Vindicator Cleveland State University’s Arts and Culture Magazine
DEC 2017
LGBTQ+ IN
2017
DEC 2 Want More? 3 Staff
5 Letter from the Editor 6 Calendar ARTS 7 Urban Reflection 9 U nderseen Films of 2017 11 International Welcome Mural CULTURE 13 C uisine & Culture 15 Twitter Culture 17 Advice for Millennials 18 Quiz: Who’s Your Holiday Squad? FEATURE 19 P hotos From Our Abroad Students 21 S top Being Racist 2K18 23 Dance is Still Life 27 Fractured Representation SOCIAL 35 Sports Were Never Just For the Men 37 In Response to Mayim Bialik 39 G ather Around for the Holidays 41 The Sociology of Eating Meat POETRY 43 Last Night I Dreamed 44 Depression 45 Artemis
27
LGBTQ+ ON SCREEN A look into the fractured portrayal of the community in 2017.
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DR. SUSAN REHM
INTERVIEW For the month of December, we interviewed Dr. Susan Rehm in the department of Infectious Disease at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. We discussed the history of aids, how the disease has affected the LGBTQ + community, and how it can be prevented. READ HER INTERVIEW ABOUT LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND THE EFFECTS OF AIDS ON PAGE 29 DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 2
Faculty Advisor Julie Burrell
T
e heT am Web Specialist Daniel Lenhart
STAFF HEADS
Arbela Capas
Nicole Zollos
Andriana Akrap
Holly Bland
Michella Dilworth
Editor-in-Chief
Art Director
Asst. Art Director
Managing Editor
Online Content Editor
Evan Prunty
Alexis Rosen
Alana Whelan
Benjamin Heacox
Dorothy Zhao
Multimedia Manager
Features Editor
Arts Editor
Copy Editor
Junior Editor
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
JUNIOR DESIGNERS
Joe Ruzicka
Olivia Moe
Greg Elek
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Loren Shumaker-Chupp Michella Dilworth
Alexis Rosen
Arbela Capas
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Dorothy Zhao
Chau Tang
Paige Bowers
Logan Hammond
Samantha Sanker
Imani Stephens
Grace Roberson
Jamia Richardson
Alana Whelan
CONTRIBUTING POETS Nick Churma Chau Tang Sidney Berry
Tyisha Blade Disclaimer
The content of the Vindicator does not necessarily represent the opinions of Cleveland State University, its students, faculty, or staff: nor does it represent the members of the Vindicator staff or our advisors unless otherwise stated. The editor reserves the right to comment on any issue that affects the student body in general as well as the multicultural community at large. Letters to the editors and other submissions are accepted, however they must have the authors name, address, major if applicable, and telephone number. All submissions become property of the Vindicator and the Vindicator reserves the right to edit submissions as deemed necessary. 2121 Euclid Ave, MC 471, Cleveland, OH 44115 216 687 2118
3 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
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EDITOR’S LETTER
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
T
his is my final issue with The Vindicator. I have been part of this publication for 2 years, and I’ve been art director or 1.5 of those years. It has been an insane amount of work, and has taught me so much. To be able to work on a publication with likeminded peers, to create something and put it out into the world, is an extremely humbling and vulnerable experience. None of this work gets done without a team. If anyone reads these, they’ll know we usually discuss the articles in the issue, but I mainly want to make this an ode to my team. Arbela Capas is a powerhouse Editor-in-Chief, she puts The Vindi at the top of her list and knows how to hold people accountable. Holly Bland is the Managing Editor, and puts up
with a lot of shit. She is the person we go to if everything is on fire (which is always) and gets people into shape. She has gone through a lot in her time at school, and is a real trooper. Andriana Akrap is my magazine soulmate; she has been my Assistant Art Director for a year and I’m not sure how I did anything without her. She is always eager to help and doesn’t shy away from a challenge, I’m extremely confident leaving this magazine in her hands. My design team has been so amazing to work with, Loren Schumaker and Michella Dilworth are so eager to learn and grow, and there’s a lot of dedication they give to the publication. Mikayla Colston is a great illustrator, and I hope she continues to create beautiful artwork for our poetry section.
For this specific issue, we knew we wanted to cover the hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community on campus, but we weren’t sure how until pieces started coming together. A patchwork-style cover story written by multiple people, telling multiple stories has emerged. It features unique views and discusses topics none of our writers have explored before. We want everyone to know that we do not condone the hateful propaganda on campus, and that the LGBTQ+ community always has a place with us. It has been an honor to work with this team, and to create work for this publication. XOXO, Gossip Girl
NICOLE ZOLLOS
ART DIRECTOR
5 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
w h a t’s h a p p e n i n g i n
DECEMBER 12.8
CLE Flea
12.11
Radiator Hospital Concert
The Cleveland Flea Holiday Showcase
Radiator Hospital/Cheap Clone/Joey Sprinkles @ Grog Shop
From December 8-10 and the 15-17 the Cleveland Flea will be having special holiday pop-ups in Ohio City where independent vendors and artists will be selling their products. It will be the perfect place to do holiday shopping and explore. More information at theclevelandflea.com
9PM, 2785 EUCLID HEIGHTS BLVD
Make your way to Coventry to experience a night of indie rock when Radiator Hospital, a four-piece indie rock band, comes to Cleveland for a night of fun music and good times. They will be preceded by Cleveland-based bands, Joey Sprinkles and Cheap Clone. Tickets $10.
12.23
Play
6PM-10PM / 10AM-5PM, 3333 LORAIN RD
12.12
The Cleveland Orchestra
Running until Dec. 23, A Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition for the whole family. Celebrate the season with Charles’ Dickens’s classic story adapted for the stage. Student tickets are $26. OHIO THEATRE, PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
12.31
Concert
The Cleveland Orchestra: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Don’t miss the stunning Cleveland Orchestra as they perform songs from the original score of this Disney classic. With the music of Danny Elfman and the original story by Tim Burton, Jack Skellington’s adventures through Christmastown will be performed live along with music, and will be a show you won’t want to miss. Tickets range from $52-$127.
The Cleveland Natives of this four-piece rock band are coming to celebrate the New Year in their hometown. The theme of the show will be retro 90’s NYE and a complimentary champagne toast will be provided to all showgoers at midnight. Tickets are $20 ADV, $25 DOS.
SEVERANCE HALL, 11001 EUCLID AVE
7:30PM, 15711 WATERLOO RD DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 6
URBAN REFLECTION THE POWER OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY An egalitarian approach to art that is accessible to just about everyone, especially with the ease of modern day digital cameras that have brought so many people together to create and promote issues like homelessness that plague America, but are often overlooked by society. // Joe Ruzicka
S
treet photography is something
One of those photographers that has
you may have heard about in
used this new creative outlet to promote is-
your high school history class,
sues in America is local freelance photogra-
but got brushed over within one
pher, Hunter Gawne. By capturing close up
period without a deeper under-
portraits of those on the street, Gawne has
standing of it as art. Street photography is,
developed a style that truly speaks levels of
as the name implies, capturing people on
emotion within his pictures to his audience.
the street. Focused on capturing unposed
In an effort to support those in need while
on the street, it has been a tool for journalists over the past century or so, starting with original film cameras in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. It is considered one of the most egalitarian forms of art due to its ease of access to anyone; there is no necessary talent or high cost needed to do street photography – especially today when almost anyone who can pick up a cell phone with a camera could get good with practice. Considered a faux pas in society, it is often looked at as strange to people on the other side of the lens. As a result, street photography induces a higher risk compared to other forms of art that may not even require the artist to leave the comfort of their home. As a result, the artistic reward for street photography is unlimited. It gives photographers opportunities to show people issues within our society that one may not see during their daily routine, or just give faces to the crowds of people that one encounters on a daily basis. Street photographer reaches past past prejudices and speaks stories of people on the street with a single click.
“
using his talent to do so, Gawne is prepar-
Street photography is easily one of the most powerful forms of art when done properly
“
moments filled with emotion of strangers
ing to launch a photo book that is com-
Street photography has been used as a
prised of 25 pages consisting of black and
tool in journalism to show what is happen-
white street photography from Cleveland
ing in a society that people in the suburbs
shedding light on the homeless epidemic
might not see. This ranges from homeless-
that Cleveland suffers from.
ness in America to political movements and
I recently had the opportunity to speak
So how did you get into photography? Ever since I was very young I have had some learning disabilities. These disabilities made it extremely hard for me to concentrate on one thing for more than five minutes. When I got to high school they offered a photography class. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available for freshman. I was really disappointed so I talked to my teacher and she went to bat for me and got me in the class. I was fortunate that they made an exception for me. Once I got behind the camera I was hooked. When did you start doing street photography, do you have any particular inspiration? I started street photography my Junior year in high school. My main inspiration is Joe Greer. He is a New York City photographer and I really like his stuff. I love capturing the emotion of the different people I see on the streets. I really enjoy the
protests. Recently, Cleveland has experi-
to Gawne about his work and his upcoming
connections I have made with the subjects I have
enced a resurgence of young creatives uti-
book, Shedding Light, that will have all of
photographed. Their stories hit me hard.
lizing social media to instantly share their
its proceeds donated to The City Mission, a
street photography and inspire others to do
charity organization serving Cleveland with
How do you describe photographic style?
the same – myself included.
homeless and womens shelters.
I styled my book in black and white because I
7 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
feel like the black and white pictures bring the
What direction do you think street photogra-
charities that uses 100% of the money to help the
emotion out in people and shows the gritty side
phy will go in the future? Are there any emerg-
homeless.
more than color does. Also, my street photos are
ing street photographers who you admire? If
shot close up because I wanted to capture the
so, who are they?
Any tips for people looking to get into street
emotion in the subjects.
Honestly, I’m not sure but I would like to see
photography?
more people doing street photography. I think
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone
What kind of impression do you hope to leave
that some people take pictures just to take
and be passionate about it no matter what! Keep
upon others who see your photographs?
pictures. They don’t think about who they are
shooting and always be open to new ideas and
I want people to feel something when they look
photographing. I enjoy making connections with
criticism.
at my pictures. I want them to see a person who
my subjects. If they’re happy, I want to know
has been through a lot in their lives. Most are
why. On the other hand if they’re sad, I want to
there not by choice but circumstances beyond
help them if I can. As I already mentioned, Joe
their control. I want them to feel bad about the
Greer is a photographer I really admire. He’s my
properly. With the advent of social media
people on the streets and not just walk past
favorite of all time along with Evan Sheehan,
playing such a huge role in society, street
them without a second thought.
Alex Strohl, and Samuel Elkins.
photography has seen a major resurgence,
What continually drives you to photograph in
never seen before — especially in a city as
the streets? The connections I have made over the last few years and the stories they have shared. For me, It’s about more than just getting a picture.
LEFT PHOTO BY JOE RUZICKA, RIGHT PHOTOS HUNTER GAWNE
Street photography is easily one of the most powerful forms of art when done
When did you realize that you wanted to make a book comprised of your street work? The more street pictures I took the more I wanted to do something to help them. How did you choose what charity you would donate 100% of the proceeds to? What is your
being embraced by young people in ways small as Cleveland. Instagram especially has acted as a platform for activism. Instead of ignoring deeply rooted urban issues, young creatives have embraced citizen activism with their cameras by taking it upon themselves to show societals problems, such as homelessness, that are often overlooked and hidden away from those who do not venture into the city often. With people like Hunter, there is a heightened awareness to expose issues and explore solutions to resolve the problems that plague America. Hunter Gawne’s website where the
favorite part about street photography?
book will be up for purchase in December:
My plan for the book was not to make money.
huntergawne.com
It is to give back to the homeless for letting me share their images and stories. The charity I selected is the City Mission because after researching, they are a non-profit and one of the only DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 8
UNDERSEEN
FILMS OF 2017 M Spoiler Alert: I’ll do my best to avoid major spoilers, but I will discuss some minor plot points in each review. // Gregory Elek
aking a definitive top-ten list when it’s not physically possible to see every movie until the year is over would be as point-
less as this intro. By the time this article is out I still wouldn’t have been able to see I Love You Daddy, Phantom Thread, Hap-
py End, Call Me by Your Name, The Disaster Artist, The Shape of Water, and countless other films I’m not mentioning. So instead
of bombarding you with how great Blade Runner 2049, Baby Driver, and Dunkirk were, we’re going to talk about some movies that you probably haven’t seen this year.
NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW Starring: Matthew Johnson & Jay McCarrol Creators: Matthew Johnson & Jay McCarrol Nirvanna the Band the Show follows two inept best friends who want nothing more than to make it as musicians. Okay, so, this is a TV show, but it’s also one of the best things I’ve ever seen, and almost no one knows about it. So damn it, we’re going rogue — let’s talk about TV. This is one of the rare things I’ve ever recommend that I genuinely think is for everyone. Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol are not only hilarious on their own, but they have phenomenal chemistry together. The show mixes planned out scenes with street scenes. Think It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, meets The Office, meets Jackass. The acting and writing is so flawless that you often won’t be able to tell who the paid actors are, and who the actual bystanders are. One thing people always overlook in comedies is how smart they are, and this is no exception. There are constant set ups that get paid off some throughout the course of an episode, and some throughout the course of the season. If you’re a fan of movies, this is a great show for you. There are constant parodies of popular films, and not only is it 9 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
funny, but it makes the show feel like a love
your support. You can watch one Vice-
letter to cinema. The only negative about
land’s website for free, and the show is also
the show isn’t even about the content itself,
available on iTunes. They were renewed for
it’s about the network. This show is on
a second season, so you don’t have to worry
Viceland, which is a big reason why almost
about falling in love just to get your heart
no one’s seen, or even heard of it. On the
broken. I can’t recommend this one enough,
flipside, being on Viceland means that Spike
and no, you don’t need to know anything
Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation,
about Nirvana to watch this show.
