student magazine
volume 20 — issue 2
A World Away
p. 9
Failure during COVID-19
p. 19
Logging Into Freshman Year
p. 11
Addressing Pandemic Fatigue
p. 22
Local Activism and Policing
p. 14
Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
p. 24
ART
Art by Chae Hong Still Perceived
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2 EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief
Tala Alfoqaha
Managing Editor
Marley Richmond
Cities Editor
Ian Knoll
Voices Editor
Sylvia Rani
Music Editor
Tosin Faseemo
Online editor
Na’Jai Wilson
Copy editors
Autumn Sanders Hannah Haakenson
Multimedia Editor
Sebastian Alfonzo
Multimedia Producer
Cynthia Maya
Editorial Interns: Mitchell Levesque, Holly Gilvary, Sydni Rose,
BMM EBZ
Jemma Keleher, Izzy Teitelbaum, Ellie Roth, Avery Wageman, Macy Harder, Peter Nomeland Multimedia Interns: Brianna White, Amy Halbmaier, Linnea Baerenwald, Parker Smith
PRODUCTION Executive Director
Esther Chan
Creative Director
Chae Hong
Finance Manager
Hannah Dove
PR/Ad Manager
Udita Goel
Social Media Manager
Grace Augustin
Art Director
Sydnney Islam
Designers
Anna Aquino Gavin Schuster Makenna Larson
Web Manager
Natalie Bluhm
Distribution Manager
Shannon Brault
Distribution Assistant
Emilie Gruell
Production Interns: Skylar Neubar, Tymia Phathachack, Amy Haslerud Art Interns: Audrey Rauth, Isabel Atkinson, Megan Bormann, Madison Kuehn Š2020 The Wake Student Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
THIS ISSUE
Established in 2002, The Wake is a fortnightly independent magazine and registered student organization produced by and for students at the University of Minnesota.
Writers
The Wake was founded by Chrin Ruen & James DeLong.
Holly Gilvary, Marley Richmond, Jemma Keleher, Sydni Rose, Sagrario Torres
Disclaimer: The purpose of The Wake is to provide a forum in which students can voice their opinions. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not representative of the publication or university as a whole. To join the conversation email eic@wakemag.org. The Wake Student Magazine 126 Coffman Memorial Union 300 Washington Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Amanda Christensen, Mitchell Levesque, Vishalli Alagappan, Shannon Brault, Flores, Caroline Cohen, Izzy Teitelbaum, Avery Wageman, Macy Harder, Evan Ferstl, Morgan Hamernik Art 1 Sydnney Islam, 2 Isabel Atkinson, 3 Megan Bormann, 4 Madison Kuehn, 5 Audrey Rauth, 6 Eduardo Cruz Punisher, Honey Boy, Construction Time Again, and I’m Thinking of Ending Things art from original sources. Cover and Feature art by Audrey Rauth
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wink! one page magazine
Ian Knoll
Iʼm thankful for being able to take naps in the 15 minutes between Zoom classes
Hannah Haakenson
Iʼm thankful for the endless cups of coffee I can make during classes
Sylvia Rani
Google, fresh mozzarella, warm kittens
Natalie Bluhm
Autumn Sangers
unlimited spotify playlists, coffee, fuzzy socks, chocolate
Iʼm thankful for the self checkouts at Fresh Thyme and my pilea plant because itʼs growing so many leaves :)
Skiing, books, friends, and AOC Grace Augustin
I am thankful for local artist, fuzzy blankets, and Dan Levy from Schittʼs Creek
Thankful for salted caramel coffee creamer, crewneck sweatshirts & getting The Wake mailed to my house (,:
Cynthia Maya Macy Harder
Trader Joeʼs everything but the bagel seasoning
Parker Smith
Iʼm thankful for the color yellow
thankful for brownie batter, now and forever
Avery Wageman
I am thankful for Harry Styles
Holly Gilvary
thankful for pasta
Izzy Teitelbaum
thankful for my house plants Shannon Brault
Sydnney Islam
Thankful for sleep and also daylights savings for an extra hour of sleep...
Sebastian Alfonzo
Mitchell Levesque
Iʼm thankful for plants
Hannah Dove
Iʼm thankful for the double griddle waffle-maker my brother sent me (shout out Zach) Marley Richmond
NaʼJai Wilson
Iʼm thankful for poetry, inspiration, coffee (my daily dose of serotonin), and hulu for having all the seasons of my favorite shows so I can binge them chaotically.
Iʼm thankful for Wake staff meeting presentations, dark green nail polish, and Project Runway Chae Hong
my bucket hats & my basil !!
Tell us what youʼre thankful for!
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NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
INSIDE 8
How To: Staying Home in Style
UPCOMING EVENTS 11/14–01/02
11/21
Gingerbread Wonderland
Sámi Inspired Bracelet Class
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A World Away
10
Logging into Freshman Year
All are encouraged to enter their dream cookie creation, regardless of their baking level. Once you’re finished, contact us to arrange a drop-off.
Join online to learn how to make a Sámi inspired leather bracelet, a distinctive jewelry style that developed in the Sámi’s nomadic culture.
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The Sustainability of Fandom Communities
10 AM – 6 PM @ Norway House
10 AM – 4 PM Online Event
11/15–11/29
12/01
NUMBERS: Exhibition by Incarcerated Artists
Raging Art ON
The hope for this project is to connect us to our shared humanity, to examine the effects of the criminal justice system, and to inspire actions that support racial and economic justice.
Holiday market in a gallery setting, Gamut Gallery provides a fun-filled, consumer-conscious alternative to chain stores and mall shopping.
Four Parks & Outdoor Activities for Socially Distanced Environment 12
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Yard Signs Show Solidarity for Community Local Activism and Policing
10 AM – 8 PM @ Creators Space
5 PM – 10 PM @ Gamut Gallery
How Do We Navigate Failure During COVID-19?
11/20
12/10–12/12
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An Open Letter to Children of Immigrants
“Reign of the Turkey” Pre-Thanksgiving Jam
Illuminate The Lock: Madweyaashkaa
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Hypersexualization of Female Rappers
Pre-thanksgiving show featuring three great bands: Absolute Chaos, Pure Substance, and Take The Weekend.
22
Addressing Pandemic Fatigue
An animated video collage projected onto the wall of the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock walls is sync with a soundscape of music. Explore the themes of finding connection within ourselves to nature from an Anishinaabe perspective .
