Vindicator Cleveland State University’s Arts and Culture Magazine
MAR 2017
inside the women’s marches on the ground in DC & in CLE
+
why women marched
the hijab, Islam, and peace learn the facts about different cultures
female activists inspired and engaged in CLE
kickass feminist booklist
arm yourself with knowledge
MAR 2 Letter from the Editor 3 Contributors 4 Online 6 Calendar ARTS 7 A History of Books 9 U nderrated, Female-Lead Films 11 Big Bad Feminist Booklist CULTURE 13 The Rise of Cybersexism 15 G uiding Direction: The Power of Culture 17 The Life of a Multi-Faceted Female American 19 A House Divided FEATURE 21 Women in the Resistance 23 B eing a Woman 25 T he Hijab: More than Just a Cloth 29 Why We Fight SOCIAL 35 Obamacare: Moving Forward 37 Painted Not So Pretty 39 An Illnedd You Can’t See 41 Viking Expeditions POETRY 43 Yae or Eyes, a Sparrow in Ohio 44 Little Boy Blue 45 While it Rains 46 Katie
29 Women’s March
Women across the world marched in unity for equality.
EDITOR’S LETTER
RESIST & PERSIST
T
here is power in numbers, especially if a great number of people consistently chose to persist in achieving what is right. Persistence can be enacted in many ways, and that’s what we planned to do that with this issue for women’ history month. This month, we talk about the different ways we’ve fought, and the new ways in which we’re continuing the battle. But to put it simply, this month, we’re talking about marching. Whether it’s through the steps we take or the words we dare to utter just a little louder. Our cover story, by Elisabeth Weems talks about a truly historical event that occurred just a few months ago, when millions came together for the Women’s March in Washington and around the world. Benjamin Heacox writes about the trials and tribulations of political conflict within his family, and how this
can be applied to how we relate to each other as a nation. We also have Alexis Rosen interviewing transgender women about their experience and Joe Schmittgen talking to the Muslim Student Association about Hijab Day and Cleveland State. I’m very proud of the immense amount of work and creativity our staff has put into this issue and this school year. This will be my last Editor’s Letter for the year, but we still have one more issue in April coming up, so make sure you are reading and letting us know what you think! I feel ecstatic to be a part of this publication and to see all forms of creativity coming together, whether it’s through eye opening writing or breathtaking design. The Vindicator is proud to always create content that not only informs, but also challenges. And now, more than ever, we will challenge. And we will persist.
ARBELA CAPAS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 2
Faculty Advisor Julie Burrell Media Specialist Daniel Lenhart
CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief Arbela Capas Art Director Nicole Zollos Managing Editor Holly Bland Culture Editor Elisabeth Weems Arts Editor Benjamin Heacox Feature Editor Alana Whelan Online Editor/Junior Designer Michella Dilworth Assistant Art Director Andriana Akrap Junior Designer Alyssa Miller Poem Designer Jessika Williams Poem Designer Mikayla Colston Contributing Writer Greg Elek Contributing Writer KC Longley Contributing Writer Caitlin Berry Contributing Writer Joe Schmittgen Contributing Writer Nicole Zollos Contributing Writer Chau Tang Contributing Writer Arbela Capas Contributing Writer Caitlin Cole Contributing Writer Louis Wallee Contributing Writer Alexis Rosen Contributing Writer Holly Bland Contributing Writer Elisabeth Weems Contributing Writer Dorothy Zhao Contributing Writer Alana Whelan Contributing Writer Benjamin Heacox Contributing Writer Brenda Castaneda Disclaimer Magazine theft/fraud is a crime. Single issues of the vindicator are free, to obtain copies contact the Vindicator or student life. 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.
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THEVINDI.COM Watch our interview with Cleveland State art student Paige K at the DonaldTrump Protest in downtown Cleveland
I didn’t think I would ever experience something as huge and exciting as I did this past Saturday at the Women’s March on Washington. I have never seen so many people in one place at one time who were standing up for the same reason, which in this case was equality.
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what’s happening in...
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MARCH 8
Pure Color: Pastels from the Cleveland Museum of Art Pure Color: Pastels from the Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates pastels made from the second half of the 19th through the early 20th century, “a remarkably creative period of richness, diversity, and experimentation in the use of the medium.” Visit the exhibit in Gallery 101. Oh yeah, and it’s free! Through March 19th
11150 EAST BOULEVARD
6
Mosque Tour and Talk at the Islamic Center of Cleveland Join Imam Musa at the Islamic Center of Cleveland for a tour and introduction to Islam. This is geared towards non-Muslim people but all are welcome, and is a family friendly tour and talk. “Bring an open mind and any questions you might have about Islamic life, culture, and faith.” Times and dates vary. RSVP on the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus Facebook event. March 6-28 6055 WEST 130TH STREET
17
Wizard World Cleveland Comic-Con Tens of thousands of fans will convene to celebrate all that the Wizard World Comic Con & Gaming has to
Panic! At the Disco— Death of a Bachelor tour at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center Touring with friends Misterwives and Saint Motel, rock band Panic! At the Disco will headline their Death of a Bachelor tour titled in honor of their most recent album. Doors open at the Wolstein Center at 7 p.m. and tickets are still available ranging from $29.50-$59.50 through the Wolstein Center online. March 8th
offer—Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More. Join the fun at the Huntington Convention Center on this weekend of fun. Times vary by date, tickets starting at $35. March 17-19th
1 ST CLAIR AVENUE
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7PM-11PM, 2000 PROSPECT AVENUE
17
Cleveland Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Cleveland Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day the old fashioned way with thousands of attendees on the 175th anniversary of the Cleveland Saint Patrick’s Day parade hosted by the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland. The parade will start promptly at 1:04pm. March 17th
EAST 18TH AND SUPERIOR AVENUE
Cleveland International Film Festival The Cleveland International Film Festival is a celebration of culture & creativity through the art form of motion picture. Over 150 films will be shown & judged, awarding over $100,000 in prizes. The 41st annual CIFF will be held at Tower City Cinemas and will run from March 29th to April 9th. Check clevelandfilm.org to see prices & showtimes. March 29th - April 9th
230 W HURON ROAD MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 6
A HISTORY OF BOOKS The history of writing as a craft, an understanding of the varieties of books that exist, and a list of local bookstores to visit. // Caitlin Barry
18 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2016
P
eople have been writing for
ing keeps your brain young,” says Lauren
entertaining themselves without technolo-
centuries, dating all the way
Gelman, writer for Reader’s Digest. Read-
gy. In order to have a strong mind you must
back to the B.C. era when The
ing strengthens your memory; the brain is
be able to train yourself to enjoy reading
Epic of Gilgamesh and ancient
required to remember very tiny details that
without any technology in your peripher-
religious texts were written.
are not expressed through movies and TV
al view and focus on the little details that
There is so much knowledge and wisdom
shows. Details such as the way a girls hair
make life so unique. While technology truly
written throughout history that we have
moves when she is walking, or how setting
supplements our lives, it’s important to live
been recovering for hundreds of years. So
of a scene can predict the future of the
under the mantra that is is helpful, but it is
much knowledge can be discovered through
story. Paying attention to these details uses
not needed to sustain life.
reading. The writing of philosophers such as
many cognitive brain functions in order to
Plato, Miletus, Socrates, and Aristotle have
help the reader process what is happening
fiction, non-fiction, romance, adventure,
had a massive impact on the Western world.
in the story. Literature captures every nu-
any genre that may come to mind. Going
They have spilled their experiences and
ance of each moment displayed in a novel.
back and reading novels from the people
ideologies in their writing which have been
It is required of novelists to paint a picture
who made romance such as Jane Austen and
preserved for many centuries, now we are
through their words in order to give the
Charlotte Bronte. Or the people who made
given instant access to them today. Several
reader an image of what is happening.
comedy, Shakespeare and Chaucer. Without
hundred years later, Chaucer wrote his hys-
Our brains are constantly focusing
There is an endless array of books from
their incredible writing, John Greene may
terical Canterbury Tales, and Shakespeare
on several things at once. From working
have never gotten the idea to write The
wrote his many tragedies, comedies, and
on a paper, to responding to an email, to
Fault in Our Stars. If it weren’t for Wilkie
sonnets which we’ve come to adore. In the
checking FaceBook, all within the span of
Collins and Mary Shelley, Stephen King
early 1800s, Jane Austen wrote her hilar-
ten minutes. Reading requires undivided at-
may have never had the inspiration write
iously ironic romances such as Pride and
tention, thus strengthening your attention
The Shining and many of his other novels.
Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. In the
span. However, we are living in a technolo-
The horror genre may have never existed
1900s, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great
gy-filled world where our brains required to
if these amazing writers didn’t create it.
Gatsby and This Side of Paradise, along with
process many different stimuli at once. This
Writers such as George Orwell were able to
many other known and loved titles.
has completely diminished our attention
express their deep-seated beliefs through
span. I am constantly pushing myself to
their fiction.
Through reading, I have grown abundantly. My composition has become more
remove all technology from my immedi-
eloquent, and I understand the world in
ate perimeter and instead indulging in an
read and so many novels have truly changed
which we live and have grown to appreciate
amazing book. We are so used to reading
the course of time. The possibilities are
it. There are thousands of books to explore.
things summed up. Our lives must always
endless. These classical writers were the
There is a book for every topic you could
be written within 140 characters. Unfortu-
ones that inspired people to make movies
ever find interest in. If you are anything like
nately, this has caused people to turn away
and share their creativity to entertain the
myself, books can become some of your best
from reading the details.
world. Being able to enjoy reading can be
friends and they encourage you to grow. Before technology existed, reading
People are so used to Twitter restrict-
There are so many different things to
life-changing. Your attention span grows
ing us of our creativity. Instead of sitting
and you can obtain endless amounts of
was a common pastime for people. Read-
and reading a novel, we prefer to read the
knowledge. All you have to do is research
ing was considered a luxury only for the
summed up version on sparknotes. How-
the perfect book for your interest. There is
people of high social class. Now we are
ever, spending time with a good book can
something for everyone.
living in a time where books are accessible
leave you feeling extremely full and alive.
to everyone, we all have the opportunity to
We should be training ourselves to desire
and it has changed the way I view the world.
grow through reading. According to Lana
the full story and all the details which are
Reading brings great happiness to my life.
Winter-Herbert writer for Life Hack, read-
extremely important. Imagine if there was
Reading is perfect for any time whether
ing has proven to slow down and possibly
no detail in our lives, everything was plain
you’re trying to calm your mind before bed,
prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
and ordinary. A world where everything was
or trying to get through an eight hour flight.
Reading requires constant attention and
one solid color and people have no small
Books can take you anywhere, in any time
keeps your brain engaged. Imagine books
quirks that make them unique. Without de-
period you would like. So please, treat your-
as a gym for your brain, the more you
tail, life would be extremely monotonous.
self with a cup of tea or coffee, and a good
exercise it, the longer it will work. “Read-
Today, people have terrible difficulty
I have learned so much from books,
book. You will not regret it.
PHOTO BY ALYSSA MILLER
Cleveland Bookshops That Aren’t Barnes & Nobles: The Bookshop in Lakewood 15721 Madison Ave, Lakewood
Horizontal Books 1921 W. 25th St, Cleveland
Mac’s Backs: Books on Coventry 1820 Coventry Rd, Cle Heights
A bookshop in the heart of Lakewood. It is extremely quaint and welcoming. It’s a lovely place to explore your love of reading.
Another lovely independently owned bookshop conveniently located in Ohio City for Clevelanders to browse for any book on their reading list. Pictured on left.
This an extremely sweet and cozy bookstore attached to a restaurant. There are three levels of this bookstore and many different little areas to explore. This store puts me in a positive mindset to read. MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 8
UNDERRATED FEMALE-DRIVEN MOVIES A look at recent female driven movies you have to see. // Greg Elek
H
appy March. Hopefully you’ve been spending your time catering to all of the wonderful women in your life. To help celebrate the Month O’ Women
I’ve decided to compile a list of some of the more underrated films with female leads of the 21st century. I tried to make this list as diverse as possible, so there should be something on here for everyone. If you can find time between the NCAA exploiting young athletes for profit, and using St. Patrick’s day as an excuse to get plastered maybe you can squeeze some of these in.
Isabelle Huppert
Directed by Michael Haneke
Check out our blog for an extended list of movie reviews! www.thevindi.com
it must be easy when you’re working with Michael Haneke, one of the greatest directors alive. Unfortunately, a movie being in any language that’s not English almost
Starring Isabelle Huppert, Benoît Magimel, and Annie Giradot
automatically makes it qualify for an un-
The Piano Teacher is a drama that follows
International was a little more competent
one of the greatest piano instructors in the world who struggles with being a functioning member of society due to her deep-rooted demons. It’s hard to talk about this movie without spoiling it or going on for page after page about how great it is, so let me try to simplify it. This is one of the greatest movies ever made. Period. Isabelle Huppert is the most talented actress alive, maybe even of all time. She understands that in film less is more, and subtlety is key
9 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
when creating a great film performance but
derrated list. It also doesn’t help that this movie is really hard to find; maybe if Kino as a distributing company and actually printed movies people want to watch they’d make a little more money. I don’t usually support torrenting, but it’s pretty hard to say you shouldn’t when companies don’t easily offer you the product that you want to pay for. I don’t care how you do it, please just watch this movie.
GRADE A+
PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
THE PIANO TEACHER
UPSTREAM COLOR
ie. We’re following characters who are in
Directed by Shane Carruth
this movie at least twice to really grasp
Starring Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, and Andrew Sensenig Upstream Color is a science fiction drama that follows a man and a woman who are suffering from the effects of a mysterious drug that seem to make their minds work as one. If you hate movies that don’t spoon-feed you, require multiple viewings, and really make you think, then this isn’t the movie for you. Anyone who’s familiar with Shane Carruth knows that his movies are incredibly challenging in the best way,
Amy Seimetz
You’re probably going to have to watch everything that’s happening, but don’t let that intimidate you. This movie looks great. Most people go into a movie expecting it to look good, but when you take in the fact that this movie was made for only $50,000 (in 2007 the average cost to produce and market a studio movie was around $100 million) that makes it all the more impressive. If you aren’t intimidated by movies with complex plots I’d definitely recommend Upstream Color; especially if you’re a fan of sci-fi.