Where the Wild Things Are, and Her) has some involvement in the show, so it’s not all bad. Please watch this show legally, they deserve
GRADE: A+
IT COMES AT NIGHT Director: Trey Edward Shults Starring: Joel Edgerton, Kelvin Harrison Jr., & Christopher Abbott It Comes at Night follows two families who
plays around with its aspect ratios. This not
struggle to survive together in a post-apoc-
only creates a cool visual contrast between
alyptic future. Overall audiences weren’t
scenes, but there’s also a lot of meaning be-
crazy about this one,which is a shame
hind it. These are the kinds of movies that
because this is a movie that does everything
are the hardest to talk about in such a short
right. No spoon-feeding the audience, good
amount of time, because there’s so much
writing, interesting characters, good acting,
good you can say about it. I’d recommend
and good cinematography. Trey Edward
this movie to everyone, just make sure that
Shults has proven between this film, and
you’re willing to figure out some things on
his 2016 debut, Krisha, that he’s a master at
your own — this movie isn’t going to hold
tension. I was on the edge of my seat during
your hand.
my second viewing, even though I knew
GRADE: A
what was going to happen. The movie also
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Starring: Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, Nicole Kidman, & Alicia Silverstone The Killing of a Sacred Deer follows an unusu-
doesn’t know what it wants to be tonally.
al relationship between a surgeon and a
It’s an impressive feat to be perhaps the
teenage boy. After a solid American debut
darkest movie of the year, but also have an
with The Lobster, Yorgos Lanthimos is back
entire theater bursting with laughter. I can’t
with one of the best movies of the year. All
in good conscious recommend this film to
the acting is perfect, and very stylized. The
everyone, because of how dark the subject
Cinematography is great — it’s reminis-
matter is. The best comparison when it
cent of Stanley Kubrick. The thrilling story
comes to tone, and overall subject matter
creeps along at a perfect(and realistic) pace,
would the films of Michael Haneke. If you
revealing enough information to keep you
aren’t scarred off by dark movies that take
engaged, and you’re never bombarded with
deep dives into human nature see this one.
unnecessary exposition. This movie also has
GRADE: A-
a good sense of humor. It never feels like it
A GHOST STORY
Director: David Lowery
PHOTOS BY GOOGLE IMAGES
Starring: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Will Oldham, & Kesha A Ghost Story follows a plot of land that’s
that I have mixed feelings on. Everything
haunted after a tragic accident. This could
stops so the film can tell us what it’s about,
easily be the saddest film I’ve ever seen,
which is unnecessary, and a little insulting
and a big reason for that is Rooney Mara.
to the audience. I can’t fault this scene too
This is her best performance. She’s tasked
much, because the dialogue is written to
with the arduous job of portraying grief
perfection, and the acting is just as good.
with almost no dialogue. A lot of her acting
This movie isn’t for everyone. It’s heart-
comes from her eyes and body language.
breaking subject matter doesn’t make it the
This is also one of the most visually pleas-
most fun watch of the year, but it will stick
ing movies I’ve ever seen. There are several
with you for a long time after seeing it.
frames that I’d love to hang on my wall. Cinematographer, Andrew Droz Palermo, deserves a shout out for his work. There’s a scene later on in the film with a monologue
GRADE: B+ DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 10
INTERNATIONAL
WELCOME MURAL W Bridging global and neighborhood gaps through art // Alexis Rosen hat would it look like if we
“It was important for us to have
began with 25 to 30 international students
could tear down the fences
students see and be represented and we
being photographed over the course of 4
and the gates that are bar-
felt he would be able to capture that. We
to 5 sessions. The students were captured
riers to us being together as
saw applicants from all different levels of
walking across the bridge and climbing the
humanity? That was the first question that
experience and mediums. Darius is a totally
fence. Steward then used those images as
came to Cleveland painter Darius Steward’s
awesome artist on the rise and when we
inspiration for painting portraits. Due to the
mind as he observed the worn and over-
talked about the task of taking on over 300
mural being on fencing, his painting was
grown Euclid Avenue Innerbelt bridge.
feet of combined canvas sides, we had to
digitally transferred onto a mesh screen to
think ‘will the artist be able to handle that
overlay the fence.
Steward was the selected winner of The Euclid Avenue Innerbelt Project’s contest created by downtown neighborhoods Midtown Cleveland and Campus District. The project was made to transform the bridge by manicuring messy vines, adding streetlights, and installing artwork along the fence. The contest was released to Cleveland during the summer of 2017 as a call for artists to create “public art” that would cover the Euclid bridge fencing. “We wanted to find a balance between having a theme and not being too prescriptive,” said Rachel Oscar, Campus District’s Director of Programming and Community Engagement. “An artist has to have the freedom to do what they want. We knew we could create a casting call that draws people representative of this neighborhood without saying you have to pick this or paint that.” Ten artists with a wide variety of mediums responded to the call, including illustrators, painters, photographers, and digital artists. To select the winner, Midtown Cleveland and Campus District invited representatives from the greater and neighboring community to a judging event. Together, individuals from the Cleveland Foundation, Global Cleveland, AIDS Task Force, business owners, non-profit members, and local and international students selected the top three artists. Those artists were then asked to present a more thorough concept based on welcoming international students. Darius was ultimately selected because of the humanity and human likeness conveyed in his art. 11 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
kind of production and material because it
“You’re going to feel like you’re walk-
is a challenge.’ With where he is at in his
ing next to a wall rather than a fence over
experience, this seemed like a logical next
a highway” Joyce Huang, Urban Planner at
step and production piece” Oscar said.
MidTown Cleveland, said.
To fund this project, Midtown Cleve-
The nearing installation will create
land and Campus District were granted
more than the effect of a wall, but also the
$12,500 from Cleveland Neighborhood
intention of a message. The bridge not only
Progress. This would cover the cost of
connects neighborhoods, but also exists as
needed materials, installation, and the
an entryway to Cleveland State University’s
artist’s work. Because the bridge is so long,
campus.
the majority of the money was for materials alone. The creation process of the mural
Because CSU’s large international population lives downtown, the bridge is crossed often by people from all corners of
the world. This mural is an opportunity to
way because of one light. Knowing I can see,
signify welcomeness in a home away from
I feel safer.”
home.
The dedicated teams from Campus Dis-
be extended. What would it look like if we could tear down the fences and the gates that are
“In light of a lot of national policy
trict and Midtown Cleveland have worked
barriers to us being together as humanity?
changes, regarding international students,
tirelessly to implement not only physical,
Like bringing a new light.
dreamers, undocumented students, and
but also symbolic light. As the first and
refugees - CSU has been a place where a lot
most valued factor of this project, these
international students tearing down a gate
of international students come and it’s an
teams knew that the light was not a want,
and then having them sort of walk together
opportunity for people to get an education
but a need. No matter what new inter-
hopefully into the future.
here, so we really wanted to honor them in
national legislation or societal hate says,
this mural because art is an opportunity for
Cleveland is rising above that to illuminate
people to see themselves in it,” said Huang.
a heart for all of humanity. Within the light,
“When you’re not reflected in art, it’s really
visuals with meaning can be established,
hard to feel like you belong. We wanted to
connections can be created, and support can
have this be an opportunity where these
The idea is having all of these kids and
For more information about Campus District, Midtown Cleveland, & the ribbon cutting reveal of this mural visit: http://www.midtowncleveland.org http://campusdistrict.org
portraits of students would be like ‘yes,
“
you’re a part of our story and you’re going
The urban space has transformed the area to feel welcome, clean, and safe.
“
to see yourself or people that look like you and you are welcome here.’” Before this project, the bridge was a sore thumb amidst new development. Now, the urban space has transformed the area to feel welcome, clean, and safe. Prior to mural plans and landscaping, the first priority of Campus District and Midtown Cleveland was to have street lights installed because
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DIANA HASROUNI
at the base level, safety is the biggest issue. “When I was leaving CSU’s gym one night, I didn’t realize that we were a part of the light that was placed on the bridge,” Diana Hasrouni, Economic and Communication Coordinator at Campus District, said. “I didn’t realize how pitch black that bridge is at night without the light. It made me appreciate just putting one light and how many other students probably feel the same DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 12
CUISINE & CULTURE Cuisine is a centerpiece of Asian culture, and with inticing dishes comes a chance to showcase unique stories. // Dorothy Zhao
C
uisine will always be a part
recipes but instead through trial-and-error,
buying school lunches from then on. I never
of culture. Growing up as an
learning from observing what one’s parents
viewed my lunch box moment as that of
American Born Chinese, I had
and older generations did.
extreme tragedy, but rather, I saw it as an
one favorite meal: a bowl of
elucidating moment of how some people
a close friend or complete stranger de-
around me rejected part of my culture. Why
eaten school lunches since third grade, I
clares he or she dislikes Asian food. I feel
did so many of my peers joke about Chinese
always treasured my parents’ home-cooked
almost a sense of shame or urgent need
people eating monkey brains, and why did
meals. Although I do not live at home
to ask the person what we could do better
they turn up their noses to anything spicier
anymore, there was always a variety when
to cater to their tastes. Indeed, there is a
than sriracha or wasabi? What did they have
I did — dumplings, baozi (steamed meat-
reason why I only ate mostly depressing,
to fear?
filled buns), zongzi (bamboo-leaf-wrapped
bland school lunches for over a decade.
rice), and healthy and flavorful vegetables
When I was in second grade, I had a lunch
ed States, I was raised in an Asian culture
straight from our garden and stir-fried. The
box moment that I am sure many children
and mindset when it comes to cuisine. A
latter was almost always paired with rice
of foreign or first generation parents have
1981 symposium on the “cultural signifi-
and a meat dish. It is also worth noting that my father is from Beijing, China, in the north, while my mother is from Wuhan, China, in the south. In Southern China, rice farming is far more common as the weather is warmer than it is up north. In Northern China, on the other hand, wheat is grown and more commonly eaten. As a result, the noodles, dumplings, and baozi were usually perfected by my father and involved the entire family in the process of creation. Rice, despite the laborious steps to grow and harvest the crop, is a simpler, one-person process with a rice cooker. Personally, I prefer rice-based recipes, like rice noodles, while my sister more enjoys the wheat-based dishes. Although my siblings and I love both
“
Even though I was born in the Unit-
cance of food and eating” describes eating as “focus[ing] on social values, meanings and beliefs rather than on dietary require-
Food is identity, happiness, status, and community
“
plain white rice. Despite having
It always comes as a shock to me when
ments and nutritional values.” One’s choice in food is not random but is instead based on “patterns and regularities [that] carry markedly different connotations socially.” One’s eating habits are arranged in a, “socially organized fashion [and]… are definite ideas about good and bad table manners, right and wrong ways to present dishes, and clear understandings about food appropriate to different occasions.” It isn’t challenging to see the connection between foods and ethnicity, social status and wealth. To my parents, any kind of food is valued. Not a single grain of rice could be wasted in our household, because
homemade Chinese food and the American-
experienced as well. I had a packed lunch
— as my mother always told me — that
ized Chinese takeout food — Panda Express,
of rice and beef that my mother lovingly
single grain of rice was grown and harvest-
anyone? — I realize that not everyone has
prepared, but as I unveiled the food, the
ed with great effort, time, and labor. They
gotten a pleasant or proper introduction to
classmates sitting around me complained
grew up in poverty during the Cultural Rev-
Asian food as a whole. Hearing the scorn
of the smell and gawked at how different
olution, in direct contrast to how I grew up
of some restaurant-goers when they skip
my meal looked from their Lunchables. As a
the Chinese buffet because, “all their food
seven year old, I didn’t possess the vocab-
only tastes good because they contain MSG”
ulary to explain what my lunch consisted
is an unfair assumption. Asian cuisine,
of, so I just sat there in silent, crushed
taking dedication, determination, and a
embarrassment. When I went home that
significant amount of time, is one tradition
day, I asked my mother if I could have a
that makes up a vast culture encompassing
more normal packed lunch. I wanted the
many nationalities. Asian families open up
PB&J sandwich, the cheese stick, the juice
restaurants to not only support themselves
box, the apple slices, and the bag of chips.
but also to create a connection to home and
Perhaps my mother was saddened by my
their culture. The food, a symbol of pride
rejection of my favorite foods, but she was
and one’s past, is crafted not from written
smart enough to suggest the alternative of
13 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
in America, “mei guo,” or “beautiful coun-
were invited to do a cooking demonstration at
try” with its splendor and plentiful food.
the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in the
I know I’ve never suffered the hunger
“Our Global Kitchen” exhibit, we showed people
that my parents and their families expe-
how to make one of our most popular menu
rienced, so there are stark contrasts in the
items called okonomiyaki, which is a Japanese
way my parents perceive food versus how
cabbage pancake made with wheat, eggs and
I see food in general. I think it is fine to
various toppings. During the demonstration, I
throw out food I dislike at the dining hall,
told them how rice was scarce during World War
while my parents would be aghast at such
II, which was why wheat became an important,
food waste. It is borderline disrespectful to
[inexpensive] staple. [This fact was why wheat]
refuse a meal my mother spent the entire
How did you come up with the idea of creat-
was one of the foods that were developed to
day making. A clean plate is a sign of grat-
ing the start up?
make use of it. There are a few different types
itude and respect. I am always encouraged
I’ve always loved food and its cultural im-
that are available across Japan, but the version
to try new foods, so although my parents
portance to a region and its people. I used to
I serve is a specialty of Osaka and is sometimes
believe I am a picky eater, I have enough
cook lunches for my engineering office where
called Japanese pizza, because the toppings
experience sampling mystery dishes and
I’d make something from a different country
and filling can vary from seafood to vegetables
would not call myself picky in comparison
each week and give a speech about how it was
to cheese. The sauces used are Japanese ver-
to most of my peers.
made and its cultural significance. When Night
sions of Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise,
Market Cleveland started in 2015, they wanted to
which have European origins. And that’s just one
at cooking. I always lingered in the kitchen
create an event where people can go experi-
example of the stories that food can tell!
during meal prep and observed my parents
ence something that is authentically Asian and
work magic, but if I inquired about a dish
uniquely Cleveland. I wanted to show people that
What is one Asian dish that you recommend
that they were improvising on the fly, they
there was more to Asian cuisine than just sushi
for beginners?
would scoff. Who needs a precise measure-
and General Tso’s chicken. Not only was this the
I would recommend making our gyudon recipe,
ment of salt, sugar, and other spices? Just
perfect opportunity, but the founders (Brendan
which is a very traditional Japanese beef and
toss it all into the pan with olive oil, garlic,
Trewella and Josh Maxwell) were specifically en-
onion rice bowl that is considered to be a fast
or whatever else they felt like adding. As a
couraging small start-ups in Asiatown. I figured
food item. It uses very basic ingredients that can
result, I was still at a loss of how to make
that if nothing else, it would be a fun experience
be easily found in any Asian market and the
my favorite foods. Because food is identity,
and I’d get a chance to have people try some-
techniques are pretty simple. Best of all, it is ab-
happiness, status, and community among
thing new. So with the help of Jessie (wife), Brian
solutely delicious and one of my favorite dishes.
other things, I truly felt as though I had
(brother) and Rachael (sister-in-law), we did our
lost a significant part of my background.
first event.