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24
“Punisher”
25
“Honey Boy”
7 PM – 10 PM @ Underground Music Cafe
5:30 PM – 8 PM @ Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock Visitor Center
“Retro: Construction Time Again” 26
“I’m thinking of Ending Things”
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Letter from the Distribution Manager Hello there, you lovely reader, Thank you for picking up a copy of this wonderful magazine -- or rather, thank you for signing up for a subscription to be mailed to your front door. We are so happy to be able to share this with you in the physical form. There has been so much work that has gone into getting this copy to you. From the amazing art and writing, to the editors, to the production team, to everything that goes into mailing all of these copies out. But, most importantly, none of this would be possible without you, the reader, for who we do this work for. With all the division in the world, sometimes we tend to shy away from sharing the things that are on our minds, but what is special about this magazine is that it is by students, for students, regarding all of our different views and thoughts. It’s where students can share a part of themselves that they may have never shared before. We all know that we’re living in a time of a pandemic that has drastically changed our ways of life. One thing that makes this time so difficult is that we have all these things going on, yet we are spending more and more time by ourselves with our own thoughts. It’s easy to feel alone and to think that others don’t think or feel similar things when this is a time for us to come together (in socially responsible ways). Think of it more as physically distant, socially together. This magazine is such a great platform for student writers and artists to do just that, and it is an honor to be apart of the process of getting it to you. Whether you’re here for a certain story, a study break, or just to look around, I hope you enjoy all of the art you are about to see and that you find yourself in the words and images being shared. With much love, Shannon Brault Distribution Manager
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NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
ART
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Art by Megan Conner Smiley
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CITIES Amanda’s story was unfortunately misprinted in our last issue. We greatly apologize for this mistake and have reprinted it here in issue 2.
How To: Staying Home in Style Keeping your space feeling exciting and fresh is a necessity, especially now when you have to spend all your time in it.
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BY AMANDA CHRISTENSEN With the coronavirus pandemic keeping everyone at home for hours, even days, at a time, the space we live in has become an important factor in determining productivity, moods, and mindsets. For those who could never study or do homework in their bedroom, quarantine has more or less provided an opportunity to change that. Now, I’ve always been one to get restless with the set up in my bedroom, rearranging it sometimes to switch things up. This remodel includes moving my desk, changing the posters on my wall, or adding plants to my windowsill. It seems to put me in a fresher mindset—almost like it was my first day living there again, ready to take on whatever work I couldn’t complete with where my desk was beforehand. Quarantine especially has forced me to take the time to invest in the space I now do everything: working my two jobs, homework and studying, FaceTiming my friends, and sleeping. It’s like giving your space a spa treatment, leaving it pampered and fresh just for you. When it comes to room decor and keeping my space feeling like me, I always go for a new plant. There’s hundreds to choose from, whether it be a succulent, vine, or flower, and they’re generally pretty low maintenance. They also provide the benefit of taking in the carbon dioxide you breathe out and turning it into fresh oxygen, keeping the air in your space fresh and clean. I feel as though that is an especially important benefit as we endure a pandemic with an airborne virus. Plants
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can also brighten up a space with their colorful leaves and petals. My favorites at the moment are my bright red moon cactus (which looks like a prickly, red, misshapen ball on a thick green stem) and my bright green pothos plant with its big green leaves growing down like a vine. They are simple, low maintenance, and very pretty on my big windowsill. I highly recommend a new plant buddy if you’re in need of some greenery to freshen up your space. If you’re looking for a more creative or personable method of bedroom revamping, consider some wall decor. I am no artist, but I, along with many others stuck at home, picked up painting as my new in-house hobby over the past few months. I buy little canvases for a dollar or two at Target, search up inspiration on Pinterest, and paint (to the best of my ability). If I end up liking what I created, I’ll hang it up on my wall or prop it up on my desk. These little pieces make for perfect little decor around your bedroom or whatever space you spend time in. Speaking of Pinterest, mood boards representing your aesthetic or interests are a great option to spice up blank bedroom walls. This is an easy way to bring out your personality and style in a space. Another option to fill blank walls is posters, and you can find a plethora of online stores that offer a variety of them with a simple Google search. I tend to go for music artists, with my “Vote Igor” poster of Tyler the Creator, or ones that reflect things I value, like my Black Lives Matter poster.
As boring as it may seem, a simple cleaning of your space is another important method to keeping it fresh with the amount of time we are now spending at home in Zoom class and remote employment. Get a vacuum, some disinfectant wipes, a duster, and whatever else you may need. It always helps me to crack open a window and let the fresh air in, (until it starts getting too cold out), and turn some music on. I also throw my bedsheets and pillowcases in the wash when I deep clean my room—it makes my space feel even cleaner and more orderly. Whether it’s total rearrangement or simply a new plant, treating your space to little upgrades here and there will be reflected in more comfort and productivity during our pandemic-induced stayat-home requirements. Indulge in it like you would yourself, and it’ll provide a safe space to spend all the time in it you need.
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
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A World Away Exploration in the time of the coronavirus? Go digital. BY MITCHELL LEVESQUE Deep in the northern region of Mongolia is a lake called Khuvsgul, a name meaning “Ocean Mother.” Each winter, the body of water freezes over, creating intricate patterns of crisscrossing ice cracks. Beyond the shores of the lake are the Sayan Mountains, a sharp collection of rocks whose peaks are only dulled by their icy snow caps. To get to this serene location, one would normally travel by plane or bus to a small town called Mörön, and from Mörön to an even smaller town on the lake’s shores by van. The lake, suffice it to say, only enjoys visitors that are willing to make the long trek. However, just recently, Google Street View and its team visited the lake and brought their cameras. This documentation of the lake for Google Street View was a part of the team’s trip through Mongolia. The Gobi desert was also documented as well as the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Google Street View and Google Earth have done this kind of thing for many years, though not always on an ancient lake. Virtual exploration in the age of Google Street View has always been interesting, though never enthralling enough to keep you for more than five minutes. However, no matter the length of the experience, nor the level of immersion, interesting Easter eggs and fascinating details are always present when digitally exploring. All it takes is a little patience. A step up from Google Earth and Street View are websites and programs that allow you to
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tour places not as well captured (or simply not captured at all) by Google’s 360 degree camera. One such example is a Turkish website (http:// www.3dmekanlar.com) that, in addition to having virtual tours of famous bathhouses, allows for 3D explorations of various planets (and two dwarf planets) in our solar system, such as the rocky surface of the moon or the gaseous atmosphere of Jupiter. How accurate these planet tours and renderings are is debatable, but brooding upon those concerns may not last long in the face of the site’s other interesting tabs to explore, which include virtual tours of mosques, tombs, castles, and more. Keeping with international tours, a french website (https://www.catacombes.paris.fr), allows for a tour of the infamous Paris catacombs, complete with high-resolution, panoramic photos. The tour regrettably ends after the fifth photo, but a snapshot of the detailed tunnels is still worth the lack of content. Opportunities to virtually explore the world at greater lengths and, perhaps, in greater detail do exist. One such opportunity exists today in the cockpit of a passenger plane, or really any kind of plane you wish to fly. Microsoft’s new Flight Simulator 2020 is a simulator that tops all the rest just by virtue of where you get to fly. Using Bing Maps and Google data, the simulator allows you to fly anywhere on earth, so long as you can first find it on a map.
