The Wake - Issue 8 - Spring 2023

fortnightly student magazine

volume 22 — issue 8

Battle Jacket Battle Plans

p. 8

Defending Drag

p. 17

Ethics of Spring Break

p. 10

The Myth of the Good Girl

p. 19

The Beast Around the Block

p. 13

Umbreen Hasan Q&A

p. 22

CREATIVE SUBMISSION

Photography by Kat Regas

©2022 The Wake Student Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

Established in 2002, The Wake is a fortnightly independent magazine and registered student organization produced by and for students at the University of

Fortnightly Student Magazine

Minnesota. The Wake was founded by Chrin Ruen and James DeLong.

Disclaimer: The purpose of The Wake is to provide a forum in which students can

Volume 22 Issue 8

Editorial

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.

Production

Editor-in-Chief

Srihita Raju

Executive Director

Marie Ronnander

Managing Editor

Sophia Goetz

Creative Director

Laura Kuchar

Cities Editor

Vishalli Alagappan

PR/Ad Manager

Gracie Kibort

Voices Editor

Carter Starkey

Social Media Manager

Makayla Hilluka

Online Editor

Quinn McClurg

Art Director

Natalie Williams

Copy Editor

Abby Vela

Web Manager

Brennan Neuser

Music Reviews Editor

Peter Nomeland

Distribution Manager

Selam Gerezgiher

Multimedia Producer

Ben Villnow

Designers

Makenna Larson

Multimedia Editors

Natalie Aue

Mallory Paul

Kailee Baumann

Kat Regas

Cities Interns: Sydney Peshon, Ava Rausch

PR/Ad Interns: Cheyney McKinney, Jacob Nelson

Voices Interns: Devna Panda, Goamaar Paul

Art Interns: Sana Ikramuddin, Alex Kozak,

Features Interns: Maddie Roth, Joshua Kloss

Brooke Lambrecht

Online Interns: Bianca Llerena Copy Editors: Vern Nowakowski, Hana Handzija Music Reviews Interns: Shanna Sivakumar

This Issue

Art

Writers

4 Sana Ikramuddin

1 Zoe Meyer, 2 Alex Kozak, 3 Natalie Williams,

Ava Rausch, Quinn McClurg, Gracie Kibort, Jessy Rehmann, Maya Bell, Lennon Gray, Maddie Roth,

Cover and Feature Art: Brooke Lambrecht

Devna Panda, Cole O’Brien, Madi Fraedrich, Hana

Feature Spread Design: Kat Regas

Handzija, Nithya Venkat, Carter Starkey, Rogan Isbell, Sommer Wagen, Peter Nomeland, Abby Vela

Honey, Let’s Start Here, This Is Why, Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Requiem Mass, and The 2023 Grammy Awards images from original sources.

Creative Submissions Kat Regas, Laura Kuchar, Natalie Williams

THE WAKE

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The Wake is Hiring!

Do you love being part of a super cool community, managing money, and like, numbers and stuff? We’re looking for a new finance manager!

Email eic@wakemag.org for more information.

The Wake Student Magazine 126 Coffman Memorial Union 300 Washington Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

A Quick, Easy Crossword wink! one page magazine

Have a nice, relaxing time with this quick and easy crossword! It’s totally normal, like words everyone knows.

EVERYONE knows these words. It’s actually embarrassing if you don’t. Like...keep that to yourself.

Answers are at the bottom of the page! NO CHEATING. I’ll know if you’re cheating you little cheater.

DOWN 1. ye olde IBS 2. sleepy. like SO sleepy.

3. the action of forcing that nasty, overpriced cocktail from uptown on your friends 6. just a silly guy. just like me.

7. that STOMACH. GURGLING. HUNGER. ooh it’s so bad!

ACROSS 4. those times when you played warrior cats with your friends 5. a suspicious lie...

8. your friend that looks like Sonic 9. open mouth chewer, alternatively, that little blue guy from Barbie Fairytopia 10. cheek’d up, as it were

4

ANSWERS 1. wamblecropt 2. wabbit 3. impignorate 4. zoanthropy 5. taradiddle 6. flibbertigibbet 7. borborygm 8. erinaceous 9. bibble 10. callipygian

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

INSIDE 8

A Glimpse into the Future of Artistic Preservation Battle Jacket Battle Plans

9

Ask Gracie

10

Your Spring Break Plans: Sustainability and Social Accountability

11

The Wake Spotlights: Black Student Union Totally Rad Vintage Fest Comes to Minneapolis

13

The Beast Around the Block

16

The Importance of Romanticizing Yourself

17

Defending Drag

18

The College System Creates the Pre-Med Dropout

UPCOMING EVENTS 3/2 @ 7 PM

3/4 @ 1 PM - 3 PM

Music and Mindfulness

Scandinavian Immigrant Culture through Storytelling, Comedy, and Traditional Music

Musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra and a mindfulness and wellbeing instructor from the U will lead a concert that explores the relationship between mindfulness and music. Tickets are $23!

1111 Nicollet Mall

3/3 @ 7 PM Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Roxy’s Cabaret Join the cast of Roxy’s to pay tribute to some of the most iconic divas of all time.

Plus, a prize awaits you if you can guess who it is beforehand! Tickets are $10.

1333 Nicollet Mall

Join us at the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia from 1pm-3pm. Three folk artists weave their work together to bring to life the stories of Scandinavian immigrants.

20880 Olinda Trail N, Scandia

3/4 - 3/5 Visions from the Land Pop Up Event at the Arboretum from 11am-2pm featuring indigenous artists and organizations. Tickets are $15.

3675 Arboretum Dr

3/4 @ 10 AM - 5 PM Waking Worlds: Wondrous Reads for Curious Minds Visit this exhibit at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum from 10am- 5pm. This visual accompaniment to three celebrated books that explore the flora and fauna of our wonderful and mysterious world.

800 Riverview Dr, Winona

Study Abroad: a Better Freshman Year 19

Myth of the Good Girl

20

Six Reviews

22

Umbreen Hasan Q&A

THE WAKE

5

Letter from the Online Editor Dear reader (or whichever part of you is present), Wow, there is so much to say, especially since I was given such a public platform as this. I’ve gone through many drafts of this letter, some being humorous, some being existential, and some being crass, but I want to make this about more than my time at The Wake; I want to give you a part of myself.

So much of my life has been driven by indecision and even more of it has been lived under my assumed expectations of other people’s demands. It should come as no surprise, dear reader, that these foundations are not secure enough to build a home on. Sure, this way of life will get you over the extremely low bar of the bare minimum and secure your social status as “inoffensive,” but that’s only a means of getting through high school or any other depressive era; you’re in the big leagues now, baby, go out there and live for yourself! But, that’s easier said than done, I guess.