Despite my love of food, I am a novice
PHOTO FROM ICE OR RICE YOUTUBE
I couldn’t recreate childhood memories
Since its creation, what is the achievement that you are most proud of for Ice or Rice?
or family traditions being a novice cook-
Where do you see Ice or Rice in the next five
What are some of the successes you have
er. However, just last winter, as I went to
years?
had with the start up?
the Cleveland Museum of Natural Histo-
We’re currently concentrating on our cooking
The thing I’m most proud of are our grocery tours
ry with my family, we stumbled across
videos where we teach you how to make some
and tastings. It’s something that I initially offered
a cooking demonstration with two Asian
of our favorite Asian recipes and are working
to do on a Facebook group called NEO Foodies
chefs who made up the food start-up Ice
to continue growing that. We are also going to
since I saw that there were a lot of opinions
or Rice. Ice or Rice is a Cleveland-based
develop an online store where you can purchase
about Asian foods that were based on what they
startup that focuses on Asian comfort food
Asian snacks and sweets as well as merchan-
saw on TV rather than on personal experience. I
and was created by Andy and Jessie Ng.
dise like t-shirts. My brother will be opening an
think that making assumptions and taking other
Since following them on social media and
Ice or Rice Café on the intersection of E. 38th St.
people’s opinions as your own results in prejudice
their YouTube channel for nearly a year, I
and Payne Ave next year. He will be selling some
and biases on not just food, but for cultures and
have a newfound appreciation for not only
of the foods that we’ve featured at our events.
peoples as well. At the end of the tour and tast-
my own cooking potential but also Asian
My wife and I will sell some of our special items
ing, I always tell people to keep their minds open
food as a whole. Continue reading to learn
through the café as well as hold pop-up dinners
to new experiences and not to dismiss things
more about Ice or Rice in a Q&A with the
and cooking classes there.
that aren’t familiar. Whether you end up liking it
co-founder Andy!
or not, at least you made up your own mind rathHow does cuisine connect to culture, espe-
er than blindly following others. Discovering a
cially in Asian culture?
new favorite food can open the door to learning
Food is shaped by culture and vice versa. There
about the people who created it.
are so many stories that can be told with any food that is popular in a region, and I really
For tours and more info: iceorrice.com
enjoy telling those stories. For instance, when we
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 14
& YOUTUBE
A LOOK INTO GAMER CULTURE
Gaming has a unique and diverse fanbase that present a very vocal part of Internet culture and a less than admirable face in mainstream news media. // Logan Hammond
I
n 2006, Twitter launched as an internet
and Rock, Paper Shotgun, while others be-
ing it has started a discussion “about cul-
based site for text message sized tweets
lieved the game received undeserved praise.
ture, about ethics, and about freedom.” The
it used to be limited to 140 because that’s
Quinn was overwhelmed with threats and
attacks on Quinn and her family consisted
the size of standard text messages but
loads of abuse, ultimately forcing her to
of death and rape threats, creating harsh
currently the limit is 280 characters.
change her phone number and accounts
condemnation from gaming and non-gam-
LifeWire, a website mainly focused on
on social media. Gradually, the abuse died
ing press alike.
helping visitors fix and use various brands
down to a few dedicated troll – until August
of laptops, smartphones, digital camer-
of 2014 when it grew worse than before. Eron Gjoni, a former boyfriend of
first planned, beginning as “an idea that
Quinn’s, wrote a novel-sized blog post,
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey (@Jack)
outlining details of their relationship in-
had in 2006. Dorsey had originally imagined
cluding texts, emails, and other personal
Twitter as an SMS-based communications
messages. The post contained a piece of
platform. Groups of friends could keep tabs
information that would spark a long and
on what each other were doing based on
moronic controversy caused by Gjoni, dis-
their status updates. Like texting.” Dorsey
cussing the relationship between Quinn and
created Twitter as a sideproject to his job
game journalist from the website Kotaku,
working for Odeo, a podcast company. Odeo
Nathan Grayson.
was in trouble because Apple’s podcast
A website called 4Chan, an imageboard
service with iTunes was taking off, while
website where users generally post anon-
taking down other podcast services. Odeo’s
ymously, is split into various boards with
founders began to invest more time and
their own specific content and guidelines. It
money in Twitter instead, calling it “Twt-
is rather infamous for having no rules and
tr”.
being generally toxic. 4Chan decided the Youtube was created on Feb 14th,
controversy was a ploy used to gain positive
2005. According to Business Insider, “it
reviews for her game, despite the fact that
was founded by former PayPal employees
Grayson never reviewed the game and
Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim.
Kotaku’s only mention of Quinn was before
The idea was born at a dinner party in San
their relationship. Gjoni later edited his blog
Francisco a year before the official launch.”
to acknowledge this fact but it was too late,
YouTube was a small site for servers and
already ablaze on social media.
few users until, as Business Insider ex-
Misogynistic attacks such as re-
plains, things took a sudden change in 2006
mark from @RogueInTheStars saying “@
when Google bought the website for $1.65
UnburntWitch aka Zoe Quinn is a W**re”
billion.
were made against Quinn and her whole family, this dark scandal was first called the
GamerGate: Mainstream Infamy
“quinnspiracy.” Not soon after, the Twitter
In 2013 the viral internet disaster known as
hashtag GamerGate was coined by Adam
GamerGate began when, Zoë Quinn released
Baldwin, a 55 year old actor best known for
a choose your own adventure game called
the Stanley Kubrick movie Full Metal Jacket.
Depression Quest. It received positive reviews from various gaming sites like Steam 15 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
Baldwin has described Gamergate as a backlash against political correctness, say-
“
The attacks on Quinn and her family consisted of death and rape threats, creating harsh condemnation from gaming and nongaming press alike.
“
as, and more, describes how Twitter was
Things escalated as GamerGate
supporters made lists of journalists who
opposed their so-called movement. It’s
stream media with a dramatic story. Quinn
thanks to this movement that the phrase
and Sarkeesian spoke at the United Nations
so people can play with others globally,
“Social Justice Warrior” was created. The
in 2015 about the need for the government
the only problem is very often the voice
phrase was used to indicate a person was a
to do something about the ease with which
and text chats of these games tend to be
politically correct (PC) “Feminazi” in the
people can engage in harassment due to the
problematic, gamers like Pewdiepie love
conspiracy to ruin gaming.
anonymity the internet provides.
to make jokes about rape and to swear to a
GamerGate also harassed a You-
Despite claims that GamerGate was
Many games have online features
ridiculous degree in some attempt to seem
tube channel called Feminist Frequen-
about ethics in gaming journalism, the very
“adult.” Homophobia and transphobia are
cy - where the insult “feminazi” came
catalyst of the movement was a lie. If you
also rampant in online gaming chats and
from. One example of the harassment
check the GamerGate hashtag on Twitter
calling this kind of behavior brings about
directed at Sarkesian came from user @
you will still find people who believe Quinn
the usual accusations of being “political-
Knight_MUTT. His channel had a series of
acted unethically, and that’s part of the
ly correct” or a “snowflake,” but being
videos called “Tropes Vs. Women,” critiqu-
problem — this belief that there’s some
politically correct just means not being a
ing the various ways women are portrayed
attempt by women to ruin gaming. It is the
jerk, so consider why people would proudly
in video games. He tweeted “ @femfreq I
hard truth GamerGate won’t admit that it
proclaim that they’re jerks.
WANT TO F***ING STAB YOUR STUPID
was a lie used as an excuse to attack women
F***ING UGLY SHAPED FACE YOU FEMI-
and people of color.
NIST C**T, KILL YOURSELF, NO ONE WILL
GamerGate was another example of the
In the end, Twitter struggles with managing this situation and their algorithm proved to be unhelpful. It was just as likely
CARE B***H”. Clearly, these people were
sad truth that gaming only gets mainstream
that you would be suspended for insulting
very concerned with ethics in video games
attention when it involves the companies or
your harasser as it was the harasser would
and love proper grammar and spell check,
when terrible things happen.
be suspended. Zoe Quinn recently released
GamerGate barely if at all had anything to do with games journalism. The channel run
a book called Crash Overdrive about her Get Gud: Gaming’s Online Wall
experience during the GamerGate con-
by Anita Sarkeesian ended up becoming the
The phrase “get gud” is a slang term for
troversy. In October, the popular gaming
focus of the harassment, and the account is
get good and is used as an insult to people
forum NeoGAF after its creator was accused
now suspended.
poorly playing in a game. Its origin isn’t
of sexual harassment. The website Gamin-
specifically known, though I believe it has
gRevolution ran a story about a 29 year old
movement of the GamerGate hashtag is
I’m concerned that even though the
become a fitting summary used by “hard-
game streamer named Nicole who upload-
mostly gone, the effects are still there. I
core gamers.” This group of people who
ed clips of the harassment she faces while
want to appeal not only to those in the
take gaming seriously. The most egregious
playing games “I think Mercy’s not working
gaming community but people in oth-
and annoying example of this form of
out for you, you dumb c***. Learn how to
er entertainment fandoms that we can’t
hardcore gamer culture is from the series
play a proper character, 45 hours and you
ignore the toxicity of our communities, and
Dark Souls by From Software. Dark Souls
still suck, I guess girls just suck at games
a large part of why GamerGate took off was
marketed with the slogan “Prepare to Die,”
in general you stupid dumb wh***.” This
because people either joined in or stood by
and the game is very niche. I enjoy playing
isn’t a story about the past — it’s a warning
in the face of harassment.
it but could never deal with the commu-
for the future of gaming culture online. A
nity; asking for help got me insulted and
large part of the community is barely vocal
should be harassed — ever — no matter
called a loser. That’s a major problem with
because of a small group that makes the
who they are. I discourage anybody from
the gaming community; it walls itself off
fandom toxic. Rampant sexism and harass-
harassing those that have done wrong in
from people trying to enter the circle. The
ment still exist, and in the end, it’s up to
this situation. Instead, report problem-
problem with Dark Souls is it will inevitably
the people in the community to bring it to
atic tweets and support others through
force new players to play the game in a very
light. We need more diversity in gaming to
kindness. I have a minor connection to the
slow and defensive manner that isn’t fun.
counteract the problems of the community.
I want to emphasize that nobody
events surrounding GamerGate and the
Hardcore gamers also have a very
Diversity reflects reality — but unfortu-
gaming community as a whole because
picky definition of “gamer,” even though
nately too many games are very focused on
of my own perception of gaming culture
anybody who plays games is a gamer. The
straight white men. Our games need more
as hostile to people who were new to the
online community has a very negative view
female characters, more people of color,
fandom of video games. My introduction
of certain companies, genres, and games.
people who aren’t straight and people who
to gaming came from watching numerous
Nintendo, for example, presents challeng-
don’t fit the standard gender binary. Ulti-
videos called “Let’s Plays,” a kind of video
ing puzzles and gameplay Nintendo and
mately, we need to make games accessible,
or series of videos where somebody else
its games are inevitably associated with
everyone should be able to see themselves
plays a game with their commentary and
children’s games, mobile app games are
in the heroes of a game and that’s what
reactions.
also considered causal. Mystery and Puzzle
makes games great; feeling like a hero.
When it comes to GamerGate, this
games are considered casual, as well as
controversy was one of the largest and first
roleplaying games (RPGs); shooters and
examples of mass harassment by the gam-
fighting games are generally considered the
ing community and presented the main-
more hardcore forms of games. DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 16
ADVICE FOR MILLENNIALS Van Jones visits a local library and offers advice to millennials // Imani Stephens
T
oday, there’s often this battle
action to control a situation rather than
between what is seen and what
just responding to it after it has happened,
is known. What you are shown
Van Jones responded, “Everyone is now in
is people fighting over things
this reaction pattern that orange guy does
such as race, religion, and gen-
something then you do something. You
der, which sheds light on the true injustices
can’t even control your own day because
do. It is not easy to try to make a differ-
in this country. On the opposing side, what
you’re worried about what he’s doing.
ence, as millennials you should not give up
is known is who you are and what you be-
That’s apart of Trump’s strategy. To keep
when things get tough. Figure out what it is
lieve in, but this has to fight against what
people so divided and so upset that we
that you want and go after it. Jones talked
others consider normal. In this day and
cannot even devise a plan.”
about if those in the era of Martin Luther
age everyone is uncomfortable, because
Advice for millennials: do not sepa-
King gave up we would have never had the
who they are is always being questioned.
rate yourselves. There could be so much
things we do now nor the change we see.
Hate groups have formed against those of
progress if all of those who feel as though
Don’t give up.
different skin colors, religious beliefs, and
they are facing injustices combined forces.
sex. This has made it almost impossible
Everyone is fighting the same battle, but
student movements want the adminis-
to find your way in the continuous uproar
are so angry they no longer see the bigger
tration to do what the student movement
issue.
should do. The person with the biggest
As millennials we often feel discouraged because there is no straight path telling us where to go. My definition of millennials is defined as those who are currently reaching their peak in adulthood. Therefore, as a millennial myself I to go through the emotions of everyday life always having who I am questioned. Often times I have no comfort. Where do I stand as a black woman in today’s society? Or as a college student attending a predominately white institution? What do I do to appease my mind when I see so much hatred in the world, because of the color of my skin and gender?
“
to speak up. Use your small voice to come
Figure out what it is that you want and go after it.
The author of the New York Times Bestseller, “Beyond the Messy Truth” Van Jones spoke at the Parma Snow Library on October 20th. His book discusses issues
voice does not always have to be the one
“
between real life and politics.
Van Jones feels as though too many
together to make subtle changes that will change your situation. “You are the next generation; you get to determine for yourself what the standards are going to be,” he enforced. Advice for millennials: your small voice can change the world. Have you ever heard the saying one man can change the world? This applies to many cases within our generation. Telling the world who you are will make them forcefully have to adjust. Jones told the millennials in the room, “When you start fighting for the stuff you actually want, it is always that small number of disciplined, driven people that make 90% of the progress.”
When asked if there was a belief
Advice for millennials: don’t limit
that America is facing with our President,
that millennials are a lost generation he
yourself or your mind. Expose yourself to
ourselves and current issues around the
responded by saying, “It’s new that we are
the things that you want to fix. Use your
world.
supposed to see our tribe as everybody.
social media platforms for more than just
They shot Dr. Martin Luther King in the
following things you like. Follow the things
ments of Van Jones we can formulate a
face in front of his friends for things we
you do not like so you can understand then
few ways to keep millennials grounded in
think are normal today. But none of his
learn how to conquer them.
times of turmoil.
friends stopped fighting, none of them
Taking a deeper look into the com-
In Jones’s book he explains how the country is looking for a movement to inspire not just critique. So when asked, how can millennials use their voice to take 17 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
“So many people are worried about
stopped fighting for justice. It is not going
doing it wrong, that they’re not doing
to be easy.”
enough” Jones said.
Advice for millennials: the things that often need to be changed are the hardest to
Advice for millennials: you can’t do everything, but you can do something.
WHO’S YOUR HOLIDAY SQUAD? 1. Do you enjoy snow?
5. When do you decorate?
A. Love it!
A. Before Thanksgiving
B. It’s nice around the holidays
B. December 1st
C. Only the day of my holiday
C. The week of my holiday
D. It’s never ok
D. Never
2. What’s your least favorite part of the holidays? A. The day after B. Shopping C. Shoveling snow D. Rampant consumerism 3. How do you spend a Friday night in December? A. Watching Hallmark with cocoa B. Skating and shopping C. At an ugly sweater party D. Unrelated things 4. Which is your favorite decoration? A. Tree/Menorah B. Lights C. Holiday coffee cups D. One candy cane
6. Do you do lights? A. Inside and out! B. On the tree C. Depends on the year D. Screw that 7. When do you jam out to holiday music?
MOSTLY A Buddy the Elf, Clark Griswold, Santa Claus You ARE the holiday spirit. You love everything to do with the holidays, almost to a fault. Glitter, ice skating, looped music, cocoa, Hallmark movies, you can’t get enough!
