Moda Madison: April 2018 Issue

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Team EDITOR IN CHIEF Darby Hoffman DEPUTY EDITOR Eva-Delilah Weiland ART DIRECTOR Lauren Chung WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE DIRECTOR L. Malik Anderson WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE ADVISOR Jim Rogers WUD PRESIDENT Iffat Bhuiyan ON THE COVER Macky Rehm by Moriah Ziman SPECIAL THANKS TO Red Square Flowers

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Channing Smith PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Marissa Haegele ARTS CURATOR Ben Golden CREATIVE DIRECTORS Geordon Wollner FASHION EDITOR Ashley Mackens LIFESTYLE EDITOR Cassie Hurwitz CULTURE EDITOR Haidee Chu ARTS EDITOR Margaret Duffey SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING LIAISON Lindsey Young FINANCIAL MANAGER Margaret Brennan WEB MASTER Leah Leonidas CREATIVE TEAM Alexa McGoey Channing Smith Emily Woodzicka

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STAFF WRITERS Elise Andersen Madeline Rasmussen Matthew Weinberger Molly O’Brien Molly Rapozo Shelby Spiegel Tiffany Huang CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gwyer Unsworth Katie Herrick Maggie Murphy Molly Burki Samantha Georgson Steven Jotterand MODELS Alex King Audrey Hansa Annie Elmer Macky Rehm Madeline Rasmussen Tia Hagenbucher AND FAITH CHAMPA ART Bailey Schneider Channing Smith James Arbaje Mia Boulukos Olivia Costantino PHOTOGRAPHY Cameron smith Marissa Haegele Matthew Weinberger Molly O’Brien Moriah Ziman

Table of Contents

April 2018

ARTS

LIFESTYLE

12 Discovering Community Through Fandom A look at some of music’s most

devoted fan bases

05

Cosmetic Killers Beauty brands fighting against animal cruelty

10

Comedy Queen An interview with Grace Ferolo, local Madison comedian

18 Artists Against the Grain

From Harper Lee to Banksy, these

artists challenge contemporary norms.

47 Welcome to My Echo Chamber

Real poetry by an actual human in 2018 34

The Use of Female Bodies in Protest Art The female body has been a battleground for change in art

CULTURE 07

Crossing the Line Breaking gender barriers through identity expression

35 Opinion: Are We listening?

Why we should listen to an array of thoughts 36

Walking the Line: The Slutwalk Reclaiming a derogatory label in the name of feminism

FASHION 30

14 Breaking the Stigma of Eating Disorders

Don’t believe some of the common misconceptions 16

Seeing Red Stop letting menstrual products cramp your style

34

Mifflin Mania A short, sweet history of the famed block party

33

Defining the Details of ADHD It’s not about being lazy

FEATURED 20 flowers

no showers 38 She’s A Riot

In a world where they wear

sweats to class, she wears this.

Always overdressed, never under.

The Fight Against Fur Continues Friend or Faux?

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

H OW TO K E EP TH E F IRE B U RNI NG Here we are, just one month away from ending our academic year. And although the Wisconsin weather may have you fooled, this seasonal slump is the perfect time to refocus your energies and reawaken your fire.

Remember, our lowest lows give us the most room to grow! So, how do we keep ourselves going when we feel so drained?

During these transitional times, many of us become familiar with the lack of motivation that accompanies gray skies. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to stay curled up inside, avoiding the rain than to get out of bed and accomplish the tasks at hand? Of course. But we only see the worthwhile outcomes when we put in the work, even on days we’d rather take off.

It is vital to persevere through moments like these, especially when we feel we simply cannot anymore.

When our bodies are exhausted, our movements have lost momentum or our hearts tell us we cannot go on: we must. While I think it’s important

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to make this progress, I also believe in recognizing your limits and taking moments to rest. There are ways to responsibly challenge ourselves that do not endanger our mental health.

But how do we find this balance? Let’s start by reevaluating self care. We’re witnessing an emerging critique of the type of Self Care that requires grasping for an inaccessible image of health and wellbeing. Are the pricy treatments and distractions worth the stress you put yourself through to obtain them?

Rather than smothering your already suffocated flames, find the practices that best feed your soul. Dedicate your energy to researching something you love. Read or meditate in comfortable silence. Be mindful of the world and the individuals around you. These small acts of personal kindness add up to become the motivation we need to accomplish our goals. A fire can’t roar without careful tending to its embers.

In this issue, we see what we are

capable of when our minds, bodies and souls are properly cared for. An energized self can reclaim a slur to propel a globally-recognized movement, such is the case with the Slutwalk discussed by Samantha Georgson on page 36.

Or, we can seek community over our guiltiest pleasure through the fandom culture Maggie Murphy writes about on page 12. No matter the objective, acknowledging our needs allows us to move forward and make our impact.

Use your time to refuel and revitalize this month. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, overworked and burnt out toward the end of the year, but for the success of our passions, our goals and our causes, we must tend to our souls and re-energize. For then, we can begin our riot anew.

LIFESTYLE

COSMET I C K IL LER S

BY ELISE ANDERSEN, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY OLIVIA COSTANTINO

Within the beauty industry lies the dark and overlooked truth of animal testing. More than 100 million animals suffer and die every year as a result of animal testing, according to PETA.1 To make things worse, animal testing provides little-to-no benefit for society; the majority of experiments performed on animals in a laboratory setting do not translate to humans.2 Human physiology and genetic makeup differs from that of animals, and the way that products work on animals is often not indicative of how they will perform on humans.

In 1 2

recent

years,

many

cosmetic

“Experiments on Animals: Overview,” PETA. “Failure of the Animal Model,” NAVS.

companies have successfully stood up to the horrors of animal testing by cutting the practice out of their craft. These companies understand that animal testing is expensive, often inaccurate and most importantly, completely unethical. Animal testing is now completely banned in India and all of Europe, putting pressure on the United States to do the same.

Although nearly every U.S. cosmetic company is in agreement that animal testing is wrong, not participating in the practice can be a challenge.

Countless U.S. cosmetic companies sell their products in China, a country where animal testing on cosmetics is mandated by law. While many

companies have decided to stop selling in China altogether, the size of the Chinese cosmetic market has prevented others from doing so.

This puts cosmetic companies in a difficult position: if they remove their products from Chinese shelves and present an ethical company image, they may lose money. As a business, missing out on potential sales can be off-putting.

While many big-name companies such as MAC and L’Oreal have decided that the market in China is worth more than the lives of animals and a positive company image, a growing number of cosmetic companies have stopped

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shipping to China. Not only are these companies saving money from not funding animal testing in China, they are also aligning themselves with consumer values and using safer ingredients in their products.

Too Faced Cosmetics has been a dedicated member of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies cruelty-free program since 2001. Although purchased by Estee Lauder in 2016, which does not follow cruelty-free practices, Too Faced has remained committed to its original values. In 2017, the company donated $250,000 to the Best Friends Animal Society, a nationwide animal rescue and advocacy organization.3 They also released an eyeshadow palette benefitting Best Friends.

By refusing to follow the unethical practices of its parent brand while still remaining popular and successful, Too Faced serves as a source of inspiration that Estee Lauder will hopefully follow one day.

not alone in the fight for animal rights.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics is also not quiet when it comes to their beliefs about animal cruelty. LUSH only purchases ingredients from companies that do not test on animals in any way, and new products are only tested on human volunteers. The company prides itself on its efforts to fight against legislation that requires animal testing.

animals, especially given the number of companies that have chosen to eliminate the practice while remaining successful.

Additionally, the power of social media has paired with knowledge of animal thought and emotion to give modern-day consumers a big impact on cosmetic companies’ success.

The more consumers recognize this fact, the more they will shop crueltyfree brands.