GRADE A
INCENDIES
and while every now and again that can be
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
part it adds a lot of interesting dynam-
a little jarring and confusing, for the most
Starring Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Lubna Azabal, and Maxim Gaudette
ics to the mysterious and helps you solve
Incendies is a mystery-drama that fol-
timeline due to something that’s happen-
her recently deceased mother’s dark and mysterious past. This is another movie that qualifies as underrated simply because of it not being in English. This film is probably a bit better suited for American audiences than the average foreign movie because of its pacing. Things happen pretty fast, and it does a good job at keeping you on the edge of your seat. This movie jumps back and forth between two different time periods,
things in your own ways, as well as giving different perspectives on situations in one ing or happened on another timeline. I would recommend this film to pretty much everyone, especially if you liked movies like Polytechnique, Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario, and Arrival, because the same director of all of those movies (Denis Villeneuve) directed this one, and if you couldn’t tell, he has a pretty impressive track record.
GRADE A-
THEY CAME TOGETHER
Nelson days with a very similar tone to a
Directed by David Wain
of acting this cast is loaded. There are so
Starring Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, and Elle Kemper
many fun little cameos placed through-
They Came Together is a comedy that follows
they happened. They Came Together is a
two very familiar romantic leads in an even more familiar movie. This movie definitely isn’t for everyone. The humor is very out there and it’s very relentless with joke after joke. You aren’t going to be falling on the floor holding your gut after every scene, but most will at least crack a smile. We
Amy Poehler
that we feel lost and confused with them.
and that works perfectly for this mov-
lows a daughter trying to piece together
Lubna Azabal
baffling situations so it only makes sense
rarely see parodies done so well anymore. This movie is a big call back to the Leslie
movie like Airplane. Amy Poehler knows exactly what she needs to do and she overacts her parts to perfection, and speaking
out that I never would have expected, but had a huge impact on the movie when refreshingly good parody and even though it might be a little too self-aware for its own good at times, it’s still a blast. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes romantic comedies or just wants to see a parody movie that isn’t total garbage.
GRADE B+ MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 10
Whipping Girl Julia Serano This book is a collection of essays that recount Serano’s experiences with sexism in the Transsexual world. It debunks many of the myths and misconceptions that people have about trans women, femininity, and reveals the ways in which fear, suspicion, and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes. “In trans women’s eyes, I see a wisdom that can only come from having to fight for your right to be recognized as female, a raw strength that only comes fro unabashedly asserting your right to be feminine in an inhospitable world.”
BIG BAD FEMINIST BOOKLIST This month, make it a priority to learn about women! We’ve compiled some books by leading women that discuss topics such as race, the different forms of misogyny, feminism at its core, stereotypes, politics, and more. // Nicole Zollos
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Feminist Fight Club:
You Can’t Touch My Hair
An Office Survival Manual (For a Sexist Workplace)
Phoebe Robinson
Jessica Bennett
Robinson uses her comedic powers to discuss being a black woman in America. This book encompasses race, gender, pop culture, self-love as a black woman, and personal stories of her own struggles on the topics.
A guide to navigating subtle sexism at work, providing real-life career advice, and humorous reinforcement for a new generation of professional women. This book is engagingly illustrated, full of real-world stories, and is sharp with stinging whit.
“I was told this comment was only a “joke.” Hell to the no. I don’t care how chummy we are, you don’t get to be racist in the name of comedy.
“Recognizing sexism is harder than it once was.
There’s nothing funny about reducing me to the
Like the micro-aggressions that people of color
damaging stereotypes that have stuck around
endure daily—racism masked as subtle insults
for centuries.”
or dismissals—today’s sexism is insidious, casual, politically correct, even friendly.”
Women, Race, & Class Angela Y. Davis Written by one of the great civil and gender rights activists, Davis studies the women’s lib movement from abolition to now. As a scholar, Davis’s book is chock full of history, with her narration to break down the classism and racism you may not have noticed back in history class. “Judged by the evolving nineteenth-century ideology of femininity, which emphasized women’s roles as nurturing mothers and gentle companions and housekeepers for their husbands, Black women were practically anomalies.”
Men Explain Things to Me
PHOTO BY NICOLE ZOLLOS
Rebecca Solnit In this book, Solnit gives a scathing look at the dangers of a society that allows men to overpower women, verbally, physically, and mentally. She dissects the larger implications they have on society as a whole to expose the greater dangers of culturally charged male dominance. “So, Mr. Very Important was going on smugly about this book I should have known when Sallie interrupted him to say, "That's her book." Or tried to interrupt him anyway.” MARCH 2016 | VINDICATOR 19
THE RISE OF
cybersexism Sexism and misogyny impact nearly every part of a woman’s life, including digital. Does that make it any less real? // Arbela Capas
I
worry about a lot of things with regards
the internet and what it can do. Now, I’m
to the career I’ve chosen to pursue. I
in my third year of college and we’re still
worry about not being good enough to get
having the same problems that are growing
stories published. I worry about messing
and evolving in different ways. While in
up when quoting sources or with ethi-
middle school, I remember receiving mean
cal procedures. I worry every day that my
messages from people via Myspace, and to-
writing is not original enough and won’t
day I get anonymous messages on apps like
make a mark on the world. But hey, this is
Yik-Yak or Twitter. Nothing has changed,
a worry that every aspiring journalist has
it’s only evolved. Now there are even online
in the beginning. But there’s one thing I’m
chat groups or Twitter accounts specifically
worried about as an aspiring journalist who
made for saying terrible things about peo-
identifies as female, and it is crafting my
ple. The hate has grown and changed, and
career during the growth of social media
as usual, it targets certain groups of people
and cybersexism.
more.
Bailey Poland, author of the book Hat-
student at Cleveland State shares that sexist
when the news isn’t following yet another
hate on the internet is almost too common
extreme example of the price women pay
for her.
for being visible online.” She describes cy-
“One instance that really sticks out to
bersexism as “the expression of prejudice,
me was when I started talking about my
privilege and power in online spaces and
abortion online. I got a lot of hate from
through technology as a medium.”
people that I grew up with and I got a lot of
I think everyone, including the
death threatening messages from women
tech-savvy millennials, are still adjusting
as well. There was this one girl who was
to the power that comes with the advance-
explicitly blowing up my inbox saying that
ments of the internet. Often, we’ve been
I should’ve known what happened when I
hearing stories of people — most of whom
‘opened my legs.” Additionally to this Bland
are in the spotlight — getting harassed for
experienced online abuse during the 2016
voicing their opinions online. There have
Election and got bombarded by hate mes-
always been and always will be conflicting
sages from people to the point where it got
opinions, as well as people who are willing
overwhelming and tiring.
to voice them. But it’s clear that the ac-
There’s always a medium for hate, and
cessibility and connectivity of social media
it feels like people don’t see the serious-
outlets are giving a stronger medium than
ness of it when it’s just through cyberspace.
ever before.
“Just block and ignore them,” some say. A
I remember back in middle school, our
13 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
Holly Bland, a Journalism and Pre-Law
ers, writes that “…hardly a month goes by
lot of times it’s not that simple, because a
generation was being warned about cyber
great deal of this online harassment has
bullying during a time in which we were
deep roots in our cultural foundation. Words
just being introduced to the sheer power of
and symbols can matter, and the stronger
the medium, the more it’s able to shape
comments that are made online and can
will never truly be ‘the great equalizer’ if
culture as well as our perception of oth-
be deleted. Women get comments like this
it doesn’t treat all women with all back-
ers--especially those with less privilege.
on the street, at school or in their place of
grounds with full respect and openness.
work constantly. So when we’re also getting
Digital spaces and interactions have become
the threats through cyber bullying be-
bombarded with these message online, it
very real to us in some ways, so that makes
came gender-specific. Celebrities as well as
creates a whole new level of abuse — an
the pain and abuse we experience just as
well-known journalists who are women get
abuse that now includes sexual harassment
valid. The one way to combat this is to call
very specific cyberbullying, including rape
which reinforces the idea that men have
out misogynists online as you would in the
threats or other insults relating to their sex.
the power to harass women all they want.
real world. Just because a sexist comment is
In 2014, the story that really blew up was
It becomes constant and it begins to enter
on Facebook doesn’t make it less harmful.
every part of our lives.
Just because something is tweeted at you,
that of Anita Sarkeesian, a video game critic who brought up female stereotypes usually perpetuated in games. Sarkeesian made an editorial on her YouTube channel talking about this and the video game community attacked her to the point of death threats. A more recent example includes the incident with Leslie Jones, one of the stars of the new Ghostbusters film who was attacked because of outraged misogynists who were upset by the fact that the film contained female actors. The comments Jones received were not only sexist but also racially charged. On January 19th, 2016 she tweeted, “I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart . All this ‘cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today...wrong.” It’s clear that the environment online towards women can get so toxic that it is impossible to ignore.
“
ing hurt. It is important to realize that with
a woman who is vocal is seen as an enemy.
Online spaces can foster misogyny and sexism in many different ways because it provides a new kind of outlet to express
doesn’t mean you should feel stupid for be-
“
Cybersexism emerged as a term when
The cybersexism that women ex-
bigoted frustrations. It used to be mostly a
perience is reinforcing an age-old concept:
problem coming from people we know in
a woman who is vocal is seen as an enemy.
our circles, but now it’s a whole different
A woman who has any kind of power, even
ball game with hashtags and anonymous
the power of social media and connectivity
accounts. The highest influx of online hate
is seen as a threat. This is a problem just
that I’ve received and seen other women
evolved in a different medium, with a dif-
receive is through Twitter, or in the depths
ferent type of stifling. People like to think
of the comment sections on Facebook. It’s
that this won’t do that much harm—that
interesting that the most hate women get
these are just words on a screen that have
is when they’re defending anything to do
no impact. I hypothesize that isn’t the case.
with feminism--a movement dedicated to
Cyberbullying and online abuse can often
advancing toward equality of the sexes. It’s
lead to affecting an individual’s mental well
clear that a lot of these internet “trolls”
being, so we shouldn’t’ fool ourselves that
even go to the lengths of simply searching
we’re safe behind the screen.
“feminists” in the tags to find a woman
Social media can embolden discrimina-
to harass. These people might not be the
tory behavior as as much as it can help fix
same ones going to feminist marches and
it, and we shouldn’t be naive. It’s time to
counter-protesting, but the internet gives
understand that social media and the online
them enough courage to speak their true
world have become a normalized thing in
views about how much they hate female
our present and future. The online world
empowerment and how feminism is a threat
is a great source of political and cultur-
to them.
al power--stifling this or taking it away
It’s important to note that, given the age we are living in, these aren’t just
from people with less privilege is another form of oppression. However, the internet
each advancement we make as humans, the hate and bigotry often advances as well.
GUIDING DIRECTION:
THE POWER OF CULTURE Culture is a dominating force and must be a way of life for African Americans if we are to survive. // Louis Walee
O
ne facet of human civilization
hopes of helping light candles for the next
came from the racial discrimination and
that has continued to evolve
generation to follow, to further spread the
exclusion of African Americans by Europe-
and manifest itself in different
flames.
an Americans. Also, it was by a tenacious
shapes is culture.
A Way of Life
I’ve been impassioned by culture,
persistence amongst African Americans to
because it’s precious. The purpose of this
create and maintain traditions amongst
article is to accomplish several things:
themselves.
Culture is many things. According to Texas
To give adequate definitions of culture,
A&M University, it is a collective sum of
to explain African American culture, to
rooted in the western and central African
knowledge, beliefs, experiences, meaning,
show how African Americans have retained
cultures of my enslaved ancestors. As a re-
motives, attitudes, symbols and values
elements of traditional African culture, and
sult of acts of terrorism in the forms of the
of a particular group of people. Culture is
to illustrate the significance of culture to
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the system-
expansive, as it embodies notions of time
African Americans.
atic institution of slavery in the Ameri-
(world view), heritage, spirituality, religion,
Black culture is anthropologically
can South, many of the original cultural
African American Culture
roles and relationships (praxis), the nature of being (ontology), and seeks to under-
African American culture, is a distinct cul-
stand the origins of the universe (cosmol-
tural identity that was primarily shaped by
ogy).
traditions of my ancestors were forcibly removed. The impact of this has left some Afri-
the historic experience of the Middle Pas-
can Americans (and non African Americans
Culture is communication, and com-
sage (the sea voyage in which enslaved Af-
alike) to question if African Americans have
munication is culture. How people within
ricans were transported to the New World).
a culture to call their own. It has left some
a particular group of people exchange
African American culture is intrinsically
African Americans to adopt other cultures
information that is learned from one anoth-
unique and different from (mainstream)
as their own, some to create (individual)
er and transmitted among one another is
American culture, yet it is largely influen-
culturalisms, and/or some to hold so-
culture. Essentially, culture is a way of life.
tial on American culture. The dominance of
cio-political constructs and identity in the
It is tradition that is passed down from one
African American culture is felt not just by
place of culture.
generation to the next and is continuously
American culture, but by world culture as
passed down throughout time.
well.
Culture is extremely significant. It is
Cultural traditions have blossomed in
Still many beliefs, practices and values were retained and are practiced by African Americans. These include the following
invaluable. There is not a people who walk
distinctive forms of art (poetry, quilting,
this earth who are without a culture to call
painting), dance (Tap Dancing, Electric
their own. It is a beacon of familiarity and
Slide, Break-Dancing), cuisine (Soul Food)
recognition that advances and empowers a
language (Ebonics, Gullah), literature
Many African cultures transmit their
people. It is a guiding direction that allows
(Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Olaudah
cultures down orally from generation to
for cohesive purpose amongst a people. It
Equiano), music (Hip-Hop, Rap) and reli-
generation as a means to preserve the
nurtures, shelters, and produces flames
gion (Christians, Muslims, Jews and tradi-
culture and pass it down to the next. African
symbolized by the youth who’ll undoubt-
tional practitioners). Much of the distinctive
Americans have retained this characteris-
edly toil hard in the face of adversity in
development of African American culture
tic through the art of rap and storytelling.