Lots of people assume character development requires some big, cathartic action to jolt you out of your comfort zone, make you cry in the rain, and leave you holding onto at least one thing that’s worth living for, but that’s not true at all. Realistically, character development is quiet, slow, and really, really hard (especially if you are trying to do it alone), but it is not a solitary action. Self-creation requires lots of exposure to art, media, culture, relationships, awareness, experiences, etc.; I like to think of these possibly important things as pieces of myself that I just haven’t found yet.

I would be lying if I said I wanted to engage with these facets whenever they came up, but I stumbled upon enough to believe that every action taken to broaden horizons is worth taking, that every piece of information you can glean about yourself and the world is invaluable. Just be aware of burn out and monitor your capacity for adventure, philosophy, whimsy, etc.

I could have some huge, sappy anecdote here, but I’d rather lay it out cleanly: just do your thing, and, if you do it for long enough, the right people will notice and care. Then, you have a community and, therefore, more experiences and perspectives to understand everything’s role in everything! You could use this information to take over the world or something, but I use it to appreciate being alive and in the midst of everything; I show my appreciation by acting through passion’s various avenues.

Now, with all that out of the way, I can confidently say that this (along with all my other writing and my other personal, distilled meanings) is by no means comprehensive, comprehensible, or true. As long as I am alive, I will be deconstructing, destroying, and rebuilding everything I stumble across, then repeating it all endlessly; that’s the fun part, isn’t it, deciding what foundations you stand upon?

Anyways, good bye, and thanks for your attention.

Yours, and yours alone, Quinn McClurg they / she Online Editor

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FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

ART

THE WAKE

Art by Laura Kuchar

CITIES

A glimpse into the Battle Jacket future of artistic Battle Plans preservation The Weisman’s new exhibit, “A Message from our Planet,” shows that the possibilities are endless in a limitless world.

BY AVA RAUSCH “Message from our planet,” a traveling art exhibit arranged by the Thoma Foundation that encourages viewers to think beyond the dimensions of this world, has finally made its way to the Weisman Museum. The exhibit proposes that art may be communicated beyond traditional means and can be preserved through computer code. Software, video and light-technology are used to encapsulate artifacts and ambitions of contemporary society, like messages being displayed through the lens of a cell phone.

Artwork is displayed in a less traditional means of simply plastering the painting on the wall, this is more interactive.

Moving pieces on a digital canvas catch the attention of the onlooker, allowing them to see all of the different elements come together in real time.

It goes beyond the limits of contemporary society, choosing to emphasize the western world, which has notably shifted to conforming with a digital algorithm that dictates communication across platforms. Choosing to hone in on using computer code to display the pieces allows the audience to think beyond modern communication efforts, allowing technology to be the epicenter of what we will come to understand in the future.

According to the exhibition curator, Jason Foumberg, “Message from our Planet” was inspired by a spacecraft containing a record of human culture launched into outer space by NASA in 1977. “I wanted this group exhibition to evoke a similar multivocal message by artists who share a human desire to be understood across time and space.”

It’s nothing like contemporary works you would find at the Walker, abstract works of spiral designs fill the room until your mind seems to wander off to a different universe, but that’s what makes it unique. Give it a try, support the inspirational international artists that work hard to breach the limits of contemporary art!

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1

2

The history and practice of stitching a second skin.

BY QUINN MCCLURG Paint, patches, and pins? Those are the expected means of customizing any clothing item. But studs, screws, needles, and floss? Those are just a taste of the ingredients included in a battle jacket; all bets are off when it comes to their customization.

Originally, battle jackets were adopted from the “cut-offs” of biker subcultures, which, in turn, were adopted from the flight suits of American pilots during WWII. The customization of these uniforms was intended for identification in personal, social, or organizational settings, and was applied by any means necessary with whatever resources were available (hence, the time-honored floss stitching).

Some were even made for utility (many safety pins attached, self-defense tools (rocks, for example) sewed in, etc.).

Today, battle jackets still play the same roles, and are worn as a means of expressing personal identifications with bands, artists, gangs, or political ideologies. The meanings contained in a jacket are as varied as the materials the jacket is made of.

Although people say there are no rules when making a jacket, these are the unspoken ones: 1. Don’t be a poser. This jacket is your second skin; don’t add something because it looks cool, add something because it means something to you.

2. No “premades.” Unless it’s from a local artist or friend, a premade jacket is going to lack character and intention; the goal is to have something unique to you, not something mass-produced.

3. Battle jackets are a labor of love. I will only wear a jacket if I (or someone close to me) was the one to sew it; the time spent putting a jacket together is time spent inserting intention and familiarizing oneself.

Someone once told me, “make it because you need it, wear it because you like it,” and then went on to make a jacket composed entirely of bleeding baby doll heads; I feel as if that statement encompasses everything perfectly: make it carefully, wear it proudly, and feel free to get a little experimental in design. Remember, if you can’t wash your jacket, freeze it; this will kill any pesky bacteria clinging to you from the grimiest depths of the punk scene.

Anyways, see you in the mosh pit!

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

CITIES

Ask Gracie

This month, the girls are protecting our own peace!

BY GRACIE KIBORT

Q: I am focusing too much on my future, how do I become more present in my day-to-day life?

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A: Dear reader, as a second-sem Senior, I’m just as anxiety-ridden regarding the next few years.

I understand that it’s hard not to get ahead of ourselves, with our post-grad reality barreling toward us at full speed. But, I ask that you be gentle to yourself, and to remember not to treat the next few months as a transitionary period.

The future is inevitable. As much as I wish I could, unfortunately, I cannot pause time for you, my friend. Each morning, however cheesy you may feel, look out the window, take a few deep breaths, and just, be. Instead of peering down at the passing feet on the pavement to narrowly avoid eye contact on the way to class, admire your surroundings and focus on how you’re feeling in this current moment.Write everything down and take a billion pictures. Have a little faith that whatever the universe has in store for you will find you in due time.

Q: I cut off a friend a few months back because I needed to protect my peace. I don’t regret the decision, but we have mutual friends and the negative energy lingers. How do I rid myself of the bad vibes?

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THE WAKE

— This too shall pass. A personal mantra close to A: Dear reader, congratulations on cutting out my heart and wrist. Applies both positively and what or who makes you miserable! Life is too short negatively for a much-needed reality check. to spend it with unhappiness glued to your side.

— I am so rooted in myself that nobody’s absence That being said, continue to focus on the good in your life: your inviolable relationships, your hobbies, or presence can disturb my inner peace.