A statement on their website reads, “We don’t believe in cruelty to animals: not for food, not for clothing and definitely not for cosmetics.”6

The Internet has made it easier than ever to decipher between which brands are cruelty-free and which are not. Some popular cruelty-free cosmetic companies include Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, Glossier and It Cosmetics. To find out what brands are cruelty-free approved, PETA has developed a searchable database of companies that do not test on animals, and popular beauty blogger Cruelty Free Kitty has made a comprehensive list of 101 Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands.

In 2012, LUSH created the Lush Prize,

“THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN TERMS OF FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL TESTING, BUT THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THE PRACTICE BECOMES EXTINCT.”

Kat Von D, the popular tattoo artist turned makeup entrepreneur, made it a point from the very beginning of her cosmetics career to create 100 percent cruelty-free products. She herself is a vegan and self-proclaimed animal activist and has remained committed to her cruelty-free promise. Von D finds kinder alternatives without ever sacrificing quality.

She states that with her products, “beauty junkies and animal lovers can make compassionate choices without sacrificing bold, beautiful pigment and everlasting wear.”4 In 2016, she created a limited edition lipstick that generated more than $256,000 in sales which she donated to Project Chimps, an organization that helps to rehabilitate chimpanzees that were once used for cosmetic research.5 Her highly successful brand and message is celebrated in the beauty community and is proof that Von D is Melinda McKee, “Is Too Faced Cosmetics Still Cruelty-Free?,” PETA. 4 “About,” Kat Von D Beauty.

5 Alle Connell, “27 times Kat Von D was a champion for animal rights,” Revelis.

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a $445,000 grant awarded yearly to passionate researchers and activists who are working on projects that address alternatives to animal testing.

LUSH Cosmetics is making an effort to not only be a cruelty-free brand, but also to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and stand up to laws that permit animal testing.

Thanks to these courageous efforts by popular cosmetic brands, the beauty industry is evolving towards a future with no animal testing. It is becoming less and less acceptable for brands to test on 6

“Our Values: Fighting Animal Testing,” LUSH USA.

Beauty influencers also use their platform to urge followers to choose cruelty-free brands. Popular YouTube stars such as ilikeweylie, GemsMaquillage and AnnieJaffrey have centered their channels around their cruelty-free beliefs and encourage their followers to consider a more ethical approach to beauty and makeup. These social media influencers are showing followers that it is not only possible to convert to a cruelty-free lifestyle but also easier than many expect.

As consumers, it is important to voice our opinions publicly, reach out to brands and fight legislation that continues funding and supporting animal testing. Shopping crueltyfree and encouraging others to do the same will only help the efforts.

The beauty industry has made significant strides in terms of finding alternatives to animal testing, but there is still a long way to go before the practice becomes extinct. With the combination of influential brands and vocal consumers, animal testing can and will become a thing of the past.

LIFESTYLE + C ULTURE

CR OSSI NG TH E L I NE

BY KATIE HERRICK AND MOLLY BURKI, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ALEX KING PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARISSA HAEGELE Crossdressing, the act of one gender wearing clothing deemed for the “opposite,” has evolved over time.

Unlike the biological sexes, female and male, which the innate genitalia defines, gender is a performative act.

However, society anticipates “actors” in performances to portray themselves according to normative expectations.

Girls are expected to wear dresses, prefer pink and play with dolls; boys are expected to wear pants, prefer blue and play with trucks. Society expects gender to match biological sex. Yet, this is not always the case.

Throughout history, crossdressing has manifested itself in an infinite amount of ways. Today, the most common forms are women dressing in clothing for men, men dressing in clothing for women and drag queens/ kings.

And despite common misconception, choosing to dress in drag is not synonymous with being transgender.

Someone who is transgender is defined as “a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.”1 A person can have male genitalia and 1

“Transgender,” Dictionary.com

identify and dress as a woman, with or without physically transitioning.

Being transgender and crossdressing differ in that being transgender refers to the way a person identifies in their everyday life. Crossdressing, however, is simply performing as the other gender in specific contexts. While society is now much more accepting of differing gender portrayal, it has not always been this way.

When the public first started to view crossdressing as problematic in the United States, California was an area with high prevalence of persecution.

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such as Louisiana still have anticrossdressing laws in place today.

While most of the U.S. has accepted masculine dress for women and mild feminine dress for men, a stigma remains with drag queens and other men who choose to dress femininely.

Today and throughout history, crossdressing allows individuals to be their true selves and express their emotions. It also allows queer individuals to present their sexual or gender orientation as freely as possible. Presentation is important for everyone; it empowers people to express themselves through the way they dress, act and behave, portraying the inner personality through the outer body.

California was founded by single men and husbands who moved there for work without their families. Women were scarce, and the few that were living in California often made money working in brothels as prostitutes.

However, as the Gold Rush ended and men brought their families to California, prostitution became largely unacceptable.2 Typically, prostitutes wore masculine clothing to signal that they were working. After their work became taboo, any woman with a more masculine appearance was deemed a prostitute, despite their career. This soon evolved into harsh crossdressing laws for men and women, developed in hopes of halting prostitution. Anyone caught dressed in controversial clothing was publicly shamed, told they were ungodly, immoral and crazy Clare Sears, Arresting dress: Cross-dressing, law, and fascination in nineteenth-century San Francisco.

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and thrown in jail. Police, encouraged by wealthy married women, often went to extreme measures to find crossdressers, including violent physical examinations.

As women entered the workforce, they started wearing pants and widening the realm of what was considered appropriate dress. Still, it was still not acceptable for men to wear anything deemed “feminine.”

Laws changed in the ‘40s and ‘50s so that only men were forbidden from wearing the “dress of the opposite sex.”3 Although the law pushed boundaries of fashion to include crossdressing for women, it discouraged men who wanted to express the same. Through the late ‘70s and ‘80s, many state laws across America were overturned; yet, states “Arresting Dress: A Timeline of Anti-Cross-Dressing Laws in the United States,” PBS. 3

Rain Dove, a popular androgynous Instagram model, switches between presenting their image as a “man” and a “woman.”4 When people ask if they are a male or female — which occurs often — they respond with “I am I.”5 Dove refuses all binary labels and focuses on making society understand that we are all more than our bodies. They also spread awareness of gender fluidity,6 as they consider themselves to be fluid within their gender. This identity allows them to change their presentation depending on how they wish to express themselves in that moment.

We are living in a era in which authenticity is valued; it is becoming more and more acceptable to be one’s entirely true self. On television, LGBTQ+ characters are becoming more prominent; in classrooms, diverse pronouns are being introduced; and in wider society, we are finally starting to open its door to what has been considered a “deviant community.”

However, even with growing recognition and representation of the LGBTQ+ community, there is always progress to be made in terms of acceptance.

Even within the LGBTQ+ community, individuals sometimes police one Rain Dove. Instagram.

Ibid 6 Ibid 4 5

another’s presentations and identities, setting rules that limit who can do or wear what. Individuals from all walks of life must recognize crossdressing as a legitimate form of identity expression and presentation for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

many people dress up as drag queens or kings in a disrespectful manner.⁴ This behavior appropriates LGBTQ+ culture by using parts of it as a costume and undermining the discrimination and harm that the queer community experiences every day.

Nonetheless, crossdressing has gained more representation and acceptance with the rise of RuPaul’s Drag Race, a popular reality TV show featuring drag queens. With this representation, however comes appropriation. Women are now incorporating aspects of drag queen culture in their everyday outfits, calling it “extreme femininity.”7

To avoid appropriation of those who crossdress or dress in drag, reserve participation in the culture for those who are a part of the community.

Appropriation consists of picking and choosing parts of one’s culture to be “on trend”.