15 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
elements:
Orality
During the period of African enslavement,
Ghana and Dahomey in Benin. It has been
oral tradition helped the enslaved retain
observed in the diaspora by Haitian Voodoo
As a vehicle for directive purpose, culture is
their cultural traditions, which was im-
practitioners in Haiti and Brazilian Can-
a powerful apparatus and one that must be
perative considering they weren’t allowed
domble’ practitioners in Brazil.
upheld by African Americans as a collective
to read or write. It is history that is spoken rather than written, and is extremely
Fictive Kin
Culture for African Americans
group of people. We inherited our culture from our forebears, we have an obligation
significant as it conveys emotion, thoughts,
Often times there are individuals considered
to uphold and maintain it. It is our heritage.
and knowledge pertinent to the survival
apart of the family even if their not related
For African Americans consciously prac-
of the culture. It helps give clarity to the
by blood ties (consanguineal), hence fictive
ticing cultural conservatism, the preserva-
meaning of life on earth, and the mysteries
kin. The importance of fictive kin is that it
tion our culture and heritage is extremely
of the universe.
can be a powerful agent in bringing people
important.
together by shared affection, commitment,
Time Orientation
Where there is culture there is identi-
duty, obligation and responsibility. The
ty. We must take pride in our identity, we
African Americans often display a different
nature of fictive kin is apart of the greater
must acknowledge who we are, and just as
time orientation than European Ameri-
extended family model that is very different
importantly be proud of it as well. We must
cans. We often follow “CPT” or “Colored
than the Western-European nuclear family
take ownership of it and hold it as some-
people’s time,” which offers a more elastic
model (Father, Mother and Children). In
thing sacred, treasure it and understand the
and flexible use of time where the needs
the extended family model aunts, uncles,
limitless potential that it holds. If we don’t
of people can be meet. This different time
cousins, nieces, nephews and grandparents
value culture, we won’t value each other.
orientation is often regarded as “lateness”
are apart of the primary household as is ob-
We must respect one another within the
or “tardiness” by mainstream European
served in many African societies. The nature
culture for the ties of mutual respect are
American society who follows a more linear
of the extended family and fictive kin can
enchanting.
time orientation (i.e. By the Clock). The time
strengthen the family structure immensely
orientation of African Americans is more
and helps solidify the culture.
commonly seen on the African continent, as well in Middle Eastern and Latin American
Ebonics
Culture will always carry relevancy. It is important we as African Americans know our culture, to understand the historical circumstances around it and work to build
Many African Americans can speak and
a better future for our people. We must
understand “Ebonics”, literally meaning
understand ourselves first if we are to
“Black (Ebony) Sounds (Phonics)”. Ebon-
understand others. As a people we have to
Blacks are a deeply spiritual people. Our
ics is an Africanized English that can be
foster a cultural atmosphere of self-aware-
ancestors survived because of their strong
traced to the formation of various English
ness and collective consciousness. Knowing
spiritual essence when all hope was lost. As
pidgins (grammatically simplified languag-
where we come from and where we’re going
a result African Americans have been able
es) and creoles (a mixture of two or more
is Indispensable, it is vital if we are to sur-
to survive centuries of cruelty, oppression
languages). Ebonics is a monolithic term as
vive as a people. With a direction, goal and
and sufferings due to our strong spiritu-
it carries connotations outside of African
purpose in mind, we can achieve anything
al orientation. The spirituality of African
American and encoupases the descendents
in this life, we have to know that culture is
Americans comes directly from our Ances-
of enslaved Africans in the diaspora (Ja-
a way of life.
tors, African spirituality is the spirituality
maicans, Haitians, Trinidadians, etc). Often
of people of African descent. It can be found
times the phase “African American Vernac-
within the Abrahamic faiths, as well as in
ular English” (AAVE) is used to describe the
traditional African religions and across the
particular dialect, sociolect and ethnolect
African diaspora. In many African societies
that many African Americans speak. The
the spiritual essence is inseparable from
way that African Americans speak is often
culture, ethnicity and religion.
ridiculed by some European Americans and
cultures.
Spirituality
some African Americans alike (believing
Libation
AAVE is incorrect or improper), but AAVE
The act of pouring liquid or “libation” is
carries all the necessary linguistic compo-
a ritual commonly performed by African
nents to make it a acceptable, structured
Americans as a tribute to our departed kin,
and legitimate form of communication.
giving respects to our ancestors. In popular
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
culture it is commonly seen as pouring li-
Giving Dap
quor to “tha dead homies”, but the practice
Within African American culture simple to
is legitimate and rooted in cultural tradi-
sometimes elaborate hand gestures are ex-
tions of our African ancestors. The prac-
changed by members within the culture as
tice of libation has been observed in many
a greeting, sign respect of recognition, and
Africans cultures, religions and spiritual
solidarity. Many African cultures have their
systems alike such as the Ga-Adangbe in
own variations of “dap.”
Louis Wale e in Afric a, 2015
THE LIFE OF A MULTI-FACETED FEMALE AMERICAN Explaining how it feels to grow up in America as a female with multiple perspectives and characteristics. // KC Longley
G
rowing up in America involves
online, in magazines or on television we
LGBT Community
facing a lot of judgement when
see daily that scream wealth. We are sur-
Being a female in this community is differ-
you fall under certain categories.
rounded by the idea that we need the life of
ent depending on how you identify. For the
While explaining the hardship
glitz and glam to truly make something of
longest time, like many other people, I did
that comes with being a woman is currently
ourselves. I remember wanting to go shop-
not know I was even part of this communi-
somewhat of a hot topic, there are some is-
ping as a pre-teen purely to find anything
ty. Eventually, after many years of ques-
sues we become accustomed to as girls that
brand name that was on sale because how
tions and ignoring my feelings, I felt certain
can make us gain some pretty tough skin.
else would I afford it? My family never had
that I identified as bisexual.
Over the years, I have gained multiple lenses through which I look at life. While they were all in the United States, my
much money growing up and still struggles to pay the bills.
However, there are stereotypes that come with that identity. As a bisexual
Growing up, I never wanted anyone to
female, you get judged a lot of the time
different homes have led me to new people
know that. As a female, I felt I was expect-
by other people within the community,
and experiences. I am aware that other peo-
ed to present myself in the best clothing
surprisingly enough. Because I have a girl-
ple in this vast world have felt some, and in
possible, especially living in a town in San
friend, it is easy for people to assume I’m
some cases more, of the experiences I will
Diego where it seemed like everyone had
just gay. While I totally get that my bisex-
discuss. These hit close to home for me and
money. When all my friends started wearing
uality isn’t visible, it would be considerate
I am sure other women will relate to at least
makeup, I tried to hop on that bandwagon
to at least have a chance to explain before
one of them in their own unique way. Even
as quickly as possible. However, now that I
someone assumes that part of my identity
though we are all different, have lived sep-
am grown and on my own, I’ve never really
doesn’t exist.
arate lives and have our own stories, there
been keen on other people thinking I’m fi-
is one thing that we all have in common:
nancially stable. I don’t share that we aren’t
cheaters or manipulators who just want
We know what it is like to grow up in this
blessed financially, but I’m not ashamed
to get with someone for their own agen-
country as a female.
of it either. Now, when a situation occurs
da, only to move on just as quickly as they
where someone is led to believe I have
came. It is not fair to think of someone like
money, I feel uncomfortable.
this, because who enjoys being thought of
There will definitely be those who are not female that identify with these situations as well. However, I do believe that
I don’t want people to think I have
Bisexual individuals are thought of as
as a cheater? I know I don’t. Do I ever see
situations impact every gender differently.
money because then I worry they’ll have
other people, male and female, who I find
A setting or situation someone is a part of is
preconceived notions about what kind of
attractive? Yes. But does that mean that
set in stone and cannot be changed. Howev-
person I am, what my family is like and
I am going to jump into bed with them
er, the impact it has on someone is, more or
what kind of standards I hold myself to. I
regardless of my relationship? No. Being
less, plastic. The impact molds differently
don’t want them to believe I look down on
queer and bisexual does not mean that my
around someone depending on their gender,
those who aren’t wealthy or to be under
opinions and morals are thrown out of the
their unique stories and their personal lives.
the impression that I can afford whatever
window.
We all have our stories. These are mine. Money Recently, I came upon a personal discovery: While I do aspire to be someone who makes
I want or need in life, because in reality I
In addition, many people in and outside
can’t. I have to work hard for my goals and I
of this community seem to believe being
want people to acknowledge that what I get
queer means there isn’t any room for God
isn’t just handed to me.
— or whatever you believe in — in your life.
There is nothing wrong with having a
That is one thing that I have and always
a decent life for themselves financially, I
lot of money, having no money, or being
will disagree with. My relationship has only
no longer felt comfortable being thought
anywhere in between. It shouldn’t define us
made my faith stronger, due to the fact that
of as someone who is wealthy. When we’re
at all, because money doesn’t reflect who
we both believe that God has an important
young, we tend to look up to those kids with
we are on the inside. Except as a society,
role in our lives and our relationship. Just
designer brands, due to the constant ads
sometimes we let it.
because you have one doesn’t mean you
17 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
God in all sorts of relationships, even queer ones. Mental Health It is never easy to admit when something feels wrong. It takes a lot of courage to even tell someone close to you that you’re anxious, depressed and/or suicidal. It is so easy to ignore the feelings that we have because if we do, we’re not labeled as “crazy.” For centuries, it has been frowned upon to have any type of mental illness. Add on identifying as a woman and it is even harder. As females, we’re expected to have emotions. We’re expected to go into a tailspin of emotion once a month like it is our job. I used to want to hide my feelings because I didn’t want to be perceived of as weak. I now realize that my anger and tears are valid and that I have every right to express them. But growing up as a female and adding some kind of mental illness into the
was just yet. I got used to going, got used to telling people I was on anxiety medication. I
...my different homes have led me to new people and new experiences.
wasn’t ashamed of getting help. I was proud of myself. Except in some circumstances where the people in my life who were supposed to make me feel better made me feel worse. I found myself getting frustrated when I would go to the counseling office, because all of the nurses or receptionists who had access to my file would walk on eggshells around me. Whispering, talking lightly about my issues, asking if I was still sad or if I ever wanted to harm myself. I know these are questions that, medically speaking, they need to ask and I absolutely respect that. However, I do think that treading lightly around a patient only makes them feel worse. I went into that office to get help and that should be taken into consideration when talking to me. Not
put up over the years so carefully, the ones
everyone can, it takes a lot of courage and
that had been holding on and staying up
sometimes getting to that point takes a
issues once I realized a good cry wouldn’t
no matter what life threw at them. Finally,
while, which is perfectly okay. However, I
be enough to fix things anymore. It was
they started to crack. And once that initial
should get points for asking for help. Walk-
never because I was scared of telling the
crack ran its course, I kept breaking down,
ing on eggshells around me only makes
truth to others, but more like I was afraid to
over and over. I would get irritated at the
me feel more uneasy and much less sure of
tell the truth to myself. Once I admitted that
slightest thing and would take it out on the
myself, and that is not what I need when
I needed help, I wouldn’t be able to deny it
people around me. The smallest and most
trying to get help.
anymore. And that terrified me. Because it
trivial things can make you feel like nothing
is hard to admit out loud that you have to
will ever get better again. That you have hit
ferent. We have our own lives and stories
get therapy once a week just to try and keep
the dead end and have nowhere else to go,
that make us who we are. It is important
your emotions in check. It is so much easier
so you might as well just give up.
for others to remember that just one part of
picture isn’t always an easy mix. I was terrified to get help for my own
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
“
even though I had no idea exactly what that
“
can’t have the other — there is room for
to put up that mask, laugh at everything and pretend like you’re not dying inside. A little over a year ago, I started to feel my walls caving in. The ones that I had
Eventually, I made myself get up
As women, we are all unique and dif-
our identity doesn’t make us up as a whole.
again and see a counselor. It was one of the
As human beings, we have many different
scariest things I had ever done, but I did
facets of ourselves that make us who we are
it. I needed to try and fix what was wrong,
and this should be recognized. MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 18
A HOUSE DIVIDED How my family finds peace across the political aisle. // Benjamin Heacox
I
remember my dismay following Novem-
was afraid too, vaguely horrified, and alto-
one of those stupid “Make America Great
ber 8. Everyone I knew from work and
gether depressed about the future. She even
Again” hats, my insides instinctively coil
school was devastated, horrified and
emailed her pastor that night for guidance.
tight and I want to tear apart the enemy.
fearful. I thought, How could Donald
Though I believe the fear around Trump’s
Trump have won? Who voted for him?
presidency today makes more sense, the
when I need to look at myself hard and
Don’t people know what this will mean for
same feeling – the fear – she felt it once
reassess my values. My guiding principle is
us? Why don’t they care what this will do
too.
this: all people from all walks of life deserve
to me?
My family and I have butted heads for
My boyfriend received a call from his
When I get that tribal feeling, that’s
dignity and love. It is already difficult to be-
years over political issues and moral values,
stow dignity and love on those with whom
brother Scott that night. He lives in D.C.
but in that phone call, we took a moment to
I see eye to eye – the tumult of daily life
with his partner. As a gay man, Scott was
understand one another. She didn’t call me
is enough to make that hard. I must then
concerned about what Republicans and a
weak or cowardly. I didn’t call her bigot-
make an extra effort to love and respect the
Vice President like Mike Pence would do to
ed or racist. Phrases like “I know how you
people with whom I disagree and even those
the LGBT community. As a self-described
feel,” or “no, I don’t get it, but that’s all
who may do me harm.
libertarian, he criticized Trump’s authori-
right,” steered our conversation.
tarian tone.