— I am no longer available for things that make me and passions. Redirect the inevitable negative feel like sh*t. feelings, energy, and anxiety into these aspects of your life. This prosperity will return plentifully. Most Q: A friend won’t stop putting down the things I like importantly, spend time in spaces that make you and making me sad. What should I do? feel happy, protected, and as the greatest version of yourself. Don’t let your energy go to waste persevering “what used to be” with the ex-friend.

Q: Do you practice any daily affirmations? If so, what are they and what is the meaning behind them?

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A: Lately, I’ve been consuming a healthy dose of “Lucky Girl Syndrome” with tea, each morning and night; updates to follow on the results, but so far, so good. For those unaware, allow me to enlighten you about the world of delusional thinking. Say,“things are always working out for me no matter how it looks at any point in time”, whenever something goes wrong or you need to assuage feelings of anxiety. However, aside from my routine of journaling every thought, my eccentric recommendation is as follows: PIN.TER. EST. I’ve been carefully curating a board of my favorite quotes, affirmations, and reminders since high school, it’s my life’s work. I rotate frequently, however, a few of my favorites:

A: Dear reader, I empathize with you. I feel like I’ve been in your shoes multiple times. I recently came to the realization that everyone around me is just trying to protect their own peace. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean their method of madness appears kindly to others. By recalling the rule of protecting one’s own peace (POP, if you will,) you can release the notion that whatever brings you joy is the problem in this scenario. I will endearingly say, dear reader, it is, most likely, not about you. This ‘friend’ of yours likely has built themself up on years of pulverizing others in a haphazard attempt to fill their hideous and desolate abyss of insecurity and doubt with self-importance. Also, you do not have to spend time with people who do not make you feel good, point blank period. XO

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CITIES

Your Spring Break Plans: Sustainability and Social Accountability Is it even possible?

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BY JESSY REHMANN With pandemic panic fading away and warmer weather approaching, more people are giving in to pent-up wanderlust and preparing their international getaways. A report by Economic Intelligence predicts global tourism will increase by 30% in 2023, edging closer to pre-pandemic numbers. Especially for us Midwesterners, swapping out a hot chocolate and the muddy melting season for a piña colada on the beach sounds like heaven. Spring break trips are a highreward trade, but what are the costs?

While tourism helps sustain the economies of many places, “over tourism” can damage the environment and the quality of life for locals.

Venice is sinking and residents are leaving due to rising costs of living. Tulum’s Indigenous populations are being evicted to make way for luxury condos. Hawaii’s residents have faced water shortages and agree their island “is being run for tourists at the expense of local people”.

The glaring negative effects on communities and their ecosystems has led to the rise of ecotourism.

The concept emphasizes supporting a location’s environmental conservation efforts, contributing to its local economy, and learning about its culture in a non-exploitative manner.

Navigating this concept can seem vague and intimidating at first, especially when you want a blissful mental escape during spring break. At the same time, it’s crucial to recognize that where you lounge and party for a week is home for many people. So before you embark on your jet-set adventures, here are some considerations to help

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protect those slices of paradise: Swap out cruises and all-inclusive packages for local experiences I get that cruises are an all-in-one vacation experience. (And whose adolescence wasn’t marked by “The Suite Life on Deck?”) However, those luxury trips are harmful to the earth and local economies. For one, many cruise ships are powered with heavy fuel oil, which can destroy tropical marine environments and pollute the air of port cities. Moreover, cruises and vacation packages implement a pseudo-monopoly on your travel experience. You eat and drink through these companies, buy from their gift-shops and go on their tours. As a result, the destinations you visit gain little economically.

So instead, look for options that help fund the community. Book tours with local travel organizations. Stay in independently-owned hotels. Eat in mom-and-pop shops. Buy souvenirs from local artisans (these make for less tacky gifts anyway). Small swaps like these not only make your experience more authentic, but it directly supports the residents of destination cities.

Consider places of conservation over destination If you’re still debating where to go for spring break, consider traveling to a country where nature is appreciated and conserved. Some examples of these places include: Costa Rica, Kenya, Belize, Iceland, New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands.

Not only can you enjoy gorgeous landscapes and wildlife in these locations, but you can do so

knowing they’re being protected.

Another way to promote environmental conservation during your vacation is to simply do activities in nature. Instead of just hitting the beach, maybe try hiking in a national park or going to an animal conservation sanctuary. But please, don’t be that tourist that hurts ecosystems by going off trails, touching wild animals, carving into rocks and trees, taking shells or littering. The best way to love nature is to let it be.

Arrive educated and listen to locals Wherever you end up going for spring break, whether it’s nearby or half-way around the world, try to read up on the place’s culture and conduct.

After all, you’re a guest in someone else’s home.

It’s respectful to know rules and customs—plus it creates more of an immersive experience for you!

Especially when it comes to visiting historical or sacred sites, going in with knowledge of a place’s significance is not just valuable, but essential.

Arriving in a new place informed by its culture can also open the door for you to discover hidden gems. Talking with locals could lead to experiences you never would have known otherwise. Just remember that everyone is human—a passport stamp may grant you entry, but it doesn’t give you permission to be invasive. Travel should benefit everyone involved. So even in our spring break bliss, we need to be cognizant of exploitation to instead foster appreciation.

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

CITIES

The Wake Spotlights: The Black Student Union

Finally, what is the future of the Black Student Union?

I feel like each year has been very different. You can see through Instagram how much we’ve grown. Seeing each year what different boards add each year, the different events we have, the different people we bring. Watching it all come together to make one cohesive order is my favorite part of being in the Black Student Union.

The Black Student Union is located at room 225 at Coffman Memorial Union.. Regardless of your skin color, the Black Student Union is a great way to make friends, meet new people, and learn more about different experiences.

An overview of a student group with an interesting history and a bright future ahead

BY MAYA BELL Student groups are a major part of any college campus—they’re a great way for students to find friends and bond over shared interests and hobbies.

There are over 1,000 student groups at the University of Minnesota, and in light of Black History Month, I would like to spotlight the Black Student Union.

The Black Student Union was created on January 14, 1969, when seventy students known as “the committee” decided to stage a protest at Morrill Hall demanding the creation of an African-American studies. According to MNopedia, the Black Student Union was one of the first in the nation to establish an African-American Studies department. The Black Student Union has changed over the last 54 years. African American studies have grown since then. With new members and the celebration of Black History Month, I decided to interview the Vice President of Black Student Union, Zakaria Hamari.

How did you hear about the Black Student Union?

I was looking for a Black community on campus. So I was like “oh, BSU”. I went to some of their events before I became a cultural awareness chair my junior year. Now I serve as the vice president. I’ve been involved with the Black Student Union my whole college career.