If exploring the known earth and universe doesn’t interest you, virtual journeys can be had with just as much relish in environments completely imagined. The best place to start on such an adventure is in the realm of video games. Minecraft, a giant among these open-world games, is one that is literally endless. What’s more, the activities and tasks required to properly investigate each nook and cranny of the game only adds to the immersion: mining for diamonds while simultaneously exploring caves systems will most likely accompany the collecting of mob drops from jungles and deserts, all while taking in the sites under the setting sun. What’s not unfortunately offered in the game is the amount of time needed to explore the vastness of this created world. Another game that perhaps has better graphics is one called “No Man’s Sky.” This game, much like Minecraft, continually generates new spaces for you to explore, as well as fictional creatures to interact with. What’s different is that each trip isn’t between forests and caves but rather between planets that likely no one has yet explored. If this wasn’t enough, the creatures present in this intergalactic space are randomly generated. Needless to say, you will not run out of things to see within this adventure. Whatever you choose to explore, know that there’s more out there. In short, find your own world.
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CITIES
Logging into Freshman Year The struggles of freshman year during a pandemic.
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BY VISHALLI ALAGAPPAN I was hopelessly lost. I stood in the looming shadow of Kaufert Lab on the St. Paul campus, trying to figure out my way in. Google Maps led me to the garage of the lab, located on the backside of the building, which was unsurprisingly locked. I huffed past Bailey Hall determined to find my way to the front entrance of the Lab. After 23 minutes, my mentor called me to inquire if I was still on my way, and I replied, “I honestly don’t know anymore.” Fortunately, I was able to find the unlocked front entrance to Kaufert Lab after using common sense over Google Maps. I finally met the people who had been tiny rectangles on my computer for weeks. It was exhilarating to simply see people in three dimensions and not interrupt someone “because of the medium of Zoom.” The huffing and puffing were all worth it for this hour of human interaction. As I made my cornstarch plastic with my fellow FaBEO members, everyone empathized with me about how challenging it was for them to find the lab when they were freshmen.
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The majority of the members of FaBEO were upperclassmen, and I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable everyone was around each other, socially distanced of course. Although everyone was so welcoming and amicable, I felt lonely. FaBEO is the Food and Bioproducts Engineering Organization. As a potential bioproducts and biosystems engineering major (yeah, I know, it’s a mouthful), FaBEO was the perfect student group for me. Besides, all the orientation leaders pushed joining student groups on us like Uncle Sam posters during World War I. However, the reality is that during this public health war, recruiting students into the ranks of student groups is simply not enough to make up for our lost freshman experience. We mourn not sprinting out onto the field and making the historic M, not exploring every nook and cranny of campus and finding the perfect quaint coffee shop, not meeting new people and having meaningful conversations, and so much more. Every freshman, regardless of their living situation, feels disconnected from the vibrant and bustling campus we based our dreams upon. Oftentimes, I feel professors and administrators don’t realize the intensity of loneliness and the mental exhaustion this semester has imposed on us. All we do is stare at a screen all day, sleep if we can, and eat just to sustain ourselves for more monotony and academic and emotional distress. Professors set up office hours and encourage us to attend, but at the end of the day, it’s yet another Zoom meeting to log into. Almost always, it’s easier to dismiss the confusion regarding an integral concept rather than have the grey of the waiting room screen reflect against our tired eyes.
This semester debuted a “new normal,” something that will follow us into the spring semester. However, this new normal is emergency remote learning. This emergency has dragged on longer than any of us might have expected, but emergencies and pandemics do end—at some point, I’m told. The reality of this pandemic is lonesome and excruciating to learn and live through. Many upperclassmen survive this emergency remote learning by leaning on the bonds they have created and the knowledge of collegiate operations they have accumulated in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unluckily for us, we freshmen have to navigate through this emergency style of academics and social life without those bonds and knowledge. The pandemic has inflicted us with poor physical health, death, loss of loved ones, as well as social distancing, deterioration of mental health, and an utter upheaval to the life we once knew. I do not believe in absolute optimism nor the dismissal of our reality by saying, “Oh, but everyone is going through this.” However, I do trust that we can distract ourselves from our reality with empathy for others and a pursuit for a community. Numerous freshmen are struggling and though professors have been accommodating, it doesn’t hurt to validate students’ experiences and feelings during class, office hours, and private meetings. Nor were the orientation leaders necessarily wrong in their student group marketing campaign. It is most definitely awkward to meet new people over Zoom, but believe that you are welcome and that your little rectangle on the screen belongs with the others.
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
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The Sustainability of Fandom Communities
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Four Parks & Outdoor Activities for Socially Distanced Entertainment
Are fandom communities sustainable, or just a fun memory of the past? BY SHANNON BRAULT Middle school fandoms on Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram fan accounts bring a special kind of nostalgia and were a pivotal part of community building as a young teenager. In a time where you’re bound to be awkward, these communities accepted the weird quirks that made us feel like outsiders. Are these fandoms sustainable, or are they just a goofy light in our childhood? Looking at this seven years after the awkwardness of middle school, I realize that I’m no longer friends with the people I would post on these forums and social media accounts with, but my love for the things the community was built around survives today. My love for 5 Second of Summer may never die because of these fandoms, and I’m completely okay with that. My entire friendship with a few of my friends in middle school was centered around this fandom, and I don’t think my undying love for 5SOS would have actively continued without them. While I am no longer following fan pages on Tumblr, I am still fangirling over members of 5SOS’ Instagram pages and their music. These fan accounts are the reason I still go to their concerts every time they’re in town with 1,000s of other fans, some who were also part of this online fandom. The relationships I built with these fan accounts as a young teenager may not have been sustainable, but the love these accounts created exist in new ways. I still follow their social media and some fan accounts, I buy all of their music on both vinyl and CD’s, and I attend all of their concerts when they’re in town. These fandoms have curated a deep, shameless love for the four boys of 5SOS that will continue to live on, just as it has all of these years.
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You don’t always have to stay home to stay safe. BY HOLLY GILVARY If you’re someone who’s dedicated to keeping themselves and others safe by avoiding unnecessary high-risk activities during the pandemic, first of all—kudos to you. But, activities such as staying in with Netflix and homemade drinks to avoid these high-risk situations can get old, fast. So here are four outdoors or otherwise socially distanced things you can do around the Twin Cities. 1. Mill City Farmers Market If you’re up for an early-ish Saturday, the Mill City Farmers Market is a great choice. Located downtown, the farmers market is open on select Saturdays in November and December from 10 a.m. to noon. While you’re shopping for fresh produce, highquality baked goods, or handmade gifts, you’ll also be supporting small and local businesses, who will definitely appreciate it amidst the pandemic. If you’re awake for it, the farmers market makes for a wholesome weekend outing. 2. Tower Hill Park This park is a hidden treasure in Minneapolis. Tucked away in the Prospect Park neighborhood, Tower Hill Park features the Witch’s Hat Water Tower and a beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline. It’s also conveniently close to campus if you want an easy escape into nature. 3. Minnehaha Falls Regional Park While this park is beautiful in the summer, it’s arguably even better once it gets below freezing. Since Minnesota didn’t give us much of a fall (as it often happens), Minnehaha Falls might already be frozen. With its 53 feet high waterfall, frozen Minnehaha Falls and its ice caves make for an amazing photo-op. 4. Take a horse drawn carriage tour of Minneapolis Lastly, if you have some cash to spend, you can grab up to three friends and go on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Minneapolis and the Mississippi River. With special COVID-19 accommodations, the Hitching Company is open for carriage reservations if you want a cute activity to do with friends, visiting family, or a significant other.