There are probably plenty of hateful
He was weeping, inconsolable, angry,
When that little mantra fails, I pretend that I’m speaking with my family over
and violent people who supported Trump,
dinner. These are the same people who
and frightened by what had happened.
but I know there are also voters like my
don’t think I have the right to marry or to
Nobody could reach him for three days after
mother. I cannot call myself intellectually
have kids. They’re the same people who are
that phone call.
honest if I claim inclusion and diversity are
completely opposed to abortion and would
my guiding values while I choose to label
love for kids to pray more in school. Yet, I
While Scott was missing from our lives, be for real? I’m seeing conservative names being considered for high level government positions? Ooooo, it’s OUR TURN to pick!” It’s strange to think how the election of this man had such a drastically different
“
impact on their emotions and mental states. Did Scott’s horrified reaction make him just another weak, liberal snowflake? Does my mom’s celebration mean she’s a brainwashed xenophobe? To stamp these labels over their identity would be an insult to who they are, yet it happens a lot in this dialogue. Scott, a respected professor at The George
those different than me as a monolith of
love them, because they are my family, and
idiots.
I give them grace. That stranger in that dumb red hat could very well be a moronic republican,
She had an uneasy optimism in her heart.
“
my mom posted on Facebook, “Can this
Washington University in DC, is not a weak minded person for feeling grief. My mother spends her time volunteering at animal
but they’re also someone else’s family. I can conduct myself around them the way I would with my own family. Finally, if nothing else, they’re human like I am and feel many of the same basic hopes and anxieties I do.
Moving Forward Scott did eventually come back. We plan to march on Washington D.C. in June to protest the actions of president Donald Trump and the Republican congress. Trump’s presidency is testing all of us – both our commitment to our values and
shelters and organizing preschool programs
I decided that evening that I wouldn’t let
our commitment to each other. The best
- her elation over Trump’s victory does
opposing views divide me from my family.
thing I can do in these next four years is
not discredit her compassionate heart. The
It’s difficult when I can see their Face-
cling tightly to compassion and empathy as
truth of who they are goes a lot deeper than
book posts, listen to their commentary on
I fear they are under attack on all sides.
their support or disdain for Trump.
us “liberal snowflakes,” and watch them devalue my morals.
E pluribus unum
I will also continue to fight for my rights as a member of the LGBT commu-
But, for my mom, here’s what I do:
nity, and I will still stand up and protest
The night we found out that Trump was
argue one idea at a time, state the facts as I
for the rights of women and minorities. I
elected, I called my mom to discuss. She
know them, make a solid case, and I leave it
will do this with determination, grace, and
had an uneasy optimism in her heart. She
there. No name calling, no hate.
intellectual honesty.
had the same disgust towards Trump’s personal character that many people in the
Having empathy for the other side
Love is the Answer
does not mean we must give up who we are.
United States still feel. She didn’t trust him,
Despite these kumbaya moments with my
However, if we lose empathy in the pursuit
but she trusted her values and still believes
mother, I am still very much a liberal and
of what we believe to be right, we have
that conservative politicians have her best
still very much human. I have urges to lash
already lost.
interests at heart.
out and beat down the people who voted
I can also remember her reaction the night Obama won against Romney – she
for Donald Trump. Anytime I see someone
E pluribus Unum – out of many, we are one.
citing a Breitbart News article or sporting
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 20
WOMEN IN THE
RESISTANCE Three women from Cleveland State speak up about the importance of activism and how they identify as an activist. // Brenda Castañeda Interviews by Arbela Capas
Y
oung women and femme stu-
should be seen, not heard” and “women
dent activists have strength
shouldn’t worry their pretty little heads.”
and courage by the boatloads—
However, the odds seem to continue to
especially those that have
be stacked against them when they try to
other intersecting identities.
speak or act against the systems of power
How do you engage in activism? TYISHA: Presentation and education, they kind of goes hand in hand. Also, I really like to do an interpersonal kind of communication. But I
Many of these render them oppressed or
in place. Not only tackling racism, sexism,
marginalized, not the least of which are
classism, but being illegitimized solely for
like to twist that on the other side of activism,
their statuses as young people and stu-
their age and perceived lack of experience
because when you sit and talk to someone
dents. In advocacy and social justice, much
makes their advocacy and activist efforts
and just know their background or their story,
of today’s youth do not see themselves
doubly as valiant.
you go places in their mind with them.
represented. No matter their enthusiasm
Tyisha Blade is a Communications major
CARISSA: I started my blog back in 2014 and
and willingness to be involved and active
and is involved with HYPE (Helping You
in change-making, they find themselves
through Peer Education), a group that
unable to find a point of entry into these
creates resources and events for issues like
communities. Just by being young, young
sexual assault and well-being on campus.
people find themselves in a lower position
Carissa Newsome, a freshman studying
than their adult counterparts in society’s
political science got involved in activism
skewed hierarchy. Those who manage to
through her writing when she was in high
carve out a space for themselves—through
school, and later got involved with groups
hard work, sacrifice, and struggle, have
at Cleveland State as well as different
been able to accomplish so much.
protests around Cleveland. She also runs
experience for me.
raising awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault was what made me want to start it and then in high school I started writing articles for the school newspaper, and I covered topics like women’s rights and then in college I got involved with the Student Feminist Coalition. I guess my first big activism thing was being a part of Choice Fest, which was an
Working against systems that seek to
her own feminist blog called itsstillnotok.
BRIANNA: I would say leadership training.
discourage or silence them, young wom-
blogspot.com. Brianna Emerson, a Sociol-
Working with people to become leaders so
en and femmes take on so much at once.
ogy major, is the current president of the
they can take on their own battles but also
These young people of today have come
Student Feminist Coalition.
taking on the battles that are really personal to
far from the persistent idioms, “children
me. So that’s a lot of times involves reproductive rights and taking pieces from the reproductive justice movement and trying to make it more holistic and inclusionary. I think a lot of it comes back to education to me.
How would you define activism in your own words? T: For me I define it as creating a positive change for whatever community you’re being an activist for. Specifically, as far as feminism, I really want to create a unity among women to let us all know we all have each other as a support system, no matter what background, race, ethnicity or religion.
TYISHA
18 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2016
C: I would say activism is, in your own way
in the community trying to make a difference,
fighting back and fighting for a cause and/or
because that’s where it starts too. And also,
giving a voice for those that are oppressed or
the younger girls--they need someone to look
aren’t listened to normally.
up to.
B: To me, it’s really stepping up and doing
C: Lately, I guess this past election cycle and
something when you see something that’s un-
topics talked about in the media have sparked
just. And that can take a lot of different forms.
a lot of my activism. When I came to college I
That can be protests. But it also can be calling
became more involved and educated in issues
your senators or making sure people in your
such as reproductive justice and becoming
community have clean drinking water. Activism
more acquainted with more issues that other
is taking the path of more resistance than least
women face, not just myself.
resistance and refusing to perpetuate that system of oppression.
“
B: Looking at the news anywhere is one of the biggest things that inspires me. And not just looking at the news but just living in a city like Cleveland that’s so segregated based on race,
...much of today’s youth do not see themselves represented.
based on ethnicity, based on poverty levels even. Seeing people from all different walks of life and social standings and seeing the struggles, that’s a constant inspiration.
How do you address privilege within activism? T: As a black woman, I feel like we are underprivileged but still expected to be able to do the same things races or nationalities do.
CARISSA saying. Because so many times you run into the issue like white feminism, which is true, where you’re just silencing the people.
“
America than black women. And that bothers
How would you describe the role of women and femmes in activism?
me, because we’re all doing the same thing--
T: It’s extremely important. Because for one, if
so why is there that difference?
you don’t you’ll get a male dominated opinion.
C: I guess it’s about realizing your privilege
We have to as a unity with women, we have
if you have it. Like yeah I’m a woman and I’m
to speak out. And our presence there is very
oppressed in that way but I’m also white, so I
important, whether we’re just there for support
have privilege in that way.
or be activists. Just to be there and be present.
T: Honestly, I looked at a lot of my ancestors
B: I would say, weaponize it. If you have the
C: I guess in the past women haven’t been on
as far as black heritage, to see what kind of
resources and you have more of a voice, make
the forefront on major movements, except the
trials that they went through and how they
sure you’re using your platform to let other
original suffrage movement. But for example
overcame them, because that’s what I most
people step up and use their voice. It’s so
the Women’s March, there were obvious-
identifiably relate to. Also, my peers that are
important to listen to what other people are
ly more women than men there but from
Who or what do you look to for inspiration in terms of activism?
And just to put it out there, I’m just speaking in general, white women are more privileged in
different religions, races and ethnicities and just now more than ever it’s becoming more intersectional.
B: We make up over half of the U.S. population, and the laws that are being leveled against us, we have almost no input in. It’s impossible to resist women. We have always been viewed PHOTOS TAKEN BY ARBELA CAPAS
as the default category--viewed as weak. And we need to challenge that. I think the roles of women in any type of group doing activism is vital because you need that sort of energy and perspective.
BRIANNA
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 22
BEING A WOMAN Y This is the story of two CSU students experience of being female and transgender. // Alexis Rosen ou’re fired.”
Immediately, your heart sunk
Jessica
what?”
What do you love most about being a woman?
“For being a woman.”
The community. When I was a guy, guys don’t
and confusion arose. “For
Seems crazy, right? It’s 2017...that would
never happen. But it did.
care about each other. Before I transitioned I kept all of my emotions bottled in because I
Jessica is a student here at CSU. She ex-
had no one to talk to. And now I always do. I
perienced this after dedicatedly working at
have been so much happier. I have so many
her job without any prior problems. When
closer knit friends. And even just women in
asked for the reason, she was told that girls
general - I feel safer talking to them.
must have long hair and boys must have
now I’m friends with everyone there. I also like
short hair. Hurt and infuriated, she called
Who is your female role model?
corporate only to be told “we don’t hire
My role model was actually a lady that worked
your people” — transgender people.
at the Women’s Center. She just passed away
how they are brutally honest with me.
two weeks ago. She always pushed me to do
What do you mean when you say brutally honest?
Union of Ohio, there are approximate-
what I needed to do - and she was flat out
You’re a woman, you don’t get special treat-
ly 1.4 million transgender adults in the
honest.
ment. Just because you are going through
According to the American Civil Liberties
these transition things or you have these
United States. For over twenty years, the
There was a time last year when I was
Ohio General Assembly has failed to pass
feeling really down on myself. I was feeling
issues, we understand these are hard on you,
non-discrimination laws - meaning there
hideous. I felt like I wasn’t doing any real good
but everyone has issues. You’ve just got to deal
was nothing Jess could legally do to defend
work as an activist. It was around the time of
with it. They always pushed me to be the best
herself. There are no laws protecting her.
the ‘Her Name Is Jessica’ Campaign. I was
person I can. I don’t think I would be able to
explaining it to students walking through the
transition so smoothly if they weren’t there.
Since that experience, Jess has gone on to
I am president of the Queer Student Alliance
fight for her rights alongside the transgen-
innerlink. Then, it was a simple act, but a kid
der community, working as an activist on
spit on me straight in the face. After that I felt
on campus - but when I first came to campus,
a local, state and federal level. As presi-
worthless.But she always brutally honestly told
there were two people. There was me and one
dent of CSU’s Queer Student Alliance, she
me that some of the greatest people of the
other person. So that was not really a support
has dedicated herself wholly to bringing
world have been hit down thousands of times
network.
awareness and support to those around her.
and you’ve just gotta push through it. So, I’m
In honor of women’s month, this is the
I started here in 2014. In the counselling
trying to listen to that now. I’m also trying to
center there is the LGBT support and the trans
story and celebration of Jessica and her
take care of myself a little bit more because I
support. That wasn’t at the time. They built that
dear friend and fellow Viking, Melissa. Jes-
know she’s not here to yell at me anymore.
up.
tional, loves to play video games, travel,
How did you connect with her and the Women’s Center?
What was your experience like starting that?
and studies computer engineering. They
When I first got to CSU, I did not look like this.
Before I did this, I was not very vocal. But I real-
both are transgender women.
I came here as a scraggly bearded scraggly
ized a few things. One was yes I am LGBT, yes
hair dude. I was on my transition of hormones
I am trans. Surprisingly, early on I was passing
and a friend at the time took me. We met there
- meaning I could walk through life and no
and slowly they became a big support network
one would think that I am not a female. Even
during the early stages of my transition. And
though I was trans, I still had a lot of privileges.
sica is a chef, sailor, activist, and business administration major. Melissa is interna-
23 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
I still had my passing privilege, I live with my parents - they didn’t disown me, I have been sexually assaulted and raped and all that lovely stuff, but listening to other people’s stories I realized that I’ve been through hell and back, but it was a light version of hell compared to a lot of people. I realized that if I just went through life as a trans woman and didn’t speak up for my community, then I wasn’t really doing anything.
What has been a stand out experience for you here at CSU? At the beginning of and throughout the semester, I have been amazed at how many people come to our meetings [for LGBTQ]; how many new faces - that either I don’t know if you’ve been trans or if you are LGBT at all or that you just support it. So that’s one cool thing. I’ve met a lot of trans people and a lot of in-transition people. I’ve also met a lot of people that have helped me along the way, which is great. I was talking to someone the other day and they asked “what’s the best thing about CSU?” and I said even if I learned absolutely nothing, like straight F’s on everything, still put in the $10,000 every single year, it would be worth it - for the amount of people I’ve met and the connections.
What piece of advice do you have for other women? Don’t be scared of speaking up or being who you are. I feel like a lot of people are nervous to do things, be who they are, or try new experiences. And it’s terrifying - but once you do it, it is really cool. I did something last week that I was terrified of doing for the last three years of college. I went to the gym. It was not as terrifying as I thought. I was like, I’ve got to go there and make sure I wear the same clothes as the other girls because I don’t want to stand out, and then I’ve got to go into a women’s locker room and I’ve never been in a women’s locker room so I was freaking out. Luckily, my girlfriend came with me the first time so she helped a lot. Then, I went by myself on Monday and everything went well.