Why is the Black Student Union important?

I feel like it’s very important because it helps black people find a community on campus while attending a PWI (predominantly white institution).

Especially at a PWI, I think it’s very hard to make those connections. The Black Student Union is like having a home away from home; it gives us a safe space to talk, connect, and understand our differences.

How has the Black Student Union helped you personally?

I feel like the Black Student Union has been very formative in my college career. I’ve gone to a lot of cool conferences; I was able to go to Tennessee last semester; I’ve been able to facilitate meetings. I feel like the Black Student Union has helped me step out of my comfort zone and meet new people/connect to the student body.

What change does the BSU want to see on the campus?

I think retention rates with Black students are something we want to change.

I feel like especially during Covid-19, Black students have been under enrolling due to financial, personal, and academic reasons, as well as possibly having little support. We are trying to really emphasize, “This is your school, you belong here and you should stay here.” Hopefully Black students can graduate more.

What are the challenges of running the BSU? I think the hardest part is making sure that everyone is doing their job. As a vice president, you’re enforcing the rules, being a leader, and giving grace to people when needed. I feel like going through these struggles have been really helpful for me, because now I have these skills that can be transferred to a career.

THE WAKE

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Totally Rad Vintage Fest Comes to Minneapolis

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The Totally Rad Vintage Fest made its anticipated return to the Twin Cities.

BY LENNON GRAY The Totally Rad Vintage Fest made its return to Minneapolis on Feb. 11th, at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Over 150 vendors gathered at this large and vibrant event, selling everything from vintage clothing, jewelry, video games, to toys, and more. The fest boasts itself as the largest 80s, 90s, and Y2K vintage event.

The fest began in October 2020, when Sarah Emerson and her partner Andy at Green Thread Vintage partnered with other vintage vendors to create a large event for their communities to shop vintage clothing. The fest purposely is not affiliated with production companies or investors of any kind, holding true to its roots as a community-oriented event.

Attendees were able to explore the vast convention center and its endless offerings, including bargain bins with clothing under $10, all the way up to rare, one-of-a-kind vintage collectibles. This event was a gold-mine for anyone in love with vintage clothing and thrifting as well as those who have a passion for nostalgia and memorabilia.

I attended the fest with a friend for around two hours, and the venue was overflowing with stylish attendees. It was easy to feel nervous, look down at my own outfit, and question my style. But, my fears subsided when my friend and I interacted with other attendees and found ourselves easily embraced by the community.

Once my friend and I exited the queue and entered the venue, we were amazed with how large the event actually was. There were endless racks to choose from, which felt a bit overwhelming, but also gave us plenty of areas to explore. I ended up purchasing an oversized vintage denim jacket after looking for the perfect one for months. My friend ended up purchasing a few vintage rings, to add to her collection. Overall, it was a successful trip. If you can, try going next year!

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ART

12 Art by Natalie Williams

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH220

FEATURE

The Beast Around the Block Young Thug

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BY KATE DOYLE Boreria volorib earcia explit eveni aut ut quas dolorest hil id quatia porepudam resci nus asimaio vitasperro des idenesedi officim usanihit essinciumet alignatum quibuscid mollature Musto int quam velignis aut laudaernam, sae.

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Pa si quas id maximus cient.

To my best friend, this one’s for you.

THE WAKE

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FEATURE

When I was 16, I lived next to a family that had a girl my age. She was my best friend, a diamond in a world full of rocks.

From the time she moved in, she and I were inseparable. Wherever she went, I was two steps behind. I admired her because no matter what life threw her way, she was always smiling. The sun envied her, making sure the light beams dripping from the sky were always pointed in her direction. The trees sang whenever she blessed them with her beauty. The stars grew jealous that she could shine brighter than they ever could. She was everything. That is until she met Jake.

Moments turned into hours, hours into days. I went from seeing her every day to not seeing her for a month. She disappeared, and her parents became riddled with concern and worry over where she had gone. Without a trace, she had vanished. After five months, the search for her slowed to a halt. Everyone around me began to lose hope that we would ever see her again. I started to lose hope, too.

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Eight months after she disappeared, I went out to coffee with a friend of mine. Nothing was out of the ordinary. I ordered the same sugar-infused drink I always do and sat in my designated spot. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a somewhat familiar face, except something was different. Something was terribly different. Black lipstick covered every square inch of her chapped and bloodied lip. Gobs of black falling off the cliff of what some people call eyelashes.

Heavy darkness drew on her eyelid. A thin black stripe grasped onto her neck.

The tiny bit of fingernail she has left painted crimson. A black shirt clinging onto any indication that there is flesh underneath it. A piece of metal wrapped around her nostril. Black, black, black.

Black had swallowed her whole.

It was her, sitting with the man she claimed was her boyfriend nine months ago. I had met him briefly, telling her he seemed like bad news. I almost did not believe it was her, and the only reason I knew it was her was that I knew the distinguishable features that made up Jake. But she did not look like her. The veins on her arms were begging to be freed from her skin. The graveyard underneath her eyelids was seeking more victims. Ghosts were surrounding her, screaming secrets into her ears. All it took was a small gust of wind to blow her away completely.

Her and I made eye contact for a moment. When her pale gray eyes fell onto mine, I could hear her pleading for help. I knew her, and I knew she needed me. Before I could formulate any type of coherent words, she was gone. Behind her, she left the presence of darkness.

Little did I know, darkness was not the only thing that had swallowed her whole.

According to the U.S. Department of State, between 14,500 and 17,500 U.S. adults are trafficked annually. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota is the third-highestranked state for human trafficking cases involving adult and minor victims.

The Twin Cities is the 13th highestranked hotspot for sex trafficking and prostitution. This is happening around us every single day.

When you think of human trafficking, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I think of sketchy white vans hidden in an alleyway with old men who seem to be missing several teeth asking if I would like a piece of candy. Human trafficking is more than this, though. A majority of the time, victims are taken from bars, restaurants, and nightclubs by being drugged. Other times, a man and woman will be together claiming that their car broke down. When you go over to help, they knock you out and shove you into their car.

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

FEATURE

Victims of human trafficking are psychologically and emotionally manipulated so as to keep them from attempting to escape. Pimps will usually tell the victims that they will kill them or their families if they try to break free.

Depending on the pimp, oftentimes, victims are also physically abused in order to enhance the scare tactics. In order to cope with the pain of their reality, victims will turn to drugs just to get through their day. There is no freedom, there is only hell. A nightmare that is repeated over and over with no end.