Although they, too, are using fashion as a form of self-expression, it strips the crossdressing movement of its meaning, turning it into a means for dressing up, rather than a tool for expressing and legitimizing one’s gender identity.

This appropriation draws recognition away from crossdressers and turns it into something playful and trivial.

Halloween is a perfect example, when “Why Cis Female Drag Queens Are A Form Of Cultural Appropriation,” The Odyssey Online.

7

Those who pick and choose are able to use their privileged status to avoid discrimination and, therefore, are applauded for trend, while others suffer for simply expressing their identity. Those who belong to the crossdressing or drag communities deserve to be accepted for their identity as a whole and not undermined by mainstream fashion trends.

More people are learning and accepting crossdressing today, thus allowing individuals to express their identities and genders through fashion. Crossdressing is a catalyst for

“IN DRAG I FEEL INVINCIBLE. IT’S AS IF NO ONE CAN SAY OR DO ANYTHING THAT CAN AFFECT ME. MY CONFIDENCE IS AT ITS PEAK, AND I FEEL LIKE A COMPLETE REFLECTION OF MY TRUE PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER THAT I FEEL HESITANT TO SHOW WHEN NOT IN DRAG.” -ALEX KING deconstructing gender barriers that are planted in the minds of much of society. As the stereotypes following crossdressing continue to fall away, a safe space is created for crossdressers that promotes acceptance for identities that fall outside the “norm.”

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LIFESTYLE

COMEDY QUEEN

BY MOLLY RAPOZO, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER; PHOTOGRAPHED BY CAMERON SMITH

For one UW-Madison senior, improv comedy is about so much more than just humor. Grace Ferolo joined campus improv team the Understudies her first semester freshman year. The team and the art they create have provided Ferolo with a way to learn from people with different voices and experiences, to become a team player and most importantly, to get to know herself better.

Many contemporary comedians get their big break in improv. Favorites such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer and Kate McKinnon all started with improv and live sketches as a way to break into the comedy scene. Although these women are successful and popular now, previous golden ages of comedy have been strictly male-dominated.

We sat down with Ferolo to hear about her experiences as a woman in the comedy community, getting to know yourself in this environment and what the future holds.

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MODA MAGAZINE: What improv group are you involved in? Can you give us a brief synopsis of what you do?

GRACE FEROLO: I am co-captain of The Understudies Improv Team on campus. We are the only shortform group in Madison, meaning our shows are comprised of five-to-ten minute games (think Whose Line Is It Anyway?) rather than twenty-minute improv pieces. Our humor is very fastpaced and we thrive off of audience participation.

MM: Historically, comedy has been male-dominated. What is it like to be a woman in the comedy scene?

GF: [In the past], being a woman in comedy meant that you often had to play to a certain archetype, being either “one of the boys” or simply girlfriend or wife to your male counterparts. I can only speak to my own experience in The Understudies, but I feel like the female voice in

comedy is so celebrated and beloved right now. The ladies I have been lucky enough to meet through the Madison comedy community are not afraid to be exactly who they are, which translates to some of the smartest, as well as wackiest, work I have ever seen. This freedom to explore different characters and scenarios that for so long felt masculinized or too out-ofthe-box is such a joy to watch and be a part of.

MM: What has performing improv taught you? Do you find yourself applying anything you have learned from performing to your everyday life?

GF: Through improv, I have become myself. A self that I’m honestly proud of and could never have imagined becoming when I started college almost four years ago. I have learned to not be afraid of failure (or at the very least, make a conscious effort not to be). When you’re performing in an improv show, you quite literally

have no idea if the scene is going to be a smash or a total flop. After you’ve bombed enough times in practice or shows, you realize that it doesn’t mean anything — you move on knowing that you and your team gave it your all.

I cannot express how imperative being on an improv team has been to learning exactly what it means to collaborate with others. As I said before, sometimes scenes just don’t land like you hope they will. You never blame your teammates, you shouldn’t blame yourself and you find joy in the process of it all. That’s the special sauce. I would encourage anyone who has ever wanted to try an improv class to check one out. You’d be surprised what playing pretend with your friends can teach you.

MM: What’s next for you?

GF: I’m graduating in May. End-gamewise, the goal is to move to Chicago and work in advertising, specifically account planning. While there, I would love to keep taking improv classes at Second City or iO [Theater]. Beyond that, my boyfriend is an incredibly talented pianist, so I’m excited to keep singing with him as well as exploring my own writing.

Grace certainly touches on an important subject — the idea that women’s voices in the comedy scene are occupying more space than they were before. Through Twitter, television or even YouTube shorts, women are rising up to become some of our most beloved sources of entertainment. Including women in the comedy scene helps to empower young girls and create a voice of equality when it comes to humor.

More women will use their intelligence, strength and wit to entertain others.

Female comedians are constantly working to create new content on- and off-screen through writing, producing and acting. The hard work of women like Grace and the numerous comedic icons is paving the way for women to have their voices heard.

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ARTS

D I S COV ERI N G CO M M U NIT Y THRO UGH FA N DO M

BY MAGGIE MURPHY, ARTS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Millennial members of the One Direction fanbase may believe they are devoted fans, but they have serious competition from earlier generations.

Through fandom, people gain a sense of belonging, making it particularly popular amongst teenagers. While the teenage years can feel unstable and confusing, fandom offers a community environment to obsess over a common interest.

often serve as common interests to build communities upon. From the Beatles, which pioneered extreme teenage dedication to the Grateful Dead with its happy hippie following in the ‘70s to the Insane Clown Posse behind the infamous, violent Juggalos, these bands all represent how shared interests can transform into a medium of self expression on extremely different levels.

This longing to be a part of a group does not wane with age. According to Stanford Assistant Professor Gregory Walton, “Our interests, motivation, health and happiness are inextricably tied to the feeling that we belong to a greater community that may share common interests and aspirations.”1

The group that initially normalized teenage band obsession remains one of the most popular bands to date: The Beatles. The boy band’s popularity spread across the world in a surge known as “Beatlemania,” with the most prominent demographic of fans being teenage girls.

As music is often credited for its connective power, it is unsurprising that music groups, bands and singers

During the ‘60s, when sexuality was typically suppressed, young girls fought back against the norm by obsessing over members of The Beatles.

Enayati, Amanda. “The Importance of Belonging.” CNN. 1

Linda Ihle, a Beatle fan who was 13 years old in 1963, described Beatlemania by saying, “All the girls talked about marrying their favourite Beatle and I think that terrified our parents… It was very sexualised… They were adorable, they were different, they were irreverent and our parents didn’t approve of them, which made it even better.”2 The girls seen yelling and crying in the presence of The Beatles were called “the screamers.”3 The concerts became more focused on “the screamers” coming together to obsess about the band in a community environment than to appreciate the music. Teenage girls’ shared love for The Beatles created a community that pushed back against the suppression of sexuality.

Lynskey, Dorian. “Beatlemania: ‘The Screamers’ and Other Tales of Fandom.” The Guardian.

3 Ibid.

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STEVEN LEWIS

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The rap group that calls itself “the most hated band in the world,” Insane Clown Posse, has a fan base that was classified as a gang by the FBI in 2011.

They call themselves Juggalos, and consist mostly of young, working class white men and women who feel like societal outsiders.

Their interest in Insane Clown Posse has formed one of the world’s most dedicated fan bases — to the point of committing crimes in the name of the rap group. Beyond organized robberies and drug trades, a Wisconsin man cut off a woman’s finger and drank her blood in honor of a Juggalo who had died, while two Maryland men cut and burned another man’s tattoo off for disrespecting Insane Clown Posse. Juggalo festivals allow these fans to come together to share their love of Insane Clown Posse, wrestle, walk around naked and rush performers’ stages.