PHOTOS BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
I know a lot of people that are scared of just the reaction of their peers and other people so they won’t do things. The first times I made the step to go out the first time as I woman I was terrified. Luckily my hair stylist at the time forced me. He said he wouldn’t cut my hair if I didn’t show up as Jessica. I was like “I really need my hair cut”. So, I showed up as Jessica.
Melissa What do you love most about being a woman?
like or toilets. And I am referred to as a women
Having the freedom to express my feeling with
I dont hate being trans, but I want my rights.
people - I can cry, I can dance, I can hug my
I don’t want to be defined as a trans. I am a
friends.
transwoman. I am still a woman. I am still proud
instead of a trans person which I really love.
that I am trans.
Who is your female role model? I always wanted to be like those rock-n-roll
What has it been like coming into the community at CSU?
chicks with black make-up. Like Lzzy Hale.
Oh, that was so easy! So there are freshman
She’s a rock singer. I like women in power in
meetings that I have been to and a QSA table
general. There is a Youtuber, her name is Jilly,
for the Queer Student Alliance and they are
she has videos talking about transitioning that
still one of my best friends.
I never thought about female role models, but
have really helped me. I also love Taylor Swift. She is awesome - I love her.
What piece of advice do you have for other women?
How has your experience been being an international woman in America?
You are who you are. You are not racing with anyone. You are racing with yourself. I would say that for anyone. I feel like everyone is
I didn’t feel any problems with being interna-
special in someway. Even if I am good at
tional. Sometimes they make fun of my accent
something, I am also bad at something and
but not in a bad way, in a good way - in a cute
I can learn something from someone else.
way. There is also stuff that Americans do that
So I always try to have my good connections
was hard getting used to. Like shotgunning a
and you are never alone, you should never be
beer. I was like what is that. That was the first
alone.
thing I remember. Its scary. Oh my god, I feel so relaxed being in America and international. In my country, we have so much pressure on us. People look at you weirdly because it’s against their religion and they are very religious. And the public is against the whole transitioning thing. Even the government. We don’t have the rights that we have here. We can’t use the restrooms that we like. There aren’t any laws that protect us.
When people think of trans people, if they are homophobic, before we go to the women’s bathroom or use changing rooms, we are more scared than you are. For the first time when I was getting my bra size I was like a little kid and scared in a whole new world. We are really nice people when you talk to us but we look really scared, we are really shy too because we are in a whole new world for us and it takes awhile to get used to it.
What is your experience like being transgender in America? We have rights like I can use dressing rooms I
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 24
MORE THAN JUST A CLOTH How a little piece of clothing can unite women from many different backgrounds. CSU’s Muslim Student Association hosts a day to raise education and acceptance of the Hijab in times of hostility. // Joe Schmittgen
I
n the name of Allah, the entirely merciful,
pired, many Muslims have been placed into
xenophobic of those from the Middle East,
the especially merciful. All praise is due
inflexible boxes. Unfortunately, the crisis
and the outcome was something very cher-
to Allah, Lord of the worlds - the entirely
of terrorism in the Middle East has moved
ishable: A friendship. A friendship between
merciful, the especially merciful, sovereign of
people’s perceptions of muslims to a very
two guys, whose countries recently banned
the day of recompense. It is You we worship
prejudicial place. This stigma has become
one another from visiting each other’s
and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight
the catalyst for which the hijab or any sign
homeland.
path - the path of those upon whom You have
of Islam has caught unwarranted discrimi-
bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked
nation and slander. In a world where we are
from all over the world and from this expe-
anger or of those who are astray.
currently fighting a battle against prejudice,
rience I came away with a realization. I met
we are confronted with the obstacle: “How
people from Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya,
do we break down prejudices?”
Somalia and the Sudan, and ya wanna know
This is the Al-Fatihah, the first words that come out of the mouths of millions of women when they wake up for Fajr prayer early in the morning. Some people experience taking part in acts of courage here and there, or maybe very seldom in their lives, but these women do it every single day when they put on their hijab and walk out the door in our American society.
What is the Hijab? A hijab is a head covering worn by Muslim women. It is something to project modesty when women interact with men, and is used so that men approach them to appreciate their minds, and who they are. Hijabs aren’t just a simple piece of cloth—these women also know how to dress them up. I remember when I met two friends who were from Indonesia where they had all different kinds of Hijabs, some with elaborate colors and designs. I remember working with a woman who wore her hijab with rhinestones and shiny sparkles. Today, we’re constantly bombardedby information from everywhere and it has become more and more difficult to digest this information in a constructive manner. Sadly, many news outlets today pray upon dramatic topics to the point where people are afraid to leave their own homes. They influence the viewer to have certain perceptions that may foster stereotypes, and as conflicts in the Middle East have trans25 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
I had the opportunity to meet people
what they do all day? Wake up, go to work, In the Al-Mumtahana, verse 7 reads: It may be that Allah will grant love and friendship between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Perspectives I can remember one of the biggest moments in my young adult life was when I attended
school, go home, eat, watch TV and go to sleep just like everyone else. So to answer the question, “How do we break down prejudices?” sometimes it just takes friendly face-to-face interaction. To me, this was one of the biggest takeaways that makes something like Hijab Day so special. In the book of Yusuf, verse 6 reads: Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee
an international language school. I remem-
the interpretation of stories (and events) and
ber in November of last year when I moved
perfect His favour to thee and to the posterity
into the institute and was paired with a
of Jacob - even as He perfected it to thy fathers
roommate from Shiraz, Iran named Milad. I
Abraham and Isaac aforetime for Allah is full of
was nervous to meet him. I didn’t have any
knowledge and wisdom.
preconceived notions or any judgements of who he was before I’d met him, but rather
Hijab Day
I was more anxious for what he would have
Hijab Day is an event put on by Cleveland
thought of me. I understood the power of
State University’s Muslim Student Associa-
U.S./Western media and acknowledged how
tion (MSA) on the first floor of the universi-
much of what the media say people pay
ty’s student center. MSA hosts many events,
attention to. I can recall going to majority
lectures, bake sales and weekly Friday
Arab barber shops and telling them that I
prayers throughout the year, but Hijab Day
was from America. Most of the time, the
is one of the biggest events of the year.
barbers were fascinated and were quite fond
Coming at a time where so many people are
of American culture, but some had their
being misunderstood, Hijab Day serves as a
own prejudices against Americans, thinking
vehicle to spark conversation and cultural
that we “Amis” (Americans) thought ill
exchange. During Hijab Day, many Muslim
of Arabs – especially Muslims. So when I
sisters come together to donate hijabs to
met Milad, I felt the need to try to be more
the event, and women come by and pick one
outgoing to prove that we “Amis” aren’t all
of their choice. The sisters then help assist
it has been a beautiful experience and an
the new hijab owner about what it means to
unforgettable one.”
them. When I went to Hijab Day, I had a few goals in mind. I figured that since there are
engineering major Yousra Karakra. “[the
many popular misconceptions of what hijab
hijab] gives me a sense of empowerment
means, I asked participants what the Hijab
and confidence. It shows me that I don’t
meant to them and what their opinion is
need to necessarily fit into the ideal wom-
on the state of Islam, considering what’s
en’s category in today’s society in order to
happening in the U.S. right now.
prove myself to the world.”
“Hijab day is my favorite event of the
I brought a colleague of mine, fresh-
whole year because it gives me the oppor-
man art education major Cassidy Laurence.
tunity to make a connection with every girl
As a non-Muslim, I wanted to see what her
that I put the hijab on,” said MSA President
take was on the hijab.
Sarah Mohammad. “It gives me the ability
“If it makes them feel good about
to explain our love for Subhana Watallah
themselves, and it doesn’t hurt anyone,
(God). It brings people together and creates
why should there be anything wrong with
a comfortable atmosphere for people to ask
it?” Laurence said.
questions and to understand the beauty of
We discussed more in-depth about
the hijab and the commitment that muslim
“hijab pulling,” A recent phenomena where
women have to the Hijab. When we first
individuals have been harassing muslim
started off it was something small. Seeing it
women by pulling their Hijab. “It’s like the
grow and seeing the people [who] want to
golden rule: Treat others how you would
volunteer, and seeing the people who don’t
like to be treated.” Laurance said. “I know
just want to wear the hijab but learn about
how much Christian women value the cross
How to Hijab
PHOTOS BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
“[The hijab] is more than just a cloth around my head,” said sophomore chemical
“
The Hijab, is more than just a cloth around my head, it gives me a sense of empowerment, and confidence.
“
in putting it on and while doing so, inform
WITH SARAH MOHAMMAD
1
2
3
4
5
6 MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 26
Mo r
c an oc
Syria n
ti Emira Sa
udi Arab ia n
“
Many people who witness muslim women wearing the Hijab from the outside often depict these women as being oppressed, yet many would think quite differently. tian
S
ni Oma
yp
bi g Azer an
o Eth i
l ed Bang
Iranian
Eg
es hi
h Turkis
“
di au
ni Pakista
Su d a
ista
ni
n
n
an
sia
fg h
ne
i al m o S
I n do
Leba
Ir a q
e es
i
n
Islamic Headcovers Around the World
A
an pi
chains around their necks. They wouldn’t
people and Christians. They who are causing
perience, so by engaging you’re giving the
like someone pulling them, so why would
these rifts between us as humans are the
personal brochure of Iman. I’m not saying
you pull the hijab?”
ones who are trying to amplify the differ-
to convert anyone. I’m merely asking of you
ences between us in order to separate us.
to clarify the true name of Islam, not this
cite cases of hijab pulling and bullying in
It’s important to remind ourselves of our
misrepresented disgusting parody. Come to
school. Whereas some Muslim men can
similarities, and those are things that bind
your local MSA events. MSA is an inclusive
sometimes blend in with the crowd, the
us back together. New York City wouldn’t be
student association open to anybody, even
women cannot. It is a very troubling time in
New York City without Manhattan, Brooklyn
non-Muslims, and by being involved, they
our history for Muslim women because they
or Queens. There may be different types of
will reflect the love and accepting nature
are often impacted by xenophobia, which
people who live there, the area may influ-
that the Muslim community actually takes
to me is what makes Hijab Day that much
ence their characteristics and personality
pride in. Let the positivity become conta-
more important. Instead of cowering in
differently. Some may even move around
gious. Lead by the example of inclusivity
defeat and refusing to wear hijabs anymore, by choosing to educate and to be inclusive, they flip the script in others’ perceptions. It seems to be quite illogical and almost contradictory to do such a thing. The hijab may be a term coined by the Muslims, but the idea of wearing a cloth to cover the hair in a stance of modesty is not something exclusive to Muslims. Orthodox Jewish women and more conservative Christian women wear head covers from time to time as well. One of the main goals of MSA’s events is to preach the true message of Islam, and to create a more sound awareness. Coming back to my discussion with Mohammad explained more about her role in MSA and what ultimately she wants the world know about Islam. “I’m so blessed to be apart of it alhamdulilah (praise be to god),” Mohammad said. “It taught me how to reach out to my community, and my biggest responsibility as an officer is to create an open, accepting and inviting atmosphere for people of all
“
and tolerance. In Al-An’aam, verse 17 reads:
One of the best ways to support muslims during this time, is to learn about us.
“
Recently there have been stories that
ethnic and religious backgrounds. The role I’ve taken on is a big one – a lot of responsibility but one I never regretted taking. My primary goal as a Muslim is to contribute to
from borough to borough. Some people
society in a beneficial manner, to take care
have to go work in Manhattan. Ultimately
of this earth, and everything and everyone
they live together in New York City, they
on it. To worship our one and true creator.
are all New Yorkers, and they would never burn the bridges between each borough. By
My Advice to You I have two pieces of advice for those who
go out and clarify other’s misconceptions,
aren’t Muslim and are compelled by this
build bridges that don’t simply support but
topic: One of the best ways to support Mus-
will be cemented and solidified for years
lims during this time is to learn about us.
and years to come.
The word, “Islam” in Arabic means peace. ILLUSTRATIONS BY NICOLE ZOLLOS
understanding who we are will help you to
My second set of advice after learning,
Understand the Islamic religion, understand
is to say something, do something. Engage
our values in our culture, our gender roles
in conversation. You have an understand-
and family life. Understand that we believe
ing that many others don’t have. The only
in Jesus Christ (may peace be upon him),
information that others have to build on are
like Christians. We believe in Abraham (may
short videos of terrorists attacks, sad chil-
peace be upon him) like Jewish people, and
dren crying, and threat videos. These things
we believe in God (Allah) just like Jewish
keep them from wanting to actually ex-
If Allah touch thee with affliction none can remove it but He; if He touch thee with happiness, He hath power over all things. Many people who witness Muslim women wearing the hijab from the outside often depict these women as being oppressed, yet many would think quite differently. When speaking with Mohammad, she had a lot of points articulating the strength and importance of women in Muslim society, and as it is Women’s History Month, I felt that these comments of hers were most fitting in closing: “We’ve had rights in Islam before most women in most societies,” Mohammad said. “Having the right to divorce, gain custody for children, gaining the right to own a business, to own property. These are all rights women had before women in the United States. Our prophet (may peace be upon him) also preached inclusiveness and including women within our community, within our society. All Islam does is provide women with this high status of respect, love, kindness, and humility, and allows a woman to be judged off of her principals and her ideals, rather than what her body has to offer.” Experiencing Hijab Day has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my first year at CSU. As I’ve converted to Islam, I have learned about the emphasis that the religion puts on collective brotherhood and sisterhood. As a male attending Hijab Day, that was something I saw. Just tight sisterhood, women teaching women, women helping women and women empowering women.
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 28
“ The road leading to equality is intersectional and generational. During this pivotal moment in U.S. history, we all have a role in the ongoing fight for social justice. // Elisabeth Weems
“ PHOTO BY ANDRIANA AKRAP, WATER COLOR BY NICOLE ZOLLOS
The argument that the Civil Rights Movement solved racism, that women’s suffrage solved sexism, and that land treaties solved the exploitation of indigenous people is completely fallacious.