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CITIES
Yard Signs Show Solidarity for Community
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As the American political climate remains divided, one thing is sure: communities will show their unity with yard signs. BY EMILY BAUDE Throughout Minneapolis, yard signs are prolific. Stuck into the ground or displayed in windows of homes, these signs boast the homeowners support for political candidates or social movements. Before the election, Biden signs were commonplace in the Twin Cities. They can often be seen accompanied by signs showing support for various groups in Minnesota, such as the LGBTQ+ community or Black Lives Matter. Katherine Sullivan is one of many people in the Dinkytown area with a Black Lives Matter sign in her window. “I guess I saw other people making them and putting them up in their windows or yards, and I thought, ‘Hey, I can do that too,’” she said. Sullivan has a sign encouraging people to vote in her yard. She also has a Biden sign in front of her house. “I don’t like him… But I’m obviously voting for Biden,” Savannah Haneline said. She has yard signs in front of her house on Como Avenue, including a Biden sign and a sign encouraging people to vote against the Keystone Pipeline. Haneline said she thinks that the more people see Biden signs, the more likely they are to vote—“and not for the orange guy.”
author of a 2016 study focusing on political yard sign efficacy. “. . . It appears that signs typically have a modest effect on advertising candidates’ vote shares—an effect that is probably greater than zero but unlikely to be large enough to alter the outcome of a contest that would otherwise be decided by more than a few percentage points,” Green said. While yard signs might not be the most effective way for a candidate to gain traction, they can show solidarity in a community. Those who identify with the signage can find comfort when walking through their neighborhood. “I think they serve an expressive role. In New York State, the race for president is a foregone conclusion, but people with strong preferences still wish to express their support for either Trump or Biden,” Green said.
Haneline also lives on a busy street, which she said made her more inclined to express her opinions through yard signs. “It’s almost like I have a responsibility to have signs up. People drive and walk by my house everyday, and they have to look at these signs, and it makes them think.” Green also noted that the fact that BLM and Biden signs are often seen together is telling of how issues and candidates go together. When members of a community are like-minded, they can feel supported by each other from their yard signs. This is most likely the case in Minneapolis, where Trump signs are almost nonexistent. “I think people in this community know we support each other,” Haneline said. “A Trump sign in Como would stick out like a sore thumb.”
Sullivan said she has received comments from her neighbors on the signs she has. “I live on a pretty heavily-trafficked street, so people see my signs a lot. I guess that’s another reason I put them up.” Her downstairs neighbors even commented on her Black Lives Matter sign when they moved in. “I met them and the first thing they said was like, ‘We like that you have that sign up.’ I think that speaks to the connection the community can feel from something as simple as having a sign in your window.”
Campaign signs haven’t proven to be completely effective according to Dr. Donald Green, the
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NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
ART
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Art by Parker Smith Glitch
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FEATURE
Local Activism And Policing BY JEMMA KELEHER AND SYDNI ROSE
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WHO IS ACTUALLY SERVING & PROTECTING? NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
FEATURE
Activism in Organization Most can acknowledge that racism pervades every aspect of our society, even in 2020. However, there is a notable disconnect between the number of people who acknowledge the existence of discrimination and those who are actively working against it. Systemic inequality might seem like too large of an issue for a single person to combat, but movements are started by people who believe in the power of their own actions. “I’d always been aware of social justice, but I guess I weirdly never felt it was my place to actually organize that,” said Jae Yates, an active member of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J), a group that was founded in November of 2015 after the murder of Jamar Clark by the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). Yates explained that while they had studied sociopolitical history and attended protests before the uprisings, they had never taken steps to help organize such actions until this summer. Although millions of people participated in protests this summer, a significantly smaller group built the framework for that social justice action. Planning protests, reaching out to speakers and emcees, and getting the word out are all integral pieces of the behind-the-scenes work that enables mass participation. Engaging in that framework is crucial to creating change and supporting those who have
prepared for collective action. Educating oneself is an important step, but it’s also essential to acknowledge that learning isn’t enough—action must be taken. Olivia Crull, a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Minnesota since 2017, chose to commit to this outward effort in her first semester of college. Crull was looking for “more than just a book club” and found that in SDS. “I wanted a space where people actually thought that they could move things on campus and were committed to the long haul, trying to create a movement.”
A Summer of Outrage For those new and returning to activism, the murder of George Floyd in May sparked renewed calls to action. Yates found a renewed opportunity to fight for Black rights during the pandemic. “I think that for a lot of people, myself included, that gave us permission to reprioritize things for ourselves... I don’t have to go to work. I can do things that are actually important to me, and that thing was activism.”
While Floyd’s murder was undoubtedly a catalyst in creating outrage, the push against police brutality and for Black lives had been building for years, particularly in regard to the University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD). “Before
George Floyd was murdered, we had already been organizing on campus. We’ve been calling for UMPD to be disarmed in a campaign since 2018. We’ve already done so much groundwork as far as research into UMPD practices,” said Crull. When the media and the people were focused on Black lives more than ever this summer, SDS knew it was time to create waves. “We needed to call for immediate change, because people are ready to do something about it right now,” said Crull. “We were just trying to keep up momentum and keep people moving... It’s about being consistent even when there’s not the most energy. [You need to have] people who are dedicated to doing the work when it is not the most glamorous, and when it’s not the most rewarding when you’re not turning out hundreds of people to marches,” said Crull. ”Obviously, the issues don’t go away when the protests die down.”
“I wanted a space where people actually thought that they could move things on campus and were committed to the long haul, trying to create a movement.”
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FEATURE
And a History of Abuse Of course, police brutality isn’t isolated to Minneapolis, nor are the conversations surrounding police reform. Eric Garner of New York, Michael Brown of Missouri, Breonna Taylor of Kentucky, and now George Floyd of Minnesota— these people were senselessly killed by the police, and the list continues to grow, full of names that do not receive the same degree of recognition. Policing in the United States has inherently racist origins as a system that developed from slave patrols and Northern “town watches.” The MPD has a history of brutality dating back to the late 1800s that can be described as racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. For most of the twentieth century, the MPD was closely associated with the far-right group Citizens’ Alliance, known for attacking the city’s marginalized communities and fighting labor groups. By the 1970s, the MPD would also be considered one of the most homophobic police departments in country, failing to protect queer folks from violence and allowing officers to perpetrate such crimes themselves without retribution. Over the years, the brutality didn’t disappear, but evolved. Efforts to reform the police have proven to be nothing more than a Band-Aid on a much deeper problem. Sparked by riots in 1966 and 1967, a “Community Relations Division” was put into place to improve the MPD’s image in communities of color by engaging in outreach programs. Later, the police department created an “Internal Affairs Unit,” and the City Council made a Civil Rights Commission to investigate police misconduct. Both groups have a reputation of not holding police accountable for their actions.
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While less information is available on the origins of the UMPD than those of the MPD, the two forces have always maintained close contact. Certainly, the discrimination that plagues the MPD is felt in interactions with the UMPD as well. At a protest held by SDS in mid-October, every speaker addressed the fear they felt because of the UMPD’s armed presence on the University of MInnesota campus.