THEBEATLESTHROUGHTHEYEARS.COM

Nathan Rabin, author of a book about obsessed music fans titled You Don’t Know Me But You Don’t Like Me, addressed the importance of Juggalo festivals by saying, “For 360 days, being a Juggalo makes them an outcast… But four or five days of the year, being a Juggalo makes them the king of the world… It’s this alternate universe they can escape into from the dreariness and the mundanity of everyday life.”4 The fans of The Grateful Dead — otherwise known as Deadheads — are a historically dedicated (and much less violent) musical following.

During its peak in the ‘70s, The Grateful Dead’s psychedelic sound drew in free-spirited fans. Because the band has such a wide array of songs, many fans would attend multiple shows during a single tour in hopes of hearing their favorite song during at least one performance.

Some of these fans started touring with the band. They would sell tie-dye t-shirts, veggie burritos and drugs at Brown, Tanya Ballard. “Who Are the Juggalos and Why Are They Marching in Washington, D.C.?” NPR. 4

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the concerts to make enough money to make it to the next destination.

Each concert became a community experience where fans gathered to share their love for drugs and The Grateful Dead.

A group of fans were inspired to start a sobriety group to decrease the amount of overdoses present at the concerts. Despite the intense drug scene, as Dennis McNally wrote about in his book A Long Strange Trip, “[They] had only one thing absolutely in common: Each had experienced some inner click of

affinity, some overwhelming sense of ‘here I belong.’”5 Appreciating a common interest with others creates a connection between people. For those whose lives are constantly changing or those who feel like outcasts, connecting with people can be difficult. Being a part of a fandom is about belonging despite what one appreciates or how their appreciation is expressed.

Goehner, Amy Lennard, and Arpita Aneja.

“How Grateful Dead Fans Became Deadheads.”

TIME. 5

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LIFESTYLE

B R E A KING TH E STIGMA O F EAT ING DI S O RDE RS

BY TIFFANY HUANG, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER TIA HAGENBUCHER PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARISSA HAEGELE Eating disorder awareness week is in the beginning of March, but it is an issue that should be discussed year-round.

According to The Emily Program Foundation, there are about 70 million people suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating worldwide, 30 million of whom are American.1 The problems are especially prevalent in women; one in five struggles with an eating disorder. In order to raise awareness about this common issue, it is necessary to confront the myths surrounding eating disorders.

Eating disorders are mental illnesses that come in all shapes and sizes.

Media portrayals of individuals with eating disorders create a stereotypical image of a body-facing one. Sometimes, however, eating disorders are invisible or look different than expected. We tend to assume that only those who fit into commonly portrayed body types need help, thus dismissing those whose problems are less visible. Weight and appearance do not determine whether a person should get help, but their mental health should.

you are suffering from something like bulimia, there seems to be no other choice but to binge and purge.

There are also many eating disorders beyond anorexia and bulimia, each worthy of diagnosis and cure.

Two lesser-known disorders are orthorexia and binge-eating disorder, which are serious conditions despite being less common.

People who suffer from orthorexia are obsessed with healthy and proper eating. It sounds healthy, but when people become too fixated on clean eating, they avoid almost all kinds of food and eventually harm their well being. Unfortunately, this eating disorder has not been formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

However, awareness is on the rise with more people sharing their experience with this illness.

Eating disorders are not a choice.

For someone not struggling with a disorder, it can be very difficult to understand the tendencies that make up something like anorexia. People with eating disorders often hear things like, “Why don’t you just eat more?” or “Why don’t you stop?”

As for binge eating disorder, this occurs when people have an irresistible urge to eat an abnormal amount of food while being unable to stop. This is most similar to the bingeing aspect of bulimia, but is very different from simply eating an extra portion at dinner or devouring a whole bag of chips in one sitting.

People with binge eating disorder cannot stop themselves from eating while on a binge and often consider it a stressful experience.2

The questions sound simple. However, statements like these oversimplify the severity and complexity of illnesses.

Eating habits are easily controllable for those without disorders, but when

Clean eating, Fitbits and fitness influencers are dominating society, making it harder for those who are suffering from eating disorders to realize they have problems. It is

“Eating Disorder Statistics,” The Emily Program Foundation, Accessed March 14, 2018.

2

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“Binge Eating Disorder,” Beat Eating Disorders, Accessed April 1, 2018.

healthy and acceptable to choose to eat clean and exercise regularly.

However, when those thoughts take over a person’s mental well-being and completely control many aspects of their life, it is crossing into eating disorder territory.

To ease a friend or family member’s struggle with an eating disorder, we can learn to be supportive without smothering them. Although we are likely not professional psychologists, there are some general guidelines we can follow.

First, understand the mental illness that your friend or family member is going through by researching it or asking them if they are willing to talk about it. However, try not to recite facts or statistics to them about the illness. They are still a person and not defined by their illness. Always listen to their stories without judging or acting as though you know better.

Finally, be careful when talking about weight loss, body image and eating in front of them. You do not always need to tip-toe, but asking the person if they are comfortable talking about certain topics is a good place to start.

It can be hard to maintain a positive relationship with those who are suffering from mental illnesses, especially eating disorders. However, we have to remember that the same person is still there and has not been changed because of their disorder. We must keep trying, helping and being a supportive person. The journey will certainly be tough for the friends or family members, but being there for them will be worth it.

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LIFESTYLE

S EE I NG RE D

BY CASSIE HURWITZ, LIFESTYLE EDITOR ILLUSTRATED BY BAILEY SCHNEIDER

All people with uteruses experience menstruation. The word is as taboo as it gets, often accompanied with whispers and secrecy. Yet, half the population pulled down their underwear at some point to find a reddish-brown stain on the fabric. Once menstruation begins, the person is likely handed a sticky, diaper-like pad and told to stay quiet about their period. After a few years, they may upgrade to tampons, throwing applicator after applicator in the trash. Thus begins a life of overpaying for essential products that only hinder the user.

Menstrual products have come a long way since sanitary aprons, menstrual belts and Kotex’s first cotton and acrylic pad.1 Still, with these improvements came less and less environmentally-friendly products. Standard disposable pads and tampons, which the majority of menstruators use, are harmful to both the user’s health and the environment.

Both products are bleached in the manufacturing process, leaving behind chemicals that can seep into the vaginal tissue. The artificiality Zahra Barnes, “Take a Bizarre Look Back at Period Products Used Throughout History,” Women’s Health, January 30, 2015.

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of the products can also upset the vagina’s pH balance and make room for unhealthy bacteria to develop.

If that’s not enough to sway you, consider the amount of pads and tampons people with vaginas use throughout the entire duration of menses. Menstruators spend roughly 40 years of their lives spilling blood monthly, which contributes to billions of pads and tampons landing in landfills each year. When those products don’t make it to a landfill, they typically end up in nature and contribute to the vast amounts of the plastic currently littering the oceans.

Due to the highly processed nature of these products, they take longer than a woman’s lifespan to decompose, adding to the ridiculous amount of waste humans produce.2 Another form of waste is the fee menstruators must pay to live with something their bodies do naturally, a cost that contributes to “The Pink Tax.” On average, tampon users will spend $1773.33 on the product in their lifetimes.3 That’s not to mention other “Environmenstrual,” Women’s Environmental Network.

3 Jessica Kane, “Here’s How Much A Woman’s 2

extraneous fees of menstruation, such as extra pads or panty liners, constant replacement underwear for when each pair is inevitably stained, a heating pad for those awful cramps and chocolate to make it all feel better.

Whether it is because of the high costs of buying new packs of pads or tampons every month, the health risks are too extreme or you would like to do your part to reduce environmental waste, rethinking the period products you use can revolutionize some part of your life. The options vary in their potential benefits, but are all better than standard pads and tampons.