MOSTLY B Cindy Lou Who, the Misfit Toys, Ralphie You love the holidays, but sometimes you’re just not in the holiday spirit. The good news? You always find your way back!
A. All season long B. A week or so leading up to the day
MOSTLY C
C. Only on the eve and day of
Jack Skellington, Charlie Brown, Scott Calvin
D. I’d rather die
The holidays are just kind of something that happen for you. You go through the motions and appreciate some of the festivities and traditions, but it’s not your whole life.
8. What’s your fav holiday activity? A. Is there anything bad? B. Decorating, skating, movies C. Food and family D. Gift exchanges 9. What are your favorite holiday smells? A. I own 500 candles, so all of them B. Peppermint and snow C. Cinnamon and pine D. Food
MOSTLY D The Grinch, Scrooge, Abominable Snowman You are anti-holiday cheer. You don’t get the hullabaloo and think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. But just like your posse, there’s always the chance to renew your spirit!
Photos From Our Abroad Students Since 2011, the Center for International Services and Programs at Cleveland State has done an annual photo contest for students that study abroad. Whether these are snapshots of other countries, or pictures of an “American� experience from those studying here, this contest is meant to showcase the travels of CSU students in a creative form. Here are the winners for this year.
Chinatown Balcony in Yokohama,Japan Taken from a temple's balcony in Chinatown, at dusk.
a l a m s o K x By Ali
Surprise Lake in Atlin BC, Canada Looking at water level changes on Surprise Lake due to New MicroHydroplant. All of our belongings for the days are loaded in the boat as we camped on the shore. Surprise Lake is sounded by mountains and cliffs. It has some small islands in it, where moose are often seen.
r e n r a W e i h p o yS
B
Cleveland Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WINNERS AND CISP
A beautiful picture of inside the Cleveland Marshall College of Law. This picture represents how beautiful CSU is. It has the best symmetry for taking a photo.
By Mo
hit Kulk
arni DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 20
STOP BEING RACIST 2K18 This new year, try being less racist. // Jamia Richardson
I
t is important to remind ourselves as we
areas and the majority of Black Ameri-
every day when they leave their homes.
navigate the world today that reverse
ca lives in inner cities where the rate of
In my 22 years on this planet, I have ex-
racism isn’t real, systematic racism is
poverty is higher. Housing segregation and
perienced three different types of racism
prominent in our country, and Black
gentrification can share the blame when
along with systematic racism. My entire
Lives Matter. Slavery and the slaughter
it comes to this. Racial steering is what
life, I was reminded I was Black not only by
of the indigenous people built America; it is
real estate brokers guide potential home-
parents but also by society.
time that we start caring. It’s been proven
owners away from neighborhoods based
repeatedly that the justice system is flawed
on their race. Gentrification is renovating
and is historically structured to disadvan-
urban neighbors so that middle and upper
I was 9. My mother and siblings walked
tage minorities — the Civil Rights Amend-
class can move in. Gentrification can even
up and down the aisle at Sam’s Club on a
ment can be broken down as the start of a
be seen in Cleveland. The process started
Sunday, collecting free samples and shop-
flawed justice system for Blacks — 13th on
when Lebron James returned and started
ping as if it was a treat for us after church.
Netflix is a good example.
to bring money to the city of Cleveland.
We only bought three or four items, one of
Wanting to feel like they are living down-
which was a cookie tray I was proud that I
everyone probably learned if they were to
town gentrification began. Raising the
convinced her to buy. We checked out, and
take any basic sociology class. In theory,
rent of people living in the inner city they
like all other customers, we headed to the
it means based on your gender, sex, race,
are being forced to move out. And let’s not
exits where we were greeted by an employ-
ethnicity, or social class from the time you
forget the “white flight” which still occurs
ee checking receipts and saying thanks for
are born is forced to overcome some sort of
now, whenever an environment becomes
coming in. There were customers ahead
inequality. Social stratification plays a key
“too diverse” white people move out.
of us with carts piled high of items; the
Social stratification is something
Blatant Racism
role in systemic racism — Social strat-
There is a direct correlation with
ification separates people into different
poverty and crime. An increase in poverty
She smiled and highlighted them and ask
classes in a hierarchical structure kind of
means an increase in crime, so Black on
them to come back. Now it was our turn.
like a pyramid. Wealth (upper class)sits
Black crime is not a valid argument when
My mother handed her the receipt and be-
at the top of the pyramid while poverty
trying to validate the murder of an un-
gan pushing the cart at the door when the
(lower class) sits at the bottom. Based on
armed American by a police officer.
employee grabbed our cart and stopped us.
the wealth of the upper class they have
employee didn’t look twice at their receipts.
“When Daquan kills Jerome, Daquan
The woman looked at my mother in disgust
been given an edge over the lower classes.
goes straight to jail. But when Officer Bob
and made our family wait until she checked
Afforded more opportunities as well as a
kills Jerome Officer Bob gets paid leave and
every item on the list. “Why are you doing
safety net that the lower class does not
a desk job.”
this?” my mother asked. “I’m just doing my
have. Whites are more likely to be apart
Not to mention these black men are
job,” she snapped. I turned around to see
of the upper class as minorities are more
victims of their environment, raised to
a white woman with kids of her own who
likely to be apart of the lower class, hints
believe everyday could be their last so if my
knew what was happening but didn’t say
systemic racism. It keeps the poor poor, the
life doesn’t matter neither does his.
anything. She gave me a sad face then the
social classes separate, and ensures mi-
In layman’s terms, power plus preju-
employee released us and we exited. Before
norities are faced with struggle non people
dice equals racism. White Americans could
leaving completely, we waited and watched
of color will never experience. Unem-
never fall victim to racism because they’ve
as the employee let other customers leave
ployment, poverty, and healthcare among
never dealt with a system created for them
the store as the Black ones were embar-
Blacks is a prime example of systemic
to fail. When it comes to white America,
rassed and held hostage. My mother was
racism that people choose to ignore.
hurt feelings do not equate to racism —
fed up; she stormed out of the sliding glass
being offended is not an outcome of racism.
doors and the women who was watching
Only a taste of what minorities experience
this happened chases after us. She said she
There is no coincidence that the majority of white America lives in suburban 21 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
was sorry and apologized for what hap-
the same in return then went to the corner
have and this shows just how deep rooted
pened to us. But if you knew it was wrong,
where the other students were waiting for
the different forms of racism are.A learned
why wouldn’t you say anything?
instructions. Parents came and pulled stu-
behavior, isolation has a key role in this as
dents away by groups and assigned them
well. Refusal to exposure created an idea of
different task. The black students were
what Black people are and stereotypes and
It was an average day at band camp; we
left in the corner, giving them the benefit
biases helped mold these ideals. A culture
were deciding what we were going to do
of the doubt we hadn’t heard a task that
that must come to an end.
after a long day of marching in the sun. I
peaked out interest yet. On the counter,
went over to grab some water and started conversing with someone I don’t traditionally talked to. We started off joking but then the conversation took a different turn. I always prided myself on how approachable I was especially when it came to social issues. “Jamia, you’re not really Black; I’m more ghetto than you.” Black skin told me I was from Black descent, and I’ve seen ghetto in all shades and colors. So, why that meant I wasn’t black didn’t make sense to me. I laughed it off because back
“
When it comes to white America hurt feelings is not racism, being offended is not racism.
then I didn’t really know how to react in these situations. I know it was ignorant and offensive to say but not what to say. “Not to
“
Not To Be Racist, But...
be racist like seriously plus sometimes I get
there sat three purses. I saw them when I
nervous when there’s a lot of black people
came in, but I didn’t pay too much atten-
around and I just don’t know why.” “Why
tion to them. There weren’t mine, therefore
The woman in Sam’s Club that knew my
are you telling me this?” I ask her with a
none of my business. A familiar face came
family was being mistreated but she didn’t
laugh. I felt her starting to get nervous,
over, gave us a nervous smile, grabbed the
say anything. White people have a louder
which made me feel bad for some reason,
three purses and walked away. She was the
voice and a seat at the table when it comes
so I shifted the conversation. Why does be-
mother of the girl who told me I wasn’t
to equality. Until white people are as upset
ing the minority make you feel uncomfort-
really Black and that Black people made her
about racism as Black people nothing will
able, and why wasn’t I one of those black
nervous and I now know why.
change. White people must use their voices
people to make you feel nervous?
to make a change, with that being said call How to Call Out Racism
“I Can’t Be Racist I Have Black Friends”
“White silence equals white consent”
out racist Aunt Susan who thinks it’s okay
A culture of mistrust to another group of
to say Black jokes at the Christmas din-
It was two weeks later and our first band
people solely based the amount of melanin
ner party. Knowledge is power so do some
competition. My friends and I volunteered
in one’s skin. She was bred into a culture
research, believe it or not but the education
to work concessions. It was quick, easy, and
of racism and thought because she could
system is slowly but surely trying to erase
early in the morning, so afterwards, we
call me her Black friend that she was not.
the idea of slavery or mistreatment of any
could go to breakfast then go back home
She did not mean to be racist, and as I
minorities throughout history. In 2017
and go to sleep before we had to be back for
watched her mother hide the purses under
minorities shouldn’t have to constantly
our performance. There were band parents
piles of coats I couldn’t help but wonder
educate white people of the injustice that
already there getting ready for us to set up
if she meant to be racist. Of course the
have been done to them, it’s a choice to
as well as other band students. We were
women at Sam’s Club knew what she was
know these things or not.
greeted with “good mornings,” and we said
doing but the other two women couldn’t
CALLING OUT RACISM ON THE DAILY
Call out your racist friends When in a group of people and you notice someone make an offensive joke, try asking “why do you think that’s funny?”
When you’re online If you see an opportunity where you can help educate a person, don’t be afraid to make a comment— especially if it’s a person you know.
Use your privilege It’s important for white people to use their privilege as a way to call out racism in their social and professional circles. DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 22
DANCE IS STILL LIFE An internal thirst for dance sparks inquiry about the CSU dance program. // Tyisha Blade
D
ance has been an energy source to
ergy of dance. While moving rhythmically to
Program were separate until they merged in
my soul for quite some time now.
music, dance engages physically, emotion-
2010, becoming the Department of Theatre
Ever since my high school days of
ally and socially. Dance is usually symbol-
and Dance. According to Lynn Deering,
dancing with Shaw High School
ic to culture encompassing a plethora of
Director of the CSU Dance Program and Ar-
Marching Band in East Cleveland,
genres and dynamics. As a former dancer
tistic Director of the CSU Dance Company,
I have grown an adornment to the feel of
myself, jazz, hip hop, ballet, ballroom, tap,
the dance major was just recently approved
music as it motivates my movement. If I
modern, and contemporary are dance styles
in August of 2017. The dance program origi-
heard music, I felt dance. After years of not
that I have grown to love over the years.
nated about 40 years ago and has two dance
being involved in dance, I began to wonder
Speaking with the students of the Cleveland
ensembles: the CSU Dance Company and the
why my happiness and energy levels were
State Dance Program were inspirational
Viking Dance Team. “CSU Dance Company
at an all-time low. Remembering that dance
moments. They were passionately talented
is the concert dance ensemble... the Viking
is still life provoked curiosity in Cleveland
individuals in the midst of the enhancement
Dance Team performs with the Viking Spirit
State’s Dance Program.
of their capabilities.
Squad for men’s and women’s basketball
Transforming emotion into one
In the College of Liberal Arts and Social
games,” said Deering.
skillfully connected presentation– dance
Sciences, The Cleveland State Theatre and
is a performing art that allows expression
Dance Department offers a wide variety of
the Vikettes, changed their name in 2008,
through body language. The connection
dance style and technique courses, pro-
according to Alicia Millard, Viking Dance
between the performer and the art captures
viding dance as both a major and a minor.
Team Head Coach. The styles the Dance
audience admiration filling rooms with en-
The Dramatic Arts Program and the Dance
Team incorporates are jazz, hip hop, and
23 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
The Viking Dance Team, originally
the dance major here. A lot of our advisors
working with guest choreographer and
did not value dance the way they would
Cleveland native, Antonio Brown from the
an engineer or math major. It is valuable
Bill T. Jones Company. Some of the chore-
and I am hoping that now that we have a
ography from this, and other guest perfor-
major, more students will see the value
mances may be used as a part of the Spring
behind it,” says Dance Company graduate
Dance Concert.
student, DeAndra Stone. With the successful
The annual Spring Dance Concert,
completion of 67 credit hours for the major
held at the Allen Theatre, features the CSU
and 28 for the minor, dance studies add
Dance Company, faculty, staff, alumni, and
to the multitude of dimensions of the CSU
guest artists. “The Spring Dance Concert is
Located in the Middough Building on 13th St, the Cleveland State Theatre and Dance Department is housed in the theater district of downtown Cleveland. Cleveland State’s Department of Theatre and Dance performs in Playhouse Square’s Allen Theater Complex as part of the Power of three partnership between Playhouse Square, Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Play House. Currently, Cleveland Playhouse is hosting a series of benefits shows where proceeds from tickets sales go to funding scholarships for the Department of Theatre and Dance students. These benefit shows feature Cleveland Playhouse productions such as Shakespeare in Love, A Christmas Story, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musicals. The department offers Fine Arts scholarships available to the students as well. CSU Dance Company has a partnership with GroundWorks Dance Theater. According to the department website, GroundWorks Dance Theater is the “in resident professional dance company of the CSU Theatre and Dance Department.” GroundWorks Dance Theater also uses the urban says Dance Team Instructor and
Middough building as a practice facility.
Advisor, Louise Hadaway. The Viking Dance
“Every year we go see their show as a part
Team has tryouts in both the Fall and
of our class and it’s always great to see a
Spring semesters and the dancers usually
professional mirror to what the CSU Dance
the main performance of our performance
perform in CSU’s Wolstein Center at home
Company is” says Katie Parchem, Dance
season...and allows public opportunity
games. CSU Dance Company has auditions
Company Member. GroundWorks Company
to see what goes on here” says Deering.
to become apart of the company for their
members teach classes for the CSU students
Next year’s dates are Friday, March 23 and
shows at the Allen Theatre. The Company is
as well.
Saturday, March 24, 2018. “This is my first
a pre-professional ensemble that is part of
Both the Dance Company and the
year dancing with CSU Dance Company.
the dance major and minor curriculum and
Dance Team work with several different
I’ve only watched the Spring Dance Concert
the Team is an extracurricular activity.
guest choreographers. “We work with guest
before and I am so excited to be a part of
choreographers several times a semester,
it!” says first time Dance Company Mem-
having the new major and are gaining
a lot more than you would in a typical set-
ber, Taylor Moore. Planning for this popular
great insight about the elements of dance.
ting. And I think we’re pretty lucky!” says
event involves two intense semesters of re-
“Dance is very important, whether you use
Parchem. Hadaway, a former Dance Team
hearsals and full dedication to dance, while
it as something therapeutic or if you use it
guest choreographer, welcomes guests and
managing school and personal life. “They
for yourself for the heck of it because you
mentions that some of the students refer
have to make such a commitment to dance
love to do it. When I was an undergraduate
guest choreographers to CSU as well. This
company which also means they have to
student at Cleveland State, we did not have
month, the Company has the pleasure of
take dance technique class so, it’s not just
The students were enthusiastic about
PHOTO BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
“
Dance is very important, whether you use it as something therapeutic or if you use it for yourself...