The Days Since As the topic of police brutality slipped from the media’s attention, participation also faded. It soon became clear that for many, participating in activism was more of a performance than a sustained change in lifestyle. Drawn in by the energy of protests—or afraid to be the only one staying home—fake allies left the fight as soon as silence and inaction became more convenient. Kyla Rust, a student who took leadership beside Winston at the UMN student protests in Dinkytown, reiterated the importance of the protests, however, and said, “It was important to us who spoke, who shared, who sang, who did poetry. Even if there was not one action item that we did together in that moment other than be there, people were still heard and I think at that time, that was super important.”
Even after the protests died down, the Black Student Union (BSU) continues to see engagement from its members. Camille Winston, who does Marketing and PR for the BSU, said, “Performative activism is an issue, but I don’t think that it is an issue for the Black community.” The BSU continues to be a space for Black students to find community, academic support, opportunities to engage with the Twin Cities, and a platform to push for change on campus. The BSU raised more than $12,000 for community mutual support funds this summer and organized community clean-up events following protests, according to Samiat Ajibola, the Vice President. Ajibola also described the BSU’s partnership with academic resources such as the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence and the Office of Equity and Diversity, as well as a dedication to “creating a space for Black students to be able to succeed.” Similarly, Alex Kincaid, a member of SDS, finds every reason to continue their momentum. “The police, who are supposed to be the people intervening when laws are broken, are the ones breaking the laws,” they said. “We need to be doing something because people in power aren’t going to make change unless there’s an enormous amount of public pressure on them.”
“The police, who are supposed to be the people intervening when laws are broken, are the ones breaking the laws.”
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
FEATURE
Looking Forward Violence and discrimination perpetrated by police departments have led people all over the country to question their efficacy. Folks across the United States are demanding the abolition of police departments as systemically racist institutions. While abolition may be a progressive ideal, the process would need to be gradual in order to be effective. “It’s very difficult to go from having this system to not... you can’t just cancel it all,” Winston said. Instead of focusing solely on the abolition of police departments, many local organizations are focusing on transitional reform. Body cameras and racial bias training, the extent of many police departments’ recent “improvements,” aren’t working if the brutality continues to happen. Part of translating a summer of activism and protests into real change meant having conversations with the University administration. “I first want to say there was no tension, Joan was very receptive to what we had to say,” said Ajibola. The review of the UMPD that Gabel initiated shows that the administration is listening to students’ fears. But, as Ajibola affirmed, “We need to be more than just heard, change needs to actually happen from being heard.”
Crull asserted that “Joan Gabel has the power to implement our demands, whether or not she wants to admit it.” And, apparently, she might not want to. “We get a lot of emails or Zoom meetings where people are trying to run us in circles and say that it’s not under their jurisdiction to [respond to] our demands,” Crull said. By continually pushing responsibility onto other parties, the University’s administration has put on a show of “listening” to student demands without taking meaningful action to meet them. Among SDS’s goals are the disarmament and defunding of UMPD, which had a budget of more $9.5 million in 2018. SDS also demands more community control of UMPD, joining other local organizations in pushing for the decentralization of power and authority currently held solely by police departments themselves. Like SDS, Yates and TCC4J see a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC) as one change that would provide community control of the MPD. “The community has self determining power to have control over the police—what they do, how they operate, what their budget is, and also discipline of the police,” they said. “Rather than our current model of police investigating and disciplining themselves, which means that they never get investigated or disciplined.” “This is different from community policing, which is more of a concept of the community being officer-friendly. Police departments try to do this whole, ‘We care about the community and we are going to have this community barbeque.’ But then
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“We need to be more than just heard, change needs to actually happen from being heard.” it’s basically just them ingratiating themselves with certain members of the community in order to survey the community.” When faced with tragedy this summer, Minneapolis came together to mourn the death of George Floyd and demand change in the systemically oppressive forces of the MPD and the UMPD. Student groups and local activist organizations played a key role in organizing social justice actions such as protests and mutual aid fundraisers, but millions of others across the globe played a pivotal role just by showing up. Now, even as media attention fades, the racist violence continues. We must continue to educate ourselves, show up for the community, and organize sustained action.
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ART
Art by Shannon Brault
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
VOICES
An Open Letter to Children of Immigrants: From a Daughter of Immigrants Some things I wish I was told sooner BY SAGRARIO TORRES FLORES On Mother’s Day, the general consensus is that we take a day to remember and celebrate the maternal figures that have shaped who we are. While I’ve seen shoutouts addressed to a range of people on this day—from nonconventional maternal figures to single fathers, people who have fulfilled a role and made it their own—I want to highlight another one of these dimensions. To the children of immigrants, this one’s for you. Here’s to the calls, conversations, and emails you’ve helped your parents through. For being a language or cultural interpreter and navigating the emotional labor of adult situations from a young age. For the loving pride and patience you have for your parents and their questions. Perhaps you were a part of their journey to citizenship, helped them register to vote, or went with them to the polls to cast their vote this past election. In a country that has been unwelcoming to Black and Brown immigrants, you empower them to challenge white spaces. A shoutout to you for experiencing “firsts” that were new for your parents and family that came before you and opening doors for your siblings and family that will follow after you. For charting new territory and familiarizing yourself with how things work in a country and culture that your parents may still be learning. Cheers to you for propelling your sibling(s) forward—for re-teaching homework, going to school conferences, or helping them plan for their future. You’ve worn many caps: translator, teacher, coach, third parent— checking on little things that other adults in your lives may not think about or aren’t able to support with. Here’s to you for initiating difficult conversations that push for the serious consideration of new or overlooked perspectives while striving to stay within the social boundaries of familial hierarchies. This past summer, this could’ve looked like having conversations about the anti-Blackness existent within our communities, educating our families on internalized racism, and challenging cultural prejudice. I want you to remember to take care of yourself. When I would hear this myself, I often wouldn’t take it to heart. So, genuinely, from me to you: Nourish yourself with the care you need. Your growth might look different than what your family, friends, or even you would have expected, but that
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growth is still your own. It’s possible that your growth may even directly challenge the path that had been imagined for you by your family. Doing what’s best for you might be contested by the idea that it’s selfish. In disagreements with parents, there are added layers of doubt in your stance; are our opposing views coming from a cultural difference? Am I being insensitive? Even so, I reject the negative connotations that wholly engulf the idea of selfishness; in the idea that prioritizing your goals is an inherently selfish notion, we tread a dangerous path that could lead us to feel guilty for acting on self-care. Even now, during times in which we may be spending more time with family than we had planned for, it’s important to prioritize your emotional and physical health and be sure to appreciate all you’ve done for yourself and others. It’s good to surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable to sound decisions, but I’ve also found it grounding to refresh your palate of reasonings with empathetic friends. Whether or not your efforts are noticed by your family and friends, I want you to know that I see you. There’s a unique intersectionality in being a child of immigrants, so while this doesn’t intend to generalize an experience, if anything that I shared resonates with you, I hope you find solace. If not by this letter, by other forms of support. These are things I wish I had heard and known sooner. Not so much for the thanks and advice, but rather for the knowledge that someone else understands. I hope this sentiment sinks in; you are not alone, and you have people in your corner, wanting the best for you.