Baby Steps

For those who cannot stomach the idea of washing their period blood out of a product or want to continue using the same style of menstrual protection, there are a few options with varying benefits. Organic pads and tampons offer the smallest change. There is a horde of brands to choose from, such as Natacare, The Honest Co., Organyc and Maxim.4 Each boasts a different Period Will Cost Her Over A Lifetime,” The Huffington Post.

4 “Top 5 Organic Pads & Panty Liners - Reviewed!” Menstrual Cup Reviews.

list of safe ingredients and methods, but the main one to look out for is the absence of chlorine and plastic.

Additionally, choosing products with organic cotton implies there are no pesticides involved.5 Organic products are better for the menstruator’s health, as they limit the introduction of harmful chemicals into the vagina. Typically biodegradable, they don’t leave as harmful of a trace on nature. Nevertheless, these products are disposable and add to the amount of waste humans create — including the plastic applicators found on some organic tampons.

Plastic is often the easiest way to insert a tampon. Some tampons include BPA-free plastic applicators, which is slightly less harmful. Still, the best way to reduce waste is by not using an applicator at all; or reusing one. DAME is responding this problem with the first-ever reusable tampon applicator. The product, simply named D, is to be used in place of the plastic applicators that typically come with a box of a tampons. The user inserts a tampon into the product and proceeds as normal. D lasts a lifetime, cleans up easy and even comes with a storage case.6 It can be used with regular or organic tampons, but be sure to buy the applicator-free kind.

To make D a reality, DAME is raising money through Kickstarter.

As positive as these methods are, they are not the best of the best.

This form of protection still forces the menstruator to buy new products every month, whether it be organic pads to use normally or tampons for D. Organic menstrual products are often more expensive than standard versions and less accessible due to being sold in few grocery and drugstores. When on your period, it is actually easier on your bank account to help out the environment.

Dive In

To really make a splash, consider reusable menstrual protection. All “Period Products: Information about tampons, pads, and more,” Young Women’s Health.

6 “About,” DAME. 5

washable, these options give the user the opportunity to buy one product that lasts much longer than a box of pads or tampons. In the meantime, the consumer is helping both the environment and their wallet. There are four main products in the reusable category, with two offering tamponlike support and the other two mimicking pads.

Menstrual cups, the most well-known of the bunch, are gaining in popularity because they act like a tampon without the possibility of leakage or negative health outcomes. After folding the cup and inserting it into the vagina, the user only needs to empty it twice during the day. This can include sleeping with the cup in. Menstrual cups can last for years depending on the diligence of the user.

Some say they can be used for up to ten

“RETHINKING THE PERIOD PRODUCTS YOU USE CAN REVOLUTIONIZE SOME PART OF YOUR LIFE.” years, but others say four or five is more accurate. Whatever the time frame, be sure to toss the cup if it shows any odd colors, textures or odors.7

In a similar vein, menstrual sponges are a way to reuse the same product for a longer period of time. This product is made from sea sponge and absorbs the blood from menstruation.

Unfortunately, this means it must be washed out every few hours — much more time-consuming than some of the other options. Sponges should also be replaced after a year of use.

However, they can be cut and molded into the shape or size of the vaginal canal in order to optimize comfort.

This product is more difficult to find in-person but can be ordered online.

If tampons are not your thing, give cloth pads or period panties a try.

Both options are washable and made to hold blood like a standard pad or tampon. The most popular underwear brand is THINX, which offers various styles like the hiphugger, cheeky and hi-waist, and sizes between XXS and 3XL, making them suitable for different body shapes and various volumes of flow. THINX can be worn all day and are often used as an extra layer of protection with tampons and menstrual cups.10 The THINX website gives insight into how the product works and offers discounts for buying a few pairs.

Cloth pads, including GladRags, LunaPads and Party In My Pants, attach to the underwear and are worn like standard pads.11 If washed properly, they can last a few years and save the user loads of money. Commonly made of cotton, this product is said to be more breathable and comfortable than disposable pads.

The brand most people have heard of is DivaCup, but Lunette, EvaCup and Fleurcup8 are also well-reviewed.

Each can be bought online or at large drugstores. Inserting and using the product can often take time and practice, but many users agree that it is incredibly easy once accustomed.9

With these options, users are not throwing away multiple tampons or pads every day and are therefore saving money and the environment.

As scary or odd as it may be to change the way you use menstrual protection, especially if you have been using the same method for years, it is a small but significant way to protect your budget, body, and the world we live in.

Gina Florio, “So THIS is how long a menstrual cup lasts,” Hello Giggles, March 10, 2017.

8 “Top 10 Menstrual Cups - Reviews & Comparisons,” Menstrual Cup Reviews.

9 Rachel Krantz, “I Tried 6 Alternative Menstrual Products and There Were 2 Clear Winners,”

Bustle, November 24, 2015.

10 “How It Works,” THINX. 11 https://menstrualcupreviews.net/reusable-menstrual-cloth-pads/

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APRIL 2018 17

ARTS

ARTI STS AG A INST T HE G RA IN

BY GWYER UNSWORTH, CONTRIBUTING WRITER The true essence of rioting is going against the grain; it connotes fighting against an established institution.

Like a salmon swimming upstream, it fights against the direction of the current. Artists like Banksy, Harper Lee and members of Pussyriot have used their respective mediums to challenge traditional norms and call for societal change.

Banksy, the anonymous English street artist, brings important issues to light through his satirical mix of dark humor and commentary on the artistic, philosophical and political climate.1 In 2007 Banksy stenciled one of his most well-known pieces, informally titled “Flower Thrower.”2 The street art depicts a rioter, but instead of

throwing a molotov cocktail or bomb, he is throwing a bouquet of flowers.

While the viewer might assume that the rioter has ill intentions, he is actually spreading peace. Spray painted on a Bethlehem building in the West Bank2 (an area known for persistent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians3) the piece of art sends a strong message. Substituting weapons for flowers, Banksy exposes peace where it is least expected.4 Banksy is arguably one of the most controversial contemporary artists, not just because of the contentious nature of his art, but also his refusal to take credit for it.5 While there have been plenty of anonymous artists throughout history, Banksy’s choice to

remain unidentified while his fame has grown positions him against the grain.

It is uncommon for an artist to produce a popular piece of art and not seek recognition for it. Despite being active for almost 30 years, Banksy remains anonymous.6 Through his anonymity and rejection of personal fame, Banksy has given a more prominent platform to the messages hidden in his work.

Pussy Riot, a Russian feminist punk band, consists of other artists that aren’t afraid to be confrontational.

The group uses its platform to shed light on the lack of women’s and LGBTQ rights in Russia.7 Beyond the band’s lyrics, which speak out against Gioia, Ted. “Banksy, Daft Punk, Elena Ferrante: The New Cult of the Anonymous Artist.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company.

7 Smith-Spark, Laura. “Russian Court Imprisons Pussy Riot Band Members on Hooliganism Charges.” CNN, Cable News Network.

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“Guide: Why Are Israel and the Palestinians Fighting over Gaza? .” BBC News, BBC. 4 Owens, Michael. “Banksy: His Most Powerful Pieces.” Michael Owens.

5 “Banksy.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television.

3

Dilana. “Who Is He? About Banksy: Famously Anonymous Street Artist.” WebUrbanist.

2 Sommer, Jack. “24 Of Banksy’s Most Clever Works.” Business Insider, Business Insider.

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ZHANNA NEMTSOVA

AMELIA SMITHE

the oppressive Russian government, Pussy Riot puts on provocative guerilla-style performances.