“
Department of Theatre and Dance.
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 24
rehearsals, they have to take the technique
dance can be challenging but, she added,
classes to train. They are also involved in
that’s also what makes dance fun.
the creative process and, often times, as
The students displayed great discern-
part of the rehearsal process, they will be
ment discussing story telling in choreogra-
given directives where they have to create
phy. “I definitely feel when you’re dancing,
movement material that is also formed into
that you’re expressing the emotions of
the dance,” says Deering.
the song throughout the choreography”
Knowing all too well about the re-
says Dance Team Member, Sidney Adebo.
wards and hardships in the life of dancer,
Parchem is excited about a choreographed
I was in total agreement with the students
piece the Company is working on about the
as we discussed some challenges of dance.
eskimo folk tale that humans and animals
Deshawn Garner, Dance Company Member,
can interchange with each other. “When we
mentions “getting to know your body” as
do the piece, I can’t help but try to embody
a challenging factor in dance. “Once you
the animal. If I were a cat, what would it
understand your body and how it moves,
feel like to have claws and a tail, or move
you can start to work on things such as
around like a cat,” she said. Garner tells his
your feet and your posture,” Garner said.
story depending on his music, his choreog-
For Dance Team Member, Madison Hursh,
rapher and the way the dance needs to ef-
being able to portray the meaning of the
fect the audience. “Just like every song has
“
The students of both the Dance Team and Dance Company all agree that dance is powerful and they take it with them wherever they go.
“
a story, it’s your job as a dancer to interpret that story,” added Hursh.
I feel as though the movement of dance is a story from within that you are attempting to tell your audience with your body. For me, dance was not only a form of art, but also state of mind and a feeling of well-being. It was an escape from the world as well as an expression of individualism, which was also part of the story I was telling. With choreography, I often thought of elements of ‘short story’ telling: character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme. As a dancer, it was my duty to acquaint my audience to the elements of the choreography. DeShawn Garner (left) and Ann Gaeckle (right) practicing.
After discovering all the wonderful
involvement the theatre and dance depart-
mentions that the health care is extremely
ment has in the student community as well
stressful and she enjoys being able to go to
as the theatre district, I found that that’s
dance practice for relief. Ray mentions that
not all the dance program has to offer. Free
she was a former figure skater and keep-
dance master classes offer continuous ex-
ing dance as a hobby is something that has
posure to dance professionals. These dance
been a ‘safe space’ for her. Garner wants
master courses are offered through part-
to travel after college, learning new dance
nerships with Playhouse Square, Ground-
technique and style wherever he goes. He
Works Dance Theater, and DanceCleveland.
also wants to teach. “When you learn all
Also, for the summer months, the dance
this knowledge there is no reason for you to
program offers a three-week high quality
not share that with the world,” says Garner.
dance workshop. The workshop has flexible
Ann Gaeckle, Dance Company Member, is
registration and offer a college credit to
interested in dance therapy. A double major
both CSU and non-CSU students. Last year’s
in speech and hearing and dance, Ann
featured guest artists included Douglass
would like to use the therapeutic aspect of
Gillespie, Monica Barnes, Shannon Bram-
speech and hearing as it pertains to dance
ham, and the Malpaso Dance Company.
therapy and use it to help people.
PHOTOS BY EVAN PRUNTY
The students of both the Dance Team
I informed the seniors to always in-
and Dance Company all agree that dance
clude dance in their lives, no matter what. I
is powerful and they take it with them
shared with them my constant thoughts of
wherever they go. Many of the program’s
dance, and that if I didn’t incorporate dance
seniors are making plans to include dance
in my life soon, I would probably go crazy.
after college. Senior Dance Team members
If it moves you and motivates you, keep it
Rechelle Ray and Kayleigh Hurst both in-
with you. Feed it, water it, nurture it. Watch
tend on continuing with dance in any form
your passion grow. If you don’t, there will
that keeps dance alive within themselves.
always be a part of you that is missing.
These forms include continuing the dance
Believe me, I know. Interviewing Cleveland
master courses, attending dance shows,
State Dance students and advisors was
and possibly auditioning for professional
meaningful, informative, and sensational.
sports teams. (Jokingly, I mentioned that
I enjoyed being amongst young dancers, so
we should just start the Browns Cheer-
full of potential. While I’m not altogether
leading squad! Maybe that could help!)
sure what’s next for me with dance, I do
Ray and Hurst have been dancing together
know that dance is still life.
UPCOMING EVENTS Antonio Brown Residency in Contemporary Dance December 5–9, 2017
Tammy Starr Residency on Korean Mask Dance January 6-12, 2018
Contemporary Dance Master Class with Grupo Corpo Friday, January 19, 2018 in collaboration with DANCECleveland
Theatre Production: Emotional Creature February 22-March 4, 2018
CSU Spring Dance Concert March 23-24, 2018
Theatre Production: Marat Sade April 5-15, 2018
CSU Summer Dance Workshop June 4-22, 2018
ADF in CLE July 24-28, 2018
since grade school. Hurst, a nursing major,
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 26
C A R F D E R TU S E R P RE
N O I T A T N E as been munity h m o c + dia, LGBTQ y the me b l a y How the a tr por in their twisted better. e can do w w o h Moe, and // Olivia s w ie v r pas, Inte rbela Ca A , Stories & ia c r a Ortiz-G Nahomy osen Alexis R : Arbela
y Edited B
Capas
W
hen it comes to the
Devon Chodzin, a student at Kenyon College
wide-encompassing
studying Economics & Women’s and Gender
power of the mainstream
Studies.
media, the inaccurate representation of LGBTQ+
people can help influence an overall positive or negative perspective of certain marginalized groups. Whether it’s the news sloppily covering violence against gay and transgender folks, or the Hollywood industry diluting the experiences of people’s lives, there is still much left to do when it comes to representation on the screen and off the screen. Media corporations, filmmakers, and TV show writers all carry a big responsibility when representing the LGBTQ+ community. On October 6 2017, a Netflix film was released about Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman who was a key organizer in the activism surrounding the Stonewall Riots in 1969. “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” seemed like a positive step towards looking into the lives of the early revolutionary activists during the gay rights movement. However, the backlash it has received is very telling. The documentary, which was made by David France, brought up questions of the lens through which the film was made -- the lens of a gay, cisgender, white male. The criticism mainly came from Reina Gossett, a black transgender filmmaker who is in the process of making her own experimental film, “Happy Birthday Marsha” and has accused France of stealing her ideas for the Netflix doc. In an op-ed piece published in Teen Vogue, Gossett talks about the unethical ways he took her ideas to create the documentary. In the piece, Gossett writes about her vision for the film. “Too often, people with resources who already have a platform become the ones to tell the stories of those at the margins.” She talked about why it was so important to have a film that talks about the aspects of Johnson’s life, and how her experiences still reflect the struggles of LGBTQ+ people today. “So there’s a use of the labor of a young, struggling transgender, black film-
PHOTOS BY EVAN PRUNTY
maker to prop up this multi million dollar thing that’s probably already going to be a misrepresentation of a life that was very much on the margins, very much struggling and not only on the issues of race, gender, sexuality but also on mental health,” said
STRAIGHT CHARACTERS & AIDS The Cure (1995) A coming of age story, when Erik (Brad Renfro) finds a friend in Dexter (Joseph Mazzelo), the two boys hit it off. When Erik finds out that Dexter has AIDS, the two set off on a journey to find a cure and save his life. Yesterday (2004) After learning that she’s HIV positive, a young South African mother must face the denial of her husband, possible repercussions of her village and culture, and her own mortality as she makes it her goal to live long enough to see her daughter’s first day of school. This is the only film ever to be nominated both for an Academy Award and an Emmy.
LGBTQ+ CHARACTERS & AIDS Tongues Untied (1989) This movie combines documentary-style footage, personal and fictitious accounts of the black gay identity, and the struggle of self-expression with the prejudices of the white and black heterosexual society, and the white gay society as well. One of the better received works of director Marlon Riggs, whose work focused on the black and homosexual experience in America, it was released several years before he succumbed to the AIDS virus. Philadelphia (1993) When a man with HIV (Tom Hanks) is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer (Denzel Washington) as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Many LGBTQ+ rights activists as well as historians of film and LGBTQ+ studies have credited Philadelphia as being the first major motion picture to take on the AIDS epidemic and bringing awareness.
FILMS WITH BOTH & AIDS
Creating Meaningful Narratives This brings into light how Hollywood and media corporations go about recreating an individual’s life on screen. “The work that individuals do to advance LGBTQ causes deserves a lot of praise. But when we latch onto these individuals, turn them into hero figures, one thing I think it does is create a profit motive,” Chodzin said. This is something that is not new to the media and entertainment history--there is a tendency to choose specific events and people that meant a lot in the creation of the movement, but if not done right this can create narratives that misrepresent the people and create a narrowed view of the event being discussed. “These life narratives become profitable,” Chodzin adds. “When a life narrative becomes profitable, it can be subject to manipulation in ways that I don’t think are entirely ethical. ” It’s even worse when the identities presented on the screen aren’t represented in the writer’s and director’s chairs. How it Ties in with Representation Today History continues to be in the making. From transgender bathroom bills to President Donald Trump’s transgender military ban, there are more struggles and reactionary movements that are happening in today’s day and age regarding the lives of LGBTQ people. These stories will be reported first through the news media and later re-created by the entertainment industry. They will continue to be written and unfortunately, re-written by creators who might not have
Rent (2005) Rent tells the story of a group of Bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggling with life, love, and AIDS in 1980s America. Several of the characters are named after writer Jonathan Larson's friends who died of AIDS. The film received the Satellite Award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical for Rosario Dawson.
the best idea in mind.
Dallas Buyers Club (2013) Winner of 3 Academy Awards, starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, this film tells the story of electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof. In the late 1980s he worked around the health system to help AIDS patients get the medication they needed after he is diagnosed with the disease himself. The film is based on a true story.
nessed and gotten on board with a growing
“I think for a of people who are 15 years older than us, they might have had the same experience watching gay identities, lesbian identities, bisexual identities especially move to a certain representative status, and we kind of caught the tail end of it,” Chodzin said. “But we’ve kind of witmovement for transgender lives and I think because young people were one of the first people to grasp onto that.” Along with this, we have been seeing more representation, however, we need to stop always looking through the same lens, a fractured one.
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 28
DR. SUSAN REHM Vice Chair of the Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland Clinic Interviewed by Evan Prunty If HIV/AIDS wasn't framed as this "gay disease" as it was at the time, would it have been
treated differently? Would there had been that same kind of stigma, fear, and people
being torn apart and ostracized because of the disease?
R/ If you read some of the literature that was generated in the 80's and 90's, like "and the
band played on" and that type of thing, there was a real sense that, for example, the public
health authorities and others, there was a question about whether they would have reacted
differently, faster, or better. Whether things had
been different, had this been an epidemic in the perceived general population now. Now, the
players back then are still some of the players
now – look at Tony Fauci at the NIH, he has been involved literally from day one and has been an
advocate all the way around. When you see anything now about HIV vaccine, you'll see Fauci's
name on it as well. That whole concept of health advocacy was something that gained strength during the HIV epidemic.
What are some of the things that on a daily
basis that people with HIV have to look out for? What do they deal with on a daily basis?
R/ I think the biggest thing for persons who
are HIV-infected is that they have a sometimes Would you still call HIV/AIDS an epidemic like
extent it can happen to anyone – not that it's
we're at the point where it's the awareness that
but this is something that is just part of our life
it was being called in the past? Do you think has helped?
R/ I think the level of awareness has waxed
and waned over time. It does seem to cyclic for some reason. Way back when HIV/AIDS was
spread by casual contact or anything like that, reality right now.
How did the stigma surrounding AIDS affect the information spreading about it?
first being described, a lot of people called it a
R/ The stigma is something that I think a lot
where most of the publicity was. But, because
we were first learning about all this stuff, there
essentially, people who were injection drug
worse, having this horrible disease at that time
with infected blood or blood products in addi-
lies who were torn apart by all of this and so on.
each other – all of these folks were at risk for HIV
is this enlightened conversation that people can
there's a tendency to try to marginalize it and
as it was thirty or forty years ago. It's something
groups and I'm fine" and so on down the line.
more objectively about – less judgmentally
"gay disease" so to speak and that was probably
about. And when again back in the 80's when
this infection can be spread by any body fluid
were so many tough conversations. What was
users or people who had received transfusions
untreatable or how you got it? There were fami-
tion to people who had intimate contact with
I think one of the things I'm thrilled to see now
infection. And, I think with any difficult disease,
have about it. In my mind, it's not as stigmatizing
say, "well, you know this only happens in certain
people can first of all treat and secondly talk
What we saw in the decade or so after HIV/AIDS
about.
was first described was the fact that to some 29 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
somewhat complicated medication regimen that they need to keep up with. I’ve had patients say
to me, “every time I take a pill, I think about this.” On the other hand, it is that close adherence to
taking the medication that is the most important
thing. Even a few missed doses could be a problem in terms of resistance showing up or other
things. The main thing I think is the medication regimen. Going to the doctor’s periodically or
your health care providers are other things. The rest of it is pretty much what we should all be
doing to try to keep ourselves from getting new infections. If someone’s immune system isn’t
quite right and they are exposed to something new, they might get a worse case than anyone
else. But, I’m not talking about things like colds. I am talking about things like getting a flu vaccine once every year, having a relatively healthy life-
style, not doing things that would introduce you to new infections.