When my friend told me she was a victim of human trafficking, I did not know how to react. I wanted to hug her and wash away every ounce of pain coursing through her body, but she did not want to be touched. She was a shell of who she used to be. Her body was meant to carry her from place to place, but there was nothing inside. She was forced to have sex with a different man two times a day and injected her bloodstream with heroin before every encounter. She told me no matter how many times she tried to overdose, her pimp ensured she did not die. He always told her Hell was not ready for her just yet. Last year, my friend was found in her bathroom with her wrists slit. In her suicide note, she wrote “I cannot forget the past no matter how hard I try.”

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I pose these questions to our audience: would you know if someone in your life was a victim of human trafficking?

Would you notice the signs if you witnessed them happening in public?

I encourage you to look into resources by learning how to pick up on human trafficking behavior. If something seems wrong, there is a hotline you can call.

There are thousands of charities you can

The most important part of this, though, is being there for victims. Be a shoulder to cry on and a pair of ears to listen.

Hold them if they want to be held or give them space if that is what they need. Tell them they are worth something when they tell you they feel worthless. Victims are not defined by what happened to them.

Human trafficking is all around us, happening right in front of our eyes every single day. For all we know, the next-door neighbor who you see with bruises on her arms leaving her apartment at 3 A.M. in scandalous clothes could be a victim. Have you ever wondered why she does not come back from days at a time? And why that creepy man is always with her when she does? For all we know, she is a victim.

donate to in order to spread awareness.

Spread as much awareness as you can.

Human trafficking is not talked about enough. There are thousands of people who are suffering as you are reading this feature. Be a voice for them, and make the world aware that this is an issue.

I had no idea my friend was being trafficked. I thought she ran away with her boyfriend because life at home was too much for her to handle. Not a day goes by when I do not think about her. I think about her at the coffee shop and how I should have done something, anything to help her. I think about her pale gray eyes and the cry for help behind them. But I could not get to her in time. Instead, she fell victim to the beast around the block.

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VOICES

The Importance of Romanticizing Yourself

BY DEVNA PANDA I can not remember precisely when I first became so enamored with the concept of romantic love, but I do have some recollection of how. Well before I saw “When Harry Met Sally”, I was watching “Hum Tum” (translation: Me and You), the first Bollywood remake of Nora Ephron’s cinematic masterpiece. The portrayals of love in Hindi movies: relationships brewing between two individuals through stolen glances and flushed cheeks were my first exposure to the ideas of longing and infatuation.

Perhaps, this influence explains why every crush I had for the next decade or so wholly consumed my being, various scenarios involving them constantly taking shape in my mind.

Inspired by Miss Lara Jean Covey herself, I decided to write letters to process my feelings for my paramours. I would analyze exactly why I felt such profundity of emotion for these individuals, and I remember consistently coming up somewhat short in my reasoning.

Though I could articulate what it was that drew me toward someone, I could never understand how these fairly common qualities could possibly translate to such strong feelings, leaving me dumbfounded. The answer was

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rooted in my tendency to romanticize (my true Achilles heel). And perhaps, as Melissa Broder describes it in “Life Without Longing”, I was more enchanted with the act of longing itself than any specific individual.

As I have grown up, I have been confronted by how unreasonable it is to view another person in such a rosy light when they are likely undeserving of this perception. In contrast, when thinking about myself for much of my life, I would gloss over my positive qualities and fixate on the ways in which I did not see myself measuring up to others. If I had something going for myself, I always chalked it up to mere circumstance or simply valued it as less valuable than the positive aspects of other people’s lives. When someone complimented me, I could never fully embrace the idea that they might have genuinely meant what they said. And yet when I consider the way in which I viewed romantic interests, I would nearly always dismiss their negative attributes and focus single-mindedly on all of their favorable characteristics—real or imagined. Neither method is healthy, so perhaps adopting a happy medium as a mindset would be ideal.

is essentially about how the singer wants the feeling of being unable to stop thinking about someone else to be reciprocated by them. The song’s chorus includes the lyric: “I just want to be the one you dance with.” I had listened to this song so many times that I had practically internalized this line. This past New Year’s Eve, aat the party I attended, I noticed that I did not feel free enough to dance unless someone else was dancing with me. Upon having this realization, I imagined directing this song to myself rather than another individual. What if I could be happy to dance alone? What if I perceived myself in the rosy light that I had grown accustomed to seeing other people in?

On New Year’s Day, I wrote myself a letter, describing all of the many characteristics I admire about myself and considering why I am worthy of romanticization. I don’t know that I believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I have resolved to extend the kindness and indulgence I give to other people to myself.

In the autumn of 2022, I was playing one Orion Sun song incessantly: while getting ready, when walking into a lecture hall, etc. The song

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

VOICES

Defending Drag A fight to maintain queer spaces

BY COLE O’BRIEN It seems to be a time of unprecedented success for drag queens. From Jinkx Monsoon’s Broadway debut as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in “Chicago” to Trixie and Katya’s massive social media followings and mega-popular Youtube series “Unhhhh,” one thing is undeniable: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni have undoubtedly shone a spotlight on the art of drag over the past 15 seasons. However, with drag’s admittance into mainstream media has come an aggressive rise in pushback against the art form.

Drag has a rich history, dating back as far as Shakespearean times when men would dress up to fill the roles of women, as women were not allowed to perform in plays at the time. It is in these performances that the use of the word ‘drag’ appears to originate. Drag as we know it today, however, fully began to take form in the early 20th century of the United States. At this time referred to as Vaudeville, female impersonators combined comedy, music, dance, and burlesque to create an offbeat type of live entertainment that quickly gained popularity in the gay community. The creation of underground speakeasies during the prohibition era of the 1920’s offered a place where the gay community could express themselves out of the watchful eye of the public.

Drag continued to flourish beneath the dim lights underground, withstanding attacks from police forces who frequently raided these gay night clubs.

It was not until the 1980’s that drag truly entered the mainstream as gender-bent performances became much more common in the media. Nearly 40 years later and drag

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appears to have withstood the test of time; however, a recent surge in anti-drag sentiments has threatened the very existence of drag. A quick online search presents article after article boasting a very similar headline: ‘Drag show becomes target amid rising anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments’. The most recent push by right-wing legislators has marked drag performers as “groomers” who intend to prey on minors who attend their shows. As of February 8th, 2023, at least nine state legislators are making pushes to restrict or criminalize drag shows. Facing opposition from both acts of physical violence, such as the shooting at Club Q (a well-known location for the LGBTQIA+ community and drag performances), as well as from those in positions of governmental power, it seems that drag and its performers need the support of the LGBTQIA+ community now more than ever.