The band gained notoriety through an unauthorized performance at Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.4 In February 2012, five members of Pussy Riot dressed in vibrant colors and balaclavas broke the sacred silence within the cathedral to perform a “punk prayer”.8 They screamed “Shit! Shit! The Lord’s shit!” and “Mother Mary, please drive Putin away,” while fighting off security.5 This performance was not only anti-religion but also anti-Russian government, which outraged Vladimir Putin.4 While three of the five women were charged with hooliganism, they managed to call attention to issues regarding gender, religion and politics in Russia.5 In literature, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, has a long history of being banned from schools, despite MacDougall, Scott. “Pussy Riot + The Russian Orthodox Church = It’s Complicated.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com.

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its reputation as a literary classic.9 The story follows a white lawyer that works to defend a black man falsely accused of rape. Published in 1960, the novel challenged racism in America and its role in the court system.10 While many Americans in the South disapproved of desegregation, To Kill a Mockingbird reflected on the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama.11 Jim Crow still had a tight hold over the deep south, but the novel played a role in the slow shift of American opinion on race.8 Through the uncorrupted and innocent eyes of a child, Lee could comment on the world she observed and hopefully bring about change. Lee critiques American society through the lessons of a young tomboy named Scout.

Her father, Atticus, gives her crucial advice that governs her curiosities throughout the novel.

Atticus explained to Scout that “You Little, Becky. “Why ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Keeps Getting Banned.” History.com, A&E Television Networks.

10 Levy, Daniel S. “Harper Lee, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and Civil Rights.” Time.

11 Barajas, Joshua. “How Newspapers Reviewed ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in 1960.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service.

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never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”.12 Because Scout can’t understand why people of different races are treated differently in society, Atticus simplified the problem for her through a lesson on empathy. While the book was published nearly 60 years ago, Lee managed to implement lessons that still resonate today.

All of these artists’ final products are provocative and make their audience members reconsider the way they look at the world and confront contemporary issues. Art, through a variety of mediums, can push people past their comfort zones to see an unfiltered reality. In order to generate progressive thought geared toward change, artists must go against the grain and challenge existing thought.

12

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York

:Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Print.

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flowers ANNIE ELMER, MACKY REHM AND MADELINE RASMUSSEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MORIAH ZIMAN CREATIVE DIRECTION: GEORDON WOLLNER CREATIVE TEAM: ALEXA MCGOEY, CHANNING SMITH AND EMILY WOODZICKA

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SPECIAL THANKS TO RED SQUARE FLOWERS 333 7 W MIFFLIN STREET MADISON, WI 53703

APRIL 2018 21

pink fur jacket | Jaceuqline Hui

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FASHION

T H E FIG H T AG A I N S

BY KASEY BUSIEL, FASHION STAFF WRITER

DAILYMAIL.COM

For many years, fur has been a hot topic within the fashion industry, and its appearance at the 2018 London Fashion Week was no exception.

Countless protesters have targeted designers by insisting the use of fur on apparel is an unethical practice and detrimental to animal rights.

The rising problem for protesters is that fur has crept into the mainstream.

High-end brands are no longer the sole perpetrators glorifying the material. Because designers have such a large impact on what is desirable for consumers, fast fashion brands

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have made inexpensive, real fur easily accessible to the public.

Although approximately 90 percent of designers participating in London Fashion Week have rejected the use of fur in their collections, 2016 retail sales of fur in the UK in were up 350% from 2011, according to the University of Copenhagen.1 To combat the use of animal-derived garments, topless PETA activists hit Jess Cartner-Morley, “Anti-fur Protests set to Fly as Activists Target London Fashion Week” The Guardian.

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the streets of London and stationed themselves at The Store Studios. Even with the harsh winter weather, the protesters bared all, revealing black, bold letters that read “Wear your own skin,” across their chests.

PETA’s director Elisa Allen commented on the event saying, “Whether it’s fur of a frightened fox or angora rabbit or the skin of a gentle calf, it’s not fabric and it’s not ours for the taking.”2

“Topless Vegan Protesters Storm London Fashion Week in Furious Flash Mob Staged by PETA” DailyMail.com.

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BELLISARIO

Adding to the list of exceedingly committed protesters, a campaigner from SURGE, a UK non-profit animal rights organization, charged the runway of designer Mary Katrantzou’s show. The protester disrupted the event by strutting up and down the runway alongside the models shouting, “Shame on you. Shame on all of you!” to the people in the audience.

The woman was quickly escorted out by security but left the crowd in awe.

Within recent years, many designers — including Michael Kors, Gucci and Giorgio Armani — have decided to

DAILYMAIL.COM

stray away from the controversial fabric. Furthermore, Tom Ford, who identifies as vegan, announced that he would only be utilizing fur that is a by-product of food. Although this statement was met with criticism, Ford defended his decision by explaining the poor effects fake fur has on the environment.

“It doesn’t biodegrade. It’s a petroleum product. It is highly toxic,”3 Ford said.

Criticism against fur in the fashion industry are not unfamiliar, but a new level of dedication was seen at the 2018 LFW. Although huge strides are taking place to reduce the amount of fur utilized by the industry, it is evident that protesters will continue using relentless tactics to get their messages across. Until every designer steps away from using real fur in their creations, animal rights advocates will continue to make appearances and let their voices be heard.

Sarah Young, “London Fashion Week: Anti-Fur Protester Crashes Mary Katrantzou Runway” Independent.

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CULTURE

WA L K IN G T HE LIN E : T HE SLUT WALK

BY SAMANTHA GEORGSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY JAMES ARBAJE Slutwalks are the new wave of in-yourface, feminist protests. They have grown substantially in popularity over the years — so much that celebrities like Amber Rose have begun hosting their own versions of these marches.

The complicated feminism behind these powerful rallies are met with much controversy, which is part of why they exist and why they are stimulating important conversations about the women’s movement, female sexuality and sexual assault.

to take action. “We were fed up and pissed off, and we wanted to do something other than just be angry,” she said.3

These protests aim to address sexual assault, sexual objectification and victim blaming. The participants in these marches hope to put an end to slut-shaming, and they do so by being in the forefront of sex-positivity and promoting progressive, consensual sex.1

Others feel that the protesters are playing into patriarchal hands by embracing a sexualized image that appeals to pornographic consumers.3 On the other hand, those on the less progressive end demand the right to retain the power of the slanderous word; they believe it is their privilege to openly judge a woman based on her sexual choices.

The Slutwalk emerged after an upsetting confrontation in which a police officer told a group of students at York University in Toronto that women should refrain from dressing like “sluts” if women wanted to avoid rape.2 “Slut” is a derogatory term that people have used to police female sexuality for thousands of years.

There is no clear definition of the term — it is fluid and arbitrary — so any display of sexuality or sexual activity may leave women vulnerable to the dehumanization and degradation that comes with the label. People often use the label to victim-blame, implying that “sluts” or “slutty” women are somehow deserving of their assault.

Heather Jarvis, York University student and co-founder of the original Slutwalk, explained that she and her co-organizers felt that the comment was so damaging that they needed McDonald, Soraya Nadia. “The Complicated Feminism of Amber Rose’s SlutWalk.” The Washington Post.

2 Pilkington, Ed. “SlutWalking Gets Rolling after Cop’s Loose Talk about Provocative Clothing.”

The Guardian.

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Slutwalks are by no means a perfect form of activism; even some feminists find them unfavorable, arguing that they go against the feminist agenda.

Critics feel that reclaiming the word “slut” ignores the will of those who do not wish to salvage what is often an irredeemably racialized term.

However, attributing the sexual abuses of women to their clothing choices is a harmful approach to understanding sexual assault. Feminists have been trying to discredit this victim-blaming rhetoric for decades.