* Watch the full interview video on thevindi.com
AIDS AWARENESS & REPRESENTATION // Olivia Moe Like most routines, whenever I am walking home from class I look at my surroundings but do not actually see them. I know I pass Mather Mansion, cross a bridge, and the last thing I do before entering my apartment building is notice the neon lights from the sign of the dentist office and barber shop across the street that never seem to close. However, there was a day a couple weeks ago where while on my usual walk I heard the loud crank of a metal gate shutting and for the first time really noticed the building it was garding: The AHF Pharmacy. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) mission is to provide advanced medical care designed specifically for HIV-positive clients and are often part of the research teams testing new medications to fight HIV. With locations around the world they serve over 800,000 patients. Cleveland’s pharmacy is one of two in the state of Ohio, the other being in Columbus. Ninety-six cents of every dollar directly funds AHF’s HIV/ AIDS programs and services domestically and abroad. Now, until I searched their website I had little to no idea what the large brick building was or who was working inside. In a dark comedic way it could be compared to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. You never see someone go in, and you never see someone come out. It got me thinking of how many like myself passed the building each day and was not aware of what it exactly was. It also made me ask myself what did I actually know about HIV and AIDS other than what basic curriculum I received in high school. I also wondered how truly aware most people were about the topic other than the images we see on the TV and in film. For a refresher I found the website for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can hide for long periods of time in the cells of your body and attacks your T-cells or CD4 cells (these cells to fight infections and disease). If HIV invades them, transferred in specific human body fluids including blood, semen, and even breast milk, it will use them to reproduce, and then will destroy those cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of your T-cells that your body can’t
fight infection and disease. If this happens,
to watch that’s theme was about HIV and
the infection can lead to final stage of HIV,
AIDS. Based on their other “suggested
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
films” I ended up making a long list of films
(AIDS.)
ready for a viewing. After watching the Medical Factors
trailers for most of them I found that the
The recent stir on the topic of AIDS research
depiction on screen does not always match
and funding in recent news offers little
the depiction in the facts of real life. Most
hope to those who are either learning about
of the films result in the eventual death of
their own disease or for someone they love
the patient. Some are peaceful, others are
and is affected by the disease. Due to the
terrifying. Yes, we all die, but not every pa-
recent changes in healthcare and recent
tient dies an uncomfortable death like those
cuts to funding for HIV and AIDS research
in the trailer.
and prevention in order to cut back the opi-
Film is one of the strongest influential
oid pandemic, there is concern that patients
artistic, commercial, and ideological me-
will face higher premiums since HIV is now
diums within the last century. Despite the
considered a preexisting condition. There
touch of creative license in each film, in-
is also concern for those who receive a low
cluding documentaries, many can construct
income that their insurance and access to
their view on reality based on what they see
treatments and screenings will be cut or
on the silver screen. Film is influenced by
even eliminated. Also recently, a Georgia
society, and in turn society is influenced by
state representative, Dr. Betty Price the wife
film. This, to a degree, holds filmmakers
of former federal Health and Human Ser-
to a certain level of responsibility of what
vices secretary Mike Price, was in hot water
they are teaching their audiences about the
for outraging allies of those affected by
world around them and the human race.
AIDS and HIV with her comments on quar-
There is a short but impactful span of
antining those with the disease to prevent
cinema history that focuses on HIV/AIDS
the spread of the disease. After an apology
where it is not merely hinted at but vividly
was demanded by local and national sup-
aware to the audience. Various narrative and
port groups, Dr. Price delivered her apology
documentary films have addressed the topic
for the wording she used.
in a variety of ways, including the brutal-
While continuing my adventure
ly honest to the tender historical fiction.
through the internet to get the bad taste
Although most characters affected by HIV/
out of my mouth after reading these various
AIDS were LGBTQ+ there have been films
articles, I came across a list of yearly events
where the main focus was a heterosexual or
that support those who have (or have died
cases where both the LGBTQ+ community
from) HIV/AIDS. It was an oasis in the mid-
and members of the heterosexual commu-
dle of the desert.
nity are both involved with the illness. Regardless of how one supports AIDS
Representation Through Film
Awareness Month, either by wearing the red
December 1st is recognized as World AIDS
ribbon, researching, or even volunteering
Day is held each year and is an opportunity
at events or clinics, it is wise to, because
for people worldwide to unite in the fight
there is no single face of AIDS. What affects
against HIV, show their support for people
the person next to you might affect you or
living with HIV and to commemorate people
someone you love someday, whether it is
who have died. Most wear a red ribbon, the
AIDS, cancer, or other life changing illness-
international symbol of HIV awareness and
es. This is not a threat or a curse on you and
support. World AIDS Day was the first ever
your family, but it is something to reflect
global health day and the first one was held
on, with the TV turned off.
in 1988. It also kicks of the first day of AIDS
* Read the full story at thevindi.com
Awareness Month. Although one could wear a red ribbon proudly in support of those who have been diagnosed or have died from the disease, there had to be more that I could do and that others could do. After a quick search
If you or someone you know is looking for more information about prevention, testing, treatment, or other forms of support regarding HIV/AIDS visit communitysolutions.com or call (216) 3573327 for a complete list of resources.
of other ways to support those affected by AIDS I came across a small list of films
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 30
// Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia On March 3rd, 2016, Lexa, a beloved lesbian character played by actress Alycia Debnam-Carey from sci-fi TV show The 100, died. Lexa had imprinted herself on so many people from the LGBTQ+ community, after her death LGBTQ+ fans from all around the world expressed their frustration through social media. But it was more than that; Lexa’s death contributed to the “Bury Your Gays” and “Dead Lesbian” media tropes. LGBTQ+ fans were baited with the introduction of Lexa and just when they began to love her, the writers from the show took her away from them. Bury Your Gays You might be thinking what is the big deal, as characters on TV “die all the time.” According to a non-profit organization called LGBT Fans Deserve Better, whose mission is to educate people on harmful negative LGBTQ+ representation in the media, they state that in US television (or TV produced for american audiences) there are over 1.8 million straight characters and only 553
Veronica Lodge, at a cheerleading tryout
couple on a TV show gets in an argument
on several promotions and trailers for the
the conflict would last for at least 2-3
show to draw the attention of the LGBTQ+
episodes or sometimes one full episode,
community. However, after getting the
but with queer narratives it often happens
LGBTQ+ community’s attention, the writers
that the couple would have a fight scene in
at a panel in a fan convention said that
one scene and later in the next scene of the
there would not be a romantic relationship
same episode it is resolved. In all/most TV
between Betty and Veronica. The CW has
shows straight couple narratives get a lot
suffered from queerbaiting issues before
more screen time than our queer couples,
with TV show Supergirl and The 100 as
recently it was a bit controversial when on
well. The show Supergirl does have a queer
the TV show Supergirl one of the actresses
relationship narrative, but besides that nar-
in the lesbian relationship, Floriana Lima
rative fans of the show have also started to
who plays Maggie Sawyer (girlfriend of Alex
note that interactions between main char-
Danvers) on the show, was demoted from
acter Kara Danvers (Supergirl) and Lena
a series regular to a guest star on the show
Luthor have homoerotic themes. Although
which let fans know that the relationship
the writers have specifically said that Kara
will suffer and there would be a lot less of it.
“
is straight, fans of the show can’t help but see a potential relationship between the
LGBTQ+ fans demand better from media creators.
Lesbian/Bisexual characters on TV. 21.2% of lesbian and 32.1% of bisexual characters on American scripted TV shows between 19762016 have ended up dead. With the list of dead lesbian/bisexual characters now at 162 (and counting). Many TV writers and producers choose to “kill off” their gay characters for shock value, others are killed off to benefit their male counterparts so there’s a possible heterosexual relationship, or to “not deal” with the lesbian storyline anymore. Many networks such as the CW and Freeform are known for killing off many gay characters from TV shows like The Vampire Diaries, The 100, Pretty Little Liars, and more. Queerbaiting Going back to the network the CW from having issues with the “bury your gays” trope, it also carries a lot of issues with queerbaiting. Queerbaiting basically refers to creators of shows drawing in queer audiences for better ratings without really having any intention of showing an LGBTQ+ relationship on screen. The new CW show Riverdale used a kiss scene between two female characters, Betty Cooper and 31 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
LGBTQ+ fans demand better from media creators. We deserve better. LGBTQ+ fans everywhere crave to someday have
“
LESBIAN REPRESENTATION
two. Although the writers have stated that the relationship won’t happen they have noticed the popularity between the two. Therefore, they have written in more scenes between the two with romantic themes which would make it queerbaiting due to the fact that the writers are only doing it because of the popularity of the couple. The cast of Supergirl even mocked the fact that queer fans want the relationship between the two to happen at a San Diego Comic Con interview. The LGBTQ+ community is not to blame for craving the much needed representation since the writers are the ones creating the scenes insinuating the relationship will move forward only to get better ratings. On Screen Time Even when TV shows include queer narratives in their stories it doesn’t always mean that it’s a good portrayal or the full picture of a relationship. A lot of the time the problem with queer narratives is that the plot for that relationship always feels like an afterthought. Normally when a
the same equality, relationships, hopes and dreams of representation as any other straight character on TV.
GOOD REPRESENTATION Nicole Haught and Waverly Earp, in Wynonna Earp A sci-fi TV show about sisters Wynonna and Waverly Earp trying to break a curse on their town, their task? Kill all the demons terrorizing Purgatory. The show depicts a realistic “coming out” story. It also depicts the reals struggle of a woman in her first romantic relationship with a woman and the everyday struggles in any day-to-day relationship. Carmilla Karnstein and Laura Hollis, from the web-series Carmilla Moving outside of contemporary storylines Carmilla centers around the story of a sophomore in college falling in love with a lesbian vampire (Carmilla) and trying to save the world in the process. Lena and Stef, in The Fosters The show centers around a lesbian couple that adopts two children, provides a foster home for a troubled girl and Stef’s biological son. The show does an incredible job at depicting a realistic married queer couple, the struggles of raising children and living with current social issues. Yorkie and Kelly, in Black Mirror (Season 3, Episode: San Junipero) This episode from the Netflix sci-fi anthology series, Black Mirror, depicts a biracial couple who fall in love when Yorkie visits a beach resort town named San Junipero where she meets extrovert Kelly.
“
There’s not too many people of color represented in the LGBTQ community, esecially in the news media...
“
Namaris Carrion Psychology + Kai Flowers Black Studies How have you seen the representation of the
N/ I think most of the people that have been
better or force?
the LBGTQ community are white people.
LGBTQ+ community change in the media for N/ I don’t think it’s changed that much. It’s still jut the typical gay man. K/ Gay white man… N/ There’s not too many people of color represented in the LGBTQ community, especially in the news media…
K/ Especially with trans people, but usually with trans people, the only time they’re represented in the media is when we’re getting blamed for people wanting gender neutral bathrooms.
Especially when it comes to talking about sexual assault and being concerned about the safety of women, they don’t care about the safety of women until trans people are needing to go
take a piss. Or like when they’re talking about Caitlyn Jenner, even though she’s one of the
worst advocates for trans rights. People don’t really talk about Stonewall, and it was started
by a black, transgender woman. Yeah it was two
women of color that basically started the LGBTQ movement and literally the Stonewall movie was whitewashed on Netflix. It was a movie, I think it got taken off of Netflix. I think it came out 2015.
getting accepted by the media that are part of K/ And plus, another issue is that, when trans people are also represented in the media it’s
herself as labels, but she’s had relationships with women and men.
What kind of misrepresentation do you see in news, the mainstream news?
either a cis, straight person playing as a trans
N/ That transgender people are molesters and
be represented in the media, give us the roles.
transgender person a pedophile, there’s no con-
because they lived our lives temporarily on the
use the bathroom. I know I saw some guy, I don’t
being advocates for our lives.
with the “All Neutral Bathroom” signs that they
Who are some public figures that you do
was like, taking a picture to mock it.
woman--it’s really frustrating. If you want us to
rapists. And violent. You can’t just call every
Don’t just give it to a straight, white person. Just
nection between that. Just because they want to
screen, and people should know when to start
know who he was but he was taking a picture
admire in the media that help represent LGBTQ community? Who you think are a good example?
N/ I haven’t really seen any…
now have at CSU – they just put that up. And he K/ It’s like, is me existing or wanting to release bodily fluids bother you that much? I mean
if you’re that mad about it, just piss outside I guess.
K/ I love Syd, she’s from the internet. She’s
N/ I feel like they don’t really talk about the
about girls and I like that. I would also say Tyler
time that we’re on TV –
queer, she sings and is part of a band. She sings The Creator because he recently came out as gay.
N/ That was great. K/ And yeah, Frank Ocean. N/ Demi Lovato too. She said she doesn’t define
LGBTQ community that much. I feel like the only K/ Is when we’re dead. N/ Or when we’re over sexualized as well… K/ Like the Orlando shooting that happened last year as well.
N/ It got some coverage but it wasn’t broad-
cast as much as other shootings that happen, where a white person had a mental illness or
something. That place was targeted, too. I mean
people were coming from all over to go down to Florida to do that.
Kevin Moran
me, because I’m older and I can kind of process
Do you feel like representation of LGBTQ+ has
freshman who is sort of at that age where you’re
significant changes throughout your life?
understand all of it. To see that message, right
changed over the years? Have you noticed any
pinned down to it just being a mental health
K/ I do feel like it has changed positively but
issue instead of it being a gun issue. It’s the people who obtain these guns that are the issue.
not enough as I would like to see it. And it’s
admittedly something I didn’t notice when I was
N/ I feel like when it comes to violence against
younger, so maybe that’s my perception that has
up a rainbow flag will solve all of our problems,
sented as. Like, cis gender, just slightly feminine,
CSU put up these posters and stuff but they
when I was younger that it was misrepresented
fliers weren’t innocent. They were literally por-
I thought that was normal and then I realized
against black people too. There was also a post-
nity that are not represented at all. I do think I’m
LGBTQ people too, people think that putting
changed. Because I am exactly what is misrepre-
rather than punishing the actual people like,
white male. So, yeah I don’t think I ever noticed
won’t go after the people who actually... those
because I just saw me, everyone looked like me.
traying someone being hanged. It was an image
obviously, other types of people in the commu-
er on top of it promoting white supremacy.
seeing just a handful of shows that are showing.
In regards to the flier incident that happened
I thought, that is the first black lesbian I’ve ever
on campus, what effect do you think that kind of messaging has had on the community?
Like, Master of None. When I saw the character seen on a TV show in my entire life. Or in like
news, or in advertising, anything. I’ve just never
N/ It’s showing people who might be closet
seen that before. Very few transgender charac-
come out and hate. Because apparently it’s pro-
I can think of from the top of my head? So I’m
said that. And that all was handled so…
because of my perception of the fact that there
homophobes, who might keep it under wraps to
ters, I think there’s like two or something that
tected by the first amendment and the president
definitely seeing more changes, but again it’s
K/ I went to the panel discussion. It was a shit
storm. I asked a question, he did not answer it at
all. I said, how do you plan that students of color
and queer students are safe on campus? And he just said go to a meeting. But what is that going to do? A lot of trans people aren’t expected to live past their 30s. Just saying you’re going to
have meetings, that’s not going to do anything.
I don’t want to think about the next thing. I want action to be taken, I want people to say that
they’re allies for the LGBTQ+ community, to
step up and call this out. Instead of being silent and being complacent and just saying it’s free speech. Because there’s limits to free speech. N/ The LGBTQ+ center opened up and it
was nice. But after the fliers came out and the
president did nothing about it, I’m afraid to go in there now.
is not equal representation of each people.
What type of media do you think actually does a good job of representing LGBTQ people?
K/ I actually would say that advertising does,
because it’s cheaper, mainly. If you create a TV
show with a character that is some kind of identity that a lot of people don’t identify with, you’ve
wasted half a million dollars. By the time you get through the pilot, the filming, the casting, everything. Whereas advertising, if you have one bad campaign, you wasted maybe 50k. So, they’re a
little bit quicker to do it. I won’t pretend that they do it genuinely because they want to represent
people but they want to appeal to other people that haven’t previously been appealed to. And
also, working in Marketing, I know that appeal-
ing to people that do not have a product that is speaking to them yet, is the easiest way to sell a product. I do feel like TV is getting a little bit
better about it but again, it’s such an expensive
decision for them to make that they just choose not to.