The drag scene has historically offered a place of comfort for much of the queer community to escape the turmoils of their lives and exist in a space where they were able to openly express themselves. Therefore, the anti-drag legislations that have been proposed within the past year must be seen as not only an attack on drag, but also as an attack on the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole. Most of these proposed anti-drag bills attack freedom of expression, defining a drag performer as someone performing while using dress, makeup, and mannerisms associated with a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth. This proposed ban enforces a gender binary that many members of the LBTQIA+ community challenge the very existence of and ultimately threatens freedom of gender expression for all.

These bans threaten trans and other gender non-conforming individuals and show an attempt by right-wing legislators to discredit the existence of these individuals. The passing of these bills would completely negate the decades of progress that drag queens have led in the acceptance and integration of LGBTQIA+ individuals into the mainstream.

Regardless of your direct relationship to the art of drag, it is undeniable that the drag community has been a champion of LGBTIA+ rights over the past decades. Drag performers encourage us to shatter the limits of the gender binary and often offer a safe space for many queer individuals to come into their own. Without the decades-long fight that the drag community has been a part of, it is unlikely that the queer community as a whole would have the privileges that they do today.

An attack on drag is undeniably an attack on both the LGBTQIA+ community and freedom of expression. In their moment of need, it is crucial that we show up for these drag queens in the ways that they have shown up for the community over countless decades. Whether it be supporting local drag queens by attending drag shows (check out the Gay 90’s right here in Minneapolis) or calling legislators to voice dissent on the attack on drag one thing is certain: We cannot do nothing. It is time for the LGBTIA+ community to back the very drag community that championed change for us all these years.

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VOICES

The College System Creates the Pre-med Dropout A surplus of student pressure is the precursor for every medical professional

BY MADI FRAEDRICH Immediately upon entering college, it feels as though completely building and revamping a personal identity will entirely determine how the course of the next four years will go. Some will turn to Greek life to find a sister/brotherhood, some will turn to the theater, and even more yet will make the awful mistake of turning to pre-med/pre-law programs.

As a biology major who never had the intention of going pre-med, I have personally experienced the large amount of pressure to perform well in extremely difficult chemistry and biology courses. Even sitting in the classroom environment, it feels alienating to not have the same pre-med dream as my peers. Professors and fellow students constantly discuss the classes and certain lab elements that would look good on an application for medical school, and it builds unseen tension within every student to study until their brains are rotted. While it makes logical sense that these specific majors are designed for students to be best prepared for the postgraduate education they need, it makes everyone else feel the pressure. Regardless, the system of pressure creates uncertainty in the future for many students and eliminates a lot of potential career opportunities that don’t require postgraduate education. College advisors and many resources are available to prepare you for the post graduate steps; however even with these guides, you can still feel lost. It’s best to evaluate where you want to utilize your skills best; like if you find a love for journalism while stuck in pre-law classes, you still have time to make a writing career possible. If you find yourself dwelling in a pool of tears due to the academic stress of high GPAs and what looks good on an application, know that the options are not as limited as you think and that education regardless is a huge benefit for your future.

Study Abroad: A Better Freshman Year

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Another Round of Intrigue, Drama, and Memories

BY HANA HANDZIJA These are all very common things I heard from people when they found out I was studying abroad. Though they are probably very helpful and hold some truth, none of them told me what the reality of studying abroad would really be: freshman year part two.

As someone who experienced freshman year of college through the lens of a pandemmy, my freshman year was not really comparable to a normal freshman year. It was isolating, anxiety-inducing, and extremely depressing. The reality was a lot less fun than the fun, social, and random time that I expected it to be. It was not at all like what the world told me to expect.

Studying abroad, however, was exactly how I pictured freshman year to be, just in a completely different setting at a completely different time in my life. Meeting new people, having new adventures, and going so far outside your comfort zone that you develop an even-broader sense of what you can handle were all things I believed to be synonymous with freshman year in a positive way. All the wonderful things that come with being uncomfortable in a new environment but with a little more maturity to appreciate it.

Moral of the story, to my future study abroad-ers: appreciate the people you meet when you start this new adventure. It might feel redundant and frustrating being thrust into a brand-new throng of people after spending five semesters solidifying and working on friendships you only just made, but only these new friends can understand the feeling of being honked at by Vespas and scolded Italian women because your bag broke on the way home from the grocery store, and that is priceless.

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FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

VOICES

Myth of the Good Girl “Is she in the room with us right now?”

BY NITHYA VENKAT My life lately has been a lot of introspection.

Lots of vision boards, lots of goal setting, lots of affirmations, and a lot of tears. “I just wanna be a good person” I mutter like a prayer while I take a 20-minute shower hoping to scrub myself into a better version of myself. I have spent so many nights trying to figure out if I am a good person or if I’m not or whatever it may be. Do boys not like me because I’m a bad person? Are they uncovering who I really am? Men tell me I’m mean and that I’m selfish and it always used to boggle my mind because no woman has ever said that to me. And the answer to this question is and always has been “the patriarchy.” The stereotype of the good girl is as old as time. From the girl in class who doesn’t talk to boys, to the perfect housewife, to the “clean girl it girl”, men reinvent a new image of what a ‘good woman’ is whenever they want to serve whatever they want. And the goalpost will always move. So let’s understand where this stereotype originates, how it affects women, and how to break the shackles of good girl-ism.

The currency of the patriarchy is controlling women, and put simply, that is why the idea of ‘the good girl’ exists. There’s an image in our minds of the good girl. The girl who’s not too much or too little. Who works hard but not so hard that she sacrifices relationships. Who prioritizes her man without being clingy. This idea is so pervasive that Gillian Flynn wrote a book about a woman who stages her own death to frame her husband because she was so tired of being a ‘good girl.’

And it’s sad and sick that Gone Girl reads like a perverse fantasy of female rage. In her book “Break the Good Girl Myth” Majo Mofino writes “It’s because our society has conditioned too many of us to believe that we will be rewarded only when we are being nice, playing by the rules, and working hard.” And in an interpersonal sense, this gives men the power to tell us when we are

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not being ‘good.’ Being good is being easy. It’s about not having needs, or voicing your needs, or expressing your feelings. Because we’re told if we don’t ask for anything, we will somehow meet someone who will give us everything we want. Put simply, good girl-ism exists to make women feel needy for having needs, and to create a culture where we constantly add to the laundry list of what makes a woman ‘enough.’

And how does this affect women? Well, it affects us badly. I’ve spent too many nights with my close friends, my acquaintances, and even strangers in the bar bathroom crying about how to make ourselves enough for guys. It doesn’t matter how hot we are, how smart we are, how successful we are, and how much we know it. Men somehow succeed in making us feel like we are not enough.