Historically, women have used clothing to spark movements. Women have worn clothing designed to generate controversy while participating in more radical protests or to simply make a statement while going about their day to day routine. The women 3

Valenti, Jessica. “SlutWalks and the Future of

Feminism.” The Washington Post.

participating in the Slutwalks seek to emphasize the message that women have the rights to feel safe and to participate in society to the same extent as men. Slutwalk organizers encourage protesters to wear whatever they please, pointing to the idea that women have a right to safety no matter what they wear, that the victim of the attack should never be blamed.3 While modesty empowers some, nudity empowers others. Whether or not you agree with the feminist rhetoric behind these protests, it not your place to tell anyone how to appropriately express themselves and their sexuality.4 Slutwalks address the issue of how society judges and punishes women for their sexual choices. People often gather to protest victim-blaming and foster a culture that offers women ways to avoid being raped, but few messages aim at telling people not to rape. These protests translate anger and frustration into action; they attempt to turn our hypercritical society into one that is truly respectful and supportive of everybody, even “sluts.”

Kenna. “Nudity Empowers Some. Modesty Empowers Some. Different Things Empower Different Women and Its Not Your Place to Tell Her Which One It Is.” Twitter.

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LIFESTYLE

DEFINING THE DETAILS OF ADHD

BY SHELBY SPIEGEL, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY CHANNING SMITH In today’s society, those affected

by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, are seen as abnormal and less capable than those around them. Even though these claims are made often, there is ample evidence suggesting that those with ADHD are just as skilled and productive as people without mental illnesses.

However, it is still easy to see people with ADHD as “different,” and the stigma surrounding this common illness is one that recent generations have struggled to combat as ADHD has become more widely diagnosed.

By educating yourself on the disorder and why it carries a stigma, we can work toward abolishing this perception together.

Today, many claim to have ADHD as an excuse for laziness, a poor work ethic or sloppiness. Time and time again, those affected are told to “suck it up” or to “pull themselves together,” when it may be easier said than done.

As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, “ADHD is a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors.”1 It takes a lot more for an affected individual to bring themselves to concentrate or complete tasks.

On top of this, ADHD is not just a childhood disorder. Adults are often affected and forced to find ways to cope in their jobs and personal lives.

It is important to recognize that it is completely possible to manage ADHD regardless of age or daily lifestyle. This begins with a complete understanding of what the disorder is and its effects. Everyone reacts “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics,” National Institute of Mental Health.

differently, making it essential to know how ADHD plays a role in your life if you are diagnosed. Once you achieve an understanding, matching the illness with the appropriate treatment is important to minimize the effects it has on your daily life.

In order to effectively seek the help of a medical professional, it is important to know what to look for when detecting ADHD. People with ADHD show an ongoing pattern of three different symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity — all of which lead to a decrease in productivity and attention.2 Although subtle, these symptoms are recognizable in many day-to-day activities. Fidgeting or squirming, overlooking details, being distracted and talking a lot are just a few of the tendencies that may appear.

There are many reasons why this particular mental illness carries a stigma, one being a widespread negative attitude toward the use of psychiatric drugs for treatment.

Because ADHD is typically found in the stages of childhood before an individual transitions to their teen years, there is hesitation in administering medication.

Because young children are not fully developed, medication could potentially affect their maturation into adult status. However, medication is just one of many different treatment options for ADHD and is often only a last resort for severe cases.

Another reason that the stigma exists is the worth society assigns to grades and academic performance. Again, because ADHD is largely found in childhood, those whose illness prevents them

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from performing as well as others may become discouraged when they are not valued as highly as others.

Using ADHD to explain lazy behavior in teens and young adults continues to be a prevalent issue. The unique combination of an increasingly lax perspective from younger generations with higher scrutiny from older generations, individuals living with this condition receive mixed messaging on how they should cope with their symptoms.

On one side, many young people will seek a diagnosis, regardless of whether or not they experience ADHD, to obtain adderall — a drug used to treat the disorder but also used by students as an academic enhancement. However, by older generations claiming that teens and young adults should simply work harder and not use ADHD “as an excuse,” the discussion becomes limited by many who are willing to open their minds.

To combat this stigma, it is important to become aware of your own attitude as well as others’ attitudes toward mental illness. Today, people tend to rate the importance and severity of mental illnesses based on how they feel when, in reality, no two are comparable.

Each illness has its own set of struggles that the individual faces every day.

The next time you or someone you know contributes to a negative attitude towards ADHD, take a step back and reflect on why you feel that way and what you can do to change your attitudes.

Ibid

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LIFESTYLE

MIF F L I N MANI A

BY MOLLY O’BRIEN, LIFESTYLE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Surrounded by mud puddles and men in Hawaiian shirts, my first Mifflin Street Block Party was nothing short of a party. Mifflin occurs once a year, with 2018’s bash falling on the last Saturday of April. While recent celebrations include Natty Light cans littering yards and upwards of 10,000 attendees, it was not always this way.

to dance in the streets, students continued on with the event, resulting in a three-night-long battle including tear gas, barricades and more than 100 arrests.

With roots amidst the Vietnam War, the Mifflin Street Block Party began as a political protest, and its history is heavily painted with riots and upheaval.

For a long time, Mifflin was used to unite the Madison student community in a common belief and recently became a nationally recognized, annual celebration. Although the event no longer carries political ties, it is a gathering celebrated by students young and old.

1979: “Mifflin on the Mall” is created by city officials in hopes of controlling the event. This does not last long.

2011: Police officers allowed open containers in the street for individuals of legal drinking age. Around 260 people were arrested and two were stabbed.

1982-1991: The Mifflin Street Coop sponsors the block party. They discontinue their support of the event after city officials require alcohol only be served in fenced beer gardens.

2017: Last year’s block party boasted around 12,000 attendees and proved to be safer than years past.

1969: The first Mifflin Street Block Party coincides with the one-year anniversary of the French student rebellion. After being denied access

1969-1979: The event continued with anti-war sentiments amidst the Vietnam War.

1996: Prior to this year, police refrained from being present at Mifflin. However, a riot broke out in ‘96 after people started a bonfire with furniture from residents’ porches. As firefighters arrived, bottles were thrown and the riot continued. After thousands of

FLICKR

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dollars in damages, police took a hard stance against the block party.

2009: The event once again gained sponsorship, this time from a local promotional group, DCNY Pro. With live music, attendance reached an estimated 15,000.

Mifflin 2018 is scheduled for April 28, and it is not announced to be a protest or riot in any way. The Madison Police Department has already begun issuing information for safe parties to residents of Mifflin Street.

MARISSA HAEGELE

CULTURE: OPINION

BY STEVEN JOTTERAND, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

American society is at a crossroads.

Politically, the Republican and Democrat parties have been aligning further left and right.1 There’s a striking difference between liberals and conservatives regarding where one goes for information.2 Even in sports, as was the case with the national anthem protest and Colin Kaepernick saga, society is conflicted.

Late night has its spin. Hollywood and the entertainment business too. Social media can be a civil war.

For better or worse, today society’s has decided there must be a winner and a loser — it’s a horse race. East coast versus west coast; metropolitan versus rural; coasts versus flyovers; us versus them; me versus you.

This mentality is plaguing society, stifling the growth of ideas, hampering production, gating communities, muting conversations and, above all, silencing our ears.

We have two ears and one mouth, and I know we hear something when we aren’t speaking, but are we listening?

In today’s climate, listening might be paramount to ending the feeling of Grand Canyon division we’ve created.

Suh, Michael. “Political Polarization in the American Public.” Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

2 Mitchell, Amy, Jeffrey Gottfried, Jocelyn Kiley, and Katerina Eva Matsa. “Political Polarization & Media Habits.” Pew Research Center’s Journalism Project.