In regards to the flier incident that happened at CSU what effect do you think that kind of
message being sent out has on the community and what can we do to prevent it? 33 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
it doesn’t offend me at all, or didn’t really hurt
Marketing
K/ And it’s so funny how when there’s a mass shooting, the motives of white killers are still
K/ When I first saw those, like for me personally
it a little better. But I’m picturing the 18-year-old just starting to come to terms with all of it and when you’re trying to understand exactly who you are, you haven’t told anyone, you aren’t
comfortable telling your parents, even or your
close friends – that’s more what I thought about. Not so much someone in my exact position. I’m old enough that it just doesn’t bother me. I will say though, that there’s been huge outpour-
ing of support because of that, I think people sometimes don’t think about it because gay
rights has been a thing for a while, they think it’s not as big of an issue. And I think it’s the same
thing with being white, I often don’t see racism
that exists because it’s not happening to me. So
you have to pay close attention to it. So I feel like a lot of people didn’t think this kind of stuff until we saw it. But actually, at the Rec we even had a campaign that was like, “Everyone is welcome”.
Super simple, not that intense but it’s surprising how many people were totally in support of
it. It’s been nice because sure there might be a certain percentage of the campus who felt
the need to say that, but the huge majority of people were outwardly against that.
What do you think of the media coverage on all of this?
K/ At least from the articles I saw – because I didn’t pay as much attention to the article
because I obviously knew what was happening. And actually, Channel 5 and Channel 3 picked
up my Facebook post and used the same exact words and pictures I used. But I feel like they
didn’t talk about the fact that [the flier] didn’t
come internally from Cleveland State. It was a
nationwide thing, because I’ve heard of at least
three other colleges, including CSU where they had this issue. They almost positioned it as,
Cleveland State being an anti-gay school and
that wasn’t the impression that I got from it actually happening. And especially with people not
knowing as much about Cleveland State, being a relatively small school on the national scale,
it was a little... they didn’t cover anything about the positivity that came out of it. They didn’t cover any of that. I saw them interviewing a
couple students and they were asking them as if they are no longer safe on campus, but this was probably not by someone who goes it CSU.
“
When I saw the character I thought, that is the first black lesbian I’ve ever seen on a TV show in my life.
“
SPORTS WERE NEVER JUST FOR THE MEN
In a poll conducted on social media by The Vindicator, 70% of female participants feel they are dismissed when discussing sports, 14% feel that women’s sports aren’t taken seriously, and only the remaining 14% feel validated. This shows that women still feel undervalued and discriminated against in the world of sports, on and off the field. // Chau Tang
S
ports are not just a male-dom-
sports more,” or another comment saying,
reporter Melissa Ludtke sued the New York
inated field. Female players
“While men watch sports, women should
Yankees in 1978 for banning her from en-
contribute not just as players
grab beers and chicken for them to eat
tering the locker rooms to interview players
or fans but as sport journalists
while enjoying sports.” It’s disappointing
during the 1977 World Series. A federal
as well. Society might think
to see men speak that way about women
judge decided that banning female report-
there are some women who enjoy sports to
as if women don’t have a clue about sports
ers was in violation of the Equal Protection
impress a guy, but there are women who
terminology or understanding the game.
Clause of the fourteenth amendment, so the
are into sports because they are interested
It’s 2017, so you would think women would
judge ruled in her favor and Ludtke won the
or because their parents are. I’m not saying
be taken seriously when it comes to sports.
case. Although laws can be changed, peo-
women know everything about sports,
I’m a female who enjoys not only watching
ple’s behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs won’t
because there are some who know a little
sports but playing them as well. I may not
change easily.
bit about sports,but there are women who
know everything about sports, but there’s
do know sports as much as guys. It’s hard
nothing wrong with still learning about it
by their appearance and generally aren’t
for females to be taken seriously in sports,
and talking to others about it.
taken as seriously. Many people might
it’s often assumed they are just trying to impress a man with sports knowledge.
According to Working in Sports Jour-
Women journalists are usually judged
think women are supposed to be hot when
nalism as a Woman, an article written by
working in the sportscasting field, and
Online, I’ve seen posts of men say-
Brian Clapp in the 1970’s, players were not
some might think “hot” female sports
ing, “Why is this female sports reporter
to be interviewed by female sports report-
reporters are employed just because of
on air? Let a man do it since he knows
ers before or after games. Sports Illustrated
their looks. It’s not fair that this is what
35 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
society assumes when seeing females on
North Carolina Panthers Quarterback
media coverage.
sports channels such as ESPN. Women have
Cam Newton said it was funny to hear a
always been perceived as gentle, naïve, “eye
female reporter, Jourdan Rodrigue, ask
ESPN Ponders the Future of Female Sports
candy,” meaning something beautiful to
questions about routes. To many people,
Journalist, ESPN takes the lead when it
look at without having a mind of her own.
it was taken as funny to hear a woman
comes to diversity in sports journalism and
In addition to that, sports fans, athletes
talk about routes, but when men do, it’s
“they have eleven female sports editors to
and colleagues have harassed women in the
assumed they have more knowledge about
begin with and six of them are employed
field.
the topic. She is a reporter, so it is her job to
at ESPN.” Compared to men, there ar-
be well-researched before asking questions.
en’t many females employed in the sports
presenter and wife of Spain’s goalkeeper
Newton has also called a female sports-
journalism field. Even if there were, females
(Iker Casillas) Sara Carbonera, when she
writer, “sweetheart,” in 2012 – and while
usually hold positions such as sideline
was reporting on the World Cup in South
it may sound like a compliment, it’s not
reporters despite having the same creden-
Africa in 2010. Spain played Switzerland in
professional when a woman is trying to do
tials as men. They are initially chosen for a
Durban but lost 0-1. When the game ended,
her job. Additionally, when searching “fe-
‘higher-up’ position or a promotion in the
the Spanish Press and social media blamed
male sports reporter,” I found websites that
near future. Women in this field shouldn’t
Sara Carbonera. Fans blamed Carbonera
talked more about their appearances, than
have to deal with sexist or misogynist
because they thought she was a distraction
their performances in the field. YouTube
comments about their appearance, because
to the goalie and the same fans ‘made many
has the same problem, because most videos
there are more things to appreciate about a
unrealistic remarks on her lack of profes-
pertaining to female sports reporters are
women like her knowledge. Women should
sionalism and how she couldn’t be a proper
being judged by their appearance with titles
have an equal chance if they have the same
journalist because of her beauty.” Accord-
such as, “The 15 HOTTEST female sports
credentials as a man. It is outrageous that
ing to a 2014 Pew Research study, women
reporters.” I don’t think female sports jour-
women are not given the same chance
are more likely to be exposed to sexual
nalists would be hired if they weren’t good
to have a promotion, or are not taken as
harassment online. Twenty five percent
at their job.
seriously in the field. It’s not funny when
This harassment happened to a female
are women and thirteen percent are men.
Although women in sports have not
In an article written by Alyssa Daley,
women are talking about sports, they aren’t
Dana O’Neil, senior writer of The Athletic,
been taken seriously, women are still being
trying to show off their knowledge. It’s
content for college basketball fans, has said
represented in sports. Forty percent of any
simply their job, so let them do it.
men do not have to worry about sexually
sports participants are females, but only
derogatory insults like women do.
four percent of women’s sports are getting
“
Left: Melissa Ludtke Right: Lili De Alvarez
“
ILLUSTRATION: J. J. ZHAN & YING WU
It’s hard for females to be taken seriously in sports, it’s often assumed they are just trying to impress a man with sports knowledge. DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 36
IN RESPONSE TO
MAYIM BIALIK An opinion piece exposes a tendency to blame survivors of sexual abuse in Hollywood. // Samantha Saker
I
t seems as though the last few weeks of
that then lets them off the hook for a wide
about people who work out or get surgery.
October and November have seen more
range of creepy, entitled and downright
Diets, plastic surgery and personal train-
sexual abuse allegations come out of
sexist behavior.”
ers do not invalidate the feminists who
Hollywood than any other time in history.
use them. Feminism wants women to feel
Many industry insiders and outspoken
“As a proud feminist with little
feminists like myself have wanted to make
desire to diet, get plastic surgery or
their own opinions known. On Friday, October 13th a piece written by actress and
hire a personal trainer,”
empowered and aware of what options they have, some of these options being heart healthy diets, safe plastic surgeries and reasonable personal trainers.
scientist Mayim Bialik appeared in the New vehement reaction from the feminist community and survivors of abuse and assault to the way Bialik beats around the victim blaming bush. One of the things she begins with is claiming, “I have always had an uncomfortable relationship with being employed in an industry that profits on the objectification of women.” The irony is that Bialik is employed on The Big Bang Theory, a misogynist show with no positive visibility or representation of women, queer people or people of color. Her piece does not once mention the privilege and entitlement that white males feed off of in order to gain power. Not once is this abuse of power in Hollywood questioned by Bialik. The piece reads as Bialik patting herself on the back for being “different” and “better” than victims of sexual abuse. Bialik must not be uncomfortable enough to take action against the creators of her show and the white patriarchy it not only upholds but honors. A YouTube channel called Pop Culture Detective recently released a video
Guess what Bialik? Some feminists have
“
personal trainers and plastic surgeons! Oh
We help dismantle rape culture when we support survivors and hold abusers accountable
called “The Adorkable Misogyny of the Big
my god can you believe it? Somebody hav-
Bang Theory” where they talk about the
ing pride in their appearance and wanting
many issues of the show. In part of the vid-
to look hot still doesn’t make them targets
eo they claim about the four main charac-
for assault. Please stop the shame, because
ters “It’s their status as “nerdy, nice guys”
honestly, shame on you for the implication
37 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
“I was always aware that I was out of step with the expected norm for girls and women in Hollywood,” Bialik says. “I didn’t need any of
“
York Times. There has since been a very
that to understand that I didn’t look or act like other girls in my industry.” Do you have an extra toe or something, Bialik? What is it exactly that makes you so unlike anybody else? Last time I checked we were all regular humans who eat, sleep, poop and shower. None of us are immune to any form of violence or hatred. We all just want to feel safe and protected. Am I correct in stating you, yourself are looking for employment in the same industry that these women are? What specifically were these other femmes doing that you were not? This fallacy that some women are “unrapeable” because of their actions or behaviors is offensive and dangerous. A predatory criminal has no reason or justification for their abusive crimes. Thinking that somebody being “too attractive” causes an act of violence to be brought upon them is toxic and terrifying. CBS This Morning hosted Psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz in a discussion about power dynamics in a youtube video titled “Why sexual harassment is about power disparity - not sex.” This interview is interesting because it discusses self loathing, insecurity and narcissism as reasons why abusers cut others down and assert dominance. Saltz
describes the humiliation, guilt and shame tactics that abusers use to keep victims from using their voice. One individual coming forward with their truth and breaking the isolated silence empowers others. This is why we are now seeing women become bold enough to name their abusers, living proof of strength in numbers. Basically, the message you should come away from this video with is that desire for sex plays little to no role in sexual abuse. “I still make choices every day as a 41-yearold actress that I think of as self-protecting and wise. I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy, [...] Nothing — absolutely nothing — excuses men for assaulting or abusing women. But….” “There are people out there who- will How are you actually going to start this next sentence, Bialik? How? You don’t realize that the word “but” fully negates everything that was previously said. I know you’re a doctor, but that’s how language
find you stunning, irresistible and worthy of attention, respect and love. The best part is you don’t have to go to a hotel room or a casting couch to find them.”
works, welcome to English 101, Dr. Bialik. You also don’t get to put “but” after this sentence and act like you didn’t just make the biggest backpedal of all time. I support self preservation and self protection for defense purposes, but the critical issue here is the criminals who assault people, not the ways in which women and girls have to live in fear and protect themselves from things that should not even be happening to them in the first place. We excuse the behaviors of abusers when we imply that self protection is more important than confronting and ending actual abuse. Victim blaming causes abusers to think that their actions are acceptable because it isn’t their fault anymore, the person should have been protecting themselves, right? Or “asking for it” as the saying goes. Nobody in the world is ever asking to be abused. This is just a phrase created by abusers to excuse themselves and justify or rationalize their crimes. Rape culture is literally built on structural victim blaming. We help dismantle rape culture when we support survivors and hold abusers accountable for their misogynist violence instead of holding survivors accountable for constant self protection.
Actually, these women are looking for employment as actors in the entertainment industry, not love. When looking at Hollywood and the entertainment industry specifically, we have to address the baseless implications about actresses being a sexually promiscuous group who are always willing to use their bodies to advance up the career ladder. Actresses are not unemotional, unoffendable people, they’re autonomous people with hearts and brains that can feel pain and trauma. An actress being willing to do something like a sex scene does not equate to a free pass to treat her however you want. Rarely are assumptions made about men based on what they are willing to do or the the way they present themselves. These bold assertions about women come from powerful, predatory people like directors or producers who want to look for a way to degrade a vulnerable person who is just looking for artistic validation and employment. This power dynamic is reflected in everyday life outside of tinsel town and is strengthened by pay inequality, and men being in positions of power. Paying women less and keeping them in less powerful positions at work are
daily reminders that abuse occurs because men are given disproportionate wealth and power. It is through these systems that femmes are kept disenfranchised and marginalized. Recently, adding to the unlimited amount of women sharing their stories, Gabrielle Union and Patricia Arquette both tweeted about their traumatic experiences with assault and their stories are utterly gut wrenching. They both were simply existing as young girls when they were attacked. Union was working at her job a place that should be safe from violence and predation and Arquette was simply coming home from school. Try telling these women that they should have been protecting themselves more at the time of their attack and think about how little sense that makes. We must end this shame that women endure for the crimes of others and misogynist body policing. Femmes are held responsible for preventing sexual abuse from happening to them at all costs. Why do we expect all of this from survivors but don’t expect people not to abuse others. Rapists rape human beings, not clothes or looks. I am in severe disbelief that this still has to be said. There are still a massive amount of women out there with internalized misogyny. This is for them to personally deconstruct and analyze. I wish each and every one of them peace and love. Let’s continue to hold abusers accountable for their actions and work to end sexual violence.
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 38
GATHER AROUND
FOR THE HOLIDAYS The holiday season is as good a time as any to embrace diverse family dynamics. // Grace Roberson
W
inter break is an especial-
first-year grad student at Cleveland State,
Mockler expressed the same sentiment.
ly exciting time for col-
originally from Athens, who has been living
“I think it’s very common to come from
lege students; finals are
downtown for the past five years, has more
blended families,” she said. “I mean it is
over and the mind gets a
than one celebration during the holiday
2017.”
much-needed (albeit deserved) break from
season. His parents have been separated
academia. And, for students who live on
since he was in first grade, and his moth-
ter published an article called “The Amer-
campus or attend school that’s far from
er lives in South Carolina while his father
ican Family Today,” its main focus being
where they came from, they get to go home.
remains in Athens.
the growing diversity in American families.
