An Ode to Self Care

from the start of the games, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin signed what is commonly known as the ‘gay propaganda law,’ also called the ‘anti gay law.’ This law was created in order to ‘protect’ Russian minors from anything that could be perceived as promoting ‘homonormativity’ and was supported by more than 100 organizations from 33 countries around the world. Despite intense backlash from global leaders, the International Olympic Committee, activists, athletes and fans, the creation of this law undoubtedly exacerbated the sense of unease and unwelcome

SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist

What is the best way to get in a circle of people that you want to be around without being too obvious or trying too hard? For instance, I want to surround myself with more people that I may find attractive in order to meet that potential someone. I feel like it’s the right time in my life..

You’re probably going to think I sound like your 6th grade guidance counselor when I tell you that the best thing you can do is to be authentic and be you. Forming new relationships and meeting new people can be trying, especially in the internet age where face-to-face communication is slowly becoming an anachronism. I usually find that when you are unapologetically you and organic in who you are people will want you to be in their inner circle.

I feel like often times my methods of dealing with stress have to do with satisfying myself sexually. In my past relationship that’s how I handled anything that troubled me. In your opinion do you think that’s a completely unhealthy way of dealing with the struggles of life?

While it’s not the most prudent defense mechanism against stress, it’s much better than drinking or an equally harmful vice. However, if you know this is how you react to stressors then you can begin steps to modify and change that behavior so it is no longer detrimental to you. I would suggest for queer athletes. The Russian anti-gay law is an intense example of how too often, representation of the LGBTQ community is written off as ‘propaganda’ by those who resist recognizing the legitimacy of queer people. As the representation of queer people has increased through film, TV shows and literature, so have virulent claims by the far right that the queer community is pushing some sort of “gay agenda.” Because scripts, books and plays are created imaginatively, there is a homophobic belief all of the queer experiences portrayed must be imagined curbing that behavior with something like exercise or anything of the like that can be as physically rewarding as it is cathartic. too, that they do not and can not translate into real life.

I recently met someone who I feel I connected with on a deep personal level and share oddly similar life goals and views with, and as a result would like to ask out. The problem is I don’t think she would ever feel the same and even if she did, we are both at a bad time in our lives to date with traveling and post-grad plans interfering with any dating. Should I risk ruining our possible best-friendship by asking her out, or just be content with being single and developing a close friendship?

Firstly, calm down and take a deep breath. I think it’s wonderful that you have met someone who makes you feel this way and I think you owe it to yourself to maybe bite the bullet and ask her out. Realistically, you listed some pretty reasonable stuff that could totally prevent you two from dating but you haven’t even tried yet. Read what you sent back to yourself, you shut everything down before it even had a chance to begin. Give it a try, you never know what might happen.

I’ll even go as far as to say that if you two really are that close, even if she says no there’s a good chance you guys can still remain amicable even in the face of rejection.

If you’d like to send Shaun a question you can submit them via email at jacksonsk@commonwelathtimes.org or anonymously at lascivious-witch.tumblr.com/ask.

This is why queer representation in sports, especially the Olympics, is uniquely important. To see gay athletes participate and thrive is a testament to the fact that such success is not reserved for those who have historically claimed it. Despite the fact that we see these athletes through TV or phone screens, there is no doubt that their experiences, performances and lives are unequivocally real. There is no blaming their extensive media presence on politically motivated Hollywood elites, or proposing that

Dear Editor:

I believe that most of us Americans have been victims of bullying and/or some form of abuse at some time in our lives. As a former counselor and therapist, I worked with and tried to help many victims of everyday bullying, as well as various other forms of abuse.

I found that the biggest problem, issue and challenge that they dealt with was that they did not stand up to their bullies and abusers. The best question that I have ever heard a counselor or therapist ask their clients relative to this was the following:

“What parts of yourself don’t you love that allows you to let this bully or abuser to continue to mistreat and abuse you?”

This question prompted many people to finally make some serious changes in their lives and to walk away from and leave their abusers.

Sincerely, Stewart B. Epstein

P.S. I want you to know why I have submitted this letter to the editor to your newspaper.

I spent five years working as a professional counselor and therapist in the fields of Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and Mental Illness/Mental Health. But for most of my working life, I was a college professor of Sociology, Social Work and Psychology.

I loved my students and cared very deeply about their well-being. I miss them. I miss how idealistic they exist purely as Oscar bait.

This is not to say that the representation of queer athletes is apolitical, in fact quite the opposite. Ashland Johnson, director of public education and research for national LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, called Rippon’s performance “revolutionary” in an interview with NBC.

“Those few minutes on ice just inspired a generation of LGBTQ young people,” she said. “Even today being an out athlete is revolutionary and athletes like Adam are paving the way for the next generation of young out athletes.” that they are and how much they want to try to make the world a better place.

A major reason why I submitted this letter to you is because I believe that the question contained within it might help some of your students, especially your female students, who are being abused and bullied by their boyfriends.