T
he day after President
continue to write against it, march against
ican history that people continue to believe
Donald Trump was
it, riot against it. Just because great evil will
today. It has been through tremendous
sworn into office,
always exist does not mean that we should
struggle, through organizing, through boy-
more than one million
simply accept oppression because some are
cotting and marching, through armed slave
protesters took to the
convinced that we cannot change the sys-
rebellions and through pressuring govern-
streets of Washing-
tem. We should not accept sexism, racism,
mental representatives that oppressed peo-
ton D.C. to show their
class discrimination, or the suppression of
ples have been able to retain the modicum
opposition. Around
the LGBT community, of immigrants, or of
of freedom that we have to continue to fight
the world, more than
anyone who challenges the status quo. We
for today.
five million people collectively convened
must unite and continue fighting. Here’s
in solidarity to reject the rhetoric, polit-
why:
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be
ical platforms and inevitable harm of the
unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be
Trump’s election. The marches specifically
History Matters
focused on women’s rights issues, but were
We can no longer ignore the lasting impact
intersectional in nature; they represented
that our history exerts on present circum-
groups who will continue to be negatively impacted by this presidency. Every single day since his inauguration, from cabinet picks to enacted pieces of legislation, we as a nation are experiencing a grotesque shift away from justice and equality, which generations have fought for. However, equality is not a satisfiable end goal. This notion is supported by Angela Davis, champion of political activism and advocate for the downtrodden, in her
“
book, “Freedom is a Constant Struggle.” She explains that intersectionality involves “efforts to think, analyze, organize as we recognize the interconnections of race, class, gender, sexuality.” Essentially, it is the unification of oppressed peoples. That doesn’t mean undermining the visceral, legitimate, unique struggles that women or blacks or the impoverished specifically face. Rather, it means recognizing that we all face oppression and that fighting for justice means standing alongside those
stances. We cannot pretend that the foun-
The argument that the Civil Rights Movement solved racism, that women’s suffrage solved sexism, and that land treaties solved
Injustice serves as a reminder of what is at stake if we do not raise our voices...
“
the struggles and issues of many repressed
lived again.” -Maya Angelou, Author and Poet
the exploitation of indigenous peoples is completely fallacious. When our history has been so deeply entrenched in discrimination, which has prevented entire generations of people from progressing, we cannot pretend that it has no impact on how our society is currently structured. People who argue that marching and protesting has no impact on social equality fail to understand how multifaceted the fight for justice is. Yes, we need to vote and to elect officials who represent us, and to run for office. Yes, militancy and intimidating power with power is a viable option. The point is not to argue which form of civil disobedience is legitimate, but to recognize that all of these methods of fighting are justified, even smashing windows of corporate entities to show frustration with state-sanctioned violence and oppression. For as long as this country has existed,
who are also suffering. Intersectionality is
dation of this country is based on equality
there have been groups of people fighting
essential for the continuation of the social
because it wasn’t. This country was founded
against injustice. These problems have not
justice movement, which at times seems
upon the decimation of indigenous people,
yet been solved. Slavery may have sup-
ceaseless. We must unite with others who
upon staunch sexism, and upon slavery. We
posedly ended, but mass incarceration and
are oppressed to face our oppressor with a
cannot continue to glorify tales of Christo-
police brutality have taken its place. Women
stronger front than possible when divided.
pher Columbus, Abraham Lincoln and the
may be able to enter the workforce and to
so-called Founding Fathers. Since the dawn
pursue a career instead of a family, but are
of this nation, the people in power have
still subject to live within a patriarchal sys-
exerted tremendous oppression upon mar-
tem that is inherently oppressive of them.
ginalized groups. That shouldn’t serve to
Indigenous peoples may have been granted
normalize oppression, but rather to encour-
land treaties, but multinational corpora-
Injustice is omnipresent, and every gener-
age contemplation about where we would
tions continue to infringe upon their rights.
ation has the responsibility to contribute in
be today had women, slaves, the poor and
The struggle continues.
whatever capacity possible to fight against
indigenous people not fought against their
it. We don’t fight to win, because a utopian
oppressors. It is imperative to learn the real
society rid of injustice is impossible. Injus-
historical narrative of this country.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
tice serves as a reminder of what is at stake if we do not raise our voices, if we do not
31 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
This article simply cannot delve into the countless misconceptions about Amer-
You are Suppressed Too Yes you, privileged, white woman, and you, wealthy black man, and you, educated son of an immigrant. You may deny your
(L) PHOTO BY ANDRIANA AKRAP (R & B) PHOTO BY ARBELA CAPAS
own oppression and proclaim that wom-
successes that they do today. Just because
more people around the world being forced
en, blacks and immigrants have no reason
oppression doesn’t directly affect you, or
to have unsafe abortions or rear children
to fight for equality, and that they are not
so you perceive it not to affect you, doesn’t
that they can neither financial nor physical-
oppressed. Frankly, you are disillusioned.
mean that you shouldn’t fight for your sis-
ly support. Limiting access to abortion does
Either you’ve never read a history book,
ters and brothers who are impacted.
not decrease abortion rates, it just forces
or you’re far too entitled by your privilege to see that women, blacks and immigrants
women to have unsafe abortions, which
Reproductive Justice
result in 68,000 deaths annually.
today continue to face marginalization and
According to the National Library of Med-
The men signing anti-abortion leg-
oppression. By undermining that asser-
icine, “42 million women with unintended
islation will never know what it’s like to
tion, and pretending not to see sexism and
pregnancies choose abortion, and nearly
become pregnant and to be forced to rear
racism because it doesn’t affect you, that
half of these procedures, 20 million, are
an unplanned child, potentially interrupting
does nothing but hurt all women, blacks
unsafe.” In addition, 97 percent of these
one’s entire life’s trajectory. Also, without
and immigrants, including yourself. It was
unsafe abortions take place in developing
access to affordable health care, pregnant
through the efforts of people who marched,
nations. Trump’s recent move to cut fund-
women who choose to keep their pregnancy
who staged protests and walkouts, who
ing to health care providers in these nations
cannot provide basic needs for their grow-
refused to accept gender roles and racism,
if doctors even discuss abortion, let alone
ing fetus. Nor can they prevent becoming
that people can enjoy any of the marginal
provide the service, will arguably lead to
pregnant in the first place. Our reproductive MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 32
organs are not up for legislation.
to choose certain jobs and women to choose
former CEO of ExxonMobil, as Secretary of
People often cite the Bible and other
others. This, and established institutional
State, the Trump administration will likely
religious texts as the moral basis for the
sexism, contributes to a segregated labour
be even more favorable toward gas and oil
so-called pro-life argument. They purport
market. In addition, throughout history
companies, and even more disrespectful
that abortion is murdering another life, and
women have been expected to bear the ma-
toward indigenous peoples.
that it is a sin to do so. They argue that a
jority of the responsibility of taking care of
woman should “keep her legs closed” or
children and other domestic issues. The ar-
“Is there not something worthy of perpetuation
remain abstinent as a means of preventing
gument is not a matter of whether a woman
in our Indian spirit of democracy, where Earth,
pregnancy. However, abstinence-based
is physically able to perform the same tasks
our mother, was free to all, and no one sought
sexual education does not lead to lower lev-
as a man, but that women are simply not
els of unwanted pregnancies. It only leads
adequately paid for the worth of their work.
to impoverish or enslave his neighbor?” -Ohiyesa, Santee Souix Author and Physician
to sexual shaming, a lack of pleasure-based education, and entire generations of young, sexually active people not understanding
“The freer that women become, the freer men will be. Because when you enslave someone,
how birth control works. It’s not enough to
you are enslaved.”
grading this quote is, people still voted for
avoid having sex, and it’s not solely the re-
-Louise Nevelson, Sculptor
Trump. Is this really the way that a pres-
sponsibility of the woman to have safe sex. A fetus is not a sentient human being,
ident should speak? How do these caustic Transgender people are human beings, de-
words not suggest a chauvinistic character?
it is a cluster of cells. Pro-life protests
serving of respect and compassion. With the
This was not the only time that Trump said
do not make sense, because those people
direct threats to the current healthcare sys-
something of this nature on record. He has
protesting on the basis of their religious
tem, by which some people who are transi-
a long history of saying sexist comments
morals engage in triggering rhetoric that
tioning acquire their hormones, trans folks
and of treating women as sexual objects,
can be traumatic to women who have had
face the risk of death. If trans people lose
less than deserving of respect. If we have a
abortions. Religion does not have a place
their health care, it means losing access to
president who says things like this, how can
in politics. Women seek out abortions for
hormones necessary for their transition. It
we expect him to be a champion of wom-
a number of reasons, including when a
means that they face the risk of becoming
en’s rights? We can’t, and we shouldn’t,
pregnancy is life-threatening. Reproduc-
suicidal by being forced to prescribe to the
because he won’t be.
tive health is not an issue of morality. It’s
role of their assigned gender and rejecting
an issue of the basic human right to bodily
who they are. That risk, coupled with the
“When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can
autonomy, and we demand it.
peddling of exclusive language, creates a
do anything...Grab them by the pussy.”
dangerous reality for them. In 2009, “50
-Donald Trump
“The emphasis must not be on the right to abortion, but on the right to privacy and repro-
percent of people who died in violent hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-
Looking Forward
gender, and queer (LGBTQ) people were
This list of issues and motivations for fight-
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the
transgender women,” according to the Na-
ing against injustice is not comprehensive
U.S. Supreme Court
tional Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs’
and cannot possibly, exhaustively explain
2009 report on hate violence. The strides
all of the forms of suppression that people
that we as a society have made toward
face. It only serves as a reminder to people
According to the American Association of
including trans folk in our culture, though
who call Social Justice Warriors “snow-
University Women, in 2015, women in the
nominal, are being directly undermined.
flakes” that our concerns should be your
ductive control.”
Equal Work, Equal Pay
U.S. were paid just 80 percent of their equal
PHOTOS BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
Trump Doesn’t Respect Women Regardless of how overtly sexist and de-
concerns too. The welfare of our collective
male counterpart’s wages. Glassdoor Eco-
Environmental Degradation
nomic Research reported that the number
Too often do we forget that when this
is 75.9 cents on the dollar. This disparity in
country was founded, the existing nations
that people protesting are wasting their
compensation for equal work is even worse
of Indigenous peoples were slaughtered,
time, to understand that our past directly
for mothers, older women, and women of
dislocated and enslaved, all to feed the in-
affects our present and future. With a sit-
color; Black women make on average 63
satiable appetite of early settlers (whom we
ting president who is so dangerous to mar-
percent compared to men performing the
glorify) for their lands. Today, we see a par-
ginalized societies, we need to fight without
same job with the same qualifications. The
allel of this narrative with the construction
relent. We must not forget the generations,
pay gap is not a myth, and it is not only
of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Key-
the millions of people, who have forged the
attributed to career choice or the reluctance
stone Pipeline. Trump’s executive orders to
path for us today.
to ask for higher wages.
continue the construction of these harmful
The gap can be primarily attributed to
humanity should be everyone’s concern. I urge everyone, before proclaiming
Everyone has a role in this movement.
and massive pieces of oil infrastructure are
When future generations read about this
the perpetual oppression of women that
a direct infringement upon the rights of the
moment in history, will you have been on
exists within a patriarchal system. From a
people who occupy and depend upon these
the right side, or will you have been a com-
young age, flawed ideologies of gender roles
lands for their livelihoods. Coupled with
placent bystander?
are ingrained in children, encouraging men
the recent appointment of Rex Tillerson,
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 34
OBAMACARE MOVING FORWARD How dismantling the Affordable Care Act could be devastating to college students. // Holly Bland
T
he last thing we thought would
pose unlimited amendments.” The process
has granted millions of Americans access
go bump-in-the-night is health
of fully repealing the Affordable Care Act
to affordable healthcare coverage, and the
care as Republicans actively ini-
has since been stalled, but the anxiety
uninsured rate is at a long-time low under
tiated a process to dismantle the
anticipating the large change in coverage
the ACA. Healthcare spending grew at
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
and insurance for millions of Americans
the lowest rate on record since 1960, and
at 1:30am on Thursday, January 12th. Al-
remains--targeting young people and folks
health care inflation is at its lowest rate in
though the sprint to change the healthcare
with pre-existing conditions significantly,
50 years (Obamacarefacts.com) Obamacare
program which has insured millions across
especially if there is no solid replacement
does have its flaws and certainly deserves
the U.S. since it was initiated nearly seven
set in stone quite yet.
criticism as much as praise from those who
years ago was predictable from Republi-
it has helped.
cans, the final vote of 51-48 in Senate to
Obamacare
A majority of the benefits and rights of
change the ACA through budget reconcil-
The Affordable Care Act--often referred
Obamacare that benefit most college-aged
iation was, without a doubt, kickstarting
to as “Obamacare”--is a comprehensive
students are as follows (more listed on
what’s to come with the new White House
health care reform law that extends the
Obamacarefacts.com) Medicaid eligibility is
administration.
Medicaid program to cover all adults with
expanded in 26 states to 138% of the federal
income below 138% of the federal poverty
poverty level giving millions of Americans
the New York Times, “the vote took place
level, and makes affordable health insur-
access to healthcare, all major medical
during a session known as ‘vote-a-rama.’”
ance available to more people (HealthCare.
insurance is guaranteed issue, meaning you
Further explaining that “these all-night
Gov.)
can’t be denied coverage for any reason,
vote-fests happen surrounding budget
“
resolutions, which allow senators to pro-
Although the Affordable Care Act has been heavily criticized by Republicans, it
The Affordable Care Act allows me to stay on my parents health insurance and prevents me from needing to seek it privately at high costs...
