violent and piano. She strived to use her voice and platforms to spread awareness on cultural and political issues in America. Her essays/discussions are enlightening to viewers, because she analyzes all aspects of issues in society.
Susanna Kemp Susanna Kemp is a film major at Georgia State University. She is currently a sophomore and hoping to go into the film industry. Her favorite films
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credits Editor-in-Chief Victoria Kemp
Contributors Triniity Johnson Christian Osbourne Anonymous Susanna Kemp Marybeth Bass Lauren Stacy Special Thanks Sabrina Nacci Program Director Dr. Liana Babayan
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