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VOICES
How Do We Navigate Failure During COVID-19?
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Virtual graduations, limited social interaction, moving back into our childhood homes, canceled internships… College students can’t catch a break. BY CAROLINE COHEN When I finally realized we were living during a global pandemic, I thought I knew what to expect. I knew life would be different, that I would feel isolated and frustrated, and that I would probably just have to hold out a few months until this whole thing was over. Little did I know. Now, further into this madness than I ever thought possible, I can’t seem to get one thought out of my head: I have failed. The slow burn from the confusion of COVID-19 into this feeling of failure was rapid and drastic. It seemed as though I blinked, and suddenly, I was doing college classes from my high school bedroom, my summer internship had been canceled, all of my fall classes had gone fully virtual, and I found myself buried in anxiety and confusion. Living on campus for the summer, I eagerly searched for a job, which resulted in more “we regret to inform you” emails than I had hoped for and a lot of lazy days. I found myself on an empty college campus—jobless and hopeless, watching my high school friends reunite at home for the summer—and I couldn’t help but ask what I did wrong in order for this to happen. It seems as if during quarantine the whole world was determined to take a break. We allowed our lives to come to an immediate halt, disregarding responsibilities for the time being. In all honesty, I was relieved. But the issue is that when the end of quarantine came, we found ourselves diving headfirst back into the commitment, obligations,
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and accountability of real life. My older brother and I felt continuous pressure from our parents to make sure that the pandemic didn’t impact our resumes, that we were ahead of the curve, and that we were on track to be independent and successful adults. We had gone from zero responsibilities to planning our entire futures. How were we not supposed to feel like we were failing? In a study of 1,500 public school students in the U.S., it was found that due to the coronavirus, 40% had lost a job or internship, 13% had delayed their graduation, and 29% expected to earn less money at age 35. In college, a time where planning is key and milestones are essential to beginning adult life, it’s hard not to feel like you’re failing when something doesn’t happen as it should. My older brother and I are just a percentage of these statistics, but it still feels like we’re the only ones. One of his best friends graduated in the spring from UW-Madison with honors and is now off to New York to start working at Goldman Sachs. Compared to him, we’ve all failed. But he is the type of person who works day and night toward a dream he’s had forever. It seems like the only people who aren’t failing right now are the ones, like him, who were always ahead of the game— always spending their time working at something, always thinking about the future. So what about the rest of us? How are the people who weren’t expecting the chaos of a global pandemic going to succeed right now?
I think the answer lies in self-compassion. My brother and I are 20 and 22. Our brains aren’t even fully developed, so it’s ridiculous for us to think that we need to make decisions right now that will impact the rest of our lives. Let’s go back to the quarantine mentality: Give yourself a break. I got 11 job rejections this summer, and if I take that personally, my mind will explode. Not only do we as college students, but our parents, teachers, and friends need to remember that we are living in one of the most unpredictable years in decades. No one knows what the best thing to do is right now. So I propose that we have more empathy, patience, and understanding for one another. Tell your parents that you can’t think about jobs right now! Skip your first Monday class if you’re sleep deprived! Tell your friends that you’re staying in for a movie night if you need it! Do what you need to do, and don’t bother asking yourself if you’ve failed because I can tell you: you haven’t.
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
VOICES 1
Hypersexualization of Female Rappers People love a female rapper, but what about the ones who don’t rap about sex? Yes, those artists do exist. BY IZZY TEITELBAUM Women reclaiming their sexuality has been a rising phenomenon for the past decade. Clothing, music, and speech all play central roles in outwardly expressing ourselves. Proclaiming your sexuality to the world is exhilarating, yet exhausting. Women have been oversexualized in rap since the first tough guy picked up a mic. The male rap starter kit consists of a gold chain, stacks of money, and women being used as background props. A “flex” in the rap sphere is often defined by unlimited access to wealth and women. Success in the genre has been a recent development for women, and it looks different for female rappers. As the desire to be an independent and strong woman rose, it seems that the success of female rappers did too. It’s become more common for women to experiment with the dominant role—in life, in the bedroom, and in the music industry. Instead of being an afterthought in a song, female rappers have brought women’s pleasure to the forefront of their music. Female sexual pleasure has become a form of expression that was suppressed for centuries. Outward expressions of sexuality are now being celebrated instead of berated. A sexual woman is no longer a slut—now she’s empowered. Women in other music genres talk about sex but do not receive the same backlash as female rappers. This may be because rap is so much more “in your face.” Instead of using veiled metaphors and harmonies, sex is often discussed openly and explicitly in rap music. The sexuality displayed in popular rap is rarely linked with emotional ties but instead depicts pure, unabashed pleasure. It comes down to being more assertive, which people still aren’t comfortable with from women. The style of rap is essentially everything women were taught not to be.
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Women in rap face more scrutiny than other areas of entertainment and music. The responses to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s song “WAP” made several male rappers upset. A few congresspeople joined in with their disapproval as well. But of course it would cause people to be upset—it’s an overdue role reversal. The song release was widely celebrated by women. It feels good to have women in the public eye constantly pushing the boundaries. As women, we’re taught to keep our sex drive a secret and not put it right in people’s faces, literally or figuratively. However, it’s not as if women have nothing else to rap about. Almost all of the songs charted on Billboard’s top 100 with female rappers were explicitly sexual. The rise of sexuality isn’t bad, it’s the lack of everything else in female rap that is worrisome. This has been tricky for other female rappers to navigate. The sexualization of female rap has become so strong, it’s hard for others to break into the charts with their rap if it doesn’t obtain enough sex references. According to Cardi B, people don’t support her music unless she’s “rapping about [her] p*ssy.” This lack of complexity within the genre is because of a lack of support. The charts reflect the listeners. One reason why female artists may not gain traction from songs about love is that women are already characterized as loving or emotional people, so rappers have to work extra hard to combat that stereotype. They might feel as if lyrics about more emotional topics make them vulnerable. It’s not a coincidence that women started to become more successful in rap during the rise of “girl power” movement. Women in rap are women with strength. Their lyrics are not exclusively about showcasing their sexual side. The rap genre for
women feels like a double-edged sword. You rap about sex and you’re successful, but people call you a slut. You don’t rap about sex and it’s hard to gain traction in the music industry. Besides sex, male rappers have a plethora of songs about love, pain, poverty, wealth, hustle, police brutality, and racism. There are female rappers with songs addressing messages with these complex themes. They do exist. The difference is they don’t receive the same support. Songs about sex are played more often at parties, shared more with friends, and they become an inspiration for trends. Noname, a female rapper from Chicago, is a perfect example. In her album “Room 25,” she explores finding herself in her rap. The album delves into her thoughts on race, identity, sex, and politics. She has worked hard to achieve being an independent artist, but her name is nowhere near as popular as someone like Nicki Minaj who is known for her sexual lyrics. Women are successful yet condemned for hypersexualized rap. But why are hypersexual rap songs the only ones that seem to top the charts? Women have more in-depth thoughts and struggles than those centered around their sex lives. I am thrilled about the celebration of a woman’s sex drive, but I want to see more than this one-dimensional depiction of female rap. Songs with depth exist, but our culture has been so focused on the purely sexual side of women. It’s important to allow them to be more than one thing. Rap is a platform for people’s pain, struggles, and even celebration—all the things that make someone a complex human. But we only celebrate a female rapper’s work when she’s saying what we want to hear.