“Home” has a different meaning de-
“This year, I’m going to my dad’s for
In December 2015, Pew Research Cen-
Pew Research Center found in their studies
pending on the person. There is more than
one day, and then I’m spending a week with
that at the height of the post World-War
one type of home, and more importantly,
my mom,” he said.
II baby boom in 1960, 73 percent of all
more than one type of family. While some
Howell is used to dividing time
do have the still-married parents and the
between his parents, and said he hasn’t
their first marriage. By 1980, however, this
comfort of an always lived-in house or
minded it since his parents separated when
number dropped to 61 percent and today,
apartment, some do not. Not all of us live
he was young. When asked if his family
only 46 percent of children live with this
with our parents or have a place that we can
has any traditions, he replied “things are
type of family. Additionally, Pew Research
always come back to, but those of us who do
different every year.”
found that according to most recent data,
are extremely fortunate. Elizabeth Mockler, a senior Marketing
Which begs the question, Is there soci-
children were living with two parents in
16 percent of children are living in what the
etal pressure to have a certain kind of family,
Census Bureau calls “blended families” —
major from Berea, Ohio, spends Thanksgiv-
considering the way families are marketed
a household with a stepparent, stepsibling
ing and Christmas with her immediate fam-
during Thanksgiving and Christmas? We’re
or half-sibling.
ily every year. Her parents are still married
so used to seeing commercials with clean,
and have been together for thirty years.
cookie-cutter families in sweater sets and
fluidity of American families, not just living
grandiose table displays.
arrangements. Change is inevitable as we
“For Thanksgiving, my mom and uncle switch off who has Thanksgiving at their
I asked Howell if he felt like there was
The research also found change in the
grow older, not only with holiday traditions
home. This year, Thanksgiving is being held
any societal pressure during this time of
at my uncle’s house. For Christmas Eve, it’s
year, and he said, “rewind ten years, and
the same thing, and this year, Christmas
yeah, definitely, but now it’s common to
vorce, along with the prevalence of re-
Eve is at my house,” Mockler said.
have multiple families and multiple cele-
marriage and (non-marital) recoupling in
brations.”
the U.S., make for family structures that in
On the contrary, Keanu Howell, a 39 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
but also with the structure of our families. “Non-marital cohabitation and di-
my parents’ divorce was still fresh, holidays
our place of residence was interchangeable
child’s life. While in the past a child born to
were split between my parents — one year
every few years. This year, for the second
a married couple — as most children were
would be spent with my dad’s family, the
year in a row, I’ll be celebrating with my
— was very likely to grow up in a home
next with my mother, and so on. But as I
grandparents who I live with when I’m not
with those two parents, this is much less
got older, I saw my dad less frequently (he
on campus.
common today, as a child’s living arrange-
moved out of state) and holidays were spent
ment changes with each adjustment in the
with my mom’s side of the family.
“
have been like or would be like now if they were still together — especially during
It’s the time of year where we take stock of what we have, and remind ourselves what we’re thankful for.
relationship status of their parents.”
Because my parents have been separated for so long, I’ve rarely had moments where I’ve wondered what my life would
“
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MICHELLA DILWORTH, EVAN PRUNTY, & GRACE ROBERSON
many cases continue to evolve throughout a
My parents separated when I was
the holiday season. Most of my childhood definitely revolved around my mother’s relationship status since she became my primary caregiver after the divorce. Since the divorce, there have been two remarriages and another divorce, which required a lot of adjustment. But, circumstances like these aren’t out of the norm, which is comforting. The American family has diverse representation. It’s the time of year where we take stock of what we have and remind ourselves what we’re thankful for. This year,
three, and their divorce was finalized when
take a look around and notice who’s sitting
hometown at the beginning of high school, I
I was seven. Most of my childhood was
around your table or around the tree. We
felt like the odd one out. I didn’t know what
spent moving around with my mom and
each have our own unique way of celebrat-
it was like to live in one place and have col-
younger brother, from house to house,
ing the holidays with the ones we love, and
lege be my first time moving away. I wasn’t
apartment to apartment. Up until my
no matter how big or small the gatherings
familiar with the stability of having a home
sophomore year of college, I spent every
may be, there is still beauty to be found in
that would always be there for me. When
Christmas morning with them even though
togetherness.
When my family moved back to my
DECEMBER 2017 | VINDICATOR 40
THE SOCIOLOGY OF
EATING MEAT The evolution of the human diet, what caused humans to start eating meat, and why we don’t need meat to survive anymore. // Alana Whelan
A
bout 65 million years ago,
Thus, the beginning of the Paleolithic
dinosaurs had just gone extinct
period began and our ancestors became
and our first human ancestor
hunter-gatherers for the next few million
began to walk the earth. Our
years. However, their diets were much dif-
first ancestor also marked the
ferent than the fad “paleo” diet that many
beginning of the history of our diet. Though
people follow today. According to National
this creature– Purgatorious– probably
Geographic, hunter-gatherers frequently
looked more like a squirrel than a human,
had a very difficult time hunting for food,
its diet consisted of fruits and flowers. Then
and would often go a week eating less than
about 15 million years ago, the descendants
a handful of meat. This means that though
of Purgatorious began adding nuts and seeds
they did eat meat, a larger portion of their
more regularly. Soon, the Sahelanthro-
diet came from whole plant foods. In most
pus– the first species to resemble modern
cases, hunter-gatherers had diets that
humans– came into play as a primate,
reflected the area in which they lived. A
and a little later, the Australopithecus, and
great example of this is the last full-time
they both were dedicated to a plant-based
hunter-gatherer tribe today– the Hadza–
diet. After a few more million years, early
who are from Tanzania and live on what
Hominins, a word used to describe present
they find, like tubers, berries and baobab
day and extinct ancestors to humans, finally
fruit. The Hadza get about 70 percent of
began eating meat for a possible variety of
their calories from plants. Like the Hadza,
reasons.
most hunter-gatherers in the Paleo period
One of these reasons came about two
still acquired the majority of their calories
and a half million years ago when the cli-
from plants because animals weren’t always
mate began to shift– less rain fell and many
easy to come by. They often craved meat
rainforests were turned into grasslands,
because when they actually were able to kill
making fruit and vegetables less abundant.
an animal, it was a treat for them.
Hominins were also able to walk on two legs, which made them more capable of hunt-
41 VINDICATOR | DECEMBER 2017
The Agricultural Revolution
ing than our chimp and gorilla ancestors.
It is undeniable that our ancestor’s carniv-
Though the earliest Hominins had guts that
orous habits stuck around, transforming
would not have allowed them to eat meat–
into something unlike hunting and gather-
as their organs resembled those of leaf-
ing when the agricultural revolution began
eaters– later on, as they began adding nuts
around 10,000 years ago. Scientists are
and seeds, their guts may have evolved in
still not certain what exactly caused the
order to handle fats better. This means that
agricultural revolution, but what they do
if the earliest Hominins had eaten a meat-
know is that the beginning of agriculture
heavy diet, like that of most Americans
prompted a major shift in the way humans
today, they would have suffered twisting
ate and thought about food. According
of the colon and possible death. However,
to National Geographic, as early farmers
as our ancestors added those fattier foods,
began to depend on crops, the human diet
their bodies started to be able to handle
became much less nutritionally diverse than
the dietary differences, which would have
that of hunter-gatherers. However, there
therefore made it easier for them to digest
are some unquestionable advantages. A few
meat.
of these include that it helps to control the
food supply and makes it possible for cities
cows and chickens that were once free to
acres of land in the U.S. is used to grow feed
to grow and for people to have professions
live normal animal lives became the genetic
crops for animals, but instead, that land
other than finding food to bring home to
mutations of human greed and violence.
could be used to grow food for humans. To
their families. Also, agriculture can be done We Don’t Need it Anymore
means vastly changing the environment.
Celia Steele probably did not expect that her
we are currently doing so simply because of
small mistake would spiral into the massive
the resources it takes to raise them.
The large scale of agricultural use has
raising animals for food on the scale that
resulted in a significant detriment to the
corporate enterprise that it is today. Before
environment. Along with learning how to
factory farming, raising animals for food
lives of these millions of animals being
force the land to grow certain crops, the
was a normal practice for most families,
killed and used for meat every day. Endur-
domestication of animals was a major part
it was an honest way to get protein a few
ing brutal conditions, animals suffer illness
of the agricultural method, and has since
days a week and did not require loads of
and many die before they are slaughtered
become one of the most taxing processes on
antibiotics and inhumane living conditions.
from disease. These animals are able to
the planet. However, in the beginning, the
Today, processed, chemical-filled foods are
think and feel pain just like humans, and
eat were locally raised, and free to roam and graze as they pleased, so it was no question where their meat was coming from. Along with this, far less people lived on the planet, and they ate less than half as much meat than is eaten per person per year today. Now, the average American consumes 270.7 pounds of meat per year, which is more than almost every other country on the planet. In addition, around 94 percent of meat eaten in the United States comes from factory farms, which developed as a faster farming method in the early twentieth century. The Beginning of Factory Farms As the world faced major shifts during the industrial revolution, many inventions came into play that changed the course
“
often the cheapest, most convenient way to
It is not unreasonable to consider the
humans are inherently empathetic, which means that it is not within our nature to kill. It is even seen in the way we our physically built. We cannot eat raw meat like
Factory farming was almost an accidental invention.
“
animals that the majority of families would
normal carnivores can, and we share similar characteristics to average herbivores. Our chimp– like hands are good for peeling, our jaws good for grinding, like horses, and our intestines are ten times our body length, while average carnivores’ are only three times theirs. Despite all of the signs telling us not to eat meat, it is understandable why the majority of people continue to eat it today. It is what’s available, cheap and socially acceptable. It is a staple in most cultures throughout the world and yes, to many, it tastes good. It is not, however, the diet we’ve evolved to have. Now, in most developed countries, we have access to an abundance
of history, and factory farming was one
get a lot of calories in one meal, making it
of different kinds of foods, which would be
of these. Factory farming was almost an
easy for many families to eat cheap, albeit
a dream to our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
accidental invention. In 1923, Celia Steele,
unhealthy. Processed foods have been at-
We are able to get proficient protein and
a woman who managed her family’s small
tributed to heart disease, obesity and other
every other nutrient our bodies need from
chicken flock in Delaware, accidently or-
related diseases, and processed meat is
plants (apart from B12). Therefore, con-
dered 500 instead of 50 birds. She decided
responsible for an immense portion of that.
sidering going back to our roots, before the
to experiment with them, was able to keep
In addition to the health issues that
paleo period when our ancestors ate only
them alive for long enough, and by 1935 had
arise from putting chemicals into our
foods that came from the Earth, may also
250,000 chickens being raised for food. This
bodies, our greed for meat has contributed
compel us to eat what we are truly meant to
then spiraled into many other inventions
to hunger and malnourishment throughout
be eating– plants.
that increased the efficiency and amount of
the world. The Earth has seen an enormous
chickens being sold for food. Ten years after
growth in population, from 1.65 billion
this incident, Delaware became the poultry
people in 1900 to 7.5 billion in 2017, and it
capital of the world.
is only continuing to rise. If humans want
Then in the 1940’s, drugs and antibi-
PHOTO CREDIT GOOGLE IMAGES
sustain the future, we would need to stop
in almost any part of the world, even if it
to survive in coming decades, the Earth
otics were incorporated into chicken feed
has to be able to sustain a massive amount
so that farmers could produce the most
of people. The sad truth is that right now,
meat for the least cost. These same tac-
around nine million people die each year
tics were applied to raising pigs, turkeys,
from hunger. However, if we take steps to
cows and others. All of these animals were
fix this problem, everyone can easily be fed,
and are genetically engineered specifically
but that would mean making major changes
to produce meat for humans with the use
to our western diets that we are so used to
of hormones and antibiotics. The original
today. According to Cowspiracy, 345 million
Last Night I Dreamed By Nick Churma
Last night I dreamed of a large, mechanical pipe organ in a 19th Century Spanish church; here lived a priest with a crooked back named Brad. I dreamed I met a man, a machinist, who built clean rooms and proprietary widgets. Last night I dreamed of a patio, I was on a patio in Kansas City, Missouri. It was raining and then “BANG” — a city bus got a flat tire and was then towed away and I stayed up until midnight drinking red wine there. Last night I dreamed of a Starbucks, with $1 bananas and women with buzzed heads and others with Coach bags and Iced Caramel Macchiatos. I was writing a research paper on non-suicidal self-injury & suicide and reading Camus. Then I waited in line for the “one holer.”
PHOTO BY EVAN PRUNTY
This morning, a woman in a viridian dress walks by the long, horizontal window of a breakfast restaurant. A man assesses cheek bones and hair bounce and gait — he runs calculations to prove it’s not The Lost Her. The equations disappear with her down the sidewalk, unsolved.
PHOTO BY PXHERE
Depression By Chau Tang “What’s it like, feeling like you’re going insane?” An old friend had asked I froze, felt there was a lump in my throat. I’m not sure how to respond. Should I start by saying how I feel like my life is falling apart? Old friends part ways, no job in place, and emotions are running all over the place So much stress consuming you, feeling you don’t have a place to escape to because all your relatives rely on you to run the house. “I’m trying to make it through. I’m trying to live and not just survive.” It usually feels like your life isn’t yours. You’re just a character but not the narrator. You pick fights more often with loved ones and even strangers. Anger goes through your mind and the next thing you know, you’re picking up hot coffee and throwing it at someone because they accused you of something you didn’t do but they wouldn’t want to see your side of the story. Your mind keeps saying, “You suck” everyday. It’s like your mind is letting you down, beating yourself up without a speck of hope. It’s like you’re in the middle of the ocean. Your body wants to stay afloat but an anchor-like feeling pushes your head into the water. In your dreams, you imagine yourself seeing your body underwater. You would see it floating in the middle of the ocean underwater, lifeless. Hoping there would be no more emotions but when you wake up, you’re emotionally drained from everything that consumes your energy. You’ve been sad for so long, you’re not sure when was the last time you felt happy and in control. Everyone is trying to figure life out but each day can be harder then the last. It depends on how you handle situations. I hope one day we all find peace.
Artemis By Sidney Berry The man Had continents Drifting apart On his back
Said it was a reminder of home
Like A bird in a cage We admire Its wings WE Made it a symbol For freedom Then trap it in our mouths Grind insecure boys Spit men out This is how he recalled his graduation When boyhood finally evolved into a cage Made of teeth Ready to spit out slander Like daggers though his own image The man Left a book in the sand by the shore Told his words to sink
18 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2016
Folded his arms to avoid attachment Connected himself to clothing lines with clips to his skin Like his tears would air dry The man Was delicate Like fabric Smeared green eye shadow on his eyelids Before Blacking out
Ate roses to remember how his name tasted After they plucked it And gave it to strange women The man Had Freckles shaped like hearts
ILLUSTRATION BY PAIGE BOWERS
His head would depart from his body whenever he made love
MARCH 2016 | VINDICATOR 19