35 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
you can’t be charged more based on health status or gender, Insurance companies can’t drop you when you are sick or for
“
According to Thomas Kaplan from
making a mistake on your application, You can’t be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, Young Adults can stay on their parent’s plan until 26, A large improvement to women’s health services, including many new free preventive treatments and screenings, New preventative services at no-outof pocket costs. Obamacare is mostly self-funded since it’s new federal spending is offset by taxes
and cost curbing (how Obamacare controls costs.) With its criticisms, every other
Quick Facts:
what they didn’t receive funding for with tuition, books, housing, etc. Health insur-
proposed plan to replace Obamacare costs
ance adding to all of these miscellaneous
significantly more, and will likely increase
bills costs could make it likely that they
the national debt according to the Congres-
would opt to go insurance-less, which isn’t
sional Budget Office (cbo.gov.)
good either. The Good and The Bad
Students
From personal experience as someone that
A lot of the anxiety surrounding initial deci-
faces multiple health conditions at 22 years
sions to revise and repeal Obamacare has
old, without insurance I wouldn’t be able
been with young people being cut off from their parents health insurance way earlier than the now 26 year old cut off, but overall 20 million people are at risk for losing their insurance coverage from various aspects of
to afford glasses, medications for Bipolar
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has expanded to cover 9 million children.
disorder or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, birth control, or trips to the doctor’s office I had for an unexpected broken ankle last year. Luckily the Affordable Care Act allows
the repeal. Pre-Obamacare the cutoff age
me to stay on my parents health insurance
for staying on parents health insurance was
and prevents me from needing to seek it
19 years old, and has since been raised to 26
privately at high costs.
under ACA.
Something worth noting about the
Although a solid replacement plan
Affordable Care Act is that insurance can’t
of the ACA still ceases to exist (though
deny a beneficiary for any reason, which is
rumored,) it is quite possible that under
another concern many young people have
President Trump young folks will go back to
if it were to be repealed--also including
searching for private health insurance, go-
being charged more based on health status
ing uninsured, or potentially qualifying for low-income government-funded programs. For many traditional students, this is concerning. Graduating high school and heading to college is a life transition in
or gender. This leads to greater coverage
Before the Affordable Health Care Act, insurers could reject people with pre-existing conditions
without instances of prejudice people have faced in earlier years when seeking health care coverage. Obamacare also made birth control
itself, especially if you’re relying on student
free, including access to all forms of birth
loans and grants to fund your way through
control ranging from the pill to the IUD.
until recess when you have time for work
Additionally, Obamacare expanded access
(not many students having the ability to
to many lifesaving reproductive health
both work and succeed in school in a timely
measures that could be to many individuals,
manner now.)
female-identifying especially, unreachable.
It seems that the more I spend time at
One of the most prevalent criticisms
CSU’s campus, known for being a “com-
of the ACA is mandating all to have health
muter university,” many students aren’t
insurance, otherwise paying fees if one goes
fulfilling full-time statuses so they can
without coverage. This is something that
instead work to fund a majority of their education. Although CSU could be seen as a “reasonably priced institution,” that doesn’t go to say students have extra funds
6.4 million previously uninsured Americans now have insurance.
currently affects many young people that may have circumstances or living situations without the opportunity to be on a parents health insurance. Adding $300 to
for health insurance among many other
my monthly expenses as I live on the bare
costs.
minimum is something I would not be able
Obviously entities like health insur-
to afford, and I certainly wouldn’t be able
ance vary from person to person based on a
to factor in fees if I opted to go without
variety of things, but on average individuals
insurance either.
could expect to potentially pay upwards
Although Obamacare has done wonders
of $300--I got to this number by going
for many across the U.S., it still leaves a
through healthcare.gov to estimate how
number of folks behind. The Affordable Care
much it would cost to have health insur-
Act has its fair share of pros and cons, but
ance on my own as a 22 year old living in Cuyahoga County. Even if a student has the ability to work and go to school, it is more than likely that they are working to fill in the gaps of paying
There are various plans now available through the healthcare Marketplace to Americans
moving forward college-aged students are fair to have concerns with their health and coverage--especially if the state of their coverage in the upcoming few years are cloudy.
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 36
PAINTED NOT SO PRETTY The ugly truth behind our reasons for wearing makeup. // Caitlin Cole
G
et the New Year off to a flaw-
that makeup was unacceptable and was
less start,” “color correcting
only proper for an actor to use. This did not
cream… I am perfected” and
stop the cosmetic market from growing and
“look great from the moment
becoming what it is today.
you wake up until the moment
I began wearing makeup in highschool
you go to sleep” are just a few examples of
and had worn it ever since, until four
the advertisements we are exposed to daily.
months ago. I honestly don’t know what
We are constantly bombarded with mes-
encouraged me to stop wearing makeup but
sages that say our natural appearance is not
I remember waking up one day and deciding
good enough and we will not be accepted
I just didn’t want to bother. I didn’t think
with all the “flaws” we have. Makeup is
much of it until I got comments throughout
seen as a way to cover who we are, rather
the day, asking if I was sick or if something
than a way to express ourselves, but this is
was wrong. It made me want to rush to the
not always the main emphasis and use for
bathroom and “fix” my face. I looked at
makeup.
myself in the mirror later and realized that
Cosmetics date back to the ancient
I hardly saw my own face without makeup.
world of Egypt when the creation of cos-
I felt disappointed in myself that I relied on
metics was due to a need for protection
something so much, just to look a certain
against the sun and wind and also for use
way to someone else. From then on, I hav-
in religious rituals. Ancient Chinese culture,
en’t worn makeup.
put color on fingernails to express a per-
This process of becoming barefaced has
son’s social class. Makeup to alter appear-
been enlightening and also disheartening. I
ance was not always accepted. In Elizabe-
realized that I thought I had so many flaws
than England, some thought cosmetics were
I needed to cover up, blemishes, blonde
the cause of poor health due to a lack of
eyelashes, paleness and the list goes on. I
circulation. Queen Victoria told her subjects
decided I wanted a new mindset. I want-
ed to wear makeup only if I wanted it for
makeup meant to her, she said, “It means
person’s life. She first became interested in
myself. Once I took the people around me
I’m spending a lot of money on my inse-
makeup by watching tutorials on Instagram
out of the equation, I realized that I actually
curities. I’m insecure with my whole face.
and YouTube. “For me makeup is artistic
didn’t like wearing makeup. I realized that
I don’t feel normal without makeup.” Her
expression. I don’t wear it to cover impu-
I was wearing it because I worried about
story has many similarities to the other CSU
rities, I wear makeup for the same reason a
what others thought.
students that I talked to.
person wears a certain hat or shirt because
I chose to use the extra ten to fifteen
Though makeup is something I choose
minutes in the morning, which I had used
not to wear, it doesn’t’ mean I’m saying it’s
to put on makeup, to fit in an extra cup
a negative thing. Makeup is a way to express
a little bit longer. Those may not be the most beneficial uses of my time but to me, they’re both something I want to do more than putting on makeup. I have discovered a whole new type of confidence. I don’t have confidence from other’s approval of my appearance, I have confidence from the approval I have given myself. After making these realizations, I wanted to talk to others about it and see who shared my new thought process. I was frustrated with how my peers reacted. I received nothing but support and applause for my “bravery” but I heard them give so many negative comments towards their own appearance. “Good for you but I couldn’t do that” or “I couldn’t imagine letting so many people see me without my
“
yourself, based off of what you like and who
talked to stood out to me from the others. She chose to stay anonymous but it was hard for me to hear her story with makeup.
People worry about what others will think if they do not wear makeup but hiding her journey with makeup from her
I hardly saw my own face without makeup.
makeup” are just a few. One person that I
oneself,” said Üninemclite.
Üninemclite’s hardest challenge has been
“
of coffee or lay in bed and stare at my cat
like clothes, makeup can be used to express
family. She did receive immense support from her sisters and she hopes to tell her mom and dad one day. Luckily, she receives great support from Cleveland’s drag community and her friend’s at CSU. Üninemclite also finds encouragement from the Hollywood stars who choose to be barefaced. “These people are setting an amazing example for women and girls everywhere: that they don’t need makeup to be beautiful but rather are beautiful the way they are,” she said. One huge advocate for this is Alicia Keys, who announced her makeup free decision in a Lenny letter this May. “I find that women may often feel naked or insecure without makeup because society tells them they have to look a specific way, and if they don’t, they become
you want to be. I learned throughout these
criticized,” said Üninemclite. “If we got rid
four months that I love lipstick. I love the
of this standard of beauty that causes so
she had begun to wear makeup everyday.
colors and pairing it with outfits and I feel
much pain, people wouldn’t feel naked or
“I won’t leave the house without makeup.
confident in lipstick simply because I like it.
insecure without makeup, and feel more
Since sophomore year of high school,
I don’t even like looking at myself in the
Carly Üninemclite is a prominent
mirror without makeup,” she said. From
figure in Cleveland’s drag community and
a young age, she remembers comparing
her story with makeup is a prime example
herself to Barbie dolls. When asked what
of how it can be a positive force within a
free to experiment with different makeup looks.”
CSU’S THOUGHTS ON MAKEUP Do you wear makeup?
PHOTOS BY ANDRIANA AKRAP
NO 15%
ALWAYS 33%
Do you feel like you have to wear makeup?
ALWAYS 16% NO 44%
SOMETIMES 51%
SOMETIMES 40%
If you do wear makeup ever, do you like wearing it?
YES 75% NO 25%
*90 people polled online from CSU about their makeup habits and beliefs
MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 38
Thousands of people die because of suicide every year. It is caused by mental illness and is completely preventable, so it is extremely important to be aware of when it might become a risk. // Alana Whelan & Chau Tang
S
uicide is a very sensitive subject
Suicide is a serious problem that affects
and feelings that their only solution is to
with many people, but until you,
a great amount of people continually. It is
yourself have been affected by it,
definitely a personal matter, but very often
you don’t truly know what impact
has detrimental affects to the people around
people in the United States attempt suicide.
it can have. I believe almost everyone has
them. Suicidal people usually feel they have
Of that 800,000 people, around 400,000 are
thoughts of or relating to suicide at some
no other way to escape whatever it is that is
treated and 40,000 complete it. Statistics
point in their life. Considering that it is
troubling them. Often -- especially in cases
surrounding suicide are fairly subjective,
the tenth leading cause of death in Amer-
where they do not seek help -- they cannot
and can change based on circumstance,
ica according to the American Foundation
find other ways to cope, and believe that
but there are a few things that tend to stay
for Suicide Prevention, it is not something
suicide is the only solution. However-- no
consistent (See sidebar). No matter how
that can be brushed aside, and it hurts
matter how low of a mental state the person
much study is done to figure out the effects
more people than just the person who died
is in, there are always ways to get help and
and causes of suicide, it will continue to
because of it.
overcome feelings of hopelessness. It is
be a problem in every area of the U.S. and
caused by a mental problem that cannot be
around the world, and will always affect
suicide, and though we weren’t that close
cured with medicine, and it happens when
both men and women of all different ages.
when it happened, I felt the effects im-
people become so engulfed in dark thoughts
(Personal Experience by Alana Whelan).
A few years ago, I lost my cousin to
commit suicide. Every year, an estimated 800,000
mensely. He was one of my best friends when I was a kid. We were in the same
Dispelling the Stigma
grade in school. We were both shy and insecure. Though I knew he was having problems at the time -- when we had both recently graduated high school and were
The stigma surrounding suicide in our
Suicides rates are higher in the Midwest and Western States
culture can often be aggravating. People regularly joke about it as if it is not an issue at all, saying things like, “kms,” joking-
trying to figure out our next step in life -- I
ly complaining about something that is
never thought it could happen -- until it
making them feel stressed or overwhelmed.
did. It left me wondering whether there was
Many people joke about it without realizing
something I could have done to prevent it,
that they could be causing harm to the peo-
and I’m sure that’s how my whole family
ple around them. However, it is important
felt. It was difficult to know how to talk to my other family members because I couldn’t really understand how they per-
*2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
to be able to tell when someone is ignorantly making a joke, versus when someone is actually suicidal and their comments mean
sonally felt, especially those who were clos-
something more than that they are just sad
est to my cousin. Now, almost a year and a
or overwhelmed. It is also commonly as-
half has passed and my relationship with
sumed that committing suicide is a selfish
my family hasn’t changed much. However,
choice to make, when in reality, most stud-
I think the experience of losing someone
ies point out that being suicidal is a mental
who had such a big impact in my life has
illness -- not an act of selfishness. Though
changed my outlook in many ways. I feel
studies point this out, suicidal people often
much more grateful for the people I have
do not seek help simply because of the way
around me now. I feel appreciative when they try to help me and I know there will always be people who love me to listen and try to understand what I’m going through if I ever have dark thoughts myself. 39 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
they feel others will react. Therefore, it is
Men die by suicide 3½ times more than women each year. *American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
so vital to be aware of the people around us and to make sure that they are getting the help they need so that they do not become suicidal.
Charlotte Weiss, 21, an English major and arts and entertainment editor for the Cauldron, speaks about her personal bat-
know how someone is doing internally.