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VOICES
Addressing Pandemic Fatigue
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Celebrations have become a prominent obstacle in our fight against the coronavirus, making it more important to resist the urge to escape the seclusion of quarantine. BY AMANDA CHRISTENSEN The urge to get out of the sweatpants you’ve worn the last three days and go out with your friends for a night on the town has grown increasingly hard to resist, especially fter eight painful months of pandemic-induced seclusion in our homes—and the upcoming months don’t show much for improvement. Personally, the fall season is my favorite, but not for the clichés of pumpkin spice and the changing colors of the trees. Instead, I look forward to Halloween, hoodie season, tailgates, and to top off the cake—my 21st birthday. Pre-coronavirus, I would’ve been planning some great spooky celebration for my favorite holiday alongside my birthday, but this fall presents a completely different landscape to navigate. After eight long months of stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, and diminished social lives, these events become even more enticing. It’s hard to look out at people attempting to bring back a sense of “normalcy.” Especially on a college campus, with bars reopening and students hosting get-togethers in their small apartments, it’s difficult to resist the urge to join them. Why can they get away with breaking seemingly every single COVID-19 rule and be totally nonchalant about their decisions, while others have to contemplate if it’s safe for them to go to the grocery store? Our adaptation to pandemic life has created this grey area where people are trying to decide what’s considered acceptable or unacceptable. What’s become known as “pandemic fatigue” has just about everyone contemplating the things that used to be so normal in their
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everyday lives, from social hours to restaurant dinners to simple grocery shopping. We want to be able to do the things we did a year ago without question, with our only worries being what we would wear for game day or what our Halloween costumes would be. Now, we are needing to step back and question if any of these activities are safe or acceptable during the age of COVID-19. The hardest part: Not everyone has the same idea of what should be acceptable or not. With students back on college campuses, more coronavirus outbreaks are popping up all over the country—why? Parties, bars, and tailgates. Pandemic fatigue has not only brought out those desperate to revamp their normal fall festivities, it also has exhausted those most committed to stopping the spread of the virus. Constantly having to turn down invites to parties and tailgates and being unable to see family members makes us feel more and more isolated as the year goes on. It’s even harder to see people doing the very things causing the continued spread of the virus, seemingly throwing out all efforts by their peers to stop it. Despite the appeal of going out with friends to let loose and de-stress, it’s still crucial to remember the very reason why these annual celebrations have become controversial conversations—we are still in a pandemic, one that has yet to show little, if any, improvement since March. We need to consider what is more important to our future and if going to that party or having that birthday night out at
the bar is a safe decision in the grand scheme of things. For those committed to stopping the spread of this seemingly never-ending virus and looking for a break from Zoom school, there are still some ways to celebrate the fall season in COVID-19-safe ways. Keep your circle small and only socialize with those you live with and see every day. Try making a plan to go to a local pumpkin patch or corn maze. This keeps you out of small, indoor spaces, and you can enjoy the MN outdoors before it’s too cold. If you want to celebrate a birthday or have a friendsgiving, stay home with your roommates and make it a movie night or a game night with some wine. As much as a nice restaurant or big tailgate appeals to our urge to get out of this pandemic fatigue, celebrating at home is probably the safest way to celebrate any occasion this fall. Of course we all want to get out of the house and enjoy a ghostly Halloween or a spirited game day tailgate, but we have to minimize as much unnecessary activity as we can in order to make any sort of progress in beating the coronavirus. There are plenty more important things to be concerned about than bars and parties—and they’ll still be there when it’s safe to celebrate again.
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
ART
THE WAKE
Art by Tony Miller
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REVIEWS
Punisher Phoebe Bridgers BY AVERY WAGEMAN Phoebe Bridgers released her sophomore album, “Punisher,” in June. The album is much moodier than her debut album, “Stranger in the Alps,” and often feels like it’s balancing reality and another dimension. The first track, “DVD Menu,” is an ominous instrumental that introduces the spooky mood of the album with an unsettling combination of electric bass and violin. This introduction shares the same melody as the final track from both this album and her previous album. “DVD Menu” transitions smoothly into “Garden Song,” a lighter, almost soothing song. Bridgers’ soft vocals are accompanied by the deep voice of her tour manager. The balance of voices mirrors the violin and bass of the first track. Bridgers explained that “Garden Song” was written to encapsulate the experience of all your dreams—both good and bad—coming true. “Kyoto” is arguably the most upbeat song on the album. It has a fun mix of horn and synth, along with drums that build up the tempo through the verses. Written about her first time in Japan, Bridgers expresses the feeling of always wanting to be somewhere other than where she is, and experiencing imposter syndrome while on tour. The title track, “Punisher,” is a sobering follow up to “Kyoto.” A gentle piano melody compliments Bridgers’ wispy vocals. She defines a punisher as someone who talks for
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so long that the eyes of the person they’re speaking to begin to glaze over. This solemn track is about her fear that she becomes a punisher when she meets her heroes, as her fans often become in her presence.
someone with a savior complex seeking to save their partner from their self-hatred. The melancholic lyrics are complimented with a beautiful, arching violin instrumental.