They say things like we’re mean when we’re honest, we’re narcissistic when we’re confident, and we’re clingy when we try to apologize. And it fuels this never-ending cycle of trying to figure out how exactly we need to play the game to win whatever we’re supposed to win. And here’s my reality check for all women reading this: you are the prize! The game of the good girl is a spiral. And we don’t need to be good girls.

Good has always been subjective. It will always mean something else to every man who wants something different. We will never be good enough.

We shatter the myth of the good girl when we stop caring. We don’t need to be good girls. We need to be people of integrity. And that’s something that comes from within. So I will keep journaling, keep self-affirming, keep manifesting, and I will keep making good decisions, bad decisions, and everything in between because that’s what it means to be human. I am no longer a good girl, because I’m focused on being human.

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SIX REVIEWS

This Is Why… Let’s Start Here Honey Samia’s sophomore album paints a beautiful picture within each song

BY CARTER STARKEY As a fan of Samia’s first album, “The Baby,” and the rest of her work, I was nothing short of ecstatic to hear that we’d be gifted another album from the New York-bred, Nashville-based singer-songwriter. Her sophomore album, “Honey,” was released at the end of last month.

The project paints a beautiful picture within each song. Samia’s lyrics leave me in a constant state of emotional panic. Will I ever write a sentence that can compare to one of Samia’s songs? Will I ever recover from hearing “Breathing Song” or “Kill Her Freak Out” for the first time? Her words are enchanting with imagery that is second to none in the industry today.

Much like the rest of her discography, this album can be split into distinct groups: songs to cry to, bops, and bops to cry to. Songs like “Mad At Me” and “Honey” populate the first group, and the aforementioned “Breathing Song” is definitely one to cry to. “Kill Her Freak Out” and “Pink Balloon” fall somewhere perfectly in between.

On his fifth studio album, the “Minnesota” and “Poland” rapper makes his first venture into psychedelic rock

BY ROGAN ISBELL Lil Yachty may be better known for comical trap songs, but he pays homage to artists like Pink Floyd and Tame Impala on his newest album in a major artistic shift.

Yachty said he wanted to be taken more seriously as an artist during a listening party before the album’s release. Artists like Teezo Touchdown, Daniel Caesar, Magdalena Bay, and more are credited and show Yachty’s commitment to making a forward-thinking sound.

“The Black Seminole” is a nearly seven-minute ambitious journey that sounds like a modern version of something from Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and is a perfect introduction to the album, letting the listener know they’ve never heard anything like this from Yachty before.

The rest of the record is a very vibrant, upbeat experience with smooth transitions between songs and fun vocal performances from Yachty.

The songs are mostly tame and chill before leading to the climatic and attention-grabbing “I’ve Officially Lost Vision.”

This album builds on the uniqueness of Lil Yachty and what he does well as a rapper while also introducing a new psychedelic element to make this a groundbreaking album. Rappers like Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi have experimented with rock elements before but not quite as well as Yachty.

This is definitely worth a listen, even if you’re not a Yachty fan, as the ambition has to be respected regardless of your thoughts on the sound. Hopefully, this album will inspire more artists to break out of their comfort zone.

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…you need to listen to Paramore’s new album ASAP

BY SOMMER WAGEN Never have I been more disappointed about a 250-word count than now. I need an Alexandrian library full of volumes to describe how I feel about Paramore’s sixth studio album, “This Is Why.” I’ll try to keep it short.

The much-anticipated album, said lead singer Hayley Williams, is a culmination of lessons learned over the years, some of which “are really personal and some that are part of a bigger picture that we are all engaged in.” In the same way, this album perfectly blends Williams’ recent solo work (which I highly recommend) and the quintessential Paramore pop-punk sound. You can tell that the trio of Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro have tremendous creative and personal chemistry after nearly two decades of growing up together through a somewhat fraught history.

Paramore put their three singles for the album, “This is Why,” “The News,” and “C’est Comme Ça” towards the beginning of the album, which usually I’m not a fan of. However, this album’s deep cuts are just as strong, if not more enjoyable than the singles were upon first listen. The bassoon on Big Man, Little Dignity, and Figure 8 are exciting new experiments that are great successes, and nothing will top the transition from “Running Out Of Time” to “CCC.” Like every good Paramore album, the track order is genius, and each song builds upon the one before. You’re completely enthralled by the final track, “Thick Skull,” when Williams murmurs hauntingly, “I am a magnet for broken pieces.”

Williams, York, and Farro poured years of creativity, introspection, rage, resignation, vulnerability, and reflection into this album, which absolutely shows. In sum, if I had to wait another six years for this good of a Paramore album, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

SIX REVIEWS

Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Rihanna performs a solid greatest-hits melody from 200 feet in the air

BY PETER NOMELAND The Super Bowl halftime show has given us some iconic performances by some of our favorite musicians.

Often a greatest-hits compilation with extravagant production values, like what we’ve seen artists like Prince or Beyonce, are incredible and career-defining performances… And then we get years with the Black Eyed Peas or M*roon 5. The bar was set very high last year when Dr. Dre headlined an all-star group of hiphop legends such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.

Enter Rihanna who, after years of holding out from doing the show, becomes the latest pop star to step into the halftime-show arena. If you take away anything from this halftime show, it’s just the sheer amount of certified hits Rihanna has accumulated. The show featured a whopping 12 songs packed into the 13-minute performance, beginning with “Bitch Better Have My Money” and ending with “Diamonds,” the latter of which I referred to in my high-school group chat as “one of the best pop songs of our time.” The vocals sounded great, the army of backup dancers dressed as Antarctica scientists displayed outstanding choreography and skill, and Rihanna herself looked incredible as usual in her all-red attire.

The show’s highlight, however, was the set Rihanna and the dancers were located on.

Towering platforms that raised up to 200 feet were a simple and awe-inspiring performance feature that you look for in shows like this.

Rihanna isn’t known as a great live performer per se, leaning on her backup dancers, and the lack of a Jay-Z surprise verse on “Umbrella” was disappointing. But all in all, it was a great halftime performance by an all-time hit-maker.

Oh yeah, she also announced that she’s pregnant again during the show, so there’s that THE WAKE surprise too.

Requiem Mass Korn

BY ABBY VELA Consisting of live recordings from Korn’s 2022 album release, the EP “Requiem Mass” serves as an elegy to those who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, a call to action, and renewed hope for the future.

The recordings included on “Requiem Mass” are highlights from live streamed album release last February, played in a church to a crowd of 300. Complete with a live choir, the music on this EP fills the space with a wall of neardivine sound—a nod to the religious undertones of both “Requiem” and the metal genre as a whole. While “Requiem Mass” is simply an audio recording, you can almost feel the faint glow of the candlelight, stained glass, and gothicstyle dampness.