Suicide Victims
Hurst states,”Life is a valuable thing and something not to throw away and there are
tles and about the topic in general. Weiss
people that love you, care about you, and
believes that suicide is a large problem in
support you.” Checking up on someone
today’s society that many people might not
and having a discussion on what is on their
give enough credit to, despite messages that recognize it, like suicide awareness month. Suicide can be related to the health of someone’s mentality, which is especially common in young people and on college campuses. When people have suicidal
40% over the age of 60
*Mental Health America
thoughts, they might not want to turn to
mind is helpful. Having people be supportive and being comfortable enough to speak their mind is another way to help those who have suicidal thoughts. Since many people are insecure, it would be beneficial if there was a class or a lecture to help people gain self confidence.
anyone for help because if they do then they
Iris Jones speaks about her experi-
are afraid that they will be labeled as crazy
ence with having suicidal thoughts. Those
or brush them off and send them to a men-
thoughts happened when her ex-boyfriend,
tal hospital without trying to understand. If
Eric Sylvester, broke up with her without
there is someone who wants to be helped,
warning. She never had anyone treat her
then confiding in a friend or someone
with such disrespect, not only because he
you trust can help. The reasons for people
broke up with her but because he ignored
having suicidal thoughts vary depending on
her and didn’t try to fix their problems.
the individual. It could have been because of bullying, depression, anxiety, or the loss of a loved one, and the list goes on. Vanessa Boutros, a Computer Engineering major with a double minor in Arabic and Mathematics, shares that she
Suicide rates are higher during the late spring and early summer *Encyclopedia of CrossCultural School Psychology
It caused her such pain that she couldn’t control her thoughts. She stopped eating for a while because the thought of it would make her sick, she didn’t sleep as well, she cried often and it replaced her sleeping patterns. She would take a sharp object to dig
has friends that thought about suicide or
into her legs deep enough to leave bruises.
have attempted. She explained how one of
Now, those thoughts have decreased but
her friends has bipolar disorder and Boutros
she wonders if anyone will miss her on
and her friends’ boyfriend try to make
days when she is feeling lonely. Before,
sure she doesn’t harm herself and take her
her thoughts were filled with being lonely,
medicine. It’s important for people to be
hopelessness, despair, and wanting to harm
more aware of the topic because suicide
herself but not wanting to harm anyone
is never the answer for when things go
else. Telling someone that it’ll be alright
wrong. There are many people who have
wouldn’t help but knowing that someone
suicidal thoughts that may not tell a soul but noticing the signs and symptoms can be a red flag. When someone is under 18, a person could be forced to get help such as speaking to someone like a counselor but
1 in 10 college students in the U.S. has made a plan for suicide *Emory University
has the option to have someone to talk about their feelings might. Not many people would understand how having suicidal thoughts can strongly affect someone’s behavior if they have not
when someone is older, it’s their choice to
experienced it themselves. She did feel like
either receive help or deny those thoughts.
she’s screaming internally a bit when no
It is crucial to persuade a person to get help for their health because they are important as well and be there for them. Some signs to look for along with depression are self harm scars, talking about death more often, questioning the afterlife, saying goodbye to people and telling someone they mean a lot to a person. It’s hard to know who has those thoughts because no one “looks” suicidal. There are people who hide their pain better than others so they can get away with it. The misperception people have on suicidal people are that they look depressed.
Boutros’ friend seems like she’s the happiest person but no one really knew the depth of her thoughts. People don’t have to look sad or depressed at all times. Most people may think that suicidal people are attention seekers but they should take it seriously. Nevada Hurst, a Nursing major at Cleveland State, speaks about her experience of someone she knows taking their
one could see past her mask.”I can’t believe I had those thoughts,” Jones said. Some of the potential signs to spot would be detachment, not smiling as much and acting different than usual. Most days, she feels lonely but never alone. Don’t hesitate to call this number if you or a friend are having suicidal thoughts 1-800-273-8255.
life. She was shocked to hear others about taking their life. Her friend’s younger brother, Braden, had hanged himself in his room. Hurst’s initial reaction to hearing the devastating news is that you never MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 40
VIKING EXPEDITIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE Fresh point of view on an alternative break trip to Sacramento, California. // Dorothy Zhao
T
he mental image of myself drilling
to a caterwauling baby, the two flights to
rebuilding. “Seeing her reaction to us just
or sawing pieces of wood was
the West Coast and Golden State foreshad-
being there,” remarks Pacanovsky, “even
laughable and quite a bit terrify-
owed the challenges we would face — and
though we didn’t finish the entire fence...
ing. However, despite my initial
overcome — on our journey of service.
she came out and gave me a hug. This is
reluctance, I realized during trip orientation
Rain stalled our progress for much of the
when you know you’re making a differ-
that I could certainly learn something new
week, but by the end of the week, we still
ence.” By having us, a younger generation,
-- and I truly did. From January 8 to 14,
managed to build a modest section of a
around her nearly every day for a week, this
fifteen Viking Expeditions members served
new fence. Not to mention, the rainy day
sweet nonagenarian created memories to
in Rancho Cordova, a city in Sacramento,
project that took place on the second day
treasure just like we did. I felt so gratified
myself, I didn’t know what to expect on my first alternative break trip, other than the description from the trip application: “home repair work...including chain link fence removal, wood fence construction, yard work, painting, and other exterior home beautification projects.” Sacramento certainly was not my first choice, because I had no experience with any kind of construction beforehand. For those unfamiliar with Viking Expeditions, VE is a student-led service organization that was formed in 2007. In addition to offering alternative break trips nationally and internationally, VE also goes around Cleveland doing local acts of service. President of VE, Amanda Pacanovsky, notes “service builds the community itself” and “the people and the effort to built [the community]...make it something you’re really proud of. ” The non-profit organizations and affiliates she mentions, like “the gem of the [Ohio City] Bike Co-op,” truly make the city of Cleveland work as a whole. As VE celebrates its ten-year anniversary, Pacanovsky explains that a “pay it forward” type event celebrating service and exhibiting non-profit organizations around Cleveland will take place in April. From rollercoaster-esque turbulence 41 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
“
by acting altruistically and seeing almost the immediate positive effect on Nina and
I loved every minute of my first VE trip.
“
California. As a new member and freshman
in Sacramento consisted of volunteering at two food banks and interacting with Rancho Cordova’s homeless, opening my eyes to several startling differences in their lives in comparison to my own. As we were tearing down the old fence, staining two-by-fours, drilling screws, sawing fence boards, and working together in nearly perfect harmony, I realized that this Viking Expeditions trip left a lasting impression on not just us members, but also on 94-year-old Nina — the lovable, warm-hearted homeowner whose fence we were taking down and
the other members as we stood back and admired our handiwork. Constructing a brand new fence, though not a small feat, felt like just the first step. I could go back home in Ohio to continue a thoroughly more hands-on kind of volunteer work, no matter how difficult the task. My previous fears of construction in general dissipated. I must add that both site leaders, Kara Kovach and Laura Anderer-Armstrong, directed the group of fifteen effortlessly. For this trip, Viking Expeditions also collaborated with Sierra Service Project, a Christian non-profit organization that provided challenging community service work through repairing homes in rural and urban communities. Working alongside them and two incredibly able site leaders made every obstacle surmountable and no undertaking too challenging. It’s safe to say that I have never laughed more on a trip than on this one. Every second of Sacramento consisted of hope, joy, determination, and optimism. The most memorable moments outside of the fence included having a close call with a barking guard dog aptly called “Cookie,” meeting with the mayor of Rancho Cordova, getting the quintessential Californian
fast food In-n-Out, going on a tour of a
for almost two years at one of the hospitals,
and gaining new perspectives all in addition
beautiful urban farm called Soil Born Farms
the routine greeting patients, moving their
to just being a Good Samaritan. Ultimately,
and of the California State Capitol building,
luggage to their rooms the night before
life is short — and we cannot continuous-
and exploring downtown Sacramento, Lake
their big surgery, and doing whatever else
ly take from society without giving back.
Tahoe, and San Francisco.
a nurse needed me to do grew to become a
Service, the act of helping or doing work for
little dull. What Viking Expeditions and Sac-
someone, is giving back to society to make a
ramento did for me was revive my eager-
positive impact and leave the world a better
ness to contribute to my community.
place than before.
Why Service? Why do we volunteer, and why is service
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VIKING EXPEDITIONS
so important? Before serving on this trip, I
Service is so essential to our world
All in all, I loved every minute of my
knew that I personally volunteered sole-
today because it helps the communities
first VE trip. I went back home incredibly
ly for my own benefit — I needed hours
around us and ourselves to grow, mature,
grateful for all the experiences and lessons
for my school’s National Honor Society
and flourish. I now know that I volunteer
I learned in Sacramento. The opportuni-
chapter, and that was it. With such little
and do community service because it allows
ty to stay in California for a week for less
motivation, I eventually grew disillusioned
me to connect with more people, become
than five hundred dollars may sound like
with serving as a whole. What was I getting
aware of certain social issues, learn new
a “too good to be true” advertisement,
out of volunteering, besides getting to keep
things that may require some of my cour-
but I assure you it is not. Rather, I would
my NHS member status? While it was true
age or problem-solving. Beyond personal
strongly recommend anyone reading to go
that working alongside nurses and listen-
development, my community can beautify
on an affordable alternative break trip that
ing to intriguing stories of patients were
itself, conserve its resources, and make
may just change one’s perspective of what a
unforgettable experiences, I was usually not
individuals within the community happier.
meaningful life can be.
given too much hard work as a volunteer at
Volunteering today means making a dif-
two different hospitals. Since I volunteered
ference, obtaining a real world experience, MARCH 2017 | VINDICATOR 42
Yae or Eyes,
A Sparrow in Ohio
Yae was called Eyes in Cleveland because it was an easier name for many birds to remember there. She decided to use the name, Eyes on many occasions because of this. Eyes is called Yae by her partner, Sea, another sparrow because he still remembers her as Yae. Eyes has experienced a lot of interesting things and she shares them with Sea. They are married and happy now, but Eyes cannot forget about one other bird with whom she shared a lot of encouraging moments when she was having a hard time. He is a pigeon, and they sang songs together. When they sang together, they encouraged each other a lot, so the singing time became very memorable. She wonders whether the pigeon is still in Tokyo and doing fine. One day, the wind keeps blowing towards Eyes as if to tell her that it will carry her message to someone if she wants it to. Eyes wonders whether the language she uses will work for the pigeon, but she decides to speak something in English. As soon as she is done talking, the wind immediately starts to blow in a different 43 VINDICATOR | MARCH 2017
direction. She is hoping her message will work. Several days later, the pigeon, who has had the same business owner in the past, feels the same wind as Eyes felt. The pigeon wonders why it keeps blowing to him, but then he realizes that the wind has brought something. The pigeon faces toward the wind, and the wind releases its message. The pigeon understands the message and responds to it. The wind changes its direction again as soon as the pigeon has finished talking. One week later, Eyes releases her message, the same wind comes back with a message. Eyes faces towards the wind hoping everything is okay. The response says, “I am a male pigeon originally from a small village in England. I understand English because I am from England. I had a job in Zurich, Switzerland where Swiss German is spoken, whereas you grew up in Geneva which is a French speaking area in Switzerland. By the way, This is Place. I am still in Tokyo. I miss you as well since singing with you was encouraging for me too. You recommend me to come to Ohio so
that I can find a happy location for myself, but I need another owner who can give me freedom to talk to many birds. Without that, it is hard to make a decision.� Eyes is happy to hear from Place and to know that her message got through. Eyes replies that she is willing to find an owner who can give him more freedom, and Sea is also ready to consider her idea and to help someone she cares for. Eyes and Sea try to find a suitable owner for Place and finally find some options. They give the options to Place and wait until he decides. Place finally decides which owner to take, and asks the wind to carry him to the person in Ohio who wants a smart pigeon as a business partner. Place has a long journey to Ohio, but finally reaches to his new owner. Eyes and Sea meet him and all of them look happy. Place spends a lot of fun moments with many birds besides his working time. At last, he finds a happy location to live. Place does not know how much he owes or how to show his appreciation to Eyes and Sea, but they do not worry about this as long as he is happy.
Art by Mikayla Colston
By Joy Yayoie McKinney
LITTLE BOY BLUE By Chau Tang
Art by Jessika Riane
Little boy blue walking down the room with a knife in his hand. His father abused his mother and the little boy was tied up to a chair while watching his mother suffer. Four years it’s been that way, He’s asked for help from family members, counselors, even his teachers but none of them could help. Cause just when one of the teacher took initiative of the situation, his father pulled him out of school and moved to New York City. New city, new house, but the violence didn’t change Little boy blue cried every night in the dark, On his bed with a small white pillow in his hand He whispered out to a light that shone through the window pane. Spoke about his troubles and prays that one day it will stop. Well one day it did stop because his father burned his mother while little boy blue accidently walked in on them while trying to find his baseball bat. His eyes filled with horror and rage then he went into the kitchen stand. Took a long sharp knife out, cut scars on his arms while he watched the oozing blood streaming down and he bled to death. That was the end of little boy blue whose soul was the kindest, smiled the widest even though his heart was full of pain.
While It Rains By Sage Mack
It was choosing to accept your father After he chooses another family. Your mother being hurt by this. Your brother proud. It is biting into fresh mango at Sunday morning’s meal Molasses days Like this are sweet and slow. The breeze doesn’t hurt so much anymore After you decide it carries you. Your thighs stick to the plastic of the chair The light brown of your skin glistens as you think of Casey from your class. She is pretty and smells like rain. She gives you butterflies. One day you will kiss her under the trees while it rains Her scent all over you. Nobody questions why there is a burning behind your cheeks. Why the rain makes you blush.
It rained during erotica, an orchestra storm Of fury shot down by God herself. Lightning strikes during your climax There is nothing more electrifying than her tongue You decide this.
Art by Mikayla Colston
It was your first lover’s legs wrapped around your waist The ripe of her mouth Taste like fresh mango On sunday morning. Making love like molasses Sweet and slow.
By Sage Mack
My grandmother would clasp her Hands while speaking faith over our heads. Us bent at the waist for God’s open arms Scared of our own sacredness. As if we weren’t made messiahs At birth, baptized in placenta. Divine intervention was us choosing Self preservation over the bible. This we grasped from her womanhood. To mighty for any man’s false patriarchal prophecy As if God can actually be a man. Something so powerful can only be held By that which holds life, woman. She had told this me once. She had learned How to pray from the birds.
Art by Mikayla Colston
Art by Mikayla Colston
Katie Them religiously yelling to the sky. She would scream To the Lord before every mornings break In chorus with them. Us watered down in her blessings. She’d grip our hands so tight during Prayer we felt heavenly peace through her palms. Grandma had never missed a day of church Every Wednesday and Sunday Be the first to knock on God’s door. Him always in a hurry to open In fear of her might. Her able to burn down every force In search of him. He must be exhausted being overshadowed by such a spirit.
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