“I See You,” a breakup song about her “Halloween,” a calming but haunting song, relationship with her band’s drummer features a sleepy tempo and a low drum ironically (or perhaps intentionally) has a beat. In the background, the sound of the fantastic crescendoing drum beat. The drums wind howling, or maybe ghosts, can be heard. and her painful lyrics about the loss of her Bridgers pleads with her partner that for relationship make for a track to blast and sing just one night, they should make their dying along to. relationship interesting. As the song fades out, “I’ll be whatever you want” is repeated “Graceland Too,” the album’s only folk song, by featured vocalist and Bright Eyes member features twangy guitar and a banjo. This Conor Oberst. track has a similar theme to “Savior Complex,” depicting the difficulty of wanting to help Following “Halloween” is the fast-paced someone who doesn’t want it. “Graceland Too” and emotional “Chinese Satellite,” one of my features the vocals of Julien Baker and Lucy personal favorites on the album. Bridgers’ Dacus, Bridgers’ boygenius bandmates. poignant lyrics embody her constant longing for life to be more magical, illustrated in the The apocalyptic conclusion, “I Know the End,” lines “Took a tour to see the stars, but they is my favorite song on the album. The track weren’t out tonight, so I wished hard on a is about the drive up the coast of northern Chinese satellite.” Her vocals are bolstered by California, referencing UFOs, conspiracy guitar, bass, and echoing drum beats that are theories, ghosts, and the end of the world. “I reminiscent of an 80s rock song. Know the End” begins with a similar sound to the rest of the album: synths, bass, electric “Moon Song” slows the album down once guitar, and Bridgers’ soothing vocals. As again. It is a somber song about caring for the song reaches the third verse, the tone someone who hates themself. This song is changes and the beat picks up. Bridgers heart wrenching, especially Bridgers’ wistful describes passing a “THE END IS NEAR” sign line, “If I could give you the moon, I would with the lines “I turned around, there was give you the moon.” The eighth track, “Savior nothing there, yeah, I guess the end is here.” Complex,” is considered to be the sequel to An eerie finale for the album, but a fitting line “Moon Song,” written from the perspective of for the times. NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
REVIEWS
Honey Boy Shia LaBeouf BY MACY HARDER I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emotionally attached to a fictional character, let alone a 12-year-old boy, until now. Actor Shia LaBeouf doubles as a screenwriter in this semi-autobiographical film, in which we gain more insight into his past of childhood fame, addiction, and mental health issues and into his relationship with his abusive father. His 12-year-old self, depicted as “Otis,” is played by Noah Jupe, who conveys an emotional maturity well beyond his years. Lucas Hedges also gives a strong performance as tThe young adult version of Otis, in treatment for substance abuse. And finally, LaBeouf takes on the part of his own father with an extremely powerful and cathartic execution of the role. “Honey Boy” is raw, intense, vulnerable, and unlike anything I’ve seen before. It almost feels as though we’re intruding into the depths of LaBeouf’s psyche as we watch his trauma unfold on screen. Jupe’s performance of a young boy who feels alone in the world is brilliant and captivating, tugging at every single one of our heart strings. But at the same time, the film has very few aspects of self-pity. Rather, it’s apparent that LaBeouf’s honesty in his writing and performance is therapeutic for the actor, maybe providing some sort of personal closure. Above all, this film served as an emotional release I didn’t know I needed. I connected with Otis as if his pain was my own. “I’m gonna make a movie about you,” he says to his father. As if for the first time, I exhaled; this full-circle moment left me in tears on my living room couch. LaBeouf’s depictions of pain, longing, and other complex emotions in this film are riveting, and “Honey Boy” is something I won’t forget for a long time.
Construction Time Again Depeche Mode BY EVAN FERSTI In one of the more fortunate events of 80s music, influential keyboardist Vince Clarke left the band Depeche Mode after recording just one album with them. While Clarke’s later projects would consist of mostly uninteresting synth-pop, Depeche Mode became free to expand their sound, and by incorporating industrial elements into their new wave style, they became one of the few bands of their type that could truly put on a stadium show. 1983’s “Construction Time Again” finds an early version of the band still transitioning away from Clarke’s influence. The major theme of the album is, as the title suggests, the consequences of infrastructure development, with appropriately titled songs like “Pipeline” and “The Landscape is Changing.” This lends itself to political messaging, which, while not the band’s strong suit, is something they’ve certainly dabbled in over the years. For example, lyrics like “I don’t care if you’re going nowhere/just take good care of the world” are well-meaning but not particularly impactful. Elsewhere, “Two Minute Warning” is a lower-tier 80s nuclear apocalypse anthem, and while “Told You So” is memorable and employs interesting textures, it is also not particularly well-written. The album produced two singles, and while “Everything Counts” is a classic, “Love, in Itself,” which opens the album, features a goofy arrangement that isn’t particularly endearing. Writing an album about a world dealing with major changes fits this era of Depeche Mode’s career well, as they were undergoing a major stylistic shift of their own. Though these transitory albums yielded mixed results, later albums like “Black Celebration” and “Music For the Masses” would see to it that the groundwork laid by earlier releases like “Construction Time Again” would be successfully built upon.
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REVIEWS
I’m Thinking of Ending Things A psychological thriller that will chill you to the bone BY MORGAN HAMERNIK This past September, Netflix released a new movie called “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, based on Iain Reid’s debut novel of the same title. In a whirlwind of uncertainty and absurdity, this story follows Jake and his girlfriend as they roadtrip through a snowstorm to his parents’ rural farm. While there are many differences between the book and movie, both leave the audience with a sense of unease and ultimately confusion. This fact makes the story particularly polarizing; it is either extremely hated for its open-endedness or loved for its originality and thought-provoking nature. Personally, I started by watching the movie and was left unsatisfied, but after reading the book (and a plethora of other peoples’ theories about the ending), I became obsessed with both. I think it is a story that you have to experience for yourself at least once, whether it be in book or movie form. This was an ambitious debut novel for Iain Reid. At only 256 pages in paperback, this short book encapsulates everything you would want in a psychological thriller: spookiness, mystery, and a mind-blowing ending. It is a tale that centers on the human condition. Using short, choppy prose, the story is told from Jake’s girlfriend’s perspective as she teeters between wanting to stay in the relationship and leaving it all behind during the trip. We follow their conversation as they ride to the farm and the girlfriend’s inner troubles about Jake. Right away, an eerie
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tone is established by the vague language and frequent interruptions of gossip about a school janitor. This strange feeling continues when the two arrive and meet his eccentric parents and only takes a turn for the worse on their way back home. The ending may be confusing but it completely spins the story on its head, making the reader reconsider everything that happened in the first 200 or so pages. Exploring forums of different theories is almost more fun than the experience of reading the book. Armed with new connections and ideas, it’s hard not to pick up the book again and try to put the pieces together to understand the story’s true meaning. The film is almost more unsettling than the book. Charlie Kaufman, whose other works are known for their surreal quality (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” for example), doesn’t hold back on bringing the audience to the edge of their seats. A mix of long scenes of seemingly meaningless dialogue and the unrelenting howl of the wind build the tension for the first hour. At the same time, the film frequently cuts to a janitor roaming the halls of an empty school, who seems to have no connection to the young couple. This disorients the audience and begs the question: how are these two stories related? At the farmhouse, it is hard to decipher what is truly happening as the character’s clothes start to change without explanation and time seems to jump around. Kaufman added a few scenes that weren’t in
the book that only add to the confusion. The ending doesn’t have a clear-cut explanation, which is probably responsible for the mixed reviews of this movie. There’s even a ballet sequence thrown in there (no spoilers, I promise). When I first watched the film, the ending seemed too abrupt and out of left field. It felt as though the two hours were wasted, but at the same time, I couldn’t stop thinking about the film after I had turned off my TV. Such is the genius of Charlie Kaufman— taking an already confusing book and making it even more confusing yet still interesting to watch. I’m more of a fan of the book myself, but if you are a thriller junkie, it is worth your time to dive into this story in either form. Join the club of theorists and speculators. What really happened? What did it all mean? It is not a movie that can be half-watched while scrolling through your Twitter feed; it demands full attention and will get under your skin. You will be flipping through the pages so fast you might even finish the book in one sitting. One read or viewing probably won’t be enough. I can truly say it was unlike anything I have ever read or seen before and will leave you perplexed in the best way.
NOVEMBER 16 — DECEMBER 14
ART
THE WAKE
Art by Shannon Brault