The five songs together form something of a story: one of tragedy, healing, and redemption.

“Start The Healing” speaks directly to the listener, urging them to grow from anger and engage in emotional healing. In contrast, “Lost In The Grandeur” and “Hopeless and Beaten” are calls for help, speaking to the band members’ experience to alleviate the pressure of performance that comes with being musicians in the public eye. The EP ends with an open ending: “Worst Is On Its Way” is about panic over an uncertain future, and “Let The Dark Do The Rest” is about moving on from a traumatic past.

The live recordings of these songs give the project a palpable urgency—humans need to heal and change to ensure a future for everyone. With these live versions being released a year after their recording, I think it’s safe to say that there’s a sense of triumph that runs through “Requiem Mass,” that maybe things are looking up.

The 2023 Grammy Awards Music’s most important night always leaves disappointment in its wake

BY COLE O’BRIEN At this point in time, I can be certain of two things.

First, I will always approach the bus stop just in time to watch the Campus Connector drive away, ultimately rendering my attempts at making it to class on time useless.

And secondly, the annual Grammy Awards will always come around and leave a slew of angry Twitter stans and music snobs in its wake. It seems like every time the Grammys roll around, it is inevitable to find trending phrases such as “snubbed” or “Scammys” everywhere you look. The aftermath of the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place on February 5th, created a ‘trending now’ page that looked no different. With constant backlash from viewers, it is peculiar why the Recording Academy—a committee of 12,000 voting members and 3,000 non-voting professionals—still holds so much power over the general music industry.

Regardless, millions worldwide tuned in for “music’s biggest night of the year” only to be let down again, resorting to Twitter to spew hate and confusion at the artists who edged out their obviously more deserving faves. Whether it be disappointment from something as trivial as the overall-lackluster performances of today’s ‘biggest stars’ or from the much more consequential, repeated racial bias evident in the lack of non-white winners in the mainstream categories, it seems as though it is “about damn time” for music lovers and artists to begin to view and appreciate music as the art form that the show originally intended itself to be.

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Q&A

Umbreen Hasan

BY PETER NOMELAND Umbreen Hasan is a Minneapolisbased artist and physician with an MBA in healthcare administration. She specializes in mixed-media paintings, some of which can currently be seen at the Coffman Art Gallery alongside Laura Ahola-Young in the gallery’s “Efflorescence” showcase through March 19.

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: How did you get started in art and painting?

Umbreen: In 2016, I was involved in a serious motor-vehicle accident. I had some time off and went to a craft store as I loved making botanical arrangements. By chance, I ended up in front of the aisle containing all sorts of paints. I had absolutely no idea how to paint. I asked the sales assistant to help me, and she gave me a canvas, some acrylics, and brushes.

I came home and randomly painted my first abstract art. It was pour acrylics [at that time, I had no idea that this technique existed]. When my family came home in the evening, they could not believe I had made that artwork. I still have that painting as it is very dear to my heart.

It is called “twilight.” Since then, I have never stopped painting.

: Describe your artistic style.

U: Since I am self-taught and still learning, I have a unique signature style. I do not use the traditional brushes the majority of the time. I use my hands to paint and other tools such as fire, compressed air, gravity, hardware tools, as well as chemical reactions. All of my paintings are inspired by nature. I also incorporate natural elements in my paintings such as gems, gold dust, and other organic elements. I believe my paintings are an extension of nature. : Who are some of your biggest artistic inspirations?

U: Being a practicing physician, I have never had time to study the history of art and its various periods. For me, nature is the biggest inspiration. I am always drawn by the beauty of nature. Having lived in New Zealand, I

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 20

Q&A

have appreciated the beauty as well as the unpredictability of natural elements. My artistic inspiration has always been nature.

Over a period of time, the way you look at any scenery is different from a normal person. You start looking at the elements and how you would incorporate it in your paintings. I love collecting driftwood, gems, etc. which in the past, I have incorporated in my artwork. : What are some of your favorite pieces (if any)?

U: I have numerous pieces, and some of them have a very strong emotional bond. Being an artist, I feel that when you look at the blank canvas, you transfer your emotions on the blank canvas. Your paintings are a way of expressing your feelings to the outside world.

Some of my favorite pieces are: [I have attached the pictures] 1. “Meteorite treasures”: one of my earliest paintings, which is 3-D. Here I have incorporated 24-karat gold, dust, as well as real amethyst and quartz in the painting.

2. “Rouge wave”: this is one of my newer paintings. It is oil on canvas. These days I am working on seascapes. I really love the way the water appears to be spiraling out of control in this painting.

3. “Sunset over the wheat field”: this painting is Cold Wax with Lawyer. The Cold Wax has been carved to make the wheat field. I love making this painting.

4. “Rainbow in the sky”: these are the vibrant alcohol inks on canvas. This was made with compressed air.

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: How do you balance being a practicing MD while also making time for your art?

U: Initially I was working full-time, but over the years I have cut back practicing as a physician so I can give more time to my art. After my life-changing motor-vehicle accident, I realized that life is too short, and one should pursue their dreams and passions. That is when I decided to build a home, commercial-grade studio and pursue my art as this is one thing which I truly love, and it brings me a lot of happiness. I also love when my clients tell me how much joy and happiness they get from my artwork. : Is there any feedback you’ve gotten that has really stayed with you?

U: Over the years, I have received numerous comments from people regarding my artwork, which has meant a lot to me. My aim is to always produce artwork which is colorful and vibrant and brings joy and happiness to people.

When clients tell me how hanging my artwork has changed the ambiance in that space, and every day they look at the artwork first thing in the morning, I feel I’ve achieved my goal.

Recently I had an artwork commissioned in memory of someone who had passed away.

After I completed that artwork and her friend came to pick it up for the memorial service, she cried and told me that this is how they wanted her friend to be remembered, and this is how she had envisioned the artwork. That was very moving, and it meant a lot to me.

: Can you tease any future projects?

U: Currently I am working on the “Seascape” collection, which will be released in the next couple of months. My website is www. umbreenhasan.com, and it will be released over there. This is going to be a beautiful and unique collection.

Once a year in spring, I do an annual studio clearance sale as I always believe that everyone should be able to own a piece of original artwork. That sale would be announced on my Instagram @umbreenhasan.

I have more than 250 paintings at this time, which is also a way to clear up the space for additional paintings. I paint every day, so I end up with a lot of paintings by the end of the year.

My long-term goal is to set up an art center for people with physical disabilities. I am a rheumatologist, and I see a lot of patients with arthritis. I believe art is therapeutic in nature.

This is something which has always been at the back of my mind, and at some point, I want to open up an art therapy center.

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BMM EBZ