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It may be the only remedy for healing fresh scars and the tool to rebuilding the bridges that have weathered and eroded from the lack rigorous, intellectual discourse.

Not only should we listen to an array of voices, but particularly to those we may not at all agree with. Also, we should listen to contrasting voices over some of the most entangled issues like the existence of God, abortion, social constructs and even arbitrary subjects like literature, music and food.

When we listen to a medley of ideas, we hear color, differences and individuals. When we don’t, we end up with the enslavement of people; a bloody civil war; a destructive world war; the collapse of communities; the persecution of the innocent; the fall of freedom; the slaughter of the helpless and the silence of challengers.

Listening simply causes you to learn, to gain and to discover. Engaging with other individuals, forces us to challenge our preconceptions and makes room for new ones. We are exposing ourselves to a new set of ideas that typically does not run in our inner circles.

It is human nature to find individuals who are like-minded, because it feels safe. However, this false sense of comfort is so dangerous: it allows for the seeds of stereotypes and labels

to sprout, and it consents narrowmindedness to control our thoughts.

It can grow into racism, bigotry and so much more.

When there is a meaningful dialogue with listening at its core, we can peek into what others see and think. We can begin to understand why they believe what they do, why they voted the way they did or why they stand for one principle over another. Their daily interactions suddenly become raw and their beliefs sit in context. We no longer assume their realities from the outside, we are invited into them.

We only grow as individuals when we open ourselves to distinct perspectives, and at times, it is as if we are adventuring into uncharted territory of a foreign world. It can be scary, uncomfortable and odd, as it challenges — or even shakes — our beliefs as a new perspective causes us to rethink our own. You may completely disagree with their understandings, and that is okay.

That’s what listening does.

This very adventure needs to become a daily action. It is only then that we can defeat stereotypes and labels, and allow individuals to contribute to society and further evolve. We learn, we grow and we diversify when we hear each other out. So, are we listening?

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CULTURE

F EM A LE B O D I E S AT THE F OR E F R O NT OF PROTE ST

BY MADELINE RASMUSSEN, ARTS STAFF WRITER The topic of the female body is an ever-evolving conversation. How it is portrayed, its significance and the parameters of what it means to have a female body are heavily debated.

Protest in favor of women’s rights has often sprung forth from the efforts of female artists and their utilization of the female form. While these artists face praise and criticism, it cannot be denied that they provoke discussion and change.

One such artist is 44-year old Megumi Igarashi. In 2014, Igarashi was arrested for the distribution of data that would allow recipients to make

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3D prints of her vagina. Igarashi, who has extensively critiqued Japan’s strict obscenity laws, is known for making various 3D and 2D artworks of female genitalia.

In 2016, she made one of her most celebrated works, a fully functional kayak in the shape of her vagina.1 The piece catapulted Igarashi into public scrutiny and sparked an extensive dialogue about the perceived “obscenity” of women’s bodies. And it wasn’t just the public contemplating the validity of Igarashi’s work, the Whiteman, Hilary. “Court: Vagina Kayak Is Legal, Sharing Is Not.” CNN. 1

Japanese justice system also had its say in determining the legality of her sculptural kayak.

In the end, the court ruled that the kayak was “pop-art” and therefore legal, while the distribution of data that would enable others to replicate her vulva was illegal and “obscene.”

While this may seem like a half-victory, Igarashi and her fans believe that the Japanese government completely missed the point.

Throughout history, women’s bodies have often been deemed as inherently sexual, and it has been the quest of

many female activists to demystify the female form. Women’s bodies have been the battleground of much debate and are frequently used to belittle, sexualize and scrutinize the existence and authority of women as a whole.

What makes the label “obscenity” especially ludicrous is the proliferation of pornography that is often degrading of female bodies. Viewers may be somewhat desensitized to the image of a sexualized woman while a woman employing agency over her body causes discomfort.

Female artists have addressed the concept of agency for decades, beginning most notably in the ‘70s.

Artists like Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro used their art and the female form to break expectations of who women are and what is expected of them.

Chicago’s most famous work, The Dinner Party, features plates modeled after both female artists and vaginal imagery. The outrage that The Dinner

Party incited was predictable and cemented the issue that the piece was attempting to get at.

Miriam Schapiro created works that used mediums frequently deemed as being “low” art, which many interpret as being synonymous with “female” art. In an attempt to elevate the standing of fellow female artists, Schapiro used the mediums to deliberately create fine art.

Through the work of these artists and other prominent feminists of the time, a new brand of iconography was created in which women were viewed as human, capable and complex, similar to their male counterparts.

Also, many artists continue to expand the scope of what it means to be a woman in the first place. Yishay Garbasz is a visual artist who frequently addresses trans identity through photography and performance.

Garbasz’s work Becoming (2008) includes a series of photographs

documenting her physical transition.2 The photographs seem to comment on the historical pathologization of trans and female bodies, and they serve to counteract dehumanization of trans women with a raw, personal account on what it means to identify as such.

In response to the ruling which found Igarashi guilty of obscenity, Igarashi said “I work to reverse the male notion that female sex can only be understood through the prism of obscenity. I’m disappointed this concept hasn’t been understood by the judge.”3 Female artists will continue to remove male ownership over their bodies in their art and activism. Through their efforts, perhaps one day the female form can be liberated from endless political dissection.

“Yishay Garbasz- Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia.” Alchetron.com.

3 Whiteman, Hilary. “Court: Vagina Kayak Is Legal, Sharing Is Not.” CNN. 2

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AUDREY HANSA PHOTOGRA DIRECTED BY CLARKE SMITH, WITH ASSISTANCE FR rainbow sweater | model’s own pink metallic skirt | topshop purple coat | thirfted givenchy shoes | model’s own 38 MODA

A RIOT.

APHED BY CAROLINE DANIEL FASHION EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ROM THE FASHION TEAM

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leopard coat | spirithood shirt | model’s own jeans | model’s own studded heels | zara earrings | H&M 40 MODA

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fur coat | stylist’s own shirt | model’s own jeans | model’s own 43desire snakeskin APRIL boots |2018 public

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yellow fur coat | spirithood dress | H&M APRIL 2018 45 shoes | steve madden

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ARTS

W ELCOM E TO M Y EC H O C HA M B E R WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATTHEW WEINBERGER, ARTS STAFF WRITER

Sweaty faces, hearts beating fast.

Disagreement has come to class.

Denim Jackets, gaudy embroideries, wire framed glasses, and PBR. This is no regular classroom, rather a Thursday at the bar.

Liberal Millennials doing what we do best.

My god! Isn’t he a hot mess?

They debate a point, the three of them at the table.

Nobody seems stable.

The one with the corduroys makes their point.

Ten minutes ago he was ripping a joint.

Mr. Right in the Dickies jacket aggressively agrees.

He even claims he is “one tenth Burmese”.

The girl across the table, with her overalls on tight, gives her reason.

The other two act as if she has spoken treason.

Mr. Right interrupts her. Nothing new here.

He takes the last sip of his fourth ice cold beer.

“Corduroy” nods her head in agreement.

“Overalls” reacts with words, insightful and vehement.

She will not let her opinion be ignored.

For this, she gets no award.

Rather a smirk and a rude comment.

At this point, she feels she needs to vomit.

But really all along they feel the same way.

With mutual agendas at the end of the day.

Somehow in this echo chamber there is still debate.

Now we need change, it’s not too late.

But we need to reach out beyond our neighbors.

There are many conversations to be had in our country of 2.3 Billion Acres.

But it is rare we are able to have good talks with people different from ourselves.

We act too polite, or aggressive, or get overwhelmed So nothing changes and there is little progress.

It is 2018, welcome to the U.S.

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